In case of two vessels sailing at the same time, from different states, the superintendant will in course be se lected from the state chartering the ship. Advantage may also be taken of the experience derived by the British, in the transportation of their convicts, as regards accommo dation on ship board, and precautions against insurrec tion. A few armed men hired for the voyage, might be necessary.
For the temporary and future accommodation and sup port of the convicts, the following articles must be sent.
Tent and tent poles, some poultry, hogs and goats, one year's allowance of salt animal food, and of vegetable food, particularly potatoes ; a few iron mortars and hand mills, for corn and other grains ; garden seeds, Indian corn and other grains ; hemp, flax, seeds of both, and of cotton, with simple implements for preparing the produce of them, and for converting it into clothing; cooking utensils, jack knives, an extra suit of clothes, fish hooks and lines, spades and hoes, and tools for the exercise of the mechanic arts of the first necessity, appear to be all that are necessary for the outfit. The articles should be put on board a ves sel expressly appropriated for the purpose. Tar, nails, axes, and ropes must be omitted, as they are essential to boat building, and might be used for that purpose. Good books must also be sent—one which I would join Mr. Roscoe in recommending, is "A concise manual of the principles and duty of a Christian, collected from the Scriptures, arranged under proper heads, after the man ner of Gastrcll's Institutes, by the Rev. John Mawle, 1810." To this I would'add, the abridgment of the Bible, containing only those parts of the Old and New Testa ments, which relate to the faith and practice of a Chris tian, selected in the manner recommended by the late Dr. Watts ; the hymns and versions of the psalms by the same author : and a set of printed laws or regulations suitable to the situation of the convicts. I would not have a soldier, a gun, a particle of gun powder, or a tit it officer left with them ; for an attempt to place them un der any restraints, other than those which they impose on themselves, would totally fail; reaction* in their minds would inevitably take place, and destroy all subordina tion: but left to themselves, the consciousness of their existence depending upon their own industry and proprie ty of conduct, would insure peace, and have a moral ef fect, which no military force or civil authority could pro duce. The principle of economy offers another cogent argument for leaving the convicts to regulate themselves in their own way. The colony of British criminals in New South Wales, offers a solemn warning on this occa sion. This has been a source of very great expense to
England, chiefly owing to the large military and civil es tablishment which has been deemed necessary for it,f and although the arrangements of the United States, would certainly be more economical, yet upon the most saving plan, the expense of any efficient government would be so great, as to prevent our thinking of the measure.
Having reached their destination, and the stores, con victs, and every thing for their accommodation being landed, the first object of attention will be the erection of tents for themselves, and for the protection of their stores. These things being done, and the clothes and utensils ap portioned among the convicts, a deputation of them to be chosen by themselves, should be required to repair on board to receive suitable advice as to their future conduct, and the allowance of rations for each man. The indisso luble connexion between the preservation of harmony, their industry, strict honesty, and their future happiness, most be strongly enforced : the code of laws prepared, should be given to them, and then be told that they are to be left to their own management and control.
The place of destination of the convicts is a point that naturally occurs in the discussion of the important sub ject of transportation. On this head there is no difficulty. They might be sent to some of the islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, and I would particularly recommend Those called Tristan da Cunha; of which there arc three. 'The group is 1500 miles distant from any land to the westward or northward of it. The largest island, which has been often visited, in lat. 37° 6' 9' S., long. t2° 2' \V. is very high, and may be seen at 21 leagues distance ; it possesses every requisite for a colony, being about 15 miles in circumference, well watered, and having much good soil.1 It has been a source of satisfaction to find, that the plan of entire solitary confinement has been approved of by those, whose long practical acquaintance with the treatment of criminals, and with its effects as partially enforced at present, have fully qualified them to judge of its moral tendency when tried for a length of time. The experi ment of it will be first made in Pennsylvania ; and under the fullest conviction of the beneficial consequences likely to result from it, the hope is entertained, that other states will follow her example, as they have done in the ameli oration of their penal codes. The plan however has op ponents; and as their arguments may influence those legislators who arc desirous to adopt it, thay shall now be attended to.