The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-26
FOR THE MAnlsoSlAN
THE PILOT LAW.

Ma. EDIroR
What was the impulsiye cause which ostensib
originated the act Of Congress, miscaled, "for regu
lating Pilots 7"the loss of the Bristol and Mexico
The wreck of these vessels it alleged was cause
by the negligence Of the New York Pilots Thei
negligence was the effect of a combination amonl
them, which destroyed every thing like competition
The act of Congress broke up the combination, an,
engendcred an untirng activity which drives then
300 400 miles to that they may meet homewar,
bound vessels.
| The charge, that the loss Of the Bristol and Meri
co is attributable tothe cupabe negligence Of III
New York Pilots has been SO often triumphantly re
futed that it is scarcely worth notice. will no
pretend TO scrutinse the motives which prompted thu
excessive clanor against the Pilots at the time Of hos
two wrecks know that many supposed it was in
tended 10 avert suspicion from guilt of another kind
For the correctness of the superstition, do not pre-
lendto vouch nor do know on what grounds il VIA.
formed; but the extreme violence of the outcry
against the Pilots gave pausbility, especially
IN connection with the fact that the decision of the
grand jury, after cautious investigation, acquitted
the Pilots Of all culpability.
Public sympathy, however, was excited approved
the act of Congress without any ex examination into its
merits, and received without scrutiny the arguments
urged in its favor But, passion aside let us test the
law on its own deserts Surprising the combination
OF have produced all the mischefs which have
act Of Congress Most unquesonably not
That law merely gives authority to the New Jersey
Pilots to take vessels into the port Of New York
Whatever effect it could have upon the combination
would evidently be not to weaken but to strengthen
it, by bringing whole body of Pilots from another
State to compete with the united corps Of the latter
port. The combination was indeed destroyed-but
it was destroyed not by the law of Congress, but by
the law of the State, which expressly prohibits any
copartnership except among the Individuals compos-
ing the crew of ono boat. So far, therefore, as the
combination is concerned, the act of Congress is
wholly useless-is wholly unproductivc Of any be-
neft.
But by increasing the number of competitors the
act of Congress has increased the activity Of the Pi-
lots in the performance Of their duty. What is the
proof that the Pilots active now than they
formerly Why that instead of la ing of and on
in the vicinity of pilot ground, which is their appro
pirate position, they proceed three or four hundred
miles 10 sea IN Searcn OF vessels. Admitting Tor
moment all the facts to be correctly stated, would
ask what good gained by sending Pilots such dis
lance to sea, to board vessels when their services
are not wanted, instead of compelling them rather to
remain in the ncighborhood of the place where their
aid will be required? Is it not more improbable that
they will not encounter inward-bound vessels on
wide expanse than if they had remained in the neigh
borhood of the pilot ground' Is it not probable that
under this system vessels will be obliged to
ture in without a Pilot, than under the plan which
retained the pilot boats near the place where they
must see the vessels wanting their services.
The act Of Congress did not destroy the combine
ton. The only good which its warmest friends can
pretend it has effected is to drive the pilot boats TO
sea, with the probability Of their objects being rs
trated while they unnecessarily exposed to dan
ger This effect instead Of being beneficial, is
injurious both to the ships and the pilot boats.
Being not only useless, but mischievous, the act of
Congress should be repealed.
An OLD MERCHANT.