[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.

[191] See pages 345, 346, and 347.

[192] See page 348.

[193] See page 338.

[194] See page 349.

[195] See pages 33, and 34.

[196] See pages 333 to 345.

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

[198] See page 150.

[199] Said to be above Two Thousand pounds a year.

[200] See page 151 to 170.

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

[202] See pages 351 to 380.

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

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

[205] See Chapters III. and IV.

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

[207] See pages 105 and 539 in this Work.

[208] See pages 84, 5.

[209] See pages 428 and 429.

[210] See pages 584 to 590.