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diff --git a/39370.txt b/39370.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..852065a --- /dev/null +++ b/39370.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8444 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Recollections of Windsor Prison;, by John Reynolds + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: Recollections of Windsor Prison; + Containing Sketches of its History and Discipline with + Appropriate Strictures and Moral and Religious Reflection + +Author: John Reynolds + +Release Date: April 4, 2012 [EBook #39370] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF WINDSOR PRISON; *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Christine P. Travers and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net +(This book was produced from scanned images of public +domain material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + + + + + + RECOLLECTIONS OF WINDSOR PRISON; + + Containing + SKETCHES OF ITS HISTORY AND DISCIPLINE; + + With + APPROPRIATE STRICTURES, + + And + MORAL AND RELIGIOUS REFLECTIONS. + + + BY JOHN REYNOLDS. + + + + + Third Edition. + BOSTON: + PUBLISHED BY A. WRIGHT. + 1839. + + Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1834, + BY ANDREW WRIGHT, + in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. + + + + +PREFACE. + + "Lest men suspect your tale untrue, + Keep _probability_ in view." + + +In following this suggestion of the poet, I have been compelled to +"_extenuate_," and I have had no temptation to "set down aught in +malice." The world of gloomy horrors through which my memory has been +roving for the materials of this volume, cannot receive a deepening +shade from either reality or fiction; and my conscientious and +prudential object has been, to take the _brightest_ truths which my +subjects have required, and let the _darker_ ones remain untold. For +the correctness of the facts which I have recorded, as to all +essential points, I hold myself responsible; and as to my strictures +and reasonings, I am willing they should pass for just what they are +worth. + +In sending these Recollections abroad, I am governed by principles +which are equally remote from the considerations of either hope or +fear. All my hopes, from my fellow men, are gone out in the cold and +gloomy damps of despair; and having long endured their _deepest_ +scorn, I have nothing more to fear from _them_. My sole object is to +plead the cause of suffering humanity, and drag iniquity from her dark +retreats out into the view of mankind. I have also aimed to rend the +mask from spiritual wickedness; and rouse the energies of benevolence +in favor of the wretched. My cause is a good one--would to God it +could find an abler advocate! + +In noticing the opinions of others, I have been unrestrained, but +candid; and in touching the _conduct_ of some, I have endeavored to +render to each his due--praise, to whom praise, and censure, to whom +censure--and I am willing to step into the same scale myself. + +I am well aware that this book will create me enemies, and put the +tongue of slander in motion; but none of these things move me. The +bird that is wounded will flutter. On the other hand, I expect to +obtain some _friends_ by this work; but this has been no inducement +with me to publish it. Finally, I can assure both friends and foes, +that, if any good should result from this volume to the cause of +benevolence in any way, I may take my pen again. At any rate, I shall +have the satisfaction of having done my duty, and performed my vow; +and this satisfaction is of more value to me than any other reward +which may result from my labors. + + THE AUTHOR. + +_Boston, April_, 1834. + + + + +GEHENNA IN MINIATURE. + +ORIGIN OF PRISONS. + + +Egypt is said to have been the cradle of letters; and happy had it +been for her history, if she had never cradled any thing worse. There +are the first and oldest pyramids, the sphynxes, and the labyrinths; +and there was erected the first prison of which history has taken +notice. A cruel and heartless people, they deserve the infamy of +corrupting the principles of penal justice, and of transforming their +prisons into theatres of the most fiend-like barbarity, and unhallowed +revenge. + +With the same spirit which led the scholar to pry into the +hieroglyphic mysteries of this land of wonders, has the genius of her +prison discipline been copied by the nations of the earth, till the +whole world is filled with these terrestrial hells. But as this sketch +leads me rather to the contemplation of _Penitentiaries_ than prisons +in general, I shall turn my thoughts to them in _particular_. + + +ORIGIN AND DESIGN OF PENITENTIARIES, WITH A VIEW OF THEIR +IMPERFECTIONS. + +These lurid and doleful mansions, owe their existence to the +sinfulness and depravity of man; and they are designed, by a mild and +salutary process, to reform the sons of guilt and crime. Long +experience had demonstrated, that sanguinary measures produced no +_good_ effect on the sufferers, but rather made them _worse_. +Humanity, too, recoiled from the cruelty of such inflictions as the +lash, and the brand; and as the effect of such severity was no +argument for its continuance, humane legislators devised the +_Penitentiary_ system, by which criminals are confined to labor, and +_should_ be allowed full opportunities of reflecting on their conduct, +and of reforming their lives. And as the design is to have them +treated with kindness, and allowed all the means of moral and +religious instruction and improvement, that man can furnish, the +benevolent hope of the community is, that their sufferings, thus +tempered with mercy and humanity, will be salutary and reforming in +its effects. Mercy and benevolence were the inspiring angels of this +system, and could it ever be brought practically to bear on offending +man, it would produce a salutary reform in his heart and life. + +But the great difficulty with which this system has to contend, is, +the absolute impossibility of finding proper persons to carry it into +effect. The life and soul of it is unmingled mercy, and men, qualified +by gentleness of temper and benevolence of heart, to administer its +laws, are not to be found on earth. Man, in his ruined and fallen +nature, is a savage, and the milk of human tenderness was never drawn +from the breast of a tiger. To give a full practical demonstration of +the tendency and effects of the Penitentiary discipline, as it exists +in the speculations of the philanthropist, _God_ must become the +_director_, and _angels_ the ministering spirits of its +administration. Such a system, in the faultlessness of perfection, is +now in practical operation on the entire community of fallen and +impenitent spirits; and the success of the past demonstrates the +rationality of the expectation of universal success. On this the mind +rests with perfect pleasure, and is relieved by it from the +painfulness of witnessing the inefficiency of human means, to reform +the votaries of guilt. + +There can be no moral truth more fully demonstrated than this, that +nothing but _goodness_ can beget goodness. Material substances +communicate their own properties to each other, and moral qualities +impregnate, with their own nature, the objects on which they exert an +influence.--Hence the baleful influence of tyranny on the human mind. +Hence the contagion of vice. And hence the reason of the truth, that +"we love God because he first loved us." + +Where, in all history, can an instance be found of a single +reformation from guilt, by any other than gentle and clement means? +The blaze of retributive vengeance may awe the propensities to crime +into inaction; but it cannot uproot them. The _terrors_ of the Lord +may make men afraid, but it is the _goodness_ of God that leads to +reformation. This is the secret of the Lord, which is with them that +fear him. This is the golden key which opens the cause of that +success, which has, _visibly_, in so many cases, marked the progress +of the gospel of the _grace_ of God; and which is, in all others, +attaining the same happy result, by a process so _silent_ and _slow_, +as to evade the careless observation of the unreflecting multitude. +This is the philosophy of the divine administration, and it is one of +those simple sciences which the pride of man is reluctant to learn; +but which the humility of Christ will dispose him to receive, and by +which his nature is to be renewed and adorned. + +A ray of this science darkened by the dusky medium through which it +passed, shot from the throne of blended goodness and intelligence, and +crossed the mind of that philanthropist who conceived the ideal theory +of an effective Penitentiary discipline, in the hands of man. A gleam +of sacred light seemed to spread over the anticipated results of the +embryo experiment, as he resolved it in his enthusiastic mind; but it +was like the gleam of the north, which shoots on the eye, and is +immediately lost in its vivid expansion. It is a vain and idle theory; +splendid, indeed, but impracticable; lovely, but visionary; and can +never go into perfect operation till the occasion for it shall have +ceased. In all but intelligent and sympathizing hands, this system of +benevolence must necessarily be perverted; and as "man's inhumanity to +man makes countless thousands mourn," the same uncomely traits of +character will continue, till the Spirit of God shall have humanized +mankind, and obviated the necessity of corrective discipline. + +Another obstacle, not only to the exhibition of a _perfect_ +Penitentiary, but to so good a one as _might_ exist, even in the +present state of human depravity, is, the well known fact, that +_merciful_ men cannot be obtained to enforce its discipline; none but +the true sons of an uncompromising and iron-hearted severity, will +consent to perform for any considerable time, the unenviable task of +inflicting pain on a fellow creature. Hence this duty is too +frequently assigned, from necessity, to those who find in it the +highest enjoyment of which their dreadful natures are capable. There +are numbers of very bright exceptions to this remark, and I shall +notice them with pleasure when I come to treat of the character of the +keepers. Could such men as may be found on earth--those brighter +fragments of ruined humanity, which are frequently to be met with,--be +placed at the head and in the offices of our Penitentiaries, and could +they be removed at that very hour when the too frequent perception of +suffering begins to corrupt and deaden their moral feelings, many of +the evils which now grow out of the perversion of those means of good, +might be obviated, even if no salutary results could be produced. And +this I am confident is an improvement in those places for which the +demand is impressive and thrilling. + +Another reason why prisons do not effect more good, or prevent more +evil, is, the design of them is lost sight of. Instead of an altar to +God, the keepers erect one to Mammon; and among the sacrifices at this +altar are found the health, peace, and life of the convicts. Here, +surely, reform is called for in a voice as sacred as it is loud and +awful. Remove that altar; subsidize no longer the blood of souls in +the interdicted worship of an idol; but allow the subjects of penal +bondage time and opportunity for reflection; for reading the Holy +Bible; for prayer; for public and social worship;--and furnish them +with all the means and facilities of moral and religious improvement +which intelligent piety can suggest. + + + + +ORIGIN, CONSTRUCTION, GOVERNMENT, + +AND + +GENERAL HISTORY OF WINDSOR PRISON. + + +The foundation of this prison was laid in 1809. It is built of stone +throughout, has three stories, and thirty-five rooms or cells, with +strong and massy iron doors. The cells on the ground are small, with +small _apertures_ or windows; those in the second story are generally +larger, but with similar apertures; and those in the upper story are +all larger, and have grated windows, much larger than those in the +other stories. In this story are two rooms which are used as +hospitals. The furniture of the rooms are straw beds, with convenient +and comfortable clothing, small seats and a few books. The ground +story is for the prisoners when they first enter the prison. After +some time, if they conduct in a satisfactory manner, they are moved to +the second story; from which, in due time, if they merit the favor, +they are permitted to ascend to the third. If any of the prisoners, in +the second and third stories, transgress the laws, they are put down +_one_ story as a part of their punishment. + +[Illustration: Windsor Prison.] + +Some of the small cells in the first and second stories are used as +_solitary_ cells for the punishment of offenders. The apertures of +these are closed, so that they are as dark as midnight. While the +offender is in these, he has only one blanket to sleep on, in the +coldest weather in the winter, and in the summer, nothing but the +stone floor. His only sustenance is a piece of bread once a day, +weighing from four to six ounces. Some prisoners have been confined in +these places more than thirty days, though the usual time varies from +six to twelve. Many have frozen their feet there, and in many a +constitution, the seeds of decay and death have there been planted. + +The furniture of the hospitals is of a piece with that of the other +parts of the prison, and only _one_ degree more comfortable. The beds +are straw; the clothes are clean; the food various, according to the +complaints of the sick, but never rises to the claims of humanity. In +the winter, the patients are blessed with a stove, and are kept +comfortably warm. This is the _dying_ place, but some are denied the +comfort of even this, and die before they can get admittance. +According to the laws of the prison, however, this is the only place +in which medicine must be given, and the appointed department for all +that are sick. But laws are only ropes of sand. The laws of the prison +are merciful, but neither the rains of spring, the dews of morning, +nor the sunbeams of heaven, can either soften or fertilize a rock. + +It was the original design that the whole prison should be kept warm, +and large stoves were provided for this purpose; but it was found +impossible to do this by the means used, and after a few years, the +coldest part of the winter found not a spark of fire in any of the +halls. Much is suffered on account of the cold; but it is a place of +punishment, and this is the kind and feeling argument with which the +keepers meet the entreaties of the shivering prisoners. Many a time +have I made large balls by scraping the frost with my hand from the +stone sides of my cell; and thousands of times have my hands been so +chilled, that I had to tax my ingenuity to turn over the pages of my +bible. + +Adjoining the prison is a large brick house, for the use of the +keepers and guard. At some distance in the rear, is a large brick +shop, in which the prisoners are employed during the day, at their +labor, which was at first making nails and other smith work, but has +since been changed to manufacturing cotton cloth, ginghams, plaids, +&c. This shop is kept warm and clean. + +Another brick building between the shop and prison was erected for +store rooms, lumber rooms, &c., and for a chapel. This part of it was +very convenient, and spoke much for the pious feelings of the +individuals who erected it. It was used, however, only a few years for +the worship of God, when "a new king arose who knew not Joseph," and +the voice of the preacher and the utterance of prayer departed from +this temple, and the buyers and sellers, and money changers occupied +the place of the priest, and polluted the sacred altar. It was painful +to tread on these sacred ruins, and to hear the clack of looms where +the soul had hung with transport on the sacred sounds of instruction, +and been melted with the holy ardors of devotional feeling. "By what +spirit," I often asked, "was this ruin made? Was it the spirit of +piety?"--No! The genius of this change came not from Jordan's waves, +nor from Zion's holy hill; the hand that smote this altar of religion +and extinguished the last cheering light of the contrite soul was +nerved by the same spirit that led the guilty rabble to smite the +condemned Redeemer, and place on his innocent head a crown of thorns. + +Another brick building east of this, used as an office for the master +weaver, and a carpenter's shop, &c. is all that had been erected +previously to the building of the new prison for solitary confinement, +in 1830. Around all these is a wall about sixteen feet high, and three +feet thick at the base, which completes the Establishment. + +The government of the prison was, at first, vested in a Board of +Visiters, who appointed the subordinate officers, made the By-Laws of +the Institution, and made report of their doings to the Legislature +every year. The officers of their appointment were the head keeper and +three or more assistant keepers--five guard--a master weaver--a +physician--a chaplain--and a contractor. One of the Visiters attended +at the prison one day in every week to give directions about the work, +and to see that the By-Laws were obeyed and enforced. + +After some years this form of the government was changed, and the duty +of the Board of Visiters committed to one man, denominated the +Superintendent. Another change soon after gave the appointment of a +Warden to the Legislature, and the appointment of the inferior +officers to him, leaving the Superintendent to act only as +_contractor_. After eight years the office of Warden was destroyed by +the Legislature, and all authority recommitted to the Superintendent. + +These changes in the government did not effect, in any degree, the +_spirit_ by which the prison was governed; and while each form had its +peculiarities and excellencies, they all had their defects. The +principal defects were the investing of the Visiters and Wardens, and +Superintendents with the power to appoint _physicians_ and +_chaplains_. These are high and important offices, and ought not to be +answerable to any power but supreme. The physician, depending on the +pleasure of a petty officer for his appointment, is too often the mere +_tool_ of that officer, to the injury of his moral principles, and at +the expense of the health and life of too many of the prisoners. +Whereas if the physician held his office from the Legislature, he +would have power to _open_ and _shut_, which he has not now; and both +health and life, which are now lost, might be preserved. + +The _Chaplain_, also, should hold his office from the highest source +in the state. In such a place, his is the most important office, and +he ought to have authority to do all things pertaining to it, without +any reference to the pleasure of a man who, perhaps, despises both +him and his office, and believes in no God higher than himself. The +gospel ought to be fully taught and explained, and exemplified by the +Chaplain; and he ought to be elevated, in his authority, above the +control of those who can now say to him--"Come at such a moment, or +not at all." + +Another reason why the Legislature ought to appoint the Chaplain is, +that then, _sectarian policy_ would not have so much influence. The +Legislature is composed of members of all churches, and they would, as +they do their own chaplain, appoint without any reference to _sect_; +and then one man living in Windsor, could not consult the finances of +his own _party_, in appointing a clergyman for the prison. + +The By-Laws of the prison have never been very materially altered, +since they were first composed. A copy of them is laid before the +Legislature every year, and being sanctioned by that body, they +become, virtually, the laws of the state for that Institution. They +are wisely adapted to the circumstances of the prison, and are as +merciful as they are wise; but they are disregarded, and never +adverted to but when they direct the infliction of punishment on the +prisoners. They are trampled under foot by every keeper and guard, +from the highest to the lowest. They are read once in every month to +the prisoners, but those parts which relate to the conduct of the +officers, are wisely omitted in reading, lest the prisoners should +know when _they_ err, and be able to convict them from the law. I do +not say this from conjecture, I know it; for the hand that is writing +this word, copied them every year, and I also read to the prisoners +the parts directed to be read; and I have often heard the keeper say, +that the prisoners ought _not_ to know what laws relate to the +officers. I shall have occasion, in the course of these sketches, to +quote largely from these By-Laws, and what has been written here will +suffice for my present purpose. + +The prisoners go to their work at sunrise, and retire at sunset. They +have a task, and for what they do over it, they receive a +compensation. Their food is coarse, but good and wholesome. They wear +party-colored clothes, half green and half scarlet, and are kept +clean. They are not allowed to converse together while at work, nor +can they leave their employment and go into the yard, or any part of +the shop without permission of the keeper. When they are out of the +shops they are under the care of the guard on the wall, and they are +not suffered to ramble, but must do their errand and return into the +shop. + +They can see their friends, when they call, in the presence of a +keeper, and write and receive letters, if they contain nothing +objected to by the Warden or head officer. They have such books as +they purchase for themselves, and once they had a social library, +which would have been more useful, if many very improper books had not +been in it. Why these were admitted, the guardians of the morals of +the place must answer. No newspapers were allowed to be introduced, +not even _religious_ ones; but tracts and religious pamphlets were not +objected to. + +There is always a keeper in every shop while the prisoners are at +work, and he is armed with a sword. A guard is placed on the wall +during the day, armed with a gun, loaded with a ball and buck shot; +and at night there is one in the entrance of the prison to prevent +escapes. + +Such is the general history of the prison up to 1830, when a new +prison, on the plan of solitary confinement, was erected. This +contains about one hundred and seventy small cells, in which the +prisoners are confined separately during the night. No radical +alteration, I apprehend, has been made in the government of the place, +in any other respect. The design of this change was, to prevent the +prisoners from corrupting each other's minds by social intercourse. +The principle laid down by the votaries of this plan, is, that vice +is contagious, and wicked men become worse by association. The more +abandoned, it is said, will draw down others to their own degree of +guilt, if permitted to associate together, and thus baffle all the +efforts of piety and virtue for their reformation. Hence the +presumptive necessity for a prison on a new construction, and hence +the prison for solitary confinement in Windsor. I _hope_ it will be so +managed as to prove a less curse to humanity than the old one, though +it is like hoping _against_ hope. In respect to its _reforming_ +effect, I shall say more in another article; but I will remark here, +that reformation is a _moral_ work, and depends not on the _shape_ of +the person's _room_. It is a work of _mercy_, and nothing but mercy +can _effect_ it. Man is a social being, and the laws of his nature are +violated by dooming him to solitude. The genius of crime dwells in the +dark places of retirement, and always communes with its followers +_alone_. Social life, on the contrary, is the garden of every virtue, +in which nothing but flowers are permitted to flourish, and nothing +but good fruit permitted to ripen when properly cultivated. + + + + +SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. + + +I ought to touch this subject with a delicate hand. Many giants of +speculation have been this way, and they have laid down principles +from which I am compelled to dissent. I am well aware of the charm of +greatness, and of the danger of appearing singular with those on whom +the mantle of popular veneration has been seen to fall; and I feel +that in the strictures which I am commencing, I shall gain no applause +from those who are kindly delivered from labor of thinking for +themselves. This weighs, however, but little with me. A being who has +visited the moon knows more about it than astronomers have ever +taught. A man who has burned his finger knows more of the effect of +fire on flesh, than the most eloquent lecturer who has had no +experience. Confident, then, that my own experience may be safely +trusted, I shall follow it cheerfully, whether it lead me _in_ the +path which speculation has trodden, or _across_ it. BACON lays it down +as a principle in philosophy, that man is ignorant of every thing +antecedent to observation, and that experience is at the bottom of all +our knowledge. To this principle I bow in submission, and take it for +granted that what I have experienced I know. + +Sustained then by my own personal experience and observation, I say +_fearlessly_, that the solitary confinement plan, is an unwise, +unfeeling, and ruinous innovation upon the Penitentiary discipline. +Every body knows that it adds to the terror of such places; evinces a +cruel recklessness of the feelings and personal comfort of the +prisoner; and has the effect to convince him that the government is +not his friend. This destroys his confidence in its mercy, and creates +in him a disposition for revenge, which will eternally baffle all +efforts for his reformation. He may, indeed, be awed with the gloomy +horrors of the law, but cannot, by _such_ means, be regenerated into a +love of virtue. No; before you can do any thing towards reforming a +sinner, you must convince him of your real friendship for him, which +can be done only by _being_ friendly; and it is _not_ being friendly +to inflict pain without a benevolent motive. The construction of +ordinary prisons is full cruel enough to fill the soul with terror; no +_friend_ would build even such a place as Windsor prison _was_, for +one he loved, and no human being could suppose that love and +friendship for the human race, had any thing to do in forming its +plan. Should an angel from some happy world, in his flight near our +earth, pause and contemplate the old prison at Windsor, he would +hasten back and inform his companions that he had seen a _hell_. That +place was designed or ignorantly constructed, as a fit house in which +Revenge might feed in luxury on the tears of distress, and dance to +the groans of despair. Every prisoner could read the spirit of the +place in the massy walls--the iron grates and doors--and the noonday +twilight of the cells; and the impression on every mind was, that the +spirits of the infernal world had been erecting a very appropriate +Temple for their chief. This is neither fiction, fancy, nor poetry, +but solemn literal truth. The deathly chill which it threw on my +spirits when I entered it, makes me shudder to this hour. But the +_new_ prison caps the climax of relentless invention, and sets +description at defiance. Now, I say, that no prisoner can suppose by +any reach of rational candor, that the builders of this _new_ prison, +were his friends; and hence all efforts, purporting to spring from a +tender regard for his good, will be appreciated accordingly. + +But it may be said, that the contagious nature of vice rendered it +necessary to separate the prisoners into small solitary cells, to +prevent their social intercourse, and its supposed consequence, their +reciprocal progression in vice. To this I reply, and I will appeal to +the facts in the case in support of my position, that the practical +effect of such a separation goes to prove, that it is only a +refinement of cruelty. The more completely you put one man into the +power of another, the more perfectly do you create a tyrant, and +prostrate a sufferer. Solitary cells and _flogging_, go hand in hand. +Thus, the more certainly is the sufferer convinced that the authority +is his enemy, and the more certainly is his reformation rendered +impossible. The evils of solitary cells are far greater than the evils +they were designed to remedy. I appeal to the experiment. I have only +one more observation to make on this head, and I make it with a design +to have it remembered. It is this--_Benevolence_ will _appear_ +benevolence, and nothing _but_ apparent benevolence will turn a sinner +from the error of his ways, and lead him to purify his heart. + + + + +GENERAL CHARACTER OF THE OFFICERS. + + +The unanimous opinion of all ages and countries has been, that prison +keepers are _tyrants_. Regarding the prisons of earth and the prison +of gehenna, in the same light, the directors and servants of both have +been considered as drinking at the same fountain, and as possessing +the same traits of moral character. This opinion, however, like many +others which have obtained in the world, is not universally true, for +there are prison keepers who possess every moral excellence, and who +are more like angels of mercy, than fiends of darkness. But it is to +be lamented that these exceptions are rare, and that it is too +generally true, for the honor of humanity, that the term _gaoler_ is +synonymous with _despot_. + +From this general truth, a very humbling inference necessarily +follows. We cannot resist the conclusion to which it leads the +reflecting mind, that cruelty is a radical element in the moral nature +of fallen man, and never fails to develop itself when circumstances +permit. Human nature is, in its fallen and unregenerate condition, +only a cluster of shapeless and uncomely fragments, and presents every +where the same bold and darkened _outlines_ of depravity; and to +adventitious circumstances is to be principally attributed the small +complexional difference in the _filling up_ of the picture. Like the +mouldering, moss-grown ruins of some temple, which was once the wonder +of the world, man is only the wreck of what he was when his heart was +the throne of Deity, and his soul the image of his glorious Creator. +_Then_, holiness was his element, but _now_ sin. _Then_, angels +sought, but _now_ they shun his society. _Then_, like a field warmed +by the sun, moistened by the rain, and fully prepared by the tiller's +hand, he brought forth fruit unto God; but _now_ he exhibits the +sterility of a desert, in respect to what is good, but the +fruitfulness of a garden in respect to evil. _Then_, mercy and +gentleness were the seraph principles of his conduct, but _now_ he is +the cruel and savage playmate of the tiger. + +This, I am aware, is a very repulsive truth, and one to which the +pride of man will not readily subscribe. It is, notwithstanding, a +truth, stereotyped on every page of his moral history; and it applies +equally to the little Satan of a family and to the tyrant of a world. +The seeds are in every breast, and they never fail to germinate under +auspicious circumstances. Invest man with _authority_, and you +commission a _despot_; and nothing but the restraining principles of +the gospel, will prevent him from becoming a curse to those who are in +his hands. The history of Hazael fully confirms the truth of this +remark. He was sent to Elisha the prophet to inquire whether Benhadad +the king of Syria would recover from a disease with which he was +afflicted. As soon as he came into the presence of the prophet, Elisha +fastened his eyes steadfastly on his countenance and wept. The +astonished Syrian inquired the cause of his weeping. "I weep," said +the man of God, "because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the +children of Israel; their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and +their young men wilt thou slay with the sword; and wilt dash their +children, and rip up their women with child." Indignant at the +imputation of such monstrous cruelty to him, Hazael replied, "Is thy +servant a dog that he should do this great thing!" "But," said the +prophet, "the Lord hath shewed me that thou shall be king over Syria." +While he was only an inferior officer, Hazael's soul shuddered at the +bare mention of those cruelties which in a more elevated rank he was +going to commit; but when informed that he was to become the king of +Syria, the unhallowed principles of his nature began to quicken into +exercise. The first act of his life after this was the murder of his +master, and the language of the prophet is the history of his future +life. + +This is by no means a solitary exemplification of the truth which I +have asserted. Nero, when he ascended the throne, is said to have been +a merciful man; and when he was called upon to sign a death warrant, +he is said to have expressed his regret that he had learned to write. +Such was Nero once, but what was his character afterwards? His history +is written in the blood of his murdered mother, and of Seneca his +tutor; and in the tears, and cries, and broiling flesh of a thousand +martyrs. Here is a fair specimen of the effect of unbridled authority +on the nature of man; and while it holds up a hydra monster to the +execration of all mankind, it says to all of us, in language of the +most thrilling import, "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed +lest he fall." + +Having made these general observations on the nature of man, and the +influence of circumstances upon him, I shall enter upon the subject of +this sketch. + +Perhaps no prison on earth ever had better keepers than the one in +Windsor. Though many of these have been as bad as humanity under such +circumstances could possibly become, and though much of their conduct +cannot be contemplated without the deepest horror of soul, the number +of such monsters has been comparatively small. The frequent changes +which take place in the officers, and the shortness of their residence +there, are very fortunate circumstances, not at all favorable to the +production of perfect tyrants. The longer a keeper stays there, the +more cruel and heartless he becomes. This is a truth which experience +has taught to every observing prisoner. Hence it is equally true that +prisons grow worse as they grow older. They all had their origin in a +merciful design, but by the authority with which the officers are +clothed, they become little empires, and gradually sink down into the +gloom of unalleviated despotism. + +There are but few of the keepers who continue there over one or two +years, some not so long, and but now and then one who stays five or +six years. These are invariably the most hardened, and having the most +power, they give tone to the conduct of the others and gradually +induce them towards their own degree of severity. Influenced by them, +many a young keeper and guard have been led to stain their souls with +deeds of cruelty, which they could not think of afterwards without +horror. The truth of the case is this--there are a few of the officers +who have fully reached that dark eminence of perfect inhumanity, which +is ascribed to a fallen spirit; and from this unenviable distinction +there is a gradual softening down to the common level of human +character. + +These, according to their authority and moral temperament, exert a +malignant influence on the administration of the prison, and on the +peace and comfort of the prisoners. Generally taken from the very +humblest employments, illiterate, and destitute of a proper +acquaintance with mankind, and invested with an authority little less +than absolute, extending virtually to the life or death of their +subjects, they are intoxicated with their power, and seek every +possible occasion to display it. To speak civilly to a prisoner is +considered beneath their dignity; and their cup of joy is full only +when they can say--"I have sent the rascal to the solitary cell." +Armed with a sword, and placed over one of the shops, they ape the +monarch and claim the homage of a god. + +The same spirit accompanies the stripling when he ascends the wall to +act the _soldier_ in his turn. Though serving for a stipend of eight +dollars a month, and doomed by a decree which he is unable to violate, +to the lowest walks in society, he fancies now that he is somebody, +and makes all who are under his shadow feel the full weight of his +self-importance. Over one entire quarter of an acre of this world, +strongly walled in, he holds divided empire with his brother on the +other side; he imagines that his bench is a throne, his gun a sceptre, +and the limit of his dominions the everlasting hills. It is not easy +to treat this subject with seriousness, and yet it is too solemn to be +trifled with. See him pacing his post like a private in the army. Be +careful how you smile, for he has the instrument of _death_ in his +hand, and he it was who took the life of _Fane_.[1] + +[Footnote 1: A prisoner that was shot.] + +But these servants of the prison are not only inhuman and vain, there +is no _meanness_ to which they will not stoop; and they delight in all +those little vexations with which they can perplex the prisoners. They +are employed in making little rules and regulations for the +prisoners, when they are in the yard, and these are so numerous, that +no one can remember them, and so contradictory, that to obey _one_, at +least _half a dozen_ must be violated. Their common language to their +subjects is--"Go here!--go there!--do this!--do that!--shut your +head!--mind your business!--what are you doing!--out of the +vault!--you shall go to the solitary for that!" + +Nor is such mean and cruel conduct peculiar to the _subordinate_ +powers, they often are found _in_, and are copied _from_, the +_highest_. I have seen those who occupied the chief seats in the +synagogue, try every expedient to vex the prisoners into a war of +words, and having accomplished their object, punish them for those +very words which they provoked them to utter. I have heard them insult +the prostrate objects of their power with words which I should blush +to write. I have know them authorize vexatious regulations which the +heart of Verres could not have enforced. I have seen one of these +gather a number of prisoners around him, and though he had a _wife_ +and _daughters_, lead and give spirit to a conversation, which would +have imprinted a blush on the cheek of impurity itself. + +This conduct is the more conspicuous from the fact, that the laws of +the prison require every officer, and the head one especially, to have +an especial reference, in all things, to the _good_ and _moral_ +reformation of the prisoners. This also renders their conduct the more +_criminal_; and to this as one of the principal causes must be +referred the hardening effect of state-prison discipline upon its +subjects.--_They_ know the laws by which the keepers are bound; _they_ +know that the community and the government of the state require them +to be merciful, and to treat the convicts as if they considered them +human beings; and when they see these officers so outrageously sinful +against the most solemn obligations, and the most sacred and +obligatory laws, and yet as cruel to _them_ for trifling and shadowy +offences, as if they themselves were immaculate, they cannot help +despising them in their hearts, and kindling with a flame which sets +reformation at defiance. And it is not too much to say, that many a +prisoner has been hardened in crime by the example of those very men +who were commissioned to reform him. If I had the power, and desired +to have the angel Gabriel become a devil, I would send him to Windsor +prison for three years. + +But I should do violence to my own feelings, and injustice to this +part of my subject, were I not to give a very different character to +_some_ who have held offices in this Institution. As there are a few +who have reached the climax of depravity, so there are some who have +exhibited characters which do honor to human nature. Like stars in the +dark, they were the angel spirits of that "house of wo and pain." They +were warmed with the pure glow of benevolent and christian feeling; +and if all the keepers had manifested the same temper and sympathy for +the suffering, many a mountain of grief would have been rolled from +their bleeding breasts--many a refractory spirit would have been +charmed into obedience--many a hard heart would have been softened +into tenderness--many a guilty soul would have been washed into +purity--many a mother's heart would have been gladdened with the +return of a prodigal child--and many a wife would have been blessed +with a husband reclaimed. To these, I owed much of my comfort while I +was a prisoner. I remember them with gratitude, and I am sure that +they will have the blessing of the merciful. + +From the account already given, it would readily be inferred, that the +officers of the prison are not professors of religion. This inference +would not be true unless a few exceptions should be made. I recollect +only four, however, among the inferior officers, to whom the inference +would not fully apply. In respect to these it is right to say, that +they exhibited as much of the spirit of their profession, as could be +intelligently expected from any in their situation. The same remark is +true of the head ones, many of whom had been baptized. Christians, as +well as others, are influenced by _circumstances_, and authority is +the _worst_ circumstance in which any _christian_ can be placed. A +small historic sketch will fully illustrate the influence of power, +even on _sanctified_ humanity. One of the prisoners was a +restorationist. A friend of his, a very respectable clergyman of that +faith, sent him a book in defence of the doctrine of future +retribution, against the writings of Rev. W. Balfour. He had received +many similar books from the same source, but _this_ was objected to, +and kept from him full six weeks, but not returned to the sender, nor +any information given either way. At length a keeper informed him that +there was a letter for him in the house, from Rev. S. C. Loveland, and +a book entitled "Hudson's Reply," which the officer at the head of +affairs refused to let him have. This keeper was a man of too noble a +soul to be cramped by the unfeeling regulations of a religious +exclusive, and he gave the prisoner an opportunity to read them and +then return them to him. After this he found means of obtaining them +on the express condition, that he would not lend them to any of his +fellow prisoners. This same man, at another time, refused to let a +prisoner have a book on the subject of religion, which was written and +sent to him by his father. + +This officer must have had a very conscientious regard for the moral +and religious good of the prisoners; but how he could exclude +_religious_ books from them, and yet permit them to purchase and read +the _lowest_, _dirtiest_ and most _infamous_ books that ever corrupted +_either sex_, or disgraced the literature of any age or country, he +can tell as truly as I can conjecture. This is not a solitary instance +of religious inconsistency in the officers; I could mention more, but +my limits will not permit. It shews what mankind are--a selfish, +exclusive, unfeeling, and despotic community. Every view which we can +take of man, as he comes into contact with circumstances, goes to +confirm the maxim, that if he has _power_ he will _use_ it. From the +same volume we learn the impolicy of creating _spiritual_ superiors. +Christians are brethren. Among them is no allowable pre-eminence. They +are to call no man on earth either _master_, or _father_. This is the +command of Christ himself, and from the authority with which it is +clothed, is obvious the greatness of the crime of disobeying it. Hence +the fact that a spiritual despotism is the worst that can exist. Look +to Rome; look to England; look into the cells of the Inquisition. May +the Lord never, in his anger, curse these United States with a church +establishment. _Political_ tyranny is horrid enough, but from +_spiritual_ tyranny, good God deliver us! + +There was once an important officer in the prison who was a _Deist_. +He despised all religion, and even insulted and abused the Chaplain. +Frequently did he keep some of the prisoners employed in chopping wood +on the Sabbath; and when spoken to about this profanation of the +Christian's sacred day, his reply was--"_Monday_ is a good day, +_Tuesday_ is a good day, _Sunday_ is a good day, I see _no difference_ +in them." There was not a single good thing in this man's official +conduct. He despised almost every thing that is called good. The +prisoners he regarded as an inferior race of animals, and rebuked the +Chaplain for calling them "_brethren_." He was too bad even for _that_ +office, and as he purchased an ox for the prisoners to eat, which had +_died of disease in the heat of summer_, the Superintendent gave him a +very sudden and peremptory discharge. "I give you," said he, "till +to-morrow morning to clear out, and take away your things." This was +good tidings of great joy to all, and the prison rung with Jubilee. + +I knew _another_ high officer in the prison, who was also a Deist; but +_he_ was a most excellent man, and by a kind and fatherly +administration, he endeared himself to every prisoner. His conduct +would have done honor to the highest professions of Christianity. He +adorned many of the doctrines of the gospel. He was not only an +_honest_ man, he was also a _benevolent_ one. In all things he was +influenced by _principle_, and did as he would be done by; and he did +more to bless the prisoners with the preaching of the gospel, than +many who prided themselves on their Christianity. + +Among many of the inferior officers of the prison, who made no +profession of religion, there was but one sentiment in respect to +those prisoners who professed to be Christians, and this was, that +they were all _hypocrites_.--They dealt out to them a very superior +share of their contempt, and always ridiculed their professions. If +one of them was particular in reading the Scriptures, _that_ was made +the subject of light remark; and if in prayer one of them spoke so as +to be heard, he was impudently ordered to stop. And once, in +particular, a keeper told one of the serious convicts, that he would +act a more wise part, if he would say nothing about his religion, but +leave off praying and be like the other prisoners. Another prisoner +was put in the solitary cell for reading his bible in the shop, where +many a one had been allowed to read books, undisturbed, with which no +virtuous _female_ would pollute her fingers. The common vulgar cant, +with which the keepers used to assail the piety of the prisoners, was +as follows,--"They want to get _out_ I guess--they are _coming_ the +_religious_ lock--they are going to _pray_ themselves out--they are +mighty _pious_ just now, pity they had not thought of this _before_." +Such remarks as these were as frequent as the mention of the +prisoner's piety, or the sight of one who was known to read his bible +and pray; and not only the servants, but their _masters_ often joined +in such unmanly and inhuman sarcasms. "The tender mercies of the +wicked are cruel." + + + + +GENERAL CHARACTER AND HABITS OF THE PRISONERS. + + +This view presents human nature in its most degraded state, and in its +darkest complexion. Here is man _doubly fallen_; here are the +fragments of moral ruin in their most _hideous array_. A field, once +green with inspiring promise, but now withering under a second blight. +A splendid and glorious creation in baleful ruin. An ocean, once pure +as a dew drop and smooth as a sea of glass, but now torn by +conflicting waves, and casting up mire and dirt. The view is too +painful! My heart sickens within me! + +But it affords some relief to the mind, in dwelling on this gloomy +prospect, to find here and there a ruin less ruined than others--a +lonely column not _fallen_; a prostrate pillar not covered with _moss_ +nor buried in the _earth_. The soul of man is not susceptible of +_utter_ ruin. Immortal, it cannot _die_; the inspiration of the +Almighty, and glorious once in his own image, it may grow _dim_, but +not utterly _dark_; it may _sink_, but will _rise_ again; it may +_wander_, but will not be finally _lost_. My remarks on this subject, +therefore, will be designed to shew, that there are, in this mass of +dark, polluted, and fallen mind, some redeeming traits remaining +_unruined_; something to admire and commend--something to imitate and +love. In doing this, I shall relate some of the many historic +incidents, which will prove the existence, and illustrate the nature +of those moral and intellectual principles, which have hitherto +survived that annihilating process to which they have been exposed. + +The first incidents which I shall relate, will show that the prisoners +have _sympathy_ for, and take pleasure in _relieving the distressed_. + +A female who had a husband in the prison, came with her two children, +three hundred miles to see him. By the time she arrived, she had spent +all her money, and had suffered on the road. As soon as this was +known, the prisoners made up a purse of fourteen dollars, and gave it +to her, besides giving her cloth to dress both of her children. + +Another time a father and mother came there to see their son, and +being destitute, a purse of eight dollars was made up for them. + +Another occasion for the charity of the prisoners was as follows:--The +sentences of two of the prisoners had expired, but not having the +money to pay the cost of their prosecution, they were not permitted by +the keeper to leave the prison. When this was known, the sum required +was immediately made up and given to them, and they were discharged. + +By another train of incidents, it will appear, that they are pleased +with religious worship, and love to hear the preaching of the gospel. + +They always attend when there is preaching, and listen with a degree +of interest and earnestness, which no preacher has failed to notice. + +When, after years of earnest application, they obtained leave to form +a choir of singers for religious purposes, they furnished their own +books and instruments, not being able to get them of the keepers. + +On another occasion, a company of them bought a lot of tracts for +gratuitous distribution in the prison. + +As an expression of their sense of the importance of preaching, and of +the faithfulness of their Chaplain, they gave him money to purchase +him a coat. + +At another time, they contributed about twenty dollars to a society +which had been formed to send the gospel to prisons. + +A cluster of promiscuous incidents which I am now going to group +together, will demonstrate the existence of _other_ excellent +qualities. + +Husbands and children are particularly careful to keep their earnings, +and at convenient times, send them to their parents and families. +Others are diligent at work, that they may have the means of making a +decent appearance when they get their liberty. Some apply themselves +to books, and a few have made astonishing progress in the sciences. I +knew one who made himself master of Euclid's Elements, Ferguson's +Astronomy, Stuart's Intellectual and Paley's Moral Philosophy. Another +made himself acquainted with most of the branches in a liberal +education. And many others became very good common scholars. Not a few +of them are chaste and moral in their conversation, and civil and +exemplary in all their conduct. And that they are not so lost to the +virtues of our nature, as some who are in different circumstances, is +evident from the fact, that they are proverbially, an _industrious_ +community. + +I dwell with pleasure on these virtues, which still smile and diffuse +their fragrance in the midst of surrounding desolation; and some of +them are found in every breast of that unhappy multitude. The fact is, +there are a great many principles of moral excellence, which go to the +formation of a _perfect character_; and it is _never_ that _all_ of +these can be found destroyed, or uprooted, in any one individual. +That monster over whose breast has been hung the pall of every virtue, +never _was_ and never _can_ be found. Some seed, some root, some germ, +remains to repair the desolation, and to smile in perfect growth and +endless beauty, where ruin has been the deepest. Hence the hope of +reformation. Hence the strongest argument to attempt it, both in +ourselves and others. The pulse of spiritual or moral health is still +beating in all those guilty souls, and proper attention would soon +restore them to its blissful enjoyment. + +On the other hand, they exhibit many of the very _worst_ passions and +principles of fallen nature, in their _worst_ and most _appalling_ +light. Against this charge nothing can be said in their vindication. +My only object in introducing this sketch, is, to show, that though +many of the virtues of the upright heart have been destroyed from +theirs, _all_ of them have not. There are some good and excellent +qualities remaining in every one of them; and I wish to turn the +thoughts and efforts of our Benevolent Societies to their improvement. +This is an inviting field for them to labor in, and they could not +labor here in vain. Christ came from heaven to save _prisoners_, and +the servants of Christ ought to be willing to follow his example and +visit prisons too. He might have kept better company in heaven, or +gone on an embassy to less guilty worlds, but he came to us, to +sinners, to prisoners, to save us from sin, and free us from chains. + + + + +CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS. + + +In a state prison, almost every action of the prisoners, not +particularly mentioned in the By-Laws, is either a crime or not, +according to the whim that happens to be in the breast of the keeper +at the time it is done. Hence there are many actions punished, and +sometimes very severely, which were not known to have been improper at +the time they were committed, but which, by a very common _post facto_ +process, became crimes _afterwards_. Any thing which a prisoner does +or neglects to do, is, if the guard or keeper who notices it, has any +spite to gratify, dressed up in a criminal suit and made a pretext for +punishment. To smile or look sober, to speak or keep silence, to walk +or sit still, is alike criminal when convenience requires. + +It is, also, a rule of conduct with the keepers, to punish _all_ for +the crime of _one_. Instances of this are very common. I will mention +some of them. + +There was a little upstart dandy among the prisoners, who on one +occasion, had his hair cut by order of his keeper a little shorter +than his vanity desired. Displeased with this, he immediately had all +his hair cut down to one quarter of an inch; and on account of this +criminal vanity and resentment in him, every head in the prison was +scissored down to a quarter of an inch for more than two years. + +To make his displeasure fall with full force on one of the prisoners, +the Warden once took every book out of the work shops and ordered that +no prisoner should rest from his work two minutes at a time, from +morning till night. + +Because some of the prisoners have pretended that they were sick when +they were not, every sick man is neglected. + +Another fact in relation to crimes is, that some of the keepers have +given their countenance and aid to the prisoners in the commission of +them, and shared with them the profits of their wickedness. It is well +known that some of the keepers have assisted the prisoners to get +materials into the cells for weaving suspenders; and when woven, they +have sold them and divided the money. Fine keepers! Fit men to reform +the guilty! Assist the prisoners to steal, and divide the plunder! + +But when we come to those crimes which are specified in the By-Laws, +the most frequent grow out of the following sources:-- + +1. _Defects in the work._ For the smallest defect here, the prisoner +is often made to feel severely. What is so small that none but a +malignant eye would notice it, some variation in the shade, something +that could not have been avoided, is too often carried on to the books +as a great crime, for which only ten days in the solitary cell can +atone. + +2. _Not keeping a proper distance in walking._ The laws require the +prisoners to keep six feet apart in going to and returning from their +cells and meals. This requires no small share of practical +_trigonometry_, and if a prisoner should not be pretty good to learn, +before he can possibly keep in the right spot, the guard will have an +opportunity to give him a number of _solitary_ lectures. Many a man, +who thought he was exactly right, not knowing so well as the more +learned guard, has been sent into punishment, and made to feel how sad +a thing it is, not to understand the six feet trigonometry. + +3. _Insolence_ is another crime. This is committed very frequently, as +an _accent_ or _emphasis_ is sufficient for this purpose. The keepers +and guard are very tenacious of their dignity, and what the governor +of the state would consider respectful language, if addressed to him, +they consider _insolence_. If one should turn over the pages of the +_black book_, he would find this crime written to the sorrow of many a +prisoner. + +4. _Not performing the task._ This crime is generally found against +learners, who have not had time to become masters of their work. This, +however, is no excuse, the task is fixed and must be done. Nor is it +of any avail that the materials have been poor, the complaint +is,--_the work is not done_, and nothing but the _grave_ can hide +from, or avert the penalty. + +5. _Speaking together without liberty._ Many are punished for this +crime, and very justly in many instances no doubt, but not in all. If +a prisoner is seen to move his lips this crime is written against him, +and suffer he _must_. + +6. The other crimes might be ranged under the heads of "_wasting the +materials_"--"_attempting to escape_"--"_resisting the authority_," +&c., all of which are frequently found in the books against the +prisoners; and I know not that any criminal of these stamps has had +much reason to complain, that his sufferings have been too severe. + +This is the proper place to state the absolute authority of the +keepers and guard over the destinies of the convicts. If one is +_reported_, he _must_ be punished, and that too without a _hearing_, +and often without knowing the crime alleged against him. If he should +ask the officer what his crime is, the answer would be, "_you_ know +what it is." After he finds out the crime, and desires to be released +from punishment, the one who reported him must be consulted; and after +_he_ is willing, the sufferer must avow that he is guilty, and promise +to reform, before he can get out. Innocent or guilty, it makes no +difference, he must say--"_I am guilty_," or he will plead in vain to +be released; and many a one has _lied_ by _compulsion_, in order to +get rid of further suffering. This was his only alternative, he must +spot his soul with falsehood, or die a martyr to truth. + +The punishments are of different kinds; the most common is that of +confinement in the solitary cell. This is cruel and dreadful. The want +of food reduces the strength and takes away the flesh, so that when +the sufferer comes out, his face is often pale as death, his frame +only a skeleton, and he unable to walk without reeling. He has only a +small piece of bread once in twenty-four hours, with a pail of water; +and no bed but the rock. In the winter he has a blanket, but such is +the degree of cold to which he is exposed, that he has to keep walking +and stamping _night_ and _day_, to keep from freezing to death. And +having no proper nourishment to sustain him, he becomes, under the +joint influence of cold, fatigue, and hunger, a miracle of suffering, +over which Satan himself might weep. Day after day, and night after +night, he drags along his heavy and burdensome existence, friendless +and unpitied, the sport of his unfeeling keepers, and the victim of an +_eternity_ of torment. I know what this suffering is, for I have +experienced it. Seven days and seven nights, in the dead of winter, I +hung on the frozen mountain of this misery, and died a thousand +deaths. Every day was an eternity, and every night forever and ever; +and all this I endured because I incautiously smiled once in my life, +when I happened to feel less gloomy than usual. But _my_ suffering was +nothing compared with others. Some spend twelve, some twenty, and some +over thirty days there. My heart chills at the thought! If God is not +more merciful than man, what will become of us? + +Another kind of punishment is _the block and chain_. This is a log of +wood, weighing from thirty to sixty pounds, to which a long chain is +fastened, the other end of which is fastened around the sufferer's +ancle. This he carries with him wherever he goes, and performs, with +it, his daily task. This is not much used, it being _less severe_ +than the solitary cell. Some have carried these for several weeks, and +even months. + +The _iron jacket_ is another form of punishment, inflicted only once +in a great while. This is a frame of iron which confines the arms +_down_, and _back_, and prevents the person from lying down with any +comfort. This is generally accompanied with one of the other kinds of +punishment, as it is not considered much inconvenience alone. + +Connected with these several kinds of punishment is the putting the +convict down from one of the upper stories if he is up there. The +whole administration of the prison is clothed with terror, and there +is no end to its vengeance. The first _form_ of suffering is only the +first _lash_, and each _additional_ form comes in regular succession. +This is the second lash. The third is this--the number of times that +the prisoner has been in punishment, is always brought up when an +application is made for a pardon. The Reporter of characters takes a +full share of gratification in adverting to these, when a certificate +of the conduct is given. I cannot mention this man's conduct without +indignation. I hope he will find room for repentance, and obtain +pardon from his God for his many vexatious acts in relation to the +prisoners. I know of no man in whose breast so little humanity +prevails. Every prisoner will carry to judgment a charge against him. +One drop of human sympathy never flowed in his veins. A mountain of +ice has frozen around his heart. His acts of inhumanity would fill +volumes, and it would require years to record them. I pity him from my +soul, and though I have felt more than once, the weight of his +_mercy_, I freely pardon him. If he should ever look on this page, I +hope he will remember how unjustly he abused me, because he had the +_power_, and I could not _help_ myself. I wish also that he would +think of Plumley, and the three times convicted sufferer of WOODSTOCK +GREEN. + +Besides those already mentioned, it may not be out of place to touch +on a few of what may be called _extra judicial_ inflictions, or those +which are felt by the prisoners without the usual process of a "report +in writing." These are--not sending their letters, nor admitting those +sent to them--adding a yard to the task of a man, who did not feel +like doing more than was _required_ of him, and making him use the +finest and most difficult materials--imposing the _worst_ work, and +allowing only the _poorest_ tools. These, and many other vexatious +practices, are as common as the return of day and night; so that the +prison at Windsor is one of those gloomy and dreadful places, which +image to the mind that house of woe and pain, where are weeping and +wailing, and gnashing of teeth; where the worm dieth not and the fire +is not quenched; and into which the wicked will be turned, and all the +nations that forget God. + +That the reader may have a full view of this subject, I shall give in +the next chapter a multitude of cases, which will fully illustrate +this very important and affecting part of my sketches. + + +SAMUEL E. GODFREY. + +The case of Samuel E. Godfrey is one of deep and thrilling interest to +every feeling heart. It is one of those numerous cases which stain the +records of humanity, in which the guilt of a criminal is extenuated by +the circumstances of its existence, and lost in the intensity of his +sufferings. The fertile regions of Fancy cannot produce a theme more +fruitful in incidents, and more painful in its melancholy details. It +presents to our minds two principal sufferers, one pure and stainless +as the mountain snow--a forlorn and destitute female; religion +warming her crimeless heart, and virtue sparkling in her tearful eyes, +she deserted not, in the hour of his afflictions, the companion of her +better days, but hung, like an angel of mercy, on the bosom of his +grief, and shared in every pang of his soul. The other claims not our +sympathies as for an innocent sufferer, for crime had been on his +hands, and guilt had made its stains on his heart. I do him no +injustice by this statement; but I should stain my own conscience were +I not to add, that he was a criminal by aggravation, and that had +others acted more in accordance with the dictates of either religion +or moral honesty, he would not have reddened his hands with the blood +of his fellow-man, nor ended his days on a gallows. + +In rescuing the history of this unfortunate sufferer from the grave of +oblivion, I have but one motive, and this is, to do good. It contains +volumes of instruction, and much of this is needed at the present day. +Societies are formed and forming, with a view to improve the condition +of suffering criminals by such a change in the discipline of prisons, +as may conduce to their reformation; and these societies have a right +to such information, as may enable them to act intelligently and +efficiently. I also desire by this piece of history, to hold up the +yet unpunished authors of the most unearthly sufferings, to the +indignant scorn and righteous reprobation of all mankind. It is too +often the case that the crimes of men in authority are sanctified by +the duties of their office, and they screened from the arm of the law +and the force of public contempt, by the necessity of the case. But +the time has come to vindicate the sacred purity of public stations +from this charge, by taking the robe from every unworthy incumbent, +and inculcating the sentiment, both by precept and by practice, that +there is no sanctuary for crime, and no justification for guilt. + +With the history of Godfrey previous to the unhappy event which +conducted him to the scaffold, I have nothing to do. At this time he +was confined in the prison on a sentence of three years for a petty +crime committed in Burlington near the close of the war. He had served +about half of this term, and his conduct had been such as to justify +an expectation of pardon, an application for which was pending before +the executive, when the gloomy event transpired which sealed his +dreadful doom. His wife, one of the most amiable of women, had gone to +lay his petition before the Governor and Council, and plead the cause +of her husband. Hope was beginning to play around the darkness of his +cell, and the anticipations of liberty were beginning to inspire his +breast. His arms were almost thrown out to embrace the companion of +his bosom and the friends of his heart. In the ear of fancy he heard +the voice of his keeper saying--"GODFREY, YOU ARE FREE!" At this +moment, by a sudden turn in the scale of his destiny, all the future +was darkened, and the taper of life began to grow dim with despair. +Driven to desperation by the unjust and cruel treatment of a petty +officer of the prison, he committed the fatal deed, which gave rise to +that train of sufferings, and developed those traits of unfeeling +cruelty in his persecutors, which I am going to describe; and which +terminated his mortal existence on the gallows. + +His employment was weaving; a given number of yards each day was his +task. At the time under consideration, he took what he had woven and +handed it over to his keeper, and as usual, he was found to have done +his task, and performed as much labor as was required of any of the +prisoners, and to have done his work well. While he was conversing +with the keeper on the subject of his labor he remarked that he had +done more than he meant to.--This gave offence, and he immediately +corrected the expression, and gave, as what he designed to say, that +he had wove more than he _thought_ he had. But this did not give +satisfaction; and the master weaver coming up at the time, a +consultation was held with him by the keeper, which resulted in a +complaint against Godfrey to the Warden, for "insolence." This +complaint was made by the advice of the master weaver, who wrote it +with his own hand, as he acknowledges in his testimony before the +court. "I advised Mr. Rodgers to report him, and wrote the report." +These are his own words, and as a reason for his conduct, he further +says; "I had understood that there was a combination among the +prisoners not to weave over a certain quantity." + +Such was the crime alleged in the complaint, which I desire to have +noticed very particularly. It was not that he had not performed his +full task. It was not that his work was not _well_ done. But it was +that he said--"I have done more than I meant to," which he immediately +softened by saying--"I mean I have done more than I thought I had." +And when I shall have informed you what the consequence of such a +complaint was, what the punishment it procured, you will be able to +appreciate the character of those who entered the complaint, and the +greatness of the provocation it gave to the unhappy victim to commit +the assault which followed. + +The laws of the prison were very severe. When any one was reported to +the Warden for any crime, he was, without any hearing, committed to a +solitary cell, as dark as a tomb, and confined there on bread and +water for a number of days, seldom less than a week, at the pleasure +of the keepers. The cell is stone; the prisoner is allowed no bed or +blanket, and only four ounces of bread a day; and before he can be +released from this grave of the living, he must humble himself, plead +guilty, whether he is or not, acknowledge the justice of his +sufferings, and promise to do better for the time to come. To such +suffering and ignominy was Godfrey doomed for that shadow of a crime, +and who can wonder at the rashness and desperation to which he was +driven. + +Soon after the complaint was sent to the Warden the prisoners were +called to dinner, and Godfrey with the rest. After the tables were +dismissed, as Godfrey was going out of the dining room, the Warden, +who was present, ordered him to stop. Knowing by this that he was +reported, and the thought of the punishment to which he had been so +unjustly and unfeelingly devoted, crossing his mind, he became +enraged, and resolved to be avenged on his persecutor before he +submitted to the authority of the Warden. + +Fired with this rash determination, he entered the shop, took a leg of +one of the loom seats, which he cut away with a knife that he had +taken for this purpose from a shoe-bench; and with the knife and club, +he went into an affray with Rodgers the keeper, who had complained of +him. He struck at him a few times, but without effect, his club +catching in some yarn which was hung overhead. Seeing the affray, Mr. +Hewlet, the Warden, went to the assistance of Rodgers, which brought +Godfrey between them. Armed with sharp and heavy swords, they began to +play upon their victim, and soon the floor began to drink the blood +which, with those instruments of death, they had drawn from his +mangled head. So unmercifully did they cut and bruise him that one of +the prisoners laid hold of Mr. Hewlet, and begged of him for God's +sake not to commit murder. It was during this struggle that Mr. Hewlet +received a stab in his side, but from what hand no one could say +positively, though no one doubts it was done by Godfrey. That it was +done, however, without malice, and that he had no recollection of the +act afterwards, ought not to be questioned after his dying testimony. +The first that was seen of the knife was when it was lying on the +floor in the blood. Faint with the blows he had endured, and from the +loss of blood, Godfrey sunk down from the unequal conflict on the sill +of a loom. Mr. Hewlet putting his hand up to his side, said he was +wounded, and was led into the house, and the affray ended. + +Mr. Hewlet had been afflicted with the consumption for years, and no +one who knew him thought he would live long; and he was evidently +sensible himself that his end was nigh. He would frequently complain +of pains in his breast, on which he would often lay his hand and say, +"I am all gone." In this state of health, the wound he received in his +side inflaming, he lingered about six weeks and expired. From a post +mortem examination, it was found that the knife had entered in the +direction, and near the left lobe of the liver; and as that was +entirely consumed, it was the opinion of the surgeons, that the knife +had entered it, and produced an inflammation which was the cause of +his death. It was the unanimous opinion of the surgeons that Mr. +Hewlet's death was caused by the wound. + +Godfrey was taken from the scene of the affray, and lodged in the +place of punishment, and no attention of any kind was paid to the +wounds in his head. No doubt many would have rejoiced if he had died, +and nothing but the utmost care on his part prevented his wounds +inflaming, and leading to a fatal result. He used to keep his head +bound up with a piece of cotton cloth, and constantly wet with urine, +the only medicine he could obtain; and by this means he preserved his +life to endure more indignity and suffering, and die under the hand of +the executioner. + +As soon as Mr. Hewlet died, complaint was entered to the Grand Jury +against Godfrey and an indictment for murder found against him. +Immediately after this was done, the keepers and guard began to +torment him with the most unfeeling allusions to his anticipated +death. They insulted his sufferings--told him that they should soon +see him on the gallows--and exulted above measure when they could +kindle his worst feelings, and draw from him an angry expression. This +was the theme of their cruel tongues continually, and I here affirm, +without fear of contradiction, that greater outrage was never +practiced on the feelings of a criminal by a mean and unprincipled +mob, than Godfrey endured from those who had been placed over him as +guards, and who were under a solemn oath to treat all the prisoners +with kindness and humanity. + +Nor was this feeling and disposition to torment a degraded sufferer, +confined to the petty servants of the prison; it marked the conduct of +all, and even the highest officers of the Institution seemed to take +an infernal satisfaction in creating terrors to harass his mind. At +one time they would dwell on the _certainty_ that he would be _hung_, +and at another inform him that his gallows should be erected over the +large gate of the prison-yard, and so high that all the prisoners and +all the village might see him. Surrounded by such fiends incarnate, he +groaned away his dreadful hours till the time arrived for his trial. + +There were many individuals who felt an interest in the issue of this +trial, and who had serious doubts as to his being guilty of murder. +Among these were Messrs. Hutchinson and Marsh, who volunteered their +services as his counsel. They defended him with a zeal and eloquence +which did them honor. But the die was cast against him, and he was +condemned to suffer as a murderer. It was the opinion of some that he +would be found guilty of only manslaughter, and then his sentence +would be imprisonment for a great number of years or for life. This +was mentioned to him, as a source of comfort, by his friends, but he +always spoke of returning to the prison with the utmost horror. "No," +said he, "not the prison, but the gallows,--if I cannot have liberty, +give me death,--I would rather die than go back to prison for six +months." + +It is said that adversity is woman's hour--that female loveliness +shines brightest in the dark. I have no doubt that this is always the +case; in the present instance I know it was. Godfrey had a wife, and +the best man on earth never deserved a better one. With a fortitude +that affliction could not for a moment weaken, she hung around his +sorrows, and flew with angel swiftness to relieve his burdened soul. +She went to the governor and obtained a short reprieve for her +condemned husband; and his counsel interposed and obtained for him +another trial. + +He was now remanded to the prison to wait a year before the court was +to meet and give him a re-hearing. I have no doubt that he would have +chosen death rather than this, had not the seraph tenderness of his +wife thrown a charm around his being. + +During this year he experienced the same vexations that had attended +him before his trial. And the tiger hearts of his keepers even +improved on their former cruelty, and created in his mind the spectre +which haunted his midnight hours, and painted before his terrified +imagination his lifeless body quivering under the dissecting +knife.--They also most basely and falsely threw out to him +insinuations against the purity of his wife. And as if impatient for +his blood, they contrived to shed some of it before hand, as a kind of +first fruits to their unholy thirst for vengeance. This was done by +provoking him into a rage, and then falling upon him with a sharp +sword and forcing the edge of it by repeated blows against his hand, +with which he aimed to defend himself, and of which he then lost the +use. + +At length the year rolled away, and he was placed again at the bar of +his country, to answer to a charge which involved his life. The same +noble spirits continued his counsel; but the verdict was given against +him, and sentence of death was again pronounced. Unwilling to abandon +him yet, his counsel obtained for him another hearing, at another +court which was to sit in one year from that time, and till then he +was obliged to return to the bosom of his tormentors. + +During this year he found one friend in Mr. Adams, his keeper. This +man had the milk of human kindness in his breast, and he treated his +prisoner in such a manner as to obtain his warmest gratitude, and +deserve the respect of all mankind. During this year, few incidents +transpired worthy of notice. Godfrey had a good room, and was allowed +a few tools with which he manufactured some toys, the sale of which +gave him the means of supplying himself with such little articles of +comfort as his situation required. This was the last year of his life. +At the session of the court he was again convicted, and the sentence +of death was soon after executed upon him. + +Previous to his execution he dictated a brief history of his life, and +his dying speech, which were printed and read with great avidity. In +his dying speech, he makes a solemn and earnest request, that his +remains may be permitted to rest in peace, and not be disturbed by +those "human vultures," who were anxious to do to his body what they +could not do to his soul. He had no fear of death, but he shuddered at +the thought of being dissected by the doctors. But those who had no +feelings of compassion for him while he was living, disregarded his +dying request, and his bones were afterwards found bleaching in the +storms of heaven, on a lonely spot where they had been thrown to avoid +detection. + +His wife was with him during his last hours. He evinced no dread in +view of death, but with a composure almost super-human, he watched the +approach of the dreadful hour which was to release him from earth, and +as he firmly believed, introduce him to the joys of heaven. He was +treated very kindly by his humane keeper, of whom he speaks in the +highest terms in his last words. He received the different clergymen +with respect and affection, as they called to see him, and was fully +prepared, in his own mind, to leave the world. The morning of the +fatal day witnessed his parting with his wife, till they shall meet in +heaven. She entered his room--closely folded in each other's arms, +they seated themselves on the side of his bed, their tears mingling as +they fell, and neither of them able to speak a word. Their eyes were +rivetted on each other, and the expression of their looks might have +pierced a heart of marble. Lost in the dreadful reality of his doom, +they were insensible of the passing minutes, till the rattling of the +keys awoke them from their awful reverie, and signified that the last +moment had come, and that they must part. She tore away from his +clasping embrace--sighs were her only sounds, and her tears fell on +the cold stone floor of his prison as she with slow--reluctant--and +hesitating step, passed away from the object of her tenderest love. +His eyes followed her till she was far out of the room and out of his +sight. Then wiping his eyes, he said to his companions--"It is all +over--you will see no more tears from me. This is what I have long +dreaded; it is now past, and I shall die like a man." + +He attended to the religious services with much propriety. After he +arrived on the gallows, he informed the concourse of people around him +that he had prepared his Farewell Speech which was in print, and that +they might obtain and read it. When the chaplain made the last prayer, +he knelt on the scaffold. After this, taking leave of his attendants, +and casting a calm look on the throng by which he was surrounded, then +on the near and more distant hills, and lastly on the clear blue +heavens, he told the officer that he was ready.--The cap was then +drawn--the scaffold was dropped--and his sufferings were ended. + +In view of this melancholy history, the mind will naturally inquire, +what good reason had Rodgers and F*** for entering that complaint +which led to such direful results? what had Godfrey done? Is it a +crime deserving of punishment for a man to say, "I have done more than +I meant to," when he had done his full task, and done it well? +especially after he explained by saying, "I have wove more than I +thought I had"? Is this a crime? Was it right to treat a prisoner, who +had always behaved well, in such a manner as this? What excuse is +there for those who reported him? Let me, in concluding this sketch, +hold up to the notice of all men,--saints and sinners, bond and free, +the man who, in his testimony on the trial, said,--"I advised Mr. +Rodgers to report him, and wrote the report. I had understood that +there was a combination among the prisoners, not to weave over a +certain quantity." + + +ROWLEY. + +This was an old man of near eighty. He had been worth a great fortune, +and was then in possession of property to the amount of about twenty +thousand dollars. In the prison he found no indulgence for age, no +compassion for the sick, no pity for the suffering, and he was +scarcely in it before he was put in punishment. There was at that time +a guard named French, who had been a soldier at Burlington, and who +said that he had been employed by Rowley, when he was not on army +duty, to cut corn stalks, and that he had cheated him out of his pay. +This he reported to the prisoners and keepers; and now he thought he +should have a good opportunity to be revenged. Accordingly he kept him +in the solitary cell, and wearing a block and chain, most of the time. +The old man could not look, speak, or walk, but French would report +him; and so well was it understood that he was suffering for this old +grudge, that when any one saw him going to the cell, the remark was +immediately made--"Rowley is paying French for the stalks." + +The punishment thus begun, was carried on during the five years of his +sentence. He was the common mark for every little stripling, who +wished to get into the graces of his superiors, by doing some deed of +cruelty; and I presume he was in punishment three years out of the +five to which he was sentenced. No allowance was made for his +years--his want of sight--or his infirmities; he was in the power of +man, an unsocial crabbed old creature it is true, but _still_ a human +being, and entitled to the _common mercy_ of a state prison. But the +"_stalks_" were always green on the memory of his keepers, and they +could not endure to see him out of the cell. He lived, however, in +spite of them, to see the end of his sentence and to return to his +family, where he soon after died. + +Much as French and others are to be blamed for their conduct towards +this man, the _burden_ of condemnation rests on those, who were bound +by the oath of their office, to protect the prisoners from "cruelty +and inhumanity" in the guard. Ought such personal feelings to be +indulged towards a prostrate victim? Can that man be worthy of any +office, who can stoop to such criminal meanness? I am told that French +has since become a christian, and I sincerely hope he has; for I am +well persuaded that it will require many years time, and many a bitter +tear, to purify his conscience from the iniquity of the "_corn +stalks_." + + +COLLIER. + +This man entered the prison under the influence of a cold which he had +taken in gaol. He was in the bloom of youth, and as bright as young +men in general. Not feeling well, he did not always do so much work as +was required of him, and consequently soon began to feel that he was +in a prison. The iron storm of punishment began to beat upon him, and +he was so affected by it, that he lost the use of his limbs in a great +measure, of his speech for some time, and finally of his reason. The +treatment he received would make the records of the inquisition blush. +Starvation, chains, and the cold cell were the only mercies he +experienced. At a certain time when he was unable to speak, as he was +sitting in the cook-room, the Warden entered, and declared that he +would make him speak or kill him. To effect this, he took him by the +hair of his head, and dragged him round the room, pulling and jerking +him with all his might, and crying all the time, "speak or I'll kill +you!"--Reader, have you ever read Howard's Prisons of Europe? It was +in _Europe_ that _he_ found so much misery and cruelty; but this is in +_America_. Yet here, see that Warden of a prison, dragging a prisoner +by the hair of his head, and declaring his intention to kill him if he +did not speak. Inhuman man! where is your heart, if you have any? Will +God suffer you to go unpunished for thus trampling on His authority, +and abusing your fellow man? + +After exhausting all his strength, the Warden gave up, without either +making him speak, or killing him. Every prisoner's heart burned within +him, when he saw what this poor unfortunate man was suffering, and +what might become his own doom. I wonder that every one of them did +not spring forward, and rescue the sufferer from the wicked hands of +that heartless tyrant. I wonder that the earth which bore up the +lion-hearted despot, did not open and destroy him. But this is not the +end of Collier's sufferings from the same man. + +Reduced by disease, and unable to be in the yard, the doctor ordered +him to be put into the hospital, and properly attended to. While he +was there, the Warden went up to see him. Unkind visit! for he took +with him a horsewhip, and before he left him, he used it with lusty +arm about his naked back, until he was quite exhausted, and till +demons might have trembled at the superior depravity and heartlessness +of man. This visit was repeated _once_, and perhaps twice, and the +same medicine administered. + +Such was the conduct of the Warden, of whom the laws of the prison +say, that "with the powers entrusted to him it cannot be necessary for +him to _strike_ his prisoners; much less can it answer any _good_ +purpose for him to give his command in a threatening tone, or +accompanied with oaths; but he shall give his commands with _kindness_ +and dignity, and enforce them with promptitude and firmness."--"_He +shall never strike a prisoner_ except in self-defence, or in defence +of those assisting him in the discharge of his duty." With this part +of the laws of the prison before us, no comment on the acts of the +Warden, in the cases cited above, is necessary. + +After wading through seas of affliction--after losing his +reason--after he had outlived the ability of his destroyers to torment +him further, he went home to his mother, a fair specimen of the +Warden's mercy.--His ruined form is before me--I see his vacant +look--I hear his unmeaning words--my soul sickens--my nerve +trembles--I can neither think nor write. + + +PERRY. + +This man had led a very wicked life, and as the fruit of his sins, a +very unpleasant disease kept frequently reminding him that the +pleasures of sin are a lasting bitter.--With this complaint he was +often confined to his room. At length it was conjectured that he was +not so sick as he pretended, and a resolution was formed that he +should go into the shop and do his work like the other prisoners. To +this, however, he objected, declaring that he was sick, and not able +to be in the shop. But when the king commands, he must be obeyed; and +so a course of preparations was made to make Perry well and get him +out to work. + +In the first place, a long board was provided, with straps to fasten +it on his back, by lashing the sides around his arms, and neck, and +body. This being properly adjusted, a rope was fastened round under +his arms, and he was drawn up by it as if under a gallows, so as to +just permit his toes to touch the ground. This was done in the yard, +before all the prisoners, and keepers, and spectators from without; +and it was repeated every day for as much as a week. After he had hung +there a suitable time, he was let down, and being unable to stand, he +would fall directly to the ground. Then the keepers would throw whole +buckets of water on him, drawn cold from the cistern. Often would they +dash these directly in his face. After this, they would hang him up +again, so that the medicine of the rope, the board, and the bucket, +had a fair opportunity to exert their sanative properties. The patient +lived through it, and so did St. John live through the boiling oil, +but the strength of human nature is no excuse for those who delight in +cruelty. The man who maliciously gives me poison is a murderer, though +my constitution is proof against it; and the fact that Perry outlived +this process, is no evidence that he was not sick. + +I have not the least sympathy for this man on account of what he +suffered from his disease. I am glad that providence has appended to +the impure gratification of sensual desires, some dreadful recoil of +suffering; that when the loveliness of virtue cannot charm, the +deformity and wretchedness of vice may appeal. But I have copied this +sketch from my memorandum, to shew how men in office can descend to +what would degrade a savage. If Perry was as bad as sin itself, no one +had any right to torture him. I have copied it also as a specimen of +what _many_ sick men have had to endure. + + +ROBBINS. + +There was among the keepers a man who cherished some feelings, which +accorded very illy with his christian profession. In his very +countenance there was a something which indicated the peculiar quality +of his soul. Resentment, jealousy, cruelty, and suspicion, like so +many infernal spirits, kennelled in his eyes, and growled through his +snarling voice. This human shape had,--unfortunately for her--a wife +who was a weaver; and he brought some yarn into the prison to have it +warped for her. Robbins was at this time the warper, and the unlucky +task of warping for this lady, fell to him. He performed the duty +assigned him with his usual correctness, and the warp was sent out to +Mrs. ----, to be woven. + +In beaming it on her loom, she broke and tangled the warp to such a +degree, that she could not weave it; and then said that it was spoiled +in warping. This was enough for her husband; he had long had a spite +against Robbins, and now he had a fine opportunity to glut his pious +vengeance. Accordingly he wrote a complaint to the Warden, covering +the whole warp which his wife had spoiled, and many other crimes, +which were not of any consequence alone, but which added to the great +one of the warp, made it look quite black. This report, drawing an +appendix of consequential _et ceteras_, as long as the pen with which +they were written, was sent to the proper officer, and Robbins was +doomed to lie fourteen days and nights in a solitary cell, and live on +four ounces of bread for each twenty-four hours. What makes this +treatment of a helpless prisoner the more abominable is, that Robbins +was always known to do his work in the best manner possible. No +comment is necessary; and I leave that gentleman's conscience tangled +in that warp, till he makes restitution to abused humanity. + + +P. FANE. + +Every line in the sketch that I am now going to transcribe from my +original record, ought to be written in letters of blood. It presents +a complication of crimes as foul as human wickedness can perpetrate, +and a society of criminals whose breath would pollute the atmosphere +of Paradise. I shall be very particular in noticing every important +circumstance in this case, and in suppressing those feelings of +indignation, which at this distance of time and place, kindle in my +breast, when the gushing blood and dying image of the victim rise up +before my mind. + +Fane was an Irish youth of about twenty, and had no relatives, +acquaintances, or friends in this country. For some petty crime he was +sent to the prison for three years. He was of a sprightly but harmless +turn of mind, and he did not at all times keep a prudent check upon +his vivacity; which was the cause of his suffering now and then the +lashes of that authority, which, always frowning itself, could not +endure the sight of a smile. But the greatest difficulty was, he could +not perform so much labor as was required of him, and what he _did_ +perform was not always so good as was expected by his rulers. Why it +should be thought a crime for a man not to learn a trade, so as to do +a full day's work at it, in the brief space of three months, I am +unable to say; and why any one should expect from a learner the +perfection of a master, is equally strange. But none of these +considerations entered into the purposes of his superiors, and he was +consequently in perpetual punishment, either in the solitary cell, or +in carrying round the yard and shop a large block of wood chained to +his ancle. + +In one or the other of these states of suffering, Fane spent much of +the short time of life allotted to him after he entered the prison. +About the time of his bloody catastrophe, he was associated with +Plumley and two brothers by the name of Higgins, who were quite as +much under the frown of authority as himself; and at this time they +were all in chains, but compelled to do their daily task on the loom. +Spending their nights in the same room, and being equally rash and +reckless, they formed a resolution to attempt an escape by forcing +their way, by means of some planks and a ladder, over the wall. This +was to be done early in the morning, as soon as they were let out of +the room. A more foolish plan could not have been laid, for, with the +means they used, no one could have made his way over the high walls of +the prison. Such, however, was their plan, and each one having his +particular part assigned him, they were determined to try to effect +their escape. + +To this rash act, the injustice and inhumanity of their sufferings, no +doubt prompted them; and it is a truth which will one day be made +manifest, that most of the enormities committed by prisoners, have +sprung from the same source. Should prisoners be treated with proper +tenderness, instead of being tortured as they are, _thirty_ +reformations would take place where _one_ does not now. I speak this +from observation and experience; and I am constrained to add, that +many of the keepers are as far from amiable and virtuous principles, +and from morality of conduct, as the prisoners. I allude not to the +keepers as a _body_, for I am happy to know that there are some of +them, who are, in every sense of the terms, _benevolent_, _upright_ +and _gentlemanly_. These condemn the conduct of the others as +severely as I _can_, and they ought to be respected as redeeming +spirits amidst the fallen and depraved ones with whom they are under +the necessity of associating. Their number, however, is comparatively +small, and they do not generally stay long. + +Before Fane and his party could make their rash attempt, they were +under the necessity of delivering themselves from their chains, which +was an easy task. While they were doing this in their room, the night +before the time fixed upon to escape, they made some noise with their +file, which drew some of the keepers to the window of their room to +listen. By this means they learned the whole plan--heard them talk it +over--knew it was to be the next morning as soon as the doors were +opened--knew all the steps in contemplation--knew that they had freed +themselves from their chains, and were in perfect readiness for the +morning. All this was known to the authority of the prison the night +before, as I was often told by several of the keepers, and +particularly by the deputy keeper, with whom I conversed freely and +fully on the subject. + +And here I should like to submit the question, whether, with this +knowledge in his possession, the Warden acted right in letting these +four men out of their room? Ought he not to have kept them in till the +other prisoners had got to their work, and then told them that their +plan was known, and that it was too late to make the attempt? Had he +done this, he would have been commended, and one of the most unhappy +events would have been prevented. If it is a true principle of law, +that he, who not only does not _prevent_, but virtually affords +facilities for the commission of a _crime_, is in some degree guilty +of that crime, then I will leave the Warden of the prison to answer +for the death of Fane. + +In the morning, they were let out, and they went forward like madmen +to their fatal project. A lad of about seventeen was on the wall as +guard. Prepared for the event, he watched them as they advanced with +their plank, and placed it against the wall, but made no attempt to +fire. The first that went up were the Higginses and Plumley; Fane was +in another part of the yard after a small ladder, which he broke in +removing it from its place. Finding that the ladder was broken, and +that their other means were insufficient, they retired from the wall, +abandoned the attempt, and went behind the chapel. No shot was +discharged at either of _them_; but when Fane, who had not yet been at +the wall, ran up that way, before he got within three rods of it, the +guard levelled his musket at his head, as deliberately as if he were +going to shoot at game, and dropped him lifeless on the ground. The +ball passed through his temple, and a buck shot through his cheek; the +blood gushed out of his head in a large stream, and ran down on the +ground nearly a rod. + +It has always appeared strange to me, that the guard did not fire on +one of the others, but reserved his death-shot for Fane. He was asked +this question once, and also why he fired _at all_, and his answer +was, that Fane was throwing stones at him, one of which, he said, hit +him on the cheek. This however, was not true: I saw Fane from the time +he came out of his room till he fell dead, and I saw him throw +nothing. Indeed he _could not_ have thrown any thing, for as he lay in +death, he had firmly clenched in one hand, the chain which he had cut +from his leg, and in the other, the knife which he had used as a saw +in cutting it. These I saw in his hands the minute he fell, and I know +that, with them, he could not have thrown a stone or any thing else. + +But if Fane's throwing a stone at him was crime enough to deserve +death, why did he not deal out the same punishment to Higgins? He had +the same provocation from him that he pretended to have had from Fane, +for Higgins threw a club at him, after he had shot his friend, which, +if it had hit him, would have killed him; but he sent no shot at +_him_. The fact is, Fane was an Irishman, and there was no friend to +look after him, but the others had relatives near; and _if it was +determined that one of them should be killed to impress a dread on the +rest_, Fane was the _pre-determined_ victim. I do not say that such +_was_ the case, but if it was not, I should like to know why they were +let out of the room, when their plot was so well known? and, also, why +Fane, who was the least outrageous of the four, should have been shot, +and no attempt made on any of the others? + +After he had committed this bloody crime, the guard began to be +alarmed, and thought of going off. That his conscience thundered, I +have no doubt; and that the sentiment of guilt which pierced his soul, +should array the gallows before him, was what might have been +expected. He was, however, consoled by his superiors, and the +coroner's verdict, that Fane came to his death in consequence of the +guard's doing his duty, calmed him completely, in respect to his +_legal_ apprehensions. + +I have no disposition to censure the verdict of the jury of inquest; +they no doubt acted conscientiously. Still, I doubt very much whether +it was the _duty_ of the guard to _kill_ Patrick Fane. If it _was_, on +what account? Was there any danger of his escaping? No; this was not +pretended. Was the guard in any danger of personal violence? No. The +story of stones being thrown at him is destitute of all proof but the +guard's own assertion, and is confuted by a hundred eye witnesses. +What, then, rendered it his duty to kill his prisoner? It was _not_ +his duty; neither the law nor the facts in the case made it so; and a +justification of that deathly act, can be found in no established +principle of jurisprudence, or of moral conduct. If he had fired +towards him merely to _alarm_ him, or if he had wounded him slightly +in his legs, he might have been excused; but to deal in death at once, +and that without any just cause, is a crime for which we shall seek in +vain for either excuse or extenuation. + +I do not, however, mean to deal too severely with this young and +inexperienced guard; he was under authority, and he had orders to +obey. But I mean to exhort those who gave him such orders to settle +the case with their consciences, that they may die in peace. He has +suffered much since that fatal morning, and for many years his +countenance denoted that all was not peace within. I pity him, and +most sincerely do I hope, that no other promising young man will ever +listen to the voice of the aged, and do that which will bring the +blood of a fellow being on his soul. + +After the alarm was over, Plumley and the Higginses were committed to +the solitary cells, and Fane was left weltering in his blood till +afternoon, in full view of all the prisoners, and of the hundreds of +citizens who came in to see him. + +About this time, preparations began to be made to bury him. A +principal officer in the place told the carpenter to make a box of +rough boards not regarding the shape at all. "Don't," said he, "make a +coffin, but a _box_, and bury him in his clothes, just as he is." The +carpenter, however, took it upon himself to make a coffin, and to make +a very good one. + +During the afternoon, a very remarkable alteration was made in the +funeral preparations. Instead of burying him in his clothes, as was +directed, he was dragged on the ground like a dead dog, round to the +other side of the chapel, and there stripped, laid on a board, and +washed all over with brine; his head cleaned, and his hair combed, and +then wrapped up in a clean sheet. This was paying his remains a degree +of respect which was never paid to a prisoner before, and the inquiry +was very naturally made--"What does it mean?" Some thought that the +hearts of the keepers began to relent, and that this was a sign of a +troubled conscience. Others thought _differently_, but it remained for +time to explain the mystery. + +The burying place is in the yard of the prison, and close by the +building in which the prisoners sleep. There Fane was buried in the +neat and clean style described above. Those who buried him, thought +that his body _might_ be taken up and given to the doctors for +dissection, and to be _certain_, they marked the grave in such a way +that it could not be disturbed without their knowing it. + +The next morning the grave was examined, but no alteration had taken +place; but the second morning, the grave was found to have been +opened, and the news went through the prison like a flash of +lightning. "What! is it not enough to murder him, must his body be +disturbed and given to the doctors?" was the indignant and wrathful +expression of every tongue. The whole prison was in a blaze, and the +united demand of the prisoners for an explanation was not trifled +with. At noon the principal officers came into the dining room, when +all the prisoners were assembled for dinner, and each of them made a +speech, touching the subject of the violated grave; and it is due to +them both, to give the reader their speeches unaltered, that he may +judge of their guilt or innocence from their own words. + +The Warden said, that a suspicion appeared to exist, that Fane's body +had been taken away, but he thought without foundation. The grave did +not appear to him to have been touched. At any rate, if the body was +gone, _he_ knew nothing of it, and he did not think that any of the +keepers or guard did. He could not see how it could be dug up, and the +prisoners not hear it, as the grave was so near them. But if that +_could_ be done, he thought it could have been taken out of the yard +but by one of two ways, and if it went through either of these, the +noise of the great gates must have been heard. His opinion was, that +his body was still in the grave; but if it had been taken away, _he_ +knew nothing about it, and he did not think that any of the rest of +the keepers did. + +This was the poorest speech I ever heard that man make, and his +appearance told too plainly to be misunderstood, that from some cause +or other, his mind was troubled. I do not mean to say that he removed +the body himself, but when you hear the other speech, you will know +that the prisoners had reason to suspect something. + +The Superintendent said: "I clear nobody. That grave has been +disturbed, and the body has evidently been removed. I did not once +dream of such a thing; if I had had the least suspicion of it, I would +have placed a guard there. It was his sacred bed till the morning of +the resurrection, and no one had any right to disturb him. I don't +know what to think, but I know that there is guilt somewhere, and, as +the Superintendent of the prison, I will spend five hundred dollars +but that I will find something about it." + +This satisfied the prisoners of the innocence of the Superintendent, +but not of the Warden. They retired to work fully convinced that the +Warden knew about the removal of the body, and that conviction has not +been worn off, but confirmed by after reflection. The reasons for +supposing that the Warden was knowing to the disinterment of Fane's +body, I shall now state, leaving the reader to judge of their force. + +1. The Warden had a son at that time studying in the medical college +at Hanover, only fourteen miles distant from the prison. + +2. He ordered the body to be washed in brine, and laid out in a clean +sheet, a mark of respect not granted to other prisoners. + +3. The body _was_ taken away, and it could not have been removed +without the knowledge of the guard, who was on duty that night; for he +passed directly by the grave every hour and a half all night, and sat +so near it at all the other times, that he could hear a nut shell fall +on it. It was then impossible for the body to be taken away without +his knowledge; it could not have been stolen away by any one in the +short time of an hour and a half, nor could the grave have been opened +and closed without giving alarm. + +And it was equally impossible for _one_ of the guard to know this, and +be accessary to it, without letting others into the secret, for one +was on duty only an hour and a half, when he was relieved by another. + +Nor could _all_ the guard have combined in this without the knowledge +of the deputy keeper, for the keys were all in his care. Nor would any +of the keepers or guard have dared to commit such an act, without the +Warden's instructions. Without his knowledge this could not. + +4. The Warden's _guilty_ appearance; his effort to make it appear that +the grave had not been touched; and if it had been, that _he_ and all +the _keepers_ and _guard_ were innocent. + +5. The fact that nothing was ever done by him to find the body--no +reward offered by him--no stir of any kind--but the business was +hushed up, and the prisoners not allowed to speak of it to their +friends, or mention it in any of their letters. + +6. It became after a few years an undisputed report, that the Warden +permitted the body to be removed for the benefit of his son; and the +manner of the removal, and the persons engaged in it, were the +subjects of frequent conversation. + +Such are the reasons for believing that the Warden was the principal +agent in the removal of the body. It is not my office to render +verdict on the evidence adduced, but I may be permitted to say that +_if_ he was guilty, he was not fit for his office. The crime, +according to the laws of that state, is severely punished; and +aggravated as it was, if _he_ was guilty, imprisonment for life would +not have been too great a penalty. He was an officer of high trust, +and he could not have been guilty of that crime without connecting it +with perjury and burglary. And if to these be added the crime of being +accessary to his death I would ask what can be wanting to cap the +climax of his iniquity? + +I do not say that any of these sins belong to him. He _may_ be +innocent, notwithstanding all these appearances and I could wish that +he were. There is darkness around the subject, too much for him if he +is not guilty, but not enough if he is. One thing is certain, it will +be known at some future day; and if he should finally have to plead +guilty before his God, his punishment will not linger then, though he +may escape it here. He had taken an oath to enforce the laws, and +abide by them himself, and in particular to treat his prisoners +tenderly and humanely; and if instead of doing so, he broke them, and +became the destroyer of life, and the disturber of the repose of the +dead, I envy him not his peace of mind in this world, nor his doom in +the next. + +The Higginses and Plumley were confined in the solitary cells on bread +and water for thirty days, a punishment by many degrees more painful +than death. This was the second time that Plumley had endured that +punishment, and this laid the foundation for that disease which +carried him down a neglected and suffering victim to the grave. The +Higginses served their time out and were discharged. + +Various reports were circulated about the guard who shot Fane. He left +that part of the country in a few years, and went to the West, where, +it was reported, he gave himself up to drinking, and became deranged. +For the truth of these reports I shall not vouch, though I firmly +believe them, and I am well assured that he never can think of PATRICK +FANE without remorse. + +It escaped my recollection in the proper place, that one of the +prisoners was looking out of his cell window near the grave the night +that Fane's body was taken, and saw the deputy Warden so distinctly as +to be able to describe his dress and appearance, which he did in _his_ +presence, before all the officers and prisoners. The deputy noticed +how particular the description was, and said, with a blushing +smile--"He has described me exactly." No doubt he felt the force of +his conduct, and conscience evidently was accusing him. This is +another evidence that the body was taken by permission of the +officers, and with their assistance. + + +A YOUTH. + +From some cause unknown to me, the subject of this sketch had been +deranged some time before he was sent to prison, and the effect +produced on his mind was still visible in his looks and manners. +Naturally, he possessed bright and interesting traits of mind, and a +very amiable and engaging temper; but when reason abandoned him, he +became sullen, and if crossed in his wishes, was furious and +untameable. + +Not long after his commitment, the frequent vexations he had to meet +with, and the unsympathizing temperament of his keepers, drove him to +distraction. In this situation he was a fine object for the relentless +severity of those, who should have treated him with the most humane +and tender regard. None but the most thoroughly hardened, could have +tortured a poor friendless and phrensied mortal, as he was tortured by +his guard and keepers. + +In the first place, he was punished because he did not perform his +appointed labor, which, it was evident, was more than he _could_ have +accomplished, if he had been in his right mind. This threw him into +the most raging phrensy, and inspired the genius of cruelty with new +life and energy. + +To confine him, an iron jacket was provided, which kept his arms close +to his body; and a new invention of iron, heavy and rough, brought his +hands together, and confined them across his breast. This needless and +inhuman contrivance wore the flesh from his hands and wrists, and kept +them constantly bleeding. Thus bound in iron, worse than fancy paints +the victims of Satanic sport in the world of wo, he was confined in a +small cell, to groan out his misery in doleful cries, or sit in silent +meditation on the _mercy_ of man to man. + +I cannot think of this ruined lad without growing chill with horror. I +hear now his phrensied shrieks! His unearthly murmurings are still +falling with deathly emphasis on my soul!--O! my God! of what is the +heart of man composed! Days, weeks, and months, he filled that dungeon +with vocal misery; and yet no angel mercy drew near him to comfort or +to pity; but the tiger looks of heartless man were his only sunshine, +and frowns were his only music! + +In this work of torture, one of the keepers gave himself an infernal +distinction over the rest. Not satisfied with contemplating in this +youth, the double ruin of body and mind, with a passion for torture +which I hope has returned to the breast of him whom alone it might not +disgrace, he used to beat him with his sword and his fist, and allow +him only a famishing morsel of food. So unmercifully did he abuse this +poor maniac, that he was mistaken by him for the _devil_--if indeed, +it was a mistake--and declared to be the terror of his waking, and the +odious spectre of his sleeping hours. + + +DEAN. + +Only fourteen years had rolled over this boy's head, when he became a +prisoner in Windsor on a sentence of three years. Rude, but not +vicious--lively without design--and less experienced than a man of +sixty, he was a promising victim for the _irrespective_ discipline of +that dreary place. He soon took up his abode in the solitary cell, and +there, young as he was, he spent much of his time, both in summer and +winter. Fifteen days at a time has that little boy been in the cell in +the dead of winter, with only one blanket, and a piece of bread not +larger than his hand once in a day. All night long have I heard him +cry, and plead to be let out, that he might not freeze; but no reply +could he get from the keeper but--"Stop your noise--shut your +head--learn to keep out--I hope you'll freeze." + +To say nothing about the impropriety and unmercifulness of such +conduct to _any_ prisoner, how does it appear in a man of sufficient +years to know better, towards a small boy. Would Lucifer himself have +treated even a young _christian_ so? Every one knew that Dean was by +no means a _bad_ boy; he was thoughtless and imprudent, but never did +he deserve such cruel treatment. Indeed such punishments as are +properly called _cruel_, cannot be _constitutionally_ inflicted on +_any_ one, much less on a boy; nor for any _offence_, much less for a +_trifle_. I here hold up to the view of humanity this tortured +youth--his ears frozen, his limbs shivering, his fingers numb and red +as blood, pinched with hunger, exhausted by exercise to prevent +freezing to death, and dying for want of sleep. I hold him up in this +predicament, amid the gloom of the solitary cell for some trifling +error, at the dark and silent hour of midnight, in the cold months of +winter, pleading for his life, and comforted only by this snarling +reply of the guard, "Stop your noise." Yes, I hold him up in such +circumstances, where I have often heard his piercing cries, and ask +the beholders to read in him the _common mercy_ of that "_merciful +Institution_." + +This is a _penitentiary_. It was erected as such. The laws consider it +in this light. It is made the duty of the officers to have an especial +eye, in all their conduct, to the moral reformation of the prisoners. +How inconsistent, then, must such conduct be? Can such cruelty on any +person do him any good? Rather would not such treatment have the +effect, even on a saint, to make him a sinner? But look at the +punishment of this little boy. What he endured would have crushed a +giant. No account made of his age and inexperience--no thought of the +_kind_ and _degree_ of correction suited to him--no feelings of +compassion; but the steel-hearted man, who ought to have thought of +his own children of the same age, met this young unthinking trespasser +on some of the _minor_ rules of the limbo, like a hungry bear, and +threw him into the infernal machinery of his vengeance. + + +CHAMBERLAIN. + +This man was a harmless lunatic. He never offered the least violence +to any one, and was as unfit a subject of punishment as is commonly +found. He did not, as might have been expected of any one in his +situation, attend very closely to his work, and what he _did_ do, was +not very _well_ done. By this he came under the letter of that common +law which makes no allowance for bodily or mental imperfections, and +was introduced to the solitary cell. He now found a home, and he soon +became perfectly acclimated, and seemed not to care whether he was in +the cell or out of it. When it was found that he was contented in that +place, he was let out, and doomed to wear a block and chain; and +between these two modes of suffering, he was kept in constant +vibration. There was no feeling in the hearts of his punishers. What +though God had set his mark on him in the ruin of his mind, and thus +by his own signet commended him to the sympathy and protection of his +fellow-men? What though no being on earth could give him a moment's +penal suffering without trampling on all the principles of right, and +propriety, and law, and insulting the majesty of Heaven in the abuse +of its subjects? They had the _power_, and they gloried in its +unfeeling and most outrageous abuse. + +As an evidence of the manner in which this poor lunatic was used, I +will relate an illustrative circumstance. + +He was lying one day on the ground, with his huge block and chain by +his side. The keeper went to him and said, "Chamberlain, you must go +into the solitary cell." "I must?" said he; "let me see. I have been +out--_one_--_two_--_three days_--yes, it is time; I have not been out +so long before this great while." + +I would not dwell on these gloomy sketches--I could not prevail on +myself to torture the public mind by the recital of such abusive, +inhuman, and infamous acts, did I not hope, by this means, to do +something that may ultimately effect a _cure_ for these evils. This is +to be done _only_ by holding up the evils, in all their dimensions and +enormity, to the eye of the public; and painful as is the task, I hope +God will give me strength to support it, and to go on untiring, till +the object is accomplished. These representations of human misery +ought to elicit human sympathy, and inspire human effort for their +removal. I know the things that I write; I have tasted the wormwood +and the gall; and though my heart sickens at the remembrance of these +things, still I have put my hand to the plough, and I will not look +back. + + +MRS. BURNHAM. + +Among those records of the past which fill the soul of man with the +keenest pain, and fix the darkest stain on the pages of human +guilt;--on that blood-red sheet that exhibits the mutual rage, +persecution, and burning of religious fanatics, I have found an +account of a woman who was doomed to the stake in such a situation +that in the midst of her sufferings in the flames, she became a +_mother_. The book dropped from my hand as I read this dreadful story, +and I regretted my relation to a race of beings, capable of such +iron-hearted cruelty and infernal guilt. But this was in ENGLAND, and +it was some consolation to my sickening heart to reflect that I was an +AMERICAN. I felt a sort of national pride, and wrapped myself up in +the delusion, in which too many are now slumbering, that such things +belong exclusively to the Old World, and will never blacken the +history of the New. How foolish are such national prejudices; how +absurd and contrary to all experience, to suppose that _local_ +circumstances will alter the moral nature of man. The lion loses not +his ferocity by treading the soil or breathing the air of +Massachusetts; and the founder of Providence can testify, that the +pious settlers of New England caught the spirit of persecution as they +were flying from its faggots and fire. Man is _man_, wherever you find +him. By nature a tyrant, and ever glorying in the extension and +display of his authority, every human being is either a pope or a +Nero, and would become as offensive to God, and as dreadful to the +human race as they were, if placed in the same circumstances. With +the exception of those who are brought under the influence of the +spirit of the gospel, this is universally true; and all the +improvements of the arts and sciences and of civilization, are but so +many refined inventions in the rebellion of earth against heaven. +Christianity makes the only grand and radical difference among men. +This brings all who heartily embrace it back to the authority of +heaven, while all others are forcing themselves on to the perfection +of a character as opposed to God and mutual happiness, as Beelzebub is +to the Saviour of the world. I am now going to introduce a sketch +which will evince the aptness of Americans in imitating the cruelties +of Europe. "England _is_ what Athens _was_," says Phillips, and too +soon, I fear will America rival England in those things which she +professes to abhor. With how much reason I apprehend this, the +following account, among others, will shew. + +Mrs. Burnham had committed a crime as foul as sin could inspire, and I +am not going to plead her cause. She ought to have been punished, and +that severely, but not at the _time_, nor in the manner she was. She +was married, and at the time of her trial and sentence, it was known +that in a short time she would need a _sort_ and _degree_ of +attention, which prisons were never designed to give; but no regard +was paid to her situation, and she was sentenced to be confined in the +State Prison, to hard labor for a number of years. What a child unborn +had done to be doomed to date its birth in a prison, I leave for those +to determine, who have read more law than I have. + +The place of her abode was a small room, with one small and strongly +grated window. From every hall the noise and tumult of the prisoners +was forced directly upon her ears; and in the large space from which +her room was partitioned off, was placed a guard during every night. +Her food was such as the other prisoners had, and her other treatment +of the same kind. + +In this place she spent her time till a few days before her +confinement; when she was taken into the keeper's house till her babe +was a few weeks old, and then sent back with it into her room. How she +fared while in the house, I know not, as no prisoner visited that +apartment at the time, to my knowledge; but the report is not at all +in favor of the family residing in the house at the time. How she +fared in the prison I need no one to inform me. One of the men who +attended her, is gone to the world of spirits, and I hope he has found +mercy of his God. Of another that had the care of her I can say, that +if they that _show_ no mercy _find_ none, it is high time for him to +agree with his adversary, lest he, in turn, shall find a small room +till he shall pay the utmost farthing. The insult which that woman had +to suffer--the indignity--the abuse--the oppression, are all recorded +in a book that will be opened in the day of Judgment, and if all men +shall be judged according to their actions, and receive according to +the deeds done in the body, many will regret their conduct towards +this afflicted and injured woman. + +I might dwell with painful minuteness on this sketch, but from the +nature of its details, this is no place for them. The great facts are +_enough_ for my purpose, and _too much_ for the happiness or credit of +those who are concerned. The deeply infamous truth on which I wish to +fix the mind of the reader, is, the _situation_ of the woman when she +was sentenced. What the law in such cases may be I know not, but I +envy no man a station which compels him to such a deed as must carry +horror to every mind that has the least sense of propriety, humanity, +or justice. If the law makes no provision in such cases, then have we +attained to a degree of refinement that would disgrace a savage. But +if the law _does_ provide for such cases, where is that man's fitness +for his station who denied this woman all the benefit of that +provision, and inflicted on her a lash which made her unborn infant +bleed? + +Another circumstance to be noticed is, her treatment in the prison. +The subject is too delicate to be treated here, with any degree of +particularity. Even the most corrupt of the prisoners was often +indignant at the low and vulgar insults that were offered to her by +those whose only excuse is, that they knew no better. + + "Immodest words admit of no defence, + For want of decency is want of sense." + +She survived this train of abuse and cruelty, and the Governor and +Council to their credit, and to the honor of the state, permitted her +to return to her husband and family, as soon as her case could come +before them. + +I know not with what feelings the public mind will contemplate the +fact recorded in this sketch; but I hope, most devoutly, that it will +be universally reprobated. I shall carefully observe its effect, and +note it down as a sure indication of the tone of American morals and +American sentiment. My bosom will expand with national pride, or my +cheek redden with national shame, in the same proportion that such +conduct is condemned or sanctioned by public opinion. It is no excuse +for such conduct that the sufferer had sinned. I well know that she +merited the severest punishment; for the soul freezes at the thought +of her crime. But to every thing there is a proper season, and it is +_not_ the proper season to punish a sinning female when a child +_unborn_ is to be put in peril. As well might the Creator send an +unborn infant to hell with its sinful mother. + + + + +TREATMENT OF THE SICK, AND BURIAL OF THE DEAD. + + +While a man is in health, he can endure hardship, and support himself +under the pressure of almost any calamity; but when his health fails, +he sinks down a nerveless victim, and lies exposed to the mercy of +those evils he can no longer resist. It is the sick that, of all the +sufferers in this world, most need the pity and compassion of their +fellow mortals, and whose neglect and sufferings cry the loudest to +heaven. To sickness, all are equally exposed, the high and the low, +the virtuous and the vicious, the saint and the sinner; and not to +compassionate and relieve them, is a crime which speaks the deep +depravity of the heart, and which will by no means pass unpunished. +But if the want of sympathy and tender feelings for the sick, is such +a crime, what must be said of that man, who can sport with their +misery, and take an infernal satisfaction in increasing it? + +The sick in Windsor prison are considered as _criminal_ in their +sickness, and _punished_ rather than comforted. It is not often that a +prisoner can get into the place appointed for the sick, until his case +is hopeless, and not always then, for many die before they can +convince the keepers that they are sick. A very convenient excuse for +this neglect is, that many have pretended to be sick, and have been +treated as such, when they were perfectly well. This I know is true, +and such hypocrites cannot be too severely dealt with; but this is no +good reason why one who really needs attention, should be neglected. +It is, however, another instance of visiting all for the crime of one. + +The By-Laws require that "some fit person shall be appointed as a +physician, whose duty shall be to visit the prison as often as once in +every week, and oftener, if found necessary, to inquire into the +health of the prisoners, to give directions relative to the conduct +and regimen of the sick, and admit such patients into the hospital as +he may judge necessary." Another regulation in the By-Laws, in respect +to the sick, is, that they shall take no medicine in any part of the +prison except the hospital, unless they are unable to be removed +thither; and the obvious meaning of the Laws is, that no medicine +shall be prescribed by any but the physician. It is equally obvious +that the physician is to be called upon whenever a serious complaint +is made by any of the prisoners. Nor is it less obviously implied, +that the sick shall be treated kindly. Such is the Law; let us see the +practice. + +When complaint of sickness is made by any of the prisoners, the keeper +who has the care of the sick is sent for, and if the person is unable +to work, he is taken to his room and shut up there to get well. No +physician is sent for, except, perhaps, in one case out of fifty; and +the patient is allowed no food but a dish of crust coffee and a piece +of bread, once in twenty-four hours. This is his diet while he remains +sick. When he is first shut up, he has an emetic given him, or a +blister applied to his breast. This is almost always done, no matter +what the complaint is; and should the physician attend twenty times at +the hospital, he can scarcely ever see him. Sometimes the patient is +bled, and all this is done by a man who has no _right_ to prescribe, +and who is as ignorant of all medicine as he is of the feelings of a +kind and generous sympathy; and done too in a place where the Law +_forbids_ the use of medicine. But what are laws to tyrants? If the +person has a firm constitution he generally outlives such cruelty, and +returns to his work; but if his complaint continues, after much time, +he is handed over to the physician, and takes his chance for life or +death in the hospital. + +I do not mean to reflect, generally, on the conduct of the physicians. +With but few _serious_, and a number of _minor_ exceptions, their +conduct has been alike honorable to themselves and ornamental to their +profession. The great difficulty with them, is, they have no +_authority_ to do any thing; the most they _can_ do is to _advise_, in +no instance can they _command_; and their advice is followed or not, +as best suits the convenience or disposition of their master. If any +officer in a prison ought to have supreme authority, it is the +physician. Life and death are in his hands, and he ought to have all +the power necessary to the full discharge of his professional duty. +His prescription should be something more than _advice_, and he should +have authority to punish all disobedience to his orders, and all +cruelty or inhumanity to the sick. If the physicians of Windsor prison +had been invested with this power, such have been their general +reputation for skill and humanity, that many an hour and month of keen +distress would have been spared to the prisoners, and more than one +life been preserved. + +It cannot have escaped the notice of any one who has seen the +treatment of the sick, that the keepers consider them no better than +dogs, and are determined that they shall have no peace, sick or well. +The iron-hearted discipline of the place is enough to rive the +stoutest soul, and crush a heart as hard as marble; and in not a +single instance has a prisoner escaped from it, if he has been there +three or four years, without a ruinous impression that will go with +him to his grave. But by a refinement of torture, which would be +patented in the Court of the Inquisition, this mountain of +uncalled-for oppression is rolled over, with double weight, on the +sinking frame, and fainting heart, and trembling soul of the sick and +dying. And to cover all this unearthly and inhuman conduct with a +mantle, starred with _mercy_, and serene with _kindness_, the By-Laws +are sent up every year to the Legislature, breathing the spirit of +heaven, and written with tears of heart-bleeding compassion. +Heaven-daring hypocrisy! I appeal to the keepers themselves--to the +angels who have hovered over the sick--to the ghosts of Ellis and +Burnham, whether there is a single drop of human feeling in the +treatment of the sick. Away with the By-Laws as evidence against the +declarations I have just made. How often has liberty triumphed in the +Statutes of an unhappy country, long after tyranny had fettered every +hand and every tongue in the empire. How often has piety remained in +the letter of the prayer book and liturgy, years and centuries after +the _spirit_ had gone up to heaven, and the snows of human guilt had +extinguished the last spark of the altar. + +Not only are the sick neglected and unpitied by the officers and +servants of the prison, the _Ministers_, also, neglect them. I have +known men lie six months in the hospital, and die, without being +visited by a single clergyman, or having even one christian call to +pray with them. This speaks but little for the piety of Windsor; but +such is the fact. It ought however to be understood, that the +clergymen of that town are always willing to attend to any of the +duties of their office, as well _in_ the prison as _out_ of it, when +they know that they are wanted. I make but one exception to this +remark, and that is only a _partial_ one, for Mr. How--d was not +_always_ what I am condemning. The great blow, then, must fall +ultimately with the greatest weight on the keepers. But still, when +the great and the pious men of the village were weeping over the +miseries of sin in the far distant Isles of the Pacific, and in the +lands of the rising and setting sun, and sending their property in +Bibles, Tracts, and Missionaries to "the farthest verge of the green +earth;" is it not a little wonderful that they should so have +forgotten the "prison house," and the sin-ruined prisoners, famishing +for the bread of life, in their own town, and within their own sight, +as not to have blessed them with a single visit from their itinerant +mercy? Would not a little attention to the wants of the neighborhood +have been at least _excused_? + +Neglected, however, as they are by Christians, many of the suffering +tenants of that gloomy abode, have an arm to lean upon which bears +them up, and a sun to shine around them, whose beams create their day. +While the earth is disappearing, and their heart-strings are breaking, +they can sing-- + + How sweet my minutes roll, + A mortal paleness on my cheek, + And glory in my soul! + +It would gladden the hearts of christians to reflect on the happy +deaths that have been witnessed in that place. There, religion appears +in all her loveliness. When there is no kind friend to watch the +fading cheek and close the sightless eye--when a mantle of everlasting +black is falling on all the beauties of earth, and hiding the sun, +moon, and stars for ever--when the blood is stopping, a cold and +clammy sweat is gathering on the temples, and the heart is sinking +down into the stillness of death; then it is that the value of that +principle is appreciated, which charms all fears away, and calms the +throbbing heart, and lights up in the soul the brightness of eternity. +Then, in that immortal ecstacy that nothing but God can inspire, it +enables the happy possessor to join with the millions who have gone +before him, in this triumphant farewell to this vale of tears:-- + + On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, + And cast a wishful eye + To Canaan's fair and happy land, + Where my possessions lie, + + O the transporting rapt'rous scene, + That rises to my sight; + Sweet fields array'd in living green, + And rivers of delight. + + No chilling winds, nor pois'nous breath + Can reach that healthful shore; + Sickness and sorrow, pain and death, + Are felt and fear'd no more. + + Fill'd with delight, my raptur'd soul + Can here no longer stay; + Tho' Jordan's waves around me roll, + Fearless I launch away. + +After a prisoner dies, his friends can have his body if they wish it. +If they do not call for it immediately, it is buried in the +prison-yard; but if they should call for it any time afterwards, it +would be disinterred and given to them. + +The ceremony at the funeral is usually appropriate and solemn. Laid in +a decent black coffin, the body is placed where all the prisoners can +see the face, as they pass in Indian file by it. A clergyman always +attends, makes some remarks, and then prays; after which the corpse is +laid in the grave, and his memory is soon lost. + +The house of the dead is no place to make a reflection, and the grave +of the individual may be thought by many to be the place in which all +that pertains to him should be buried. In general, perhaps, this is +true, but not always; and I shall, before I leave the buried remains +of the prisoners, record some facts which ought not be forgotten. + +After their death, very sympathetic letters are written by order of +the keeper, or by the keeper himself, to the friends of the deceased, +stating how kindly he was treated, and how peacefully he died. I was +called upon to write one of these letters, and I have not forgotten +what directions were given me by the very man whom the dying prisoner +considered his murderer. + +During the prisoner's sickness, he frequently writes to his friends; +but as his letters are examined by the keeper, and not sent unless +approved, he cannot state his real condition and treatment, but must, +in order to have his letter sent, at least _imply_ that he is treated +kindly. Hence many a friend is led to feel grateful to the officers, +when perhaps their cruelty has caused the very death they deplore. + +The circumstance I am now going to relate, involves the clergyman who +attended the funeral of an old prisoner, who had given no signs of +repentance, it is true, nor had he been the greatest sinner on earth. +The remarks made on the occasion were as follows, verbatim et +literatem, for I recorded them in stenography at the time.--"As I was +coming down here," said he, "I was thinking of an old slave of a +southern planter. Returning home one day, he was told that his master +had gone a long journey, from which he would never return. He asked +where he had gone, and was told that he had gone to heaven. 'No, no,' +said the slave, 'Massa no gone to heaven. When Massa go a journey he +talk about it a great while before hand, and make great preparation, +but me never hear him say any thing about going to heaven.' I know +nothing," said the preacher, "about the man who is going to the grave, +but these thoughts came into my mind as I was coming from my house, +and they struck me as appropriate to this occasion. Let us pray." + +No comment is necessary on such insulting language over the ashes of a +fellow mortal. Such a polluted stream denotes the quality of the +fountain from which it flowed. + +The next chapter will contain a diversity of cases to illustrate the +remarks in this. + + +ELLIS. + +This man was afflicted with the consumption. At the time with which +this account commences, he was wasted to almost a shadow; the paleness +of death was on his countenance--and his voice was feeble and +trembling. Though under the care of the physician, and taking medicine +every day, he was yet unable to get into the hospital, but was obliged +to spend his days either in his cell, where he could obtain but little +nourishment, or at his work in the shop. The scene now before me, was +in the cook room, a place partly under ground, to which he had retired +to rest himself, and find some relief from the pain which was +continually shooting through his breast. In this room I saw him, and +heard the following conversation between him and the Warden. + +Ellis was lying on the brick hearth, with a block of wood for his +pillow, when the Warden came in, and his voice was the only indication +of life that he manifested. He intreated in the most moving language +to be removed to the hospital, and made comfortable what little time +he had to live. + +_Warden._ If I thought you were sick, I would take care of you; but +nothing ails you. If there does, you have brought it on yourself to +get rid of work. I have been imposed on too often by those who pretend +to be sick, and I am not to be deceived any more. You are as well as I +am, and you shall not be treated as a sick man, till I have evidence +that you _are_ sick. + +_Ellis._ I submit, sir; though whether you believe me sick or not +_now_, time will soon convince you, that I do not counterfeit this +appearance. I _am_ sick--I cannot live long, and all I desire is, that +I may receive proper attention, and be permitted to die in peace. + +_Warden._ You are not sick; when you are, you shall have all necessary +attention. I am not to be imposed on any more by those who are too +lazy to work, and therefore pretend that they are sick. + +Here the conversation ended; the Warden retired, and Ellis continued +to enjoy his repose on the brick hearth, and his pillow of wood. Too +weak to labour, and denied a place in the hospital, he continued in +this condition a few days longer, when forced by the unequivocal +indications of approaching dissolution, he was transported to the +proper place for the sick, and laid on a bed just in time to breathe +his last. + +The death of a prisoner causes no tender feelings in the breasts of +some of the keepers, and when this death was announced, the eyes of +many were expressive of satisfaction; and Mr. F*** said, with an air +of malignant joy, "bad as he thought the place to be, he was not +willing to die; he struggled for breath, looked anxiously round, and +wanted to live longer." + +Soon after his death was known in the yard, the Warden came into the +cook-room where I was, but I am unable to paint his confused +appearance. He well recollected what had passed in that room only a +few days before, when the dying man plead for an easy bed to die on, +but was denied. His head hung down, he turned every way to avoid +looking those in the face who had heard his savage insults to the poor +wretch who plead for mercy; at length he threw himself down on a seat +by one of the tables, and said, in a manner which I hope will never be +imitated--"Well, Ellis is dead." No one made any reply, and he added; +"he has fulfilled his word; he said he would never be any benefit to +us, and he never has." + +The next day his remains were committed to the grave, where "the +prisoners rest together, and hear not the voice of the oppressors." +Dr. Torrey, the physician of the prison at this time, was highly +displeased at the cruel neglect and unmerciful treatment of Ellis; and +when prescribing, a few days after, for another prisoner, he said with +emotions that did him honor--"_This_ case must be _attended to_; it +must _not_ be _neglected_ as the _other_ was. _Shameful!_ +DISGRACEFUL!" + +Shameful and disgraceful it certainly was to treat a dying man in this +way. What man of ordinary feelings would have treated his dog, as the +Warden treated Ellis? Is that man fit for any office in a humane +Institution who could thus forget his kindred nature, and plant with +thorns the death-bed of a brother? And ought there not to be a place +for such monsters in human form, where they must drink of the cup +which they have filled for others, and experience the pains they have +inflicted? THERE IS JUST SUCH A PLACE.--There the rich man lifted up +his eyes being in torments. And if those will be doomed to this place, +of whom the Judge will say--"I was sick and in prison, and ye visited +me not," what must be the fate of this man, who locked up his _living_ +prisoners in the cell of _despair_, and threw the _dying_ into a bed +of _embers_? + + +A---- W----. + +This young man was of a very feeble constitution, and was frequently a +proper subject of medical treatment.--When a prisoner complained of +being sick, he was very often permitted very kindly to take his choice +of three things; 1, to take an emetic; 2, to go and do his usual task; +or 3, to go into the cell and live on bread and water, and sleep on a +stone floor. A. W. was taken sick and this choice was given to him; he +took the emetic, remarking that he "might as well die one way as +another." He was now left in his room, and for three days received no +further attention. After this the physician visited him, and +immediately ordered him to be moved into the hospital, where he +suffered a severe course of fever. + +Mr. Woodruff was the keeper who gave him the emetic, and he was much +displeased when the physician rescued him from his hands. After the +fever left him, and he went to his work, he was so weak that he +applied to the physician for relief, and some bark and wine were +ordered for him; but Mr. Woodruff thought fit to refuse the wine, and +gave him only a small quantity of bark, and that of the poorest kind. + +At another time when he was sick, and unable to do his task, I got +some bark for him at my own expense, and wove as much over my task as +he fell short of his, and caused it to be placed to his credit, to +keep him out of punishment. This was done with the master weaver's +knowledge, and was the only arrangement I could make to save him. It +was nothing in his favor that he was sick; his task was required, and +it must be done by himself or some one else. + +The cruel man who allowed this youth no peace in his sickness, was +very soon after doomed, in his turn, to a sickness which admitted of +no comfort for him. His conduct in this instance is only a specimen of +what it _generally_ was. And when he became the prey to disease, he +became sullen, unsocial, and desponding; evidently the victim of his +own self-condemning reflections, and of that _retributive justice_ +which never suffers the wicked to go unpunished. Let the other tyrants +of that little world of cruelty, think of this, and remember that the +cry of the oppressed is always heard in heaven. + + +M---- C----. + +The influence of a punishment, almost too great for human nature to +bear, had destroyed this man's health, and thrown him into a decline +from which his friends had little hope of his recovery. His labor was +at shoe-making, an employment very weakening to the breast, where his +complaint was seated. Not being able to perform his task, his only +alternative was to stay in his room, and live on gruel or bread and +crust coffee, which he did whenever his complaint rendered it +necessary. This was by no means pleasing to his keepers, and every +effort was made to confine him to his shoe bench. The most conspicuous +agent in this conspiracy against the peace of a sick man was the +Warden. Availing himself of his authority, he called at C's room and +desired him to walk out, which he did; then conducting him to the door +of one of the solitary cells, he said--"C. you are not sick, and I am +going to give you a choice of two things,--take that handkerchief from +your head, and go to your work, and live like the other prisoners, or +go into this cell and _die_." + +In the spirit of a christian, he obeyed the command of his unfeeling +tormentor, and repaired to his work. His case created him friends who +procured him medicine, and changed his employment, so that he was +enabled to comply with all demands, and thus he outlived the tyrant's +rage. He is now, if living, in the bosom of his friends, enjoying the +sweets of liberty, and possessing the confidence of the church as a +faithful minister of the gospel. + + +BENTON. + +This is another victim of neglect and cruelty. He began to decline +soon after he entered the prison, but he applied in vain for help. +_Work_ was the order of the day, and sick or well it must be done. +Every eye that saw this youth, the blasted hope of a widowed mother, +observed the sure signs of a fixed consumption. His dry hacking cough, +his sallow skin, his husky hair, his hollow cheeks, could not be +unobserved, nor their cause mistaken. Still he could get no help. Day +after day of anxious suffering rolled heavily over his head, but no +sympathy awoke for him in the breasts of his keepers. And it was not +until all his strength was gone, and he was coughing up blood every +day, that he could make them believe he was sick, and get a place in +the hospital. + +Removed to that place of death, the doctor called to see him--that +doctor on whom he had called in vain for help when help was possible. +As soon as he entered, his patient said--"Doctor you have come too +late; I threw myself into your hands when you might have saved me, but +you would not, and now I must die!" The appeal fell on his conscience, +and he acknowledged his fault, but it was too late. He did, it is +true, all he could after this to save him, but to no effect, and he +died in a few weeks, calm, reconciled and prepared. + +After he was confined, his mother came to wait upon him, and watch his +closing eyes.--There is no limit to the affections of a mother. Holy +nature prompts her to the place where her child is suffering. The iron +doors, the massy walls, the dungeon's gloom, are no terrors to her +imagination, if her son is there. Danger cannot intimidate; the +world's scorn cannot deter; the crime and ingratitude of the child are +forgotten. It is her _child_, and this omnipotent argument makes her +forget herself to minister to the wants of her offspring. I could fill +a volume with what my eyes have seen of a mother's fond, undying +affection; and I cannot close this account of human suffering better, +than by entreating all who have the power over young persons, to treat +them in such a manner that their mothers may not be under the +necessity of imputing the death of their children to their unfeeling +neglect, and reckless severity. + + +SANDFORD. + +I introduce this case to shew how sick men are often treated, after +their keeper consents to give them medicine. He complained of not +being very well, and was taken to his room, and ordered to take an +emetic. This is a prescription for _every_ thing, and is designed as a +punishment rather than a remedy. The room was cold, and he was left +alone to undergo the medicine. The emetics are generally given in +great and unusual quantities, that the effect may be the more painful, +and how many have been killed by such prescriptions, the day of +Judgment will publish. Sandford took his dose, and soon the effect +convulsed him, and took away his senses. How long he had lain in this +state no one knows. When the keeper entered his room he found him on +the cold stone floor, and to all appearance dead. He was taken +immediately to the hospital, and no one can imagine the acuteness of +his sufferings, after he became sensible. He bled most profusely at +the mouth, and it was evident that the convulsions into which he was +thrown had ruptured some blood vessel in the region of the lungs, and +for two years he was not able to leave the hospital, and never did he +do another hour's work in the prison. How long he lived after he was +released from the prison, I know not, but it is certain that he +suffered more than to have died a thousand deaths, and it is not +probable he ever enjoyed a well day after he took the fatal emetic. + +Here is a proof how little regard is paid to justice or mercy in +giving medicine to the sick. No man who has the feelings of his +nature about him, would treat a dog half so cruelly as some of the +sick are treated in this prison. Here was a man in the perfection of +his strength, and in the morning of his days, ruined for life, by the +ignorant and reckless prescriptions of a man who knew no more about +medicine than a dunce. An excuse may be borrowed for him, because he +was _allowed_ to do so; but where is the excuse for the one who gave +an ignorant and careless blockhead that authority? + + +A BLACKSMITH. + +To say that this man was murdered, would be saying too much; but it +will _not_ be too much to say, that his death was caused by a spirit +of cruelty that would disgrace a Turk. He entered the prison, a +picture of health, at the age of about twenty-seven. Being a +blacksmith, he was put to that business; but falling sick, he was soon +unable to work at it, and tried to be placed at some employment better +suited to his feeble health. In this he failed. He then applied to the +doctor, and was ordered into the hospital. It was evident to all, that +a consumption was hovering over his lungs, and he soon began to +exhibit the symptoms of that disease fully settled. He coughed very +violently, and raised blood very often, and in large quantities; his +flesh wasted away; his spirits sunk; and his strength departed. In +this condition he was driven out to his shop and compelled to work, +and not permitted to sleep in the hospital, but in a cell much less +suited to his convenience. The excuse for this was, that he was fully +able to do his work, and besides he was an ingenious smith, and might +make tools to break out, if permitted to stay in the hospital during +the night. The tyrant's plea is _necessity_. It is very convenient to +have this, when no better can be found; but where is the necessity to +torture a man because he is sick, and ingenious? This was the only +plea, and on this he was driven out by a mean and unprincipled keeper, +till a few days before he died; and when he went from his work the +last time, he sunk down on the bed as soon as he reached the hospital, +and never rose from it again. + +The cry that he was able to work, and was counterfeiting his +appearance, had been rung so long, that it triumphed over all the +science and practice of the doctor, and led _him_ to neglect him under +the impression that he was a hypocrite. At last, his suffering, and +dying, and persecuted patient said,--"Doctor, I wish you would do +something for me."--"I _will_ do something for you," was the +significant and fatal reply; and he immediately ordered him large and +frequent doses of calomel, which every novice in the medical art knew +was a very fatal medicine to that complaint in its present confirmed +stage. It was not long in doing its work, and the victim was laid in +the earth. When the doctor was afterwards asked why he gave the +calomel, he replied; "I knew its nature and effects, and I thought I +would make short work of it."--I do not suppose that the physician +intended to _kill_ the man, but I suppose he meant to try an +_experiment_. His opinion was, that the effect would soon be apparent, +and be _fatal_ if the disease were firmly seated; and I blame him for +listening to those who had an interest in deceiving him, and not +acting from his own _examination_, as he would in other cases. + +The keeper who drove this dying man from the place provided for such +sufferers, and made him labor when he ought to have been at rest, I +knew _well_, and I have always considered him to be one of the most +unfeeling, as well as ignorant, and unprincipled of the human race. +This is not the only case in which I shall present him to the contempt +of the reader, for many are the dark records against him, and through +many years was he an infernal spirit in the prison, a Satan to the +sick, and a curse to the well. + +A friend of mine watched with this man the night he died. Soon after +he went into his room, he made an effort to rise. There was a +remarkable expression in his countenance, and he was asked if the bell +should be rung to call the keeper? He shook his head. His eyes opened +very wide, and looked wishful and anxious. They then rolled back in +his head and he lay a few minutes and then recovered. He said--"I +thought I was going; if I have another such turn, send for the +keeper." This was his last utterance. He lay for some time very still, +and when the nurse went to him again he was dead. + +In the bloom and strength of manhood, this unhappy man was hurried out +of time, by those who should have been his friends and treated him +kindly. No inscription is on his tomb. He sleeps in silent peace near +the room in which he died; and his spirit is where the prisoners hear +not the voice of oppressors. + + +LEVITT. + +This young man had been under the influence of mental derangement a +few years before he became a prisoner, and he had not yet so far +recovered but that his mind was often very much depressed, and his +ideas confused; and this induced an unhealthy and debilitated state of +body. During one of these frequent seasons of disease, a phial of +_nitric acid_ was given him by the doctor, of which he was directed to +take a few drops in half a tumbler of water twice a day. This +prescription he followed a few days; and then one morning, in a fit of +delirium, he took all that remained in an equal quantity of water at +once. The effect was immediate; he was senseless, and stiffened with +convulsions, and in this condition was conveyed to the hospital, +where he endured for several weeks as much bodily pain as human nature +can suffer. + +For three or four weeks he was perfectly senseless to all appearance; +he breathed, but almost imperceptibly; he could neither see nor hear; +and the only indications of life were his feeble pulse and his feebler +breath. While he lay in this condition, he was so shamefully +neglected, that _certain living creatures_ began to inhabit his eyes! +His clothes were not changed, his face was not washed, and all that +was done for him was to administer the medicine prescribed and pour a +little gruel into his mouth. No one supposed it possible for him to +live, and he was left, in utter neglect, to die. His rash act was the +theme of unfeeling and inhuman sport; and it was said that, as he +wanted to die, it was a pity that he should not have his wish. + +After a few weeks, however, contrary to all expectations, he began to +give evidence of returning life. His head began to move, and it became +apparent that he could hear; but he could not speak louder than the +lowest whisper, and he could see nothing distinctly. At this time his +iron-hearted keeper, in the luxury of his unearthly feelings, would +move the candle before his eyes in order to draw his attention, and +when he seemed not to notice it, he would thrust it close up to his +face until he burned off all his eye brows. + +By slow degrees he so far regained his health as to be able to walk +about and perform some labor, though his voice was nothing but an +audible whisper, and his eye-sight would not, with the best glass, +enable him to read. + +When he returned to his work, I had an opportunity of conversing with +him, and I learned from his own lips the cause of his attempt at +suicide, and his bodily feelings under the effect of the medicine he +so rashly took. He said that life had lost all its charms to him; he +had lost the confidence and respect of mankind, and nothing awaited +him but ignominy, and the keen rebuke of a guilty conscience, which he +was unable to bear. He dreaded to die, but he dreaded _more_ to live. +He had thought on the crime of suicide; he had thought also on the +crimes of which he had _already_ been guilty; and his conclusion was +that the door of mercy was closed against him. "A guilty conscience! +despair of the mercy of heaven! these," said he, "kept me in awful +dread of the pains of eternal death; and convinced that this _dread_ +of hell was _worse_ than the suffering dreaded, I resolved to know the +_worst_, and hang no longer on the rack of anticipated destruction." + +After taking the acid, he said that he had no distinct recollection of +any thing till he began to recover. Then it seemed as if he was +awaking from a long and dreadful sleep, and the only impression that +he brought up with him, in respect to his sufferings, was, that his +breast had been a sea of fire, rolling to and fro, as if vexed by a +tremendous tempest. Under this sea of fire, he was fixed in motionless +agony, and it was not until the last flaming billow had rolled over +him, that he could move or know whether he was living or dead. + +The last time I had an opportunity of conversing with him, he told me +that his views in respect to the mercy of God, were changed. "I now +believe," said he, "that my Maker will have mercy on me, sinful as I +am, and I mean to love him, and serve him, and '_wait_ all the days of +my appointed time till my change come.'" And I was delighted to hear +him speak, in the simplicity of his soul, of that great goodness of +which he was the living and speaking monument; and to observe how +scrupulously conscientious he was in all his words and actions. What +his future life has been I know not, but I well remember his pleasing +change of mind, and I could not help believing that it was the +_goodness_ of God that led him to repentance. + +How awfully certain is it that "the way of the transgressor is hard!" +_This_ poor sufferer found it so; and as no iniquity can go +unpunished, there must be a dreadful retribution for the man, who, not +only shut up his bowels of compassion from him, in the day of his +afflictions, but sported, like a demon, with his dreadful condition. +This prostrate sufferer had never injured his keeper, but was entitled +to his kindness, and there is no excuse for that neglect and cruel +torture, which he received at his hand. The laws of God and man, the +laws of humanity, and even the laws of the prison, which demand for +every prisoner, kindness, and for the sick, the best and most +affectionate attention, were wantonly outraged by such conduct, which +must in the estimation of every feeling heart, fix a lasting stain, +not only on the guilty author of it, but on his _superiors_ who +suffered such iniquity to pass in silent approbation. + + +BURNHAM. + +The crime for which this man was sentenced to imprisonment was so +base, and so revolting to all the feelings of humanity, that I almost +dread to describe his sufferings, lest the sympathies of the reader +should lead him to forget the greatness of the crime, in contemplating +the miseries of the criminal. But it is possible for the worst man on +earth to be abused, and murder would be murder still, though the +victim were deserving of death. My design, then, in publishing this +sketch, is, not to whiten the scarlet of crime with the tears of pity, +but to hold up to public execration, a series of oppressions which +could not be justified, nor their authors shielded from the just +contempt of all good men, even if Satan himself had been the one +oppressed. + +The crime of Burnham ought never to be named; it is of too dreadful a +character to be thought upon by any unperverted soul, without the +utmost pain. Let it suffice to say, that a _conspiracy_ was the means +of effecting his infernal purpose; that this conspiracy had two +_females_ joined with him, to the everlasting infamy of their names; +and that _another_ female, _young_, _innocent_, and _amiable_ was the +_victim_. For this crime, he was justly doomed to a long confinement +in the State Prison, and a similar doom was soon awarded to one of his +female conspirators. + +Every heart was glad that such a righteous retribution fell on this +man's guilty head. I presume no tears were shed for him by any, except +his wife and two children; and he has none to blame but himself, if +this universal indignation bore hard upon him. His crime was +_outrageous_; and the outraged morals of the land, and the insulted +dignity of the laws, are sure to measure out their indignation +according to the nature of the outrage. This is natural, and it is +right; and if this reaction of a man's sins upon his own pate, should +be marked by something extravagant and cruel, he who gave occasion for +this extravagance and cruelty, should be the last one to complain. But +when the expressions of public execration trample on all the rights of +humanity, and violate the laws of nature, of the land, and of +God--when the sufferings of a criminal are magnified _beyond_ the +laws, and rendered intense to a degree surpassing endurance--when, in +fact, crime is punished at the expense of every principle of justice, +humanity and religion, it is time to speak out, and inquire to what +extent public indignation at crime may innocently go. + +Every man is entitled to the protection of the laws as long as he +obeys them; and every transgressor may be legally punished according +to the law he has violated; and if the law is a _reasonable_ one, no +fault can be found with any one for duly and fully executing it. But +no punishment ought ever to be inflicted on any person, until he has +been found guilty of a crime by the proper court; and then it must not +exceed the sentence provided in the law. The sentence ought to be +strictly legal, and then it is perfectly right that the criminal, in +ordinary cases, should suffer it; but to go _beyond_ the obvious +meaning and spirit of the legal sentence in inflicting suffering for +any crime, is alike unjust and cruel. If these views are correct, we +can readily apply them in the case under consideration. + +The sentence against Burnham was just, and it was the duty of his +keepers to inflict it up to the letter. This sentence required him to +be confined in the prison at hard labor, and treated according to the +laws of the place. These laws require the prisoners to be kept +constantly employed by the keeper, due regard being paid to their age, +strength and circumstances. When any one is sick, it is the duty of +the keeper to call the physician, and if the patient requires +medicine, it must be administered to him in the hospital, if he is +able to be moved there, as no prescription is to be made in any other +apartment, unless the patient is unable to be conveyed to that. No +fault can be found with the laws and regulations, authorized by the +Legislature, for the government of the prison; and those which provide +for the sick are such as _mercy herself_ would approve. The only +fault, then, which any one can find with them, is, that they are not +complied with by the keepers, and the prisoner is not allowed the care +and attention which they provide for him. + +Burnham was soon taken sick. Bad as he was, he had some _feelings_; +and _shame_, _regret_ and _disappointment_, filled his soul with such +distress, that his body began to feel the effect of his mental agony, +and his strength, flesh, and spirits, began to vanish together. He +applied to the physician, but was told that nothing ailed him. He was +driven out from his room and compelled to work, when he had scarcely +strength to stand. His knees trembled under the weight of his body, +and the floor shook when he attempted to walk over it. Still, _he was +not sick_! He was _cunning_, it was said, and was feigning his +appearance, to avoid work, and get his liberty; and as the _doctor_ +said this, though every one who saw him knew better, the keepers had +some pretext for neglecting him, and treating him with severity, in +which they took a most infernal satisfaction. + +One morning he was driven out to the shop, and as he was inquiring of +the keeper where he should go to work, that mean and despicable +upstart gave him a sudden and violent blow with his hand, which threw +him headlong on the brick floor of the shop. It was in vain that he +attempted to rise; he had not strength enough to turn over when lying +on his back; and the keeper indulged his inhuman feelings by striking +him on his legs with his sword, and ordering him to get up. After some +time, he obtained help and made out to get on his feet, and go to the +place appointed for his labor. + +In this way he passed through a few doleful weeks, suffering the +greatest pain of body and of mind without sharing in the pity of any +human being, but was made the _sport_ of those who should have treated +him with tenderness and humanity. As he moved through the yard, he +appeared like a walking skeleton, a living death; and yet he could not +get the smallest degree of the attention due to a sick man, for the +voice of the doctor was against him. But the cup of his calamity was +beginning to run over; nature was sinking under the mighty load of his +afflictions; and aware of his approaching dissolution, he prepared to +meet it, and left directions with some of his fellow prisoners to be +sent to his son, where he wished to be buried. Thus composed, he +waited but a few days, and death released him from earthly suffering. + +It was on Sunday evening that he died. He went out to the cook-room, +with the other prisoners, to supper, trembling and reeling through the +yard like a drunken shadow; and when he returned into the prison after +supper, scarcely had the last door been bolted when the cry was heard +from his cell--"Burnham is dead!" At this moment the doctor was +passing the prison, and hearing the cry, he came in. As he entered the +hall, Burnham was brought out of his cell, and laid on the floor +before him.--"Is he dead?" said this unworthy son of Galen, "I said +yesterday that he was not sick, but it is evident he was." Yes, it is +evident he was sick, but doctor, this is not the last of it. The man +is _dead_, and the guilt of his death lies on your soul, and if you do +not repent of this great wickedness, you will, in your turn, call for +mercy, and find despair. + +He was laid out in the hospital, where he was kept two days, till his +friends came and took his body, and conveyed it to Woodstock for +interment. During this time, the blood was almost continually running +out of his mouth and nostrils, and a more dreadful picture of death +was never seen. + +On this case I have but few remarks to make, and in these, perhaps, I +have been anticipated by the feeling reader. + +One fact is obvious to every one who has read this account with +attention--and this is, that Burnham was hastened to the grave, by the +injustice and cruelty of the doctor and keepers. Had he been treated +according to the spirit and letter of the laws, he might have been +living now. + +The laws of humanity should lead us to forget the crimes of a sick man +in tender and sympathetic care and solicitude for his recovery; and he +who can calmly hand over a fellow-being to the tormentors, when he +knows that he needs that relief which it is his professed and sworn +duty to impart, cannot be far from finished depravity. The truth of +this remark is obvious, and while I have such a sense of Burnham's +guilt, that I have scarcely a heart to pity him, I cannot help +condemning, in the bitterest terms, that infernal process by which he +was deliberately hastened to the grave. + + * * * * * + +[This is the man about whom the anti-masons of Vermont made such a +stir. They caused a story to be reported that Burnham was a mason; +that he had bribed his keepers, who were also masons; and was still +living in the city of New-York. Strange as it may seem, this story was +believed, and persons were found who declared that they had _seen_ +him, and learned from his own lips the fact of the bribery, and how +the deathly farce was acted for him to get out of prison. He said, +according to report, that he gave a thousand dollars, and that at the +time he was supposed to have died, according to a previous plan which +was mutually agreed upon, he pretended to die, and was carried into +the hall in a blanket, when a corpse about his size was brought to +take his place. The doors being open, this corpse was thrown into the +blanket, and he was permitted to walk off. Such was the story, and +thousands believed it; and into such a ferment was the public mind +thrown, that the Legislature took up the business, and sent one of the +Council to New-York to ascertain the fact. He was faithful to his +commission, and the story soon died. During the excitement, however, +Burnham's body was dug up twice and examined.] + + +PLUMLEY. + +"Man's inhumanity to man, makes countless thousands mourn." This +poetic sentiment cannot find a more appropriate application, than in +the case which I am going to relate. Plumley was one of that class of +human beings, on whom nature had not been profusely lavish of her +endowments, and he was, consequently, a fit tool for the master +spirits of iniquity to practice upon. Only tell Plumley to do any +thing, good or bad, right or wrong, it made no difference, and he +would promptly obey, entirely reckless of the consequence; and hence +it came to pass, that he had very often to suffer for the guilt of +others. + +These sufferings which were always severe, and sometimes extremely +cruel, began finally to undermine his iron constitution, and open the +way for disease. The last complaint he made was of pain and swelling +of the left breast, accompanied with inflammation. He applied very +frequently to the keeper and to the physician for medicine, and +particularly, for a change or suspension of his employment, but to no +purpose. Some medicinal drops were given him from time to time, but he +could obtain no mercy in respect to his daily task. It was to no +effect that he exhibited the _occular demonstration_ of his infirmity; +his swollen and inflamed breast and side were considered no evidence +of inability, and he was informed that he must either do his task or +be _punished_. + +Thus doomed to unpitied suffering, he made a virtue of necessity, and +bore up under his calamity as well as he could, toiling all day, and +writhing in keen distress all night, till death, more merciful than +his keepers, kindly removed him from the power of their anger. Up to +the last moment of his life, the full amount of labor was demanded of +him; and he had been from his own work but a few hours, when the pulse +of life stopped, and put an end to his misery. + +After death his body was dissected and the most unequivocal +indications of disease were discovered, both internally and +externally,--but no _remorse_ was discovered in his _oppressors_. His +life was considered of no more account than that of a dog, and his +memory was thrown into the grave with his _mangled_ body. No tear of +pity was dropped at his funeral--no "heart warmed with the glow of +humanity"--but the "dust went to the dust as it was," without the +least kindred sympathy in a single bosom, "and the soul to the God who +gave it," to meet its tormentors in the great and terrible day of the +Lord. + + +L. NOBLE. + +This man could say from his own experience, that the way of the +transgressor is hard, his whole life having been an alternation of +crime and punishment. When out of prison he was ever in the act of, or +in the preparation for, some violation of the law, but when in prison, +he was orderly and submissive, and therefore deserved well of his +keepers. + +As sin had ruined his moral nature, so had intemperance his physical, +and when his last sickness came upon him, his pain was as severe as +humanity can suffer. His groans and shrieks echoed through the prison +like the wailings of a lost spirit, but in vain was it that he begged +for medicine; nor could he obtain a place in the hospital till a few +hours before he died. The night before his death he mentioned a remedy +which he had used in time past with effect, and desired to have it +obtained for him, but could not prevail. After much importunity, +however, the Warden promised him that he should have it on Monday. +"But," said the dying man, "I cannot live till then, unless I obtain +relief." This was on Saturday night, I think, and, on the evening +after he was a corpse. + +After his death, the chaplain was instructed that the death was sudden +and unexpected; and he accordingly preached a sermon the following +Sabbath, grounded on that information, and wove into his remarks a +great deal of mercy which he said the dead man had experienced, in his +last hours. I reflect not on the Chaplain, for he was so informed; but +may God have mercy on that unfeeling tyrant, who denied medicine to a +dying man; and pardon that hypocrisy which led him to cover his +cruelty with the disguise of compassion. I wish him no greater +suffering, than the recollection of _Noble_ will one day give to his +soul. + + +QUARKENBUSH. + +The case of this unhappy man will illustrate the danger and sin of +permitting _ignorant_ men, who never read a page on the science of +medicine, to prescribe for the sick. Quarkenbush was taken very +suddenly with a complaint in the region of the stomach and bowels, +attended with inflammation and the most excruciating pains. He applied +to the keeper who had charge of the sick, and he gave him the very +worst medicine he could find for his case, which not only increased +its violence, but prevented the proper medicine from taking effect +when the physician was called. He lingered through about thirty hours +of as much misery as human nature can bear, and died one of the most +dreadful deaths recorded in history. Such was the intensity of the +inflammation, that his surface was black with mortification before he +died, and with the last strength remaining in his system, he threw up +the putrid contents of his stomach, black and offensive as imagination +can conceive, with a violence and copiousness of which the records of +disease can scarcely furnish a parallel. He was opened by a trio of +doctors, who paid richly for the information they obtained from such a +mass of putrefaction, and immediately buried. + +The proper remedy for his disease was physic, which should have been +given frequently, till a cure was effected; but the only medicine +given _him_, was opium, the effect of which is directly against what +the case required. This was given in large quantities till the +physician came, when the proper remedy was administered, but as on +many other occasions, the doctor came "a day too late," and the death +of the patient was, in the estimation of the keepers, the +_unimportant_ consequence. + +Quarkenbush was a young man, and a wife and aged parents, with +brothers and sisters, wept over his untimely grave. I was personally +and intimately acquainted with him, and I know that his death was +caused by an injudicious prescription. He was a victim to the +_practical_ regulations of the prison; and as there was crime in his +death, some one must answer for his blood. + + +CORLISS. + +The work of the prison must be done, life or death; and as some part +of this work can be done by only one man, _that_ man must never be +_sick_. Corliss was the only man that could do correctly the work to +which he was assigned, and as there was a call for him every hour in +the day, so every hour in the day he _must_ work, sick or well. All +men are liable to be sick, and there was no more exemption for him +than for others; but he _must_ do his work whenever called for. The +life of a prisoner is estimated in _cents_, and of his _happiness_, no +account is made. His labor is all that renders him valuable, and to +this he is ever goaded; and when he can do no more, then--"_poor old +horse, let him die_." + +Oppressed by constant toil, Corliss began at length to fail, and his +countenance began to denote the nature of his disease; but he could +gain no release from his work, and frequently was he called out of his +cell, when his cough and deathly look should have admonished his +keepers to prepare him a winding sheet, and forced to do the labor of +a well man. + +Finding at last that his working days were over, the keepers +recommended him for a pardon, and he was released just in time to die. +It is one of the practical regulations of the prison, to keep all the +profitable prisoners as long as possible, and to pardon all such as +are of no use. Another regulation is, that when the work requires a +prisoner to be in a particular place, there he _must be at any rate_. +This regulation has borne hard on many beside the subject of this +sketch, and when it has crippled them for life, they are generally let +out to die. The ghosts of many whom I saw nailed to this cross, are at +this moment crossing my mind. I could fill a page with their names, +and the pains that dart every hour through my shadowy form, admonish +me that _my_ escape from the same doom was rather visionary than real. + + +SAVERY. + +The subject of this sketch was a liberally educated, and highly +esteemed clergyman of the Baptist denomination. Unhappily for his own +peace and that of his family, and for the honor of Christianity, he +fell a victim to the pressure of circumstances, and the force of +temptation, and committed three distinct forgeries to a large amount, +on one of which he was sentenced to the prison for seven years. + +When he entered the prison he was an emblem of perfect health, and +seemed to have a constitution that might smile at decay, and survive +the ruins of an eternity. For some time no alteration in his +appearance was visible, but the change of condition, from the pulpit +to a dungeon, from respect to scorn, and from comfort to the want of +all things, was more than he could endure, and disease began to +admonish him that he was mortal. + +He began now to learn a science that had not been taught him in +college, and on which his divinity instructor had never lectured. He +now for the first time in his life, had a practical demonstration of +the solemn and humbling truth, that there is as much difference +between the _profession_ and the _practice_ of piety, as there is +between pedantry and real science; and that the priest and the Levite +are the same now, as they were in the days of the good Samaritan. +Christians left him to suffer without sympathy. Even the ministers of +that holy religion which sends its votaries to the _sinner_ wherever +he may be found--which espouses the cause of the _prisoner_--and which +says to the _backsliding_, "Return;" treated him with as much severity +as language can convey. One of these, who only a few months before had +taken counsel with him, and walked to the house of God, addressed to +him from the pulpit the very words I am going to record. "Thou +hypocrite!" said he, "dressed in the specious semblance of piety, +while thy heart was filled with all abominations, a just and righteous +retribution has fallen on thy guilty head!" Awful words these for one +poor sinful mortal to use to another. They are the flame of an angry +soul, and ill become the servants of him who, even when he was +reviled, reviled not again. But if this was the spirit of the +_priest_, what might not have been expected of the _people_? Alas! +"like _priest_ like people," for they too passed him in sullen +silence, or with protruded lips. + +Is this religion? If it is, away with it from the earth; it is the +infamy and curse of the human race. Away with it and its votaries. It +is worse than the religion of DAGON. If this is religion, I pray God +that infidelity may banish it from the universe, of which it is the +fellest scourge. + +But this is _not_ the religion of the _Bible_, though it is that of +too many who are proud to be called christians. Though the prophets of +Baal be four hundred, there is, however, an Elijah and a seven +thousand who have not knelt at the shrine of an idol; but they are +known only to _God_ and his _suffering children_. The religion which +they practice is compassion for the distressed; alms to the needy; +charity for the wandering; and love to all men. Its walk is in +stillness--its spirit is gentleness--and its home is the wayside, the +hut of the poor, and the cell of the sufferer. This is religion, and +none can tell better than the prisoner how much of this is on earth. + +Reduced to this condition, Savery found in the conduct of professors +so little of the spirit of their profession, that he frequently +expressed to me his astonishment, and asked me if, with such specimens +of christianity before them, the prisoners had not all become +infidels. I know it will be said, that the prisoners are sinners, and +they ought not to expect much kindness. True, they _are_ sinners, and +experience has taught them that they _need not_ expect much +tenderness; but, Christians, what is _your duty_ to them? Look at +this, think of your conduct, and be dumb! + +Savery's sickness was of a few months duration, and he felt that, in a +prison, the sick can find neither proper treatment, nor the least +degree of sympathy. Perfectly convinced that the evils incident to a +sick bed in that place, would be more than he could endure, he +prepared for the worst; and in a short time he gave back his spirit to +God, and left this world of woe. By kind treatment from his keepers, +and christian conduct on the part of his _christian_ acquaintances, +his days might have been lengthened out for usefulness, both to the +church and his family; but he is gone, and his unhappy fate says to +every self-confident professor--"Let him that thinkest he standeth, +take heed lest he fall." + + + + +OPPOSITION OF THE KEEPERS TO HAVING PREACHING IN THE PRISON. + + +Nothing can more strikingly demonstrate the opposition of the keepers +to the means of grace in the prison, than the fact that twenty years +after its foundation, nothing like a Sabbath school or Bible class, +had ever been introduced--and that at no time had there been more than +one short sermon in a week, and sometimes only one or two in the +course of a year. Nor is it any to their credit as professors, that +though there had always been men in the prison, who were fully +qualified and desired to sing in meeting, not a solitary hymn were +they permitted to sing in the chapel, till after the prison had been +erected more than twelve years. The spirit of piety at one time +reigned long enough to see a neat and very convenient chapel erected +for the worship of God, but scarcely had the dust fallen on its seats, +before it was converted into a place of daily labor, and the altar of +religious worship set up in a cellar! + +The captives began now to weep and hang their harps on the willows. No +priest stood up to minister in holy things--the waters of life were +shut out, and the last dying blaze went out on the altar. The triumph +of Satan was now complete, and long did he hold his conquest in +undisturbed and sullen peace. Those who have known what it is to sigh +in vain for the ordinances of God's house, and pray and wait in vain +to behold the face of him who publisheth salvation, can sympathize +with the weeping prisoners, during the long "_dark age_" that +followed. They bowed in submission to the calamity they could not +avoid, but strove by every consistent and available means, to bring +the long misery to an end. Like Michael and his angels fighting with +the dragon and _his_ angels, this conflict between the powers of light +and darkness was long and painful, but finally triumphant. + +The prisoners, at first, humbly petitioned the officers to let them +have the benefit of preaching as they had done in times past. At first +the justice of their plea was acknowledged, but the difficulty was, +that no preacher could be obtained. The officers said, that they had +tried every where within proper distance of the prison, but could not +get a single preacher to visit that place, and do the duty of +Chaplain. + +This it was thought would set the business at rest, but it did not. +The government of the state had made provision for preaching, and the +officers were respectfully informed, that the prisoners could not be +deprived of it, while half a dozen preachers were within a few miles, +and three within a few rods; and their petition was always on the +table when the authority could be approached. The strong plea of +right, and law, and scripture was used, and the important fact kept in +view, that if they had the means of grace at all, they must be +_brought_ to them, as they could not go where they were. All this was +granted, but the same plea was eternally thrown over them all--"_We +can't get any body._" + +If they actually applied to the ministers, and could not prevail on +them to attend, then the blame must fall on their heads. But did they? +Rather did they not destroy the chapel to prevent their coming? And +were they always admitted when they did come? Answer, you that can. + +At length, one of the principal officers, and a very sanguine +professor and church member, took a different stand and said in so +many words--"PREACHING WILL DO NO GOOD HERE." Confounded to hear such +language from such a source, and astonished to see the mask so fully +thrown off, the prisoner who heard the expression, argued the officer +out of his position, and sent him away penitently exclaiming--"O yes, +it will do good, it will do good." + +At another time, when this same man had been meeting the pleas of the +prisoners for preaching by the old excuse--"I can't get any body"--one +of them said to him, if he would permit _him_ to make _one_ trial, +successful or unsuccessful, he would trouble him no more about +preaching. Permit me, said he, to write an account of the destitution +of the prison in respect to preaching, and the reasons of it, as you +have assigned them, and send it to a Missionary Society in Boston, and +I will never open my mouth again on this subject to you. "If that were +_necessary_," said the officer, "I could do it _myself_." "Then," +replied the prisoner, "I take it for granted, that you do not consider +it _necessary_ for us to have preaching." + +Frustrated in all their efforts to obtain a Chaplain, the prisoners +tried another experiment; they applied to the "powers that were" for +permission to have some christian man, from without, come in on the +Lord's day and _read_ a sermon. In this they anticipated success, but +met disappointment. It was every way reasonable and pious, and good +might have grown out of it; but, alas for the piety of somebody, no +good man could be found to go up to the help of the Lord against the +mighty. Is it to be supposed that there was not ONE man in the pious +village of Windsor, who would have delighted to perform that office of +kindness and love to his fellow men? The question must be settled +between the men of that village and the officer who brought the charge +against them. + +Undespairing yet, another course was suggested, and the prisoners +petitioned to be allowed to meet in the chapel on the Sabbath, and +conduct meeting themselves, by praying and singing, and reading a +sermon. To this, as they promised to find all their own books, it was +thought there could no objection be made. But the human heart is +prodigiously fertile in excuses for what it does not like to perform, +and one was easily found to bar this petition. It was this. +Christianity, blush for thy votaries.--"IT WILL NOT LOOK WELL TO SEE A +PRISONER PRAY IN PUBLIC!!" I hope the Gentleman will remember this +when he thinks of death and heaven. Praying was then struck out of the +petition, but it was equally improper for a prisoner to _read_ or +_sing_ in public. Invention was now exhausted, and the case was given +up. But to cap the climax, one of the keepers said that _he_ would +read a sermon on the Sabbath, if _another_ one would pray. + +The keeper who offered to read a sermon, was by no means a pattern of +piety. Lucifer and he would be alike _in_ or _out_ of their places any +where. But he took on him the office of priest for once, and assembled +the prisoners in the chapel on the Sabbath, and went into the desk, +and read _part_ of a sermon. There was no _praying_, for the one who +had engaged to do that duty had fallen _back_, and _this_ one did not +know how. The next Sabbath he finished the sermon, and resigned the +priesthood. + +To suffer such indignity was truly painful. It was enough to be denied +every religious favor year after year, without having religion and all +that the soul holds dear, thus openly and outrageously profaned and +scoffed at; and the petitions which had been so often made, trampled +under foot with such a sacrilegious _sneer_. This was the sole design +of the officer in reading as he did. He had distanced the patience and +invention of those who desired "to behold the beauty of the Lord, and +to inquire in his temple;" and now he must insult their disappointed +hope. His tongue was the organ of profanity; with him religion was a +fable; and with one deliberate act to pollute the altar, and insult +the worshippers of God, he took the place of holy men, and drank his +licentious draught from a consecrated bowl. Why did not the fingers +appear, and trace his doom upon the wall? + +One reason for this opposition to the introduction of the means of +grace into the prison, probably, was the _hatred_ which the keepers +had to the holiness and purity of the gospel. I speak this with +limitation, for there were always some who delighted in mercy, and who +spoke well of religion. But the majority of the head ones were always +with the priests of Baal. + +Another reason was the _expense_. Every dime weighs something in the +scale of their monied calculations, and every cent must be placed in +the treasury. This did not _directly_ enrich any of the officers, but +it did indirectly; it gave them the reputation of managing well for +the state, and secured their re-election, with all its advantages. +This was enough. "Self-love, the spring of motion, acts the soul." +Personal advantage is consulted at the expense of all others. + +But the most important reason was, the keepers could not attend to it. +Sunday is a day of relaxation, and they wanted to rove at large, and +take the air. Confined all the week, they wanted to have their +liberty on the Sabbath. And as the meeting could not be attended to +unless they were present, they were as much opposed _to_ it, as the +prisoners were anxious _for_ it. + +They had now silenced every mouth, and were enjoying their triumph +with much satisfaction. But the efforts to obtain for the prisoners +what the law allowed them, though unobserved, were not dead nor +sleeping. There was a higher authority than that of the prison, and +arrangements were making to address a petition to the majesty of the +public. To do this was perilous for the individual who should attempt +it, and be found out; but magnanimity in a good cause is no crime. +This noble spirit nerved the soul of one of the prisoners, and +forgetting himself to serve his fellows, he wrote a piece for +publication in one of the papers, and found a friend to convey it to +the printer. This piece contained a brief history of the means of +grace in the prison, of the ruin of the chapel, and of the fruitless +efforts which had been made with the keepers; and concluded with a +firm appeal to the people and the authorities in behalf of the +prisoners. + +This was printed in due time, and the effect was immediately visible +in the prison. A Chaplain was found, and meetings were held every +Sabbath, and no more occasion for complaint occurred. + +This sketch presents the moral discipline of the prison in its true +light. Jehovah is not the God of that Institution, but Mammon. The +souls of the prisoners are not of so much value in the estimation of +the keepers, as one hour of their labor. To the chink of their Idol's +box they give most rapacious ears, and love no music half so well. +Time and eternity, heaven and hell, peace and affliction, smiles and +tears, life and death, are all lost sight of in the arithmetical +liturgy of Mammon's worship. In their estimation the most pious +prisoner is he who weaves the most cloth, and no organ has half so +religious tones as the clack of a loom. The prisoner's _Draft-book_ is +his only _Bible_, and _he_ is the most thorough and pious christian, +who can weave the handsomest piece of diaper in the shortest time. I +do not mean to treat the subject with lightness; it is too solemn; and +I mean to be understood as being in solemn and emphatic earnest. These +things are so, and I have witnesses of their truth among the living +and the dead. From such a place then, who could hope to see a man go +forth reformed, except from bad to worse? + + + + +RELIGIOUS OPINIONS OF THE PRISONERS. + + +It has been very often said, that the convicts in state-prisons are +either atheists, deists, or universalists, than which, however, +nothing can be farther from the truth. I have known as many as five +hundred while they were in confinement, and I have always made it a +practice to learn the religious opinions of all with whom I have +conversed; and what I am going to write may be depended on as the +actual result of my personal inquiries. + +Those whom I have known have been educated in the doctrines of the +endless punishment school, and but few have departed from these +doctrines. I have found only _two_ atheists, not one deist, and but +_one_ universalist. The doctrine of endless punishment is strongly and +broadly speaking, the orthodoxy of state prisoners. I am confident of +the truth of this statement, and I make it, not by way of _slur_, or +_insinuation_, against any sect of christians, but as a fact which +_all denominations_ may use as they may have occasion. Very many of +the convicts have been members of churches, and a few of them have +been preachers. This is a subject of painful reflection; it shows how +extremely liable the _best_ of men are to be overcome by temptation, +and says to those who glory in their own strength, "let him that +thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." It is no argument +against religion, that some of its votaries disgrace it. There are +faithful soldiers in an army, from which many desert; and christianity +is from _heaven_, though many of her avowed friends appear to have +come from _beneath_. + +In respect to the religious _feelings_ of the prisoners, it is true to +say, that each one manifests a very strong attachment to the faith in +which he was brought up; and hence there are warm and zealous +advocates for almost every creed. It is also proper to remark, that +many of them evince a very uncommon acquaintance with the Sacred +Scriptures, and a shrewdness and skill in defending their particular +systems, which is truly astonishing; and it is not often that a +convert can be made from his long cherished opinions. There is one +point in which these disputants are unanimously agreed, and this is, +that all the means of grace are confined to this life, and +consequently, if a man die in sin, his doom is fixed in misery for +ever. I know of only _three_ who entered the prison with a contrary +opinion, and only _one_ who was converted from it afterwards. + +I had an opportunity of witnessing a very general time of religious +awakening among the prisoners, and of perceiving how firmly every mind +clings to long fostered notions, even when it is under the process of +genuine and reforming sorrow for sin. Among the _many_ converts, those +who had been _Baptists_ by education, were Baptists _still_; _Methodist_ +were Methodists _still_; and so of all the rest; but it was truly +delightful to see how, notwithstanding these little complexional +differences of opinion on some points, they all united in _one_ spirit +in their religious exercises. Though I was not of the general belief +in regard to endless suffering, still they knew no difference of +feeling, and the happiest hours of my whole life were those which I +spent with them, in the cementing feelings of universal brotherhood, +and in mingling my voice with theirs in prayer and praise to the one +God and Father of us all. + +This delightful state of things, however, was of short duration. After +a few months, arrangements were made for sabbath schools, and then the +question of _doctrine_ came up. Every one was very anxious that +nothing but the _truth_ should be taught, and much depended, for this, +on the faith of the teachers. On looking over this subject with much +solicitude, it was determined that no _heretic_ should be placed in +the chair of instruction; and it was not difficult to draw the line +between orthodoxy and heresy in the proper place. Those who were +agreed in subscribing to the doctrine of eternal pain, how much soever +they might differ in other things, were considered orthodox; and these +were all the believers except _one_. This one had some time before +espoused the doctrine of the _Restitution of all things_, and for this +he was considered a heretic, and judged an unfit person to give +religious instruction. This was all the crime that could be found +against him; he was exemplary in all his conduct, had instructed many +of the youthful convicts in the rudiments of science; was devoted to +books, and to the study of the scriptures in particular; and all were +fully persuaded that he meant in all things to keep a conscience void +of offence; but he did not believe in endless misery, and this was +crime enough. As soon as the opinion of the Chaplain was known to be +against committing the care of a Sabbath school to a Restorationist, +the whole orthodoxy of the prison was set in the same way, and the +poor heretic was allowed no peace in the Temple. + +I mention this as a historic fact for the use of christians. It shews +that mankind are the same under all circumstances, and exhibit the +same deformities of religious character in the dungeon as in the +cathedral. Man is a fallen creature, and the fragments of ruined +greatness are visible in every developement of his moral history. In +that little circle of worshipping prisoners, I saw the same principles +at work which have divided christians in every age and country--the +same principles of perverted christianity which exalted an ambitious +mortal to the throne of spiritual empire, and created the inquisition +for the torture of heretics--the spirit of misguided zeal which has +drawn the sword of conquest and drenched the earth with blood. In all +these we see the consequences of sin, the actions of erring humanity; +and I have not yet so perfectly rooted the principles from which they +spring, from my own breast, that I can feel safe to bring an +accusation against any of those whom I consider wrong. Nor dare I even +call on the _Lord_ to rebuke them. If I have suffered, I freely pardon +my enemies, and I hope that, in coming times, all these phenomena of +christian character and conduct will cease, and all men be brethren in +feeling and in conduct. + +I desire also to inform those who are daily denouncing the doctrine of +the _Restoration_ as tending to licentiousness and crime, that there +are no _grounds_ for such denunciation. I was educated in the schools +of Calvin and Wesley, and I had been in Windsor many years before I +was convinced of my errors, and became a believer in God as the +Saviour of all men. And of the five hundred who were, at different +times, my companions, I never found over _three_ who were not firm +believers in endless ruin. I do not say that the doctrine of endless +punishment is immoral in its tendency, for I think very different from +this; and I know that the _opposite_ sentiment is not. Nothing is +more out of place, than the mutual charges of immorality which +professors throw on each other's creed. The infidel smiles when he +hears these mutual criminations; and who can blame him for not +espousing a cause which, judging only from its effects on some of its +professed votaries, is calculated to set friend against friend, and +break up the harmony of social life? If he has never tasted for +himself that the Lord is gracious, can we suppose he will be won over +to the love of a principle, which appears from the exhibition before +him, to be perfectly hateful? No. And not until the representatives of +christianity represent her as she _is_, will the unbeliever condescend +to give her claims to inspiration that solemn and respectful notice +which they deserve. Let, then, all crimination, and recrimination, +among professors be done away. Let no man be denounced on account of +his religious creed, but let the test of every man's character be his +_actions_, and his _life_; if these are good, the man is good, the +anathemas of sectarian zeal to the contrary notwithstanding. "By their +_fruits_ ye shall know them." The orthodoxy of Calvin can never +sanctify his persecution of the martyr Servetus; nor did the ignorance +of Cornelius in respect to the true faith prevent his prayers from +ascending to God. If the _heart_ is right, if the man is _sincere_ and +_honest_, no error in his creed can corrupt his principles, or stain +the moral purity of his soul; and I would much rather do right and +serve God by _chance_, than err and sin by _rule_. + +To what extent the principles of religion are loved and cherished in +the prison, it may not be easy to determine, though it is a truly +melancholy fact, that the number of sincere and hopeful christians is +very small. It must not, however, be inferred, that the great mass of +mind, in that place, is totally depraved; for there are frequently +discovered by the candid observer of that field of moral ruin, some +bright and pleasing fragments,--some beautiful specimens of what is +true, and lovely, and honest, and of good report. Like the beclouded +heavens, in which a few cheering stars are still seen, or the mighty +and varied desert in which a few green and fertile spots are visible, +that waste of ruined virtue is specked over with some pleasing +vestiges of what it once was--some green and flowery spots for the +mind to repose on, and some stars to guide it, while wandering amidst +the thick darkness and cheerless wastes of moral desolation. Indeed I +never found there, amidst all those sons of guilt, a single mind in +which the pulse of virtuous principles was not still beating, though +feebly, and I doubt whether one can be found in the universe. + + + + +ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE, AND SUICIDES. + + +The prisoners have many inducements to attempt their escape. The +eternal gloom that hangs over their minds--the regulations of their +unfeeling rulers--the instinctive love of every human soul to +liberty--and the deceptive appearance of the surrounding country, are +constantly tempting them to some violent or crafty scheme to elude the +grasp of their tormentors and be free. These, however, produce but +little effect on calculating minds; but they keep the _rash_, the +_young_, and the _romantic_ in a perpetual ferment; and I wonder that +more attempts, of this kind, have not been made. The various insults +of the keepers, are sometimes sufficient to inspire a rock with +indignation, and call up the dead to resentment. The walls appear a +trifling object when the mind is inflamed. What appears a boundless +forest, inhabited only by tigers and untrodden by man, comes within a +few rods of the prison, and nothing appears easier than to reach it. +Why, then, more attempts are not made to escape, is to be accounted +for only by presuming that the prisoners have more judgment than +rashness. I shall mention a few of the attempts of the prisoners to +effect their escape, for the purpose of making some remarks on them. + +The first successful attempt of this kind, was made by a man named +Palmer. The prison wall was not finished, and he found means of +secreting himself, breaking off his fetters, and effecting his escape. +He was not absent, however, over a year, when he was apprehended and +brought back. He stayed _seven years_ after his return, and that +completed his sentence. + +Another, though unsuccessful attempt, was made by a man named Fitch. +He went over the wall, and was fired on by the guard, the ball just +missing him. He got but a few rods when he was arrested and returned +to the prison. He was severely punished for his temerity. + +An entire cell effected their escape one night by removing a large +stone; and they kept the freedom which they regained at so much peril. +At another time the hospital was broken, and an escape effected by +four individuals, in a way which evinced the greatest wisdom of +contrivance, and strength of limbs. Three of these got away, and one +returned. + +Soon after this, a violent rush was made over the wall by five men, +who were determined to effect an escape by daylight. The guard fired +on them, and wounded one slightly. They enjoyed their liberty only a +few minutes, when they were all safely deposited in the solitary +cells. They were punished according to the laws of the prison, and I +know not that they ever found fault that they were punished too much. + +A man named Banks contrived to escape one Sabbath, by climbing over +the wall, and he was successful in getting into Canada; but committing +a crime there and fleeing back into the state of Vermont, he was +apprehended on an advertisement, and remanded to Windsor. After three +or four years, he found means to repeat the same experiment, and like +the raven from the ark, he returned not again. + +Another attempt was made to escape from a cell without success; and +another to force a flight over the wall. In this, one of the prisoners +fired one of the buildings, and brought down on his head a weight of +punishment that might have crushed the constitution of Lucifer. But he +survived it, and lives a pleasing evidence of the fact, that the +vilest of sinners may reform and become good men. + +I know of no instance of attempts to escape, which might not have been +prevented by the keepers. If they had done their duty, the chance of +success would have been so small, that no mind would have indulged the +thought for one moment. The guard can hear the least noise that is +made in the cells, and the keepers can see all that is going on in the +shops; and not an attempt has ever been made in which the officers +have not been more or less criminal. They are not attentive to their +duty. The guard often get asleep on the wall, and the keepers in the +shops; and on these occasions the prisoners calculate and act, without +which they would do neither. + +But this is not the extent of the keepers' guilt. They not only nod on +their posts, they also permit the plans of the prisoners to ripen into +effect, when they know them, that they may shed blood, rivet fetters, +and take life. Witness the case of P. Fane. Every incident in the +history of that place, which fell under my notice, left an idea on my +mind, that a _quorum_ of the keepers and guard are always contriving +to multiply the miseries of the prisoners; and while I saw them +sinning daily with impunity, in the sight of their superiors and of +each other, and at the same time tormenting the convicts for the +merest nothing, I often exclaimed in the language of Jacob--"O! my +soul, come not thou into their secret, unto their assembly, mine +honour, be not thou united." + +The same process of cruelty often drives the convicts to desperation, +and the commission of crimes which could exist under no other +circumstances. They are often provoked to the utterance of harsh and +angry expressions, for which they are sure to suffer. Sometimes they +are driven through despair to the sick bed of a remediless delirium, +and to the revolting recklessness of self-destruction. One of these +instances I have already given in the case of Levett. The same attempt +was made by Plumley, but he was discovered in season to save his life +for more suffering, and for death by other hands. Several other +attempts of the same kind transpired through the intolerable and +incessant oppressions and aggravated inhumanity of the "powers that +were." But the two who I am going to mention, effected their dreadful +object, and I shall give each of them a brief notice. + +Woodbury was a man of feeble mind, but of very acute feelings and +volatile spirits. To every nerve of his heart liberty was dear, and he +was equally sensitive to his separation from his friends whom he +tenderly loved. Scarcely had he entered the prison when his +countenance began to indicate disease, and very soon he became a mere +skeleton. His complaint assumed no definite character, and he could +get no medicine to help him. In this condition he was kept at the most +laborious work, and compelled to do his task. Anticipating the result, +and dreading the usual passage to the grave amid the neglect, abuse, +and insults of the keepers, he resolved on cutting short his +sufferings and dying by his own hands. Accordingly he retired to his +cell and hung himself--leaving on a slate this direction--"I wish you +would open me, doctor Trask." This direction was complied with, but +the doctor reported no indications of disease. That he was, however, +sick, every prisoner and keeper knew; and that the fatal act was the +consequence of the neglect of his keepers, and the cruelty of the +master workman, is no problem with me, nor will it be with others, +when every secret thing shall be made manifest. + +Ham was a young man, whose prospects had been blighted in their bud, +and a gloomy expression had settled on his countenance, which it was +difficult to remove, even for a moment. His every look seemed audibly +to say--"I am ruined!" He was a close observer of what passed, and +when a convict was seen by him going into punishment, he would fall +into an absence and reverie; and looking at times towards the walls +and the green fields beyond them, the tear would gather in his eyes to +tell the burden of his soul. His prison, he often said, looked like a +resting place for eternity. Life became a burden to him, and he ended +it by suicide. + + + + +PRISONERS' CORRESPONDENCE WITH THEIR FRIENDS. + + +To a certain extent, the prisoners have the privilege of corresponding +with their friends. But this privilege, like many others, loses much +of its value from the circumstances under which it is enjoyed. No +prisoner is allowed to state his real condition, nor intimate that he +is not kindly treated. Every letter must be examined before it is +sent, and if a single word is too _significant_ for the pleasure of +the keeper, it is destroyed. The same is true of all letters sent to +the prisoners by their friends. I find no fault with the keepers +examining all letters sent by or to the prisoners. This is perfectly +right. And it would be equally right to suppress all letters not +written in a respectful style, or containing information that might +afford facilities for an escape from the prison; but to interrupt a +prisoner's correspondence with his friends, merely to gratify the +capricious disposition of an unfeeling keeper, is unjust, inhuman, and +criminal. + +In order to ensure a passport for their letters, the unmanly conduct +of the keepers has driven the prisoners into a style of writing which +must be disgusting to all but those who love to be flattered. They +generally devote one paragraph to the praise of the keepers. This +paragraph is usually a very fine one; and as it contains some high +sounding words of commendation, it tickles the vanity of those who +examine it, and finds its way abroad. + +When a letter is condemned, the prisoner is sometimes permitted to try +again, and sometimes he is left to guess its fate. Should any one +write a true account of the place, its laws, and customs, and +regulations, it would be as impossible for the letter to get into the +Post Office, as it is for a guinea to pass by the fingers of a Jew. +And it is a very frequent case that a man is most shamefully abused by +his keeper, on account of some lines in his letters, which he penned +as innocently as a martyr, but which did not happen to be worded +according to the _grammar of the place_. I write this from experience; +for I am the man. But I am not the _only_ man. Should any one ask the +names of the others, I might answer--"_legions_," for they "_are +many_." And for some offence innocently committed in this way, many +have been marked for the arrows of vengeance, which have not lingered +long on the string. + +Should a letter to any prisoner be deemed inadmissible, he would not +know that any had been sent to him. No matter how interesting it might +be to him, the keeper destroys it and is silent. Many facts confirm +this statement. I have now by me a letter which I recently received +from my brother, in which he writes--"I received not one letter from +you all the time you were there, though I wrote you many." Not one of +_his_ letters ever reached me, and I wrote very many to him. This is +not a singular case; I know of _many_ similar ones. + +Another circumstance ought to be mentioned here.--There is no +provision made to pay the postage on letters sent to the prisoners, +and as they are generally destitute of money, it often happens that +their letters are never taken out of the office. When any letter _is_ +taken out of the Post office, the postage is charged to the prisoner, +and he must pay it, whether he gets the letter or not. + +All other communications are subject to the same vexatious rules as +the letters are. If a prisoner wishes to send a petition to his +friends for them to sign in his behalf, and forward to the Governor +and Council; or if he wishes to send one to that body with his own +signature, it must be worded _just so_, or it cannot be sent. The +keeper of the prison takes it upon himself to decide what _is_ and +what is _not_ proper to go before the Executive. He also, as if +possessed of omniscience, knows all the _facts_ in the case, better +than the man that has _experienced_ them; and as there is no law +binding him but his own will, he acts in such cases, very frequently, +as if there were no God to take notice of his conduct, and no judgment +for the guilty. + +That the conduct of the keepers in respect to the correspondence of +the prisoners is highly improper, no one will attempt to deny. That +correspondence is sacred, and no unfeeling or capricious regulations +ought ever to interrupt it. The tender sympathies of friendship are +not destroyed, though the heart that contains them is chilled by a +dungeon's damps and a prison's gloom. A father is a father still. A +husband is a husband still. And dear to the heart are the thoughts of +his children, and the recollections of his wife. These are as +imperishable as his nature, and who that ever had a heart could touch +lightly the sacred ark of his happiness? How infernal must be the +nature of that man who can wantonly crucify the holy sympathies of a +trembling sufferer? But it is not the _sinner_ alone who suffers by +this conduct of men in power, it is the _innocent_ too; and who but a +fiend would punish the innocent with the guilty? It would denote a +moral and perfect fitness for any place but heaven, to take pleasure +in afflicting, unnecessarily, even the vilest sinner; what then must +be the moral complexion of that man's soul, who can sport with the +unmerited sufferings of the crimeless, and take an unearthly +satisfaction in multiplying the tears and agony of the innocent wife +and the stainless orphan? But such men there are, and well I know +them. + + + + +COURTSHIP IN PRISON. + + +The age of romance has not yet passed away, and an incident that might +have originated a Poem in the days of Ovid, or a Novel in the land of +Sir Walter, transpired in the beautiful and romantic village of +Windsor; and though it may not chime very harmoniously with the other +tones of my book, yet as it contains a moral, much needed at this +period of the world, I will gratify the reader with an account of it. + +S. was one of those very common specimens of our race, on which a +graceful and captivating exterior is lavished at the expense of the +more valuable and lasting graces of the mind. Every eye that saw him +gave evidence that it was contemplating something in which there was +no blemish; and this evident satisfaction continued till he +spoke--_then_, the contrast between external beauty and mental poverty +was so great, that the charm vanished and the angel departed. For some +crime or other, he became one of the inhabitants of the prison, where +his personal charms fastened on the heart of a female who afterwards +became his wife. + +This lady belonged to a respectable family and was esteemed by all her +acquaintances, and in giving herself to S. she committed the only +fault of her life. + +A friend of hers was an officer of the prison, and she spent some of +her time in his family. In that place, she could see all the prisoners +every day, and there she first saw her future husband. Love is said to +be blind, and there is some reason for the opinion. Why an esteemed +and virtuous young lady, should permit herself to be captivated by a +_prisoner_, cannot be accounted for but by supposing that love can +steal the march of reason, and that wisdom and prudence are feeble +springs against the force of passion. + +"Veni, vidi, vici," said the Roman Conqueror, when he had vanquished +his foes; but this victim of thoughtless passion had occasion to say +in the sequel--"I saw, I loved, and I was ruined." + +She found means, after she became a _prisoner_ to his charms, to +communicate her wishes to the idol of her breast, by proxy at first, +and afterwards by personal interviews. The proxy was an old man who +used to go into the keeper's room to wash and clean the floor, and +his appearance was enough to have frightened love to distraction. But +necessity compelled them, and many a bundle of soft sighs did he carry +between these romantic lovers. + +After some time she found an opportunity of taking his hand in hers, +and of telling him all that was in her heart. Willing to be loved, +though incapable of that warm emotion himself, he followed as she led, +and the sweet promises were made, which were to bind them heart and +hand for life. + +And now, warm with visionary bliss, she had only to wait a _few years_ +for his sentence to expire, for the consummation of her desires. _A +few years!_ Love is impatient, and to look through _years_, when +_days_ are _months_, before the anticipated joy can be realized, was +too much, and, therefore, effort must be used to get him pardoned. It +would have been cruel in the extreme, not to have pardoned the +charming idol under such circumstances, and as the Executive was +composed of feeling hearts, her desire was granted, and she took the +object of her adoration to her nuptial arms, the day that his pardon +reached him. + +I have heard that she suffered much from this rash and imprudent +surrender of herself into the arms of a stranger, who had nothing but +a pretty face to recommend him, and every thing against him. + +If I had any fears that _others_ would be ruined in this way, I should +dwell longer on this part of my sketches; but it will be sufficient to +say in conclusion, that marriages in which nothing but passion and +fancy are concerned, never lead to peace, and this instance is a +melancholy proof of it. Ladies ought always to act prudently in an +engagement of so much importance to their future happiness, and never +commit themselves into the arms of any man whose reputation is +stained, or who is not known to be virtuous and good. Particularly, +let it be remembered, that the graces of the mind are of priceless +value, and for the want of them, no charms of form or countenance can +atone. + + + + +MR. STRICKLIN. + + +I have introduced the name of this amiable and lamented young man, to +illustrate some other parts of that deformed and dreadful character in +which so many of the keepers glory. Having experienced the hardening +effect of that awful place on their moral feelings, they take an +infamous delight in accelerating the same effect on all who enter into +the service of the prison. To accomplish this, they give them to +understand that the prisoners are a malicious, bloodthirsty, and +hellish pack, whom they must treat with perfect hatred and the most +jealous and wakeful suspicion. They are taught to keep their swords +always sharp as a scythe, and fastened to their wrists by a strong +leather strap. It is impressed on their minds that they are as +insecure when with the prisoners, as if they were among a clan of +Arabs or a gang of pirates. To make these instructions the more +efficacious, the keepers try all schemes which they can think of, to +find their pupils off their guard, and to make them believe that the +prisoners are on the eve of some dreadful plot. Under such masters, +and such a course of education, the new servants enter upon their +duty; and who can wonder to find them becoming in a short time as +hateful as their teachers. + +Mr. Stricklin was engaged as a guard. As soon as he entered on his +duty, his ears were made to tingle with the lectures of his new +associates. He was a young man of amiable disposition, and having but +little acquaintance with mankind, he presumed that what the keepers +told him was true. His conduct under such impressions was such as +might have been expected. One day as he was in a shop to relieve the +keeper, he gave some indications of the study in which he had been +engaged, and also of the effect which his lessons had produced on his +mind. As he was walking through the shop, he stopped suddenly, and +demanded attention. When all was silent, and every ear open to what he +might say, he observed that he had been employed as guard, and might +stay longer or not so long, just as he might feel disposed; but while +he did stay, he said, if the prisoners would treat him well, he would +be kind to them. There was some singularity in this, as also in his +manner, which no one failed to notice. + +At night he went on guard, and his duty was to see that no prisoner +made his escape. This required that he should be attentive to every +noise, and be furnished with means of defence. The place for the guard +at night is a small apartment in which he is locked up, and must stay +till released. This room is in the prison, and adjoining the cells of +the prisoners. The means of defence are a gun and a sword. With these +arms, and in this place, Mr. Stricklin was posted when the events of +which I am now going to write, occurred. + +Scarcely had he entered on his post, before some of the keepers placed +themselves at a grated window, exactly over his head, and began to +make a noise on the grates like the sound of a file. Their object was +to make him think that the prisoners were breaking out. He heard the +noise, and began to call on the prisoners to be still, supposing they +were filing the grates. The noise was kept up, and some chips and an +old shoe were thrown down at him, by the keepers at the window. For +nearly an hour they continued their cruel and unmanly sport, until he +became frantic, and began to exhibit unequivocal evidences of a +terrified and shattered intellect. He had before this time ascertained +that the keepers were the authors of the noise he had attributed to +the prisoners, and the effect of such mean and hypocritical conduct on +him was most painfully developed. He became as furious as a hungry +lion. He ascended and descended the stairs with a rapidity of step +never equalled, and with shrieks that pierced the very heavens. He +stamped on the stairs as if a mountain had fallen, and the sound made +the iron doors tremble on their hinges. He kept every guard and keeper +at bay till his time expired; and at the very minute for him to be +relieved, he screamed like a panther that his time was out, and was +let out of his room. He went immediately to bed, and by morning became +rational. After breakfast the Warden told him he had no more for him +to do, and kicked him out headlong on the brick pavement before the +door. At least, the undisputed report says so; I did not see it +myself. This threw him back again into the most wild and frantic +ravings, and he returned home and died in a few weeks. His mind was a +perfect ruin, and he left the world a poor distracted youth. + +Now, my dear reader, pause and contemplate this melancholy sketch. Who +were the criminal cause of this young man's death? I know some of the +men who stood at that grated window, and frightened him to madness; +and I say to them, if they should ever read this page, that the blood +of a promising youth, of good character and amiable connexions, has +stained their doings, and it is high time for them to repent. The +voice of Mr. Stricklin's death cries to heaven against them, and the +voice of _such_ a death, can never cry in vain. + +But if it be true, as is reported, that the Warden treated him with +such cruel and shameful indignity, what shall be said of _him_? He +had sons of the same age, but none more likely or promising; and how +did he know that it was not through the means of some of _them_, that +this youth was ruined? Every body knows that Wardens of prisons are +tyrants, and few will question the perfect right of _this_ one, to a +very liberal share of this character. Certainly, if he abused that +ruined young man as it is said he did, he richly merits the title of +Nero the Second. At any rate, I know enough of him never to call him a +_merciful_ man, and I would ask all men, all angels, and all +creatures, to look at his conduct just as it is, and decide on his +fitness or _un_fitness for the office of Warden of a penitentiary. He +never found any fault with those who drove the victim of his anger to +distraction; I know not but he applauded them. I know, however, that +Mr. Stricklin came to the prison in health; that he was frighted to +distraction one night while on duty, by some of the keepers and guard; +that he was turned away in the morning; and that he died in a few +weeks perfectly deranged. + +It is reported that he plead with the Warden to stay, remarking that +it would injure his character to be turned out so. He was well +reported of by all men, was an officer in the militia, and the pride +of his family. No one can reflect on his untimely and unhappy death +without the most painful emotions of soul. And in concluding this +article I feel it to be a duty which I owe to the young men of our +country, to exhort them never to become prison keepers, but to shun +those places which have a tendency to blunt the finer feelings of the +heart, and stupify their moral sensibilities. + +And I would be equally friendly to such as are already engaged in +prisons. Let them try to act like merciful beings, and forget not that +cruelty is no part of their office. Let them redeem the character of +gaolers, and shew by their conduct that humanity and justice can dwell +in their hearts. It is important that they should heed this counsel, +for it will be a sad vicissitude after having been _keepers_ on earth, +to become _prisoners_ in eternity. + + + + +OVERWORK. + + +Until 1821, no compensation was allowed the prisoners for what they +did over their task. In that year, a regulation was made, granting +_one cent_ per yard for all that might be done over _ten_ yards per +day in the summer, and _eight_ in the winter, to be paid in goods out +of the store, or money, at the option of the Superintendent. + +This was thought by many to be a very _unequal_ regulation. The +average profit to the Institution of every yard of cloth that was +woven, could not have been less than _four cents_; and as the +prisoners must do their full task before they could derive any benefit +from the regulation, it was thought that they should have _all_ that +they earned over it. The language of the regulation, fairly +interpreted, seemed to be this--_Give me four cents in cash, and I +will give you an order on the store for one!_ It assumed to be a very +merciful provision for the prisoners, but it was like the mercies of +the wicked--"_cruel_." Every man of any just principles, who has no +interest to warp his judgment, will at once admit, that the prisoners +ought to have had all the avails of their overwork. But anyone can see +that the interest of the prisoners was not consulted at all in the +regulation. The design of it was to get as much work done as possible, +and the _one cent_ was only a bait. + +That I have not erred in stating the design of the Superintendent, in +his regulations for overwork, to be his own benefit, and not that of +the prisoners, is very evident from his conduct in relation to those +who complied with them. He would not pay money except at his own +option, but paid out of the stores; and to induce the prisoners to do +overwork, and take their pay in trifles, he permitted them to purchase +almost any thing they wished, and very many articles which had never +been allowed them before. He even went so far as to bring into the +weave-shops specimens of very gay handkerchiefs, and carry them along +in sight of the prisoners to tempt them to earn some. This had its +desired effect, and handkerchiefs soon became very plenty. But the +worst of all was, the extravagant prices demanded for all articles +sent to the prison. One of the keepers told me that he could take the +money and purchase things for a quarter less than the prisoners gave. +After my release I went into different stores in the village, and +ascertained that I had been charged a very high price indeed for what +I had purchased. + +Another expedient to get work out of the prisoners, was the offering +of _bounties_ to those who should weave the most yards in six months. +This created a spirit of emulation, and drew forth miracles of +industry. I took one of these prizes, but I shall have to regret till +my dying hour that I ever entered that race. I feel the effects of it, +at times, in every part of my system. + +As soon as the prisoners began, _generally_, to enlist in the +overwork, they began to be charged for things that were furnished to +them before without pay. If they broke any thing, or did the least +damage to their tools, in a way that was deemed _careless_, they had +to pay for it. Handkerchiefs which were furnished gratis, before, they +had now to pay for. And every expedient that avarice could devise was +practiced, to make the prisoners' accounts against the Institution as +small as possible. + +I consider the regulations for overwork as the spawn of a most miserly +disposition. There was no benevolence in it. If the good of the +convicts had been the object of it, there would have been no "_one +cent a yard paid out of the store_," but the full amount of the extra +labor, paid in money; and the entire plan would have endured a close +examination in day light. There would have been no mean taxing for +accidents and trifles--no paying in gewgaws--no extravagant prices; +but all things would have been as indicative of pity and good will to +the wretched, as they now are of self-interest and steel hearted +avarice. And the benefits of the regulation would have been +_equalized_, so that a man who had not so good a _faculty_ as another, +would not have been deprived of them. Some men had power to do twice +as much as some others, and _they_ could derive some advantage, while +the others could not, though both were equally deserving of favors; so +that the Superintendent's regulation was very similar to Calvin's +irrespective decrees and partial election. + +But faulty as the principles of the _one cent_ system were, some good +certainly grew out of it. It is a bad system, indeed, that has +_nothing_ good in it. But the _good_ was much more than balanced by +the _evil_. It ruined many a constitution; sent more than _one_ man +prematurely to the grave; and laid up for _all_, the pains of +infirmity and old age. + +This sketch shows on what principle the prison is conducted. There may +be many _minor_ principles. Of these the _reformation_ of the +prisoners may be a fraction. Their punishment may be a _unit_. But the +major point of all is, PECUNIARY ADVANTAGE. The interest of the +captives is not a _grain_ in the calculations of the prison. If they +live, they live, and if they die, they die. But living or dead, sick +or well, sinning or praying, saved or lost, they are estimated in +pounds, shillings, and pence, and one farthing would turn the scale of +their destiny to heaven or hell. + +How true is the language of the poet--"There is no flesh in man's +obdurate heart!--It does not feel for man." And surely the morals of +mankind must have reached a dreadful climax, when even ministers of +justice deserve heavier blows than they inflict, and the seraph +accents of mercy are turned into the war whoop of death. + + + + +PARDONS. + + +The Governor and Council have the power of granting pardons, and once +in every year they meet to attend to this and other duties assigned +them by the Constitution. The prisoner who hopes to share in their +mercy, procures petitions from his friends and former acquaintances in +his behalf, and causes them, with his own petition, to be laid before +them at their annual meeting. The principal officer of the prison has +been generally depended upon to lay the petitions before the Governor +and Council; but the conduct of this officer has so far failed to +place him in the confidence of the prisoners, that they never trust +their cases in his hands, if they can get any one else to attend to +them. The common opinion is, that he is never willing to let a +prisoner go who is any profit to the Institution; and for this opinion +there is as much evidence as there is that a merchant never wishes to +lose a good customer, or a doctor to hasten the cure of a rich +patient. I was more confirmed in this opinion after my release than I +had been before. A friend of mine who had been for several years, and +was then, a member of the Legislature, told me that the fall before, +he called on the principal officer of the prison to get my petition, +and be prepared to lay my case before the pardoning authority, and was +told by him that I "_had not petitioned_." When my friend told me this +I was thunderstruck. That officer _knew_ that I had petitioned, for I +conversed with him on the subject, and gave the petition into his +hand; and he informed me when he returned, that he laid it before the +Governor and Council, and told me some of the observations that were +made upon it. What shocked me the most was the _hypocrisy_ of the man. +He had professed to be my friend--and was a member of a christian +church; and yet he was so unwilling to lose my _labour_, that he +prevented the interposition of my friend for my release. I have the +most unshaken confidence in the veracity of my friend; he could not +have been mistaken, and he had no motive to misrepresent. This fact is +directly to the point. It speaks a great deal. And it shews _why_ the +prisoners are not willing to trust their cases to the officers of the +prison. + +It is a fact, and I wish to have it known, that it is very difficult +for a prisoner who is any profit to the Institution to get a pardon. I +will not pretend to _apply_ the fault, but I know the fact; and hence +some of the convicts, acting on the base principle of opposing craft +to craft, and returning evil for evil, render themselves of as little +use as possible. It has become a proverb in the prison, that a good +weaver is sure to be kept as long as he is able to weave. This proverb +is inscribed on the facts that transpire every fall, and it ought to +find a humbling and condemning application somewhere. + +Deprived thus of all confidence in their keepers, the petitioners, who +have the means, generally call to their assistance some of the lawyers +in the village. These men are always ready to work for cash; and when +they know that their assistance can be of no service, they will take +from a prisoner those very dollars which he has ruined his health and +destroyed his constitution to earn. Like blood suckers, a few of them +gather around the prisoners every pardoning time, and carry off all +the money that the poor creatures have been able to scrape together. + +Now I find no fault with these lawyers, for such is their trade; but I +condemn the authority for permitting them to practice on the credulity +of the captives, and trick them out of their hard earned dollars. It +is a libel on the principles of the Governor and Council to suppose +that _such_ lawyers can plead them into the exercise of mercy. They +know what some of that profession will do for money, and there is no +instance in which they have been of any real service to their clients +in the prison, in applications for pardon. The Executive meet to +decide from _facts_, and these facts should come to them from the +authority of the prison, and from other sources. The authority of the +prison ought to do its duty, and secure the confidence of the +prisoners; and thus prevent the unprincipled and avaricious +interference of these lawyers. I do not mean to reflect _generally_, +on the profession of the law. There are in that bright array of +learning and talent, as many high, noble, and ethereal spirits as any +other profession can boast of--_and some of the meanest souls that +ever lived_. + +There is but one general rule, according to which all pardons should +be granted, and this rule is JUSTICE. It may be just to pardon one man +and not another; and if it is right on any account to pardon one man, +it is right to pardon _all_ who are in the same circumstances--indeed +it would be criminal _not_ to. Justice holds an even scale. So does +_mercy_, which is only that exercise of justice, which relates to the +_wretched_. And the reason why one man should be pardoned and another +not, is, that, according to all the facts in the two cases, community +would be safe in the pardon of _that_ man, but not of _this_. The +design of all punishment should be the reformation of the sufferer. +When this is presumptively effected, the object is attained, and all +further suffering for the crime from the hand of the law, would be +purely vindictive, and infernally cruel. This is the _only_ principle +on which _God_ punishes; and hence _endless_ punishment under his +government, and all _capital_ punishments by human laws, would be +equally unjust and inconsistent. In this respect, men often err, but +God never can; and human laws will not be perfect until they abolish +capital punishments and chastise only to reform. + +If this principle had been acted upon in the Windsor Prison, many +years of suffering would have been spared to human hearts, and many a +soul would have gone with less guilt to judgment. That prison is +called a _Penitentiary_.--As properly might _hell_ be called _heaven_. +The spirit of the penitentiary system finds there no place to lay its +head. Not the _reformation_ of the convicts is sought, but their +_earnings_; and they are treated just as an intelligent but heartless +slave-holder would treat his negroes--made to work as long as they can +earn their living, and then cursed with freedom that they may die on +their own expense. The keepers lay it down as an axiom in their +practice, that it is impossible to reform a prisoner. Perhaps they +will admit that God could do it, and I cheerfully agree with them that +none but He can reform a sinner after he has fallen into their hands. +And it is equally plain to my mind, that nothing _less_ than +omnipotent power will ever reform _them_. + + + + +CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PRISONERS WHEN RELEASED. + + +Some of the prisoners have the means of dressing themselves decently +when they leave the prison, and of living till they can find +employment; but the greater part of them go away from that place in +very mean clothing, and with not a dollar in their pockets. In this +situation they are turned loose upon the world, often far from their +friends, and not a soul to apply to for assistance. They cannot get +into work any where, for they carry "the mark of the BEAST," not only +"in their foreheads," but "on the borders of their garments," and +every body shuns them. They have no money, and consequently they must +either _beg_, or _steal_. Nor are they _moral agents_ in this case; +_necessity_ is laid upon them and they _must_ do it. The +Superintendent said the same to me once when we were conversing on +this subject. "If they do not get into employment within three days +from their leaving the prison," said he, "which is next to impossible, +they must either beg, steal, or die."--Is it not a pity that this man +did not do something for the benefit of those who were going out into +such a probation as would try the integrity of a saint? especially +when the government authorised him to? + +One reason why the convicts leave the prison in such a shabby dress, +is, that no care is taken with the clothes that are worn thither; all +the garments which the prisoners wear to the prison, are thrown +together in a garret, and left for the moths to prey upon. By this +means the poor garments become worse, and many that were excellent are +destroyed; so that when the owners have occasion to wear them again, +they are good for nothing. Even new garments which the prisoners +purchase while there, are often so much neglected as to be greatly +injured, and sometimes nearly spoiled. And some valuable articles, +such as boots, hats, and vests, have been lost through the +carelessness of the keepers. In these things, however, there has been +some reform of late, and I hope it will be carried through. + +Another reason why _some_ of the prisoners fare no better when they +leave the prison, is, that some one of the keepers has a _spite_ to +gratify, and he takes this opportunity, not only because it is the +last, but because it best suits the malignity of his purpose. + +I have seen some leave the prison in the winter, with thin summer +garments; some without a hat; and many scores who were not fit to be +seen with a company of _colliers_. They had served their time out in a +_penitentiary_; but their appearance was enough to demonstrate to all +that saw them, that they had been under the care of _im_penitent +keepers. They went out among human beings, but like him who went down +from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves, both the _priest_ +and the _Levite_ shunned them, and they were not often fortunate +enough to be noticed by a SAMARITAN. The truth of the case is, the law +in this particular is faulty. No man ought ever to be turned out upon +society as these prisoners are. If they deserve to be free, give them +a freedom suit, and money to get into business; but if they do not, +keep them till they do. Give a man a fair chance to become honest, and +not place his principles where Gabriel's would be polluted. If men +desire to make sinners better, let them help them to reform, and not +place them under a _necessity_ to do wrong. Let there be an adherence +to principle, and if punishment is to be under the government of +mercy, let it be merciful throughout; but if it is not designed to +reform, then say so--write your laws in blood--catch every criminal +you can, and either hang him or shut him up for life. Let there be +consistency between principle and conduct, and if it is the purpose of +the law to make its ministers furies, let them not be clothed as +angels of light. + +This neglect of the prisoner when he is released, is the great cause +of so many re-commitments, either to the _same_, or other prisons. The +man is unable to get into employment. He reads scorn in every eye. He +has no clothes fit to wear. He has no home, nor pillow to lay his head +on. He spends his days on the highway, and his nights in the field or +in some barn. He has not a crust of bread to satisfy the imperious +demands of hunger. He drinks the running brook. His spirits sink down. +He is a stranger in his own country, and a hermit in the midst of +society. He is starving in the midst of plenty. Uncared for by others, +he forgets all care about himself. Worse off he cannot be, he may be +better. He has nothing to lose, and any change must be in his favour. +He puts forth exertion and cares not how the experiment results. Look +at this man. Is not his situation almost an excuse for any thing he +may do? Place yourself there, and conjecture how _you_ would act. What +_can_ he do? What could an _angel_ do in his circumstances? Here, you +who would trace second offences to their cause, here is the reason why +so many return to their former abodes. Where, I ask, is the mercy of a +penitentiary, which treats its subjects thus? Don't say that they +could get into employment. They could not. Would you employ a man so +meanly clothed, that he was not fit to tend your hogs, and whose every +appearance told you he had either been released from state prison, or +broken out of gaol? You would not. Neither would your neighbours. What +then could he do? Let the benevolent think of this, and act +accordingly. That is not benevolence which sits by the sufferer only +to rivet his chains, and leaves him when it can torment him no more. +This penitentiary is like the thieves who fell upon the traveller to +Jericho, it strips its victims of their raiment, and leaves them half +dead. + + + + +GOD'S VIOLATED RULE OF TREATING PENITENT CRIMINALS. + +AN ESSAY. + + If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, + walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he + shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the sins that he + hath committed shall be mentioned unto him; he hath done that + which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.--EZEKIEL xxxiii. + 15, 16. + + +In this passage of Sacred Scripture, the manner in which God deals +with his sinful creatures, when they repent, is very clearly and +forcibly asserted; and with equal clearness and force is it laid down +as a law of universal and eternal obligation, that when a sinner turns +from the evil of his way, and does that which is right, "none of the +sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him." The meaning +of this is, that the greatest sinners shall find mercy on their +reformation, and that the sins of which a man has repented, shall +never be thrown in his face, nor be improved in any way to his injury. +Such is the rule by which God is governed, and which he enjoins as a +law upon his creatures; and I wish to inculcate its benevolent and +sacred principle upon you, with reference to those who are coming up +from the infamy of crime and the penalty of the law, with a +determination to reform their lives and regain the confidence of +their fellow men. I wish you to treat them as God does; not as if they +had never sinned, but as if they had repented; and shew by your +conduct, that you share in the delight of angels, when a lost sheep is +found, and a prodigal returns. But before I proceed any farther, I +will hear some objections which may arise, and take an impartial view +of the ground I am going to occupy. + +It will be said that those outcasts whose cause I am espousing, have +rendered themselves infamous by crime; that they have disturbed the +peace of society, trampled on the laws of God and man, and have been +shut up in prison to keep them from further outrage upon the rights of +community. I grant it. If you are a christian, what then? + +It will also be said that but little dependence can be placed on the +professions of this class of sinners; that having transgressed _once_, +they are likely to _repeat_ the crime; and that the next thing that is +heard from them, they will be back again in their old place.--This is +true, and the very conduct which grows out of this objection, is, in +ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, the sole cause of it. + +Another--I could not believe it if I had not heard it myself--another +objector will say--"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit +the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor +idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves +with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetors, nor drunkards, nor revilers, +nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God."--Alas! that such +crimes should ever find a name among men! But the same divine +authority which declared this, affirms also, that "_such were some of +you_;" and if "_ye_ are _washed_, _sanctified_, and _justified_ in the +name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God," is there not +hope for these also? + +Having thus briefly noticed some objections which I had reason to +anticipate, I shall proceed with the subject before me; and I propose, +in the first place, to state how repentant criminals _are_ treated by +those who call themselves christians, and even by christian ministers, +after they are released from prison. + +In the second place, I shall shew how they _ought_ to be treated, +according to the divine principle of the text. + +And lastly, I shall glance at the good that would flow from such +treatment not only to _them_, but to the _community_, and to the cause +of _religion_. + +I. I am to state how repentant criminals _are_ treated by those who +call themselves _christians_, and even by christian _ministers_, after +they are released from prison. In doing this, I shall confine myself +to positive _facts_; and of these, I shall select only such as have +come under my _own_ knowledge, or which were related to me by those +who either _observed_ or _experienced_ them. + +The first individual whom I shall cause to pass before you in +connexion with the treatment which he has received from professing +christians and christian ministers, is the Rev. J. Robbins, a man of +uncommon powers of mind, and of unquestionable piety, and who has more +divine seals to his commission, than many of his opposers. + +While he was suffering for his sins within the dreary walls of a State +prison, he was led to think on his ways and reform his life. At the +expiration of his sentence, he was let out into the world, without +money, and very thinly and uncomfortably clothed. In this situation, +destitute of all things, and far from his friends, he went into the +adjoining city of Boston, and went to work with a _hand-cart_. The +weather was cold, and he was not able to obtain clothes enough to keep +him warm. + +In this forlorn and suffering condition, he applied to the Rev. Mr. +****, who had been Chaplain of the prison in which he had been +confined, for some relief, or assistance to obtain employment. This +Rev. gentleman was personally acquainted with him; knew that he had +resolved on leading a christian life; and knew that he was at that +time in need of a friend. What did he do for him? Why, he +said--"Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding he +gave him not those things which were needful to the body." + +If these things are right, let it be known. If this is the +christianity of the Bible, let it be avowed--let the preachers from +their desks declare it, and bring the high standard of christian +benevolence down to the muddy surface of their _practical_ +illustrations of it. Let there be harmony between doctrine and +conduct. Either give us a _revision_ of the Scriptures, to accord with +the morality of the church, or let its maxims as they now stand in +capitals on all its pages, be copied in the every day and every where +conduct of those who profess to be the _salt_ of the earth, and the +_light_ of the world. + +Here is a minister of the everlasting gospel; and in the person of one +of his followers, he turns away the Saviour himself, "_hungry_, +_naked_," and from "_prison_."--Rev. Sir, for just such conduct as you +have been guilty of, in the instance alluded to, the Son of man will +one day say to some,--"Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire!" + +After some time Mr. Robbins obtained help from his distant friends, +and was enabled to make a respectable appearance. But in the interim +he learned by hard experience, that shivering and half-clad limbs can, +even in the benevolent, philanthropic, and christian city of Boston, +pass by the priest and the Levite, and range the streets, impurpled by +the wintry blasts, uncompassionated and unrelieved. + +As soon as circumstances would permit, he united in christian +fellowship with a church, desiring in proper time to become a +missionary to state prisons, to declare to the erring and degraded +sons of crime the salvation of the gospel. In this view of his duty he +appeared singular with some of the rulers of the church, and for this, +or some other cause, he transferred his fellowship from the +Congregationalists to the Episcopal Methodists. + +On making this transfer, he applied to the church for license to +exhort, for which he obtained ONE vote only. But as there was no +_contra_ votes, his license was barely granted. Not a very _cordial_ +reception this, and more sensitive minds than his, would have felt it; +but nothing of this kind ever had an effect to deter him from going +forward in the course of his duty; and after the usual time, he was +licensed as a preacher. + +He began now to think more seriously of turning his immediate +attention to prisons. Explaining his views to the church, enough fell +in with them to form a society, called "THE PRISON MISSIONARY +SOCIETY," of which he was appointed Agent and Secretary. This Society +was formed in Boston, and according to its plan, Mr. Robbins went out +to form other similar societies in different places, till his views +should be carried into effect by sending all the means of salvation to +as many prisons as possible, and by finding employment for prisoners +when they are released. + +The design of this society was noble, and it ought to have been +supported. Not like the "_Prison Discipline Society_," which tortures +the prisoner while it can, and then throws him out, unprotected, +unhelped, and friendless, on the scorn of mankind, to pursue from +_necessity_, his old course, and be sent back again; _this_ society +aimed to treat the prisoner as a human being, and to effect his +reformation by the mild means of the gospel, while he is confined; and +to go with him when set free, and prevent him from being compelled to +sin again, by giving him clothes, money, and employment, and +elevating him to the dignity of a citizen, and the respect of mankind. +Such an enterprise as this would have done honor to a Howard, and in +the hands of Dwight, it would have lived. But in the aristocracy of +our religious associations, _enterprises_ and _children_ are treated +alike. The son of a great man is respected, wise or foolish, but the +children of the poor must hew wood and draw water, though able to +measure minds with Newton and Locke. + +How many societies were formed, I know not, nor can I tell why the +enterprise was abandoned. The probable cause was, that none but Mr. +Robbins felt much interest in it, and not able to do all himself, it +fell through for want of adequate support. + +In the conduct of this Society, there was an act of injustice to Mr. +Robbins which, in my view of it, deserves reprehension. He had formed +many societies, had collected some money, and had promised that a +minute report of all his doings should be made to the public, so that +every contributor might know that the contributions had been applied +to the proper object. This report ought to have been made, both to +save his veracity and to vindicate his honesty, both of which have +suffered, and, in many places, have been completely compromised by the +non-fulfilment of his official promise. If, however, _he_ is +satisfied, _I_ shall not complain. + +While engaged as the agent of this Society, Mr. Robbins spent one year +in Concord, N. H. and officiated as Chaplain to the State prison. +Whether his labors were well directed in that sphere of usefulness or +not; how much or how little good was effected; whether his conduct was +approved or condemned by the authority of the prison, I am not +prepared to say. My opinion, however, is decidedly in his favor. I +believe from what I learned on the spot--from the prisoners and the +public--that he was the very man for that place; and that he labored +_indefatigably_, _intelligently_, and _efficiently_, for the spiritual +good of his brethren in bondage. I believe, too, that he was unpopular +with the keepers, and I regard this as an evidence in his favor, of +the highest kind that the case admits of. Had they espoused his cause, +and desired his continuance there as Chaplain, I should have doubted +his fitness for that office. For it is not more certain that there are +_prisoners_ and _keepers_, than that he who seeks the real and lasting +good of the _former_, must find opposers and enemies among the +_latter_. I make this statement with perfect fearlessness, in view of +much personal observation and experience; in accordance with every +principle of the philosophy of man; and from the history of prisons in +every nation and age of the world. + +At the expiration of his engagement in Concord, he visited Windsor, +Vermont, and spent about six months as Chaplain of the prison there. +In that place his labors were abundantly blessed, and will tell on the +happiness of many immortal spirits, in the kingdom of God for ever. I +pen this with the most distinct, vivid, and impressive recollections; +and in the emotion of my soul, I cannot help inquiring why he was so +abruptly discharged from that field of promise? It was his desire to +_stay_,--it was the desire of the _prisoners_ that he should +stay,--the indications of _Providence_ said--"_stay_,"--he offered his +services as a _gratuity_,--and his conduct was not by any one +impeached.--Why then was he removed? I heard the Superintendent of the +prison assure him, that his services as the Chaplain of the prison, +had been perfectly satisfactory. What, then, I ask again, nerved that +unsympathizing arm, that threw him out of employment and usefulness, +at the commencement of winter, to freeze or starve, to live or die? +Let the truth be told, and tell it, you that can. + +At the opening of the next spring, he thought of returning to Concord, +and preaching again to the prisoners. He waited on the Governor with +letters of recommendation, and laid a petition before the Legislature +to obtain the chaplaincy of the prison for the ensuing year; but he +did not succeed. Why he failed, may be inferred from the following +facts.-- + +The Methodists were at that time contemplating a settlement in +Concord. The number that had espoused that faith was very limited, and +without some help, they could not support a preacher; and the salary +allowed to the chaplain of the prison would be a very important item +in their calculations. But this could be obtained only by having a +minister of their order appointed by the Legislature, which was then +in session. But then Mr. R. was a Methodist. True, but he was not the +man for that place; and he did not _wish_ to be, any farther than for +the _prison_. _Why_ was he not the man for that place? Was he not a +good preacher? had he not learning and talent adequate to the claims +of the place? and was he not admitted to be pious? O yes; in all these +respects he stood on no mean elevation. Why then was he not the man? +Why, he had been a sinner; and though his opposers told the Lord every +time they prayed, that they had been the _chief_ of sinners +themselves, they yet thanked God that they were not like this +_publican_, and said to him--"Stand off--we are more holy." + +This then is the sole reason why they set their faces against Mr. +R.--HE HAD BEEN A BAD MAN. Whom then would they have? and how could +they obtain him? In the Methodist Church the preachers are the +property of the bishops, and they can dispose of them as they please. +Accordingly the bishop was applied to, and a preacher was stationed in +Concord for the coming year. This preacher was then recommended to the +Legislature, and appointed chaplain of the prison, to the exclusion of +the first applicant. + +By how mean a motive is human nature capable of being influenced? In +its idolatrous devotion to self, how reckless of consequences? By this +act of pious selfishness, _fifty dollars_ were gained by the Methodist +Society in Concord, and a man who was peculiarly fitted for usefulness +in a certain sphere, and who was trying to move in that sphere, was +thrown out of all employment, and compelled to abandon a benevolent +enterprise, which had twined round every fibre of his heart. + +Is this a fair specimen of religious conduct? Is this the meaning of +that divine command which requires all men, and christians +_especially_, to do as they would be done by? Is this "_not_ +mentioning to the penitent sinner the sins that he hath committed?" Is +this _brotherly love_? Is this the spirit of the prayer--"forgive _as_ +WE _forgive_?" With such records as these in the books which will be +opened in "that day for which all other days were made," who would be +willing to go to judgment? + +One circumstance more, and I shall have done, for the present, with +Mr. R. It is a rule in the Methodist Church that a local preacher +shall be ordained deacon, when he has been licensed to preach _four +years_; but Mr. R. has been on trial more than six years, and is not, +I believe, ordained yet, though he has been recommended for it. He has +also applied several times, with the best of recommendations, to join +the annual conference, but has always been rejected. Why? Not that he +has _done_ any thing amiss, since he has been among them, but they +fear he _will_! He is in good standing as a _local preacher_, but he +must not ascend to the house of Lords, lest he _should_ do something, +or through fear that he _has_ done something in days of yore, that +might overshadow the dignity of their illustrious body. Mary Magdalene +could be in the society of Jesus; the thief on the cross could be with +his Lord in Paradise; and the disciples could give the right hand of +fellowship to Paul; but things have altered vastly since those times. +The servant who has been forgiven, takes his fellow servant by the +_throat_ now-a-days. Should our Father in heaven act as some of his +professed children on earth do, universal and eternal damnation would +be certain. This annual conference refuses to admit a man into its +fellowship, whose life for many years has been that of a christian, +and who lives in the confidence of all his numerous friends, for fear +that it will be disgraced; and yet a similar body, under the same +bishop, voted Rev. E. K. A. as pure as the morning dew-drop, when the +public opinion had thrown upon his soul all the guilt of the fallen +angels. _Proh pudor!_ + +So much for the Rev. Mr. R. and his connexion with the sympathies and +charities of christians. Against those whose conduct I have condemned, +I have no personal animosities to gratify; nor have I any particular +feelings of extraordinary friendship for Mr. R., that would lead me to +vindicate his conduct against truth and justice. I am his friend to +the full extent of honourable and christian principles, but no +farther. Were there any thing wrong in his conduct, I could see it as +quick as any one, and our mutual rule has ever been, not to cover each +other's faults. No one, I think, knows him better than I do, and +unless his conduct appears to me very different from what it really +is, he is certainly an injured man; and his wounds are the less +excuseable, inasmuch as they were received in the house of his +_friends_. My sole design is to state _facts_, which I mean to do +_faithfully_, without reference to friend or foe. If I should err, it +will be unintentional, and I shall be open to correction; if I am +correct, I am not answerable for the inferences which may be drawn +from my statements. + +Another individual who has been _brothered_, and _kissed_, and +_smitten in the fifth rib_, by the Joabs of modern christianity, I +will introduce to your acquaintance under the title of THE AUTHOR. + +But before I enter upon those events which belong more immediately to +my subject, it is due to many pious and very excellent individuals to +record of them, that the author ever found in them a spirit becoming +the christian, and principles of oral and religious conduct which +demonstrate, that, as there were seven thousand in ancient Israel, who +had not bowed to the image of Baal, so there are many in _modern_ +Israel who are true to their profession. These he will delight to +remember, and to cherish for them the warmest emotions of gratitude, +while life remains. They are of that number who make _actions_ the +criterion of _character_, and who expect to be _judged_ according to +their _works_; and who claim not to be esteemed _christians_ any +farther then they _live_ like christians. + +As soon as the author was released from his long and dreary +confinement, he united with the church with a view to the ministry, +and to spending his life in publishing salvation to prisons. To this +course he had been urged by many of his particular friends, and +prompted by his most sanguine feelings; and to his mind, there was but +one objection against it. This objection grew out of the popular +interpretation of St. Paul's language, that a minister must have a +good report of them that are without; which is generally understood to +exclude from the desk all those who have, in any way, rendered +themselves infamous, however sincerely they may have repented, and +however thoroughly they may have reformed. On this he balanced for +some time; but when he reflected that John Bunyan and the American +Fuller, had been useful in the ministry, after having a very _bad_ +report of them who were without, he thought that he might be excused +if he followed their steps. It occurred to him, also, that if Christ +came into the world to save _sinners_--if the pious king of Israel +came into the courts of his God, after washing his hands from the +blood of _murder_, and bathing himself from the pollution of an +_adulterous bed_--if the sacred orator of MAR'S HILL came to the +ministry from off a sea of martyr's blood, which his _wicked hands had +spilt_--if the preacher on the day of Pentecost had been the _Satan_ +whom Jesus ordered to get behind him, and the _profane denier_ of his +accused Master--if, in fine, he who was with Jesus in Paradise, in the +_evening_, had been conducted, in the _morning_, from a _criminal's +dungeon_ to the cross of an _ignominious death_; no good reason could +be assigned why a man might not leave a prisoner's cell, and take that +course to usefulness which providence seemed to point out. + +The objection thus obviated, and a sense of duty prompting him, he +cheerfully followed in the opening of providence; and in the usual +time, after the customary examination, he was admitted into the +ministerial fellowship of the Methodist denomination, and licensed to +preach the gospel. + +He now began to feel as if he was in the bosom of none but true and +christian friends. In the deep blue firmament of his future hopes, no +cloud was seen; and the earth around him was rich with the fragrance +and verdure of promise. But "disappointment smiled at hope's career," +and blight beneath, and clouds above, soon taught him that a "brother +will utterly supplant, and a neighbor walk with slanders"--that "they +will deceive and not speak the truth." + +During the first six months after his enlargement, he was frequently +in company with some of those preachers who had officiated as +chaplains at the prison; and from what he had heard them say in their +sermons and prayers, he was expecting them to take some interest in +his case, and give him some advice. But in this he expected too much. +Not one of them ever inquired what he was doing, nor offered any +assistance to get him into business; nor did they ever mention the +subject of _religion_ in his hearing. These were _negative friends_, +for they did him no _good_. They were also _negative enemies_, for +they did him no _harm_. And had _all_ his enemies been _negative_ +ones, it would have been a very happy circumstance for him; but alas! +most of them have been _positive enemies_ to the extent of their +power. + +The first brother in the ministry who lifted up his heel against him, +was Rev. R. L. H***. I would mention this man's name with some +respect, knowing that the person he injured, feels that a great debt +of gratitude is not cancelled by any efforts which his enemy has made, +to divide him from the esteem, respect, and confidence of the church. +The claims of gratitude I know are lasting, and it must be painful to +find one who has been a benefactor, become an enemy without any cause. +But such things _do_ happen, and this is an instance of it; and though +the heart that bled retains no resentment, still I have a motive for +rescuing this fact from oblivion, and preserving it in this connexion. +The fact is as follows.-- + +The author, after an absence of some months, returned to the vicinity +in which Mr. H---- resided, and by the request of a friend, preached +from a particular text. In the sermon he dropped some remarks, which +were considered as outstripping the theological landmarks of the +order, of which it pleased Mr. H. to take a most scrutinizing notice. +The sentiment objected to was, that the proportion of the saved over +the lost, would be as _ten thousand_ to _one_. As this opinion was +very harshly and unfairly treated, the author took it up in another +discourse, and argued it at full length from the Scriptures. Mr. H. +was present, and closed the meeting with a string of remarks as long +as the sermon, which he treated with no high degree of christian +courtesy. After the service was closed, the disputed sentiment was +discussed by the preacher and Mr. H., and the latter gentleman soon +found, that he had engaged in a work for which he was perfectly +unprepared. Scarcely able to write _legibly_, profoundly ignorant of +_all science_, and even of the first principles of his vernacular +tongue, he yet had the vanity to contest a point in the high science +of theology; and the immense weight of his ignorance, which he had +never felt so sensibly before, so wounded him into resentment against +his antagonist, that he began to denounce him as a _heretic_, and +tried to ruin his christian character in the church and among his +friends. As the author left that place immediately to fulfil his +engagements, Mr. H. had an excellent opportunity to gratify his +unenviable feelings against him, which he did to a far greater extent +than will suit his convenience in the world to come. + +Another Joab will be found in the person of Rev. E. W. S. This man was +a friend to the author while his own interest required him to be, and +when _that_ interest changed, he became his enemy. The conduct of this +man is enough to make humanity redden with shame. The meanness of his +soul--the pollution of his heart, and the iniquity of his conduct, +exhibit outlines of character, which I hope can find a prototype in no +being but himself. Slander was his delightful and busy employment; and +with low hints, dirty insinuations, and all the filthy brood of +scandal, he was in close fellowship and constant communion. It is +enough to say of this Rev. gentleman, that when he desired to take the +place of the author, he laboured with all his might to shake the +confidence of the community in him; and though he laboured without +success, he rendered the situation of his prophetic victim so +unpleasant, that he voluntarily withdrew from a field which his +unprovoked enemy had _secretly_ planted with _thistles_. + +But Mr. S. gained nothing by this; for though the field which he +desired to occupy, was left open to him, he found that the community +there had no desire for _his_ services. This is generally the result +of such conduct. There is a re-action in guilt, and Haman generally +dies on the gallows which he erected for Mordecai. + +About this time the author had occasion to doubt the sincerity of some +other clergymen, who made great professions of friendship for him, and +were loud in praises of their own piety. He learned here the elements +of that knowledge which has been fully taught him since--_that +profession is not principle--that self-interest is so general a spring +to action in_ ALL _minds, that it will not be safe, in practice, to +admit of any exceptions--and that generous confidence in man is often +an ignis fatuus that leads to ruin_. SELF is every man's idol, and he +loves it with all his heart. I admit that there are exceptions, and +humanity is not _really_ so bad, as, in practice, we are _prudently_ +to consider it. There are _exceptions_, but who knows, where to make +them? "COMMIT YOURSELF TO NO MAN," is the voice of all experience; and +_my_ experience has taught _me_, that, in a clash or competition of +interests, no man will regard _mine_, and I must _contend_ for, or +_lose_ it. + +It pains my heart to be compelled to write such bitter things against +that nature which I possess in common with others, and I should not +yield to the necessity of doing so, had I not an important duty to +perform. There are many individuals coming out of prisons every year, +and they are coming out under an impression that they can regain their +characters and be respected by their fellow men. I wish to inform them +that their expectations are groundless. If they will consent to become +the _tools_ of a party, and _stepping_ stones for others, they will be +treated _as_ tools and stepping stones; but if they set up for +themselves, and contend for their rights, they will be like deers +amidst a thousand blood hounds and hunters. Few men whose interest +they will not promote to the neglect of their own, will be too good to +tell them of things gone by; and even ministers will treat them worse +than Michael treated the Devil. + +I have made these remarks with reference to the treatment the author +received from Rev. Messrs. J. S----, N. W. W----, A. C---- and M. +C----, and, also, to what he suffered during his connexion with the M. +P. C. in B----, a faithful though brief account of which, I am now +going to submit to the reader. + +The author's connexion with this church was formed in the month of +July, 1831. He was engaged by the committee in full view of his +imprisonment, and with a solemn pledge on their part, that what was +past should never be considered any thing against him in their minds, +and that they never would desert him on account of it. How well some +of them have kept their pledge I need not say. All that related to +their pastor was soon communicated in different ways to the members of +the church, and they respected him none the less on account of what +was past. + +The ministers who had officiated previous to this time, were Rev. J. +S., President of the Annual Conference of the M. P. Church in +Massachusetts, a man whose name is identified with the early history +of Methodism in New England, and dear to the hearts of thousands; Rev. +T. F. N. Superintendent of the church in Malden; and Rev. J. D. Y. +These gentlemen united their labors to promote the interests of the +church, and they expressed much satisfaction when the author was +appointed to labor in that place. Both in the public prints, and in +private conversation, they gave the strongest demonstrations of their +good feeling and entire satisfaction in the event. Why they changed +their minds, and what cause they had to become enemies to the man whom +they had so highly commended, must be inferred from circumstances; and +all the circumstances necessary to this inference I shall now lay +before the reader. + +Soon after the author's connexion with the church, Rev. Mr. Y. +proposed to have him ordained _Deacon_, which was accordingly done. +The church immediately proposed to have him ordained _Elder_, which +was also done. To this some objections were made by the ministers +above named, but the vote for it, both in the church and conference, +was _unanimous_. + +About this time there was an obvious change in the conduct of Rev. Mr. +Y. The cause of this change, I should not like to assume the +responsibility of giving. Some thought it was on account of the last +ordination, and the act of the President in appointing the author +superintendent of the church _over_ him. If this was the cause it +evinces a greater share of vanity in him than ought to belong to a +christian minister. + +At no distant period from this, Rev. Mr. N. began to give some +indications of coldness towards the church and its appointed minister. +I have no more data for the cause of _this_ change than I have for +that in Rev. Mr. Y. This much, however, I know, that Rev. Mr. N. +condemned in the most pointed and bitter language, the conduct of the +other gentleman, said it was unmanly, unchristian, and cruel. + +Last of all Rev. Mr. S. became displeased with the author, and united +with the other gentlemen above named to injure him. What this last +gentleman gave as the cause of his coldness towards the author was a +sentence in one of his published letters, which he considered as a +reflection on him. The sentence was the following:-- + +"Had you sent us an able minister when Dr. French left us, not only +would some serious internal difficulties have been prevented, but the +cause which then began to bud, would, before this time, have produced +a glorious harvest." + +This letter was addressed to the Editor of the M. P. Periodical in +Baltimore; and as Rev. Mr. S. took charge of the church when Dr. +French left it, he said the implication was that _he_ was not an +"_able minister_." + +It was not in Rev. Mr. S's nature to take fire at such trifles, and it +is due to him to say, that he was instigated by others, or he never +would have acted so inconsistently. The sentence objected to had not +the least reference to him, who was highly and deservedly esteemed by +the church, but belonged to things well known at the time, in which he +shared no blame. + +The course pursued by the author amidst these difficulties, was that +of self-defence and submission to the proper and only authority of the +church. He was what _that_ authority made him, and every favor it +conferred, came unsought. He had his opinions of right and wrong, and +he always counselled, but never opposed the voice of the church. In +this respect he differed from his enemies, who took it on themselves +to oppose what the church did, and to deny her right to act +independently of them, or against the will of a body of which they +were the Alpha and Omega. They used every effort in their power to +accomplish their purposes against the church and its minister, but to +little effect. At length, growing weary with perpetual war, the author +concluded to take up his connexion with his people and go to New-York. +To this, some opposition was made by the church, but his purpose had +been matured and could not be changed. He accordingly took letters, +and united with the Conference in New-York; which also received the +church into its fellowship at the same time, and sent Rev. Thomas K. +Witsil to superintend it. But this was an unfortunate connexion. The +old enemies of the church and of the author, began now to practice on +Rev. Mr. Witsil, and in a very few months the church was shaken down +and scattered to the winds of the heavens. + +I am now going to mention particularly what the Rev. enemies of the +author did to injure him, while he was in B., and after he left +it.--They tried to shake public confidence in him by mean allusions to +his past history, both among the members of the church and +congregation. They wrote letters to a distance to prevent his getting +into employment. They published the most bitter and unchristian libels +against him in the common newspapers of the city. And they resorted to +all the means they could to cut off his means of support in the +church. I have on record all their acts and doings against him--I have +copies of the letters they sent to New-York--the pieces they printed +in the papers--and what they said to individuals in the city. One of +them may think that he has been cunning enough to escape observation +in what he has done, but he is mistaken. His path has been observed, +his track has been seen; and there may be a day of retribution. + +Now, what just cause had they to array themselves against that +individual? What evil had he done, that they should treat him thus? He +has means of referring to their own printed letters, in which they +speak much in his favor; what has he done since to give just occasion +for such attacks? + +The author is fully aware of the fact that no man is a proper judge of +his own cause, and that in the heat of opposition, both parties are +apt to be in the wrong. Of his own fallibility, he has had too many +painful evidences to entertain a doubt; and he presumes not to say +that in all things he acted as he should were he to be placed in the +same circumstances again. How infallible his enemies are, in their own +opinion, he is too well informed to inquire. They think that they did +right in all they did, I have no doubt of this, for the Holy Bible +assures me that God will send to certain individuals strong delusions +that they may believe a lie. They no doubt think they were doing God +service, when they were trying to ruin a fellow creature. When they +were serving their master well, they said; "Come, see our zeal for the +Lord." I readily admit that, like Saul, they did these things +ignorantly and in unbelief; and for this reason I hope they will find +mercy, and be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, even if it should be +"so as by fire." It is then, as has been already intimated, very +possible that both parties have something to lament, and something to +repent of. On this possibility I have thought much, and while I can +find no vindication for his enemies on the principles of honorable +conduct in heaven, or earth, or under the earth, I find it equally +difficult to vindicate the conduct of the author in some things. It +was right for him to submit to the voice of the church, and to promote +her interest against all her enemies. It was right for him to defend +himself against the wicked attacks of his personal foes. And the only +part of his conduct that, after deliberate examination, seems to +deserve any animadversion is, that in which he put confidence in +strangers, and trusted them contrary to the maxims of prudence and the +voice of his own experience. But he trusts that the evils he endured +from want of prudence will have a good effect on him for the future; +and if they cause him to withhold his confidence from strangers, and +trust no man because he is a _professor_ or _minister_, till he knows +whether he is what he professes to be, he will have no occasion to +regret them. + +The melancholy fact that the most sanguine professions of friendship +are not to be relied upon, draws strong confirmation from the conduct +of the Reverend enemies of the author mentioned above. They were warm +in their _professions_, and equally warm in their _enmity_. His +flatterers and eulogists, and his traducers and persecutors. Making +him an angel one day, and a devil the next. One week learned and +eloquent, and another ignorant and stammering. With one breath +comparing him to Cicero, and with the next to an Indian. Any thing or +nothing--a saint or a sinner--according to the whim of the moment or +the expediency of the case. It is impossible to find greater +inconsistencies than their conduct presents; and if any man wants +occasion to be ashamed of his race, let him look at the actions of +these men. They kissed and stabbed; defended and deserted; applauded +and condemned, just as their present interest seemed to dictate; +though the object of their praise and vituperation was the same being +at all times, acting on the same principles, and pursuing the same +even and steady way. + +But what makes this picture the more saddening to the soul, is, the +extent of its application. It presents the very common exhibitions of +character which abound in our world. Under similar circumstances, who +that has not the lovely principles of the gospel in his soul, would +act very differently? This is, however, no apology for them. The +frequency of a crime detracts not from its deformity, and sin is sin +though an angel should commit it. And the general application of these +ugly features of human depravity demonstrates the chilling truth, that +he who has fallen can never hope to rise. Interest will have sway, and +before its influence, justice and mercy are but dust before a tempest. +He that sins and is detected will carry the scar to his grave, and he +might as well try to blot out the sun as to hide it. + +I have now finished the account which I promised to give of the +author's connexion with the M. P. C. in B.; but it may not be out of +place to mention here what treatment he met with from some other +ministers. Passing along the street in the city, he met, one day, the +Rev. E. W. a clergyman of the Episcopal Methodist Church. This man +addressed him in a very abrupt, rude, uncivil, ungentlemanly, and +unchristian speech, of which the following is a literal extract. "You +ought never to have been allowed to preach, and if I had the power you +never should, nor any one like you. You may be a good christian and +get to heaven, but a man who has fallen under the censure of mankind +ought never to be elevated to the ministry." Surely the man who should +dare to use such language to a fellow mortal, ought to be very pure +himself. I wish the Rev. E. W. to remember this treatment which he +gave to his fellow man, and be very careful not to fall under "the +censure of mankind." And before he prepares to abuse and insult +another man, let him take a little precaution, lest in judging others +he should condemn himself. It is a very common fault of our nature, +from which even the Rev. E. W. was not exempted, to magnify specks on +the character of others into blots, and consider blots on our own as +only specks. + +About this time the author had commenced a series of publications in a +certain _Religious Periodical_; but his _name_ giving offence, he was +desired by the Editor to substitute a _fictitious_, for his _real_ +signature, as his productions could no longer appear in his paper +unless he did. This he said was the decision of the Committee of the +paper, most of whom were _clergymen_. They had nothing against his +writing for the paper, if he would suppress his name, but it would not +comport with their views of propriety, to admit him to an equal +privilege with themselves. The author from that time, withdrew his +contributions from the columns of that periodical. + +Now, in view of this treatment endured by the author, I have but few +observations to make. His enemies were ministers, and other officers +in the Church of Christ. They were under solemn obligations to do as +they would be done by; and yet they perseveringly opposed a man who +had never injured them, and because they could find nothing else +against him, they harped on what had transpired more than ten years +before. While they professed to love their neighbour, they wilfully +did him an injury. With one hand they took him by the beard to kiss +him, while the other was holding a pointed dagger. This shews what +sinful beings are found on earth, and proves that many who profess to +be the meek and humble followers of the LAMB, have hearts warmed with +the blood of the WOLF. It is truly painful to dwell on such uncomely +exhibitions of human character, and I should not have been so minute +in these details did I not feel impelled by a sense of duty. I have +trodden this thorny path myself, and for the benefit of those who may +come after me, I wish to leave, at every turn in the road, this +salutary maxim--TRUST NOT IN MAN. Many no doubt will consider my +accounts of human nature too dark; but no one who has had experience +in the school of poverty or dependence, will charge me with being an +_Acetic_. I have no enmity against my species to draw me from a fair +statement of facts, nor can I be induced to keep back, out of a false +respect for mankind, a fair representation of those traits of +character which lie hidden from ordinary view, like vipers under a +rose bush. Believe my testimony, or doubt it; approve or condemn; call +me friend or foe; God knows, and _you_ will one day know, that I have +declared nothing but what my ears have heard, my eyes seen, and my +hands handled. + +One paragraph more will close this part of my subject. One Sabbath as +I was seated on my bench in my cell, spending the lonely hours in deep +reflection on the miseries of life, and the unsympathizing temperament +of the human heart, one of my cell-mates, more intelligent and +observing than the others, very suddenly broke out into the following +remarks:-- + +"Our sentences are various, but they should all be alike. Some of us +are doomed here only for a series of years, but we ought all to have +been sentenced for life. Some of us may live to get our liberty, but +we ought all to die here. What interest has any one of us beyond these +walls? What hope can we cherish of ever regaining the confidence of +our fellow men? We have fallen and how can we rise? I have been taking +an imaginary walk among men, carrying along with me the marks of my +present condition, so that all might know where I have been. I have +visited all classes, and all are alike. I have, all through my +journey, laboured to do right, and give evidence that I have reformed. +How have I been treated? I have been hissed by the multitude--despised +by those who were once my equals--and trampled on by all.--The church +has indeed recorded my name, but she placed me behind the door--and +the minister always shunned me if he could.--Saints and sinners looked +at me askance, and I have returned contented to live and die in +prison, rather than go out and wither under the certain scorn of +mankind." + +II. My second proposition is, to shew how repentant criminals _ought_ +to be treated, according to the divine principle of the text. + +It is recognized as a principle in the divine administration, that a +bad man may become a good one. On this principle the whole system of +the gospel turns. And when the happy change takes place, it is another +principle of the same administration, to forgive the past +transgressions, and mention them no more to the injury or confusion of +the penitent. When the prodigal returns his rejoicing father thinks no +more of his prodigality. This is the manner in which God treats his +repenting children; and he makes his example a law for all his +creatures. "If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had +robbed, walk in the statutes of life without committing iniquity; he +shall surely live, he shall not die. None of the sins that he hath +committed shall be mentioned unto him; he hath done that which is +lawful and right; he shall surely live." This is the law of heaven on +this subject, and it ought to be obeyed. Christians pray to be +pardoned _as they pardon_, and God assures us that if we do not pardon +those who trespass against us, we shall not be pardoned for our sins +against him. Hence the manner in which repentant and reforming sinners +should be treated is obvious; and it is equally obvious that those who +do not treat them according to this rule, are not christians. + +III. My last proposition is, to shew the good that would flow from +such treatment, not only to the _penitents_, but to the _community_, +and the cause of _religion_. + +1. The good that would flow to the _penitents_. + +By such treatment they would be cheered and helped on in their process +of reformation. A contrary course has driven many a man away from his +pious resolutions, and caused him to return to the commission of +crime. The heart of the penitent man is tender, and this sensibility +is in proportion to the greatness of his sins. _Then_ it can bear but +little, whatever it may do afterwards. _Before_ David's repentance, +Nathan said to him--"Thou art the man!" but not _afterwards_. This was +right; and the sinful monarch reformed. When the soul is torn by the +lashes of conscience, it needs no other reprover. Then the heart is +bleeding and needs not any other application than oil and wine. Its +language is--"Have pity upon me! have pity upon me! O! ye my friends! +for the hand of God hath touched me!" + +No one knows these feelings better than myself; and I know, too, +what it is to have the feelings of a broken and contrite heart, +harrowed up by the unsympathizing hand of _sneering_, _reproaching_, +and _scornful professors_. Well do I remember those hours of +darkness and pain; and a thousand scars on my soul will never suffer +the remembrance to die. And that my readers may have some idea of +my feelings at that time, I will ask their indulgence to insert for +their perusal the following extract of a hymn, composed in one of +those seasons of self-condemnation and derided misery. + + "Yes, I feel that I'm forgiven, + Mercy cheers my soul at last; + Yet my heart is always riven + When I think upon the past! + + O the killing recollection! + How it withers up my soul! + What can blunt the keen reflection, + Or this aching breast console! + + If my tears, I'd weep an ocean! + If my blood, I'd rend this heart! + Could I stop this dread emotion, + How with being would I part! + + But the _past_--'tis past _for ever_!-- + Yet, if suffer'd still to live, + Will the friends of Jesus _never_, + My repented deeds _forgive_?" + +Such are the feelings of a contrite soul, when the painful remembrance +of its sins is aggravated by the constant and unfeeling indications of +a world's scorn. + +Now, the treatment which such an individual ought to receive is +expressed in the text, and such treatment would soften the flinty path +of his return to virtue, and facilitate his progress. Many are now in +the highway of a sinful career, whom such treatment would have saved +from ruin. I know them well, and could call their names. They +commenced a reform; they looked for encouragement; they leaned on the +specious but deceptive professions of christian sympathy; but were +disappointed in all. From the altar to the grog shop, and from the +throne to the dunghill, they found that, though a sinner might find +pardon, and his sins be forgotten in heaven, they will be kept in +cruel remembrance on earth, and thrown in his face as long as he +lives. This is more than feeble humanity can often endure. It is +implied, and by an inspired writer too, that no one can bear a +"_wounded spirit_." Who then can bear on an already "wounded spirit," +the mountain of universal insult and scorn? Who can endure forever an +hourly crucifixion on the contempt and derision of the whole world? +Until christians become converted to the christianity of Jesus, the +friend of sinners; and until all men act on the broad rule of doing as +they would be done by, there can be but little hope of the reformation +of any who have been considered sinners above all men, "because they +have suffered such things." + +The conduct of the mass of mankind towards those who have become +notorious by their sins, is fitly represented by those animals which +always fall on such of their species as are in distress and kill them. +Even the warmest votaries of the penitentiary system--the members of +the "PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY," as a body, treat the sons of guilt +and crime as the inhabitants of the country towns in New-England treat +their neighbour's unruly cattle,--thump them, dog them, shut them up +in pound, and forever after give them a bad name. + +Nothing can be more absurd than such conduct; and no course of +treatment could be more pernicious in its effects. It must necessarily +frustrate the most benevolent objects. Do all that can be done to +reform the guilty while they are in confinement, by _bread and water_, +_chains_ and _cells_, and all the wonderful discipline of the _lash_ +and the _lock-step_, with the much better means of _tracts_, _bibles_, +_priests_ and _sermons_; but if they are left, on their release from +prison, unprotected from the insults of mankind, and not helped to get +into decent employment, nor surrounded by the kind attention of +christians, nothing has been done effectually. The man should not be +neglected in prison. That is the place to begin, but not to complete +his reformation. Let mercy's angels meet him at the door of his cell +as it opens to let him out, and let them be his guardian spirits +through life; and then they may take him to heaven. The time of his +release is the turning point in his moral history. Like the unclean +spirit that went out of the man, if he has to go through dry places +seeking rest and finding none, he will, from necessity, return to his +house whence he came out; but if he is received as was the returning +prodigal by his father, no more will be heard of his wanderings. + +Christians! think of this. You who exhaust all science to compute the +worth of one soul, and send the emanations of your love for sinners to +the furthest verge of the other hemisphere, take a few thoughts for +those of your own country. Look at home. And if all souls are of equal +value, and he who converts one sinner from the error of his ways, +saves a soul from death and hides a multitude of sins, try at least +not to _prevent_ the conversion of a sinner, by mentioning to him the +sins of which he has repented. + +2. The good that would flow to _community_. + +It is presumed that a general exemplification of the principle laid +down in the text, would not only prevent penitent offenders from +relapsing into crime, but would fully confirm them in habits of +virtue. In more than nine cases out of ten, this would be the happy +result; while the _opposite_ course would in full as many cases, lead +to an opposite result. God always acts on this principle, and because +he is good to all and his tender mercies are over all his work, his +saints love him and praise him, and sinners are led to repentance. His +kingdom is a kingdom of mercy. Every part of his administration is +governed by mercy and love, and these traits of its character are +visible every where--in the golden flood of morning, and the dark and +howling demons of the midnight storm; in the soft and harmonious tones +of the gospel, and the harsh and thundering notes of the gloomy and +fiery mount. He is the Lord God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger +and of great kindness; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving +iniquity, transgression and sin; but by no means clearing the guilty. +He will not contend for ever nor be always wroth. He will not cast off +for ever. His anger continues only for a moment, but his mercy is +everlasting--it endureth for ever. When desired to display his +_glory_, he shows his _goodness_. He loves not only his saints, he +also commendeth his love towards _us_, in that while we were yet +_sinners_ Christ died for us. And we are commanded to love _our_ +enemies, to bless them that curse us, to do good to them that hate us, +and pray for them that despitefully use and persecute us; that we may +be the children of our Father who is in heaven, who makes his sun rise +on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and unjust. +Such being the principles of the divine administration, and such the +certainty that they will result in the reconciliation of all beings to +the Father, it is inferentially presumable that the same principles +fully acted out by men, would produce the same happy and desirable +results. + +If these remarks and inferences are just, then the good that would +result to community by exemplifying the principle in the text is +obvious. It would exchange bad men for good ones. It would throw a +wall of security around its institutions, its peace, its prosperity +and its virtue, stronger than mountains of brass. Under such a +firmament of heavenly principles and conduct, + + "All crimes would cease and ancient fraud would fail, + Returning Justice lift aloft her scale; + Peace o'er the earth her olive wand extend, + And white-rob'd Innocence from heaven descend; + The world would smile with boundless bounty bless'd, + And God's pure image glow in ev'ry breast." + +Towards this glorious state of society I confidently look, with the +strong emotions of a fixed and unwavering faith; but I invariably +associate it with the universal prevalence of benevolent principles +and beneficent deeds. Good will to all mankind must be the inspiring +motive of every action. The shepherd must go into the wilderness after +his lost sheep, and rejoice when he returns with it; and the father +must go out to meet his returning prodigal. + +3. The good that would flow to the cause of _religion_ by such +conduct, is my last topic. + +It would be redeemed from the charge of _inconsistency_. Religion is +judged of by the conduct of its professed friends, and condemned or +applauded from their exhibitions of it. Every inconsistency in their +conduct is written as a mark against their creed, and all their +excellences are placed to its credit. The truth of this no one will +deny. What verdict then will mankind render against a religion, the +professors of which continue in a course of conduct which crosses +their principles at every step? How can they call that a good +religion, which does not exert sufficient influence over its votaries +to make them even _consistent_? But if the friends of religion act +according to their principles, and never depart from those maxims of +propriety which they inculcate on _others_, they will at least obtain +for their religion the credit of _consistency_. Now the text contains +_one_ of the principles of the Christian religion, and all who profess +to be christians acknowledge it to be genuine; but where is their +consistency if they depart from it in practice? Christians, will you +be consistent? For God's sake let the blessed Jesus be wounded no +longer in the house of his friends! + +This course would also stop the triumphs of Infidelity. This monster +subsists on the faults of professors, and his triumphal car is +stained with the blood of christian wars. Preach to him the +excellences of your faith till the day of doom, and by one single +reference, he can silence the most eloquent tongue. He unfolds the +long catalogue of sainted crimes, and the christian must be dumb. The +christian conduct cannot be vindicated on the christian's principles, +and the enemy can be put to silence only by the abstract excellence of +the faith which he despises. Between christianity and christians there +must be a distinctive line drawn, or they will obscure its brightness +and beauty by the association. When they come up in their doings to +the high, pure, and stainless criterion of their professed principles, +then, and not till then, will Infidelity be put to the blush. + +It is high time to commence a reform in the conduct of professors; and +no where is this reform more needed than in the principle of the text. +I will not stop to argue this point, for no one dares deny it. Look +abroad, christians, and see the characters specified in the verse read +at the commencement of this discourse, roving up and down the earth. +How are they treated? How do _you_ treat them? Who wipes their tears? +who gives them a shelter from the rude storms of winter? who gives +them a kind look or a civil word? who leads them into the vineyard in +the morning and gives them a penny at night? Rather who does not shun +them?--insult them?--spurn them from his door?--force them to die in +innocence or live by crime? Who dares confront these charges? You that +kneel at the altar of Jesus, and commemorate his dying love, are you +innocent? Ministers of the everlasting gospel, are your garments +clean? Missionary, Tract, Bible and Prison Discipline Societies, how +stands your accounts? Christians of every rank and denomination, when +have you fed, clothed, ministered to, and visited your hungry, naked, +sick, and imprisoned Jesus in the person of his followers? In the +name of Jesus Christ, then, and for the honor of his cause, I pray +you, in behalf of repentant criminals, to REFORM. + +In concluding this Essay, which has cost me many a painful hour, I +cannot help remarking the vast difference that exists between the +conduct of God and of his creatures, in relation to repentant sinners. +He not only pardons, he also forgets; but men do neither. My +experience on this subject leads me to results very different from +those which the sanguine professions of christians led me to +anticipate. Such is the gloomy fact, and I must endure it. From man, +even the man of the _altar_ and the _desk_, I have nothing to hope +for. Within the limits of the wide world, and beneath the heavens, my +prospects are as dark as the "noon of night;" despair has hung her +dreadful curtains round all things, and in its chilling, stiffening +shade, the frost of endless blight is fast gathering upon me. I meet +at every turn the scorn of every eye, and I have only to bury myself +in some distant clime, till my race on earth shall close. "O for a +lodge in some vast wilderness!" + +But though all earth is dark, and mankind will be my enemies for ever, +there is a God who will never desert any that trust in him; and +conscious that he loves me, and will defend me, I will endure without +a murmur all the evils of life, and wait all the days of my appointed +time till my change come; in the humble hope, that, in the grave, I +shall not hear the voice of the oppressors, and that the reproaches +and scorn of mankind, which is too much for me to bear on earth, will +not follow me into the world to come. + + Fly swift, ye intervening days, + Lord, send the summons down; + The hand that strikes me to the earth, + Shall raise me to a crown. + + + + +THE CONNEXION BETWEEN INTEMPERANCE AND CRIME, AS VISIBLE IN PRISON. + + +Intemperance is not the cause of _every_ crime that is committed, +though it is of very many of them. It is _itself_ one of the greatest +of crimes. It is a violation of not one law only, but of _many_. The +drunkard outrages the law of his nature, tramples on the laws of +morality, and flings contempt on the law of the Almighty; and it is +not at all wonderful that so manifold a sin should meet with a various +and adequate retribution. Intemperance unfits its votaries for every +thing good, and qualifies them for, and spurs them onward to the +commission of every base and sinful work; and it is impossible to +estimate the crimes it has committed, or the miseries it has produced. +I saw, in the Windsor Prison, many of the criminal votaries of this +Moloch of modern idolatry, and my soul was often severely pained in +contemplating the certain and lasting misery with which he rewarded +his most faithful worshippers. I have not time, in this place, to +enter into a full discussion of the connexion of intemperance with the +crimes and misery of state prisons; but I will present a few striking +illustrations of the subject, which may answer in the place of a +volume. + +L. N. was a very intemperate drinker. Rum had _marked_ him for her +own. He had worshipped his idol in gaols and prisons for a thousand +miles round; and he was always punctual and regular in his devotions. +The consequence was--the loss of public confidence--a straw pillow for +his head, and a grated dungeon for his home--the pollution of his +soul, and the ruin of his body--a death in shrieks of agony, and a +prison-yard for his grave. + +C. C. learned while a youth to drink the poisoned glass. He was well +educated, and of a respectable family. His habit of intemperate +drinking unfitted him for business, and he became the scoff and scorn +of the giddy rabble. He fled his country for a crime, and remained at +a distance for years, adding sin to sin. At length he returned home +and repeated his former crime, for which he was sent to Windsor. + +No one can describe the pain he endured when taken away from the +bottle. "_Horrors!_--_Blue_ horrors!--_Ruffled_ horrors!" were the +words in which he expressed the agony of his body and soul, under the +cravings of an intemperate thirst for rum. After several years he was +pardoned, but he returned to his former habit; and in one of his +paroxysms of intoxication he inflicted a mortal wound on a +fellow-being, and was sent back to prison, where he now is. + +B. F. H. was a victim of drunkenness. Few men ever received from the +hand of their Creator a richer store of intellectual capacity than +this man, and on none were such gems more wastefully lavished. He +abandoned a most amiable wife; and after spending many years in +different prisons, the last I heard of him he was fitting for another. +Over this victim, intemperance might boast, for he was like a star of +superior brightness; he was learned, ingenious, and eloquent, +qualified for a high station, but self-damned to the lowest. + +P. D. illustrated very affectingly the legitimate consequences of +intemperance. After he became its victim, it made him the author of a +crime for which he was sent to prison for eighteen months. When this +term had expired, he enjoyed liberty about three months, during which +time he added another crime to the effects of rum, for which he was +sent back to prison for three years. When these had expired, he was +let out into the fields of liberty again; but in less than _seven +hours_ he was in gaol for a crime which he had had but just time +enough to get drunk and commit, and in less than _seven days_ he was +back again in prison for six years. + +This was entirely the effect of rum. He was not a criminal of +_choice_, but when filled with rum, he would always steal. I never +knew a man of better or purer moral feelings, when he was sober; and +what is by no means common, he had such a sense of the crimes he +committed, that he justified his punishment, and always considered it +merciful. What a pity that _such_ a man should have been ruined by +intemperance. + +I need not dwell on particular cases.--How great a proportion of the +crimes which sent so many prisoners to Windsor, were directly or +indirectly caused by the sin of intemperate drinking, I have not +sufficient data to ascertain; but I have no hesitation in saying, that +one half of the entire number would never have been in that gloomy +mansion, if there never had been any intoxicating liquors. The victims +of this prevailing sin, which I saw in that dreary house, are passing +through the field of memory, and they appear like the armies of Gog +and Magog. It would be well for the dealers in this ruinous article to +dwell a few minutes every night on the _moral character_ of their +employment. They are earning their daily bread, and growing rich, on +the profits of a poison which sends the _body_ of the purchaser +through flames of torment to an untimely grave, and prepares his +_soul_ for the miseries of the second death.--Let rum, and all the +family of intoxicating drinks, be banished from the land, and half the +rooms in our prisons will be soon found without an inhabitant. + +I have known many prisoners who had gone to such excess in drinking, +that for a year after they came into prison they endured a trembling +of their hands, and a burning thirst for rum, which rendered their +existence a real curse. Very many have I heard lamenting their crimes +as having been occasioned by rum. Their language was--"If it had not +been for liquor, I should not have done so;" and this was no doubt the +fact. But though the prisoners so deeply lament their past folly and +sin in drinking, it is not easy to cure them of it. After spending +years in prison, and after many a "dolorous lament" over the effects +of intoxication--after writing and publishing against intemperance, it +is no strange thing to hear that they are drunk the day they are +released. With one instance of this kind I will close this article. B. +F. H. while in prison, wrote several essays on the sin of +intemperance, to which he had been given, and delivered an oration on +the subject in the prison chapel; and he professed to have been +thoroughly reformed. Through the influence of his friends he was +pardoned, and the journal of the prison contains the following entry +in respect to him;--"Benj. F. Harwood _pardoned_--returned at +night--DRUNK." + + + + +INFLUENCE OF "FREE MASONRY" ON THE REGULATIONS OF PRISONS, AND THE +DECISION OF COURTS. + + +On this contested point, I am, from occular demonstration, a perfect +sceptic. I have known many Freemasons in prison, and I have known +_masonic_ keepers treat them with a severity for which there can be no +excuse. I have known many instances of this kind. And so thoroughly is +it understood that MASONRY is of no use to a man in that prison, that +when a masonic prisoner is in punishment, the common remark +is,--"This is rather hard treatment to receive from a brother." + +I am not a _mason_, and should there be any real necessity for me to +take sides in the contest on this subject, I should be an ANTI. I am +not then under the influence of any prejudice in favor of the order, +and I wish to record it here as a historic fact, that masonry was not +of any obvious advantage to a single prisoner in Windsor, during my +whole acquaintance with it. I never heard it mentioned as a matter of +complaint by the prisoners, that any one had been favored in the least +because he was a mason, which was not the case in respect to other +things. It was often said of the Master Weaver, that he was partial to +the IRISH, and to ROMAN CATHOLICS. The Superintendent was often +accused of shewing favor to the BAPTISTS. One of the Visiters was +often cursed because he was thought to be a particular friend to +professors. But it was never said of Judge Cotton, or Captain Hunter, +that they were partial to the masons. Indeed I always thought that +they retained a little _wrath_ against such prisoners as had belonged +to _lodges_, on account of their having disgraced the order. As an +instance of the treatment which masons have to endure in Windsor, I +will relate the case of H. M. + +He was sent to the prison for ten years. He was a man of good habits, +was industrious and orderly, and I know not that he did any thing that +should make him an object for particular wrath; and yet he was made to +stay nine years out of ten, and was, moreover, treated rather +unmercifully all the time. It is said by some that the rule of the +masons is to _hide_ a brother's faults, while they _can_ be hidden, +and to withdraw their protection from those whose faults are known. + +If this is true, it accounts for the treatment which I have mentioned. +But however this may be, I have two facts in relation to masonry +which I learned in Windsor, and I shall make this the place to record +them. The first relates to a stranger who was apprehended in +Burlington and committed to gaol for passing counterfeit money. He was +a man of gentlemanly appearance, and there was no doubt of his being +guilty of the crime alleged against him. Soon after his commitment a +letter from him to some of the principal men of the place, drew a +number of them to his room. He was taken out on bail, and permitted to +go on his way. He was a mason, and those who visited him were masons; +and from a full conversation with him, which was overheard, it is +certain that his masonry was the sole cause of his release. There was, +however, no bribery of officers, no polluting of the streams of +Justice, in this case, as the men who befriended him, did it legally, +and they were private individuals. + +Another fact is couched in a conversation which I had with a mason +while in prison. We were personal friends, and what was proper for him +to say, as a mason, he said to me very freely. He remarked that as a +prisoner under sentence, he was exiled from the charities and the +interference of the Fraternity of Free Masons; but still, he said, +masonry was useful under other circumstances. "It would be very +convenient," said he, "for a person in distress at midnight, even in a +strange place, to be able to call at a house, and by giving a +particular sign be secured and protected." + +This is all that my observation in prison enables me to say of the +influence of masonic principles in that place, or their interference +in any way, with the administration of justice. + +A great stir was made about Burnham, and much craft and skill were +employed to make the public believe that, instead of dying and being +buried as was the fact, he was let out of prison by bribery on account +of his being a mason. But this was all a political farce, and evinced +only the length to which political factionists will go, to effect +their purposes. + +One remark more and this article will be finished. It is this. The +Superintendent and Warden were both masons of a high rank. It is said +that the pure principles of the craft are always developed in holy +friendship and brotherly love. The enemies of the Order say that +Masons will defend each other, "right or wrong." But so far were these +men from acting on the principles ascribed to them, that if they were +_friends_ to each other, may all creatures and the Creator too, be my +_enemies_ to all eternity. + + + + +THE PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY. + + +I advert to this society, not to give it my approbation, but to avail +myself of some of the facts which it has collected and published in +its Reports, as evidence of the truth of several positions which I +have taken in the course of these sketches. + +This society was formed in Boston, June 30, 1825. Its avowed object is +"THE IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC PRISONS." This object, with the motives +prompting to it, is expressed in THE FIRST REPORT, page 5, in the +following pertinent and emphatic language:-- + +"The object of the Society, in which they were associated with us, is +"THE IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC PRISONS." This object, we have reason to +believe, is approved by the Saviour of the world; for he will say to +his disciples on the day of judgment, '_when I was hungry, ye gave me +meat; when I was thirsty, ye gave me drink; when I was a stranger, ye +took me in_; SICK AND IN PRISON, YE VISITED ME." These words we regard +as our authority and our encouragement; teaching us to _go forward_ in +the work in which we are engaged, and to expect, if we do it with +penitent and believing hearts, to meet the approbation of him whose +favor is life. We learn also, from these words of the Saviour, the +guilt of those who neglect or oppose the performance of the duties, in +which we are engaged. And, as we proceed, and see from month to month, +the disclosure of facts of which we had never heard, or formed a +suspicion, we feel that the Saviour knew vastly better than we can +ever know, how great the necessity of practical obedience to the duty +implied, in the benediction which he has promised to pronounce upon +those who, in memory of his sufferings, seek to relieve misery, +wherever it shall be found. We earnestly pray, that we may be +sustained, '_by looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our +Faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, +despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne +of God; where he ever liveth to make intercession for us_:' for we are +sure, that we must visit places and discharge duties, in the +prosecution of this work, where there can be no sufficient support, +but the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ." + +Not to approve of a society whose object is so _benevolent_ and whose +motives are so _heavenly_, may at first thought, be regarded by many +as an evidence of inhumanity and impiety. Such is the opinion of the +society, and it denounces as _guilty_, "_those who neglect or oppose +the performance of the duties in which it is engaged_." This is +courting patronage in a style rather too arrogant and damnatory. Its +simple meaning is this--All mankind must think and act in concert with +_us_, in relation to prisons, or be _guilty_. + +As one, I am willing to incur the guilt of dissenting from this +society; nor shall I fear that this will expose me to the condemnation +of "the Saviour of the world," till the object shall be changed from +"THE IMPROVEMENT OF PUBLIC PRISONS," to the improvement of PRISONERS. +A society for the _moral_, and _spiritual_, and _temporal_ improvement +of prisoners, that should seek these ends by moral and _merciful_ +means, and continue its guardian care over them _after_ they are +released, by furnishing them with _employment_, and treating them with +_respect_, I should consider it criminal to neglect or oppose; but +such is _not_ "THE PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY." The great object of +this society is, to introduce solitary confinement into all our +prisons during the night season, and hard labour during the day. +Another part of the discipline of prisons, recommended by this +society, is--STRIPES!-- + +In respect to both these branches of prison discipline, the reader +shall have the language of the society, that he may be sure my +representations are correct. + +In the FIRST REPORT, pages 25-28, the views of the society in respect +to the practice of confining several convicts in one room at night, is +expressed as follows:-- + +"We find great unity of opinion among all well informed and practical +men, in regard to the evils of this miserable system,[2] and the +importance of solitary confinement, at least by night. + +[Footnote 2: That of confining several prisoners in one cell at +night.] + +The superintendent of the New Hampshire Penitentiary, MOSES C. +PILSBURY, who has been seven years in that institution, says, he has +thought much of the benefits, which would result from solitary +confinement at night. The plots which have been designed, during his +term of service, have been conceived, and promoted, in the night +rooms. He has spent much time in listening to the conversation of the +convicts at night, and thus has detected plots and learned whole +histories of villany. + +Judge COTTON, the superintendent of the Vermont Penitentiary, says, I +feel satisfied, that great evils might be avoided, could our State +Prison be so constructed, that the convicts might lodge separately +from each other. Solitary confinement, during the night, would be an +effectual bar, and have a great tendency to suppress many evils, which +do exist, and ever will exist, so long as prisoners are allowed to +associate together in their lodging rooms. + +The Directors of the Massachusetts Penitentiary, in their last Report, +say, that the erection of an additional building, within the Prison +yard, where each convict may be provided with a separate apartment for +lodging, has long been a favorite object with the government of this +institution. + +The Commissioners of the Connecticut Legislature, say, that the great +and leading objection to Newgate, is the manner in which the prisoners +are confined at night--turned in large numbers into their cells, and +allowed an intercourse of the most dangerous and debasing character. +It is here, that every right principle is eradicated, and every base +one instilled. It is a nursery of crime, where the convict is +furnished with the expedients and shifts of guilt, and, with his +invention sharpened, he is let loose upon society, in a tenfold +degree, a more daring, desperate, and effective villain. + +The superintendent of the New York Penitentiary, ARTHUR BURTIS, Esq. +speaking of the crowded state of the night rooms, said, how can you +expect reformation, under such circumstances? As well might you kindle +a fire, with a spark, on the ocean, in a storm. If a man forms a good +resolution, or feels a serious impression, it is immediately driven +from him in his night room. + +The superintendent of the New Jersey Prison, FRANCIS S. LABAW, says, +the greatest improvement, that has been made, or can be made, in +Prison Discipline, is by solitary confinement. The solitary cells in +this Prison, in which one fourth part of the whole number of prisoners +are placed under sentence of the Court, have answered all the +purposes, which it was ever expected they would, so far as trial of +them has been had. No person, who has been once confined in them, has +ever returned to the Prison. + +The Senate of Pennsylvania say, for want of room, the young associate +with the old offenders; the petty thief becomes the pupil of the +highway robber; the beardless boy listens with delight to the well +told tale of daring exploits, and hair breadth escapes of hoary headed +villany, and from the experience of age, derives instruction, which +fits him to be a terror and a pest to society. Community of design is +excited among them, and, instead of reformation, ruin is the general +result. + +The superintendent of the Virginia Penitentiary, SAMUEL O. PARSONS, +says, I consider separating convicts at night, of all others, the most +important feature in the Penitentiary system of punishment, and one, +which should every where claim the first consideration in erecting +such institutions. + +With the opinions thus expressed, of the practical men placed at the +head of these institutions, the opinions of the governors of the +respective States, of the judges, and legislators, and benevolent men, +so far as they have been expressed or known, perfectly coincide. + +Governor PLUMER, of New Hampshire, says, effectual measures should be +adopted to separate, in the Penitentiaries, old offenders from the +young and inexperienced. + +Governor LINCOLN, of Massachusetts, in a late message, recommended, +that immediate provision be made for the erection, as soon as may be, +in the prison yard, of a building, with sufficient cells for the +separate confinement of the present, and any future probable number of +convicts. + +Governor WOLCOTT, of Connecticut, stated to the Legislature, in May, +with reference to the improvements at Auburn, that there were few +subjects upon which their deliberations could be bestowed with higher +advantage to the best interests of the State. + +Governor CLINTON has formerly expressed his opinion of the importance +of solitary confinement, and in his late message to the Legislature, +he expresses an opinion concerning the institution in New York city, +for the reformation of Juvenile Delinquents, which is constructed on +the plan of the building at Auburn, that it is probably the best +Prison in the world. + +Judge WOODBURY, of New Hampshire, says, that 'Prisoners, during the +night, should be wholly separated from each other.' + +Mr. HOPKINTON, of New Hampshire, says, 'a novice, who, if kept from +company worse than himself, might have been reclaimed from his first +attempts, is here associated with old, hardened, and skilful +offenders; he hears with envy and admiration the stories of their +prowess and dexterity; his ambition is roused; his knowledge extended +by these recitals; and every idea of repentance is scorned; every +emotion of virtue extinguished.' + +Judge THACHER, of Boston, says, 'by the confession of those who +administer our Penitentiaries, it is found, that most of the evils of +this system of punishment flow from the almost free and unrestrained +intercourse, which subsists among the convicts.' + +THOMAS EDDY, of New York, says, 'if a number of ingenious men were +requested to suggest the best possible mode of increasing the number +of thieves, robbers, and vagabonds, it could scarcely be in their +power, to fix on any plan, so likely to produce this effect, as +confining in one collection, a number of persons already convicted of +committing crimes of every description.' + +Hon. EDWARD LIVINGSTON, says, 'it is a great point to produce the +conviction of the important and obvious truth, denied only by a false +economy, that Prisons, where there is not a complete separation of +their inhabitants, are seminaries of vice, not schools for +reformation, nor even places of punishment.' + +ROBERTS VAUX, of Philadelphia, lays down five fundamental principles +of Prison Discipline, the _first_ of which is, 'that convicts should +be rigidly confined to solitary life.' + +There is no disagreement between the opinion of these distinguished +individuals, and the opinions of various commissioners, directors, &c. +who have written on this subject. + +The Commissioners of the Massachusetts Legislature, in 1817, ask, 'how +it is to be reconciled, that in any civilized country, convicts are +brought into promiscuous association, to pass years together, all +united under the influence of a public opinion, as strong in its +support of vice, as that which rules the community, is, in its support +of virtue?' + +The Commissioners of the Connecticut Legislature, in a very able +Report, written by MARTIN WELLS, Esq. say, 'it is in the cells, that +every right principle is eradicated, and every base one instilled. +They are nurseries of crime, where the convict is furnished with the +expedients and shifts of guilt, and, with his invention sharpened, he +is let loose upon society, in a tenfold degree a more daring, +desperate and effective villain.' + +The Commissioners, SAMUEL M. HOPKINS, STEPHEN ALLEN, and GEORGE +TIBBETS, of the New York Legislature, say, "we believe that we do but +repeat the common sentiment of all well informed men, when we say, +that as long as it is necessary to confine several prisoners in the +same room, our State Prison at New York can be no other than a +college of vice and criminality." + +A highly respectable committee of the Society for the Prevention of +Pauperism, in the city of New York, in a Report on the Penitentiary +System, which is one of the most valuable documents ever published on +the subject in this country, have the following language, 'Our +Penitentiaries are so many schools of vice, they are so many +seminaries to impart lessons and maxims calculated to banish legal +restraints, moral considerations, pride of character, and +self-regard.' 'They have their watchwords, their technical terms, +their peculiar language, and their causes and objects of emulation. +Let us ask any sagacious observer of human nature, unacquainted with +the internal police of our Penitentiaries, to suggest a school, where +the commitment of the most pernicious crimes could be taught with the +most effect; could he select a place more fertile in the most +pernicious results, than the indiscriminate society of knaves and +villains, of all ages and degrees of guilt?' + +This is a frightful picture of human depravity and proneness to sin; +and if the system of separate confinement at night should not remove +or prevent these evils, the mind _may_ be led to seek the source of +them, not in the circumstance of few or many being lodged together, +but in the cruelty and inhumanity of the keepers. + +In the SECOND REPORT, pages 38-43, the Society states its objections +to solitary confinement _by day_, and adopts the theory of labour by +day and separate confinement by night. The following is its +language:-- + +"_Solitary confinement day and night._ On this subject, there is great +interest excited, at the present time, in America and in Europe. It +will be our object to present such facts as are known to us concerning +experiments already made in this country. + +"In the Maine Prison, which has been in operation about three years, a +large number of the convicts have been sentenced to six months +solitary confinement day and night, and to a period of time afterwards +of solitary confinement at night, and hard labor by day. A +considerable number more have been sentenced to solitary confinement +day and night, for the whole term of their imprisonment. This Prison +is under the management of a gentleman, who has been a member of the +Senate, in the State of Maine, and who is, also, a skilful physician. +He has, therefore, been entrusted with discretionary power, by the +Executive, to remove the men from the cells to the hospital, when +their health and life required it. The former Governor of the State +informed the Secretary of this Society, that it would not have been +thought safe to inflict sentences of so long continuance in solitary +confinement, if great confidence had not been placed in the discretion +of the superintendent. The judges, however, and the Executive, when +the Prison was built, were strongly in favour of solitary confinement +day and night, and they wished to make a fair experiment. What, then, +is the testimony of the superintendent of this Prison, on this vastly +important and interesting subject? And what is the testimony of the +Records of the Prison? The following statement is collected from the +records and the superintendent. It exhibits the names of several +convicts; the length of time they were sentenced to solitary +confinement; the length of time they were able to endure it before +they were removed to the hospital; the length of time they remained in +the hospital before they returned to the cells; the alternation +between the cells and the hospital to fulfil the whole term of +solitary confinement; and the suicide of two convicts in the cells. +These are the only convicts who have died since the Prison was +organized." + + _Name and Sentence._ _In Solitary._ _In Hospital._ _In Solitary._ + Joseph Bubier, June 18 July 1 12 days. + 62 days solitary, July 3 July 8 5 days. + and one year July 11 July 23 12 days. + hard labor. July 28 Aug. 24 27 days. + +In this case it was necessary to remove the man to the hospital four +times, to enable him to endure fifty-six days solitary. The Secretary +saw him when he was removed from the cell the last time. He shivered +like an aspen leaf; his pulse was very feeble; his articulation could +scarcely be heard from his bed to the grate of his cell, eight feet; +and when he was taken out, he could with difficulty stand alone. + + _Name and Sentence._ _Solitary._ _Suicide._ _In Solitary._ + Simeon Record, Dec. 5 Dec. 8 4 days. + 70 days solitary, and + four years hard labor. + +At half past seven o'clock, on Wednesday morning, he was found dead, +having hung himself to the grate of the cell with a piece of the +lashing of his hammock. + + _Name and Sentence._ _Solitary._ _At Labor._ _In Solitary._ + Isaac Martin, March 27 April 20 24 days. + 60 days solitary, and July 1 July 26 25 days. + 3 months hard labor. + +Isaac Martin cut his throat in his cell July 26, when he was removed +to the hospital, where he remained nine days, and died. + + _Name and Sentence._ _Solitary._ _Hospital._ _Solitary._ + Elisha Cole, Nov. 6 Dec. 28 52 days. + 100 days solitary. Jan. 4 Feb. 22 48 days. + + _Name and Sentence._ _Solitary._ _Hospital._ _Solitary._ + Socrates Howe, July 4 Sept. 7 66 days. + 6 months solitary. Sept. 21 Nov. 7 47 days. + Dec. 2 Jan. 16 44 days. + Jan. 19 Feb. 12 23 days. + + _Name and Sentence._ _Solitary._ _Hospital._ _Solitary._ + Nathaniel Parsons, July 3 Aug. 16 43 days. + 6 months solitary. Aug. 19 Aug. 27 8 days. + +This man remained in the hospital, after his discharge from the cell +the last time, from September 17 till December 3, when he was pardoned +on account of ill health. + + _Name and Sentence._ _Solitary._ _Hospital._ _Solitary._ + Edmund Eastman, Sept. 9 Jan. 9 4 months. + 4 months solitary. + +This man endured the whole period, without leaving the cell. + +"_Asa Allen_ was sentenced to six months solitary and two years three +months and fourteen days hard labor. He went immediately into +solitary, and remained seventy-four days without interruption. At the +end of this period, he came out in good health, and performed a good +day's labor in the quarry. Dr. ROSE expresses the opinion, that this +man would live in solitary confinement about as well and as long as +any where else. He has been a _soldier_, and has been accustomed to +the hardships of a camp. He has been a wanderer in the world, without +a home. It is not material to him where he is. The keeper thinks that +six months solitary to this man would not be a greater punishment than +fifteen days to a convict who had been accustomed to the comforts of +life: also, that he would rather endure six months solitary +confinement than ten stripes. + +"_John Stevens and John Cain_ both entered the Prison at the same +time, under sentence of three months solitary, and both endured the +whole period without interruption, having received nothing except the +usual allowance of bread and water, and a little camphor to rub on +their heads. + +"_Benjamin Williams_, also, endured three months solitary without +interruption. + +"But, in general, the superintendent states, that nearly as much time +is necessary in the hospital to fulfil long solitary sentences, as in +the cells. He also expresses an opinion, in his last report to the +Legislature, that long periods of solitary imprisonment inflicted on +convicts, is worse than useless as a means of reformation. The +character of the superintendent of this Prison is such, that the +opinions expressed by him on this subject, as the results of his +experience, will be thought worthy of particular consideration. He +says, 'the great diversity of character, as it respects habits and +temperament of body and mind, renders solitary imprisonment a very +unequal punishment. Some persons will endure solitary confinement +without appearing to be much debilitated, either in body or mind, +while others sink under much less, and, if the punishment was +unremittingly continued, would die, or become incurably insane. + +'However persons of strong minds, who suffer in what they deem a +righteous cause, may be able to endure solitary confinement, and +retain their bodily and mental vigor, yet it is not to be expected of +criminals, with minds discouraged by conviction and disgrace. + +'Those persons who shudder at the cruelty of inflicting stripes as a +punishment, but can contemplate the case of a fellow being, suffering +a long period of solitary imprisonment, without emotion, must be +grossly ignorant of the mental and bodily suffering endured by a long +confinement in solitude. + +'As far as the experience in our State Prison proves any thing +respecting the efficacy of solitary imprisonment in preventing crimes +by reforming convicts, it will induce us to believe that it is not +more effectual than confinement to hard labor. Seven of the convicts +now in the State Prison are committed a second time, for crimes +perpetrated after having been discharged from this Prison; three of +these had been punished by solitary imprisonment without labor, and +the others by solitary imprisonment and confinement to hard labor. + +'The keeper of the Auburn State Prison, in the State of New York, very +justly observes, 'that a degree of mental distress and anguish may be +necessary to humble and reform an offender; but carry it too far, and +he will become a savage in his temper and feelings, or he will sink in +despair. There is no doubt, that uninterrupted solitude tends to sour +the feelings, destroy the affections, harden the heart, and induce men +to cultivate a spirit of revenge, or drive them to despair.' + +'I would not wish to be understood to express an opinion, that +solitary imprisonment ought not, in any case, to be inflicted. On the +contrary, there can be no doubt that it is a proper punishment for +prison discipline in many cases; but for that purpose, short periods +only will be necessary; seldom, if ever, to exceed ten days. In the +cases of juvenile offenders, it may also be very useful and proper, in +periods of twenty, or thirty days, but never to exceed sixty days. If +repentance and amendment are not effected by thirty days of strict +solitary confinement, it can rarely be expected to be obtained by a +longer period.' + +"The Legislature of Maine, in consideration of the opinions and facts +above stated, passed a law, in February, 1827, in the words following: +'_Be it enacted_, that all punishments, by imprisonment in the State +Prison, shall be by confinement to hard labor, and not by solitary +imprisonment: provided, that nothing herein contained shall preclude +the use of solitary confinement as a prison discipline for the +government and good order of the prisoners.' Thus we have endeavored +to exhibit the results of the experience of the State of Maine, in +regard to solitary imprisonment day and night. + +"In New Hampshire, MOSES C. PILSBURY, Esq. who has been several years +the warden of that Prison, the surprising results of whose good +management, both in regard to the income and the moral character of +the Institution, were exhibited in the last Report, was asked, whether +convicts ought not to be sentenced to solitary confinement day and +night, for a short time at least. He said it would do much more good +to give them hard labor by day, and solitary confinement at night. + +"At Auburn, N. Y., the experiment was tried in 1822, by the friends of +solitary confinement day and night, on eighty convicts, for a period +of ten months. The experiment was conducted with great care, and the +observations made appear to have been impartial. As it was done by the +friends of the system, it may be supposed that the results were as +favorable as they could make them. In the Report of the Commissioners +to the Legislature, in January, 1825, these results are stated with +philosophical accuracy. Concerning these results, it is sufficient to +say, that they were unfavorable to this mode of punishment, and it was +accordingly abandoned in that Prison. It was found, in many instances, +to injure the health; to impair the reason; to endanger the life; to +leave the men enfeebled and unable to work when they left the Prison, +and as ignorant of any useful business as when they were committed; +and, consequently, more productive of recommitments, and less of +reformation, than solitary confinement at night and hard labor by day. + +"The experiment in New Jersey has been continued four years, upon an +average number of twelve convicts; some of whom have been eighteen +months, and some two years, in the cells, without intermission; but in +this case, though the men are in separate cells, still the cells are +so arranged, that several men can converse as freely as if they were +in the same room, and no attempt has been made to prevent it. This, +therefore, is to be regarded no farther as an experiment on solitary +confinement day and night, than as keeping the men from seeing or +coming in contact with each other; but not from evil communication, +and corrupt society. In the opinion of the keeper of that Prison, this +mode of punishment has been useful in preventing recommitments, and +not permanently injurious to health or reason. How far the difference +in the results of this experiment from that at Auburn, and the other +in Maine, is to be attributed to the difference in the construction of +the cells, and the management and diet of the prisoners, it is +difficult to determine. In Maine the cells are very gloomy, and +communication is difficult, though not impossible. At Auburn the cells +are not gloomy, and communication was prevented day and night by a +sentinel. In New Jersey the cells are not gloomy, and social +intercourse unrestrained. In Maine the diet was very low, i.e. a pound +of bread and cold water only. At Auburn, and in New Jersey, it was +coarse, but nutritious. In Maine the men might have endured solitary +confinement, with a more nutritious diet, a much longer period. At +Auburn they might not have been as much injured in health or reason, +if they had been permitted to converse with each other. And in New +Jersey they might have been more injured if this kind of communication +had been restrained. As the experiments have been conducted, they +appear to be decidedly against solitary confinement day and night in +Maine and at Auburn, and in favor of it in New Jersey. As this mode of +punishment, however, would probably never be adopted, except to +prevent effectually all evil communication, the experiment in New +Jersey cannot be adduced in favor of entire seclusion: for there was +nothing of this character in it. + +"There have been other experiments made in this country, in many +Prisons, on individuals, in regard to this mode of punishment, +sometimes for misdemeanor, and sometimes for experiment merely. One +was mentioned in the last Report. 'A man in a narrow cell, which was +almost a dungeon, where he had been in heavy chains, on a small +allowance of food, three months, was asked whether he had rather +remain three months longer, in the same situation, than receive a +small number of stripes on his bare back. He said he had rather +remain.' It is not known, that this man had had any communication with +any one except his keeper, and his diet had been much more nutritious +than that used in Maine. In the mode in which he was treated, his +spirits appeared perfectly unsubdued, and his health and reason +unimpaired, and his disposition ready for mischief whenever he should +be released. There was nothing seen in him that looked like +contrition. + +"There is another man, who has been in a solitary cell much of the +time for seventeen years, and _all the time_ for more than six of the +last years. He is still alive. He does not appear insane. His health +is feeble, and he has lost the use of his limbs, so that he uses +crutches. His disposition, however, remains the same as when he was +committed to the cell, more than six years ago. He had been previously +released, and put upon his honor for good behaviour. He almost +immediately procured a hatchet, and struck it into the neck of a +keeper, in such a manner as to endanger his life. He was again +committed to the cell, where he has remained ever since, with a +malignant, revengeful spirit; as is evident from the fact, that he +attempted to take the life, a few months since, of a keeper, who gave +him his food. His cell is gloomy and filthy. His food is coarse but +nutritious. His intercourse is in a great degree restrained. + +"In regard to the effect of solitary confinement on the individuals +last mentioned, as well as on those who were subject to it in Maine, +New York, and New Jersey, it is true, that they were left to suffer +their punishment, during the whole period, _destitute, in a great +degree, of the means of grace_. In the new Prison in Philadelphia, in +which it is proposed to adopt this mode of punishment, and prevent +evil communication by solitary confinement day and night, it has been +said, by one of the Commissioners, that he should rather abandon the +system, and adopt that of solitary confinement at night, and hard +labor by day, than see the men confined in the cells day and night, +without the means of grace. We may hope, therefore, if the experiment +is again tried, it will not be done without adequate provision for +moral and religious instruction. How far it may be successful with +this variation cannot be told until the experiment has been made. + +"_As the experiments have been conducted, thus far, the results are +decidedly opposed to solitary confinement day and night, as the means +of preventing evil communication. We are left, therefore, in view of +all the facts known to us, with a preference for solitary confinement +at night, and hard labor by day, with such regulations to prevent evil +communication as the case requires, and as have been already +suggested._" + +Whose heart does not sicken within him on reading such accounts of +human suffering and human guilt? I have mentioned several specimens of +cruelty which I saw in Windsor Prison; and to show that man is the +same being under similar circumstances everywhere, I will avail myself +of another quotation from the Reports of this Society, in respect to +New Jersey State Prison. It is in the FIFTH REPORT, page 86. + +"Solitary confinement on a scanty allowance of bread with cold water +is much used. The period of time not unfrequently extends to twenty +and thirty days, and this too in the winter season, in cells warmed by +no fire. The suffering in these circumstances is intense; the convicts +lose their flesh and strength, and frequently their health; they are +sometimes so far broken down, as to be unable to work when they are +discharged into the yard, and to require nearly as much time in the +hospital, to recruit them, as they have had in the cells, to break +them down. + +"The committee saw a man in the hospital last week, just taken from +the cells, where he had been punished for misdemeanor about twenty +days. He was prostrate upon the bed, emaciated, and unable to work, +and complained of much pain. The physician called the attention of the +committee to his pulse, which he remarked was very feeble. The keeper +thought it would be some time before he would be able to work. + +"Besides punishments in this mode, the records show, that chains are +much used; sometimes with a fifty-six attached to them, and sometimes +for the purpose of chaining the prisoner to the place where he is at +work. A number of the prisoners, at the present time, have chains upon +them, and the committee saw one, twelve or fourteen years of age, who +had on an iron neck yoke, with arms extending 18 or 20 inches each way +from his head, which was said to be, not for punishment, but to +prevent his getting through the grates. + +"The following list is furnished by the clerk of the Prison, who has +been there twenty years. It shows the number of prisoners that is +supposed to have died in consequence of being severely punished in the +cells, for disobedience;--William Thomas, Thomas Steward, John O. +Brian, William Bower, John Brown, Tunis Cole, Aaron Strattain, Thomas +Somes, Pomp Cisco, and Peter Marks--10." + +Reader, what think you of this? It is said that the laws of America +are written with mercy; but are they not often executed in blood? From +such mercy as this, gracious Heaven deliver us! "It is a fearful thing +to fall into the hands of the living God," but it is better to fall +into _his_ hands than the hands of man. Are not the tender mercies of +the wicked cruel? Look at the State Prisons and see. They are called +_merciful_, but their floors are reeking with blood, and their cells +are vocal with the groans of death.--Pardon this digression from the +subject; I will return to it immediately. Any where, to banish these +reflections, which wither up my soul!-- + +In respect to _stripes_, the Society uses the following language. +FIRST REPORT, pages 17-19. + +"MODE OF PUNISHMENT.--The punishments used in these institutions now +claim our attention. These are stripes, chains, and solitary +confinement, with hunger. In regard to these different modes of +punishment, there is a considerable diversity of opinion and practice, +in this country. In some extensive establishments, chains and stripes +are dispensed with altogether. In others, both are used severely. In +others still, stripes alone are used. At Auburn, stripes are almost +the only mode of punishment. In Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New +York city, Charlestown, and Concord, solitary confinement mostly, with +a small allowance of bread and water. In Connecticut, stripes, chains, +solitary confinement, and severe hunger. If the efficacy of these +different modes of punishment were to be judged of by the discipline +of the respective institutions, punishment by stripes, as at Auburn, +would be preferred. The difference, in the order, industry, and +subdued feeling, as exhibited by the prisoners, is greatly in favour +of the prison at Auburn. This difference, however, is to be +attributed, not so much to the mode of punishment, as to the +separation of the convicts at night, and several other salutary +regulations, which are not adopted elsewhere. At the same time, a part +of the difference is supposed by the friends of this system, to arise +from the mode of punishment. In favor of this mode, the advocates of +it urge the following reasons; it requires less time; the mind of the +prisoner does not brood over it, and settle down in deliberate +resentment and malignity; it is in some cases more effectual; it is +less severe; it can be more easily proportioned to the offence. + +That it requires less time, there can be no doubt; and if in other +respects, it is as good or better, it is for this reason to be +preferred. + +That the mind of the prisoner does not brood over it, as over solitary +confinement and hunger, there can be no doubt. But then it would be +said by the advocates of solitary confinement, that this is an +argument against stripes, because the effect is not so permanent. It +may be said in reply, that if the effect of punishment is bad, it +ought not to be permanent, and men often appear subdued by solitary +confinement and hunger, merely for the sake of being relieved, while +in their hearts, there is a rankling enmity against the mode of +punishment, and the person inflicting it. If this effect is produced, +the punishment, so far as the convict is concerned, is injurious. That +this is the fact, in many instances, those who have been conversant +with prisoners have melancholy evidence. + +But while this is admitted, it is also true, that the instances are +numerous, in which solitary confinement, with low diet, have not +failed to subdue men, who appear to be hardened against every other +mode of punishment. The officers of the New Hampshire and Philadelphia +Penitentiaries bear testimony to this. And moreover, that the end is +often gained, in much less time, than it was supposed would be +necessary. + +It is objected, however, to solitary confinement, that it is a mode of +punishment which operates unequally. If a man has been fond of +society; if his mind has been cultivated; if his sensibility is acute; +solitary confinement is a terrible punishment. If, on the contrary, +the man is a mere animal; if he is stupid, and ignorant, and carnal; +if the operations of his mind are dull and sleepy; if, in one word, he +is like the torpid animals, (and there are men of this description,) +solitary confinement is much less severe than stripes. + +Nor is solitary confinement, in the former case, a more severe and +effectual mode of punishment, especially if the convict is a proud +man; nor is it as much so, as stripes. A man in a narrow cell, which +was almost a dungeon, where he had been in heavy chains, on a small +allowance of food, three months, was asked whether he had rather +remain three months longer, in the same situation, than receive a +small number of stripes on his bare back. He said he had rather +remain. + +It should be stated, however, that his allowance of food had not been +so much diminished, as greatly to reduce his body, as is sometimes the +case. In those cases, where the allowance of food is six or eight +ounces of bread per day, with water only; and in those cells, which in +winter are warmed by no fire, solitary confinement produces the most +intense and aggravated suffering. In such cases, there is nothing but +death, which the most obdurate villain would not endure to be relieved +from it, after a confinement generally of less than thirty days. In +these cases, it is difficult to tell, whether the cold, the hunger, +the pangs of a guilty conscience, the fear of death, the wretchedness +of being subjected to revenge and malignity, is the greatest cause of +suffering, and whether each of them is not equal to the pain of +solitary confinement. Stripes, in comparison with solitary +confinement, in such circumstances, are not severe. + +It is obvious, from these remarks, that the severity, and effect, and +adaptation of punishment to crime, depends more on the manner, than on +the kind of punishment.--Stripes may be made, and it is believed in +more instances than one in our Penitentiaries, have been made, to +result in death. Solitary confinement has brought men to a state of +insensibility, and in some cases produced diseases, which have +terminated in death. Chains so heavy have been used, and for so long a +time, as to mar the flesh, and produce most painful wounds. It is +perfectly obvious from these remarks, that punishment, of whatever +kind, should be committed to persons of discretion, and that there +should be some checks to prevent abuses. + +It is, also, obvious, that different modes may be adapted to different +individuals and circumstances, and that discretionary power, as to the +mode, as well as the manner, ought to be left with the government of +the Prison. + +_It is obvious, too, that the best security, which society can have, +that suitable punishments will be inflicted in a suitable manner_, +MUST _arise from the character of the men to whom the government of +the Prison is entrusted_.--There are men, whom no laws would restrain +from indiscretion and cruelty if not barbarity, in punishment. There +are others, whose humanity is excessive, and they would never punish +at all. To men of either class, the power of punishment, and the +management of Penitentiaries should not be entrusted." + +Another part of the discipline recommended by the Society, is +expressed as follows. SECOND REPORT, pages 37, 38. + +"_The lock march from the shops to the cells, and from the cells to +the shops._ This consists in forming all the men, under the care of +each keeper, into a solid column, and requiring them to march off, at +the same time, with a uniform step, in a solid body. The object is to +prevent the prisoners, "when their cells are unlocked, from flocking +confusedly into the yard, and at the sound of the bell for meals, from +moving like an undisciplined mob to the mess-room." This is generally +an evil hour with prisoners; if any conspiracy or rebellion is under +consideration, it is then communicated. In the mode proposed, it is a +time of as much order and silence as any other during the day. It is, +in fact, a peculiarly favorable time to see the order and regularity +produced in Prison by salutary discipline; and if any one hour were to +be selected, while the prisoners are awake, in which they do nothing +and attempt nothing of an improper character, probably no hour could +be found _more_ free from guilt than this. Another regulation of +considerable importance in preventing evil communication is, + +_Not letting the convicts face each other when their business will +permit them to face the same way._ This rule may be adopted in shops, +for shoemakers, tailors, and weavers: also, among female convicts, +when employed in sewing, knitting, and spinning: and on the Sabbath, +when assembled in the chapel. In this way, the language of signs, +whether by the hands or features, is prevented; for the signs signify +nothing if they are not seen. Now if the king of counterfeiters, or a +prince in any department of wickedness, can be placed in the end of a +long shop, and be permitted to sit with his face towards the convicts, +and have them all facing him, he will be very happy in the opportunity +of communicating ideas by the language of signs; but, turning his back +to the convicts, and his face to the wall, he will feel differently. +The principle, therefore, of not permitting the convicts to face each +other, when their business will permit them to face the same way, is +believed to be one of considerable importance." + +Such are _some_ of the means by which THE PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY +contemplates the accomplishment of its object; and I disapprove of +them _in toto_. All its views through these means are founded on +_theory_, and this theory is opposed by a thousand _facts_. Universal +experience attests the fact that nothing but _goodness_ will reform a +sinner. Unfeeling and despotic inflictions will make the sufferer an +enemy to his race, and in some instances, awe his sinful propensities +into inaction, but these things will not--_cannot_ make him love +either his God or his fellow beings. The process on which I have been +dwelling, and which the Society would call sacred by asserting that +neglect of or opposition to it is _guilt_, would make angels _men_, +and men _devils_, and devils _worse_. I _know_ that future facts will +justify this strong language. I am guided by no theory, but am taught +by my own experience. + +In the course of these sketches, I have occasionally reflected on the +conduct of the officers of prisons; and asserted that fit men to +govern a prison in such a manner as to make it a penitentiary, cannot +be found on earth. The labors of this Society have furnished the +following corroborative facts.--SECOND REPORT, pages 7-8. + +"In the Maine Prison, which has been in operation only three years, +Dr. ROSE, the superintendent, stated that three or four cases of +malpractice had already occurred among the assistant keepers; such as +intemperance, furnishing forbidden articles to convicts, &c., for +which they had been discharged. + +In the New Hampshire Prison, Mr. PILLSBURY, the former superintendent, +mentioned, as one of the greatest difficulties in the Penitentiary +system, the insubordination occasioned by the frequent changes among +the assistant keepers, and the difficulty of obtaining men of proper +character for the compensation allowed them. Escapes have been +effected in that Prison, either through the negligence or connivance +of assistant keepers, and improper familiarity has been contracted +between them and the convicts. + +In the Massachusetts Prison, a keeper was detected, three times in +succession, by Mr. SOLEY, one of the Directors, in furnishing bills to +be altered, and materials to alter them, to a convict. A warrant was +issued for him; but he made his escape. Another keeper was discharged +soon after, on suspicion of improper conduct; and in a communication, +made by the Directors to the Governor, in the autumn of 1825, and by +him submitted to the Legislature, several other cases are mentioned +of malpractice by contractors and assistant keepers, and discharge for +the same. + +In Newgate, the Old Prison in Granby, Conn., there has been great +complaint on this ground. + +THOMAS EDDY, of New York, in a pamphlet on Prison Discipline, mentions +a case, in which a number of desperate villains, in one room, within +the walls of a Prison, were engaged in the business of counterfeit +money, and were enabled to prosecute it by the connivance and +assistance of a keeper. + +Even in the Prison at Auburn, which is in many respects so worthy of +commendation, the Commissioners mention, in a late Report to the +Legislature, that "one Terrence Heeney who was never fit for the trust +of a guard, was three times appointed to that place, and three times +removed for misconduct." They also say, that "several other cases have +been proved of the appointment of incompetent or unfit men; but, in +general, they were removed as soon as their unfitness became known." + +Mr. LYNDS, the superintendent of the Prison at Sing Sing, speaks of +the character required in this situation as peculiar: viz. equanimity, +quick discernment of character, impartiality, resolution, vigilance, +promptitude, besides honesty and temperance, and, more than all, a +habit of seeing much and saying little. He has not been without his +difficulties in getting the right men. He mentions a case, in which an +assistant keeper at Auburn was detected in employing convicts to steal +for him. + +ROBERTS VAUX, of Philadelphia, in a pamphlet entitled 'Original and +successive Efforts to improve the Condition of Prisons,' &c., +mentions, that, in the Prison in Philadelphia, many years since, 'the +keeper had been a long time connected with criminals, under +circumstances which caused him to be suspected of a more intimate +knowledge of the depredations committed in the city, than comported +with that unblemished reputation which ought to belong to such an +officer.' + +In the Baltimore Penitentiary, an officer was understood to say, that +two assistant keepers had been discharged for circulating counterfeit +money for convicts." + +There is another part of the discipline recommended by this Society, +of which I cordially approve; it is that which relates to religious +instruction. May God bless all their labours to give this part of +their discipline a permanent residence in every prison on earth! I +expect the time when prisons will be purified from sin--I expect a +time when they will be no longer needed--and I expect this through the +universal and perfect diffusion of the principles of the gospel. "When +in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God, +by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." The means +of _grace_, then, are the only means of reformation. The means of +_cruelty_ can effect no good in any heart. The gospel, _the gospel_; +_this_ is the power of God unto salvation, and this alone can effect a +salutary change in the soul. + +I hold to punishment, but it is the punishment of _mercy_. Let the +sinner endure the consequences of his crime, but let _goodness_ +inflict the rod. Let his punishment be _severe_, if necessary, but +never capricious; let its object be the good of the sufferer, not +vengeance; and when he is penitent, let the punishment cease. + +But the reformation of prisoners is only a small fraction in the +reformations which are called for. The whole world needs reforming; +and the reformation of prisoners will keep pace only with the +reformation of those who are free; and as long as these places must be +under the control of corrupt and depraved minds, alas for the cause of +reform! Some of the iniquity of prison keepers has been discovered by +the public eye, but what has been seen by _that_ eye, is only a drop +to a fountain, compared with the whole.--Enough is known about the +guilt of _prisoners_, because the keepers who make the report are +_believed_; but the keepers have no observers of _their_ conduct but +_prisoners_, and these are not _credited_ when they tell the truth. It +is believed _in general_, that prison keepers are tyrants. The voice +of every age and country unites in describing this class of men as +coming the nearest of any in moral resemblance to Satan; and yet no +prisoner is believed when he complains of abuse. Let some great Howard +go through the prisons in the United States, and take his accounts +from _prisoners_ as well as keepers, and he will give a different +Report from the one before me. There is as much need of a society to +reform _keepers_, as there ever can be to reform prisoners; and there +can be but little ground to hope for success _in prison_ till the +_keepers_ become not merely _honest men_ but _pious christians_. + +My statements in respect to the destruction of the chapel and the +neglect of the means of grace in the Windsor Prison, are confirmed by +the Reports of this Society. In the FIRST REPORT, pages 32, 33, the +Society say, that, "In the Vermont Penitentiary, one hundred dollars +only are appropriated for religious instruction. The chapel has been +converted into a weaver's shop. The services on the Sabbath are +irregular, and the Scriptures are not daily read to the assembled +convicts."--SECOND REPORT, page 56, "The duties of Chaplain are very +irregularly discharged. In truth there is no stated Chaplain whose +services can be relied on." + +One quotation more on this subject is all that I can now make. It is +from the SEVENTH REPORT, page 10. "The legislature of Vermont, at the +last session, provided by law an additional compensation for a +Chaplain; so that the state now pays three hundred dollars per annum +for this service, and a chaplain has been appointed to discharge the +duties of the office." + +Will the Secretary of this Society be so good as to inform the public +in his next Report, how much service the Chaplain in the Vermont +Penitentiary renders for his salary of three hundred dollars? + +My time does not permit me to copy any more from the Reports of this +Society. In the remarks that I have made upon its doings, I have had +no design to impugn its _motives_. I doubt not that the managers of +the Society mean to do good. I impeach not their _views_, but I doubt +the wisdom of their _policy_. I know what they never can; and I am +only opposing facts and experience to a fair but deceptive theory. The +hope of effecting a reformation among prisoners, by stripes and +solitary cells, can never be realized. It will be of no use for _me_ +to reason on this subject, for I am too small to be noticed. Nothing +that I can say will tell on the great minds which compose the Society +whose doings I condemn. But I must be allowed to give my opinion. "THE +PRISON DISCIPLINE SOCIETY" is combining the talent of the country, and +the wealth of the country, for a purpose which appears to itself +benevolent, but which will, past all doubt, result in sinking our +prisons to the lowest point of cruelty, and the darkest region of +despair; and from his knowledge of human character and the effect of +cruelty on the heart, I should suppose that Lucifer would be its most +efficient patron. + +A few lines more and I shall have done with this article. I was in +Windsor when Rev. LEWIS DWIGHT, the Secretary of the Society, visited +that prison. I know from what source he obtained his information, and +I know how extremely imperfect was some of the account he obtained, +and how much was hidden from him entirely. And taking what relates to +this prison, in his Reports, as a specimen of what he has related of +other prisons, I am certain that much more light is needed to guide +him to the evils of penitentiaries, and to their cure, than he has +yet obtained, _Prisoners_ ought to have been consulted, as well as +_keepers_; an _ex parte_ examination contains only part of the truth. +Prisoners ought to be treated by christians on terms of _equality_, if +any good is to be effected in the work of reformation; and before any +thing can be done to effect their lasting good, they must be treated +with kindness and respect. No other means can reform them. You may +_snarl_ them into sin, and tread them down to _hell_, but you must +_love_ them into _repentance_, and _support_ them up the ascent to +_heaven_. + + + + +DESIGN OF PENITENTIARIES IN RESPECT TO THE TREATMENT OF CONVICTS, +ACCORDING TO THE VIEWS OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE +PRISON, WITH REMARKS. + + "Upon the subject of the general treatment of the convicts, and + the discipline of the institution, we would remark that the State + Prison _is designed to be_, and _emphatically is_, a place of + PUNISHMENT. The feelings of _humanity_ and _mistaken mercy_ + should not be suffered to interpose, _to disarm its punishment of + that rigor due to justice and the violated laws of the land_. + While a proper regard is had to the health of its inmates, their + comfort should not be so far studied as to render it a desirable + residence, even to those whose condition in society is attended + with the _severest privations_. When this becomes the case, our + criminal code becomes a bounty law for crime."--_Sixth Report, + page 94._ + + +This is throwing off the mask completely, and boldly declaring that +"_punishment_," SEVERE punishment, a punishment in which there is no +tincture of "_humanity_," is the _design_, and _emphatically_, the +_discipline_, of that prison. The _comfort_ of the prisoner is not to +be sought in any way inconsistent with _punishment without humanity_. +His _reformation is not to be sought at all_. A more unsound and +disgraceful principle of penitentiary discipline, was never avowed by +any similar committee in this country before; but it is the _very one_ +on which all American penitentiaries _are governed_. "That _rigor_ due +to _Justice_ and the violated _laws_ of the land!" Yes; "Justice and +the violated laws," demand "_rigor_." It is not enough to have the +sinner _securely confined_--he must be _uncomfortable_. His _health_ +must be attended to; let him live; but his cup of gall must be full +and overflowing. Let him live--_not_ for _comfort_, but to _groan_ in +the ear of _heaven_ the "_rigor_" of "_Justice_" and of the "_violated +laws_." Punishment is God's "_strange work_," his "_strange act_," but +it is the _common_ work of his creatures. + +According to _my_ views of a penitentiary, it is not _unqualifiedly_, +a place of _punishment_, but a place of _reformation_, to be effected +by the _mildest_ means, and to be under the constant direction of +_humanity_. Cruelty never should enter its walls. Satan was no more +out of his place in Eden, than is cruelty in a place of reformation. + +As to a criminal code's becoming "a bounty law for crime," when its +discipline for prisons is such as to render them a desirable +residence, to those who are suffering even the "_severest privations_" +in society, that Committee need have no fears. There is no danger of +any prisons ever becoming so mild as to be a _desirable_ residence for +any one. Take the purest apartment in heaven, and confine a seraph +there, and the simple fact that he was a prisoner would make his home +a hell. The Devil himself would prefer liberty in the world of woe, to +imprisonment even in Paradise--freedom with damnation, to salvation +with restraint. + + + + +THE MEANS OF EFFECTING A REFORMATION AMONG PRISONERS. + + +On this subject many an enthusiast has speculated, and many a fine and +beautiful theory has charmed the benevolent mind. The sacred orator +from the desk, inspired by the genius of his faith, and warm amidst +the holy fires of the altar, has often brought the miserable tenants +of the dungeon within the sympathies of his weeping hearers. Clothed +with the robes of state, the philanthropist has often urged the claims +of prisoners upon the consideration of councils and legislatures. For +eighteen hundred years have the altar and the throne sent abroad, in +tones of commiseration, the suffering and neglected condition of +prisoners; but what has been the result? Prisons are as numerous as +ever, and almost every season sees a new one erected. The annual +volume of crimes is as huge and black as ever. The gloom of these +earthly hells is undissipated by the charm of operative benevolence. +And though it is two thousand years since the foundations of +christianity were laid in the earth--that heavenly principle which was +to say to the prisoners, "go forth,"--the notes of its rejoicing +ascend in faint association with the deep-toned sigh of despair and +misery, which is hourly bursting from the grated cell. Alas! for the +times. But why have the benevolent and christian spirits of every age +laboured in vain, and spent their strength for naught? The answer is +obvious. + +They have acted on a mistaken theory. They have confided in the +integrity and benevolence of those to whose immediate care prisoners +are committed, where nothing is more true than that prison keepers +are, and ever have been, the cruelest of men. They have gone the whole +round of experiment--imprisonment and hard labour, solitary +confinement, transportation, stripes, cropping and branding--the whole +machinery of torture and death has been put into various motion, in +the ignorant hope of reforming a sinner by the sure and only means of +making a devil. The science of architecture has been exhausted in +experiments to construct a reformatory prison, as if the form of a +cell could regenerate a vicious heart into virtue. Societies have been +formed, books have been published, funds have been collected, and a +"PRISON DISCIPLINE" has been put into practice, on the infatuated +supposition, that a bad man can be made good by writing him a +"VILLIAN" on every page that presents him to the public eye, and +crushing him under a painful and torturing humiliation which would +fire an angel with resentment, and make a John a Judas. Every sermon +that is preached, every prayer that is made, every hymn that is sung +in prisons, tells the convicts that they are sinners above all men, +because they suffer such things; and it is by means like these, by +audibly and impliedly thanking God that they are not like these +publicans, that the ministers of mercy to prisons are labouring to +reform the wicked. + +Another great fault in the operations of the benevolent in favour of +prisoners, is, they are objects of attention _only_ while they are _in +prison_. A wise physician will take care to _prevent_ disease, and be +equally careful to prevent a _relapse_. Not so with _these_ +physicians. They visit the patient at his sick bed for the first time, +and there they remind him very graciously of the _cause_ of his +sickness, and leave him as soon as he can leave his bed. Intelligent +good will embraces its objects the moment they are discovered, and +never abandons them. The grand outlines of expansive and understanding +benevolence are--the prevention of crime or any other misery--the +comfort of the sufferer and the reformation of the criminal--and the +prevention of future distress and relapse into crime. Let the pious, +and virtuous, and compassionate, keep these outlines constantly in +view, and never permit their efforts to relax, but increase and +multiply them over every part of the ample field which the above +landmarks describe. + +It would be unavailing for me to propose any _plan_ of operation in +this great work. I am by far too microscopic an object in the public +eye to hope for the smallest attention to any thing that I can offer. +I do not, however, regret this, for I am not much enamoured with +_plans_. The best plan would not avail any thing, without a proper +spirit in the management of it, and _with_ this, the poorest would be +better than any which has yet been devised. On the _spirit_ of prison +discipline, then, I rely for success, and on this, whether they are +heeded or not, I shall make a few remarks. + +Those who go on errands of mercy to prisons must convince the +prisoners that they are their _friends_, or they can do them no good; +and this can be done only by _being_ their friends. When they shall +have accomplished this--when the prisoners feel that they have found +_friends_, they will become better. With this lever, the hardest heart +can be turned. Goodness finds a worshipper in the wickedest heart, and +no sooner is it perceived in the holiness of its nature and the +benevolence of its exercise, than the heart instinctively does it +reverence and receives its impression. + +The first thing then for a minister of reformation to prisons to do, +is, to be good and feel a love for the sinner; and the next is, to +make this goodness and love apparent by long and steady perseverance +in acts of mercy. + +The fact that goodness will beget its likeness in all minds that +experience and perceive its effects, is taught plainly in the +Scriptures. "We love God _because he first loved us_."--"The +_goodness_ of God leadeth thee to repentance."--"He to whom _much is +forgiven_, the same _loveth much_." The song of saints in heaven is +grounded on the _personal benefits_ they have received from Christ. +Christians are exhorted by the _mercies_ of _Christ_ to live holy and +godly lives. And the Psalmist says, that they that _know_ the name of +the Lord, will put their _trust_ in him. + +The truth of these principles has been practically demonstrated by +those who have been humanely and charitably conversant with the +suffering poor. It has not been the _benefaction_, that has bound them +to the hearts of the distressed, but the spirit of _mild_, _heavenly_, +_sympathetic_, _unassuming_, and _unaffected condescension_, with +which they have _personally_ and _perseveringly_ ministered to their +wants. Not the _value_ of the gift, but the _manner_ and _spirit_ of +it, has converted the recipient into gratitude. All experience proves +this. + +"But beside the degree of purity in which this principle may exist +among the most destitute of our species, it is also of importance to +remark the degree of strength, in which it actually exists among the +most depraved of our species. And, on this subject, do we think that +the venerable HOWARD has bequeathed to us a most striking and valuable +observation. You know the history of this man's enterprises, how his +doings, and his observations, were among the veriest outcasts of +humanity,--how he descended into prison houses, and there made himself +familiar with all that could most revolt or terrify, in the exhibition +of our fallen nature; how, for this purpose, he made the tour of +Europe; but instead of walking in the footsteps of other travellers, +he toiled his painful and persevering way through these receptacles of +worthlessness;--and sound experimentalist as he was, did he treasure +up the phenomena of our nature, throughout all the stages of +misfortune, or depravity. We may well conceive the scenes of moral +desolation that would often meet his eye; and that, as he looked to +the hard and dauntless, and defying aspect of criminality before him, +he would sicken in despair of ever finding one remnant of a purer and +better principle, by which he might lay hold of these unhappy men, and +convert them into the willing and the consenting agents of their own +amelioration. And yet such a principle he found, and found it, he +tells us, after years of intercourse, as the fruit of his greater +experience, and his longer observation; and gives, as the result of +it, that convicts, and that, among the most desperate of them all, are +not ungovernable, and that there is a way of managing even them, and +that the way is, without relaxing in one iota, from the steadiness of +a calm and resolute discipline, to treat them with tenderness, and +show them that you have humanity; and thus a principle, of itself so +beautiful, that to expatiate upon it, gives in the eyes of some, an +air of fantastic declamation to our argument, is actually deponed to, +by an aged and most sagacious observer. It is the very principle of +our text, and it would appear that it keeps a lingering hold of our +nature, even in the last and lowest degrees of human wickedness; and +that when abandoned by every other principle, this may still be +detected,--that even among the most hackneyed and most hardened of +malefactors, there is still about them a softer part, which will give +way to the demonstrations of tenderness: that this one ingredient of a +better character is still found to survive the dissipation of all +others;--that, fallen as a brother may be, from the moralities which +at one time adorned him, the manifested good-will of his fellow man +still carries a charm and an influence along with it; and that, +therefore, there lies in this an operation which, as no _poverty_ can +_vitiate_, so no _depravity_ can _extinguish_. + +"Now, this is the very principle which is brought into action, in the +dealings of God with a whole world of malefactors. It looks as if he +confided the whole cause of our recovery to the influence of a +demonstration of good will. It is truly interesting to mark, what, in +the devisings of his unsearchable wisdom, is the character which has +made to stand most visibly out, in the great scheme and history of +our redemption; and surely, if there be one feature of prominency more +visible than another, it is the love of kindness. There appears to be +no other possible way, by which a responding affection can be +deposited in the heart of man. Certain it is, that the law of love +cannot be carried to its ascendency over us by storm. Authority cannot +command it. Strength cannot implant it. Terror cannot charm it into +existence. The threatenings of vengeance may stifle, or they may +repel, but they never can woo this delicate principle of our nature +into a warm and confiding attachment. The human heart remains shut, in +all its receptacles, against the force of all these applications; and +God who knew what was in man, seems to have known, that in his dark +and guilty bosom, there was but one solitary hold that he had over +him, and that to reach it, he must just put on a look of graciousness; +and tell us that he has no pleasure in our death, and manifest towards +us the longings of a bereaved parent, and even humble himself to a +suppliant in the cause of our return, and send a gospel of peace into +the world, and bid his messengers to bear throughout all its +habitations, the tidings of his good will to the children of men. This +is the topic of his most anxious and repeated demonstrations. This +manifested good will of God to his creatures, is the band of love, and +the cord of a man, by which he draws them; and this one mighty +principle of attraction is brought to bear upon a nature, that might +have remained sullen and unmoved under any other application."--THOMAS +CHALMERS, D. D. + +The principle so eloquently and correctly stated in the above +quotations from Dr. Chalmers, is fully demonstrated and exemplified by +the philanthropic efforts of Mrs. ELIZABETH FRY in the famous prison +of Newgate, in England, an account of which is here presented to the +reader. It was written by MADAME ADILE DE THOU, but I have copied it +from the LADIES' MAGAZINE. + +"MRS. FRY, on being informed of the deplorable state of the female +prisoners in Newgate, resolved to relieve them. She applied to the +governor for leave of admittance; he replied that she would incur the +greatest risk in visiting that abode of iniquity and disorder, which +he himself scarcely dared to enter. He observed, that the language she +must hear would inevitably disgust her, and made use of every argument +to prevail on her to relinquish her intention. + +MRS. FRY said that she was fully aware of the danger to which she +exposed herself; and repeated her solicitations for permission to +enter the prison. The governor advised her not to carry in with her +either her purse or her watch. MRS. FRY replied, "I thank you, I am +not afraid: I don't think I shall lose any thing." + +She was shown into an apartment of the prison which contained about +_one hundred and sixty women_; those who were condemned, and those who +had not been tried, were all suffered to associate together. The +children who were brought up in this school of vice, and who never +spoke without an oath, added to the horror of the picture. The +prisoners ate, cooked their food, and slept all in the same room. It +might truly be said, that Newgate resembled a den of savages. + +MRS. FRY was not discouraged. The grace of God is infinite, the true +christian never despairs. In spite of a very delicate state of health, +she persevered in her pious design. The women listened to her, and +gazed on her with amazement; the pure and tranquil expression of her +beautiful countenance speedily softened their ferocity. It has been +remarked, that if virtue could be rendered visible, it would be +impossible to resist its influence; and thus may be explained the +extraordinary ascendency which MRS. FRY exercises over all whom she +approaches. Virtue has indeed become visible, and has assumed the +form of this benevolent lady, who is the guide and consolation of her +fellow-creatures. + +MRS. FRY addressed herself to the prisoners;--"You seem unhappy," said +she. "You are in want of clothes; would you not be pleased if some one +came to relieve your misery?" + +"Certainly," replied they, "but nobody cares for us, and where can +_we_ expect to find a friend?" + +"I am come with a wish to serve you," resumed ELIZABETH FRY, "and I +think if you will second my endeavours, I may be of use to you." + +She addressed to them the language of peace, and afforded them a +glimmering of hope. She spoke NOT OF THEIR CRIMES; the minister of an +all-merciful God, she came there to _comfort_ and to _pray_, not to +_judge_ and _condemn_. When she was about to depart, the women +thronged around her as if to detain her. "You will never come again," +said they. But she who never broke her word promised to return. + +She soon paid a second visit to this loathsome jail, where she +intended to pass the whole day; the doors were closed upon her, and +she was left alone with the prisoners. + +"You cannot suppose," said she, addressing them, "that I have come +here without being commissioned. This book--she held the Bible in her +hand--which has been the guide of my life, has led me to you. It +directed me to visit the prisoners, and take pity on the poor and the +afflicted. I am willing to do all that lies in my power: but my +efforts will be vain, unless met and aided by you." + +She then asked them whether they would not like to hear her read a few +passages from that book. They replied they would. MRS. FRY selected +the parable of the lord of the vineyard, and when she came to the man +who was hired at the _eleventh hour_, she said; "Now the eleventh hour +strikes for you; the greater part of your lives is lost, but Christ +is come to save sinners!" + +Some asked who Christ was; others said he had not come for them; that +the time was past, and that they could not be saved. MRS. FRY replied +that Christ had suffered, that he had been poor, and that he had come +to save the poor and the afflicted in particular. + +MRS. FRY obtained permission to assemble the children in a school +established in the prison, for the purpose of promoting their +religious instruction. The female prisoners, in spite of their +profligate and vicious habits, joyfully embraced the opportunity of +ameliorating the condition of their children. Much was already +effected by restoring these women to the first sentiments of nature; +namely, maternal affection. + +A woman denominated the _matron_, was entrusted with the control of +the prisoners, under the superintendence of the ladies of the Society +of Friends, composing the Newgate Committee. + +MRS. FRY having drawn up a set of rules of conduct for the prisoners, +a day was fixed on, and the lord Mayor and one of the aldermen being +present, she read aloud the articles, and asked the prisoners whether +they were willing to adopt them; they were directed to raise their +hands as a sign of approval. This constitution was unanimously +adopted; so sincere were the sentiments of respect and confidence she +had inspired. + +Thanks to her perseverance and the years she has devoted to her pious +undertaking, a total change has been effected in Newgate prison; the +influence of virtue has softened the horrors of vice, and Newgate has +become the asylum of repentance. + +Strangers are permitted to visit the jail on Thursday, when MRS. FRY +reads and explains passages of the Bible to the prisoners. Her voice +is extremely fascinating; its pure, clear tones are admirably +calculated to plead the cause of virtue and humanity. + +The late queen expressed a wish to see MRS. FRY, and in the most +flattering terms testified the admiration she felt for her conduct. +The thanks of the city of London were voted to her; and, in short, +there is not an Englishman who does not bless her name." + +How worthy of all admiration is such conduct in a female! But if the +principle which DR. CHALMERS has stated with so much beauty and force, +and which has been so fully and delightfully exemplified by the +seraphic spirits of a HOWARD and a FRY, is correct, how humbling to +the christian community are the inferences which follow. + +Why are our prisons such scenes of cruelty and such schools of crime? +Because christian churches and christian individuals are destitute of +the practical good will, and the expansive benevolence of the gospel +of Christ. When christians begin to _act_ on the principles of their +profession, prisons will begin to grow pure; and when all christians +fully perform their solemn duties to the erring and the wretched, +prison walls and prison vices will be no more. In a purified society +they cannot exist; and the degraded condition of the prisoners in our +country, and the rapid increase of their numbers, are sure indications +of the want of piety and godliness in the land. + +I might spin out remarks to an indefinite length, but it would be to +no useful purpose. I can weep over the evils which I am unable to +cure. I do not expect any great improvement _in_ our prisons, till I +see great reformations _out_ of them. From the society of the free all +our prisoners are taken, and till that society is purified it will +continue to furnish its annual victims to the penitentiary; but when +that is done, the fetters and dungeons of the captive will crumble to +dust, and the improvement of prisoners will be simultaneous with the +reformation of the free. These two classes act and react upon each +other, and they must ultimately wear the same moral complexion. If +vice is to triumph over virtue, then all will be just fit for a +dungeon; but if virtue is to become universal, then will the bond and +the free be equal sharers in the bliss. But as the prey _is_ to be +taken from the mighty, and as all flesh _is_ to see the salvation of +the Lord, I am sure that "in the dispensation of the fulness of +times," the vices and crimes of prisoners will cease, and the voice of +the oppressors be heard no more. + + + + +REV. JOHN ROBBINS' VISIT TO WINDSOR PRISON. + + +It was in the spring of 1829 that the Rev. John Robbins visited the +State Prison in Windsor, Vermont, in which a number of years before he +had been a prisoner. He was recognized by a few of the oldest +inhabitants of that gloomy mansion, who had been his fellow-prisoners, +and particularly by the writer of this article who had been his +cell-mate. He obtained permission of the Superintendent, and preached +in the prison chapel the first Sabbath after his arrival in town. As +he entered the pulpit a thrill of indescribable but pleasing emotion +darted through the bosoms of his old acquaintances, at witnessing the +great and happy change of which he had obviously been the subject. A +few short years before, he had occupied a seat among the hearers in +that doleful place, and no one questioned his right to that +distinction; but now he appeared as an accredited minister of the +gospel, "to preach deliverance to the captives, and the opening of the +prison to them that are bound." Every eye was fastened upon him, and +a solemn death-like stillness pervaded the room. After a few minutes +he gave out the following appropriate and affecting psalm, which was +sung with sympathetic expression by the choir: + + "Father, I bless thy gentle hand; + How kind was thy chastising rod, + Which forced my conscience to a stand + And brought my wandering soul to God. + + "Foolish and vain, I went astray; + Ere I had felt thy scourges, Lord, + I left my guide, and lost my way; + But now I love and keep thy word. + + "'Tis good for me to wear the yoke, + For pride is apt to rise and swell; + 'Tis good to bear my Father's stroke, + That I might learn his statutes well." + +After this psalm was sung he prayed--but such a prayer had not often +been heard in that place. Solemn and awful language, on flame with +heaven's own spirit, and big with holy desires, marked this effort of +his impassioned soul. That prayer was heard in heaven; for such a +prayer can never be made in vain. It produced an unutterable effect on +every heart; and the impression it made on mine is, at this moment, +among my liveliest and dearest recollections. + +His text was,--"Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the +promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." I will +not attempt to give even a skeleton of the overpowering sermon which +followed. I was too much affected for memory to perform its office. +Unlike many of the pulpit efforts which I had been accustomed to hear, +it was not characterized by polished periods and classical elegance, +but by the thunder and lightning of Mount Sinai. It was a storm which +shook the soul, and roused up all its powers. The preacher was +evidently in awful earnest;--his lifted arm, his swelling voice, his +beaming eyes, denoted the man who felt the importance, and believed +the truth of what he said. Until now, he sustained himself in firm and +perfect self-possession; but when he came to advert to his former +situation, and point out the very seat he had occupied among his +hearers, his firmness deserted him. His eyes swam in tears--his voice +fell down into interrupted and trembling accents--and his mind became +perfectly unnerved. Sympathy, inspired his feelings in his +congregation--every eye was moistened--sighs echoed to sighs--some +wept aloud--and the whole scene was one of mingled, ungovernable +emotions. + +With this sermon commenced a glorious revival of religion in the +Prison. That long and much neglected moral waste began to exhibit the +buds of promise; that spiritual desert began to smile with freshness +and bloom; and after twenty years of famine, more dreadful than that +which devoured the plenty of Egypt, the Lord began to pour down the +streams of his grace, and spread a feast of fat things before the +dying souls of His creatures. Angels, whose far-reaching vision +embraces a thousand worlds, never saw a spot more spiritually and +morally barren, than had been the State Prison at Windsor from the +very commencement of its history up to the happy time under +consideration. But now the scene began to change; the wilderness and +the solitary place began to rejoice, and the desert to blossom as the +rose. Mr. Robbins, at the request of the Superintendent, continued +there about five mouths, during which time, I have as much evidence as +any such case admits of, that one half of the prisoners became the +subjects of serious convictions, and one fourth part were thoroughly +converted to God. It is due to the Hon. J. H. Cotton, Superintendent +of the Prison, to say, that he cordially co-operated with Mr. R. and +granted the prisoners every indulgence which reason could ask. Sabbath +Schools were established; Bible Classes were formed; and the Prison +became a temple with a worshipper in every cell. The other means used +by Mr. R. were private conversation, tracts, and plain, pungent +preaching. + +While this delightful work was in progress, the following hymn was +composed by one of the prisoners and sung by them in their meetings; +and as it gives a very impressive and accurate view of the power and +character of this display of saving mercy to the doubly lost, I will +insert it here for the gratification of the reader: + + "Rejoice, O my soul, see the trophies of grace + Submitting to Jesus and shouting his praise; + Like doves to their windows, or clouds through the sky, + From sin's darkest borders for safety they fly. + + "This strong bolted dungeon is vocal with prayer, + And joy rolls her orb through the sky of despair; + This strong hold of Satan is trembling to fall, + The power of Jehovah is seen by us all. + + "The angel of mercy can visit a cell, + And on the dark bosom of misery dwell. + The sunbeams of heaven can shine from above, + And glow on our midnight a rainbow of love. + + "All glorious Eternal! we tremble and fear; + How awful this place is, we know Thou art here! + In thy dreadful presence adoring we fall. + Well pleas'd to be nothing, and Thou all in all!" + +I must ask the indulgence of the reader for introducing another hymn, +by the same author, which also exhibits the true extent and glory of +the work, in contrast with the darkness and misery which preceded it. +It is inscribed to Mr. Robbins: + + "_I was in prison and ye came unto me._" + JESUS CHRIST. + + "Around our horizon no twilight was streaming, + Nor faint twinkling star shot a ray thro' the gloom; + No taper of life in our dungeons was gleaming, + But darkness and death roll'd dismay thro' our tomb. + + "When, clear as the sun, rob'd in beams of the morning, + You rose on our darkness with soul-cheering ray; + To temples of worship our dungeons transforming, + And pouring around us the noon-blaze of day. + + "In every hall now an altar is burning, + And incense of praise rolls from many a heart; + The ransom'd of Christ are to Zion returning, + With firm resolution no more to depart. + + "How sweet is the sound! holy anthems are ringing, + And cell back to cell echoes triumph and praise! + And while to the theme of salvation I'm singing, + The glory of God bursts around in a blaze! + + "My soul, bless the Lord! be his mercy forever + The theme of my song and the flame of my heart! + And from his commands may I wander no never! + Nor from his dear service one moment depart! + + "Go on, sent of God! See! all ripe for the sickle + The harvest is waving, and bright in your view, + Confide not in man, all inconstant and fickle, + But trust in the Lord ever faithful and true." + +In the course of about five months, this shower of divine mercy passed +completely by and went off, after watering richly that sterile region, +and causing it to brighten with the fairest promises of a glorious +harvest. Never was there a work of grace more pleasing in its +developement, more thorough in its searchings into the heart, or that +will in my firm opinion, be more lasting in its joyful effects. There +were no enthusiastic ravings--none of the mysticism of fanatics; but +every part of the work was characteristic of the deep and reforming +energies of the Spirit of God on the soul. That there were some who +banished their serious convictions from their minds, there can be no +doubt; and that some who entered the race, run well only for a season, +and then turned back, is equally probable. These are dark spots from +which no bright display of saving mercy is ever perfectly free. But I +am, on the other hand, just as firmly persuaded, that as many as +thirty of those who were then outcasts from society, became free +citizens of the Redeemer's kingdom, and will "walk with him in white" +in the world of glory. + +From the preceding rapid sketch of a work of grace in a State Prison, +the following affecting truths force themselves inferentially upon the +mind. + +1. The most abandoned among the sons of men, are fully within the +saving influences of Gospel truth, when it is judiciously applied to +the conscience and heart. + +2. State Prisons are too much neglected in the benevolent and pious +enterprises of this missionary and philanthropic age. Ministers of +Jesus have gone out, and others are going out, to the extremities of +the globe, to evangelize the heathen, while they too obviously +disregard the injunction of the blessed Jesus so plainly and +energetically implied in these words,--"I was in prison and ye visited +me not." + +3. Any humble self-denying servant of Him who came to say to +prisoners, Go forth--to pardon a dying thief--and point out to +repentant crime the path of righteousness, who will, in the spirit of +his Master, devote himself to the great work of preaching the +everlasting Gospel in State Prisons, will joyfully witness the gloom +departing from those fields of spiritual desolation, and find his +sacred, untiring labors amply repaid, by the success with which, +sooner or later, they will be graciously crowned. + +In conclusion, permit me to call the attention of all benevolent and +pious minds, to the deplorable condition of those whose crimes have +justly cut them off from the sweets of liberty and the endearments of +social life, and consigned them to a living death within the gloomy +walls of a State Prison. With an emphasis that might pierce the soul, +they say to you,--"Have pity upon us! have pity upon us, O ye our +friends! for the hand of God hath touched us!" But this plaintive cry +is heard only to be forgotten. If any class of darkened, perverted, +and ruined humanity, has any claim on the sympathies of Christians, +this is that class. This Howard felt, and, by his efforts to meliorate +their condition, he became the acknowledged prince of philanthropists, +and earned an immortal and sacred fame. Our State Prisons, it is true, +are not the dark subterranean hells of Europe; but they are, in the +fullest American sense of that term,--State Prisons. And why will not +some American Howard, some baptized and heavenly spirit, take a +thorough and christian survey of these places, and become a christian +Howard by causing all the means of grace, like so many rivers from the +throne of God, to roll their pure, and comforting, and saving waters, +through all their gloomy abodes. + + + + +THE AUTHOR'S FAREWELL TO LIBERTY AND HIS FRIENDS. + +Published after he had been confined _nine years_, and a few months +before he received his pardon. + + +"_We hung our harps upon the willows._"--CAPTIVE ISRAEL. + + Farewell, enchanting goddess, + Whose smile all nature cheers, + And pours the light of heaven + Around sublunar years. + + Adieu, thou seraph beauty; + With blushing roses crown'd, + Thy breath no more inspires me, + Thy flowers no more surround, + + No more, with thee conversing, + I spend the joyous day, + While hours of laughing pleasure, + Unheeded dance away. + + Thy fields, by spring enamell'd, + These feet no more can tread, + Nor in poetic rambles, + To whisp'ring rills be led. + + Long on the leafless willow, + My tuneless harp has hung, + The themes are all forgotten, + On which its numbers rung. + + Ye groves, with music sounding, + Ye vales, in smiling bloom, + Ye deep and waving forests, + The seats of pleasing gloom; + + Ye lov'd and honor'd circles, + Where peace and friendship dwell-- + To all these scenes of pleasure, + How can I say--FAREWELL? + + How can I, honour'd Mother, + Whose mem'ry I adore, + Endure the thought, so painful, + Of seeing you no more? + + You form'd my heart to virtue, + My infant mind to truth, + And led me, pure and blameless, + Amid the snares of youth. + + From you the dear idea + Of God I first receiv'd, + And charm'd by your example, + I in his name believ'd. + + To that adored Being + You taught these lips to pray, + And bless'd my painful childhood + With views of heavenly day. + + Yet O! farewell, dear mother!-- + Be God Himself your Friend, + Your Comforter in trouble, + Your Saviour in the end! + + Farewell, beloved brothers; + My frailties O! forgive! + And while I breathe, repenting, + May you respected live. + + Endear'd, adored sisters-- + But O! my heart, forbear! + How, from thy clasping fibres, + Can I these idols tear! + + We've lov'd and wept together, + And till my latest breath, + This heart shall bear their features, + And cling to them in death! + + Each fond association, + How round my heart it plays! + And wakes the recollection + Of dear departed days! + + These fled--afflictions follow'd; + They, too, will soon be o'er-- + Soon we shall meet in heaven, + To separate no more. + + How oft have these dear kindreds + Bedew'd my path with tears, + And follow'd me, lamenting, + Thro' many gloomy years. + + But now they weep no longer-- + The last sad tears they shed, + Fell on that mournful evening + When they pronounced me DEAD! + + They've buri'd me, tho' living, + And worn their sable weeds, + And down to blank oblivion + My memory recedes! + + _Dead!_--would to God I were so! + Why should I wish to live? + A wretched, joyless creature, + And only spar'd to grieve! + + The gloom of death surrounds me, + And chills me to the soul; + My tears by sorrow frozen, + Have long refus'd to roll. + + In vain the pleasing changes + Of darkness and of day, + Of bloom and desolation, + Around my dungeon play. + + There is no day in prison, + But ever-during night; + No pleasing moral verdure, + But everlasting blight. + + The sun of joy has sunken + Behind affliction's cloud, + And wrapp'd the earth and heavens + Deep in an endless shroud. + + Nine summers have roll'd o'er me, + As many springs have smil'd, + Nine autumns pour'd their treasure, + Nine winters whistled wild, + + Since on me clos'd and bolted + Those ever-frowning gates, + And all my views of freedom + Have been thro' iron grates. + + Yet here I breathe, unhappy, + No hope of freedom see-- + O! when, enchanting goddess, + Shall I return to thee? + + Thron'd on thy native mountain, + Beneath the ample sky, + Thou heedest not my anguish, + Nor hear'st my frequent sigh. + + Against embattled legions + Thy panoply I bore, + And from the brow of victors, + The wreath of vict'ry tore. + + But thou hast me deserted, + And left to weep in vain, + In this all-gloomy dungeon + To clank my galling chain! + + But cease my guilty murmurs, + My punishment is right; + I forc'd my way to ruin, + Against the clearest light. + + An angel, sent from heaven, + Inform'd my op'ning mind, + And to the side of virtue, + My shooting thoughts inclin'd. + + Religion--always lovely-- + Appear'd more lovely still, + While with its heavenly spirit, + She strove my heart to fill. + + Of vice the awful features + Her faithful pencil drew, + And from the horrid image + My frighted eyes withdrew. + + O! had I wisely cherish'd + These seeds, so timely sown, + The tears of vain repentance + These eyes had never known. + + In all the charms of virtue, + Unfallen I had stood, + By keen remorse unwither'd, + Respected by the good. + + O! false, alluring phantoms, + Which led my feet astray, + In paths to ruin leading, + From wisdom's peaceful way. + + Yet is maternal culture + Most salutary still; + The frost of vice may wither + The germ it cannot kill. + + The tide of sinful pleasure + Its poisonous wave may roll, + And long the blighting tempest + May chill the youthful soul; + + It cannot kill--no, _never_-- + (Then, mothers, don't despair!) + The seeds of moral virtue, + So early planted there. + + Some heaven-directed sun-beams + Will shine around, and then, + Warm'd by its genial influence, + They'll vegetate again. + + My subject, how it brightens! + Be fired, my soul, anew, + In numbers sweet as heaven, + The ope'ning theme pursue. + + Farewell, my sinful murmurs. + Farewell, my sighs and tears; + Farewell, thou night of horror, + The morn of joy appears! + + The beams of heavenly goodness, + How bright they shine around, + A sea of living pleasure, + Where all my griefs are drown'd! + + From this glad hour, for ever, + Be gratitude my song; + My moments, fraught with transport, + Shall joyful dance along. + + The mercy of my Saviour, + What angel tongue can tell, + It blazes thro' creation, + And cheers the night of hell! + + Around his throne in glory + It wakes immortal song, + And rolls its boundless ocean + Eternity along. + + In all my wand'rings from Him, + This mercy held me up, + And in my hours of sorrow + Pour'd nectar in my cup. + + And when that stingless pleasure + Which satisfies the mind, + Thro' devious paths _forbidden_, + I'd rov'd in vain to find; + + His Spirit linger'd round me, + And prompted my return, + And with a sense of pardon + Inspir'd my heart to burn. + + O! love, all thought transcending! + Love, boundless as the sea! + Encircling every creature, + Throughout eternity! + + On this I'll dwell for ever, + Nor sigh for freedom more-- + My heart, my tongue--all nature, + This boundless love adore! + + My heart shall be a temple + Of never ceasing praise, + And ev'ry morn and evening + Repeat the gladsome lays. + + O! thou great Source of being, + In whom alone I live, + Accept my heart; tho' sinful, + 'Tis all a wretch can give. + + Forgive the plaintive numbers, + Which held my harp so long, + And bless the _resignation_ + Which crowns my gloomy song. + + + + +DESCRIPTION OF HEAVEN BY AN INHABITANT OF A DUNGEON. + + + On gloomy themes let others dwell, + And sing the miseries of hell; + My cheerful muse prefers to paint + The future glories of the saint. + High on a mount of purest light, + To which the clearest noon is night, + Whose top no angel wing can soar, + Nor keen-eyed seraph glance explore.-- + + Above the reach of rolling spheres, + Which mark our little circling years, + In awful grandeur, reigns our God, + And rules creation with his rod. + Twelve legion angels, throned around, + His lofty praise, in thunder sound, + And stooping from their jewelled seat, + Cast down their honors at his feet. + + These, ever ready to fulfil + The dictates of his sovereign will, + Are winged for flight, and, at his voice, + To execute his word, rejoice. + In dignity above the rest, + With diamond mail and flaming crest, + The Angel of his presence stands, + To execute his high commands. + + Round, farther than from central light + To where the comets end their flight, + In ever blooming beauty lies, + The glorious Eden of the skies. + There swell huge Alps, uncapped with snow; + Through fertile realms broad Danubes flow; + And cheerful brook meandering twines + Around celestial Apennines. + + There hills of emerald are seen, + And damask vales, that smile between, + And all the beauties of the sky + In elegant assemblage lie. + There too the chrystal mirror lake, + By zephyrs kissed, in every wake, + Presents to pleased angelic eyes + Reflected scenes of earth and skies. + + There, on a towering height, sublime, + The Lebanon of heavenly clime, + Where pleasure lives, where rapture glows, + The cedar spreads its princely boughs. + There fragrant Carmel's flowery grove, + Where seraphs tune their harps of love, + On playful breeze diffuses round, + Its spicy breath and tuneful sound. + + There Sharon's rose, without a thorn, + Serenely bright with gems of morn, + On verdant tree majestic towers, + And smiling reigns, the queen of flowers. + Down by a sweetly-flowing rill, + Where pure celestial dews distil, + The lilies, clothed with beauty, rise, + And bloom beneath cerulean skies. + + There, raining nectar from its boughs, + The tree of life immortal grows; + And streams of bliss, 'mid holy song, + Roll their mellifluent waves along. + No winter's frost or winter's snow-- + No blight these scenes of beauty know; + No change revolving seasons bring, + For all is one eternal spring. + + O! how unlike this world below, + Where all is blight, and death, and wo! + Where night, _dark night_, eternal reigns, + And grief in every house complains! + There, far above created height, + Reigns the dear Son of God's delight; + A man of sorrows once--but now + A God to whom archangels bow. + + A shoreless sea of heavenly beams + Around his sacred person gleams; + By merit raised, by virtue tried, + Exalted at his Father's side. + An emerald bow his head adorns, + That blessed head once crowned with thorns! + His feet like burning gold; his face + A sun of glory and of grace. + + Robes whiter than unfallen snow + Down to his feet divinely flow, + Unstained with blood.--Before him now + No murderous priests reviling bow. + Around his waist a golden zone + Proclaims his title to the throne; + And in his hands, with sceptre graced, + The keys of death and hell are placed. + + There dwell creation's elder sons, + Those high, those blessed, those holy ones, + Who, when this earth from chaos rolled, + Exulting struck their harps of gold. + In their exalted spheres, divine, + Like suns they move, like suns they shine; + And other lights, though glorious, seem + Lost in the radiance of their beam. + + Nearest the sacred throne they sing, + And strike the sweetest, loudest string; + Thus eminent above the rest, + They lead the concert of the blessed. + There dwell the ransomed of the Lord, + Who loved to keep his holy word; + Washed in his blood from every stain, + With him eternally they reign. + + They loved him here, and all his ways, + They loved to speak his name in praise, + They loved to do his righteous will, + And all his purposes fulfil. + And now, supremely blest above, + Encircled in his arms of love, + He wipes the tear from every face, + And crowns the children of his grace. + + All grief is past, they sigh no more, + But live to worship and adore; + Around that blissful world they rove, + Amid the smiles of deathless love. + Roll on, Eternity, thy years, + Around the vast celestial spheres! + Thou bringst no change but new delight, + And scenes of joy forever bright. + + + + +AN APPEAL TO CHRISTIANS IN BEHALF OF STATE PRISONERS. + +(_Extract from a Sermon._) + + "COME OVER INTO MACEDONIA AND HELP US." + Acts xvi. 9. + + +"Glorious displays of heavenly mercy to lost and perishing mankind, +and a missionary spirit, warm and pure as the altar from which it +descended, and circumscribed in its holy purposes only by the broad +limits of creation, are the great and delightful landmarks of the +present age. The apocalyptic angel that was seen flying through the +midst of heaven, having the Everlasting Gospel to preach to every +nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, is still spreading his +golden wings, and proclaiming with a loud voice, "Fear God and give +glory to Him, and worship Him who made heaven and earth." The sacred +era of the apostles has again dawned upon the earth, and the servants +of Christ are beginning to feel the broad import of their commission +to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." +Impelled by its sacred influence, they have gone out by hundreds--they +are wafted by every wind of heaven; they are borne on the waves of +every sea, ocean, and river; and their foot-prints are visible in the +dust and snow drifts of every clime. A light that gladdens the earth +and shines to heaven, denotes the windings of their pilgrimage, and +the freshness and beauty of Paradise in the midst of the desert, point +out the places of their abode. Every where is verified to them the +promise of their ascended Lord, "Lo I am with you always even unto the +end of the world;" and even "devils are subject to them through his +name." O! in what felicitous times are we permitted to live! Surely an +undevout reader of missionary annals must be mad indeed. How truly +may what Nicodemus said to Christ be applied to the whole noiseless +army of missionary champions; "No man can do these" wonders, "which" +they do, "except God be with him." And by what an irresistible +inference does the success of modern missionaries associate both their +_cause_ and their _labours_ with the approbation of heaven. From the +midst of that golden cloud which embosoms the sacred throne, and +softens the brightness of the Eternal to created vision, I hear a +voice to these faithful friends of the Almighty, saying--"Servants of +God! well done!" What a strong inducement is this to the friends of +missions, to persevere in this celestial enterprise with redoubled +efforts and increasing expectations: and how certain is it, that in +due season they will reap, if they faint not. + +The field of missionary labour is the world, and every part of it must +be cultivated. In many places, harvests, broad and rich, are seen by +those myriads of seraphs, who, in ministering to the heirs of +salvation, are constantly passing and repassing from heaven to earth. +But by far the greater part of this field is still barren and +untouched by any culturing hand, and its famishing and dying +inhabitants are constantly sending out to christian communities the +Macedonian cry of--"Come and help us;" and this cry, like an angel's +voice, has sunken deep into many hearts, and inspired them with a +sympathetic interest which cannot die till its object is accomplished. +I congratulate the world that such an interest has been excited. It +promises much; it awakens the most delightful hopes; and it is not to +_divide_, but to _enlarge_ it, that I appear before this respected +assembly, as a messenger from the most dark and hopeless part of this +field of blight and desolation, to say to you, in behalf of my +brethren; "Come and help us also." The place from which I have come is +a _prison_, and _prisoners_ are my brethren, whose cause I am going to +plead. + +In calling your attention to these all-gloomy places, and to these +neglected sinners, may I not be permitted to say, that _prisons_ and +_prisoners_ are inseparably interwoven with the history and doctrines +of the gospel. The Captain of our salvation, though Lord of all, was +once a _prisoner_ at Pilate's bar; and though all-innocent, was +condemned by Herod as a _criminal_, and expired on a _cross_. Of this +same Being it is declared that he despiseth none of his _prisoners_, +but looseth them, and by the blood of the covenant, sendeth them out +of the pit wherein is no water. By his spirit he preached through +Zechariah to those _captives_, who hung their harps on the willows and +wept at the recollection of Zion, this affecting but cheering +sermon--"Turn ye, turn ye to the strong hold, ye _prisoners_ of hope." +In the same spirit he also went and "preached to the spirits in +_prison_, which sometime were disobedient." In fine, benevolence to +the lost is the spirit of Jesus, and good-will to mankind +irrespectively, is the genius of his gospel. Moved then by the +inspiration of Christ and his doctrines, I cheerfully and confidently +anticipate the interested attention of all christians, while I paint +the moral and spiritual dearth of our State Prisons, and plead with +you to send thither the fertilizing streams of eternal life; nor will +I fear, for a moment, that there is in this congregation, either a +_Sanballat_ or a _Tobiah_, to be exceedingly grieved that a man is +come, to seek the _welfare of captives_. + +I bring this subject, my Christian Friends, before _you_, and I urge +it upon your attention, because it is by a community of which you form +a valuable part, that the work must be done, if done at all. I bring +it before christians, _exclusively_, before the _church of Christ_ +which he purchased with his own blood; it is before _you_ that I roll +the claims of your perishing fellow mortals; and, identifying myself +with them, I say to you on their behalf, "Come and help us." Where +else under heaven can we look but to _you_? Who will pity us, if +_you_ will not? Who will bring us the messages of salvation, if _you_ +refuse? We ask not for _liberty_ nor _earthly comforts_; we are +contented with our _homely meals_ and our _beds of straw_; with these +_glooms_, these _dungeons_, and these _fetters_; but we want that +freedom with which _Christ_ makes free; we want to feel the warming +beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and eat the bread and drink the +water of eternal life. Such is the voice which is this moment falling +on your ears from the deep and gloomy recesses of the prison-house, +and permit me to urge your immediate attention to it from the +following considerations: + +1. Should your pious labors be blessed to the reformation of any part +of these offenders, _not only will they become happy in the enjoyment +of virtue and religion, but a very great service will also be rendered +to society_. + +Let it never be forgotten a moment, that though community is in no +_immediate_ danger from them _now_, however vicious, the time is +coming when it _may_ be. They are not always to remain within those +walls which prevent their annoying mankind by their crimes; their +sentences are to expire, and then, virtuous or vicious, society must +admit them again within its circle. Does not, then, the future peace +and safety of society require their reformation?--Should they be sent +abroad with hearts unsubdued and rankling with iniquity, what society, +family, or individual would be secure? Like fiery serpents, they would +scatter dismay where they fly and death where they repose. And from +the very nature of vice, whose grasp is to accumulation, if they are +not brought to reform by the means and principles of the gospel, they +will be more hardened and desperate than ever. I say "unless brought +to reform by the _means_ and _principles_ of the _gospel_." A mere +_moral_ reform in such subjects is not to be hoped for. They have +already demonstrated the insufficiency of mere _moral restraints_ to +keep them from the commission of crime.--Nothing but the solemn +motives which enforce the duties of _religion_, can restrain them now. +Their consciences have "swung from their moorings;" and they must be +brought back and chained to the throne of God, before they who have +been so long accustomed to do evil, will learn to do well. _Religion_, +the holy religion of _Jesus Christ_, then, with the _tremendous +sanctions_ which it draws from the _world to come_, is the only means +left by which these prodigals may be reclaimed. And should you be the +means of planting this religion in their hearts, you will not only +save _their_ souls from death, but you will cause a wave of joy to +roll more extensively wide than you have conceived. O! how many +weeping parents and brothers, and wives and children, would feel the +happy effect of your pious labors, and rise up and call you blessed. +And these sons of crime themselves, renovated in their moral natures, +by those redeeming principles which you will have instrumentally +brought home to their breasts, will, when released from their +dungeons, go out among christians and unbelievers, rejoicing the +former by declaring what God has done for their souls, and inspiring +with solemn and heavenly contemplations the latter, by testifying to +the faithfulness of the saying, that Christ Jesus came into the world +to save the chief of sinners. Instead of scattering dread and +poisoning the healthful streams of society, they will move along in +the pleasing round of christian duties, living witnesses of the power +of divine grace, and examples of the excellency and loveliness of the +Christian Religion. Their houses will be houses of prayer; their +evenings will be spent in reading and meditation, and their days in +honest industry; and their places in the Temple of God will never be +vacant. O! what a combination of powerful motives are here presented +before you, to draw out the pious efforts of christians in behalf of +prisoners; the motives of humanity, patriotism, and religion--a +threefold cord; and may God forbid that it should ever be broken, or +unfastened from your minds, until you follow the example of Howard, +and bless with all the ordinances of the gospel, the neglected and +perishing inhabitants of our State Prisons. + +2. I would also urge you to listen to the cry of the captives from the +consideration, that _they are human beings, and equally susceptible +with others of all the improvements and pleasures of virtue and piety, +on the one hand, and of all the degradation and misery of vice, on the +other_. + +No matter how far they may have wandered in the mazes of crime; no +matter how deep they may have sunken into the horrible pit and miry +clay of moral pollution; no matter how closely round them they may +have drawn the sable pall of spiritual death; they are still within +the compass of that holy and saving influence, which can _reclaim_, +_elevate_, and _quicken_, the most hopeless of the human race. It is a +blasphemous libel upon the grace of God to exclude, either +_speculatively_ or _practically_, from its redeeming power, _any part +of mankind_ on account of their _superior sinfulness_; for the +faithful saying, which is worthy of all acceptation, is, that Christ +Jesus came into the world to save the very _chief_ of sinners. Did he +not confer the boon of pardon and salvation on a dying _thief_? Was +not one of his most faithful friends, while he abode on earth, she out +of whom he had cast _seven devils_? And among the bright stars of +heaven which rose from earthly climes, does not the eye of faith dwell +with inexpressible delight on _Menasseh_, _Bunyan_, _Gardener_, and +_Rochester_? Who then dares to point to any individuals, or to any +class of fallen man and say--_There is no hope in their case_? +Remember that he who came to seek and to save that which was lost, was +also commissioned to say to the _prisoners_, "_Go forth_," and to them +that _sit in darkness, "Show yourselves_"; to preach "_deliverance_ +to the _captives_," and the "_opening_ of the _prison_ to them that +are _bound_;" to lead "_captivity captive_," and receive gifts _even +for_ "_the rebellious_." + +In the broad commission which every minister of Jesus Christ receives, +there is no limitation, no part of mankind are excluded; within the +whole world and the whole creation, there is not a rational being to +whom the Lord Jesus has not, with sovereign authority, and in the most +plain and energetic terms commanded his gospel to be preached. And are +not _State Prisons_ within the whole world? and are not their +_neglected_ and _despised inmates_ included in the whole creation? +From the burning equator to the frozen poles, and from the rising to +the going down of the sun, the heralds of salvation are moving in +every direction. Burning Africa and icy Greenland, the east and the +west, "the void waste and the city full," have all heard the +proclamation of mercy, and the isles of the sea have received the law. +The blinded Jew and the bigoted Mahommedan, have alike, through the +instrumentality of missionaries, seen the light of truth, and upon +them the glory of the Lord has risen. And this same light which has +shone through and dispelled the gloom of heathenism, which has played +around the islands of the ocean, and thrown a ray of promise across +the Mahommedan and Papal apostasies, has also found its way through +prisons, and left a cheering brightness on the grates of a cell. +Unchecked in its progress, and unbounded in its ample range, selecting +no particular field as more hopeful, nor avoiding any as more +forbidding than another, the grace of God, like a mighty angel, flies +across the chaos of this world in the means appointed by heaven, and +finds mankind every where, and under every variety of circumstance and +condition, equally and perfectly under its control. Differing indeed +in their mental and moral habits and associations, some possessing +more lovely traits of character than others, and some distancing the +rest in the race of crime; some deep read in all the mysteries of +human science, and some so near the level of the brute as to render +their humanity a question; mankind are, notwithstanding these +complexional varieties, alike susceptible of the degrading and painful +influences of vice, on the one hand, and, on the other, of the +ennobling and heaven-imparting power of virtue and truth. I care not +whether the individual treads the scorching sands of Arabia, or +shivers amid the drifting snow and icebound streams of Lapland; +whether he sends up the Indian cry to the Great Spirit from the +solitude of our western wilds, or kneels an enthusiastic worshipper at +the car of Juggernaut; whether his mind is as rude as the uncultivated +desert, or so enlarged by education that all the luminaries of +literature and philosophy are revolving there, like the sun, moon and +stars, in the firmament of heaven; whether his garments are rags, or +purple and fine linen; whether his companions are dogs, or princes; +whether his home is a dungeon, or a palace; he is still _a man_, +possessing the _same sensibilities_, the _same instinctive dread of +misery_ and _desires for happiness_, the _same longings after +immortality_ and _delight in truth_, which belong _alike_ to the +_degenerate family of fallen Adam_. + +This proposition is abundantly proved by the results of that sublime +and stupendous enterprise, which the spirit of missions has so +gloriously struck out, and is so successfully carrying forward, and +which looks with such a firmly founded and well built confidence to +the conversion of the whole world. I rejoice in all that has been done +under the influence of this benevolent spirit, and I sympathize with +the friends of missions in those brighter hopes and more inspiring +anticipations, which contemplate a redeemed universe around the throne +of heaven. My soul dwells, with expanding joy, on the lovely Edens, +which the servants of the Most High have caused to bloom and smile +amidst the blight and barrenness of heathen lands. I hear the songs of +salvation sounding in the desert, and I bless the equal Lord of all +his creatures for the means by which such praises have been called +forth. I am glad that I see so much accomplished, and it is _this +pleasure_ that inspires me with such impatient anxiety to see the +glorious work advancing. It is because I have seen the effect of the +word of God on heathen minds, that I want to have it preached in our +prisons. It is because I have seen streams gush out in the desert, +that I desire to see the waters of life carried into the cells of +captives. It is because these wonders of mercy have been accomplished +by appointed means, that I wish to see these means operating in our +prisons. It is because these means have never been used in vain, that +I confidently associate with them the salvation of these servants of +sin. And may I not add, that as God works _only_ by means, and in this +department of His operation, only by such means as are specified in +his word, I despair of seeing any great or lasting good effected in +our prisons, till I see these means in employment. + +3. Another consideration by which I would urge you to attend to the +call of the captives, is, _that they are as perfectly alive to the +influence of religious motives as any other part of unregenerate +mankind, and to one class of these motives, much more so_. + +I am well aware that to the eye of unsanctified calculation, these +giants of crime, these startling monuments of pre-eminent depravity +and divine forbearance, present obstacles to the universal conquest +of truth, and sometimes even faith itself becomes infidel. But +remember that the work is God's, and is any thing too hard for an +almighty arm to accomplish? With equal ease He guides the zephyr, +and the lightning's furious bolt; sustains a sparrow and upholds the +sun. If He wills, who or what can hinder? He sends forth His +Spirit, and the boldest and most determined opposition prostrates +like the reed before the tempest, or a bramble before an avalanche, +and the tiger becomes a lamb in the converted apostle of the +gentiles. If my chief dependence for the reformation of these +far-gone offenders was turning on the pivot of mere human agency, my +brightest hopes would darken midnight, and the combined force of +every possible motive to action, would relax before the hopelessness +of the enterprise; but when an omnipotent hand is at work, would not +fear or doubt be equally blasphemous and absurd? There must, indeed, +be Pauls to plant, and Apolloses to water, but God alone can give +the increase; and as under his gracious providence, the rock becomes +a pool, and barrenness is turned into fertility, I most confidently +anticipate the perfect and glorious accomplishment of His revealed +purpose, to give to the Son 'the heathen for his inheritance, and +the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession;' to 'deliver +the lawful captives and take the prey from the mighty.' The +assertion, therefore, which has been so frequently made, that 'the +minds of prisoners are hardened beyond the power of religious +susceptibilities,' I am fully prepared to deny; and not merely from +the force of this reasoning, but from my own personal knowledge and +experience. This wide world presents no where more solemn and +attentive listeners to the preaching of the gospel, than are always +found in our State Prisons. For the truth of this assertion, I +appeal to every servant of God who has had the pleasure of +addressing that libelled and neglected part of erring mankind. +Indeed it would be very strange were it otherwise, for the very +circumstances under which they are addressed, irresistibly dispose +their minds to attend, with serious and affecting interest, to the +enunciations of religious truth. Their souls are bleeding with the +painfulness of a separation from their _nearest_ and _dearest +friends_--their parents, their brothers and sisters, their wives +and children--and from the sunshine and all the concomitant +blessings of liberty. Their own sad experience teaches them, better +than a thousand arguments, the truth of that Book which declares, +that the wicked shall not go unpunished, and that the way of +transgressors is hard. Having witnessed _one_ judgment day, and +feeling the awful and death-like consequences of being condemned +_there_, they think, with trembling, of _the great Judgment day of +all mankind_, and of the _more awful consequences_ of condemnation +_then_. And where in the universe can they behold a more true and +dreadful representation of the 'house of wo and pain,' than is +constantly before their eyes? To _one_ class of religious motives, +then, they must be peculiarly sensitive--_the terrors of the Lord +must make them afraid_. They _cannot resist them_. Feeling as they +_must_, and surrounded as they _are_, the truths of God come home to +their consciences, _emphasized by their own experience_, and they +might as well change their dungeon into a palace, and exchange their +misery for the bliss of cherubs, as to resist these _sacred +thunders_ of the Eternal, _thus awfully sounded in their ears_. With +me this is neither idle declamation nor uncertain theory, for I +speak from observation and experience, declaring only what I have +seen and felt; and could you associate my observation and experience +with your own, you would believe my testimony. But you need not +depend either on my declarations or reasonings on this subject; I am +willing to throw the question into the scale of acknowledged facts. +Facts cannot lie, and we will view our subject in the light of those +connected with the ministry of Christ and his apostles. As he went +about doing good, who followed most cheerfully in his train? +_Publicans and sinners._ Who were the most remarkable subjects of +his saving power? _Mary Magdalene_, whom he had dispossessed of +_seven devils_, and a _hardened criminal expiring on a gibbet_. Why +was he styled the friend of sinners? why did he declare the object +of his mission to be to call sinners to repentance? and why did he +rebuke the grumblers at his associating with those who were reputed +the lowest and vilest of the human race, by saying, 'The whole need +not a physician but they that are sick?' Because _sinners_, as they +_most need_, so they most _feel their need_ of, and most _cordially +embrace the salvation of the gospel_. And who were the first to +espouse the cause of Christ, after his resurrection? They whose +hearts had festered with _malice_, whose hands were red with +_innocent blood_--those very men who had been the _betrayers_ and +_murderers_ of the Just and Holy One. One fact more and I shall have +done with this topic. Who is that furious and determined individual, +commissioned by the chief priests, and, Jehu like, speeding his way +to Damascus? The same _dark and wicked spirit_ who had _assisted in +the murder of Stephen_, who had _thirsted for the blood of the +saints_, and had _dragged many of them to prison_. The _same +spirit_, too, who became a _chosen vessel of the Lord_ to bear his +name to the gentiles, and _build up the faith_ which he had labored +to demolish, and who, in the most affecting and solemn terms +declared himself to have been the _chief of sinners_. + +But after all my reasoning and all my appeals on this subject, there +is one cold and sullen fact, which rises like a winter-cloud over my +mind, and blasts all my hopes of success while it remains. It is this. +THE HAPLESS AND WRETCHED COMMUNITY FOR WHICH I AM PLEADING, IS +COMPLETELY EXILED FROM THE SYMPATHIES OF MANKIND.--They are _thought_ +of indeed, but it is only to be _despised_, and they are _spoken_ of +only to be _cursed_. How truly may they say; 'No one cares for our +souls.' This is a fact which cannot be successfully contradicted; but +whether it is right or not, judge ye. How much of christianity it +evinces let every one's conscience determine. One thing is certain, +it is not the spirit of _God_, for He commended His love towards +sinners by giving His Son to be our Saviour. Neither is it the spirit +of _Christ_, for when we were without strength, in due time he died +for the ungodly. Equally distinct is it from the spirit of _angels_, +for they rejoice in the presence of God when one sinner repents. Nor +has it any fellowship with the spirit of _christians_, for they are +glad when they see the grace of God magnified in the reformation of +even the most abandoned. It is also spurned away by the spirit of +_philanthropy_, for the prince of philanthropists identified his +glorious fame with the _prisons_ of Europe. Hearken then ye whose +sympathies pass by the cells of merited suffering, like the priest and +the Levite, on the other side, the misery which you _disdain to heed_ +and the sufferers whom you associate only with _infamy_, draw around +them the _liveliest sympathies_, and the _deepest interest_ of _the +whole universe of sanctified spirits_, from the mere _lover of his +species_, up through _christians_ and _angels_, to the _merciful +Redeemer_ and _compassionate Father of all_. O! then be entreated to +bring your cold and limited sympathies to the fountain of Jesus' +blood, and learn to pity the sinner while you hate his sins. Let the +sighing of the prisoners come into the secret abode of your hearts, +and compassionate those whose hope is despair. If you continue to +resist that voice which might pierce the _tomb_, and rouse the _dead_ +into benevolent actions for the recovery of the lost, you will evince +that you have wandered as far from the sympathies of unperverted +humanity, as have the objects of your contempt from righteousness; and +my only hope of _their reformation_ will depend on _your previous +return to that holy sanctuary of purified feeling, from which you have +so wofully departed_. Then, warmed with the pure and sacred glow of +heaven's own altar, you will be moved by the groaning of the captives, +and either _carry_ or _send_ them the balm which is in _Gilead_, and +direct them to the Physician who is there." + + + + +CONCLUSION. + + +My work is done, and I am happy. The task which I have now finished is +of that unpleasant kind which few human beings have ever voluntarily +undertaken. It has led me through wide fields of blight, in which +scarcely a green thing has been left to smile. My path has been amidst +fragments of moral ruin, where serpents of corruption have lurked and +hissed. My canopy has been the beclouded past in which the sun, moon, +or stars are seldom seen. I have heard the voice of man, but it has +been in expressions of angry authority, or of uncompassionated +distress. I have seen "the human face divine," but it was either +transformed into cruelty, and sullen with a spirit of revenge, or +distorted with agony and fixed in despair. I have shivered under the +frost of death, and contemplated a thousand awful epitaphs on the +grave stones of the soul. + +Of the volume which I am now bringing to a close, I can say in the +presence of my Creator, that I designed it as a sacrifice to +benevolence; and I have labored to render it an acceptable one. I have +plead the cause of the suffering sinner. I have opened to view his +dungeon; pointed to his fetters--his bleeding back--his neglected +sickness--his unheeded death. I have recorded facts; have argued from +the principles of humanity and religion; have plead, entreated, +exhorted, and prayed with christians to think of the captive, and +cheer his gloomy cell with the light of the gospel. What more can I +do? Nothing; and whatever may be the future sufferings of my brethren +in prison, I am innocent. + +In the course of the volume I have advanced the following +opinions.--_In the present state of society, Penitentiaries cannot be +very useful as means of reformation.--Cruel discipline will harden the +sufferer, and nothing but goodness can ever win back a sinner to the +love and practice of virtue.--Prisoners are criminally neglected by +christians.--The loss of character is a calamity, from which the +universal sentiment of mankind admits of no redemption.--The conduct +of christians towards prisoners and repentant sinners, is directly +opposed to the law of God and the principles of their profession._ +These and other truths, equally plain and important, are to be found +scattered through the book, and I submit them to the religious +consideration of all concerned. + +In speaking of the "_Prison Discipline Society_," I have used pointed +language. Convinced that it is an _un_-benevolent society, laboring, +_conscientiously_, no doubt, to effect the good of community, but in a +way that will certainly multiply the evils it is aiming to cure, I +could not use any other than emphatic terms to express my +disapprobation of its measures. Already has it plunged the subjects of +its discipline into the gulf of a most horrid despotism, and should it +go successfully onward, its measures will spread over and carry +through all our penitentiaries, the unbroken gloom and unregarded +misery of the worst prisons in Europe. + +In relation to christians and ministers, I have used language that is +capable of being perverted. I revere the christian who acts on the +pure principles of his profession, and such is an exception from the +remarks, which I wish to have applied to mere professors. I have found +many real christians during my intercourse with society, who have +cheered me in the house of my pilgrimage, and to them my gratitude is +bound by the strongest ties. And in the ministry there are many whom I +respect and love, and had all been such, the remarks which I have +applied to some of that profession would have been quite superfluous +and unmerited. + +A remark which I have made in relation to Rev. E. K. A. may, if not +explained, be misunderstood. I meant not to vote with public opinion +against that suffering individual, but simply to state the fact, that +community had decided against him, with a view to illustrate an +inconsistency in the conduct of the persons under consideration. Mr. +A. has had a fair trial, and the jury of the country has cleared him. +With that verdict I am satisfied; and I consider that he is injured, +and the dignity of the laws insulted, by the attitude of the public, +and the conduct of many journals of the day. If the decision of a high +court is not final, where is the security of any man who happens to be +accused? Christianity is wounded by the conduct of Mr. A's opposers, +and they would feel the full force of their actions were they in his +place. Whether Mr. A. is guilty or not, I am silent. God knows. + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Recollections of Windsor Prison;, by John Reynolds + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECOLLECTIONS OF WINDSOR PRISON; *** + +***** This file should be named 39370.txt or 39370.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/3/7/39370/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Christine P. 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