The New York Journal, And Weekly Register

MR. PRINTER,

In a late New-York Packet there appeared a paragraph, under the signature of Civis, highly expressive of the author's pleasure, at the satisfactory visit of the grand jury to the goal of this city. He affirms, that the prisoners, confined in this dreary mansion, were in every respect comfortable, being supplied with every convenience that their several situations would admit of. Civis adds, this they all acknowledged was the case.

In order to undeceive the public, I beg leave to observe, that the prisoners in general were not acquainted with the business of the grand jury, and many did not even know who they were. Was this inquisitive visitor to examine the state of each prisoner, he would find, that many are in deplorable circumstances. It can be proved that numbers, destitute of either friends or money, have been committed here for small sums without any manner of provisions being made for their subsistence! and all they get to eat is sent them by the sheriff, goal-keeper, or some one of their fellow prisoners.

That there is no law of this state to oblige creditors to support their debtors in confinement, is a grievance too great for expression--or, this deficiency in the laws authorizes the creditor to STARVE his debtor in goal!

Let Civis ask, why the gallery, upon the top of the house, by which avenue fresh and wholesome air could be communicated, is kept locked? why many debtors have not wood allowed them? why some method is not adopted to prevent the necessary becoming a nuisance?--why prisoners are kept in confinement after their debts are discharged? &c. &c. &c. An accumulated number of grievances crowd upon my mind while thus I write, upon which I sincerely hope some friend to humanity will enlarge, whose faculties are in a calmer state, and whose acquired ingenuity exceeds that of

AN AMERICAN IN BONDAGE.