Chap. XX

A summary View of the Evils detailed in the preceding Chapters.—The great opulence and extensive Trade of the Metropolis assigned as a Cause of the increase and multiplication of Crimes, and of the great extent of the Depredations which are committed.—Arguments in favour of a more energetic Police as the only means of remedying those Evils.—A wide Field opened to Men of Virtue and Talents to do good.—A general View of the estimated Depredations annually in the Metropolis and its Vicinity, amounting in all to Two Millions Sterling.—General Observations and Reflections an the strong Features of degraded Humanity, which this Summary of Turpitude exhibits.—Observations on the further Evils arising from the deficiency of the System with respect to Officers of Justice.—The want of a Prosecutor for the Crown, and the inadequacy of Punishments.—A View of the Remedies proposed—1st. With respect to the Corruption of Morals.—2d. The means of preventing Crimes in general.—3d. Offences committed on the River Thames.—4th. Offences in the Public Arsenals and Ships of War.—5th. Counterfeiting Money and fabricating Bank Notes; 6th. Punishments.—7th. Further advantages of an improved System of Police.—Concluding Reflections.

In taking a summary view of the various evils and remedies, which have been detailed in this Work, it may be right, previously to apprize the Reader, that in contemplating the extent and magnitude of the aggregate depredations, which are presumed to be committed in the course of a year, it is necessary to measure them by a scale proportioned to the unparalleled amount of moving property exposed in transit in this great Metropolis, as well as the vast and unexampled increase of this property, within the last half century; during which period there has certainly been an accumulation of not less than two-thirds, in commerce as well as in manufactures.

It has not, perhaps, generally attracted notice, that, besides being the Seat of the Government—of the Law,—Learning, and the Fine Arts,—the resort of the Nobility and the Opulent from every part of the British Empire, however distant; London, from being a great depôt for all the manufactures of the country, and also the goods of foreign nations as well as East India and colonial produce, is not only the first Commercial City at present existing, but is also one of the greatest and most extensive Manufacturing Towns, perhaps in the World; combining in one spot every attribute that can occasion an assemblage of moving property, unparalleled in point of extent, magnitude, and value in the whole Globe.—From the abstract of Imports and Exports in page 215 of this Work, it appears that above 13,000 vessels,187 including their repeated voyages, arrive at, and depart from, the Port of London, with merchandize, in the course of a year; besides a vast number of river craft, employed in the trade of the interior country, bringing and carrying away property, estimated at above Seventy Millions Sterling.188

In addition to this, it is calculated, that above 40,000 waggons and other carriages, including their repeated journies, arrive and depart laden, in both instances, with articles of domestic, colonial, East India and foreign merchandize; occasioning a transit of perhaps (when cattle, grain, and provisions sent for the consumption of the inhabitants, are included) Fifty Millions more. If we take into the account the vast quantity of merchandize and moveable property of every species deposited in the various maritime magazines, timber-yards, piece-goods’ warehouses, shops, manufactories, store-houses, public markets, dwelling-houses, inns, new buildings, and other repositories, and which pass from one place to another, it will establish a foundation for supposing that, in this way, property to the amount of Fifty Millions more at least, is annually exposed to depredation; making a Sum of One Hundred and Seventy Millions; independent of the moving articles in ships of war and transports, and in the different Arsenals, Dock-yards, and Repositories in the Tower of London, and at Deptford, Woolwich, Sheerness, and various smaller magazines, in the daily course of being received and sent away, supposed to amount to Thirty Millions more; making in the whole an aggregate sum of Two Hundred Millions. Thus an immense property becomes exceedingly exposed, in all the various ways already explained in the course of this Work; and the estimated amount of the annual depredations hereafter enumerated under these respective heads will cease to be a matter of surprise, if measured by the enormous scale of property above particularized. Although it is supposed to amount to about Two Millions sterling, it sinks to a trifle, in contemplating the magnitude of the capital, scarcely reaching one per cent. on the value of property passing in transit in the course of a year.

It is not, therefore, so much the actual loss that is sustained (great as it certainly is) which is to be deplored as the mischief which arises from the destruction of the morals of so numerous a body of people; who must be directly or collaterally engaged in perpetrating smaller offences, and in fraudulent and criminal pursuits.

This, in a political point of view, is a consideration of a very serious and alarming nature, infinitely worse in its consequences than even those depredations which arise from acts of violence committed by more atrocious offenders; the numbers of which latter have been shewn to be small, in comparison with other delinquents, and not to have increased in any material degree for the last 50 years; while inferior thefts, river-plunder, pillage, embezzlement, and frauds, in respect to public property, coining base money, forgeries under various ramifications, cheating by means of swindling and other criminal practices, and purchasing and dealing in stolen goods, have advanced in a degree, commensurate to the great and rapid influx of wealth, which has arisen from the vast increase of the commerce and manufactures of the Country, and the general accumulation of property by British subjects in the East and West Indies, and in foreign Countries.

The evils, therefore, are the more prominent, as they have become so exceedingly diffused; and implicate in criminality numerous individuals, of whom a very large proportion were formerly untainted with any of that species of Delinquency, which now renders them, (for their own sakes—for the benefit of their families—and for the interest of public morals,) objects of peculiar attention on the part of the Legislature, as well as the Police of the Country.

The habits they have acquired are, doubtless, very alarming, as in the destruction of their own morals, they also destroy those of the rising generation; and still more so, as the existing Laws, and the present System of Police, have been found so totally inadequate to the Object of Prevention.

Indeed it is but too evident, that nothing useful can be effected without a variety of Regulations, such as have been suggested in different parts of this Work. It is not, however, by the adoption of any one remedy singly applied, or applied by piece-meal, but by a combination of the whole Legislative Powers, Regulations, Establishments, and superintending Agencies already suggested, (and particularly by those recommended by the Select Committee of the House of Commons which may be considered as the Ground Work) that Crimes are, in any degree, to be prevented, or kept in check. And it is not to be expected, that such Remedies can be either complete or effectual, unless there be a sufficient Fund appropriated for the purpose of giving vigour and energy to the General System.

The object is of such astonishing magnitude, and the abuses which are meant to be corrected, are of so much consequence to the State, as well as to the Individual, and the danger of a progressive increase is so evidently well established by experience, that it is impossible to look at that subject with indifference, when once it is developed and understood.

It opens a wide field for doing good, to men of virtue, talents, and abilities, who love their Country, and glory in its prosperity. Such men will speedily perceive, that this prosperity can only be of short duration,—if public morals are neglected,—if no check is given to the growing depravity which prevails, and if measures are not adopted to guard the rising generation against the evil examples to which they are exposed.

Philanthropists will also, in this volume, find abundant scope for the exercise of that benevolence, and those efforts in the cause of humanity, which occupy their attention, and constitute their chief pleasure.—It is earnestly to be hoped, that it may produce an universal desire to attain those objects, which are shewn to be so immediately connected with the Public good.

For the purpose of elucidating, in some degree, the dreadful effect of the profligacy and wickedness, which have been opened to the view of the Reader, and occasioned the perpetration of Crimes and offences of every species and denomination, the following Estimate has been made up from information derived through a variety of different channels.—It exhibits at one view, the supposed aggregate amount of the various depredations committed in the Metropolis and its environs, in the course of a year.

The intelligent reader will perceive at once, that in the nature of things, such a calculation cannot be perfectly accurate; because there are no precise data upon which it may be formed; but if it approaches in any degree near the truth, (and the Author has discovered nothing in the course of four years to alter the opinion he originally formed in any material degree,) it will fully answer the purpose intended; by affording many useful and important hints favourable to those improvements which are felt to be necessary by all; though till of late, understood by very few.

It is introduced also (merely as a calculation) for the purpose of arresting the attention of the Public, in a greater degree, and of directing it not only to inquiries similar to those upon which the Author has formed his conjectures; but also to the means of procuring those improvements in the Laws, and in the System of the Police, which have become so indispensably necessary for the security of every individual possessing property in this great Metropolis.

An Estimate of the Annual Amount and Value of the Depredations committed on Public and Private Property in the Metropolis and its Vicinity, in one Year. Specifying the Nature of such Depredations under Six different Heads, viz:—

1. Small Thefts, committed in a little way by menial Servants, Chimney-Sweepers, Dustmen, Porters, Apprentices, Journeymen, Stable Boys, Itinerant Jews, and others, from Dwelling-Houses, Stables, Out-Houses, Warehouses, Shops, Founderies, Workshops, New Buildings, Public Houses, and in short every other place where property is deposited; which may be specifically estimated and subdivided as follows:
		Tons.	£.
Articles new and old, of	iron and steel	5000	100,000
—	brass	1500	150,000
—	copper	1000	120,000
—	lead	2500	50,000
—	pewter, solder, and tin	300	35,000
Pewter pots, stolen from 5204 Publicans		500	18955,000
Small articles of plate, china, glass ware, sadlery, harness, and other portable articles of house and table furniture, books, tea, sugar, soap, candles, liquors, &c. &c. &c.			100,000
Piece-Goods from shops and warehouses, by servants, porters, &c.			50,000
Wearing apparel, bed and table linen, &c.			40,000
Silk, cotton, and worsted yarn, embezzled by Winders and others in Spitalfields, &c. formerly 20,000l. a year, now supposed to be			10,000
				£.710,000
2. Thefts upon the River and Quays, committed in a little way on board ships in the River Thames, whilst discharging their cargoes; and afterwards upon the Wharfs, Quays, and Warehouses, when the same are landing, weighing, and storing; by glutmen, lumpers, jobbers, labourers, porters, lightermen, boys called mudlarks, and others employed, or lurking about for plunder, viz.
Raw sugars, rum, coffee, chocolate, pimento, ginger, cotton, dying woods, and every other article of West-India produce, estimated at the commencement of the Marine Police Establishment at 232,000l. a year; but now reduced to			50,000
East-India goods, and merchandize from Africa, the Mediterranean, America, the Baltic, the Continent of Europe, coasting trade, &c. &c. 274,000l. now reduced by the Marine Police Institution to			155,000
Ship stores and tackling, including cordage, sails, tar, pitch, tallow, provisions, &c. taken from above 10,000 different vessels, estimated at 100,000l. but now reduced since the Establishment of the Marine Police, according to Estimate, to			45,000
				£.250,000
3. Thefts and Frauds committed in his Majesty’s Dock-yards and other public Repositories, situated on the River Thames; including the plunder, pillage, and frauds, by which public property (exclusive of metals) is embezzled in the said stores, and from ships of war. (Besides the frauds, plunder and pillage, in the Dock-yards, and from ships of war at Chatham, Portsmouth, Plymouth, &c. at all times enormous, but especially in time of war; when public property is unavoidably most exposed, equal at least to 700,000l. a year more:) making in all, one million sterling, at least; but reduced by the Marine Police from 300,000l. to				200,000
4. Depredations committed by means of burglaries, highway robberies, and other more atrocious thefts, viz.
1. Burglaries by Housebreakers, in plate, and other articles			100,000
2. Highway Robberies, in money, watches, bank-notes, &c.			55,000
3. Private stealing, and picking of pockets, &c.			25,000
4. Stealing horses, cattle, sheep, poultry, corn, provender, potatoes, turnips, vegetables, fruit, &c. in London and the Vicinity			100,000
				£.280,000
5. Frauds by the coinage and recolouring of base money, counterfeited of the similitude of the current gold, silver and copper coin of the Realm				310,000
6. Frauds by counterfeiting bank notes, public securities, powers of attorney, bonds, bills, and notes; by swindling, cheating and obtaining money and goods by false pretences, &c. &c.				250,000
				£.2,000,000

Recapitulation

1. Small Thefts	£.710,000
2. Thefts upon the Rivers and Quays	250,000
3. Thefts in the Dock-yards, &c. in the Thames	200,000
4. Burglaries, Highway-Robberies, &c. &c.	280,000
5. Coining base Money	310,000
6. Forging Bills, Swindling, &c.	250,000
Total	190£.2,000,000

The foregoing Estimate, grounded on the best information that can be procured, exhibits a melancholy picture of the general depravity which prevails; and which is heightened in a considerable degree by the reflection, that among the perpetrators of the crimes there particularized, are to be numbered persons, who from their rank and situation in life would scarcely be suspected of either committing or conniving at frauds, for the purpose of enriching themselves at the expence of the Nation.

Avarice is ever an eager, though not always a clear sighted passion; and when gratified at the price of violating the soundest principles of honesty and justice, a sting must remain behind, which no affluence can banish,—no pecuniary gratification alleviate.

In contemplating these strong features of degraded Humanity, it cannot escape the observant Reader, how small a part of the annual depredations upon public and private property is to be placed to the account of those Criminals who alone attract notice, from the force and violence they use; and to whose charge the whole of the inconveniences felt by the Public, is generally laid, namely, common thieves and pick-pockets; highway-men and foot-pad robbers.—But for this Estimate, it could not have been believed how large a share of the property annually plundered, stolen, embezzled, or acquired in a thousand different ways, by means unlawful, unjust, and immoral, in this great Metropolis, is acquired by Criminals of other descriptions; whose extensive ravages on property are the more dangerous, in proportion to the secrecy with which they are conducted.

Next to the evils which are experienced by the general corruption of morals, and by the actual depredations upon public and private property as now brought under the review of the Reader, by means of a summary detail, it has been shewn, in the course of this Work, that many pressures arise from the defects in the Laws relative to the detection, trial, and conviction of Offenders, from the want of an improved System respecting Constables, and particularly from the deficiency of Jurisdiction in the City and Police Magistrates,—the want of Funds to remunerate Officers of Justice, and to reward Watchmen, Patroles, and Beadles, who may act meritoriously in apprehending Delinquents; and lastly, in the trial of Criminals, for want of a general Prosecutor for the Crown, to attend to the Public interest, and to prevent those Frauds (in suborning evidence, and in compounding Felonies,) whereby many of the most abandoned are let loose upon Society, while those who are novices in crimes are often punished.

The next stated in the class of evils is, that which arises from the Laws as they now stand, relative to Punishments.—Their extreme severity, in rendering such a multitude of Crimes capital, which Juries can never be made to believe are of that nature, in point of actual atrocity, has proved a very serious misfortune to the Country, in the administration of criminal Justice.—Because the punishment is too severe, it frequently happens that the Delinquent is sent back upon Society, encouraged to renew his depredations upon the Public by his having escaped (although guilty) without any chastisement at all.

It is unquestionably true, and little doubt will be entertained by any who attentively examine this Work, that the dread of severe punishment, in the manner the Law is executed at present, has not the least effect in deterring hardened Offenders from the commission of Crimes.

An opinion seems to have been formed, that Crimes were to be prevented by the severity of the punishment. That this opinion has been erroneous seems to be proved by incontestable evidence adduced in various parts of this Work; and elucidated by a variety of reasoning, which it is hoped cannot fail to bring conviction to the mind of every Reader, who will bestow time in the investigation of a subject of so much importance to Society.

Last, in the enumeration of the evils detailed, are those deficiencies and imperfections, which arise from the Police System; as explained in the 16th and 17th Chapters.—A variety of inconveniences, it appears, originate from this source; and reasons are adduced to demonstrate that the National Security, and Prosperity, are more dependant on a well-regulated and correct System of Police, than has been generally supposed; and that the adoption of the Plan of Police, explained in the 18th Chapter, and recommended by the Select Committee on Finance, would prove an inestimable blessing to the Country.

Having thus briefly glanced at the Evils, detailed in this Work, it now becomes necessary to lay before the Reader a similar collected view of The Remedies.

In accomplishing this object, while the Author ventures to indulge a hope that these which have been suggested, or at least a part of them, may be brought in due time, under the consideration of the Legislature, for the purpose of being enacted into Laws, or otherwise carried into effect; they are now presented to the Reader under the following heads, viz.

I. The Prevention of the present Corruption of Morals; as originating from ill-regulated Public Houses, Tea Gardens, Theatres, and other places of Public Amusement; indecent Publications; Ballad-Singers—Female Prostitution—Servants out of Place—The Lottery; Gaming—Indigence, and various other causes.

II. The Prevention of Offences; and first of those denominated Misdemeanors; such as Cheating and Swindling; Robbing Orchards; Petty Assaults, and Perjury.—Next of Counterfeit Coinage; River Plunder; Plunder in Dock-yards, &c. Lastly, of the Prevention of Crimes in general, under twelve different heads, specifying the Remedies proposed on this subject in the course of the Work.

III. Amendment of the existing Laws; respecting the obtaining Goods and Chattles under false pretences—Pawnbrokers—Forgeries—Receiving Stolen Goods—Arson—Lodgers—Registering Lodging Houses—Plunder on Houses—Gypsies—Milk—Speedy Trial of Offences committed within five Miles of the Metropolis—Imprisonment for Debt, and Recovery of Debts under 50l.

Concluding Observations.

Summary View of the Remedies Proposed

The First Step to all improvements in Civil Society is that which relates to the Morals of the People.—While in the higher and middle ranks of life a vast portion of Virtue and Philanthropy is manifested, perhaps in a greater degree than is to be found in any Country or Nation in the World, it is much to be lamented, that among the lower Classes a species of profligacy and improvidence prevails, which as it applies to the Metropolis of the Empire, is certainly not exceeded in any other Capital in Europe.—To this source may be traced the great extent and increasing multiplication of Crimes, insensibly generating evils calculated, ultimately, to sap the foundation of the State.

The grand object, therefore, must be to devise means for the purpose of checking, and gradually preventing the evils arising from the

Corruption of Morals

To effect so valuable a purpose to the Community at large—to render the labour of the lower orders of the people more productive to themselves, and more beneficial to the Nation, recourse must be had to that superintending System of preventive Police which has been recommended generally by the Select Committee of the House of Commons, and which has been particularly detailed in the 18th Chapter of this Treatise.

It is thus by giving Police its true and genuine character, and divesting it of those judicial functions which are the province of Magistrates alone, that a proper line will be drawn between Prevention, and those proceedings which lead to Punishment after an offence is actually committed. It is through this medium also that a change is to be effected in the Morals of the People, calculated to abridge the number of acts of delinquency, and to lead the perpetrators gradually into the walks of innocence, sobriety, and industry.—One of the first steps towards the attainment of these objects will be a Systematic attention to

Public-Houses

In the eleventh Chapter of this Work, the progress of the corruption of Morals through this medium, from the Infant to the Adult, is brought under the review of the Reader; and it is considered as of the highest importance that general and apposite rules for the proper conduct of those houses, now the haunts of vice and profligacy, should be formed and recommended by a Board of Police to the Magistrates acting in all the Licensing Divisions of the Country. The benefits arising from an uniform and well-digested System might thus be extended throughout the Country: and an accurate and permanent administration of this branch of Police secured, thro’ the medium of a general Center, where responsibility should rest, and from which the Licensing Magistrates should receive information, assistance, and support, in whatever related to the proper regulation of Alehouses, particularly in the Metropolis and the surrounding Counties.

Regular reports of the number of these Alehouses in each Licensing District in proportion to the extent of population; and details of the effects produced by an adherence to the general Rules which may be prescribed, would lead to new and useful suggestions which must ultimately give a favourable turn to the manners of the lower classes of the people, not only with respect to the diminution of Crimes, but also with regard to their domestic Comforts.—They would be rendered more independent of Parochial aid; and above all, the education and habits of the rising generation would be easily improved—Apprentices thus secured against the evil examples of which young minds are but too susceptible, would enter upon life with dispositions differently formed, and with that sort of bias which stimulates to industry and virtue, instead of idleness, profligacy, and vice.—In this, as in many other instances, the happiness and virtue of the individual are intimately combined with the best interests of the state.

Such prudent and discreet regulations would have a general tendency to make Public-houses what they were originally intended to be by the Legislature—Places of mere refreshment, and not haunts of idleness as at present.—The resource now afforded by them to actual Thieves, Burglars, Pickpockets, Highwaymen, Swindlers, Cheats, Gamblers, and Dealers in Counterfeit Money, would not only be cut off, but those who have been accustomed to resort to these Houses from the temporary want of employment:—such as persons broke down by misfortune and indiscretion—servants out of place, and strangers resorting to the Metropolis, would no longer be assailed by those temptations which contribute in so great a degree to recruit the gangs of Criminal Depredators. Nothing but a well-regulated Police, under a proper System of Controul, can remedy those evils arising from Public-houses, and it is earnestly to be hoped, that the Functions proposed to be exercised by the Central Board of Police would effect this valuable purpose.

Public Gardens

The corruption of Morals has been in a considerable degree promoted, not only by the assemblage of lewd and debauched company who have of late years crowded to Public Gardens; but also by the unrestrained Licence which has been permitted in these places of amusement.—This circumstance has not only called upon the Magistrates to refuse the renewal of the Licenses to several of the Occupiers, Lessees, and Proprietors, but it has precluded the more decent and respectable part of the Public in the middle walks of life, from what might, under proper regulations, be considered as an innocent and a desirable recreation for the Inhabitants of an overgrown Metropolis.—Most of the remaining Public Gardens have of late years fallen into disrepute, to the injury of the Proprietors, who, under the present deficient System of Police, have no means of protecting themselves against the consequences of those irregularities which operate powerfully in diminishing the number of visitors, upon which their emolument depends.

While profligate and debauched characters of both Sexes find not only an easy access to these places of amusement, but also have permission to insult Public Morals, by doing violence to the rules of decency and decorum; it is evident that they must gradually cease to be desirable as a recreation to the virtuous part of the Community; and there appears to be no remedy but by means of Police regulations, prescribing proper rules, with Officers appointed by the Central Board, for the purpose of carrying them into effect.191 Indeed, if such places of resort were licensed only by the proposed Central Board, it might be productive of the greatest advantages; and they might be a fair Source of Revenue for Police purposes, to a certain moderate extent.

Places of Public Amusement Licensed by Magistrates

The general concourse of loose and immoral characters of both Sexes who frequent the Summer Exhibitions, and the irregularities which are unavoidable under such circumstances, tend in no small degree to the corruption of Morals; and while it is admitted that such amusements are necessary in great Communities, it is of the utmost importance that they should not only be regulated by the Police, with respect to the nature of the Spectacle or Exhibition, so as clearly to ascertain that it has no immoral tendency 192, but also that the utmost decorum should be preserved by means of proper Officers acting under the proposed Central Board.—This becomes the more important, as a large proportion of the frequenters of these places of amusement are of the middle and inferior ranks of life, and many of them very young and susceptible of loose impressions, which renders it highly necessary that authority should be vested only in the responsible Board of Police, to grant or to refuse Licenses: to which a moderate Revenue might be attached to defray the expence of a regulating System.

The Theatres

Without entering upon a discussion how far many of the Theatrical Exhibitions which are brought forward tend to improve, or to injure the Morals of the People—it is, at least, evident that the unrestrained License which is permitted to Males and Females in the walks of Prostitution in the Lobbies, and even in the Boxes of the Playhouses, and the indecent behaviour and unbecoming language which is frequently uttered in the view and hearing of the respectable part of the Community who frequent these places of resort, with the younger branches of their families, must tend in no inconsiderable degree to the corruption of Morals.193 It is, therefore, suggested that a Police, applicable to this object, should be formed by the proposed Central Board; and also for the purpose of effectually securing the Public against the attacks and depredations of the hordes of Pickpockets who infest the avenues of the Theatres, and have long been a reproach to the Police of the Metropolis.

Immoral and Indecent Publications, and Prints

Nothing can exhibit in a stronger point of view the deficiency of the Police System than the number of immoral Books which are published and circulated, and the indecent Prints which are exhibited and sold in the various streets of the Metropolis, all tending in no inconsiderable degree to the corruption of Morals.—Let it once become a part of the Functions of the proposed Board of Police to take cognizance of these abuses, and they will soon cease to convey that poison to young minds, which ultimately leads to dissolute manners and loose conduct in the general intercourse of life.

Ballad-Singers

Since it has never been possible, under the existing Laws, to suppress the herd of Ballad-Singers which are to be found in such multitudes in every part of the Metropolis, and, indeed, in all the large Towns in the Kingdom: and which at present are under the controul of a very feeble Police, which does not, and indeed cannot, restrain effectually the immoral, and often seditious tendency of the Songs sung to the listening multitude—Why might not this lowest cast of amusement be turned to good purposes, tending to counteract and prevent the corruption of Morals, which are at present generated through this medium? Under a responsible Board of Police such an object is certainly attainable 194 and the present state of things points out the policy and necessity of carrying it into effect.

Female Seduction

In contemplating the excessive evils, and the dreadful consequences which result from Female Seduction, whether it applies to married or single women,195 it would seem to be a matter of astonishment that no punishment has been inflicted by the criminal Law, by which the destroyers of innocence, and of the peace of families, could be held up as public examples of infamy.—A corporal punishment, accompanied with circumstances of obloquy and disgrace, is certainly not too severe where a delinquent plunges a Female (whether married or single) into a situation, in most instances, worse than death itself; since when abandoned by her Seducer, she is not only exposed to the reproach and contumely of the World, but subjected to herd with the phalanx of Prostitutes who contribute so much to the corruption of Morals, and where the miserable victim may be said to die, perhaps, a thousand deaths before her actual dissolution.—Surely an offence producing such dreadful consequences should, as a mean of prevention, be marked not only as an object of Criminal Punishment, but of pecuniary retribution to the injured party.—Were such a law in force, the numerous instances of Female Seduction would be greatly diminished; while the injured woman, under such unhappy circumstances, might, after the Conviction of a Jury, have a fair prospect of being again restored to her friends, and, perhaps, to Society.

Female Prostitution

In the 12th Chapter of this Treatise,196 a general view is given of the shocking corruption of Morals, which is generated by the vast increase of common Prostitutes in the Metropolis.—It now becomes necessary to explain the specific remedies which the Author had in view for the purpose of lessening this enormous and afflicting evil.

Its magnitude, and the wrongs that result from it, are too vast and extensive to admit of any common remedy.—The excellent Institution of the Magdalen Hospital in the course of 40 years, has only been able to reform or reconcile to their friends 2,217, out of 3,250 who have been actually admitted within that period—and even some of these have relapsed into their former errors: though others, who have been discharged at their own request, have behaved well.

But when a survey is taken of the aggregate number of unhappy women who have entered the walks of Prostitution within the last 40 years in the Metropolis, succeeding one another perhaps, every 13 years upon an average, it is probable that from 80 to 100,000 have passed through a miserable life, the irreclaimable victims to this debasing turpitude, without the means of rescuing themselves from a situation so pitiable and calamitous.

The fact is, that the evil is of too great a magnitude to admit of a cure through the medium of private benevolence.—Relief without reform, and reputable employment, or reconciliation to relations, will do nothing towards a diminution of the evil.—It will require an extensive System and a corresponding expence, which can only be compassed by a Police applicable to this particular object, aided by appropriate regulations.

After the maturest consideration of the subject, the Author ventures to offer the following Propositions as the most likely, in the first instance, to excite a desire in many of those unhappy women to alter their degrading course of life, and to facilitate their introduction into situations, where, through the medium of a reconciliation with their friends, or otherwise, at least a considerable part might be restored to Society who are lost at present; while, under the regulations hereafter proposed, the streets of the Metropolis will no longer hold out allurements to vice and debauchery, ruinous to the Morals of youth, and disgraceful to the Police of the Metropolis.

1st. It is proposed, with a view to prevent common Prostitutes from walking the streets to assail passengers, and promote the Seduction of Youth, that a Select Body of discreet Officers should be appointed, under the direction of the Central Board, who should apprehend all who can be clearly ascertained to be in pursuit of objects of Prostitution.—That each should be conveyed to their respective homes, and when the Landlord’s name, or the person to whom they pay rent or lodging, is by that means ascertained; that such person’s name and place of abode, and the names of his or her lodgers be registered, and a penalty of 10s. for the first, and an advance of 5s. more for every additional offence, be inflicted on each hirer of Board or Lodgings for every Female apprehended in the Streets, upon proper proof of an overt-act leading to Prostitution.

In all cases where Prostitutes refuse to discover their real place of abode, they shall be detained in a house to be provided for their reception until such discovery be made.

2d. That every male person who shall be proved to have made, or to have accepted, overtures from any Female walking the Streets, shall in like manner be apprehended, and shall give security for his appearance before a Magistrate next day, or be detained in the Watch-house, and shall, on conviction, forfeit and pay a penalty of Twenty Shillings.

3d. That for the purpose of holding out encouragement to that class of unfortunate Females who have been abandoned by their Seducers, and whose minds are not yet debased by an indiscriminate intercourse of Prostitution; and also such others as may have friends likely to assist them, Twelve or more sensible and discreet Matrons shall be appointed, under the Board of Police, with a moderate Salary, and residing (with proper accommodation) in different parts of the Town, on whom it shall be incumbent to receive into their houses, and to provide a temporary residence for every unfortunate Female who may apply, for the purpose of stating her case, with a view to a reconciliation with her friends, and to the exposure of her Seducer, as a check upon such acts of villainy hereafter.—That it shall be the duty of the Matron, after being mistress of the whole case, to open a negociation with the nearest relations or friends of the unfortunate Female, and to use every means to effect a reconciliation; or where that is found impracticable, to endeavour to procure her some reputable employment.

And as an encouragement to such Matrons, to use all diligence in promoting the object in view, they shall be entituled to a certain premium from the Police funds, (independent of what private Societies of benevolent Individuals may be induced to bestow,) for every unfortunate Female who shall be thus rescued from the walks of Prostitution: to be paid at the end of 12 months, in case such Female shall then be in society with her relations, or in some reputable employment, and shall not have relapsed into her former course of life.—That these Matrons shall be distinguished for talents and humanity, and shall be capable of exercising such powers as could, in other instances, be employed to promote reconciliation with relations and friends; and also to devise employments by which the unfortunate persons, ad interim, under their care should be able to subsist, by taking in Military Shirts, Slop-work, and other branches of Female labour; to procure which, it is not doubted, but Societies of benevolent Individuals would contribute their aid, so as to secure, at all times, the means of full employment for all the various applicants in succession.

In so noble a work of humanity, especially when it is understood that the labour of the Matrons would be remunerated by such a moderate Salary, as might be an object to many deserving well-educated women, little doubt can be entertained of there being many Candidates for such Situations, who, from having no family, would be perfectly competent to the execution of so benevolent a design.

4th. That with a view to the reformation of Prostitutes who have no relations or friends, or in cases where a reconciliation is hopeless, and who may be disposed to abandon their evil courses, Houses of Industry shall be provided in different parts of the Town, with large Kitchens for the purpose of preparing wholesome and nourishing food at a cheap rate, into which all who apply for an asylum will be received; on condition that a true and faithful account of the various circumstances of their lives shall be given, and that they agree not only to submit to the discipline of the Establishment, but also to perform such labour as shall be assigned them for their subsistence, lodging and apparel. That these Houses of Industry shall also be superintended by discreet Matrons, who shall receive a moderate Salary, and a certain portion of the profit, arising from the work done, and a premium for every Female restored to Society, or to their friends by their means; and in honest employment or living with relations, for the space of 12 months, in addition to such other premiums as benevolent Societies of Individuals may choose to bestow, in consequence of the impression made on their minds of the utility of such Establishments, and the success which may appear to attend them.

5th. That all the laws now in being against Prostitution, and against the Keepers of Brothels, shall remain in full force; with this alteration only, that instead of proceeding against Offenders in the latter case, by the difficult, expensive, and circuitous mode of Presentment and Indictment, which has heretofore proved so ineffectual, the proceedings shall be summary before two Magistrates, as in Lottery and other offences, and the Delinquents if convicted shall be subject to immediate punishment.

These are the regulations which the Author would humbly propose, as a mean of preventing the disasters and miseries which arise from Seduction, and of diminishing the number of Prostitutes in this great Metropolis.—Perhaps, after the experiment is tried of the House of Industry, it might be expedient to convert the whole into a large Penitentiary House, where only unfortunate women should be admitted.—The suggestions which are now offered, appear to be not only easy with respect to their execution, but likely to be compassed at a moderate expence.—They are, however, to be considered as mere outlines of a practicable design, which should certainly precede the removal of the unfortunate Females from the Streets, as humanity points out the necessity of offering them asylums: since by suddenly abridging their present resources, however iniquitous and reprehensible they may be, without such asylums, it would certainly be the means of many of them perishing for want.

The object to be attained is of vast importance; but it is too unwieldy for the efforts of private benevolence, and certainly cannot be accomplished through any other medium than that of Public Institutions, under the protection of a Superintending Police.

Menial Servants

Among the various evils, which, in the present state of Society, tend to the corruption of Morals, the state and condition of Menial Servants, Male and Female, are none of the least; particularly those who are out of place, and who swarm in multitudes, idle and unemployed, at all times in this great Metropolis.—This is chiefly to be attributed to the want of those legal restraints and punishments for improper behaviour, which apply to other classes of labourers.

Such regulations, independent of infinite advantages which must, in other respects, arise to the Community, would be an act of great humanity to the Individuals who compose this class; since they would check, or in most instances prevent, those indiscretions which are the result of being under no controul, and by restraining the influence of ungovernable and ill-regulated passions, would produce that degree of steadiness which is the characteristic of a good Servant; and of course the constant disposition to shift about would not be felt, while they would be rescued from the vices which are generated at those intervals of idleness, when Servants, Male and Female, out of place, are exposed to every species of Seduction, till at length, by loss of character, they too frequently become Thieves and Prostitutes.197

It would certainly promote in an eminent degree the cause of Morality, if the whole Laws respecting Servants of every description were revised, and accommodated in a greater degree to the present state of Society. Some of them might perhaps be stript of their severity; while the penalties or breaches of moral duty, and a refusal to fulfil a civil contract, or Conspiracies and Associations for mischievious purposes, ought certainly to apply to menial Servants, in the same manner as to Servants in Husbandry, Handicrafts and Labourers. A general exclusive Register of Servants out of place, under the inspection of an appropriate branch of the general Police System, would also have an excellent effect in bringing to light the evil pursuits of bad Servants; while it operated favourably to those who were deserving of confidence. Much might be done through this medium, favourable both to the interest of the Master and Servants; and this with many other benefits are to be attained, by means of a Superintending System of Police. In no other way can it be effected.198

The Lottery

In spite of the persevering efforts of Government, who incur a great annual expence 199 for the purpose of restraining the baneful effects of illegal Insurances among the lower classes of the people, the evil still continues; its consequences are lamentable, for the delusion of this infatuation tends, in a very eminent degree, to the corruption of morals, producing scenes of distress, by which thousands suddenly descend from a state of comfort to extreme indigence.—In the 6th Chapter of this Treatise, a general view is given of the effects of this contagion, and various remedies are proposed, which, under the conduct of a Board of Police, would certainly be effectual; while the Revenue drawn from the sale of Tickets might certainly be preserved. In the mean time, the following are suggested as useful expedients:—

1st. That in every Parish and District in the Metropolis, Masters, and heads of Families, should sign and publish an engagement to discharge all Servants who shall be concerned in Insurances in the Lottery; to be printed and hung up in every Servants’ Hall and Kitchen, that none might pretend ignorance.

2d. That all Members of Friendly Societies, should, by a regulation of their own, and enforced by Parliament, be excluded from the benefits of such Societies, on being convicted of any concern whatever in such Insurances.200

Gaming

The magnitude and extent of the pernicious propensity to Gaming have at all times proved a prolific source from whence has sprung an extensive corruption of morals. The reader is referred to the 6th Chapter of this work for details, which will fully elucidate the baneful effects of this evil, in generating Cheats, Swindlers and Sharpers of every description. For the purpose of more effectually checking this mania, and the consequences which flow from it, it might be expedient to extend the Laws now in being respecting Lottery vagrants, to the Proprietors or Keepers of Gaming-Houses, and also to the Waiters, Servants and Assistants, who, on being apprehended, should, on proper proof, be punished as rogues and vagabonds.—It is, however, by the operation of the General Police System, that this and other evils are to be checked or remedied.

The Lower Classes of the Jews

Nothing would be more desirable than the adoption of some effectual plan, through the medium of the opulent and respectable individuals of the Jewish persuasion, whether of the Dutch or Portuguese Synagogues, by which the lower classes, particularly of the German Jews, might be regularly trained to some useful employment, since their present pursuits not only tend, in an eminent degree, to the corruption of Morals, but also to the commission of Crimes; and under circumstances, where the necessity of the case imperiously calls for a remedy, Legislative regulations might be resorted to; which might not only better the condition of this miserable class of the community, by compelling parents to bind their children to some employment, but also render them useful, instead of being too generally noxious members of the Body Politic,201 from the idle and useless pursuits in which they are engaged.

Indigence and Beggary

The various causes which produce Indigence in the Metropolis, discoverable through the medium of Beggary or Idleness, tend, in an eminent degree, to the corruption of Morals, and the consequent increase of Crimes.—In the 13th Chapter of this Treatise this subject is examined, and a remedy proposed, through the medium of a Pauper Police, for the purpose of examining into the circumstances of the numerous class of individuals who have no parochial settlements in the Metropolis, or perhaps in any part of England, and are, from that circumstance, denominated Casual Poor.—There could not be a greater act of humanity to these often afflicted, and sometimes oppressed individuals, or of greater utility to the Public at large, than the establishment of a System whereby the most deserving could be propt up, rescued from despondency, and enabled to help themselves; while by discriminating between the virtuous and vicious poor, a proper line might be drawn, and the streets of the Metropolis freed from the multitude of Beggars, without doing violence to humanity.202

Various other causes might be assigned for the general corruption of Morals, which has in so great a degree increased the calendars of delinquency.—Among these might be mentioned Smuggling, or illicit Trade; the evil examples arising from an indiscriminate mixture in Workhouses and Prisons; the profligate examples of parents, and the want of religious and moral education, so universal among the children of the labouring people.—And the too frequent cohabitation without marriage among the lowest classes of the Community. These, like other evils, which have been more particularly detailed, are objects to which the proposed Police System would gradually attach, and through which preventive medium the Public are to expect those ameliorating designs, which are to secure the privileges of innocence, and better the condition of Society.

Prevention of Offences — Misdemeanors

Cheating and Swindling

The 5th Chapter of this Treatise developes the extensive mischiefs and evils which arise from the phalanx of Cheats and Swindlers who infest the Metropolis.—There appear to be two remedies, namely—

1st. To look accurately at the evil in all its branches, and then to improve the two Statutes now in being 203 by framing an act of Parliament that would include all the various cases which have been shown to have occurred, where the barrier of common honesty is broken down.—These cases are detailed from page 115 to 132.

2d. The Establishment of a Board of Police on the plan detailed in the 18th Chapter of this Work, with functions calculated to check and prevent this evil, by giving to Police the full energy of the Law.

Stealing Fruit From Orchards, &c.

This offence is only punishable by the act of 43 Eliz. c. 7. by compelling the party to refund the value of the fruit stolen, or in default suffer the punishment of whipping, which never takes place, as the small value of the fruit detected is always paid. It is probable at that early period Fruit was not a species of property of much consequence.—The case is, however, different at the present time, and surely it would not be thought too severe to place this offence on the same footing as stealing Cabbages, Turnips, &c.

Assault and Battery

It would seem to be a great improvement in the Police, if Magistrates in Petty Sessions had a power finally to determine on offences denominated Assaults—Subject, however, to an appeal to the Quarter Sessions.—It would even be an act of humanity to the labouring people, who are often imprisoned from the time of the charge till the Sessions, when a confinement of a shorter duration might atone for the offence.—It would likewise save much trouble and expences to the parties, and the time and attention of Courts and Juries would not be wasted by matters extremely frivolous; but by which a certain expence is incurred, and a loss of valuable time to the parties, who are not seldom both in the wrong.

Perjury

This shocking offence, particularly prevalent among the inferior ranks in Society, is to be attributed in no small degree to the want of proper solemnity and previous explanation on the administration of oaths.—Nothing can exceed the unimpressive and careless manner which is in practice in calling upon witnesses to make this solemn appeal to the Supreme Being.—It would seem highly necessary that all oaths should be administered in the most impressive manner by the Judge, and that a form should be devised, calculated in the greatest possible degree, to impress upon the mind of the party a high sense of the obligation he or she has come under to speak the truth.

On the whole, it may be asserted that nothing could tend to improve the Police of the Country and the Metropolis more than a general revision of the Laws respecting Misdemeanors, and particularly the Act of the 17 Geo. II. cap. 5. and subsequent Acts respecting vagrants, and rogues and vagabonds; so as to assimilate them in a greater degree to the present state of Society, and to render their execution more certain and beneficial to the Community.

Prevention of the Coinage of Base Money

In the 7th Chapter of this Work, the various modes in practice, by which the Public is defrauded by the coining, fabricating, and colouring of Base Money are fully developed, and specific Remedies proposed from page 195 to 210, to which the Reader is referred.

A confident hope is entertained, that those Remedies will speedily be brought under the consideration of Parliament, in the form of a Bill.—If this should be passed into a Law, and accompanied by a new Coinage of Silver, and aided by the energy of an appropriate Police, little doubt can be entertained of the measure being effectual in securing the Public against the enormous evil of Counterfeit Coin.

Prevention of Pillage and Plunder on the River Thames

The 8th Chapter of this Treatise displays not only the immense importance of controlling the evil habits of aquatic labourers and others on the River Thames and in the Warehouses adjacent; but also the advantages to be expected from a general Police System; reasoning on the extensive success which has attended the partial experiment on the same principle of vigilance applied to this object.

The extensive benefits which are known and acknowledged to have been derived from the Marine Police (even under all the disadvantages of a Crippled System and Deficient Powers) joined to a review of the state of the River before and since this important measure was adopted, afford the best proof that can be adduced of its utility; and also of the indispensable necessity, not only of immediately perfecting a System, by which the Commerce and Revenue of the Port of London have been in so great a degree secured; but also of extending the same beneficial designs, wherever the state of things require a similar antidote.

It remains only for the Legislature to pass a Bill which has been prepared, grounded on more than a year’s experience of the powers and regulations requisite for the purpose of giving full effect and permanency to this important Establishment, in order to secure to the Commerce and Revenue of the River Thames, those advantages which will arise from the Preservation of Property against the numerous and unexampled Depredations to which it was exposed; and the Revenue of the Crown from many frauds which arose not only from the loss of the Duties of Customs and Excise on goods plundered, but also from an extensive illicit trade, which has been controlled and prevented by the known vigilance of the River Guards, particularly during the night.

If to those advantages shall be added an increase of Salaries to the inferior Officers of the Customs and Excise employed on the River, the renovated morals and improved habits of multitudes heretofore deeply implicated in a species of turpitude, hurtful in the extreme to the Public interest, will become no less a matter of triumph than advantage to the Government of the Country. Every individual concerned in the Commerce of the Port, will rejoice to see so useful an Institution supported and rendered permanent by that Legislative Aid, upon which its ultimate success must in a great measure depend.

An evil of unexampled magnitude existed, for which an effectual remedy has been found:—not in Speculation, but proved in Practice to answer the purposes of future security.

Let the Legislature, therefore, avail itself of the measures which are proposed, by which incalculable benefits will be extended both to the Commerce, Revenue, and Police of the Port of London, especially when strengthened and invigorated by a Central Board.

Prevention of Plunder of Public Stores: In Ships of War, Dock-yards, &c.

The collateral Influence of the Marine Police System, in checking in an eminent degree, the Embezzlements and Pillage of his Majesty’s Stores in Ships and Public Arsenals, within the limits of its Jurisdiction, is the strongest proof which can be adduced of what may be expected by applying a similar System to all the Dock-yards in the Kingdom. In the 9th Chapter of this Treatise, the Evils and the Remedies are so minutely detailed as to render a reference only necessary to pages 264 to 287.—If the measures there suggested shall be adopted by the Legislature and the Lords of the Admiralty, little doubt can be entertained of complete success in securing the Public Property (unparalleled in point of extent in any nation in the world)204 against those Frauds and Depredations to which it has heretofore been exposed to a very large amount annually.

Prevention of Crimes in General

It has been demonstrated in the course of this Work, that the more atrocious offences of Highway and Footpad Robberies, Burglaries, and other acts of Felony 205 may be greatly diminished, if not nearly annihilated by improved Laws and a responsible Agency, through the medium of a well-regulated Board of Police to carry those Laws into effect.

It must, however, be obvious to the Reader, from what has been repeatedly stated, that it is not by any single regulation, nor by any portion of civil strength, however well it may be systematized, that this desirable object is to be effected.

Success in any material degree is only to be expected from a combination of the various controlling regulations which have been proposed, with a vigorous and energetic civil force, and a correct and pointed execution of the Laws and Regulations, upon which the Preventive System is founded.—These Regulations may be summed up under the following heads:

1st. The adoption of eight propositions contained in the 10th Chapter, pages 303 to 307, relative to the Receivers of Stolen Goods, &c.

2d. An improved mode of granting rewards to Officers of Justice and others, for meritorious services, in the detection and conviction of Offenders—as elucidated and explained in Chapter XIV. pages 390 to 396.

3d. An improved and modernized System, with respect to Parochial Constables, so as to restore to the Community the original efficacy of this useful Institution—as explained in Chapter XIV. pages 401 to 410.

4th. An improved System also, with respect to Watchmen and Patroles—with a view to render this branch of the Police efficient, and to insure to the Public, that vigilance and protection to which the expence they incur justly intitles them.

5th. An extension of the Jurisdiction of the City Magistrates, over the whole of the Metropolis and the four adjoining Counties, and a power to Police Magistrates to issue Search Warrants, and to follow and apprehend persons charged with offences, who take shelter within the limits of the City of London—as explained in Chapter XIV. pages 418 to 420.

6th. The appointment of a Prosecutor for the Crown to obviate the difficulties which occur at present in bringing Offenders to Justice; and which is elucidated and explained in the 15th Chapter, particularly in pages 426 to 432.

7th. The Establishment of certain general Rules and Conditions, according to which the Royal Mercy might be extended to Offenders, on terms beneficial to themselves and to the Community—as explained in the 16th Chapter, pages 450 to 452.

8th. An improved System with respect to the Punishment of Convicts, by means of Penitentiary Establishments, calculated to insure the reformation of Felons, and to render this class useful afterwards to the Community—as explained in the 16th Chapter, pages 481 to 494, and 497 to 500.

9th. General Rules laid down with respect to different modes of Punishment, under six heads, page 495 to 497, with an immediate view to render them more useful in the Prevention of Crimes.

10th. An improved System of Police, aided by competent Funds, and an extension of the Police Establishments, under the 32 Geo. III. (1792) to the City of London—as explained in Chap. XVII. pages 509 and 514 to 523.

11th. By the adoption of the General System of Police, recommended by the Select Committee of the House of Commons, and explained in Chapter XVIII.—By licensing and regulating certain dangerous and suspicious Trades therein specified; and by raising a Revenue for Police purposes, from persons who shall be thus controlled.—See pages 536 to 546.

12th. By the Establishment of a Board of Police Revenue, who shall exercise the specific Functions detailed and explained in Chapter XVIII. pages 546 to 559: and finally, by an Act of Parliament, authorising such a system, the heads of which and the elucidating observations are also specified in pages 560 to 564.

Let these measures only be adopted by the Legislature, not by piece-meal, but in the gross; and little doubt need be entertained of the most beneficial effects being experienced by the innocent part of the Community, whose privileges will be extended, in proportion as the Licence which an imperfect Police afforded to Robberies, Burglaries, and other acts of violence on the person and property of the peaceful subject is abridged.

The General Police, and the powers of making it effectual, will then be a charge committed to responsible Agents; whose duty it will be to penetrate into all its mazes, and to accomplish its purposes by a variety of Regulations, all tending to embarrass, and to render difficult and hazardous, the pursuits and operations of Criminals.—Experience will suggest modifications, which, aided by competent funds, must in a short time attain that point which shall establish Security.—But this is not all—Without taking large sums (as at present) from the Revenue of the Country, the effect of the System will unquestionably be, to add to its resources in the diminution of the enormous expence now incurred in the punishment of Convicts;206 and which still must continue a burden on the Finances of the Country, until the General Police System is fully (not partially) in activity.

It will collaterally extend to every thing that can improve the Morals of the People, and better the condition of Human Life.—Its influence will be felt by giving vigour to the Systems proposed for checking all Misdemeanors, for securing Commercial Property, and also the Public Stores, from embezzlement and depredation; while the offences against the Mint Laws, under the new Regulations which are suggested, will tend much to the prevention of that enormous evil.

Amendment of the Existing Laws

When in addition to the adoption of the foregoing measures, further improvements shall be made in the Laws now in force, or perhaps a general consolidation of the whole Criminal Code be effected, so as to render the System more simple, and in a greater degree applicable to the attainment of the ends of Public Justice, great indeed will be the blessings conferred on the Metropolis, and on the Nation at large.

The celebrated Lord Bacon denominated them almost two centuries ago, when they were much less voluminous, and infinitely more simple than at the present day—

“An heterogeneous mass, concocted too often on the spur of the occasion, and frequently without that degree of accuracy, which is the result of able and minute discussion, or a due attention to the revision of the existing Laws.”

But voluminous as they certainly are, many omissions are apparent, partly arising from the causes assigned by the able Lawyer whose strictures have been just quoted, and more particularly from the rapid changes, which Commerce and Property have made in the state of Society.

Among these, the following have occurred to the Author as highly deserving attention.—

1st. The Act of the 30 Geo. II. cap. 24. makes it a transportable Misdemeanor, to obtain Goods or Chattels by false pretences.—But as Horses, Cattle, Poultry, Bank Notes, Bills of Exchange, or Notes of Hand, although equally objects of Fraud, are not deemed in Law to be Goods or Chattels, offences of equal, if not of greater magnitude, are not within the meaning of the Statute, and hence appears the necessity of an Amendment.

2d. The present Act relative to Pawnbrokers is extremely deficient, and not only in several important points ambiguous; but also inapplicable in a variety of instances to the general views of the Legislature, as they regard the security and interest of the Poor, while in others, perhaps unnecessary and useless restrictions are imposed on the Pawnbrokers themselves.

3d. As the Laws respecting Forgeries now stand—the act of forging the Firm of a Commercial House, and obtaining goods on the Credit of such Firm, is only punishable as a Misdemeanor; although in this case this offence is of a tendency the most dangerous that can be conceived, in a Commercial Country, where (from the unbounded confidence which prevails) it is so easy to obtain credit.

A case occurred and came under the cognizance of the Author in 1796, where a Swindler assuming the Firm of a respectable House in Bristol, ordered goods from Manchester to be sent to Portsmouth, where the person (committing the Forgery) stated, that one of the Partners meant to go to meet them.—Two parcels of goods were obtained by this device, and immediately sold at half the value by the Sharpers, which led to a discovery, and enabled the Author to guard the unsuspecting Manufacturers in York and Lancashire, against the injuries they were likely to sustain, by the operation of a very complicated and artful conspiracy to rob them of their property to a great amount.

4th. The Receiving of Cash or Specie, Bank Notes, Bills of Exchange, or Notes of Hand, knowing the same to be stolen, is not at present a Criminal Offence: In a Commercial Country where such offences may be productive of much evil to Society, Why should not the Law extend to every species of Property in the same manner as to Goods and Chattels?

5th. Although Arson is considered (and justly so) as a high Criminal Offence, yet the offence of a person setting fire to his own house, with a view to defraud the Insurers, is considered only a simple Misdemeanor, and punished as such; and where a house at a distance from others is set on fire so as to occasion no danger to the neighbourhood, it is not an Offence known in the Criminal Code, even although it may appear to have been done for the purpose of defrauding the Insurers.

With a view to the prevention of this very atrocious crime (of which there have been but too many instances of late years) it would seem right that it should be clearly defined; and that it would not be too severe to punish offenders by Transportation; since in all cases, where the fire extends to a neighbouring house the offence of Arson is committed, and the punishment is Death.

6th. Much inconvenience is at present experienced from the circuitous and expensive process of Law, which must be resorted to for the purpose of removing bad and profligate Lodgers.—In cases of small concern, where the rent does not exceed a few shillings a week, it would be an act of great humanity to empower Magistrates to decide in a summary way.—It would check that spirit of litigation, which is the destruction of the Labouring People.

7th. As a means of controlling many offences, which are generated by an assemblage of loose and immoral characters, who are constantly afloat in the Metropolis, a General Register of Lodging-Houses, would certainly be attended with very beneficial effects: and to use the language of the Select Committee of the House of Commons in their 28th Report, page 31,—would also “be a Regulation, which, if discreetly used, might probably afford the means of materially assisting both the Police and the Revenue.”207

8th. The extensive Plunder committed on the Farmers round the Metropolis, under the pretence of Gleaning in Harvest is a very serious evil, and calls aloud for a remedy.—The practice is pernicious and ruinous to the Morals of the Families of the Labouring People in every part of the Country, since through this medium children learn pilfering habits, before they know that it is a crime.

A slight punishment on all who gleaned in any case previous to a complete removal of the corn or vegetables, and on every occasion, without first obtaining leave of the Proprietor, would prove a very salutary Regulation—for it appears that every Thief charged with stealing corn pretends it was obtained by Gleaning.

9th. The existing Laws being found ineffectual in controlling the habits, and in turning into a course of useful industry the labour of the herds of Gypsies, who surround the Metropolis, and commit depredations in every part of the Country, it would be exceedingly desirable,208 both with respect to policy and humanity, to provide some effectual Legislative Remedy, since the idle, vagrant, and miserable life of this profligate community can be as little desirable to themselves as it is hurtful to the Public.—Compelling a residence which shall be stationary, and obliging them to bind out their children apprentices at a certain age, so as to incorporate them with the mass of the people, would certainly prove a very salutary Regulation.

10th. The frauds and adulterations in the article of Milk sold in the Metropolis, as detailed in the 3d Chapter of this Work, pages 89 to 92, seem to justify the interference of Parliament for the purpose of placing Milk Dealers under the inspection and controul of the Police: Here the injury is not merely confined to the frauds thus practised on the Public, but the healths of the Consumers are in some measure endangered from the infamous devices which are practised.

11th. For the purpose of saving much unnecessary expence, and also to remove the inconvenience arising from the length of time, which frequently elapses before persons charged with offences, in Southwark, Greenwich, and the villages surrounding the Metropolis, make it lawful to try offences committed in Surry, Kent, and Essex, within five miles of the three Bridges, at the Justice Hall of the Old Bailey, which may be done before a Jury of the Vicinage, with great advantages to Public Justice, and without touching on the rights of the Accused.209

12th. To establish certain Legislative Regulations, for the purpose of preserving the Morals of unfortunate unoffending families, by restoring to them such parents whose misfortunes and not their crimes, have doomed them to the horrors of perpetual Imprisonment.—And to establish arrangements for the improvement of what may be denominated Civil Police, by adopting inferior Tribunals for distributing Justice in all actions of Debt under 50l. for the purpose of reducing the present enormous expence, and extending relief to traders in general.210

Thus has the Author of this Work endeavoured to develope that infinite variety of crimes and misfortunes, which have been long felt and deplored as a pressure upon the innocent part of the Community.

In travelling over so extensive a field, where almost every step is stained with turpitude and depravity, no little consolation is derived from being able thus to place upon record practicable Remedies, applicable to the chief part of the evils, which have been brought under the review of the Reader.

Nor is it less a matter of gratification to the Writer of the preceding pages, than it must be satisfactory to the Public at large, to discover that the leading features of the whole improvements which he suggested in the preceding editions of this Work, have attracted the notice, and received the sanction of the Select Committee of the House of Commons.

The conclusion which may naturally be drawn is, that the laborious efforts of the Author in bringing a new and interesting subject under the review of the Public have not been in vain; and that a confident hope may now be entertained that his humble endeavours, for the good of his Country, will ultimately produce arrangements in the New Science of Police, calculated to secure and protect the peaceful subject against injury, and to ameliorate the state and condition of Civil Society, particularly in this great Metropolis, by the adoption of such measures as shall be conducive to the more effectual Prevention of Crimes:—by lessening the demand for Punishments:—by diminishing the expence and alleviating the burden of Prosecutions:—by turning the hearts and arresting the hands of evil doers: by forewarning the unwary, and preserving the untainted in purity; thus attaching to Police its genuine preventive character, unmixed with those judicial powers which lead to Punishment, and properly belong to Magistracy alone.

FINIS

Footnotes

1 See Mr. Middleton’s interesting Report on the County of Middlesex, and the extracts from thence in Chapter III. of this Work.

2 Blackstone’s Commentaries.

3 Can that be thought a correct System of Jurisprudence, which inflicts the penalty of Death, for breaking down the mound of a fish-pond, whereby the fish may escape; or cutting down a fruit-tree in a garden or orchard; or stealing a handkerchief, or any trifle, privately from a person’s pocket, above the value of 12d;—while a number of other crimes of much greater enormity, are only punished with Transportation and Imprisonment; and while the punishment of murder itself is, and can be, only Death; with a few circumstances of additional ignominy?

4 See the “Report from the Committee of the House of Commons on Temporary Laws;” May 13, 1796—and also the “Report from the Committee for promulgation of the Statutes,” December 5, 1796; and the “Resolutions of a Committee of the whole House,” March 20, 1797.

5 Blackstone.

6 It is said the same construction of the Law has been made with respect to the Offence of buying or receiving Horses, knowing them to be stolen.

7 The partial remedy applied to some of these evils by Statutes passed since the former Edition of this Work, shall be noticed in a subsequent Chapter dedicated to the subject of Coinage.

8 No hardship can be so great as that of subjecting an individual, under any circumstance whatsoever, to the expence of a public prosecution, carried on in behalf of the King: Besides adding, almost on every occasion, to the loss of the parties, it is productive of infinite mischief, in defeating the ends of Justice.

9 Beccaria, or Crimes and Punishments, Cap. 6.

10 He lived 624 years before the Christian æra.

11 It has been thought necessary, by the Legislature, to explain and enlarge these clauses of the Act 25 Ed. III. as not extending, with sufficient explicitness, to modern treasonable attempts. It is therefore provided by the Act 36 Geo. III. cap. 7, “That if any person (during the life of his present Majesty, and until the end of the Session of Parliament next after a demise of the Crown) shall within the realm, or without, compass, imagine, invent, devise, or intend death or destruction, or any bodily harm, tending to death or destruction, maim, or wounding, imprisonment, or restraint of the person of the King, his heirs, and successors, or to deprive or depose him or them from his stile, honour, or Kingly name; or to levy war against the King within this Realm, in order by force to compel him to change his measures; or in order to put any force or constraint upon, or to intimidate or overawe, both houses, or either house, of parliament; or to incite any foreigner to invade the dominions of the Crown: and such compassings, &c., shall express, utter, or declare, by publishing any printing, or writing, or by any other overt act or deed”—the offender shall be deemed a Traitor, and punished accordingly.

12 King of the West Saxons, anno 688.

13 That acute Reasoner, the Marquis Beccaria, who wrote after Montesquieu, holds this last opinion.—“A punishment, (says this able writer) to be just should have only that degree of severity which is sufficient to deter others: perpetual labour will have this effect more than the punishment of death.” Becc. chap. 28.

14 Beccaria. See ante page 45.

15 In cases where a criminal appears to be remarkably depraved, and that the apprehensions he may excite require such precautions, he shall be branded on each cheek with the mark of a gallows, so visibly and strongly impressed as not to be effaced either by time or any other means whatever.

16 This punishment is different from the pillory in England. In the German Language it signifies an exposure on the public theatre of shame. The Criminal is chained and guarded on an elevated scaffold, and exposed an hour at a time, with a paper on his breast denoting his offence.

17 When a criminal is condemned to severe imprisonment, he has no bed but the floor, no nourishment but bread and water, and all communication with relations, or even strangers, is refused him. When condemned to milder imprisonment, better nourishment is allowed; but he has nothing to drink but water.

18 Corporal punishment is inflicted with a whip, rod, or stick, publicly, on the criminal; the degree of punishment (within 100 lashes or strokes at one time) depends on the sound prudence of the Judge.

19 The punishment of the Chain is inflicted in the following manner. The criminal suffers severe imprisonment, and is so closely chained, that he has no more liberty than serves for the indispensable motion of his body.—Chained criminals suffer a corporal punishment once a year, as an example to the Public.

20 The punishment of death is not authorized by any right.—If it were so, how could it be reconciled to the maxim, that a man has no right to kill himself?
The punishment of death is a war of a whole nation against a citizen, whose destruction is considered as necessary or useful to the public good.—If I can demonstrate that it is neither necessary nor useful, I shall have gained the cause of humanity.—If the experience of all ages be not sufficient to prove that the punishment of death has never prevented determined men from injuring society—if the example of the Romans—if twenty years’ reign of Elizabeth, Empress of Russia, be not sufficient, let us consult human nature in proof of my assertion.
The death of a criminal is a terrible, but momentary spectacle; and therefore a less efficacious method of deterring others, than the continued example of a man deprived of his liberty, and condemned to repair by his labour, the injury done to Society. A condition so miserable is a much more powerful preventive than the fear of death, which men always behold in distant obscurity.
Beccaria, cap. 28.

21 This remedy as it respects Receivers of stolen Goods, is specifically explained at the close of a subsequent Chapter which relates entirely to that subject, and to which the Reader is particularly referred.

22 This observation can only apply to such voluntary contributions as are liable to abuses, and where the poor are permitted to dispose of the benevolence of the opulent in their own way.—The Soup-Charities established in different parts of the Metropolis are a peculiar exception, inasmuch as they contribute only to the relief of those that are really objects of distress, while no Public Charity heretofore instituted has been found to be liable to fewer abuses. In a great Metropolis like London, it has been clearly established, that in spite of every regard to prudence and œconomy, decent families will be suddenly broke down, while the habits of life peculiar to the lower orders, and their want of the knowledge of frugal cookery have proved a source of much real calamity; for where nothing is laid up, every pressure arising from sickness, child-birth, or death throws many hundreds upon the Public, who have no legal parochial Settlement, and who but for some relief must absolutely perish;—While the Soup-Charities hold out immediate and constant relief to many families, who might otherwise perish with hunger;—while this species of relief may be said to be accessible to every indigent family in the Metropolis, no lure is held out to the idle or profligate. It cannot be disposed of, as bread, meat, and coals, for gin and other articles. There is therefore scarcely any risque of deception, more especially as the applicants pay down half the original cost on receiving it—Thus establishing the means of discrimination between real and pretended distress. About 10,000 families, composed chiefly of persons who had not the means of obtaining sufficient food to support nature, consisting of 50,000 men, women, and children, were relieved by the daily distribution of Soups at Spital-Fields, Clerkenwell, St. George’s Fields, and Westminster, during the last winter, at an expence to the Subscribers not exceeding One Guinea for every 504 meals of rich nourishing Soup, which those poor people received. But this is not the only advantage which attends these Institutions, since there is every reason to believe, that while the poor are thus frugally fed, they are taught by example, and by circulating among them printed friendly advices, what they never knew before—The means of making a little go far, by introducing the same beneficial mode of dressing food in their own houses. And from a minute attention to this object, the Author has great satisfaction in stating, that from the eagerness shewn to obtain the Soup, and the thankfulness almost universally expressed for the benefits it conferred, there is every reason to hope, that more good has arisen to the industrious poor from these establishments (which are now extending themselves in the Villages and Manufacturing Towns) than by any plan which has ever been resorted to for relieving distress. Among the various classes of benevolent individuals, to whom the Public have been indebted for their pecuniary and personal aid in promoting this design the Society of The Friends is peculiarly prominent. To the zeal and perseverance they have manifested, and the valuable time they have bestowed, in giving effect and utility to the System, is owing much of its success.

23 These thefts are committed by degrees in a small way, seldom exceeding a truss of hay or a bushel of corn by one man at one time; and are generally of smaller articles. In some places the stealing of gate-hooks and iron-fastnings is so common as to compel the farmer both to hang and fasten his gates with wood. Middleton.

24 Not satisfied with the profit here stated, which, considering the difference of measures, is above 100 per cent. is a common practice with the Retailers of this useful article to carry the milk first home to their own houses, where it is set up for half a day, when the cream is taken from it, at least all that comes up in that time, and it is then sold for new milk. By which means, what is delivered in the morning is no other than the milk of the preceding afternoon, deprived of the cream it throws up by standing during that time. By this means a farther considerable profit accrues to the Retailers, and the milk is greatly reduced in point of strength and quality. This cream, poor as it is, they again mix with flour, chalk, and perhaps other more baneful ingredients, and yet it finds a ready market in the Metropolis. Middleton.

25 That man will deserve a statue to his memory who shall devise and carry into effect a plan for the employment of Discharged Prisoners and Convicts, who may be desirous of labouring for their subsistence in an honest way.—It is only necessary for some men of weight and influence to make the attempt, in order to insure the assistance of the opulent and humane in so good and necessary a Work. See a future Chapter as to the present state of punishment and the remedies proposed.

26 The frauds and felonies committed in the course of a year with respect to horses exceed all credibility. Above thirty thousand of these useful animals are said to be flayed and boiled in the Metropolis, at the Seventeen Licensed Houses, annually, of which about one-fourth are brought there alive, supposed chiefly to be stolen horses. These Establishments require many additional regulations to enforce and insure that purity of conduct, which the Legislature had in view when the Act of the 26 Geo. 3, cap. 71, was passed for licensing persons to slaughter horses. In the operation of this Act is strongly evinced the inefficacy of the best laws, when measures are not pursued to insure an accurate and chaste execution. Wherever the vigilance of a General Police does not extend its influence in carrying into effect all regulations of a preventive nature, it is in vain to hope that the evil in the view of the Legislature will be diminished.

27 The depredations which are committed almost every evening in Cheapside, and the adjacent streets leading into it, affords strong proofs of the necessity of an improved system with regard to watchmen and patroles.
Allured to that particular part of the Metropolis, from the extensive and valuable property in piece goods and other portable articles which are constantly removing to and from the different shops and warehouses:—a multitude of thieves and pickpockets, exhibiting often in their dress and exterior, the appearance of gentlemen and men of business, assemble every evening in gangs, watching at the corners of every street, ready to bustle and rob, or to trip up the heels of the warehouse-porters and the servants of shopkeepers carrying goods; or at the doors of warehouses, at dusk and at the time they are locked, to be ready to seize loose parcels when unperceived; by all which means, aided by a number of other tricks and fraudulent pretences, they are but too successful in obtaining considerable booty. In short, there is no device or artifice to which these vigilant plunderers do not resort: of which an example appeared in an instance, where almost in the twinkling of an eye, while the servants of an eminent silk-dyer had crossed a narrow street, his horse and cart, containing raw silk to the value of twelve hundred pounds, were driven clear off. Many of these atrocious villains, are also constantly in waiting at the inns, disguised in different ways, personating travellers, coach-office clerks, porters and coachmen, for the purpose of plundering every thing that is portable; which, with the assistance of two or three associates if necessary, is carried to a coach called for the purpose, and immediately conveyed to the receiver.
The most adroit thieves in this line are generally convicts from the hulks, or returned transports, who under pretence of having some ostensible business, (while they carry on the trade of thieving) generally open a chandler’s shop, set up a green-stall, or get into a public-house: some of these old offenders are known also to keep livery-stables for thieves, and horses for the use of highwaymen; thereby forming a connected chain by which these criminal people extend and facilitate their trade; nourishing, accommodating, and supporting one another.

28 Hints have been submitted to the Author for establishing a plan of Travelling Police, to extend 20 miles round the Metropolis; by means of Patroles well armed and mounted, who should be on the road at all hours; the expence to be defrayed by the produce of a toll to be raised for the purpose. This scheme might in all probability be much improved under the sanction of a General Police Board, without the additional expence of the proposed toll.

29 See the 28th Report of that Committee.

30 There appears to be a deficiency in the Act of 30th George the Second, cap. 24. in omitting to add Bank Notes after the word Money, and also Horses, Cattle, Sheep, or other Animals, after goods, wares, and merchandise; since, (as has already been noticed, ante page 9,) it has been held that Bank Notes are not Money, nor are horses, cattle, &c. considered as goods, wares, or merchandise, according to the legal construction of any existing Statute.—An amendment of the Law with regard to these and other objects is the more necessary, as Bank Notes and Horses are, perhaps, more the objects of swindling, than other species of property.

	Persons	£.
Number of Pawnbrokers within the Bills of Mortality, paying a licence of £10. a year.	213	2130
In the Country, paying £5. a year.	432	2160
Total	644	4290

32 A regulation of this kind is of great importance; as the property of the poorest and most distressed part of the community, to the amount of nearly one million sterling, is constantly in the hands of Pawnbrokers in the Metropolis alone! and although it is of the utmost consequence that they, above all others, should be honest, correct and even humane characters, (and it is to be hoped many of them are of that description,) yet certain it is that any person, even the most notorious rogue or vagabond, who can raise ten pounds to pay for a licence, may at present set up the trade of Pawnbroker; and it is even said that some have got licences who have actually been on board the Hulks!—a thing unavoidable under the present circumstances.

33 The encouragement which this impostor received from the weaker part of the females of rank and fortune in the Metropolis, raised up others; who had the effrontery to insult the understanding of the Public, by advertising in the News-papers.

34 An Affidavit, made not very long since in one of the superior Courts of Justice, illustrates this observation in a very striking degree. It is in these words—“That it is almost impossible to convict persons keeping Gaming-Houses before the Magistrates, by reason of the enormous wealth generally applied to the corruption of unwilling evidence brought forward to support the charge—That on an information exhibited against one of the Partners of a Gaming-House, he got himself discharged by deterring some of the witnesses from appearing, and by the perjury of another partner who was examined as a witness, and for which he then stood indicted—That divers of these Gaming-Houses were kept by practising attornies, who, by threatening indictments for pretended Conspiracies, and other infamous means, have deterred persons from prosecuting them.”

35 The expence of entertainments at a Gaming-House of the highest class, during eight months, has been said to exceed Six Thousand Guineas! What must the profits be to afford such a profusion?

36 The latter part of the Affidavit, already mentioned, also illustrates these assertions, and proves that they are but too well founded: It states—“That Gaming-Houses have increased to such a degree, that there were lately not less than six in one street near the Hay-Market, at all which persons stood at the door to entice passengers to play—That the generality of persons keeping these houses are prize-fighters, and persons of a desperate description, who threaten assassination to any person who will molest them.”

37 The same Affidavit further states—“That the principal Gaming Houses at the West end of the Town have stated days on which they have luxurious dinners, (Sunday being the chief day,) to which they contrive to get invited merchants’ and bankers’ clerks, and other persons intrusted with money; and that it has been calculated, (and the calculation was believed not to be over-rated,) that the expences attendant on such houses, amounted to £.150,000 yearly, and that the keepers of such houses, by means of their enormous wealth, bid defiance to all prosecutions, some of them having acquired from 50 to £.100,000 each; considerable estates have been frequently won by them in the course of one sitting.”

38 The longer the Lottery continues, the greater the evil. A Lottery of 60,000 Tickets is therefore a much greater evil than one of 50,000: and that in a ratio more than proportionate to the numbers in each.

39 The Gambling and Lottery transactions of one individual in this great Metropolis, are said to be productive of from ten to fifteen suicides annually.

40 The following is the substance of the most striking parts of the Evidence of John Shepherd, in the action alluded to.
“The witness saw Hazard played at the Gaming-House of the defendant, in Leicester-street.—Every person who was three times successful, paid the defendant a Silver Medal, which he purchased from him on entering the house, at eight for a guinea, and he received six or seven of these in the course of an hour for the Box Hands, as it was called. The people who frequented this house always played for a considerable sum. Sometimes £.20 or £.30 depended on a single throw of the Dice. The witness remembered being once at the defendant’s Gaming-House about three or four o’clock in the morning, when a gentleman came in very much in liquor.—He seemed to have a great deal of money about him.—The defendant said he had not intended to play, but now he would set to with this fellow.—He then scraped a little wax with his finger off one of the candles and put the Dice together, so that they came seven every way. After doing this, he dropped them into the box and threw them out, and afterwards drew all the money away, saying he had won it.—Seven was the main, and he could not throw any thing but seven. The young gentleman said he had not given him time to bar.—A dispute arose between the defendant and him. It was referred to two or three persons who were round the table, and they gave it in favour of the defendant. The gentleman said he had lost upwards of £.70. The defendant said, we have cleared him. The witness has seen a man pawn his watch and ring in several instances; and once he saw a man pawn his coat and go away without it.
“After the Gaming Table was broken by the Bow-street Officers, the defendant said it was too good a thing to be given up, and instantly got another Table, large enough for twenty or thirty people. The frequenters of this house used to play till day-light: and on one or two occasions, they played all the next day. This is what the defendant called, sticking to it rarely. The guests were furnished with wine and suppers gratis, from the funds of the partnership, in abundance. Sunday was a grand day. The witness has seen more than forty people there at a time. The table not being sufficient for the whole, half-a-crown used on such occasions to be given for a seat, and those behind looked over the back of the others and betted.”
The person above-mentioned (whose name was Smith) who pawned his coat, corroborated the above evidence; and added, that he had seen a person after he had lost all his money, throw off his coat and go away, losing it also.

41 In consequence of a very accurate inquiry which has been made, and of information derived from different sources, it appears that fraudulent Lottery Insurances have not diminished. The Offices are numerous all over the Metropolis, and are supposed to exceed four hundred of all descriptions; to many of which there are persons attached, called Morocco Men, who go about from house to house among their former customers, and attend in the back parlours of Public Houses, where they are met by customers who make insurances. It is calculated that at these offices (exclusive of what is done at the licensed offices) premiums for insurance are received to the amount of eight hundred thousand pounds, during the Irish Lottery, and above one million during the English; upon which it is calculated that they make from 15 to 25 per cent. profit.—This infamous confederacy was estimated, during the English Lottery of the year 1796, to support about 2000 agents and clerks, and nearly 7500 Morocco Men, including a considerable number of hired armed Ruffians and Bludgeon Men: these were paid by a general association of the Principal Proprietors of these fraudulent Establishments; who regularly met in Committee, in a well-known public house in Oxford Market, twice or thrice a week, during the drawing of the Lottery; for the purpose of concerting measures to defeat the exertions of the Magistrates, by alarming and terrifying, and even forcibly resisting, the Officers of Justice in all instances where they could not be bribed by pecuniary gratuities;—to effect which last purpose, neither money nor pains were spared; and the wretched agents of these unprincipled miscreants were, in many cases, prepared to commit murder, had attempts been made to execute the Warrants of Magistrates; as can be proved by incontestable evidence. It is greatly to be feared that too much success attended these corrupt and fraudulent proceedings, in violation and defiance of the Laws of the Kingdom.

42 The regulation proposed, is this—that every member belonging to a Friendly Society, should be excluded or expelled, and deprived of all future benefits from the funds of that Society, on proof of his having insured in any Lottery whatsoever, contrary to law;—and that this rule should be general, wherever the Acts of Parliament, relative to Friendly Societies, have taken effect.

43 The circulation of stamped Spanish Dollars, in 1797, gave rise to a very extensive coinage of counterfeit money of the same species, which was generally executed in a very masterly manner, and before the fraud was discovered vast quantities were in the hands of many innocent members of the community. Several detections, however, having checked the circulation, and silver bullion having fallen greatly in price, those who were in the habit of dealing in base money availing themselves of this circumstance, purchased Dollars in great quantities at about 4s.. 2d. which they instantly stamped and circulated at 4s. 9d. and by which species of villainy large sums of money were suddenly amassed.—One dealer in particular is said to have made above £.5000 in six weeks. The Laws attaching no punishment to this unforeseen offence, and the Author representing the circumstances of the case to the Bank Directors, the whole were called in, leaving, however, in the hands of the dealers a large surplus of actual counterfeits,—which appears to have suggested to them the expedient of finding a market in the British American Colonies and the United States, where, in general, frauds are less likely to be detected from the payments being made (particularly in the West India islands) in dollars put up in bags containing a certain value in each. However, they were fortunately defeated in this object by the timely notice given, by the Author of this Treatise, to his Majesty’s Secretary of State, and the American Minister, and through these respectable mediums commercial people were put upon their guard before the intended fraud could be carried into effect.

44 A Liquid Test has been discovered by Mr. Alston, an eminent Manufacturer, in Birmingham, of great worth and respectability, which cannot fail to be of the greatest use in detecting every species of counterfeit Gold and Silver money, whether plated or washed. This discovery is mentioned with pleasure by the Author, as it is likely to be productive of much benefit to the Public, in protecting the fair dealers against the frauds daily practised upon them, in the circulation of base money.—The discovery is instantaneous by a single touch, and the expence of the Liquid and Apparatus is trifling.

45 A species of counterfeit halfpence made wholly of lead, has been circulated in considerable quantities, coloured in such a manner as even to deceive the best judges. They are generally of the Reign of George II. and have the exact appearance of old Mint halfpence.

46 It is a curious fact, that although the number of Pence which have been supplied by that admirable Artist, Mr. Boulton, of Birmingham, and which have been actually circulated amounts to Forty Million of Pieces, making £.166,666. 12s. 4d. sterling, and which is equal to 4d. for every inhabitant in this Island, according to the largest computation: yet the quantity of halfpence (chiefly counterfeits) which are found in actual circulation, are at least in the proportion of forty to one. This must ever be the case until some expedient, such as is hereafter recommended, shall be adopted for calling them in, and substituting in their place a new Coinage of the full standard weight: For it is evident that the Dealers and Tradesmen at present hoard up the penny pieces, and only circulate the counterfeit halfpence which they receive; the nuisance therefore remains, and the coiners are thus encouraged to continue their nefarious practices.

47 A few years ago sheet-copper was as low as 11½d. a pound, and will probably be again at the same price on the return of Peace. Indeed it has been even lower, although it has recently very much advanced in price.

48 This observation does not apply to Mr. Boulton’s New Copper Coinage; for although some feeble attempts have been made to counterfeit it, these can never go to a great extent, from its not being a sufficient object of profit; besides the fraud is easily detected, since each penny weighs an exact ounce: of course the halfpence should weigh half an ounce, and the farthings one quarter of an ounce, when these last two denominations are brought into circulation; as it is expected they will be.

49 See ante, p. 17, 18.

50 Journal, House of Commons, Vol. xviii. p. 178.

51 It was suggested in a former edition of this work, that a coinage of seven shilling pieces of gold would be of great utility.—The expedient was adopted by Government at the end of the year 1797.

52 For a specific Estimate of the plunder on all branches of trade carried on to and from the port of London, see “A Treatise on the Commerce and Police of the River Thames: with a summary View of the Laws of Shipping and Navigation:” (now in the press) by the Author of this Work.

53 No rule being established, whereby the British Coasting trade can be valued, the Estimate here given is grounded on the supposition, that the value of each cargo must amount to a certain moderate sum.—The aggregate of the whole is believed to exceed the estimate considerably.

54 While every thing connected with the present state of Europe, and the whole Commercial world, appears favourable for the accomplishment of the aggrandisement of the port of London, by the establishment of Docks (already in part adopted by the Legislature) and by a general Warehousing System, there is no opinion more erroneous and delusive than that which supposes that arrangements of this kind will supersede the necessity of a Police for the protection of the trade, and for the preservation of the public peace within these extensive repositories.
In what manner are from two to three thousand labourers, who must be frequently employed at the same time within these Docks, (and those too of a class that have been accustomed to plunder, and are not restrained by any sense of the turpitude of the action) to be over-awed and controlled, if no Police shall be conceived necessary?
The risk would be immense to commercial property; and pillage, in spite of the gates, and every precaution which could be taken, would probably be as extensive as it has been from the Warehouses, or from his Majesty’s Dock Yards, where the want of an appropriate Police has been the cause of many abuses.
Police as recently exemplified, is quite a new science in political œconomy, not yet perfectly understood; it operates as a restraint of the most powerful kind upon all delinquents who would be restrained by nothing else. To the system of vigilance which pervades the criminal actions of labourers upon the River, joined to the imminent danger of detection, is to be attributed the general success of the Marine Police, in preventing depredations.
Wherever a proper Police attaches, good order and security will prevail; where it does not, confusion, irregularity, outrages, and crimes must be expected; wherever great bodies of aquatic labourers are collected together, risk of danger from turbulent behaviour, will be greater in proportion to the number of depraved characters, who, from being collected in one spot, may hatch mischief, and carry it into effect much easier in Docks than on the River. A Police only can counteract this; and to the same preventive system will the commerce of the Port be indebted for securing both the Docks and the Pool against Conflagration. In fine, under every circumstance where Property is exposed, a preventive Police must be resorted to, in order to be secure.

55 It is not here meant to criminate all the Mates of ships in this trade; for a large proportion are known to be men worthy of the trust reposed in them.

56 In the throng season of the year at least 900 inferior Customhouse officers, and about 300 Excisemen, are stationed on board of ships in the Port of London, besides 82 Customhouse watermen and 36 superior Officers who do duty on the River Thames. The fair allowance of the established Tide Officers may be from 50l. to 55l. a year. The preferable Officers having 3s. 6d. a day only when employed, are supposed to receive wages for 2-3ds. of the year; while the extra Officers, who have only 3s. a day, are not supposed to be employed above half the year: and the Glutmen not more than two months in the throngest part of the season.
Men in such situations having a trust committed to them of great magnitude and importance, in the protection of a Revenue amounting to more than Seven Millions, and receiving wages inferior to common labourers, with pecuniary pressures upon them, arising from the wants in many instances of large families, assailed on all hands by temptations to connive at evil practices, as they relate both to the Revenue and the Individual—What can be expected from them?—Humanity, policy, and even justice pleads for an increase of salary, as the best means of preserving their morals and increasing the Revenue. Other Regulations through the medium of the Police System might be established, whereby their purity might be secured, and the Revenue eased of a considerable expence, by reducing the number employed at present, often in promoting mischievous instead of useful purposes.

57 Sugar and Rum imported into the Port of London, from the 25th of March 1798 to the 25th of March 1799:—

Islands.	Ships.	Casks, Sugar.	Casks, Rum.
Jamaica	151	64,108	17,279
Antigua	14	5,258	715
St. Kitt’s	14	6,137	755
Barbadoes	17	7,961	65
Granadoes	18	6,806	443
Mountserat	6	2,742	568
Nevis	4	1,867	418
Dominica	14	4,152	400
St. Vincent	26	10,147	908
Tortola	3	789	109
Sundry Places, including captured Islands, &c.	106	32,739	2,271
	373	142,760	23,931

58 Independent of the excessive pillage by the labourers in the Warehouses, which has been rendered but too evident from the detections of Offenders since the establishment of the Marine Police, the samples alone, which on an average are said to amount to 12lb. per hhd. (instead of 1½lb. per hhd. in conformity to the Regulations of the West India Merchants, of the 12th of June 1789,) make a net aggregate of 1,470,000 pounds of sugar, which at 10d. per pound amounts to 61,250l. a year!

59 See the “Treatise on the Commerce and Police of the River Thames,” for a particular account of these classes.

60 For the purpose of defraying the expence of prosecutions for criminal offences upon the River Thames, and to raise a fund for suborning evidence, and employing counsel for higher crimes, and of paying the penalties under the Act of the 2d Geo. III. cap. 28. commonly called the Bumboat Act; there existed a club composed of River Plunderers, and Lumpers, Coopers, Watermen, and Receivers, (denominated Light-Horsemen, Heavy-Horsemen, and Copes,) from the funds of which the Law expences and the penalties incurred by members of the fraternity were paid. By these iniquitous means not a few notorious offenders escaped justice, while those who were convicted of penalties for misdemeanors escaped the punishment of imprisonment, and being thus screened from justice the culprits (previous to the establishment of the Marine Police System) returned to their evil practices without the least apprehension of any other inconvenience than the payment of a fine of 40s. defrayed by the Club. The New System, however, affording means of detection in the ships where the offences were committed: what were formerly misdemeanors are now treated as larcenies, which has operated most powerfully in breaking up this atrocious confederacy, and in defeating all the nefarious designs of the criminal delinquents of which it was formed, some of whom, although apparently common labourers, resided in handsome houses furnished in a very superior style for the rank in life of the occupiers.
As a proof, among many others, of the enormous extent of the River Plunder, the convictions for misdemeanors under the Act of the 2d Geo. III. cap. 28. from August 1792 to August 1799, exceeded two thousand two hundred; of which number about 2000 culprits paid the penalty; partly from their own resources, but chiefly, it is believed, from the funds of the club, amounting in all to about 4000l. in the course of seven years.

61 A Shipmaster in the trade a few months since was compelled to pay 40l. for deficient sugars plundered by Lumpers and others, who assisted in lading his vessel, notwithstanding his utmost personal vigilance and attention while the sugars were taking on board. A single Marine Police Officer would have prevented this. The effect of their power in overawing delinquents, from the nature of the system and the discipline peculiar to the institution, is not to be conceived.

62 For a particular account of this Institution, see the “Treatise on the Commerce and Police of the River Thames,” already alluded to.

63 With respect to the advantages which have resulted in the aggregate, to the West India Planters and Merchants, from this New Institution, it is impossible to form any decided opinion; but estimating the savings, on an average, at 28lbs. of sugar per hhd. (which is only one half of what the Committee of West India Merchants, in their Report to a General Meeting in 1798, supposed the plunderage might have been formerly) it appears, upon this data, that the gain to the Planters, Merchants, and the Revenue, on a very reduced estimate as to the actual importation may be thus stated.—

	Saving to the Planters.	Saving to the Revenue.	Total.
On 115,000 casks of sugar, at 28lbs. per cask	£.97,012	£.25,150	£.122,162
15,000 casks of rum, at three gallons each	9,000	15,000	24,000
Coffee, pimento, and other articles, suppose	5,000	10,000	15,000
Totals	£.111,012	£.50,150	£.161,162

If credit is to be given to the general and specific proofs of the depredations which took place before the establishment of the Marine Police, and to the numerous documents which demonstrate the saving of property, which has been the effect of this system of prevention, the above estimate will not appear to be over-rated. In an importation amounting to above £.8,000,000 sterling a year, it is not too much to say that 1½ per cent. on this sum may have been saved under a system of such extreme vigilance, where every class of depredators were defeated in their iniquitous designs, and deprived in a great measure of the powers they formerly possessed, of doing mischief. The probability is, that it has amounted to more, though the fact never can be accurately ascertained.

64 At a meeting of the Committee of the West India Merchants appointed to manage the general concerns of the Trade, held on the 4th of January 1799, It was

“Resolved,

“That this Committee are deeply impressed with a high sense of the singular advantages, which appear to have resulted to the Commerce of the Port of London in general, but particularly to the West India Planters and Merchants, in the protection afforded to their property by the exertions of The Marine Police Institution, as well as by the General System established for the prevention of pillage and plunder arising out of the measures for detection pursued by the Magistrates presiding at the Marine Police Office, by which, in the opinion of this Committee, great and extensive benefits have also resulted to his Majesty’s Revenue.”

65 For the specific provisions of the Marine Police Bill, see the “Treatise on the Commerce Navigation Police of the River Thames.”—The object of this Bill is rather to prevent Crimes than to punish; and where punishments on conviction are to be inflicted, they are of a nature which, it is to be hoped, will operate sufficiently as an example to diminish the evil, without the exercise of any great degree of severity.

66 John Harriott, Esq. the Resident Magistrate.

67 So powerful was the effect of the preventive System, wherever it was permitted to be applied, that no instance has occurred in the course of more than fifteen months, since the Marine Police was established, of sufficient grounds for a criminal prosecution having taken place by the commission of any Larceny or Felony in ships or craft under the immediate protection of the Institution.

68 As a proof of the approbation of the whole body of the West India Planters at the General Meeting, not only of the System of the Marine Police, but also of the Bill which has been prepared to extend its influence to the general Trade of the River Thames, the following extracts are inserted:

Extract from the Minutes of a Meeting of a Committee of the West India Planters and Merchants—London, June 7, 1799.

“Resolved,

“That this Committee is fully convinced that considerable advantages have been derived from the institution of the Marine Police in checking the depredations on West India produce on board ships in the River Thames; and consequently approves of the Bill for constituting the said Marine Police, with powers enlarged and more effective, and on a more extended plan, provided the Act for that purpose be in the first instance limited to the duration of three years, and that the whole expence of the Institution does not exceed Ten Thousand Pounds annually.”

Extract from the Minutes of a General Meeting of the West India Planters, held by public Advertisement at Wright’s Coffee-house, Soho-square, London, June 13, 1799.

The Right Honourable Lord Penrhyn in the Chair.

“Resolved,

“That this Meeting confirms the Report of its Committee, and approves of the project of a Bill for the purposes, and within the limitations stated in that Report.

“Resolved,

“That Lord Penrhyn be requested to present to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Report of a Committee of this Meeting, on the subject of the Marine Police Institution, and the Resolution of this meeting approving the said Report.

“Resolved,

“That Lord Penrhyn be requested to communicate the thanks of this Meeting to Mr. Colquhoun for the zeal, ability, and perseverance with which he has endeavoured to form an effectual check to the system of depredation which prevailed on the River Thames.”

69 Since the publication of the last edition of this work, the Select Committee on Finance in the House of Commons, who have derived immortal honour from their various and useful Reports, have recommended the abolition of fees; and the Lords of the Admiralty, and the Commissioners of the subordinate Boards, are entitled to the thanks of their country, from the exertions they are using to carry this measure into effect.

70 It is by no means to be inferred from what is here stated, that there are not, both among the furnishers and contractors for Public Stores, as well as the Officers and Clerks employed in the departments here alluded to, many individuals of great honour and integrity.—It is to be hoped, the fraudulent are the smallest in point of number, or that they will soon be so.

71 See a plan for disposing of old stores with a view to remedy the evil, in a subsequent part of this chapter.

[72] It seems evident, that the abolition of the perquisite of Chips would be a great improvement, and prove the means of correcting many gross abuses which at present prevail. In this suggestion the Author is supported by the very able and decided evidence of Brigadier-General Bentham, before the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Finance, in 1798. [See the 31st Report of that Committee.] On a supposition that 3000 shipwrights are employed in the several Dock-yards at the wages of 2s. 1d. with the privilege of one bundle of chips each day, which, though not worth more than 6d. to each shipwright, actually costs Government 1s. 6d. because good and valuable timber is often cut down to make these chips.—The following estimate will elucidate what has been stated: and shew the benefits which Government would probably derive from the abolition of this perquisite, even if the wages should be raised, which are perhaps too low at present.

3000 men, working 300 days in a year, entitled to 900,000 bundles of chips at 1s. 6d.	£.67,500
Time lost to Government in making up these chips, equal to 6d. per day	22,500
Articles purloined and stolen, by being concealed within these bundles, and by women and children, who resort to the yards on pretence of carrying them away, supposed	50,000
	£.140,000
Deduct 6d. a day additional wages in lieu of the perquisite of chips; which, it is understood, the shipwrights would consider as an ample remuneration	22,500
Presumed gain by this arrangement	£.117,500

73 When it is recollected, that 9176 coasting vessels, and also 4268 traders to foreign parts, enter and clear in the Custom-house of London, in the course of a year, independent of small craft in the River; an inexhaustible resource for the sale of cheap cordage, sail-cloth, and every other material, must be obvious at first view.

74 Much to the honour of the present Commissioners, both of the Navy and Victualing, a most laudable zeal has been manifested to suppress the frauds, embezzlements and pillage, which have so long afflicted these departments of the public service. The following copy of a letter from the Solicitor to the Navy Board to the Author of this Work, is a strong proof, not only of the sense they entertain of the evils which are felt to exist, but of the necessity of a speedy and effectual remedy being applied.—

“Norfolk Street, 19 May, 1799.

“Sir,

“The Commissioners of the Navy having an intention of applying to Parliament, to extend and amend the Laws, for preventing the embezzlement and stealing of his Majesty’s Naval Stores; and having directed me, in preparing the intended Bill, to attend to the suggestions and recommendations on the subject, in your excellent and valuable publication, I shall consider myself much obliged to you, as I am sure the Commissioners will, if you will, at your leisure, have the goodness to furnish me with any hints on the subject, which may have occurred to you, since the publication of your Treatise, and which you think may be worthy the attention of the Legislature.

“I am, Sir, with respect,

“Your most obedient humble Servant,

“CHA. BICKNELL.

“P. Colquhoun, Esq..”

75 An instance of this kind occurred about two years ago in one of the principal yards, where a large quantity of new and valuable Cordage was found concealed within the coils of a large unserviceable Cable; which composed one of the lots in the Catalogue of the Sale.—And thus a connection was discovered between the Criminal Purchaser and the Labourers employed in making up the Lots.

76 Vide Page 9.

77 It was held in the trial of Moses Pike, at the Old Bailey, in May, 1784, that to steal from a Barge aground in Limehouse-Dock, was not within the meaning of the Act of 24th of George the Second, cap. 45, which makes it felony to steal from any vessel or craft upon a Navigable River, &c.

78 Mr. Serjeant Adair, then Recorder of London.

79 The general rule of the ancient Law is this;—that Accessaries shall suffer the same punishment as Principals. If one be liable to death, the other is also liable. Blackstone.
In France, (before the Revolution) the offence of receiving stolen goods was punished with death.

80 Vide Act 30 Geo. II. cap. 24.

81 An Officer of Police who was watching the house of a noted Receiver, in St. James’s parish, being taken for a Thief by the watchmen, the latter entered into conversation with him, and naming the Receiver, he told the Officer that he being very liberal and kind to them, they did not disturb any person going to his house; and if he had any thing to carry there, he would step out of sight, so as to be able to say he had seen nothing.

82 Vide Act 30 Geo. II. cap. 24.

83 It is even a practice with not a few of the labouring families in the Eastern part of the Town, to take lodgings in Ale-houses.

84 Such is the thoughtless improvidence of this class of the labouring people, that they are generally the first who indulge themselves by eating Oysters, Lobsters, and Pickled Salmon, &c. when first in Season, and long before these luxuries are considered as accessible to the middle ranks of the Community; whose manners are generally as virtuous as the others are depraved.

85 It is not to be inferred from this statement, that there are not to be found even among the lower classes of the labouring People in the Metropolis, many instances of honest and virtuous Poor, whose distresses are to be attributed to the calamity of a failure of employment, bad health, death of Parents or Children, and other causes which human prudence cannot prevent; and particularly where the want of opulent Inhabitants in several of the Eastern Parishes, renders it necessary to assess Indigence for the support of Poverty.—To these Parishes and Hamlets the Poor resort, both from the nature of their employments, and the impossibility of finding habitations any where else.—They have perhaps no legal settlement where they reside, or the funds of the Parish can afford but a very scanty and inadequate relief. Depressed with sickness, and broke down and dispirited by extreme poverty, the little furniture and apparel of Man, Woman, and Child, is carried to the Pawn-broker’s to obtain a scanty pittance for the immediate support of life, until at length there does not remain what is sufficient to cover nakedness.—In these miserable mansions the Author has himself frequently witnessed scenes of distress, which would rend the heart of the most unfeeling of the human species.—A temporary and partial expedient has through the benevolence of the Publick, been administered in the excellent institutions of Soup-houses: but until the funds of the different Parishes can be made one Common Purse, and an intelligent management substituted in the place of an ignorant and incompetent superintendance, the evil will not diminish.—To the opulent part of the Community the burden would never be felt.—At present, where the most indigent are assessed, the rates are double and treble those in the rich Parishes.—It is principally to this cause, that Poverty is no where to be found in so great a degree, cloathed in the garb of the extremest misery and wretchedness, as in the Metropolis.—And it is to this cause also, joined to various others explained in this Chapter, that above Twenty Thousand miserable Individuals of various classes, rise up every morning without knowing how, or by what means they are to be supported, during the passing day; or where, in many instances, they are to lodge on the succeeding night.

86 The Author has often had occasion to witness the extreme ignorance of the younger part of this class, when called upon to give evidence in judicial proceedings.—Of the nature of an oath they had not the least conception,—nor even of the existence of a Supreme Being.

87 In the course of the Author’s investigations, in his official situation as a Magistrate, he actually discovered that clubs of apprentice-boys were harboured in Public-houses, for the purpose of supporting their fellow-apprentices who ran away from their masters. The means of thus indulging themselves in lewdness and debauchery was obtained by pilfering from their Masters, and disposing of the property at Old Iron Shops.

88 It is to be feared that much evil arises from the want of attention on the part of Masters among the superior classes of Tradesmen with respect to their apprentices, who too seldom consider the morals of their apprentices as a matter in which they have any concern.—It is even the practice to allow apprentices a certain sum of money weekly, for the purpose of enabling them to provide themselves out of doors, and to prevent the trouble of boarding them in the house. If it were possible for a Master, after exerting all his ingenuity, to invent one mode more likely than another to ruin his apprentices, it is by adopting this plan. If he means to subject himself to great risques with respect to the security of his property, he will permit his apprentice, at the age of puberty when open to seduction, to be at large in this great Town, where he is liable to be assailed by swindlers, cheats, and sharpers, who, availing themselves of the inexperience of youth, may corrupt the mind, and give it a wrong bias. The dangers arising from allowing apprentices to victual out of doors, extend much farther than masters are generally aware of: and they who suffer it do great injury to themselves, and even great injustice to their apprentices, whose morals they are virtually, at least, bound to preserve pure. This is not to be expected where apprentices are not under the eye of the master at Meal-times. Their Sundays, in such cases, are their own, which they waste in idleness, not seldom in water-parties on the River, where they are introduced into low and bad company, which gives frequently a taint to their manners of the most injurious nature. The result is, that their master, without reflecting that he himself was the cause of their idleness, withdraws his confidence, and turns them adrift after their time expires, if not before; and in the end ruin, as might well be expected, inevitably ensues.

89 Another class of Jews which belong to the Portuguese Synagogue are generally opulent and respectable, and hold no community with the others; they use a different Liturgy and their language is even different; their number does not exceed three thousand; they never intermarry with the Jews of the Dutch Synagogue.—They generally pride themselves on their Ancestry, and give their Children the best education which can be obtained in the countries where they reside.—While the Dutch Jews (or rather the German Dutch Jews) get no education at all. Even the most affluent of them are said to be generally unable either to read or write the language of the country which gave them birth.—They confine themselves to a Bastard or vulgar Hebrew which has little analogy to the original. The Portuguese Synagogue has been established in England ever since the Usurpation.—Their place of worship is in Bevis Marks.—The Members of it being mostly wealthy are extremely attentive to their poor, among whom there is said not to be a single beggar or itinerant.—The Brokers upon the Exchange of the Jewish Persuasion, are all or chiefly of the Portuguese Synagogue. Their number is limited to Twelve by a particular Act of Parliament.—Originally this privilege was given gratis by the Lord Mayor, but afterwards 100l. was required, which has gradually increased to One Thousand Guineas for each Broker.
The schism between the two classes of Jews prevail all over the world, though the rational Jews treat the distinction as absurd.
The German Dutch Jews, who may amount to from twelve to fifteen thousand have Six Synagogues, the principal of which are in Duke’s Place, Leadenhall Street, and Church Row, Fenchurch Street. They observe the particular ritual of the German Synagogue, and also include the Polish, Russian, and Turkish Jews, established in London.—With the exception of three or four wealthy Individuals, and as many Families who are in trade on the Royal Exchange, they are in general a very indigent class of people, through whose medium crimes are generated to a considerable extent.—Their Community is too poor to afford them adequate relief, whence they have resorted to the expedient of lending them small sums of money at interest to trade upon, which is required to be repaid monthly or weekly, as the case may be. Otherwise they forfeit all claim to this aid.—The reproach arising from their evil practices and idleness, is said to have engaged the attention of the respectable part of both Synagogues with a view to a remedy, but all their attempts have been heretofore unsuccessful.

90 In a Tract entitled ‘Observations and Facts relative to Public-Houses,’ by the Author of this Work, the mode of conducting Ale-houses in the Metropolis, and the evils arising from this source of iniquity and idleness is very fully explained. By this publication it is discovered, after much investigation, that there is consumed and sold in the 5000 Public-houses in and round the Metropolis:

158,400,530 pots of Porter, Ale, and Twopenny	£.2,311,466	15	10
Gin and Compounds from the Distillers and Rectifiers	975,000	0	0
	3,236,466	15	10
To which add Pipes, Tobacco, &c. at least	113,533	4	2
Total	£.3,310,000	0	0

91 It is a curious and important fact, that during the period when Distilleries were stopped in 1796 and 1797, although Bread, and every necessary of life was considerably higher than during the preceding year, the Poor in that quarter of the Town where the chief part reside were apparently more comfortable, paid their rents more regularly, and were better fed than at any period for some years before;—even although they had not the benefit of the extensive charities which were distributed in 1795. This can only be accounted for by their being denied the indulgence of Gin, which had become in a great measure inaccessible from its very high price. It may fairly be concluded, that the money formerly spent in this imprudent manner had been applied in the purchase of provisions and other necessaries to the amount of some hundred thousand pounds.—The effects of their being deprived of this baneful Liquor was also evident in their more orderly conduct.—Quarrels and assaults were less frequent, and they resorted seldomer to the Pawnbrokers’ shops: and yet during the chief part of this period Bread was 15d. the Quartern Loaf, and Meat higher than the preceding year, particularly Pork, which arose in part from the stoppage of the Distilleries; but chiefly from the scarcity of Grain.

92 It is in the first stage of Seduction, before the female mind becomes vitiated and depraved, that Asylums are most useful. If persons in this unhappy situation had it in their power to resort to a medium, whereby they might be reconciled to their relations, while uncontaminated by the vices attached to General Prostitution, numbers, who are now lost, might be saved to Society.

93 See page 81 and 82 for an account of this Charity.

94 For a specific account of these Institutions, see the Chapter on Municipal Police.

95 An office has for some time past been instituted under the direction of Mathew Martin, Esq. assisted by one or two philanthropic individuals, for inquiring into cases and causes of distress.—The generality of the poor persons have been invited to the office by the distribution of tickets, directing them when and where they are to apply. On such occasions a small relief has been afforded, arising from a fund constituted by private benevolence;—but the chief advantage which these poor people have derived has been from the consolatory advice given them, and still more from the assistance afforded by the indefatigable industry, and laudable zeal of Mr. Martin, in getting those into workhouses who have parochial settlements in the Metropolis, or assisting in procuring the means of passing them to their parishes, where such settlements are in the country. Seasonable pecuniary relief has been also extended in certain cases, and small loans of money, made to enable those who are able to work to redeem their apparel, and tools to rescue them from despondence, and to help themselves by their own labour, in such employments as they could either themselves obtain, or as could be procured for them.
From the beginning of the year 1796 to the end of the year 1797, Mr. Martin investigated the cases of 120 poor persons, who attended him in consequence of the tickets which were distributed.—Of these 21 were men; the greater part maimed or disabled by age or sickness, only two of whom had any legal settlement in London.—Of the women, 99 in number, 48 were widows, about one-third were aged—some crippled, and others distressed for want of work, while many were embarrassed by ignorance of the mode of obtaining parochial relief, or by the fear of applying for it—of the wives, in most cases, the difficulty arose from want of work or incapacity of doing it, on account of a child in arms. There were cases of very great distress. Above half had two or more children. Some of them infants, and the chief part too young to work. Of the women 24 claimed settlements in London and Westminster—33 in different parts of England—22 belonged to Scotland and Ireland, and the remaining 20 said they could give no account of their place of settlement. In most instances by an application to their parishes, and in some to their friends, Mr. Martin was enabled to obtain effectual relief to all of them; the gift of a little food, and hearing their melancholy story, afforded some comfort; and had a small fund been appropriated to this object, it might have been possible to have enabled those who were in health to have earned a livelihood. See 12th Report of the Society for bettering the Condition of the Poor.

96 In the Preamble of the Statute on 3 & 4 William and Mary cap. 11. and particularly § 11 of that Act, in which the sense entertained by Parliament, of the shocking abuses of the Statute of Elizabeth, “through the unlimited power of Parish Officers,” is very forcibly expressed—the truths there stated are found to have full force, even at the distance of more than a Century.

97 It is a well-known fact, that many persons who suffer by means of small Robberies, afraid of the trouble and expence of a prosecution, submit to the loss without inquiry; while others from being strangers to the laws, and to the proper mode of application, fall into the same mistake; this, by proving a great encouragement to thieves of every class, is of course an injury to the Public.—In all cases where robberies are committed, the parties sustaining the loss have only to inquire for the nearest Public Office, and apply there, and state the case to the sitting Magistrates, who will point out the proper mode of detection; every assistance through the medium of constables, will then be given for the purpose of recovering the property and apprehending the offenders.—The same assistance will be afforded by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, sitting at the Mansion-house and Guildhall, whenever the offence is committed within the limits of the City of London.

98 It had been usual for many years previous to 1752, when robberies were committed, to make a composition of the felony, by advertising a reward to any person who would bring the property stolen, to be paid without asking any questions; but the pernicious consequences of recovering goods in this way from the encouragement such advertisements held out to thieves and robbers of every description, became so glaring and obvious, that an Act passed the 25th year of George II. cap. 36. inflicting a penalty of 50l. on any person (including the printer and publisher) who shall publicly advertise a reward for the return of stolen goods with “no questions asked,” without seizing the person producing the goods stolen:—or who shall offer to return to any pawnbroker, or other person, the money lent thereon, or any other reward for the return of the articles stolen.

99 Fineux.

100 Winton, chap. 4.

101 Hale.

102 Pult. 10, a.

103 Hale.

104 Dalton.

105 Blackstone.

106 Blackstone.

107 Blackstone.

108 Blackstone.

109 Hale.

110 Hale.

111 It may not be improper in this place to hint, that there is a deficiency in the present state of the Law, which calls aloud for a remedy. None can be arrested on a Sunday, but for felony or breach of the peace (except in certain cases, where their guilt has been previously decided on, as in Escape, &c.) By this means Lottery-Vagrants, Gamblers, Sharpers, and Swindlers, bid defiance to the Civil Power on that day; while a person guilty of pushing or striking another in an accidental squabble, may be arrested and confined.

112 In consequence of some doubts which have been started relative to washed money, the reward in this case is not paid; it is confined entirely to the conviction of Coiners.

113 This is a Certificate which may be assigned once, exempting the person who receives it, or his immediate assignee, from all offices within the parish or ward where the felony was committed. In some parishes it will sell from 25l. to 30l. In others it is not worth above 15l. to 18l. according to local situation.

114 The expence to the Public for rewards paid by the Sheriffs of the different Counties for 12 years, from 1786 to 1797 inclusive, appears from the Appendix of the 28th Report of the Select Committee on Finance, page 104, to stand thus:

1786	£.10,840
1787	15,060
1788	6,590
1789	7,340
1790	8,970
1791	6,050
	£.54,850
1792	7,330
1793	8,160
1794	7,140
1795	3,290
1796	4,010
1797	9,650
	£.39,580
Total in 12 years,	£.94,430.

115 Grand Larceny is defined to be a felonious and fraudulent taking away by any person, of the mere personal goods of another, above the value of twelve pence.—1 Hawk. P.C. c. 33. § 1.

116 The Thames Police Establishment fluctuates according to the Season of the year, and the number of West India ships on the River.—

The permanent force in House Constables, Boat Surveyors, and Water Officers, &c. is		41
The fluctuating Civil Force in	Ship Constables	150
	Quay Guards	30
Total Civil Force of the Marine Police Establishment when the West-India Fleets are in port		221

117 There is, in some respect, an exception to this rule, with regard to the City and Liberty of Westminster, and the parishes of St. Clement Danes,—St. Mary le Strand,—The Savoy, The united parishes of St. Giles and St. George, Bloomsbury,—The united parishes of St. Andrew, Holborn above the Bars, and St. George the Martyr, and the liberty of Saffron Hill, Hatton Garden, and Ely Rents.—The Act of the 14th George III. cap. 90, contains regulations applicable to the whole of these Parishes and Liberties, fixing the minimum of watchmen at 523, and patroles at 56 men, for the whole; but leaving the management still to the inhabitants of each respective Parish or Liberty. The same act fixes the minimum of wages at 1s. a night, and patroles 15d. In the City of London, the salaries given to watchmen vary in each Ward, from 13l. to 18l. 19l. 20l. 21l. 7s. 23l. 8s. up to 26l. and patroles are allowed from 13l. to 35l. and 40l. a year.

118 This proves how highly meritorious the conduct of the Managers and Trustees of this branch of the Police of the Metropolis must, in many instances, be. There can indeed be no manner of doubt, but that great advantages arise from dividing the labour, where all the benefits of local knowledge enter into the system.—So far as this goes, it ought not to be disturbed. But it is also necessary to consider the Metropolis as a great Whole, and to combine the organs of Police which at present exist, in such a manner, by a general superintendance, as to give equal encouragement, and to instil one principle of universal energy into all its parts.

119 Watch-houses are now placed at convenient distances all over the Metropolis; where a parochial constable attends, in rotation, every night, to receive disorderly and criminal persons, and to carry them before a Magistrate next morning.—In each watch-house also (in case of fire) the names of the turn-cocks, and the places where engines are kept, are to be found. This circumstance is mentioned for the information of strangers unacquainted with the Police of the Metropolis; to whom it is recommended, in case of fire, or any accident or disturbance requiring the assistance of the Civil Power, to apply immediately to the Officer of the night, at the nearest watch-house, or to the watchmen on the beat.

120 Beadles are, in many instances, employed at present as local superintendants of the watch, within their respective Parishes.

121 The Select Committee of the House of Commons, in their 28th Report, 1798, on Finance, have strongly recommended a Concurrent Jurisdiction; and also, that two Police Offices should be established in London, upon the plan of the others, with Magistrates to be appointed by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen.

122 It is true, that by the Acts of 25th Geo. II. cap. 36, and 18th Geo. III. cap. 13, the expences of the prosecutors and witnesses are to be paid; and also (if the parties shall appear to be in poor circumstances) a reasonable allowance made for trouble and loss of time; but this is connected with the regulations of the Justices, confirmed by one of the Judges of Assize, which vary according to local circumstances, and it is also necessary to plead poverty in order to be remunerated for loss of time: but as the poor seldom suffer by thieves, these Acts appear to have had little effect in encouraging prosecutors to come forward; and it is believed few applications are made excepting in cases of real poverty.—In the County of Middlesex there is an exception; where witnesses are directed to be paid by the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish, where the person was apprehended; but this mode of payment is seldom if ever adopted.—The fund, however, which the Legislature has thus provided, if œconomically and judiciously applied by a Public Prosecutor, would remove many difficulties, without any material addition to the county rates.

123 The propriety of this suggestion is sanctioned by the recommendation of the Finance Committee of the House of Commons in their 27th and 28th Report; and forms part of that System of general controul and arrangement for the prevention of crimes, stated more at large in a subsequent Chapter.

[124] Considerable inconvenience arises (and, indeed, great hardship, where prisoners are innocent) from the length of time which must elapse, where offences have been committed in Southwark, before they can be brought to trial; either for inferior or more atrocious crimes. In the former case, prisoners must remain till the Quarter Sessions, (there being no intermediate General Sessions of the Peace) and in the latter case till the Assizes, held only twice a year; this occasions a confinement, previous to trial, lengthened out, in some instances, to three, four, five, and even nearly to six months.

125 Notwithstanding the severity of the Law, the composition of felonies and misdemeanors is carried to a much greater height than it is almost possible to believe; and various artifices are resorted to, to elude the penalties.—An instance occurred in August 1792; where a Jew was ordered to take his trial for a rape, committed on a married woman.—The offence appeared, on examination, to be extremely aggravated.—The Grand Jury however did not find a bill; which was thought a very singular circumstance, as the proof had been so clear before the Magistrate. The reasons were afterwards sufficiently explained; which show, what corrupt practices, artifices, and frauds will be used to defeat the ends of justice:—In consequence of a previous undertaking between the Jew and the husband of the woman who had been so grossly abused, a sum of £.20 was left in the hands of a publican, which the prosecutor was to receive if the bill was not found. In this confidence the woman gave a different evidence from that which she had given before the Magistrate. The Jew, however, cheated both the husband and the wife; for he no sooner discovered that he was safe, than he demanded the money of the publican and laughed at the prosecutor.

126 In criminal cases, a defective indictment is not aided by the verdict of a Jury, as defective pleadings are in civil cases. Indeed wherever life is concerned, great strictness has been at all times observed. That able and humane Judge, Sir Matthew Hale, complained above a century ago,A “That this strictness has grown to be a blemish and inconvenience in the law and the administration thereof; for that more offenders escape by the over-easy ear given to exceptions in indictments, than by their own innocence: and many times gross murders, burglaries, robberies, and other heinous and crying offences remain unpunished, by those unseemly niceties; to the reproach of the Law, to the shame of the Government, to the encouragement of villainy, and to the dishonour of God.”B

A He died 1676.

B Hale, P.C. 193.

127 1 Edward VI. cap. 12: 21 Jac. I. cap. 6: 3 and 4 William and Mary, cap. 9: 4 and 5 William and Mary, cap. 24.

128 Blackstone.

129 The benefit of Clergy originated in injustice and inhumanity, and can only be palliated by the rude state of society, when so disgraceful a privilege was legalized and interwoven in the criminal code.—It partakes of the nature of a compromise with villainy.—It perplexes the system of criminal jurisprudence; and since its sting is taken away it would be an improvement to discontinue it totally.

130 It is said that exile was first introduced as a punishment by the Legislature in the 39th year of Queen Elizabeth, when a statute (39 Eliz. c. 4.) enacted that such rogues as were dangerous to the inferior people should be banished the realm, Barr. Ant. Stat. 269: and that the first statute in which the word Transportation is used is the 18th of Charles II. c. 3. which gives power to Judges at their discretion either to execute or transport to America for life the Moss-Troopers of Cumberland and Northumberland; a law which was made perpetual by the Act 31 Geo. II. c. 42. 2 Woodd. 498.

131 The unwillingness which it must be expected a Jury would have to convict a man capitally for this offence, might be adduced among many other instances, to show to what extent public justice is defeated, merely from the severity of the laws, and the want of a Scale of punishments proportioned to the offences.

132 All endeavours towards the prevention of crimes will ever be attended with unconquerable difficulty, until some general House of Industry can be established in the Metropolis: where persons discharged for petty offences, as well as strangers and others out of work, may have an opportunity of finding, at least a temporary employment, sufficient to maintain them. An Institution of this sort would be a work of great charity and humanity; and it is earnestly to be hoped, that the view of the subject given in this Work may induce the Legislature to form a Police Establishment, calculated to promote such a multitude of good and useful objects;C more especially as with proper management it would very soon pay itself.

C Vide page 99 n.

133 In the year 1795, 1894 prisoners were tried at the Old Bailey, and the different Assizes in the Country, exclusive of a much greater number at the General and Quarter Sessions of the Peace, in the different Counties. These trials in the Superior Courts of Judicature, produced the following results:—

	London.	Assizes in the Country.	Total.
Received Sentence of Death	44	174	218
— — — Transportation	84	159	243
Imprisoned and Whipt	129	411	540
Judgment respited to serve his Majesty	23	25	48
Acquitted	150	351	501
Discharged for want of Prosecutors	91	253	344
	521	1373	1894

134 The acquittals will generally be found to attach mostly to small offences which are punishable with death: where Juries do not consider the crime deserving so severe a punishment, the delinquent receives no punishment at all. If all were convicted who were really guilty of these small offences, the number of victims to the severity of the Law would be greatly increased.

135 As punishments became more mild, clemency and pardons became less necessary.—Clemency is a virtue that ought to shine in the code, and not in the private judgment.—The Prince in pardoning gives up the Public Security in favour of an individual; and by the exercise of this species of benevolence proclaims a public act of impunity.—Let the Executors of the Laws be inexorable; but let the Legislature be tender, indulgent and humane. Beccaria, cap. 46.

136 It is not here meant to say there have not been some instances, and even one of a recent date, where an innocent man may be convicted; but they are certainly very rare, and when discovered, the Royal mercy, of course, relieves the unfortunate person.

137 That able and excellent Magistrate, the late Henry Fielding, Esq. (to whose zeal and exertions in the exercise of the duties of a Justice of the Peace, in the Metropolis, the Public were under infinite obligations)—manifested, half a century ago, how much he was impressed with the injuries arising from frequent pardons.—Those who will contemplate the character and conduct of this valuable man, as well as that of his brother, the late Sir John Fielding, will sincerely lament that their excellent ideas, and accurate and extensive knowledge upon every subject connected with the Police of the Metropolis, and of the means of preventing crimes, were not rendered more useful to the Public. It is to be hoped, however, that it is not yet too late, since the state of Society, and the progress and increase of crimes, call loudly for the establishment of a responsible preventive System.

138 By the Acts 4 George I. c. 11, and 6 George I. c. 23, the persons contracting for the transportation of convicts to the Colonies, or their assigns, had an interest in the service of each, for seven or fourteen years, according to the term of transportation.

139 For some years previous to the commencement of the American War, the adjudged services of convicts became so valuable in Maryland, that contracts were made to convey them without any expence whatsoever to Government, who had formerly allowed 5l. a head; for the reasons already assigned, they generally were more adroit, and had better abilities than those who voluntarily engaged themselves to go to America.

140 16 George III. cap. 43, sect. 1st, 3d, and 11th.

141 An enormous expence has been incurred in building Penitentiary-Houses in various Counties, and many philanthropic individuals have exerted their best endeavours to carry this Act into execution; but it is to be lamented, that crimes have been by no means diminished. The fact is, that the System is erroneous—Responsibility is no where established.—No uniformity of System prevails, and no general superintendance or center point exists.—Like the Poor Laws, the only part of the Act which is rigidly carried into execution is raising a fund, which, without imputing blame to Magistrates (for the error is in the System), has increased the expence of this branch of the Police of the Country very far beyond what could have been conceived—and it now becomes a heavy burden upon many of the Counties.—The reform began at the wrong end.—The same expence applied in establishing a System of Preventive Police, ought to render numerous penitentiary houses in a great measure unnecessary.

142

In 1785,	George Moore, Esq. received for transporting convicts	£.1,512	7	6
	John Kirby for expences	540	19	4
1786,	John Kirby; further expences	578	10	1
	Anthony Calvert for Transportation	286	14	0
	Thomas Cotton, Esq. Cloathing, &c.	303	2	7
		D£.3,721	13	6

D See Appendix (L. i.) to the 28th Report of Select Committee on Finance.

143 A malignant fever, at one period, carried off a vast number, in spite of every effort to prevent it.

144 See page 98 of this volume, for an Account of the Convicts enlarged the preceding eight years,

in all	1383
To be discharged as above	995
Total	2378

145 This expence, by an account laid before the House of Commons, for one Year, ending the 15th Feb. 1792, appears to be—

Expence of Chaplain, Coroner, and Bounties for Convicts at Woolwich	£.221	17	4
At Langston and Portsmouth Harbours	153	19	8
Total	£.375	17	0

146 See 28th Report of Finance Committee, page 17.

147 See the Examination of the Author before the Select Committee of the House of Commons.

148 Norfolk Island is a small fertile spot, containing about 14,000 acres of land, situated about 1200 miles distant from Sydney Cove in New South Wales, where the seat of Government is fixed.

149 In 21 months after the arrival of the first Convicts in May 1788, there were 77 deaths and 87 births in the whole Settlement.

150 An account of the Live Stock in the possession of, and Land in cultivation by, Government, and the Officers civil and military, 1st September 1796, extracted from page 123, of the above Report of the Select Committee on Finance.

	Government.	Civil and Military Officers.	Settlers.	Total.
Mares and Horses	14	43	0	57
Cows and Cow Calves	67	34	0	101
Bulls and Bull Calves	37	37	0	74
Oxen	46	6	0	52
Sheep	191	1310	30	1531
Goats	111	1176	140	1427
Hogs	59	889	921	1869
	525	3495	1091	E5111

Land in cultivation, viz:—	Acres.
Government	1700
Civil and Military Officers	1172
Settlers	2547
	5419

The above 1700 acres were unemployed in 1796, on account of the want of public labourers, and the many buildings required—about 4-5th parts of the 1172 acres were sown with wheat—much timber cut, but not burnt off, on the 2547 acres belonging to the settlers.

E In addition to the above Stock 61 head of Cattle were discovered in the year 1795, about 50 miles S.W. of the town of Sydney, which must have been produced from three Cows which strayed from the Settlement in 1788. This proves that at least one of the Cows at the time must have been big with a Bull Calf, and also gives the data for calculating the rate of the increase.

151

Expence of maintaining about 9000 Convicts in the Hulks, from January 1, 1795, to January 1, 1798	£.623,022
Expence of Transporting Convicts in 1785 and 1786	3,722
Expence of Transporting and Maintaining Convicts from 1786 to 1797, New South Wales	1,037,230
Total	£.1,663,974

152 All these articles taken into the account, the originally-intended Penitentiary Houses on the late Mr. Blackburne’s plan, would not have cost so little as £.200 per man:—for 1000 Prisoners, £.200,000: exclusive of the whole annual expence of maintenance, &c. to an unliquidated amount.

153 At the close of the Session in June 1798, the House of Commons voted 36000l. to Mr. Bentham, toward the expence of carrying his plan into execution. See the Appropriation Act, 39 Geo. III. c. 114.

154 The following are the names of the Aldermen at present in the Magistracy of the City; arranged according to their Seniority.

1761	Right Hon. Thos. Harley,	Bridge Ward Without
72	Sir Watkin Lewis, Knt.	Lime-street
72	Sir William Plomer, Knt.	Bassishaw
74	Nathaniel Newnham, Esq.	Vintry
82	John Boydell, Esq.	Cheap
84	Paul Le Mesurier, Esq.	Dowgate
84	Brock Watson, Esq.	Cordwainers
85	Thomas Skinner, Esq.	Queenhithe
85	William Curtis, Esq.	Tower
86	William Newnham, Esq.	Farringdon Within
86	G.M. Macauley, Esq.	Coleman-street
89	J.W. Andersen, Esq.	Aldersgate-street
90	Harvey C. Combe, Esq.	Aldgate
90	Sir Richard Carr Glyn, Knt.	Bishopsgate-street
93	William Staines, Esq.	Cripplegate
95	Sir John Eamer, Knt.	Langborne
96	Sir William Herne, Knt.	Castle-Baynard
96	Robert Williams, Esq.	Cornhill
97	Charles Hamerton, Esq.	Bread-street
98	Charles Price, Esq.	Farringdon Without
98	Peter Perchard, Esq.	Candlewick
98	Thomas Cadell, Esq.	Walbrook
98	George Hibbert, Esq.	Bridge Within
98	James Shaw, Esq.	Portsoken
98	John Perring, Esq.	Broad-street
99	William Leighton, Esq.	Billingsgate

Sir John William Rose, Knt. Recorder of London, a Magistrate, holding rank above the Aldermen who have not served the office of Lord Mayor.—He assists at the General and Quarter Sessions of the Peace, and in the principal affairs of the City; but does not sit in rotation.

Richard Clark, Esq. Chamberlain, acting judicially with respect to Apprentices.
Mr. Newman, Clerk to the Lord-Mayor, or Sitting Alderman at the Mansion-house.
Mr. Whittle, Clerk to the sitting Alderman at Guildhall.

155 The following are the Public Offices in the Metropolis; (exclusive of the City of London;) and the respective Magistrates who preside, and the Clerks who officiate at each.

Westminster.	Bow-street, Covent Garden.	Sir William Addington, Knt. Nicholas Bond, Esq. Richard Ford, Esq.	Magistrates.
		Mess. Lavender and Davies,	Clerks.
	The following seven Public Offices were established by the Act 32 Geo. III. cap. 53. and continued for 5 years by 36 Geo. III. cap. 75.
	Queen’s Square, St. Margaret’s Westminster.	Cranley Thomas Kerby, Esq. Henry James Pye, Esq. Patrick Colquhoun, Esq.	Magistrates.
		Mess. Arthur Gliddon and J. Jones,	Clerks.
	Great Marlborough-street, Oxford Road.	Nathaniel Conant, Esq. John Scott, Esq. Phillip Neave, Esq.	Magistrates.
		Mess. H.P. Butler and J. Thornton,	Clerks.
Middlesex.	Hatton Garden Holborn.	William Bleamire, Esq. Aaron Graham, Esq. Robert Baker, Esq.	Magistrates.
		Mess. A. Todd and W. Upton,	Clerks.
	Worship-street, Finsbury-Squ.	John Floud, Esq. William Brodie, Esq. John Nares, Esq.	Magistrates.
		Mess. Chas. Lush and J. Chalmers,	Clerks.
	Lambeth-street, Whitechapel.	Rice Davies, Esq. Henry Reynett, D.D. Daniel Williams, Esq.	Magistrates.
		Mess. John Smith and J. Bailey,	Clerks.
	High-street, Shadwell.	George Storie, Esq. John Staples, Esq. Rupert Clarke, Esq.	Magistrates.
		Mess. J. Rowswell and G. Skeen,	Clerks.
Surrey.	Union-street, Southwark.	Gideon Fournier, Esq. Benjamin Robinson, Esq. Richard Carpenter Smith, Esq.	Magistrates.
		Mess. D. Campbell and J.A. Jallicoe,	Clerks.
Marine Police, Wapping New Stairs.		P. Colquhoun, Esq. superintending Magistrate, gratis John Harriot, Esq. Resident Magistrate Henry Lang, Esq. Chief Clerk William Brooke, Cashier Three Junior Clerks, and Ten Surveyors, &c.

N.B. The whole Fees and Penalties taken and received at the seven Offices, established by 32 Geo. III. cap. 53. are paid into the Receiver on account of the Public, and the whole expences of the Establishments are defrayed from the funds placed in his hands for that purpose.

156 The Marine Police Magistrates, on account of the extent of the Establishment, and the number of River Officers under their Control, never leave the Office from the time that business commences in the morning until a late hour in the evening.

157 See Tract on Public Houses, by the Author of this Treatise.

158 The Magistrates at the Marine Police confine their attention almost wholly to the cognizance of offences, either committed on the River, or connected with Maritime Affairs, and his Majesty’s Stores in the Public Arsenals.

159 It is by no means to be understood, that this deficiency arose from any want of real attention or public spirit on the part of the respectable individuals who framed and promoted this act. It was perhaps as much as could reasonably be expected at the time, until the public mind could be more fully informed. It was by the operation of this act, that a correct view of the improvements necessary to complete the System, were to be obtained. This first step was, therefore, of great importance; and it is but justice to state, that to the Authors of this Act the Public will be indebted for every subsequent arrangement, which may be adopted for perfecting the Police of the Metropolis.

160 The Author having had occasion to represent to a late Chief Magistrate, of great talents and respectability, the enormous evil arising from base coin:—He very judiciously observed, that to do any good in protecting the Public against this species of offence, it would require the mind of a Magistrate to be given up to that object alone. This pointed and accurate remark is sufficient to elucidate, in an eminent degree, the necessity of Magistrates with salaries, in all large Communities.

161 The Select Committee of the House of Commons on Finance, in their 28th Report (already repeatedly quoted), appear to be very strongly impressed with the necessity of Police Magistrates, and a Concurrent Jurisdiction for the City of London.—They express themselves in the following words: “It is further to be stated, that a considerable defect is felt in the Police of the Metropolis, from the limited jurisdiction of the present Magistrates in every part of it, and from the want of an Institution similar to that of the Police Offices to be established in the City of London, as was originally intended and proposed: that the delay which necessarily takes place in obtaining the sanction of the local Magistracy in either case, to the warrants of those presiding in other districts, operates in all cases to the advantage of offenders against the Laws, and to the obstruction of Public Justice: add to which, that the numerous and important avocations, both public and private, of the truly respectable Magistracy of the City, is too often inconsistent with that constant and unremitting attention which the due preservation of the Police of the Metropolis requires. That it would be unfortunate indeed if any local jealousy founded upon no just grounds, though entertained by honourable minds, should continue to deprive even the Inhabitants of the City itself, as well as those of the rest of the Metropolis, of that security which a more permanent attendance, and a perfect intercommunity of Jurisdiction in Criminal matters between the Magistrates of every part of the Metropolis, and of the five adjoining Counties, could not fail to produce.”—See p. 13, 28th Report, 26th of June, 1798.

162 If this were the case, neither the Bank, nor the avenues to every part of Cheapside, &c.F would be beset with gangs of rogues and sharpers, both men and women, who support themselves principally by the resource which the vast amount of moving property, in money and portable goods, affords them, in this part of the Metropolis; where, it appears, capital offenders are rarely detected; since, at the Old Bailey, those convicted in the course of a year, from the City and County, run in the proportion of about 1-7th part for London, and 6-7th parts for Middlesex.G

F See p. 106.

G Vide Table, p. 429.

163 In the measures finally proposed by the Finance Committee, in the 9th Article (page 30), they recommend it to Parliament, “That two additional Offices of Police should be established in the City, consisting each of three Magistrates, to sit at the Mansion-house, and at Guildhall, for the purpose of assisting the Lord-Mayor and the Court of Aldermen: such Magistrates to be named by the Lord-Mayor and Court of Aldermen; and paid out of the General Funds arising from the proposed regulations; to sit permanently, as at the other Offices, with Commissions from the Crown, extending over the whole Metropolis, and the counties of Middlesex, Kent, Essex, and Surry.”

164 A Police Magistrate has nothing to do with the politics of the Country; and he is incapable, and unworthy of the trust reposed in him, if he permits any bias, or influence, but that which is immediately connected with a correct and chaste execution of the Laws, to take hold of his mind.—It is only by this line of conduct, that he can either render himself useful or respectable.

165 In the month of October, 1793, a respectable Committee, representing the great body of the Manufacturers in Spitalfields, waited on His Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, with an Address of Thanks for the Establishment of the Police System; the substance of which is as follows:
“That it is the opinion of this Society, that great benefits have arisen, with regard to the security of property, from the correct and regular manner in which the judicial business has been conducted by the Magistrates of Police; in consequence of whose vigilance and attention, an effectual check has been given to a System of depredation which heretofore occasioned a loss of many thousands per annum to the Silk Manufacturers:”—And it was Resolved,—“That the Thanks of this Society are due to the Right Honourable Henry Dundas, one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State; and also to Mr. Burton, and the other Members of Parliament, who proposed and supported the Police System, for the share they had in the establishment of a judicial Tribunal, which has been found to extend, to the Silk Manufacturers, many advantages in a just and proper execution of the Laws which were not heretofore experienced.”

166 Vide page 63 & seq. of this Volume.

167 In mentioning what regards the protection of the Metropolis, with the inefficiency of the existing Civil Force in Constables, it is impossible to overlook those eminent advantages which have arisen from the excellent institutions of the Honourable Artillery Company, the Light Horse Volunteers, and the other associated Corps, who have so nobly stood forth in the hour of danger to support the deficient Police of the Country.
To these Patriotic individuals, the inhabitants of the Metropolis are under infinite obligations.
Regardless of their own ease, convenience, interest, or personal safety, the members of these public-spirited associations have ever stood forward in the hour of tumult and disorder gratuitously, and at their own expence, for the protection of their Fellow-citizens, and for the preservation of the Public peace.
The assistance they have, on every occasion, afforded the civil power, and the sacrifices of valuable time which they have made, at the risk of health, and under circumstances where they were compelled to forego that ease and comfort, which, in many instances, from their opulence and rank in life, are attached to their particular situations—it is to be hoped will never be forgotten by a grateful Public.

168 See Appendix to the 28th Report of the Committee.

169 It is not proposed in the Bill, now in preparation, hereafter stated, to introduce any thing respecting the City of London, unless the consent of the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Council, shall be previously obtained.

170 The Trades alluded to are these following,—vide Appendix (C) 28th Report of Select Committee of the House of Commons on Finance, page 45, 46, and 47.

New Revenues.
1. Wholesale and Retail Dealers in old Naval Stores, Hand-stuff, and Rags.
2. Dealers in second-hand wearing Apparel, Stationary and Itinerant.
3. Dealers in old Iron and other Metals, &c.
4. Founders and others using Crucibles.
5. Persons using Draught and Truck Carts for conveying Stores, Rags, and Metals.
6. Persons Licenced to slaughter horses.
7. Persons keeping Livery Stables, and letting Horses for hire.
8. Auctioneers, who hold periodical or diurnal Sales.

Existing Revenues proposed to be transferred with a view to a more effectual control, and to an improved Finance.

9. Hackney Coaches and Chairs.
10. Hawkers and Pedlars.
11. Pawn Brokers.
12. Dealers in Horses.

N.B. The new Revenues are Estimated to yield	£.64,000
The increase of the existing Revenues is stated at	19,467
	£.83,467

171 The amount of the general expence of the Criminal Police of the Kingdom as stated by the Committee on Finance in their 28th Report is as follows:

1st. The annual average of the total expence of the Seven Public Offices in the Metropolis, from the institution in August 1792 to the end of the year 1797, being a period of 5½ years				£.18,281	18	6
2d. The total expence of the Office at Bow-street, in the year 1797, including remunerations to the Magistrates in lieu of fees, perquisites, and special services, and the expence of the patrole of 68 persons				7,901	7	7
Total expence for the Metropolis				26,183	6	1
3d. The money paid to the several Sheriffs for the conviction of Felons in 1797				9,650	0	0
4th. The expence of maintaining Convicts on board the Hulks, (exclusive of 415 under Sentence of Transportation in the different gaols), amounted in 1797 to	£.32,080	0	0
5th. The expences incurred in the employment of Convicts by the Navy and Ordnance Boards, probably amounting to not less than from 10l. to 20l. per Man per annum, were by computation	1,498	14	10¼
6th. The annual average of cloathing, victualling, and transporting Convicts, and of the Civil, Military, and Marine Departments of New South Wales, and Norfolk Island, from 1786 to 1797	86,457	12	11½
				120,036	7	9¾
				155,869	13	10¾
To which add the farther sums annually charged on the County Rates, or incurred in places having peculiar Jurisdiction in England	50,000	0	0
Borne by the Sheriffs in England	10,000	0	0	60,000	0	0
Total for all England				215,869	13	10¾

172 It is presumed, that the distinction of Select Magistrates, joined to the patronage arising from the appointment of inferior Officers of Police in the respective Districts of the Country, (as Surveyors and Collectors of Licence Duties), would be considered as a sufficient inducement to men of Property, talents, and respectability, to undertake this very honourable Trust: to which it may reasonably be hoped, that many would be stimulated, in a particular degree, by the impulses of patriotism, and a desire to introduce a correct and improved System of Police in their respective Districts.

173 Nothing can exceed the pains and labour which have been bestowed in settling the description of the persons, proposed to be licenced, with a view to an accurate system of Legislation. A regard to this accuracy made it necessary to abandon classes recommended by the proposer to the Select Committee; because on attempting to frame a Bill, it was found impracticable in one case, and impolitic in another, to apply Legislative rules that would not either be defeated or invade the privileges of innocence.H

H Persons keeping Crucibles, and Auctioneers.

174 If Twine Spinners and Rope Spinners of a certain class could be brought under similar regulations, it would prove extremely beneficial, inasmuch as the small Manufacturers in this line are known to give considerable facilities to the Stealers of Hemp on the River Thames.—A number of small Rope and Twine Manufacturers have undersold the fair trader, by working up Stolen Hemp, purchased at half price; and it is but too evident from discoveries which have recently been made, that this evil has gone to a very great extent, and that considerable benefits would be derived to the Public, by placing Twine and White Rope Spinners under the control of the Police, at least within the proposed District of the Metropolis.

175 See the Chapter on the subject of Base Coin, in this Treatise; and the remedies ultimately proposed for suppressing this enormous evil.—The Author has great satisfaction in stating that a Bill is now nearly prepared, grounded chiefly on his suggestions, for improving the Coinage Laws; and that sanguine hopes are entertained of its passing during the present Session of Parliament.—The proposition now made of bringing this feature of Police, so far as relates to Presses, and other Machinery, under the inspection of the proposed Central Board, will certainly have a powerful effect in deterring evil-minded persons from following the Trade of Coiners of Base Money, or Engravers and Stampers of forged Bank Notes.—In this kind of Control, the Police Revenue Board would have an advantage arising from the nature of the System, which may be considered as invaluable in a national point of view, since no part of the Country, however remote, could be said to be out of their reach, as Officers, under their immediate direction, would be found every where.

176 From an estimate which has been made, the three Classes mentioned in division IV. might be made to produce above 100,000l. for Police purposes, in addition to what is received at present from Pawnbrokers, and Horse Dealers.—The chief part would arise from the transfer of Horses.

177 The most œconomical mode would, apparently, be to consolidate in one person the office of Constable and Collector of the Licence Duties in the respective Districts; having it understood that the poundage received on the money paid to the Board, should not only be considered as a remuneration for the Collection, but also as a reward for occasional Services in the general Police Department.—By such an arrangement, a chain of Select and reputable Officers may be established all over the Country, without being felt as a burden of any kind on the Community; while those Services under the general arrangements of the Board, could not fail to be productive of infinite benefits in the well-ordering of Society.

178 The Registers of our Courts of Record, and other well-attested accounts, have developed scenes of unfeeling Cruelty and Rapacity, in cases of Shipwrecks, which would have disgraced the rudest and most ferocious Savages, and would lead a Stranger to suppose that we have no Laws for the prevention of such outrages.

179 Nothing can be offered as a more irrefragable proof of the utility of a Police Institution, such as has been recommended by the Select Committee on Finance, than the effect of the Marine Police Establishment upon the River Thames; where, in spite of a crippled System, and deficient Laws, the energy of the superintendence, and the strength of the Civil force, has, at a very trifling expence, applied with strict œconomy, worked such a change in the Port of London, both with respect to the security of commercial property, and the Revenue, as would scarcely have been conceived possible. For an Account of this System, see the 8th Chapter of this Work: but for a more enlarged and comprehensive view of the nature and effect of the design, recourse must be had to the Author’s Treatise on the Commerce and Police of the River Thames, &c. now in the press; in which the whole plan is developed, together with the Legislative System necessary to give permanent effect to the design.

180 See the 28th Report of the Select Committee, page 4.

181 London Workhouse is a large building, which might, with great advantage, be turned into a house of industry, or Penitentiary House for Petty offenders, for which purpose it was used in ancient times. Although it is said to be sufficient to lodge about 500 people, it is now used only as an asylum for a few old persons; and is a sinecure for the Keepers and Officers, who live comfortably as the servants of the Community without doing any good. This house is amply endowed by a power of levying contributions on all the parishes for its support.

182 But particularly that branch of it, which relates to the management of the Poor, than which nothing in a greater degree requires immediate improvement; since it is unquestionably true, and has, indeed, been already shewn, that from this source incalculable evils have arisen, which must proportionately increase, until some effectual remedy is applied.—See Chapter 13th, where a remedy is proposed.

183 See for some further particulars the 27th Report of the Finance Committee.

184 The following authentic table, divided into four Classes, will shew in forcible colours, the evils which arise from there being no distinction between the amount of the sum to be recovered in one action and another, in settling the costs. In the county of Middlesex, in the year 1793, the actions for recovering debts stood thus:

Classes.		Number of Writs.	of which	Bailable.	Executions.	Costs of Actions undefended at 12l. each. £.	Costs of Actions defended at 50l. each. £.	Net Amount of Debts sued for £.
1	from 10 to 20l.	5,719		4,966	753	68,728	285,950	81,791
2	20 to 30	2,267		1,878	389	21,090	113,350	85,675
3	30 to 100	4,367		2,492	1,875	52,404	238,350	237,358
4	£.100 & upw.	2,324		1,769	555	27,160	116,200	1,010,379
		14,677		11,105	3,572	169,382	753,850	1,385,203

Thus it appears, that upwards of one million of money, in the 4th class, is recovered at considerably less than half the expence of 81,791l. in the 1st class.

185 It is to be observed, that the Debtors comprised, in the first three classes mentioned in the foregoing note, page 587, are generally the objects of imprisonment; while the bankrupt-laws relieve the fourth, the insolvency of which class generally produces the distress of the other; who must languish in a gaol and suffer a severe punishment, although it is clear to demonstration, that the Debtor for ninety-nine pounds is equally an object of commiseration as another whose debt amounts to one hundred; and almost in the same degree subject to accident and misfortune.
Under a System so contrary to reason, and so shocking to humanity, too much praise cannot be bestowed on the founders and supporters of the excellent Institution for the relief of honest, industrious persons imprisoned for small debts. The immense number relieved by this benevolent Society, who have appeared upon inquiry not to have brought misfortunes upon themselves by imprudence, is one of the strongest proofs that can be adduced of the imperfection of the laws; which are tacitly acknowledged to be erroneous, in the case of every person who is discharged by the bounty of the Public.

186 No Rules or Orders have yet been published, although nearly six years have elapsed since the passing of this Act. The Public are, therefore, without the means of punishing or controlling Watermen, which is felt as a serious misfortune.

187 See Table in page 215.

188 See page 216.

189 The Publicans in their petition to the House of Commons (1796) estimated their loss at 100,000l. But there is some reason to suppose this was exaggerated.

190 This sum will, no doubt, astonish the Reader at first view; and may even go very far to stagger his belief: but when the vast extent of the trade and commerce of London is considered, the great quantity of money, Bank notes, and stationary or fixed property of a portable nature, as well as moving effects, all which has been estimated, exclusive of horses, cattle, corn, provender, fruit, vegetables, &c. at two hundred millions sterling, (See p. 605.) it will cease to be a matter of surprise, that under an incorrect System of Police and deficient Laws, the depredations are estimated so high. It would have equally attracted attention with a view to an improvement in the Police, and of course have answered the Author’s purpose full as well to have reduced the estimate to one half the present sum: but being solicitous to approach as nearly to the truth as possible, he considered himself bound to offer it in its present form, which after being four years under the view of the Public, not only stands unimpeached; but altho’ the Author himself, after the additional experience he has acquired, has attempted a new modification; and although the River Plunder is greatly reduced, the aggregate remains nearly as before.

191 See pages 345, 346, and 347.

192 See page 348.

193 See page 338.

194 See page 349.

195 See pages 33, and 34.

196 See pages 333 to 345.

197 It is calculated that there are seldom less than Ten Thousand Servants of both Sexes, at all times out of place in the Metropolis. This shews, in strong colours, the importance of the regulations which are proposed.

198 See page 150.

199 Said to be above Two Thousand pounds a year.

200 See page 151 to 170.

201 See pages 319 to 323, Chap. 11th.

202 See pages 351 to 380.

203 33 Henry VIII. cap. 1. and 30 Geo. II. cap. 24.

204 The floating Public Property is estimated, including Ships of War, Naval, Victualing, Ordnance and Military Stores, in time of War at upwards of Forty Millions sterling.

205 See Chapters III. and IV.

206 See Chapter VI. page 430, where it is stated, that in 25 years about 15,000 Convicts have cost the Nation no less than 1,663,974l.

207 See pages 105 and 539 in this Work.

208 See pages 84, 5.

209 See pages 428 and 429.

210 See pages 584 to 590.

Index: Under the entry “Prisoners, Discharged from 1792 to 1799, from the Hulks, ditto,” the figure “11,183” should be “1,383.”

Index: Under the entry “River Plunder,” there is no page reference in the original after “Various classes of River Plunderers.”

Index: Under the entry “Watchmen, How appointed and paid,” the reference to “411, n.” is out of order in the original.

173: The blank space in the original after “abandon” probably should be “two.”

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