This well-intentioned Act[141] (which certainly admits of many improvements), was followed up, three years afterwards, by another Statute, (19 Geo. III. cap. 74,) which had two very important objects in view.
The first was to erect, in some convenient common or waste ground, in either of the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Kent, or Surry, Two large Penitentiary Houses, the one to hold 600 male, and the other 300 female Convicts, with proper storehouses, workhouses, and lodging-rooms; an infirmary, chapel, and burying-ground; a prison, kitchen, garden, and air-grounds: with proper offices, and other necessary apartments.
The expence of these grounds and erections was to be paid out of the treasury; and his Majesty was empowered to appoint three persons as a Committee of Management for regulating the Establishment; under the controul of the Justices of the Peace of the County, and Judges of Assize, with power to appoint a clerk, governor, chaplain, surgeon, or apothecary, store-keepers, and task-masters; and also a matron for the females;—and to allow salaries to each, which were to be paid out of the profits of the work, to be performed by the Convicts.
As soon as the buildings should be completed, the Court, before whom any person was convicted for a transportable offence, might, in lieu thereof, order the prisoner to be punished by confinement, in any of these Penitentiary Houses, there to be kept to hard labour in the proportion of 5 years instead of 7 years' transportation, and not exceeding 7 years in lieu of 14 years' transportation; limiting at the same time the number of Convicts to be sent annually from the Circuits in the Country, and from the different Sessions in the Metropolis.
This Act lays down various specific rules for the government of the Establishment, and for the employment of the Prisoners; and the following works, as being of the most servile kind and least liable to be spoiled by ignorance, neglect, or obstinacy, are selected, namely—
- 1. Treading in a wheel for moving machinery.
- 2. Drawing in a capstan, for turning a mill or engine.
- 3. Sawing stone
- 4. Polishing marble
- 5. Beating hemp
- 6. Rasping logwood
- 7. Chopping rags
- 8. Making cordage
- 9. Picking oakum
- 10. Weaving sacks
- 11. Knitting nets, &c. &c.
The food of the different offenders, as in the former Act, was limited to bread and any coarse meat, with water and small beer; and the Prisoners were to be cloathed in uniform apparel, with badges affixed, agreeable to the Institution.
Certain other rules were established for the discipline of the house, under the direction of the Committee to be appointed by his Majesty; who were to attend every fortnight, and to have power to reward such offenders as should appear most diligent and meritorious, by giving them a part of their earnings, to be applied for the use of themselves end families.
And when an offender should be discharged, decent clothing was to be delivered to him; with a sum of money for present subsistence, not less than twenty shillings, nor more than three pounds.
The second purpose of this Act (and which is the only part of it which was ever carried into effect), regards the continuation of the System of the Hulks.