No. 6.--Practices of Habitual Depredators, as disclosed in a London Prison. Communicated by Mr. Chesterton, Governor of Cold Bath Fields Prison COMMISSION. WILLIAM the FOURTH, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith. To our trusty and well-beloved Charles Shaw Lefevre, Esquire, Charles Rowan, Esquire, LieutenantColonel in Our Army, and Edwin Chadwick, Esquire, greeting: Whereas we have thought it expedient that a Commission should forthwith issue for the purpose of Inquiring as to the best Means of Establishing an Efficient Constabulary Force in the Counties of England and Wales, especially with a view to the Prevention of Offences, and also with regard to any Proceedings before Trial by which the Detection and Apprehension of Criminals may be rendered more certain; and also for Inquiring as to any public Services which may be obtained from such a Force, either in the Preservation of the Peace and the due Protection of Property, or by enforcing a more regular Observance of the Laws of the Realm; and also for Inquiring as to the Manner in which such a Force should be appointed and paid. Now know ye, that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your zeal and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint, you, the said Charles Shaw Lefevre, Charles Rowan, and Edwin Chadwick, or any two of you, to be Our Commissioners for the purposes aforesaid. And we do hereby authorize and empower you Our said Commissioners, or any two of you, to obtain information thereupon by the examination of all Persons most competent, by reason of their situation, knowledge, or experience, to afford it; and also by calling for all Documents, Papers, and Records which may appear to you, or any two of you, calculated to assist your researches, and to promote the formation of a sound judgment on the subject. And We do also hereby give and grant unto you, or any two of you, full Power and Authority, when the same shall appear to be requisite, to administer an Oath or Oaths to any Person or Persons whatsoever to be examined before you, or any two of you, touching or concerning the Premises. And We do hereby command and require you, or any two of you, to report to Us in writing, under your hands and seals, with all convenient speed, your several proceedings by virtue of this our Commission, together with your opinion upon the several points which you are hereby required to take into your consideration. And We will and command that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue; and that you Our said Commissioners, or any two of you, may, from time to time, proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment. And We hereby command all and singular Our Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiffs, Constables, Officers, Ministers, and all other Our loving Subjects whatsoever, as well within Liberties as without, that they be assistant to you and each of you in the execution of these Presents. And for your assistance in the execution of these Presents, We do hereby authorize and empower you, or any two of you, to appoint a Chief Clerk to this Our Commission, whose services and assistance We require you to use, from time to time, as occasion may require. In witness whereof, We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent. Witness Ourself, at Westminster, the Twentieth October, in the By Writ of Privy Seal. EDMUNDS. COMMISSION. VICTORIA, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith. To our trusty and well-beloved Charles Shaw Lefevre, Esquire, Charles Rowan, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel in Our Army, and Edwin Chadwick, Esquire, greeting: Whereas his late Majesty King William the Fourth did, by his Letters Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of October, in the Seventh Year of His Reign, appoint you, the said Charles Shaw Lefevre, Charles Rowan, and Edwin Chadwick, to be His Commissioners for Inquiring as to the best Means of Establishing an Efficient Constabulary Force in the Counties of England and Wales. Now know ye, that We have revoked and determined, and by these presents do revoke and determine, the said recited Letters Patent, and every Clause, Article, and Thing therein contained. And further know ye, that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your zeal and ability, and being graciously pleased to renew the said Commission, and to continue you in such employment, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint, you, the said Charles Shaw Lefevre, Charles Rowan, and Edwin Chadwick, or any two of you, to be our Commissioners, for Inquiring as to the best Means of Establishing an Efficient Constabulary Force in the counties of England and Wales, especially with a view to the Prevention of Offences, and also with regard to any Proceedings before Trial, by which the Detection and Apprehension of Criminals may be rendered more certain; and also for Inquiring as to any Public Services which may be obtained from such a Force, either in the Preservation of the Peace, and the due Protection of Property, or by enforcing a more regular Observance of the Laws of the Realm; and also for Inquiring as to the manner in which such a Force should be Appointed and Paid. And We do hereby authorize and empower you Our said Commmissioners, or any two of you, to obtain Information thereupon by the Examination of all Persons most competent, by reason of their situation, knowledge, or experience, to afford it; and also by calling for all Documents, Papers, and Records, which may appear to you, or any two of you, calculated to assist your Researches, and to promote the formation of a sound judgment on the subject. And We do also hereby give and grant unto you, or any two of you, full Power and Authority, when the same shall appear to be requisite, to administer an Oath or Oaths to any Person or Persons whatsoever to be examined before you, or any two of you, touching or concerning the Premises. And We do hereby command and require you, or any two of you, to Report to Us in writing, under your hands and seals, on or before the Thirty-first Day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Nine, your several proceedings by virtue of this Our Commission, together with your opinion upon the several points which you are hereby required to take into your consideration. And We will and command that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue; and that you Our said Commissioners, or any two of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every Matter and Thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment. And We hereby command all and singular our Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiffs, Constables, Officers, Ministers, and all other Our loving Subjects whatsoever, as well within Liberties as without, that they be assistant to you, and each of you, in the execution of these presents. And for your further assistance in the execution of these Presents, We do hereby authorize and empower you, or any two of you, to appoint a Chief Clerk to this Our Commission, whose services and assistance We require you to use, from time to time, as occasion may require. In witness whereof we have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent. Witness Ourself, at Westminster, the Twenty-sixth Day of October, in the First Year of Our Reign. By Writ of Privy Seal, EDMUNDS. |