JOINT RESOLUTIONS.

85.5

No. 8.

Joint resolutions tendering the thanks of the State of Mary-

land to Commander Dennis W. Mullan, United States Navy, and

authorizing the governor to procure and present to him, as a tes-

timonial, a gold chronometer watch suitahly inscribed.

WHEREAS, Commander Dennis W. Mullan, U. S. Navy, a native

of this State, commanded the United States warship "Nipsic,"

during a critical period when confronted by a superior foreign

naval force, and discharged with heroism and ability the deli-

Preamble

cate diplomatic duties that devolved upon him as a naval com-

mander, by resisting the imperious demands made upon him

by the commander of said naval force to surrender an American

citizen then under his protection on board of his said ship, and

in vindicating American rights by preventing an attempt by a

foreign power to search American vessels in the South Pacific

ocean; and

WHEREAS, Commander Dennis W. Mullan also commanded said

ship during the destructive and memorable hurricane in Samoan

Preamble

waters, South Pacific ocean, in March, eighteen hundred and

eighty-nine, and with heroic bravery and nautical skill saved

his ship during said hurricane; and

WHEREAS, all of said services were perilous, demanding skill,

courage and ability as a naval commander, and said acts reflect

Preamble

credit upon the American navy and upon his native State;

therefore,

Be it resolved by the Getter al Assembly of Maryland, That the

thanks of the State of Maryland be and they are hereby tendered

to Commander Dennis W. Mullan for his unflinching courage

Thanks.

and gallant achievements in vindicating the rights of American

citizens and of American vessels in foreign waters, and for his

bravery and nautical ability, in saving his ship during the de-

structive hurricane in Samoan waters.

Resolved, That as a testimonial of the skilful, able and cour-

ageous manner in which Commander Dennis W. Mullan protected

and vindicated American rights, and the bravery and nautical

ability shown by him during the hurricane in Samoan waters, the

Governor of this State be and he is hereby authorized and directed

Testimo-
nial.

to procure and present to Commander Dennis W. Mullan, U. S. N.,

a gold chronometer watch, with an inscription as follows, to wit :

The State of Maryland to Commander Dennis W. Mullan, U. S.

N., for his heroism and gallant services in protecting and vindi-

cating American rights, and for the bravery and nautical ability

shown by him during the hurricane of eighteen hundred and

eighty-nine, in Samoan waters, South Pacific ocean."