3 pp. on 4-page letter sheet, addressed and with San Francisco postmark on p.4. 25.5x19.5 cm (9¾x7¾").
Rare and revealing letter petitioning redress and understanding for the "Foremast Hands" of the Ship Eliza Warwick, signed by thirteen of them (though three signatures marked with an x) sent to the ship's owner, James Hammwell. The letter complains of inadequate food and other mistreatment from the master of the ship, Captain Whiting, offering it as justification of desertion from service. An interesting letter given the backdrop of the California Gold Rush, when crews routinely deserted to hunt for gold, but here attempt to justify their lack of fealty. The rare, early San Francisco postmark, "San Francisco Jun 29" is on the addressed portion, along with "Ship 42" in ink.
Honolulu June 2d 1850, James Hammwell Esquire, Respected Sir, We have taken upon ourselves with regret to inform you of the treatment which we have received on board of your Ship Eliza Warwick (Capt. Whiting) which vessel sailed from Boston on the 12th day of January bound for the Sandwich Islands & being made aware from good authorities that there was a good supply of stores on board for the voyage, since we sailed from Boston we have been deprived of many of the stores which we are confident were put on board for our use, viz Rice, Molasses, Mush &c &c the former article we have had but once to Cape Horn and when it was found out by Capt. W. it was ordered to be stopped. We can assure you that our principal meals has been meat & bread, tea & coffee which we are assured is not allowed by you.
We can say with confidence that a good deal of provisions has been laid & spoiled rather than be given to us to consume. We can assure you that Capt. Whiting is a man not calculated to keep a crew a voyage as no doubt you will perceive by this trip, there are many of us started in this ship with a view to go the whole voyage & return to Boston but we are compelled to leave the vessel that we might provide for something to eat.
We can also inform you that the passengers have also been treated with a good deal of disdain and they no doubt have formed their opinion of Capt. W. Our officers, we don't suppose that you could have found more worthier men than they are to take their situations, and they have been treated shamefully by Capt. W. & finally they were discharged from duty on the passage and one man previous to that for a cause of no consequence.
We can assure you (if your ship is detained, or your views disappointed,) that it is all owing to the treatment which Capt. W. has deemed it prudent to give us.
We are men that have been to sea a good number of years, but we can say that to our knowledge we have never experienced such conduct from a master of a vessel, whatever his views are for such behavior we are unable to say with the exception of one of us asking him for some clothes it was refused as he said he should give us nothing for he was confident we should leave in Calafornia & which will cause many of us to fulfill his expectations.
We trust that you will pay some attention to this, though we are aware it will be of no benefit to us but probably to you.
We remain, Respected Sir, Yours respectfully, The foremast Hands.
PS. There are many of us have been with the scurvy from the miserable living. Live stock has been principally used for the Cabin what few we have had the chance of killing we arrived here with eight pigs on board which he would not allow to be killed while they were men on board with the scurvy.
Signed by thirteen crew members, beginning with a George W. Stanley