. to hearof, is, that some troublesome fel-

214

yard Island? What rapid strides has it made towards the regeneration of our sys- tems in this little_Mistress ofthe Gulf? But Iknow your answer will be. “The fault is not to be attributed to the ‘ Press,’ but to the paltry conductors thereof.” Granted— But, since it has been said that “the school- master is abroad,” and faith it appears he has found his way to Prince Edward Is- lahd ; yes, to the press of P. E. Island — Yes Sir. lrepeat it again, to the press of P. E. Island. When we see a newspaper that has been since its very commence- ment, the tool ofa Party always subjecl lo the ‘powers that be,’ (‘let the cap fit where it may.’) [say Sir, when we see this paper assume such a formidable position as to ar- raign in its columns, serenteen ‘ wise men’ and a fool, that we may justly conclude the schoolmaster has at length arrived, and laid holdcn the helm of that “ Mighty en- gine.” And for what are those sages ar— raigned ? because forsootlt “oncfool” has been found to give them a “feed!”

Now, Mr. White, the next thingI hepe

low or other in the shape of a “schoolmaso ter," shall have found his way to the ofﬁce of the ‘Bnmsn AMERICAN.’ Such a thing cannot be surprising, as it was on liberal and independent principles that your valua- ble journal was established.

Now Sir, I cannot help thinking, that public men are public properly, particularly

THE BRITISH AMERICAN.

‘ Doctor Faustis,’you must give us a sketch of our Parliamentary affair. once "in a while. I am sorry 1 live out of town or] would give you a report now and then.— But I shall with your permission, Sir, send you my opinions occasionally, on different subjects connected with the interests of the people; and in the meantime remain yOur Obt. Servant, BARBER. Green-Bush Cottage,Jan. 3|.

CONDITION OF CONVICTS IN VAN DIEMAN'S LAND.

Van Dietnan‘s Land being a penalstation for the reception of offenders from Great Britain, it may perhaps be expected that a portion ofthcse pages should be allotted to a subject which is very imperfectly understood at home. although of very considerable importance. 1: may be well, therefore, to devote a small space towards making known a few of the leading principles under which the convict population isgoverned. There are two lead- ing heads connected with this sobject—-the one. the general state or condition of crown pri- soners, and the other, the incentives to good conduct which are presented to them, by the indulgences to which they are admissible. Upon the first point, it may be remarked, that all persons who are transported hither, with- out reference to any previous circumstances whatever, are either placed in the public ser- vice, or are assigned to private individuals immediately upon landing, according to their

while such are paid out of the public purse. On such data as this, I consider the public have a right—yes, an undoubted right, to scrutinize the measures ofall public bodies, however elevated their position may be, or however far their privileges extend. Well Mr. Editor, what next? here our Honorable Body of Legislators have been in active employment labouring for the welfare of the state for nearly a month past, without we ever hearing a single 0')- servation or comment on their proceed- ings. Can this be right ? No Sir, it can- not. That honourable body would be dou- bly stimulated in their arduous duties, by your giving merit its due. Bv holding up to the public gaze the ‘ threadbare’ argu- ments of some, and giving expression to public opinion ; it would work wonders in favormf the constituency of Prince Ed- ward Island.-—See that arch chap Joe Howe, during the session of the Legisla- ture in H'tlilax. he is in every ‘hole and corner.’ Nay. even when the subject of Pay came br-l‘on- that honourable and au- gust Assembly. .lne sent one of his ‘Devils’ rolled in his ‘ old-dc of darkness,’ and re- ported the divisiou in the very next ‘ No- vascotian.’ , Now,-Mr. Editor, if you are not yet pro- vided with a ‘l/eoil,’ you can no doubt ﬁnd one in Charlotte~Town, and if not, you must send for one to Novascotia. At all

several qualifications. Those who belong to the first class are compelled to devote the whole oftheir time to such occupations as are allotted to them; and in return, are fed, clothed, and lodged at the expense of the Crown. All mechanics and labourers reside in barracks, built expressly for the occasion ; but those who are employed as clerks to any of the public ofﬁces, are permitted to live elsewhere, and re- ceive an annual pittance, varying from 1.10 to 1.18 per annum, together with a small sum for clothing. The regulations in force with res- pect to the whole body, and many of which are elsewhere given, effectually render their con- dition one ofunvarying punishment; for they are not allowed to exercise either of titne or talents for their own advantage, nor are they suffered to possess property, even if they have friends who would place such-at their disposal. Those who are assigned to private -families, must be born: ﬁdc in the service of their mas- ters. They are not allowed to live away from this roof—must not be paid wages—nor work for themselves—can go nowhere without a pass—in fact, although possessing a sort of comparatiVe liberty, are stillunder the closest control imaginable. The Colonial Laws against harbouring prisoners are extremely severe; visiting with heavy ﬁnes all transgres- son; and to which persons may very inno~ cently render themselves liable, so various and comprehensive are the enactments. It is only within the last three or four years that the

ﬁt). 21

transportation system, so far as regards t‘ Colony and New South Wales. has assum that stern and rigid character by which it ' now marked; since formerly, there were in.“ channels open, by which much of its severity was capable of being mitigated. Although - has been under Colonel Auther’s government that the rpstrictions and regulations no“. force have been introduced, it is genera" believed that ‘ orders from home,’ rather [1,“ his own natural disposition, have been the cause; for he has generally been remarked to have greater pleasnre in lessening, than in 33, gravating, human misery. and although strict in enforcing obedience—unrelenting in u], punishment of hardened offenders—and cap, hle of turning a deaf ear. even to a well to” tale, that has not a good cause in its 8npp0rt_ yet, the indiscriminate line of treatment no. pursued to all Crown prisoners is rather attri. hated to others, whose hanlsthe governorh atnereinstrument, than to himself. In many respects however, the regulations that have been adopted are very excellent, and have had the best and tnost wholesome effect, not only on the convict population generally, but on many of the free inhabitants. The state of persons who are sent hither for their offence: should be one of punishment. They have no right to expect otherwise; nor would it be ad- visable that they should ever be led to think differently; yet that which is misery to one

man, is thought nothing of by another, and it is the indiscriminating, undeviating coum that is now pursued, rtot the system itself, tint is thought not to belong to Colonel Autber. It is easy enough for people, sixteen thousand miles distant, to legislate; but a discretion,

and a great one too, should always be vested in the hands ofthe local authorities.

With regard to the second part of this sub. ject, orthe in'lulgences that are open to pri. soners of the crown, as a reward for good conduct, they are principally, tickets of leave, by which the holder is free from compulsory labour and emancipations, which restore free: dom, so far as regards the Colony, but do not permit theindividual to leave it. But then are other intermediate steps which may lit considered to partake of the nature of' indnlv gences, such as situations in the policem; that are only conferred upon persons ot'gootl charact r, but which open the road, at the end ofa given period, to certain and considerable advantages. The ﬁxed rule with regard to in« dulgence is, nndeviattng good conduct, ant length ofservice. Persons who are transport- ed for seven years. must have resided four it the Colony, before they are admissible to! ticket ofleave—for fourteen, six—for lifeielgm- Emancipations may be hoped for, by fourlm years’ men, at the end of two thirds of their sentence, by those who are for life, after lit ving been here twelve years; but one ring“ act that shall have brought the individual be fore a Magistrate, so as to have a record 0t misbehaviour against his name, no matter it"

events, whether you send the ‘ Devil’ or