that absolutely nullified all the benevolent work which had gone before,
and were literally driven by force of circumstances to their
destruction. The female convicts, from the time of their landing, were
"without shelter, without resources, and without protection. Rations, or
a small amount of provision, sufficient to maintain life, they certainly
had allotted to them daily; but a place to sleep in, or money to obtain
shelter or necessary clothing for themselves, and, when mothers, for
their children, they were absolutely without." An interesting but sad
letter was received by Mrs. Fry from the Rev. Samuel Marsden, chaplain
at Paramatta, New South Wales, and although long, it affords so much
information on this question, that no apology is required for
introducing it here. As the testimony of an eyewitness it is valuable:--

HONORED MADAM,

Having learned from the public papers, as well as from my friends
in England, the lively interest you have taken in promoting the
temporal and eternal welfare of those unhappy females who fall
under the sentence of the law, I am induced to address a few lines
to you respecting such as visit our distant shores. It may be
gratifying to you, Madam, to hear that I meet with those wretched
exiles, who have shared your attentions, and who mention your
maternal care with gratitude and affection. From the measures you
have adopted, and the lively interest you have excited in the
public feeling, on the behalf of these miserable victims of vice
and woe, I now hope the period is not very distant when their
miseries will be in some degree alleviated. I have been striving
for more than twenty years to obtain for them some relief, but
hitherto have done them little good. It has not been in my power to
move those in authority to pay much attention to their wants and
miseries. I have often been urged in my own mind, to make an appeal
to the British nation, and to lay their case before the public.

In the year 1807, I returned to Europe. Shortly after my arrival in
London, I stated in a memorial to His Grace the Archbishop of
Canterbury the miserable situation of the female convicts, to His
Majesty's Government at the Colonial Office, and to several members
of the House of Commons. From the assurances that were then made,
that barracks should be built for the accommodation of th