North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-08-28
}EDITED BY CANADIANS AMERICANS.

which might divert their gloomy thoughts,
were strictly prohibited. History has re-
corded as a trait Of cruel barbariiy. the
conduct of that jaler, who, seeing one OF
his prisoners taking pleasure in tanning a
spider, killed the innocent subject of his
Iprisoner's amusement If we remain for
some time yet in this Jail, we shall have
fine pages to add 10 the history Of the cru
elites Of jai!ers, who have illustrated their
profession. Oh, Sir John! Sill john you
shall no doubt be more distinguished Tor
brutal meanness than as a military Chief.
With some Others of the prisoners, |
was fed by the jailer on paying him 81
per week. If we took glass of spirituous
liquor Of which we were in great need, we
had also to pay very dear for it. Very
soon great number Of US finding the price
too high, managed it so as to have our
victuals from the city. But greater num-
Der of our fellow prisoners, having no
means in their power, were obliged to feed
themselves on the l & 1-2 lbs. of bread
which is given by government to the feons
and murderers, as we'll as TO the political
prisoners. This portion is sufficient to
prevent man from dying of hunger.
However there were men whose sto-
machs requiring more food ,oftentmes were
taking their scanty ratio at their breakfast
meal and remained the rest Of the day
without a single mouthful, & who in some
instances became deranged for want OF pro-
per nourishment. The baker Of the Jail is
so little watched that oltentimes his bread
is not well baked, or has not the requisite
weight. The water is furnished US from
a pump, but many a time, have we been
without this necessary article owing to the
pump being out Of order. A ward sometime
ago was &c hours without single drop of
water; and what is extremely disgusting
10 any reasonable being, is, that the pumps
are placed in the prvies, from which we
oiC oohSCu w tdhS all tlC wafer we USE
for drinking or for washing. A society of
ladies of this city, whose patriotism de-
serves the greatest praise, has furnished
daily for two months past, soup 10 those
unfortunate men who have but one pound
and half of bread to live upon.
The government is obliged to furnish
the (elons and murderers confined in
their jails, with straw>bed, and blanket
and quilt, hut these iavors were granted
at first to but few political prisoners. 1t
was not till some time after my captivity
that could procure even miserable straw
bed, which | used until friend from the
city sent me better one.
The greater number Of US were forced
TO sleep on the bare floor, piece of wood
under the head and without any covering
whatever /; and this was continued for two
months and half. believed that for a
month since all the prisoners have had
straw beds. The cold has produced the
most dreadful effects. Already many Of us
have felt the influence Of those terrible pri-
vations, and two prisoners, Messrs, Drolet
and Amiot, both members of Parliament
for the County of Vercheres, are near their
death, & throw the fault upon those whose
duty it was TO oversee and know how
the prisoners were treated.
Such was the harsh treatment inflicted
upon 800 prisoners, before they had been
convicted of any crime, and even before
any magistrate whatever knew the nature
of the accusations brought against them,
and against many Of whom no affidavits
had been made.
This conduct is quite in opposition to their
treatment towards one OF their loyal volun-
teers, who had been in Jail. He was justly
accused Of murder, having shot young
child, 8 years old, at Riviere du Chene;
but il must be remembered thar the child
belonged to Radical. T.is prisoner had
the use Of the whole Jail, as also Of the
/ ward, the same as if he had been debtor.
! One of the political prisoners a short
time after the arrests began 10 be made