Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-12-29
Grayson county, last Saturday morn


fTsneier Letter to the London Dsily News.l
Through the kindness Of an English
lady, Mrs. Surtees-Alinatt, a dinner
WIS given two days ago to the liV
prisoners in the Tangier Jail by Messrs'
j w. Crawford, late her British MaJes..
tvs acting Consul General in Cuba, and
Charles Ii. Allen, secretary OF the
Anti-Slavery Society, who are visit
ing Morocco as a deputation from
that body. The meal consisted oil
portion OF beef cooked with meal, FORM
ipga native dish called coscussoo also
bread, figs. and vegetables, and pre-
sent of 900 cigarettes. This interest
ing episode in the monotony OF prison
life was witnessed by number of Brit
ish and American residents and yisi-
tors. among whom was Captain Burton,
the celebrated African traveller. Du-
ring the distribution Of the viands three
poor victims arrived, and were thrust
into one of these dreadful prisons aud
lost to the outer world.
1t may not be generally known that
into these prisons criminals and sus-
poets and debtors are alike thrown,
without trial. and with no idea as to
how long they may have to lie there.
In fact, these dungeons are used as
means Of extortion, and largely so by
natives who have obtained the "pro-
lection " of one Of the foreign enbas-
sizes. and who then abuse the power OF
the protector to make raids upon
the property and persons Of the victims
of their revenge or cupidity. As the
Government does not feed the prison
ers-or only 20 a nominal ex-
tent and as it pays none OF
it's officials. except those OF the
ustom.house, and has an unpaid army
some idea may be formed Of the extor-
ton and suffering daily enacted in this
unhappy country. The condition OF
the Tangier prison, though far better
than those of the interior, is simply a
disgrace to civilization and to our com
mon humanity; for here, almost within
cannon-shot Of Europe, there exists a
state Of things as bad as during the
worst period Of the Middle Ages. Here
is one instance of what goes on within
five minutes walk Of the Lega-
tons OF all the civilized Powers, and
within sight of the British fortress OF
Gibraltar
A poor woman has been for two
wears in solitary confinement in Tangler
prison. and until lately she was I'M irons,
being what is calleda State prisoner.
She was once a wealthy Moorish lady,
but as her husband was rich ne was
" squeezed and died under the pro-
cess, without disgOrging his wealth
About two years ago large robbery
took place at the house OF foreigner
who aGterward made claim against the
Sultan Of 5000. The money was paid.
Somebody must be found to repay the
Sultan with the usual heavy interest
The son of the poor woman above de-
scribed was accused Of being concerned
in the robbery, though it is not clear
that he knew anything about it. lie
was seized. thrown into prison, and
logged almost daily with view o.
extracting a large sum of money
But he died without paying. as did
his father before him. Then the
mother, against whom there is not a
breath of suspicion, was seized, ironed
and thrown into the den, where she still
lies, supporting life on two small loaye-
dolcd out to her daily. Her case ha,
been personally investigated by the tive
gentlemen who fed the prisoners, and
they arc eye-witnesses of her condition,
Can nothing be done to procure tho
freedom of this miserable woman: i
not. it is quite time that the press took
The matter up. Then possibly even the
doors of Morocco prison may be m
| larral