The New York herald., 1879-09-23
THE HARBOR DESTRUCTION.
FRANCIS p1DaEoN's DEFENCE.

FRANCIS PIDGEoNs DEFENCE.
BROOKLYN L. D., Sept. IA. 1879.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALp:-
Some days ago sent you letter denying that
was engaged in the work Of destroying the harbor
of New York. and trusted that that denial in full
might reach those who had your charges against
me- and might at least partially undo the damage
which has been done to my reputation. You did
not fit to publish the letter. but some days after
mentioned that such letter had been sent. then
made sworn statement and presented it myself to
tho Pilot Commissioners. denying that had ever
knowingly allowed pound of material to be dcpos-
tied in the harbor of New York. / stated to them al
now state to you being an owner Of water fronts,
my interests as well my inclination as law abid
ing citizen right the other way; also that am
not nor ever have been engaged in towing either
mud or garbage to sea. and that If any
thing of the kind has been done it has beon done in
direct violation of my orders and without my knowl
edge. had small job of dredging to do in front of
my bulkhead, ana engaged u company to do 1t who
had legal dumping ground, which was one of my
for getting them to do the work, and sup
posed the dredgings were being taken there.
My operations tor the last thirty years nave been
in the direction OF improving the harbor of New
York. not destroying IT.. have built mies OF valu-
able water property and believe have by life or
industry and Il think may be allowed to say under
the circumstances without egotism) rectitude ac-
quired good character, which am unwilling to
lose without struggle l know the law will vindi-
that you publish this. my denial. would
not have troubled you. even now. had not seen
this Sundays HERALD my name mentioned
in en- article headed "Harbor Destroyers." The
public have been led to suppose have been engaged
regularly and systematically with my tug (which
bears my sons name and which happens to be the
same my owp) in destroying New York Harbor.
while the truth is have in moro than ono instance
co-operated with the Pilot Commissioners In trying
to 1t. Now, sir, wish those who are not ac-
quainted with me to know that am not nor ever
have been engaged in tho dredging business My
boat is engaged in towing dredgings to sea nor
has she been engaged in towing garbage to sea-
and that her owner has knowingly violated .
law or an ordinance. To those who do know mo IL
will not be necessary to say anything. consider,
sir, have a right TO make these assertions, and
under the circumstances that have right also to
ASK you to give this denial the same publicity that
you have given the structures on my reputation as
FRANCIS PIDGEON, Sr.
REPEATEDLY REPoRTED.
Tho writer of the above communication Is the
owner Of one of tho tugs detected dumping in tho
harbor on the 2lst of August. similar letter was
received several days after the general exposure OF
the harbor outrages by the HERALD. On the same
day a telegram was received from the agent of the
Maritime Association stationed at Whitestone l.. l.,
stating that the tug Frank Pdgeon had just dumped
two scow loads Of mud at Throgg's Neck. In addi.
tion to this Captain Conway, tho inspector for the
Pilot commissioners, Informed HERALD reporter
that the Frank Pidgeon had been repeatedly re
ported for violations OF the harbor laws.