Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-12-04

WI he cordially reciprocated by kindred spi-
rms on THIS side of the Atlantic. While we
ma so many who are ready tn misrepresent
anu caiuinniate our country, it becomes us TO
entertain the klndliest feelings towards those,
who are willing to do us Justice, and duly APP
pfeciate the merits of Our civil, political, and
humane Institutions, our liberty, literature and
laws:
Torteth Park, near liverpool,
4th august, 1928
SIR have for some time postponed my
acknnw Judgments for your obiging favour of
the 25th April, and the interesting documents
by which 1t was accompanied, in the hope Of
being able to communicate some information
on the subjects la which they relate, which
might he deserving your notice but the ses-
sion OF Parliament having now closed, with
out any Thing of importance having been
done with regard either to our criminal laws,
or the treatment of our conyicts, | hasten To
thank you for your kind communication, of
the value of which | assure YOU am truIy
sensible, aud for which shall at all times &c
happy To make the best return in my power.
The perusal and comparison Of the reports
OF the state prison al New York and Auburn,
nave gwen rise IN my mind tO very different
sensations ; Tor, whilst observe with pleasure
he manifest superiority hat attends the adop
tlnu at system of useful labor, ! cannot but
deeply lament the facts So decisive and trutha
winch appear TO me so evident have not
made stronger impression on the public
mind, and that the question between the cru
81, inpo1iic, add expensive measure of solita-
ry confinement ard he humane system of
productive empio ynrni, and probable reform
IS yet suffered 10 remain in suspense-I am
NOT, however without hopes, that by the coun-
tenance and support of those who influence
the councils If the state. aud bv the strenuous
cxertlons "f those who consider humane
principles aud christian precepts as the only
oasis ot real impru' emeni, correct decision
"iii eventually hr made. In these hopes |
am strengthened by your very iudicious and
enlightened report, which, whilst il displays
the character "f Il Judge rather than that f
AN advocate, will | trust render the cause a
greater service than a more direct and partial
appeal could haze done.
Al present the great engine on which we
are, II seems, to rely in this country, for the
suppression of crimes, is the tread-wherl the
terrnrs 0f winch, II is supposed, have alrf adv
had a saluiary effect IN this respect and ac-
cordIngly enormous expenses are incurred in
almost every county in England in erecting
buildings for, and providing them, as an APP
pendage To our goals and houses of correction
They have also been warmly encouraged by
our London Society for the improvement of
prison discipline, who have thereby in the
Judgment OF many of their friends de,ated
from the object of their institution which
was supposed to have been the moral and re-
lIgIoHs Impro' ement of the cOn,cts. Tndi-
ratIons have however begun 10 appear, thai
TINS sChem" will not be of long continuance
As punishment for females, il is, I believe,
already nearly abandoned, from IFS fatal CON
sequences To their health and although its
shects on males are not so soon apparent, yet
IL now begins 10 appear, that ii leaves behind
u consequences that in some eases disunalfy
the CONFLICTS from other kinds of labOur and
consequently leave them bmthen On the
community Several eminent medical men
nave written oH the subject, and some of our
most active and respectable magistrates have
Withdrawn themselves as inspectors where
lread-nIlls have been erected II is not CON
tended by their opponents. that as Tempo
.rdry punishment for refractory criminals, who
'wiiI not submit to- lahour, this discipline may
not be usriul bat as a general mode NJ punish
ment no invention eau he more expensive tO
me public, or more cruel, useless. and drgrad.
ing to the prisoner.
Becoleciing however, the information
nave lately received sf sac proceedings that
are taking place IN The state Of Peunsylvania,
WIN regard io their criminals, must retrac(
ny "'Nt d9ot'u"n, anu must admit, That the
lnmuflng person within four walls, shut out
from The sight Of every human being and de-
PrI'ed by q refinement oC cruelty, Of even the
opportunity ofIabour. exceeds any thing that
has ever before ben practised and when Cur
rl"d into elect as understand will shortly be
the case, viii give to the Legislators of that
state = pre-e'onence over the IDquisition Of e
ther Vesice or Rene.
----.---
We have never heard that such effects
nave been found 20 be produced by the pu-
nIshmeni Of the tread heel in this country
rus may perhaps arise from the degree oG la
'onr being less severe in our prison than those
oI Great Britain or, perhaps, our tread-miIls
nave not bero long enough in operation "a all
low the full elects 10 he observed at any
rate u such effects have been produced, the
public has not been informed Of them. II is
4 SUBJECT OF the highest interest to the friends
ot humanity, and vs. earnestly invite our phi
Irnihropic and medical readers 10 furnish us
with such Information regarding H., as may he