The subjoined statistics bring these statements nearer our own period, and afford means of comparison with antecedent dates:
IMPRISONMENTS IN THE CITY OF MEXICO FOR 1842.
In the first 6 months of 1842, there were imprisoned in the city of Mexico, 3,197 men. In the first 6 months of 1842, " " " 1,427 women. In the second 6 months of 1842, " " " 2,858 men. In the second 6 months of 1842, " " " 1,379 women. ----- Imprisonment of both sexes this year, 8,861
We will not swell these tables by specifying each of the crimes for which these 8861 individuals were incarcerated; but will merely note the chief violations of law and the number of the respective offenders:
Men. Women. Total. Robbery, 1,500 470 1970 Prostitution, adultry, bigamy, sodomy and incest, 312 179 491 Quarreling, wounding, 2,129 1,140 3,233 Rioting and bearing arms, 612 444 1,056 Homicide and attempt at ditto, and robbery and homicide, 70 17 87 Rape and incontinence, 65 21 86 Forgery, 7 1 8 Gambling, 3 0 3 ---- Total, 6934
High grades of crime, 6934 Misdemeanors, 1927 ---- Total, 8861 ====
$4,121 were expended for salaries in the Acordada; and $30,232 for the maintenance of the prisoners. It should be stated, moreover that a large number of the above criminals were committed and punished for throwing vitriol on the dress and faces of persons in the street;--that 113 dead bodies were found;--894 individuals sent to hospitals; and 17 executed by the _garrotte_. The culprit who is sentenced to this mode of expiating his crime is seated in a chair on the scaffold, whilst his neck is embraced by an iron collar which may be contracted by a screw. A sudden and rapid turn of the lever drives a sharp point through the spinal marrow at the moment that the band closes around the throat and strangles the victim.
NOTE.--In confirmation of all we have said in this chapter in regard to the administration and condition of law in Mexico, and in relation to the army, we refer to an able pamphlet published in that country, in 1848, entitled "_Consideraciones sobre la Situacion Politica y Social de la Republica Mejicaen el ano 1847_," written, we understand, by Don Francisco Lerdo. It presents a dark picture of the country at that epoch; but the author's purpose was to unmask the social and political diseases of his country, and his patriotic task was the more needed because that country was on the brink of ruin from war.