Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-04
AN IMPORTED COACHMAN.
Al Englishman Engaged by Mr.. Eustis
Held rs q Contract Laborer.

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From the New York Sun Today.
A resplenden. and high-priced subject of
Queen Victoria. who arrived in this city on
May % as a first cabin passenger on the
Cunard steamship Umbria, signed an affidavit
in the presence of Chief Contract Labor In
spector Milholland yesterday, in which he says
that he came over under a contract to labor
for W. c. Eustis of Washington. The affidavit
maker is Francis John Hewlett, the son of an
English liveryman of Paris. Francis John de-
clares that Mr.. Eustis, while in Paris last year,
spoke to the elder Hewlett about engaging an
automatic British coachman for his stables in
Washington. The elder Hewlett recommended
Francis John as a fine specimen, and there
upon. according to Francis Johns affidavit. he
was engaged at a salary of 800 a month and
board. The elder Hewlett received from Mr.
Eustis the money to pay the passage Of Francis
John to New York.
After landing at the pier of the Cunard line
Francis John had to wait, like the rest of the
cabin passengers, until his baggage had been
duly Inspected by the customs officers. He
became somewhat impatient over what APP
peared to him to be unnecessary delay in
examining his baggage. and treated the in
speetors with imperiousness. Deputy Sur
veyor John Collins on the pier and took
| an interest in the contents of an oblong box
belonging to Francis John. The contents were
six or seven long brass horns, such are used
on tally-ho coaches. The trunks of Francis
John we're filed with a dazzling assortment of
brass-buttoned, double-chested pearl and bot
tie green coats and embroidered waistcoats
and leggings.
MIR. Collins asked Francis John what he was
going to do with the horns and all the fine
Clothes and he said that they were the tools
of his profession" Mr.. Collins asked him what
his profession was and he answered that he
was a ccachman and that he going to
work for W. c. Eustis of 1911 II street. WASH
ington, as head stableman and coachman
Further questioning elected pretty much the
same story that Francis John told ir his afi-
daxit later MIR. Collins decided that he would
send Francis Johns horns to the public stores
and let him 60 there and declare that they were
| tools used in his trade. Meanwhile, Mr.. Col
Inns sent Col Henry Storey, chief of the sur
veyor staff, to Mr.. Milholand with the infer
nation that Francis John was probably con-
tract laborer.
Francis John went to the public stores yes
terday to claim his horns. de got them but
lie went away in the custody of two of MIR. Mil
hollands inspectors. After signing his affidavit
/ at the barge office he was allowed to go. He
said he would return later with Dir. Eustis who
would explain everything. He will be sent back
after the government Uses him as witness, if
ii is decided that it has a case. If he should re-
turn to Europe pending the trial OF the case his
affidavit will be used.
| W. c. Eustis Is a grandson of the millionaire
philanthropist, W. W. Corcoran, and a nephew
| of ex-senator James Il. Eustis of Louisiana.
He Is a leader in Washington society. EX-Sen-
ator Eustis, who is in the city, said last night
that his nephew had not, he believed, violated
| the law.
Young Mr.. Eustis had engaged Francis John
and paid him while In Europe in March last,
anu he came here as personal servant. Per-
sonaI servants are not regarded as contract
iaborers by the law. Francis John is one Of q
swell set Of tally no coachmen and has been in
the service OF Mr.. James Gordon Bennett. He
WILL II he Is not sent back, drive a tantivy from
Clyde Crossing to Cape Ann with a party OF
which Mr.. Eustis is one of the leaders.