The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-26
consul PoTrER's RULINGS.
An illustration Of the Ouirnacs that ere
Prnclised npon Amcricnn Cnpinina.

Capt John A. Johnstone ia the cosev
little cabin Of the American bark Elvina, re-
Gently told a story that illustrates the many
and grievous annoyances TO which American
seamen are subjected -annoyances that prevent
us from resumlng our place in the front rank OF
the carrying trade Of the world
u Will show YOU" the Captain said, " how an
outrage was practissd upon me, and IL follows
that every American vessel that trades to for
eign ports Is liable to similar treatment. will
ask you TO look at that certificate"
Endorsed upon tue back Of the Captains ship.
ping articles was the following:
hereby certify IN Mchard Allan. having been ar.
,r rn comin!tca on shore was discharged ny me- with
MARsErLLEs France, sept. o. 1870.
You will understand" the Captain said,
"that under certain conditions an American
vessel discharsng a seaman abroad must nay
into the American Consulate three months ex-
ira paw. These conditions are First, the sale
Of the vessel abro ID second, a discharge by
mutual consent; third in the case OF a well.
founded complaint on the part OF the crew that
the contract has not been fulfilled by the vessel;
or, fourth, the condemnation OF the vessel upon
investigation. OF that three months ply, two
months pay is to be given TO the discharged
sailor. and one months pay Il held by the Con-
sui to create fund for the relief OF destitute
seamen abroad.
You will see that this demand Of Consul
Potter was entirely without authority Of law.
He cheated my EMPLOYERS out ~ eco for wages
TO the seaman over and above what was due
lin. The seaman was Belgian, aud that was
ms nrst voyage. | believe from an American
policeman; and an American citizen and Amer
lean commerce are called updn by Consul Potter
the bark Hornet - Philadeluhif. Capt Hon-
kins. had a man IN the same predicament at the
same time. aud a similar eXacttOn was made Of
him by Consul Potter.
81 had no qurrpi with Mr. Potter tried to
htgue me case hui lie was lrm. NV papers
were IN his possession, and we We no re course
In such case but TO pay. | mplored him,
however, not 70 lett be known that he had set
such precedent; for II II did become known,
there would be trouble among the sea
men In harsellles. And, sure enough, within ten
DAYS my words came true. We left on the
u Ia the bark Alaska. Capt Perry. Of this port,
lcIt on the IN. and she has arrived here also
Capt. Perry tells me that after his clearance
from Mar-eillcs one q his seamen having. as he
supp. ses. heard Of these cases, made his brags
tha' he was going to make his Captain pay
him three months pay and the night before
the vessel TIT he went ashore and got himself
into prison. M Potter notified Capt. Perrv
aud demanded that he should discharge the
nan aud say him three months extra pay But
Capt. Perry having cleared and received HE IA
pcrs. and the Cousul having no further authority
over MN he refused 10 submit TO the exic-
| ton. MI Potter then, 50 the Captain in
| forms me. certified on the crew list. which Is
now IN the New Nork Custom House. that this
| man was itscrier from the vessel That Is the
view take. that a sear9n offending against the
| laws and ueing im, risoned m foreign port. Is
| really de erter. and snOulo he certified such
by the COnsul Under the law Of the United
Stucs tn .ses due the dcserter are forfeited
| To- tho fund for destitute seamtn.
The legal charges upon American YES sells.
both here tnd abroad. are severe enough. but
we know them. We have ma ~ u contend with
| In the Government charges; they are much
| gre ter tnau those imposed ON foreign vessels.
Foreign maritime nations don't XIII the goose
| tht lay. the golden esq But with such mis-
construction 81 tho laws ~ this where the
| American ship owner T. liable t. be called uDOn
! To pay threc months extra wages for his VIII ule
crew. % t. r.-k that don't think ne will take.
myself would nreferto put my vessel under a
| foreign II :. aud don't know tut L shall be
forced - - IL Nct.'
Nr. Frank w. Potter W. APPOINTED from New
ark. y. j., 49, Consul to Narcotics. He fiisy I've
remembered as the genti enan who pleaded uis
consular privilege, "A short time ago. to defeat
the process 81 his Landlord Ia Narseiiles who
| fnr