. The rescued men were then in great suffering; and rum,
gruel and coffee were administered to them, and their feet,
hands, and heads bathed in liniment and rum. They were constantly
and tenderly cared for by Messrs. Wheeler and Philbrick, assisted
by Mr. Andrew J. Wheeler, until Thursday noon following, when
they were taken off the island by the revenue-cutter Dallas.

The active and steadfast humanity of Messrs. Wheeler and
Philbrick, involving such marked labors, hardships and sacrifices
in the interest of two poor castaways, can only be recognized,
not recompensed, by the medals of honor bestowed upon them. It
appears that they also, together with Mr. John N. Wheeler, of
Cape Elizabeth, were subjected to considerable pecuniary loss on
account of supplies and medicaments furnished these unfortunate
men, clothing and bedding spoiled by the ichor from their sores,
and journeys by team to Portland, to notify the Collector of
their situation and necessities; and it is matter for deep regret
that there is no appropriation available under the law to satisfy
claims so intrinsically just, and arising under such
circumstances.

Correspondence has been received from the Honorable the Secretary
of State in relation to aid rendered by English life-boat crews
to the crew of the American ship Ellen Southard, including a
dispatch from the American consul at Liverpool, dated October 16,
1875, recommending recognition of the gallantry of these crews
upon that occasion, and suggesting that this might take the form
of a medal for each one of the members thereof. It appears that
the Ellen Southard was wrecked by stranding on Sunday, the 26th
of September, 1875, in a furious gale and frightful sea, at the
mouth of the river Mersey. The ship soon began to break up, and
unavailing efforts to construct a raft were made by her officers
and men, who remained in extreme peril during the whole night.
The next morning, news of the disaster having reached Liverpool,
the life-boat belonging to the Mersey Docks and Harbor Board, and
the life-boat stationed at New Brighton, of the Royal National
Life-boat Institution, came to the rescue. The Liverpool boat
arrived in advance of the other, and, after much difficulty and
danger, succeeded in taking off all the persons on th