Documents Accompanying the Journal of the House

ed to escape. Even the deputy did not know why this occurred. So also, I paid to Webster $2.50 for night service to the prison. And I have paid small amounts to two men now in prison, for secret services. I also paid some $3.50 for certain ingredients of the stucco' paint of the prison, which are not in any bill, and are a mechanical secret. I cannot now remember the particular manner in which any of these matters were repaid; nor do I remember how the following articles in these bills were arranged, to-wit: 1 yard of satin, $2.25, 1 silk cravat, $1.25, 1 silk h'dk'f, 50c., 2 chambers, 63c., 12 yards of paper muslin, 81.25, 12 yds. cashmere, $9.00, in Whitwell's bills; and in Snyder's bill 15 lbs. of Laguira coffee. I should think the satin was had for my son W., if I did not know that I bought him a satin vest on my own account, at the same place, and near the same time, and at a higher price. This satin cravat and h'dk'f may have been gotten for Martin, a convict, who I recollect was paid for several dollars extra work for the State, in his outfit, in goods, and the work not receipted by him. I have inquired of Mrs. G. about the chambers, the muslin and the cashmere. She says that she had two or three chambers there, but that they made part of a bill of eight or ten dollars of crockery, and that she has had no others, and that the cashmere and muslin were never had by the family. So of the 15 pounds of coffee. If it is receipted to the prison it must be a mistake, as the prison at that time had no such coffee. It did have the previ ous small parcels at Whitwell's. If the cashmere and muslin were not paid for something unreceipted, they are certainly wrong. But I do not think such articles would have escaped my attention, if they were erroneous or not allowable.

There is also, I observe, a charge for pepper. I know nothing about it except this, that it did not go to my house, for the reason that I took some 3 pounds from Union to Jackson, which was not more than half consumed while I stayed there. I have had a halfbushel of pepper on hand for more than ten years, and a peck not yet used up.

The stair rods were got for the Agent's house, used for it as a fixture while I remained, and when I was preparing to come away I took up the loose part and tied them together, and put them carefully away in the chamber. The end fastenings remained screwed to the

stairs when I last heard of or saw them. We have never had any such thing at this place or at my son's, to my knowledge. If they are lost and you require it, I will pay for them. The six rosewood knobs must have been used on three of the doors of the new building, as no such thing graces any furniture, door, or anything else of mine. The only castors I recollect ever buying of DeGraff, were for myself, a centre table and a sofa. They were had after taking one pair over to be tried; I come to DeGraff's and got both, and at the same time bought for the State two new razors of the Goldsmith just above DeGraff's and paid the cash for them, which was not receipted, as it ought not to be.

I have thus given you, perhaps, not a very clear account of what I recollect about these matters, and I repeat what I have always said, that if I ought to rectify anything in my Prison business, I will always be glad to do so.

In closing this letter allow me to say that my connexion with the Prison, pecuniarily speaking, was and is unexpectedly disastrous. I actually lost, sunk below recovery, more than $1,000 00 by going there. My fortune in this respect is more deeply regretted from the fact that while I have a substantial property, I am utterly unable, so far, to turn it into money fast enough to meet the payment of debts honorably and fairly due.

(Signed.)

I have the honor to be

Your obedient servant,

J. GOODWIN.

P. S. As I have just this moment received a line from Mr. Storey, touching these matters, I have concluded to send this by the morning's mail, without waiting to copy it. May I ask you, therefore, after your meeting to return this to me, and if you desire it I will send you a copy as soon as I can make one.

I beg the reason for the seeming delay in replying to the resolution of the Inspectors, as stated in the commencement of this letter, may be fully and fairly considered, and whatever else may be desired of me fully communicated to me.