Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-06-20
For the Telegraph.
THE CONVICT SHIP.
BY c. I.

ment to carry TO Van Dieman's Land a mart ot
their surplus population, which did not feel like
starving to death in the midst of plenty without
making noise about it. Let US 90 on board
and see the accommodations so kindly provided
Tor the suffering poor.
She was ship rigg'd, five hundred tons burd-
en-. But why do you start with surprise Ga
you wonder at her large crew, she is bound to
carry fifty seamen we'll armed. Are they afraid
: OF pirates Oh no they are afraid that the poor
ignorant creatures might not have sense enough
TO 60 quietly to their destination, but be fool ssh
, enough to run the ship to the United States, or
, some other wicked place; and to prevent any
such foolish act, the ships crew will be rein
forced by fifty royal marines.
But let US go below. All how very care
tui OF their safety. Across the after part of the
DROP deck was placed barricade of strong oak
posts thlchly studded with nails to prevent them
from being cut. On each side was Gu. three
holes, tor the purpose of admitting six mIiskets.
to sweep the deck How very kind. and care
ini that no harm should happen to their chill
dren.
All here they come, dressed in grey Jackets
and trousers, wool hats and check shirts. mark
ed and numbered like cattle ready to be turned
on the common. Would YOU like to know WHY
they wear those iron rings on their legs. with
a short chain between them? Why, the fact is,
they wanted their wages increased little: and
as the gentlemen farmers did not seem willing to
comply, so they just broke up few threshinr
machines, &c, they felt that sometime pinched
them, but did not know what. and as wiser men
often do, they wreaked their vengeance on the
first obnoxious thing that came in their way
hul voyage to the antpOdcs is on the whole a
pleasant affair." 50 we as may as well Just 90
along in company
The cable was hove short, the sails looscd and
all ready tor o start; but the pilot was not off
the wind was increasing, and veering to the west.
so that 1t showed like a dirty night in the chan
mel, u wish that pilot would find his way off,"
SAD the captain, who was walking the poop
NV ell yonder he comes" said the mate pointing
to small sail boat. which had escaped their no
tce, by keeping in shore to gain an oflinr Ere
long the boat reached the ships side, and the pi-
lot stepped on deck, shook the spray from his pea
Jacket, rs a Newfoundland dog would from his
hide, bobbed his head by way of salute to the cap
tam and said, dirty night this captain Groves
you better not lit the kellock, the ring of the
anchor will be safer than the topsaii sheets to
night Are you afraid to take the ship out
NO SIT han hands, up anchor, and hurrah for
FaHdieman Land. With the assistance of the
| marines, who volunteered their hco the anchor
was soon apeak, the sails sheeted home. and
hoisted, and the gallant ship was trying to wealth
or the Isle OF Wight under close recfrd topsais.
As the Sun sunk below the horizon the wind in
creased, AMI by dark we were undera single top
sal andJb. 1t blew perfect gale, and our green
hands began 10 give uncGuivocai sirns that they
teIt the difference between terra frfna, and the
salt sea. They, poor Conylcts, who can describe
their feelings separated from their homes and
country without n crime, except it be one to feel
and assert their right to fair day 5 wages for
days work" Shut up in close prison heav-
lrDpgI n. 4
not over them, every one that struck her making
her trCmbe To her ke!son, and conveying to their
minds the opinion that the Ship could not LONG
. survive such shocks those then sick sea
sick; oh who can tell but those that suffer il.
/ what sea sick means ? But fear drives away even
sickness, at times a long roll from the Atlantic
was coming in, and now and then the Eliza dipped
her nose IN Il wave and shipped quite drop of
water. BY the by should have said we had fe-
male on board. soldiers wife, going 10 ioin her
/ husband at Sidney. She was placed forward in
the bow, and To prevent any one from interfering
with her, She was locked IN with ncr two chill
/ dren. About midnight the old ship took an ex.
I ira plunge right through a wave, which seemed
about to overwbelm her, the hatch being off m
der the iorcastIe, a few tons of water found their
way 10 the orlop deck
The woman shrickcd-the children screamed.
and the prisoners IN accents of DESPAIR appeal
ed 10 the guard. SegCrS Sogc r. there 5
hole in the ship. The two marine officers ser
wants applied to the chief mate for the keys of
. the prison, to see il the woman was hurt 1t re-
CURED considerable of tie milk Of human kind
ness, to urge them to pass through it; the upheav
cd contents of the Stomach5 Of TWO hundred and
twenty-iour men, who had crammcd down ginger
brCad-rCd behring's and apples, ''ior the last
( time as they SAID, in old England. was floating
. about the deck, yielding powerful, if not a rich
/ perfume. The merry laugh of the marines at this
/ ludjcrouS scene, removed somewhat the fear of
( theprsoners. Praying and swearing, both ceased
i whIie they listened to the assurance that there
was danger, that we had dozen ports under
/ our lee into which We could run with perfect
safety, il needs BE-, and that they would be told
/ when there was .angcr. In 4 few days all had
their sea legs shipped. Captain Moore, (marine)
| said he had no fear about the prisoners and if
the captain and doctor had no objection, he would
/ lust open the prison door at O'Clock, and make
! them clear ont the prison, and then they might
| 20 in and ont until sunset as they pleased
Thus the kindness. and confidence of this gentle
man, saved them from those absurd. and tyran-
meal rules generally enforced by officers of the
/ line. The men soon became cheerful and hope,
ever cheering hope. took their thoughts from
their native home, TO the country of their exile.
| Among the prisoners was a man who owned
small farm, bnt, unfortunately for him, he was
good shot. and thought that when partridge or
hare had eat his grain, he had a right to shoot
it. Many trap had been laid for the old man
but he had hitherto escaped. But they mobbed
him at last ; a mob Of working men called on
him with paper to sign, which paper contained
an agreement to raise the wages of the working
men. He signed it at once, and for that act was
blniShsi from his country, to mix with telons of
every grade, for seven years, the nominal crime
conspiring with the mob, the real one, daring
to shoot wild animals that were feeding on his
grain; then there was primitive Methodist To-
cal preacher, upon whom the parson Of the par
ish had long fixed his benevolent regard; hook
ing out for an opportunity TO do good TO his soul,
after the manner of the lnquisjtIca. What
glorious opportunity, the preacher carried round
the paper mentioned above, the parson commit
ted MIN to prison, and he was sent for seven years
10 herd with felons. How he reJoiced, poaCher
and preacher, both off their hands al once. But
this was not their only triumph-in the same
county lived butcher, who had both custom and
independence enough TO vote against the tories
this might be tolerated in the large towns or
manufacturing districts but in an agricultural