The sole object of the Author in pointing out the accumulated wrongs which have tended in so great a degree to abridge this Liberty, is to pave the way for the adoption of those practical remedies which he has suggested, in conformity with the spirit of the Laws, and the Constitution of the Country, for the purpose of bettering the state of Society, and improving the condition of human life. If in the accomplishment of this object the Morals of the People shall undergo a favourable change, and that species of comfort and security be extended to the inhabitants of this great Metropolis, which has not heretofore been experienced, while many evils are prevented, which in their consequences threaten to be productive of the most serious mischief, the Author of this Work will feel himself amply rewarded in the benefits which the System he has proposed shall be found to confer upon the Capital of the British Dominions, and on the Nation at large. _Preparing for the Press, by the Author of this Work._ A TREATISE ON _THE COMMERCE AND POLICE_ OF THE RIVER THAMES: CONTAINING AN HISTORICAL VIEW OF _THE TRADE OF THE PORT OF LONDON;_ THE DEPREDATIONS COMMITTED ON ALL PROPERTY IMPORTED AND EXPORTED THERE; THE REMEDIES HITHERTO APPLIED; AND THE MEANS OF FUTURE PREVENTION, BY A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF _RIVER-POLICE;_ WITH AN ACCOUNT OF _THE FUNCTIONS OF THE VARIOUS MAGISTRATES AND OTHERS_ EXERCISING OR CLAIMING JURISDICTION ON THE RIVER; AND OF THE _PENAL STATUTES AGAINST MARITIME OFFENCES_ OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. [_The above will be published in the course of the Spring, by_ JOS. MAWMAN, _in the Poultry._] _CONTENTS._ CHAP. I. GENERAL VIEW OF EXISTING EVILS. PAGE _Ineffective System of Criminal Jurisprudence.--Facility of eluding Justice.--Severity and inequality of Punishments.--Necessity of revising our Penal Code.--Certain dangerous Offences not punishable.--Receivers of Stolen Property.--Extent of Plunder in the Metropolis, &c.--Proposed Restrictions on Receivers.--Coiners and Utterers of Base Money; the extent of their crimes.--Defects in the mode of prosecuting Offenders.--Pardons.--Periodical Discharges of Prisoners.--Summary of the causes of the present inefficacy of the Police, under nine different heads._ 1 CHAP. II. ON THE SYSTEM OF PUNISHMENTS: THEORETICALLY CONSIDERED.