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

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

[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.

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.

[151]

[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.

[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.

[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]

[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.

[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:

[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]

[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:

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.