North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-10-16

would feel very unfit 10 defend myself O
Instruct epunsrI, il suddenly taken into !
law court. How much more 80 must lhess
unfortunate men BIZ, who are Ia be iTlel
for state prison ofencrs! Shut up in {
j manner from oil the world; their health
snd strength injured BY a confinement Thai
is dreadful punishment, IN itself, 50 unnst-
oral, harsh and close II is; they are sud
denly brought into law court; and Il
poor, and uuBceustomed 10 such a scene,
the chances are against them, even II lnno-
cent. II jury acquit, It's verdict is con-
demnailon of that country which can ihos
harshy treat the unconviciet citizen; il IL
convict, there is great doubt on ny mind
whether men OF ordinary strength aud ads
vanced Yeas go forth before jury in iii
state 10 exert their energies 10 defend
| themselves, when taken out of these cara
van cages. know II may he said that
many get worse usage in Canada and Ire
land, but doubt whether it is doing rs
we would be done by In these brief re-
marks allude to the system not TO the
officers. They have vice and immortality TO
look aIler, no doubt"
was Immediately locked up, and told
that ] should not again be allowed TO stir
out of my grated room-a night pail was
showed in for my use and the door bolled
on me. Since then am allowed TO see no
one but my family. Casweh got the plea
sure walk OF Sunday got solitude nn-
Ill Mrs. NJ. came in The evening. You
was resolved | should pen no more para
graphs, nor witness norlhen negro fog
ings. had 10 submit. Yet the above re-
marks, even if had been answerable for
all that is published in Journal can no
longer attend 10, are mild and friendly.
When came first, my apartment literally
stunk i. was so filthy, though washed al
forwards al my own expense. | perceive
that the whole Jail has been cleaned and
purified OF late, and il had much need. /
presume that these cleansings, as at To-
ronto, take place always just before court
time. How much stronger might have
pictured the barbarous usage given to many |
of the poor wretches whom crime, mistake
or misfortune places in your hard grip!! |
say poor wretches, for money speedily re-
leases the rich rogues.
When in Albany last January, | went
at nine O'Clock in the the evening, and at
other hours, to see Wm. johnson. The
High Sheriff, like gentleman as he is,
admitted US cheerfully at every time; and
all Others who wanted to see the Old Com
modore had free ingress and egress, into a
handsome apartment, where at $40 a
week he was comfortably kept at the ex-
pense of the state or nation. Not many
days since my young friend Mr.. Watson
who had come down to see his father, an
English gentleman, Gone Of the Canada
prisoners who was relieved with Mr.. Par
ker, called to see me at quarter past
four, Of a week day. No one could see me
after FOUR-l was then locked up for
The day, SO could not have one minute of
an interview altho' intreated for it, and
ne had to leave that night. Had been in
Albany he could have seen me at nine
And this case is only one of a hundred.
There was no danger Of the prisoners
very man OF them was bolted in his
gloomy cell; but so it is-at one period no !.
)ne can see meat another am COM
non spectacle or show-then again NAV
De seen few hours-now am locked nm
or weeks-then opened up again. Is this
aw! think it is, as far as pain and un-
certainty are ingredients.
As 10 my board, do not know what
you charge, or what your profit is on US
'oor wretches here in your power, but
,ever ate hut one meal since came here
hat did not come from my dwelling. or
en- from the wantonness Of i-nature are
ny little daughters detained half an hour
" an hour before they are permitted to
ring 1t up to me, and Hundreds of nv {
canada friends have called and called again |
nd been turned away. even those who had !
I'D personal accounts 10 settle with me. an !
understanding upon which would have '
zen OF infinite service to my family in
his moment Of trouble, could not pass the
ots; 4 this by the caprice of your taller.
hilbert, acting by your instructions.
You have driven profitable trade since
came here by what is called shewing The a
nj. How you divide the spoils know |
OF, but you do great business. Hundreds ~
I parties are introduced in this way 10 =
'hom am perfect stranger, and after :.
he poor wretches in your iron bound u
ribs and cages below are duly exhibited. o
~ new door is thrown open, the party n
and and stare at me as at any other wild =
nima, and ! am then shut up till the bour =
rrives for new exhibition. As nv room e.
now repaired and in order they take !, al
" granted that three stories up in a cage Il
The air 10 NOT ca had 49,, a.. 80.