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The Sub-Committee learned that the buildings formerly belonging to the Town near the Common, consisted of two ranges; one of which, was used as an Alms House, for the reception of persons whom it became a duty of charity, to relieve from distress, and the other as a Work House, where disorderly and dissolute persons were restrained of their liberty, and compelled to work for their support; and that between these was a smaller building with grated cells, called a Bridewell, which served as a place for the punishment of such as conducted improperly while subject to the discipline of the institution.

When the new buildings were erected in Leverett Street, the whole sum appropriated to the purpose, was expended in the erection of a house, exclusively designed as an Alms House or place for the reception of the infirm, diseased, aged, and children of both sexes; and the apartments were constructed entirely with that view. Of course, this large and expensive pile of buildings, which is so honourable to the liberality and beneficence of the town, is incapable without great inconvenience, of being appropriated to any other purpose; there is but one room in which any kind of labour can be conveniently performed, and the necessity which is sometimes felt, of converting any part of it to other purposes, is an infringement on the objects for which it was originally designed.

Because, however, there is within the town, no place properly designed as a Work House, and because that class of vagabonds who would become the tenants of such a building, are by our laws, under the controul, in some degree, of the Overseers of the poor, they have from time to time been sent to that place; and many have always been there, whom it was any thing but charity to support in idleness, and to provide with the comforts of such an institution. The Sub-Committee saw many whom they believed, under proper regulations in a suitable place, might be made to support themselves.

From the necessity of the case, the Overseers have been obliged to enlarge a building originally designed as a bath house, and use it as a Bridewell; in which they have constructed small cells that are occupied by such disorderly persons as seem most to require to be punished by confinement. But not only does this seem to the Sub-Committee to be objectionable, by depriving the institution of a part of its original accommodation indispensable to cleanliness and health -- but because its size and construction is hardly more than is necessary as a restraint to preserve order, without any reference to profitable employment. Confinement within it must be temporary and occasional; and the apprehension of its discipline, forms no part of the terrors of such a place to persons abroad.

The Sub-Committee find by a reference to the laws of this country, passed at sundry times by the colonial, provincial and state authorities, that a Work House, or place where idle and dissolute persons should be compelled to labour for subsistence, was uniformly a part of the system of police. So early as 1662, authority was given to magistrates to arrest "rogues and vagabonds," and confine them in the "house of correction."

In 1699, a provincial act was passed for suppressing and punishing of rogues, vagabonds, common beggars, and other lewd, idle and disorderly persons, and also, for setting the poor to work, "by which, among other things, provision is made for erecting and governing a house of correction in every county, and that common drunkards, common night-walkers, pilferers, wanton and lascivious persons, either in speech or behaviour, common railers and brawlers, such as neglect their calling, and do not provide for their families, stubborn servants and children, fortune tellers, strollers and beggars, should be confined, and made to work.

In 1735, a special act on this subject, relative to the town of Boston, was passed by the Legislature, and confirmed by the General Court, under the present Constitution, in 1789, which confers certain privileges as to the erection and governing these buildings, suited to the condition of a growing metropolis; and under the provisions of which, many of the powers, in this respect, continue to be exercised. -- And the necessity of some institution of a similar plan was so apparent, that in the year 1744, the General Court passed an act for all the province, authorizing any one town, or any two or more towns, united together, to erect and govern a house of correction, for the restraining of the dissolute poor, and compelling them to labour. The statute of this Commonwealth passed 26th March, 1788, seems to be imperative on the Courts of Sessions for the several counties to provide houses of correction, and declares that until such are erected, "the common prison in each county shall be made use of for that purpose." But the common prison in Suffolk County, has long been useless for this object; and the Sub-Committee do not learn that the new one erecting by the County, is planned or adapted to such purpose. -- Indeed, the two establishments are so different as to render their union almost impracticable.