tion. The prime cost of an efficient labour saving machine is never considered by the intelligent and wealthy capitalist as a wasteful expenditure, but as a productive investment. This Penitentiary will be, strictly speaking, an apparatus for the expeditious, certain, and economical eradication of vice, and the rroduction of refor mation. The state of Pennsylvania has exhibited, at once, her wisdom, philanthropy, and munificence, by the erection of this immense and expensive structure, which, in connexion with her other noble institutions, will largely contribute to the amelioration and protection of her population. G. W. S. The Corner Stone of the front building of the Penitentiary was laid on the 22d day of May, 1823, in the presence of the Commissioners, Architect, Superintendent, and workmen. On this interesting occasion, Mr. Roberts Vaux said, that he much regretted the unavoid able absence of the President of the Board, in whose place he had just then been unexpectedly desired to say a few words concerning the purpose for which the Commissioners were assembled. He remarked, that the occasion was calculated to awaken reflections at once painful and gratifying. Painful, because such was the erring character of man, so ungovernable were his passions,& so numerous his propensities to evil, that it was necessary society should provide means for the punishment of offenders against its laws. Gratifying, because a correct view of human nature, coupled with the indispensable exercise of Christian benevolence, had led to the melioration of punishments.Justice was now mixed with Mercy, and whilst the community designed to teach offenders that the way of the transgressor is hard, it wisely and compassionately sought to secure and reform the criminal by the most strict solitary confinement. The Penitentiary now to be erected, was designed to accomplish these important ends, and when it shall be completed, it will afford the first opportunity of putting into efficient practice the penal code of this State. Mr. Vaux congratulates his fellow citizens of Pennsylvania, because their legislators were the first (almost forty years ago) to abolish those cruel and vindictive penalties which are in use in the European countries from which we had descended.The Pillory, the Whipping Post, and the Chain, were not calculated to prevent crime, but to familiarize the mind with cruelty; and consequently to harden the hearts of those who suffered, and those who witnessed such punishments. The substitution in Pennsylvania of milder correctives had excited the notice and respect of nations abroad, as well as of our sister States-our example had in some instances been followed, and he had no doubt the principle would more extensively prevail. The box deposited in the corner stone, which you have seen laid, contains a plan and elevation of the prison, and a medal plate bearing the following inscription: Speaker of the House of Representatives of Penn. To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The inspectors of the Eastern State Penitentiary, situated in the county of Philadelphia, appointed by the honorable the judges of the supreme court of Pennsyl vania, assembled on the 19th day of May, 1829, and proceeded to organize the board, and appoint the officers. The following members at present fill the offices annexed to their names. CHARLES SIDNEY COXE, President. JOHN SWIFT, Secretary. DANIEL H. MILLER, Treasurer. On the 29th of June, Samuel R. Wood was appointed Warden; John Norvell, Clerk; and subsequently, Dr. Franklin Bache, Physician. On the 1st day of July, the penitentiary was surrendered by the board of commissioners for its erection, and this board took possession thereof, and has held it in readiness to receive such convicts as were liable to be committed thereto, subsequently to that time. From the last mentioned date to this time, a term of six months only nine prisoners, have been received, their age, sex, place of nativity, time of commitment, term of imprisonment, offence; whether for a first or repeated offence; the time of conviction, and the court in which the convictions occur, are particularly designated in the table annexed. No prisoner has died, escaped, been pardoned, or discharged; nor has any sickness occurred, except in one instance, the nature of which will appear from the following extract from the physician's report for December, 1829. "None of the prisoners have been sick, except John Starns, who has been laboring under a catarrhal affec tion, but not of such severity as to justify his removal to the infirmary. At present he is much better, and appears to be on the recovery. This prisoner was an invalid when he arrived, in consequence of a severe hernia." The inspectors are required to attend to the religious instruction of the prisoners, and to procure a suitable person for that object, who shall be the religious instructor of the prisoners. His duties are declared to be, to attend on the moral and religious instruction of the convicts in such manner as to make their confinement, as far as possible, the means of their reformation, so that when restored to their liberty, they may prove honest, industrious, and useful members of society. The importance of this officer, to a fair trial of the system, was soon perceived by the board, and great anxiety has been felt, to comply with the views of the Legislature, explained by these requisitions of the statute. It is, how ever, further provided, that the services of this officer shall be gratuituous. The ministers of the gospel, who might have leisure, or a disposition to accept the appointment, are generally unable to perform such services without a suitable provision for themselves, and their families. Had any candidate been presented to the board, under these circumstances, it is not probable a proper choice could have been made; but as no one has offered, the board have been unable to appoint any religious instructor; and the only instruction of that character afforded to the convicts, has been derived from the imperfect efforts of the other officers of the institution. In the opinion of this board, a fair experiment of the system of solitary confinement, with labour, cannot be made without moral and religious instruction, and a suitable individual to fill that office cannot be ob tained, unless the Legislature allow a compensation for his services. By the 12th section of the act of April 23, 1829, it is enacted, "that for the purpose of finishing the eastern penitentiary, introducing a supply of water from Fair Mount water works, and procuring the necessary furniture and fixtures for the accommodation and reception of prisoners, the sum of 5,000 dollars, be and is hereby appropriated for said purposes, and the commissioners appointed to superintend the erection of the state penitentiary, are directed to carry the same into effect."This sum appears to have been inadequate to the purposes for which it was designed, as all the necessary furniture and fixtures have not been provided; and the water from Fair Mount, owing to that and other causes beyond the control of the commissioners, has not been introduced. By the 13th section of the same act, this board are authorized to "draw on the state treasury for any sums not exceeding 1,000 dollars; to support and employ the prisoners, until such sums of money may become payable by the several counties, from which convicts may be removed to the prison, shall be received by the board, as shall enable it to manage the affairs of the prison without such aid." The inspectors are prohibited by the 9th section, from drawing on the county treasurers before the first Monday in May, in each year, and then only for an annual account rendered three months before to the county commissioners for the previous support of the convicts. Although it is hoped, in many, if not most instances, that the counties may not be called on at all, yet in order to effect this favorable result, there is a necessity for a fun to furnish tools, materials, fuel, food, &c. in the first instance. The sum of 1,000, above mentioned, has been partly expended in providing furniture, &c. necessary to the convicts' health and accommodation, not supplied by the commissioners, and is insufficient for the purpose for which it was designed. The board, therefore, respectfully recommend that the further sum of 4,000 be appropri ated by the Legislature to this object, and that the inspectors be authorized to draw on the treasury for that amount, in order that this great institution, on which the state has expended so large an amount, and so interesting to the cause of humanity, may not be crippled by the want of means to put it into operation. The inspectors are required, in their annual return, to make such observations as to the efficiency of the system of solitary confinement, as may be the result of their experience, and to give such information as they may deem expedient for making the said institution effectual in the punishment and reformation of offenders. The extraordinary fact, that but nine convicts have been sent from the counties composing the eastern district, containing so large a majority of this populous state, demands and deserves great consideration from all interested in our penal code; but the inspectors refrain from the expression of any sentiment resulting therefrom, as they cannot consider themselves justified in expressing a judgement, "the result of their experience," after so short a trial of the system. Indeed, although nothing seriously militating against the system 107 has yet occurred within their observation, and much that is favourable has struck them, they would rather suffer a longer time to elapse, and await the operation of the institution upon a larger body of prisoners, before they should feel themselves authorized to express to the Legislature a decided judgment for or against the system of solitary confinement with labor. With these remarks, extracts from the report of the warden are annexed, in order to afford the Legislature such information as the board possess. All which is respectfully submitted by the board. CHAS. S. COXE, President. January 1, 1830. JNO. Of course none could have been previously convicted to this penitentiary;& the number of times stated above has been derived from the best sources. up to any trade,and one of these could not be carried advantageously. on here SWIFT, Secretary. 18 Perry Co. 11, do Quarter Sessions, Franklin. 29 25, 2 do do Spooling. Oyer and Ter Number of times How employ. ed. First offence. Shoemaking. convicted. B. Extracts from the Warden's report to the inspectors. "As the furnaces for warming the cells on the original plan, have not yet been built, and the weather is too cool to do without fire, I purchased six small coal stoves, and had them fixed in the cells as soon after these pris oners arrived, as I possibly could. These stoves keep the prisoners warin; but I find this mode of heating the cells troublesome, expensive, and dirty; and as additional stoves will be required with the increase of prisoners. I thought it advisable to make arrangements for an air heater or furnace; that will be sufficient to warm twen ty cells; this I hope to have in operation in ten days or two weeks. HOUSE OF REFUGE. To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Managers of the House of Refuge respectfully REPORT: That the Institution was opened on the 8th day of December, 1828; the walls and buildings being then suffi ciently completed for immediate purposes. The first "Juvenile" delinquent was received on that day. So numerous appear to be the persons of this description, 29th of December, 1829. that 188 children have been admitted previously to the Of these 148 were boys, and 40 were girls. The actual number remain- 26 have been indentured, viz. 20 boys and 6 girls. do. 9 returned to their parents and friends, viz. 8 boys and 1 girl. 9 discharged as being of age, viz. 6 boys and 3 girls. 7 discharged as improper subjects or irregularly committed, viz. 5 boys and 2 girls. 1 sent to the children's asylum. 1 returned to the New York House of Refuge, from which he had escaped. 12 escaped in consequence of the facilities afforded while the workmen were engaged in erecting the new walls. "I rejoice that it has never been the policy of the legislature of this state to sacrifice the safety of the community and the welfare of the convict for apparent pe cuniary gain; they have taken a higher, more dignified, and nobler ground; they have provided prisons, where the reformation and improvement of the criminal and protection of society, are grand objects; they have vided that labor shall be furnished the convict in his cell, proand not for the sordid purpose of reimbursing to the commonwealth the expense of his maintenance. Nevertheless, sufficient time has elapsed to satisfy me of the correctness of an opinion I have long believed and asserted, that a prisoner who has two years or upwards to serve, can, in his solitary cell, earn sufficient to clear all his expenses, from the time of his admission to his discharge.' I am well aware that the time elapsed since we have been in operation is too short, to come forward with any other than general remarks. I have seen nothing to impair my confidence in the efficacy of the system; but in all its operations, so far, much to strengthen one in the conviction that it will effect the great objects which its most sanguine friends have ever anticipated. The prisoners have been hitherto obedient and exemplary in their deportment. They appear anxious to obtain employment, and when it has been furnished, they have performed their labor with cheerful-principle and good conduct among these children, that It may account in some measure for the want of moral ness and assiduity. Those who are learning shew an many of them have been for at least a considerable time, expertness and desire to learn beyond my expectation. without the opportunity of receiving parental assistance Having nothing whatever to divert their attention from and advice. their occupation, and being able to work at least twelve ceived had lost one or both of their parents-eighty had One hundred and forty-eight of those rehours per day during the whole year, (as there is no danger in furnishing them with lights) are circumstan- twenty-seven had been deprived by death of both their no father living-forty-one had lost their mothers-and ces very much in favor of working in separate con- parents. finement. I am therefore sanguine in the belief that if proper machinery, &c. were provided, that this penitentiary would not only produce the great good which we all so ardently desire to the unfortunate inmates, but would also relieve the several counties who send them of the great burthen they have hitherto borne in the support of the convicts. 1 died; a boy who was in ill health when committed. 71 There remain 89 boys and 28 girls. able opportunities which have been enjoyed for instrucIn tracing the records of admission to learn the probtion, it appears that 113 are the children of mechanics and laboring men. 53 lost their fathers when too young to know their occupations. 10 are children of seamen. 3 do of merchants. 6 do 3 do of shopkeepers. Refuge, consist of tayloring, carpentering, book bindThe manual occupations of the boys in the House of ing, basket making and wicker work. To employ the convicts thus advantageously, it, however, will be necessary to have a considerable sum for the purchase of tools, machinery, and stock. out these we can certainly do little to advantage in a Withpecuniary point of view. The board of commissioners for the erection of this penitentiary having expended all their funds, and it is quite uncertain what amount they may obtain from the sale of vacant lots, I would respect-ironing for all the establishment, and in sewing and house The girls are employed in cooking, washing, and fully suggest that an early application should be made by you to the legislature to furnish a sum adequate to enable you to purchase the necessary implements and stock, to employ all the prisoners advantageously, and thus prevent the counties being called upon to support their respective convicts. "From the remote situation of the penitentiary from the city, it is highly important that it should be furnished with a larger alarm bell. This and a clock formed part of the original plan of the board of commissioners. I think these also should be obtained in addition to the articles previously mentioned. "To effect the great object of Penitentiary dicipline, it is indispensable to prevent all intercourse among the prisoners. I feel, therefore, much pleasure in adding, that experience has convinced me that the structure and discipline of this penitentiary have completely accomplished this great desideratum, Conversation and acquaintance are physically impracticable to its inmates." [Signed,] S. R. WOOD, Warden. Eastern State Penitentiary, 12 mo. 5, 1829. 1830.] 7 cloth caps for boys. 224 sheets. 16 bed spreads. 71 bed ticks. 172 pillow cases. 25 petticoats. 108 pairs stockings. 8 towels. 16 bonnets. LOSS OF WEIGHT IN COIN. 45 roundabout jackets for the boys. Eight hours of each day are devoted to work, and four are passed in school, which is conducted on a system of mutual instruction. Seventy-one of the children could neither read nor write when admitted, and most of the others were but imperfectly taught even in these particulars. Fifty-five have acquired a knowledge of reading and writing in the house. A well selected Juvenile library has been generously presented to the Institution. The donors are for the most part booksellers of Philadelphia. It consists of 75 maps and about 1700 books. Every child that can read is encouraged and required to receive and keep in use a book belonging to the library. A desire of knowledge is thus excited-a habit and love of reading are promoted, and means of instruction are afforded which it is hoped will prove of lasting utility. Satisfactory accounts have been received from all the children who have been bound out, except three. Eleven boys who had nearly attained to full age were shipped (with their own consent) on board of vessels bound to the Pacific ocean, on long whaling voyages; a destination which is believed to be the most eligible for those who have been long permitted to indulge themselves in habits of idleness and dissipation. As a practical proof of the value of the establishment, the Managers refer with pride to the sensible diminution in the number of youthful offenders arraigned at the bar of the criminal courts. This effect was obvious soon after the house was opened, and it has now continued If the young too long, to permit a doubt of its cause. are withdrawn from temptation, and no longer either exhibit or imitate evil examples, it may be hoped that the numbers of adult criminals will in like manner soon be lessened the reformation of those who have been heretofore growing up in a career of guilt. Additional accommodations having become necessary for the increased number of boys, the Managers erected a range of work shops, 220 feet in length by 20 feet in depth, and two stories high. They also erected a building containing one hundred and ten dormitories, and a large kitchen and enlarged the chapel and boy's dining room, and built a stable. These buildings are of stone and are substantially finished. Ample room is now provided for one hundred and ninety-six boys and eighty-three girls. After the discipline and instruction of the house have been permitted to produce their due effect, it is believed that as many will be bound out, annually, as are admitted. The numbers will therefore in all probability not be at all too great for the accommodations now provided, which are calculated for 278 persons. Considerable expenses have been incurred, by reason of these improvements; and also to defray the temporary loan of 6,500 dollars, and to aid in the maintenance of the Institution. Loans have therefore been obtained to the amount of 20,000 dollars. They are secured by mortgages on the ground and buildings. The debt due by the Institution now exceeds twenty-eight thousand dollars. In conclusion, the Managers would state, that the experiment, which has thus far been made, has answered their most sanguine expectations. Numbers have been withdrawn from crime and ignorance, and have been in 109 JAMES J. BARCLAY, Secretary H. R. LOSS OF WEIGHT IN COINS. To ascertain the greatest diminution of weight which our coins will undergo and yet leave their devices and inscriptions clearly discribable, experiments have been recently made at the mint; and it is found that our dollar and its parts when reduced by attrition, so that their devices and inscriptions are not wholly obliterat ed, but would be entirely effaced by a slight farther diminution, lose the proportions of their respective full weights which follow: cent. The dollar loses five and seventy six hundredths per The half dollar loses six and seventy-two hundredths per cent. The quarter dollar loses seven and sixty-eight hun. dredths per cent. The dime loses nine and one tenth per cent. The half, dime loses ten and one fifth per cent. When our silver coins are diminished in any degree greater than those respective rates, they are destitute of the impression of the mint; and for that reason alone, are unfit for further circulation. From a careful examination of our own coins and those of other countries, the loss of weight sustained by our coins in ordinary use, during a period of fifty years, is estimated as follows: The eagle loses about 1 per cent. The half dime loses about 10 per cent. It is proper that our coins shall not be a legal tender when they are diminished in weight, more than one twenty-fifth part, or 4 per cent. of their full weight;and that this rule shall be applied to all the coins. Different rates of Diminution for the different coins would be too complex, and would afford very little advantage. Under the restriction now proposed our coins diminished only by ordinary use, will be legal money during the following periods: The eagle, about 200 years. The half dime, about 20 years. The foreign coins which are now a legal tender is The dollar, about 1 per cent. Suicide, The coins of all kinds now in the United States are estimated at 23 millions of dollars; of which 14 millions Unknown, are our own coinage, and 5 milions Spanish. Whilst Violence, our early coins are fast disappearing, the Spanish con- Wounds, tinue in circulation; the former being converted into bullion, and the latter, of less value, are retained. An amount not less than 11 millions of dollars of our silver money has been withdrawn from circulation. It is indispensable to the preservation of our own coins that the Spanish should cease to be legalized. One of the advantages of their extirpation will be a uniform expres sion of value in the national money, to the extinction of pounds and their parts. The mint will soon be able to coin ten millions a year, or any greater sum our wants may require. BILL OF MORTALITY IN PHILADELPHIA. Between AGES. AGES. 1 and 2, 16 2 and 5, 23 Between 40 and 50, 50 and 60, 60 and 70, 70 and 80, 10 and 15, 15 and 20, 20 and 30, 37 Whites, 236 | Blacks, 44 From Alms-house, 36. The past month has presented an unusual degree of health in the City and Liberties; with the exception of the Small-pox, which still prevails in the districts, we have been visited by no epidemic. The majority of the diseases have been such as are produced by the sudden vicissitudes of temperature, so prevalent at this seaBy deducting the casualties, violent and sudden deaths and the still-born, and the deaths from old agethe entire number of deaths from diseases, including 49 cases of consumption will be found to be only 235. son. Statement of deaths in JANUARY from 1807 to 1830, both inclusive. 1 2 1 5 1809 73 57 135 231 130 1821 114 87 201 1 1 1810 82 0 1811 3 3 1812 3 1813 77 52 129 | 1825 98 1826 43 131 1827 82 181 1828 59 157 1829 1816 99 1818 163 72 235 1830 135 145 280 State of Thermometer at the Health Office, for January. 200 161 361 208, 178 386 |