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The SIXTH EDITION, Corrected and considerably Enlarged.
The SIXTH EDITION, Corrected and considerably Enlarged.
Meminerint legum conditores, illas ad proximum hunc finem accommodare; Scelera videlicet arcenda, refrænandaque vitia ac morum pravitatem. Judices pariter leges illas cum vigore, æquitate, integritate, publicæque utilitatis amore curent exequi; ut justitia etvirtus omnes societatis ordines pervadant. Industriaque simul et Temperantia inertiæ locum assumant et prodigalitatis. LONDON: PRINTED BY H. BALDWIN AND SON, NEW BRIDGE-STREET, BLACKFRIARS; FOR JOSEPH MAWMAN, IN THE POULTRY, SUCCESSOR TO MR.
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ADVERTISEMENT.
ADVERTISEMENT.
O CCUPIED in a variety of laborious pursuits, which afford little time either for study or recreation, the Author once more presents this Work to the Public with an unfeigned Diffidence, arising from his consciousness, that under such circumstances it must require their indulgence. This, he trusts, will be granted when it is considered, that his employments are of a nature unfriendly to that critical accuracy and precision, the necessity of which is impressed on his mind, not less by a sense of
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
P OLICE in this Country may be considered as a new Science ; the properties of which consist not in the Judicial Powers which lead to Punishment , and which belong to Magistrates alone; but in the Prevention and Detection of Crimes , and in those other Functions which relate to internal Regulations for the well ordering and comfort of Civil Society. The Police of the Metropolis , in every point of view, is a subject of great importance to be known and understood; since every innocent and useful
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
1. That the Statute-Laws should accurately explain the enormity of the offence forbidden: and that its provisions should be clear and explicit, resulting from a perfect knowledge of the subject; so that, justice may not be defeated in the execution. 2. That the Punishments should be proportioned and adapted, as nearly as possible, to the different degrees of offences; with a proper attention also to the various shades of enormity which may attach to certain crimes. 3. That persons prosecuting, o
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ABSTRACT OF THE CRIMINAL CODE OF THE EMPEROR JOSEPH II.
ABSTRACT OF THE CRIMINAL CODE OF THE EMPEROR JOSEPH II.
Criminal Offences relative to the Sovereign and the State. Criminal Offences against Human Life and Bodily Safety. Criminal Offences against Honour and Liberty. Criminal Offences against Possessions and Rights. Civil Offences that endanger the Life or Health of the Citizen. Civil Offences that affect the Fortunes and Rights of Citizens. Civil Offences that tend to the Corruption of Morals. In contemplating the various component parts of this Code, it is easy to discover that although some featur
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CHAP. III.
CHAP. III.
The causes and progress of small Thefts in London explained and traced to the numerous Receivers of stolen Goods, under the denominations of Dealers in Rags, Old Iron, and other Metals.—The great increase of these Dealers of late years.—Their evil tendency, and the absolute necessity of Regulations, to prevent the extensive Mischiefs arising from the Encouragements they hold out, to persons of every age and description, to become Thieves, by the purchase of whatever is offered for sale.—A Remedy
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CHAP. IV.
CHAP. IV.
General Reflections arising from the perpetration of the higher and more atrocious crimes of Burglary, Highway Robbery, &c.—These crimes more peculiar to England than to Holland and Flanders, &c.—The Reason explained.—A general View of the various classes of Criminals engaged in Robberies and Burglaries and of those discharged from Prison and the Hulks.—Their miserable situation as Outcasts of Society, without the means of Support.—The necessity of some Antidote previous to the r
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CHAP. V.
CHAP. V.
Reasons assigned why forgeries and frauds must prevail in a certain degree, wherever the interchange of property is extensive.—A considerable check already given to the higher class of Forgeries, by shutting out all hopes of Royal Mercy:—Petty Forgeries have however increased:—The Reason assigned.—The qualifications of a Cheat, Swindler, and Gambler explained.—This mischievous class of men extremely numerous in the Metropolis.—The Common and Statute Law applicable to offences of this nature expl
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FRAUDULENT INSURANCES IN THE LOTTERY.
FRAUDULENT INSURANCES IN THE LOTTERY.
This aggregate is only to be considered as shewing the mere interchange of property from one hand to another; yet when it is recollected that the operation must progressively produce a certain loss, with not many exceptions, to all the innocent and unsuspecting adventurers either at Pharo or the Lottery, with an almost uniform gain to the proprietors; the result is shocking to reflect upon.—To individual families in easy circumstances where this unfortunate mania prevails, as well as to the mass
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PLAN I.
PLAN I.
" It is proposed, that the Prizes only should be drawn, and that Seven Hours and a Half per Day should be the time of drawing, instead of Five Hours, by which means a lottery of the same number of tickets now drawn in thirty-five days, would be drawn in seven days and a half; and each adventurer would have exactly the same chance as he has by the present mode of drawing; since it is evidently of no consequence to him whether all the blanks remain in the Number Wheel undrawn, or an equal number o
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PLAN II.
PLAN II.
" The Suggestions as far as they extend and relate to the shortening the duration of the drawing are highly useful, but they fall short of the object, and the Plan, if executed, would nearly prevent the sale of tickets, and totally so that of shares, and consequently abolish Lotteries altogether;—a consummation devoutly to be wished by every friend to the public, but under the pecuniary influences, which perhaps too much affect political considerations, little to be expected. "It will be necessa
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PLAN III.
PLAN III.
" The Evils of a Lottery are many.—The Advantages might, if well regulated, be as numerous. According to the Schemes that have hitherto prevailed the principle has been wrong. Since the bait held out has been the obtaining of an immense fortune, and the risk has been proportionably great—Insurance has reigned unchecked by all penalties and punishments that could be devised to the ruin and misery of thousands. The price of tickets has been fluctuating, and fortunes have been won and lost on the c
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CHAP. VII.
CHAP. VII.
The Frauds arising from the manufacture and circulation of base Money:—The Causes of its enormous increase of late years.—The different kinds of false Coin detailed:—The Process in fabricating each species explained:—The immense Profits arising therefrom:—The extensive Trade in sending base Coin to the Country.—Its universal Circulation in the Metropolis.—The great Grievance arising from it to Brewers, Distillers, Grocers, and Retail Dealers, in particular, as well as the Labouring Poor in gener
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ABSTRACT OF THE IMPORTS INTO, AND THE EXPORTS FROM, THE PORT OF LONDON;
ABSTRACT OF THE IMPORTS INTO, AND THE EXPORTS FROM, THE PORT OF LONDON;
Made up from the Public Accounts for one year, ending the 5th day of January, 1798; but differing with regard to the value, from those accounts; in which the price is estimated on data established many years ago, when the articles of commerce imported and exported were not rated at above half the sum they now fetch, exclusive of duty. It is, therefore, to be understood that the following Estimate of Foreign Articles is made up according to the present value, as nearly as it has been possible to
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RECAPITULATION.
RECAPITULATION.
Let the mind only contemplate this proud view of the Commerce of a Single River, unparalleled in point of extent and magnitude in the whole world; where 13,444 ships and vessels discharge and receive in the course of a year above three Millions of Packages , many of which contain very valuable articles of merchandize, greatly exposed to depredations, not only from the criminal habits of many of the aquatic labourers and others who are employed, but from the temptations to plunder, arising from t
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I. A General Police System.
I. A General Police System.
By the Establishment of a Central Board of Police, on the Plan strongly recommended by the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Finance, in their 28th Report, ordered to be printed in June 1798:—It is there proposed to bring under regulations by licences, all those classes of dealers in old and second-hand ships' stores—old iron and other metals , and several other dangerous and suspicious trades, the uncontrolled exercise of which, by persons of loose conduct, is known to contribute to t
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II. A Local Police for the Dock-yards.
II. A Local Police for the Dock-yards.
Salutary as the Central Board, recommended by the Select Committee on Finance, must certainly be in controlling and checking the Naval plunder, in common with the general delinquency of the whole country, it would seem indispensably necessary, under circumstances where the moving property is so extensive, and where there exists so many resources and temptations leading to the commission of crimes, to fix on some one person the responsi bility of carrying the Laws into effect, and of controlling
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III. Legislative Regulations proposed in aid of the general and local Police System.
III. Legislative Regulations proposed in aid of the general and local Police System.
1st. That persons having possession of New Naval Stores ; or Naval Stores not more than one-third worn , with the King's mark thereon, shall be deemed guilty of receiving goods, knowing them to have been stolen, and on conviction may be transported for 14 years; with power, however, to the Court to reduce it to seven years, or to impose a fine, or punish the offender corporally at its discretion. 2d. Defacing the King's Mark, on any of his Majesty's Stores, to be deemed felony, and punished by t
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IV. Old Stores.
IV. Old Stores.
The mode at present practised in disposing of unserviceable Naval and Victualing Stores by Auction, in the Public Arsenals and Repositories, is productive of infinite evils, independent of the cover which is thereby afforded to many purchasers, of loose conduct, in protecting them, by means of the certificates they obtain against the penalties of the Law, as Receivers of stolen and embezzled goods of the same species and quality; thereby not only defeating the ends of Public Justice, but operati
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V. The Perquisite of Chips.
V. The Perquisite of Chips.
The extensive evils arising from the permission granted to Artificers in the Dock-yards, to convert chips to their own use, and to remove them in bundles from the Dock-yards, having already been noticed, it may only be necessary to add, that on the abolition of this perquisite, which the Author has reason to believe is now in contemplation, a liberal increase of wages should be made to the Artificers in lieu thereof; and that hereafter Chips should not be sold in the Yards by Public Auction, but
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VI. The Abolition of Fees and Perquisites, and an Increase of Salaries.
VI. The Abolition of Fees and Perquisites, and an Increase of Salaries.
The total Abolition of Fees guarded by the severest penalties, is an important object in the preventive System: Until this is effected, it will be in vain to expect purity of conduct. Under this pretext, men of loose principles, in transactions with Government, seldom fail to seduce from the strict line of their duty, avaricious, extravagant, or indigent Officers , whose business it is to check and control the receipt and delivery of property, and to arrange, settle, and adjust Accounts , or to
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VII. An improved Mode of Keeping Accounts.
VII. An improved Mode of Keeping Accounts.
Under an impression, that very few improvements have been introduced, since the establishment of the original System, for keeping the Navy and Victualing Accounts, brought forward by King James II. when Duke of York; while the frauds which have been committed by various devices, prove some imperfections in the mode of accomptantship as now practised, since no means appear to exist, whereby deficiencies can be checked and discovered; it may be worthy of inquiry, whether many of the modern improve
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VIII. An annual Inventory of Stores.
VIII. An annual Inventory of Stores.
Supposing an accurate System of Book-keeping to be adopted, and to be followed as a part of the proposed System of Accuracy, indispensably necessary, by an annual account of Stores ; the advantages resulting from it are not to be estimated by the most sanguine mind. Independent of the benefits which would arise from the general accuracy, which would thus incircle the whole œconomy of the design, discoveries would be made wherever frauds or embezzlements took place, while the labour and expence,
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CHAP. X.
CHAP. X.
Receivers of stolen Goods more mischievous than Thieves;—the latter could not exist without the assistance of the former:—the Suppression therefore of Receivers would restore to Society, and to honest Industry, a great number who at present live by crimes.—The increase of Receivers of stolen Goods to be attributed to the imperfection of the Laws, and to the disjointed state of the Police of the Metropolis.—The number of common Receivers does not exceed sixty; of whom not above ten are persons of
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CHAP. XI.
CHAP. XI.
The prominent Causes of the increase of Crimes reviewed and considered:—Imputable in the first instance to deficient Laws and an ill-regulated Police:—To the unfortunate habits of the lower orders of the People in feeding their families in Ale-houses.—To the bad and immoral Education of Apprentices.—To the number of individuals broke down by misfortunes arising from want of Industry.—To idle and profligate Menial Servants out of place.—To the deplorable state of the lower orders of the Jews of t
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CHAP. XII.
CHAP. XII.
The Consideration of the causes of the progress and increase of Crimes pursued.—The condition of the unhappy Females, who support themselves by Prostitution—Their pitiable Case.—The progress from Innocence to Profligacy explained.—The morals of Youth corrupted by the multitudes of Prostitutes in the streets.—These temptations excite desires which suggest undue means of obtaining money.—Apprentices and Clerks are seduced—Masters are robbed—Parents are afflicted.—The miserable consequences of Pros
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ESTIMATE.
ESTIMATE.
In addition to this, it is highly proper to mention the noble benevolence, which has been displayed by the Opulent of all ranks, but particularly the Merchants, in the very large sums which have been, at various times, subscribed for the relief of the brave men, who have been maimed and wounded, and for the support of the widows, orphans, and relations of those who have meritoriously lost their lives in fighting the battles of their country. Such exalted examples of unbounded munificence the his
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CHAP. XIV.
CHAP. XIV.
The state of the Police, with regard to the detection of different classes of offenders, explained.—The necessity, under the present circumstances, of having recourse to the known Receivers of stolen Goods, for the purpose of discovering Offenders, as well as the property stolen.—The great utility of Officers of Justice as safeguards of the Community.—The advantages to be derived from rendering them respectable in the opinion of the Public. Their powers, by the common and statute law, are extens
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A Summary View of the Prisoners committed, tried, punished, disposed of, and discharged in the Metropolis, in One Year, ending in October, 1795.
A Summary View of the Prisoners committed, tried, punished, disposed of, and discharged in the Metropolis, in One Year, ending in October, 1795.
N.B. Although the Author has been at infinite pains to render this Summary as exact as possible, yet from the different modes adopted in keeping the accounts of Prisons, he is not thoroughly satisfied in his own mind that the View he has here given is accurate, to a point.—He is, however, convinced that it will be found sufficiently so for the purpose. [To face page 430 .] It would not only remove that aversion which Prosecutors manifest on many occasions, to come forward, for the purpose of pro
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A TABLE, shewing the Prisoners tried at the Old Bailey, from April 1793, to March 1794, inclusive.
A TABLE, shewing the Prisoners tried at the Old Bailey, from April 1793, to March 1794, inclusive.
Thus it appears, that in London only, of 1060 prisoners, tried in the course of a year, only 493 were punished; of whom 197, after a temporary confinement, would return upon the Public, with little prospect of being better disposed to be useful to Society, than before.—It may be estimated that in all England, including those offenders who are tried at the County Sessions, upwards of five thousand individuals, charged with criminal offences, are thrown back upon Society every year.— But this is n
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RECAPITULATION.
RECAPITULATION.
In the same authentic Documents, namely the Appendix (L. 1 & 2) page 103 of the 28th Report of the Select Committee on Finance, a Statement is given of the Expence which has been incurred by Government, "for or in respect of the Conviction, Confinement, and Maintenance of Convicts, from the 1st January, 1775, to the year ending the 31st December, 1797," of which the following is an abstract: The Contractors for the Convicts at Woolwich and Langston Harbour, (as appear from documents laid
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PROPOSAL FOR A NEW AND LESS EXPENSIVE MODE OF EMPLOYING AND REFORMING CONVICTS.
PROPOSAL FOR A NEW AND LESS EXPENSIVE MODE OF EMPLOYING AND REFORMING CONVICTS.
The Author , having turned his thoughts to the Penitentiary System from its first origin, and having lately contrived a Building in which any number of persons may be kept within the reach of being inspected during every moment of their lives, and having made out, as he flatters himself, to demonstration, that the only eligible mode of managing an Establishment of such a nature, in a Building of such a construction, would be by Contract , has been induced to make public the following Proposal fo
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Outline of the Plan of Construction alluded to in the above Proposal.
Outline of the Plan of Construction alluded to in the above Proposal.
The Building circular —about the size of Ranelagh —The Prisoners in their Cells, occupying the Circumference—The Officers, (Governor, Chaplain, Surgeon, &c.) the Centre. By Blinds , and other contrivances, the Inspectors concealed (except in as far as they think fit to show themselves) from the observation of the Prisoners: hence the sentiment of a sort of invisible omnipresence.—The whole circuit reviewable with little, or, if necessary, without any change of place. One Station in the I
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CHAP. XVII.
CHAP. XVII.
The Police of the Metropolis examined—Its organization explained, with regard to that branch which relates to the prevention and suppression of Crimes.—The utility of the new System, established in 1792, examined and explained.—Reasons assigned why this System has not tended, in a greater degree, to the suppression and prevention of atrocious Crimes—Its great deficiency from the want of funds, by which Magistrates are crippled in their exertions, with regard to the detection and punishment of Of
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FUNCTIONS:
FUNCTIONS:
I. To manage that branch of the Police which relates to Hackney Coaches and Chairs.—To enforce strictly the laws now in being for the better ordering this system so necessary to the comfort and convenience of the Metropolis.—To obtain new powers (where wanting) to compel a greater degree of cleanliness and security, with respect to these vehicles.—To banish, if possible, from the fraternity those criminal characters denominated Flash Coachmen , and to secure civility, and prevent imposition.—For
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For Religious Instruction.
For Religious Instruction.
The number of Inhabitants of this great Metropolis, occupying these various houses and buildings, may, under all circumstances, be rationally estimated at one million at least; for whose accommodation, convenience, and security, the following Institutions have been formed, namely ,—1st. For Education ;—2d. For promoting good Morals ;—3d. For useful and fine Arts ;—4th. For objects of Charity and Humanity ;—5th. For distributing Justice ;—and 6th. For punishing Offenders ....
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EDUCATION.
EDUCATION.
The following Schools seem to deserve particular Enumeration; though probably there are many others which might equally deserve notice:—...
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ASYLUMS FOR SICK, LAME, DISEASED, AND FOR POOR PREGNANT WOMEN.
ASYLUMS FOR SICK, LAME, DISEASED, AND FOR POOR PREGNANT WOMEN.
Reflecting on the foregoing list of various laudable Institutions, which it cannot be expected should be altogether perfect, but which may be said to be unparalleled in point of extent, as well as munificence, and conferring the highest honour on the National Character for Charity and Humanity; the mind is lost in astonishment, that greater and more extensive benefits have not arisen to the inhabitants of the Metropolis; not only in improving their morals, but in preventing the lowest orders of
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COURTS OF JUSTICE IN THE METROPOLIS.
COURTS OF JUSTICE IN THE METROPOLIS.
The High Court of Parliament. The House of Lords; being the Appeal in the last resort in all causes criminal and civil. The Court of Exchequer Chamber, before which Writs of Error are brought on judgments in the Court of King's Bench and other Courts; it is composed, in certain cases, of all the Twelve Judges, and the Lord Chancellor; but sometimes of a smaller number. The High Court of Chancery—at Westminster Hall—and Lincoln's Inn Hall. The Court of King's Bench, held in Westminster Hall. The
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Prisons in the Metropolis.
Prisons in the Metropolis.
1. King's Bench Prison, for Debtors on Process or Execution in the King's Bench, &c. St. George's Fields 2. Fleet Prison, for Debtors on Process, &c. in the Common Pleas, &c. Fleet Market 6. Newgate, or City and County Gaol, Old Bailey 7. New Prison, Clerkenwell—Gaol for the County of Middlesex 8. Prison for the Liberty of the Tower of London, Well-close-square 9. Whitechapel Prison for Debtors in the five pound court 10. Savoy Prison for Deserters and Military Delinquent
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RECAPITULATION.
RECAPITULATION.
The foregoing Estimate, grounded on the best information that can be procured, exhibits a melancholy picture of the general depravity which prevails; and which is heightened in a considerable degree by the reflection, that among the perpetrators of the crimes there particularized, are to be numbered persons, who from their rank and situation in life would scarcely be suspected of either committing or conniving at frauds, for the purpose of enriching themselves at the expence of the Nation. Avari
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SUMMARY VIEW OF THE REMEDIES PROPOSED.
SUMMARY VIEW OF THE REMEDIES PROPOSED.
The First Step to all improvements in Civil Society is that which relates to the Morals of the People .—While in the higher and middle ranks of life a vast portion of Virtue and Philanthropy is manifested, perhaps in a greater degree than is to be found in any Country or Nation in the World, it is much to be lamented, that among the lower Classes a species of profligacy and improvidence prevails, which as it applies to the Metropolis of the Empire, is certainly not exceeded in any other Capital
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