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Stating the grounds of the annexed Bill for appropriating a
part of Tothill Fields, to the reception of a penitentiary House
intended to be erected under the Penitentiary Contract Act of the
7th July 1794. —
The waste spot, known by the name of Tothill Fields, contains at
present in the gross, about 58 Acres: including the Scite of Rochester Row
and that of the old Pile of Buildings, called the Five Chimnies used in
the time of the great Plague as a Pest-House (a), and for this long time, and
probably ever since that time, as a Poor House (which two Scites together
may occupy about two Acres of the extent) and the space employed in
Roads, which may occupy about six or eight Acres.
The Westminster Scholars, as stated in the Bill, make use of the
Waste as a Cricket Ground — A considerable part of it to the amount of
several Acres, is in a swampy state both Summer and Winter: a much
more considerable part, in winter. The whole of the portion lying behind
Rochester Row amounting to upwards of six Acres, is altogether unproductive
being without a single blade of Grass upon it and a considerable part
of the remainder, is equally bare of Herbage. The surface being continually
covered by fresh loads of Rubbish promiscuously shot down upon it
The situation has been Noticed in popular songs, as a place of
resort for the disorderly and dishonest Company: and for the purpose of seditious
meetings and enterprizes, it could, so long as it continues in its present state,
afford at any time a spot but too commodious: commodious, not only
by reason of the magnitude of its expanse, but on account of its being
common land, that is a spot on which persons of all descriptions and
designs, have a right to place themselves and in any numbers, without
being liable to be warned off and dealt with as Trespassers as they might be
if it were private ground.
From this circumstance, added to that of its comparative vicinity
to the King's Residence and to Westminster Hall, it would afford (especially
since Saint George's Field has been so much overspread with buildings)
the readiest place of meeting for any enterprise of insolence or hostility
against the King, the two Houses of Parliament, or the Courts of Justice:
and should disaffection ever spread among the Kings Guards, would
afford a place of near and easy resort to which the disaffected part might
repair without exposing themselves to punishment for desertion, non observance
(a) Stowe's Survey of London, by Strype.
(1)
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case - / stating the grounds of the annexed bill, for appropriating a part of tothill fields, to the reception of a penitentiary house intended to be erected under the penitentiary contract act of the 7th july 1794 |
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