§ Mr. Huntpresented a Petition from William Tynemouth, a Prisoner in Durham Gaol, complaining of Cruelty on the part of the Gaoler, and neglect by the Visiting Magistrates. The petitioner was a total stranger to him, but his petition was accompanied by an assurance, that he was able to substantiate on oath the allegations contained within it. He was afraid it was the practice of visiting Magistrates to authorize gaolers to punish such persons as he represented to them were refractory; that 304 he understood was the case with the unfortunate person whose petition he held in his hand; and, as he had not been able to get relief from the Judges of Assize, to whom he had complained, he had no other means of obtaining redress but by applying to that House for protection. He (Mr. Hunt) well knew there was a disposition on the part of gaolers and visiting Magistrates to stretch the power allowed them to the utmost, to the great discomfort of the unhappy persons subject to their authority.
§ Mr. Trevorsaid, that the petitioner had been for many years in Durham gaol, and his conduct during that time was of a most annoying character, approaching to that of a maniac, so much so, that the visiting Magistrates would be happy if they could get him removed to any other prison, as the only means by which they could get rid of the annoyance. The governor of Durham gaol was universally respected by the gentlemen of the neighbourhood, and, on a late occasion, upwards of forty prisoners, discharged from his custody under the Insolvent Debtors' Act, presented to him an address of thanks for his kindness, attention, and humanity. He could only add, on the part of the gaoler, he was quite prepared to enter into any investigation into his conduct.
§ Sir Hedworth Williamsonsaid, he must add his testimony to the general good conduct and character of the governor of Durham gaol; and, he was sure, if the hon. member for Preston would visit the prison, he would see there was no inhumanity practised, but that the establishment was conducted on the best principles. He had himself, as foreman of the Grand Jury, known that the petitioner had, on various occasions, brought forward charges against the governor, for which, on an investigation taking place, there did not appear the slightest ground.
§ Mr. Huntsaid, he did not impeach the character of the gaoler on his own knowledge, he had merely repeated the allegations in the petition. He believed that the statements of the hon. Members might be correct, but there was a possibility of Magistrates and Grand Jurors being liable to imposition.
§ Petition laid on the Table.