by the Justices, and Tho' it appear'd they cou'd not be ignorant
of the matters they were Examined to From whence the
said Justices do (in the Judgment of your Committee)
very rightly inferr, That it is not is the power of the
magistrates to remedy these inconveniencys whilst for
the reasons above, the Readles and Watchmen are
wholly under the Influence of the Constables, which
must make them rather choose to act; by the direction
and for the Interest of their masters, then for the publick
safety.

And your Committee conceiving that the Keeping a
strong and regular watch in the night time is of the
greatest importance for the preservation of the persons
and properties of the people, and will be a most likely
means to prevent Murthers Burglaries Robberys
Felonies and other outrageous misdemeanours which
are Committed in the night time, now more frequently
than hath been known heretofore and also further considering
That the statute of Winchester appoints the Watch to be
Kept only from Assension day be Michaelmas Day, and
that there is no Law now in force which appoints a watch
to be Kept in the winter part of the year when a watch is
most necessary, and also that the method of keeping
the watch as the Laws now are, is for every Inhabitant
within any parish or place to watch in his Turn, which
would certainly be a very good means to obtain the
before mentioned End if it were duly practised, But
the same by reason of the wealth of some Inhabitants
and the sickness or other Disability of others has (as is
very well known) been long since disused, and is indeed
impracticable and instead thereof the whatches have
been Kept by persons hired as above mentioned by the
Constables Readles Headboroughs or other peace
Officers and under their direction and management
only, And under colour thereof the said Constables
and Head boroughs and their Readles have Quarterly
Collected such sums of mony as they have thought fit,
For which there is not by any Law now in force any way
to bring them to account, And that yet never theless
the said Constables do not (as it aforesaid) Keep such
Sufficient watches as are necessary, Your Committee
were of opinion and did resolve that there is the