The Sun.
London, England, 1839-09-20 00:00:00

FROM THE MILITARY CHIEF OF PASTO TO THE MILITARY

CHIEF OF POPATAN.

" Pasto, June 30.

" Senor—l have scarcely time to inform you that we
have been in a state of complete alarm here to-day, so
that I have been obliged to shut myself in our quarters,
with fifty men disposable from the semi-battalion, N 0.7,
which I command.

" As I believe that the Governor of this province
has informed you m-)re particularly of the facts, I hay.,
only to beg that you will send what armed force you
can spare for the suppression of the disorder which has
commenced in this city, and which doubtless will con•
tinue.

" God prc,eervP. R: r._
" MANUEL MUTIS."

In pursuance of the preceding notifications, the
Executive has hastened to take all the measures
and precautions necessary for suppressing the revo
lutionary efforts and attempts, of- which an account
has been given. Tile Government cherishes a hope
that affairs will not reach a disagreeable extremity in
the province of Pasto, because, though soma perverse
men, enemies of public tranquillity, who would wil-
lingly make use of the sacred name of religion to fan
;he flame of civil discord, may be found there, the
generality of the Pastians are patriots, obedient to the
laws and to the government of their choice. Even
those who may now be momentarily deceived, will re-
tu:n to the path of duty on recognising the enormity of
the crime of which it is attempted to make them thi
instruments.
Supported by the national opinion, surrounded b 3
confidential agents of firmness and probity, with an obe-
dient and well-disciplined army, and relying on tin•
services of the N:itional Guard, the Government will
maintain unimpaired the sacred deposit which has beet
confided to its hands ; will defend with energy the
laws of the country ; will defeat and stamp with dis
:;race these attempts of ►auaticism, and cover the insti-
gators with opprobrium.

NEW SYSTEM OF SECONDARY

PUNISHMENT.

COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE HON. FOX MAULE TO SIR
GEORGE GREY, BART.
Whitehall, Jan 30, 1839.
SIR,—I am directed by Lord John Russell to ac-
quaint you, for the information of Lord Glenelg, that
in conformity with the intentions of Government on the
subject of transportation, he proposes to make the fol-
lowing arrangements :-
Ist. The number of convicts to be employed in the
Hulks in Great Britain, during the present year, will be
increased to 3,500.
2d. The number of convicts to be employed at Ber-
muda will be increased to 1,000, of whom 200 will he
sent out in the spring, and 200 at the end of the year.
3d. The number of prisoners in the Penitentiary will
be, for this year, 800, being an increase of 250.
4th. It is not proposed at present to diminish the
number of convicts to be sent from Ireland..
sth. The probable number of convicts to be trans-
ported this year will, consl?quently, be about 2,000.
Gth. It is proposed to improve the system of punish-
ment and instruction now pursued on board the Hulks.
7th. It is proposed to build a new prison, on the se-
parate system, for 500 prisoners.
While" these changes are taking place at home, ac-
companying alterations must take place abroad, and
Lord John Russell directs me to transmit to you the
following suggestions for Lord Glenelg's considera-

lon :

Ist. That instructions should be sent out to prepare
the Governors of New South Wales and Van Die.
men's Laud for the immediate diminution and ap.
preaching discontinuance of the practice of assignment.
2d. That instructions should likewise be sent to pre-
pare buildings in Norfolk Hand for the reception o!
convicts from the United Kingdom, and that the Go
vernment of thlt island should be entrusted to some
officer in whose zeal and intelligence Lord Glenelg cat,
confide.
3d. That general instructions should be given as to
the future treatment of convicts confined in the Austra-
lian settlements, tubject to such variations from time ro
time as experience may suggest, founded on the prin-
ciple state.il in the Report of the Committee of the
[louse of Commons, and in conformity with the views
of Government.—l am, &c.,
( Signed) F. MAUL E.

COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM THE MARQUIS OF NOR
MANBY TO GOVERNOR SIR G. GIPPS.
(No. 46.)
Downing-street, May 11, 1539.
SlR,—Her Maj,,sty's Government having had undo
their consideration the Report of the Select Cninmittet
of the House of Commons on Transportation, I transmii
to you, for your information and guidance, the inclosed
copy of a Letter addressed, by Lord JGhn Russell's
directions, to this department ; from which you will
learn the general intentions of her Majesty's Govern-
ment as to the changes to be immediately effected in
the existing system. The first result of the proposed
arrangements will be a material diminution in the
number of convicts to be transported during the present
year. •

The instructions which you have already received for
the graelual abolition of the system of assignment,
with a view to its ultimate abandonment, will have pre-
pared the colony for this change.
With respect to Norfolk Island, it is the intention of
her Majesty's Government that an essential alteration
should be made in the system of punishment pursued
there. The healthiness of the climate, the fertility of the
soil, and its entire separation from intercourse with ordi-
nary emigrants, render it pecu,iarly fit for the reception
of a large number of convicts, subject to careful superin.
tendence and discipline, and for whom regular means
of employment must be provided. Her Majesty's Go-
vernment hope that this may be effected with little, it
any, increase of expense, owing to the facilities which
exist for rendering the labours of the convicts produc
tive. In order to carry this proposal into effect, a pri-
son will require to be erected, capable of holding as
many convicts as can be conveniently and profitably em
ployed in the island, and so arranged as to facilitate the
adoption of the most effectual means of enforcing an
improved system of discipline ; and that for this purpose.
as no correct estimate can be formed here of the expenses
to be incurred in the erection of such a prison at Norfolk
Island, I have to desire that you will, at your earliest
convenience, transmit to me such an estimate, together
with a plan of the proposed building.
In my predecessor's circular dsspatch, of the 21st of
October, 1837, he transmitted to you a volume, con-
taining extracts from the Second Report of the Inspec-
tors of Prisons in this country, containing plans of
prisons ; and I now transmit to you a subsequent
volume on the same subject, which will afford you the
requisite information on this subject. In the meantime
you will consider yourself authorised to incur such ex-
penses as may be necessary for the temporary accom-
modation of an increased number of convicts in thee
island ; and of those who shall arrive in New South
Wrles from this country in the course of the present
year, you will send as large a portio❑ to Norfolk Island
as you think can be properly received there.
The convicts themselves may be advantageously em-
ployed in making this temporary accommodation.
A small increase in the military guard will probably
be required, which you will send from the troops now
stationed in New South Wales.
The general principles which are to guide the future
management of transported convicts are,
Ist. That a fixed period of imprisonment should, in
the first instance, be allotted for the punishment of the
crime of which the prisoner has been convicted.
2d. That the actual period of imprisonment should
be liable to a subsequent abridgment, according to the
previous character of the prisoner, the nature of his
crime, and his conduct during his punishment.
3d. That when allowed to leave Norfolk Island, he
should not be assigned to any individual in Australia,
but should enjoy advantages at least equal to those of
a ticket of leave.
No prisoner is to be detained in Norfolk Island
longer than fifteen years.
In order fully to carry these regulations into effect, it
is desirable that, as far as possible, Norfolk Island
should be appropriated to convicts from the United
Kingdom, and that persons convicted of offences in New
South Wales should be confined in some other part of
the colony, or employed on the roads.
In order to carry the new system fully into effect, the
superintendence of it should be entrusted to an ofilur
on whose qualifications for the duty the best reliance
can be placed : he should feel a deep interest in the
moral improvement of the convicts, and be disposed to
devote his whole energies to this important object. The
opposite faults of over-severity and over-indulgence
should be carefully avoided, as alike destructive of any
good effect on the prisoners.
A residence will be provided for the superintendent,
and he ~till receive a salary of 8001. a-year. I leave
the selection of the officer in the first instance in your
hands, subject to my confirmation. On this arrangs-
ment taking effect, the civil allowance at present allotted
to the military superintendent would cease, and a re-
vision of the existing establishment would be requisite.
I have at present only further to desire, that you
will communicate to me any observations and sugges-
tions which you may have to offer, connected with this
important branch of the duties involved inthe adrninis-
tration of your government.

(Signed)

I am, &c.
NORMANBY.

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