The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-08-01
THE MODEL UNITED STATES
COMMISSIONER.
A Modern Spectator.

For some time past there have been many
steamboats, against an individual of specula.
tive prcclivities bearing the cognomen of H. N.
Frisbie, who holds commission as United
States Commissioner, on account of his many
proceedings under color of his office, all tend
ing to put money in his pocket. Some time
ago one of these complaints was laid before
the United States Grand Jury, and the result
was the gentleman () was
for extortion under color OF Office, and on this
indictment he is now awaiting trial
Frsbie's old game was to 'pile on the
agony i'll the way of costs in all suits brought
before him, but lately he has gone on a new
clay that has all the characteristics of a
swindle.
Some time ago, the mate of the steamer
Bastrop had misunderstanding with two of
the deckhands, VIM. Berry and Eli Thomas,
and in the result, they considered themselves
aggrieved and damaged in the sum of one
thousand dollars; and as the matter is at
present understood, they appeared before
Frisbie and Jointly instituted suit against the
boat for the above specified amount.
On the 18th of July, the day fixed for the
departure of the boat on her regular business
trip, the following document was received by
the Captain, F. A. Blanks:
U. S. COMMISSIONERS OFFICE,
District of Louisiana,
New Orleans, July 9Th, 1874.
Eli Thomas VS.. Steamboat Bastrop, Her
Master and Owners-Certiicate in this case is
demanded for libel on the return of the boat.
would suggest an offer of compromise be
made, and l believe the attorney and the
plaintiff will accept rery reasonable offer
AS commissioner am clothed with author
ity to refuse the certificate, if what deem
reasonable compromise is refused. think it
will be for the interest Of the defendants
herein, to call and see me. Respectfully,
H. n. FRIsBIE,
United States Commissioner
The italics are Frisbie's.
1t was thought advisable to ssee' Frisbie,
and he was accordingly called on and, after
some little talk, agreed to
COMPROMISE
the case LOT 1Orty collars. Inc gentlemen
connected with the boat were decidedly averse
to any compromise, but a detention would
have entailed considerable loss to the boat,
they accepted the compromise and paid the
money, as the following will show:
VIM. Berry Us. Steamboat BastrOp, her Mas
Ter and O,oners. S. Commissioner Office,
District Of Louisiana, New Orleans, July 18th,
1S74-Damages $1,000.
Received by compromise in full settlement
Of the above suit, with the consent Of the At
torney, principal and Commissioner, forty
dollars.
$40 H. n. FR1sB1E
q. S. Commissioner.
The cost Of suit is included in the above.
On last Saturday, the master Of the steam
boat Belle of Shreveport, was notified that
one of the levee roustabouts had entered writ
for wages for large amount before Frisbie,
and in due time tn, individual put in an APP
pearance and accepted ten dollars in settle
ment of the claim.
The alb ove transactions are but samples of
bis many others, and the sooner the founda-
ton for that little Indictment of the Grand
Jury is investigated the better it will be for
he steamboatmen Of this city.