Ex-Sea Captain, MA Senator Ashamed Of Divorce Law, Visits School For Idiots For Sale

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Ex-Sea Captain, MA Senator Ashamed Of Divorce Law, Visits School For Idiots:
$295.00

JOHN JENKINS of Falmouth, MA, as a former sea captain, ran a lumber business, was president of the Falmouth National Bank, a pioneer in the Cranberry business and a Massachusetts state senator with strong content on the unconstitutionality of a divorce bill in the state legislature and his visit to school for idiots or “unfortunate beings.”

3 pp, 7 ¾ x 9 ¾, ALS, Boston, March 15, 1850 to his wife.

“...The bill concerning divorce came up again for consideration in the Senate yesterday. The Committee of the Judiciary to whom it had been recommitted reported that it ought not to pass on account of doubts in regard to the constitutionality of its provisions. The bill was debated yesterday and today. Judge Merrick made a most able & eloquent speech against it and even my wife’s husband could not refrain from lifting up his voice against it, telling senators to pause and beware how they brought upon us such a state of society as exists in Paris, where marriage is regarded as a contract to be annulled at the pleasure of the parties but notwithstanding all the arguments, the bill was finally passed by a vote of 21 to 12. This, I conceive, to be the worst thing the legislature has done since I have been a member of it, and I feel really ashamed of it.

“This afternoon I have been to South Boston to visit the school for idiots, and was gratified to witness the improvement made since I was there last year. I believe the state will succeed in teaching very many of the unfortunate beings habits of decency & cleanliness, and to some extent to support themselves...”

Letter is on blue paper, entirely in his hand with beautiful penmanship.

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