[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.

[31]

[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:—

[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!