This
is an extract from
“Defoe’s Voyage Around the World”
---by W. Sheills
Volume 111 pages 246-257- written and published 1787.
The following narrative was lately published in a Provincial paper, as it is
a very interesting relation, I trust it will be acceptable to the reader.
In consequence of the late determination of Government to find some convicts to
a design of establishing a colony in New
South
Wales, an order lately came down to the keeper of
Norwich Gaol, to send
such female convicts as were then in prison to Plymouth, to be in readiness
to go upon that expedition.
Three unhappy women, who had been a long
while in the castle under
sentence
of transportation, were accordingly sent and were committed to the
care of Mr. Simpson
turnkey of the prison.
One of the unfortunate females was the mother of an infant about five months
old, a very fine babe, whom she had suckled from its birth.
The father of the child was likewise a felon under a similar sentence, and
has been in prison more than three years.
He had repeatedly expressed a wish to be married to this woman, and
though seldom permitted to
see the child, he discovered a remarkable
fondness for it; and that the mother's only comfort was
derived from its smiles, as evident from her peculiarly tender manner of nursing
it.
When the order came down for her removal, the man was much distressed,
and very importunate to
attend the woman, and application was made to
the minister to permit him to go, but so many
similar applications having
been made, this could not be complied with.
The miserable woman was therefore obliged to go without the man, who offered
to be her husband,
that he might be her companion and
protector during a long and melancholy voyage, and in a
distant and unknown
lands.
The child, however, was still her property, as the laws of
spirit of humanity which framed them, forbid so
cruel an act as that of separating an infant
from its mother's breast.
When Mr. Simpson arrived at
a hulk, which lies there, the ship which goes to the
South sea is ready to take them. He therefore
took a boat and went to the vessel to deliver up his prisoners. Some forms,
which the Gaoler of
take them and these miserable creatures were kept three hours in an open
boat, before they were
received into their new abode of wretchedness.
When they were admitted, the captain finding that one of them had an infant
Pre-emptorily refused to take it on board saying that he had no orders to take
children,
neither the entreaties of Mr. Simpson, nor
the agonies of the poor wretch could prevail
upon the Captain even to permit the babe to remain till instructions could be
received
from the ministry. Simpson was therefore obliged to take the child and the
frantic
mother was led to her cell, execrating the cruelty of the man under whose care
she was
now placed and vowing to put an end to her life as soon as she could obtain the
means.
Shocked at the unparalleled brutality not less affected by the agonies of the
poor
woman he resolved still, if possible to get it restored to her. No way was left
but by
immediate application to Lord Sydney; and having once before been with His
Lordship
on a business of humanity, he was encouraged to hope he would succeed, could he
have
an interview with him.
He
therefore immediately went back to
the first coach to
different inns he arrived at, as well as he could. When he came to
child with a careful woman and instantly posted to Lord Sydney; neither His
Lordship
or his Secretary were to be spoken to, at least this was told him when he
addressed the
persons in waiting at the office; but humanity will not be restrained by forms
acting
under the influence of superior power, it moves forward unchecked by the fear of
fending any earthly one.
Mr. Simpson was denied admittance, but in vain, for he pressed forward into one
of the
offices, and told his story to one of the Secretaries who attended properly to
it, and
promised to do all in his power to promote the object of his humane petition,
but feared
it would be impossible for him to see Lord Sydney for several days; he begged
however
of this gentleman to
prepare an order for the restoration of the child, and determined to
wait
in the hall for the chance of seeing his
Lordship pass, that he might prevail
on him
to sign it.
Fortunately, not long
after, he saw Lord Sydney descend the stairs; he instantly ran to
him. His Lordship very
naturally showed an unwillingness at first to attend to an
application made to him
in so strange and abrupt a manner; but Mr. Simpson
immediately related the
reason for his intrusion, and described as he felt, the exquisite
misery he had lately
been a witness to, expressing his fears, least in the instant he was
pleading for her, the
unhappy woman, in the voidness of her despair, should have
deprived herself of
existence.
Lord Sydney was greatly affected, and paid much attention to the particular
circumstances of his narration, and instantly promised the child should be
restored,
commenting at the same time on Mr, Simpson's spirit and humanity.
Encouraged by this, he made further appeal to His Lordship's humanity on behalf
of
the father of the child, which proved equally successful; for His Lordship
ordered, that
he should likewise be sent to
directing at the same time ,that they should be married before they went aboard;
and
adding, that he would himself pay the fee.
One of His Lordship's Secretaries wrote immediately to
might be informed of the success of Mr. Simpson's application; and he after
visiting the
child, and giving directions that it might be taken care of in his absence, set
off for
to the unhappy father of the child.
The poor man who is a fine healthy young fellow seemed very grateful to Lord
Sydney
and to Mr. Simpson, was made very happy by this change of circumstances and it
is
hoped that he may, not withstanding his past situation, turn out a useful
individual of
the new community.
He set off on Friday night accompanied by Mr. Simpson, who after the fatigue,
anxieties, and vexation of his first journey to
and three nights without sleep, no doubt will be amply recompensed by the
satisfaction
he must experience, in having thus been the means of rescuing these unhappy
people
from a situation of distress scarcely to be equaled.
It is proper to observe, that Captain Phillip, who is to go out with the
convicts to
narrative; but he, unfortunately had no power to interfere.
The conclusion of the above relation cannot be more properly given than in the
words of
Mr. Simpson himself, who wrote the following letter to a Gentleman in
Dear Sir
It is with the utmost pleasure that I inform you of my safe arrival with my
little charge at
I am, with great
respect.
Your humble servant.
John Simpson