The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-21

icS own ProprletOrlal rlGnt ana DOMAIN on the
sea. discussion of these questions we COM
mend to the Chamber of Commerce, the
Board of Underwriters. the marine insurance
companies and Congress.
The Case OF tho Amcrique-Another
English Outrage.
| Our special despatch from London presents
the latest phase of that most entertaining and
remarkable story of the sea, the history Of
the adventures Of the French steamer Anne
rique. She is safe in the pleasant and pretty
little port of Plymouth, on the south coast of
England, and the French owners have teen
heard from. 1t seems that in going into the
port the ship touched bottom, and this evil
IDENTIFY relieved the French and magically
restored that beautiful elasticity of character
which they had temporarily lost. They had
all made up their minds that she must 60 to
the bottom, and she has gone there-con-
structively. It is true she has only scraped
the mud ittle but this is enough to cover
the point They were amazed before by the
failure of all their anticipations, but now they
have recovered themselves and come out to
assert their rights, and will do their utmost
to prevent the dishonest and infamous Eng
lish from further interfering with their prop
erty.
| Altogether this case presents one of toe
most startling outrages ever perpetrated by
the people of one nation on the people Of
another in time of profound peace. In view
Of this case the outrage perpetrated by Captain
Thomas, Of the Greece, in his dealings with
the Europe sinks into insignifcance. He
seized the Europe and sent her away in charge
of his own men, so that if she went to the
bottom the French Captain could not witness
it, nor even heroically go down with her; but
in that case the French have not such clear
reason to complain, because they called upon
him for help; SO that if he abused the oppor-
tunity thus offered him at least the first mis-
take was theirs But that cannot be
alleged here No one called for these
English of the Spray and the Barry
to come and assist the French ship
in distress. No one wanted them son
the contrary, quite the reverse" Here was
steamer merely left alone, 'as idle as a
painted ship upon q painted ocean" The
Captain was gone ashore. There had been
passengers and crew. but all had rambled
away in the boats trying to put their hats on
marine butterflies. Some of them had gone
ashore in an Italian boat-perhaps to take
breakfast-and others in an English boat and
some in Norwegian; but it is evident they
meant TO return, for they had not taken their
baggage. Indeed there cannot be the slight
est pretence for the assertion that this was an
abandoned ship. Why should any one have
abandoned her? Why do people ever abandon
ships at SEQ? Only because of some danger
But here there was no danger. The ship
was perfectly safe. Even the English them
selves admit this Could the bursting in OF
a couple of headlights have frightened an ex-
perienced captain and whole crew? Perish
the thought! 1t is clear enough that the gallant
French cared little for what might come by the
headlights, since they thought the stufhng in
few pillows and sheets all that was necessary
TODD for guarding against such danger. Be-
sides, it is well known that the French are an
ingenious and capable people in the handling
| VI McCudAlC6l COuUllNduCCos uAu VIC NAY he
suredly believe that if there had been the
slightest apprehension on the French ship OF
an untoward result from the little water that
had managed to find its way into the hold
| there would have been some pumps rugged Ca
pable of making an impression on it. And
here again the English condemn themselves,
for they testify that there were no such
pumps.
It is clear, then, that the Captain had only
gone ashore and temporarily lett his ship; fol
the shore was but hundred miles away He
could go and return in day. What's hun.
bred miles in an age of steam? His ship was
only in the position equivalent to what oul
a1nphibious grandfathers called Gin the
of6ng." But it appears that captain nc
longer has the right to leave his ship in this
way, and this point gravely affects the free
dom of the SEAS For while the Captain was
amusing himself ashore these two English
steamers came snouping along, and made fast
to the French ship and dragged her away into
an English harbor, where, no doubt, they in.
tend to claim that they have some rights ove1
her in regard to salvage; but we rejoice tc
learn that the French mean to resist. The
line must be drawn somewhere, and English
sailors must be prevented from interfering
with French ships and encroaching on thu
rights of French captains in this most un
warrantable way.
LEGAL Observation-Disclosures OF WIT
NEssEs The Hon. Sinclair Tousey. Chairman
Of the Executive Committee of the Prison
Association OF New York, addresses us
letter. taking strong grounds against the in
justice and hardship OF the present practice o
imprisoning witnesses. He calls attention t,
the bill of the Hon. H. H. Beecher. of Che
mango, the purpose of which is to do ava,