fear of punishment, does not operate as a restraint; -yet is it, notwithstanding, clear to demonstration, from the effects produced by the limited experiment which has been made, that the General Police for the River Thames which is in contemplation, aided by the apposite Legislative regulations which experience has suggested to be necessary,* must in its operation, under the guidance of an able and active Magistracy, so far diminish and keep down the depredations which were committed, as to prove scarce a drop in the bucket, when compared to the extensive and enormous evils which it has been the object of the promoters of this new System to suppress. Although in this arduous pursuit, the Author of this work has experienced infinite difficulties, and discouragements, yet is he rewarded by the consciousness that he was engaged in an undertaking in which the best interests of Society were involved :— that independent of the pecuniary benefits derived by the State, and the Proprietors of Commercial Property (which already have unquestionably been very extensive,) he has been instrumental in bringing forward a great preventive System, and by administering the Laws in conjunction with a very zealous, For the specific provisions of the Marine Police Bill, see the "Treatise on the Commerce Navigation Police of the River Thaines."-The object of this Bill is rather to prevent crimes than to punish; and where punishments ou conviction are to be inflicted, they are of a nature which, it is to be hoped, will operate sufficiently as an example to diminish the evil, without the exercise of any great degree of severity. able, and humane magistrate,* in a manner rather calculated to restrain than to punish,† a multitude of individuals, together with a numerous offspring, are likely to be rendered useful members of the Body Politic, instead of nuisances in Society.-The advantages thus gained (although his labours have been in other respects gratuitous,) will abundantly compensate the dangers, the toils and the anxieties which have been experienced. In the accomplish ment of this object, both the interests of humanity and morality have been in no small degree promoted: unquestionably, there cannot be a greater act of benevolence to mankind, in a course of criminal delinquency, than that which tends to civilize their manners;-to teach them obedience to the Laws;-to screen themselves and their families from the evils and distress attendant on punishment, by preventing the commission of crimes; and to lead them into the paths of honest industry, as the only means of securing that real comfort and happiness which a life of criminality, however productive of occasional supplies of money, can never bestow.-If it shall be considered (as it certainly is) a glorious atchievement to subdue a powerful Army or Navy, and thereby secure the tranquillity of a State is not the triumph in some degree * John Harriott, Esq. the Resident Magistrate. So powerful was the effect of the preventive System, whereever it was permitted to be applied, that no instance has occurred in the course of more than fifteen months, since the Marine Police was established, of sufficient grounds for a criminal prosecution having taken place by the commission of any Larceny or Felony in ships or craft under the immediate protection of the Institution. analogous, analogous, where à numerous army of delinquents, carrying on a species of warfare no less noxious, if not equally hostile, shall not only be subdued by a mild and systematic direction of the powers of the Law; but that the conquered enemy. shall be converted into an useful friend, adding strength instead of weakness to the Government of the country? Such has been, at least, the result of the partial operations of the Marine Police; and such will unquestionably be the issue of the general measures which have been planned and arranged, when the Key-stone shall be finally laid to the fabric, by passing into a.Law the Bill which has been prepared for the extension of this design to the protection of the whole trade of the port of London *. As a proof of the approbation of the whole body of the West India Planters at the General Meeting, not only of the System of the Marine Police, but also of the Bill which has been prepared to extend its influence to the general Trade of the River Thames, the following extracts are inserted: Extract from the Minutes of a Meeting of a Committee of the "Resolved, "That this Committee is fully convinced that considerable advantages have been derived from the institution of the Marine Police in checking the depredations on West India produce on board ships in the River Thames; and consequently approves of the Bill for constituting the said Marine Police, with powers enlarged and more effective, and on a more extended plan, provided the Act for that purpose be in the first instance limited to the duration of three years, and that the whole expence of the Institution does not exceed Ten Thousand Pounds annually." Extract from the Minutes of a General Meeting of the West The Right Honourable Lord PENRHYN in the Chair. "That this Meeting confirms the Report of its Committee, and approves of the project of a Bill for the purposes, and within the limitations stated in that Report. "Resolved, "That Lord Penrhyn be requested to present to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Report of a Committee of this Meeting, on the subject of the Marine Police Institution, and the Resolution of this meeting approving the said Report, "Resolved, "That Lord Penrhyn be requested to communicate the thanks of this Meeting to Mr. Colquhoun for the zeal, ability, and perseverance with which he has endeavoured to form an effectual check to the system of depredation which prevailed on the River Thames.” CHAP. ON PLUNDER IN THE DOCK YARDS. 249 CHAP. IX. Reflections on the Causes of the Existence and Continuance of the Frauds, Embezzlements, Peculation, and Plunder in his Majesty's Dock Yards and other Public Repositories, and in the Naval Department in general--Reasons why the Evil has not been suppressed.—A summary summary View of the Means employed in committing Offences of this Nature.-Reasons assigned why the Defalcation of this Species of Property must be extensive.-Illustrated by the immense Value, and by an Estimate, and general View, of the Public Property exposed to Hazard.-A summary View of the Laws which relate to Offences on Public Property; Proofs adduced of their Deficiency.-Remedies proposed and detailed under the respective Heads of-1st. A Central Board of Police-2d, A Local Police for the Dock Yards-3d. Legislative Regulations proposed in Aid of the Police System-4th. Regulations respecting the Sale of Óld Stores-5th. The Abolition of the Perquisites of Chips-6th. The Abolition of Fees and Perquisites, and liberal Salaries in lieu thereof-7th. An improved Mode of keeping Accounts-8th. An annual Inventory of Stores in Hand-Concluding Ob servations. |