The New York herald., 1878-02-08
DESERTED AND SUED.

THE BRITISH SEA CAPTAIN cRowELL's HEARING
BEFORE THE CoNsuL-ALLEoED ABUSE.
The British Vice Consul At this port made lorna,
igaion Of tho charges brought against Captain
Crowel Of the ship j. 8. Wright, as heretofore pub
lshed IN the HERALD, yesterday forenoon. william
Troop Henry Woods, John Perry, Edward Stacy and
william H. Clements, seamen ON board the j. s.
Wright, were examined. They all agreed that there
had been NO disturbance on the vessel during tho
passage from Liverpool and cruelty whatever prac-
tsed by any of the officers Of the ship. One Of tho
witnesses remembered a slight collision between the
mate and one Of the seamen who was s'shoved" ior-
ward Dy the officer.
The Consul then Informed Captain Crowc that In
SO far NO complaint had been lodged against him
by any of the men he could take no fction in the
premises.
had It's origin in biz reusa! 10 pay the alleged claims
made upon by the attorneys acting for eleven
deserters. True, they had no legal claim upon him
whatever, as their wages were not duo until the ex-
piraton Of the time ior whcE they had been shipped,
which had yet to run eleven months. Nevertheless,
he was willing 10 pay them what was their due, de-
Quoting the expense OF shipping new crew while
here. On Saturday last, however, these attorneys
presented a claim Tor $500, to which he objected.
The Consul here called the attention OF the reporter
to tho tact that these menboardng house runners and
their allies-make practice OF Obtaining power OF
attorney from sucn sailors and deserters and then
endcavor TO got all they can.
Tho Monday following the power of attorney holders
lowered their $500 claim 500, which he stii
sdored too exorbitant, considering the expense he
would have TO 20 to TO ship now crow He then
offered the fellow who presented tho calm 500 as
TO rid OF all further annoyance when the told
him. 'Captan, want you 70 understand that am
q S25 lawyer" The Captain replied that ne did not
wnat he was, but he knew his rights and dared
TO maintain them. Tho man left, and the next thiEg
he heard the order Of arrest served upon him.
detailed In yesterdays HERALD Ihls olded tho ex
animation before the Vice Ionsu.
ANNOYING BRITISH CAPTAINS.
The attention OF the reporter was called by the Con-
Her Majesty,s Consuis" Tor 1877, where, under .he
heading Of british Ships ut the Port oil New
York." Official attention IS called TO exactly tho
same entanglements which have bcfalien Captain
CrOwcII, oil the snip }. Wright. Compliant is there
made oil tho impostions practiscd upon British cap
tains ~ th,s port and ausion Is also made 10 tho
'harassing legal proceedings 10 which they are suo
jected II not disposed to submit 10 these impostons.
Inc Consul ana the Captain, who ns,sts that he has
made II "a rule TO observe temperance anu eschew
all profanity on board his ships, say that there In
existoncc here In the city OF New York n gang OF
men, hangers.on OF sailors boarding houses, who
board British or Colonial ship ana make IL their
business get the oil those sailors iamiiar
with the English language. they induce them to de-
ser then get them 10 sigu adavits ana powers Of at
tornoy ebaUng these people To collect Whatever
due, but IN nine Cases out ten the very sailors
thus handled do not see tho hrst penny Of
Gus enough to Withstand these imposiIons
tue nrst thing he hears OF Is civil
criminal suit BASED on tho affidavit OF some sailor
who cannot speak the language. Sometimes, owing
10 The sup beng loaded. or or other mercant, roa-
sons the commanders OF such vessels "settio rather
than be subjected 10 further legal proceedings
Captain Crowell considers himself ''under arrost'
now but deorn med TO have justice, ana with tho
aid OF the Consul who has aken apecuiiar interest
this case VIII cndeavor 10 break up tho ncarous sys