Part 54 (1/2)
6. _Frauds_ by counterfeiting bank notes, public securities, powers of attorney, bonds, bills, and notes; by swindling, cheating and obtaining money and goods by false pretences, &c. &c. 250,000 ----------- .2,000,000
[Footnote 189: The Publicans in their pet.i.tion to the House of Commons (1796) estimated their loss at 100,000_l._ But there is some reason to suppose this was exaggerated.]
RECAPITULATION.
1. Small Thefts .710,000
2. Thefts upon the Rivers and Quays 250,000
3. Thefts in the Dock-yards, &c. in the Thames 200,000
4. Burglaries, Highway-Robberies, &c. &c. 280,000
5. Coining base Money 310,000
6. Forging Bills, Swindling, &c. 250,000 ----------- Total .2,000,000[190]
[Footnote 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 quant.i.ty 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.]
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.
Avarice is ever an eager, though not always a clear sighted pa.s.sion; and when gratified at the price of violating the soundest principles of honesty and justice, a sting must remain behind, which no affluence can banish,--no pecuniary gratification alleviate.
In contemplating these strong features of degraded Humanity, it cannot escape the observant Reader, how small a part of the annual depredations upon public and private property is to be placed to the account of those Criminals who alone attract notice, from the force and violence they use; and to whose charge the whole of the inconveniences felt by the Public, is generally laid, namely, _common thieves and pick-pockets; highway-men and foot-pad robbers_.--But for this Estimate, it could not have been believed how large a share of the property annually plundered, stolen, embezzled, or acquired in a thousand different ways, by means _unlawful_, _unjust_, and _immoral_, in this great Metropolis, is acquired by Criminals of other descriptions; whose extensive ravages on property are the more dangerous, in proportion to the secrecy with which they are conducted.
Next to the evils which are experienced by the general corruption of morals, and by the actual depredations upon public and private property as now brought under the review of the Reader, by means of a summary detail, it has been shewn, in the course of this Work, that many pressures arise from the defects in the Laws relative to the detection, trial, and conviction of Offenders, from the want of an improved System respecting Constables, and particularly from the deficiency of Jurisdiction in the City and Police Magistrates,--the want of Funds to remunerate Officers of Justice, and to reward Watchmen, Patroles, and Beadles, who may act meritoriously in apprehending Delinquents; and lastly, in the trial of Criminals, for want of a general _Prosecutor for the Crown_, to attend to the Public interest, and to prevent those Frauds (in suborning evidence, and in compounding Felonies,) whereby many of the most abandoned are let loose upon Society, while those who are novices in crimes are often punished.
The next stated in the cla.s.s of evils is, that which arises from the Laws as they now stand, relative to _Punishments_.--Their extreme severity, in rendering such a mult.i.tude of Crimes capital, which Juries can never be made to believe are of that nature, in point of actual atrocity, has proved a very serious misfortune to the Country, in the administration of criminal Justice.--Because the punishment is too severe, it frequently happens that the Delinquent is sent back upon Society, encouraged to renew his depredations upon the Public by his having escaped (although guilty) without any chastis.e.m.e.nt at all.
It is unquestionably true, and little doubt will be entertained by any who attentively examine this Work, that the dread of severe punishment, in the manner the Law is executed at present, has not the least effect in deterring hardened Offenders from the commission of Crimes.
An opinion seems to have been formed, that Crimes were to be prevented by the severity of the punishment. That this opinion has been erroneous seems to be proved by incontestable evidence adduced in various parts of this Work; and elucidated by a variety of reasoning, which it is hoped cannot fail to bring conviction to the mind of every Reader, who will bestow time in the investigation of a subject of so much importance to Society.
Last, in the enumeration of the evils detailed, are those deficiencies and imperfections, which arise from the _Police System_; as explained in the 16th and 17th Chapters.--A variety of inconveniences, it appears, originate from this source; and reasons are adduced to demonstrate that the National Security, and Prosperity, are more dependant on a well-regulated and correct System of Police, than has been generally supposed; and that the adoption of the Plan of Police, explained in the 18th Chapter, and recommended by the Select Committee on Finance, would prove an inestimable blessing to the Country.
Having thus briefly glanced at the Evils, detailed in this Work, it now becomes necessary to lay before the Reader a similar collected view of THE REMEDIES.
In accomplis.h.i.+ng this object, while the Author ventures to indulge a hope that these which have been suggested, or at least a part of them, may be brought in due time, under the consideration of the Legislature, for the purpose of being enacted into Laws, or otherwise carried into effect; they are now presented to the Reader under the following heads, _viz._
I. THE PREVENTION OF THE PRESENT CORRUPTION OF MORALS; as originating from ill-regulated Public Houses, Tea Gardens, Theatres, and other places of Public Amus.e.m.e.nt; indecent Publications; Ballad-Singers--Female Prost.i.tution--Servants out of Place--The Lottery; Gaming--Indigence, and various other causes.
II. THE PREVENTION OF OFFENCES; and first of those denominated _Misdemeanors_; such as Cheating and Swindling; Robbing Orchards; Petty a.s.saults, and Perjury.--Next of Counterfeit Coinage; River Plunder; Plunder in Dock-yards, &c. Lastly, of the Prevention of Crimes in general, under _twelve_ different heads, specifying the Remedies proposed on this subject in the course of the Work.
III. AMENDMENT OF THE EXISTING LAWS; respecting the obtaining _Goods_ and _Chattles_ under false pretences--p.a.w.nbrokers--Forgeries--Receiving Stolen Goods--Arson--Lodgers--Registering Lodging Houses--Plunder on Houses--Gypsies--Milk--Speedy Trial of Offences committed within five Miles of the Metropolis--Imprisonment for Debt, and Recovery of Debts under 50_l._
CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS.