for the Whip of Justice extends and carefully avoid coming within its reach, and thus
is a strong reason for the general Inforcement of the Law through the County.
Another Cause of the Grievance complained of arises from the ready harbour
Beggars find in the out Skirts of the Town from the Keepers of Houses who let
them out to Vagrants at Two pence a Night though by the Statute before
mentioned Chap: 5 Ser: 22d. "If any Person knowingly permit any Rogue or
"Vagabond or incorrigible Rogue to lodge or take shelter in his House Barn or
"other out house or Building and shall not apprehend and carry him before a
"Justice, or give Notice to the Constable so to do, such Person shall forfeit upon
"Conviction not exceeding forty Shillings nor less than ten Shillings" And though these
kind of Houses are noteriously known to every Officer in the Parish were they
exist, yet for want of such Officers doing their Duty by giving the necessary
Information to the Magistrates, this excellent Clause of the Law (which if well
executed would is a great Measure remove the Nusance) remains a dead
Letter.

Your Committee are of Opinion that the following Regulations with others that
may be suggested by the Wisdom of the Court being put into Execution with
Spirit and Vigour will restore the Vagrant Act to its activity and by rendering
it an Object of Terror to the Idle our Streets may be cleared in a little time
of the Swarms of real and counterfeitt [..] Wretches which are a
Burthen to the Minds as well as the Purses of Worthy People and such Objects
being confined to their proper Settlements the real Ones will be decently
provided for, the Lazy Impostors receive proper Correction and this and the
Neighbouring Countys will be relieved from the great Expence arising from
the unlimited uncontrouled wandering of the Vagabond Poor and your
Committee are of Opinion that the Season of the Year proper to enforce the
Execution of this Act is now coming on as those Vagrants who are able to work
will is the Fields find ready Imployment

As the Publication of the Clauses of so much of the Vagrant Act as relates to
the apprehending Beggars by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London and their
Resolution to put the said Act into skirt Execution has produced the received Effect
by clearing the Streets of that Metropolis from Beggars your Committee are of
Opinion that this Court adopting the same Plan with such a Additions & Alterations
as shall by them be thought proper may is a great Measure produce the like
effect in this County But your Committee apprehend that if any part of the Bills of
Mortality be left an Asylum for the retreat of Beggars the Nusance and the
Charge arising to this County from it will in a Degree continue, as such Beggars
will be always ready to make Excursions from their Harbour, Your Committee
therefore think that it might probably give a finishing Stroks to this Complaint
if the Magistrates of the County of Surry would concur in taking the like
Measures and publishing the like Resolutions with Lord Mayor and this
Court, especially in respect to the Town of Lambeth and Borought of