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the consideration of this matter, and I most ardently desire and hope that your active interference may eventually succeed in checking this most serious and destructive evil.
With a view to obtain information as to facts, I lately requested Dr. Whitmore Clarke to ascertain the number of Venereal cases which had occurred in the Winchester in the course of last year, and you will perceive from his letter, herewith enclosed, that the cases treated in this ship alone amounted to one third part of the whole crew, and it may be inferred therefrom that a third part of the seamen generally who come into this Port become diseased.
What an aggregate of suffering, and misery, and loss of life, is herein represented to be the effect of the prevalence of this disease amongst the Women engaged in Prostitution. To say nothing of the inhumanity of allowing an evil of this nature and magnitude to remain unrestricted, how much of mere pecuniary interest and advantage are sacrificed by the defective health, and strength, and vigor, it induces amongst a class whose labors are so costly as those of seamen are.
But the class of seafaring persons are not the only class who suffer and are