The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-01-18 00:00:00

krtiE STATESMAN.

ressly constituted for that purpose. With respect to
*hat the lion. Gent. had said of the familiarity that
etisted between the Police Officers and the culprits,
there could be no doubt that stories of that descrip-
tion had been constantly written and told from Jona-
than Wi!d's time down to the present moment. No
however, could say that that familiarity which

a much more aggravated nature, than those of which
the individuals from whom th,lrepresentations pro-
ceeded, had been guilty, had been liberated in great
numbers. He certainly did not state this as a fact in
which he entirely believed, but the matter had been
communicated to him in such various shapes, that
he confessed himself curious to know from the

been guided oil the subject. It was time to ask whe-
ther the expected advantage had accrued'
Sir F. BUIL DETT expressed himself happy to find
that a suspicionovhich he confessed he had entertain-
ed, that advantage would be taken of the alarm of
the public mind to extend the Police of the metropo-
lis, proved to be unfounded. As to the motion it-

him, who so well deserved to represent the Coy of
NVestminster, and who, he trusted, would lot:g. con-
tinue to represent it, whether any of tne r,?;
among his Constituents had been consulted ? In fart,
he firmly believed that the flight lion. Gent. had
never had the slightest communication with one of
the Magistrates, either of the City of London or of

,1 .....__ .
one, ________ _ _ _ --- ____ --.
was evidently not novel in its kind, had "been the Right Honourable Secretary of State how it actually self, it was utterly impossible for him (Sir Francis !the City of Westminster. Many endeavours had
immediate cause of the late unprecedented outrages. stood. The Right Honourable the Chancellor of Burdett) to oppose it for an instant. •Indeed, he ' been made to throw the odium of the late horrid
He certainly did not mean to contend that because the Exchequer had deprecated clogging the Commit- was convinced, that if the system of nightly watch I murders on foreigners. Sometimes they were said
,
sn evil had long existed, it ought not to be correct. tee with what.he chose to term theoretical considers- were made, what, in his opinion, it could easily be to have been committed by Portuguese, sometimes
ed, but it was impossible to ascribe the recent in- , flops. If the motion, however, were amended in lrish. The Shadwell made, the necessity of any Police whatever might be :by Magistrates had taken
c se of offences either to the rewards granted for I such a way as to extend the inquiry of the Committee precluded, as the possibility of any crime whatever !trent pains to shew that the whole originated in a
the detection of great offenders, or to the familiarity Ito the state of the Police, he could not see how that might be prevented. This, however, could not be I Popish plot. But to revert to the supposition
which existed between the offenders and the Police ; would clog them; because they might, in the first done on the present principles. But if the country , that the murder was committed by foreigners, every
Officers; because both those circumstances, so far' place, take into consideration the state of the night- chose to revive the old law of Edward 1. by which 1 body knew who the Gentleman was that was at
from being new, were of very ancient date indeed. I
ily watch, and report to the House the facts, and every county and parish was made responsible to 1 the head of the Alien Office: of that Gentle-
But when the Hon. Gentleman proceeded to say that ; their opinion thereon, and then proceed to the con- every householder for the losses he might sustain, and man's activity he had never doubted, although cer_
the Officers were reprehensible in not apprehending sideration of the state of the Police. It was no by which every householder was compelled in his ' tainly, on a former occasion, he had differed
those individuals of a suspicious character, with ' answer to him to say, that the Committee being in turn to watch for the protection of others, effect from him in opinion upon political subjects, and hid
,
whose persons they were acquainted, it behoved the I the first instance constituted to inquire into the first ! tual security would be afforded to the community ' even moved in that House his prosecution by the Ate
House to consider how far any extension of the ope- subject, might be subsequently vested with powers iat large, without the immediate interference of any torney-General. It was natural to suppose, that a
ration of the Police would be expedient, and how Ito investigate the other; for, in the present ex- ; police, and the respectable part of the population, Gentleman at the head of such an office as the Alien
far it would be advisable that they should' take up I tremely perturbed state of the public mind, it would thus accustomed to the use of arms, might be render- Office, ought to be closetted with the Secretary of'
persons not for the crimes which they had committed, I hiford no satisfaction to it to be told, that all ,ed available to the defence of the kingdom, in the State for the Home Department at least two or thre ,
but onl on suspicion of the crimes which they might I the immediate remedy contemplated for the event of any invasion by a foreigu enemyat times a week. Was he right in saying, that there ead
possibly commit. The imprisonment of suell persons isting eril Was some small improvement in the state ! least would be competent to repress all internal dis- been no intercourse between them for a year and a
could be but short, and was little calculated to be be- ;of the nightly watch. It would be much more : turbances. Hoping that some plan of this sort was half ? If so, what sort of a Secretary of Stot: for the
a r
fleeced to themselves, or to the community. If the sa..s.actory to announce to the public, that the ;in the contemplation of Government, he gave his Home Department must that man be, who, in the dis..
villain who had lately disappointed 'the just yen- I House W Constituted a Committee for the purpose I complete assent to the motion. He was very happy charge of the important and peculiar duties of his sta.
geance of the nation, by violently withdrawing him- of entering upon an enlarged and vigorous 1
in-
I that the amendment had received the concurrence of tion, never deigned to consult an Alderman of Lon-
self front the punishment whelk awaited hist, Illde goiry intodhe causes of the rapid and alarming in- ithe Right Hon. Gentleman opposite, for it appeared , don, a Magistrate of' Westminster or the head of the
previously to the commission of his crime, been ap- crease oterimes. It certainly was most extraor- ,to hire to be indispensable to %Vire into the abuses Alien Oirce ? The contrast between the importance
preheuded on suspicion, the period of his imlwiacin- dinerY to heat the Hight Honourable Gentleman I which he believed bad crept into the Police este- of the matter proposed by the Amendment to be con-
sent could have base but short, and the place or It , term the consideration of the causes which pre.. ! btishment. 'lt was 'MS determination to move for ' sidored, and the ineigficance of that to which the 06_
calculated, according to the Hon. Gentleman's own ; vented people from sleeping quietly in their beds a list of the 'Police Magistrates who had been ap- • ginal motion would have limited the deliberations of
statemele, to nurture every description of crimi-' 1 "theoretic." The Right lion. Gentleman must cer- . pointed with their several qualifications, in or- I the Committee, was truly whimsical. It was like
!
sal feeling. The particular outrage which had ex- filthily have meant this observation jocularly. Indeed der to see whether the law on that subject had note adding a loaf to a crust of bread.—[A laugh.]--s-
-cited such feelings of horror and detestation itt the he had treated in the same manner a very solid and been wholly disregarded. The 32d of the King di- It was as if a motion had been made respecting
metropolis,- and the perpetrators of which, the Hon. I judicious remark made by an Hon. Friend near him. rected that the Police Magistrates should be appoint- the pitch and tar in the dock-yards, and an amend.
Gentleman said, had escaped detection, was still llls lion. Friend had-said, that if by a vigorous exer- ed from the acting Magistrates, and that their quail- ment added to inquire into the state, number,
wrapped up in mystery. It undoubtedly seemed' Hon of the Police, all abandoned characters should be , fication should be the possession of tool. a year in and discipline of the whole of his Majesty's
strange, that a single individual could commit such excluded from the Metropolis, they would bediffused, ;freehold property. Ile suspected that these enact- Navy.—[A lough laugh.]—The nightly watch was
accumulated violence. The probability was, that he and would perpetrate offences elsewhere. On this; ',tents were departed from, and he would take an a very trifling subject indeed. The Committee
was incapable of doing so; but on this subject nocer- remark the Right lion. Gentleman had thought fit to ' early opportunity of ascertaining the truth. The might dispatch it in three hours; but he defied any
lain opinion could yet be formed. If this outrage be humorous. The intention of hit Hon. Friend was subject was one of a wide range, and he trusted the Committee in three months to investigate so extensive
was actually committed by the individual to whom he i only to shew the necessity of ascertaining the root of ; Home would closely investigate the cause of a rapid a subject as the Police. And in the mean time what
hal iwfore alluded, it was untrue to say that the col- the evil—of ascertaining the defect of the present accumulation of crimes, of which the history of the ' was to become of the security of the metropolis ?It
prit bad not been found; but certainly he must re-'system. If the House neglectedto do this, they would be country afforded no precedent. lie attributed this was indeed a most extensive question. In the year
pi. it, that it seemed strange to him, that such devas- deficient in their duty, and he would therefore move in a great measure to the neglected state of our cri- 1780, after the alarming riots of that period, he had
tation could be occasioned by a single individual.— as an amendment to the original motion, the addition minal code, the necessity for revising which had been himself moved the appointment of a Committee qto
At the same time, as far as he had been able to trace of the following words : maintained by almost all the great men who had inquire into the nature and character of the Police of
the circumstances of the rage, it appeared to be yet " And also into the state of the Police of the Metropolis." written or spoken on the subject. It was lament- the metropolis," ascribing, as he did, all the disturb-
ut.certain whether or not others were concerned Lord COCIIRANE ascribed the origin of theevil able to see the Legislature so careless in a matter on ances and dangers of that time to the bad state of the
in this horrible atrocity. But, as the Hon. Gentle- , complained of, to the Pension List, and to the various ; which the lives and property of millions depended.— Police Magistracy. The repartee which was made
man had himself said, no state of nightly watch, : other modes by which individuals of the higher classes, t The Right Honourable Secretary of State had pro. upon him by the Lord Lieutenant, his Grace of North•
s.
however excellent, could have prevented such a and particularly Members of that House, partook of i fessed to see no connection between the observations umberland, was to put him into the commission.—
crime; indeed he hardly knew in what system of the public money, without performing any publiclser- !of the Noble Lord and the subject before the House. Au lion. Baronet had justly complained of offices
police a prevention could have been found. If such ' vice. The enormous expenditure of the State to ich I The connection was nevertheless intimate. If the given in the Police as jobs, and not because the indi-
te .'nines guilt lurked in a human breast, no system- such abuse contributed 4 had the effect of grinding the morals of the higher classes were depraved, the gene- I viduals on whom they were conferred were competent
of Government could hinder it from endeavouring to , lower classes, and of driving theneeto the commission rat morals would be depraved also. The argument to the situation. Could any thing be more wrong
effect its object. It might bo close to us ; it might; of offences of which they otherwise would have never of the Noble Lord went to shew, that it was disho- than this ? lie was glad to hear the Right lion. Gen-
be in our houses. The only security against such ; thought. • vest in public men to receive the public money with- I tleman opposite agree to inquire into the state of the
crimes was the manner in which the exeierel senti- I Mr. Secretary RYDER protested himself unable to oat performing public service. This example of dis- Police. But would the Right Hon. Gentleman assert
meta of mankind hunted down the individuals by j understand the bearing of the Noble Lord's observe. honesty spread through the whole community, un- as a fact, that there had been no jobs of the nature to
Whom they were perpetrated. In his opinion, the Bons on the question before the House. He had no dermining every sound principle of justice and mo- which the lion. Baronet had alluded? Would he assert
general increase of trials at the Old Bailey was a ! objection to the Amendment proposed by the Ho- rality. that no individual had been put into an office for which
euch greater grountlfor the motion of his Right Hon. .1 no de Gentleman, provided he would consent to The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER he was unfit, or continued iu that office when he was
Friend, than the two horrid Murders which had ; substitute the word " further," for the word begged to be distinctly understood, that in consent- found to be unfit ?—He believed the Right lion.
been committed ;' for such events as the last were not : " also," in order that the primary object of the lug to the Amendment he did not imply any impres. Gentleman would not veture to say this. The Hon.
the more likely to occur again because they had oc- Committee might be that which he (Mr. Ryder) sion on his mind unfavourable towards the conduct Baronet had given notice of his intention to move for
tarred within the last three months. It appeared to : thought a great practical benefit. Adverting to the of the Police Magistrates, or of those by whom they a list of the Magistrates and their qualifications. It
him, that what had been said by hie Hon. and Learned ' question of the Honourable Gentleman respecting were appointed. An Hon. Gentleman had imputed was a most unpleasant and invidious task to point out
Friend, and by the Hdn. Gentleman, was not in op- I the persons alleged to have been recently liberated to him a factious intention in his deprecation of clog- the misconduct of individuals, in situations of import-
position to the motion of his Right Hon. Friend. ; from the hulks; he allowed that a great many had ging the Committee with any theoretical considers- ance and responsibility. With what different feelings
As far as that motion went, he apprehended it was I been to liberated, but he denied that the offences for tions. It appeared to him, however, to be a very did he mention the name of Graham, to whom, in his
agreed to by every one. It was required by the pre-1 which they had been confined were of an aggro- serious truth, that an inquiry into the precise nature opinion, the public was infinitely indebted for his con,
sent state of the metropolis, and he trusted thatlvated nature. He had inquired particularly into the of the punishment, for any particular offence, was duct both as a Police Magistrate, and as superin-
those who thought that the inquiries of the Commit. 1 subject, and the inforination which he had re- as little calculated as the recommendatidoby the 1 tendant of.the Hulks. Be heartily wished he could
tee would be beneficial, would be cautious how they ceived led him to entertain the firm persuasion that lion. Member for Westminster, of a ReTorm in Par- I say the same of every other Magistrate. But what'
clogged those inquiries with subjects not immediately not any of the persons alluded to, had returned to liament, for making the Police better. These were I was the fact ? The Office of Bow-street contained
connected with them. When the Committee were their former depraved habits of life. He had also the considerations which to him appeared theoretical. las many honest public servants as any Office of that
sitting, if it were thought'desirable that they should endeavoured to investigate the cause of the great and Mr. ettERIDAN declared, that after the progres. description could do ; but the Officers of Shadwell,
take into consideration any other subject, instruc- I recent increase of crimes, and, as far as he had been sive increase of crimes for a considerable period— with an extravagant vigour, which was highly repre-
tions to that effect might be given them ; but he de- ' able to discover, it appeared to him that it was to be after the peculiarly alarmed state in which the me- hensible, 'apprehended a number of persons on the
, , I
precatcd any proceeding in the first instance wine.. found in the number of persons who had lately re- tropolis had existed for the space of two months, he; slightest pretences, and did in fact seize almost every
would impede them in their p..sent endeavours to I turned from transportation, and . had unfortunately did think that the Secretary of State for the Home I body who was so unfortunate as to have a dirty shirt.
provide a practical remedy for the existing evil. 1 resumed their old practices. In justice to the Police Department, the first Magistrate of Police in the He would state an instance of their extreme rigour :
Mr. ABERCROMBIE observed, that the objec-10fficersehe must beg leave to notice the accusation country, would have so turned his mind to the con- There was not the slightest shadow of proof to eoun-
eon of his lion. Friend to the motion of the Right , made against them, by the lion. and Learned Gentle- sideration of such an important subject, that he would tenance the report that Williams was au Irishman.—
lion. Gent. was, that it was too narrow in its limits. : matt opposite, when he stated, that they were never have come down to the House prepared with a It was, nevertheless, so bruited in every paper. A
The Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer had disposed to detect offenders, unless a great reward detailed remedy to arrest the evils, and to allay the , reverend Justice even cross-examined him as to his
been more distinct on the subject than the Right I sup apprehensions offered to them for that purpose. A similar su apprehensions of the metropolis. Instead of which being a Catholic. One morning the Officers of the
lion. Mover. He had said, that the subject was to gestion had some time ago been made to him from the Right Hon. Gentleman had brought forward the Shadwell Office apprehended seven Irishmen, and
Provide a practical remedy for a practical evil. Now, . another quarter. lie had had recourse to the best strangest, and (he begged pardon) he must say the' put them into confinement in the close room. The
in order to see which argument was the more correct, ! authority, and he had been assured by the Magis- silliest proposition that he had ever heard in Parlia. I next day a great clamour proceeded from the room,
that which asserted that the proposed object of the j trates, 'who were surely the most competent to give ment. At a moment of the greatest public alarm 9 ; i and on the Magistrates asking the. cause, they were
Committee was sufficient, or that which asserted that lan opinion on the subject, that no such indisposition excited by the recent occurrence of the most un- I told that it proceeded from these horrible Irish-
-it was not sufficient—let the House consider the na- existed; and that if any such indisposition were ma- precedented murders, the prayer of the Right I men. The poor fellows had been twenty-two hours
tare of the evil which was to be removed. He per. ! nifested by an officert he would be immediately dis- I Honourable Gentleman to the House was to appoint 'ln this close room, without food or bei ! The Magis-
f'etlY agreed with the Right Hon. Gentleman, that ' missed from his situation. Ile was convinced thatla Committee to examine into the state of the nightly , trates ordered them up at seven o'clock in the even-
however the general feeling might be harrowed by I;greater efforts to detect offenders had never been I watch ! As well might a Committee be appointed to i lag, for the purpose of having an apology made to
the late horrible murders which had been perpe- ' made than those which the Police Officers of theme-, examine into the state -of the parish nurses. [A 1 them, and of their being discharged. Such was the
Crated, yet that those murders were not the grounds . tropolis had made during the last two months. I laugh.] After intimating that he had heard it rte.; public conviction of the guilt of Williams, that he
On which the appointment of a Committee ought to I Mr. ABERCROMBIE acquiesced in the alters- moured that the various parishes of the metropolis, knew he was treading on very tender ground when
rest; but that those grounds must be founded in the ' tion of the word in the motion. 'instead of selecting able-bodied watchmen to defend he uttered any thing that by the most distant infer-
general increase of crimes which.the law and the po_ 1 Sir S. ROMILLY begged permission to make a their houses from midnight assault, had appointed a ence might be supposed to imply that he was not tho-
lice
were found incompetent to check. How, he : few obserfations on what had fallen from the Right set of decrepid old creatures, who were wholly in- roughly persuaded of his guilt : although the extent
would a,
--I could the appointment of a Committee to ; Hon. Secretary. The Right lion., Gentleman talked competent to the task of protection, recommended of that which he was about to say went merely to a
consider,. merely the state of the nightly watch be' of the great exertions which the Police Officers had the institution of a Committee to inquire into the defence of the law which had been so grossly via-
°reused likely to afford a practical remedy to this made during the last two months. Did he recollect ' fact. Whom were the Committee to examine? Those dated. The Magistrates of Shadwell professed such
Practical evil ? This was a point which the Right' that a reward of upwards of 7001. was offered to by whom the watchmen were appointed ? No • ' they a conviction of the guilt of this man, that con
Hon. Gentleman had in no way explained. The ' those who should detect and prosecute to conviction I were truly the culprits. But perhaps the Right Ho- teary to every principle of the law of the cote
natural argument was, that those who felt that the perpetrators of the crime ? He did not wish to ' nourable Gentleman meant to call all the watch- I try, which neither panic, (oar, nor apparent -
se
we,' were insecure, looked to Government for . speak harshly of the Police, but he did think it a mon- i men in London before the Committee, to have vantage ought to induce any one to violate,
Protection. They looked to the Police; and he con- . strous evil that so many persons had been taken up' them examined in, the same manner as recruits held out 'his miserable carcase ite in abhorren;
tended that nothing had been advanced to prove that ;on that occasion, upon such slight grounds of suspi- ' were examined by Surgeons, in order to ascertain spectable, to the' mob ;
the state of the police ought to be excluded from the ' don. Among them was the nearest relative of one of whether or not they were fit for duty. [A laugh.] no right whatever to do,
aeration
oft he Committee, and that that consi- , the murdered persons, who, on no ground whatever, I He confessed that he thought it highly unbecoming deney whatever, but wle
'ration should be limited to the state of the nightly ; was apprehsndtd and kept 48 hours in custody, on : the gravity of the Right Honourable Gentleman to instil into the lower orders
watch alone. The proptiety'of extending the con- i the dreadful charge of having murdered his brother.. (and he must do the Right Honourable Gentle- some future period might
sideration- of the Committee to the state of the Police' One vine- and another, there were no less than 40 or-, man the justice to say, that he preserved his gra- savage ferocity. This proceedi
was obvious. It was evident from the growth of 150 persons apprehended on suspicion. He could not vity and solemnity on every occasion), to propose at covertheir own scandalous ,-
Crimes that the Police was inadequate to its object. I therefore join in the Right Hon. Gentleman's corn- ' that time of day, the appointment of a Committee of ficient conviction of Will'
It was most desirable therefore that the Committee I mendation of the Police Officers, when he considered the House Of Commons, to enquite into the state of I
*ids, to give orders for ,
*should be empowered to inquire'of the Police the na- I the high reward by which they were stimulated, and the nightly watch of London. The Right Hon. Gen- cession with the maul amid
"'kr'' , of their inadequacy; and to learn the causes to the number of persons whom they apprehended, in tiemanhad not condescended even to consult on the' disgustingecompauiments
"'melt they imputed the increase of offences. For his the most light manner. He was glad, therefore, that subject, those from whom hp might have derived in- had not sufficient conviction
Part, be believed that thecetuses stated by his Hon. and the I louse had agreed to inquire into the state of the formation and assistance. He saw a worthy Alder- eto Cold Bath-Fields Prison
Learned Friend near him, had tended materially to Police. It should be remembered, that when the ' man in his place, a Member for the City of London, alone, but to appoint some
:'
laarease the number of recent offences. One fact he Police was originally established it was new to the whose social and convivial habits must have given him up with him, in order to
knew, that in consequence of a visit to the hulks, a Con'stitution, and was introduced only on the suppo- frequirit opportunities of ascertaining the state of titig an act of desperation
number of representations had been made to him by sition, that some great benefit would bedevived from the nlghtfy watch. He would ask that worthy Al- actually committed." As
Persons confined there, which went to OM* that it, which would justify Parliament in departing from derma, whether the Right Hon. Gest. had required have ordered the Keeper
i
other prisoners who had been confined for eriates 'Of those principle by which they had until that period, his opinion.? He would ask the Noble Lord near , or a loaded pistol on' the
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I had been so grossly vie- !.`,,, 1
of Shadwell professed such
s .*
ilt of this man, that con- r
e of the law of the cow).
ic, fear, nor apparent ad_
e any one to violate, they 1.
carcass. as asi abhorrent
a thittosklch they had f t :
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r which Iss4 no moral ten-
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hich was calculated rather 4 1
•rders a /barbarism that at
ht be manifested in acts of
receeding was calculated to
us neglect. They had self- I
illiams's guilt in their own
r all this mummery of a pro-
' 'll id• ripping-chissel, and other
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its ; but it seemed that they
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ion of his guilt to send wo d se ' •
ison not to let him remain 4
me able-bodied person to sit i
) prevent him from commit- I( $ ,
n such as that Which he had 1 z I I I
sit was,. they might as well i . . 1
of the Prison to put a razor
table of his cell. It tbea •I• ' •,..
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