WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1860
448
consist, and require him to hand over the same to the present Financial Agent, taking his receipt for the same. 2nd-Require of John S. Besser, late Financial Agent, a full and complete statement of outstanding liabilities against the Penitentiary: setting forth for what they were created, for what amount, when due, if on interest at what rate per cent. and to whom owing: which statement he will sign and you will file with the present Financial Agent. 3rd-Require of the late Financial Agent a statement of all the agencies he has made for the sale of Penitentiary fabrics; what has been the rate of compensation, and a full exhibit of the present state of the account with each agency at the present time, which he will sign and which you will file with the present Financial Agent. 4th-You will call upon the late Superintendent to explain any- thing that may come to your knowledge, during his administra- tion, that may seem to you contrary to law, or improper in an officer holding his position, and for the purpose of thorough investigation, if it be deemed necessary you will have witnesses summoned, and their statements written out and sworn to by them. 5th-Make a full examination into any and every thing touch- ing the operations of the Penitentiary system that you regard as of Public importance whether specifically named or not, also to inquire whether convicts have been employed otherwise than in the Penitentiary as directed by law, and if so, how many have been thus employed, whereat, for what length of time, by whose order, and for whose benefit, with their names &c &c. If any person is implicated, or charged with a violation of the laws, or rules of the Penitentiary, the Directors will give him or them notice that they may attend, and cross examine witnesses and have their interrogatories taken down and the answers. You will particularly inquire into the facts whether all the component parts of the rations were furnished to the convicts, if not, how long were they derpived of any of them. I have been informed that convicts in the Penitentiary have, on some·occasions, been·forced to eat bread made out of unsifted meal. You will, therefore, make special inquiry into the facts and ascertain, if P!)SSible, the truth in regard to such mal- practices. Sam Houston.
1Exe1mtive Reco1·ds, 1859-1861, pp. 11-12, Texas State Library.
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