The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-09-24
The British stesms ns ps and the Rev. III. w.
Beecher.

The British Steamships and the Rev. III, w.
Beccher.
New YoRk, Sept, %, 1850.
To The EDITOR OF THE lNDEPENDKNT:-
Sir-My attention has been called to an article
published in the Independent Of the IS inst. head
ed "Church and Steamboat" over signature
which you acknowledge 10 be that Of the Rev
Henry Ward Beecher. Before alluding TO anything
which the Reverend gentleman h IS asserted, beg
TO stale that the udIion on board OF the British
and North American roy Al mail steamships is that
the Episcopal service shall be read every Sabbath
in the saloon, at which all the crew not on duty,
and those Of the passeng re- who feel dsposedo at
tend. No other public services are allowed on
board, as there are 40 pl aces in which they could
be held, except In the saloon or the gentlemens
aft or forward CABINS.
Ii must be remembered that there are many pas
seneers on board of a steamer who are neither
American or English, and who do not profess the
Protestant religion, or attend any Pfotesten form
OF worship. These passengers are expected 10 give
up the use OF the saloon for the performance OF ser
vice once every Sunday, and | have aever heard
one OF them complain al DONG SO. But when-as
was the case formerly-thr or four different
ices were held the forward cabin BY the minis
tiers OF different denominations, who happened TO
be on board, they then made formal complaints,
that when they were sick, and In bad weather,
could not 60 on deck, that such "A use should be
made OF the cabin, IN many instauces, by the few
TO the annoy ance OF the mauy IL for this rea-
son that the company, recognizing the rights of
IN ese passengers, issUed The order now in force.
never heard of the conversation SAID 70 have
II.
until | saw it in your paper, aud Can say nothing
with reference To IL turiner than IL sounds very
unlike Mr. Cunard, who, as all who know him arc
aware, is not in the habit of swearing or using pro-
fame language; and l am the less inclined 10 be-
lieve Mr.. Beechers version OF il, he asserts,
insiDuates, that Capt.. JudkiDs was occupied in
play ing cards I'LL late Saturday evening. en-
close you Capt Judkin's letter to me, denying this
charge. IL clearly convicts Mr.. Beecaer Of au I'M
truth. have to request that you will publish Il
with this letter.
! regret that minister of the gospel should have
exposed himself TO such charge; and regret that
professor of religion should evnce such spirit,
and desire, as MIR. Beeehrr has, to SOW cscord,
instead of peace, between the people OF two ATOMS
engaged in an honorable and friendly rivalry.
Your obedient servant, +. CuNAsp, Jr.
Aston HOUSE, New York, Sept q, 1850.
Z. CUsARD, JR., EsoR.,
Dear Sir-The article in the Indepeadent, 10
which you ask my attention, ana which, referring
TO the Sunday religious services OF the sompaay's
ships, and charging mewilh gross Improperly OF
conduct appears 10 me To he unworthy any reply,
much less of contradiction, as far az am coa-
cemed.
Any man who would impute to the Hon. Mr..
CunaId such language as the I.dependent charges
him with, is al liberty 10 rack hts inyenuve powers
OF false hood 70 the utmost; as Tar as the ongaa-
der oil the Asia is concerned, arm content 20 leave
my conduct in the hands of thr thousands of pas
sepcers who, during l-uod Of ten years, have
crossed the Atlantic IN str amers under my COM
mand-tbey will form their conclusions as to
whe ther the wri.er Of such scurriuus article
dictate truth, even by accidsUt.
For your individual saiisf ,c,ion, | do most en-
phatically deny having played al cards, in toe
sense sought TO be conveyed lf,during the passage,
ever had cards in my hands II was some occa-
sion Of an accidental visit to the saloon when, pos
slbly, i may have had them IN my hands tor the
anus ment of the ladies'. did not play game OF
cards on the voyage, even for the value oil cent.
la regard 20 the Sabbath religious services OF the
ship, you know very well how admirably our rules