The Express.
London, England, 1847-09-22 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

THIS DAY, Four o'clock.

We have received from our special reporter the fol-
lowing summary of the first day's proceedings of the
'Penitentiary Congress assembled at Brussels:
BRIAAELS, Strr. 20.—About 300 perms assembled this
day in the Gothic-hall, at the Hotel de Ville, in order to
take part in the penitentiary congests*. The hall was decorated
in a manner similar to that on the occasion of the free-
trade congress The question, however, did not appear to
excite so much interest a mourn the public in general, as only
a few persons occupied the places set op art for the public iu
`A a president of the Brussels Cour de
Cassatin, opened the congress in a few words, in which he
stated that the basis of the present congress was laid at the
preceding one at Frankfort.
M. DvotirlAux, secretary, stated that Belgium bad
supplied the PenitentiaryCmsgress with 104 members; France
with 42; Germany with 31; England with 21 ; Holland
with 24; Sweden with 8; Italy with ; Poland with 4;
Luxembourg with 3 ; Switzerland with 12 ; Spain, Portugal,
Russia. and the United States with 6013 each, and Norway
with two. All those members, however, were not present
this day.
Mr. W. N. SCRINGAR, president of the "Amsterdam
Dutch Akstsciation for the Amelioration of the Condition of
Prisoners," mooed that the Belgian minister of justice (M.
de Hau-sy), who was present at the coop-c's, should be hon.
president, and that M. Van :deepen, should be continued in
his post so chairman. This was agreed to.
Dr. J tuts of Berlin observed that the peniteatiar

system first began In Philadelphia, in the I:lifted Stateii,
about the beeinning of the 19;h century, and afterwards was
extended to England, where it was chit fly studied and deve-
loped by three individuals, two of whom were euddenly
removed from this world, and the remaining one was present
—Lieutenant-Colonel Jebh. He (Dr. Julius) moved that
the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel and Mr. Welcker, a member
of the Baden legialature, be elected vice-presidents.
The motion was agreed to. A number of other gentlemen
were subs quently elected Tice-presideuts. Amongst others,
Mr. ltoteh (the Middlesex magistrate), and Mr. Gustave
Beanna.int (tie fellow-traveller of Tocquevalle.)
M. Monte CH RI,TOPHE (Inapt-am..general of the French
prisons) then mounted the orator's rostrum, and said that,
in the name ofthe congress, he had to express its deep regret
at the absence of two late members of the association, whose
presence in the Frankfort one conferred much benefit on the
Cause in hand. He referred to Mr. W. Crawford, and
the Rev. Whitworth Russell. 111. Moreau Christope passed
a high eulogium on the two deceased gentlemen, and ob-
served that the Rev. W. Russell's report on the prisons of
America would ever remain as a monument of his high
talent and loyalty of character.
The SECRETARY stated that Mr. NI tconochie had pre-
sented the congress with 100 copies of a memoir on the
mode of perfecting the penitentiary rystem now under dis-
cussion in England.
H. HORACE SAY quoted from an official report, in order
to show that, in certain prisons of France, where the cellular
system is adopted, but where open-air exercise is allowed,
the number of deaths had decreased from 13 to I per cent.
Dr. JULIL'e said, that since the congress at Frankfort last
year, five cellular prisons had been built in Prussia, and a
sixth one was commenced at Breslau, in Silesia. Two model
prisons were also in course of construction, one of which was
at Cologne.
Col. J enu (who spoke in English) stated that he felt
some difficulty on the present occasion. He gratefully ac-
cepted the post of vice-president conferred on him, and he wee
commissioned by the Secretary of State of England, to give
every information in his power to the congress. The speaker
then read an extract from a published report on the state of
prisons in England, showing the number of cellular estab-
lishments in that country, and the number of persons that
could be accommodated therein. He stated that in about
three years, from 10,000 to 12,000 persons could be lodged in
prisons in England. There would not be separate confine •
went in all cases, but be thought that the government
would finally adopt that system. He knew many magis-
trates who were at first opposed to the plan, but
who afterwards declared in favour of it. He was
much pleased to find by a verbal communica-
tion made to him a few days ego, that the com-
mittee of magistrates of Surrey had declared that separate
confinement would be adopted in the new prison about to be
erected in that county. He was of opinion that a plan
would soon be adopted 'by the English government for super-
seding transportation. The plan would probably be the fol-
lowing . separate confinement for a certain period; probation
for a further period; and, finally, forced emigration. It was
likely that some 1,200 convicted persons would be nnt to
Portland Isle, in order to form a breakwater there. They
would be separated by night, but would work in common
by day.
The SP.CRETARY, M. Duchetiaux, repeated in French
Lieut.-Colonel Jebh'a observation.

SURINOAD, of Amsterdam, said he represented a
little country, but ho had to make some pleasing statements.
Holland had lately made a master-stroke of penal reform.
The Dutch government had taken for basis the plan of cel-
lular imprisonment set forth in the congress at Frankfurt,
and bad adopted that plan without any exception, even with
regard to women. lie would repeat a statement made by M.
Ferriere, of Geneva, at the Frankfurt congress, to the effect
that a number of women who were imprisoned at Geneva,
urgently reepierted to be placed in solitary confine-
ment, instead of being allowed to live in common. He helped
that the exceptions contained in the Belgian project of law
would not be adopted, and that women would be also sub-
jected to separate confinement. That vyatem bad been
adopted in Holland, and even founded on a new penal code.
Since the establishment of the cellular system in his coun-
try much crime had already been removed. (Cheers).
H. JURION, of LusembUurg, said that the grand ducal
government had voted a sum of money for the construction
of a cellular prison which would be commenced next year.
Like all the little states of Germany, Luxembourg laboured
under many disadvantages. It was not possible at present
to divide the different dames of offenders, nor even the
sexes, that is to say so thoroughly as was desirable. fie
expressed a hope that the present congress would devise
means fur enabling the states with small meaes to effect the
desirable reform.
M. G. BLAustorr said that in France certain financial
considerations hod prevented the constriction of new cellular
establishments since the congress at Frankfort. The de
partments of that country were vigorously carrying on the
plan, until the central power of the government was brought
to bear upon the question, and the former then
thought that the expense should be borne by the
state. Never before, however, had any question
made such rapid progress in France as the penitentiary ono,
so far as public opinion was concerned. The opposition of
the liberal press hod ceased, and no difference of opinion ex-
'steel now with reference to the advantage of separate confine-
ment. H. Beaumont drew • contrast between the violent poli-
tical agitation of other countries and the peaceful discussion
now going on in Belgium for the amelioration of fallen man.
Mr. DAVID, of Copenhagen, stated that the rural districts
of his country were in favour of cellular imprisonment, but
the large towns had not yet positively adopted it, although
there was a complete separation of the prisoners by night.
M. Nara t., el Stockholm, stated that in his country there
were establishments in course of construction, which would

coatai;ll67 Bella, and laces finished which would comprise
426; in e 111,033 cells.
M. De Zeus!, gentleman of the chamber of the Emperor
of Russia, observed that penitentiary reform was merely in
its cradle in Russia, but that the people there wished to do
something. Hitherto prisons in Russia were not of that penal
character which they possessed in otherkountries, being rather
places of retention than of punishmint. The necessity of
penitentiaries was now acknowledged. He was happy to
state that the penal code was modified in his country ; that
daring the last two years the knotd—that instrument the
very name of which created so much terror in Europe
—was not employed, and that exile to Siberia was
coo longer the dreaded punishment it formerly was. Labour
was better in Siberia than in other parts of the Russian
empire. Numbers there were—if he would be allowed to
me the word—more comfortable than they were in their
awn native places. Since his last visit to England, his
Imperial Majesty had appointed a committee in order to
make • report on prison discipline.
A gentleman from Florence
to
a very gloomy account of
the state of prison discipline in many parts or Italy, but
spoke in the most glowing manner of the efforts made by the
Pope to improve it.
M. Roam ve tJ Sao's regretted to have to state that
Spain had retrograded instead of having advanced—
thanks to its political convulsions. After dwelling elk
that theme in • very impressive manner, the :=
concluded by observing that the meeting ids*
other orators at the end of their diassmaa Y INV
led, however, that, so far as be was easamaal, us a
cheer should be gillll3, in order that the silence et the
Congress might testily their deep regret at the state of his
unfortuaate country. The orator retired front the rostrum
amidst profound aileuee. On resuming his seat, however. he
wag greeted with loud sheen.
Mr. C. Pzeasow, who spoke alternately in French and
Nile'', h that kis presenee at e consume would not
be taken as uprootp of his agreeing in thery respect with the

senttatesia expruned at tke Frankfort raeetins. He ex.
Ce7Air intantsort to speak 10-MOITOW wound cellular
prisaenti! • tune in rentals mei.
Alter other speeches the meeting wu adjourned till to-
morrow.

By the West India Mail we have late news from
Hayti. following is an extract of a letter dated
Port-au-Prince, August 22 :
This capital I. in a state of civil war. A rebellious chief,
General Simelien, is now encamped at the palace, with
cavalry and infantry, two guns loaded to the muzzle with
grape, and hurling defiance at the government. President
&longue, on his departure fur Cape Hayti, three weeks
since, imprudently left the command of his guards to
some ambitious men, who have been keeping the town
in the greatest alarm ever since, as it is generally sup-
posed that they wish to destroy the coloured population
and plunder the city. Two days ago the President sent one
of his ministers to endeavour to set matters to rights, but he
has only made matters worse, as the chief conspirators re-
fused to obey his orders, and era now in open rebellion.
The government authoritiis have likewise troops at their
orders, and appear determined to put down the insurgents,
but are unwilling to have recourse yet to violent measures,
as a collision might and would jeopardise the safety of the
town. There is, as you may imagine, much anxiety and
cause for alarm; it is impossible to say what will b 2 the re-
sult. We can only hope for the best, as the lives end pee-
-1 penis. of foreigners aro equally threatened by a collision
between the two parties.

It is said that the government 'of Hesse Darmstadt
has determined upon abolishing, from the let of
Octobet next, the license granted last year for the
free importation of foreign grain. From and after
that date, all entries of wheat, flour, B:c., will bo re-
gulated by the tariff of duties previously in force.

/iJ' C ~,~
~~