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Letter to Editor
December 20, 1765
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In a 1765 letter to the New-Hampshire Gazette, Philoptocus from Portsmouth poses queries urging the town to provide employment for destitute women and poor residents amid trade decline, arguing it would save resources, prevent begging and theft, and fulfill moral duties.
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PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 20.
To the Printers of the New-Hampshire-Gazette.
Please to insert the following Queries, which, if well consider'd, may be of some Service to the Town, and you will oblige one of your constant Friends,
Philoptocus.
1. Are there not many of the female Sex, in the Town of Portsmouth, in such destitute circumstances, that they cannot find employ for themselves in this time of so great decay of trade and business?
2. Must not such persons be maintained, by one means or other, out of the general produce of the labor of the town?
3. Would it not be a real saving to the Town, if such persons were encouraged to earn their own living, by some useful labor; and some employ were found for such as cannot find any for themselves; when it may be done, and that at a small expence, so that they may procure a maintenance for themselves?
4. Suppose two Towns of equal numbers, and equal advantage, one of which takes care to find employment for all its poor inhabitants, and the other leaves them to beg or steal for their living? which of these Towns in a number of years would be the richest?
5. If some care is not taken to promote industry among the poor inhabitants of this Town, can we wonder if our Streets should be filled with Beggars, or our Property exposed more and more to Thieves, or that the distress of many honest persons should be daily increasing?
6. Is it not as great a crime in a Town, as in a private person, to be deaf to the cries of the poor, or neglect to make the most prudent provision for their relief?
Portsmouth December 18. 1765.
To the Printers of the New-Hampshire-Gazette.
Please to insert the following Queries, which, if well consider'd, may be of some Service to the Town, and you will oblige one of your constant Friends,
Philoptocus.
1. Are there not many of the female Sex, in the Town of Portsmouth, in such destitute circumstances, that they cannot find employ for themselves in this time of so great decay of trade and business?
2. Must not such persons be maintained, by one means or other, out of the general produce of the labor of the town?
3. Would it not be a real saving to the Town, if such persons were encouraged to earn their own living, by some useful labor; and some employ were found for such as cannot find any for themselves; when it may be done, and that at a small expence, so that they may procure a maintenance for themselves?
4. Suppose two Towns of equal numbers, and equal advantage, one of which takes care to find employment for all its poor inhabitants, and the other leaves them to beg or steal for their living? which of these Towns in a number of years would be the richest?
5. If some care is not taken to promote industry among the poor inhabitants of this Town, can we wonder if our Streets should be filled with Beggars, or our Property exposed more and more to Thieves, or that the distress of many honest persons should be daily increasing?
6. Is it not as great a crime in a Town, as in a private person, to be deaf to the cries of the poor, or neglect to make the most prudent provision for their relief?
Portsmouth December 18. 1765.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Ethical Moral
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Social Issues
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Portsmouth Poverty
Destitute Women
Employment For Poor
Promote Industry
Begging Thieves
Moral Duty Town
What entities or persons were involved?
Philoptocus
The Printers Of The New Hampshire Gazette
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Philoptocus
Recipient
The Printers Of The New Hampshire Gazette
Main Argument
the town should provide employment for destitute women and poor inhabitants to enable self-support, prevent begging and theft, save public resources, and fulfill moral obligations, especially amid trade decline.
Notable Details
Posed As Numbered Queries
Hypothetical Comparison Of Two Towns
References Decay Of Trade And Business