A Treatise on the Police of the Metropolis Part 54

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.

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 Cla.s.ses 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 in Europe.--To this source may be traced the great extent and increasing multiplication of Crimes, insensibly generating evils calculated, ultimately, to sap the foundation of the State.

The grand object, therefore, must be to devise means for the purpose of checking, and gradually preventing the evils arising from the

CORRUPTION OF MORALS.

To effect so valuable a purpose to the Community at large--to render the labour of the lower orders of the people more productive to themselves, and more beneficial to the Nation, recourse must be had to that superintending System of _preventive Police_ which has been recommended generally by the Select Committee of the House of Commons, and which has been particularly detailed in the 18th Chapter of this Treatise.

It is thus by giving Police its true and genuine character, and divesting it of those judicial functions which are the province of Magistrates alone, that a proper line will be drawn between _Prevention_, and those proceedings which lead to _Punishment_ after an offence is actually committed. It is through this medium also that a change is to be effected in the Morals of the People, calculated to abridge the number of acts of delinquency, and to lead the perpetrators gradually into the walks of innocence, sobriety, and industry.--One of the first steps towards the attainment of these objects will be a Systematic attention to

PUBLIC-HOUSES.

In the eleventh Chapter of this Work, the progress of the corruption of Morals through this medium, from the Infant to the Adult, is brought under the review of the Reader; and it is considered as of the highest importance that general and apposite rules for the proper conduct of those houses, now the haunts of vice and profligacy, should be formed and recommended by a Board of Police to the Magistrates acting in all the Licensing Divisions of the Country. The benefits arising from an uniform and well-digested System might thus be extended throughout the Country: and an accurate and permanent administration of this branch of Police secured, thro' the medium of a general _Center_, where responsibility should rest, and from which the Licensing Magistrates should receive _information_, _a.s.sistance_, and _support_, in whatever related to the proper regulation of Alehouses, particularly in the Metropolis and the surrounding Counties.

Regular reports of the number of these Alehouses in each Licensing District in proportion to the extent of population; and details of the effects produced by an adherence to the general Rules which may be prescribed, would lead to new and useful suggestions which must ultimately give a favourable turn to the manners of the lower cla.s.ses of the people, not only with respect to the diminution of Crimes, but also with regard to their domestic Comforts.--They would be rendered more independent of Parochial aid; and above all, the education and habits of the rising generation would be easily improved--_Apprentices_ thus secured against the evil examples of which young minds are but too susceptible, would enter upon life with dispositions differently formed, and with that sort of bias which stimulates to industry and virtue, instead of idleness, profligacy, and vice.--In this, as in many other instances, the happiness and virtue of the individual are intimately combined with the best interests of the state.

Such prudent and discreet regulations would have a general tendency to make Public-houses what they were originally intended to be by the Legislature--_Places of mere refreshment_, and not haunts of idleness as at present.--The resource now afforded by them to actual _Thieves_, _Burglars_, _Pickpockets_, _Highwaymen_, _Swindlers_, _Cheats_, _Gamblers_, and _Dealers_ in _Counterfeit Money_, would not only be cut off, but those who have been accustomed to resort to these Houses from the temporary want of employment:--such as persons broke down by misfortune and indiscretion--servants out of place, and strangers resorting to the Metropolis, would no longer be a.s.sailed by those temptations which contribute in so great a degree to recruit the gangs of Criminal Depredators. Nothing but a well-regulated Police, under a proper System of Controul, can remedy those evils arising from Public-houses, and it is earnestly to be hoped, that the Functions proposed to be exercised by the Central Board of Police would effect this valuable purpose.

PUBLIC GARDENS.

The corruption of Morals has been in a considerable degree promoted, not only by the a.s.semblage of lewd and debauched company who have of late years crowded to Public Gardens; but also by the unrestrained Licence which has been permitted in these places of amus.e.m.e.nt.--This circ.u.mstance has not only called upon the Magistrates to refuse the renewal of the Licenses to several of the Occupiers, Lessees, and Proprietors, but it has precluded the more decent and respectable part of the Public in the middle walks of life, from what might, under proper regulations, be considered as an innocent and a desirable recreation for the Inhabitants of an overgrown Metropolis.--Most of the remaining Public Gardens have of late years fallen into disrepute, to the injury of the Proprietors, who, under the present deficient System of Police, have no means of protecting themselves against the consequences of those irregularities which operate powerfully in diminis.h.i.+ng the number of visitors, upon which their emolument depends.

While profligate and debauched characters of both s.e.xes find not only an easy access to these places of amus.e.m.e.nt, but also have permission to insult Public Morals, by doing violence to the rules of decency and decorum; it is evident that they must gradually cease to be desirable as a recreation to the virtuous part of the Community; and there appears to be no remedy but by means of _Police regulations_, prescribing proper rules, with Officers appointed by the Central Board, for the purpose of carrying them into effect.[191] Indeed, if such places of resort were licensed only by the proposed Central Board, it might be productive of the greatest advantages; and they might be a fair Source of Revenue for Police purposes, to a certain moderate extent.

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

PLACES OF PUBLIC AMUs.e.m.e.nT LICENSED BY MAGISTRATES.

The general concourse of loose and immoral characters of both s.e.xes who frequent the Summer Exhibitions, and the irregularities which are unavoidable under such circ.u.mstances, tend in no small degree to the corruption of Morals; and while it is admitted that such amus.e.m.e.nts are necessary in great Communities, it is of the utmost importance that they should not only be regulated by the Police, with respect to the nature of the _Spectacle_ or _Exhibition_, so as clearly to ascertain that it has no immoral tendency[192], but also that the utmost decorum should be preserved by means of proper Officers acting under the proposed Central Board.--This becomes the more important, as a large proportion of the frequenters of these places of amus.e.m.e.nt are of the middle and inferior ranks of life, and many of them very young and susceptible of loose impressions, which renders it highly necessary that authority should be vested only in the responsible Board of Police, to grant or to refuse Licenses: to which a moderate Revenue might be attached to defray the expence of a regulating System.

[Footnote 192: See page 348.]

THE THEATRES.

Without entering upon a discussion how far many of the Theatrical Exhibitions which are brought forward tend to improve, or to injure the Morals of the People--it is, at least, evident that the unrestrained License which is permitted to Males and Females in the walks of Prost.i.tution in the Lobbies, and even in the Boxes of the Playhouses, and the indecent behaviour and unbecoming language which is frequently uttered in the view and hearing of the respectable part of the Community who frequent these places of resort, with the younger branches of their families, must tend in no inconsiderable degree to the corruption of Morals.[193] It is, therefore, suggested that a Police, applicable to this object, should be formed by the proposed Central Board; and also for the purpose of effectually securing the Public against the attacks and depredations of the hordes of Pickpockets who infest the avenues of the Theatres, and have long been a reproach to the Police of the Metropolis.

[Footnote 193: See page 338.]

IMMORAL AND INDECENT PUBLICATIONS, AND PRINTS.