The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-09-21

Mr.. EDlroR The insolent, overbear-
ing conduct Of some Of our steamboat
Captains has, of late, become a serious an
noyance to travellers, and calls loudly for
reform.-The shortest way Of abaiing this
nuisance would in my opinion, be for edit.
ors to pay their fare when they have occa-
sion to take a passage in a steafn-boat--
make the captains pay for their own news
paper putfs-and when the proprietors of
the boats see fit to take some low-bred pup
py from the quarterback of a coasting dro-
ger and dub him captain apparently for no
other purpose than to mount the wheelhouse
when approaching or leaving the wharf,
below all ashore-all aboard-haul in the
plank &c.-and for fear afer all this buster
and pomposty it would not be sufficiently un-
derstood who is Captain, make use Of abu-
sive and insulting language to the passen-
gers If instead of hattering and fawnihg
upon such fellow, they would hold him up
to public scorn, they would perform an es-
sential service to the community, as trav-
ellers knowing might shun him, though
sometimes at the expense Of Inconvenience
and delay.
left this place last week in the steamer
Rhode-island for Providence intending to
purchase stock Of goods and return with
them the same evening, finished my busi-
ness a considerable time before the starting
of the boat, had them sent to the landing,
and Immediately followed them myself.
The dray reached the boat about half past
three o'clock, and the drayman commenced
putting the goods on board. He had done
so with part of them when Captain Thayer
made his appearance and peremptorily for
bid his putting the others on board. me,
the drayman coming up the wharf, and
learned with surprise what had taken place,
and supposing there must be some misun-
dcrstanding, sought the Capt. and asked
very civilly why part of my freight had
been rejected9 He grufly answered that
they should not be taken on board, and that
if he had been there the others should have
been served the same. / stated that wa.
very anxious to have my goods go with INT
for various reasons, that | would pay som'
one to attend to it and land them when tn,
boat arrived, to all of which he scarcel,
, deigned to reply, merely saying that he 4" un
derstood that kind of talk perfectly we'll
The next best thing. that could be done wa
30 take them to the house where such thing
are deposited, and leave them in charge u
Cplonel somebody with request that the
should be sent by rhe next boat, as the.
were valuable goods which wanted imme
diately, and between Capt. Thayer and tn
Colouel was kept out Of .hem three day:
| am not much surprised ut the conduct G
; Capt. Thayer on this occasion, as under
stand it is in perfect accordance With Ia
general character, that others have receive,
similar treatment from him, aGd III one IN
stance much worse. dlsgraceini case q
ungentlemanly conduct on his part occurr
ed on board The Providence souiu time since
which but for the interposition of some G
his interested friends, would have been pub
lishrd at the time, and which shall tax
he liberty to state at length provided he q
his friends attempt to deny the correctnes
of the above statement. }. IL.