Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-06-26
The oppressive essaucs Of ear Cenpsl ~ La
vsaa-Oruei cas- sf Capsaan wendell.

L
order to point out the necessity that the Consuls Of
the United States, all the world, should religi
ousy guard and protect the interests Of the CONNER
cial community Of this country; that they should
sustain our honorable and enterprixng ship captains
in the line Of their duty at all hazards and that the
honor OF their country ag and its representatives,
should with them be paramount feeling. Our con-
suls are sent out by the American Government to
various parts of the world for these especial purpo-
SEES; they have the most liberal means Of remune-
ration and that consul who either fails in his duty,
or transcends his authority, should be removed in
stanter; whether his sin be of commission or OF
omission; for his office 10 of too important nature
to be trfed with; and departure from the line of
his duty should be followed, soon as possible, by
a departure FROM his post and station, thenceforth
and forever. The removals Of our late consus at
Martinique and Laguayra were just and commenda-
BILE; let hope that equal justice will be done in
gard to consulate at Havana, by the removal Of
Mr.. Trist Immediately.
In order that there may be no Misunderstanding
or doubt in the public mind to the misconduct of
Mr.. Trist, we intend to 60 into detail Of all his
shameful transactions, one Of the most aggravated
Of which was his tyranncal and unjust treatment Of
Capt. Wendell, of the brig Kremlin. Capt. w. sail
ed from New York June 5th, 1888, a master of the
above mentioned brig, bound for Cuba; his first mate
was named William Bell person with whose pre-
vious character he not acquainted. On the pas
sage out, Capt Wendell found that the mate was ad
dicted to drinking such extent to be unfit to
perform his duty in proper manner The vessel
arrived at Matanzas on the 4th Of July; Bell asked
and obtained leave to go shore until o'clock in
the morning of the 9Th; and was told by Capt w.
thatthe vessel was under sailing orders to proceed
to Havana without the least delay. Although pre-
viousy pardoned for being intoxicated board, the
mate did not make his appearance at the time spsci-
fed Capt waited three hours, eighed anchor and
sailed to Havana without him. Bell followed the
vessel to Havana, and not being able TO remain on
shore without being arrested as deserter he went
board the kremlin the 7th, being absent three
days and nights at time when he was most wanted.
He generously allowed by Capt Wendell to
main board, although his pr vious disssate con-
duet had disabled him from DOING duty; Capt. W.
sent for physician and H. him carefully attended
till he recovered. After rfuf-5 TO do his
duty, mutnied, abused the O.. most infa
nous language and carried on M ike mad
man, that Capt. Wendell was compelled to put him
under matches At daylight morning, the hatch
es were taken of; Capt. w. went shore to trans
act some business connected with his vessel The
mate followed AFTER went to Mr.. Trist to COM
plain, and thus commenced the issue between the
Captain and the Consul.
We have been thus precise in regard to the details
of this transaction, in order that there may be no
understanding with regard to the precise posi-
ton Of Capt. Wendell up to the time that he came
in contact with Mr. Trist. His conduct was correct
honorable, and just to himself TO his employers and
to those under his command. Now let turn our
attention to the behavior Of the Consul Instead Of
sending for Capt. Wendell and hearing his story so
that both parties might have fair repres entation,
he wrote an abusive and insulting letter TO the
captain, charging him with barbarous usage Of the
mate, and announcing his determination to sustain
the mate in his avowed intention Of not returning to
the vessel Strange to say, the Consul in his letter
says that the " mate does not wish the whole affair
investi.ated;, and then adds for himself that there
is no necessity for investigation; and concludes by
ordering the captain to bring him the shipping arfi
cles by a certain hour, to settle with the mate pay
his wages, and three months extra pay, and deliver
his clothes; and in the event Of Captain Wendell
failing refusing TO do this, Mr. Trist threatened
to report him TO the Captain General and have him
punished.
This was the ConsuIs first movement, for which
alone he ought be disgraced and removed from Of
fee. Captain Wendell, acting with the proper spir-
U
promptly and firmly refused to comply with these
unjust demands. The mate, by his desertion and
drunken and mutnous conduct, forfeited all claim to
such considerations, and Capt. Wendell was bound
to act as he did, and thus sustain his proud position
as an upright independent American merchant cap
tain Had he acted otherwise, he would have done
injustice and injury TO that important body Of men,
of which he is an honorable member. Instead Of
sustaining Capt. Wendell, and retrieving his
error the Consul (for pecer pirate reasons,
or from innate rascality) went to the Captain Gene
ral and there made such false and shameful repre-
sensations Of the whole affair, to induce that func
tionary to order Captain Wendell to comply with
the Ccusul's scandalous demands, or to be sent TO
prison. Conscious Of the recttude of his conduct,
Capt Wendell nobly chose the latter alternative and
was accordingly incarcerated in aloathsome dungeon
ia Havana, on the 18th Of July 1888, where he re.
NAMED prisoner until the spring Of this year; and
would have remained there, probably till this
time had IL not been for the prompt and efficient in
reference Of Capt. Babbit, commander Of the u. :
.loop Of war Boston, who obtained his release after
he had suffered more than six months unjust impris-
onment
And this is plain history Of the suferngs Of an
upright and honorable American merchant Captain
Al the hands Of unjust and dishonorable American
Consul: for no crime committed, for no duty omitted
hut for simply standing up in defence Of his character
A. -