Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-12-21


HoNoREp Srn-knowing, as we do. yonr tho
rough acquaintance with the character and habits
If seamen, aud vour great experience IN Nautical
affairs as well as YOUR ardent and sincere desire
10 preserve the discipline of the Navy, which yoa
have already done SO much to improve-we, the
uahaDpy crew of the Frsate Nonsuch, have been
s,cot,rGged in consequence Of the favorable and
MgAiv cistin g,tiShed manner in which YOU receiv-
ed and made public the letter of the happy crew
of the Java, Ito put hands to the pen, to re-
quest that you will remove with little delay as
po>sible, our present unworthy and tyrannical
captain, and appoint in his place, such an officer
as we THE crew. shall deem it consistent with the
dignity of cur stations TO approve OF.
This request, we can assure your honor. never
wsuld have been made had not the tyranny and
unaaralelleJ severity of our officer particularly
tn Captain) rendered silence on our part no long
er lustifabe. The grievances Of which we com
p,pin. and to which we call your hOnor's serious
attention, are as follows:
When a sQuall rises, or the appearance of the
clements indicate an approaching gale, the cap
tain, instead of waiting until 1t can be ascertalned
with certainty what those evil appearances poi
tend;- cruelty, wantonly. and mahciously orders
III hands to be called, to send down the top gal
liant wards. close reef the tOpsails, and the like;
whereas. 1t should be known to all reasonable men
like omSeIrss. and thinking men like your honor.
that this duty could be equally well performed b,
the watch on the deck. Again: washing decks
an warm Is well as in cold wea;he, with our shoes
oil; under the pretence, that wet shoes and stock
ings subjects US to take cold: shaving ourselves
4, least twice every week. because the Captain
thinks long beard has dirty and s!oyenly APP
Dearance: mastering the whole crew, every Sun
day. and noticing such of usas happen not to have
clean shirts on, or that are not clean shaved: at
nj hit, making stand upon our feet. so as to adj
Ii; OF Out being seen by the officer OF the deck il
", happen. Qcciaemaiy,to 60 to sleep in our watch:
S cpping our gros for a whole week. 1t perchance
we happen 10 ret little drunk: Keeping quar-
ter. at half quarter watch in port, when it must
b. known full well 10 all profoundly thinking
men. like your honor. that in snug horbor the
shi, might take care Of herself But, above all,
We are frequently. when in port, refused permits
sion 10 90 ON shore. because We might make unfa-
ynrabie impressions on the inhabitants, by getting
lrsnk. kicking up row. selling our clothes. IN
ing our constitutions, and return TO the ship
T. state of intoxication. With these, and such
Is. shallow reasons, does he justify the relentless
tyranny aud oppression which he is in the habit
Of usiae towards us to the detriment of the happi-
ness and liberty of sailors, and the injury OF the
discipline of the Navy, (the value of which, you
seem tn understand better thanany of its ohcers).
Feeling confident that YOU will see the propriety
Of granting this, our reasonable request, we have
nothing further to add, except to solicit the bene-
iii Of YOUR prayers, that we may never be so un-
furunate as TO be- ona lee shore with cotton sails,
Or he made to en-, more rice than we do at present
With profound respect. We have the honor TO
subscribe ourselves, in behalf OF the crew OF the
Neasgch. your Obrdient servants,
JOINS H,TcHwAf,)
TOW BOVINE,
Bill BoBsTAY, p.,,,, /,f,;..rs
BEN BuNrLiNc.
Dick H.wsER.
NED SpANKER.
To Admiral john BRANcR,
Prime M,as;er ofhs I'm Nary.