long voyages to sea, where they will arrive to manhood in this honest and industrious calling-hoping that on their return, those bubbles and toys, that in their youth glistened in their eyes like 'the diamond, will have lost their charms. Some, it is true, have disgraced themselves, and brought sorrow to the hearts of the managers of this institution, who devote much of their time by day and by night, for the interest of these unfortunate Juvenile Delinquents, without fee or reward, other than the satisfaction they must experience, at having done all in their power to reclaim and to save them, by placing them in a way to obtain a respectable and honest livelihood. Yet, on the other hand, they are cheered to see now and then a hearty and hardy Tar return from his voyage-and passing even his own relatives to come up with his certificate of good conduct from his captain, or the merchant, first to greet his kind benefactors at the Refuge. I now recollect two boys who once afforded but little hope. They are now mates of ships out of this port, one of whom is entrusted with large amounts of valuable property, and is considered to be a young man of the strictest integrity. "As to the children occasionally returned upon our hands, while we are compelled to say some are unworthy of the stations they were placed in-yet with all the vigilance and industry of our Indenturing Committee, who spare no pains to obtain information, not only of the respectability, but fitness of the families of persons applying to them for apprentices from the Refuge, yet sometimes children are unhappily located-or more is expected from them than it is reasonable to require of children of their age. A striking instance at this moment occurs to my mind. A gentleman of respectability obtained a little girl. His family became so dissatisfied with her, that the gentleman put her out to board for a short time, until he could make application to the Indenturing Committee, and have an opportunity of returning her to the Refuge, which he did with an appearance of strong dislike, &c. All were fully satisfied that his complaints were without just grounds, and after retaining her a few months, another favorable opportunity offered to send her to the West. After she had been out several months the second time, the gentleman's brother came (a few days since) nearly three miles, to tell us how highly his brother and family were pleased with the little girl, and that she was the admiration of the neighborhood. "From one neighborhood in Massachusetts, we have lately had an account from five boys, who are all doing well, and were very much beloved. In one place in Connecticut, six of our boys are all doing well; and, gentlemen, I could fill a little volume with interesting facts like the foregoing, as we always keep an account of parentage, former life, conduct in the House, reports from their masters after being indentured, and even after they are free, married and settled in business, with great care and precision, and have now rising eight hundred of these histories of cases that have fallen to our care. I will close by furnishing you with a few extracts from the books of the past year, showing the effects of this beneficent public charity. "Respectfully yours, N. C. HART." SELECTION OF CASES AND LETTERS From Apprentices, and from Persons to whom Apprentices have been bound. BOYS. September 18, 1829. C. D., from a court of Oyer and Terminer, held in Albany, in and for the county of Albany, aged 18 years the 11th inst., born on the island of Guernsey, of English parents; his mother died in Guernsey, twelve or thirteen years ago; his father moved to P. several years since. Not long after, moved back to V. Some short time previous to his father's death, he had put C. D. as an apprentice to Mr. where he continued four years; had learned the trade so that he could make cream cups, silver spoons, &c.-became acquainted with a boy about 15 years of age. M. C. proposed leaving that place for the north; C. D. said he had no money; C. replied that he had sixty dollars. They started the 7th of June last. The first stop they made was with P. M. in Broadway, four days; they then went to Albany, put up with Mr. J. They stayed there about a week, and then cleared out without paying their board; went to Troy, put up with Mr. P. three days, paid their board and started for Waterford: put up with Mr. H. F. a short time, and cleared without paying their bill. They then started for Albany, took lodgings with Mr. C., told him they had no money, but they were to write to Washington for some; stopped one week, walked out to Rensselaer Ville, and put up with C. T. Not having any cash, they were asked for money; C. D. pawned his watch, which, according to calculation, would defray their expenses for several days, (subject to be redeemed for $8); but in about two days they arose before day, contrived to get into the bar room, took the landlord's pocket book containing $12 50 cents in cash, and several promissory notes. C., as it rained, helped himself to a cloak, and on they started, (this was the 4th of July.) They were pursued and taken near Coeyman's Landing, with the money on them, having thrown away the pocket book and papers. C. was bailed out for $500; went home, and forfeited the bond. C. D. remained and was found guilty, and sentenced here. He says during the four years that he was with his master, he in a few instances picked up scraps, made gold rings and sold them; his master knew of it twice, but only reproved him. Entered the 8th class. On the re-examination which took place, I judge about three months after the foregoing, he says that he was a bad boy, would play truant from school, &c.; feels deeply impressed that his bad conduct was the leading cause of his father's death, and shows much contrition for his past misconduct. When this boy first came here, he was very troublesome, and showed a strong disposition to avail himself of the first opportunity to make his escape, and gave us much anxiety; but in a few months, we can truly say, the Lion became (from every appearance) a Lamb; he became humble and pliable, of a quiet and meek spirit; a lover of his Bible and of his closet; would gather the smaller boys around him during play hours, in the school hall, read some good book, and converse so sweetly about good things, that he had much influence with them; as he was large and somewhat advanced in years, we felt it our duty to give him a fair probation. He was in due time, indentured to a Blacksmith in U. I saw a gentleman from that neighborhood, who informed me that he was an admirable boy, his life was an example for the neighborhood. The following is the copy of a letter from E. F., a little Irish boy, whose father is dead, and whose mother is very intemperate: in consequence of which she was expelled her humble abode, not being able to pay her rent; they were found in the street, without house or home, by the Commissioners. This boy having been guilty of some little improprieties, was sent here as a vagrant, in July, 1828; and in about nine months was indentured to Mr. B. M., farmer of M. M. December 7, 1830. "MY DEAR MOTHER.-Your letter dated the 26th of January last, was received by my friend, Mr. M., it has given me great pleasure. I have been well through summer and fall: I have attended Sunday School regularly; I am well pleased with my place; yet, dear mother, I wish you good health, and sister, and uncle, and friends; likewise I wish you to let me know how you are; I like my master and his family very well so far; I expect to go to day school this winter; I am going to have a suit of new clothes this christmas; I have learned to ride on horseback pretty well; I have plenty of good food and raiment; I have seen D. F., he is well, and lives two miles from us; if I live, and be a good boy, I expect to go to New-York, and see you and my sisters, and perhaps some of my friends too; we have had a very fine fall in this country; we are privileged with plenty of nuts and apples. Mr. M., has a large fine ox, and when he takes him to New-York, he will be dressed with ribbons. Dear mother, I give my best respects to all my friends and acquaintances. Dear mother don't give yourself any uneasiness on my account. I am hearty, well, and contented, and hope to see you again before long. I remain your affectionate son. E. F. The following is at the bottom of E. F's letter, written by his master, Mr. M. E. appears to be well pleased with his place, and we like him very well; we think he is full as smart, and trusty, as common for boys of his age. This letter is his own hand writing and composition. Yours, &c. N. C. Hart. B. M. The following letter was received from G. S., who was indentured to a Mr. S., in D. Co., New-York, farmer, nearly four years ago, and may be interesting. His father is dead, and his mother is a poor, low, miserable drunkard. Mr. N. C. HART,-Dear Friend, I take this opportunity to write to you these few lines. I am well, and hope this will find you so too, and all my mates, and I hope they will all behave well, and get good places, and when they get them, I hope they will stick to them. I have stuck by Mr. S., and have "done as well as I knew how" so far. I have got the promise of a farm when my time is out. My dear mother, I hope, is well, and my brothers and sisters too. My time will soon be out, and I will come and see you all. Mr. Hart, please write to me, and tell me where my mother and brothers and sisters are, and how they are doing. I should like to hear from all. Yours, &c. J. M. [This poor boy's prospect of having a farm on shares when his time is out, connected with the tender interest manifested in behalf of his mother, brothers and sisters, comes home to our feelings. N. C. H.] 1826, Dec. 2, H. C., from the Commissioners, aged 15 years, born in New-York. He, commenced a wild career very young, was, by his father, turned over to the Commissioners of the Alms House as a vagrant. Alderman Burtis bound him out in the country. He soon ran away from his place, and returned to his father, who sent him to school; but he played truant about the streets. He was then put with a cabinet maker, as an apprentice, in a short time was sent with a piece of furniture, received the money, and ran away, and in fact he could not be kept by his father nor masters from running at large. He said his first theft was committed five years ago, by stealing a shilling from his father. He stole a silver watch from one of his father's boarders. In offering it for sale, he was mistrusted, and taken. The watch was obtained by the owner, and he severely punished by his father. Soon after, he procured a key that opened a trunk belonging to the same man from whom he had stolen the watch, where he found a sum of money in bank bills;-he took them, but was detected before he left the house. His father then locked him up for two or three months, and kept him on bread and water; but notwithstanding, he frequently afterwards pilfered small amounts from his father, and sometimes when sent on errands with money, would run away with it, and be gone from home several days at a time. The last time, he was absent a month, carrying wood, begging, &c., when his friends had him taken up, and sent here as a vagrant. H. was not a bad dispositioned boy, nor was he very troublesome to manage; yet, after keeping him here two years and a half, we could not feel that confidence in his integrity, which warranted us in binding him out in the country. Consequently, in June, 1829, as an opportunity offered, he was sent on a whaling voyage. The following is a copy of a letter sent by him to the Superintendent: Sante Jago, July 25, 1830. Mr. N. C. HART,-Dear Friend, I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well, and hope you enjoy the same blessing. I am now on my second voyage;-when I return, I will come and see you. There being a brig near us bound to New-York, I thought it a favourable time to let you know where I was, and how I come on. I am hearty as a buck; I never will forget what you have done for me. I remember what you told me--"H, you are going to sea, but remember there is seldom a rose without a thorn." *At which he was very much pleased, If I live, when I return I shall come and see you with pleasure. I saw J. M., who has gone round Cape Horn the second voyage. I am on board the same ship, the old Congress forever. We got last year, 1300 barrels of oil. We have three pots and four boats. We are determined to get a voyage. We are going to the Cape of Good Hope; of late we call it the Cape of Storms, where there is many a bitter blow. If we do not get a load, we are going to double the Cape, and cruise for the Spanish coast. We are in hopes to return by next March, with a full cargo of oil. When I return to Nantucket, I will let you know. I leave my blessing with you. H. C., a Refuge boy in the ship C. Feb. 18, 1830. H. J. was received from the Police, aged 10 years, the 4th of Julyt last; born in New-York, of Irish parents. They are both dead, and he has been two years in the Orphan Asylum. His sister, the wife of J. S., took him, thinking that she could do for him. But it appears that her husband drank. He received a coat to mend, which he pawned, and for which he was sued; he threw all the blame and disgrace upon his wife, wrongfully. Feeling herself so disgraced, she told her husband to clear out, and went herself to service. Consequently, the care of H. devolved on his brother T., a stone cutter; but he not being married, put him as an apprentice, first to G. W., a butcher, to whom he was so disobedient and saucy, that he would not keep him. Next his brother put him to live with a Mr. a shoe maker, where he remained two weeks, and ran away. On application of his brother to the Police, they sent him here as a vagrant. He hardly knew his letters, and a more scurvy looking little object of pity, we have seldom received. But it was soon found, that all that he required to make him a first rate boy, was proper discipline, with regularity and some encouragement. He soon rose to the class of honor, and a more faithful, respectful, industrious child, we could not desire. In about nine months, he was indentured to who has sent us the following letter: of Dec. 13, 1830. Dear Sir,--I now sit down to drop you a few lines respecting the boy who was indented to me by you on the 23d of October last, and thereby fulfil my promise. As respects the boy, I certainly am much pleased with him; and as far as my observations have extended, must say, that his willingness to make himself useful, exceeds the ordinary run of boys. As yet, I have not selected a school for him, but think of doing so in a few days, as the winter is the most convenient time for me to spare him. He tells the family he would rather stay than return, notwithstanding he has to work hard. Should you, or any other person, who is, (or ought to be,) interested in the boy's welfare, be passing through this section of the country, I should like you to call. Your Obedient Servant, August 21, 1829. O. P., from a court of Special Sessions held in this city, aged 12 + When we cannot ascertain what month or day they were born, we always put it the 4th of July.-N. C. H. |