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Trinity Officer not to be continued as such if he refuses to go with a Police
Officer to detect and apprehend the plunderers — A nightly watch to be kept
by the Watermen with a night Constable at every Public Stairs above Bow
Creek to London Bridge and at Greenwich Deptford the Pidgeons Globe
Stairs or where the Fenny was & at all the Stairs that are Public & judged
necessary in Surry to London Bridge. Where the Watermen that keep
turn may be Secure the Trinity Office Boats as well as their own from
being Stolen, sunk, or Stove, and for the greater Security of every honest
person having occasion to Land or take water by night at such Stairs.
If any of the persons employed to work on board the Ships or Vessels in
the Thames as is before particularlized are detected have any part of the
Cargo of the same before the leave the said Ship or Vessel or seen to leave
the same are subject to be indicted as felons. A few such examples in my
opinion would greatly check the evil. As are many receivers leaving their
Doors open in the Night or at any time in any Clandestine way
There are so many concerned of different descriptions on the River & at the Wharfs
and the Stairs with the plunderers & receivers to give notice by a flag or a hollow
if any honest officer is near to prevent the plunderers Landing detected & brought
to Justice to prevent which they throw the property overboard or convey it on
the other side the Thames. The receivers as soon as they obtain possession
have Scales weights and Paper Bags ready to contain 28lb Weight with
Bills of Parcels from other receivers in the same way which they remove
in very large quantities having such Bills of Parcells, That neither
the Revenue Officer, Police Officer or Trinity Officer dare venture to
seize the same.
A greater fine and punishment. & reward to informers & apprehenders
And as in General the Persons that belong to Ships or Vessels plundered
cannot wait to give evidence. If two Magistrates had a similar power
as the Statute 32d of the present King Chapt 53 Sec 17 gives for punishing
reputed Thieves suspected to be pick-pockets — in my opinion would
be of great use.
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Identifier: | JB/150/313/004"JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 150. |
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150 |
police bill |
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313 |
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004 |
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copy/fair copy sheet |
4 |
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recto |
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50534 |
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