New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-28
OUTRAGEOUS CASE OF Fleeing GOVERNMENT
sAHORs-LET JUSTICE BE DONE.

OUTRAGEOUS CASE OF FLEECING GOVERNMENT
sAILORs-LET JUSTICE BE DONE.
Last December the L. s. Steamer Delaware
returned from years cruise IN the China sea- and
her crew discharged and paved of at the Brooklyn
Nayy-Yard Just a. five OF them leaving the Yard
they were met by Philip Fitzgerald, the keeper OF
sailors clearinghouse in Monroe-st, who with that
pleasing assiduy common TO his class, urged them to
accept OF his hospitality. His manner completely capt.
waited the hearts of the unsuspectng ars and they not
only went with him to his lodgings but also committed
into his hands for safe keeping the money when
they had earned by years Of service, amounting
in all to $500. It the intention Of the sailors
to visit their relatives in Europe - they were all
Of foreign birth-and 10 This end they APPLIED
the day 10 the landlord for the money they au IN
trusted vita him. that theymigh change the Sreenbacks
into gold. At this iuncture, however, fltzgarad th-
pressed grave doubts ~ to their ahlty 20 properly
negotiate the exchange and 50 certain was ne ta ey
would bc cheated that he gayeOr pretended to give
the money To his runner Thomas Hamilton with nstrc
10 transact the business for them A. they were
walking el5uroly along TO the brokers Office Hamilton
suddenly dSappe9rcd, and alier Eay w s9 , 1dp
way back to the boarding house. 3nd demanded trit
money ~ the landlord. He expressed much surprise that
his ernpoye should have acted strangely; but told
them anything about II, that Hamilton hau
gone of drunk" aud would he back the next
This was a little too much for the sailors they
went to the nearest police station and had Fitzgerald
arrested. or course, Hamilton never returned and 20
secure the Witnesses the five sailors were placed In the
House Of Detention In the meantime fItLSeral ll.','
A. Hearne to give bail for him. but when the day set for
the trial came It was found that he Qtzgeiadl had
slpped before the mast for Liverpool Under ordinary
circumstances the bail would be forfeited, and there
would be opportunity for the sailors TO secure
part at least, Of their money; but unfortunately Tor
them and for Justice, \. Heane Is ward politician
and In the trial which 10 take place sOon there Is
every To believe that he Will escape from any
unpleasant consequence which, IN better governed
community, would be certain To follow proceedings OF
this kind. THE TRIBUNE reporter saw these men recent
" the Sailors Home, where they are now supported
at the expense Of the American Seamens Friend society
One OF them IL suffering from shock OF paralysis,
which entirely ncapacitateS nm iOr work OF any An
while another j. at the point of death from an old sick
ness which his present troubles have greatly aggra-
waited There is hardly doubt but that 1t was originally
intended to keep the men from saying anything about
their loss under the pretense that their money would be
returned To- them the following morning ana before
that time they would have been dragged shanghaied,"
taken away from all means OF making complaint.
Failing in this il is said, Hearne was brought into the
augcmen and that the money stolen from the sailors
was given To him security Tor his bail. These facts
be inquired into in the court after months of de-
lay and it il 10 De hoped, exposed that justice may be
dome the 50 lOrs thus robbed