Frederick Bernal to W. J. Jones, December 29, 1865

Mr. Bernal to Mr. Jones

Sir: Repeated cases are occurring of mutiny on board British merchant vessels clearing from this port. A set of men are making a business of shipping themselves, receiving their advance, and then obstinately refusing to do their duty as sailors.

They count on the inability of captains to remain here to prosecute them, and on the chance of their consequently escaping unpunished. I need not point out to you that not only is a serious loss and injury inflicted on these particular vessels, but the whole shipping community are likely to become sufferers by an evil which is sure to increase in proportion to the impunity which may attend its progress. Some weeks ago a mutiny occurred in Chesapeake bay on board the British bark Campsie, and was only quelled by the most determined measures taken by the captain of a United States revenue cutter which fortunately happened to come up. On my applying, in the early stage of the affair, to the United States marshal for assistance to enable the captain to overpower the mutineers, I received word, as I understood, from you that it should be given if I could show that it was provided for in the treaty. I believe that international comity requires no treaty in cases of this kind. Be this as it may, my present object is to ask you to be good enough to inform me if I can look to the United States officials for assistance should I unfortunately require it at any future time for a similar purpose, and also, when the captain of the vessel cannot remain to prosecute, whether there would be any means of getting such mutineers punished.

I have, &c.,