sistants makeing default in not appearing | the night, to the Constable of the night at the Watchhouse, and enter them in a book there. This Patrole to be on duty all the night. at the houses and places appointed, shall forfeit and pay for every time soe offending without just cause or lawful lett twelve-pence; and that they nor any of them shall at any time determine any thing without the consent of the Dean of Westminster, or the High Steward or his Deputy Steward, or the Town Clerk, according to the Statute in that case provided. No. V. AMENDMENTS proposed to the Act 14 The new Act to extend to all Parishes and Liberties within a circle of miles from the Royal Exchange, according to the particular description and name of each. The powers of all former Parochial and District Acts relating to the Watch and Lighting to be repealed, as far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. That an Assessment be allowed to the amount of one shilling in the pound for the Watch only, and sixpence in the pound for Lighting. That the powers of rating, paying the Watchmen, and appointing the Trustees, be continued as in 14 Geo. 3, c. 90. That a sufficient number of Watchmen be appointed in each Parish or District, and that the Trustees do appoint such persons as are competent for the situation. That the night be divided into two watches, and the Watchmen relieved once every night. That the Watch be set every night at the Watchhouse by the Beadle and Constable of the night. That the hours of watching be fixed from an hour not later than eight to seven during the months of November, December, January and February, from an hour not later than nine to six in March, April, September and October, and from an hour not later than nine to five in May, June, July and August. That the Watchmen have regular beats assigned to them, and power to act in adjoining Parishes so as to protect the frontiers of each. That a Patrole of one or more persons be appointed to perambulate the Parish, or part of the Parish assigned to them, to superintend the Watchmen, inspect the Alehouses and state of the Lamps, and report these, and all other occurrences of The Patrole and Watchmen to be armed. That a copy of the entries in the books at the Watchhouse be sent to the Police Magistrates of the District every morning, and another copy laid before the Trustees of the Parish at their meeting. That the Parishes to be comprized in the Act be divided into Eight Districts, and that a district be assigned to each Police Office, including the Thames Police Office. That the Magistrates be empowered to hear any complaint against the Watchmen for misconduct or incapacity, and discharge them either from their own view, or on such complaint; and certify the same to the Trustees of the Parish, who are to find other competent persons. That a Constable of the Parish or Precinct do attend every night at the Watchhouse, to receive, and take charge of all persons brought in there, and also receive the Report of the Patroles, and transmit them to the Magistrates the next morning, and also to the Trustees: one-half only of the Constables to go out of office every year. That there be appointed two Assistant High Constables in each Parish, to superintend and visit the Watchhouses occasionally, and see that the Constables do their duty. These Assistants to be paid out of the Parish Rates. No. VIII. REPORT (in 1772) from a Committee of the House of Commons, appointed to enquire into the seve. ral Burglaries and Robberies committed in London and Westminster. The COMMITTEE appointed to enquire into the several Burglaries and Robberies that of late have been committed in and about the Cities of London and Westminster, and to consider of more effectual methods to prevent the same for the future; and to report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House, have, pursuant to the order of the House, enquired accordingly; and Sir John Fielding, knight, being asked what number of houses have been broke open in and about the Cities of London and Westminster, and whether it is a grow. ing evil? said, that all robberies with the ral persons in Duke's Place with plate, and has offered a reward of five guineas for apprehending one person in the same place. Being asked, what he thought of the present method of watching the town? he said, the watch is insufficient, their duty too hard, and pay too small; that he has known serjeants in the Guards employed as watchmen, that the watchmen are paid 8 per night in Saint Margaret's Parish, and a gratuity of two guineas a year, out of which they find their own candle; that as they are paid monthly, they borrow their money of an usurer once a week; that in other parishes the watch are paid from 10d. to 1s. per night; that the watch in Westminster is in every parish under the direction of a separate commission, composed of persons who have served the offices of Churchwarden and Overseer; that Commissioners of the respective parishes appoint the beats of their Watchmen, without conferring together, which leaves the frontiers of each parish in a confused state, for that where one side of a street lies in one parish, and the other side in another parish, the watchman of one side cannot lend any assistance to persons on the other side, other than as a private person, except in cases of felony. circumstances attending them, and particulars of goods stolen, are registered at his office, and from that register informations are grounded, and offenders are detected several years after the offences are committed; and he delivered in lists of houses broke, with computations of the goods stolen, from Michaelmas 1766 to 14th March 1770, in half-yearly periods; by which it appeared, that from Michaelmas 1766 to Lady-day 1767, 13 houses had been broke open, and goods stolen to the value of 2891.; from Lady-day 1767 to Michaelmas 1767, 36 houses, value 6271.; from Michaelmas 1767 to Lady-day 1768, 52. houses, valued 5691.; from Lady-day 1768 to Michaelmas 1768, 48 houses, value 1,3324.; from Michaelmas 1768 to Lady-day 1769, 35 houses, value 1,4481. 15s.; from Lady-day 1769 to Michaelmas 1769, 63 houses, value 1,6161. 64d.; from Michaelmas 1769 to 14th March 1770, 104 houses, value 4,2417. He further informed the Committee, that it is supposed the last 104 houses were broke open by a number of house-breakers, not exceeding twenty, and few of them more than 20 years of age, 16 or 17 of whom are in custody, with little probability of their being convicted. That the evil increases amazingly, and never was at so great a height as since last Michaelmas. Being asked, what is the cause of this increase of housebreaking? he said, that felons formerly carried their goods to pawnbrokers, but by the present method of quick notice to pawnbrokers, silversmiths and others, that plan is defeated; and the housebreakers now go to Jews, who melt the plate immediately, and destroy other things that might be evidence, which in burglary can be nothing but the goods, though in other cases the person may be sworn to; that they disguise jewels by knocking them Being asked the reason for changing out of the sockets, so that they cannot be the Constables from being parochial to be sworn to; that the present gang of house-Constables for the whole City and Liberbreakers are sons of unfortunate people, and of no trade; that they began when boys as pickpockets, but turned housebreakers when they grew up, in order to procure a greater income to supply their increased expences. And he informed the Committee, that for twenty years a footpad has not escaped; that highwaymen cannot escape, upon account of the early information given to the aforesaid office, and the great number of prosecutors who always appear against them, which he thinks must in time put an end to that evil. He then said he had detected seve(VOL. XXII.)-Appendix. James Sayer, Esq. Deputy High Steward of Westminster, confirmed the above evidence, and added, that St. Margaret's Parish has a Select Vestry, the majority of which is composed of tradesmen; that they will pay no more than 8d. a night to their Watchmen, and have no way of punishing them for neglect of duty than by dismissing them, which in fact is not a punishment, for they find it difficult to get men to serve in that office; and he further said, that their number is not sufficient. ty, he said, That before 29th Geo. 2, Constables were parochial; that he appre, hended the reason for the change was, that a Constable could not execute any official act out of his parish without being specially authorised so to do; he mentioned an instance of a Constable's being killed when he was serving a warrant out of his parish, that the person who killed him was tried and found guilty of manslaughter only, though he would have been guilty of murder if it had happened in the parish to which the Constable belonged. (G) Sir John Fielding being asked, what remedies he could suggest, to prevent the above evils, he produced two papers, relating to Constables, Watchmen and other Officers; which were read to and confirmed by him; and are as follow; viz. Watchmen too old-should be from 25 to 50-their beats too extensive-should not exceed twenty houses, one each side of the way-Watchmen too few-the sum raised for the watch too little, being only four-pence in the pound-should be sixpence. Ward Officers to be chosen out of those inhabitants that have served the office of Constable, and to have a good salary. One half of the Constables to be discharged within the year, so that one half remaining two years, will be able to instruct the new Officers, and the whole duty will be done well. If the new provisions for the Watch can be established by the Commissioners remaining where they are, it will save trouble, for then the money may be raised by them as it now is, and every parish may pay and cloath their own Watchmen, so that the appointment, distribution, direction, wages, number and punishment of the Watch may be in the Magistrates by a new commission, and the paying and cloathing be in the present Commissioners. The words "a Constable of the City and Liberty of Westminster," to be placed over the Constables doors; the words, "Ward Officers" over the Ward Officers doors. Beadles by name to be discharged, and the necessary part of the duty they now do, to be performed by the Ward Officers. That it would be right to confine the intended improvement and Constables to Westminster only, as the Watch in the adjoining parishes of Middlesex remain on the same footing as is originally settled by the Statute of Winchester. SECOND PAPER. 1. The Watch of Westminster is extremely defective-the number ought to be increased, their pay augmented, and the whole direction of them put under one commission, and that commission should be Magistrates of the City and Liberty of Westminster-the Watch should be attended by Ward Officers, and relieved in the night, a whole night's duty being too hard. 2. The Round-houses should be capacious-no liquor should be sold in thempublicans should be punished for permitting Watchmen to tipple during their duty, and Watchmen should be particularly rewarded for diligence, and pu nished for neglect by the Civil Power. 3. High Constables should not quit their office at the end of three yearsConstables should be increased-half the number only discharged annually-the Constable of the Night should be considered for his attendance on that duty and punished for neglect. 4. The power of raising money at present for the Watch is too confined, it should be enlarged, raised by the present commissioners-the Watchmen paid by them, but their number, direction and appointment, be by the new Commission of Magistrates. 5. Receivers of stolen goods, especially of those taken by burglary or highway robbery, should be made principals, with a power of mitigation in the Judge. James Sayer, esq. being again examined, approved of Sir John Fielding's plan, and added that the Beadles are an unnecessary set of men, advanced in years, and servants to the Churchwardens and Overseers-are forty in number over the whole City and Liberty-they have an allowance of 201. per annum a piece, which they may make up 30-that he apprehends if the number was increased to sixty, and the City and Liberty divided into so many Divisions, a Beadle to each Division, and the object of their duty to take up vagrants, they might be of great service that if the Beadle was to have two shillings for every Vagrant he took up, and four shillings was given to any other person who should apprehend one, the one half to be deducted out of the Beadle's salary of that District, where the Vagrant was apprehended, it would have a good effect. Sir John Fielding being again examined, said he thought the name of Beadle should be abolished, and that they should be called Ward Officers. Mr. S. Rainsforth, High Constable of Westminster, being examined, said he had been in office twelve months-that he had visited the different night Watch-bouses in the City and Liberty of Westminster, frequently from twelve to three in the morning-found many of the Peace Officers upon duty, some were not-that there is a general complaint of Peace Officers neglecting their duty, from which neglect it is owing that the Watchmen and Beadles are not present, and this general neglect, he apprehends, is the reason why so many houses are robbed. That he has frequently found seven or eight Watchmen together in an ale-house, he thinks that the High Constable should visit the Round houses in the night time, once a month at least, or oftener if required, and agreed with sir John Fielding as to the number and pay of the Watchmen. James Sayer, Esq. being again examined, said that Constables are appointed under Acts 29 and 31 Geo. 2, which Acts are in many articles defective; that eighty Constables, which is the number limited, are not sufficient; that they are appointed by the Leet Jury, which has been attended with great partialities, for the Leet Jury being composed of the Overseers of the several Parishes of the preceding year, they protect each other from serving the office of Constable; that in general opulent inhabitants are excused, and young tradesmen returned; that if a rich man is now and then returned, he is generally got off by pleading age or infirmities; that deputies are generally hired men, and though they cannot be appointed unless approved of by the Deputy High Steward, yet as it is impossible for him to get a true character of the person nominated, he finds many unfit persons are appointed, who he is informed make a trade of serving the office; for remedy of which he proposed, that the number of Constables should be increased to one hundred and twenty; he thinks the burthen of serving the office of Constable should not lay wholly on the trading inhabitants, as it does by the late Act; that by Common Law every person able and fit is liable to serve; that the fine for not serving the office should be enlarged from 8. to 201. which fine should be distributed among those that do serve; and he added, that twelve being obliged to attend daily during the session of parliament, as long as either House sits, the duty comes round to each individual every sixth day, eight being excepted, who may be sick or kept in reserve; during which attendance the Constables must necessarily neglect their own business. With respect to the High Constable, he said; it is an office of great burthen and trust; that by Law he the witness is obliged to appoint a substantial tradesman to that office; that the person appointed is not to continue in office above three years, and is liable to a penalty of 201. for refusing to serve, which penalty goes to the Poor of the Parish; upon which he observed, that the High Constable should not be a tradesman, because his power enables him to oblige the keepers of public-houses to deal with him, or those with whom be is concerned in his way of trade; that the penalty on persons refusing to serve the office should be increased; that the High Constable should have a reward for his service, and that the Constables of the Night should have a reward also. Mr. Rainsforth, the High Constable of Westminster, being again examined, said he was of Mr. Sayer's opinion. Sir John Fielding being again examined, said that Ballad-singers are a greater nuisance than Beggars, because they give opportunity to Pickpockets, by collecting people together; that the songs they sing are generally immoral and obscene; the people themselves capable of work, and the lowest and most abandoned order of people: for remedy of which, he proposed that all Ballad-singers should be considered as Vagrants, and be made liable to the same punishments, no person being a Vagrant now, but who comes within some one of the descriptions of vagrancy in the Vagrant Act; and the High Constable being again examined, informed the Committee, that he has often had warrants for taking up Ballad-singers; that he has apprehended a great many, notwithstanding which their numbers increase, and they are become a very great nuisance; they have often been dispersed, but still continue the practice. Sir John Fielding being again examined, said, that the City of Westminster is a fran chise under the Dean and Chapter of Westminster; that the Common Gaol thereof is called the Gatehouse, to which offenders of every kind, apprehended within the Liberty of Westminster, have been usually committed for some years back, to the number of 600 or 700 annually; that in this Gaol there is little or no allowance or provision for the Prisoners, but what arises from the charity of Passengers, seldom amounting to more than five or six shillings a week, the greatest part of which is given to the Beggar at the window for the day; that the said Gaol appears, from experience of the Magistrates, to be too small for the number, and too weak for the safe custody of Prisoners; that to this Gaol, persons in execution by the Magistrates of Westminster, and the expence is paid by virtue of their orders on the County Treasurer; that the same thing, if allowed by Parliament for the repair of the proposed new Gaol, will answer the purpose without separateing the Rate. James Sayer, esq. being again examined, concurred with sir John Fielding in every particular. Sir John Fielding being again examined, informed the Committee, that about six or seven years ago, the Magistrates of Westminster had no other Court-house but a place at the bottom of the stairs, leading to the House of Commons, called Hell, to keep their Sessions in; the increase of business, and of offences in Westminster, made it impracticable to carry on the business there. The nuisance was represented by the Magistrates to the Lord Lieutenant, Lord Northumberland, who said he had then applied for redress, and told the Chairman that it could not be taken up by Government then, but would be in future considered; in the meantime, at his own expence, amounting to 8007, he directed the Chairman to prepare a large house in King-street Westminster, which was formerly a Tavern, to be made proper for a Court-house; that the Magistrates for their Sessions, the Burgesses for their Courts, the Lieutenancy for the Mi for debts recovered in the Court of Conscience are committed; and he said he believed this is the only Gaol in England where there is not some provision for poor distressed Prisoners; and he added, that when a Magistrate commits a man to that Gaol for an assault, he does not know but he commits him there to starve; for these reasons, as well upon the principles of humanity as of civil policy, this ought to be remedied; and that on account of the vast increase of inhabitants, property, and number of offenders, there ought to be in Westminster a strong, capacious, and useful Gaol, and there is no such thing at present; that the said Gaol, called the Gatehouse, is a very old building, subject to be repaired by the said Dean and Chapter, who appoint the Gaoler; that the supposed original use of this Gaol was for the purposes of committing Clerks Convict; the Commission of Magistrates of Westminster is not later than Charles the First's reign; they began first to commit offenders to this Gaol, rather by sufferance than by right; and he observed that however proper it may have been for its original purposes, it is unequal to the present occasions, and, as he apprehends, cannot be altered without a Law; and he further informed the Committee, that the Magistrates of Westminster have represented this mischief to the Dean and Chapter, who acknowledge it, are willinglitia, Commissioners of Sewers for the exeto pull it down, and to give a piece of cution of their business, Grand Juries for ground in their Royalty, in Tothill Fields, the Counties of Middlesex, Writs of Ento build a new Gaol upon, and to subject quiries for the Sheriffs, and Meeting of Inthe same, with every thing thereunto be-habitants for nominating their Represenlonging, to the Magistrates of Westminster, under such regulations as the Legislature shall think proper, provided a sum be granted by the public for building the same; and he added, that Estimates have been made, by which it appears that a very effectual Gaol may be built for the sum of 2,500l.; in order therefore to remedy the inconveniences above mentioned, he proposed that such Gaol should be built and kept in repair out of the County Rate, which he said may be done without injury to the County at large, for this reason, that there is but one Rate at present for Middlesex and Westminster, near one-third of which is paid by the latter, since the increase of buildings there; that this proportion is much greater than the expences required by the Act for County Rates would subject Westminster to; and he added, that the Gaol called the House of Correction in Westminster is repaired tatives, should use the said building; for all which purposes it has been constantly, effectually and conveniently used; that it is scarce possible for the above business to be transacted without it, and the establishment of it is as essential to the Civil Power as any thing that has been mentioned; that the purchase of the said building, and fitting it up, cost the Duke of Northum berland near 4,000l. and he added, that this building also might be kept in repair by the County Rate, at an average of 30%. or 401. a year. James Sayer esq. confirmed the aforegoing Evidence: And Sir John Fielding said, he thinks the acting part of the Magistrates in Westmins ter is in as good a state as it ever was, and more free from imputations or neglect of duty; that it would be useful to have some persons of rank and condition in the Commission of the Peace for Westminster, |