"Whereas it has been represented to me, _Thomas Touchit_, Watchman Extraordinary of the City of _Westminster_, that the Watchmen of _London_ were very remiss during the dreadful Fire on _Friday_ morning, _March_ 25, in not giving timely Notice of that Calamity over their several _Beats_, whereby the Friends of many of the unhappy Sufferers, who would have flown to their Assistance, were ignorant of their Distress till it was too late to do them Service; and also that most of the said Watchmen, on other Occasions, are very negligent, whence it happens that many Robberies, Burglaries, and other Offences, which their Care might prevent, are committed; and that even some of them are in Fee with common Harlots and Streetwalkers, whom they suffer at unseasonable Hours, unmolested to prey on the Virtue, Health and Property of His Majesty's Liege Subjects: Be it known to the said Watchmen, and their Masters, that, having taken the Premises into Consideration, I intend whenever I set out from _Spring Gardens_ with my _invisible Cap_, my _irradiating Lanthorn_, and my _Oken Staff_ of correction, to take the City of _London_, under Leave of the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, into my Rounds, and to detect, expose, and punish all Defaulters in the several Stands and Beats: Whereof this fair Warning is given, that none may be surprized in Neglect of Duty, I being determined to shew no Favour to such Offenders." Euston Square, 12th Dec. 1849.