SD771. N. Alex Connor to Samuel Moulton-Barrett (uncle)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 3, 328 (in part).
Shawbury St Ann[’]s Bay
31st May 1834
My Dear Sir
I returned only last evening from a partial inspection of the Police Stations under my charge and consequently did not receive yr letter of the 20th instant till my arrival– This will I trust sufficiently account for my not carrying your wishes more promptly into execution. I have after much difficulty got this house and am at present in a most uncomfortable state not having a bed to lye on a chair to sit on or a Table to eat off of however I trust I am to be settled and as I Know, the Quarter Sessions alone will lead you in this direction, and as I will be long before that period, established a |he|-bivouac I can assure you a Bed a cool climate, a hearty welcome and a beautiful view await you whenever you visit St Ann[’]s Bay– So much by way of apology and preface and now to business–
I could not meet Mr Drake this day and as I start again on Monday to complete my Police inspection I fear I will not have an opportunity opening here till my return– Mr Smith had not time or inclination to visit the gaol with me so I made my inspection alone–
I never felt myself so thoroughly at a loss as I had this moment to make a report at least a detailed report of the gaol and Workhouse at St Ann[’]s Bay as all is so bad I know not where to commence–
The situation is on the lowest point of the Bay within a few yards of the sea, surrounded with Swamp and unhealthy in the extreme–
So ill calculated is it as a place of security that criminals sent for trial are obliged to be placed in Stocks to prevent their making escape: thereby undergoing, a Species of punishment before trial, and I must Confess it would have great weight with me in awarding punishment. Knowing what the Culprit had previously suffered– The Containment Cell is a Hole about 4 feet by |3| without any mode of admitting air except what may be received through the crevices of the floor of the appartment over head which also affords great facility of escape– The roof of one of the rooms in the Workhouse where the criminals sleep is in such a wretched state that in wet weather the beds at one side of this room are inundated–
The accommodation is so limited and confined that the inmates are compelled to sleep in the Hot House passages or any place they can find room for a mat–
I have visited many places of public confinement but it has never fallen to my lot to meet with so execrable a place of torture. I must term it as that. I this day inspected at your request no one so totally unfitted in every respect for these purposes for which it is intended, both in respect of situation, security and accommodation–
Your letter dated the 31st inst. has reached me and I will attend to the instructions therein contained–
We have enrolled 59 recruits for this County and I have no doubt but that we will soon double that number–
I will be in Spanish Town the latter end of the week when you can direct to me should you have occasion to write– My Head Quarters will be at the Attornery General[’]s[.]
With |united| regards
Believe me My Dr Sir
Yr Truly Sincere
N. Alex Connor
Address, on integral page: The Honorable / S. M. Barrett / & & & / Retreat / Browns Town.
Docket, on envelope: To be forwarded to Cinnamon Hill shd Mr B. not be at Retreat.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
___________________
