The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-26
FOX THE MACEDONIAN.
THE PILOT LAW.

ME-. EDToR:
What was the impulsive which ostensbly
originated the act of Congress, mscaled, "for regu-
iatng PIots 4"-the loss Of the Bristol and Mexico
The wreck of these vessels it alleged caused
by the negligence of the New York Pilots. Their
negligence was the effect of combination among
them, which destroyed every thing like competition
The act of Congress broke up the combination, and
engendcred untirng activity which drives them
300 400 miles to sea that they may homeward
bound vessels
The charge, that the loss of the Bristol and Mexi-
co is attributable to the culpable negligence of the
New York Pilots has been so often triumphantly
futed, that it is scarcely worth notice will not
pretend to scrutinse the motives which prompted the
excessive clamor against the Pots at the time of those
two wrecks. know that many supposed it was in
tended to avert suspicion from guilt of another kind
For the correctness of the supposon, l do not pre-
tend to vouch, nor do know what grounds it was
formed but the extreme violence Of the outcry
against the Pilots gave it some plausibty, especially
in connection with the fact that the decision of the
grand jury, after cautious investigation, acquitted
the Pilots of all cupabity
Public sympathy, however, excited, approved
the act of Congess without any Examination into its
merits and received, without scrutiny the arguments
urged in its favor But passion aside, let test the
law its own deserts. Surprising the combination
OF have produced all the mischies which have
been attributed to it, was it broken up by the
act of Congress Most unquestionably 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
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 boat. So far, therefore, the
combination is concerned, the act Of Congress is
wholly useless-is wholly unproductive of any be-
nefit.
But by increasing the number of competitors, the
act of Congress has increased the activity of the Pr
lots in the performance of their duty. What is the
proof that the Pilots active now than they
formerly? Why that instead ofaying off and on
in the vicinity Of pilot ground which is their appro-
pirate position they proceed three four hundred
miles to sea in search Of vessels. Admitting for a
moment all the facts to be correctly stated, would
ask what good is gained by sending Pilots such dis
lance to sea, board vessels when their services
are not wanted instead of compelling them rather to
remain in the neighborhood of the place where their
aid will be required Is it not improbable that
they will not encounter nward-bound vessels on so
wide expanse than if they had remained in the neigh
borhood of the pilot ground Is it not probable that
under th, SYSTEM vessels will be obliged to ven
ture in without Pilot, than under the plan which
retained the pilot boats the place where they
must see the vessels wanting their services.
The act of Congress did not destroy the combna-
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 frus-
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 mschieyous, the act Of
Congress should be repealed.
| AN OLD MERCHANT.