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

We have seldom been called upon to record
an act Of more atrocious vllainy than was per-
petrated on Friday last by C. p Van Vess and
his underngs, inpiratically taking possession of
the Steam Boat Wnooski, and by violence and
brute force compelling Capt. Phillips to violate
written contract with the Steamboat Drec-
tors, to which Mr.. Van Ness and his associates
were parties. The circumstances are these.
Soon after the 4th of July, and long before
the Pittsburgh meeting was talked OF, the
wings of this town notified Capt. Phillips, and
also one of the Directors that they should want
to charter the Winooski for the celebration of
the 18th at Keescville. Subsequently the
IlottsLu'gh affair was got up, and an application
was made to another Director, who was ignorant
of the first application, for the same boat. As
the time approached for decision, it was found
that there was room for misunderstanding and
difficulty. The wings at once said "we'll none
OF it. Give the Lokies the boat and only pro-
vide us with sure and safe conveyance, is all
we ask" 1t was accordingly arranged that the
wings were to have the McDonough, an old
water-log'd boat, and two soops. If the wind
was right, the sloops could rely upon their sails,
and in fair weather the M'Donough might pad
die across in season but, lest the winds and the
waves might not thus combine in our favor, it
was further stipulated by the Directors that the
Winoosk should take us in tow, if we required
it. Accordingly, in closing the contract with
the other party, this right was expressly reserved
To satisfy the reader on this point we copy the
contract entire.
Messrs. Haswe Hollenbeck, John Bradley and
w. Lyman, propose to the Steam Boat Company, to
transport from Burlington to Patsburgh, on the llth
of September, inst. party on board the Wlnoosk-to
return from said Patsburgh on board of said boat or
the line Boat The sum to be paid for passage over
and back so cents each passenger. The gentlemen
above named guaranteeing at least 400 passengers
Company at their usual rates, and for their bcne-
fit. SHOULD IT BE NECESSARY, THE 30 AT
is TO BIZ PERMITTED TO TOW 4 SLOOP, OR
| SLOOPS, TO PORT KENT.
| Agreed to
| II. FoLLErr, n. B. HAswELL
JSo. PECK J. b. HoLLENBECK,
for Steam Boat Co, JonS BRADLEY,
SEPT, 3D., 1910. WILLS LYMAN
A copy of this contract was taken by each of
the parties. and the original handed to Capt.
Phillips with instructions to see it executed in
good faith. When Friday morning came, the
very contingency the contract was designed to
provide for, had arisen 1t was the toughest
day we have had in three months. The wind
blew gale from the north. and the waves liter
ally ran mountains high. Accordingly one of
the Directors gave Capt Phillips, seasonable
notice that he would be required to take the
vessels in tow. When the two parties had got
on board, Capt. p. moved out from the wharf,
and was making preparations to throw his line
OH board the other boats, when N. B. Haswell
one of the parties to the above agreement STEP
ped forward and forbade him, denying that there
was any such agreement! Capt. Phillips paid
no attention to this, but proceeded in the execu.
ton of his duty; when Mr.. Van Ness paraded
his platoon of DULLES in presence of Capt. Phil.
lips and gave them orders, to prevent by force
any attempt to hitch to the other vessels and
said he, "f Captain Phillips persists, will take
command of the boat myself" Then turning
to the Captain, with the most violent and mcna
cling mprecatons, he repeated the threat ant
in reply to the intmaton of Capt. p. that hi
hands would not permit the boat to be wreste,
from him by violence, Mr.. Van Ness replied
"that he had men enough on board to take pos
! session of the boat in defiance of the crew, ant
: run it to Plattsburgh, and if they attempted t.
hitch to the sloops, he moua doH'! Finally
says Capt Phillips, in his account of it to us
finding Mr.. Van Ness to be in great rage
" and determined to carry his threats into execu
ton, and in consequence of those threats, an
$ "the great number no declared were at his com
l. "mand on board the boat, and fearing the conse
!. "quences which might ensue, provided the
should wrest the vessel from my charge, di
y "not take the sloops in tow" The result i
known and appreciated by at least one thousan
. Of tho honest yeomanry Of Chittenden count