An Account of the State Prison or Penitentiary House in the City of New York

New York: I Collins, 1801. First Edition.. Somewhat later full sheep.. Very good; some flaking to the spine of the binding; some offsetting to the plates; otherwise a bright, fresh copy.. 8vo, [4], [5] - 94, [95 - 109 are erroneously numbered 83 - 97]pp. + 2 large folding plates (a floor plan and elevation) and 2 folding tables (included in the pagination).

Eddy was a Quaker merchant and reformer who had spent time in prison during the Revolution because of his Tory sympathies. He had befriended Philip Schuyler, the father-in-law of Alexander Hamilton, and hosted a visit of his to Philadelphia to inspect the Walnut Street Jail in 1796. This visit was the impetus for the first penal reform in New York State. Eddy was thus launched upon a career. In 1801 he published the book offered here that is a description of a new prison. The actual design was the work of the Mangin brothers (see DAB) who are best known for the design of New York City Hall. Eddy's report, however, contains all of his stipulations for the building and its appointments as well as a detailed summary of how the inmates were to be treated (menu lists, clothing etc.). A most important book: the first native American work on prisons, written by the country's first prison director. S & S #431; King, Am. Philanthropy, # 817; Sabin #21816; see Lewis for citations to Eddy.