334 ANNUAL REGISTER, 1S12. 



enforced by legislative enactment, 

 as would give an uniformity and 

 permanency to such a system. 



The metropolis is considered as 

 divided into three parts : — 



*' The city of London, properly 

 so called, and the liberties thereof; 

 the city of Westminster, and the 

 liberties thereof; the several pa- 

 rishes which are neither within the 

 city of London and its liberties, or 

 the city of Westminster and its 

 liberties." 



The city of London is governed 

 by various ancient charters and 

 statutes. The statute of the 13th 

 of Edward 1. [Statutum Civitatis 

 London,) is one of the most an- 

 cient; but the principal act which 

 at this time regulates the nightly 

 watch of the city of London, is the 

 10 Geo. II. c. 22. by which the 

 Lord Mayor, aldermen, and com- 

 mon-council, are directed yearly to 

 make regulations on this subject, 

 and the aldermen and common- 

 councilmen in each word are to 

 carry these regulations into effect, 

 and make such minor regulations 

 as to details, as they may judge 

 necessary. The act specifies the 

 duties of the constables and watch- 

 men, and prescribes the mode in 

 which they are to be punished for 

 misconduct or neglect. 



The city of London, from the 

 nature of its magistracy, the de- 

 scription of its various public offi- 

 cers, the gradation and subordina- 

 tion of their various classes, the 

 division and subdivision of its local 

 limits, affords an example of that 

 unity and of that dependance of 

 parts on each other, without which 

 no well constructed and efficient 

 system of police can ever be ex- 

 pected. If such a system could be 

 successfully imitated in Westmin- 

 ster and its liberties, and within the 



other adjacent parishes, considera- 

 ble benefit might be expected ; for 

 your committee are disposed to 

 concur with several witnesses, that 

 a well arranged system of superin- 

 tendance, vigilance, and control, 

 would tend more to the prevention 

 of crimes, than anj degree of 

 activity in the pursuit and convic- 

 tion of criminals : however, the 

 two systems are not only not in- 

 compatible, but would afford mu- 

 tual aid and assistance to each 

 other. 



This system of watch and ward, 

 adapted bj^ the legislature to the 

 city of London, is not a dead letter, 

 but is ke|)t alive and in action by 

 theconstant supeilntendance of the 

 marshals of the city, with their 

 assistants who every night visit 

 the different wards and precincts, 

 and take care that the constables, 

 beadles, and watchmen of all de- 

 scriptions, are alert and do their 

 duty. Morning reports are made 

 to the Lord Mayor; deficiencies are 

 noticed, as well as any disorders or 

 irregularities, or other occurrences. 



The city of Westminster, having 

 never been incorporated, is not 

 provided with the same means, and 

 the same gradations of its public 

 officers, to insure the unity and 

 efficiency of its exertions for the 

 prevention of crimes. 



By the statute of the 27th of 

 Elizabeth, presiding and subordi- 

 nate officers are appointed, and 

 powers given to the dean and 

 chapter, and to the high steward, 

 and others, to make regulations for 

 the good government of West- 

 minster. Lord Burleigh was the 

 first high steward, and a code of 

 regulations was introduced by him, 

 and a division of its local limits 

 into 12 wards. This statute is 

 si)ecially referred to, and its powers 



enlarged. 



