Account of the Imprisonment and Sufferings

Citation preview

AN

ACCOUNT OK THE

uwiPihttscDmmBsrcp AND

rcraiMtiBiiK OF

ROBERT FULLER. r*

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AN

ACCOUNT aalaMB-iiBQSfHnBsiu AND

OHBIRIIStOBiSJ fej^iswui*

ROBEKT FULLER, OF CAMBRIDGE. Who while

peaceably and quietly and rationally in possession of his own house, was seized and detained in the M'Lcan Asylum for the Insane, at Charlestown, Mass. 65 days, from June 24th, to Together with August 28th, 1832. some remarks on that Institution.

"Offences must needs come, but woe unto the man by

^g

tlu.yco.ne."

BOSTON

:

\^>

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 1

833.

whom

\S33

TO THE PUBLIC

am happy

I

Agrippa, that

I

to

say,

St Paul said

as

can answer for myself.

—

King

to

make

the following narration not from feelings of malice or I

enmity, but from a sense of duty, which

my family

myself,

and

I

and

friends.

I

owe

I

to

have been wronged,

should think myself almost destitute of the

feelings of humanity, did

and use

my

not expose these wrongs,

I

awakening the public one has been falsely

feeble strength in

to the evils that

When

exist.

and persecuted nearly unto right and duty to make such an

accused, imprisoned, death,

it is

both his

exposition of the whole affair as will tend to prevent

The

recurrence.

its

mariner,

who

should discover

rocks and shoals,which he had narrowly escaped, and to which others would be exposed,would be regarded

warn

as a monster, did he not give information, and all

who

should go that

the alarm not so

What ries

I

much

way for

to avoid them.

my own

good as

has been done cannot be undone. have received cannot be atoned for.

be made

sound

I

for others.

The

inju-

No

mat-

what acknowledgments may what offerings of sympathy maybe matter what acts of kindness are performed— all

no matter tendered; no

ter

cannot blot from

draw the mantle of

ed, nor

folly

cruelty, I

is

tory to

the sufferings

I

endur-

oblivion over the injustice,

and madness of

my professed

friends.

where I was imprisderogaa popular one, and that any remarks

am aware

oned,

my memory

;

it

that the Institution,

opinion, will be in opposition to the received

yet

truth of

upon the

relying

strengthened by

my

my

statements,

and

sense of duty to the public,

I

have no fears in declaring, that

however benevolent

and worthy may have been

original

under

its

its

present administration,

it is

design, yet

a reproach to

the community.

I came to Cambridge in the Spring of 181 5, when was twenty years old. 1 first entered into the employ of Mr Ed. T. Hastings, a grocer in this I

whom

place, with

remained about one year.

I

then engaged myself to in iron,

1818,

whom

with

when

brick store

I

Mr

Francis

remained

commenced now occupy

I

Wyman,

till

the

I

a dealer

Spring of

business for myself in the

during all which period, have been engaged in the business of trading in iron and steel. My family consists of my wife, whom I

;

I

1

married in 1819, and four children.

About the first of June, 1832, I purchased a lot of land of the town of Cambridge, on which I intended to build a house. It was then late in the season for building, and fearing that I should not get it done in a proper time,l made myself very busy in planning my house, and making a contract for "building it, which I at length completed with Mr Nathaniel

Hammond

of Boston, about the 14-th of June. During the same week, several persons called on me for the purpose of requesting an examination into the conduct of Mr William Henshaw, a teacher

m

one of the public schools, whom they charged with having abused several of his pupils. I was one of the General School Committee. Another gentleman of the prudential committee with myself T

trutn of TrlZ

TT

emered

T

^ exam

~

of the

" the charges, and after a full investigation of

i

the same, to

we dismissedjMr Henshaw.

General School

the

He

appealed

Committee, which on the

following Monday, without a thorough examination of the facts, and contrary to all precedent, reversed

our decision, and reinstated

me some

gave

Mr Henshaw.

trouble insomuch as

I

This

thought our

decision treated lightly, and was well satisfied that

Mr Henshaw

On

had denied

facts

which were

Friday, the 15th of June,

was

cholera

Montreal.

in

true.

we heard

This news, as

that the

well

is

known, produced a great excitement in the whole community. It appeared there with uncommon malignity,

and spread with great

Its

appear-

For

several

rapidity.

ance among us was daily expected.

was the all-absorbing topic of conversation all were making preparations either to flee from or to meet it. I partook of the general excitement, and this with other cares and business gave me great

days,

it

;

it.

anxiety.

Sunday, June 17th,

meeting

I

in the exercises.

by's at the

Upper

afternoon

Mr

Bix-

Falls

— returned home about

sun-

my

I

spent at

that night. I

the school committee, as in

— attended

and was much interested

The

down, and rested well Monday, June 18th, engaged beside

Newton

rode to

in the forenoon,

attended to the business of

have before stated, was

I

usual business

—

in

the

after-

I rode to Fresh Pond. Tuesday, June 19th, I took an active part with other gentlemen of the town in making preparations in searching out and removing nuisfor the cholera

noon,

—

ances

— n cleansing

tions, in this

the

streets,

and other business,

1

By my

exer-

became very

much

&c.

fatigued.

Wednesday, June 20th,

I

rode to

Newton with

— mv

wife

— stopped

hours

— had

about

tiie

at the

correct

John Clark, Esq.

consultation with

a

character of Mr.

mc

master, which satisfied

was

Spring Hotel three or four

—spent the

Henshaw that

my

Mr

Bixby that night

Mr

— went

— called

school-

opinion of

afternoon at

talked considerably of the cholera

with

as a

at the

him

Bixby's to

Boston

Tremont

to see Mr Eaton, conversed with him on busiand the cholera afterwards went home and

House ness

—

rested tolerably well.

Thursday, June 21st.

Breakfasted and attended

—about 9 o'clock, started —stopped the Spring three four hours — head ached very badly got much fatigued and sunburnt — used camphor proto

my

for

Newton with Mr Bixby

ordinary business

hotel

at

or

;

fusely on

my

or two, and

Newton

head

felt

—

laid

much

down and

better

;

rested an hour

afterwards rode

to

— returned the same evening with my wife

;

did not rest so well that ni^ht.

Friday, June 22d. After breakfast, rode to Fresh

Pond— stopped

at old

bath; then returned

Cambridge, and took a

home-felt

warm

quite unwell,and cal-

who gave me a cathartic— kept my chamber all that afternoon and night; the medicine led in Doct. Chaplin,

relieved

me,and

slept well after 12 o'clock that night. Saturday, June 23d. I rose in the morning about 5 o'clock|and after breakfast had three private attachments put on real estate to secure some debts in the country soon ascertained after I had gone I

;

my

store,

to

that a draft from

Nathan Harkness, of Leicester, had been presented the day before 'and returned for non-acceptance. As I had previously given special orders to be informed of its presentation, I felt much displeased I immediately hurried to Boston,found the draft and accepted itandthinking ;

that the price of iron would

count of the cholera excitement,

make

in the city

fall I

supposed

on acI

could

a good speculation by purchasing a large quan-

tity and carrying it to Cambridge. I therefore called on Eaton at the Tremont House, and proposed to purchase his stock. He agreed to meet me on

'change at 9 o'clock.

In Order to pay for the iron,

which I proposed to purchase, I went to the Eagle Bank, and left with the cashier, Mr John J. Fiske, notes to the amount of about ten thousand dollars to be discounted.

I

the cashier of

also applied to

the American Bank for a loan of two thousand dolI remained lars on my stocks, which was refused with the conversed hours five four or 'change on

—

—

dealers in iron about the price of that article

them

if

lower.

cholera

the I

at

58 tons of

to Boston,

length purchased of

old sable iron.

'change than

whom

came

I

Mr

it

—

told

would be

Isaac Clapp,

remained longer on

I

Mr

intended, waiting for

Eaton, to

had several days before agreed to loan #1000. About 1 o'clock^I went into the Eagle Bank, and asked Mr Fisk if my notes were disHe told me they were not. I asked him counted. I

give them to me. This he declined doing— Mr Benj. Thompson and Mr Titus Wells were both then demanded them, and had .some I present.

to

warm

talk

on the subject.

I

asked

an explana-

for

Many excuses were made, tion of this conduct. and at length I was told that the Directors wanted hope that my notes all the money they had to lend. I were not needed to sustain their credit and at any ;

regreted exceedingly that they should detain Just before 2 a dishonorable manner.

rate,

I

them

in

o'clock,

want

such

Mr Eaton came

the #1000,

I

in

and

had agreed

told

me

to loan

he did not

him.

I

then

— my

returned to Cambridge, leaving

in

the Ea-

had Bank, and much vexed with the course that

gle

been pursued. not inform

1

me

his regret,

the other the

edge of it

;

asked one of

my

why

clerks

he did

presented that Mr Harkness' draft was gave me no reason but express-

He

for acceptance.

ed

notes

to forgive

was willing same question. 1

this

knew

I

him.

I

asked

denied any knowl-^

He

and

to be'false,

led to

it

some'

This afternoon went again hard words with him. to Boston with Mr. Valentine, at his request and I

several errands

partly on his business, did

through Charlestown

— called

Register of Deeds, and In the evening,

cord.

I

settled

Valentine, and attended to

of

course

the

with some

my

evening,

truly

the office of the

at

a deed

left

— retured

to

some

be put on re-

affairs

usual business

with

Mr

— In the

had a slight skirmish

I

persons

Pharisaical

on religion,

and became considerably excited by the controversy I

retired to

bed about 10 o'clock, and slept well

till

morning.

Sunday, June 24th. night's rest,

breakfast.

I

I

After a very comfortable

rose nearly

restored

became convinced

held the prices too high to

and took a good

that the iron dealers

give

me any

chance to

The purchase I made of Mr Clapp did appear to me to afford much chance for profit,

speculate.

not

and the

difficulties that I

had had at the Eagle bank

the day before, together with

me

duced

much it, if

to believe that

of an object. I

my

other business, in-

that speculation

therefore resolved to

I

was not abandon

could honorably.

I therefore rode to Dorchester for the purpose of seeing Mr Clapp early in the morning before he had informed his principals

of

the sale, as he did not call

noon as

I

expected.

I

on

me

did not

the previous after-

tell

any one

at

Cam-

I

bridge the object of

my

him

my

visit;

I

saw

object, and offered to pay

Clapp, told

Ml*.

him

all

damages

that arose from a relinquishment of the bargain for the

He

iron.

informed

me

that as

had been to him a good

I

me

customer, he did not wish to hold

and appeared

had considerable conversation with

1

to the bargain,

be perfectly willing to give

to

the value of iron.

We

at length

Mr Clapp

it

up.

about

concluded, that

if

keep away, the iron dealers in

the purchasers would

Boston would be compelled to fall from their present to Boston I would not go prices. 1 told Mr Ciapp for a week, and gave him an order to Mr John J. Fiske to keep the notes which he had detained from

me, till I called for them. I le£ Dorchester at about 10 o'clock— stopped at Mr Tatrs about 2 hours— I took a good dinner of fish, and rested myself. then called at the .Tremont House to inform Mr

my

returned

home about noon

went

into

o-oing to

him—

arrangements, but did not find

Eaton of

my

house.

meeting

—

I

My

— put up my

wife asked

told her

I

horse, and

me

if

I

was

should not, but in-

I retired to my tended to stay at home and was chamber and slept about two hours, when I pillow. awakened from my sweet repose on my own

rest.

I

have been thus particular

in describing

my

en-

my health during this I subsequently and several previous days— because appearance and movefound to my sorrow, that my gagements, and the state of

suspicions of my ments during this time had excited and sufferings.— sanity and led to my imprisonment it was speculatiomwhich to my

The

secresy in regard

free

to

this suspicion— I am necessary to preserve, increased business, acknowledge, that in my hurry in

I

had

been under

some excitement':

that

I

m.gln

10

and unguarded expressions that to persons unacquainted with my business and objects, my course of conduct

made during

have

intemperate,

time

that :

might have

appeared strange

was

more capable

i

ed by

me with

sible,

1

approbation, and that

my

fectly rational

had

1

;

I

;

sen-

that at

was per-

my own

and needed nothing but rest on I

life

what

should have been restored immediate

not been njade a victim by the

exaggerated and distorted vision of my do not impute to them motives of ma-

excited passions,

neigbours. lice

I

my

regard-

am now

seizure and imprisonment,

pillow, and that

fears,

of doing

that

could have adopted no better course

the time of

lv,

business; —

did transact, has ever since been

1

before

I

—

all

less

do aver

1

have a distinct recollection of that time that at no period of my

high heaven that

conduct

but

;

know

I

I

not what were their motives

;

but

I

am

willing to submit the decision to an impartial public,

whether taking into consideration

all the circumstances of the case, their conduct towards me was not ill-advised, rash, foolish, unjust and cruel wheth;

er

by infringing upon

my

rights,

and

inflicting

a lasting injury, they did not act the creet and

Soon

I

I

had been awakened, as

rose from

I

have before

bed,—-felt considerably refreshed

by sleep— went down

my

me

meddlesome men,

after

stated,

on

part of indis-

rocking chair in

stairs

my

and seated myself

in

setting room.

tered into conversation with

my

There I enwife and her mother.

thought myself safe, and was happy at the idea of being n the midst of my own family, blessed with their kindness and enjoying their confidence. I

,

Little think that these happy visions were so soon to vamsli Little did I suppose that a conspiracy was

did

I

!

11

my

forming without,that would so soon darken

I

my

and turn

pects,

did

anticipate,

prisoner in

cup of joy into

that

my own

I

was

sorrow

to cheer me in my solitude, my distress Yet this soon proved

were none in

!

where

cell,

and comfort to be reality.

In the midst of this pleasant conversation, prised by the

a

house, carried away, and confin-

ed within the walls of a dark and gloomy

me

Little

!

be taken

soon to

so

pros-

I

was

sur-

Luke Hemmenway,

entrance of Mr.

Valentine, Maj.

Col. John Tarbell, Mr. Elijah F.

Edwards, and Doct. John C. Hayden. They seated themselves about me, and after a few minutes A.

Hem-

conversation respecting their families, &c. Mr.

menway remarked that my me to see Doct. Walker.

Boston wished

friends at I

toU him

that

I

had no

occasion to see Doct. Walker, and that I had taken good care of myself, and was getting along very well.

Doct. Hayden then urged

and

in

of

the course

me

Doct Walker, some

see

to

his conversation, used

language, that appeared to

me

improper and unbe-

coming a gentleman. Excited by a momentary pastowards Doct. sion, f rose from my chair, stepped and requested him to leave my house. This

Hayden, was a signal ed

my

for the attack.

me around my collar, at the

body

;

Doct.

of their design, and of course

them

Hayden took

same time saying

en him, and Col. Tarbell seized by three men. I was held firmly treated

Hemmenway

Mr.

to let

I

my 1

seiz-

hold of

could not frightright arm.

Here

had no knowledge

felt

alarmed.

me alonc.-They

I

soon placed

en-

me

my I then resumed on the sofa, and let go of me. all my found myself forsaken by I soon chair. almost and of these excited, friends, and at the mercy to They again began to urge me infuriated men.

t

I

see Doct. Walker. see him, but

Jiim

was

were

my

riages about

me and

self by

which

Hayden went

l\l\y

house

:

me

appalling.

my

and

me

Doct. Walker

The

I

have

with him

;

I

into great a-

Doct. Walker

told

he seemed to

seated him-

scene through

me

pulse beat rapidly.

to ride

Fresh Pond

for

time

this

people besides several car-

of my pulse.

felt

At

house.

and to

had just passed had thrown

I

gitation,

invited

my

to

truly awful

no doubt, there

to

came

they soon

:

satisfy

had no occasion to them, he might come I

Accordingly Doct.

and see me. the scene

would

if it

them

told

I

him

I

would go

I soon found that a carriage was brought to the gate, and I

began

this

to suspect that

I

decline.

away by

should be carried

requested Capt. Ilaynes to call in Doct. Chap who could inform them as to my health how I

force. lin,

:

I

—

had rested when he was with me, and to persuade them to let me remain at home. While he was e;one, I went into my chamber, and there I found my wife and children in tears the scene almost overcame me: I no longer had any power to resist. That moment :

I

shall

my

never forget

heart fainted

;

my

:

I

cup of sorrow was

could

hardly contain

filled;

myself,

I

could then have truly spoken those memorable words of the Saviour, Father, let this cup pass

When

I

from me. some degree recovered from the scene, I renewed my entreaties for per-

had

effects of this

in

mission to stay in this

time to go to

my own house. I proposed at my chamber, and if it would be any

satisfaction to them, two, or

of

men might

they were

be placed in

satisfied.

turn should be used at

I

even a greater number with me, till

my chamber

was

willing that any precauhouse, which to them

my own

should seem meet. But they were inexorable; to the Hospnal go I must. I had no alternative submis:

.

13 sion appeared to

forced away.

chaise

1

me

obtained

permission

with Doet. Chaplin.

bound and

being

preferable to

to ride

a

in

were followed by

V» e

which were Messrs E. T. Hastings, E. F. Valentine, and Col. Tarbell who rode in triumph a barouch, in

after

their

The

inocent victim.

Hospital

is

about

two miles from my house. We soon arrived there, and was conducted without much ceremony to a south east corner room in the north wing, where I 1

could see the light of heaven only through iron grates.

Here

1

was locked up

the thrilling scene

but

my

1

left.

wife and children

knew not whether

I

alone, and left

had

it

:

I

I

them

left

might not be

share a like fate with me.

on

to meditate

could think of nothing

My

in tears,

unpleasant

were at length broken by a person,

and

their lot soon to

who

reveries

brought

me

after a Mr. Davis by order of'Doct.

some tea. Soon Walker brought me two

pills.

1

told

him

I

did not

He urged me already learned that resistance was vain, I put them into my mouth and pretended to swallow them, but to take them, and having

need them.

spit

them both

out.

He

thought they had a good prisoned, and that there I

at length

composed

afterwards told effect.

was no chance

myself, lay

me

that

he

Finding myself imfor

an escape,

down with most

of

my clothes on, and slept tolerably well a great part home of the night, expecting my friends to take me the next day.

Monday, June 25th. I rose early in the morning, papand took some breakfast.— then regulated some made a memorandum ers, which I had in my hat, and 10 o'clock, Doct. About for my cellar stone work. room, and found me sitting by rational my iron grated window perfectly calm and He stopped but few minutes— inwith my hat on.

Chaplain came to

my

1

1

quired for the

memorandum

for

my

cellar,

which

1

through the day, for I was in constant expectation of seeing my wile and friends as I left home with the promise that they gave him.

I

tolerably quiet

was

come and stay with me. When night came on, began to grow uneasy felt anxious about my wife

should I

—

The ringand children, and knocked on the door. ing of bells, the doors grating on their hinges, and the groans of the distressed all combined to shed an

—

air

my

of gloom over

apartment.

I

did not sleep so

soundly this night.

Tuesday, June 26th. patient, liberty.

I

became

still

more im-

my friends and for knocked on the door, and inquired

and anxious about I

them, but could receive no. satisfactory answer.

was

desirous that

me.

my

wife should

me

Mr. Tyler told

rectors.

come and

my for I

stay with

must get leave of the DiMr. George Bond, one me, I asked him if my wife I

In the afternoon,

of the Directors visited

might be permitted to stay with me. He inquired if I wanted her all the time: I told him, yes. He gave a rather evasive answer, but I understood him to asAfter he had gone,

sent.

mit did

my

I

asked Mr. Tyler

to per-

come and see me. He told me he not understand Mr.Bond to consent toit. I found wife to

they were deceiving

me

;

I

lost all

confidence in

them

and became disheartened. I then made much noise by pleading for deliverance and knocking on the door, but obtained no relief. At night, Mr. Tvler with three other gentlemen came to my door and ordered

me

out of

my

tion of their conduct.

prevent

my

standing in

removal,

room, giving

me no

explana-

refused to go, and in order to took up a table, which

I I

was

my

room, and flung towards them it fell and broke one leg. They then seized :

on the

floor

15

mo, and carried me through

a long dark entry into a dark room or inner prison,where they laid me on a bed

and

literally

robbed me.

pocket hook and notes, rule, pencil

and hair

every thing, they

left

They took from me my

my money, gold watch, knife, When they had got con'). me to my own reflections. I

But a few days tell what it all meant. was engaged in an active employment en-

could hardly before

I

—

joying the blessings of freedom, and the comforts of

was now confined within the walls of dark gloomy prison my property was taken from

my a

family.

I

:

had no friend to relieve and comfort me I felt myself shut out from the world— fears and •' thick coming fancies" crowded on me I shuddered

me

:

:

I

:

to think of my

family deprived of their natural

pro-

was troubled with a thousand fearful apmy blood boiled prehensions in my gloomy abode

tector.

I

;

could not bear the indignities that had been heaped upon me, and in my wrath, I cried to God for vengeance on my enemies. In this situa-

within me;

tion,

my

I

imagination became

miserable condition became horrible visions, that

or ten days,

I

(lit

still

across

walked around

and

disordered,

more

my

my

pitiable

mind.

my

by the

For eight

straightened abode,

In Him crving and praying to God for deliverance. his goodness, I have been reI trusted, and through and my All this time, I was kept alone, lieved. was parched torments were excessive my tongue water to quench my with heat and thirst; I asked for havI became emaciated, thirst, but it was refused fifty days of ten or twelve ing lost in the course much length became so 1 at pounds of my flesh. walkexhausted, that I could hardly ;

:

reduced and her strength. nature had almost spent

My

troubles,

16

which at first were so intense, I began to regard with must endure them, and more composure. found I

I

therefore determined to fortify myself.

became calm, and

felt

willing to

length

at

I

meet the

that

late

awaited me. Alter

had been

1

George

to see

father in law,

He

me.

Hos-

Hallet, another of the Directors of the

came

pital

confinement about a week, Mr.

in

told

him over,

me.

requested him to permit

I

Mr. Manson,

me

lie

to

come

he would go

my

and stay with

after

him and send

went away, and did not

fulfil his

en-

gagement. After tion,

and

I

sit

my

had become more reconciled to

I

was permitted

to

situa-

go into an adjoining room

window

by the grates on the

seat.

I

under-

some persons had been kept in the Hosfrom 3 to 14 years, and was told that I must be

stood that pital

easy in order to ever regain

my

liberty.

therefore

I

found that an apparent contentment with

my

situa-

would be the most effectual means to obtain my discharge. About the 10th of July, I was permitted tion

to go into the Hall,

This gave

me

and converse with persons there. It seemed like a rewas soon after permitted

satisfaction.

turn from banishment.

I

walk out with Mr. Dearborn during this time I was planning for my escape.— On the 12th of July— I went into the Bowling Alley to roll ball. While to

;

my keepers' eyes were turned from me, I escaped through a window, jumped over the board fence, and out of the Garden, and got on board a schooner lying at the

wood

wharf.

and about the wharf

how

I

offered

I

called

to protect

was taken and draged them half my property

entreaties did no good

;— they

on those on board me. I told them

into that

to deliver

prison— and me.

All

my

stood like ghosts star-

17 ing at me. cott,

was soon seized by Tyler and Presand remanded to prison. I felt, however, some I

satisfaciion in having expressed

my

my

opinion of

imprisonment so publicly, hoping that in some way or other, it might lead to my discharge. July 13th.

my

from

1

was much

gratified to

ting calmly by

my window.

day by

a visit

They found me

wife and her father. I

sit-

requested Mr. Tjler to

were present with me. He did so. I supposed they had come to take me away. They I told them stopped only about 20 minutes. of my retire while they

miserable situation and expressed great consolation

When from hearing from my children and friends. they had gone, Mr. Tyler said I should not see them alone again.

July 17th.

I

took

my

old room,

confined, and on the next day,

where

I

received a

was

first

pen, ink

and paper for the first time. July 20th. I wrote a letter to my wife stating the cause of my excitement, and requesting to be removThe next day, I wrote to my clerk repected home. in