The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 19 185 b

MEETING OF THE MAGISTRATES OF
MIDDLESEX.,

would be a great indulgence. I told him I would take the
responsibility on myself—no warder remained with them.
lam quite sure they were left entirely alone. I stayed a
short time with them. I confess it was wrong of me. I
was aware that Mrs. Strahan was going to sleep that night
in the governor's house. I think Mrs. Hill told me before
the governor (her husband) and his family left town Mrs.
Strahan would on that particular night sleep in the go-
vernor's house. As the rules had been so far relaxed, I
thought it would be no great extension of the indulgence,
his seeing her in the house. I did not take him from the
cell to the house myself.
"Alfred Foster says—l am a warder. I'take down the
names of visitors, but it is not my duty to search parcels.
I had not before Monday last put the same questions to
the visitors of the three bankers as to visitors to other pri-
soners. It was because I observed visitors passed in by the
governor without their names being recorded that I passed
visitors to these three prisoners without questioning them.
The names since Monday last have been recorded.
" Mrs. Sarah Waterworth, matron, says—Once I met
the chief warder late walking up and down the corridor.
I asked him whether anything was the matter? He said,
No ; Mr. Strahan was ill.' It was about eleven at night.
I went with }lr. Sims to Mr. Strahan's cell, and asked him
whether there was anything I could do for him. He said,
'No.' I once went with the governor some time ago to see
a male prisoner. I met Mrs. Strahan in the corridor on
the following day, and she said, ' Oh, I believe I have to
thank you for your kindness in visiting Mr. Strahan last
evening.'
" Mr. John Sims further examinod.—l saw the chap-
lain and Mr. Strahan go into the governor's house. The
chaplain made no arrangement for his being taken back.
He tepid me a few minutes before that he was going to take
him. I said, I don't care where you take them, so as you
have authority.' Ha said he had, and mentioned the names
of Mr. Burslem and Mr. Halsey. I have seen Mr. Northall
Laurie here. He gave me no orders. On the Saturday
evening, about seven, Mr. Strahan walkedby himself from
the governor's to the cell unattended. The rules since the
last meeting of the visiting justices have been strictly ob.
served.

Paid.'

RAILWAIA

Leasing
Compans.

Closing Prices
this day;

Business
this day.

A general meeting of the magistracy of Middlesex was
held at Clerkenwell yesterday, for the consideration of the
business of the county ; Mr. Pownall presided.
On the report of the finance and general purposes com-
mittee, an order was made on the county treasurer for the
payment of bills, salaries, and demands, to the amount of
13,7501. Os. 9d., and the ordinary rates were made.

MESSRS. STRAHAN, PAUL, AND BATES, IN THE HOUSE OF
DETENTION-DISCLOSURES-SUSPENSION OF THE GO-

VZRNOR.

After the usual report from the visiting justices of the
House of Detention had been read and disposed of, Mr.
Woodward, the chairman of the committee, read the fol-
lowing report :
"To her Majesty's Justices, &c. Special Report of the
Visiting Justices of the House of Detention.

"It having come to the knowledge of the visiting jus-
tices that oertain prisoners, committed on a charge of mis-
demeanour, had not been subjected to the ordinary regu-
lations of the prison, a searching investigation and inquiry
into all the circumstances was at once instituted; and the
visiting justices, at the conclusion of 'their investigation,
were surprised to find, from the admissions and statements
of the various officers examined in the course of the in-
quiry, that nearly all the rules laid down by the court for
the government of the prison, and sanctioned and con-
firmed as required by law by the Secretary of State for the
Home Department, had been deliberately violated by the
governor, and also by several officers, in some instances by
his express direction. The visiting justices are of opinion
that the conduct of the governor has been highly reprehen-
sible, and they feel it to be their duty to lay the whole of
the evidence before the Court for their decision.
" CHAS. WOODWARD, Chairman.
"House of Detention, July 30."
" xvn)Excit.

"John Sims, deputy governor, examined.—The governor
is on leave of absence. Just previous to his leaving he told
me to treat the three prisoners, Strahan, Paul, and Bates
in the same way in all respects as up to that time they had
been treated. I knew what that treatment was. Visitors
to them were admitted at all times of the day without
being questioned. Their names were not recorded. On
the day after the prisoners came I saw the governor take
visitors to their rooms. I have never taken visitors to
their rooms myself: I have seen them admitted, and I
have seen warders take visitors to those prisoners' rooms.
I have known the prisoner Strahan to be taken into the
governor's house by the chaplain to see his (Strahan's)
wife. The chaplain told me he was going to take Strahan
into the house. He said he had authority to do so. It
was on last Saturday week. I have never seen either
of the prisoners go in at any other time. The three
prisoners take exercise together, and they did so before
the governor left. They exercise in the governor's gar-
den before twelve o'clock. On the occasion before al-
luded to Mrs. Strahan came early in the day, and was
taken to the governor's house, where she remained with
her husband till about seven in the evening, when
they both went to his cell, and she remained there
till ten at night. She then returned to the governor's
house, where she remained all night. This was on Satur-
day, and she did not leave until the Sunday evening. Sho
breakfasted with him in his cell about half•past eight and
remained all day with him, except while he was at chapel.
She also went to chapel, but sat in the governor's pew.
The cell doors of the three prisoners are left open all day
by the governor's order. There are no water-closets or
urinals in the cells in which they are. I have not seen the
other two prisoners in the governor's house. The friends
of Bates have remained as late as half-past eight at night.
The average number of visitors daily has been about four
to each prisoner. The provisions have been of the ordinary
kind. They have wine. I have. taken the three up to
Bow-street for examination. The prisoners I there left
with the senior warder. The cab hire is charged to the
office. The governor told me to pay it. He said he had
not made out his bill yet. The letters of the three pri-
soners sent out, and also those sent in to them, are net
examined. I asked the governor whether I was to open their
letters. He said No.' I, seeing the governor take down
visitors, and that the prisoners were treated differently,
did not interfere. When I spoke to Warder Forth about
allowing the three prisoners to exercise together and con-
verse together, he said he had the governor's order for it.
" Nathaniel P. Forth says—l am a warder. The prisoner
Bates came in on the 20th of June, and went into the in-
firmary, where he was under the charge of Infirmary
Warder Keely. Strahan came in on the 21st of June, and
was given over to me, and I put him in No. 16 ordinary
cell. Two hours after, Mr. Sims told me to put him in
No. 5 room by order of the governor, and I did eo. On the
22d of June Sir John Dean Paul came in. The governor
ordered him to No. 3 room. Mr. Sims told me they were
to be (mord:od in the yard separately, and watched, and
they were for several days, till the [governor took Strahan
into his garden. Mr. Strahan used to come round from the
governor's garden, and get into the yard where Sir John
Dean Paul was. The door is open between the two. It
was unlocked, and had been for years. I reported their
being together to Mr. Sims. He told me to go to the go-
venor. I went, and told him they were talking. He told
me to take no notice. I reported also to the governor that
Mr. Strahan had gone into Sir John D. Paul's room. He
told me to take no notice of that. From that time they
constantly went into one another's rooms, and took their
meals together. Visitors have been in the cells at meal-

" The Rev. George Jepson further says—Before the go-
vernor left ho said, to me he Lad been in the habit of pass-
ing their letters to the three prisoners, Paul, Strahan, and
Bates, and asked me if I would object to do the same, and
if any letters came addressed to them under cover to me
would I pass them in ? and also asked me if I w ould post
any letters they might give me, to which I assented, sup-
posing their family letters were referred to. I received
two letters under cover to me for Mr. Bates from Brussels,
which Mr. Bates said came from his brother. I posted
two letters, one from Mr. Strahan to his wife, and the
other from Sir John Dean Paul to his sister.
" August 20.
"Mr. Frederick Wm. Hill, the governor, says—Having
heard the evidence read, I admit the general correctness of
it. I said to Sims on leaving, 'Go on quietly.' That is all
I remember saying *ith respect to the three prisoners.
Up to the time of my leaving visitors came at all times, as
many as liked together, and stopped as long as they pleased,
by my permission. There was no written order of a visit-
ing justice to permit the prisoners to see visitors out of the
appropriated places. No visiting justice gave directions
that the rules should be relaxed. Ordinarily visitors are
not admitted into the cells ; the visitors to Strahan, Paul,
and Bates were.. A gentleman from the court of Bank-
ruptcy came soon after they were admitted, and said it was
necessary to see them together, and I allowed him to see
them together. After that they asked me to allow them
to communicate and associate in each ether's rooms, and I
permitted them. I knew their cell doors were not locked,
but I never recollect giving orders that they should be left
unlocked. I saw Strahan, Paul, and Bates exercising to-
gether. Although I do not recollect ordering the cell doors
to be left unlocked, I certainly knew they were not locked.
Silence was not maintained by these three prisoners, and
they were not invariably attended by an officer. Rule 22
has not, I freely admit, been observed. Letters addressed
to them came by post in the ordinary way, and were not
opened. I admit the statement of the chaplain, that on
leaving the prison I requested him to receive letters ad-
dressed to him under cover for the prisoners. Visitors were
admitted on a Sunday, although it is directly contrary to
rule 22. It was with my authority. I gave no authority or
permission for the chaplain taking Mr. Strahan into m
house. Sir John D. Paul had two glasses of Nine a-day by
the written order of the surgeon. I gave permission to the
warder to go out and fetch wine for the other prisoners.
Strain* and Bates, but I believe there is no written order
for those two having wine.
" Rev. George Jepson further examined—With respect
to the prisoner Strahan seeing his wife in the governor's
house, I did not tell Sims that I had authority to do it. 1
mentioned the names of two magistrates, Mr. Halsey and
Mr. Burslem, they having expressed a wish that indulgence
should be granted to the prisoners, Strahan, Paul, and
Bates, consistently with their safe custody. I did not say
to Sims that Mr. Halsey and Mr. Burselin had authorised
it. I did it under the idea that they (the prisoners) had
been allowed certain privileges, and from conversation I
had had with Mr. Halsey and Mr. Burslem I thought that
both those gentlemen and the committee would have no
objection to it. Nothing transpired between me and th&
governor about Mrs. Strahan sleeping there; the first I
heard of it was from Mrs. Hill. She said Mrs. Strahan was
coining up from the country, and had inquired whether
she (Mrs. Hill) could accommodate her with a bed. I did in-
form Mr. Bates, after the governor had left, that com-
munications might be made to him under cover to me. Th,,
letters from Brussels I gave to Mr. Bates, and he told me
they were from his brother.

time—Mrs. Strahan, Mrs. Bates, and Mrs. Bates's nurse.
Filsil and Merrick are my sulsy. Bates is still in the octa-
gon room—the infirmary. He was not treated by the sur-
geon. When they visited sack other they went from one
floor to another The warders did not interfere. I know
that Mrs. Strahan was in the cell at dinner time, and a
gentleman visitor also. I took a bottle of wine from Mr.
Strahan's room, No. 5; it was in a portmanteau. Mr.
Sims ordered me to search the portmanteau and cell. I
put it back in the portmanteau, locked that, and kept the
key. I reported it to Mr. Sims. When he came ba:;k I
gave the key to Filsil. I found a box in my store. I
examined it, and found one full bottle of !wine and part
of a bottle. Mr. Sims took the box away, wine and all ;
it was marked on the front from a biscuit shop. The go-
vernor told me the visitors and friends were to be passed
in, and allowed to go into their cells.

"John Sims further examined—The governor was absent
when Strahan left. When Strahan left he made an obser-
vation to Forth, the officer of the division. I did not hear
it, but Forth told me it was that I had acted harshly; but
that Capt. Hill had treated him kindly, and that he shoul,
reward him for his trouble. The governor told me to treat
them as he had directed, and that he should return in
August. The day that I expected the governor back the
ohief clerk told me that the chaplain had said the go-
vernor would not be back for a fortnight. I have seen
gentlemen visit Shahan with fruit baskets in their hands.

" October S.

" Nathani.ct P. Forth, further examined, says—On the
mornin; Mr. Strahau went oat, the 2d August, he said,
`You are getting more harsh every day, and the next
thing I expect to hear is to go into a common cell.' He
said The magistrates are a set of Radicals—(a loud
laugh in court)—they aro no gentlemen; never mind I
leave you to-day, but as for Capt. Hill, I shall reward him
for his kindness to me.' I reported that to the deputy-go-
vernor immediately afterwards. Strahan had his money,
watch, and other articles in his possession ; they had not
been taken from him ; by the rules they ought to have
been. I had charge of Strahan on his first coming in. 1
put him in a common cell. In about two hours after ward 6
he was removed to the octagon room by the governor.
When Sir J. D. Paul and Mr. Bates came in there was
room for them in common cells. Bates was sent up di-
rectly to the infirmary, and Sir J. D. Paul into No. 3
room, both of which are octagon rooms."

Frederick Filsil says-- I am a sub-warder. Strahan
and Bates have been under my care. I found Strahan in
No. 5, and Bates in the infirmary. For the first week the
infirmary warder had charge of Bates ; afterwards I had
charge of him in the gallery. On the 23d of June Strahan
asked me to order him a bottle of sherry. I said I would
speak to the governor, which I did. He said, Yes ; i is
all right ;' and he said at the same time something about
the doctor, but I cannot say exactly what it was. I ordered
a bottle of wine, and took it to Strahan's room. I drew
the cork and left the bottle and a wine glass in the room. I
reported to Forth, a warder, that the prisoners had been
in the habit of going into each other's rooms.
_forth said,
The governor says you are not to notice it. They were
in the habit of going to each other's rooms, 'frequently. I
saw on one occasion four female visitors in Mr. Bates's
room at one time—one was his wife, 'One his daughter, one
his niece, and the nurse, I have Been them all four there
on more than one occasion. I have seen all three in Mr.
Strahan's room at one time—Mrs. StAhan and two gentle.
men. I took from Mr. Bates's room last Monday part of a
bottle of wine. In his room I saw a pork pie, some Ger-
man sausage, a currant pie, and wine. As late as eight or
nice Mrs. Strahan and Mre. Bates have been in the cells.
The lady visitors had baskets. Strahan's servant brought
him in a basket some nevegaid eggs. The baskets were not
arpsCo. a
l w a cannoti,4x u
r in. 181, s
ltr. why I did not search them, but I
p
passed other officers did not. It ought to
have visitors in without any clue,"
u
Strahan's room, containing
tss
jueolieeden.
it
wasc done.
lojae.beee I terea
pot of marmalade, one bottle of sherry, and part of another
bottle. The box was there near a week. I afterwards
saw it in Tiorth's store. I never received express orders
not to eriarch the visitors. I once saw Mr. Strahan with
his wi."ie in the governor's house.
James Merrick says—l 'am a sub-warder. I have had
chary of Cr John Dean Paul. For a few days he was
treated as other prisoners. About a week after Mr. Stra-
ban had been here I saw him go to Sir J. D. Paul's room.
I reported it to warder Forth. no said he would ask the
governor about it. In about an hour be said he had spoken
to the governor, who said we were to take no notice of it.
It would be my duty to stop a prisoner going from one cell
to another. For some days the cell doors of Strahan,
Paul, and Bates were kept locked. Then the warder told
me they were to be kept unlocked and on the jar. It was
Forth told me so. I saw wine on the mantel-piece of Sir
J. D, Paul's room. I reported it to Forth. I spoke to Sir
John about the wine, and he said, `I suppose the governor
ordered it, for I have spoken to him.' Visitors were
allowed to go into the rooms and remain any time. I have
seen them whilst exercising together conversing with each
other. I have neverseen more than one visitor at a time
in Sir J. D. Paul's room, but he could go if he pleased to
the other two prisoner's rooms whilst visitors were there.
them Let tterso m
were
to deliver.redelivered
7to them unopened. Mr. Sims gave

Mr. Woodward said that having been called upon by the
chairman to lead the report he had obeyed the summons,
and it became his painful duty to rise, as chairman of the
visiting justices of the House of Detention, and he must
say that ever since he had been in the commission of the
peace he had never done so under more painful emotions
than oil the present occasion. The visiting justices were
called upon from time to time to make reports on the state
of the prison, and were required by act of Parliament to
state in those reports whether there had been any devia-
tion from the rules laid down for the regulation of the
prison, and sanctioned by the secretary of State. Under
those circumstances, therefore, it was quite impossible that
the committee of visiting justices could do otherwise than
bring-the subject under the notice of the court. It might
be as well for him, as the magistrates might not remember
the different points contained in the report, to give them a
brief epitome of the evidence embraced in it on the subject.
It was well known that by the regulations of the prison no
magistrate was permitted to be on the committee of ♦isi-
tors for a longer period than twelve months, and having
served the time he went off, but was subsequently re-elected.
On his (Mr. Woodward's) return to office, he went to the
prison and inquired particularly of the governor as to the
treatment of three particular prisoners, and on being in-
formed that they had required certain things within the
power of the visiting justices to grant, he wished them to be
shown all the indulgence that could possibly be extended
to them, consistent with the rules of the prison. As their
prison was one merely for safe custody, and not one of
punishment, he (Mr. Woodward) inquired if they dieted
themselves, as persons were allowed to have what neces-
saries (but not luxuries) they liked, and to purchase for
themselves all that might be deemed to be reasonable. The
answers he received from the governor gave him no reason
to believe that those rules bad been departed from, but a
few days afterwards he was informed by a magistrate who
was not on the committee that the rules had been greatly
deviated from and infringed. On the Monday morning lie
went to the prison, where he saw the deputy-governor, the
governor then being on leave of absence on his usual an-
nual holiday, and put to him several questions, and he
learned that the rules had in several cases been infringed
in respect of those three prisoners. Further inquiries were
then made, and the evidence that had been read was taken
upon the subject. The regulations of the prison required
that prisoners should not associate or converse with one
another, but it appeared that these prisoners were allowed
to associate, converse, and walk with each other, in vio-
lation of those rules, and without any consent previously
obtained from the visiting justices. The regulations of
the prison allowed prisoners to see two friends daily, but
n©t together, and then only for 20 minutes at a time, ex-
cept with the express permission of the governor under
very special circumstances. In the case of these prisoners,
however, persons were admitted without their names being
taken indiscriminately at all hours ; and as to letters,
which, by the rules, were required to be examined, they
were received and passed without being seen or opened
by the governor, and the prisoners were also allowed to
send out letters to their friends without having to line ergo
the usual supervision of the governor. If thero was any
excuse to be offered at all for any one, it was to be made
on the part of the chaplain, whose duty was of a kindly
character, but he had been admonished to attend solely
to his duties for the future, but on this ;natter he runs

He
:s as other pri-
soners put in the
" William Seely says—l am infirmary warder. I had
Mr. Bates under my charge from his first coming to the
ipnrifisromnafryor. abßonet
weigashttreoartnedini the en
days.
same
goners as to diet. While under my charge I kept the cell
locked. His wife was the only person who saw him after
the regular hours. He took no medicine while in the in-
firmary. He had nothing but plain diet. He was given
over at the end of Bor 9 days to another warder. The in-
firmary was not occupied when Bates came into the prison.
" The Rev. George Jepson, chaplain, says--The three
prisoners, Strahan, Paul, and Bates, have had the oppor-
tunity of taking exercise together. I have seen two of
them together. I know they have had privileges as to
visitors ; once when I welt to the cell of Mr. Strahan his
wife and brother were there, so I did not go in. Nothing
has passed between me and the governor respecting the
three prisoners ; he merely said when he went away, I
hope these three gentlemen will eontinue to have the same
indulgence.' One day I went to Mr. Strahan's cell; he was
ill. His wife was coming that day to see him, and I sug-
gested that he should see her in the governor's house.
Strahan objected to it at first, but I urged it on him. I
told Sims of it. There was no officer left with Mr.Strahan
and hie if all day in the holm, I told Sinn I thought i