The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-05


are now in that critical position in reference to our
foreign relations, which all must depore. This u
the great mistake which both parties made in Con-
mess for the purpose Of starting their candidates At
the NEXT Presidential election-instead OF which,
they ought to have united in the support OF the
Oregon question, and presented front, one and
indyIsiDle.
Such are the views that are springIng up and that
prevail among certain portion OF both wings and
democrats In reference to The position oil affairs as
regards these movements, connected with the Presl-
dency. The belief is general that no convention
will be held, such will be deemed authoritative OF
the general views OF either party, In consequence OF
this contemplated course. But the effect will be TO
produce concentration of public opinion in relation
to Mr.. Polk, side, and Mr.. Clay on the other,
to test their merits before the people more
1t was similar state Of things that was presented
during the first Presidency OF General Jackson. the
isolation OF large portion OF his party caused the
necessity OF considering HIM candidate for re-elec
tration. would not be surprised in finding similar
results, from similar causes, in reference to Mr..
Folks administration and 1t Mr.. Polk, to the ex-
clusioa Of al! other candidates, should be sponta.
wouli tend, beneficially, to the public interests,
and check much OF the idle clamor and asperity
that now prevail among the various ctiqes, who
6pcCul6Ilug
probable that Clay, the other side, will be put for
ward by the wings. II 80, this contest will be an ex
citing and interesting one. Meantime, Congress is
driving the country to 54 no. very rapidly When
there, war Is certain
The New York Pilots-False Statements
against thcm-Their Case.
The Journal of Commerce published, on Tuesday
last, catalogue OF stupid falsehoods against the
New York pilots, about as stupid as any ever pub
shed in that paper the day it became the ptous
defender OF the Immaculate Maria Monk. 1t be-
comes our duty to nail these alsehoods to the wall,
for public observation. The Courier and Enquirer.
without taking the trouble to distinguish truth from
alsehood in its avidity to malign the whole body OF
New York pilots republlshed the statements Of the
Journal, with some ISLANDERS Of It's own fabrication.
For more than twenty years, the honest and skill
full pilots Of New York have been harrassed by the
efforts Of the Board Of Underwriters to possess them
selves Of unjust powers. This Board succeeded,
through their wealth, in gaining the most aristo-
cratic monopoly Of the business Of piletage, without
color of law and with no authority other than that
conferred by combination of their $4,000 900 OF
capitals the ships, lives and property Of the communal
ty have been placed under the power Of class Of
"pllots" who are composed generally Of the appren-
these pilots" of the insurers have been overhaued
by our courts on various charges the records will
attest Never was there more unjust usurpation,
and never a more tyrannica exercise Of the power
Of wealth. The horrors Of the Mexico aroused the
public to the fact, that she was very poor vessel,
badly supplied with provisions and sails that she
was covered with ice, so that she could not be work.
ed, and that her unfortunate passengers died three
deaths, viz starvation, freezing ant drowning, IN
gale just as cold and terrific as that in which the
pilot boat Gratitude was lost, with four New York
pilots; and the underwriters, by perverted testi-
mony in relation to the Bristol, succeeded In
raising such a noise against the pilots, that
Congress was deceived, in 1887, into the passage
Of law which has, IN its action, given the monopo-
y Of the plotage Of New York into the hands OF the
underwriters In proof of this we refer to the state
ment we published yesterday, taken from the Office
of the underwriters pios-by which 1t appears that
fifteen Of their pilots have poted to sea vessels for
which they have, within short time received 3d.
OSS So, or about $500 per man, whilst the New York
pilot boat Blossom, which has probably cruised as
many miles, within the last three winter months, as
any boat in the world, has not received an average
Of fifty cents day for each pilot. Every man
knows that taking ships to sea is the cream Of the
business for no time is lost; the weather is chosen'
and the pilotage is earned In few hours. This bu
sness is gwen by the underwriters to their favored
proteges WHILST the New York pilots are cruising
hundreds Of miles at sea, risking life, property and
character for these soulless corporations.
In order to retain their chance Of obtaining scan
~ living, the pilots have called for fair play and
act Justice The insurers have redoubled their ef-
forts to retain their monopoly but we are happy to
say that the effect of their Efforts SO far has been
to arouse public indignation against them, for their
conduct and their unhoy alliance, obtained in va
rlous ways, is about TO be broken up by Congress ;
80 that, soon, the people OF the Empire State will
legislae for themselves, and every one Of the thir-
teen New York pilot boats will be dong an inde-
pendent busness-each one in honest opposition to
the others; and all will be protected by sautary laws
and an honest free trade, in principle, may exist Tor
honest and capable men. Then the humbug Of q
Board, established by the underwriters and their
assistants, will quickly end, and the mockery Of at
fordipg Just protection to life and property will cease,
and the worthless and mushroom Board dissolve
into their original state.
The Journal Of Commerce states that the old
New York pilots are all acknowledged without
taking any certificate, or being subjected to any
conditions" II the assurance of the Board were
not notorious, this statement might pass for COM
pliment TO the old pilots-but the statement is a
falsehood for the New York underwriters have
published circular, OF which the following is a
part and it is probably, carefully put aboard of most
every vessel. The Commissioners pretend that they
act grautousy for the Board Of Insurers. We shall
hereafter show the real facts, and some Of the con-
tracts and profits they derive from their employers.
But now
The Commissioners wish to impress on all mer.