LETTER FROM GOVERNOR TOMPKINS.

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letter, signed by fifteen prisoners, who had become anxious about the salvation of their souls.

"Convinced, that you desire to assist those who are willing to assist themselves in the important duties of religion, I am induced by the request of a number of my fellow-prisoners, to solicit the aid of your influence with the authority of this prison, (in case it is not contrary to its regulation,) to let us have a room to ourselves, as there are fifteen of us, who wish to spend our evenings in reading the Holy Scriptures, and other religious books for our mutual edification; and in prayer to that GOD whom we have so grievously offended. The reason of this request is, that we may be of service to each other in our united researches, and that we may be more quiet and undisturbed than we can be in the other rooms. We can assure you, Rev. Sir, that it is not for any ostentatious or hypocritical show, or that we may obtain favours of men, but that we may obtain the more desired favour, the forgiveness of God, through the mediation of a crucified Saviour, to the salvation of our souls."

The following letter will furnish an additional evidence of the favourable views, which enlightened men, entertained respecting the services of Mr. Stanford.

From Governor Tompkins to Mr. Stanford.

Castleton, Staten-Island, October 31, 1816.

"DEAR AND REV. SIR,

"Exceedingly do I regret that any cause should have deprived me of your contemplated visit, as I can assure you it would have given me sincere pleasure to have seen you here.

"Do not continue to withhold from me your obser

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CONDITIONAL PARDONS.

vations on conditional pardons. That subject has lately occupied my mind much; and I have thought that conditions of a totally different kind, might, with more propriety and effect be substituted for those now inserted in pardons.

"I acknowledge a repetition of your friendly attention, in the grateful acceptance of two additional copies of your sermon; and return, with my thanks, an assurance of high personal regard and esteem.

'DANIEL D. TOMPKINS."

Upon the subject above referred to, Mr. S. presented an able document to the Legislature, entitled, "Observations on Conditional Pardons granted by the Executive, to Criminals in the State-Prison of New-York.

CHAPTER XI.

MR. STANFORD BEGINS THE YEAR WITH ACTIVE EXERTIONS TO ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF TRUTH-INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT MONROE DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE-PRISON -LETTER TO GOVERNOR CLINTON-HIS REPLY.

On the 7th of February, 1817, Mr. Stanford visited the hospital in the New Alms-House, and afterward went into the Penitentiary adjoining, to organize a school for the instruction of the more ignorant amongst the miserable inmates. In the main building he established a singing school, which became very popular, not only as a means of adding to the information, and interesting the minds of the children; but, by contributing to the improvement of the sacred music in the chapel.

March 2d. "Last evening" says Mr. S. "myself and family were much alarmed by a person who secreted himself in the house, no doubt for the purpose of plunder; and was discovered only by a singular Providence." As the intruder was making his escape, a person present endeavoured to seize him, but Mr. S. with his usual facetiousness, said, "Let the poor fellow go, he is perhaps one of my Greenwich (StatePrison) congregation, and I shall no doubt meet him again, where we may talk this matter over at our leisure."

In the month of June, Mr. S. visited Mr. Monroe, the president of the United States, then on his way to the eastern states; and invited him to inspect the institutions under his care. The invitation was cordially accepted, and the president, attended by many gentlemen of distinction, accompanied the venerable

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VISIT OF PRESIDENT MONROE.

chaplain to the State-Prison, the Orphan-Asylum, and Alms-House at Bellevue, and was pleased to express his great pleasure in witnessing the perfect order of the several schools, and the evident moral improvement of those committed to Mr. Stanford's charge.

Upon this point, it may not be uninteresting to quote the words of those, whose means of information, and personal observation, enable them to give a correct opinion. The selection in this instance is, in part, from a document printed by order of the governors of the New-York State-Prison.

"Schools.-Among the convicts, there are always some men of handsome literary acquirements. In the winter season, the most capable of these are employed in teaching the boys, and such uneducated men, whose conduct since their imprisonment has been unexceptionable, in reading, writing, and arithmetic.

"Their improvement has in many instances surpassed expectation, and much good, it is believed, has resulted from this arrangement."

As early as the year 1815, Mr. Stanford had organized seven schools in this institution, in which were taught, not merely the elementary branches of an English education, but, in some instances, Latin and the mathematics.

For the benefit particularly of the youth, Mr. S. composed an evangelical Catechism, which was printed by order of the Inspectors. In this, amongst other studies, they were examined once every month. This duty was generally performed in the chapel, and in the presence of the head keeper, and such visitors as might choose to be present. "The last examination," says Mr. S. "was truly solemn and interesting. The number of youth present, from the age of eleven to fifteen, was SIXTY-SEVEN." Many unfortunate young persons, who enter within the walls of this

THE CHAPLAIN HIGHLY COMMENDed.

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gloomy place, are totally ignorant of letters; but, through the blessing of God, upon the efforts of their teachers, they go away with a good education. These schools are open only in the evening, so that there is no interruption of their daily labour.

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"Worship. The apartment appropriated for Christian worship is a fine airy room, and will contain about six hundred persons. Every Sunday the chapel is opened for divine service. The Rev. John Stanford is the chaplain. During worship the general deportment of the convicts is decent and correct: many of them join in prayers and in singing, with apparent zeal and devotedness to religious exercise; and fond hopes are entertained, that a perseverance in this course will have a lasting and salutary effect on many, after the period of their confinement shall have expired.

"Much credit is due to the chaplain for his unwearied and persevering exertions in procuring for the prisoners the advantages which a regular performance of divine worship is calculated to afford. And not only to the convicts are these advantages extended: the neighbourhood also partake of them, many persons in the vicinity being in the constant practice of attending worship in the prison. To the same exertions the school establishment in this penitentiary is also greatly indebted. In fine, the indefatigable zeal of the Rev. Mr. Stanford in attempting to better the temporal state of the convicts, and to promote their eternal welfare, is deserving much commendation."

1

To show, that literary and moral instruction was not bestowed in vain upon the miserable inmates of the State-Prison, we shall present à few additional instances of convicts, who have died in the Prison, triumphing in the hope of a blissful immortality, through the atoning blood of the Lamb.

While any instance of a sinner's repentance cre