On the day before our
ship sailed, while the crew were getting their chests and clothes on
board, he went down into the forecastle and spoke to them about the
voyage, the clothing they would need, the provision he had made for
them, and saw that they had a lamp and a few other conveniences. If
owners or masters would more generally take the same pains, they would
often save their crews a good deal of inconvenience, beside creating a
sense of satisfaction and gratitude, which makes a voyage begin
under good auspices, and goes far toward keeping up a better state
of feeling throughout its continuance.
It only remains for me now to speak of the associated public efforts
which have been making of late years for the good of seamen: a far
more agreeable task than that of finding fault, even where fault there
is. The exertions of the general association, called the American
Seamen's Friend Society, and of the other smaller societies throughout
the Union, have been a true blessing to the seaman; and bid fair, in
course of time, to change the whole nature of the circumstances in
which he is placed, and give him a new name, as well as a new
character.
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