The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-12

60 out to Cuba laborers the railroad from San Jago
dc Cuba to Trinidad which is building by American
company, and who forced to return home by the
Cuban government account of Misunderstanding
called upon Mayor Temann yesterday and made afida-
Wits against the parties who had engaged them 60 OUT
in which they set forth the miserable treatment they
had received while their way the island Cuba and
the difficulties they met with regarding ths non fulAlment
Of the agreement they entered into for pay board
while employed.
It appears that they left New York in the bark Linda
Stewart the 18th Of November found reason for
complaining considerably of the provisions food bed
ding furnished during the voyage They reached st. Jago
on the 2Sth Of November and were there offered
tract which they alleged to be Of very different tenor
from the ore they had signed here On the way they
were all requested to represent themselves Ishmen
nasmuch as that the class of laborers whom they
were permitted to introduce into the island.
From the following affidavit made by one OF the uartv
1t will be seen that they compelled to put up with
considerable hardship while away:-
City and county Of Nep York, ss-John F. Joyce being
duly sworn, says that he is stopping at No II
Washington street, that about the 18th of November last
there was published advertisement in the New York
Sum- newspaper published in this city the effect that
there were two hundred laborers wanted to work on
railroad in the island Of Cuba and that the wages would
be twenty dollars month and found, passage Free and
for further particulars to apply at Captain Gordons oce
West street. Deponent went there and found there at
that time two other who had engaged TO Co. and
deponeni also engaged with said Gordon terms as
stated in sad advertisement Deponent started on the
17ih Of November last for the island Cuba In the bark
Linda Stewart bound to St. Jago de Cuba Deponent fur
her says that the engagement he entered into with Cor
don was for six months Deponent found about one hun
dred and thirty five other persons board the bark
who had been shipped laborers on this
entered into similar contract with said Gordon Some OF
these when they how they likely TO be treated
steamer that took them to the bark she was an
chored in the stream. Two Of them particularly who
90 board the bark Capt Gordon Mr. Tenighs and
policeman who accompanied them. These men e.
capped One Of them took of his and vest and shoes
and threatened he would jump overheard and swim to
schooner in the vicinity If he permitted return
to his wife and family. Another tried get away but
was forced back and was proered money by Capt Cor
don TO keep silence. After the passengers got on board
they had neither bed bedding and had nothing to lie
on but the bare floor. Is was extremely cold
at the time Of leaving and they were hudded down in
the steerage, and held more like q collection
Of swine than human beings The fare of the passengers
was OF the c0arsest character consisting of biscuit and
salt junk the coffee served out not lit to drink the
raons OF potatoes were so small hardly give taste
and the supply of food Of all kinds scanty that
some of the passengers hardly obtained enough satisfy
the cravings Of nature The hold wherein they con-
tined, had so noxous smell that the passengers were
sickened by it, and could not endure IT, and slept
on deck in preference Some of the passengers Also who
food lay the hold and did not receive any medical at
tendance which due them according to contract Demo-
nent s nfof med that one Of the passengers lying
IN Fhadepha at the point Of death in consequence OF tho
hardsbTs and neglect suffered by him the passage
DeponeDt further that before landing at st. Japo the
passengers went TO fenght, who represented the
agent Of the contractors Dalton Co., wanting to have an
understanding with him previous landing Mr. Tenieht
said that he could say nothing until he Dalton The
passengers landed the 2sth Of November last and
transported Immediately portion of the rail-
read where the contractors had determined to commence
work Gu the following morning the hands requested
10 go to work, but they refused to do until Dalton the
contractor should sign the made by with
The men IN New York, at which he seemed Offend
cd, and said his word was sufficient and he would
stand oy any agreement made in New York.
The men then suspected foul play and trick
cry, ana determined among themselves none should
60 70 work until Ar. Dalton should give them agree
me5t in writing; after this known to Dalton be
caused 10 be read to the men contract different from that
made in New York, which was to the surprise Of all tins
contract provided for the ment of seventy five
per day. and bound the iaborers for twelve months
place of six months 1t also said that the aborers should
pay for bed and bedding, ana should pay for the
days they were idle at the rate deonent believes Of
dollar day. the refused to work under this con
tract protesting they had made agree
ment Patton then insulted the men, and threatened he
would make the work in chains and used the vest
language towards the aborers the that he might
do could and that they would appeal 10 the Ame-
rican Consuor justice in this he said the Consul
could do nothing he then threatened tarvc men into
submission, and reduced the men to two meals day
these two meals being scarcely sufficient for in guam
tty. Alter putting this in execution, the marched
into the city Of St Jago with the intention OF laying their
complaint before the Consul and local government of the
place. Alter getting into the city they me; by
Of the local ocers and ordered 70 return the suburbs
There the official interpreter met them, and ordered them
to return to the place from where they had come and
commit their grievances to paper and send II into the
Governor by four men TO be selected from their number
The laborers asked If these would be from
rest The Chief Of Poce through the interpreter
the that the four deputed from their number would
be free from arrest -Four then went 70 the Go,ef
nor OF the city, and the answer was, after bssr
ing their complaint, that he would consider
the matter and send an answer, and that during the
erva the men should remain quiet and receive their full
ratons The men did not, however, receive their fun
raons Ofthe committee Of four Spanish boys
who shipped in New York. After the answer was received
stated, another committee QS two about two days
after were sent for by one ofthe officers police wh the
message that the Governor wanted to them. Two OF
the iaborers then went These two bore pt<lton
in writing signed by all the men, the Governor and
American Consul They went in, and when they came
tothe Governers apartments one of the officers de-
ponent is informed, went in the Governor and re-
turned Immediately with what he called the Governors
decison that they should be imprisoned The two men
were imprisoned without seeing the Governor
and on the following day the men whom they re-.
presented were informed at first that they were de-
tanned as Witnesses and then that they we're imprisoned
for contempt Of court During al this time Dalton would
Try to nduce the men to go to work The police did not
allow the mel TO INTO the city, and they kept in
ignorance Of what going Day after day men were
sent for apparently to give their testimony but on ar
rvpg at The city they were imprisoned Seventeen were
thus Imprisoned, with the exception of one or two who
went into the city to see what had become their COM
vernon was finally annouDced that all would have to be
sent back to the United States except gave ma
tvy as beng born in Ireland Mary OF these claimed
be American citizens and long residents New York In
pursuorce OF this decision deponen and thirty others
came back on board the Julia NJ Hallock. We left ON
the 18th Of December last The port Of Jago do CUBA
ana leit IN PRISON about seventeen Of our COM
panions and left the work all those
VINO reused To work under the contract that Daten
read to them, with the exception Of those sent ON wo de
ponent and those in prison. The Americans, Germans
fftnch add Poanders sent with the execution of
TWO or three Americans in prison aud several on tho
work. who used all their endeavors to come, but we're
pevened the English ana Scotch to be sent on al.
terwards. Deponent left those who gave themselves
out as natives Of Ireland work, understood that
they would be detained; deponent and his companions
nave received nothing from Dalton or Captain Gordon
any Of he agents OF the contractors, time and tho
many Inconvenience AMI hardsbips they have endured
Depontit and his companions promised their fellow work.
men WHO are IN prison and detained the work that they
would lay The case on their arrival before the Mayor Of
New YORK, and depend on his humanity gain their be-
ration from their present unhappy and destitute situation
neponent also that the majority Of those who arrived
by tie julia M Haock utterly penness and dis
tance from their friends ana families. JN0. T. JOYCE
Sworn TO before me this 1lih day OF January, 1859
DANIEL f. TIEMANN, Mayor.
Their visit to the Mayor seek redress Of the com