The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-25

man with a shudder-the place, ana all belonging TO
1t, were to be avoided pestllence.
In August 1885, Captain John Earl and Mr.. Jas
Bergen, were appointed agents for some fifty insu
rance companies, and took active measures to break
up the horde Of "moon cursers," as they were not
inaptly called, account Of their hatred 10 the
honest face Of that planet. In October, 1885, the
schooner James Fisher, bound hence to Pniladel-
phia, was stranded near Barnagat inlet. Captain
Hiram Meeker was sent by Messrs. Earl and Ber-
gen to her assistance. The cargo was all saved,
and placed In tent for safe keeping until it could
be sent to New York. Meeker was a religious
man, and believed in praying for and exhortng the
thieves He collected large congregation OF this
graceless gang, in front of the tent and whilst one
party appeared to listen with great conriuon and de-
voon their partners cut open the back part of the
tent, and almost completely emptled OF the goods,
which they buried, or carried off in small boats
Meeker's preaching failed, but he found out many
OF the thieves. In the following November, they
| robbed the schr. Henry Franklin, Captain Hatch
The captain was shrewd Cape Cod man. Squire
Plat took charge as wreck master, and set guard
but Hatch guarded against the guard with fire arms,
and 1t was only when Plat pc fsuaded him to go to
house near athand, to "note his protest." that the
thieves got chance to steal about a hundred bags
OF coffee. Capt. II. F. Schenck was sent as agent
to this schooner. The doctrine he preached was
more etficacious than that OF Captain Meeker.--
He marked out The thieves and their plumber, and
returned to New York for advice aud legal assistance
Capt. Hatch, in New York, identified some stolen
bags of coffee, and MIR. Bergen procured the aid of
Police Officer Huntington, who arrested two OF the
thieves In New York. These men turned States
evidence, and gave details to the names of about
sixty thieves-some of them bearing the character
OF very homes. men-and the property stolen by each
individual was described. The Collector placed
Revenue Gutter at the disposal of Messrs Earl and
Bergen, to proceed to the nelghborhood. General
Darcy, the United States Marshal for New Jersey,
was extremely prompt with his deputies. Sheriff
Miller, of Freehold, was put In requsition, and
Capt. Schenck entered Barnagat Bay, with his
wrecking schooner. About forty of the thieves
were arrested, and much OF the property was reco-
vered. Several Of the thieves took to the pine
woods, and "camped OUT all through the winter.
The head thief, Judge Platt," was not easily cap
tufed, showing fight with fire arms but General
Darcy deposited him in prison, at Trenton. Forty
four were indicted nine were tried and convicted
and they were followed up for about two years the
last of the party pleading guilty, and paying fines
amounting to about $4,000 Plat was sent to State
PRISON for two years Money could not save him.
When the last fine was paid, there was general
rejoicing and drunken frolic, in which the Chair
man Of the Finance Committee lost the written list
OF the names Of his constituents. This now remains
in the hands CT Mr.. Bergen, to enable him to give
them second call. It contains the name Of many
of the first families, who little suspect that they
are known TO have contributed to the fund rather
than be exposed
This was most salutary lesson, and the under
writers Of Philadelphia and Boston, made Bergen,
Earl and Schenck, handsome presents. Some Of
the New York companies proposed to do likewise
but did not Up TO within the last three years. (the
insurers having now some agents, who carry no
terror to the thieves) everything, except liquor has
been safe on the beach. Such piraces were at an
end Now they are boldly renewing their old
trade, and in one respect, are worse than they
were ten years since. Then there were some who
would steal, but would not see men and women
perish within a stones throw of the beach. The
meaner thieves are now In power, and neither the
dictates Of humanity, nor the desire to earn few
dollars, honestly, could induce them to risk wet
Jacket to save forty valuable lives, for they could
with impunity steal more than they could earn, and
without risk.
Every month will make these men worse Where
now is the energy that will break them up for another
ten years-making them fear the jaws OF the State
prison? 1.-THE underwriters will not punish and Danish
the thieves, they should, with the assistance of the
u S. government, maintain, for eight months every
year, guard upon the coast with surfboats and
men, and supply houses for wrecked seamen and
passengers, short distances apart. Let them
place the boat stations ten miles, and the houses five
miles apart-preserving the boats, houses and pro-
perty, and protecting the men by good laws. Lives
would he saved--piracies would be prevented-and
smuggling would decrease. This is worthy of i'm
mediate attention. We rejoice to find that the
Shipwreck Society have this affair in hand. The
underwriters will find this profitable business
than that Of trying to deprive the New York pilots
OF their hard-earned pittance. This is labor in
which the Cham Der of Commerce may be permitted
10 speak out, for once, without dctation from any
one. The public watch the action of these insurers
IN relation to their duty in this emergency.
The public may Judge Of the power and audacity
of these outlaws, when we state that Mr.. White.
the county coroner, has declared that he dared not
keep the property sared from the dead bodies ,ritii,,
fire miles of the beach, for his life ,comld bs en-
dangered.
Let the Shipwreck Society employ good men, and
they will render invaluable service
The New York pilots have desired US TO express
their gratitude TO Mr.. Samuel w. Thompson, for
saving the body Of Capt. Thomas Freedom, and in
preventing his body from being robbed
We deem it proper to state that the wreck masters
and men, north Of Squan Beach, are honest fearless
skilful, and Misunderstanding good example of
what "wreckers" should be at all times. We wish
| they could civillze their neighbors.
Shall this affair die natural death, or may we
\ hope for thorough sweep among the thieves and
their entire dispersion
STEAM SHIP CAMBRM.-This steamer will leave
| Boston on Sunday next, for Liverpool. We UNDER