The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-07-20

Believing, as / most sincerely do,
that sailors, like other men, are best
controlled by moral power, | have
always endeavored to impress upon
the minds Of those under whose con-
troll, L have placed my vessels, the
propriety Of pursuing such course,
as will command the respect of sea-
men.
The following incident related to
me by an Individual, who formerly
commanded one Of my vessels, will
tend to illustrate, in some degree, the
operation of the system. While on
a voyage from a poltin South Amer
lea, one OF the crew was command
ed to perform some act of duty; he
either did not do it with alaclity, OF
manifested a spirit, which, in the
view Of the captain, deserved chas-
li3ement. Words Of irritation fol-
lowed, which Of course increased in
difficulty. A severe flo9ging was
inflicted, and a sullen obedience
compelled. Order was enforced,
but an under current finjurcd feel
ing was constantly in operation, pro-
ducing animosily and discontent.-
When within few days sail ofhome.
some other uifling neglect of duty
occurred; sullenness, and an APP
parent desire on the pant of the de-
linquent, TO keep matters in an I'M
comfortable state, caused the master
to determine to sustain strict disci-
pline on board. In a violent pas
sion, he ordered the poor fellow to
be seized up TO the main rigging
This having been done, he went to
the cabin TO get the "cat'-resolved
to payoT with intelestthe old score ;
and bring The offender to submission.
While looking after the instrument Of
punishment, which was not in its
place, the question came to his mind
with much force, How would MIR.
act under such circumstances?'
lie decided that, at any rate, he
would not cherish so violent pas
sion as he then INDUCED. Ii occur
red to him, that it might be we'll to
try that kindness, which had been so
often recommended: and by the
time the instrument Of the sailors
disgrace had been found, he had de-
teImined to pursue a course far DIFF
ferent from that which he had at first
naked out. He went on deck, be-
gan to talk in a spirit of kindness,
which met response, and seemed
to produce an immediate effect. AT
ter repeated promises ofamendmenl
on his part, the sailor was forgiven.
No farther difficulty was experinced,
but his duties were performed with
pleasure, and degree ofplnctualty
unknown before.
Having arrived at her destined |
pot, the sailors were paid of, and
discharged, with the exception of the
" logged one" The master being
aware, that in the early period of the
he had abused him. hesitat-
ed about paying, till he had drawn
up a strong receipt, in full, for all
claims, &c. This being presented,
he smiled and said, "Caplain, you
need not fear, though know Icould
make you pay we'll for your treat
mcnt Of me ; yet when you had me
il your power, and | expected abuse,
you tOrgave me, you Treated me kind
y, and [ am not the man TO repay
with any other return. L
shall not, l will not sue, or take the
law Of you in any way. But had
yoa beaten me the second time, in
stead Of lorgiving me, l would have
spent all my wages in pursuing you
10 the extent Of the law"
I was assured by this individual, .
HAT he had arrived TO the conclu-
sion, that all the trouble he had had
with the various crews under his
control, was caused by his own has
y action, unkindncss, and abuse of
power placed in his hands.
A BosToN MERCHANT.
VDIU-3 UE LEl2L1MD1Zlo
Brandon, Whuraaay. JnIy 80, 1913.