The "JAVA" having arrived, the passengers began to tell their story to the Press
and others. The "Adelaide Chronicle" of February 11th carried the following
article
" We regret to hear that shameful misconduct and neglect are attributed to the
Captain and Surgeon of the "JAVA", now lying in Holdfast Bay. His Excellency the
Governor, has taken the matter in hand and we doubt not, authentic particulars
will soon be had before the public."
This article received an immediate response in two newspapers at least when they
published a letter in reply from Dr. J.Phin. Smith who wrote as below
To the Editor of the Southern Australian.
Sir,
I have just observed in the "Adelaide Chronicle " of yesterday, the statement
that shameful misconduct had been attributed to the surgeon of the ship "JAVA'.
The paragraph referring to me, I must request you to give publicity to a
complete disavowal on my part, of having had anything to do with the unpleasant
proceedings that have taken place on board that vessel. As I have had nothing
what ever to do with the Emigrants, I cannot consequently be affected by any
complaints which they may have made.
I have the honor to remain, Sir
Your most obedient servant, J.Phin. Smith M.D. Surgeon to the ship "JAVA" |
The editors of the "Southern Australian" published the doctor's letter with the
comment
"As a matter of justice we insert the above letter. We have also heard of the
affairs on board the "JAVA" but we refrain from remarks until the pending
enquiry is finished. If we understand Dr Smith aright, he is merely the surgeon
of the ship, and as such, of course he had nothing to do with the Emigrants.
-Ed. "
Likewise the Adelaide Chronicle on the 23 February clarified the doctors status
when it ran the following article,
"The "JAVA"--Mr. Smith surgeon of the JAVA, has addressed a note to the Editor
of the Southern Australian, complaining of a statement published in the
Chronicle of the 11th inst., "referring to him as surgeon of the "JAVA". As we
had not the pleasure of Mr. Smith's acquaintance, and were ignorant even of his
name till it appeared in print, our allusion could not be personal to him; and
as, at the time we wrote, we were not aware that there were two surgeons on
board the JAVA, it is equally plain we referred to the doctor in charge of the
emigrants. If Mr. Smith had done us the honour to point out to ourselves the
mistake, we should have been most happy to have acknowledged it immediately."
How strange it seems from this author's modern perspective that a doctor who
travelled on a ship on which there was so much suffering and death can say that
he had nothing to with the emigrants and be allowed to rest his case!
