(Copy.)
“Newark, N. J., October 4, 1856.
“Wm. W. Sanger, M.D.:
“Dear Sir,—I can not make any excuse for not answering your letter of inquiry that will justify me. (Yours of September 1st was unfortunately mislaid.)
“Our population in 1855 was 55,000 by census.
“We have no houses of ill fame in our city; none of assignation; there are no public prostitutes.
“It may appear strange to you that the above should be the case, but there is good reason for it. From the best information that I can get there are perhaps fifty private prostitutes in this city, composed of girls living at service or as seamstresses, but who conduct themselves so as not to be known. Our city is so near to New York that as soon as a girl turns out she makes her way to it, where associations and congenial amusements make it more agreeable. It is rather singular, but so soon as it becomes known that a girl is loose, she is marked and followed in the streets by half-grown boys hooting at and really forcing her to leave town. Occasionally it is made known to the police that a couple of girls staid a night or two at some boarding-house, when they are arrested as vagrants, or warned off, and they are gone.
“New York being so much greater field for them, they are the least of our troubles. Truly and respectfully yours,
“H. J. Poinier, Mayor.”
New Haven, Conn.