The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-29
rhs Whale E,.hsry-Am.r,eaa con.ai.. ''"

The Whale Fishery-Amsrfcan ConsuIs
The importance of the whale fishery, although admit
ted by many has not received that general attention in
national point Of view which It undoubtedly mers and
as Is one which is intimately associated with com
merca prosperity and the supply of the American navy
with able, experienced, and faithful seamen, few words
al TINS hme upon the subject may have sauary effect
in awakening interest in that department OF our ma
tonal resources
Those who have not read upon this subject are not
generally what immense branch of the indus
try OF our country consists IN the gathering Of wealth
from the ocean. The has been called the highway
OF nations, and the mariners who bred coasts
IN our bays, and dangerous sounds among the
adventurous, dlgent. and successful cuyators OF this
vast inheritance, which has nos vet been subjected the
laws properly, and remains common and open to all
mankind. We learn from publication on the whale
fishery that more than three hundred sail take their de-
parture TO pursue this branch OF industry the north
west coast from the two ports OF New Bedford and
Farhayen. Nantucket and New London send out
more than seventy each and the ports of the
east end OF Long Island, the Sound, are the
places OF rendezvous for large numbers OF vessels
gagged in the whale fishery. Sixty il is said go out from
Sag Harbor. The general estimate at this period OF
ships employed in the whale fishery is more than ESQ.,
calculated at 100000 tons, and manned by from 900 to
$1,000 seamen The value OF the ships with the outfits
in 1874, was rated at upwards Of SI9,OOO,O0O
The consumption OF oil throughout the world is great
" the increase, and Great Britain has far acknowl-
edged American superiority TO abandon all duties on
the foreign article after this year, Qst6) The perls and
suiierngs of the crews who employed in these haz
aIdous voyages are appalling, and loudly call for some
WHEREBY their condition NAV be
ameorated and improved. From what we have read
and heard are fully convinced that the strong OF
the law should be nterposed between captains
tiers and owners, and that 10000 men should not be
Knocked with the sight of the ar-spanged banner OF
constitutional liberty while, at the same tme they
abandoned to species OF tyranny alike revolving TO hu
'manity and shocking to the demands of Justice.
The tales of horror, dark deeds, and even murders
which have been recorded of of these rresponsi
bic masters are well calculated to awaken spirit of in
qury and hope the time is not far distant when poor
lack will he heard and his RIGHTS attended In
Ii becomes the duty then, of the statesman to suggest
such measures may be deemed most advisable TO
to him by the CONSTITUENCIES e, liberty, and the pur
suit OF happinessand primary objects mans exist
ence Such provisions should be made by legislative
actments as will protect him from brutality injustice and
inhumanity.
The persons generally who have embarked in the
whale fishery appear to be impeed only by odious
lust OF gam and for this honor, truth Justice and hu
mainly all sacrificed.
The sailor who engages in a whaling voyage is first
heeced in providing him with what is called outfit ;
and the land sharks occupied in the nefarous business
although some of them do "belong to church." and
are great in Jealous movements for regular meetings for
religious and other purposes, are among the most aran
rascas and contemplate scoundrels OF the earth. They
may be found at New York, New Bedford, Nantucket
and other places where young men, ignorant OF the
vice. are charged one hundred per cent profit and
thousand per cent cheating for the privilege of providing
an out These villains not shocked at the practice
OF any outrageous cheatey and their charges
and exactions would stare even Shylock
ne laws iOI tie Oh American Sedlnen are
very defective, and require to be remodeled entirely In
relation TO consuls they should be invested with ample
powers to afford redress and security to any sailor who
shall make application against the inhumanity and
brutality OF an ignorant, vulgar, and inhuman master
The power of cousus existing, is given by the
Secretary Of State the Hon. James Buchanan, in his very
able document on the consaar system, which has just
been laid before Congress.
This able state paper is entitled to the calm attention
OF all who feel interested in our national prosperity
vi the barbarltes exercised towards seamen, Cap in
Wilkes graphic exhibition his work the
Exploring Expedition" He says:
Whie visiting the ports for the purpose Of recruiting
the crews OF whale ships are often found in state OF lax
discipline; both captains and take this opportunity
to lay their complaints before the consuls who much
troubled with them, and frequently at loss to under
stand and pass upon the merits OF the case The crews
bad usage in cases. have heard them assert that
they felt their lives in danger from the outrageous
joined in the complaint The captain on the other hand
him.
"Many Americans are found on the different islands,
who have been turned ashore from whale ships, left
because they have broken their liberty single time
near the end OF the voyage Such treatment leaves too
much ground to believe they purposey left in order
to increase the profits of the shipmasters owners.
Several of these men received, perfectly desii-
ute condition, board the Vncennes others Ia
ken out of prison; and all related many of the difficult
ties and troubles they had to encounter on board the
ships to which they were attached; although am not
generally disposed to place much reliance On their state
EnehtS, yet CaHnot out happen Out vi 80 many
there must be in which the in the
right" ... ... ."..
These statements of Captain Wilkes verified by
the constant reports of who have been seduced
the specious representations of the andshark shipper,
into the pers OF whaling voyage, and they certain
ly deserving OF grave consideration.
In the report of Mr. Buchanan, are presented with
an abstract Of the laws relative to in foreign
countries together with useful suggestions as to the
OF these laws but it will be observed that no
provision recorded of consular power to the mari
from the tyranny and cruelty OF brutal commander
We earnestly hope that the representatives OF the peo
pie will give this matter and careful eXamina
ton and further from the known dangers of the sea,
which in whaling voyages than any other,
ry ship should be provided with surgeon for it is well
known fact that many seamen lose their lives, and many
are made cripplesfor fe for the want of surgical aid.
By parliamentary acts of England, every whaling COM
pany that sends whaling ship from any port in Great
Britain, is compelled to provide surgeon and any ship
master that would dare to proceed voyage without
this important accompaniment would be liable to heavy
penalties and severe punishment. Such is the law OF
Cngland its humanity cannot be questioned its justice
win not be doubted
WHY have we not such law Why is it that no pro-
vision is made for the dangers and accidents of whaling
VOYAGES while land the dissolute paupe is provided
with that medical and surgical aid which refused to the
bold manly, industrious, and adventurous American sea-
nanl
have already extended this article beyond the limits
which at first designed but as pleading for the
rights of 10000 seamen who constitute the best OF our
forces in the navy in time of war, shall be excused
by all those who animated by sentiments OF justice
liberty and humanity
For full and interesting of the state OF the
whale fishery, with most attractive and lively narrative
Of the life Of sailor whaling voyage, refer the
paers of the Union TO work recently published by the
hoh hal from Tho