TABLE of the number of convicts in prison, committed, discharg ed, pardoned, deceased and escaped in each year, since 1812.

Escaped.

A.D.

1812

The operations of the prison the past year, it will be seen,have resulted as favorably as could reasonably have been expected.The prices of provisions and other articles of consumption at the prison have ranged low. A slight advance on some of the leading articles might have caused the disbursements to exceed the income. It is, however, to be hoped that more favorable contracts may be obtained for the labor of the convicts the ensuing year. The order, industry and good feeling existing among the convicts has been, to me, highly gratifying, and I am more than ever convinced, that they can appreciate kindness, and of its happy influence upon their minds and conduct. There doubtless are cases that require decision and severity; but these, I think, will be less frequent under a mild than a rigid discipline. The golden rule, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them," is as valuable in, as out of the prison. The nearer I have kept myself and others to this rule, the more successful have I been in the government of the prison. All requirements of the officer should be reasonable and proper to secure a ready and willing obedience.

My endeavors have been, that the government of the convicts should be free from insolent domineering and overbearing harshness; that the deportment of all the officers should be gentle and kind, and that all proper and prompt obedience should be yielded by the convicts; and happy am I to find the concurrence of all the officers with me in the opinion, that this is not only proper, but practicable; not only for the good of the convicts, but for the best interests of the institution; and their ready co-operation has been to me a source of much gratification. Between the contractors and the authorities of the prison, there exists perfect harmony of feeling. The report of the physician states all that is proper to be said under that head.

The chaplain is full in his report, and I can add nothing either useful or interesting upon the several subjects noticed by him. It is many years that Dr. CARTER has been the physician of the prison, and his valuable services seem to be duly appreciated. These officers have rendered to me very efficient aid, and, with the board of directors, made eomparatively light the otherwise arduous and responsible duties of Warden.

In Massachusetts, provision is made by law for the removal of insane convicts to the State Lunatic Hospital. Cases of insanity exist here, and I cannot think you will shrink from any humane and merciful provision that, under the circumstances, may be proper.

During the year ensuing, the roofs of the new prison and one

of the shops should be repaired. The wall on the north side of the yard should be picketed anew.

Respectfully submitted,

SAMUEL G. BERRY, Warden.

N. H. State Prison, June 1, 1845.

CHAPLAIN'S REPORT.

The Chaplain of the New Hampshire State Prison respectfully submits to His Excellency the Governor and the Hor. Council, Directors of said Prison, the following

REPORT:

In presenting this report,it is due to a merciful God, devoutly to acknowledge that all-wise and beneficent providence which he has graciously exercised towards this institution during the past year. Under His paternal care, the lives of the several officers have been preserved in discharge of their responsible duties, and but two instances of mortality have been experienced among the convicts; while a general state of cheerfulness, industry and mental improvement has been manifest.

The labors of another year, attended as they necessarily are with a constant intimacy with the habits, feelings and prospects of this unfortunate portion of my fellow-men, together with the frequent departure of liberated prisoners to mingle with society, and the committal of others to fill their places, have not failed forcibly to impress upon my mind the relation these men hold to community, and the importance of encouraging them, by every laudable motive, to return to the walks of virtuous life.

Nothing has transpired to dictate any material alteration in my course of labors. Two religious exercises have been maintamed on the Sabbath, attended by most of the officers and prisoners; and since the new chapel has been opened, a respectable number of the citizens of the place have been present to mingle ja our devotions.

The attention of the convicts has uniformly been interesting and solemn; and there is reason to hope that the word of truth,in some instances, has been convincing to the conscience and salutary to the heart.

The remaining portion of the day has been devoted to visiting at the cells, distributing books, papers and tracts, and imparting such moral and religious instruction as time and occasion have seemed to justify, and occasional opportunities on the week day have also been improved for the same purpose.

In these personal interviews, I have encouraged each man to lay aside all embarrassing restraints, and open his feelings to me as his friend: and while listening to his sad recital, I have frequently had opportunity to administer consolation, to impart some useful advice, or to apply to the wounded conscience the soothing influence of the religion of Christ.

These visits have, in most instances, been very welcome to the prisoner. Of all other places in time of health, the solitude of the cell is calculated to wake up the mind to reflection, and call forth the strong sensibilities of the soul; and there it is that kind council and christian instruction may often be given, when the mind is in a favorable condition to receive it, and to be profited thereby.

But at no season in life does the prisoner learn to appreciate the worth of sympathy, of christian instruction and prayer, as in the time of sickness. Shut out as he is from the society of kindred and friends, and cut off from many outward sources of consolation, he endures on the sick bed a sorrow of heart that no one can know.

The sick have been regularly visited during their confinement, and the season improved for moral and religious consolation and instruction.

In the two cases which proved fatal, the individuals were men of reflecting minds. One retained his reason until the close of life, and was exercised with a deep concern for his spiritual welfare; and both expressed an earnest desire to enjoy some tokens of the mercy of God.

Several of the less informed, who are capable of it, have been taught to read; several also have been taught to write, and a few have made some proficiency in common arithmetic.

The prison library, which had been commenced during the preceding year, has been considerably augmented, principally by the liberal donations of benevolent individuals in the towns of Concord and Portsmouth.

Each convict has been furnished with a weekly temperance paper, and during the last six months several religious papers have been circulated and read with interest and profit.

Some attention is now being paid to the improvement of our