Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-11-16
ANOTHER STEAMBOAT CASUAL

The New Orleans slips of the Sd Novem-
her, bring accounts Of the sinking of the
steamboat Monmouth, while on her way IN
the nj Mississippi, having on board sir hundred
emgfaiing Greek Indians, by which about
THREE HUNDRED OF the poor savayes per.
ished, Ii was occasional by her coming in.
to Collision at Prophet Island bend, with the
ship lrentnn, in tow 10y the steamboat War
rem. The conclusion of the meeting vessels
was so violent, that the Monmouth sunk im
mediaiely. 4, occurred after dark. about &
O'clock at night Much blame is, however,
attached to The officers Of the Monmouth
The Bulletin says:-"rhe mishap is ascrib>
ed chiefly 10 the neglect of the officers OF The
Monmouth. She was running in part of
The stream where, by the usages of the river,
and the rules OF the Mississippi Navigation,
she had no right to go, and where of course
the descending tow did not expect 10 meet
her. Here is another evidence of the gross
carelessness of a class ofmen To " huse charge
we often commit our personal safety and pre-
cious lives"
III is an occurrence much TO he regretted,
apart from feelings of humanity The In
dian race has dwindied away to shreds and
patches Of its former force and greatness.
They have been driven before the march of
civilization away frem the hunting and fish.
ing grounds of their fathers. A more mel
nocho!y fate could not be visited upon them
lhey feel pe.seCued-andnO doubt imae inc
That the white man is bent on their extermi-
nation. This uniimely destruction of the
lives ui so many of their red brethren. will
feed their supersliious apprehensinns. and
insti into the Indian breast fresh hatred for
the white man, and may lead Ia the indul-
gence of further excuses by the unhappy
savages.
Indeed there does seem 10 have been the
most reprehensible disregard Of the comfort
OF the Indians, and contemplate cupidiry in
crowding so many on board the Monmouth.
On this subject the True American says
he fearful responsibility for this vast sac.
rl1ce oil human life, rests on the contractors
Tor emigrating the Creek indians. The ava
ricious disposition 10 increase me profits on
the speculation, first induced the chartering
OF rotten, old and unseawortby boats, because
they were OF a class ta he procured cheapIy
and then to make those increased profits still
larger, the Indians wers packed upon these
crazy vessels in such crow de, that not the
slightest regard seems 10 have been paid 10
their safety, comfort, or even decenCy. The
crammed condition OF the decks and cabins
was offensive 10 every sense and feeling, and
Kept the poor creatures in state unfit for
human beings.
six hundred were jammed into this boat,
The Monmouth, and three hundred of them
have persisted. Why is such thing as this
permitted! Can owners and officers oil boats.
or contractors and agents Tor emigration, re-
cohcile To their conscienCes, such a risk to
human life! We know not whether there
be- any legal ratio placed for carrying pas
sengeTs IN steamboats,, but this proportion is
at least treble what would be allowed BY la "
on board ship, though there is no, an en-
CINE there 10 OCCUPY one third Of The snare
The only reason we can assign for conduct
such az this, lie, that avarice had so blinded
all parties concerned, that MERE INDIANS
were not considered passengers, but were
slowed away as cargo, or thought OF only as
ballast for the boat. Rich Comp.