The Hawaiian gazette., 1883-03-21

EUrroH GAZETTE: In the San Francisco Ch'o
nicle of March I'd, Is an article headed rriced
and Beaten, Tale of sandwich Island Slavery"
Therein the writer states that one II. NJ Benedick
was sent to Oahu prison from Hawaii together with
a note from Deputy Sheriff Smith to the Warden
of the prison to treat Benedick roughly, that ne
was knocked down with loaded whip, then trced
up to four ring bolts and whipped like dog etc.
Mr.. Editor, cannot allow the slanderous state
ments to go by unnoticed as the charges are so
grave and in every way calculated to lnIure us
socially and morally. There is not particle of
truth in it, it is lie made out of whole CLOTH as
regards the mCnstrous treatment while IN the
Oahu prison. As to the contract with the Pahala
plantation on Hawaii, everybody that Knows MIR.
Warren GOodale will know that he is not the man
to treat any person in his employ in the manner
stated, by either Benedick or the reporter Of the
Chronicle. Mr.. Goodale will, no doubt, exonerate
himself from these foul charges. Will now state
the facts in regard to the man Benedick while he
was in prison
On the 3D. day of May, 1881, Benedick was re-
ceiyed at the Oahu prison having been sent down
from Kau, Hawaii, by Deputy Sheriff Smith, hay-
ing been convicted Of refusing to labor. A letter
was sent down at the same time by the Deputy
Sheriff, in which it was stated, 81 have detained
Benedick up here longer than anticipated, hoping
that he would soon make up his mind to return to
the plantation to work and also on account Of the
prevalence of the smallpox in Honolulu, and did
not wish to expose him to the same" Not one
word was said in regard TO treating him roughly.
As will be seen, he was convicted for refusing to
work ON the plantation for which he had received
certain advance, and had signed contract. On
his arrival at the prison, informed him that he
must go to work until he would consent to return
to the plantation. He was sent to work with the
rest of the gang until the 18th day of May, when
he refused to work any longer; so he was returned
to the prison by the Oyerseer. | said to him that
he had better return to the plantation, to fulfill
his contract. He said No but requested me 10
allow him some writing material, as he wanted to
lay his case before the American Minister, General
Comfy. which did and had the letter forwarded
to Mr.. Comfy, who came to the prison immediate
ly on receipt of the note, and inquired of the man
his complaint, and looked at his contract, a copy
of which has to be furnished each laborer by law,
which the man produced and said, he had signed
and acknowledged and drawn the advance therein
mention. then telepLoned TO Messrs. Brewer d
Co, for the original contract which they sent
over, and General Comfy compared them and
found both correspOnded. He then Informed
Benedick, that according TO the laws of the coun-
try he foolish to remain in prison any longer,
for he could release himself Immediately by con-
senting to return to his work, and ON the 18th of
May, 1881, he consented and was Immediately re-
leased from prison.
have now given you the facts of the case with
out any coloring or exaggeration, and hope that
those who have seen the article i'll the Chronicle,
will be convinced that there was not one atom of
truth in it, other than that he was i'll prison.
People of the country know how prisoners have
been treated and let add i'll conclusion that for
the twelve years and over in which / was iailer,
no white man was ever flOgged, as it required
higher authority than mine to order man to he
flOgged. Yours respectfully, ID. X. FYFE.
Late Jailer Oahu Prison.