TABLE NO. 18. Of Numbers, &c., of Convicts during the year. Showing the Number of Negroes committed to this Prison each Year TABLE NO. 20. Daily Rations for Convicts in the Massachusetts State Prison. SUNDAY Breakfast.-Rice hash, white bread and coffee. MONDAY. Breakfast.-Fish hash, white bread and coffee. Dinner.-Corned beef and vegetables and white bread. TUESDAY. Breakfast Meat hash, white bread and coffee. Dinner.-Baked beans and white bread. Supper.-White bread and coffee. WEDNESDAY. Breakfast.-Fish hash, white bread and coffee. Dinner.-Pea soup and white bread. Supper.-White bread and coffee. THURSDAY. Breakfast.-Meat hash, white bread and coffee. Dinner.-Beef soup and white bread. Supper.-White bread and coffee. FRIDAY. Breakfast.-Boiled rice and molasses, white bread and coffee. Dinner.-Baked beans and white bread. Supper.-White bread and coffee. SATURDAY. Breakfast.-Meat hash, white bread and coffee. Dinner.-Beef soup and white bread. Supper.-White bread and coffee. CHAPLAIN'S REPORT. To His Excellency WILLIAM CLAFLIN, Governor, and the Honorable Members of the Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. No lengthy report seems necessary from the Chaplain, as his work is under the eye of the Warden and Inspectors. I commenced my labors as Chaplain of the Prison January 1, 1871. I entered upon my work with prayer to God, that he, in this new, and to me strange field of labor, would be my helper and grant me such favor in the hearts of the inmates of the prison as would be for their spiritual good. And in this spirit I have worked for the nine months of my chaplaincy. I have tried to "know no man after the flesh." And in ministering to the spiritual necessities of my flock, I have endeavored to know no special criminal or ruffian. have not been anxious to know if this man was a murderer, and that a common thief, but rather as I have preached from the pulpit in the chapel, and talked with the convict in his cell, and stood by his bed in the hospital, I have looked upon all only as "lost sheep," for which the Saviour "laid down his life." I As your Excellency stated, in your letter asking me to take the chaplaincy, I find many "desiring personal conversation" on spiritual matters, and, as you hoped, the "number increases." SUNDAY SCHOOL. The Sunday School is greatly enjoyed by all who attend. And we use our influence to get all we can into the same. The interest taken by the convicts and the success of the school are largely due to the punctuality and manifest increas ing love the teachers show for their work. May God bless them! And I believe that He does in their labor of love to the unfortunate. The whole number of scholars in the school is ninety. THE EVENING SCHOOL. By an Act of the legislature of 1869 and '70, the Chaplain is superintendent of the evening school, under the direction of the Warden and Inspectors. I found the school organized and in as good working condition as could be expected, considering the inconvenience of seating and arranging classes in the chapel, where it was found necessary to hold the school. The school is now reorganized and well at work in the new school-room over the chapel, under the immediate direction of Mr. G. F. Hayes of Charlestown, as principal teacher, assisted by several convicts who have volunteered to take classes. I have felt from the first that the Chaplain, whose duties are or should be wholly spiritual, should have no connection with the discipline of the school; and yet he should be a feeder to it. In my pastoral work I find many who, if they can be induced to attend the school, will be greatly benefited thereby. All such are urged by me to attend the school. And I am happy to state that nearly all who can be benefited by attendance avail themselves of its advantages. In conclusion, I will say that thus far I have enjoyed my work, and constantly pray that here, as elsewhere, I may ever combine the love of enjoyment with the love of duty. My relations to the Warden, and other officers of the prison, I am happy to say, are pleasant and agreeable. Most respectfully, your servant, W. W. COLBURN, Chaplain M. S. Prison. CHARLESTOWN, September 30, 1871. PHYSICIAN'S REPORT. To His Excellency WILLIAM CLAFLIN, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Honorable Council. GENTLEMEN :-The first quarter of the past year was characterized by an unusual freedom from diseases of a serious or fatal nature. The same statement may be applied with equal propriety to the second quarter, if we except an epidemic of influenza, which appeared in the latter part of March, and of which I shall presently speak more at length. Some cases of rheumatism occurred, but these were neither protracted nor severe. Bronchitis also attacked some of the men, but ran a mild and rapid course, requiring but a few days' residence in the hospital. The epidemic to which reference has been made was remarkable for the severity of its onset and the rapidity with which it spread throughout the prison. Nearly one-half the inmates were affected at the same time. The first symptoms were usually headache and chills followed by fever, with cough and expectoration. The disease seemed to expend itself chiefly in the larynx and nares, extending down into the bronchial tubes in but few cases. Sometimes the eyes and ears were affected. The disease usually ran a rapid course, all the symptoms subsiding in four or five days, except the cough. This in some cases continued for weeks, yielding but slightly to the influence of remedies, and causing much annoyance both to the patient himself and all others occupying rooms near him. There were at this time about twelve patients in the various stages of pulmonary consumption; and it was noticeable that those in the hospital (three in number) were unaffected by this epidemic, while the others, in all of |