The New York herald., 1850-12-27

TREATMENT OF EMIoRANTs ON SHrPBoARD.-
We have received a letter, signed by We're
Foster, and dated 23d December, touching the
treatment experienced by the emigrants on board
the Washington, on her trip TO this port from
Liverpool, whence she sailed on the 9th oil
October, with about nine hundred passengers
He justly remarks that the subject is one of very
great importance to hundreds of thousands, who
annually reach the shores of this great and flourish
ing country, in search of that means of existence
and remuneration for their labor, which, owing to
the overcrowded state Of the population in Europe,
they have been unable TO find there" The writer
Is a Of former British Minister in this country
and states that he came out designedlyi in the Wash
ington in order to witness the treatment received
by emigrants.
After giving narrative of facts, which he states
he witnessed himself Mr.. Foster concludes as fol-
lows: -
been suffering from Illness since left the chi D
Now, appears TO me- cir to be more especially the
duty OF every person holding position
and who has had such personal opportunities have
had Of observing such treatment a. have mentioned
70 scquaint the public with the results Of his observ
tion, ss individual means however feeble, OF in
ducing remedy for the future; and you SIR editor
Of the most influential leading Journal Of this country
may effect great coed and the gratitude Of the
poor and Of all who take an interest in their welfare
by giving insertion TO the above too feeby expressed
complaint and by perhaps, availing Yourself Of the
opportunity, II you should think IL a fitting one, to
embark your powerful pen in the exposure Of the
grievances which have related and In the sdvooaoy
Of remedies for many other grievances With
emisrant ships, which have not touched.
AS we have no means Of verifying tae exact
truth, and cannot vouch for the accuracy of an
az parts statement, we must decline publish
ing the particulars sent TO us, especially as Mr..
Foster has not taken any legal steps, as he
might have done, TO bring home his allegations in
a court Of justice. While, however, we think 1t
right to pursue this course, we feel fully alive to
the importance Of the subject, and we know, from
variety of sources of the most reliable character,
that practices such as Mr.. Foster describes, and
even worse, prevail on board OF many emigrant
ships, both American and British, but chiefly the
latter, some Of which are types Of pandemonium.
We are glad to learn that new class Of passenger
ships s about to he introduced-a line Of propelers-
in which steerage passengers will be treated better
than they have hitherto been in sailing vessels.
They will be found in everything-their food cook
ed by the cooks Of the ship, and served up them
at a common table. Heaven knows some change
for the better was needed
Now, what is to be done under these circum-
stances II the Commissioners Of Emigration
were the right kind Of men, il is to them we would
naturally look for protection for the emgrant The
law gives them ample powers, and the State Le-
gislsture, in erecting this machinery, assumed that
the duties and obligations would be discharged by
the gentlemen who have taken upon themselves
the office of guardians Of the emigrants But it is
notorious that there is little hope Of redress for the
emigrant in that quarter and, for any useful pur-
pose that IL serves, the commission were better
abolished tomorrow. 1t does not protect the city
from foreign psupers, nor does it protect the rights
Of those whom il actually takes under its
charge. II is well known that patients on Wards
Island have died from terror Of being cut
up by the doctors when dead; yet the hu-
name Commissioners have not taken a single
step to put an end TO the cruel and revolving barba
rity.
There seems TO be an absolute necessity for some
powerful and unselfsh organization, possessed Of
means to act vigorously, and having the courage
and the disinterested philanthropy TO dare and do
all that the case OF the emigrsnt requires at their
hands. Emigration has increased so vastly OF late
that this matter has assumed a growing impor-
lance that must ere long command the attention Of
this empire city and State.