Part 31 (2/2)

Excepting in the city of London, under the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, (where there are, in the 25 wards, 765 watchmen, and 38 patroles) and the parishes and liberties combined by the act of the 14th Geo. III. cap. 90, it will not be easy to ascertain the exact number of watchmen, &c. employed by the great variety of different Trusts, in every part of the Metropolis; more especially, as in several instances they vary in their numbers according to the season of the year, and other circ.u.mstances; but the following statement is believed to be very near truth:--

_Beadles, Watchmen, and Patroles._

25 Wards in the City of London 803

11 Parishes, &c. in the City and Liberty of Westminster 302

13 Parishes, &c. in the Division of Holborn 377

5 Parishes, &c. in that part of the Division of Finsbury which joins the Metropolis 135

7 Parishes, &c. in the Division of the Tower Hamlets 268

1 Liberty of the Tower of London 14

5 Parishes and Hamlets, being part of the Division of Kensington, near the Metropolis 66

9 Parishes in the Borough of Southwark 79 ---- Total Beadles, Watchmen, and Patroles 2044[119]

[Footnote 119: Watch-houses are now placed at convenient distances all over the Metropolis; where a parochial constable attends, in rotation, every night, to receive disorderly and criminal persons, and to carry them before a Magistrate next morning.--In each watch-house also (in case of fire) the names of the turn-c.o.c.ks, and the places where engines are kept, are to be found. This circ.u.mstance is mentioned for the information of strangers unacquainted with the Police of the Metropolis; to whom it is recommended, in case of fire, or any accident or disturbance requiring the a.s.sistance of the Civil Power, to apply immediately to the Officer of the night, at the nearest watch-house, or to the watchmen on the beat.]

Nothing can certainly be better calculated for _complete protection_ against acts of violence in the streets, than _the System of a well-regulated Stationary Watch_; composed of fit and able-bodied men, properly controlled and superintended: and from the number of persons already employed, independent of private Watchmen, it would seem only to be necessary to lay down apposite legislative rules, with respect to _age or ability_, _character_, _wages_, _rewards for useful services_, and _general superintendance_, in order to establish that species of additional security, which would operate as a more effectual means of preventing crimes within the Metropolis.

Let the same system of moderate rewards also be extended to beadles,[120] for useful Public service _actually performed_, as is proposed with regard to officers of justice, watchmen, and patroles; and much good will arise to the community, without any great additional expence.

[Footnote 120: Beadles are, in many instances, employed at present as local superintendants of the watch, within their respective Parishes.]

It is in vain to expect that the Public can be well served, unless the emolument becomes an object to good and able men; but these extraordinary rewards (as has already been observed) should always depend upon the vigilance and exertion of the parties themselves, in detecting offenders of every description: and should be paid, on its appearing to the Magistrate, that no _impropriety_ or _indiscretion_ has marked their conduct. If, on the contrary, they should be proved to have acted oppressively or improperly, a power of immediate dismission and punishment should, in all instances, be lodged in Justices of the Peace, to be exercised according to the nature of the offence.

Having thus stated the civil force of the Metropolis, in peace-officers, watchmen and patroles, making an aggregate of 3084 men--it may be necessary and useful to give such information relative to the Magistracy, as may tend to shew the present state of the Police, and to ill.u.s.trate what remains to be further suggested on the subject of its improvement; for the preservation of the Public peace, and the _detection_ and _apprehension_ of every cla.s.s of offenders.

There exist at present no less than _five_ separate jurisdictions within the limits of the Metropolis--namely,--

_Magistrates._

1. The City of London, where there are, including the Lord Mayor, 26 Aldermen, who have an exclusive jurisdiction within the ancient limits 26

2. The City and Liberty of Westminster--where there are upwards of 100 Justices of the Peace, who have jurisdiction only in that particular District; but where the Magistrates of the County of Middles.e.x have an equal jurisdiction.--The number resident, of those who are not Magistrates of Middles.e.x, is supposed to be about 50

3. That part of the Metropolis, which is situated in the county of Middles.e.x, where there are about 800 Justices, including the Princes of the Royal Family--many of the n.o.bility--Great Officers of State--Members of Parliament--and other Gentlemen of respectability;--of those in the commission about 200 have qualified; and of these who have taken out their _Dedimus Potestatum_, only about 150 reside in or near the Metropolis 150

4. That district of the Metropolis lying near, or particularly belonging anciently to the Tower of London, comprehending about 750 houses--where the Magistrates (52 in number) have an exclusive jurisdiction, and hold separate Sessions of the Peace.--The number who are not Magistrates in Middles.e.x, is 31

5. The Borough of Southwark, and that part of the Metropolis adjoining thereto, within the Bills of Mortality--where the City Magistrates have jurisdiction, besides the whole of the Magistrates of the County of Surry--namely--132, but of whom not more than 28 reside in Southwark, and 15 in London, &c. (in all) 43 --- Total about 300 ---

But, notwithstanding the great number of respectable names, which are in the different commissions in and near the Metropolis; and although all who have qualified have equal jurisdiction with the Police Justices, within their respective districts; yet the efficient duty for the whole of the Metropolis, so far as it relates to the detection of offenders, is princ.i.p.ally limited to two cla.s.ses of Magistrates--namely,--

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