the middle and lower classes of society. As a discipli-
narian, it would be difficult to find his equal; owing
to his superior management of the convicts, under
his charge. They love and fear him—they regard
him as their friend and protector—he furnishes them
with plenty of good wholesome provisions—keeps
them constantly employed, but never imposes immo-
derate tasks on them—he holds no conversation with
them except in directing their work, and this course
is strictly pursued by all his subordinate keepers—
he disdains the idle notion, that extreme severity is
the only appropriate mode for the government of a
penitentiary. I never conversed with a person,
whose sentiments as respects the management of
convicts, so cordially met my views, and in my opi-
nion are so well calculated to promote their general
welfare, and produce reformation. It is my opinion,
that there is no prison in the world equal to Auburn
prison, as regards cleanliness, industry, and good
conduct. The rules and regulations of the prison
are made known to each convict, and the moment
any of them are violated, the offender is punished—
it is owing to the certainty of this, that it is very
rare any punishment is inflicted. I perfectly agree
with him in every particular he advances, except as
to the mode of punishment adopted by him. I have
in vain urged to him, that whipping is totally incon-
sistent with the principles of that mild system we
wish to establish. I cannot persuade him, that prompt
punishment, by confinement, in a solitary cell on
bread and water, will produce the same effects as
whipping. I allow he will not exercise this power
unless accompanied with a degree of justice, as to
the nature of the offence committed, but certainly
others may abuse it, and therefore it never ought to
be allowed in any prison. I have told him that
during several years, that the New York

state prison
was subject to my direction as one of its inspectors,
there never was a single instance of inflicting corpo-