stefansson-wrangel-09-14-067-002

Griffith Brewer Esq., -2.

On the same date by a deferred cable Mr. Stefansson again
cabled me:

"Confirm sending you to-day Ten Thousand
American dollars Money contributed for
specific purpose of chartering outfit
and bank deposit for relief ship One
cabled Nome Nineteenth July Instruct
Noice no money must be spent unless ship
actually sails."

These two cables are the only instructions that I received
in regard to the disposition of the money that was sent prior
to the time that the money was actually spent. I did not know
your name, and I assumed that the money was a transfer from Mr.
Stefansson to the company, and I carried out his instructions
implicitly. If I had been notified that any personal respon-
sibility must be attached to me in regard to this money, I
would have refused to accept it, but if you had intended that
I should be held personally responsible then you were remiss
in not advising me of this promptly.

Mr. Stefansson wrote to me on August 15th and again
on August 28th, in both of which letters he mentioned your name,
and refers to the money as a debt which he owes to you.

On September 5th, after the money had been spent
and the expedition had returned, (Mr. Noice had left Nome on
September 4th), Mr. Stefansson cabled to Mr. Anderson, read-
ing in part as follows:

"Inform Noice greatest economy imperative.
Funds given by British private donors
strictly for rescue. If used other pur-
poses they may proceed legally against
Company."

Mr. Anderson repeated this cable to Mr. Noice the day it reached
here. Mr. Noice did not receive it as he had left on the pre-
vious day, although he did get a copy of it when he reached
Seattle.

What I have written is, as far as I can see, all
that there is to be said on the question of my personal res-
ponsibility, and I will be glad if you will make my position
entirely clear to anyone who may have seen your letter of