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Vol VI. Darien m;DITED JM'D PUBLISHED BY ;jB ? S. F. GRAXDISON. (on the bay) ,B per annum, payable in advance. Sort of the keeper of TrHE PENITENTIARY. S’enitentiary, 27th Oct, 1824. Hs Excellency Governor Troup , wfa— I have received your letter of instant, and I shall reply ta it Si best mannei I can. When the Sexistence of an important institu- I annually assailed by the strong- Bejudh.es, and its utility, denied, Sapptehensive that it will require Br abilities, and more experience gS possess, to devise any plan for Svernment and improvement, that Sriake it a favorite with the com- Sty; or even establish the convic- Shat it is consonant to the feelings Sionional justice. Your request, Sver added to the obligation my ilion imposes, prompt me to ofler, §1 remarks in furtherance of a sys- Mounded in humanity and justice, jSsmandcd by the intelligence of iHncs and thelmprovements of the Igl The increasing attention of le jHive bodies to tide amendment of ■ena! laws, and the liberal and en jXned notions upon the subject in Xus parts of the union ought to he Bl with the highest satiafaction.— [Xgeneral discussion of ail subjects Xblic interest, leads ultimately to B and salutary views of them; and Xceive that a manifestation of a Kng disposition to remedy the de ■of existing institutions in a prom fl characteristic of the American Be. The variety of opinions that ■ not only in Europe, but in differ- Brts of the United States, respec- Xie efficacy of Penitentiary pun- Xn/r and tlie best mode of infiic- Xt, for the reformation of culprits Ihe prevention of crimes, is an evi- X that the public mind in both Xri'es, is deeply engaged upon this Bating subject. Beccai ia was the ■writer whose efforts produced a ■important change in the public ■ment respecting the amelioration B penal laws, by demonstrating, Barbarous and sanguinary punish- I, lor slight and ordinary offences, lot only a gi’eat evil in themselves ■hat they dona good; and have a Bncy rather to increase than dimin- Brimes. This Philanthropist, by Bromulgation of his principles, has led general attention and convic- Blong with him; and has establish- Xeirsoundness by erecting the foun- In for every thing that has been ■and done in their favor. If the Bd has not yet arrived in this state ■ general acquiescence in their Bnd policy, it is because public im- Incc interrupts the efforts which Iriends of a lenient administration ■iminal jurisprudence are disposed lake for amending our penal laws ■roving tiie code of the Penitentiary ■advancing the discipline within its ls;objects the benificial accomplish- It of which, require time, obsei va- I and experience. The-New-Yofk Ic prision lias been established near ly years, and is underthe superin lenceand direction of some of tiie It important public functionaries in ‘ ■state, ahd is now ir. full and sue- Iful operation; and is claimed a. an ■or to the state, and an evidence of ■wisdom, justice, and humanity of 1 ■legislators. Virginia some time Be had her penitentiary destroyed by I; hut she is so much in love with ■ mild mode of punishment, thyt she ■ undertaken to build another edifice Bn a more extensive and improved ■n. Similar prisons have been con- Beted in all the New-England States ■New-Jersey, Pennsylvania,, Mary- Id, Ohio and Kentucky, and though petal ly burdensome to these states, I notwithstanding cherished with ‘nestness and liberality, and >are proving yearly in their regulations, fhese circumstances alone, if others re wanting, ought to prompt us at Ce to place our Penitentiary upon a ire respectable and permanent basis. •t> a misfortune, that ,the important which oiigin illy led to ’ establishment of these institutions, tyld be in this state in a great meas- B kept out of view by the great soli ttdc that is constantly felt find cx- DARIEN ’SSI* GAZETTE. pressed, that the financial operations of pur Slate Prison should be more suc cessfully conducted. The prevalence of this disposition has a tendancy to retard, and perhaps defeat, every at tempt toestablish in the Penitentiary, the rigid rules and severe discipline which our northern'brethren, and most writers upon the subject, think are in dispensable for tiie purpose of reforma tion, and preventing crimes. Besides the weakness and injudicious construc tion of our whole Penitentiary edifice, the ruined and decayed situation of its badly arranged cells, the intermixture and intercourse our citizens, to which the employment and occupation of the convicts necessarily lead; and the incomplete oiganization of the of ficers of the institution, are a|l addi tional obstacles to ibe ‘adoption of the northern ‘systems. In ihe Auburn Slates prison (which is said to be better conducted than any other in the United States) the convicts are not al lowed to laugh, dance, sing, ryn, jump, use tobaco,or totakeany kind of a. nil se ment. They are not suffered to look off their work, to gaze at spectators, to have any intercourse with strangers, and are subjected occasionally to soli tary confinement for a length of time, in dark cells, upon spare diet. What effect this system has, in accomplish ing the views of its institution, I am un able to say, from an ignorance of the annals of the prison. But this much I can say; if the Auburn system in all its rigor, is introduced and carried into effect here, (for the reasons I have al ready mentioned,) public opinions must be subdued, the Pynal and Pen itentiary codes revised and amended, and the'building, and its appurtenan ances re-modelled and greatly strength ened. That solitary confinement in dark cells, with spare diet, will reform a culprit (if any thing can) is unques tionable, from the almost universal tes timony of those who have borne, and those who have inflicted this punish ment. The most-v+*lei'al>le part of a’ rogue is his belly, and he does qpt rob to lead a life of mortification. He is fond of dainties, and the indulgence of his appetites and propensities, in all probability, first led him to the cora misssion of crime to support them; and there is nothing he feels more bitterly in confinement, than along course of abstemious living. Idleness, the pur suit of pleasure, and unlimited liberty of action, are likewise characteristic of a thief; hard labor, restraints and de corum, are their opposites; they ought to be applied. The unequal appor tionment of nunisbmnt to offences, under the old barbarous system of criminal law, prevails almost in the same disproportion in the administra tion pf our present humane code.— Here the forger, the horse thief, the perjurer, the man who is guilty of man slaughter, burglary, or cattle stealing; the young trembling thief for his first and the old, hold, violent robber, for second offence, all meet with the'same punishment, of four or five years im prisonment, at hard labor, with the same -diet, and similar restrictions. I am of the opinion that the sentence of the Judge (by legal enactment) in ad dition to the time and labor should be made, to state, diet, as well as light, or darkness, solitude,or society, according so the heinousness of the crime and the character o( the offender. A return to Penitentiary should bd contempla ted with horror, fxcitedby calm, well regulated, well watched austerity; by the gloom and sadness, wisely and inten tionally thrown over such an abode. The ! infliction of corporal punishment under different regulations from tliose at pre sent established, would on many occa ’ sion(\vhere the character and disposition i of convicts are so various) be attended with good effects. Itsexercise in the irttnds of the keepers could be restrain ! ed from abuse, by the regulation of the in spectors. If too mild a system of prison disci pline from any causes whatever, should ibe suffered to prevail,-the time may {■arrive, when men may 7 break in, in stead of braking out of the Penitentia ry, and through felony and iarcency, to better accomm dations than they Can I procure at home. Where the above suggestions put into -piactice, we 1 should soon find a considerable reduc j lion iri-the number of offenders, but it i I Would likewise lead from the abridge ! pent of labor and diminution of mim |,bej's, to a reduction of the profits of the ! institution. What then is to be done? 1 Shall we adopt the Auburn system in DARIEN, (GEORGIA,) <£qiiaianfc. €jcact Sjugtice. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1824. txtenso , by the necessary revision of our penal code, and other legislative enactments, finish the Penitentiary building upon a stronger and better model, and loook altogether to the re formation of offenders and the preven tion of crimes, as the main objects of all regulation upon the subject; under a hope in time of carrying the public sentiment along with us? Or shall we by introducing retrenchments into tlje administration of the affairs of the in stitution; adopting regulations suitable to existing circumstances, endeavor to carr/the objects of reformation and profit both into effect, and thereby dis pose the community hereafter, to ac quiesce in the establishment of those principles (under the views which ac company them?) that I have been advo cating. I incline to the latter opinion, under a full persuation that the adoption of the first plan, (however judicious, when viewed upon a bread scale,) would car ry with it an expense, which the public funclionariesunder present impressions are unwilling te encounter; and that the latter plan by increased rigor and econ omy, may accomplish the views both of the friends and opponents of this in stitution. With these remarks upon the disciplinary part of this subject, I shall proceed to make a few observa tions upon the pecuniary affairs and re trenchments of the establishment. At pi esent there are 71 convicts in the Penitentiary employed as follows: — 8 Waggon and Cart makers. This branch of business may be con sidered a good one, and hereafter be much move profitable than heretofore, inconsequence of the large quanty of the best timber,with which the institu tion has lately been supplied at a very cheap rale. 3 Carriage makers and trimmers. This is perhaps the most profitable occupation in tne Penitentiary, and will continue'to be so. 5 Windsor'chair makers and trimmers. Neither of these employments can be considered very profitable, except the turning that is done for gins. 3 Shop Joiners, Tradesmen of this description are in dispensable in the institution, and are in. general employed to advantage. I Cooper, and 1 spinning wheel Us reel maker. These trades may be both consider ed lucratsve. S Shoe and boot makers. This business has languished and been unprofitable for some lime past. It has lately however, acquired more reputation, and as good work is now done here, as in any part of the state; and if certain contemplated improve ments, connected with this branch of business are carried into effect, it will become a very important and lucrative employment. 2 Sadldrs and harness makers. There is an increasing demand for the manufactures of this trade, and the profits are considerable, when thtre is constant employment. 6 Taylors. All the clothes of the inhibitants of the Penitentiary, are made in the tay lor’s shop, and a good‘deal of work is done for other persons, at fair prices. 6 Gin makers. This business has lately been intro duced, and so far lias done exceeding well. If the demand continue unaba ted, 20 hands at this employment would earn sufficient to pay nearly one half of the expenses of the institution. 1 4 Blacksmiths and strikers. The employment of these tradesman heretofore, eannot be said to have been very advantageous; blit shdold the de mand for waggons, carts, and gins, (as is expected,) continue, the blacksmith will always be profitably employed. 3 Painters. ■ The men at this occupation are em ployed to considerable advantage. 1 Se'gar ancl snuff maker. With good Spanish tobacco —from the trial that has already been made, one man at this business can'clear 500 dollars annually, and more hands will be employed at it, as soon as the de mand for these manufactures shall war rant it. 4 Rough hewers. These men are employed in prepa ring limber for superior workmen; and the • remaining 7 convicts are enga ged in necessary menial services about and within the building. DIVINE SERVICE. Is performed in the Chapel on Sun day mornings by Mr. Capers, and with .some visible effect. SCHOOLS. The establishment of schools on Sun days in the Penitentiary, in addition to the employment and improvement of tbe minds of the convicts, might like wise have a tendency to better their dispositions, and assist in the work of reformation. EXPENDITURES, The expenses of the institution fov the yeaa past amounted to about 14,000 dollars and the profits are very little, if any, short of this sum, as will more ful ly appear in the usual annual detail, which will be made out in due time.— The disadvantages under which this establishment labors in a pecuniary point of view, arises from the small number of convicts, and the weakness insecurity and want of compactness of every part of the building. These cir cumstances have rendered- necessary the expenditure of 14,000’ dollars for the security and management of 71 j convicts who earn 13,500 dollars annu- i ally, when for the government and safe keeping of double that number, (142) ; who could earn 27,000 dollars per an- j num, aw expenditme ol §20,000 a year only would be required,which would be \ ananuual profit of 7,000 dollars. This is evident because an increase of the num- j her of convicts, would not render ne-j cessary any increase of the guard, and’ the only additional expenses for keep ing 71 additional convicts, would apse from the disbursements of their rations and ciothing, and the employment of three more deputy keepers. Besides, from the nsiral period, (4 years,) for which sentences are inflicted, it is to be expected that the servitude of one fourth of the convicts, (after becoming good workmen, and capable of earning • 200 dollars annually,) will expire eve ry year, and that their places will be suplied by an equal number, of raw, inexperienced hands, who for a consi derable time cannot earn more than gloo per annum. All these facts are susceptible of the clearest demonstration, and are eviden ces, that heretofore, too mych has been expected from this institution as to pe cuniary emoluments- The building at present,is not calculated to contain with convenience, .more than 90 convicts, and should there be an increase much beyound this number, (as in time may be expected from an increase of popu lation,) it will be necessary to erect the additional wing which is wanting to complete the edifice. Upon the score of cheapness, there could be no period more propitious, for this undertaking than the present; and though the exte rior of the additional structure, in its style of architecture should resemble its corresponding wing, experience has furnished the strongest proof that mas sive strength, without the least decora tion, should alone be consulted in the in terior. RETRENCHMENTS. The enromous expenses for bringing convicts to the Penitentiary have ceas ed, by the operation of the resolution of the last legislature. Seventeen con victs have been delivered this year at the expense of §364,87 who would have cost under the‘old law §1362 Ten of these convicts were brought by the Penitentiary guard, at an expense of g 74 87, and seven ol them-at the ex pense of 290 dollars were brought by sheriffs, for the want of jails in the counties from, which they were sent.— Whether the expences of guarding and securing the convicts in those counties where there are no jails, (until the ar rival of the guard,) should fall upon this institution or not, will depend upon the views that may be eiitertainud upon the subject by the legislature. In some of tbe circuits no jail fees have been demanded, while in others the fees have been demanded and paid, from the date of the sentence of ihe convicts; until the arrival of the guard. If there was a jail in every county* and taking the state at large,the expense of bring ing each convict here, (from the trials already made,) would not exceed ten dollars. Avery considerable addition al retrenchment could be made, by strengthening the prison room, and ma king a different arrangement at the small gate of the wall. After this work is complete, it would lead to an annual saving of 1650 dollars, as it would ena ble the institution to dispense with the service pf seven of the goa”d, whose pay, rations, and cjothing, annually a mount to that, sum. , Another very important curtailment of the disbursements of the Penitentiary could be accomplished by the legisla ture authorising the establishment of a commissaiiat, for supplying the guard and convicts with rations; and sanction ing I he erection of a tan yard, on one side of the wall, to be enclosed by high and strong palisado’s. The leather used in the Penitentia ry fpr the last twelve months,cost 82300- and the cost of rations for the guards and convicts for the same period, a mounts to 83200. making together 85500. This sum at ten dollars each,, would purchase 550 head aof cattle* which would furnish the beef lationa to the present number of guard and convicts for upwards ol five years, and the hides when tanned would be worth mo"e than 84000. By this arangement in a year or two, all the leaibei that could be manufactured in the institu tion would be furnished at the cheapest rate and the expenses for subsistence be considerably reduced. The banks ol the Oconee, within ten or twelve miles of Millcdgeville, afford an almost inexhaustible supply for the best* kind of limber for every variety of work, and our pine barren forests will always supply cs at a cheap rate with an abun dance ofbeeves and raw hides. Fronv all these circumstances, after a good deal of reflection, I am decidedly of the. opinion that there is no state in the union in whose Penitentiary certain ’ | manufactures suitable to the wants of its citizens, could be carried on to a greater advantage,than in one establish-* od at this place. It these views therefore are correct, (and I can perceive no fallacy in them) the conclusion is irresistable, that our Penitentiary hereafter will be profitable to the long as the number of convicts shall exceed seventy-five; and its affairs are administered with due rig or and economy. For the further illustration of any of the statements contained in this address or for advancing any legislative mea sures, of which it may become tb ba sis, I will afford at any time the ne cessary details. lam yours respect ful! v. DANIEL NEWNAN, P. K. P. STATEMENT. Os ihe receipts and payments at the Treasury of the state of Georgia, during ihe political yeur, 1824. Dl\ For amounts received between the Ist of November, 1823, and theSlsv of October, 1724, inclusive and placed to the Credit of the State stock, 215 024 General tax 1810 483 00 do 1816 23 12 do 1820 4,122 91 do . 1821 6,274 40 do 1822 81,896 10£ do 1823 16,819 79 Direct tax, 1813 257 32 do , 1814 674 57 Vendue tax, 1,899 16-) Dividends on Augusta Bank Stock, w 12,000 00 do • Darien do 26,000 OO do Steam-Boat Stock, 8,000 00 Bednev Franklin, solicitor ge neral, , 2,057 56 Bonds for fractions in Baldwin and Wilkinson, L: C. 2,244 7S do do and square * lots, sold, in 1811, 1,300 14 do do sold under . act of 1820, 13,580 10) do forfeited lands, 849 49 do rent of fractions, 5,221 67^ do do property at Fort Hawkins, 116 74 do lots in Macon, 2,976 18 Notes for rent of reserved lots 244 78 Lands reserved at Macon, 2,264 25 Lots do by land act of ISIS 3,452 73 Fractions 1818 12,845 49) do 1821 60,400 93$ Tax on Bank Stock, • 5,771 89 Trustees of the University, \)84.6 16) Lots fraudulently drawn in the lottery of 1820, * 254 25 Land drawn for in the lottery of 1820, 15,054 00 do 1821, 28,961 00 Fund raised by tax on pecilers , loQ 00 do fees on grants for land in Baldwin and Wilkin son L- C. 36 45 do on grants . for reverted lots in do. 100 00 do do do Wilkin son, Baldwin and Wayne 30 00 do do do on grants for fractions sold under act 0f‘1822, 26 00 do do do on grants for land sold under of 1823, .20 00 do do lots in Jlaccn 1 00 do do on grants and testimonials, in paper me dium-§lls, and in cash, 289 / 00 §330,754 99$ For balance in the Treasury on tbe Slst Cct. 1823,. 425,775 60) . §756,530 tO J For balance, 31st Cct. 1Z74, 593,003 65), No. 46.