MR. N. C. HART,

W, April 22nd, 1828.

SIR, -The bearer of this is Mr. J. D. B. from this place, who wishes a girl from the House of Refuge: Mr. W. gave him information that one would be kept for him. It is certainly an excellent place, in which a young girl would receive the best of example and precept, and be instructed in the solemn truths of our holy religion. I can recommend this situation to you with much pleaure, inasmuch as I believe, that in this family, a child would receive such information as will make them useful in after life, and a credit to themselves and to their benefactors.

We are much gratified with our little girl C. N. she answers the recommendation given me by Mr. A. she is an industrious, obedient, kind and affectionate child, and we feel entirely satisfied with her conduct thus far, and I trust, (through the blessing of God,) she may continue as she has began. She appears willing to learn and receive instruction; she progresses rapidly in reading in her Bible; she has committed about half of the shorter catechism to memory; she has altered in appearance greatly since she came to reside with me; has grown so that you would scarcely recognize her. She feels very anxious that her sister Catharine should come with Mr. B. says if she had Catharine here she would never want to see New-York: she was much pleased that her little sister Jane came with Mr. W. and was much afflicted at the death of her mother. She speaks with much feeling and affection of yourself and.Miss Goewey, and continues, I believe, the duty of prayer, at least I enjoin it upon her. The sisters appear to have much affection for each other, and I hope they may prove a blessing, and not a hindrance and I trust that your labour may not be in vain in reclaiming the lost and wandering children of obscurity, that their hearts may be regenerated. That your institution may be blessed is my heart's desire and prayer to God, and receive my assurances for your peace and felicity.

:

(Signed,)

J. D. B.

January 9th, 1828.

C. N., from the Police, aged fifteen years the 17th of June last, born in C. Her father has been dead about eight years, since which her mother married D. L., who is now a labourer.

C. commenced to sell cotton balls about six years ago; then shaving soap, needles, almanacs, songs, &c. &c.-this practice led her to stealing. The first theft was six skeins of silk, four or five years ago, then one hundred needles, and so on, until she was sent here for being connected with two of her old associates in stealing forty dollars from Captain -9 near White Hall, which they divided among them. She enters fourth class.

When Catharine entered the House, her sister Charity took the earliest opportunity to give her the best counsel she was capable of; who by this time had greatly profited by the discipline and opportunities the House offered: from a wild and uncultivated child, she became quiet, mild, and one of the most industrious little creatures in the House, and was found often in secret places in private devotions to her Maker. Her remarks were to this amount:You must be very particular to obey the Matron; not do as naughty girls do, but obey the two rules of the House, "Never tell a lie"

"Do as well as you know how," and you will be happy. But a short time had passed, before Charity's influence had caused Catharine to unite in her secret devotions; and such an attachment between sisters so natural and correct, it is uncommon to witness. Catharine soon convinced us that she only wanted to be put into the right path, and she would ornament it. But a few months had elapsed after their confinement in the House, before their mother died, and they were left without any earthly parent-Charity at this time being bound out as above. Catharine was taken down to see her lifeless mother, where was found the only remaining little sister, hanging around the corpse of her mother, and none but neighbers to comfort her. Such were the strong appeals of Catharine to the Superintendent to take her little sister under his care and protection, that he went immediately to the Commissioners with the child, and related the circumstances; they at once approved and committed her as a vagrant, not having any home.

In a short time they were all indentured to superior places in W., O. county, where they can see each other

every week. November 27th, 1828.

J. D. B. Esq. of O. county, to whom Charity was indentured, called and stated that she and her two sisters, who were in the same neighborhood, were three of the finest children he knew: that he would not part with Charity for $100; and that the oldest sister, Catharine, who lived with Mr. J. B., was, in point of mind and deportment, a superior girl, and that they manifested much tender and kind feeling towards each other, and had no idea of ever returning to the city to live, lest they should fall into temptation's way. Mr. B. said, the children express the warmest regard for their former care-takers while in the House of Refuge, and it was in consequence of their strong solicitations that he had called to spend a few hours with us.

January 9th, 1828.

M. L., from the Police, aged sixteen years the 20th of November last, born in the western part of this state. Her father, W. L. resides at No. 83 S.-street, is poor and intemperate. This child, and her sister, have been employed several years selling soap, cotton balls, almanacs, pencils, &c., which led her to all kinds of company. The first thing she recollects to have stolen was 250 needles, in company with A. M'D. and her younger sister; then a dozen tapes, &c. &c.; so on for two or three years, dividing all they could take. Would occasionally attend theatres and circuses. She says she has frequented bad company much.

A few days since, she, her sister, and C. N. went into a grocery store near Coenties' Slip to sell soap, when a Captain B. began to carry on with them; she consented to go with him for one dollar, and while he was planning with her, she slipped her hand into his pocket and stole his pocket book, containing $40, agreed to meet him at the next corner, and ran; went up Broadway and divided the amount between them. The Captain, rather than lose his money, exposed himself, and by some means found where C. N. lived, at whose dwelling the girls were found next day in the afternoon. They however took a good twenty shilling carriage ride, drank

cordial, &c. out of their money, before they were taken enters the Third Class.

When M. first came to the House, she put on many important airs, and manifested a considerable degree of impudence, and our hopes in her case were not very flattering; but by steady perseverance in correcting her errors, exhibiting to her view the enormity of her crimes, and what they must eventually result in; holding up virtue and piety, and the happy consequences that must result from a virtuous course; she, witnessing the high estimation that was placed upon those that had reformed, in a few months her manners changed to mildness, industry, and obedience; she became ambitious to have an opportunity to show how highly she appreciated her new views of virtue and propriety. The result was, she was indentured to J. N. of B., B. county, P. on the 27th of August last.

A few weeks since, we were visited by Mr. N's daughter, a young married lady, who informs us that M. is a fine girl, and that she is beloved by all the family, and bids fair to make a fine woman.

January 9th, 1828.

S. H. L., from the Police, aged fourteen years the 25th of December; born in New-York. Her father is infirm and does no work, drinks hard-had a handsome property left him by his father, but has spent it. He was the cause of introducing his children to sell soap and the like. One of his daughters, elder than either of these, became a prostitute through the same channel; but finally found a husband on board the S. F., and is now doing better. This little girl commenced her career, about two years since, selling soap, needles, pencils, almanacs, &c. She first commenced to steal soap from Mr. H., then needles from Mr. P. in Maiden-lane -she has taken four hundred at a time; and would receive from her companions a part of their stolen property, and in turn would give them a part of hers. I judge her not to be much past twelve years of age. She however learnt the trick of getting money from men, with the promise that she would go with them, and afterwards run away: her suitors would sometimes chase her; if she found herself too closely pursued, she would run into a grocery store, and tell them that a man was chasing her. She would pick up her sweethearts at the Battery, Steam Boat Wharves, Theatres, &c. She and her associates would occasionally attend the theatres and circuses. If they took five dollars each, per day, home to their mother, she was satisfied, and they could spend the rest. Sometimes they could clear eight dollars per day, honest sales, then again 12 s. per day, when they were successful in stealing needles and soap. This girl also received a portion of the forty dollars. Enters Fifth Class.

This child soon gave hope in her case, was open and frank in her communications, and became modest and industrious in her habits; only wanted to know her duty, and she performed it. She was indentured to Mr. L., of H. C., in April last.

N. C. HART,

H. April 28, 1828.

DEAR SIR, S. H. L. arrived on Friday, and I also received from Mr. H. her indentures by the same conveyance; and also your circular address to masters. The indentures I have signed,

and they are witnessed by one of my daughters, (not wishing to go out of my family for a witness to this instrument, on S's account,) one of which will be returned herein. The address of the Managers to masters, I hope and intend to comply with strictly. S. commenced Sunday School yesterday, with my children-and to the same meeting with us, is seated under our sight. She commenced a private day school this morning, under the instruction of a pious female, in company with one of my children. Our Sunday School is attended by classes of society, from those in the first standing, down to the dregs of the lowest kind. From my family I have seven children in the school, one male and two female teachers, and four pupils. S. will have much advantageous preparation for Sunday School at home, from my two daughters, who are teachers, and I trust, Christians.

It cannot be expected I should say much of S's conduct thus early, but for the little time she has been with us, the ready cheerfulness with which she performs the little required of her, has already interested us all very favorably. I hope to be able, hereafter, to give you a further good account of her.

I am very respectfully yours,
(Signed)

R. L. Since which we have been informed that she is doing well, and is a girl of promise.

September, 1827.

M. K., from the Commissioners, aged 12 years the first of April; born in Ireland. Her father and mother are both dead. Between three and four years since, her father, E. K. put her to live with Mr. J. P., a distiller, in this city, where she continued until within a few days since, when Mr. P. informs me that one of his hired men made free with her twice, the last time it was discovered by the servant woman: and as the child was young and had no friends, Mr. P. was fearful she would go to destruction, if she was not secured more closely than lay in his power; consequently obtained legal permission to send her here.

The girl simply states, that some weeks since, S., one of Mr. P's men, threw her on the floor, &c., and that a few days since, he found her in the still house, and threw her on the hogshead, but the servant woman came so soon that he did not effect his purpose. She appears perfectly honest in her confession, says she never stole any thing; and I think if placed in a small careful family, will yet make a good girl to work. Enters seventh Class.

March 5th, 1828, M. is indentured to the Rev. W. G., of S., N. J.

DEAR SIR,-The bearer of this, Mr. N. C. is anxious of obtaining a lad from the House of Refuge, should there be one at present to put out that will suit him. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of my church. He is a farmer in easy circumstances; his family is small, and among the most respectable in this place. So far as I can judge, I think it would be a desirable situation for one of the boys; and hope you will aid him in selecting one of a pleasant disposition, of industrious habits, and in whom confidence can be placed.

Mrs. G. and myself are much pleased with M. K., she is a good girl, respectful, industrious, pleasant, and seems anxious to com

mend herself to our approbation. Her health is good; and from her pleasantness and cheerfulness, I have reason to believe that she is perfectly satisfied with her situation, as an inmate of our family. She frequently speaks with much feeling of the House of Refuge, and in affectionate and grateful terms of yourself and the .matron; and seems to regard it as one of the favored circumstances of her life, that her lot was cast, for a season, in the House of Refuge.

From what I have witnessed in M. connected with her conver sations with Mrs. G. more particularly, I am led to form a high opinion of that interesting institution, over which you preside, and hope that you will feel encouraged still to persevere in your labors of love. Rest assured, my dear sir, that the blessings of many of these unfortunate children and youth, who were ready to perish, will come upon you, and that your instructions and councils are neither forgotten nor disregarded, by many of them, though removed from your watch and care.

March 28th, 1828.

A. E. F., from the Commissioners, aged, she thinks, twelve years the fourth of July last; born in B., of Irish parents. Her father, she says, was first partner and then foreman, to Mr. M'Q., the founder in D. street; but a few months since went to the state of O. Her mother, she says, used to drink so hard, that her father left her, and she then went to live in A, street. This child went to live with a married sister, Mrs. N., in C. street, but was taken ill and went to Trenton. When this child went to live with Mrs. H., in Y. street, near A. street, she says her step-sister, T. B., had her sent here, for going out and staying with different boys, about fourteen and fifteen years of age, in new buildings, at different times. She says that Mrs. H's daughter M. persuaded her to do so, and she used to go also; and the boys would purchase cakes and apples for them-they used to carry on badly in the streets. Enters Eighth Class

March 27-she was indentured to the Hon. L. E-, of D., S. Co., New-York.

December 4th-Senator E., with his lady, called on us this afternoon they speak highly of A., saying she is a good girl, and they are much pleased with her.

August 25, 1828.

M. H., from the Commissioners, aged twelve years last spring; born in B., New-York, of English parents. Her father, J. H., put an end to his existence, in A. M. has no sister living, but five brothers-the mother resides in T. street, takes in washing and goes out to labor by the day.

This little girl has been three years in bad practices, by going with boys, in other girls' company first-speaks of many of the same age and practices, then by degrees with larger boys. As small as she is, and as young as she appears, she has been in the practice of receiving men's company for more than a year. In her time she has been very active and successful in winning other little girls from the paths of virtue. Had finally taken a room with Mrs