Lynchburg Virginian

To the County Court of Campbell

Gentlemen—The unanimity and zeal which mark your measures relative to the poor house, are an ample guarantee to the public, that you will give that system a decisive test. The scheme is very popular thro' the county. Many of the poor are looking forward with pleasure to the completion of the buildings, and there is reason to believe that many idle and profligate men, are divesting themselves of their property, to qualify themselves for a snug retreat in the poorhouse. Thus, without unceasing vigilance and close scrutiny, your patriotic and benevolent exertions will be subjected to extensive abuse.

The following fact is worth your attention; and the gentleman who communicated it to me stands as high for honor and intelligence as any man in the county:

Not a hundred miles south of New London, lives a very old man, who has a mother, older, if possible, than himself. She has been supported by the country for the better half of the last half century, as he, though he has a little farm, that with proper culture would decently maintain both, has been so indolent and so mean-spirited, that her pittance has, in a great measure, supported him too. He is now expressing his prospects in language something like this: 'As soon as they get their houses done, I intend to give my land and all I've got to Bill, and then me and nammy will go to the poor-house.' As he is remarkably lazy, and has a wonderful facility of telling any sort of a tale which may suit his interest, we may presume that he will make the attempt.

There are, doubtless, many poor, destitute creatures who will fare much better in the poor house, than under the control of worthless relatives, who devour the pittance afforded by the county, and furnish them just enough food and clothing of the coarsest kinds to keep soul and body together; but surely it was never intended that the idle and abandoned should find it an asylum of lazy luxury.

JABEZ