Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-06-25

The following touching account Ut the state vi
the labOring population of England, is copied
from pamphlet recently published in London.
Erirac's from Thoughts AL Suggesii>ns on
the Present Distress q TIE Country" by Pot
ter -1hacq,teen, d. p
1.-The consequence of such lnw raiA ..f -~-''-
r1eration, and the dependence on provision UNI
willingly wrune from the proprietor by the par
ish offieers is also manifested in The increase of
crime; for selfrespect, due sense of shame, and
reyard for character, being destroyed, the great
moral barrier 10 vice is broken down. The
first principle of nature, set-pre servati0n, is but
too frequently called into action: and an unfOr-
tunate wretch, with his children crying for bread,
is prepared for tie violation of the law, regard
less Of the extent of crime to which he may be urged
This consideva ion leads to subject which it is
impossible to separate from The prescE; misery of
the neople-uameiy, the state OF oar criminal laws,
aud the effects OF our present mode If punishment.
| have made 1t practice of late wears TO attend
our prisons at certain periods, and have generally
examined the prisoners shOrt,ime previous
10 the assizes; and viii add some facts
which forcibly struck me in the course of
Ibis experience. In January, 1929. there were 96
prisoners for trial in Bedford goal, of whom IS
were able bodied men, in the prime of life, and
chiefly of good character wh0 were driven to crime
bic subjects had they been placed in a situation
where. b. the exercise oFtheir health and strength
they could have earned subsistence. There
were in this number g poachers awaiting trial
for the capital offence OF using arms in seIf-de-
fence when attacked BY same-kecpers: of these
is men. one only was not parish pauper. and
he was the agent of the London pouterers, who.
passing under the apparent vocation of a rat
catcher, paid these poor creatures more in one
night than they could obtain from the overseer for
a weeks labor. cOnversed with each of these
men singly, and made minutes of their mode of
life. The two frst1 will mention are two broth
ers, the I4illeys, in custody under charge of fir
ing on and wOunding keeper, who endeavOred
to apprehend them whilst poaching. They were
two remarkably fine young men, and very res
pectaby connected. The elder, % wears OF age.
married. with two small children. When in
quired how he could lend himself to such wretch
ed course Of life, the poor fellow replied, Sir,
had pregnant wife. with one infant at her
knee, and another at her breast; was anxious to
obtain work. offered myself in all directions.
but without success: if went to a distance,
was told to 60 back 20 my parish, and when
did so. was allowed--waat? Why for myself.
M babes and a wife in a condition requiring
more than common support, and unable to labor.
Twas allowed shillIngs a week for all; for which
l vas expected to work on the roads from light
to dark. and to pay three guineas aSear for the
hove! which sheltered US The other brother,
axd -, unmarried. received sixpence per day
These two men were hanged at the spring ASST
es. OF the others, ten were single men, their
ares VARYING from l. to e.. Many had never
been in goal before. and were considered Of good
character. Six Of these were on the roads at 6
pence per day. Two could not obtain even this
pittauce.
One had been refused reiiefon the ground that