REPORT OF THE PHYSICIAN.

UNITED STATES PENITENTIARY, D. C.,
October 1, 1857.

SIR: In obedience to your request, I herein submit a brief statement of the sanitory condition of this institution during the past twelve months. At the date of my last report your attention was called to the only two cases, then in charge of the physician, which were considered worthy of special notice, as calculated to prove troublesome and of uncertain duration. These were convicts Barnes and Lucus; the former, I am pleased to state, has now so far improved, both mentally and physically, as to justify his being permitted to go at large and engage in the ordinary occupations of the other convicts; whilst the latter, although sufficiently recovered to walk around without assistance, is unable to perform any duty whatever, and still occupies the position of a supernumerary in the establishment.

The general health of the prison has been remarkably good during the greater portion of the year, extending up to about the first of August. Since that date we have had some accession to the number. of sick in the way of such malarial fevers as usually prevail during the autumn in this vicinity; they have been for the most part of a mild and manageable type, yielding readily to medical treatment in a few days.

The case of Joseph Brown, which proved fatal, requires, perhaps, a somewhat special notice at my hands. This man's health had been much impaired for twelve months antecedent to his demise, having suffered repeatedly with paroxisms of severe pains across the anterior portion of his chest, inducing great dyspuoa, and in some instances syncope; these were generally of short duration, lasting perhaps for an hour or two, leaving the patient somewhat exhausted, but able to attend to his daily vocation, that of shoemaking. On the 9th of May he was seized with a paroxism, without any special premonition, and expired in a few hours. As this man's case presented some obscure features, it was deemed advisable to make a post mortem examination of his body, which was accordingly performed the following day by the kind assistance of Drs. Thomas Miller and Leiberman. This examination, which embraced a careful inspection, separately, of both the thoracic and abdominal virsera, revealed the existence of a large quantity of effused fluid in the pleural cavities, and a softened condition of the tissue of the heart. The immediate cause of death we ascribed to adynamia, or a want of power in the heart's action, which accorded with part of the drapuosis given prior to death. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS THORNLEY, Warden.

A. Y. P. GARNETT.

REPORT OF THE CHAPLAIN.

WASHINGTON, D. C., October 1, 1857. SIR: In compliance with your request, I submit the following report of the moral condition of the convicts in the United States penitentiary, for the year ending September 30, 1857. It will necessarily be brief, as I have been connected with the institution only a short 'time.

The prisoners, generally, listen attentively to preaching every Sabbath, and I trust they do not hear altogether in vain. I found, when I entered upon the sacred duties of my office, a few of them who appeared to be sincerely trying to conform their lives to the precepts of the Gospel, and who gave evidence of having experienced, in some degree, its saving power. Since then one has made a profession of faith in Christ, and has received baptism. The administration of this ordinance was witnessed with solemn interest by nearly all his fellow-convicts. May we not hope to see many of these erring men, influenced by Divine truth, return to the ways of virtue?

There is no Sunday school in the prison; but there are two Bible classes, taught by the chaplain; and the prisoners who regularly take their places in these, evince a most commendable desire to obtain a knowledge of the Scriptures. I have visited the penitentiary several times each week, spending from one to two hours at each visit in conversation with the prisoners after they had been locked in their cells. They all expressed pleasure to see me, and, with a few exceptions, were not only willing, but anxious to converse on religious subjects. So far as I have yet observed, those who are the most ignorant have shown the greatest indifference to such topics.

I respectfully suggest that a considerable addition to the prison library is much needed. In fact, there should be a new library. The present one comprises about five hundred volumes; many of them small works, with inferior binding. The books are all much worn and defaced; hence, while many are altogether worthless, the condition of others renders it impossible for the person having charge of them to detect those who may do them additional injury. Now, new books sufficient in number to form a library of themselves, properly numbered and placed under the care of one officer, could be preserved from abuse more easily than if mingled with those already defaced..

The Board of Inspectors have recently afforded the prisoners a very valuable advantage by causing the prison to be lighted for a few hours each evening, thus enabling them to see to read. Should they not, therefore, have more books, in order that they may improve it? Some spelling books are greatly wanted, as there are some who cannot read, but who seem very desirous to learn.

In conclusion, permit me to express my grateful appreciation of the facilities afforded me for the discharge of my duties, by yourself and the subordinate officers of the prison.

Respectfully,

THOMAS THORNLY, Esq.,

Warden U. S. Penitentiary.

H. N. SIPES, Chaplain U. S. Penitentiary.

REPORT OF THE MATRON.

FEMALE DEPARTMENT OF THE U. S. PENITENTIARY,
Washington, October, 1, 1857.

SIR: There is so little change in the concerns and transactions of this department during the year, that I have but little opportunity of furnishing a report varying from the one presented this time twelve months. On the 1st of October, 1856, there was eight convicts here. Since that time, four have been discharged and three received, leaving seven at the close of last month, showing a decrease of one as compared with the last year.

Those confined here now are employed as follows: washing and ironing, four; house-cleaning and making clothing for the male convicts, one; shoe-binding, one; mending male convicts clothing, one. You see by this statement almost all their work is for the male department, and it is owing to this cause that so small an amount of cash is received from here during the year. Notwithstanding this, the female convicts' labor benefits the institution very much. They bind all the shoes that are sent to them from the shoe department, wash, iron, and mend the male convicts' apparel, besides washing for a few customers, keeping the building neat and clean, and attending to their own wants, &c. These duties keep them constantly busy; and to prove to you that they have not been allowed to be idle, I will here give you an account of the work they have done during the past year:

Shoes bound, 1,067 pairs.

Clothes washed and ironed, 2,093 dozen.

Clothes mended, 394 dozen.

Clothes made, 150 pieces.

Though they have accomplished so much, still there have been many difficulties to encounter calculated to discourage them and make the duties of the matron still more trying.

It matters not what quantity of work is sent here, it is always supposed it will be ready the moment it is called for. Sometimes it has been the case that some of the convicts have been sick, or punished, perhaps those who best understand the work, yet, the regular quantity is expected. At present there is only one good shoe-binder in this department, the others having left when their time expired. Two of the convicts lately received are learning to bind shoes, but they are very slow; still, all demands have been answered. I would here call your particular attention to the total want in this department of all conveniences for carrying on any kind of work properly. The washhouse is entirely too small and its fixtures almost unfit for use. boilers attached are very old and without cover. There is but a small yard in which to dry clothes, so that the convicts are compelled to make use of the galleries for that purpose, thus causing much delay and extra trouble.

The

As to the conduct of convicts under my charge, I have in general found them very respectful. Some of them have very violent tempers when raised, or, as they term it, when they are "interferred" with by

their fellow-convicts. Sometimes when they have given away to these feelings, to preserve any order, I have been obliged to make use of the only punishment allowed-confinement in their cells, or the dungeon; but as they generally soon show signs of repentance, and seem sorry for causing trouble, they were not punished any length of time.

When first received, some of the convicts are very sullen, and refuse to work; others again are very quarrelsome, as was the case with the last received; she has been very unruly since her entrance, and her example has had a bad effect upon others, causing them to misbehave; but as I have generally succeeded in managing the others by firmness and kindness, I am in hopes, by exercising the same treatment towards her, she will in a short time submit to the rules.

The building, cells, etc., are clean and orderly, and the convicts. seem to take much pleasure in keeping them so. Owing to the constant attention of the doctor, their health has been in general good. The new Board of Inspectors often visit this part of the prison; they evidently take much interest in the convicts, and I feel much indebted to them for the kind encouragement they have given me. Allow me to thank you, sir, for your aid and kindness in my trying position during the past year; I also feel much obliged to the officers for their assistance. I have endeavored, with the help of God, to perform my duty to the best of my knowledge.

With much respect,

THOMAS THORNLEY, Esq., Warden.

E. F. MARCERON, Matron.