CHAPTER III.

VOYAGE IN THE MORLEY.

Having in duty reported to the proper authority the account of my voyage

in the Neptune, I was requested frequently to explain to several persons

interested in the cause of humanity many particulars of my system of

management in the superintendence of convicts during transportation. The

commands of Mrs. FRY in this respect met my warmest wishes; and as that

lady’s exertions were then most actively devoted to effect a virtuous

change in the female prisoners in Newgate, it was suggested that taking

charge of a female convict ship to New South Wales might be productive

of similar consequences.

As this subject, therefore, occupied the benignant mind of that

benefactress of the unfortunate of her sex, and through them of mankind,

and in consequence of the good likely to result from the endeavour, I

determined to contribute my humble aid in support of a cause so highly

interesting in design, and noble in its end. It is a characteristic of

the truly good and great, never to relax until the object deemed worthy

of attention is attained. Mrs. Fry lost not a moment in waiting on the

Comptroller of the Navy, who, instantly coinciding in her views, gave

his full support and encouragement; and ordered my appointment

immediately to the next female transport ship to be taken up for New

South Wales. In many particulars this gentleman’s attention to

arrangements more directly affecting the comforts of the convicts was

conspicuous. In every instance, indeed, which has come within my

knowledge, a prompt regard to the concerns of humanity has distinguished

the conduct of Sir T. BYAM MARTIN.

The _Morley_, a ship of four hundred and ninety-two tons register, was

taken up for the above purpose, and ordered down to Deptford to undergo

the necessary preparations. Whilst fitting up at that place, I was

honoured by an invitation from Mrs. Fry, in compliance with which I

accompanied that lady and two others, Mrs. PRYOR and Miss SAUNDERSON,

members of the Committee, to visit the vessel and see the preparations

going forward. Here the benevolent wishes of the ladies were met by

polite and ready attention from Captain YOUNG, R. N., agent for

transports, under whose direction and superintendence these ships are

fitted up, and whose zeal in the faithful discharge of every public duty

is too well known to receive any additional honour from my feeble

tribute of well-meant and honest approbation.

Many highly useful arrangements had already been made in the prison and

hospital under Captain Young’s directions, which with some few

exceptions were perfectly approved of; but the plan of an appropriate

place for a school which the Committee were anxious to have established

on board, to be continued throughout the voyage, had not as yet been

attended to: however, on the suggestions of Mrs. Fry and her friends, as

soon as the matter was fully made known to Captain Young, that

intelligent officer instantly proposed a mode by which the desired point

might be gained, and on consideration this plan was adopted and put into

execution.

In these arrangements, the object of the ladies to have some convenient

place set apart for the school was fully attained; but unfortunately the

general plan of fitting up female convict ships could not be departed

from, and _security_ was therefore entirely lost sight of.

In a short time the Morley was fully prepared for the reception of the

convicts, and soon after was ordered down to Woolwich to remain in the

river, at anchor in _Galleons Reach_, until her complement should be

received, convicts having been ordered to be forwarded thither from

several prisons in England and Scotland.

The liberality of Government had allowed a free passage to a number of

females who were permitted to join their husbands and relatives in New

South Wales; and these, according to order from the office of the _Home

Department_, were all on board within a certain day appointed. A

considerable time had elapsed before the convicts, passengers, children,

&c., were completely embarked, during which interval Mrs. Fry visited

the ship occasionally to see her intentions fully effected; and this

attention to the unhappy objects of her solicitude was the more

valuable, as her time was then of the most pressing importance to her

own interest and feeling, some valued relatives of hers being

dangerously ill. Her absence, when unavoidable, was unremittingly

supplied to the convicts by the care and watchfulness of Mrs. Pryor,

whom not the roughest weather or greatest personal inconvenience could

deter from the work of humanity. Her kind impressive admonitions and

consoling advice were given to the unfortunate exiles without reserve,

and several articles of comfort and convenience, which had been provided

by the Committee, were then distributed by this amiable character.

Whilst these attentions to their personal wants were sedulously given, a

due regard to their spiritual welfare was not forgotten. Bibles and

Testaments, besides those supplied by the Navy Board, were furnished

from the Committee, and also other books of a religious and moral

description, peculiarly selected for their circumstances. The kindness

of other benevolent persons contributed sermon books and religious

tracts in the same manner, and merits particular mention for such

generosity. My acknowledgements in this respect are especially due to

Mrs. WILKINSON of _Clapham Common_, ROBERT MARSDEN of _Doughty Street_,

Esq., and J. L. NICHOLAS of _Southampton Row_, Esq. By several other

persons also whom I have not the pleasure to know, their names having

been concealed, religious books and useful tracts were sent me through

the same praiseworthy motives. The number of these publications

altogether was so considerable, as to allow of a liberal distribution to

the convicts and free passengers, who, by the good use made of their

contents, have given ample proof of their grateful sense of the favours

thus conferred[6].

A supply of books and other things fit for the children was carefully

sent on board from the Ladies’ Committee; and, to complete their

benevolent design, a quantity of straw for plaiting, and some materials

for knitting and sewing, were purchased, as their funds would allow, in

order to afford the convicts employment on the voyage.

Having well considered the mode in which the conduct of the convicts

should be best submitted to the public, as the voyage was undertaken

that the progress of reformation among these women should be

undisguisedly laid open to observation, be the event favourable or

otherwise to the wishes entertained of its success; it appeared the most

candid course to state the whole train of occurrences, as they were

entered daily in the journal, with that undeviating observance of truth

which became the general design, and the most scrupulous attention to

accuracy in the circumstances recorded. In this manner, every change for

better or worse must pass successively under review, and a correct

judgement of the whole be the more satisfactorily determined.

In consequence of this mode of detail, there will doubtless appear many

instances of repetition, nor can much variety be expected to occur where

the subject is of necessity so extremely limited. Nothing extraneous to

the great object in view (the best means of reclaiming convicts from

their vicious habits) has been suffered to hold a place in this journal,

which is therefore as much as possible abstracted from my professional

attentions during the voyage, being exclusively and literally a history

of their minds, as well as it could be ascertained by incessant and

close investigation; and a faithful record of every trait of amendment,

as the system progressively evolves itself in its effects, discoverable

in their behaviour.

The plan adopted is founded on strict impartiality. Where there has

appeared cause for censure, reprehension has not been withheld; and

wherever the behaviour merited approbation, they have received a just

share of praise; but in no regard whatever has strict justice been

intentionally departed from.

The efficacy of proper regulations having been proved on board the

Neptune, in restraining the turbulent from licentiousness, and bringing

all under the influence of order, I drew up the following Regulations,

which being fixed up conspicuously in the prison, presented daily

admonition, and took away all excuse, at least on the plea of ignorance,

for breach of discipline; and the ready and cheerful manner they were

generally acquiesced in afforded me much satisfaction.

_Regulations._

With a view to ensure the health and comfort of the prisoners, as also

to establish a system of good order, decency, and religious conduct

during the voyage, the _Surgeon Superintendent_ has drawn up the

following regulations, which must be most strictly observed.

I.— The care and management of each mess shall be intrusted to a

Monitor, who will be held responsible for any irregularities

committed by those under her direction: it is expected that every one

will behave respectfully, and be obedient to the monitor of her

particular mess.

II.— Cursing and swearing,—obscene and indecent language,—fighting and

quarrelling,—as such practices tend to dishonour GOD’S holy name, and

corrupt good manners, will incur the displeasure of the Surgeon

Superintendent, and be visited with punishment and disgrace.

III.— Cleanliness being essentially necessary to the health, comfort,

and well-being of every person on board, it is desired that the most

scrupulous attention in this respect shall be observed on every

occasion.

IV.— The monitors are particularly enjoined the utmost vigilance in

taking care that nothing disorderly shall appear among the members of

their respective messes.

V.— Any one convicted of disturbing others whilst engaged in reading

the holy Scriptures, or other religious exercise, will incur special

animadversion, and such misconduct will be entered in the journal.

VI.— A proper reserve towards the sailors will be held indispensable,

and all intercourse with them must be avoided as much as possible.

VII.— A daily account will be kept, and a faithful report made to His

Excellency the Governor of New South Wales of the conduct of each

individual during the voyage, and those who behave well, though they

may have come here with bad characters, will be represented

favourably: the _Surgeon Superintendent_ pledges to use his utmost

effort to get every one settled in a comfortable manner whose

behaviour shall merit such friendly interference.

N. B. Any breach of the above regulations, or any attempt to deface or

destroy this paper, will be punished severely; and the person so

offending must not expect to be recommended to the kind notice of the

Governor of New South Wales.

* * * * *

Before commencing the journal, I shall insert here a statement of the

various offences for which these women had been sentenced to banishment,

with a view of the characters given with them from the proper authority

as they came on board. This will serve to show the proportionate

expectation, as to moral reformation, which was to continue connected

with their general and individual conduct, throughout a long voyage of

at least several months. The names of the individuals are not mentioned,

as matter comparatively of little interest.

_Crimes._

Convicts.

Burglary 4

Grand larceny 8

Petit larceny 11

Felony 3

Stealing in a dwelling house 6

Stealing furniture 2

Stealing from the person 7

Stealing a watch 3

Stealing linen 1

Stealing cheese 1

Stealing sheets 1

Stealing earthenware 1

Stealing wheat 1

Stealing two pieces of carpet 1

Stealing a purse and money 1

Sheep stealing 3

Shop-lifting 10

Forged notes 41

Receiving stolen goods 10

Highway robbery 5

Robbing her employers 1

———

Total 121

———

_Characters._

Good 6

Bad 61

Not known 17

Old offenders 9

Three times in custody on charges of felony 1

Common utterers of forged notes 6

Disorderly characters 7

Fifth conviction 2

Kept houses of bad fame 5

Second offence 1

Fifth offence 1

Confirmed thieves 5

———

Total 121

———

Several of those ill-fated creatures had been capitally respited;

_twenty-three_ were sentenced to transportation for life; _fifty_ for

fourteen, and _forty eight_ for seven years.

* * * * *

“1820. _March_ 24th.—This day I joined the Morley at Deptford, where she

was taking in stores; and carpenters from the Dock-yard were employed in

fitting her for the voyage[7].

“_April_ 12th.—Cast off the moorings and dropped down to Galleons Reach.

18th.—About noon four female prisoners from Devon Gaol were brought on

board, and to them were immediately given that day’s allowance of

provisions, and beds, with other necessary articles.

21st.—Seven convicts were brought, at 5 P. M., from Horsemonger-lane,

who were disposed of in messes along with the former, and the proper

attention in every other respect paid them.

22nd.—Two prisoners arrived from the county gaol of Kent.

23rd.—At noon a lighter came alongside with forty female convicts from

Newgate; and shortly afterwards three more from Exeter were brought on

board, and one also from the Justitia Hulk at Woolwich, all of whom were

classed and victualled.

24th.—At 11 A. M. assembled the convicts in the prison, and distributed

among them some religious tracts; after which I read to them a moral

discourse which I had prepared for the occasion; when the orderly and

respectful conduct they evinced gave me strong hopes of success in

future. I distributed printed copies of the Address, one to each, in

order that, by considering the subject more at leisure in private, they

might better understand its tendency, and avail themselves of its

design.”

The following is a correct copy of the Address, which comprehends some

of the fundamental principles by which it is my intention they shall be

regulated during the voyage.

ADDRESS.

The object of my calling you together at this time, is to make a few

observations regarding the voyage which, under Providence, we are about

to commence. On your good and correct behaviour during this voyage your

future happiness will depend in an infinitely greater degree than, I

apprehend, any of you can form the least conception; let me, therefore,

entreat your undivided attention, and most serious consideration, to

what I am about to offer, as it materially concerns your own welfare.

Your peculiar situation, it is true, excites compassionate

consideration, and the performance of any duty which requires rigid

restraint, and perhaps measures of severity, must always be painful to a

benevolent mind. It is distressing to contemplate the situation of the

wretched or unfortunate, even at a distance; and to meliorate their

condition must be the first wish and the most gratifying work of

humanity.

I trust there is no need of employing arguments to prove that vicious

conduct invariably leads to disgrace and misery; the unhappy

circumstances in which you are all placed here, must be a more

convincing proof of this than any other I can adduce, though many

thousands might be mentioned. It is far from my intention to add to your

distress by upbraiding you with the errors of your past life; none of us

can recall the past; but, for the consolation of human nature, we

possess, with the divine aid, over the future an unlimited and absolute

control: to this latter point I am particularly desirous of directing

your attention.

The word exile, or banishment, sounds harshly on the ear, and must ever

convey to the heart the most acute feeling of anguish. Our native land,

containing the scenes of youthful amusements and innocent pleasures,

abandoned perhaps for ever! the dear ties by which nature had united you

to your families, relations and friends must become lacerated; yes, to

be compelled to separate from parents, children and husbands, dear as

life, and to be parted from them for ever, is, it must be confessed, a

truly bitter thought. Under this accumulated load of misery is there no

ray of hope, no relief to be obtained? Yes, my unfortunate friends, not

only relief, but consummate happiness, even joys unspeakable are within

the reach of every one of you.

The Holy Scriptures abound with merciful promises of forgiveness, and

gracious invitations to sinners of every sect and degree. Our blessed

Redeemer addresses his consolations more immediately to those who are

languishing under the horrors of a guilty conscience. His language is

that of a tender father earnestly soliciting a wayward child, on whom

his fond affection is lavished, to return to its duty and avert the

punishment awarded to disobedience. Who can meditate on his boundless

offers of mercy and forgiveness without being filled with grateful

admiration of the divine attributes? In the xith chap. of St. Matthew,

28th verse, we hear this most consoling invitation, “_Come unto me, all

ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest_.” It is

impossible to appreciate fully the intrinsic value of these heavenly

words; many times, in my own person, have I experienced their soothing

effects on the pillow of sickness, and their tranquillizing power in

moments of the keenest affliction: I wish, from my soul, that every one

of you may derive as much happiness from those words as I have done.

The word of a mortal creature may deceive; but the promise of Christ,

who died for our salvation, must stand: it is utterly impossible for any

one, how incredulous soever he may pretend to be, to doubt that a single

jot of God’s promises will be left unperformed.

With a firm conviction, then, of divine righteousness, let us piously

meditate on the words of the text, and endeavour to apply to our minds

the healing balm they convey. I shall explain, according to the best of

my judgement, what preparation is most advisable and necessary to enable

us to avail ourselves of this most gracious invitation. The first great

step towards it is _Repentance_. By repentance I do not wish you to

understand that fleeting and pitiful grief, which suffuses us in tears

for the crimes of yesterday, and, soon evaporating, will allow us

to-morrow to resume the practice of iniquity. The Almighty is not to be

deceived by mockery and external show; “_A sacrifice to God is that of

an humble and a contrite heart_;” nor will that temporary piety which is

produced by distress or fear, render us acceptable before him: it is

humility from a sense of our unworthiness, and profound contrition of

heart for past offences, with sincere purpose of amendment, and a

resolute determination to resist the slightest approach of temptation,

and to return from the paths of evil, that will gain us favour in his

sight.

If, with these sentiments in our minds, we supplicate the throne of

mercy, we have every encouragement to confide in the divine clemency;

for we are assured that “_None who come unto Christ will he in any wise

cast out_[8].” Consoling promise! Suppose any one under sentence of

death were offered a pardon, the errors of his past life to be for ever

buried in oblivion, and honours and riches to be liberally bestowed upon

him, on condition that he confessed his crime and pledged himself to

lead a virtuous life in future; surely such a person must be considered

mad, should he obstinately persist in guilt, and allow the sentence of

the law to be carried into execution, when the means of preservation and

of averting his dreadful fate were in his own hands! Let me ask any of

you, whether you would not gladly have undertaken to renounce for ever

those errors by which you were first led astray from the pleasing paths

of virtue, to prevent your being now separated from your native country?

Undoubtedly you would. Yet how trifling, how insignificant are loss of

life and separation from the dearest objects of affection, compared with

an eternal exile from your heavenly Father, and the destruction of the

immortal soul! The thought is overwhelming.

There are some, unfortunately, to be found, who tell you their lives

have been so bad, they have trespassed so frequently and so enormously,

they have gone so far in vice, that it is useless to think of receding,

as there can be no chance of their being saved, and that they may,

therefore, as well go on to the end. Such is the degrading, humiliating

language that sin dictates when it has attained its haughty ascendancy

over the human mind, and influences every action. Let us follow these

wretched creatures a step further in their senseless career; let us view

them on a sick bed, which guilt has converted into a couch of torture;

their fancied pleasures have vanished like a shadow, and the terrific

prospect of a future state is forcibly and awfully presented to their

distempered imagination; no relief is then in hope, because they had

rejected it before. It has fallen to my lot more than once, nay more

than twenty times, to witness the dying moments of men whose lives had

been misspent; but I earnestly hope in the divine mercy, that I may

never again be exposed to scenes where my feelings should be so torn as

they were on those melancholy occasions. It is difficult to imagine any

thing equal to the gloom and horror with which those miserable mortals

viewed their approach to the presence of a just God from whom they

expected no favour. Ten thousand worlds would they have given for a

week, a day, even an hour, to be added to their existence on earth, an

existence which sin and conscious guilt had rendered exquisitely

wretched, and insupportable. It is really shocking to contemplate the

situation of the hopeless sinner “whose ungodly race is nearly run, and

he verging fast to the brink of eternity. The awful idea of meeting that

God whom he has so often offended, tortures his already distracted mind.

Conscience is at this moment his bitterest enemy, it fills his drooping

heart with poignant remorse, and self-condemned, his hell begins even

before life ends.” Infatuated, unthinking beings! how could guilty

passions, or the allurements of sinful pleasures, so much blind your

reason as never to allow you a moment of serious reflection on a future

state, until you are incompassed by the jaws of death, until you hear

those appalling words thunder in your ears, “Give an account of thy

stewardship, for thou mayest be no longer steward!”

Let me admonish you, my friends, not to reserve repentance for a

death-bed; depend upon it that the pangs of dissolution will be enough

for human nature to bear, without adding the indescribable tortures of a

troubled conscience: besides, the efficacy of repentance at the moment

of death has been questioned, doubted, and denied by some of our ablest

and most learned divines. In all cases of doubt or difficulty it is wise

and prudent to choose the safe side; we have the declaration of the

Saviour himself expressly, that “Except ye be converted and become as

little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven[9].” We

have, moreover, the divine authority that our efforts will receive

divine aid, and be ultimately crowned with success. “Come now, and let

us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they

shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be

as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good things of

the land; but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the

sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it[10].”

Hence you may clearly understand how all those who labour and are heavy

laden may come unto Christ and find rest. Let me exhort you to implore

unceasingly God’s mercy with penitent and humble hearts, and you will

assuredly find comfort in your souls; for you will experience his

bounteous mercy, ever open to receive and cherish the truly repentant

wanderer. He is more ready to give than the sinner is to ask; in chap.

lv. 7th verse of Isaiah, he says, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and

the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and he

will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly

pardon.”

By keeping these consoling truths constantly before your minds, and

losing not a moment in cultivating the precious opportunities of being

reconciled to your heavenly Father, you will doubtless soon experience

an ineffable delight and tranquillity infused into your souls: but, that

great good being effected, I think it my duty to offer you some further

advice, lest you should lose the advantages you will have acquired by

repentance.

It would not, I think, be difficult to show, that even were there to be

no future state, virtuous actions tend more, infinitely more, to promote

our happiness in this world, than the most successful career of vice.

For proofs of this assertion I will confidently appeal to the experience

of your own lives. Let any one present look back to the days of peaceful

innocence, and compare them with the present. Her meal may have been

frugal, perhaps it was scanty, and necessity may have compelled her to

unceasing toil; but conscious innocence secured a blessing, and diffused

a comfort, that may be sought for in vain at the guilty banquet, or in

the useless and baneful luxury of sinful dissipation. On this subject Dr

Blair has with equal truth and beauty made the following apposite

observations:

“Were the sinner bribed with any certain and unquestionable advantage,

could the means he employs ensure his success, and could that ensure his

comfort, he might have some apology for deviating from the paths of

virtue. But he is not only liable to that disappointment of success,

which so often frustrates all the designs of men, but also liable to a

disappointment still more cruel, that of being successful and miserable

at once. The advantages of this world, even when innocently gained, are

uncertain blessings; when obtained by criminal means, they carry a curse

in their bosom.”

I hope enough has been said to relieve your minds from all doubt as to

the influence of religion on our happiness in this world and that which

is to come. The sincere penitent is commanded to hope for salvation, and

it is criminal to despair. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no

pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his

way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil way, for why will ye die,

O house of Israel[11]?”

It is now time to direct our attention more immediately to the situation

in which you are placed here as prisoners, and to point out the best

possible means by which you may be not only comfortable, but

comparatively respectable. It ought to afford you great gratification to

hear that the means of obtaining both these desirable objects are

perfectly and entirely within your own reach. Your behaviour during the

short period of the present voyage will, in a great measure, decide your

future destiny. The prospect before you may now wear a forlorn and

gloomy aspect; some, perhaps, think they are inevitably consigned to

shame and misery; but it shall be my care to lay before you a correct

and more cheering view of the case. Call to your remembrance the

consoling language of him whose blood was shed for the remission of all

our sins, and cherish it in your hearts. “The sufferings of this present

time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be

revealed[12].”

In the first place, I may assure you that the country to which you are

going is healthy and delightful beyond description. New connexions and

friendships may there be formed to supply the place of such as have been

just dissolved; and to those who were plunged in vices which ruin both

soul and body, separation at this instant is perhaps the greatest

blessing that heaven could bestow: “Lead us not into temptation, but

deliver us from evil;” so may those repeat with thanksgiving of heart

who have been so unfortunate. An opportunity is now offered to bury in

oblivion the errors of your past lives. The instructions furnished by

Government require me to keep a journal, in which must be inserted the

occurrences of every day; and whether the conduct of an individual be

good or bad, it is imperiously my duty to record it as such. In this

arduous task I shall have the watchful and zealous co-operation of

Captain Brown; so that not the slightest movement can possibly take

place without our immediate knowledge. This journal will be perused by

the Governor of New South Wales before any of you can be admitted into

his presence; and I do most sincerely hope that you will all leave it in

my power to give such an account as will ensure for you his approbation

and favour. In addition to this, it is my intention to present to the

Governor a private list also of all those who behave eminently well, and

strongly to recommend them to his friendly notice. I have the pleasure

to inform you, for your encouragement, that, on a former occasion, there

was not one whom I recommended in that manner that did not receive some

mark of his kindness.

I am unwilling to wound the delicacy of any of you by adverting to a

vice, the commission of which will imperatively and inevitably require

the painful necessity of inflicting immediate punishment, and cut off

every possibility of intercession with the Governor in behalf of the

offender. I mean _prostitution_, a crime the enormity of which it is

painful to explain, but which, it must be obvious, is peculiarly

reprehensible and disgraceful to any one in your present unhappy

situation, and of which, I trust, you all _now_ entertain a strong

abhorrence. It is sufficient to know that it is a direct violation of

the laws of God, of which I persuade myself in the hope that none of you

can be ignorant. The words of God are expressly against it, and a single

word from the divine authority is conclusive. “For out of the heart

proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false

witness, blasphemies; these are the things which defile a man[13].”

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate, nor

abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor

drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of

God[14].” In the fifth chapter to the Galatians, 19th and following

verses, are these words: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which

are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry,

witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,

heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revilings, and such like: of

the which I tell you now, as I have also told you in time past, that

they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” And

again, in the 13th chapter to the Hebrews, and 4th verse, he says,

“Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled; but whoremongers

and adulterers God will judge.”

Reflect seriously on those tremendous denunciations of the vengeance of

offended Heaven: give them the consideration their importance deserves.

Put this question to yourselves individually: “Shall I gratify a gross

and silly propensity, and thereby consign my immortal soul to perdition?

or shall I resist the brutal importunity of a sensual human beast, and

by a virtuous life ensure the inconceivable joys of an endless

eternity?” O my friends! death and eternity are awful sounds to an

unrepenting, woe-stricken sinner. Picture to yourselves the life of a

prostitute, lost to shame, in the streets; abandoned by her seducer, and

her soul harrowed by remorse for her fall from innocence, and the infamy

of her abject state; her tender frame shrunk with the ceaseless gnawings

of hunger; houseless, friendless and unpitied! After a little time, and

a series of necessitous guilt, behold this metamorphosed wretch, almost

consumed by disease, crawling into some dismal hovel to yield up her

life of pain and sorrow, without a creature to administer the _last_ sad

office of friendship. No father nor mother near to shed the hallowed

tear of sympathetic commiseration! her undutiful behaviour most likely

has sent them both to an untimely grave.—I cannot longer pursue the

dreadful detail; my soul sickens and recoils from the contemplation of

such complicated misery.

I can state, for your comfort, that I know of many women in New South

Wales who are happily married, and mix in the most respectable society;

and those estimable females were formerly unfortunate, and once placed

in the same situation as yourselves. I think, were there no other

inducement, the knowledge of this circumstance alone ought to stimulate

you to the practice of morality and virtue. Should there be, however,

any one present so hardened in guilt, so abandoned to all sense of

propriety, as to persist in this profligate vice, I must now inform her

that the utmost vigilance of both myself and Captain Brown will be

directed to the detection of that odious violation of Christian

propriety, and of our determination to restrain by prompt and efficient

means its detestable occurrence. Although this painful portion of our

duty shall be unremittingly attended to, as well as every other

inviolably discharged, still it is my desire that you should apprehend

no unnecessary measures of severity; do not deserve them; but rather

look to me, as your friend anxious to promote your comforts; and from

the humane attention of the commander, I am confident you may anticipate

so much alleviation as is in his power to bestow. If you have any

complaints or grievances at _any_ time, make them known to me

immediately, and you may rest assured that it will always afford me

pleasure to redress them to the utmost of my power. You shall have every

indulgence that can possibly be granted; my happiness will be increased

by seeing you all comfortable; but I must solemnly declare myself an

enemy to the vice above mentioned, nor will I allow the commission of it

to escape punishment.

To snatch from the overwhelming gulf of destruction an unthinking,

unrepenting fellow-being, is a duty which I owe to my God, to my

country, to humanity, and to myself: to that effect shall my utmost

efforts be ever exerted, so long as Providence spares me the power of

exertion.

I sincerely hope you will not allow the foregoing observations to be

lost or thrown away: if you treasure them in your hearts, and make a

right application of them, they will give life to feelings of pleasure

and self-approbation in moments of affliction; and at the hour of death,

a consolation which the united riches of the earth could not purchase.

If I can be the instrument, under Heaven, of rendering you any real

service, and leading your minds to a just sense of religion and virtuous

action, the feelings of my own heart will be a rich reward for any pains

it may cost me: whether I succeed or fail in my endeavours, the

consciousness of having faithfully discharged my duty (which with regard

to you I consider most weighty in a moral sense), to the best of my

ability, will console me through life, and in the close will accompany

my spirit to another and, I hope, a happier world.

One word further for your good. In the treasures of the sacred

Scriptures you will find exhaustless sources of comfort to your souls;

for which purpose copies of the Holy Bible will be distributed amongst

you, and the use each of you shall be observed to make of it will be

_strictly_ recorded in the journal.

THOMAS REID.

* * * * *

25th.—At noon this day Mrs. Pryor came on board; and after expressing

her regret for the disorderly conduct of the female prisoners,

previously to their leaving Newgate, and reproving them for their

ingratitude in that respect, as well as the injury their unruly

behaviour had done to the cause of benevolence, she distributed a

considerable number of check aprons to each, with haberdashery and other

needful articles. Having performed this charitable act, she examined the

prison, hospital, &c., and was much pleased with the regularity that

every where prevailed. She then read to them a suitable portion of

Scripture, and dismissed them with good moral advice.

Two women from York were brought on board, and a few minutes afterwards

three more from Winchester.

This forenoon I had the messes arranged, also the sleeping-places

allotted, the bedding, bags, and other things belonging to the convicts

permanently marked, to prevent confusion and irregularity hereafter; I

also distributed to each individual some religious book or tract.

At 6 P. M. three women from Newcastle were brought, one of whom was old,

and so infirm as to require assistance to get up the ship’s side. About

7, a person arrived, saying he had brought four children belonging to

Browning Owen, a convict, but had left them at Woolwich, being uncertain

whether they would be received on board. One of them unfortunately

happened to be three years above the age permitted by the Secretary of

State. The case of this poor woman seems one of aggravated distress:

About nine months since, her husband incited her to commit crime; and,

after involving her in guilt and misery, left her with a helpless family

without a friend in the world. Her conduct having been exceedingly good

since she came on board, induced me to lay a statement of her case

before Mr. Capper, for the consideration of the Secretary of State,

whose benevolence granted permission for all the children to be embarked

and accompany their mother.

26th.—The whole of this day has been spent in arranging the messes and

sleeping-places of several convicts who arrived from various prisons.

Opportunity was taken to impress upon their minds the necessity of good

conduct during the voyage, and the advantages that would assuredly

result from such behaviour. Many of the women who arrived to-day, as

well as some who had been heretofore received, appeared to think that

the most licentious behaviour would be the surest plan to procure

countenance and favour in a ship: this opinion was indicated by the

flighty actions and indecorous expressions of a great many of them, at

the very first moment they got on board. It is hardly necessary to say,

that in these deviations from rectitude they were always interrupted

with rebuke or admonition, as the occasion best required, and always

with immediate good effects; those lately arrived usually taking their

tone of conduct from those already under the influence of discipline.

It affords me great gratification to be able to state that considerable

progress already appears to have been made in the moral system. The

first three or four nights after the women began to increase in number,

I was mortified to hear among them, after they had been locked up for

the night, songs of a licentious and wicked nature: but in every case of

such occurrence, when taking the female the next day to task for the

part she had performed, and representing to her in the kindest manner

the impropriety of such practices, they have been discontinued, and

during the last two nights there has occurred in the prison nothing of

which the best regulated family need be ashamed.

27th.—Nothing can exceed the regularity that prevails in the prison; not

a whisper having been heard, or any singing last night. At 11 A. M. I

selected a sermon out of Dr. Blair’s, and read it to them, explaining,

to the best of my power, such parts of it as they appeared not to

understand, and expressed my approbation of their conduct respecting

those things in which I expected an amendment. After this, pamphlets on

subjects of devotion were delivered to the women who arrived yesterday,

together with a copy of my Address, and a religious tract to each of the

others. They were reminded of the Prison Regulations, and enjoined a

close observance of them.

About 5 this evening, there arrived three convicts from Shrewsbury, two

from Carlisle, and four from Lancaster, all of whom were cold and wet,

the day having been rainy and exceedingly boisterous. They were ordered

to change their clothes, and after some refreshment to retire to rest.

In the course of this day I took occasion to speak privately to three or

four young, giddy creatures, whom I had observed conversing rather

familiarly with some of the sailors, and exhorted them to shun every

approach to intimacy with those men. They all expressed their grateful

thanks for the private and delicate manner in which this advice was

communicated, and promised solemnly that I should not again have

occasion to reprove them upon the same subject.

28th.—Eighteen women have arrived to-day, some of whom while alongside

in the boats, and even after they came on board, exhibited violent

indications of riotous conduct. Those of mischievous disposition were

principally from Lancaster. It required much to convince them that such

behaviour would meet with certain and serious punishment; and at length

they yielded to remonstrance, becoming somewhat orderly.

About half past 12 five convicts arrived from Ilchester, of a more

decent and modest appearance than any yet seen, and their demeanour was

such as to excite a hope that in them at least virtue may be found not

entirely extinguished. Having observed some of the prisoners making

advances towards an intimacy with the sailors, I checked them at the

moment, and afterwards admonished the thoughtless creatures, privately,

against every thing of that kind, and advised them to have a watchful

guard over themselves in future.

29th.—Eight prisoners arrived to-day from different country prisons; the

conduct of three or four of them, as they approached the ship, was wild,

extravagant, and disgusting, from its singular wickedness and disregard

of shame: this, however, was readily suppressed the moment they came on

board.

Our number is now nearly complete, and the behaviour of all is kept

within such good bounds that moral feeling and good order generally

prevail, and life is given to the pleasing hope that success will attend

the endeavours made to lead those deluded and unfortunate women back to

virtue.

30th.—Shortly after retiring to rest last night, I was called up to go

to the prison, whence, I was informed, very alarming cries and violent

screams were issuing. I found most of the women so much frightened, as

to make it difficult to ascertain from any one of them what had

occasioned their trepidation. At length, the assertions of several gave

me reason to believe, that some one of the convicts had out of frolic

walked round the prison, and touched the faces of some of them with her

cold hand. I treated the whole as an affair of no note, rather as the

effects of imagination; but at the same time severely reprobated the

idle attempt at disturbing the hours of sleep; and assured them that any

recurrence of the kind would be visited with marks of severe

displeasure.

At 11 A. M. this day, Sunday, I read a sermon in the prison, and

expressed a merited approbation of their general conduct, with a view to

show them that I was anxious to find cause for commendation rather than

censure; thus to make them, on their side, desirous to merit good

opinion, as out of this endeavour I hoped to see good order result.

Afterwards I distributed religious books and tracts to all those who had

not been previously supplied.

_May_ 1st.—About 10 A. M. Mrs. Pryor came on board, and distributed

amongst forty of the prisoners, two aprons, a black cap, a canvas bag, a

pair of scissors, and articles of haberdashery to each as presents. This

donation was accompanied by sound moral instruction, delivered with the

kindness of maternal advice, and conveyed in language of encouragement,

which seemed to produce the intended effect on all to whom it was

addressed: from the impression it made upon their minds, of which I was

a silent and minute observer, it may be fairly said, that not one of

those unhappy females was insensible at least to what they heard, or

withheld the tear of penitence and sorrow, more precious in the

resolution to amend.

At 11 A. M. Captain Young paid us a visit; and, after inspecting the

state of the prisoners very attentively, expressed his approbation of

every thing that had been done, in terms somewhat more marked than those

of common place assent.

Some little misunderstanding and trifling squabbles took place between

some of the prisoners this day, which on inquiring into, when the

momentary fervour had subsided, were readily adjusted to the

satisfaction of all the parties. Occurrences of this nature are to be

expected in a community in which inclinations and habits so diversified

must coalesce so as to form something like one mind uniformly obedient

to a settled authority.

It was also found necessary to remonstrate privately in a more serious

manner with some of the women, whom I observed at times conversing

familiarly with the sailors. Such familiarities, although at present

perhaps divested of criminal intention, might, if not discountenanced in

time, lose their character of innocence, and lead to more intimate and

censurable acquaintance. It is justly considered more easy by far, and

better, to prevent crimes, than to seek redress or atonement for them

after they have been committed.

2nd.—This morning, before the prisoners had breakfasted or were allowed

to come upon deck, I took an opportunity of addressing a few short

observations to them collectively, by way of general admonition; in

which I expressed a strong disapprobation of the light and thoughtless

behaviour of some of them towards the sailors. I pointed out the decided

rule on this head in the Prison Regulations; explained the delicate

manner in which it was expressed, and informed them, that,

notwithstanding that delicacy, my determination in that regard was

peculiarly strong. I stated, that I had observed with much concern the

misconduct of six or seven, who seemed unmindful of the regulation; and

assured them that a repetition of such folly would impose on me the very

painful necessity of excluding such offenders from the privilege of the

deck, and be productive of other unpleasant consequences. This timely

admonition called forth their serious attention, and all evinced its

effects in a satisfactory manner; all became silence, order, industry,

and decorous reserve.

Such indeed did their demeanour appear to some gentlemen who visited

Captain Brown in the course of the day, that it was facetiously

observed, “Half the same number of fashionables at a ball or rout would

render a drawing-room more noisy than the Morley was at that time.”

3rd.—Nothing of a novel nature has this day occurred in the behaviour of

the convicts. One prisoner was brought in from Coventry, and some of the

free passengers with their children came on board.

About 4 P. M. Mr. CAPPER paid us a visit; and having minutely inspected

the prison, and conversed with several of the prisoners, he expressed

his entire approbation of what he saw.

6th.—Nothing of importance has occurred since last report. Quietness and

decorum appear now manifestly to result from the system laid down: and

so far has it answered my expectations, and so subjected are they

already to discipline, that within the last two days a frown expressive

of my displeasure has been sufficient to prevent every impropriety.

At 11 A. M. Mrs. Pryor and Mrs. Coventry, accompanied by the Solicitor

to the Bank of England, came on board. _The Solicitor was commissioned

by the Bank Company to make a present of five pounds to every woman who

had been convicted of uttering forged notes, or of having them in

possession._ The amount of the money thus gratuitously expended in

favour of the unhappy women, was two hundred and five pounds sterling,

there being _forty-one_ persons at this time sent out of the country for

that offence alone.

This donation to the female convicts,—for it is not given to males in

the same predicament,—has, I am informed, existed for a considerable

time, and doubtless originated in worthy feelings,—to alleviate in some

degree the distresses and want brought upon them by their prosecution.

Whilst one is compelled to approve this philanthropic condescension in

favour of these unfortunate creatures, many of them surrounded by groups

of children, a suggestion naturally forces itself into consideration,

how far such a proceeding is consistent with political or moral

propriety. It may be asked, Is honest principle encouraged by such

gratuity? Is the offender moved to reformation by such an inducement, or

is the property of the donors rendered more secure by their

postliminious generosity?

The prosecutions carried on by the Bank of England for many years past,

for forged imitations of their notes, are too much matter of perfect

notoriety. The victims, as well male as female, that have been immolated

to the demon of gain, have been accumulated to a truly appalling amount.

Human nature shudders at the numerous sacrifices offered on this altar.

Although the Bank, it is asserted, virtually lose nothing, still the

Moloch is to be appeased; and the Druidical idols mentioned by Julius

Cæsar, in which numbers of human beings were burned alive, were not more

rapacious than this remorseless spirit. The cry of blood has at length

ascended, and good men are startled at this destructive system: to the

eternal credit of later Bank Directors, those sanguinary proceedings

have been in a great measure relaxed. In cases now of simply uttering

forged notes, unless under circumstances of an aggravating character,

upon trial, the judgement Not Guilty to the capital charge is admitted

upon the plea of Guilty to the minor offence of having them in

possession knowing them to be so: thus many lives are saved under that

certain conviction which would subject them to death: their punishment

on the latter plea is, in general, Transportation for fourteen years to

New South Wales.

The two ladies with bountiful hands dispensed their truly charitable

gifts among those prisoners whom they had not before supplied; and the

countenances of these unfortunates, gratefully affected by being thus

noticed in their outcast state, gave stronger evidence of their feelings

than could have been conveyed by the most successful eloquence.

About 2 P. M. Mr. Brown, Governor of Newgate, came on board, and gave to

each of the women who came from that prison, half a crown, from what

fund I know not; and I am equally unacquainted with what motive, or for

what object, the donation was made. The effects produced by it, which

were almost instantaneously developed, would argue very unfavourably of

its consequences, as, almost the moment after that trifle was received,

general misunderstanding took place among them, and this was followed by

blows before I could interpose and put an end to the affray. The

termination of this disgraceful scene was effected only by confining the

combatants from each other, (two of them were sisters,) and allowing the

irritation to subside: afterwards representing how improper and

disgraceful their behaviour had been, they showed proofs of shame and

contrition, which I am inclined to hope will long secure me from the

pain of witnessing such another scene.

In the afternoon I collected the Monitors of all the messes, and

explained the line of conduct I expected them to follow during the

voyage, and admonished them to secure obedience from their respective

messes by showing themselves a good example; to each Monitor I then

delivered a Bible, Prayer Book, New Testament, and Psalter, for the use

of the mess to which each belonged.

7th.—This day passed in uninterrupted tranquillity, and the utmost

regard to good order was observable amongst the convicts. At 11 A. M. I

read a moral discourse to them, and addressed some pointed

animadversions on the occurrence of the preceding day, which affected

the whole of them most sensibly, and the offenders, with tears,

expressed their sincere compunction for the misconduct of which they had

been guilty, giving every assurance that the like should not again take

place.

8th.—At 10 A. M. I mustered all the children, and arranged them in

classes for the purpose of carrying into effect the intentions of the

Ladies’ Committee with respect to the formation of a school, for which

they had taken special care to provide a woman, one of the free

passengers, as a teacher; and had also furnished a very liberal

provision of juvenile books of every suitable description. Mrs. Pryor

visited this morning and distributed useful gifts among the prisoners,

and some also among the free passengers.

About noon Mrs. Fry came on board; and, having inspected the state of

the prisoners, had those from Newgate assembled separately, and

addressed them in the most feeling manner respecting their conduct when

leaving Newgate. This discourse had visibly great effect, which appeared

strongly impressed upon their minds. Observing the remarkable order

maintained in this unfortunate community, this lady hinted that some

preparation must have been made previously to her coming on board: to

this I could not avoid remarking, in reply, that such was by no means

the case, for the history of one hour’s conduct of those women might

serve as the history of a month. This remark I thought due in strict

justice to their merits; nor could it be considered at all

complimentary, as not one of them was present at the moment.

9th.—At noon this day, the five women,—for I have since determined the

actual number of offenders,—who were noticed to use rather too much

familiarity towards the sailors, were called apart, and reminded in

forcible terms of their rash conduct in breaking through that reserve

which was enjoined by the Prison Regulations; and that every tittle of

their improper behaviour, however secret they might suppose it to be,

was thoroughly known, and liable to the exposure and punishment it so

deservedly merited. They seemed to feel the sense of disgrace poignantly

at being so detected, of which they were not at first aware; they

promised most faithfully, in the hope of forgiveness, to avoid the

conversation of the sailors as much as possible; and requested with

fervent solicitation to be allowed the trial, assuring me that I should

find them sincere and firm in that resolution.

11th.—The latter part of yesterday passed in a manner the most decorous

and tranquil; and the system of discipline assumes a good portion of

organized character. An understanding seems now to pervade the minds of

the convicts, that the more submissive and circumspect they are, the

sooner will their situation become truly comfortable, as indulgence must

be the fruit of good behaviour only: many of them besides, by

contrasting their present circumstances with what they had recently

experienced in the prisons where they had been, feel increased

gratification from the manner in which they are treated on board the

ship.

About 3 P. M. two ladies and a gentleman came to inquire after a

misguided young creature, one of the convicts, the daughter of a man who

had lived in their family (I think they said) upwards of thirty years,

having always maintained an unspotted character. The girl, Eliza Nixon,

was sent for to them in the cabin, when the admonition of these good

ladies to the object of their humane attentions, was of that kind and

conciliatory description which ever finds a ready way to the heart. The

young culprit shed tears abundantly; an indication of repentant feeling

I had never before observed in her, though she had been many times

reproved for levity and flippant behaviour, and on such

occasions,—indeed not three hours before,—she bore rebuke without the

least emotion.

The purpose of their visit being accomplished, these ladies inquired

more particularly into the system employed for the government of the

convicts generally; which being explained, they expressed a wish to

visit them below, and were not a little gratified by seeing the

regularity every where prevailing; but their admiration was particularly

engaged in observing the children at school.—It is not indeed matter of

surprise that this novel institution should elicit the noblest feelings

of a generous and virtuous mind. To witness attentively the first

dawning and gradual expansion of the mind, is, in my opinion, more

deserving of the attention of philosophers who study the true interests

of humanity, as more important and conducive to the welfare of society,

than all the wordy lucubrations with which metaphysical writers have for

ages amused themselves and the world.

It is impossible not to admire the benevolent zeal that could induce

ladies of rank to undertake a journey of some length, and venture on the

water in a very boisterous day, for no other purpose than to awaken a

vitiated mind to a just and lively sense of its error. At the time these

visitors left the ship, both wind and tide happened unfortunately to be

contrary to their return, and the watermen were unable to make any

progress; their efforts were further frustrated by their boat getting

aground, which rendered the situation of the passengers alarming and

dangerous. In this state of things the active humanity of Captain Brown

was strongly displayed;—he immediately ordered his own boat to be

manned, and went off himself to extricate the amiable sufferers; which

he effected, and towed their boat up to Woolwich, though he was at the

time labouring under severe indisposition.

12th.—About 4 P. M. the Bank Solicitor came on board, and completed the

distribution of the donation to certain of the prisoners. This money had

been expected for some time, and several of the women had even made

purchase of various useful articles on the faith of its being paid them;

these debts they afterwards correctly discharged.

13th.—At noon Mrs. Pryor came to visit the convicts; and, having

exhorted them in a very impressive manner, distributed moral tracts, and

many useful necessaries intended as materials for industrious

employment, a proceeding in every point of view most advantageous and

important to the prisoners.

14th.—This day Mr. Capper paid a short visit at the ship, to ascertain

fully and finally the state of the prisoners, children, free passengers,

&c., and to make arrangements for removing to the convict hospital ship

some sick women whom I considered quite unable to undergo the fatigues

of the voyage.

15th.—The women this day received another visit from Mrs. Pryor,

accompanied by Lord Lilford and the Rev. Mr. Hornby, a magistrate of

Lancashire. Those gentlemen came to inquire into some alleged abuses,

which were said to have occurred in the gaol of Lancaster, previously to

the removal of the female convicts from that place. Having ascertained

that such abuses had existed, they departed, the Rev. Mr. Hornby

pledging himself to prevent a recurrence of the like abuses in future.

Agreeably to the directions of the Navy Board, three sick convicts,

Frances Alcock, Frances Pattison, and Isabella Dennison, were removed to

the convict hospital ship.

16th.—This day was productive of no incident worthy of record, except a

trifling event that happened to one of the sailors, whom I remarked

taking improper liberties with one of the prisoners. On mentioning the

circumstance to Captain Brown, he immediately decided on the propriety

of discharging him, and accordingly the thoughtless fellow was sent on

shore this evening.

18th.—Regularity and good order prevail undisturbed. The prisoners are

at present employed in making up the articles supplied by the Committee

of Ladies, or in perusing the religious books sent for that purpose by

private friends. The apprehension that the industry of these creatures

must be soon suspended for want of materials to work upon, damps in some

measure the sanguine expectation I had formed of keeping them out of

mischief.

About half past 8 this morning, the Rev. Mr. _Reddall_ with his wife and

family came on board, passengers to New South Wales. The weather is very

boisterous, rendering every approach to the vessel extremely dangerous.

Captain Brown came down from London, where he had been to sign the

necessary documents for the Government, preparatory to sailing, and was

nearly swamped as he came alongside.

19th.—About noon this day arrived dispatches from Earl Bathurst for New

South Wales, also directions from the Navy Board to proceed on the

voyage.

20th.—At 3 this morning weighed anchor and proceeded to Gravesend, where

we arrived about 7 A. M. The state of the convicts was steady and

orderly until about noon, when a _bum-boat_ came alongside, managed by

one old man, who offered beer, milk, and other such articles for sale.

An understanding was made, I am informed, between this old man and some

of the prisoners, who clubbed, it appears, a subscription of thirty or

forty shillings, and with that money purchased spirits from the old man

clandestinely and in spite of every risk. They unfortunately eluded

vigilance, and succeeded in smuggling this dangerous poison into the

ship in bottles and bladders.

The effects broke out in the evening at rather a late hour, when many of

them were stupidly intoxicated, and some gave way to their old

licentious habits,—quarrelling among themselves, exhibiting the most

deplorable and hideous features of drunkenness and depravity. Although

excessively ill at the time, I was obliged personally to interfere, and

put a stop to a shameful boxing between Mary Kelly, a Newgate girl, and

a woman whose character previously had advanced much in my estimation.

Both the combatants were pinioned and confined; at length tranquillity

and order were restored, but for a short time only. About 10 P. M. the

most horrible screams issued from the prison, to which place I

immediately proceeded accompanied by Captain Brown. We soon came to the

place where the disturbance was going forward, and found Sarah Downes

and Elizabeth Cheatham both nearly exhausted from a battle in which they

had just been engaged. These women were both intoxicated and furiously

riotous, declaring themselves determined to murder one another; on which

we bound them back to back, and fastened them to a post in the hospital.

All my endeavours were insufficient, however, to quell their disposition

to noise, which during several hours they continued with ceaseless

annoyance to every one near them peaceably disposed.

21st.—About 1 A. M. weighed anchor and stood down the river with a light

breeze. This day I found myself exceedingly indisposed; but having

several patients ill of the measles, I made an effort to see them about

half past 4 in the morning, but was soon compelled to retire to bed.

Being Sunday, my indisposition was the more distressing: however, the

Rev. Mr. Reddall offered to read to the prisoners, which relieved me

from all anxiety as to neglecting that most important duty. The reading

was followed by an exhortation, in which their behaviour on the

preceding evening was forcibly reprehended, which I understand excited

unaffected feelings of shame and sorrow.

22nd.—Arrived in the Downs about 4 P. M., where the pilot left us; and

the wind being fair, we continued our course under all possible sail.

I thank God, my health is sufficiently recovered to-day to enable me to

resume my duties in the prison and the hospital. Two women and seven

children are now labouring under the measles. On entering the prison

this morning, I was surrounded by those women who had behaved

irregularly on Saturday night, whom I had ordered to be released from

their confinement as soon as their violence should have subsided. They

confessed with tears the enormity of their misconduct, and besought

forgiveness, which I felt every disposition to concede; but with regard

to three of them who had been most distinguished in their display of

pugilistic prowess, I deemed it indispensably necessary to fix on them

some mark of disapprobation, and accordingly ordered them not to go on

deck any more.

23d.—The breeze still continues fair, but very light: unusual

tranquillity now reigns in the prison. I have made it an invariable

rule, that every one of the prisoners should bring up her bedding every

morning, to have it exposed to the air upon deck whenever the weather

will permit; and as the beds, &c. are all marked, this daily exercise is

conducted with the greatest regularity.

24th.—About 2 A. M. the breeze died away, and shortly afterwards sprung

up from the WNW: in consequence of this change, the weather has become

wet, cloudy, and rather boisterous, with a rough sea, which occasioned

sufficient motion to make most of the women sick: on this account, and

the wet state of the weather, I allowed their beds to remain below.

26th.—During these two days the weather has been boisterous, rainy, and

uncomfortable, with a heavy sea. The women are all affected with sea

sickness, and utterly incapable of making any exertion. Every precaution

has been used to prevent the prison from getting wet, as that would have

rendered their situation very distressing.

27th.—The same unpleasant state of weather still continues;—most of the

women are in bed, suffering severely from the sea-sickness. Ordered one

quarter of a pound of mustard to be served to each mess.

28th.—The weather is, if possible, still more severe than before, and

the wind has become contrary. At 11 A. M. I mustered together as many

women as were able to get out of bed, and read them a sermon; afterwards

made some observations on their general behaviour, and stated my

intention to allow each of them, as an indulgence, a gill of wine twice

a week, on Sunday and Thursday, with a hope that they would endeavour to

improve their conduct, and confirm sincere disposition to amendment:

should the contrary appear in any individual, I assured them that the

whole mess would be deprived of it; to which they all agreed, seeming

quite satisfied with the conditions proposed.

29th.—The wind still continuing unfavourable, the motion of the ship is

very rough, and distressing in the extreme to most of the prisoners, who

still remain much affected with the sea sickness,—many of them to an

alarming degree, in consequence of debility brought on by incessant

retching; so that not any thing, even a necessary dose of medicine, can

be found to remain on the stomach for an instant. The barometer,

however, indicates a favourable change of weather, which may assist in

affording them some relief. The measles are spreading among the children

very rapidly, thirteen of whom are at present affected.

30th.—No change in the weather promises alleviation to the distress

which the prisoners continue to feel:—two are so much debilitated as to

be quite incapable of voluntary motion, and their stomachs so

excessively irritable that medicine and food continue to be rejected in

a moment after swallowing.

31st.—The weather is somewhat more favourable, but the ship’s motion is

still considerable, and the distress of the women is very little abated:

the two mentioned in yesterday’s journal are very ill. Warm fomentation

to the region of the stomach, and frictions with anodyne liniment have

afforded a good deal of relief,—still they suffer very much.

_June_ 1st.—This day the weather is clear and exhilarating; but the

motion of the vessel, which rolls and pitches very much, is still

productive of uneasiness among the women. The two who were most affected

are recovering by the means employed, and are now able to take some

nutritive preparations given them in small quantity, with judicious

care.

At the accustomed hour I read a sermon to the prisoners, during which

their conduct individually was decent, serious, and attentive. The

system established is now advancing without any sensible interruption,

and its success, as I must candidly acknowledge, thus far has exceeded

the most sanguine expectation I had ventured to entertain of it. So

regular and excellent is the behaviour of all the prisoners, that

scarcely any incident now occurs to afford subject for a journal.

4th.—This day an address, written in a manner adapted to the immediate

condition of the convicts, according to my best understanding of the

subject, and touching on many points most worthy of notice in their

circumstances, particularly the moral improvement evinced by them since

the commencement of the voyage, was read in the prison, in presence of

the Reverend Mr. Reddall. The religious seriousness and respectful

demeanour of the whole, who were all cleanly dressed, became the

occasion. Nothing could exceed the earnestness with which every word of

the address was received, and it was gratifying to observe the course of

its effects upon their minds.

To the gospel truths quoted in the address the most lively attention was

displayed, whilst their flooded cheeks and sobbings evidently and

forcibly exhibited the sincerity of that impression which was produced

by the moral deductions and observations made on the sacred words. Their

minds were, at times, drawn to the consideration of their past

transgressions, and a call made on their feelings, to ascertain their

different states as to repentance and rejection of sin, which was

answered by the most lively expressions of sorrow among them, testified

individually, without regard to the chilling influence of having any

witness of their feelings.

But when allusion was made to the probability of an eternal separation

from kindred, friends, and home, their feelings, wound to the highest

pitch by the poignancy of reflection, exhibited a scene of distress of

the deepest interest.—The thoughtless, giddy votary of vice became a

Magdalen in heart; and no sacrifice, it may be confidently said, would

have then been deemed too great to redeem, were that possible, the

opportunities of grace they had lost or spurned, and the happiness which

it was evident they were conscious of having compromised by their

insensate conduct.

The scene was altogether to me the most edifying; and, however vain the

declaration may cause me to be considered, I felt at this instant well

rewarded for the labours I had taken for the good of these forlorn

females. Now that the minds of these “outcast” creatures seem subdued by

repentance and gospel precept, and aware that nearly one third of the

voyage has been completed, there is satisfactory cause to presume that

they will continue in the way of improvement, and endeavour not only to

qualify themselves to appear fully deserving of good opinion, but to lay

up a store of virtuous resolution, from the instructions they have

received, for a happy and correct guidance of their future conduct. The

following is a copy of the Address which I read on this occasion.

ADDRESS.

At our first meeting I took occasion to lay before you a few

observations, which a leisure hour had allowed me to put together, for

your guidance during the present voyage; and I fondly indulged the hope

that they might awaken in your minds the principles of virtue, which a

longer or a shorter career in the devious paths of vice had suffered to

slumber too long. Since that time, many eventful circumstances have

occurred to produce in my mind reflections of a very serious nature,

which, as they tend to strengthen and improve every estimable virtue, it

may not be quite unprofitable to myself or you to give a sketch of.

Many of the observations, which I now intend to offer to your

consideration, have arisen out of your own behaviour; while the

remainder owe their existence to a lively feeling of humility in my own

breast, and of dependence upon the Author of all good, lately elicited

by a sick bed. I refrain from adverting to the cause of my recent

illness, because I am unwilling to give any of you unnecessary pain even

for a moment, and because your behaviour since that time convinces me,

that most of you are sorry for the error you then so thoughtlessly

committed[15]. On a sick bed the mind is forcibly led to the

contemplation of a future state; and a question, of the first degree of

importance, will very frequently present itself to the languishing

sufferer, which, if I may judge from my own feelings, he will find

extremely difficult, if not quite impossible, to get rid of, unless the

actions of his past life furnish him with an answer. The question, as it

forced itself upon my mind, is this—“Should it please Heaven to remove

me from this sinful world, what is to be my lot in the next?” I here

take it for granted that you all truly believe in a future state beyond

the grave, and in a just God who will punish the wicked and reward the

righteous. Indeed, I think it would be a mere waste of words and time to

urge any arguments on this subject; for there is no fact, either moral

or physical, of which I am more firmly convinced than this, that there

is not a human being this day living, who in his heart sincerely doubts

the existence of an all-protecting Deity. Although the contrary of this

has sometimes been asserted by learned men, who have only disgraced the

human shape and character, yet I firmly believe in my soul, that not one

of them ever succeeded in deceiving himself into a belief of the gloomy

doctrines he had so long and so zealously laboured to propagate. It

would be no very difficult task to expose the weakness, and entirely

refute the principles, of this false philosophy; but the argument would

be uninteresting to you, and a victory over those who have degraded the

dignity of the human character so low as to consider themselves no

better than a dog or an ass, and like them entirely to perish with

death, would, in my opinion, afford but a puny triumph.

Without any further notice of infidels, or their dark doctrines, I shall

endeavour to point out a few plain thoughts in the order, as nearly as I

can, they occurred to my own imagination. It has afforded me great

pleasure to notice that most of you have perused my former little

Address with care and attention; and it gives me infinite gratification

to be assured, as I am, that it has been the means of bringing more than

one or two amongst you to repentance, who are now leaning for support

upon their Heavenly Father, and, having fixed their hope on that

immoveable rock, are now enjoying tranquillity and peace of mind, to

which they were before strangers. The knowledge of this happy change has

encouraged me to devote another hour to your service; and if God shall

be pleased so far to bless my feeble endeavours as to make me

instrumental in reclaiming another wanderer, and restoring her to the

fold of Christ, the proudest wish of my heart will be gratified.

It has been to me matter of surprise, to observe that mankind generally

are unwilling to indulge in reflections on death and a future state, as

if, by excluding the subject from their thoughts, they expect to secure

themselves from the unwelcome visits of this all-destroying enemy. For

my own part, I have often passed a solitary hour very profitably in

meditating upon this subject, and considering how death might be

entirely divested of terror. Amidst the many uncertain events which

every where surround human life, and in which we are all here

particularly involved, there is one thing we have too much reason to

believe, namely, that of us who have commenced this voyage, and who are

now present, there are some, I fear, who shall not survive to see it

finished; but which of us it may please God to call, he alone can tell.

Respecting the certainty of death, all the nations of the earth are

agreed, however opposite their sentiments may be in other respects.

Since, then, “it is appointed unto all men once to die[16],” and as no

power on earth can reverse or retard this decree, it behoves us, one and

all, timely to prepare for an event concerning which we only know, that

happen soon it must; but whether within a few years, a month, or a day,

we are totally ignorant. Who amongst us can say with confidence that we

shall live to see the sun rise to-morrow, or set this evening? If life

at best is but a span, and in every case uncertain; and if our happiness

or misery hereafter is to depend upon our actions during this life,

which I shall endeavour presently to prove they do, how very important

must its concerns appear!

I candidly confess to you, that I cannot help sometimes shuddering at

the thought of eternity; it is impossible that any one can reflect on it

seriously, and be unmoved. If the torments of hell were to last but a

week, a month, or a hundred years, they might be endured; but, alas!

when hundreds, thousands, and millions of ages shall have crept slowly

away, how agonizing the thought that our misery is hardly then

commenced! O my friends! this is not an imaginary picture, invented by

man to frighten sinners from their evil ways, and induce them to repent;

it has been proclaimed a thousand times by the voice of God, and who

dares to doubt his authority? How ought the following declarations to

appall the heart of an unrepenting sinner, whose conscience terribly

assures him that he is included in the awful denunciation, Acts, 17th

chapter 31st verse, “Because He hath appointed a day in the which he

will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained;

whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him

from the dead!” Again; 2nd Corinthians, 5th chapter, 10th verse, “For we

must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that every one may

receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,

whether it be good or bad.” Again; John, 5th chapter, 28th & 29th

verses, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all

that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: they

that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have

done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Again; Matthew, 13th

chapter, 49th & 50th verse, “So shall it be at the end of the world: the

angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and

shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and

gnashing of teeth.” Again; Matthew, 25th chapter, 31st and following

verses, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy

angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: and

before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall separate them one

from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and he

shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then

shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my

Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the

world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye

gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye

clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came

unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we

thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw

we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or

when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King

shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you

have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it

unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from

me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his

angels: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and

ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and

ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then

shall they also answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or

athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not

minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto

you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it

not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the

righteous into life eternal.” Again; Romans, 2nd chapter, 6th and

following verses, “who will render to every man according to his deeds:

to them who by patience in well doing seek for glory and honour and

immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do

not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the

Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honour and peace to every

man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.”

Again; Psalm ix. verse 17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and

all the nations that forget God.”

Who is so hardened in iniquity as to hear these threats without

trembling, ignorant, as he must be, what moment the thunderbolt of God’s

judgement may descend upon his guilty head? Can any of you doubt the

purity or truth of that fountain whence these terrible assurances

flow?—Suppose it should so happen, that the unembodied spirit of some

departed friend were this night permitted to appear before you;—some one

who had been the bosom companion of your earliest youth, before the fair

blossoms of innocence were blasted and consumed by the pestilential

breath of iniquity: or suppose the apparition of a father, mother,

sister, brother, or husband, whose death was occasioned by your

undutiful, graceless, or ungrateful behaviour, should present itself to

your imagination, and assure you, in a voice of thunder, that a life of

sin tends to misery on earth, and endless torments after death; would

not such a visitation make a deep impression on your minds, and a total

change in your lives? I really fear that with some of you it would not;

for, if you will not believe the word of God, we are assured, “You would

not believe, though one rose from the dead[17].”