The National Register. — 1812-07-05 (London, England)

LANCASTER CASTLE.  Sir FRANCIS BURDETT commenced his speech upon this subject, by stating, that he hoped he would not detain the House long, although the circumstances that induced him to were such as respected the security of every man in the kingdom ; they referred with peculiar force to those most of whom were labouring under inistbrtunes, brought upon them, Pet by misconduct, certainly not by crime. He alluded to the prisoners confined for debt. It was, he aaid, often the case, that the gaolers had an interest in adding to the discomforts of the prisoners, and they availed themselves of that which they deemed a privilege, by rising their power most tyrannically. If ever there existed a time for investkation this -was the tune. He conceived it indispensably necessary that a general enquiry should be made into the state of all the gaols in England, and having bad his attention called most particularly to Lancaster gaol, he would pot withhold the informatio,t he had been put in possession of from the House. At the same time he would not pledge himself to the truth of the several cases he had to state ; and declared, that if there was any misrepresentation, the charge could not rest with him, but with those who had submitted the description of their sufferings to bun. Several had borne testimony to the general good character of Mr. Higgins, the gaoler of Lancaster Castle ; but whatever his character might be, it certainly could not be allowed to have the slightest weight in preventing an investigation into the facts. The Hcn. Baronet here took an opportunity of adverting to the punishment of balite). confinetnent, which, he said, though it might prevent the.operation of those vices that were most striking to the eye, would foster others that were of a inure malignant complexion—those of cruelty and hypocrisy. He then proceeeded to read several letters which he had received from different persons under confinement in Lancaster gaA. One of them stated a case, which, if the description was correct, was exceedingly atrocious. It mentioued that great shrieks and roapiags were frequently heard in the gaol, proceeding from a man named Rawlings, that he had been beaten most unmercifully two or three days successively, and that his groans and complaints were distinct y heard during that time; after which tire rest of tne prisoners supposed he was brought to* cell under ground, for his lamentations became less audible, and at length totally ceased. They were given to understaod by the gaoler, that he had strangled himself. The Coroner's liaoest was held upon the body, but during their enquiry, no part of Ow man except his face was seen, and that was bruised and swelled in several parts. The Coroner's Jury was'eomposed of sot debtors and six stone-masons. The latter were accustomed. to work in Lancaster Castle. Two men who were employed in laying out the body said, that it appeared to them to be a mass of congealed blood. The unfortunate man who had fallen a victim was confined fur murder, and supposed to be deranged. This was the strongest of tl e cases adduced by the Hun. Baronet, but he stated many otners, to prove that enquiry should be made to ascertain %vac' her they were tru..t or false. He expected that no objection would 'be made to his motion, and he thought lit his duty to state, that never since he first e I:red that House, had he witnessed such a willingness upon the part of Government to listen to and investigate the complaints of the People. He concluded by moving an Address to the Prince Regent, that he would be pleased to order a Commission to be made to examine into the. charges against the Magistrates, and the state and iPanitgentent of Lam; klr Castle.