THIRD ANNUAL REPORT, &c. THE Managers of the Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents, in commencing their Third Annual Statement, cannot, but congratulate the Society, on the prosperous condition of its Institution, and the beneficial results which evidently flow from its operations. . The actual condition and results of the House of Refuge have become so far the objects of public inquiry and minute examination, as to have furnished the means of a more exact appreciation of its value as an establishment of charity, and a moral instrument in the community, than can be said of almost any other of the benevolent institutions of our state. The principles on which it is founded, and the nature of the evils which it is intended to remedy, have been commented upon by some of the ablest jurists of our country; and it appears to be conformable to the most correct views of human nature, and to the soundest principles of legal justice, that in the infliction of punishment for offences against society, there ought to be a marked distinction between juvenile and adult offenders;-that the treatment of each class, in order to be the most effectual, ought to be distinguished by those discriminations which are so clearly indicated by the natural and acquired propensities of the guilty in these different periods of human life;—and that, with respect to the greater number of youthful offenders, those whose offences are so intimately connected with the abandoned situation to which they have been exposed, it would be a wide and grievous departure from moral justice to condemn them to a life of suffering, for crimes that might have been prevented with less expenditure to the community than that which must unavoidably be incurred in the infliction of the penalty. The practical recognition of these principles, in the establishment of a juvenile penitentiary, together with a knowledge of the immense degradation of character which has ensued from the mixture of young and old convicts, in the prisons of this and other states, was the leading motive in the formation of this Society; and the Managers do not fear to assert, that the call upon their fellow-citizens and the legislature for support in this undertaking, has been justified to the fullest extent in the progress and present state of the House of Refuge. The advantages, abstractly considered, of an institution of this nature, have been so fully developed in the former Reports of the Society, that it is deemed unnecessary to insist further upon them. It is not among the least of the gratifications of the Society, that its efforts have gained the attention of the Legislature, and so far received the sanction of the highest authorities of the state, as to justify the belief, that a juvenile penitentiary will hereafter be regarded as an integral part of those institutions, which, from a due consideration of public safety and benefit, have a permanent claim to its protection and support. The source from which its support has hitherto been chiefly derived, under the authority of law, has proved to be fully adequate to the several objects to which that fund is destined. This fund, it is well known, accumulates, mainly, from the payment of a small sum by each of the emigrants who arrive in this state from other quarters of the globe. Provision is first made for the ample maintenance of the Marine Hospital on Staten Island;-and few persons there are, it may be presumed, who will assert, that a more reasonable and fit appropriation of the surplus could be made, than to the reformation of juvenile delinquents, a large proportion of whom are the offspring of these very emigrants. The children of seamen are also as likely to partake of the benefits of the Refuge, as those of any other class; and the pursuits of seamanship under judicious captains, are considered by the Managers to be a fit destination for those of the inmates who incline thereto; and it will be seen by the reports that a considerable number have been thus apprenticed. There have been, within the last year, ninety boys apprenticed by the Managers, and thirty-five girls. About thirty of the boys have been sent to sea, principally on whaling voyages from Nantucket and New Bedford, as apprentices to captains or owners, in whose care and guardianship the Managers have reason to confide. The others have all (with one peculiar exception) been placed in situations more or less remote from this city, under circumstances favorable to the formation of virtuous habits, and to an entire change of old associations. The masters to whom they are bound, covenant with the Society for giving them a suitable share of school learning, and for their due instruction in the art or trade in which they are engaged. In a few cases, the children who have been thus apprenticed, have, after a trial of their new homes, returned to the Refuge, disappointed in the opportunities of improvement which were afforded them, or dissatisfied with the treatment they received. The cases appear to have been very few in which the master has been glad to relinquish his bargain from the continuance of depraved habits in the apprentice; but on the other hand, the Managers have been much gratified in the information received from various quarters, of the good conduct of those who have been thus disposed of, and of the mutual satisfaction of master and apprentice. As this is a point of vital importance, and the intelligence thus obtained affords an unquestionable evidence of the tendencies of the House of Refuge, it will not be deemed improper to introduce in this place, extracts from several letters from persons who have taken apprentices from our establishment. LETTERS. S*****, November 7, 1827. DEAR SIR, I received your letter, dated September, inclosing an address to G. I am much pleased to find that the Managers of the Society feel such a deep interest for the happiness, and are so solicitous for the improvement of the morals and habits of the children from under their care. G.- was much pleased with the address sent him by his friends, containing instructions and ad vice so encouraging. He keeps it as a treasure, and often reads it, as though he intended to adhere to the instructions of his much respected friends. I shall comply with your request in as brief and plain a manner as possible. I am happy to say that G's conduct has been praiseworthy since he left the House of Refuge. If he continues as faithful as he has been, I think he will do honor to the Institution he is a very industrious, obedient, and trusty boy; I have never found him to be guilty of telling an untruth, or make use of any bad language, but he reads his bible, attends public worship, and always speaks well of the House of Refuge. His improvement in learning has not been as great as I should wish, but I am in hopes he will improve faster with longer experience. He seems to be seriously inclined, and we endeavor to impress his mind with the necessity of religion. I remain yours, &c. B. B. B. G*****, February 28, 1827. DEAR SIR,-Yours of the 3d of January I have just received, in which you want to know how my boy (J. H. S―) behaves ;— he has spent the winter at school-his conduct as yet has met my entire approbation. You will communicate this information to Mr. Hart, if he has not received a previous letter which I have sent to him and you. I remain yours, &c. C. W. B. S. N*****, October 19, 1827. DEAR SIR, I received your letter on the 17th of this month, stating that you would esteem it a favor to have a detail of R's conduct. With pleasure I write a few lines to inform you that R. has conducted very well; he has been very attentive to his business, and learns as fast as I can expect. He has made but very few acquaintances since he has been with me in this place, and appears to be very well contented, and has no disposition to run about the town in the evening as many boys do. He assists me in keeping my books, and I leave him the charge of my business when I am absent. On the whole, I have found him honest and industrious. Yours, with respect, D. E. C. B. W*****, Turnbull County, Ohio, September 17, 1827. DEAR SIR,-It affords me much pleasure to report to you the general good conduct and behavior, since his residence with me, of A. V., the young lad I took from the House of Refuge in your city, about twelve months since. I have discovered in him no vicious habits; he is faithful, honest, and industrious; though not very active or intelligent, always willing and obedient, even-tempered, and contented: had he more sprightliness and activity, he would be a most valuable boy. I * A printed Letter of Advice from the Managers is given to each child on leav Ing the Refuge. |