the house of the latter, where I was received with joy and thanksgiving by my whole circle of relatives, who had there assembled. On the following day, I was sent for by the Editor of the New Bedford Daily Standard, who desired me to allow him to publish a brief article in reference to my adventures in Siberia, my rescue and my return; and a brief sketch of my adventures was accordingly published in the Standard, which attracted public attention to such a degree, as to cause it to be copied in all the leading papers in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and other cities; and which, eventually, led to the request, from various quarters, that I should publish a full and complete narrative of my sea life, and residence in Siberia. Shortly after my return home, my father related to me the history of his efforts to discover my whereabouts, and effect my rescue, if living, upon learning that I had been left upon the coast of the Okotsk Sea, and which is comprehended in the fifth chapter of this book; together with the following additional information in regard to the trial of Capt. Whiteside. While the December term of the court, at which the trial of Capt. Whiteside had been ap pointed, was pending, and when my father, although still “hoping against hope,” had begun to despair of ever again beholding me, or even of learning what had been my fate, he unexpectedly received the letter which I wrote to him upon my return to Honolulu in the Daniel Wood, and also, one from Mr. Damon, written at the same time and place, which gave him the joyful assurance that I still lived, and should soon return to my home. My letter, which contained a full account of the manner in which I had been treated while on board the Condor and the abuses to which I had been there subjected, was immediately placed by my father in possession of his lawyer, to be used as evidence in the suit. The trial was then held; the attorney of Captain Whiteside, who was then absent at sea, appearing for his client; and after a full investigation of the facts in the case, the jury, admitting my letter as legal testimony, rendered a verdict against Capt. Whiteside, of three hundred dollars damages, as compensation for the time which I had been compelled to lose by leaving the ship. Thus, not only had Divine Providence per mitted me to return in safety to my home and friends; but I had, in a measure, obtained legal redress for my wrongs. In bringing this suit against Captain Whiteside, however, my father had been actuated by a higher motive than the desire to obtain pecuniary redress. He wished to make the case of Captain Whiteside an example to convince other commanders, who might be disposed in future, to tyrannize over their crews, that the laws of America will protect the seamen from abuse, or, at least, afford them compensation for their sufferings, and punish the tyrant of the quarter deck. 66 He hoped in this manner, to perform a service to his fellow men; particularly to those "who go down to the sea in ships ;" and the publication of this work has been undertaken, by the author, partly with a view to further this desirable end. I wish it to be distinctly understood that I cherish no spirit of revenge toward Captain Whiteside, nor would I desire to injure his feelings or reputation in any manner whatsoever; and I have endeavored to make this work a narrative of my personal adventures alone, with as few reflections upon the conduct and actions of others as possible. The paragraph to which I have alluded, as having been published upon my return, in the New Bedford Standard, was extensively copied and created so much interest in the community as to induce my relatives and personal friends, and indeed, many entire strangers, to suggest to my father and myself the publication of such a book as this. Knowing that a narrative of my adventures would interest my personal friends, and that it might be read with pleasure by others; and being, withal, unable to labor hard for a sustenance, I have ventured to submit this little volume to a generous public; trusting that it may prove a source of gratification to my friends, of interest to strangers, of benefit to all whose home is, of necessity, upon the great deep, and last, but not least, of profit to myself. If all, or any of these ends shall have been accomplished by the publication of this work, I shall feel amply repaid for the time and labor I have expended upon it. And now, gentle reader, trusting that you will scan these pages, not with a critics eye, but in the spirit of partial friendship, overlooking their manifold imperfections, and exagger |
