SEPTEMBER 29th.--Captain Huntly’s bill of lading, that is to say, the
document that describes the “Chancellor’s” cargo and the conditions of
transport, is couched in the following terms:--
“BRONSFIELD AND CO., AGENTS, CHARLESTON.
“I, John Silas Huntly, of Dundee, Scotland, commander of the ship
‘Chancellor,’ of about 900 tons burden, now at Charleston, do purpose,
by the blessing of God, at the earliest convenient season, and by the
direct route, to sail for the port of Liverpool, where I shall obtain
my discharge. I do hereby acknowledge that I have received from you,
Messrs. Bronsfield and Co., Commission Agents, Charleston, and have
placed the same under the gun-deck of the aforesaid ship, seventeen
hundred bales of cotton, of the estimated value of 26,000l., all in
good condition, marked and numbered as in the margin; which goods I do
undertake to transport to Liverpool, and there to deliver, free from
injury (save only such injury as shall have been caused by the chances
of the sea), to Messrs. Laird Brothers, or to their order, or to their
representative, who shall on due delivery of the said freight pay me the
sum of 2000l. inclusive, according to the charter-party and damages in
addition, according to the usages and customs of the sea.
“And for the fulfillment of the above covenant, I have pledged and do
pledge my person, my property, and my interest in the vessel aforesaid,
with all its appurtenances. In witness whereof, I have signed three
agreements, all of the same purport; on the condition that when the
terms of one are accomplished, the other two shall be absolutely null
and void.
“Given at Charleston, September 13th, 1869,
“J. S. HUNTLY.”
From the foregoing document it will be understood that the “Chancellor”
is conveying 1700 bales of cotton to Liverpool; that the shippers are
Bronsfield, of Charleston, and the consignees are Laird Brothers, of
Liverpool. The ship was constructed with the especial design of carrying
cotton, and the entire hold, with the exception of a very limited space
reserved for passengers’ luggage, is closely packed with the bales, The
lading was performed with the utmost care, each bale being pressed into
its proper place by the aid of screw-jacks, so that the whole freight
forms one solid and compact mass; not an inch of space is wasted, and
the vessel is thus made capable of carrying her full complement of
cargo.