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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[Printed by H. Baldwin and Son, New Bridge-Street, London.]
Transcriber's Note: The original index resembles a table of contents, with page numbers at the right margin; and for sequential page numbers, only the last digit or two is given, e.g., 504, 5. For clarity in this e-book, the page numbers immediately follow the entries, separated by a comma, and for sequential page numbers the full number is given.
Abstract of the annual Imports into, and Exports from the Port of London (table), 215, 216
—— of Persons committed, and discharged from Prisons in one year, an extraordinary document (table), 430
Account of Pawnbrokers in the Metropolis, and the vast property in their houses belonging to the poor, 110
—— of various descriptions of Cheats, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127
—— of the number of Streets, Lanes, Houses and Families in the Metropolis, 568
—— of the previous Plans and Arrangements of Thieves when a Robbery or Burglary is contemplated, 291
—— of the usual Mode of proceeding to recover stolen property, 383
—— of the Number of Persons engaged in fraudulent Lotteries, 156
—— of the Trials at the Old Bailey in 1790 and 1791, 394, 395
—— of ditto in 1793 and 1795, 446-448
—— of the Officers of Justice in the Metropolis, 397
—— of the Watchmen and Patroles there, 414
—— of the Magistrates there, 398, 399
—— of the Criminal Courts there, 428
—— of the specific Criminals punishable by Law, 437-444
—— of the Convicts in the Hulks, 455
—— of the Names of the City and Police Magistrates, 504, 505
—— of the Churches and other places of Worship in the Metropolis, 568
—— of the Seminaries of Education in the Metropolis, 569, 570
—— of the Societies for promoting Religion and Morality, 570, 571
—— of the Societies for promoting the Arts, 571
—— of the Asylums for the Indigent and Helpless, 572
—— of the Hospitals for the Sick and for Pregnant Women in the Metropolis, 573
—— of the Institutions for Charitable and Humane Purposes, 574, 575
—— of the Charity annually distributed in the Metropolis estimated at £850,000 a year, 357, 358
—— of the Courts for Civil and Criminal Justice in the Metropolis, 577-582
—— of the Prisons in the Metropolis, ibid.
—— of the different Classes of Professional Men connected with the departments of the Law, about 7000 in all, 583
—— of the Number of Writs issued in Middlesex in 1793, with an extraordinary statement of the Expences on small Law-suits, 585, 586, 587
Acquittals, See Prisoners.
Actions at Law for small Debts, 584, 587
Expence enormous beyond all credibility, ibid.
Acts of Parliament referred to in this Work.
| 2 Geo. 3. c. 28. for preventing Frauds by Persons navigating Bum-boats on the River Thames, 237, n., 269 | |
| 31 Elizabeth, c. 4 22 Charles 2d. c. 5 9 & 10 William 3d. c. 41 1 George 1st. stat. 2. c. 25 9 George 1st. c. 8 17 Geo. 2d. c. 40 9 Geo. 3d. c. 35 12 Geo. 3d. c. 24 |
Relative to the Protection of his Majesty's Stores, 261-263 |
| 14 Geo. 3d. c. 90, for regulating the Westminster Watch, &c., 107 | |
| 25 Edward 3d. stat. 5. c. 2 1 Mary, stat. 2. c. 6 1 & 2 P. & M. c. 11 5 Eliz. c. 11 14 Eliz. c. 3 18 Eliz. c. 1 7 William 3d. c. 3 8 & 9 William 3d. c. 26 9 & 10 William 3d. c. 21 7 Anne, c. 24, 25 15 & 16 Geo. 2d. c. 28 11 Geo. 3d. c. 40 37 Geo. 3d. c. 126 38 Geo. 3d. c. 59-67 39 Geo. 3d. c. 75 |
Relative to the Coinage and disposal of Base Money, 192, 193, 194 |
| 33 Henry 8th. c. 1 30 Geo. 2d. c. 24 |
Relative to Cheats and Swindlers, 113, 114 |
| 9 Anne, c. 14 8 Geo. 1st. c. 2 12 Geo. 2d. c. 28 |
Relative to Gaming, 134, 135 |
| 9 Geo. 2d. c. 5. relative to Fortune-tellers being punished by standing four times in the Pillory, 130 | |
| 3 & 4 William 3d. c. 9 1 Anne, c. 9 5 Anne, c. 31 4 Geo. 1st. c. 11 29 Geo. 2d. c. 30 30 Geo. 2d. c. 24 2 Geo. 3d. c. 28 10 Geo. 3d. c. 48 21 Geo. 3d. c. 69 22 Geo. 3d. c. 58 |
Relative to Receivers of Stolen Goods, 298-300 |
| 5 Edw. 3d. c. 14 34 Edw. 3d. c. 1 |
Relative to the Office & power of Constables, 387 |
| 8 Geo. 2d. c. 16. relative to Hue and Cry, 389 | |
| 4 William & Mary, c. 8 6 & 7 William & Mary, c. 17 10 & 11 William 3d. c. 23 5 Anne, c. 31 6 Geo. 1st. c. 23 3 Geo. 2d. c. 16 14 Geo. 2d. c. 6 15 Geo. 2d. c. 34 15 & 16 Geo. 2d. c. 28 16 Geo. 2d. c. 15 3 Geo. 3d. c.15 |
Relative to Rewards for apprehending different classes of offenders, 390-392 |
| 25 Edward 3d. stat. 5. c. 2; 36 Geo. 3d. c. 7, relative to High Treason, 38, 39 | |
| 25 Henry 8th. c. 6. Sodomy made capital, 46 | |
| 18 Eliz. c. 7, Rape made capital, 46, 47 | |
| 3 Henry 7th. c. 2 39 Eliz. c. 9 |
Forcible marriage and Defilement made capital, 48 |
| 6 Henry 4th. c.5 22 & 23 Charles 2d. c.2 |
Mayhem or Maiming made capital, 49 |
| 35 George 3d. c. 67, Polygamy punished by Transportation, ibid. | |
| King Athelstan's Law (anno 956) punished Theft with Death, if above the value of One Shilling, 51 | |
| 9 Henry 1st. punished Theft with Death (anno 1108), 52 | |
|
23 Henry 8th. c. 1 1 Edw. 6th. c. 12 5 & 6 Edw. 6. c. 9 39 Eliz. c.15 3 & 4 William & Mary, c. 9 10 & 11 William 3d. c. 23 12 Anne, stat. 1 c. 7 |
As to Felonies in Dwelling-Houses, 54, 55 |
| 23 Henry 8th. c. 1 43 Eliz. c. 13 22 & 23 Charles 2d. c. 7, 11 1 Geo. 1st. c. 48 4 George 1st. c. 12 9 —— 1st. c. 22 10 —— 2d. c. 32 27 —— 2d. c. 25 9 —— 3d. c. 21 12 —— 3d. c. 24 |
Relative to Arson and Burning Houses, Barns, Corn, Underwood, Ships, &c., 56, 57 |
| 18 Eliz. c. 7 3 & 4 William & Mary, c. 9 12 Anne, stat. 1. c. 7 |
Relative to Burglary, 57 |
| 1 Edw. 6th. c. 12 21 Jac. 1st. c. 6 3 & 4. William & Mary, c. 9 4 & 5 William and Mary, c. 24 5 Anne, c. 6 |
Relative to the Benefit of Clergy, 439 |
| 4 Geo. 13. c. 11; 6 Geo. 1st. c. 23, legalizing Transportation to the Colonies, 436, 437 | |
| The same Statute appropriated the Services of Convicts, 454 | |
| 16 Geo. 3d. first legalized the system of the Hulks, 455 | |
| 16 Geo. 3d. c. 23, legalized Penitentiary Houses in Counties, ibid. | |
| 19 Geo. 3d. c. 74, legalized two National Penitentiary Houses, 456 | |
| 24 Geo. 3d. stat. 2. c. 56, relative to Transportation and the Hulks, 460 | |
| 27 Geo. 3d. c. 2; 30 Geo. 3d. c. 47, relative to New South Wales, 462 | |
| 28 Geo. 3d. c. 24, contracts for Convicts, ibid. | |
| 2 Will. & Mary, c. 8, relative to paving the Metropolis, 592 | |
| 10 Geo. 2d. c. 22 11 Geo. 3d. c. 29 14 Geo. 3d. c. 78 33 Geo. 3d. c. 75 34 Geo. 3d. c. 65—(Watermen), |
Relative to the Police of the City of London, 592-597 |
| 27 Elizabeth 16 Chars. 1st. |
divided the City into Wards | Relative to the Police of London and Westminster, 593, 594 |
| 29 George 2d. c. 25 31 —— 2d. c. 17 2 —— 3d. c. 21 3 —— 3d. c. 23 5 —— 3d. c. 13 & 50 11 —— 3d. c. 22 14 —— 3d. c. 90 |
||
| 28 —— 2d. c. 9 6 —— 3d. c. 24 |
Relative to the Police of Southwark, 594 |
| 6 Henry 6th. c. 5 6 —— 8th. c. 10 23 —— 8th. c. 5 25 —— 8th. c. 10 3 & 4 Edw. 6th. c. 8 1 Mary, stat. 3. c. 11 13 Eliz. c. 9 8 James, c. 14 7 Anne, c. 10 |
Relative to the System of the Sewers, 594, 595 |
| 9 Anne, c. 23 10 —— c. 19 12 —— stat. 1. c. 14 1 Geo. 1st. c. 57 12 —— 1st. c. 2 30 —— 2d. c. 22 4 —— 3d. c. 36 7 —— c. 44 10 —— c. 44 11 —— c. 24, 28 12 —— c. 49 24 —— stat. 2. c. 27 26 —— c. 72 32 —— c. 47 33 —— c. 75 |
Relative to Hackney Coaches and Chairs, 595 |
| 1 Geo. 1st. c. 57 18 —— 2d. c. 38 24 —— 2d. c. 43 30 —— 2d. c. 22 24 —— 3d. c. 27 |
Relative to Carts and other Carriages in the Metropolis, 596 |
| 21 Geo. 3d. c. 57, relative to Bullock-hunting, 597 | |
| 26 Geo. 3d. c. 71, as to Slaughtering Horses, 104, n. | |
Adultery, not in the Criminal Code, 35
Advertising Bill-discounters and Money lenders to be regulated, 118, 119
Alehouses, a great source of Crimes and Nuisances when ill-regulated, 85, 311, &c. 324, &c.
In 5000 Alehouses within the Bills of Mortality upwards of £3,300,000 a year spent in Beer, Spirits, &c., 327
Profligate Characters entrusted with Licences a source of much mischief, 325, 326
Alfred, His Laws relative to Murder, 44
Alton's Liquid Test to detect counterfeit Gold and Silver Coin, 180
Ancestors. Their Laws had an immediate reference to the prevention of Crimes, 3
Anecdotes—Of an American Vessel plundered in the Thames in an extraordinary manner, 219
—— of a Guinea Vessel plundered, ibid.
—— of the plunder and imposition on a Canada Merchant, 229
—— of an Officer of Justice, who discovered an instance of pillage in one of the dock-yards, 283
—— Respecting the Lottery, the astonishing number of persons supported by fraudulent Insurances, 156, n.
—— of the Jews in London, the extraordinary depravity of the lowest orders, 148-150
—— of the different Classes of Cheats, 130
—— of a Robbery in the Drawing-room at St. James's, 127
—— of a Female Money-lender to Barrow Women, ibid.
—— of a Fortune-teller, 129
—— of a Police Officer watching the house of a Receiver of Stolen Goods, 306, n.
—— of a Jew who had committed a Rape, 431, n.
—— of Sir Matthew Hale, 432, n.
—— of the Justices of Chester, a singular circumstance, 52, 53
—— of a respectable Magistrate of the City, 513, n.
—— of Monsieur De Sartine Minister of the Police of Paris, an extraordinary circumstance, 525-530
—— of the Emperor Joseph the Second, 527, 528, 529
Apprentices corrupted by Receivers of Stolen Goods, &c., 12
—— harboured in Public-houses, in Clubs for purposes of lewdness and debauchery, 315, n.
—— Their immoral education, one cause of the origin of Crimes, 314-317
—— Neglect of superior Tradesmen in boarding Apprentices out of their houses, 316, 317, n.
Arrests for Felony, four modes practised, 388
—— deficiency in the Law protecting Lottery vagrants and others from being arrested on Sundays, 390
Arson, punished capitally, 56
Asylums, an establishment recommended for discharged Convicts, 99, 100
—— for the Indigent in the Metropolis, 572
—— for Sick, Lame, and Diseased, 573
Athelstan's Laws relating to Death, 51
Athenian Laws relative to Murder, 43
Auctioneers called diurnal, with Puffers, 117
Bacon, Lord—Suggested a revision of the Criminal Code, 7
Ballad Singers—might, from an Evil, be made an advantage to Society, 348
Bank Notes and Bills received, knowing the same to be stolen—not an offence by any existing Law, 8, 114 n.
Barkers at Auctions, 117
Beadles ought to be rewarded for useful public Services, 415
—— The proper persons to apply to when nuisances are to be removed, 598
Beccaria, Marquis, his opinion of Punishments, 53, n.
—— his maxim relative to Pardons, 449, n.
Beggars, See Poor.
Benefit of Clergy extended to all ranks, 436
Bentham (Jeremy, Esq.) his proposal for a Penitentiary House for Convicts, and remarks thereon, 481-495
Bill Discounters, or Advertising Money-Lenders, 118, 119
Board of Police, See Police.
Bolton, Matthew, Esq. of Birmingham, number of Penny Pieces supplied by him, 186, n.
Botany Bay, See Convicts, New South Wales.
Brokers, in pawns, to be registered, 108, 304
Building Materials, dealers in, to be licenced, 549
Bullock-hunting, the Laws relative to it, 597
Burglary, not so frequent on the Continent as in England, 94
—— by what classes of men committed, 95, 96
—— systematically planned and executed, 101, 103
—— remedies proposed, 104
—— definition of Burglary and how punished, 57
—— called Hamsockne in the North of England, 58