REPORT
OF THE
INSPECTORS AND AGENT
OF THE
TENNESSEE PENITENTIARY.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OCTOBER 14, 1833.
Read and ordered to be printed.
To the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee:
The Inspectors of the Penitentiary beg leave to make
the following Report.
Herewith you will receive a report of the Keeper,
marked A., which gives a full view of the different kinds
of business carried on in the Penitentiary, and the pro¬
fits arising on each. You have also herewith a state¬
ment of the Keeper, of the number of convicts re¬
ceived within the last two years, with the information
in relation to each, required by law.
It wilj be perceived on an examination of the Keep¬
er's report marked A., that a considerable amount has
been necessarily expended within the last two years,
in bedding for the cells, furniture, and tools for the dif¬
ferent departments of business, which will aid in ac¬
counting for the small smn which has been realized
from the lab6r of the convict^, But in addition to this,
within the last six months the convicts have erected
work shops upwards of two hundred feet long, thirty-
2
two feet wide, and two stories high. All this has been
done or paid for by their labor. The shops are now
sufficient to accommodate two hundred labourers.—
There is therefore no apprehension that more shop
room will be wanting for a long period to come. The
convicts have also laboured in various other ways, to
a considerable extent, for the benefit of the prison.—
The yard has been graduated; a large deep Reservoir
has been blown out; a number of expensive cell doors
have been made; a house for the safe keeping of the
public arms has been erected; and a small one for the
residence of the Clerk has been built. All this for the
prison has been done within the last year. Notwith¬
standing the great amount of labor performed for the
Penitentiary, the institution would at the end of the
year have shown a handsome profit, but for the fatal
ravages of the Cholera. The disease made its appear¬
ance on the second of June, and it spread so rapidly
that labor of all kinds was suspended in a few days.—
Not a single convict escaped an attack; and for three
months from its first appearance, scarcely any work was
or could be done. Rut there was an additional source
of expenditure which could not be omitted. Humani¬
ty required shat every care should be taken of the sick
convicts, and the amount expended for an extra Physi¬
cian, Medicine, and other necessaries, was little|short of
a thousand dollars. It is to be hoped, however, that
this fatal disease will not again visit us, and that the in¬
stitution will hereafter realize the warmest expectations
of its supporters.
The Inspectors cannot in justice omit bringing to your
consideration the subject of petit larceny.*
Under the present law, the shortest period of confine¬
ment is twelve months, and jurors scarcely ever fix a
3
longer,p^jrfof confinement; and the consequence is,
that the c.'^yict Is a heavy charge to the State. The
time is toq^sfiort either to learn a trade, or produce re¬
formation? vIf it be thought that a longer period of
confinement than twelve months is too great for the
crime of petit larceny, the Inspectors would respectful¬
ly recommend that the punishment bo confinement in
the county /jailsTTor a period of not more than six
months.
In conclusion, the Inspectors beg leave to say, that
in their opinion the Penitentiary has been well manag¬
ed. The officers, under the most trying circumstances,
have not failed to do their duty; end a confident belief
is entertained, that they will hereafter make the institu¬
tion a source of revenue to the State.
The Inspectors request the Legislature to visit the
prison, and make a full examination of every thing;
and if amendments in any department can be suggest¬
ed, they will be happy to carry into effect the wishes of
the General Assembly.
Respectfully submitted.
WM. CARROLL,
R. C. FOSTER,
SAM. G. SMITH,
MOSES RIDLEY*
Nashville, October *7,1833.
4
A.
To the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee,
convened at Nashville:
The Keeper of the Penitentiary would ask leave to
lay before your honorable body, a plain statement of
the receipts and expenditures, together with a general
view of the pecuniary concerns ojpjthe^orison, from
September 30th, 1831, to September30th,\l833,inclu¬
sive.
SHOE DEPARTMENT.
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand September
3( th, 1831, -
Leather on hind,
Sho^s on hand,
Stock &c. since purchased, ...
Received and charged for work done, nnd arti¬
cles sold, from September Si th, 1831, to Sep¬
tember 3(.th, 1833, inclusive, ...
Leatner on hand September 3lth 1833, - -
Shoes on hand, .....
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand,
COOPER'S DEPARTMENT.
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand September
80th, 1831,
Stock on hand, .....
Cooper's Ware on hand, ....
Stock &c. since purchased, ...
Received and charged for work done, and arti-
ticles sold, from September 31 th, 1831, to
September 3lth, i8-i3, inclusive,
Stock &c. on hand September 30th, 1833, -
Cooper's Ware on hand, -
Tools &c. on hand, ....
STONE DEPARTMFNT.
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand January
16th. 1832,
Stock&c. since purchased, ...
Received am! charged for work done, and arti¬
cles sold, from September 3Cth, 1831, to Sep¬
tember ?f th, 1833,
Stock on han I September CCth, 1833,
Monuments and Tomb-stones on hand,
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand,
$31 25
12 00
53 62
1977 65
4269 82
52 50
218 00
96 75
2074 52
46°7 07
26 0?
20 00
9
226 45
525 17
178 96
32 13
35 00
2562 55
292 35
771 26
108 00
521 38 629 38
1995 69
244 00
693 50
139 57
478 91'
3072 762443 3«
5
TAILOR'S DEPARTMENT.
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand September
30th, 1831,
Shop Furniture &c. purchased sirice, -
Received and charged fir work done, from Sep¬
tember 30th, 1831, to September 30th, 1833,
inclusive, -
Work finished on hand, September 30th, 1833,
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand,
HATTER'S DEPARTMENT.
Carding Machine and Suop Furniture on hand
July 1st, 1832, -----
Stock &c. since purchased, -
R.ceived and<fcharged fur work done, and arti¬
cles sold, from July 1st, 1832, to September
3(,th, 1833, inclusive, -
Hats on hand September 30th, 1833, -
Stock on hand, including Carding Machine, -
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand,
BLACKSMITH'S DEPARTMENT.
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand September
30th, 1831,
Stock &c. since purcha-ed, -
Received and charged f >r work done, and arti¬
cles sol I, from September 30th, 1831, to Sep¬
tember 30th, 1833, inclusive, -
Stock on hand September 30th, 1833, -
Work finished on hand, -
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand,
WAGON MAKER'S DEPARTMENT.
Tools &c. on hand April 1st, 1932,
Stock on hand, - - -
Stock&c. since purchased, - - -
J£ecf*iyed and charged for work done, and arti¬
cles'sold, from April 1st, 1832, to September
30th, 1833, inclusive, -
Stock on hand September 30th, 1833, -
Work finished on hand, -
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand, -
CARPENTER'S DEPARTMENT.
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand September
,30th, 1831,
Stock &c. since purchased, - - -
."Received and charged for work done, and arti¬
cles sold, from September 30th, 1831, to Sep¬
tember 30th, 1833, inclusive,
Stock on hand September 30th, 1833, *
Work finished on hand, -
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand,
1656 71
2015 00
485 00
255 00
12 25
48 66
1720 23
32 00
26 00
360 00
1774 £8
75 00
1467 52
3769 49
498 25
224 00
255 00
35 00
50 00
542 59
1808 05
318 00
271 Ot
110 0<
60 91
1788 231727 32
2134 3S
4411 702277 32
1542 52
4745 73
627 59
2507 05
45 75
764 43
3302 51
34 00
104 00
150 00
810 18
3590 51
3203 21
1879 46
2780 33
6
OH\IR, TURNING AND PAINTING
DEPARTMENT.
Tools and Shop Furniture on hand April 1st,
1832, - ....
Stock on hand,
Stock Arc. since purchased,
Received and charged for work done, from
April 1st, 18'.'2, to September ' litli, 1833,
Stock on hand September 3Uth, 1833,
Unfinished work on hand, -
Tools and Shop Furnituie on hand,
BRICKLAYER'S DEPARTMENT.
Materials purchased from March 2;d, 18 3, to
Septernl er i 11th, 18-',3, ...
By tlie erection of York Shops <Src. Arc. from
Maich 23d, to September 3Uth, 1831,
L\B(JURER'S DEPARTMENT.
Tools. Wheelbarrows Arc. on hand September
3Cth, 1831,
Repining Tools Arc. from September 3(!th,
1831, to September 30th, 1833,
By labour performed in guiding yard, blasting
and breaking rock, in excivatmg cistern, and
performing in various employments not in¬
cluded in th • median c il departments, from
September 3(Jth, 1831, to September 30th,
1833, inclusive,
Tools Arc. on hand September 30th, 18*\°, -
EXPENSE ACCOUNT.
For Medicines, Statione y Fuel, Clothing of
Con\icts and other i*eidental expenses in¬
curred, fron September 30th, 18.il, to Sep¬
tember 31th, 1833, ....
By 60 cords wood on hand September 30th,
1833,
Leaving the amount expended from September
30th, 1831, to September 3Cth, 1833,
JOHN M'lNTOSH, Ag-tnt and Keeper,
IN ACCOUNT WITH PENITENTIARY.
To this amount received of Thomas Crutcher,
Treasurer of West Tennessee, from Septem¬
ber 30th, 1831, to September 30th, 1833
$8,909 97—for articles sold $8890 28, -
By this amount paid sundries as per vouchers
including all salaries of officers, victualling
convicts, Acc. from September 1st, 1831, to
September 30th, 1833, -
Leaving a balance due the Keeper on the 30th
September, 1833, of
45 88
51 00
182 56
279 44
651 08
60 20
105 75
140 12
957 15
1357 49
2271 12
37 50
9 75
47 25
737 2-
25 00
762 28
3253 50
120 00
3153 50
15800 25
20407 83
4607 58
677 71
1013 63
715 03
RECAPITULATION.
INCOME.
Shoe Department, $2562 55
Cooper's do. 478 91
Stone do. 2443 38
Tailor's do. 1727 32
Hatter's do. 2277 32
Blacksmith's do. 3203 21
Wagon Maker's do. 1879 46
Carpenter's do. 2780 33
Chair, Turning and Paint¬
ing do. 677 71
Labourer's do. 715 03
Bricklayer's do. 1013 63
Property on hand, 1C57 50
Debts due the Prison, 2407 18
23223 53
EXPENDITURES
Expenses, 3153 50
Balance due Keeper, ' 4607 58
This amount received from
the Treasurer, 8909 97
Balance,
6552 48
2: 223 53
STATEMENT OF PROPERTY.
19 'Berths and Furniture,
6 Tables, -
Cooking Utensils, -
Table Furniture, ....
Cell Furniture, Piggins and Wash Noggins,
1 Patent Balance, -
1 Cart nearly finished, ...
Amount of property on hand September 30th,
1831,
83 Berths, Mattrasses. Blankets and Cell Fur¬
niture, at $7 CO, -
20 Tables and Furniture, at $2,50,
1 Cart and 2 sets of Harness,
Cooking Utensils, Stove, &c.
1 Water Cart and Barrel, -
1 Rock Wagon, -
2 Mules, ......
6 Ten-plate Stoves and Pipes,
1 Patent Balance, -
3 Pair Steelyards, -
1 Set Measures, Funnel, &c.
3 Pair Andirons and Fire Irons,
1 Clock for Guard room, ...
Hospital Stores and Furniture,
Desk and Table in Office, ...
Property on hand September 30th, 1833, -
Increased balance on September 30th, 1833,
114 0C
6 0C
10 00
6 00
14 25
20 00
30 00
200 25
581 00
50 00
50 00
82 00
25 00
85 00
131 00
150 00
20 00
4 25
1 87
3 63
20 00
40 00
14 00
1257 75
1
1057 56
8
EMPLOYMENT OF CONVICTS.
Shoemaking,
6)
Coopers,
2
Stone cutters and sawing rock,
8
Tailors,
2
Hatting,
8
Blacksmiths,
7
Wagon Makers,
6
Carpenters,
51
Turners,
l|
Bricklayers and assistants, 7
Labourers, 4
Water carriers and attending in
Shop, S
Sick in Hospital, 5
Attending on sick, 1
Cooking and Washing, 2
i Total in confinement, 67
R EC APITCLAYIO N &c.
Number of Convicts in confine¬
ment on September 3Cth. 1831, 21
Received since, White Males, 75
" " Coloured " 2
" " Females, 0
Discharged by'expiration of sen¬
tence, 9
Pardoned, 2
Died, 20
Escaped, 0
Number in confinement on Sep¬
tember 30th, 1833, 67
98
98
State of Tennessee,
Davidson County.
Personally appeared John M'Intosh before me,
Elihu S. Hall, a Justice of the Peace in and for the
county aforesaid, and made oath that the above state¬
ment is true, to the best of his knowledge and belief
JOHN M'INTOSH,
Agent and Keeper Tennessee Penitentiary.
Sworn to and subscribed before me,
this 7th of October, 1833.
E. S. HALL.
A. A. HALL, Printer to the Ionise.