Library Collections: Document: Full Text


Diary Of Laurent Clerc's Voyage From France To America In 1816

Creator: Laurent Clerc (author)
Date: 1816
Publisher: American School for the Deaf
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 2  Figure 3  Figure 4  Figure 5  Figure 6  Figure 7  Figure 8  Figure 9  Figure 10  Figure 11  Figure 12  Figure 13  Figure 14

Previous Page   Next Page   All Pages 


Page 2:

15  

Mr. Clerc was very quick to grasp the English language. In April, 1817, he prepared an address which was delivered by Dr. Gallaudet at the Center Church in Hartford before an assembly of the Governor and both houses of the Legislature of Connecticut and a crowd of citizens. In this paper which dealt with a public examination of the pupils, Clerc showed complete familiarity with the theory and practice of the Abbe de l'Epee and that of his successor, Sicard. He urged that public support for the impartation of education to deaf children be broadcast. Thus began a series of travels over the New England and Middle Atlantic states in which Clerc's assistance was invaluable in raising funds to establish the first free school for the deaf in America.

16  

On April 15, 1817, the first school opened at Hartford, Connecticut, with Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet as its first principal and Laurent Clerc as its first teacher. In addition to his duties as teacher, Clerc assumed the added duties of instructing Gallaudet and new teachers in methods of instructing the deaf and also in the sign language.

17  

In the spring of 1819, Clerc married Miss Elizabeth Boardman, a former pupil. Six children were born to them, two dying in infancy. In later years, Clerc expressed a desire to visit France to renew old acquaintances and to see his relatives. This was readily granted by Gallaudet. He made several trips and each time he returned with renewed strength and courage.

18  

In October, 1821, Clerc was invited to go to the Pennsylvania Institution for the Deaf to act as principal until a permanent one could be found. During his stay there he introduced fully the teaching methods practiced at the Hartford school and gave valuable aid to the teachers. When new schools were established throughout the nation, the staff members came to Hartford to receive instruction from Clerc in his methods of education for the Deaf.

19  

Clerc retired from active teaching in 1858 at the age of 73. From this time till a few months prior to his death he enjoyed life as well as most men of his age. "Happy in his domestic and social relations, he might be seen in the streets and in the post office and reading rooms of Hartford almost everyday, meeting his friends with a pleasant smile and a graceful salutation; and expressing a deep interest in public events relating to the welfare of the country and especially to the prosperity of his beloved asylum."

20  

He died on the 18th of July, 1869, in the eighty-fourth year of his age, respected and honored by all. He ranks as one of the greatest deaf men of all time, and is probably second only to Gallaudet as a benefactor of the deaf of this country.

21  

-Reprinted from the Buff and Blue

22  

A Recital of all that I have done and seen, since my departure from Havre till my arrival at New York. I warn the Reader who may read this relation, that I have not written it for him, but for myself, and particularly to exercise and perfect myself in the English Language. -Laurent Clerc

23  

THE ship named Mary-Augusta the provisions all being ready in the morning of Tuesday the 18th of June 1816, we waited for nothing but the high water to take our departure. In fine, at three o'clock in the afternoon, the tide having risen, we left Havre, a pretty little City of France, surrounded by a crowd of spectators. The persons who knew us wished us a happy voyage and good health. We were in number six passengers without counting the Captain, whose name was Mr. Hall, and twelve strong and skillful sailors. Among the passengers are four Americans, to wit: 1. M. Gallaudet, 2. Mr. Wilder, and two other gentlemen whose names I do not know, and two Frenchmen, to wit: myself and another whom I do not know, and who is very unhappy; he does not understand English. We have pitied him. He has no father, nor mother. He goes to workat New York, where he has some relations.

24  

We left Havre with some difficulty. A Commissioner of the Marine-House came with a soldier to examine our passports. Ours were found correct, those of two other gentlemen not being so, the Commissioner ordered them to leave the ship, to follow him to land and to go to the Marine-House to get their passports vised. They obeyed him, and the soldiers stayed with us, in the Commissioner's absence to have a watchful eye upon us. In about half an hour, our companions returned with their passports corrected. When we were far from Havre, the soldier who watched us, restored us our passports and returned to land. And also Mr. Wilder's friends who had accompanied him in the ship. We soon lost sight of Havre. We descended into our cabin where we supped; after supper, we prayed to God, and after prayer, we wished each other a good evening and went to bed. For my own part, I slept very profoundly.

25  

Wednesday, June the 19th, 1816. I awoke at five o'clock, and I fell asleep again immediately. I awoke again at seven o'clock, and I rose upon the spot, lest I should fall asleep again. I dressed myself, I washed my face and my hands. I combed my head. Afterwards I went to take the air upon deck, and at the same time to rinse my teeth. I soon went again into our cabin where my friends waited for me to breakfast. I sat at table between Mr. Wilder and one of our companions, and over against Mr. Gallaudet. We took off our hats and prayed to God. Our breakfast consisted of coffee, tea, butter, buttered bread,cold meat, fish, radishes, cool eggs, cider and wine. I ate some of all. Mr. Wilder only never takes coffee, nor tea, nor meat. After our breakfast and our prayer, we all ascended upon deck. It was fair weather, the sun lighted the land, but the sea was a little agitated. I cast my eyes upon the ocean and admired God's works. By turns I walked, read, wrote, talked with Mr. Gallaudet and amused myself by fishing or by seeing others fish.

Previous Page   Next Page

Pages:  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18    All Pages