Having just returned from a tour into Pennsylvania, and having been detained on my way home, through negligence and deception, by those concerned in the conveyance of passengers from Geneva to Newtown, and from Newtown to Geneva, by way of the steam boat Seneca Chief on Seneca Lake, I feel it a duty I owe to myself and the public, to state the manner in which I was detained.

I arrived at Newtown, on my way to Geneva on Friday, at noon intending to take the Steam Boat SENECA CHIEF, that plies between Geneva and the village of Jefferson at the head of Seneca Lake, on Saturday; but from some cause or other, was not informed that the Boat would not make her regular trip that day, until I had taken seats for myself and two children, paid my fare, and was about to get into the back that ran from Newtown to Jefferson, in connection with the Steam Boat. In consequence of this gross negligence or design on the part of the proprietors, I lost my only opportunity of reaching Geneva that week, and was detained until Monday morning, when I took the stage at 8 o’clock via Pen Yan, and arrived at Geneva the same afternoon, whereas, had I taken the Steam Boat I should not have arrived until the next morning at 7 o’clock, instead of the same day, as stated in their advertisements. I mention this as one among the numerous instances of their irregularities. The proprietors have pledged themselves to the public that they will run "regular trips up and down Seneca Lake each day (Sundays excepted)" On leaving Geneva they vary their time of starting from one to three hours, as best suits their own convenience. I could specify repeated instances and the manner, in which travelers have been deceived and imposed upon: but this I consider unnecessary at present. Fact will and shall show for themselves if required. My reason for publishing the above are not only to guard travelers against similar imposition, but with the hope that the proprietors of the Steam Boat (Messrs. J. B and R. Rumney of Geneva,) will be induced to perform their trips with more regularity, and consult the convenience of the public, upon which they are and must be dependent for patronage.

Luther Howard.

Palmyra N.Y. July 23, 1829