other, while she is obliged to go out to the wash-tub, and her offspring are going astray, while the father may be found in a grog. shop or porter-house. Respectfully, yours, N. C. HART, Sup. House of Refuge. New-York, Feb. 26, 1834. Lunatic Asylum. My visit to this institution was highly gratifying ;-the situation, having the Hudson and East rivers in full view, and the natural scenery, together with the taste displayed in the improvements of the grounds, render it altogether one of the most delightful spots I have ever seen. The spacious buildings, while they may be made to serve as prisons, have the appearance of an elegant and spacious country seat; and if comfort and quiet, and the most kind and affectionate treatment, can contribute towards the restoration of the deranged intellect, dissipate the clouds which hang over it, and restore the balance of the mind, there may be hope for this unfortunate class at the Bloomingdale Asylum. Through the kind attention of Dr. Macdonald, I was conducted through the different buildings and rooms, and had an opportunity of observing his intercourse with, and treatment of his patients. It was that of an indulgent parent, whose kindness is so blended with firmness, as to command respect and obedience while it secures their affection. Dr. Macdonald was not prepared at the moment to answer the particular inquiries which were the object of my visit, but very kindly addressed to me the following letter some days after, which gives as definite information as the nature of the case will admit. Monday Eve., March 3, 1834. Bloomingdale Asylum. SAMUEL CHIPMAN, ESQ. Dear Sir, I have examined all the annual reports from 1821 (the year this institution went into operation) to the close of 1833, and have found that the whole number of patents admitted during that period is 1,676; and that of this number of cases, 379 were caused by intemperance. I have no reason to doubt this to be the true statement of the number produced by intemperance alone; but there are probably other cases, in which this vice concurred with other causes, though the proportion of these is comparatively very small. I am Sir, very respectfully, &c. &c. J. MACDONALD. After visiting this noble and philanthropic institution, designed and so eminently calculated to alleviate one of the worst forms of human misery, I could but regret that the great number of insane persons now in the different poor-houses of the State, could not be removed here, where they might participate in its benefits. Many of them might doubtless, by the medical skill and the kind and judicious treatment they would receive, be restored to their reason, to their families and to society. This class of inmates of the poor-houses, so far as I know, receive every kindness and attention, which the accommodations and means provided for them will admit. But these accommodations extend no farther than to the security of their persons and to prevent their annoying others. There is no special provision to promote their cure: indeed I should think that in many instances, these accommodations are too limited to render them even comfortable. This is a class that is extremely troublesome to the keeper; I have seen in some of these houses, cells for the insane, in which they were confined: it was absolutely necessary, but such situations could not afford any well grounded hope of the removal of their malady, or that the county would be relieved, except by their death, of the burthen of their support. My attention was not particularly called to this subject, until near the close of my examinations, but I recollect that there were (indeed my certificates will show this) in almost every county some of this unfortunate class, and in some of the counties adjacent to New-York, I recollect hearing it remarked, as we were looking over the list of names, that such and such persons were lunatics and were supported by the county at Bloomingdale Asylum. Would it not accord well with the benevolent spirit of the age, and be an honor to the liberality and humane feelings of our Legislature, that this subject should be thoroughly investigated, and provision made for the removal and support of these persons at this institution? $269,936 48 Although the above facts in relation to city expenses, are taken from the report of the comptroller, I cannot say with any degree of confidence, that I have taken all the items that constitute the criminal or pauper expenses of the city; neither can I say that I have taken a proper proportion of expense of the city watch as chargeable to intemperance. The fact is, I am too little acquainted with the business of cities to give, (from the means I possessed, although perhaps ample for any business man of that city,) a statement very satisfactory, even to myself. It must be recollected too, that the limits of the the city, are the same as those of the county; that there are no county expenses as distinct from city expenses: the tax therefore, is to defray all the expense of the Board of Health, which last year, was $26,456; city courts, $13,090,14; lightning the streets, $72,408,05 &c. &c. &c. Further, in regard to the Alms-House and Penitentiary, it was entirely impracticable to attempt an accurate examination into the habits of their inmates. The number received is so large, that it would require three or four for each, appointed for the special purpose, to make any thing like an accurate classification, as I have done in the other jails and poor-houses of the State. The greatest benefit which I can hope from the statement I have here given, in regard to the cause and the express of pauperism and crime in this city is, that it may lead to a more thorough and accurate investigation by those who have the means and are qualified to make it; that those who pay the taxes, may know why they are thus taxed, and that those who have the power, may apply the remedy. NIAGARA COUNTY.-Population 18,485. The one put down as temperate is a lad. Of the intemperate a considerable number have been committed repeatedly; one man has lain in jail two-thirds of the time for three years past, for abuse to his family when intoxicated; when sober, is a kind husband and father. At least one-third of the persons imprisoned here are foreigners; their numbers is constantly increasing. To the influx of foreigners, I attribute the increased number of commitments, within the last two or three years. Doubtful,... 29 .... 113 JOHN GOULD, Keeper. Mr. Gould who keeps all the accounts relating to the expense of the poor, certifies that the expense at the Poor-House, was Out door poor,. $1,286 65 938 22 $2,224 87 The increase in the number of foreign poor, at this PoorHouse, is worthy of especial notice. In 1830, the whole No. of paupers was.. 95 33 In 1831, whole No.... 112 I was unable to obtain from Mr. Cadwallader, the clerk of the board of supervisors, the amount of tax and the expense of crime. I applied to him personally, but he was particularly engaged; he promised however, to make out the statement and forward it to me; he has not done it. A subsequent application, through a friend at Lockport, has been equally unsuccessful. ONEIDA COUNTY.-Population 71,326. Whole No. received since 20th April last,. Temperate, Doubtful,.. Intemperate, 75 14 25 36 SAMUEL M. MOTT, Sheriff. Explanation. This jail is three miles from Utica, from which place a very large proportion of the whole number is sent. They are generally apprehended there and examined; sometimes kept in the watch-house, for one or two days, by which time they generally become sober, although they were drunk when taken up ; of course they are sober when they first come to the knowledge of the sheriff. Mr. Mott has had charge of the jail, as will be seen by the date above, only about 4 months; and his predecessor lived at a distance, and had taken the book containing the entry of prisoners' names, &c. previous to April 20th, with him. The turnkey also was absent. The following particulars, however, which are embraced in the certificate, will throw some light on the subject. Of the temperate, 5 were committed for assault and battery!! one female vagrant, and three men for want of sureties to keep the peace!! There were also two lads, and one man who was acquitted on trial. Of those classed as doubtful, there were eleven females, committed as vagrants!! or disorderly persons; two men as vagrants!! one for want of surety to keep the peace! three for assault and battery! Particulars. Of the temperate, three were lads; (two of them for Sabbath-breaking;) one a highway robber; one acquitted on trial. Of the doubtful, a number were only sent here from Whitesborough, for trial. Of the intemperate, one was charged with murder; eleven were females! and three men for abuse of their familes. |