The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-01-13 00:00:00

ittit STATEgiVAI.

ALARMIIVG XTATE of the METROPOLIS•

TO TILE RIGHT HONOURABLE R. RYDER.

Six,—The gloom and horror which for some time
past has had possession of the public mind, has been
considerably alleviated by the noticeyou have given
in the House of Commons respecting the Police ; but
it is most ardently hoped, and anxiously expected,
that Parliament will not stop at half-measures, but
will adopt such plans as will secure the peace and
safety of the community. Many improvements may
ce►tainly be effected in regard to watching ; but the
grand and primary cause of the deluge of crime
which has inundated the country, and thrown out
such hordes of thieves, robbers, and murderers, upon
society, is to be found in our system of Police, and
the manner in which it is conducted. Until that sys-
tem is overturned, and a rational preventive system
is introducetl, it will be in vain to look for peace or
security. What man of common sense can hear,:
without the highest indignation, that Police Magis-
trates connive at and encourage those nightly assem-
blies of villains, in every quarter of the town, who
meet for the sole and express purpose of concerting
and maturing plans of depredation !!!—Can this
be called Police ?—Again, do the runners
er thief-tekers exert themselves to prevent crime ?
quite the contrary ; their plan is to encourage it, in
order that they may receive the reward for detection ;
nor. will this ever happen, if the thief can bribe
higher than the reward ; these are disgraceful facts
welt known, and has long been a reproach to the
country. What dreadful crimes would have been
prevented, and how many useful lives would hive
been spared for the benefit of society, had a different
s) stem been pureed ! Only last week, at the house
of a Mrs. Mann N, on the knowledge of an intended
robbery, the Police Officers patiently waited night
Rfter night till two pcor wretches had committed a
crime, which would forfeit 'heir Ryes, nay more, as
murder would perhaps bring a larger reward than
robbery, they waited till the shrieks of the servant-
maid induced them to think that the wretches were
adding murder to robbery; nor did they enter till
a s.;jicient time was allowed for the horrid deed to be
committed ! !—ls this Police ?—Oh detestable.—
Four plain and simple measures ought instantly
to be taken :

Ist, Arrest and imprison in solitary confinement
as long as the law allows, every known or reputed
thz,:i and receiver.
2d, Abolish, root and branch, those academies for
vice, called thieves' houses.

3d, Discharge the present Police Officers, those
dealers in blood and crime, who will never do their
duty, without being bribed to it, and engage others
at proper, but not enormous salary, who will, at all
times, be ready to do their duty without a bribe.
4:1., Appoint in every office new Magistrates, men
of common sense, who have not been habituated to
the slang and misconduct of a most erroneous, ab-
surd, and condemnable system, which has too long
been a disgrace to the country.
With these four simple regulations, and that sharp
attention which is necessary in every business, any
man of common sense may be an efficient Police
Magistrate, without submitting his judgment to the
intricate{ dictates of a thief-taker, and the commu-
nity kept in tolerable safety till a new and adequate
system of Police is fully matured and carried into ef-
fect.

A CITIZEN.

It is rumoured that the CHANCELLOR of the Ex-
CHEQUER and Mr. RYDER do not agree in opinion as
to the propriety of enforcing payment of the Income
'L'ax from military men. The Irish Militia Officers
in this country claim exemption, on the ground that
they were not liable to it in Ireland, while those of
the English Militia in that country have it deducted
from the issues of their pay here. The CHANCEL
LOR of the Excimuuxit is of opinion, that the Offi-
cers should be relieved from this onerous burthen al-
together, in which Mr. RYDER, it is said, does not
concur.

The Lords of the Admiralty have caused an in-
quiry to.be made at Portsmouth
,respecting the Su-
perannuated Warrant-Officers, and those belonging
to ships which are building, with a view, it is sup-
posed, of dispossessing such of any situations they
might hold on board the Prison-Ships; it being in-
compatible with the Regulations of the service, for
for them to receive the emoluments of two employ-
ments.

No less than forty foreigners were on Friday last
apprehended at the east end of the town, who have
hitherto evaded the Alien regulations.
A constant reader recommends the introduction of
a Bill, inflicting six months imprisonment on every
patrols or watchman convicted of grossly neglecting
their duty.
A circular has been transmitted to the paymasters
of cavalry .regiments, acquainting them, that in con-
sequence of the present enhanced price of corn, the
ration of oats is to be reduced from 12 to 101 b. per
day for each horse, and the ration of hay to be in-
creased from 8 to 14.1 b.—the rations of forage for
horses in quarters remain unaltered.
It is not the intention of the Corporation of Lon-
don to apply to Parliament to interfere In any nnir
arrangement for managing the Police of the City ;
but they have it in coutemplatitin to establish a most
effectual remedy against the frequency of robbery
and murders In every District and Ward over which
they preside. The plan is in forwardness, and will
be submitted to a Court of Common Council in this
week.

The Magistrates for the Comity of Middlesex as-
semble this day in Session at Hicks's Hall, -when it
is expected, the recent dreadful outrages that 'ban
taken place, and the pram( aide qf the Pace, will
be maturely considered.

Miss Dumcim is said to be in treaty for an engage-
ment with the Manager of Covent Garden Theatre.

NAVAL INTE L LICENCE.

—re.-
PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 12

Arrived his Majesty's ships Nonpariel and
Thrasher from a cruise.
Sailed his Majesty's ship Alert, with a few vessels
under convey.