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induced to practise that œconomy which will tend most to the honor and dignity of his Majesty's crown, the satisfaction of his own royal mind, and the content of his people; that we shall be always willing and ready to grant such supplies as may be wanted on all necessary occasions; but that we cannot but be anxious on the part of our constituents, to be relieved from the appearance of repeated demands, growing out of expences, for the continuance of which there does not appear to this House any necessity, and for the reduction of which, within the bounds of his Majesty's income, no assurance has been given."

Mr. Grenville seconded the motion, saying that it was practicable to reduce the expences: that he would give the minister proof of such a plan, either in public or private whenever he pleased, and that he had no intention in such a plan to diminish, in any respect, the King's personal expences, but on the contrary, should wish to see the dignity of the household better preserved than at present.

nature; that there was reason to believe the annual expence vastly exceeded, and that the consequence of such excess must be debts incurred, and a fresh demand on parliament again to pay them; that it was very clear that the King had found 176,000l. in the late king's purse, which he had expended, as well as 515,000l. granted over and above the 800,000l. per annum, and that he had reason to believe the debt incurred since last session amounted to 140,000l. He therefore moved some Resolutions declaring those facts, saying, that on them he should move for an Address to his Majesty, that he would confine his expences within the bounds of his income. And accordingly he moved, "That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, representing, in the most respectful and dutiful manner, that it appears to this House, that the expences on his Majesty's Civil List, from his accession to the 5th of January, 1769, have exceeded the income of all his Majesty's annual revenues applicable to the use of his Majesty's civil government, and the support and maintenance of his houshold and royal family, in the sum of 686,116l. 5s. 8d.; and that it appears also to this House, that the expences on his Majesty's Civil List, in the year ending 31st December, 1768, being the last year for which any account has been laid before this House, amounted to the sum of 899,0771. 1s. 33d. which greatly exceeds the income of all his Majesty's revenues applicable as aforesaid to the use of his Majesty's civil government, and the support and maintenance of his houshold and royal family; and to express, in the most humble manner, the opinion of this House, that the said expences ought to be confined within the income of his Majesty's said revenues; and humbly and earnestly to intreat his Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions, that such retrenchments be made in the said expences, as may reduce them within the income of his Majesty's said revenues; assuring his Majesty, that, as this House has, upon all occasions, given the most evident proofs of its zeal and affection for his Majesty, and particularly in the late provision for the payment of the debt on the Civil List, so we cannot better discharge the duty we owe to his Majesty, and give proof of the continuance of our zeal and affection for his person, his royal family, and his government, than by humbly offering this request to his Majesty, in order that his servants may be

Lord North said, his Majesty had last year in his Speech given all the assurances he was advised to do, that he would endeavour as soon as possible to contract his expences, but that till pensions fell in, it would be impossible, without the highest injustice, to do it at present; that if such an Address was presented, the King's answer could be no other than his Speech contained last year; that it would be shewing a disrespect to his Majesty to desire publicly such a thing; that he therefore should move that the chairman of the committee should leave the chair, and the Committee be broke up; they had now existed three months, and no good consequences had followed; the longer continuance of it was quite useless.

They divided, and lord North's motion was carried by 208 to 75.

Motion in the Commons for the Pension List.] April 5. Sir E. Astley observed, that it was the duty of parliament, whenever the public money was apparently squandered to bad purposes, to make enquiry how it had been so squandered; that when so large a requisition as that made last year to pay the Civil List debts, was made on the House, and for which the House could get no accounts but such as were neither satisfactory nor intelligible, it became absolutely necessary to ask for further accounts: it was reported that,

notwithstanding the promises of the minis- | ter, fresh pensions had been granted very lately; this he thought very blameable, if true; he did not mean to ask for long accounts, and would therefore only move, "That there be laid before this House an account of all grants and Pensions, and increased salaries, made since the commencement of this present parliament, and payable out of any part of his Majesty's revenues in Great Britain or Ireland, or any other part of his Majesty's dominions, distinguishing the times at which, and the persons to whom, such grants were made " Mr. Conolly (also a member of the Irish parliament) seconded the motion. He observed, that Ireland was mentioned in the motion, and as, by the sudden prorogation of the Irish parliament, no measures could there be taken to make such necessary enquiry, he should promote its being made here; that the pensions on the Irish establishment had amounted, in the late king's time, to between 40 and 50,000l. a year, and were now increased to upwards of 70,000l.; that the King's ministers in Ireland had given a promise there that no pension should for the future be granted for lives or terms of years but on the utmost necessity, and that in consequence of this promise, the Irish had increased their army at a large expence, and yet the promise of granting no more pensions had been recently violated.

Lord North said there was no reason at present to call for this list of pensions; that he should not have objected if particular pensions had been pointed at, as he would venture to say, none had lately been granted which he could not defend; that the pension granted to his friend (Dyson) was no more than a decent provision for an old servant of the crown, who had long laboured in a painful and not profitable office-his private character unexceptionable. The other pension (Bradshaw's) was also granted to one whose merits richly deserved such recompence; that the Civil List being granted to his Majesty's use, it was not proper to demand any account of the expenditure of it, unless money had been demanded of parliament to pay any debts on it; and that the present motion was unprecedented and improper.

General Conway observed, that the present motion was by no means unprecedented, and that it was certainly a proper measure for parliament, who were the only proper power to enquire into the expen

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Motion to repeal the American Tea-Duty Bill.] April 9. Mr. Trecothick made a motion for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal the American Duty on Tea. The Ministry disputed the propriety of this motion, as being contradictory to a well known rule of the House, namely, that any thing which has received a negative, shall not be brought on again the same sessions; they observed, that when a motion was made some time since to repeal the other American duties, an amendment had been proposed, by adding the words "and on tea;" that on this amendment, the measure had been fully debated, and resolved in the negative by a great majority; that this present motion was the same question in effect, as it tended to do in a Bill, what before was attempted in the amendment.

The Opposition allowed the rule, yet said this particular did not come under it; that the reason of the rule was plainly that it might not appear on the Journals; that the same question had received two different receptions in the same session : in this case, this could not appear, as it might be very improper to do that in the former Bill, which might now be very necessary; that if a negative put on an amendment hindered the subject of that amendment to be brought on in any other shape, it might be very easy to prevent almost any thing, by adding the matter of it to a Money Bill, and then the whole would be rejected; or, by rejecting the amendment, the matter be put an end to for the session: for instance, in the Bill

for raising the Land-tax, suppose a member was to move an amendment, by inserting the words to the Bill," and on malt;" or adding, " and to prevent mutiny," the House could never receive these amendments, they must be rejected; but would any one say, that the Malt-tax or Mutiny Bill could not be brought on that year; that a proposed amendment had not even the advantage of a previous question, as the House had resolved that a previous question could not be put on an amendment; that on' particular measures, the House had even given up its own rule, by admitting very small variations; and that this was as important a question as any could happen to give it up in; that, to the province of New York alone, of ten ships which would have carried 300,000l. worth of merchandise, if the American duties had been repealed, three only had sailed with about 10,000l. worth of goods, and the other seven were going out in ballast; and it was to be feared the same would happen to the whole American trade.

What number of houses have been broke open in and about the cities of London and Westminster, and whether it is a growing evil? said, That all robberies, with the circumstances attending them, and particulars of goods stolen, are registered at his office, and from that register informations are grounded, and offenders are detected several years after the of fences are committed; and he delivered in lists of houses broke, with computations of the goods stolen from Michaelmas 1766 to 14 March 1770, in half-yearly periods; by which it appeared, that from Michaelmas 1766 to Lady Day 1767, 13 houses had been broke open, and goods stolen to the value of 2891.; from Lady Day 1767 to Michaelmas 1767, 36 houses, value 6271.; from Michaelmas 1767 to Lady Day 1768, 52 houses, value 5691.; from Lady Day 1768 to Michaelmas 1768, 48 houses, value 1,3321.; from Michaelmas 1768 to Lady Day 1769, 35 houses, value 1,448/. 15s.; from Lady Day 1769 to Michaelmas 1769, 63 houses, value 1,616/. Os. 61d.; from Michaelmas 1769 to 14 March 1770, 104 houses, value 4,241.: he further informed the Coramittee, that it is supposed the last 104 houses were broke open by a number of few of them more than 20 years of age, housebreakers, not exceeding twenty, and probability of their being convicted: that 16 or 17 of whom are in custody, with little the evil increases amazingly, and never chaelmas. Being asked what is the cause was at so great a height as since last Miof this increase of housebreaking? he said, That felons formerly carried their goods to pawnbrokers, but by the present method of quick notice to pawnbrokers, silversmiths, and others, that plan is defeated, and the housebreakers now go to Jews, who melt the plate immediately, and destroy other things that might be evidence, which in burglary can be nothing but the goods, though in other cases the person may be sworn to: that they disguise jewels by knocking them out of the sockets, so that they cannot be sworn to; that the present gang of housebreakers are sons of unfortunate people, and of no trade; that they began when boys as pickpockets, but turned housebreakers when they grew up, in order to procure a greater income to supply their increased expences: and he informed the Committee, that for 20 years a footpad has not escaped; that highwaymen cannot escape, upon account Sir John Fielding, knt. being asked, of the early information given to the afore [VOL. XVI.]

Mr. Beckford, the lord mayor, said, that if the House were of opinion that the motion could not, consistent with their rules and orders, be then admitted, he hoped lord North would allow of a prorogation of the parliament till after the hoTidays, that the matter might then be taken into consideration. To which lord North sneeringly answered, he was very glad to find that a prorogation would content the hon. gentleman.

On the division, the question to go into the other orders of the day, proposed by lord Clare, was carried, 80 to 52.

Report of the Committee of the House of Commons on Sir John Fielding's Plan for preventing Burglaries and Robberies.] April 10. The House proceeded to take into consideration the Report which was made from the Committee, who were appointed to enquire into the several Burglaries and Robberies that of late have been committed in and about the cities of London and Westminster, and to consider of more effectual methods to prevent the same for the future, and to report their opinion, from time to time, to the House.

And the said REPORT was read; and is as follows;

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and found guilty of manslaughter only, though he would have been guilty of murder, if it had happened in the parish to which the constable belonged.

Sir John Fielding being asked, what reabove evils, he produced two Papers remedies he could suggest to prevent the officers; which were read to, and conlating to constables, watchmen, and other firmed by, him; and are as follow;

"Watchmen too old-should be from

25 to 50-their beats too extensiveshould not exceed 20 houses on each side raised for the watch too little, being only of the way watchmen too few-the sum 4d. in the pound-should be sixpence.

said office, and the great number of prosecutors who always appear against them, which he thinks must in time put an end to that evil: he then said, he had detected several persons in Duke's Place with plate, and has offered a reward of five guineas for apprehending one person in the same place. Being asked, what he thought of the present method of watching the town? he said, The watch is insufficient; their duty too hard, and pay too small that he has known serjeants in the guards employed as watchmen: that the watchmen are paid 84d. per night in Saint Margaret's parish, and a gratuity of 2 guineas a year, out of which they find their own candle: that as they are paid monthly, they borrow their money of an usurer once a week: that in other parishes the watch are paid from 10d. to 1s. per night that the watch in Westminster is "One half of the constables to be disin every parish under the direction of a separate commission, composed of persons charged within the year, so that one-half who have served the offices of church-remaining two years will be able to inwarden and overseer: that commissioners struct the new officers; and the whole of the respective parishes appoint the duty will be done well. beats of their watchmen without conferring together, which leaves the frontiers of each parish in a confused state, for that,

where one side of a street lies in one

parish, and the other side in another parish, the watchmen of one side cannot lend any assistance to persons on the other side, other than as a private person, except in cases of felony.

"Ward officers to be chosen out of those inhabitants that have served the of fice of constable, and to have a good salary.

"If the new provisions for the watch can be established by the commissioners trouble, for then the money may be raised remaining where they are, it will save by them as it now is, and every parish may pay and clothe their own watchmen ; so that the appointment, distribution, dithe watch, may be in the magistrates, by rection, wages, number, and punishment of a new commission, and the paying and clothing be in the present commissioners.

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and liberty of Westminster' to be placed "The words 'A constable of the city

over the constables doors; the words Ward Officer' over the ward officers

James Sayer, esq. deputy high steward of Westminster, confirmed the above evidence, and added, That St. Margaret's parish has a select vestry, the majority of which is composed of tradesmen; that doors:-Beadles by name, to be disthey will pay no more than 84d. a night to charged, and the necessary part of the their watchmen, and have no way of pu-duty they now do, to be performed by the nishing them for neglect of duty than by ward officers. dismissing them, which, in fact, is not a punishment, for they find it difficult to get men to serve in that office; and he further

said, that their number is not sufficient.

intended improvement and constables to "That it would be right to confine the Westminster only, as the watch in the adthe same footing as is originally settled by joining parishes of Middlesex remain or.

the statute of Winchester."

Second Paper.

1. "The watch of Westminster is ex

Being asked the reason for changing the constables from being parochial to be constables for the whole city and liberty? he said, That before 29 Geo. 2, constables were parochial; that he apprehended the reason for the change was, that a consta-tremely defective, the number ought to ble could not execute any official act out of his parish, without being specially authorised so to do: he mentioned an instance of a constable's being killed when he was serving a warrant out of his parish: that the person who killed him was tried,

be increased, their pay augmented, and the whole direction of them put under one commission, and that commission should be magistrates of the city and liberty of Westminster; the watch should be attended by ward officers, and relieved in

the night, a whole night's duty being too | ral complaint of peace officers neglecting hard. their duty; from which neglect it is ow2. "The round houses should be capa- ing, that the watchmen and beadles are cious, no liquor should be sold in them; not present; and this general neglect, he publicans should be punished for permit-apprehends, is the reason why so many

ting watchmen to tipple during their duty; and watchmen should be particularly rewarded for diligence, and punished for neglect by the civil power.

houses are robbed: that he has frequently found 7 or 8 watchmen together in an alehouse: he thinks that the high constable should visit the round house, in the night 3. " High constables should not quit time, once a month at least, or oftener, if their office at the end of three years: con- required; and agreed with sir John Fieldstables should be increased half the num-ing, as to the number and pay of the ber only discharged annually: The con- watchmen. stable of the night should be considered for his attendance on that duty, and punished for neglect.

James Sayer, esq. being again examined, said, That constables are appointed under Acts 29 and 31 Geo. 2d, which Acts are in many articles defective: that 80 constables, which is the number limit

4. "The power of raising money at present for the watch is too confined, it should be enlarged, raised by the presented, are not sufficient: that they are apcommissioners the watchmen paid by them, but their number, direction, and appointment, be by the new commission of magistrates.

5. "Receivers of stolen goods, especially of those taken by burglary or highway robbery, should be made principals, with a power of mitigation in the judge." James Sayer, esq. being again examined, approved of sir John Fielding's Plan, and added, That the beadles are an unnecessary set of men, advanced in years, and servants to the churchwardens and overseers are 40 in number over the whole city and liberty; they have an allowance of 201. per ann. a-piece, which they make up 301.: That he apprehends, if the number was increased to 60, and the city and liberty divided into so many divisions, a beadle to each division, and the object of their duty to take up vagrants, they might be of great service: That if the beadle was to have 2s. for every vagrant he took up, and 4s. was given to any other person who should apprehend one, the one half to be deducted out of the beadle's salary of that district where the vagrant was apprehended, it would have a good effect.

Sir John Fielding, being again examined, said, He thought the name of beadle should be abolished, and that they should be called ward officers.

pointed by the leet jury, which, has been attended with great partialities; for the leet jury being composed of the overseers of the several parishes of the preceding year, they protect each other from serving the office of constable: that in general opulent inhabitants are excused and young tradesmen returned; that if a rich man is now-and-then returned, he is generally got off by pleading age or infirmities: that deputies are generally hired men, and though they cannot be appointed, unless approved of by the deputy high steward, yet as it is impossible for him to get a true character of the person nominated, he finds many unfit persons are appointed, who, he is informed, make a trade of serving the office; for remedy of which, he proposed, that the number of constables should be increased to 120: he thinks the burthen of serving the office of constable should not lay wholly on the trading inhabitants, as it does by the late Act: that by common law, every person, able and fit, is liable to serve: that the fine for not serving the office should be enlarged from 8l. to 20l. which fine should be distributed among those that do serve: and he added, That 12 being obliged to attend daily during the session of parliament, as long as either House sits, the duty comes round to each individual every sixth day, eight being excepted, who may be sick or kept in reserve; during which attendance the constables must necessarily neglect their own business: with respect to the high constable, he said, it is an office of great burthen and trust: that by law, he, the witness, is obliged to appoint a substantial tradesman to that office; that the

Mr. S. Rainsforth, high constable of Westminster, being examined, said, He had been in office 12 months: that he had visited the different night watch houses, in the city and liberty of Westminster, frequently from 12 to 3 in the morning; found many of the peace officers upon duty-some were not: that there is a gene-person appointed is not to continue in of

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