Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-10-28
For the Ellsworth Americana
RIO JANEIRo, Sept. II, 1856.

peake, which the Creator Of the world made
for the free use of mankind unincumbered |
by pilots or toll collectors. As the day was
exceedingly fine l sough, not to avoid any
one who might come in my course while
crossing the bridge, thinking at the same
time as the day was Sunday the toll takers
possibly would be at home with their famll-
les attending church. In this, however.I was
side for my letters and was helping me out |
While my self aud the captain of the tug were
having friendly chat. we noticed row
boat approaching US from Old Poin, Com
fort. There comes the pilot" says the cap
tain OF the tug, "he don't intend that YOU
shall go out without paying your piotage."
The boat came alongside and asked ME
where | was bound "To Rio .Janeiro."
replied. Il am your pilot" was the answer.
81 don't require any pilot" "But YOU mus,
pay your pio,age. $40" was the reply
Come up said, ale, me measure you"
The man who seemed to be much Of
gentleman, came up on deck He said that
II was very seldom that the master Of
foreign going vessel had suficien, knowledge
Of the Chesapeake and Hampton Roads to
enable him to take his vessel to sea with
out the assistance Of pilot. Can YOU
take this vessel to Rio Janeiro for me-" said
|, my family are not well and | thought as
the time approached for me 10 leave for
good, if had a competent man a, hand |
would lei him 90 the voyage for me, and
would stay home oh. | can not DO such
thing, am pilot and not shipruas,er,'
said he. We'll" l said. 'don', YOU think
III have sufficient know ledge to find Rio.
that can manage to get 10 sea from here
without the assistance cf pilot? The tug
boat will tow me out for Sls. and your
pllctage is $40 We'll" said tie toll
collector. you pay your toll $40 and the
boat can tow you TO sea. The Virginia pilot
laws prohibit tow boats towing vessels be-
ypnd certain line withou, pilot" "Well,
then must either pay for your services Or
receive you as pilot before can employ
the steamer to tow me 10 sea- "Ye."
Don't YOU think sad. ..hetucen ullu
and man that this sort Of busine.. il d little
rough, to be stopped on Gods highway and
he compelled 10 pa, q certain sum before |
can proceed. and that. too. such an exofbi-
anl price Ii III va, ans reasonable sum. It
would rot seem 50 bad" Well" said The
pilot, "lhIs is the las We must live
Then will give YOU $40 and go out
without YOU" and be proceeded 10 accept tie
same. Ancr questioning my draft aul H.
quirins II had the necessary funds on de-
posi' to meet it when presented, he left me
"Hh his blessing. and | gave him mine.
This IS not The first time .bu, The fourth time
in two years that have been yic,imzed b,
his unJus, law, collecting fees without the
least service in return. These people have
license granted them BY the state, and are
protected by the United States, to pluudcr
vessels, compelling foreign going vessels 10
f"' '''' h 't''a'H SUM bcluIt tht} are al
lowed to proceed to sea. There is process
BY which vessel engaged in the coas,ing
trade can escape from pi.otage, and tha, !.
By the purchase Of pio, license, paying
10 cents per ton on the tonnage Of the YES
sci. This license runs one year and IS can
eelled soon as vessel enters the foreign
trade Why have not the ship brokers got
just the same right TO form 4 monopoly
aud compel every vessel to come
to them OF pay them for every charter
they effected, and by this process do ava,
with half the ship brokers in New York
Why have not the ship chambers and grocery
men got the same right as the pilot 10
compel me to purchase my stores and rope
from them, whether il suits me to do so OF
not?Why should not the lug boat man compel
pei ME 10 accept his charter whether want it
OF not. and scores Of other people whom We
do business with form an association and
compel every shipmas,er to either employ or
pay them? VIII some one answer this and
tell me why any or all Of these people have
mentioned should not enjoy the same right
Of monopoly that the pilot enjoys? Sup
pose the people OF one State should say to
the people oil the adjoining state, "lou can
not travel on our roads unless YOU pay for il"
and proceed 10 build their toll house,, and to
make things more secure they stretch toll
gates across the different roads leading into
the state. How much toll would
they collect, or how long would
the toll houses and gates stand
the indignation of the people against this
unheard Of law? Still our commerce has
submitted TO the compulsory pilot law,
which is equally as bad, for over three
quarters of a century. Let every vessel that
does not require the services Of pilot re-
fuse TO pay them. For one vessel to refuse
would be of little use. but one hundred re-
fusing would raise the wind and excite the
people agains, this unjust law. Now, as it is
paid without very much remonstrance, the
public knows little or nothing about its un-
justness.sWe talk loudly and big words come
out,with now and again word not warrant
ed 10 the Bible when We are obliged TO pay
the pilots bill. The wind and smoke soon
die away and it is forgotten. We should un-
lite all the elements opposed to compulsory
pilotage and kill the law that compels is to
pay any man for his services when they are
not required. could easily prescribe dose
of medicine that would purge the pilots of
their monopoly and compel them to vomit
up the compulsory pilot law. Let every YES
sci refuse the services of pilot, when they
are not required, and refuse to pay his bill
when it is presented, making no compromise
with them, and it would create such a stir
that Congress would be obliged to abolish
the law. 1t is necessary to do something in
order to bring this question before the public,
before we may expect congress to act upon
this question. Excite the people against the
injustice Of compulsory pllotage and we will
have it abolished, for the peoples will is
law. or soon becomes so. Every man con-
nected with shipping, Insurance companies
excepted), are opposed to this compulsory
pilot law. 1t is self interest that induces the
insurance companies to oppose abolishing