The history of the tread-mill : containing an account of its origin, construction, operation, effects as it respects the health and morals of the convicts, with their treatment and diet. Also, a general view of the penitentiary system, with alterations necessary to be introduced into our criminal code, for its improvement / by James Hardie, A.M.

  • Hardie, James, 1758-1826.
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of the tread-mill : containing an account of its origin, construction, operation, effects as it respects the health and morals of the convicts, with their treatment and diet. Also, a general view of the penitentiary system, with alterations necessary to be introduced into our criminal code, for its improvement / by James Hardie, A.M. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    12/78
    ed in the following pages, I am greatly indebted to Ste- phen Allen, Esq. our late Mayor, who very obligingly supplied me with sundry books and pamphlets well suited to my purpose. From one of these, in particular, enti- tled, Reports on the Stepping or Discipline Mill, at the Nero-York Penitentiary, together with sundry letters on the subject, written by the (said) Mayor, and pub- lished by order of the Common Council, January 20, 1823,1 have freely extracted some interesting remarks, for which liberty, I with pleasure, make this grateful ac- knowledgement. To Thomas Eddy, Esq. a gentleman, whose zeal in the cause of humanity is well known in Europe as well as in this country, I likewise, return my sincere thanks, for the many useful hints as well as for the pamphlets, with which he was pleased to honour me. From these, I trust, that I have reaped considerable benefit ; but more espe- cially from his Communication to Stephen Allen, Esq. Mayor of the City of New-York, &c. dated 10th month, (October) 8th, 1823, and published by order of the Cor- poration. This is a very interesting tract, and points out in a concise and impressive manner the present defects in the mode of employing convicts on the Tread-Mill and the adequate remedy. Of this, it will be seen, that I have duly availed myself, when treating on this important part of my subject. On the whole, I have now only to observe, that in the following pages, I have aimed at accuracy in every line, and have been actuated by a sincere desire to communi- cate what appeared to me to be useful information. How far I have succeeded, it will rest with a judicious public to determine. JAMES HARDIE. Bellevuey 22d October, 1524.