Item Doc 143 - Autograph letter, signed, from Joseph Soul to Thomas Clarkson, from New Broad Street

Offers a critique of a piece written by Clarkson, the 'Grievances of Seamen.' Notes that Clarkson has overlooked a recent law which has been used by police magistrates for the registry of seamen. Suggests that this would make it very easy for all captains to report to Customs a list of absentees. Discusses lodging houses for sailors and recommends that the accommodation be in the hands of magistrates rather than the clergy as they are able to use the police to make enquiries. Notes the importance of rules and that the lodgings should be temperance houses. Recommends the founding of marine schools for sailors in every port, partly to keep sailors from drunkenness, along with a hospital. Would be keen to see every lodging house and every ship have a small library, which would include religious texts, and that ministers should be available for all lodging houses. Thinks that sailors only wish to be treated as rational and accountable beings and can, on the whole, be men of temperance.