[76-IT&S 1865 |
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munity to high crimes and misdemeanours committed on board the American barque C. O. Whitmore, on her voyage from Cardiff to Hongkong, which are a scandal to the cause of law, order, and humanity." May I ask if there is any one present who would like to make any remarks on the resolution before I put it to the meeting?
Mr. WELSH-It has not been proposed or seconded.
The CHAIRMAN-It is proposed by Mr. Dalrymple, and seconded by Mr. Pomeroy.
Mr. WELSH-I have never heard Mr. Dalrymple or Mr. Pomeroy speak.-(Applause).
The CHAIRMAN-It is not necessary they should speak.
Mr. WELSH-How can they propose and second the resolution then?
The CHAIRMAN-Their names are on the paper.
The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried nem. con.
Mr. ANDRE said-As a member of the foreign community of this place, I take the liberty of saying a few words. I am very glad that this meeting has been called-(applause)-and I consider that the case before us stands entirely above all nationalities. We only want to express our horror at crimes which seem to have been committed against the laws of civilized nations, and also our regret that the offenders cannot be drawn to such severe punishment as they probably deserve. There cannot be any doubt upon our minds that our Government as well as the representative of the United States did all in their power in regard to this case, and that great praise is due to them. It is a pity that circumstances prevent further steps than they took, and that the law must protect people who did not shrink from committing cruelties which, if you only read them, will give a horror to every human being. If there was a chance of justifying themselves, I think this man Peabody and his mate Snow would have happily embraced the opportunity afforded to them by their Consul in a very fair way to undergo trial in their own country. They have refused this; they still remain in this colony, although they know that the arm of justice would immediately take hold of them if it was not tied down by circumstances which we all regret. The law cannot punish them at present, but let us hope their career will not be long, and that they will be drawn to justice sooner than they expect themselves. Here, outside of the law, we can do very little, but what we can do I hope we will do-that we will give publicity to our proceedings amongst the shipping community, that it will be impossible for these men, Peabody and Snow, to be taken on any ship. I trust no honest firm in this place will ever charter the C. O. Whitmore-(applause)-as long as she is in command of this man. I think none of the Insurance Companies in this place will take any risk on her so long as she is commanded by him. Let us consider this man and his mates as outcasts. I expect no good society will ever receive them here, and I trust no steamship owners will allow their steamers to take them away from these shores. With these remarks, gentlemen, I beg to propose the second resolution:-"That this meeting earnestly requests the respective Governments to use every effort by which these days of doubt and derangement may be shortened; and in the meantime calls upon faithful citizens to endeavour by all lawful means to prevent the escape from justice of the delinquents, Thomas Peabody, late captain, of Maine, U.S.A.; John Henry Snow, late chief mate, of Bath, Maine, U.S.A.; and Chas. Stafford, of Engleborn, Sweden, late second mate of the American barque C. O. Whitmore, and to secure that they may, if possible, be brought, either here or elsewhere, within reach of their respective authorities, to whose laws, in common with those of Britain, cruelty and inhumanity are entirely repugnant."-(Applause).
Mr. HOPPIUS seconded, and the resolution was carried unanimously.
Dr. DENNY said-I have been most unexpectedly entrusted to propose a resolution, and, as it is perhaps the most vital of all you have been asked to assent to, a few words of introduction may be necessary, and these few words I shall make as short as possible. It would be easy to declaim, and I might draw a harrowing picture of the misery inflicted on the man Ellwood who died. The least eloquent might easily secure your attention for a few minutes, but the eloquence of facts is superior to that of words. The published proceedings speak for themselves. It is not unnecessary, however, to lay great stress on the principle we have met here to vindicate. I understand there is a minority who do not approve of the object
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munity to high crimes and misdemeanours com- mitted on board the American barque C. 0. Whitmore, on her voyage from Cardiff to Hongkong, which are a scandal to the cause of law, order, and humanity." May I ask if there is any one present who would like to make any remarks on the resolution before I put it to the meeting ?
Mr. WELSA-It has not been proposed or seconded.
The CHAIRMAN-It is proposed by Mr. Dalrymple, and seconded by Mr. Pomeroy.
Mr. WELSH-I have never heard Mr. Dal- rymple or Mr. Pomeroy speak.-(Applause).
The CHAIRMAN-It is not necessary they should speak.
MY. WELSH-How can they propose and second the resolution then P
The CHAIRMAN-Their names are on the paper.
The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried nem. con,
Mr. ANDRE said-As a member of the foreign community of this place, I take the liberty of saying a few words. I am very glad that this meeting has been called-(applause)-and I consider that the case before us stands entirely above all nationalities. We only want to express our horror at crimes which seem to have been committed against the laws of civilized natione, and also our regret that the offenders cannot be drawu to such severe punishment as they probably deserve. There cannot be any doubt upon our minds that our Government as well as the representative of the United States did all in their power in regard to this case, and that great praise is due to them. It is a pity that c.rcumstances prevent further steps than they took, and that the law must protect people who did not shrink from committing cruelties wbicb, if you only read them, will give a horror to every human being. If there was a chance of justifying themselves, I think this man Peabody and bis mate Snow would have happily embraced the opportunity afforded to them by their Consul in a very fair way to undergo trial in their own country. They have refused this; they still re- main in this colony, although they know that the arm of justice would immediately take holi of them if it was not tied down by circumstances which we all regret. The law cannot punish them at present, but let as hope their career will not be long, and that they will be drawn to justice sooner than they way expect them. selves. Here, outside of the law, we can do very little, but what we can do I hope we will do that we will give publicity to our proceedings amongst the shipping community, that it will be impossible for these men, Pea- body and Snow, to be taken on any abip. I trust no honest firm in this place will ever charter the C. O. Whitmore-applause)-n long as she is in command of this man. I think none of the Insurance Companies in this place will take any risk on ber so long as she is com. manded by him. Let us consider this man and his mates as ontcasts. I expect no good society will ever receive them here, and I trust no steamship owners will allow their steamers to take them away from these shores, With these remarks, gentlemen, I bog to propose the second resolution :-" That this inecting carnestly requests the respectivo Governments to use every effort by which these days of doubt and derangement may be shortened; and in the meantime calls upon i faithful citizens to endeavour by all lawful } eans to prevent the escape from justice of the delinquents, Thomas Peabody, late captain, of Maine, U.S.A.; John Henry Snow, late chief mate, of Bath, Maine, U.S.A.; and Chas. Stafford, of Engleborn, Sweden, late second mate of the American barque C. O. Whitmore, and to secure that they may, if possible, be brought, either here or elsewhere, within reach of their respec tive authorities, to whose laws, in common with those of Britain, eruelty and inhumanity are entirely repugnant."-(Applause.)
Mr. HOPPIUS seconded, and the resolution was carried unanimously.
Dr. DENNY said-I bave been most unex. protedly entrusted to propose a resolution, and, as it is perhaps the most vital of all you have been asked to assent to, a few words of introduc. tion may be necessary, and these few words I shall make as abort as possible. It would be easy to declaim, and I might draw a harrowing pioture of the misery inflicted on the man Ell- wood who died. The least eloquent might easily secure your attention for a few minutes, but the eloquence of facts is superior to that of words. The published proceedings speak for themselves. It is not unnecessary, however, to lay great stress on the principle we have met bere to vindicate. I understand there is a minority who do not approve of the object
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