Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-08-28
Lake Champlain Steam Boats
~
TO THE PUBLIC.

TO THE PUBLIC.
CERTAIN recent publications and transactions
relative to the Steamers on this Lake seem to !
require such an explanation as will enable the
Public to understand the relative position of all
the parties concerned.
The undersigned were appointed q Committee
of the Board of Directors Of the Champain
Company, for the purpose of
the running Of their Steamers
for the current Season, and as such committee
make this communication.
We have from time TO time, for the last four
teen months, seen several Advertisements and
Proclamations put forth under the sanction of
the Proprietors and Agents Oft the steamer Fran
els Saltus, invoking the sympathy of the Public,
and assaing and disappearing the manage
mcnt of the Company which we represent. II
has heretofore been thought by us unnecessary
to make any reply to attacks considered to be
wanton and scurrious. believing that the best
answer to such ridiculous appeals was to be found
in the superiority, in all respects. of the steamers
belonging to this company. We now think that
departure in some respects from this course is
demanded. On the I'd of July last the Steamer
Saranac, stopped running as day boat in OPP
position to the Saltus, and was subsequently put
on the Ferry. between Burlington and ST. Al
bans, &c
The curiosity Of the public seems to have
been excited and strong desire manifested to
know by what means such result was pro-
duced We answer--It was a business transact
ton neither private nor necessarily public Il
would seem, however, thai oae party to the trans
action are laborng under extreme apprehension,
lest the travelling community would doubt their
entire dsinterestedneSs, and Mr.. Kellogg. the re-
putcd owner and Capt. Tisdale, the master, of
the Saltus, have each published denial that
any arrangement has been made and that our
Company or any of the members of it are inter-
ested in the earnings of the Francis Saltus and
more than in-inuate that we have encouraged
rumors of that kind for sinister purposes.
The manifest object OF the course pursued by
them is to create an impression. either that the
Saranac was withdrawn, as an unsafe Boat, or
that she was driven off by the superior prowess
of the Saltus, her agents &c. A plain state
ment of facts shall be our reply.
In the first place, we declare that the Saranac
when she was taken off the line was, and is. in
perfect order and condition. and in all rcpects
safe in her Hull, Machinery and Boilers. We
consider the character of our Company pledged
that all their Boats shall be of such description
and perfectly safe so far as they can be made so
by human means.
On the first day of July last. an agreement
in writing was made between Charles w. Kc-
logg, as the owner of tie Francis saltus of the
one part and John II. Boyd. Esq. of Whitehall.
OF the other rart by which agreement, Mr.. KEEL
logg. for Il price agreed upon, contracted to pay
over to Mr. BOYD, monthly. the nett earnings of
the Francis Saltus. Mr.. Boyd is director in
our Company, but made this agreement without
the authority or knowledge of the Company and
strictly on his own account. And on the same
/ IL, porsunbn1 ('ant Davis rft ba Saranap IN
discontinue her regular trips.
Mr.. Boyd offered his contract to our company.
and also proposed to make an arrangement by
which the gross receipts of three of our boats
and the Francis Satus should be divided. We
| declined the first offer and accedcd to the last
after deliberate consultation, and influenced by
| the circumstances Of the case. And on the 10th
day of July last. a contract was executed be-
tween the undersigned on the part of the Com
pany, and Mr.. Boyd, by which it was agreed
that each party should continue to run their res
pective boats On their own account "a 10 oXpen-
SEES and losses of all kinds, and divide the gross
receipts from and including the 2nd day of July
on certain principles not necessary to be pub
lishch.
Since that time ", have run the eo.npany',
boats in strict conformity to that agreement
which has been honorgJly fulfilled on our part
without regard to the question whether it is al
advantageous contract or otherwise.
The conduct Of the managers of the Satn>
clearly indicate their intention not to fulfil theiI
engagement in this matter, and to avail them
selves Of the advantages resulting from til,
withdrawal of the Saranac a. a day Boat, which
was done on the faith of this contract. We
deem it proper to add, that we have reason L
beiicrc, and have no doubt, that the contract o
Mr.. Boyd with us, was made with the know
1..l.. .l,,t.. 6 NJ Ill "a,