To the Right Honble. the Knights Citizens & Burgesses in Parliamt. Assembled .

The humble Petition and Representation of his Majestyes
Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex in their
Generall Quarter Sessions assembled at Hicks hall this
13th. of January 1719 .

Sheweth

Reprsentacon of
Justices of peace to
the honble. House of
Comons concerning
a Nightly watch

That severall Persons of Quality and others have been lately
& in an unusual manner a attackt in their Coaches and Chairs &
some of them Robbed in the High Streets within the Weekly Bills of
Mortality, and yet none of the Persons concerned in these Robberys
have been apprehended or taken, which We humbly conceive is
to be imputed to the Want of a proper and regular Watch for
guarding of the said Streets and persueing apprehending of them

That there is no Law now in force for any Watch except the
Statute of Winchester which has no provision between Michaelmas
and Lady day when there is most occasion, and the method
now used is for the Constables to appoint what Persons
and what Number of Watchmen they think fit, and to raise
and levy great Sums on the Inhabitants under pretence of
paying them without rendring any Account, there being
no Law in force to compell Constables there Unto, and Yet
the Watch so Kept is found by experience not to be
Sufficient for the Security of the Inhabitants altho' the same
is a great oppression and charge to them, All which we
humbly represent and Submitt to this Honoble. House, & pray
that such remedy may be applyed as in your great wisdom
Shall be thought most fit and convenient,

And your Petitioners shall ever pray Etc.

Wm. Watkins< no role >
Will Prestley< no role >
Thos. West< no role >
John Fuller< no role >
Isaac Tillard< no role >
T. Woodcock< no role >
J Saunders
Tho. Railton< no role >
Jno. Shorey< no role >
John Leacroft< no role >
Jno. Metcalfe< no role >

H. Fetherston
John Clarke< no role >
Wm. Kingsford< no role >
R. Thornhill
Mart. Ryder< no role >
Jos: Offley< no role >
Wm. Wickham< no role >
Nico. Jeffreys< no role >
Cha: Greenwood< no role >
J. Hayne
John Mercer< no role >

Whit Bulstrode< no role >
L. Saint Lo
Jno. Whetham< no role >
R D'Oyly< no role >
Wm. Gore< no role >
D'Oyly Michel< no role >
Nat Blackerby< no role >
Theo. Parson< no role >
Robt. Gay< no role >
Wm. Dewe< no role >
Saml. Jones< no role >
Richd. Browne< no role >