The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-12-21
" 1NFt RMArIoN WANTED.

Sits reported, that at an examination of
the States Prison recently made, at the re-
quest, and in the presence of the Agent of a
Philanthropic Society, there were discovered
eight or ten packs of cards, also apparatus for
altering and counterfeiting Bank notes, and
considerable amount of Bank notes either
partially or entirely altered, together with
goodly number of false keys, on the persons,
or in the apartments Of the prisoners. 1t is
further said to have been discovered that ar
dent spirits has been freely introduced into
the prison for the use Of the convicts, and that
a person has been detected in furnishing ma
teria,s for altering Bank bills, who was en-
ployed for purpose altogether different. This
being public institution, founded and sup
ported at considerable expense, it cannot be
thought strange, that the people should feel
DESTROYS of knowing what proficiency is made
by those who are placed there. 1t would,
therefore, be gratifying to many, to be inform
ed whether any part OF these rumors are true,
and if so, to what extent Perhaps some of
our Boston friends can she'd some light on the
subject.'
The circulation of story like this, while it
may give temporary eclat to this agent of a
philankhropic society, is not fitted to impress
the public with very favorable opinion con-
corning the immediate government of the pris-
on. Its further circulation should therefore
he prevented; for it is not very philanthropic
for the officers of the prison to suffer in public
, estimation, under the unjust imputation of
neglectng their duties; or for an individual to
receive credit for discoveries which he never
made, and with which he had no concern.
Since I" information is wanted" and since the
author of the article above is of opinion that
IS some of has Boston friends can shed some
light on the subject" one Of his Boston friends
will endeavor to crafty him.
First, then, before the recent examination
Of the prison alluded to in this article, this
agent of phiIGnthropic society had been in
dulged, by the govern Of the prison, in
every facility of examination to which he
might have been prompted, either by his own
curiosity or sense of duty. He had even been
permitted TO ingunre ofihe conpicts concerning
the conduct Of the officers. But, the examna-
ton alluded to was not made on has sugges.
ton, By has request, or in has presence. On
Monday Gath of October last, The Director for
the week, upon has own responsibility, and
pithout any consultation NTH the agent of a
philanthropic society, ordered the prison, its
appurtenances and the persons of the convicts
TO be effectually searched. 1t was according
ly done at an early hour in the morning, in
presence Of the Director, the Warden and the
Keeper. The result was discovery Of some
packs of cards, about twenty-five dollars Of
good bank bills, and ten dollars Of counter
felt. On the day or the second day after this
search, the Warden went to. Maine, for the
purpose of procuring rough stone for the use
Of the prison. In consequence Of his absence,
the same director daily visited the prison dur
ing the week, officially, in the course of which
visits, he discovered and obtained fourteen or
fifteen plates or dies, for the fraudulent alter
alton of bank bills, and'a bunch of false keys,
which had been copcealed for some time a
mong the conyicts. He subsequently discov-
cred anotheT set Of plates or dies; and by thi,