Of Law books 69 volumes of State Papers, statutes of various States of the Union, and Congressional Journals, 29 volumes-of books pertaining to the miscellaneous department of the Library, 261 volumes-besides two large and valuable maps, one being that of Murchison's Silurian system of England and Wales, the other, Smith's map of the United States, were all found in the library, but not in any printed catalogue.

From the 1st of June, 1844, to January 1845, the new Trustees added to the library 346 volumes of Law books, 229 volumes of Statutes, State Pa pers, &c., and 571 volumes of miscellaneous works, including various maps, charts, &c.,-making a total of 1,146 volumes. Rising 80 volumes, including pamphlets, were received, during the same period, as donations. For the support and enlargement of the library, besides the original permanent grant of $1,000 yearly, there is now a standing annual appropria. tion of $1.500 of the fees paid into the State treasury, by the Clerks of the Supreme Court and the Registers and Clerks in Chancery, for the specific benefit of the Law library, and of $300 from the Chancery fund, making $2,800 of permanent yearly appropriation in aid of the library, besides occasional grants. In 1844 there was paid from the treasury $3,500 in aid of the library, and the Comptroller's estimate for 1845 is $4,700.

STATE PRISONS.

Of these there are two principal ones of long standing; one at Auburn, Cayuga County., and the other, at Sing-Sing, in Westchester County. A third was provided for, by acts of the Legislature, passed at the session of 1844, the leading purpose of which was the employment of convict labor in making iron: it is to be situated in Clinton county.

AUBURN STATE PRISON.

This prison originated in an act of the Legislature in 1816; and after several experiments and modifications, it was organized on its present plan of discipline and management, in 1823. Its general control is vested in a Board of Inspectors; and the internal discipline and management are entrusted to an Agent, with subordinates. The convicts are lodged in separate cells, at night; and during the working hours by day, they work in company, but in absolute silence, all speech, or communication by signs, or looks. being strictly forbidden. Many mechanical employments are pursued, and those who enter without any, are taught some trade. Part of the plan has been, to let the labor of the convicts to contractors, and the avails of this labor, as well as that which is done directly on public account, go to defray the expenses of the prison.

The trades plied in the prison may be seen in the statements which fol low, of the earnings of the convicts.

The manufacture of silk was commenced in this prison in May, 1841; but though it seemed, for a time, to promise well, as a beneficial mode of employing convict labor, yet, on a thorough trial continued through several successive years, it was found, on the whole, owing to the cost of the raw material, the inevitable waste and difficulties of the manufacture, to be unsuitable to the place and unprofitable, not to say wasteful; and in May 1844 it was wholly suspended, never probably to be resumed.

The following sintements relative to the operations and condition of this prison, are abstracted from the Annual Report of the Inspectors, dated January 2, 1845.

The total amount of receipts into the prison treasury from

all sources, during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1844, $72,913.52 Total disbursements during same year,

Cash balance on hand September 30, 1844,.....

68,107.40

$4,806.12

$52,389.10

884.10

866.73

1,942.75

The earnings of the prison during the same year were as follows:

Proceeds of convict labor on contracts,..

$56,082.68

The expenses for the general support of the prison were $51,041.04; and of the ordinary repairs $2.725.16, making $53,766.20; leaving a balance in favor of earnings, of $2.315.48.

The earnings on contracts for convict labor, in 1844, exceed those of 1843 by the sum of $8,351.06; and there was a gradual adance, though with some fluctuation, in the annual amount of these earnings, for a con. siderable series of years; for example, from $47,148.39, in 1836, to $52,389.10, in 1844.

Among the items of expenditure peculiar to 1844, was the sum of $9,037.40 for a new work-shop necessary for the employment of convicts in the weaving of Brussels carpeting and other business, and for re-building the old machine shop, with the apparatus for the application of waterpower. The entire extent of the work shop range is now completed accor. ding to the original plan, and is of the most substantial description, so that the employments of the convicts can now be pursued with convenience, efficiency, and economy.

The amount of earnings by convict labor on contracts, for 1844, was made up as follows: From Cooper's shop, $3.019.16; from Cotton-weave shop, $1,115.85; Carpet-shops, $12,140.67; Hame.shop, $4,485.85; Pump-shop, $354.07; Tool-shop, $2,130.10; Machine-shop, $3,769.88; Cabinet-shop $5,941.94; Shoe-shop. $5.429.36; Comb-shop, $162.64. Button-shop, $3,578.11; Cutler's shop,$7,161.64; Tailor's shop, $3,099.83; making in all $52,389.10. as already stated.

Of the total disbursements, for 1844, the items were as follow: For ra. tions, $13,878.28; for clothing and bedding, $8,497.06; for building and ord nary repairs $11,762.56; for fire-wood, oil &c., $3,736.48; for silk, stock, &c., $2.47549; for salaries of prison officers, $15,232.26; for pay of guard $7,199.51; for hospital stores, $806.96; for hay and grain, $51.58; for stock, coal, &c., $105.58; for printing and stationery, $214.67; to convicts on being charged their cash deposits on entering, and for transporting convicts, $773.76; to Inspectors their per diem, $876.00; miscellaneous sundries, $2,277.31; in all, $68,107.40 as above stated.

The whole number of convicts in prison, Dec. 31, 1843, was 771; received during 1844,261; total, 1,032. Discharged by expiring of sentence, during 1844, 172; by pardon, 43; transported to Sing-Sing prison, 30; sent to the New-York House of Refuge, 1; died, 8; total discharged, 254, leaving in prison Dec. 31, 1844, 778.

Convicts employed in Cooper-shop, 29 on contract, 2 for the State; in Tool-shop, 23 contract, 1 State; in Carpet-shops, 131 contract, 1 State; Spinning and dye-shop appurtenant to carpet making, 54 contract, 1 State; in Hame shop, 60 contrac'; Shoe-shop, 35 contract, 3 State; Tailor's shop, 24 contract, 1 State; in Weave-shop, 15 contract, 4 State; in Cutler-shop,

134 contract, 2 State; Pump and Lamp making, 8 contract, 1 State; Ma. chine-shop, 40 contract; Button-shop 41 contract; Cabinet-shop, 47 contract; 2 State; in State joiner's shop and yards, 29 State; in Prisonkitchen, 27; in Keeper's-house, 2; as barbers, 4; in wash room 7; stable, 1; soap-house, 2; Smith's shop, 2; in hospital, 13; in north and south wings 20, mostly unemployed; making of all these, 640 employed on contracts, 138 for the State. Total, 778.

The increase of the number of convicts at Auburn. in the winter of 1843-4 was such that the Governor, on application from the Inspectors and pursuant to statute, issued an order to transfer 30 of the convicts to the SingSing prison, and another order that certain counties from which convicts had been previously sent, by law, to the prison at Auburn. should thenceforth send their convicts to the Sing-Sing prison. Those counties are Montgomery, Fulton, Saratoga, Washington, Warren, Essex, Clinton, and Franklin.

The number of convicts employed on contracts, in 1844, was 111 more than in 1843, and the number of unproductive convicts, was 104 less in 1844, than in 1843. These results are ascribed chiefly to the extension of the demands for men on the contracts for cutlery and Brussels carpet weaving.

The Keeper's report to the Inspectors, in this appendix to their report, represents the discipline of the prison as having decidedly improved, in 1844, when compared with some preceding years. The bolt-bath, for discharging a column of cold water on the head and naked body of a contu. macious convict, was discontinued in June, 1843, as being both unusual and cruel, and dangerous to the health. The Keeper relies on moral means, with the occasional but moderate use of whipping, as being the least cruel and most efficacious in producing obedience, peace, and good order; and he appeals to the experience of the prison as sustaining his views and practice most conclusively. The health of the convicts during 1844 was generally good, except a week or two in July, when diarrhoea and cholera morbus prevailed to some extent; but they occasioned no death The Chaplain's report gives a gratifying view of the general moral and religious aspect of the prison. Short religious exercises are performed each day, in the dining-hall, besides the services of the Sabbath and the Sabbath School. As often as six evenings of every week, the Chaplain visited the cells shortly after the prisoners went to them, spending from two to four hours in conversation under circumstances peculiarly favorable to the free expression of thought and feeling on both sides; to the growth of confidence and the quickening of moral sensibility in the convict, and to the efficacy of his counsels and exhortations on the part of the Chaplain. The prison, moreover, is well supplied with Bibles and other wholesome books of various kinds.

The Chaplain also gives a classification of the convicts according to age, education, habits, domestic relations, &c. Of the whole number, 83 were under 20 years of age; 382 from 20 to 30; from 30 to 40 were 180; from 40 to 50 were 86; from 50 to 60 were 82; from 60 to 70 were 12; from 70 to 80 were 2; and 1 was over 80.

The number unable to read when they came, was 164; intemperance was alleged by 353 as the cause of their crimes; 252 before the age of 15 had left home; 331 when very young had lost their parents; 131 had been employed on canals; 298 had families; 301 had been gambiers; 137 sai. lors; 101 only sons; 2 lawyers; 4 doctors; 6 clergymen ; 154 had been sentenced in Erie county; 589 were under their first sentence; 136 under their second sentence; 35 for their third; 14 for their fourth; and 4 for their fifth; and 192 professed to be pious.

MOUNT-PLEASANT STATE PRISON.

This prison is in Sing-Sing, on the eastern shore of the Hudson river. 33 miles above the city of New-York. It was opened for the reception of convicts in 1827. It is organized on the plan of the prison at Auburn; and the general system of discipline and management is the same. The chief practical difference between them is in the far greater amount of convict labor employed at the Mount-Pleasant prison in the very extensive marble quarries immediately contiguous thereto. Connected with the principal prison, which is for males, is a distinct and well-arranged prison for female convicts.

The following particulars are abstracted from the Annual Report of the Inspectors to the Legislature, dated Jan. 10, 1845.

The EXPENDITURES of the prison, for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1844, were $64,215.08, which was less than for 1843, by a little over $2,. 400. In 1841 they were $78,222.46; in 1842, $72,801.23, showing an important diminution of expenditure, while, as will be seen, the number of convicts was increasing. In April, 1843, the average cost per convict, was 25 cts. 8 mills per day; in 1844, it was 18 cts. 4 mills.

The RECEIPTS for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1844, were $64,598.82; of which the sum of $19,500 was drawn from the State Treasury, and $45,098.82 were received on account of earnings, though the total amount of earnings was $57,481.10; exceeding the earnings of 1843 by $20,510.73. The average monthly expenditure being about $5,400 for the last half of the year, was met by cash received for earnings, and no money was drawn from the State Treasury after April, 1844. The sums drawn from the Treasury had been, for 1841, $18,500; for 1842, $16,000; and for 1843, $32,500. The earnings of the prison would produce a handsome revenue to the State Treasury, but for the restrictions imposed by law upon work. ing in marble; and if those restrictions be not relaxed, at least for a time, so as to enable the prison to fulfil two subsisting contracts, damages will be claimed from the state, for the breach of those contracts, made for the supply of marble to complete the U. S. Naval Hospital at Brooklyn, and for the erection of Grace Church, New-York.

The other contracts for convict labor are 8 in number, viz: for the labor of 150 convicts at making files, at 32 cts. per day; for 100, at Brussels' carpets, at 32 and 40 cts.; for 50, at saddlery hardware, at 35 cts.; for 401 at cutting fur, at 32 and 35 cts.; three contracts for so many convicts re. spectively as can lawfully work at coopering, at 35 cts; at shoemaking, at 41 cts; and at hat-making, at 32 cts.; and one other contract for three convicts at toy-making, at 35 and 50 cts. per day, for each convict.

The department of this prison for female convicts seems destined to be unable to defray its own expenses, from inability to find profitable work for these convicts. The whole number of them in the prison, at the close of 1844, was 72, disposed of as follows: trimming hats 12; trimming rugs 14; picking wool 1; in kitchen and hall 20; making and mending clothing for convicts 18; in hospital 4; under punishment 3. Their earnings do not exceed $1,000; while the expenditures of this department amount to about $7,000.

The whole number in prison, Sept. 30, 1843, was 839, viz: 763 males and 76 females. Received ensuing year 340, viz: by commitment 280 males, 30 females, and 30 from Auburn, transferred on the Governor's or der; making in all 1179.

Discharged during year 244, viz: at end of sentence 159 males, 20 females; by pardon, 30 males, 12 females; died, 14 males, 2 females; by re

STATE PRISONS.

versal of sentence, 3 males; on habeas corpus, 1 male; transferred to Bloom. ingdale Asylum for the Insane, 3 males; leaving in prison Sept. 30, 1844, males 863, females 72, in all of both sexes, 935.

The male convicts employed on sontracts were-149 in making files; 104 on carpets and rugs; 54 on boots and shoes; 47 on saddlery hardware; 33 on hats; 40 in fur-cutting; 42 in coopering; 3 in toy-making.

Male convicts employed on state account were-82 in quarrying; 37 in cutting stone; 2 in sawing stone.

Male convicts otherwise disposed of, were-63 in state shop for making and mending clothes for convicts, and mostly invalids; 20 as waiters in the different shops; 17 as house-servants in prison hall; 17 in the kitchen; 17 sick in hospital,-with 4 as nurses; 2 in engine-room; 11 as carpenters, and 21 as smiths, for the state; 19 in opening quarries; 29 in outer ward; 4 at lime-kiln; 6 in teaming; 6 on the dock; 4 in prison yard; and 50 as waiters and laborers in other modes, and mostly invalids; making 863 as the whole number of male convicts, which, with the 72 female convicts, makes the total number 935, of both sexes, in prison, Sept. 20, 1844, and shows their employments.

The supply of water for this prison is very deficient, and in dry seasons very expensive. The Inspectors recommend. very earnestly, that the Legislature should give them authority to make arrangements with the Common Council of the city of New-York, for a permanent and abundant supply from the Croton aqueduct.

According to a statement prepared in November 1844, of 861 male convicts then in the prison, 536 could read and write, 210 could read only, and 115 could do neither; 357 had been temperate, 504 intemperate, 404 married, 457 single, 620 had lost one or both parents. Another statement made up in August 1844, shows that of 868, the then total number of males, 154 were between 17 and 21 years old; 378 from 21 to 30 years; 188 from 30 to 40 years; 123 were 40 years and upward. Of the crimes, 107 were against the person; 760 against property; 10 perjuries; 628 were native born, 240 foreign; 149 assert their innocence.

Of the 73 females then in the prison, 22 could read and write; 30 could read only; 21 could do neither; 38 had been temperate, 35 intemperate; 39 married, 21 single, 13 widows; 51 native-born, 22 foreign. Of the crimes 9 were against the person, 62 against property, 2 perjuries; and of the 73 there were 19 who asserted their innocence.

During the year 1844, pains were taken to supply the convicts with use. ful books, and the prison officers speak in strong terms of the beneficial consequences of this measure, as aiding the discipline of the prison very materially; and very happy effects have resulted from the greatly dimi nished use of the whip for prison offences, and from the more frequent employment of moral means. In the female prison the whip is never used; and in the male prison now only as a last resort. While, in the latter, the number of lashes, per month, has diminished from 1195 to abou 200, the number of offences against discipline has fallen from 130 pe month, to 50; and the good order of the prison has been fully maintained Religious services in the prison chapel are held every Sabbath, and a. all funerals, the males attending; and in the female prison a Sunday school is added, with daily instruction by the matrons.