Fry, Elizabeth Gurney, 1780-1845; Prison reformers -- Biography
As time went on, many anxious remembrances and hopes were cast after
the convicts who had been shipped to New South Wales. To her sorrow, she
found, from the most reliable testimony, that once the poor lost
wretches were landed in the colony, they were placed in circumstances
that absolutely nullified all the benevolent work which had gone before,
and were literally driven by force of circumstances to their
destruction. The female convicts, from the time of their landing, were
"without shelter, without resources, and without protection. Rations, or
a small amount of provision, sufficient to maintain life, they certainly
had allotted to them daily; but a place to sleep in, or money to obtain
shelter or necessary clothing for themselves, and, when mothers, for
their children, they were absolutely without." An interesting but sad
letter was received by Mrs. Fry from the Rev. Samuel Marsden, chaplain
at Paramatta, New South Wales, and although long, it affords so much
information on this question, that no apology is required for
introducing it here. As the testimony of an eyewitness it is valuable:--
HONORED MADAM,
Having learned from the public papers, as well as from my friends
in England, the lively interest you have taken in promoting the
temporal and eternal welfare of those unhappy females who fall
under the sentence of the law, I am induced to address a few lines
to you respecting such as visit our distant shores. It may be
gratifying to you, Madam, to hear that I meet with those wretched
exiles, who have shared your attentions, and who mention your
maternal care with gratitude and affection. From the measures you
have adopted, and the lively interest you have excited in the
public feeling, on the behalf of these miserable victims of vice
and woe, I now hope the period is not very distant when their
miseries will be in some degree alleviated. I have been striving
for more than twenty years to obtain for them some relief, but
hitherto have done them little good. It has not been in my power to
move those in authority to pay much attention to their wants and
miseries. I have often been urged in my own mind, to make an appeal
to the British nation, and to lay their case before the public.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account