The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-13 00:00:00

.:411111
' r'N•

• Mr. Alderman Thompson—l certainly must complain
I of the way in which Mr. Dunbar has been cross-
examined. He is anxious to give to the committee every
information in his power on this subject, but attempts
have been made to torture his meanings into a different
shape
Sir R. Peel—I think the witness is desirous of afford-
ing us a great deal of information, and the best way of
getting it correctly will be to allow one gentleman at a
time to put questions to him.
Mr. Ricardo—l only wish to have an answer to my
question--whether the witness does not require 141. per
ton to pay him for bringing wool from Australia ?
Mr. Dunbar—l repeat that I do.
Mr. Alderman Thompson—Why, he answered that
question before ; but Mr. Bfcardo confuses our case by
calculating the freights of wool by the ton instead of by
the pound, according to the usual practice.
By Mr. Bright—Australian wool is pressed into nearly
the same bounds as Indian cotton.
By Mr. Liddell—The expense of stowing a cargo of
wool is lower now than it was formerly-ss. 6d. per
bale, each averaging from 240 to 2801bs. The lashings
of the bales are brought from Manilla, and cost about
701. per ton; and that, as well as the expense of strain-
ing, is always paid by the shipowners. If a merchant
here charters a ship to bring a cargo from Australia, he
will get her at a much lower rate than if she went out
and ran the chance of obtaining a return cargo. Ido
not think there is any scarcity of ships at Batavia at
present. There are plenty of ♦essels lying at the ports
of Australia, and Batavia, being only 28 days' sail from
there, I do not think there can be any scarcity of ship-
ping in that quarter. 1 do not believe that the Australian
people have had any reason to complain of the want of
ships to export their produce; on the contrary, I think
the shipowners have had reason to complain of not being
supplied with freights.
Mr. Liddell—What do you consider the effect on
British shipping would be if permission were• given to
import the produce of America from the ports of
Europe ?

Mr: Dunbar—Why, we would lose what is called the
" long voyages." Foreign ships would bring the Ame-
rican produce to the Continent, and our steamers would
have to bring it over here when the prices were higher
in the English markets than in the foreign; and the
effect would be to drive the British shipping out of the
long voyage trade to a great extent. I believe, if we
were driven out of the trade, which we inevitably would
be if the navigation laws were repealed, that the
foreigners who would supply our places would, in the
course of a short time, raise their rates of freight to the
old standard rate.

Mr. Ricardo—And then it would be competent to the
British shipowner to go back to his old profession or
trade?-•-(A laugh.)
Mr. Dunbar--I doubt that.
By Sir G. Clerk—The removal of the navigation laws,
so far as they affect the foreign shipping trade, would, in
my opinion, be injurious to the British shipowners, be-
cause it would interfere with the long-voyage freights.
By Admiral Dundas—l think that the coasting-trade
service is the best nursery for British seamen; and that
it is necessary to keep up that service for the due pro-
tection of the British empire.
By the Chairman—British shipbuilders are not pre-
vented from building ships in foreign countries; but I
acknowledge that it would be best for us to buy ships at
those places where we can build them cheapest. I would
not, however, wish for a repeal of that part of the na-
vigation laws which prevents us from building ships in
England as cheaply as in foreign countries.
After a short cross-examination of the witness by Mr.
Ricardo, the Committee adjourned till Thursday (this
day).
THE ALLEGED PIRATES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE WESTERN TIDIES.
Honoured Sir—We the undersigned, crew of the
James Campbell, of Glasgow (now lying in Devon
county gaol, to stand our trial at the coming assizes
upon a foul charge of piracy, mutiny, and assault), re-
spectfully request, if you deem it worthy, to insert our
defence in your extensively published columns. As
there has not appeared in any one of the public journals
in England any other than a partial view of the case, we
wish the public, through your columns, to know our
reasons for putting the master in irons, and returning
home with the ship ; also the apparent determination of
the magistrates to commit us, notwithstanding the evi-
dence on the part of the prosecution saying nothing more
nor less than what our charge against the captain would
have been if the magistrates would have heard our
charge. In fact, the evidence maintained that they were
dreadfully kightened at the outrage committed by the
master, and were afraid of their lives also.
On Sunday, 28th March last, about eleven o'clock,
a.m., it being the chief mate's watch upon deck, the
master desired the chief mate, Mr. Rose, to loose one of
the steering sails to dry. The chief mate desired his
watch to do so, which they did with alacrity—notwith-
standing it being Sunday, and unnecessary work. The
mate, Mr. Rose, then asked if the master wished the
others loosed also. He replied, certainly. It was ac-
cordingly put into execution—the men working with a
will, to gratify his wishes, without grumbling as to its
being Sunday and unnecessary work, which sorely dis-
appointed the master. He commenced walking the
quarter-deck, and seeing the man's eyes towards the
ship's bead who was steering the vessel, which is always
more requisite to a good sailor in clear weather than the
compass, he asked the man what the he was looking
at. The man replied, nothing, sir. He called him a liar
and other opprobrious names. He then desired Mr.
Rose, the mate, to send another man to the helm, which
was accordingly done. As soon as the man was re-
lieved, he commenced shoving him and abusing him
in language that it would be a pity to shock you with a
recital of it—the archfiend from hell would blush to
hear such shocking language. He then viciously ordered
the man to get grease and grease the masts. The man
refused to do so, as it was Sunday, and the masts had
been greased the evening before. He then ordered him
to lay aloft and light home the main top-gallant sheet.
which the man did. As soon as the man came down
from aloft he commenced abusing him, calling him damn
trash, pig's bristles, &c. &c. He then desired Mr. Rose,
the mate, to send ahand to grease tho masts. The mate
sent the boy, as the men were busy spreading the sails.
He asked the mate whom he had sent ; the mate said the
boy. Ile told the mate to send a man. The mate then
asked the men severally; they objected to go, as it was a
boy's place. It was Sunday, the masts were greased the
-evening previous, and it was unnecessary. He then de-
sired the mate to call all hands, thus depriving the poor
fellows who were below in their beds from enjoying that
rest which they so much required, as they had been on deck
eight hours that night ; however, they were called and
asked. They also objected, as there were boys in the
ship, and the masts were greased the evening before.
rhe master then went aft. swearing he would have some
of the lives yet. He then came forward, carry-
ing a naked endue in his hand, swearing the first *****
that would dare to prevent (the beef which was for the
men's dinner, and which he had ordered to be taken aft),
it, he would knock his brains out— at the same time
flourishing his sword, and striking a cask, as much as
to show what effect it would have upon their heads.
Not satisfied with the cook saying the beef was all out
of the coppers, he desired the mate, Mr. Rose, to go
into the galley, and see whether it was all out or not.
That being done, he went aft swearing he would be
the death of some of them before they should get out.
The crew all the' time mute—and saying nothing. He
went aft and sung out to put the ship about. The men
all assisted—and when the ship was about, he called all
hands aft, and insisted upon the men greasing the masts.
r They all said no, and requested him to put back with
the -ship, as they could not think of proceeding on
the voyage with him, after the manner in which he had
threatened their lives. He would not. They went
below, and the captain and myself went down to dinner
about four o'clock p.m. The crew came aft, and re-
quested, in a respectful manner, the master to put back
with the ship, as they considered their lives in danger,
and from the manner in which he had threatened their'
lives, and from his actions that day, the)a- could not say
what the result might be on so I.ong
would not do so: they then seized him, and3.mgaed.e h. 6
fast, and confined him to his room, placing a watch overn
the door, so that whatever he would wish for by day or
by night he should have, when called for.
The crew then requested that I should take charge
of the ship, and fetch the first port that the wind would
permit in England. I, the mate, remonstrated, and
wished to fetch Madeira, Brazils, or one of the West
India Islands, as either would lay on our track out. The
crew preferred returning home—as the wind was foul to
proceed, and fair to return. Moreover, by seeking the
protection of their country's laws, it would prove they
were not piratically or mutinously inclined : and fur-
ther, if they should proceed and meet with any ship
bound to Britain, it would be surmised that they in-
tended to run away with the ship and cargo, which, I
am sorry to say, appeared in last week's papers in
Glasgow. I, therefore, considering it for the benefit of
the shipowners, merchant owners of the cargo, and the
underwriters, undertook to carry her home. The wind
being fair, I anticipated making the Lizard in three
days, as at that time we were twenty-two days out,
and at no greater distance than 450 miles from the
Lizard. On Thursday, the Bth of April, we were
boarded by the pilot, three leagues off Dodman Point,
it bearing N. by W. from ship, and about thirty miles
distant from Plymouth, as at the master's request I
made Plymouth. About eleven o'clock, A.N., we
brought up in Plymouth Sound, and I went ashore
to report the ship to Lloyd's agent, (Mr. Collier,)
who observed, (upon being told it was the same cap-
tain who had been committed to Newgate for six
months for cruelty,) have they allowed that man to
take charge of a ship? But as soon as he was told that
the captain's brother was part owner, the tables turned.
He then said the crew were wrong, and that he must be
liberated immediately, however, he desired his clerk to
go along with me, a,ud see what his attorney would say,
desiring his clerk to say he should be in all morning.
Mr. Edmonds, his attorney, said that the men at least
ought to have submitted to have had an ear cut off before
they were justified in
putting him
i in irons; however,
Mr. Edmonds and Mr. Collier met n private, and Mr.
Collier being a
magistrate, sent a constable off to libe-
rate the captain. The crew thinking he was taken in
charge, were glad, and two of their number wont ashore
the next moreing, to pre! r e e,} • ,guinst ,to 0,
jiliglStrat bus- :hey could not see tin: magis-
trates before eleven o'clock, thus they were detained

MAY 13, 1847.

the deeds of misguided and dreadful men against their
fellow creatures—whore murder is rife, and robbery but

until Mr. Edmonds and the captain charged them with
piracy, rawiny, and assault. A note was sent to me on
board, requesting me to bring the crew on shore, as the,
magistrates could not enter into the case until all hands
were present. As soon as we arrived at the Court, all
hands (except the steward and myself, the chief mate),
were charged as above—we were kept by as witnesses for
the prosecution, and were d sired by the town clerk to
appear next Tuesday, at eleven o'clock. We went on
board and remained until Tuesday, when we repaired to
the court, and were given in charge by the shipbroker
and the captain in the police house. It appears their
reason for so doing was from seeing my log book that
the truth would not answer their purpose—they gave
myself and steward in charge up, n suspicion—thus
depriving the men from benefitting from our evidence.
And what is very singular, the only boy who had seen
the whole transaction on board they would not produce
him as a witness—but two who had seen but little of it.
The reason is this—they {the prosecutors) had all the
boys ashore at their office, examining, and as the two
acknowledged to us after our commitment, had been
schooled previous to coming into court. And what is
so singular, during the time that the counsel for the
prosecution (Mr. Collier's son), was examining the
boy, the magistrate should complain of the boy being
so reluctant in giving his evidence. He seemed to
favour the defence, but little did the magistrates
think that the boy had been schooled by the prosecution;
no wonder the counsel and his attorneys blushed, if the
magistrate had known, we believe from appearances he
would have said nothing, for when Mr. Collier several
times threatened the boy that he woul be put with the
prisoners and transported, if he did not speak out, our
attorney (Mr. Herring) objected to it ; but the magis-
trates said Mr. Collier was quite right, he only wished
to elicit the truth, and that our attorney had been al-
lowed more latitude than was proper. Our chests were
broken opeu, and our note-books, old accounts, slates,
on which was a copy of letters to our wives, and every-
thing that had the appearance of scribbling was taken
from us, and we could get no redress. Part of our
clothes has been taken to sea in the ship, and are los
to us.

(Signed) GEORGE ROSE, chief mate.
John Harults, second mate. I Robert Craig, seaman.
Rich. Thos. Lang, seaman. Daniel M'Lean, seaman.
Thomas Statton, seaman. James Nettles,k steward
John 111 Pee, seaman. Robert Wright, seaman.
John Shelton, seaman. Charles Moffet, seaman.

EMIGRATION to the SOUTHERN
COLONIES.
(From the Bury Herald.)
[BY AL. w.l
[The following observations are written by a gentle.
man formerly an inhabitant of Bury, who
has spent
many intervening years in the colonies. Plainly and
candidly written, his " short and simple annals" may not
prove unacceptable to those contemplating a departure
from their native land, or to others who fuel an interest
in the welfare of our adventurous emigrants.—En.)
It must be admitted by all classes of society that the
possession of such vast countries as those we hold in the
southern hemisphere is of the first moment, but it un- I
fortunately happens that either from a want of local
knowledge by most writers on emigration, or from inca-
pacity, they have hitherto been entirely misrepresented,
and the benefits and advantages they actually possess
spoken of in a cursory and unsatisfactory manner. The
object of such others seems merely to write a book, de-
scribing scenes they never saw, and manners they never
witnessed. For the rest, the climate of a country in the
farthest zone can be ascertained by the most limited
geographical research, and the valuable but abstruse
"Iliuts on Emigration" is completed, published, and
sold. And what is the result? The Emigrants is duped,
and unfortunately, in too many instances, ruined. It is
my opinion that the more concise and simple the manner
in which a strange country is described the better; a
very elaborate strain will doubtless be more gratifying
to a reader, but to the man who is choosing his future
home and bidding adieu to his old roof tree, what can
supply the simple truth? The great mass of the English
population have, I believe, no distinct idea of the under-
taking they have entered into until they are deposited
on the shores of the promised land. Then it is
they see that the exchange has not proved so
beneficial as they anticipated; they find that they
have thrown away a home, and in most in-
stances, compartive comfort, for a doubtful existence
and a residence in a far country amongst strangers. The
most eligible spot hitherto for emigration has unques-
tionably been Australia Felix, but as the stream was
directed there so indiscriminately and with such want
of judgment by the emigration agents, the result has
been too great an influx of labour; preventing thus the
emigrant from obtaining more certain or profitable em-
ployment than he would have done in the mother
country. Indeed, in many instances, the surplus labour
introduced has been so great that respectable and clever
mechanics have been compelled for the support of their
families to accept with gratitude such employment as
offered in the interior, in the shape of hut-keepers and
shepherds. at wages averaging from 151. to 201. per
annum, with a ration of food for one person. I have
known this to occur to young men of first-rate ability
and good introductions: men qualified by their educa-
tion and their birth to hold respectable positions in
society. This being the case in Port Philip—the very
scene for emigration, what could be expected of the
neighbouring colonies of Sydney and Van Diemen's
Land? Both of these had the advantage against the
introduction of free labour from possessing such vast
quantities of convict labour ; not indeed at a
cheaper rate, for the convicts available as servants de-
mand in some cases higher wages than the emigrant ;
but, on the other hand, he makes generally a better ser-
vant, from his better knowledge of the country he lives
in. This must tend, of course, to militate against the
new-comer, and his steps should on no account be
directed to such countries as are under penal jurisdic
tion ; not only because the chances of employment are
less, but that his moral condition suffers greatly from
association with the emancipated felons he is continually
thrown amongst. It sometimes happens that many
otherwise virtuous people are led into crime and become
a burden to themselves and a pest to society. The ge-
neral opinion held by emancipists and men in bondage
is that of ill-will against the emigrant ;ho (the emi-
grant) is looked upon as an interloper, for the fact of his
introduction to the colony must lessen the demand, and
consequently the price of labour. The result is a dead
set against him, ard this proves a most unhappy
feeling, for, should the emigrant obtain employment
with his family in the Bush, which is at best but
a perfect wilderness, and be subjected to the wanton
injury that class of men can cause him, his life is
at ything but contented, secure, or happy. In the palmy
days of Port Philip, that is in the year 1840, the period
I first visited it, things were much better ; the introduc
tion of labour was then slow, and much below the penal
demand ; few emancipists had found their way then
overland from Sydney or from the neighbouring island
of Van Diemen's Land; and employment was offered to
all classes, at a high remuneration. So far things pro-
mised well for the prosperity of the colony, but this ap-
parent advance to prosperity was but the prelude to the
fearful events which followed, for in 1844, 1845, and
the year 1846, so great had been the introduction
labour, that many, very many, were offering their work
for food alone ; and those persons who had previously
been in a position to give them employment were . bank-
rupts and giving up their establishments In of
the present year (1846) I met a gentleman in Sydney
who had just arrived from Melbourne, Port Philip ;
he had been in business there for many years, a mer-
chant, a most intelligent and honourable man (Mr.
K—), generally respected and patronised. Ile told
me that business had got so bad that he could not even
make a living ; how, then, could the poor labourer or
mechanic? Who was to employ him—or, when em-
ployed, who pay him ? The chances were ten to one
that if he did get employed by the time he had finished
his work his employer was bankrupt and his hard-earned
wages paid at the rate of three-halfpence in the
pound. These circumstaucas prove with certainty the
fact of colonisation being anything but the bright goal
of success usually represented, and urge the necessity
on the part of the intending emigrant to give some con-
sideration to the matter. The island of Van Diemen's
Land being entirely under penal jurisdiction should on
no account be thought of for the reasons already de-
scribed. Sydney, New South Wales, is also a penal
government, but as there has been a vast introduction of
free labour, the town and its immediate vicinity does not
smack so much of convictisin. It would be absurd, how-
ever, for an emigrant of any class or denomination, from
a tinker to an accountant, to proceed to New South
Wales in the hope of being employed at Sydney. When
he arrives, if he does get an offer of employment,
it will be, whether he be gentle or simple, as
a shepherd or hut-keeper 500 or 600 miles in the inte-
rior at the yearly wages of 151. Thisis very deploy •
able, but nevertheless true ; and, added to this, the
fol-
lowingman what
fa c facts I
cautionthink
shouldwi l
bf fully nays
used in
thence
tanyep reasonableofeiai emigrat-
ing. r
a t
.
ing. In the early part of the present year a ship ar-
rived
at Port Jackson, from Hobart Town, Van Die-
men's Land, with a large quantity of men on board
termed probationists ; this term, it appears, is applied
to them on the following principle :—Van Diemen's
Land had become so paralysed and stagnated that sup-
port and employment could not be afforded
quantities of heier;acietoesndvoicmftteplinaopitguolraatptiiron. The consequence
to vast
the adjacent
by
was that this s
Cil)c( elvda s
toattt
allowing emancp
colony under the probation system thus easing herself
into 'New
.South NN, ales a
their support, and disgorging
further train of crime and filth ith which
.that colony
was already surcharged. As furtherw supplies of these
men arrived in New South Wales, and further shipments
were announced in the Australian journals of last April
to be exp .eted weekly
so weoreudldfatibl estimiserablelow
pittance of 151. per year
off
then
and the commonwealth of
scciety in which 'the humble'
Lirititi emigrant would have to move. would daily h°-
come more contaminated. I can speak as a fact that some
of these men who had arrived in prior shipments had not
been living at the stations on which they were employed
in the interior many weeks before they placed On L."!
side all restraint, violated their agreements. and 3", e
er
putting their employers at defiance, decamped intotn
Bush ultimately, again to become Bushrangers and
a
dtrearseerisi.m
iShould f
aarn man,and
ymd
vvll
wild
knowingßua
h or
theseAu s
tr 00,, seats
t r 0 mur.
has