The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-16

ticipat ed Escape OF all the ConvIcts-xx-
traordinary Letters from Monroe Ed
wards-Rich Developments In Fl"ance,
Politics, PLANT Philosophy and Bijoutc-
ries.
BY the steamboat Columbus, Captain Stone, one
OF the most senemanly commanders of the many
on the North River, we were landed at Sing Sing
Yesterday morning, and in a few minutes after, UNI
der the escort Of that valuable officer A. M. c.
smith, stood within the walls of the massive pri-
SON. We there found John W. Edmonds. ESQ. one
OF the recently appointed Inspectors wadng through
'he financial concerns Of the establishments and was
astounded TO hear before we left that they had been
so mlserably managed during the Seward dynasty,
that the new Board of Inspectors have been COM
PEELED to send statement to the Legislature asking
for an appropriation of $4,000 to sustain the Ins-
tuition tor the fiscal year to September next or 65
600 until the next session of the Legislature. Mr.
Lockwood, clerk of the prison, will proceed to Al
bany this day TO present the disastrous condition of
the finances OF the prison, and the Legislature in
tends TO adjourn this week, prompt and efficient ac.
ton will be necessary on their part. When the De-
mocratic Inspectors removed, some three wears
since, they had not only carefully and ecomcally
managed their affairs to pay all expenses of the
prison, but had laid by surplus of Ss74,OO0 TO the
credit of the institution. The whole of this has been
swallowed up by the Seward Inspectors, and those
now appointed have been compelled to apply to the
general fund ofthe State for aid.
With such inefficency in that department, there
is every reason to believe that it extends through
the whole institution, and will no doubt be develo-
ped as soon as the newkeeper and agent have been
appointed, end commenced their labors
The new InsDectOrs cOnastinp Of 7 w EdmopJs
of New York; Thornton M. Niven, of Newburgh;
Henry Harris, Henry Roman, and Isaac Birdsall, of
Westminster county, have commenced their duties,
and meet this week to make the important appoint.
ments of principal keeper, agent, deputy keepers,
guards, matron, physician, and chaplain. The
salary of the keeper and agent is fixed at $1,000 per
annum, the former being supplied with house rent,
and an excellent garden. Twenty-six deputy keep
ers receive $3.50 per annum, and the same number
of guards at $50 per month, finding themselves
the chaplain and physician receive $500 per annum
without any other perquistes. There are numerous
applicants for all these situations and we suppose
that the five Inspectors WILL usual each claim the
appointment of five deputy keepers and FIVE guards
and then make general ballot for the other Off.
Unless they are cautious in their selections
and place back of the old democratic deputies
who were removed by the Seward Inspectors they
may risk trouble on commencing their administra-
ton There now confined in the prison the
large numberof ZIG male prisoners, and rs females,
making S52 in all, and among them many of the
master spirits of rascality of this age, who know
enough to jump at any advantage that may be taken
by ignorance or inattention on the part of new
keepers Therefore, the great necessity of appoint
ing active, efficient, and capable men for these i'm
porant places.
Contrary to all reasonable anticipation, the fe-
male prison has more Convics than there are cells
to accommodate them, and if they continue to in
grease with the rapidity they have for the past few
years, it will be necessary either to erect a new
building or addition to the present one A large
number of the female cOnvicts are engaged in the
Keeling and manufacturing Of silk, and the superin-
tendent showed us number of specimens of wo-
ven silk and floss that appeared equal to imported
In taking view of the immense stone quarres
connected with the prison, we found Yankee Sul.
van hard at work, merry as a cricket and as
hearty as buck. On speaking of his probability
of pardon by the Governor. he expressed an ardent
wish TO be at large, and thought that the heavy pun
ishment Inflicted on him, while others quite as gull
ty had escaped for few hundred dollars, was more
Oyer and Terminer at Bedford, in the other cases.
will no doubt prompt Governor Bouck to grant him
a pardon on the same conditions that Gov. Seward
did Col. Webb that is, that he shall not engage or
assist in any future prize fight
Charles F. Mitchell, ex-member of Congress, was
busily engaged experimenting his gang of white
washers, and looked the very picture of health and
activity. He anticipates pardon during the sum-
mer.
William Dingler we found busy manufacturing
files to initiate the English article, and Jem Edger-
ton and Jerry Mcdonald in the same apartment
Otis Allen has improved in health while engaged
at carpet weaving; and Thomas Rector, of Albany,
appeared as full and round as Barnum's fat boy.
Tappan, Ezra White, Young Cook of Brooklyn,
and numerous others, known conspicuousy caught
BUR eye passed, and all seemed in the most
perfect health and fullness The fare, although
coarse, is of good quality, and, with daily labor II
that any prisoner does not eat his full allow
nee, aud many devour double ratons.
On entering the shoemaker's shop, we found Col.
Monroe Edwards busily engaged in stitching boot
egs, but he appeared to be aware that we knew of
his recen, failure TO escape and therefore slv
and shy in looks, and converse. On enquiry frem
the keeper, ascertained the following parti-
culars relative to his attempted escape and ar
rest, and also copies of the rich and racy let
tiers giving hints of his intended suicide and APP
plication to Thomas F. Marshall, his former coun-
sci, for funds, to aid in his escape. They will
be found to be altogether the richest batch of
letters upon finance, land speculations, piety, plant
philosophy, patience, perseverance. and politics,
that have yet appeared They throw the old
systems of fnancerng entirely into the shade
Edwards life has been financial romance, and
should be dramatlsed forthwith. Why don't some
one write his life 2 Sing Sing is no place for Ed
wards 1t might not perhaps be quite safe for the
to let him out on speculation" but he
should at all events be let out ball. conditioned
to go through the country delivering lectures upon
plant philosophy, and the other subjects above
named. What crowds he would draw-and under