In his First Vindicating Letter to Sir G.Grey (1847) Chadwick gave priority to preventive policy. For him the measures of prevention were that "I should have confidently relied upon for strong public support". But the Poor Law Commissioners chose rather to alleviate. But it did not result in any cure. To cure one had to prevent and to prevent one must investigate all the contributory soueces of pauperism. It was "only necessary to go a few links or a few steps back beyond the range of popular discussion and legislation when we are brought upon causes which, upon due investigation, are found to be preventable and frequently and generally with large pecuniary economy". His memorandum entitled Instruction for entering the causes of pauperism showed his preference of prevention to alleviation. Involuntary pauperism happens "where the destitute person has fallen from circumstances which ordinary prudence could not have avoided". One must see "whether the pauper has been sober, steady, and industrious and do others of the same wages provide for themselves without coming on the parish". Based on his distinction of voluntary from involuntary pauperism, he states that orphan children, brought up in a mixed workhouse, or badly taught by the workhouse teacher, might become perpetual burdens on the rates ot "get on the streets to burthen the public at large by crime and vice, as thieves, prostitutes and mendicants". One of the possible causes of pauperism is accidents. Was the accidents preventible, by whome, workman or employer? At the time, nearly 11,000 people died annually by acts of violence, and pauperism might have been a result of fight. If disease was the cause, it might be occupational: if so, it was isurable. If it was a case of fever, it might result from bad drainage. Who are responsible fot it? Doesn't it arise from overcrowding and poor ventilation, or from the filthy habits of the inmates? Lunacy, Idiocity, Drunkenness, and Crime are all possible as causes of pauperism (F 147-8)