Extract from the "Cheapside" Medical Journal.
1849 July 27th At 7 am, The Matron came to inform me of a circumstance that had occurred during the night in the female ward which implicated a young female bearing the name of Lucy Wells.
10am - I held a court in the ward, which was composed of the most respectable married women among the Emigrants Captn Lewis and Mr Wood were in attendance during the whole of the enquiry, and from the evidence adduced before me, I found that the Steward of the Ship had clandestinely entered the female ward and was shewn into the same by a Married Emigrant named Isaac Foster.
It was proved in evidence and acknowledged by Lucy Wells, that the said Steward had connexion with her in the berth where she was lying. Considering Isaac Foster's conduct to be disgraceful as accessory before the fact, he, with Lucy Wells and the Steward were punished, in accordance with the decision of the court and also to shew an example to the rest of the Emigrants.
The punishment awarded was that Lucy Wells's hair be cut off, that she be kept apart from the other young Females during the remainder of the voyage, and be kept on bread and water at the discretion of the Surgeon Superintendent.
Isaac Foster kept in irons on the Poop four hours, the Steward twelve hours. J.A.
10pm-Went round, saw Lucy Wells confined in the Female Hospital under the care of the Matron
----------------------------------
Copy of the letter received from Isaac Foster respecting the case of Lucy Wells, July 27th 1849
Sir,
The Steward came to me just before 11 o'Clock last night, and asked me if I knew where Lucy Wells slept, I told him that I did not, he then asked me if I would try and find out the number of her berth, as he had a bundle of shirts to give her to wash, I then went and asked her brother William if he could tell me but he did not know, I went back to the Steward, he wished to go to Lucy Wells and inquire of herself, went and asked her the number of her berth, she answered that she was not going to sleep in the same berth which she was used to sleep in. I told the Steward, he wished me to go again and find out, I said, that I would not, he said that he wanted the shirts washed very much and after a great deal of persuasion from him I went and asked Miss Wheypool, she told me that the number of Lucy Wells berth was 77, I told the Steward that, and then saw him go into the young women's apartment, he did not come out again directly, so that I went and stood at the after hatchway till he came up, which was about 1/2 past 11, he then went into the Cabin and I saw nothing more of him.
I am very sorry Sir, that any thing of the sort has happened I assure you that I was entirely ignorant of the Stewards Intentions towards Lucy Wells, I did not think that there was anything improper in what I did.
I beg to subscribe myself
Sir, your most obedient, servant
---------------------------------
August 5th - Copy of letter received from Female Emigrant Lucy Wells
To the Surgeon Superintendent
Sir
It is with the deepest regret that I send this to you hoping you will take it as an apology and that you will take the same into your most serious consideration.
I am very sorry for what has happened and am quite ashamed of my past conduct, but if you will be kind enough to allow me my liberty I will take care that nothing of the kind takes place again.
I remain your most humble servant, Lucy Wells X
