Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-03-28


in favor Of the Wing prox.-A general
and punctual attendance Of the WHiGs
is earnestly desired.
Newport, March 28th, 1889.
fsInce the statement from the Boston Times was pus
In type, the following has been reecivsd.I
Irrom tho Journal OF Commerce
REPUTATION OF AN OUTRA.
GEOUs LIBEL. -.-
The undersigned, William ii. Brown,
a citizen OF New York, being sworn
de eposeth and saith; That he is one OF
the proprietors of the steamboat Osccola,
Of about $50 tons, a boat very lightly
built, and intended to ply on the North
River to carry passengers only being
found too light to carry ircishi--that %"
Saturday last having obtained leave to
try the speed ofihis boat, he had invited
some friends and acquaintances to en-
bark on board, intending to fall in under
the stern Of tho Rhode Island, Lexing-
ton and J. w. Richmond, and pass them
if he could on short tral-that this ar
rang cement was made without any pre-
vious concert with the Boston and New
York Transportation Co., and without
their instigaiion in any manner; nor
were either Of the gentlemen named in
an atrocious libel published in the Bos-
ton Daily Times on Saturday last, rs
pro oprietors Of that Company, on board.
Neither is it true, as therein alleged,
that "the Pilot Of the Naragansett
acted as Captain Of the Osceola, ard
that she was manned by the steward,
crew and servants Of the Narraganseu."
In fact, the whole plan originated spon-
me ously with the Undersigned, with the
consent Of some Of the proprietors OF the
Osceola, who have no interest whatever
in the Boston and New York Transpor.
tation Co., nor have the latter any in
terest in the Osceola.
In conformity with the above plan, the
Osceola, in charge Of her pilot, Mr. Levi
Smith, left the head Of pier No. short
ly before 5 O'Clock p. NJ. and passed up
The North River to near Cortlandt street
turned round and proceeded down 90
the foot Of Rector street or near there)
when she stopped, waiting for the other
boats 10 come out. The Lexington star
ted first, and proceeded on her route
The John w. Richmond left the dock
within two or three minutes afterwards,
then held on and seemed TO be in commu-
nication with the shore with one Of her
boats. The nndersig ned did not particu-
larly notice when tho Rhode Island Icft
the dock. Shortly afterwards the J. w.
Richmond proceeded on her passage,
and tho Osceola in pursuance Of fhe
original design TO follow and beat oil
three Of the boats. Immediately started
10 pursuit. The Osceola was steeied 10
pass between the j. w. Richmond, and
the head of the Battery, the latter at tho
time having the entire river to herself.
When the Osceola was nearly abreast
of the J. w. Richmond, and rapidly
gaining upon her, the latter hauled
across her bow, with the evident design
of dashing her, through the want Of room
ag ainst the head Of the dock. To savo
the Osceola from being crushed in this
manner, the pilot in charge Of her Was
obliged to keep her course. 10 n mo-
ment the two boats came in contact, the
Osceola's bow tapping on :he larbonrd
quarter Of the Richmond about one third
Of her length. The Osccola's engine
was immed diately stopped.
In the confusion Of the nome nt tho
boats again came in contact, the bust Of
the Osceola slightly touching the larbosrd
guard OF the Richmond. There was a
shout Of triumph on board Of the latter
boat, to which there was no response
from the Osceola, there being in her a
general feeling Of regret that the collis-
ion had taken place. Al the time Of tho
collision the Rhode Island was astern of
both boats some distance, and well out
in the river, giving the J. W. Richmond
ample room TO have avoided striking the
Osceoln, if such had been her teniion.
The position Of the Rhode Island having
no reference whatever to the movemen nts
Of the other two boats.
The boats proceeded together up the
East river, the OseOla leading the J.
w. Richmond. When at the head of
Blackwell's Island, the two boats having
passed on opposite sides oft, the Oseeo-
Ia was turned round to return 10 New
York by the channel the J. w. Rich
mOnd had followed, there being ample
room for this without any danger Of con.
tact with the latter boat. Nor was Ell
ther boat in jeopardy from this movement
for ono moment. Another shout Of tri-
umph wns again raised on board the
Richmond.
Tho undersigned further deposes and
says that in the course Of the circumstnn-
ces above related, there was no pariici.
patton, advice or control on the part Of
any persons Interested directly or indi-
recily with The B. 4 ". Y. Trans. Co.
WILLIAM II. BROWN.
New York, March 26, 1899.
Sworn 10 before me, this 9Th day Of
March, 1886.
w. d. WADDINGTON.