CONCLUSION
We have now given a full, and, as far as we could, a succinct account of
the system pursued in the old Singapore jail. We have traced the history
of the convict establishments in all the penal settlements in those
seas, and have shown the progressive improvements in the convict prisons
up to the time when, as was acknowledged by many competent authorities,
a system of organization and discipline had been satisfactorily attained
to, especially at the headquarter jail at Singapore. We have also shown
the number and variety of industries that were from time to time
introduced, and the utilization of trained artificers in the
construction of important public works in the Straits Settlements.
Perhaps we may say that the conduct of these prisons from the year 1825,
down to 1845, was in a measure experimental; but at any time we do not
assert that the system was free from defects. But on the whole, in the
treatment of these trans-marine convicts, it worked with remarkable
success, and was well adapted to their condition and circumstances; for
it must not be forgotten that we had to deal with convicts who in great
part had expiated their crimes by a sentence of banishment to a foreign
country, which we have already explained was more severely felt by a
native of India than could possibly be by any European. As a matter of
fact, owing to caste prejudices, transportation across the seas was to
many of the Indian convicts worse than death itself, for it carried with
it not only expulsion from caste, but, owing to their wrong conception
of fate, or "nusseeb" as they call it, a dread of pain and anguish in
another existence.
In the later management of this jail, to all fresh arrivals for life
there was a period of probation of three years, during which time they
were fettered and worked in gangs upon the public roads. This was
thoroughly punitive, and with no liberty whatever. They were, in point
of fact, full of fears and practically without hope. After a time, they
began to find that the only chance of any amelioration from this hard
labour was by a course of good conduct; and they saw before them their
own countrymen, who had once been similarly circumstanced, occupying
better positions and employed on less distasteful work. They also heard
from their fellows that several had attained to a ticket of leave, and
were earning for themselves an honest livelihood in the place of their
banishment. This, then, was their encouragement; but not a few at first,
however, though carefully treated in hospital, died from "nostalgia," or
"love of country," before they could complete their term of probation.
The late General, then Captain Man, who, as we have already said, did a
great deal in the consolidation of the convict system of Singapore, went
from the Straits Settlements to the Andamans, and inaugurated there the
same system; but we learn that since his time convicts upon first
arrival from India are placed for a certain period in separate cells,
and no doubt the authorities had good and weighty reasons for the
change. We have no report as to the advantage or otherwise of this
probationary alteration, but from what we have said, it will be seen
that we incline to the belief that for this class of native convicts
work in irons upon the public roads is a better "first trial" than to
place them under what is known to us as the "cellular system."
For local prisoners, who after their sentences have expired are returned
to the town, we do advocate the "cellular system," and have ourselves
designed and built for term convicts several wards upon this system. The
advantage gained is complete isolation from one another for a fixed
period, and the indiscriminate admixture of classes thus avoided, and so
possibly by this means a recrudescence of crime in the place prevented;
but with convicts under banishment, and mostly for a life term, we think
the conditions are very different, and we prefer the plan adopted in the
old Singapore convict jail.
The punishments in force by our laws are of course designed to deal out
retributive justice to the prisoner for his offence against society, and
so to prevent, if possible, a repetition of the offence by others, and
by this means to protect society against evil-doers. There is no wish to
punish with any vindictive feeling, but rather, if it can be done, to
bring about the reform of the prisoner, and to take away from him the
desire to offend again; and as "Beccaria," the Italian philanthropist,
well said, "those penalties are least likely to be productive of good
effect which are more severe than is necessary to deter others."
In the later days of our Singapore convict jail, of which time only are
we in a position to express an opinion, the treatment of the convicts
was one of discipline from beginning to end. There was first the
probationary period under fetters, in gangs upon the public roads, or
upon the severest hard labour; next the period of freedom from this
restraint and a time of test, and if they stood this test well, then
advancement to a position of trust, either on the lower rung of the
prison warder-staff, with a belt of authority across the shoulder, or,
if an aptitude for any trade was evinced, to the position of a novice in
the workyard, at whatever branch of industry the convict was thought to
be best suited. There was then open to the prison warder a rise in grade
to that of peon, with a distinctive badge, and eventually to the highest
grade of a tindal or duffadar, if duly qualified. In the case of the
industrial class there was also open a promotion to a higher grade, and
eventually to that of a foreman of artificers. All were fully occupied
and employed, and the jail was in point of fact a busy hive of industry,
the pervading idea of the convict authorities being to teach the convict
to love labour, and to take a personal interest in it.
We know that there are still some who think that no prisoner, while
undergoing his sentence, should be allowed to feel any pleasure in the
occupation in which he may be engaged; and hence they advocate the
crank, shot drill, and other aimless tasks, which serve but to irritate,
and do not the least good to the heart, from whence all our actions
spring. For a short term of probation, no doubt, the task should be
irksome; but when this is over and it should not be prolonged work
should be given which would tend to call out the best feelings, restore
self-respect, and act as a sort of cordial to remove lowering and
depression. To explain by a homely instance what we mean, we will
mention an incident that occurred to one of us when building the Woking
prison in 1866. A convict undergoing sentence there, of the labouring
class, was found to be of an exceptionally dogged and dull nature.
Nothing pleased him; he was disgusted with the world, and wished he was
out of it. After a time he was tried at plain brick-laying in a
foundation, and gradually began to handle a brick rather well. He
seemed to grow step by step more reconciled to his lot, and was advanced
to work upon a chimney-piece. A day or two later he was asked how he was
getting on. He then replied, with a bright smile upon his face, "Oh,
very well, sir, now! I likes my chimbley-piece, and dreams of her at
nights in my lonely cell."
Hence we see how the implacable temper of this convict gave way over a
congenial bit of work, and the first step was thus taken towards his
reformation of character, and he continued to improve until his release
from prison.
Herbert Spencer says with truth, "that experience and experiments have
shown all over the world that the most successful criminal discipline is
a discipline of decreased restraints and increased self dependence"; and
to a degree of this "self dependence" the convict we refer to had been
encouraged to aspire.
Of course, in all criminal prisons we must expect a certain percentage
of incorrigible characters, who under the best training cannot be
brought under control; but the bulk of those in the old Singapore jail,
and we had often as many as two thousand at a time, were well behaved,
and gave evidence of the good influence of a course of discipline upon
them; for when they were advanced to a ticket-of-leave, and thrown again
on their own resources, they very rarely a second time came under the
cognisance of the police, but peaceably merged into the population, and
earned their livelihood by honest means.
We have one word to say in reference to the employment of these convicts
as warders over their fellow-prisoners; a system, so far as we are
aware, then unattempted either in Europe or America, even in a modified
form. We do not, however, see why, in the case of well-behaved and
suitable European convicts sentenced to long periods of penal servitude,
some might not be placed in certain such positions of trust under free
warders; and as the new prison rules for our jails may possibly involve
a large increase in the warder staff, it has occurred to us that the
system might have a trial to a limited extent; but we are, of course,
not in a position to speak with any authority upon the subject as
affecting our own prisons. In our case, with the exception of two or
three European warders, the whole warder staff were convicts; and at
first, certainly, there was the fear that so large a number of convict
warders might side with the convicts, when a rule they might have
thought repugnant to all, was introduced by the governing body. There
also appeared the danger that discipline might be undermined by a system
of favouritism, especially amongst men of the same caste, or that they
would shut their eyes to breaches of the rules.
None of these apprehensions were, however, experienced; but, on the
contrary, these convict warders were always the first to apprise the
authorities of any contemplated attempt at escape, or of any ill-feeling
that might be brewing amongst any particular class, or breach of prison
rules; so that, in a great measure, they acted in the double capacity of
both detectives and police. It was only upon very rare occasions that a
convict warder had to be disrated; and the punishment amongst them
consisted for the most part in fines for want of vigilance and attention
to detail, and such like petty offences. They all manifested the highest
appreciation of the trust reposed in them, and lived in a perpetual fear
that they might forfeit their position, and have to begin anew the whole
course of jail punishment.
It need scarcely be said that great care was exercised to single out men
of the best character, and to the highest posts those who could take
upon themselves responsibility as men of purpose and discretion.
Promotion in the different grades was made only by the Superintendent,
who in our case was an officer who had served in India, knew natives of
most sects and races, and was acquainted with their habits and customs,
and spoke one or two of their languages.
The prison system in all its branches worked in perfect harmony, and all
the parts of it seemed to be adapted to each other. Discipline was
maintained throughout, and the artificer gang, as we have shown,
developed a high skill in their various trades; so that important public
works could be executed without difficulty or embarrassment. Those also
who had passed through its course, and were admitted back to society
upon a ticket of leave, as a rule behaved themselves as good citizens.
In the extraction of labour from the convicts, there was no desire on
the part of the Government to work the establishment with a view to show
any pecuniary profit in the returns; though, as it proved, the actual
cost to the State was often more than reimbursed by their labour,
estimated as it was at two-thirds of that prevailing in the place, and
the material at half the market price. However, in regard to this part
of the question we might here quote "Jeremy Bentham," who once wisely
said of prison labour, "It is not the less reforming for being
profitable."
We would now take leave of our old Singapore jail, as indeed, owing to
the result of the earnest entreaty of the community to the Government,
it finally took leave of us in 1873, though in our judgment perhaps a
little too prematurely in the best interests of the colony.
We can only hope that in the record we have now given, we have furnished
some suggestions for general application to those who, like ourselves,
are concerned not merely with the punishment of the criminal, but also
with his reformation, both as a question of social science, and to the
prisoner's own ulterior benefit.
This reformation could, we think, be best brought about by a course of
severe probationary discipline at the outset, to be followed up by
continuous employment upon productive occupations and trades, so as to
encourage within the criminal a lively diligence and a persevering
industry; ourselves meanwhile also encouraged in the task by the words
of Shakespeare, that
"There is some soul of goodness in things evil,
Would men observingly distil it out."
_King Henry V._, Act. iv., Scene i.
APPENDICES
APPENDIX I
Statement of the expenses of the convict jail in Singapore for the years
1862-63 and 1863-64, showing the average cost per prisoner:--
Heads of Expenditure. 1,964 Prisoners in 1862-63.
1,995 Prisoners in 1863-64.
1862-63. 1863-64.
-------- --------
Rs. Rs.
Rations 67,803 9 10 62,901 0 10
Money Allowance 20,938 13 8 19,369 14 3
-------------- --------------
Total 88,742 7 6 82,270 15 1
Cost per Prisoner 45 2 11 41 3 10
Fixed Establishment 16,094 1 0 11,173 1 5
Cost per Prisoner 8 3 1 5 9 7
Extra Establishment _nil._ _nil._
Cost per Prisoner " "
-------------- --------------
Total 16,094 1 0 11,173 1 5
Cost per Prisoner 8 3 1 5 9 7
Hospital Charges
European Medicines }
Bazaar ditto } 472 13 0 454 10 4
Sick Diet }
-------------- --------------
Total 472 13 0 454 10 4
Cost per Prisoner 0 3 10 0 3 7½
Clothing, including
Blankets and Bedding 8,699 14 6 8,250 14 4
Cost per Prisoner 4 6 11 4 2 2
Contingencies 3,235 3 1 4,407 5 3
Cost per Prisoner 1 10 4 2 3 4½
Additions, Alterations,
and Repairs 100 12 2 51 8 8
Cost per Prisoner 0 0 10 0 0 5
-------------- --------------
Gross Cost of Maintenance 17,345 3 3 106,608 7 1
Gross Cost per Prisoner 59 11 11 53 7 0
The above table gives a fair average of the annual cost of maintenance
of each prisoner as taken from the records of the jail.
APPENDIX II
Return of the Hospital Department of prisoners in jails in Singapore,
Penang and Province Wellesley, and Malacca, from 1st May, 1863, to 30th
April, 1864, exhibiting the average strength, number of admissions of
sick, number of deaths, etc., in each jail during the year, and the rate
per cent.:--
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Stations Singapore. Penang and Malacca. Total.
Province
Wellesley.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Average strength
during the Year 2,400 1,150 661 4,211
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Admissions during
the Year
Fevers 222 260 292 774
Eruptive Fevers 25 2 26 53
Diseases of the
Lungs 30 55 63 148
Liver 9 -- 1 10
Stomach and Bowels 81 216 93 390
Brain 12 19 41 72
Generative and
Urinary Organs 51 23 24 98
Eyes 50 27 9 86
Skin 50 20 37 107
Cholera 3 -- -- 3
Dropsies 13 27 6 46
Rheumatic Affections 58 107 31 196
Abscesses and Ulcers 204 198 84 486
Wounds and Injuries 58 93 42 193
Other Diseases 181 47 32 260
Total 1,047 1,094 781 2,922
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deaths during
the Year
Fevers -- -- 7 7
Eruptive Fevers 7 1 3 11
Diseases of the
Lungs 4 2 2 8
Liver 1 -- -- 1
Stomach and Bowels 6 9 4 19
Brain -- 2 -- 2
Generative and
Urinary Organs -- -- -- --
Eyes -- -- -- --
Skin 3 -- -- 3
Cholera 2 -- -- 2
Dropsies 3 8 1 12
Rheumatic Affections 1 -- 1 2
Abscesses and Ulcers 1 -- -- 1
Wounds and Injuries 2 1 -- 3
Other Diseases 25 21 3 49
Total 55 44 21 120
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Discharged during the Year 943 1,012 742 2,697
Transfer during the Year -- -- -- --
Liberated during the Year -- -- -- --
Remaining 49 38 18 105
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rate per cent.
Sick to Strength 43.62 95.1 118.45 69.43
Death by ordinary
diseases to strength 2.20 3.82 3.17 2.802
Death by Cholera
to strength 00.8 -- -- 004.74
Total Deaths to Strength 2.29 3.82 3.17 2.84
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The rate per cent. of the total deaths to strength at the three
settlements may appear high, but it is accounted for by the number of
old convicts dying off.
APPENDIX III
The following table gives the value of materials manufactured by convict
labour; the money expenditure in addition to the convict labour on each
item, and the difference in favour of the State for the years 1862-63
and 1863-64:--
-------------------------------------------------
Value of Materials.
-------------------------------------------------
1862-63. Rs. Rs.
To value of Bricks 25,149 10
To value of Lime 600 9
To value of Cement 3,844 12
To value of Granite 2,058 10
To value of Weaver's Work 1,432 11
To value of Rattan Work 862 0
--------- 33,988 4
Deduct Expenditure 29,908 10
---------
Difference in favour of the State Rs. 4,074 10
-------------------------------------------------
Cost of Production.
-------------------------------------------------
1862-63. Rs. Rs.
Bricks
By Convict Labour 14,293 9
Money Expenditure 5,882 10
--------- 20,176 3
Lime
By Convict Labour 242 14
Money Expenditure 535 14
--------- 778 12
Cement
By Convict Labour 952 13
Money Expenditure 138 9
--------- 1,091 6
Granite
By Convict Labour 5,859 9
Money Expenditure _nil._
--------- 5,859 9
Weaver's Work
By Convict Labour 594 6
Money Expenditure 546 6
--------- 1,140 12
Rattan Work
By Convict Labour 862 0
Money Expenditure _nil._
--------- 862 0
---------
Total Rs. 29,908 10
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
Value of Materials.
-------------------------------------------------
1863-64. Rs. Rs.
To value of Bricks 26,683 12
To value of Lime and Cement 3,720 0
To value of Granite 6,574 0
To value of Weaver's Work 1,872 5
To value of Rattan Work 915 13
--------- 36,765 14
Deduct Expenditure 25,344 8
---------
Difference in favour of the State Rs. 11,421 6
-------------------------------------------------
Cost of Production.
-------------------------------------------------
1863-64. Rs. Rs.
Bricks
By Convict Labour 8,122 14
Money Expenditure 9,667 4
--------- 17,790 2
Lime and Cement
By Convict Labour 785 6
Money Expenditure 552 6
--------- 1,337 12
Granite
By Convict Labour 3,327 9
Money Expenditure _nil._
--------- 3,327 9
Weaver's Work
By Convict Labour 1,368 14
Money Expenditure 604 7
--------- 1,973 5
Rattan Work
By Convict Labour 915 13
Money Expenditure _nil._
--------- 915 12
---------
Total Rs. 25,344 8
-------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX IV
The following is a tabulated account of the cost of the brick kilns to
the State, and the value of these convict-made bricks in the local
market.
The output of bricks per month when four tables were at work was
230,000, and their value at $45.00 per 10,000 would be $1,035. The cost
of manufacture was as follows:--
$
Overseer's Salary 45.00
Labour of 125 Convicts,
at 25cts. per diem for
artizans and 9cts. for
labourers 306.00
Cost of Fuel 200.00
Wear and Tear 17.10
Food for Cattle 24.30
Contingencies 16.20
-------
Total $608.60
=======
$
Value of 230,000 of
Bricks at $45 per
laksa, that being the
market price for
Government Bricks 1,035.00
Deduct cost of
manufacture 608.60
--------
Difference to credit of
the State $426.40
========
Bricks were debited to Government Works at $20 per laksa. The size of a
Government brick mould was 10¼ x 5¼ x 3 ins. The bricks when burnt
measured 9 x 4½ x 2¾ ins., and weighed about 7 lbs. when dry, and about
7 lbs. 3 or 4 ozs. after soaking in fresh water. These were ordinary
bricks, but those manufactured for hydraulic work were impervious to
water.
NOTE.--The size of a Chinese-made brick when burnt is 10 x 5 x 1½ ins.
It requires 22 Chinese-made bricks to build one cubic foot of brickwork,
but of convict-made Government bricks a cubic foot of brickwork requires
13 only.
APPENDIX V
Number and nature of defaults committed by Indian convicts:--
--------------------------------------------------------
Nature of Defaults. For the year
1846. 1856. 1866.
--------------------------------------------------------
Stealing 11 11 11
Disobedience of Orders 4 1 10
Drunkenness 2 15 6
Assault 1 -- --
Neglect of Duty 4 22 12
Smuggling Articles into Jail 4 -- 4
Disturbing Women at Night 1 -- --
Sleeping while on Duty 1 3 7
Cutting and Wounding 1 1 --
Breaking open a Convict's Box 1 -- --
Allowing Local Prisoners to
speak to Outside Men -- 1 --
Receiving Money for Safe
Keeping and Denying the Same -- 3 --
Quarrelling and Abusing -- 5 9
Telling Falsehood -- 3 2
Allowing Local Prisoners to
Abscond -- 3 19
Idleness at Work -- 1 3
Gambling -- 6 4
Absent from Roll Call -- 4 17
Impertinence to Warder -- 1 --
Selling his own Cloths -- 2 --
Confined by the Police -- 5 --
Striking a Fellow-Convict -- 5 3
Refusing to Work -- 3 6
Unlawfully Detaining a
Man's Sampan -- 1 --
Creating a Disturbance -- 2 2
Bringing a False Charge -- 1 1
Writing a Threatening Petition -- 2 --
Having Stolen Property in
Possession -- 1 --
Wilfully Destroying Tools -- 1 --
Carelessness at Work -- 7 6
Leaving Work without Orders -- 4 4
Intending to Abscond -- 11 --
Bringing a Woman into the
Hospital at Night -- 1 --
Selling Rations -- 2 --
Begging in the Streets -- 1 3
Committing a Nuisance -- 1 --
Mixed up in Street Rows -- 1 --
Counterfeiting Coin -- 1 --
Buying Rations from a
Fellow-Convict -- -- 1
Pawning -- -- 1
Suspected of Thieving -- -- 2
Losing Cloths -- -- 4
Leaving his Watch -- -- 6
Committed by the Police -- -- 9
Attempting to Commit Suicide -- -- 1
Marrying without Permission -- -- 1
Carrying Letters for Local
Prisoners -- -- 3
Disrespect to Superiors -- -- 2
Obtaining Money under False
Pretences -- -- 1
Receiving Bribes -- -- 1
Impertinence -- -- 2
Malingering -- -- 2
Suspected of being Concerned
in a Murder -- -- 2
Assaulting a Free Man -- -- 4
--------------------------------------------------------
Total 30 132 172
--------------------------------------------------------
This table gives the number and nature of the defaults committed by the
Indian convicts for the years 1846, 1856 and 1866, but it is doubtful
whether the list for 1846 is complete, as the prison records do not
appear to have been fully kept up; anyhow they are not to be found, and
at that time the inquiry room had not been established. The number of
convicts under discipline and on ticket of leave during the twenty years
was between 1,900 and 2,500, which shows a small percentage of
defaulters, and they are all, with few exceptions, of a petty nature.
APPENDIX VI
Extracts from letters from T. Church, Esq., Resident Councillor,
Singapore, addressed to the Honourable the Governor of the Straits.
15th September, 1849. Transmits copy of letter from Captain
Man, dated August, 1849, forwarding account of value of labour
of the convicts for the year ending 30th April last.
In my last report I adverted to the efficient state of this
department, and the importance of the work performed by
convicts under the zealous and active supervision of the
Superintendent. The accompanying papers will, I think,
satisfy your Honour, and distant authorities likewise, that
the value of the labour of the convicts, particularly the
artificers, is annually becoming developed; and even now
the skill of the men is quite equal, if not superior, to
the free labourers generally employed by the Superintending
Engineer; in fact, Major Faber has on more than one
occasion expressed his professional opinion on the
superiority of the masonry and other works executed by the
convict body. I trust the period is not far distant when
the Government will allow all repairs and minor works to be
done by the Superintendent of Convicts, a measure much to
be desired, and vastly more economical than the present
system.
The annexed statement has no pretensions to accuracy, and
I am rather disposed to place on record Captain Man's
estimate than my own; but whichever is adopted, the result
is most satisfactory, as showing that the labour of the
convicts is equivalent to all expenses incurred in their
maintenance at this station.
August, 1850. A cursory view of the papers submitted by Captain
Man will show how much the community are indebted to the
convict body for the cleanliness of the streets in town, and
the extensive and admirable roads in the country, which elicit
the praise and even the astonishment of sojourners from the
continent of India, and the Colonies.
10th August, 1852. Captain Man's report is exceedingly
gratifying, and demonstrates how admirably adapted the existing
rules and regulations are to preserve order and discipline
among a large body of probably the most vicious and demoralized
characters from the presidencies, and at the same time render
their labour of considerable importance to the place of
transportation.
Extracts from the letters of the Governor of the Straits Settlements to
the Resident Councillor, Singapore:--
29th August, 1850. The management of the convict body at
Singapore reflects great credit on Captain Man, whose energy
and zeal in the execution of his duties have always been very
conspicuous; and I notice with extreme satisfaction the
eulogium passed on that officer in the concluding paragraphs of
your communication.
The observations of the Superintendent of Convicts and Roads at
this station, as well as at Penang, on the aforesaid rules and
regulations, coupled with your notice of the same, have
afforded me unqualified gratification, seeing that they were
drawn up by me so far back as 1845 in the face of much
opposition to the entire abolition of free men as petty
officers, in which, however, as in all matters connected with
the welfare of this station, I acknowledge your cordial support
and assistance.
APPENDIX VII
The head of the Madras Medical Department Dr. Edward Balfour, visited
this jail in August, 1863, and thus recorded his opinion:--
The point that most struck me in the management of this jail
were the diversified occupations and evident industry of its
inmates, and their complete employment. The mass were actively
working, and the few were superintending those engaged in
labour. I have not before seen the various labouring industries
of artizans so largely introduced in any jail, nor have I seen
such diligence in their labour. Blacksmiths' and tinsmiths'
work, carpentry and sawmills, carving and coopering,
stonemasons, manufacture of coir and woollen yarn for blankets,
weaving door-mats, and printing too, all in active operation
inside the jail, with wood-cutting, brick and tile works, and
vegetable gardens without. Daily task work, and its allotment
and registration as to quantities performed in the jail, may be
operating to produce the application to the work before them
which the prisoners were everywhere giving. The hospital and
its arrangements were very perfect. The well-kept floor, the
clean cots, and the very small number of about twenty inmates
out of a strength of 2,000, may be taken as indicative of the
care in all other sanitary arrangements. Both the sickness and
mortality seems very small. I have been much gratified with
what I have seen, and have learned some points of interest and
value.
APPENDIX VIII
Extract from the _Singapore Free Press_, October, 1884:--
To this day many of the released convicts are living in
Singapore, cart owners, milk sellers, road contractors, and so
on. Many of them are comfortably off, but are growing fewer
year by year, and their places will never be filled by that
class again. The name of Major McNair is a password to their
good feelings, and all their disputes used to go to him as a
matter of course. When the Major wrote the _Sarong and Kris,
Perak and the Malays_, it was remarked by one of the reviewers
that he hoped the Major would some day give an account of the
old jail to the world. It was one of the most remarkable sights
of the place, and no one came from India on a visit in those
days without going over it before he returned. For all sorts of
things, from coir matting and rattan chairs down to waste paper
baskets, every one went to the jail; and the rattan chairs the
Chinese now sell here so largely, were invented in the jail,
beginning with a cumbrous heavy chair, which was the first
pattern, down to the shape we see now.
No doubt the system had its defects, and there was a wide
difference between the jail as it is now, filled with offenders
sentenced in Singapore, and a jail which contained criminals
who came from distant places and did not know the local
language, and had no friends outside the walls to help them to
escape from the island if they succeeded in getting clear of
the jail; but, notwithstanding, it was often a wonder to many
to find so large an establishment of the worst characters of
India kept in check by what was, practically, almost personal
influence alone.
APPENDIX IX
From the _Singapore Free Press_, February 2nd, 1899. Given to show how
very lately this "head scare" superstition is entertained:--
THE "HEAD-CUTTING" SCARE.
To the Editor of the _Free Press Pao_.
MOST POWERFUL SIR,--Permit thy humble servant to approach thee
by the way of my friend Tan Tan Tiam, who knoweth the Ang Moh's
speech, and kindly consenteth to write to him who moveth the
Government to influence the Tye Jin to have compassion upon the
exiled sons of China.
Thy servant is a humble puller of the man-power-carriage by
night, and is suffering grievously because he is unable to
carry on his lawful occupation of plying by hire, by reason of
the dire fear that besetteth him. It hath come to the ears of
thy servant and of his fellows, that the Ang Moh's engineers do
seek a sacrifice to appease the offended gods of earth and
water, whom they have outraged by disturbing his habitation on
the hill that standeth behind the office of the Tye Jin, which
they of India call Ko-mis-a-yat. The said engineers, perchance
from ignorance, have neglected to consult the wise ones of
earth-lore as to the means to be taken to please the said
spirits, who have consequently so tormented the Ang Moh that
they seek a sacrifice. Not of the rich and family-blessed, who
would make a complaint to the Government, if they were
sacrificed; but of us poor and friendless man-power-carriage
coolies, who in the exercise of our nightly avocation are
called to distant parts of the town, where the knife that is
invisible will speedily sever the head from the body, and the
cloth that is impenetrable will stifle the last cry of him that
hath none to avenge, and our heads go to make the water run
within the pipe, and make firm the foundations of this new
water hole.
Let the engineers make the necessary sacrifices, that we may go
without fear and trembling to those who call us, with mighty
voice and thick, to go to Si Poi Poh. Then shall we receive the
reward of the Ang Moh's gratitude, far exceeding that of they
who aforetime dwelt in the land, or of our brothers of the
Celestial Empire.
HAK-CHEW.
Index
Alquada Reef lighthouse, 112.
Andaman Islands, 21, 143.
_Anecdotal History_, on Singapore, etc., convicts, 47, 67.
Balfour, Dr. Edward: opinion of Singapore jail, 182.
"Bastiani," exporter of pine-apples to Europe, 60.
Begbie, Captain, 43.
Belcher, Sir Edward, R.N., 61.
Bencoolen, First penal settlement at, 1-3.
Sir Stamford Raffles' letters on treatment of convicts at, 4-8.
Transfer of convicts from, to Penang, 8.
Transfer of convicts from, to Singapore, 39.
"Bencoolen Rules" in force at Singapore, 43.
Bennett, Mr. John, 61, 74.
Beri-beri disease, 149.
Blundell, Hon. Edmund Augustus, 73.
Branding, 12.
Bricks, Dearth of, at Singapore in 1844, 58.
Bricks made by convicts, 110, 174.
Brodhurst, Mr., 144.
Budoo road, 44.
Bukit Timah Canal, 71.
Butterworth, Colonel, 20, 61, 62.
"Butterworth Rules," 21, 62, 63.
Campbell, Major, 42.
Canning, Lord, 75.
Cape Rachado, 29.
Carrimon Islands, 33.
Cathedral, Singapore, 97-101.
Cavenagh, General Sir Orfeur, 52.
"Cellular system," 158.
Chains, Convicts in, 40, 87.
Chester, Lieutenant, 40.
Chinese rioters dispersed by Indian convicts, 67-68.
Church, Hon. Thomas, 73.
Extracts from letters on value of convict labour, 179-181.
Clarke, Sir Andrew, 3, 14.
Clothing of convicts at Singapore jail, 94.
Cobra, 128.
Coleman, G. D., Work performed by, at Singapore, 43-46.
Collyer, Colonel, 75.
Collyer Quay, 76.
Convicts, Treatment of, at Penang, 16-20.
Ticket-of-leave, at Penang, 24.
at Malacca, 27-30.
Transfer of, from Bencoolen to Singapore, 39.
First trial of, as warders at Singapore, 40.
Lenient treatment of, 41.
used for suppressing fires at Singapore, 42.
employed as orderlies and servants, 42.
at Singapore, Malacca, Penang, and Maulmein, Extract from
_Anecdotal History_ on, 47.
used for destroying tigers, 52.
used for surveying, 56. employed for road-constructing, 19, 28, 59.
build lighthouses at Singapore, 60, 62.
Indian, disperse Chinese rioters, 68.
Bukit Timah Canal improved by, 71.
A new St. Andrew's Church constructed by, 72, 97.
assist in building fortifications of Singapore, 76.
Government House built by, 77, 101.
Classification of, at Singapore jail, 84-89.
Average number of, at Singapore, 89. Trades of, 90-92.
hours of work at Singapore, 92.
Clothing of, at Singapore jail, 94.
Industries of (intramural) 104-108.
Industries of (extramural) 108-112.
Stories about Indian, 113-142.
Indian, fondness for spying, 123.
Indian, Transfer of, to Port Blair from Singapore, 143.
Pardoning, 143-145. Analysis of crimes of, in 1873, 145.
Diseases of, at Singapore, 147-152.
Death-rate of, at Singapore, 149.
Disciplinary treatment of, at Singapore, 159.
Incorrigible, 161.
Materials made by, 172-175.
Bricks made by, 172-175.
Defaults committed by Indian, 176.
Cotton, Dr. George, 74.
Cowpar, Dr., 154.
Crawfurd, Mr. John, 36, 101.
Crocodiles, 130, 134-138.
"Dacoity," 12.
Davidson, M. F., 61, 62.
Death-rate of convicts at Singapore, 149, 170.
De Barros on Malacca, 26.
Dindings, 14.
Diseases of convicts at Singapore, 147-152.
Feigned, 152-155.
Du Cane, Sir Edmund, 96.
Edinburgh, H.R.H. The Duke of, 77.
Faber, Captain, 58.
lays foundation stone of Pearl's Hill jail, 64.
Farquhar, Major, 33.
Fires, Convicts used for suppressing, 42.
Flogging, 88.
Forlong, General, 21, 63.
appreciation of Singapore convict system, 63.
Fraser, Colonel, report on management of Singapore jail, 110.
"Funny Joe," 126.
Godinho de Eredia, 25, 151.
Government House at Singapore, 101-104.
Guillaume, architect, 97.
Guthrie, Mr. Alexander, 35.
Guthrie, Mr. James, 101.
Hamadryads, Convicts bitten by, 16.
Hay, Mr. Andrew, 35.
"Head Scare," 69-70.
Hilliard, Captain, 20.
Hospital erected at Singapore, 57.
Humphrey, Rev. William Topley, 73.
Industries, Convict, 104-112.
Jail erected near Brass Basa Canal, 54.
New Civil, at Pearl's Hill, 64.
Singapore, Description of, 77-83.
Singapore, Classification of convicts at, 84-89.
Singapore, Rations for, 93.
Industries at Singapore, 104-112.
Convict Probation at Singapore, 157.
Expenses of Singapore, 169.
Statistics of Hospital Department, 170-171.
Janssen, M. Leon, 151.
Johnstone, Mr. A. L., 35.
Johore, Sultan of, 36.
Kerr, Dr., 150.
Labour, Value of convict, 92.
Statistics of convict, 172-175.
Latrines, 80-82.
"Licuala acutifida," 24.
Light, Captain, 15.
Lighthouses at Singapore, 60-62.
erected at eastern entrance to Straits of Malacca, 62.
McClure, Sir Robert, 139.
MacKenzie, Mr. E., 35.
McNair, Lieut., 73.
McNair, Major, 52.
Rules introduced by, 1858-59, 63.
prepares plans for Government House at Singapore, 77, 97, 101.
Macpherson, Captain Ronald, 71, 73.
Macpherson, Colonel, 97.
Attempt to kill, 125.
Magaelhaens, Mr., 61.
Mahomed Shah, 26.
Malacca, Origin of name of, 25.
Size of, 26. Trade of, 26.
The Portuguese at, 26.
Appearance of, 27.
First convicts at, 27.
Industrial training of convicts at, 29.
Transfer of convicts to Singapore from, 30.
trade, 1845-46, 65.
Man, Captain, 158.
Man, General, 20, 21.
Man, General, Initiation of carpenter's work at Singapore, 64.
Marco Polo, 151.
Maxwell, Mr. D. A., 35.
Mayne, Major, 76.
Montgomery, Mr. W., 35.
Moor's _Notices of the Indian Archipelago_, 45.
Morgan, Mr. A. F., 35.
Morgan, Mr. John, 35.
Mouat, Dr., Paper on ticket-of-leave system at Singapore, 10.
Testimony as to conservancy of Singapore jail, 82.
Report on Singapore jail, 1864-65, 105.
Napier, Mr. D. F., 35.
Netley Abbey, 97.
New Harbour Dock, 67.
Ord, Lady, 101.
Ord, Sir Harry St. George, 76, 101.
Oxley, Dr., House of, attacked by burglars, 43.
Pangkor, 14.
Penang, Convicts transferred to, from Bencoolen, 8, 14.
Increase in population of, 15.
Trade of, 16, 65.
Treatment of convicts at, 16-20.
Ticket-of-leave at, 24.
Seat of government fixed at, 41.
"Penang lawyers," 24.
"Penang Rules," 8, 18.
in force at Singapore, 43.
Pine-apples at Singapore, 59.
Piracy in the Straits of Malacca, 120-122.
Pooley, Lieut.-Col. Charles, 73.
Port Blair, Transfer of Indian life-convicts to, 143.
"Prince of Wales Island" (see also Penang), 14.
Prisoners (see Convicts).
Province Wellesley, Acquisition of, 14.
Pulo Ubin, British flag planted at, 38.
Purvis, Captain, 73.
Purvis, Mr. John, 35.
Queen, H.M. The, Statue of, 104.
Raffles', Sir Stamford, letters to Government on treatment of
convicts at Bencoolen, 4-8.
Views of, on necessity of trading centre in Straits of Malacca, 33.
Address from merchants at Singapore to, 36.
reply to address from merchants at Singapore, 37.
"The Coney" lighthouse named after, 62.
Raffles Institution, 45.
Rations for Singapore jail, 93.
Rawlinson, Sir Robert, K.C.B., 76.
Read, Mr. C. R., 35.
Read, Mr. W. H., C.M.G., 100.
Rhio, 33.
Roads opened between Bukit Timah and Krangi, 59.
to summit of Telok Blangah Hill, 59.
Rock-blasting by Indian convicts, 66.
Rowell, Dr. Irvine, C.M.G., 150.
St. Andrew's Church, 68.
Construction of a new, 72.
consecrated by Dr. George Cotton, Bishop of Calcutta, 74.
Scott, Mr. Charles, 35.
Scott, Mr. Thomas, 101.
Serangoon road, 44.
Shaw, Mr. Frank, 131.
Singapore, Foundation of settlement, 34.
Origin of name of, 31.
Size of, 32.
ceded to Great Britain, 34.
Population of, 34.
First settlers at, 34, 35.
Early prison at, 35.
Address from merchants at, to Sir Stamford Raffles, 36.
Extracts from reply to address from merchants to Sir S. Raffles, 37.
First census, 38.
Transfer of convicts from Bencoolen to, 39.
First church for, 45.
jail erected, 1841, 54.
Tigers at, 49-53.
Extract from _The Free Press_ on progress of town, 55.
hospital erected, 57.
bricks, 58.
pine-apples, 59.
trade, 1845-46, 65.
census, 1849, 67.
new church, 72.
Fortification of, 75.
waterworks, 76.
jail, Description of, 77-83.
cathedral, 97-101.
Government House, 101-104.
Expenses of, jail, 169.
_Singapore Free Press_: Extract on capture of a tiger, 50.
Extract on ravages of tigers, 51.
Extract on progress of Singapore town, 1842, 55.
Extract on Singapore lighthouse, 61.
Extract on tiger-hunting, 134.
on released convicts, 183-184.
on "head-cutting" scare, 185-186.
Sleeman, Colonel, 12.
Stevenson, Captain, 48.
Stone Quarrying at Singapore, 111.
Surveying, Convicts used for, 56.
Tanjong Tatti, 33.
Tan-Tock-Seng, 57.
Taylor, Rev. Wallace, M.D., 152.
Temple, Col. R.C., 21.
Thompson, J. T., 56.
designs hospital for Singapore, 57.
designs Singapore lighthouse, 60.
"Thuggee," 11.
"Tickery Banda," 113.
Ticket-of-leave system, 10, 24.
employed in pine culture, 60.
Tigers at Singapore, 49-53.
trap, 131.
Trade for year 1845-46 of Penang, Singapore, and Malacca, 65.
Trades of Singapore convicts, 90-92.
Transportation, 8.
Effect of, on the native of India, 9, 117, 157.
_Tropical Possessions in Malayan India_,
Story about "Tickery Banda" in, 113.
Warders, Singapore convicts as, 40, 48, 162.
Well-digging at Singapore, 112.
White, Rev. Edmund, 45.
Wilson, Rt. Rev. Daniel, D.D., 73.
Xavier, St. Francis, 27.
Butler & Tanner, The Selwood Printing Works, Frome, and London.
Transcriber's Notes:
Inconsistencies in the hyphenation of words preserved. (cocoanuts,
cocoa-nuts; extramural, extra-mural; intramural, intra-mural; lookout,
look-out; tongkong, tong-kong; transmarine, trans-marine; workyard,
work-yard)
Pg. 37, inserted missing period. (extracts from it. After acknowledging)
Pg. 167-8, these were blank pages in the original text and anchors have
not been inserted for them.
Pg. 187, index entry "Alquada". Is spelled "Alguada" in main text.
Original spellings of both preserved as it is unclear which the author
intended.
Pg. 188, index entry "Crawfurd, Mr. John". Pg. 36 which index refers to
spells the name as "Crawford" while Pg. 101 spells it as "Crawfurd".
Original spellings retained in all cases as it is unclear which spelling
the author intended.
Pg. 189, index entry "Malacca". Inserted period after page number.
(First convicts at, 27.)
Pg. 189, index entry "Moor's _Notices of the Indian Archipelago_".
In the original text, both both the author's name and the title of the
book were italicized.
Pg. 191, index entry "Tanjong Tatti". Is spelled "Tanjong Jatti" in main
text. Original spellings of both preserved as it is unclear which the
author intended.
Pg. 191, index entry "Thompson, J. T.". Inserted comma before page
number. (Singapore lighthouse, 60)