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Archiver > BOSTON-STATES > 2001-04 > 0986690181


From: Sharon Sergeant <>
Subject: [Bos-St] 1833 Temperance versus daily rations of spirits
Date: Sat, 7 Apr 2001 17:36:21 -0700 (PDT)


Hi
A Newport RI newspaper reports in March 1833 that a new political party
was forming in Haverhill and other MA towns on the principle that "any
man who does not belong to a Temperance Society shall not receive their
suffrages for office!"

In the same newspaper issue, these general temperance statistics were
given, so it seems like it was a very spirited time for these groups -

Excerpt from American Quarterly Temperance magazine, Albany NY under
direction of NY State Temperance Society history of temperance reform
in this country at request of Prussian government - temperance
societies estimated at 4-5000 with members who have signed the pledge
estimated at 500,000 - 800,000; NY has 1200 societies with 200,000
members - 5000 drunkards reclaimed since 1826, 1500 distilleries
abandoned, 150 inkeepers "discontinued furnishing ardent spirits", 4000
merchants "ceased to keep spiritous liquors", "60,000 farmers and and
many mechanics, perform all their labor without ardent spirit furnished
to their workmen", "...estimated that as many persons now abstain from
the use ... who are not members ... results of this great change are
apparent in the increase of private wealth and happiness, the
diminution of crime, the decrease of taxes for the support of the poor,
and the punishment of criminals. ... Two-thirds of the boats which
navigate the great Hudson and Erie canal, which is 360 miles in length,
use no ardent spirits, their officers and men, many of them being
members of th canal temperance society. ... About 400 vessels now
depart from our harbors with no ardent spirit aboard ... Many whaling
ships have sailed to the Pacific, on a three year cruize with no liquor
... fewer accidents at sea, and the rate of insurance for those ships
which carry no spirit is less, by 5 percent on the premium ..."

However, also in the same issue is the following notice for rations -
with a daily dose of 'spirits' -

Christ. Ellery, Collector's office, port of Newport receiving sealed
proposals until 3/25/1833 for rations to non-commissioned officers and
seaman of US revenue cutter Vigilant (same as Naval service rations)
for 1 year from 4/1/1833 for about 7,000 : Suet (1/4 lb Sun/Thurs),
cheese (2 oz Tues/4 oz Fri), beef (1 1/4 lb Sun& Thurs/1 lb Tues),
pork(1 lb Mon/Wed/Sat), flour(1/2 lb Thurs), bread (14 oz/day),
butter(2 oz Fri), sugar (1 oz/day), tea(4 oz/week), peas(1/2 pint
Mon/Sat), rice(1/2 pint Thurs/Sat), molasses(1/2 pint Fri), vinegar(1/2
pint Sat), spirits(1/2 pint/day). "It is to be understood that the
contractor will be bound to furnish, upon reasonable notice, as often
as may be required by the captain of the cutter, with the approbation
of the collector(not exceeding upon an average one day in each week)
such fresh meat and fresh vegetables, as may be equivalent to the
corresponding parts of the ration allowed in the naval service."

Interesting dichotomy of views in one newspaper issue,

Sharon
http://www.GenealogyFair.com


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