New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-09
Cart Robert II. Workmanship Challenge.
10 the Editors o. The y 7. TRIBUNE:

10 the EGlf0rs o. nc = l. Iri0AHt.
Now that the popular excitement created
by the atrocities reported 20 have been perpetraiet
by Capt Waterman has subsidized somewhat, and the
letter from one Of the crew. published few days
since has satisfactorily disprOyed the malicious sio-
res al first circulated, a calm review Of some o, the
events that occurred on board the Challenge may
serve TO show that Capt. Waterman is No. quite the
lrufe the California newspapers would make him
out to be. NO allusion IS, believe, made IN any Of
those publications 20 the fact that a mu.ny headed
by the Second ocrO the snip had occurred and been
put down without sacrifice of life
The first report, telegraphio from New-OreanSl
that reached this Cily, stated unquailhedly that
several Of the crew and passengers had been murdered
by the Captain and mate" What now appears 70
have been the truth Why tha. of Rio Janello nifty
out ola crew OF fityslx. headed by the second nate
of the only three persons upon whom the master
had night to depend for support IN an emergency
made an attempt 10 take the ship and from their own
confession, intended TO murder both Captain ana
mate. The attack commenced with an assault upon
the mate, he was knocked down, Staooed IN Two
places and terribly beaten, when Capt. waterman:
unarned, biayely rushed to his rescue and quelled
the muir without the sacrifice ola single bic MOST
commanders IN a similar emergency would first have
armedt Cmselyes and taken the lives OF such despe.
racoes. In all probability public sentiment would
have commended the act. Why then condemn Wa
teTman unheard Is because he EXHIBITED greater
personal courage and more foroearance than DINER
men would have shown under the circumstances
Or Is II because the testimony ofdesperate men (whO
confess that they intended TO murder those IN COM
mand Of the ship) is mere reliable than that OF man
WHO manfuly rsked his own life to preserve TIE
property ard lives entrusted 10 his charge Are we
to believe him guilty of murder because he mas been
mObbed by gang OF runaway sailors IL IS amatter
Of surprise to that he was able toquel the mutt
by without taking life and sofa rom ng censured
much less being accused OF murder, the under writers,
shippers and owners, have cause to commend nm
for having protected their property and safely
convey ed Il 10 its destined port. Few other men
could have accomplished It. II those who arc SO
ready to condemn Waterman, could be placed IN the
irving situation that he and other shpmaSierS have
ne sy e e e ready 70 Judge HIN by
The larger number, If supported BY me Of MARINES,
would not have the courage TO resist ere" OF uu-
uneeTs-much less would they dare TO oppose them
imarMed.
The prohibition by law Of fogsing sailors for mu.
tiny or other minor oienses, has wei nigh destroyed
all discipline III the merchant as well as IN tue tVdi
service Of this country, and lie teiroIs OF CaHiOT
MA mob seem likely TO forbid the officers Of our yes
sells 20 exercise any authority over their crews YES
sells almost daily arrive reporting lnsu5ordlnahon OF
the crews and the masters without power TO en-
force di,cipliBe 0niv the last month ship arrived
iom Liverpool, seven of the crew of which had re-
fused cuty one ha.i the passage, uuTng "hch pc
nod the ship with 800 passengers and valuable
cargo) vas exposed 10 the greatest perlS. Ohy
through the unWeared eXertOns Of the REMAINDER OF
the crew. assisted by the passengers and unusually
favorable weather. Was she brought safely INTO pOI'
with loss OF maLy sails Win 10 legal means 10
compel sailors to perform their duties on shpooard
what are masters 10 do The tenierneartei adyO-
bellious 10 irons, and arrival hand them over 70
the authorities fof punishment. But how can snip
he nayieated with IL crew IN irons WIN tae prom
ie that the offenders viii be punished preserve t1e
property and lives exposed 10 the elements BE
sides what reliance can be put on the promise tAat
the rebels Will be punished Any one acquainted
with the administration Of S9-caked Justice, - be
obtained m our marine courts can answer ms
The ringleadeI Of the seven muilneers alluded 20
shove has escaped from The Marshal, ana IS no on
his way TO New Orleans, and sailor Iaa ilort "as
heard a few days since 70 say that ne had go. one
clear ard would clear the remaining SIX. II me
CAPTAIN had enforced his authority, be perhaps
would have been branded as a murderer or tyrdnI
too ard long since had 20 pay the penalty TINS IS
the unfortunate predicament m which smp-m tsters
are placed by the so-caled phlanthroPic friends OF
sailors The time has arrived for NE un writer's
and owners OF ships in this community 10 say
whether some steps shall not be taken 80 pro!ec!
Their Interests. If they do not move speedily III tae
matter ard procure the repeal or modification OF the
law passed by the Hast Congress, tie consequences
may be fearful Humanity demands mat the} should
exert their ,rfuence TO tbs end Unless II is done,
We shall have ere long, true accounts Of murders oa
the high seas TO say nothing Of he loss OF properly
SHfP-ONNER.