would be most consistent with economy to finish the whole at once, and they believe it can be done in the course of the ensuing year if adequate funds are provided. If it should however be deemed best to dispense at present with the four blocks of cells above mentioned, it will thenrequire the sum of 89 thousand one hundred and twenty-four dollars and nine cents, as is stated in estimate No. 2, annexed, to finish the rest of the work and pay outstanding debts. A true copy. August 12, 1826. GEO. RUGAN, Clerk. 1823. Vagrants: male whites, two hund ed and fifty-six; female whites, two hundred; male blacks, two hundred and fifty; female blacks, two hundred, Disorderly male whites, one hundred and fifty-one; female whites one hundred and sixty; male blacks, 134; female blacks, one hundred and forty, 1824. Vagrants: male whites, three hundred and ninety-five; female whites, three hundred and twenty; male blacks, three hundred and one; female blacks, two hundred and forty-one, Disorderly male whites, one hundred and forty-nine; female whites, one hundred and eighty; male blacks, one hundred and seventy; female blacks one hundred and sixty, 1825. Vagrants: male whites, three hundred and sixty; female whites, three hundred and thirty-five; male blacks, four hundred; female blacks, three hundred and eighty, Disorderly male whites, one hundred and 1826. Vagrants: male whites, four hundred TOTAL. 906 585 1257 501 600 March 16 8 December 15 12 19 70 30 11 29 16 18 104 33 16 30 17 32 128 9 2 18 15 27 71 373 March 23 June 2. The number of prisoners returned on the calendar of the courts of oyer and terminer, quarter sessions and September Mayor's Court, for the folllowing year, sex and colour. 1823. Oyer and terminer; male whites, seven; female whites; three; male blacks, seven; female blacks, six Quarter sessions; male whites, one hundred and sixty-nine; female whites, one hundred and thirty-four; male blacks, one hundred and ten; female blacks, one -hundred and seventeen Mayor's court; male whites, two hundred and one; female whites, fifty-nine; male blacks, one hundred and thirty-five; female blacks, one hundred and one Number total for trial 1824. O.&T.male whites twelve; female whites September seven; male blacks nine; female blacks 4, 32 Aggregate 40 13 18 to death. 18 10 12 10 12 4 1826 15 15 Principal, fuel, &c. as before Four assistants, fuel, &c. $400 each Two Physicians Contingent services 245 $800 1,600 500 400 300 $3,600 3d. Query. What will be the probable expense of keeping a convict for one year in clothing, subsistence and incidental expenses? In reply to this the clerk informs me that at the present time "the expense of maintenance and clothing of a convict for one year, in the western penitentiary, including washing, cooking and fuel is $77 57, medical attendance not included." As the number of convicts increases this expense will be less, probably $60 a man. No part of the cost of the government of the penitentiary, such as salaries, is included in the foregoing esti Thomas Ellwell do. Dec. 29th, re-convicted March 16th and how far have you tested, or attempted to test the David Evans do. March 19th Philadelphia, August, 1826. Pittsburg, August 24, 1827. Gentlemen-Since the receipt of yours of yesterday, I have directed my attention to your inquiries relative to our western penitentiary and now communicate briefly the result, as answers, 1st Query. What are the number of prisoners in the state penitentiary in Alleghenytown at this time? The number of convicts now in the penitentiary is thirty. 2d Query. What are the number of officers of that institution, what salaries do they receive, and how many will be required in the event of the prison becoming full of convicts, and at what salaries. principle of solitary confinement? The penitentiary is now nearly completed according to the prescribed plan. Defects in the plan have already occurred to the inspectors, all of which can be remedied without much inconvenience, or unreasonable expense. The want of ventilation for the cells; some additional walls subdividing the yards before some sections of cells; separate privies for the keepers apartments; a considerable alteration in the interior of the main or front building, so as to render it capable of accommodating an additional keeper, are the prominent improvements required. From 1500 to 2000 dollars would accomplish the whole, and render it well adapted to its design-solitary confinement. As respects a system of labour, I was at first apprehensive that considerable alterations would be necessary for this purpose, but I have made a full inquiry and examination, and am satisfied that little else than the erection of workshops is necessary to make it a most admirable establishment, uniting the two systems of labour and strict confinement. For such workshops, there are ample spaces left, and in the most desirable positions. Three large workshops each about 40 feet by 50 may be erected, on each side of the central yard. These, in my opinion, will contain ample room for the exercise 750 of all the convicts, in every kind of trade that can be profitably employed in an establishment of this kind.$3000 would build these six work shops, and enable the 400 board to introduce the discipline of labour, either entire200 ly or partially. To furnish you with the views of the 100 board of inspectors upon this subject, I annex a copy of their report, transmitted to the legislature last winter. As to my own opinion, individually, I am decidedly in favour of compelling convicts to severe labour. I have no idea of supporting a parcel of rogues in idleness at the public expense, under the visionary notion of sending them out to society again virtuous and regenerated, Yours, &c. A BRACKENRIDGE. $2,000 It is believed that the foregoing organization will be adequate to the custody and management of treble the number of convicts now in the penitentiary. In the event of the prison becoming full of convicts, (190) the establishment will require an increase of officers and expense, as follows: Hon. EDWARD KING and CHAS. SHALER, 1828.] CONVICTS. 247 No. 4. A TABLE Shewing the number of persons (tried and untried) in the Prisons of the several counties of this state, in July, 1826, with their places of birth, sex and colour, as far as could be ascertained; with the population in each county, in 1820, compiled from the returns of the sheriffs. (No returns from seven counties.) Names of Counties. Population. No. of | Pennsyl- Other | Foreign- Males. Females. Whites. | Blacks. Prisoners vania. States. ers. |