Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-18
From the Baltimore american.

AMERICAN AND BRITISH MARINE.
We published some days ago passage or two from
the remarks Of Mr. Labouchere in the British House OF
Commons in reference to the superiority OF American
over British merchant captains. This superiority was
fully admitted, and reasons were given tor it, Further
inquiries have established the additional fact of the
perorty OF our merchant service generally, In respect
to the condition and comfort of the sailors
1t seems to have been special object OF these inqu
ries to learn how the British sailors feel affected towards
the United States, and whether they would be disposed
to fight against in of war. The answers TO
the questions this point most remar kable and
veal state Of things rather alarming to the politicians
of that country who dream of maintaining the naval
supremacy of England. We subJoin few examples
in seamens phraseoogy to show what sort OF evidence
there is of the feelings of British sailors towards this
country. One man says;
elf war broke out with the United States, in my
firm opinion, the sailors board the British merchant
ship wouldn't fight against America What have they
TO fight forl An English feels he has not his
Just rights: give him them, and he'll fight like bull
dog Tor the island. That's my opinion and feel it,
and its the opinion OF plenty that know. 1t s this
and such like things that make us care nothing for the
country. Why should we! Now, what have to
for7 We slaves salt water, and the captain
is god Britons shall be slaves is all stuff
now-regular stuff, sir. I'm disguised to hear it
Why, Russian is happier in his slavery and his gno
rance than is an Englistman with any feelings, ii he's
| poor"
| Another tar imparts his knowledge in the following
style;
"Deseron is owing only, in my opinion, to bad wages
and bad usage It's not that the seamen prefer the
American service to the English, but you prefer
good wages to bad and good food to bad, and who
wouldn't l have heard many seamen say they
wouldn't like TO fight again this country-but they
would never fight for ii, especially again America.
have heard men say they would like to fight again it for
the Americans myself wouldn't fight for the
try unless the condition Of merchant seamen was i'm
proved | have many friends in the service that |
wouldn't. Arguments to sides in fighting, il
broke out, very common on board ship. have
heard Scores many Scores say they would leave the
country the very first chance they badly used"
And another thus
"No wonder many Englishmen are in the Amer-
service, the pay is better the provisions better,
and the accommodations are better Now, better or
more uniform of wages in English ships would pre-
vent many men deserving at New York, and other c-
ties the States, where they tempted naturally by
the better state of things among the Americans"
| A ship. carpenter makes the following revelations:
Cali the men were dissatisfied. They didn't care
one ot for their country Fight against America if
war broke out Not they. Would ? No. They
don't impose sailorsn America. l see men imposed
upon SO, that wonder they don't jump overheard If
man only speak, he's "a d mutnous vagabond'
and Cd worthless rascal put in irons directly.
Perhaps and when port is reached the captain takes
ham, cheese, or something a present to the
thorites on shore-the consul-or any body-and so
the mans prejudged before he's ashore at ALL AS to de-
sertion, why it must increase until less
robbed and better cared for