The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-07-24

$50
The sicambe .. }. Hardin.
A Correspondent of the Ottawa (llIinoi,) Free
Trader-in whom we recognise brother typo
ono of its editors, now attached to Capt Dickey ;
corn, of vulunicers--in a letter home, compli
men,s our Senior, who was pass, niger from
Peoria down on the ]. J. Hardin, at the same
time with Capt. Dis. Company. The Z" Senior
acknowledges the corn for the flat,ering manner
in which he is spoken Of, but boss to dissent
from the editors opinion, expressed III The same
letter, relative to Mr.. RUSSELL the gentlemanIy
clerk Of the Hardin, who was commanding during
s,hc trip, in the absence Of Captain Dewitt. The
,cen,ute therein contained is unjust, and not war
ran,ed by facts. As far as his observation ex-
tended. MIR. r. used every cxcrtion in his power
for the cpmf1rt Of his passengers. The com
m,nler of the boat, when Capt. D.'s company
came on board, consented to take his men at 5
each less than his usual charge, and agreed to
supply them with the best he had on board. His
suoply Of provision. was limited for he had no
expectation Of such an increase Of passengers,
and there was no point nearer than i lion whore
he couu increase his stores; added to which in
convenience the boat grounded three times en-
The way down, OBTAINING them longer than he
expcced. Under these circumstances, Mr.. Rus
cell did the hes, in his power for his passengers
and 10 satisfy the volunteers. particularly, he
cent on shore at Alton 10 obtain stores to furnish
them their supper before leaving the boat. Some
of tho volunteers, fofgelful Of the rules Of the
boat. and the rights Of the officers. violated the
first and nfringeJ upon the latter in,ruding
themselves into the ladies cabin, and otherwise
behaving in a very unbecnming manner. II is
very pr,isewnrlby in men to vi lun!eer for their
Country, defence, but it may be question
whether, on the way to service, they are entitled
10 more attentions than are usually bestowed up
on travellers. II may I've that when these young
men of Capt. D's corps have won, by deeds, q
title to marked distinction, they will have not
only learned to wear il with honnr but will,
also, have learned proper respect Tor the rights
OF others.
The j. j. Hardin is one Of the best boats navi-
eating our western rivers; her officers genll'-
men, and her accommodations are Of the best
quality. As to her table, and the attentions to
passenger on board, we have never heard the m
complained Of before, and probably never will
again, unless our friend, the Ottawa corespon.
dem, should chance to be her passenger.
We clip the above article lrom the " st. Louis
Reveile," paper for which we entertain tn,
highest respect, and on more than one occasion
have spoken in the highest terms Of its merits
and we much regret that we are now compelled
to dGerfrom its editor, and correct some of its
.ms-sta,ements AMI absurjites.
The letters frlin the editor Of this paper, who
is a private in Capt. Dckey's company, have
thus far been agerly sought after and re-pubshet
in several papers, AMI are considered by US here
es giving correct and unvarnished statement o
things as they occur, beslowing neither censurt
nor praise where they ore not mcrl'ed ant
neither the editor Of the Revclle nor the captain
Of the steamer John ]. Hardin, can deiract from
their merits, particularly in this community
where the writer is well known, and where BIZ
candor and fair dealing with his fellow men hav,
won for him such standing as 10 be far bcyonl
the reach Of their assaults.
Since we have understood that some excep
tons were taken to the editors remarks in rcgarl
to the treatment Capt. Dickey's company rcceiv
ed from The officers OF the j. J. Hardin, we have
taken some pains tn enquire into the matter from
persons of high standing in this community, wht
were eye witnesses to all that occurred and wht
wcro not influenced by considerations which VI,
ate induced to think somewhat operate on lh'
editor Of the RevcilIe. We well know that FIRE
lueGlly in such large cities as ST. Louis. larg,
commercial interests are not to be despisej eithe
by editors or steamboat captains and tina, Offer
the misconduct Of public carriers are varnishet
overly the press for uaiuabh considerations, an,
that the friendships formed over cool glass Of ic
mint, are not to be efcn severed by what ma,
appear slight breach Of public duty.
The Reveile first attempts TO create patriotic
feeling In favor Of the Capt. Of the Hardin, b,
stating that he carried Captain Dickcys men a
81 less than the regular fare. This would b.
something in his favor, if he had not been force,
IL do 60 by the necessities Of the case. Captain
Diesey had written guarantee in his possession
from the asents Of boat in this pl,ce, that il HI
would wal. one day later, his company should b
taken TO Alton for even less than was paid tn
Hardin and when this was made known to tb
valiant captain Of the Hardin, and after the com
pany were abou, making preparations to encam
for the night and wait for the next boat, rattle
than be imposed upon by the captain Of the Hal
din, then the patriotic captain consented On orde
TO gel the job), to take them for one dollar ie,
than the regular fire! Thus much for his pit
<rolsm on this score.
The next excuse urged, is, that his supply ,
provisions were limited, not expecting such a
increase Of passengers. This is about the MOI
absurd and psltry excuse we have ever hear
made by u gentleman Of sense, and we are indec
surprised that our our worthy friend of The Rev
lille should in this manner lay himself open
public ridicule and censure. We're il not know
throughout the country that the Illinois valley
ono Of the most productive sections in the unic
that now thousands Of barrels Of -four are
every landing on the river--ihat beef, pork, mt
ton, and every other necessary for tho table al
the larder were easily obtained, and for me
song. this excuse would not appear so supreme
ridiculous. Had tho en'erprising officers Of d
Hardin found themselves thus suddenly call
on 10 carry passengers whilst ut the head waite