UNITED STATES SHIP OHIO, San Francisco, April 6, 1849. GENTLEMEN: I have received your letter of yesterday's date, calling my attention to what purports to be an extract from a communication to the Navy Department from Commodore Jones, dated 25th October, 1848, and asking whether I consider the imputations conveyed therein as applicable to either of you. In reply, I beg leave to state that I do not consider the imputations applicable to either of you; and that, so far as your conduct has come under my observation, it has been characterized by the most zealous and faithful discharge of duty. If you have been influenced by the maddening effects of the gold mania, it has been only to excite you to greater vigilance, under the peculiar circumstances by which we have been surrounded, than would have been necessary in ordinary times. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieutenants JOSEPH F. GREEN, JOHN B. MARCHAND, SAM. FORREST, Purser. UNITED STATES SHIP OHIO, Off Sansalito, April 6, 1849. GENTLEMEN: I received your note yesterday, calling my attention to an extract that has been going the rounds of the public papers, purporting to be an extract from Commodore Jones's despatch numbered 34, and dated October 25, 1848. I have seen the extract referred to, and have to reply, in answer to your question whether I think it applicable to you or not, that I do not consider it at all applicable to you. I know of no officers who have at tained a higher character in their profession for every quality that ennobles it, and, under the trying circumstances through which we have been and are now passing, who have put forth more strenuous exertions to sustain good order and discipline, and to preserve the honor and character of the navy. I am, truly, yours, Lieutenants Jos. F. GREEN, JAS. McCORMICK. J. B. MARCHAND, UNITED STATES SHIP OHIO, San Francisco, [received April 7, 1849.] GENTLEMEN: In reply to your note of last evening, I have to state that I am not aware of any excitement evinced by either of you in relation to the gold mines whatever, since we have been on the station. I am, very respectfully, yours, J. L. C. HARDY, Lieutenants J. F. GREEN and J. B. MARCHAND, U. S. N. Capt. U. S. M. C. UNITED STATES SHIP OHIO, Harbor of San Francisco, April 6, 1849. GENTLEMEN: I have received your letter of the 5th instant, calling my attention to an extract from a communication purporting to be from Commodore Jones to the Navy Department, dated October 25, 1848which extract has been published in several papers lately received from the United States-and requesting me to state whether I believe the imputation contained in the same is applicable to either of you. In reply, I would most unhesitatingly state that I do not believe the above imputations applicable to either of you; and am most happy to have it in my power to testify to the good example you have invariably set amidst the trying scenes through which we have passed, as well as to the faithful and zealous manner in which you have performed your duty. Very respectfully, &c., ROBERT T. MACCOUN, Lieutenants J. F. GREEN and J. B. MARCHAND. U. S. SHIP OHIO, April 7, 1849. GENTLEMEN: To your note of the 5th instant, asking my attention to an extract from the communication of Commodore Jones to the department, dated Monterey, October 25, 1848, I can reply without hesitation, that no conduct or language of yours coming to my knowledge, either directly or indirectly, in relation to the gold excitement, then or subsequently, can, in my opinion, reflect any dishonor or impropriety on your character, or subject you in the least to the imputation contained in the extract. Respectfully, yours, P. G. CLARKE, Chaplain U. S. Navy. Lieutenants J. F. GREEN and Jos. B. MARCHAND, U. S. ship Ohio. U. S. SHIP OHIO, Sansalito, April 6, 1849. GENTLEMEN: In reply to your note of the 5th instant, referring me to an extract from a communication from Commodore Jones to the Navy Department, dated Monterey, October 26, 1848, and published in the newspapers, I consider that I am doing but justice to two zealous, correct, and meritorious officers, by stating that I do not believe that either of you were or have been in the least tainted" by the "gold mania;" but that, on the contrary, the condition of things on the coast has only rendered you both more vigilant in the performance of your duties. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. J. BEE, Assistant Surgeon. Lieutenants J. F. GREEN and J. B. MARCHAND. U. S. SHIP OHIO, Sansalito, April 6, 1849. GENTLEMEN: I have received your note of yesterday, calling my at tention to an extract of a communication to the Navy Department from Commodore Jones, dated Monterey, October 25, 1848, and published in the papers recently received on board the ship. In answer, I have to state that I have seen that extract, and was much astonished at it, and do not think that the imputations therein contained are at all applicable to either Lieutenants Green and Marchand or any of the officers of the ship. Respectfully, &c., M. K. WARRINGTON, Lieutenants J. F. GREEN and J. B. MARCHAND, Acting Master. U. S. ship Ohio. U. S. SHIP OHIO, Bay of San Francisco, April 8, 1849. GENTLEMEN: From an intimate association with you both as a member of the same mess, I must in justice say, in answer to your note of the 5th instant, that the imputation contained in Commodore Jones's communication to the Navy Department, dated October 25, 1848, and published in the newspapers recently received from the United States, cannot in the least apply to either of you. Your conduct has not in any instance, that I am aware of, exhibited the slightest sign of the prevalent thirst after gold which characterizes so many in California. Very respectfully, yours, N. C. BARABINO, Surgeon. Lieutenants J. F. GREEN and J. B. MARCHAND. FLAG-SHIP OHIO, April 8, 1849. GENTLEMEN: In my present position, and with my views of military propriety, I beg leave to decline the request contained in your note of the 5th instant. Very respectfully, CHS. M. ARMSTRONG, First Lieutenant. Lieutenants J. F. GREEN and J. B. MARCHAND. U. S. SHIP OHIO, April 8, 1849. GENTLEMEN: Previous to the receipt of your note of the 5th instant, my attention had been arrested by the paragraph over the signature of Commodore Jones, published in the United States, to which you have alluded. I assure you I believe the imputations therein contained inap plicable to either of you; and so far from exhibiting a remissness in the performance of duty-a forgetfulness of those obligations you owe your country-your conduct has always been characterized by the most faithful and zealous discharge of every duty. I am, respectfully, &c., W. E. BOUDINOT, Acting Master. Lieutenants JOSEPH F. GREEN and J. B. MARCHAND. This communication was received at about 9 o'clock a. m., April the 9th, 1849, by me, and placed in the hands of Commodore Jones about 7 o'clock p. m. the same day. C. K. STRIBLING, Captain. "Monday, the 9th of April, was the day named positively for the closing of the mail and departure of the mail steamer Oregon for Panama; and Lieutenants Green and Marchand, though having ten days to prepare, took good care to conceal their design from me till the last hour; and when it was put into the hands of Commander Stribling, to be handed to me, he kept it ten hours longer, notwithstanding we were both on board the Ohio when the paper was put into his hands, as shown, about 9 a. m. the day the paper bears date; and, as if studions to prevent, as long as possible, my having any knowledge of the mischief he had been in some degree the author of, although he knew that I was otherwise much pressed for time to prepare my despatches for the Navy Department, he permitted me to leave the ship for recreation on shore about 5 p. m. without intimating in any manner that he was in possession of such a missile, then all day in his possession, which he ultimately placed in my hands, as already stated, about 7 p. m. of the 9th of April-too late, as it was doubtless hoped, for me to make any explanation in time to accompany the duplicate clandestinely despatched to the Hon. Secretary, through another channel, before what purports to be the original was put into my hands to be forwarded by the steamer supposed to be getting under way.'" The above is a true copy of the closing paragraph of the letter (No. 52) of 9th April, 1849. THOS. AP C. JONES. Interrogations submitted to C. K. Stribling, captain of the fleet, and com manding the United States ship Ohio. BAY OF SAN FRANCISCO, Did you, as captain of the fleet, about the 19th or 20th day of October last, while in the bay of Monterey, receive any letter or letters, or verbal communications, addressed to, or intended for me, as the commander of the Pacific squadron, from Lieutenants J. F. Green, J. B. Marchand, T. A. M. Craven, or any other officers of their class or station in the squadron, remonstrating against the restrictions imposed by my special order No. 2, dated October 19, 1848? If yea, what disposition did you make of such letters and messages? THOS. AP C. JONES, Commander-in chief of the Pacific Squadron. Answer. About the date above mentioned, I did receive a letter from Lieutenant Craven, remonstrating against "Special Order No. 2." Believ ing such a letter not calculated to benefit the aforesaid licutenant, 1 returned it to him, with a note stating that I would bring the matter to the notice of the commander-n-chief. The next day the letter was returned with a note to me requesting me to forward the letter, which request I com. plied with. About the same time, I received a letter from Lieutenant Marchand to the same effect as the letter from Lieutenant Craven. I sent for Lieu tenant Marchand and, at MY REQUEST, he withdrew the letter upon my promising to bring the subject to the notice of the commander in chief. Not long before, or after, I do not recollect which, Lieutenant Green sought an interview with me. He represented to me his views upon the subject of discipline, &c., as inducing him to speak to ine in relation to the "Special Order No. 2" instead of writing. I promised to bring the mat. ter to your notice, when the interview terminated. I did not receive any other letters, or verbal communications, from others of their class or sta tion in the squadron, remonstrating against "Special Order No. 2." The above statement is correct to the best of my recollection and belief. Respectfully, &c., C. K. STRIBLING, Captain of the Fleet, &c., &c., &c. And thereupon the court stands adjourned until half-past 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. JANUARY 1, 1851-Half past 9 o'clock a. m. The court met in pursuance of adjournment. Present: the president, all the members, and the judge advocate. The record of the proceedings on yesterday is read and approved. And thereupon the court is adjourned till to-morrow morning at halfpast 10 o'clock. JANUARY 2, 1851-Half-past 10 o'clock a. m. The court met pursuant to adjournment. Present: the president, all the members, and the judge advocate. The record of the proceedings on yesterday is read and approved. Purser Forrest is recalled for further cross-examination by the accused, and is cross-examined by him as follows; the accused stating that his object is to prove that condition of things in the squadron which justified the use of the word "taint" by him in the despatch No. 34. The judge advocate states that, although this is not strictly cross examination, he interposes no objection. Question 1-What was the effect produced on the officers of the squadron generally, when the Southampton arrived at La Paz, Lower California, in July, 1848, with the first intelligence of the great gold discovery in Upper California? Answer. There appeared to be a great deal of excitement and conver sation about the discovery of gold; that was the only effect I observed. Question 2.-Were there not various plans devised, suggested, and freely discussed, by the gun-room officers of the Ohio, immediately after the Southampton joined the squadron at La Paz, for a trading voyage from Mazatlan to San Francisco-the funds to be raised by the officers of |