Ware, John F. W. (John Fothergill Waterhouse) (1818-1881) to the women of New England

To the Women of New England
WE appeal to you in behalf of the UNITED-STATES, SANITARY COMMISSION. This Commission has its.
head at Washington, and Agencies in New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Cincinnati, Wheeling, and Louisville. It originated at the beginning of the war, in the desire to meet and avoid, for our army, the terrible evils which decimated the Crimean army. Its duties are partly preventive -such as inspecting and reforming camp arrangements, where bad situation, bad drainage, and bad cooking are worse foes to the soldier than those met in battle. It makes good, in a measure, the deficiency of government supplies to the hospitals - those being limited, in many cases, to bed and pillow-so that the men lie in tie clothes in which they were wounded. it, gives its aid whenever and wherever it is most needed; furnishing clothes to the naked, and decent comfort, to the sick; getting pay for those unable to attend at official hours; following in the steps of the Government - as a woman may often in those of a man - alleviating where it cannot prevent; working in season and out of season, for humanity's and mercy's sake.
The Commission appeals to the women of the country for its support. It is authorized, but not paid by Government - it has not an article supplied to it by Government. Let us, in our fortunate and well-ordered New England, give freely to this Agency, which works for the whole country. We are proud of sending our troops well provided; our governors and mayors go to Washington to look after our sick and wounded; let us then work for the Commission, which is the friend of the sick and wounded from the whole Union; and give thankfully, if not for our own sons and brothers, for those who are sons of our country, and brethren of all loyal women.
The NEW-ENGLAND WOMEN'S AUXILIARY ASSOCIATION is an authorized branch of the Sanitary Commission in Boston. Dr. Howe, its Agent in Boston, is one of its chief officers, and works in concert with us. Its object is to get from every woman of New England such assistance as she is able to give, in money, clothes, socks, yarn, feathers, or other available materials. Much has been given, but we believe ten times as much may be had. Send us whatever you can give. Every article which we forward is marked, so that it is not liable to be lost or sold; and so that the person who receives it may know whence it comes. We sort and classify all that we forward, so that when received it may be registered, and used as needed, thereby saving much time and expense at Washington. Do not be afraid of over-supply. Mr. F. L. OLMSTED, the accurate Secretary of the Commission, says in a letter of November 16th, to the Women's Relief Society of New York, -- "There are at least 300,000, and perhaps 600,000 men now standing in hostile array in Virginia and Maryland. If we should undertake to provide hospital-clothing for only 40,000, it would take more than two years to accumulate, at tie rate of supply of-the last fortnight - which is better than ever before - a sufficient provision of it, even if during that time we gave out none at all."
Our Rooms are at No. 22 Sumner Street. All packages and boxes should be addressed to the New-England Women's Auxiliary Association, 22 Summer Street, Boston.
Every letter addressed to the Executive Committee of the New-England Women's Auxiliary Association will be answered, and all parcels acknowledged by the Committee, as we wish to save the cost of printed acknowledgments.
A person will be at the Rooms each day, to answer, inquiries, furnish patterns, and give such information as is desired; and those who send us contributions are requested to come and see our fashions of working.
So far as possible, express to Boston should be paid. A very economical arrangement has been made by Dr. Howe for forwarding our goods from Boston to Washington.
To every woman we say, Help us - help this central, national authorized Agency for the care of the sick and wounded soldiers. You who have done much will be the readiest to do more; but do not rest with having done all you can; stir up your neighbors, inform those who are ignorant of these arrangements, put system and cooperation 'into your work, and we promise you that no article intrusted to us shall be diverted from its purpose, and not it cent wastefully or unnecessarily spent.
Officers of the Association.

DR. JOHN WARE , …… PRESIDENT. REV. RUFUS ELLIS, …… SECRETARY.
DR., S. G. HOWE, ……VICE PRESIDENT. MR. GEORGE HIGGINSON, …….TREASURER

Executive Committee. - Miss APPLETON, Mrs. MANTON EASTDURN, Miss GRAY, Mrs. O. W. HOLMES, Miss HUNT, Miss ABBY W. MAY, Mrs. S. PARKMAN, Miss SARAH WILLIAMS.
Industrial Committee.- Mrs. F. W. ANDREWS, Miss BREWER, Miss ISABELLA CURTIS, Mrs. HUNT, Miss LORING, Mrs. B. F. WHITE, Jr.
Financial Committee. - Mrs. G. H. SHAW, Mrs. J. C. JOHNSON, Mrs. LYMAN NICHOLAS, Mrs. S. JOHNSON, Jr., Mrs. GEORGE NICHOLAS , Mr. J. M. BARNARD, Mr. G. O. HOVEY, Mr. J. M. BEEBE, Mr. J. INGERSOLL BOWSDITCH, Mr. F. W. ANDREWS,. Mr. CHARLES DALTON, Mr. ARTHUR LYMAN, and the TREASURER.