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voted him thanks for the fidelity with which he had discharged the duties entrusted to him.
At that time, several intelligent and benevolent gentlemen in the city of New-York were much interested in the condition of criminals discharged from prisons, without money, without friends, and with a character so blasted, that it was exceedingly difficult to procure employment.
However sincerely desirous such persons might be to lead a better life, it seemed almost impossible for them to carry their good resolutions into practice.
The inconsiderate harshness of society forced them back into dishonest courses, even when it was contrary to their own inclinations.
That this was a fruitful source of crime, and consequently a great increase of expense to the state, no one could doubt who candidly examined the subject.
To meet the wants of this class of sufferers, it was proposed to form a Prison Association, whose business it should be to inquire into individual cases, and extend such sympathy and assistance as circumstances required.
This subject had occupied Friend Hopper's mind almost as early as the wrongs of the slave.
He attended the meetings, and felt a lively interest in the discussions, in which he often took part.
The editor of the New-York Evening Mirror, alluding to one of these occasions, says: ‘When Mr. Hopper rose to offer some remarks, we thought the burst of applause which ’
Boston, J. P. Jewett and Company; Cleveland, Ohio: Jewett, Proctor and Worthington; London; Low and Company, 1854.
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