On the left side, after passing the main iron door, are the jailer's
apartments. Passing through another iron door, you ascend a narrow,
crooked stairs and reach the second story; here are some eight or
nine miserable cells-some large and some small-badly ventilated, and
entirely destitute of any kind of furniture: and if they are badly
ventilated for summer, they are equally badly provided with means to
warm them in winter. In one of these rooms were nine or ten persons,
when we visited it; and such was the morbid stench escaping from it,
that we were compelled to put our handkerchiefs to our faces. This
floor is appropriated for such crimes as assault and battery;
assault and battery, with intent to kill; refractory seamen;
deserters; violating the statutes; suspicion of arson and murder;
witnesses; all sorts of crimes, varying from the debtor to the
positive murderer, burglar, and felon. We should have enumerated,
among the rest, all stewards, (colored,) whether foreign or
domestic, who are committed on that singular charge, "contrary to
law." And it should have been added, even though cast away upon our
"hospitable shores." Among all these different shades of criminals,
there must be some very bad men. And we could recount three who were
pointed out to us, as very dangerous men, yet were allowed the favor
of this floor and its associations.
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