Letter 22d. To the Same Gloucester. October 1st 1775
Take now, my dear Sir, an account which will, I have no doubt, interest your humanity. My Mother being in want of a domestic, conceived that it would be beneficial to the Community, were she to receive a female, from the house which stands among us, a shelter for the indigent, and unfortunate people — and, for the purpose of selecting a proper person, she commissioned me to pay a visit to this temporary prison of Penury.
Our Almshouse is occupied by unsuccessful industry, destitute vice, miserable Old Age, and helpless infancy — This miscellaneous receptacle of suffering, is romantically situated at the foot of a steep declivity — Huge rocks form a semicircle, enclosing every part of the house except the front which is washed by a copious river [—] Its appearance was in no sort descriptive of the wretchedness it sheltered — A peregrination through the several apartments, cannot fail of lacerating the heart — Here deformed childhood, and there decrepid years — On one hand the forlorn infant, whose mingled hues betray the aggravated crime of its miserable parents, on the other, the degenerate female, her party coloured rags seeming fit emblems of her guilt[.]
I passed through many divisions of this abode of wretchedness, in pursuit of an ancient Woman, from whom I received the rudiments of reading, and who I had lately learned had fled to this last resort of wretchedness — I sought and at length found her — As I was formerly a favourite, she rejoiced to see me, I went prepared, not like the son of….with a little balm, and a little honey — but with what was much better calculated to exhilarate the fleeting spirits such as a bottle of wine, and many &c’s, to which the good Woman b[e]lieved she had bid a final adieu — How unconcerned are the children of opulence — How scant is the provision which is made for the suffering part of our species — Benevolence, it should seem, is fled from our globe, and compassion no more inhabits the breast of Man.
The present unnatural contest hath, augmented the miseries of our little Town, to an almost incredible degree — Persons formerly in easy circumstances, are now greatly depressed, while the poor are involved in every species of suffering, to which the sons and daughters of indigence can possibly be subjected —
Say, Dear Sir, you who are at the fountain head of intelligence, is there no hope of an accommodation, will not the rich blessings of peace again illumine our Land? Or is the peerless Goddess fled forever from our borders? —
I had yesterday the pleasure of entertaining a large circle — among the rest a Mr Walker introduced by my Uncle S— The sufferings of this gentleman, in our cause, have rendered him conspicuous [—] Although a native of Great Briton, his language proclaims him a true American, he is surprise[d] to learn that anyone speaks lightly of the paper currency, the public faith — being pledged to insure its value, Mr Walker affirms, it must be coeval with our liberties and he pertinently adds, if Liberty be subjugated, where then will be Property?
According to Mr Walker’s account, our affairs are in a very flourishing situation, and every Devotee to the present system, must, if they credit his observations, be flushed with the most sanguine hopes. The countenance of my Aunt shone with its accustomed benignity, my Uncle was solemn, and reserved, while their Son adored the Speaker — and, let me own, that, in this respect, I am a perfect Chameleon, every individual who appears to understand his subject, has them forming my political creed, as I listened to this gentleman, I became positive success would crown our efforts, while my ear is loaned to his opposite, I tremble, with apprehension of subjugation, and all its Tremendous consequences — Happy that such a….is of no consequence, to the [public weal] — I will, however, aim at such information as shall give stability to my sentiments.
Upon a supposition that we shall be compelled to abandon our Sea Ports Mr Stevens has provided a little asylum — It is I confess a dreary spot, yet it will answer for a temporary retreat — the tenement consists of a dining room, and two bed chambers — it is in the vicinity of the dwelling secured for my Mother, not far from my Aunt B— and I am not without hope that my sister will be situated in its neighbourhood — Yet I trust we shall not be forced to fly, but if we should, and your inclination should ever lead you to traverse the wilds of Chebaca, you will be received with every demonstration, of that regard which you so well merit.
*Judith Sargent Stevens to John Murray
Notes:
• "Chebaca" refers to the Chebacco Parish of Ipswich, Mass.; later, this area became the town of Essex
• "Uncle S—" is Epes Sargent Jr.
