Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-05-15

At the time those losses occurred, popular clanor
was raised very high against us, very snjustly,
knew, but we were obscure men, we had NO friends
or newspapers TO defend US, and make the truth
known. We were, therefore, compelled to trust to
time 10 do us justice, and we did suppose that long
this, that would have been done. But now that
go respectable a body as the Chamber of Commerce
has revived the charge, and seek by its to de-
prive of our character and our livelihood, we
demand of them, due to truth and justice that they
examine into the charge and ascertain by rigid scrH
tiay how far they have been mised, how far they
are correct in charging as to be unworthy Of conf
dence.
By that examination they will find that we were
in no respect TO blame for those disasters The Mex
leo struck on a weather shore; she was beating up
against the wind; she not driven on by stress Of
weather; by altering her course she might easily
have been saved, or she might nave RODE out the
storm at anchor as others did 1t surely was not
fau that her captain his reckoning, or was
asleep in his berth when near the land, and heading
right on and from the captain report, they stood
on the same tack from ssn down until O'Clock A.
NJ, nearly twelve hours for at that very time some
Il boats were out, and several ships Bearded
She too would have had pilot but from the circum
stance that several Of boats cebound In the
habor and even steamboats, could not get them out,
for tried il. When the Bristol struck, her cap.
tain was also asleep; it was not much OF blow; she
was standing right the land, and had been for five
hours, with three topsals SET and child could ha
saved her. Two hours before she went ashore her
course ought to have been altered, and before
the wind for Sandy Hook; and in neither Of the state.
men,s of the captains of the MEXICO or Bristol, do
they say that their ships lest for want Of pi
lot. We had two boats out the night the Bristol
was lost, and several vessels were boarded by US.
1t will also be found that accidents constantly
occurring from the careessness ignorance Of cap
tains, and that it 10 frequently convenient for them
and their swners, to ascribe it all to the pilots 1t
saves trouble with the underwriters.
1t will also be found that the prejudice against Ne
has spread even to the officers Of the Navy and that
the charge OF our opposition to the Gedney Channel
is also entirely without foundation. Such was the
caea in he Insta nf ,fad Stat>
United States. Capt Kearney had selec ed from the
New Jersey Pilots his avorite, and then hoisted q
signal for one Of us-we declined going II he had
wanted two pilots, he might have taken them both
from among his friends. He al length, however,
succeeded in procuring one, who had once been
good pilot; but who was not at the time, owing to
peculiar circumstances, engaged in the business
when the ship arrived at Gedney's Channel. He,
agreeable to what was undoubtedly the wishes Of
others, gave up the command, and the ship was
ried through the channel by the Jersey pilot, if you
please but under the direction of an officer of the
Macy, co had been three years engaged in the coast
surrey under Capt. Gedney.
BE that as 1t may, we always use that channel
when necessary and il is unjust to accuse us of g-
norance OF il, for we know it well Such the
grounds CT our request for repeal Of the law Of
Congress. The law of our state is much more rigid
than that Of New Jersey. We not only requir-
ed to serve an apprenticeship, but we required
to keep one Of our boats constantly cruising within
five miles Of Sandy Hook Light House, to pick up
what others leave; and in one instance fin
ed by commits sioners for boarding vessel be-
yond those limits.
For these and other burdens imposed upon US for
the benefit OF the commerce Of New York. the Jer-
sey pilots exempt, and all we ask is an exemp-
ton from this unjust inequality. and above all, we
ask that we shall not be borne down by prejudice
pnd without any opportunity Of being heard;
Pilots of The Port of Ne,c York.
New York, May llth, 1910.
All papers friendly Just and honest cause, will
please to give this an insertion.
The following is a list of the names Of the men,