Early Governors' Papers

Goffstown, New Hampshire, August, 16th, 1826.

To His Excellency W^m Carroll, Governor of Tennessee.

Sir,

Your communication of the 7^th ult was received yesterday.

Agreeably to your request, in answer to the interrogatories, by you proposed, respecting Penitentiaries, I transmit the annexed remarks.

"What is the size of your Penitentiary? 10 feet by 36- Connected with this is a house 49 by 22 feet.

What did it cost? About $37,000.

How long has it been in use? Since Nov. 1812.

How high & thick are the walls? The building is 3 stories- walls 3 feet thick-

Of what are they made? They are made entirely of granite.

How many cells does it contain? 36; 4 feet by 9- & 6 cells, upper story, 10 by 17 feet.

Are the cells constructed to lodge one, or more persons?} Two usually lodge in each cell- 4 may, & in some more. This is a bad construction, there should never more than one, be in a cell, & intercourse prevented.

How are your criminals clothed? Common coarse shirts mixed cotton & wool pantaloons, vests & doublets, one half of each garment red & white mixed, the other blue & white.

How are the [sic] fed? Breakfast, porridge made of Indian meal & water- the same for supper- dinner, bread & meat to a certain amount, potatoes as much as they want.

How are they employed?} They have been employed part of the time in making wagons, principally; & some other shop works, shoe making, coopering, blacksmith, but generally, hewing stone.

How can they be employed to the most advantage? Hewing stone, has been their principal employment for 8 years, no other employment has produced a revenue to the state, or defrayed the expenses of the prison. This work is done very nice, & the stone find a ready market in Boston, & is the only profitable way we can employ prisoners.

What punishment is inflicted on the disobedient?} Solitary confinement, on bread & water, till they submit- if this fails, add the chains, darken the cell & decrease the food, till they yeild.

Keeper of New Hampshire Penitentiary Aug^t 16. 1826

Gofftown NH Sept. 4. 1826

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His Excellency William Carroll, Governor of the State of Tennessee, Nashville, Tenn