12 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEE rcv. At the presenting term of 1821, Mr. Dalton had a contract ?— He had. P. R. Gamble. And you conceive, at that time, his connection with Alderman Nugent had not ""—~—' ceased ?— He certainly was doing business for Alderman Nugent at that time. ( 9 May.) Have you any document which you can refer to, to state the name of the Grand Jury in Michaelmas 1821 ?— No, I have not, but I dare say, from my memory, I could tell if there was any particular person on it. Do you remember whether Alderman Nugent was on that grand jury?—" With- out being positive, I should think he was. Subject to the correction of official documents, you think he was ?— I do. What does the dietary of Newgate consist of?— The present dietary of Newgate consists of two pounds of bread per diem and a quart of new milk. Do you give them potatoes ?— No. Do you conceive that bread and milk is the dietary which is most economical to the public, and most advantageous to the internal discipline of the prison ?— I do not conceive it is the dietary most economical to the public, but I think it is the dietary most conducive to the internal discipline of the prison. Will you state your Reason ?— The gaol of Newgate is so confined that we could not cook food conveniently. If you had a public kitchen, and if rations were delivered out cooked, do not you conceive, that the internal discipline of the prison would be much better secured, and considerable economy at the same time obtained ?— I do. The prisoners, themselves, are not partial to the use of bread?— No, they are not. Does it not sometimes happen, that they are anxious to exchange bread for any other articles of food ?— I believe thev would be anxious to do so: but I can state • ° decidedly, that no such commutation now takes place. You are clear upon that?— I am decided upon that point. That there is no commutation for potatoes or whiskey?— None. Is there any introduction of spirits into the prison ?— Indeed, I think not. The only two instances that were detected lately, were both sent to the police office under the new Act of Parliament, which is a very judicious one. Is there any introduction of fermented liquors, not spirituous, into the prison ?— Every person, of the better kind, is allowed to get porter. If a gentleman was in for an assault, he would be allowed to get porter for his dinner, and wine if he re- quired. Whether convicted or unconvicted ?— Yes, whether convicted or unconvicted. So that that rule, with regard to fermented liquors, is regulated by his station in life ?— Decidedly. Are you aware of any provision of the law with regard to that?— I am not. Do the great proportion of the prisoners in Newgate, receive support in food from the public ?— The great proportion do, certainly. Do any part of the prisoners, who so receive support at the public expense, re- ceive any support from their friends out of doors, or from any other source ?— I am afraid it is the case in some instances. I know instances in which it is rather winked at. You are aware that the provisions of the law, upon that subject, are contrary to such a practice ?— I am perfectly aware of it, it is a provision of the last session. Therefore, in those instances, the provisions of the law are not enforced ?— Not rigidly enforced. You are aware, that in cases where the health of the party requires it, there is a special provision in the Act which authorizes an exception from the general rule ? — I do not mean under that exception. To whom is the option left of dispensing with the direct provisions of the law ?- In general cases to me ; and if I saw reasonable cause, I would authorize the gaoler to allow a prisoner a certain quantity of provision, stating the quantity, or stating the article. Is that discretion ever exercised by any other individual except by one in your situation in life ?— The physician may exercise that discretion. Is it ever exercised by any inferior officer in the prison ?— I have known it ex- ercised by one of the turnkeys, for which he received a very severe reprimand, and was fined. Do not you conceive, that if once prisoners are allowed to receive supplies from without, that it becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible, to regulate the description of supplies they receive, and to exclude, altogether, either fermented or