[Footnote 159: It is by no means to be understood, that this deficiency arose from any want of real attention or public spirit on the part of the respectable individuals who framed and promoted this act. It was perhaps as much as could reasonably be expected at the time, until the public mind could be more fully informed. It was by the operation of this act, that a correct view of the improvements necessary to complete the System, were to be obtained. This first step was, therefore, of great importance; and it is but justice to state, that to the Authors of this Act the Public will be indebted for every subsequent arrangement, which may be adopted for perfecting the Police of the Metropolis.] It is in vain to expect that either vigour or energy can enter into that part of the System, where a great deal of _both_ is necessary, _without Funds_. If criminals, at war with the Community, are to be detected--if risks are to be run to effect this purpose--if it is to be done, (as it must frequently be) at the hazard of the loss of health, and _even of life_, by watching desperadoes in the night time--if accurate informations are necessary, either to discover where stolen property is deposited, or where the delinquents are to be found; a Fund must be provided, or the Public cannot be protected. Those, whose province it is to watch over the Police must not expect that men, capable of giving them useful information, will return a second time, if they have not some adequate reward bestowed upon them for their labour, risk, and trouble. Without such power of granting small rewards, (so far as that part of his duty which relates to the discovery of property plundered, and the detection of the offenders is of importance to the Public,) a Magistrate is placed in the situation of a person pledged to work, _without tools or implements of labour_, by which he can in any respect accomplish his purpose. And hence it is, that among the numerous causes assigned in the course of this Work, for the increase of Crimes,--this is none of the least. Not that it is meant that any additional burthen on the Public, by an extensive expenditure of money, would be necessary--A very moderate sum judiciously and oeconomically laid out, would bring to Commissioners of the Police, or to the _disbursing Magistrates_, through some medium or other, an early account of most of the depredations committed upon the Public, as well as every circumstance relative to coiners and sellers of base money.--This would lead to the detection and apprehension of most of the offenders; and thereby strike such an universal terror, as (assisted by the other salutary regulations proposed in this Work) would soon reduce the number of Thieves, Coiners, and other delinquents; and thus, of course, diminish the ultimate and great additional expence which follows conviction, in all cases where felons are in the course of punishment.