Before leaving the subject of the extent of prostitution it may be appropriate to remark that it was considered advisable to ascertain the prevalence of the vice in some of the leading cities of the United States, and, in order to do this effectually, a circular letter was addressed to the Mayors of
| Albany, New York, Baltimore, Maryland, Boston, Massachusetts, Brooklyn, New York, Buffalo, New York, Charleston, South Carolina, Chicago, Illinois, Cincinnati, Ohio, Detroit, Michigan, Hartford, Connecticut, Louisville, Kentucky, Memphis, Tennessee, | Mobile, Alabama, Newark, New Jersey, New Haven, Connecticut, New Orleans, Louisiana, Norfolk, Virginia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Portland, Maine, Richmond, Virginia, Savannah, Georgia, St. Louis, Missouri, Washington, District Columbia. |
(The names printed in italics are those of cities from which replies were received.)
The circular forwarded was as follows:
(Copy.)
“Mayor’s Office, New York City, Sept. 1, 1856.
“To His Honor the Mayor of the City of ———:
“Dear Sir,—Below you will receive from Dr. Sanger a note containing a few questions concerning Prostitution and Prostitutes in your city, which I shall feel obliged if you will have the kindness to answer.
“Very truly yours,
“Fernando Wood, Mayor New York City.”
“Dear Sir,—During the past six months, with the aid of His Honor, Mayor Wood, of this city, and the police force at his command, I have been collecting materials for a report on Prostitution, as it exists in New York at the present time. I inclose you a list of questions that have been asked all the women examined here.[401] Of course I do not expect that you will or can give answers to these questions from the prostitutes in your city, but I would wish to have your replies to the following queries: