The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-11

RMIaRANr REFUaK-coNpTTIoN OF THE RMIoRANr


| EMIoRANr REFUaR-coNpITIoN OF THE EMIoRANrs
STATISTICS, &C.
The majority of our citizens have but yer,
faint idea of the Emigrant's Refuge, on Ward
Island,-the large number Of destitute emigranti
provided for daily, and the immense quantity of food
consumed will, by reference to the table annexed,
show to the reader the benefits the emgrans receive
by the establishment of this institution Thousands
are arriving weekly, and among that number are
many women with large families Of small children,
N search of their husbands, who, on landing, are
without money to proceed on their journey,
and too frequently, when landed this shore, Attic
ted with sickness. The poor creatures are then
forthwith conveyed, by the commissioners, to the
island, where every medical attention is paid to
them, good food and raiment is bountifuy provided;
and when able to proceed their journey, are pro-
vided with money, through Mr.. William A. Bayley,
the very competent and gentlemanly agent,-their
expenses are paid, and are directly forwarded to
their destination. Men and women are frequently
sent west to their relatives and friends, and their
expenses paid, with an understanding that when
they earn the amount advanced, they must remit it
back and we'll to say, that scarcely week passes
but what Mr.. B,yley receives letters containing
money from some one of the emigrants whose ex-
penses had been advanced to- forward their passage
west. These funds are again applied to the same be
nev0lent purposes. Many Of the emigrsnts die from
fever and other diseases contracted on board ship,
leaving orphan children, who are all provided for in
the most suitable manner.
A few days ago. We made q visit to the Emil
grant Refuge, and was much pleased with the very
excellent manner in which each depart ment was
conducted, under the immediate supervision of Mr.:
Joseph WesteIf field, the Warden, who, from all
appearances, is q person admirably fitted for the
position he holds. The island itself is beautiful,
healthy location, situated in the Harlem river, be-
tween Manhattan Island and Westchester county,
and the buildings erected thereon are all built in
the most commodious manner-the windows so
arranged that a perfect ventilation is constantly
carried on In the nursery and schoolhouse, under
the superintendance Of Mr.. VIM. z. Body and
his lady, every department exhibited itself il per-
feet order Here the children are classified, and,
If only on the island for day or two, book is
placed in their hands, and their educ alton at
tended to during their stay 1t often happens that
the orphan and half orphan children, Of good ap-
pearahce, are adopted by benevolent persons We
witnessed a very fine looking girl, about six years
very wealthy lady residing in this city. In this de-
partment, steam or hot water apparatus has been
erected, at cost Of eight thousand dollars for the
purpose of heating the rooms to regular tempe
nature, during the winter season. The ajority Of
the inmates, as will be seen by the annexed STA
tistics, are sick of some disease, in the hospital,
which is about the average, as the healthy portion
are more readily enabled to obtain employment.
the island weekly, and not only have we this tide
of adopted citizens populating the country, but
large number of natives are ushered into the world
on this island, as we witnessed near hundred
anxious mothers near their confinement in the
lying-in department.
Not only have the Commissioners to provide for
those en- the island, bat large number Of widows,
with large families, who prefer to be in the city,
and by the monthly allowance Of some three four
dollars, enough to pay their rent the poor mother
seeks work to provide food for herself and children
Many of them prefer this mode to a residence on
the island, and the Commissioners ais, find the ex-
penses less In all cases the Commissioners are re-
sponsble for their support for the term of Eve years
after landing. AT the Emigrant Depot, in Canal
street, they keep hand from six to eight hundred
emigrants, men and women, awaiting employment;
many of them feel willing to go west, to seek work,
bu. have not the means Farmers and others in
want Of aid call at this depot, select servants, and
convey them home at their own expense. In this
way, hundreds are daily provided with work, and
are taken off the hands Of the Commissioners,
thereby making room for the next corners.