The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-10-17

The PENfTENTIARY.-On yesterday one
Of our reporters paid visit to this institu-
tion with view to finding out something
about its condition, the number Of prison.
ers arriving, etc. The visit was very in
teresting one, and he was fully repaid for
his trouble. The penitentiary is compare
lively in excellent condition, and consider
ing the great difficulties consequent upon
the loss and destruction Of material during
the war, and the scarcity Of money since,
under which the superintendent and bis
assistants have had to labor, they have
done wonders.
There are now in the prison two hun.
dred and sixty-two conyicts, fourteen or
fifteen Of whom are females Zone is a white
woman). OF these there are at least three
negroes to two white men, and in the ratio
in which they are daily arriving, the pro-
portion will ere long be two to one. Since
the lst of October there have been thirty
arrivals, of whom twenty:tour were ne
groes and six were whites. Two of them
were from Louisa, one from Hanover, two
from Rockbridge, one from Lee, eight from
Dinwiddie, one from Bedford, three from
Princess Anne. seven from Orange, two
from Brunswick, one from Wythc, two from
Nelson. These gentlemen, whose names
we suppress in consideration of their mo-
desty, have been treated in the kindest
manner since their arrival, and their friends
need have no concern about them in their
new quarters. They have had their hair
neatly cropped, have been treated to new
cotton shirts, new, comfortable suit of
two colors, are fed on the fat of the-hog,
and sleep in rooms so we'll guarded that
there is no possible danger of their ever
being molested. They will always be able
to get employment of the most wholesome
kind, and consequently are more apt to be
content.
The workshops Of the penitentiary are
in operation, and in the different branches
work of the substantial kind is done. The
blacksmithing department is very COM
plcte, and nearly all kinds of work in this
line is done. The weaving, wheelwright,
and carpenter wards are also actively and
fully engaged. In the shoeshops is per-
haps done the best work, and shoes Of q
more superior or substantial quality could
hardly be gotten as cheaply as they are
sold here. Orders are taken for boots and
shoes of almost every description, and
filled at the most reasonable rates. Most
OF the convicts at work are new hands,
and in consideration Of this fact it is re-
markablc what good work they do.
On the whole, the penitentiary is in bet
ter condition than could be expected, and
in few years, from present indications,
will be a." self-supportin institooshun."
The Public Guard, under Captain Gay,
have their quarters in the penitentiary
yard. The Guard is in fine discipline,
composed Of the best Of material, and is
almost as good q company as it was in its
palmiest days. In pursuance Of the Co.
vernor's order, work has been commenced
upon the barracks for the company at the
old armory, but it progresses so slowly
that it is very doubtful when they will get
into them. At present they are comfort
ably though by no means conveniently
fixed.
While on our visit we met with the
greatest courtesy from the officers of the
penitentiary, and for it we extend our
thanks to them; Mr.. J. French Pendle-
ton, receiving clerk, especially.