The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-02


We have, on many occasions, given our testimo
ny In favor of the intrepdity and enterprise that
characteristic OF the New York pilots, and of III
advantages which this honorable class Of men con
fer on the mercantile interests, in forwarding lat
foreign news, ahead of any other source. BY tn
efforts OF the pilots, the merchants OF New York
and of the Southern and Western country, hav,
frequently been put III possession OF the condition
of the foreign markets from SIX TO twenty-tou
hours in advance OF the time they would have re
celved the news by any other source The facili
ties thus granted by the pilots of great conse
quence 10 the community, and hav frequently dis
concerted the schemes of spectators and unprinci
pied men.
The mos. recent case Of this kind happened yes
terday The packet ship Yorkshire was boarded
by the New York pilot boat Thomas FL Smith, at
distance OF ninetyseven miles from Sandy Hook
on Tuesday last. On ascertanlng that the York.
shire brought later news from England than any vel
recelved-and that too, OF an important character
Mr. James Leonard, one Of the interchangeable pi
lots OF that boar, applied Captain Bailey for late
papers. Having received them, the pilot boat was
headed to the nearest shore, and he landed at Eas
Hampton at O'Clock. An opinion may be formed
OF the anxious desire that Mr.. Leonard had to
bring the news to this city soon as possible, from
the fact that he forded three streams and eaped Sc
veral diches in order to reach the nearest point on
Long Island where he could obtain locomotive
This point was Greenpori; and happily he was moi
disappointed in finding facilities there to carry out
his praiseworthy object. Mr.. Brooks, the agent o.
the Long Island Railroad, ON ascertaining that
Mr.. Leonard was the bearer of late and impor-
tant intelligence from England, which it was
desirable to have the merchants Of New York ap-
priced of as early as possible Immediately placed a
locomotive at the disposal of Mr.. Leonard, who
instantly started from Greenport, il then being Ten
O'Clock, and arrived at the Southerry, Brooklyn, at
halipast twelve at night, making an Unprecedented
short trip. AT one o'clock he came painting into our
office, covered with perspration and glory, and de-
posted Fhe foreign papers on our desk, in
time for to give full account of the impression
in England caused by our refusal to submit to arbi
tration, &c.
II will thus be seen that the merchants OF New
York; and the whole country received news of the
highest commercial Importance, twenty four hours
in advance OF the time they could have received it
in any other way-and that, too, through the energy
and perseverance of New York pilot. And not
withstanding this proof OF the energy of these
pilots, they are accused hourly, by their ene-
mics, being unfit for their being afraid
to proceed any distance to sea-of hugging the
shore, and all other alsehoods that the ingenuity of
their maligners could invent for ears past. Here
Is proof-among hundred others to our know
ledge-that the New York pilots are the most ASST
duous, the most enterprising, and the most daring
and selt-sacrlicing class Of men the world can pro-
duce; and those Of our merchants who take sides
against them in the unholy persecution that has
been waged by the spectators and stockholders
Of the large Cities are fighting against their own in
terests.
What would have been the effect if, instead of
bringing this TO our office 80 that it was pub
lished to the whole world in our regular morning
edition, and despatched it was in advance of every
other source, to the Southern and Western country;
what would have been the effect, if Mr. Leonard had
suppressed this highly important news, and used 1t
for the advantage of few spectators? The conse-
quence would have been that the respectable mer.
chants of New York would have been taken advan-
tage OF. But such thought ever entered the mind
OF any OF these open hearted and honest men.
This instance alone is refutaton OF the false
hoods circulated against the old New York pilots;
and ii would be well for the merchants OF New York
in body, to demand that the rights of which these
hardy fellows have been deprived by hasty legisla
tor shall be restored to them, and that the pilots Of
New York be reinstated, they should be. and put
in possession Of the privileges they formerly
enjoyed-the right of earning their bread and sup
porting their families by their daily danger and toll,
without allowing strangers, who have no Justice or
claim on their side, to come in and participate In
their krghts, without having undergone the sppren-
ticeship and ordeal they themselves had to 60
through before they received their licenses We trust
the eyes Of the public will soon be opened to the
enormlty Of the persecution waged against the
pilots.
The STATE CoNvENTIoN NO man, who feels as
an American citizen ought to feel for his State and
country, can contemplate with apathy or indiffer-
ence, the approaching election Of the members OF
the Convention to amend State Constitution. or
the approaching Convention itself. In twen,y-ei hit
days from this day the election of members to the
Convention will take place throughout the State -
Let hope that the wise, the peaceful and the pru
dent among citizens, laying aside the destruc-
tive heat and excitement OF party, and giving up all
personal predictions and local passions, will unite
to select for this great occasion Of wisdom, age
and experience-men of sound, just, liberal and
moderate principles-men, themselves good citizens
honest and well conducted, and lovers of order,
sobriety and sound morals. Let US hope, that by q
wise selection Of such members for this Convention,
our State will be saved from falling into the hands
and power Of loose, disorganizing and reckless in
dividuals-men of wild schemes and mad Dreams
who seek to put in action plans Of wild disorder,
uprooting our laws, or if not that, yet at least
rendering them poweress as TO the restraint and
punishment of the evilminded and bad-principled,
who are not few in number in this day, and in the
present loose state Of society Let us hope we shall
be preserved by the mercy Of Him who rules and
directs the nations, from becoming prey to those
delirious and intoxicated madmen who, hating all
law, and spurning every check, aim at subverting
our grand and noble system of common law, and to