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mation relative to the penitentiary in New York.We have to address you in the name, and on behalfof the Philadelphia Society for alleviating the mise-ries of public prisons, which, at a late meeting,directed the secretaries to correspond with such per-sons as are engaged in the conduct of penitentia-ries, instituted in the different states of the union, wherein the humane and improved system of penallaws are enforced; and, especially, to ascertain theinfluence thereof, on the subjects of such treatment,as well as their effect on the general condition ofsociety. Since the establishment of this institution, manyof its zealous and benevolent founders have gonedown to the grave. Some few, however, continue actively interested in its concerns; who were earlyengaged in those humane exertions, which, regardlessof the influence of prejudice, and the example ofages, aimed at the accomplishment of a reformationin the penal jurisprudence of Pennsylvania. Withthese are now united others, who, from a convictionof the importance and utility of those labours, as wellas knowledge of the success of the experiments which flowed from them, have been induced to givetheir assistance to the same philanthropic cause. To both these descriptions of our members it hathbecome an interesting inquiry, what have been theeffects produced in your state by the adoption of ameliorated code of criminal laws? Whether, allowingfor the increase of population, since their creation, crimeshave diminished in their number, or degree of enor-mity? Whether individuals, who, by their errors,have unhappily been the subjects of your peniten-tiary system, are, since its wholesome correction,restored to usefulness in the community? and, gene-rally, whether the moral condition of society hasbeen improved, and the security of its members pro-moted, by the abolition of punishments, which werenot less vindictive and cruel, than was the employ-