individual interests to consider in the shipment of his Boarders, and their number encourages competition and prevents collusion, whilst the demand and supply of men on shore regulates the Fort wages. The present arrangements here seem to work satisfactorily, and where any attempt is made to coerce or defraud the seaman, the delinquent is visited with prompt punishment.
The statement made by the Directors of the Stranger's Home that a deduction of from $2 to $5 is collected here from each seaman is certainly incorrect. There is a Government tax of $1 a head on man shipped, and the Boarding house Keeper or other person who cashes advance notes, usually charge $1 discount to cover their risk.
I cannot but consider the system of heavy advances to be most dishonourable to all concerned, leading to discontent, desertion, and suffering on the part of