Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-09-18

BY this Aagitious act of violence were they COM
PEELED to buffet the winds and waves for four
hours injecting to Port Kent. Nor was this all.
When the Winooski arrived at Port Kent John
Bradley, another of the parties to the contract,
informed our friends who were there in waiting
for us, with teams, that it was not probable we
should be able to get there at all. Accordingly,
most of them left the ground, and when we final
ly arrived, near twelve o'clock, we know not
how many grey-headed soldiers and decripid old
men had to foot it, four miles through the sand,
to Keesevllc.
The reader will by this time, we presume, ask
what Mr. Van Ness says about it. Mr.. Van
Ness arows all and more than we have charged ;
and rests his justification OH the authority of
John Brady, who said that Mr.. Follett had
waved the right to tow Only think, for a
moment, of a man like Mr.. Van Ness resortng
to physical force to compel steam boat Cap
tain to violate 'criNen contract, on a mere
hearsay report that one individual of the board
making it, had waved the right-an act he could
not do How insultngy ridiculous But the
fact is, Mr. Toilet left the place soon after the
contract was made and has had nothing to do
with the matter since and no man, who knew
Timothy Follett, believed one word of the state
ment. Mr.. +. has since been written to, and
we have seen his letter, in which he unequivo-
cally denies any wayer or interference with the
contract whatever. There is another circum-
stance however, which must satisfy any candid
man as to the fact how Mr.. Bradley understood
the contract himself lie called on Capt. Phil
lips about six o'clock on the morning Of the
18th, to ascertain which wharf the boat would
start from, and among other things asked him
i he mas going TO take the sloops in too, to which
Capt. P.replied that he should have to of course
according tC contract, as the wind was adverse
and they could not sail. To this Mr.. Bradley
made no objection whatever, and left withou,
even intimoting that he had any other understand
ing Of the contract. Did Mr.. Bradley understand
the contract to be waived, and yet withhold the
fact from Capt. Phillips, under these circum.
stances! Ifso for what motive 4! Did he ther
90 on board, and after the boat was virtually ir
their possession, then for the first time broacl
the idea, and stand sponsor for the high-handet
measures that followed! If he did let him have
the honor of it. If he did not, let him and Mr.
Van Ness settle the matter between them. Ii
the mean time, the public will hold them al
responsible for this most unprecedented outrage
upon the rights of community.
We have thus briefly stated the facts as W,
have gathered them, and which we can substan
tate by testimony. Thus much in explanation
was due to those who have suffered from th
outrage. They will set their own estimate upol
the transaction. We reserve our comments 70
another occasion, and dismiss the subject for thu
present with the single remark, that man VIII
would thus trfe with the rights of others, an
on so shallow pretence resort to such desper
ate measures would need only the opportunity
and a very slight temptation, to become pirat
and highwayman. Let no one say we spea
Unexpectedly. We appeal to every candi
man, whether the facts do not fully bear us out
We know not what course the Steam-boa
company will pursue. We take it for granted
however, that they will not tamcly put up wit
this outrage upon Capt. Phillips, upon their boa
and upon the public. Mr.. Van Ness has mad
himself liable in penal damages, * well as to
indictment by the Grand Jury and why shout
he escape the consequences! There is on
court most assurcdly, before which he will b
arrairned