The Queen's Daughters in IndiaBushnell, Katharine C. (Katharine Caroline)
History
The Queen's Daughters in India
Bushnell, Katharine C. (Katharine Caroline)
Prostitution -- India; Women -- India -- Conduct of life; Women -- India -- Social conditions
We came to England in the winter of 1890-91, it being the first country
visited by us on a round-the-world journey for the World's W.C.T.U.,
with which we were, at that time, officially connected.[2] During this
visit we frequently met and talked with Mrs. Josephine Butler, known
and revered by lovers of purity throughout the world for her heroic
service in the cause of the Abolition of State Regulation of Vice. She
expressed a strong desire that while in India in the course of our
journey we should make a careful investigation into the conditions
prevailing there, and learn, if possible, whether the resolution of the
House of Commons of June 5, 1888, was being obeyed. As already noted,
this resolution demanded the repeal of all measures that enjoined,
authorized, or permitted the compulsory examination of women and the
licensing and regulation of prostitution. It was desired also that
we should secure for the use of Parliamentary members of the British
Committee of the Federation for the Abolition of State Regulation
of Vice actual proof that the resolution was being disobeyed, such
as would meet the official demand for proof from the Secretary of
State, before he would be willing to believe that the new Cantonments
Act was being used to foster licensed prostitution. The mission was
pronounced by Mrs. Butler "one of the most difficult and even perilous
missions ever undertaken in the course of our great crusade." After due
consideration and prayer for guidance, we consented to undertake the
task.
The British Committee of the Federation furnished us with all necessary
official documents with which to make ourselves thoroughly conversant
with the history of the C. D. Acts throughout the British dependencies
in the Orient, and supplied us with a letter of introduction to a
staunch friend of the cause in India, with whom we were expected to
hold frequent consultations.
We took our departure from England in the month of July, 1891, going
first of all to South Africa and labouring in the interests of our
work there until the cold season set in and we could proceed to India.
Reaching India at the end of December, 1891, we conveyed our letter of
introduction to this confidential friend, who advised us to proceed
northward and consult with a friend of the cause who understood
thoroughly the interior life of the people, and, it was believed, would
give great aid to our mission. Travelling northward we arrived at the
station designated, and sought an interview with this gentleman.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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