Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-07-28
Visit 60 Blac kvvell's Island.

men-one was lame of eg-anothcr could not walk
"a third had something else the matter with him
and the gallant old cockswan had only one leg one
eye and bit of another. Their arms were sound
and whole, and tina. was all they wanted.
"Whats the cockswain's name 2 asked
"Jemmy," was the reply.
Jenny what?
"Iemn,s I, ,rr know" replied the speaker 81
only know him by that NAME"
| JENNY gave his men orders and we hauled off,
We then proceeded up the river al speed, for the
boat even with these old worn out characters Tor row.
ers, went rapidly through the water They kept
beautiful time in pulling
As we passed several seats along the river, Jenny,
the cockswan, gave US the history of their owners,
beginning at the Revolution, with some Of them, and
coming down to the time he was telling it,
"That ere place belonged to Mr. So and-so. He
great marchant in his day. His widow mar
rlrd DR.. So and he came into the house. Butthe
doctors dead too-howsomnever, there's some good
fishing underneath them rocks"
BY this time we reached the lower end Of Black
wells Island and the Peni,entiary like old fresh
Gothic castle, began to brighten our heads. We
run round the end, and came to along the stone
sea wall. Here Jemmy, the cockswan, got the fd-
gets.
"Take care . take cnre!" cried Jenny TO his men.
"Take care, my lads, how you come up to the
wharf"
"Aye, aye, Jenny" said enc Of the rowers in
feeble voice.
"Take as good care of her." said Jenny, as you
would of tender young maiden" speaking OF the
boat as he would of his young niece or sweet
heart.
"Aye, aye, Jenny" said another Of the rowcrs.
Our gallant boat accordingly came up TO the wharf
like tender young MAIDEN" all trembling with
emotion and sensibility. We then jumped ashore,
and left Jenny and his 10 Take care of the ten
der young Maiden directing him to go up to the
wharf opposite Mr.. Vanderbilts to wait for and
take us to Long Island
We walked up the shsre TO the Penitentary. This
is splendid casteated building with centre and
two immense wings 1t looks like an old Gothic
Castle in some Of the beautiful islands of the Danube
the Rhine. 1t is built entirely of the stone, quar-
ried on the Island The southern wing is whitewash-
ed-the northern in the native hue of the granite
which think is better than any species of whitewash
ing-not excepting the whole work of the Kitchen
Cabinet.
We then entered the building. AT this hour all the
prisoners were abroad at work. scattered over the
Island, some getting out stone-some dressing stone
some gardenlng-s some al one species OF work
some at another. There are about 300 or 400 prssn
ers at present on the Island, and every hand is ac
lively employed IN quarrying building &c.
The interior is constructed something like the Au-
burn State Prison. Each prisoner has separate CELL
1t is well ventilated, and has very slightly any Of the
efluvia which such prisons generally have. In the
centre building is the Chapel with division in the
middle TO separate the males from the females during
divine service. On the west side, the waters edge,
is a small kitchen.
We proceeded from this place up the ridge OF the
Island AT short distance is the apartment for the
female convicts, employed in picking oakum. We
entered. There about 100, or more of all ages,
colors andcomplsxions very busy untwstlng the old
ropes observed several very beautiful young girls
engaged in this occupation. Some of them were
laughing and talking in whispers, among themselves,
and although this is not allowed by the rules of the
Island, YET iii difficult to prevent them ON c0mmu
nicating by some medium, even by mods and winks
see Ovid the barbarian, on the female tongue
They looked extremely wei! and heathy-some Of
them quite pl,mp.
Many Of these poor creatures find few months
on Backwelrs Island the happiest portions of their
lives 1t delicious place in summer-a pure air
cool breezes-quiet and picuresquc-with the river
on both sides, and dozens of steamboats, and soops
passing every hour OF the day. Numbers Of misera-
BILE wretctes go there sick and weak from all species
Of dissipation They soon recruit on the Island from
the regularity Of life-the sound food-ihe delightful
sceneiy-and the pure atmosphere There are, oil
will be, thousands before aext winter is over, whs
would be glad TO receive a sentence Of banishmeat to
such comfortable, charming place. The truth is
Backwells Island can hardly be called punishment
except in name. Its one OF the most delightful spots
in The waters OF New York.
From the female department we proceeded 10 the
superintendent house. For quarter Of mile OF
more, we walked through perfect garden, full OF
every kind Of vegetables, in all the freshness Of
iure Potatoes, parsley onions, leeks carrots, and
every thing of that kind in great plenty.
The superintendent house is situated on green
ridge, with slope on each side leading to the water
Around are plum trees, goosebery bushes, curranl
bushes, and variety of beautiful flowers. There the
eleander spread its beauties TO heaven-and here the
passion flower opened its mysteries to the morning
ray. Mr.. v. presented me with one of the latter and
politely handed me that splendid poetic description
which is found in Harvey's "Medtations in Flower
Garden"
The portico Of this building presents beautiful view