The Westcott family was among the early settlers of Saratoga Springs. Members of the family were known for their active participation in the temperance movement. That fervor is well documented in this very long letter from John Westcott to John N. Smith, Postmaster, Wethersfield, NY. That the writer is well educated is demonstrated by his high quality penmanship and vocabulary—“…hold correspondence with you although between us the distance is considerable yet the power of locomotion soon overcomes it and the cheapness of postage obviates the burdensome…” The letter contains news of family matters, but the main content concerns his strong feelings regarding temperance.

Some quotes regarding his position on temperance: “I feel grateful that I sit clothed in my right mind while I see others staggering under the influence of alcoholic poisons, a slave to its bewitching influences.”

“…moral reason is all that ought to convince the mind of the pernicious consequences of the use of intoxicating drinks; that as friends of equal rights every democrat should contend for that right and a surrender of the right to retail liquors...”

“…my mind is sedately convinced and firmly fixed in opposition both to its (alcohol) use as a beverage and as an article of commerce…I am religiously prepared to vote against its use, its retail and also against its being given away as beverage fir the reason that it is a foolish habit, that its use predisposes to intoxication paralyzing the powers and facilities…”

In addition, the letter talks of the incarceration of someone named Cole. We do not know if he is a family member or not, nor do we know the charge. However, Westcott launches into a strong sermon on the “doctrines of the dark and barbarous ages when priests only were allowed to reason and explain scripture when one who has been chained down by the dogmas of a vindictive god, the notion of a hell of liquid fire and brimstone as a place of punishment in a fettered existence…”.

Westcott is deeply religious and dedicated to his beliefs. He cites many chapters of scripture. A long and stirring easy to read missive containing many more temperance and religious messages.

Related information of interest:

Saratoga Division, Sons of Temperance, was first instituted in 1843. Another division was organized in 1858. This letter, while not dated, appears to have been written about this time.

The letter has some faults…separations, dirty surfaces and some stains…the price is based on the content. Solid and full Saratoga Springs, NY, MAR 24 postmark. There is no year date.