menconed end if it were duely practiced, 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 watches have been kept by
persons hired as abovemenconed by the Constables
Beadles Headboroughs or other peace Officers and under
their direccon and mannagement only, And under
colour thereof the Said Constables and Headboroughs
and their Beadles have quarterly collected Such Sumes
of many 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 nevertheless the Said Constables doe
not (as is aforesaid) keep Such Sufficient watches as are
necessary, The Committee were of opinion and did
Resolve that there is the utmost necessity of Some Speedy< no role >
and effectual remedy for the aforesaid inconveniences
"and defects and that Some means be provided for the
"keeping a Strong and regular watch in the Night time
"for the future, The want of which for the reason the
"Committee resolved to be (in their opinion) the principal
"cause of the late most remarkable increase of Street Robbers
"and other Felons and Malefactors in the Night time,
And the Committee being of opinion that the well
lighting the Streets would be a very effectual means of
preventing Street robberys, and haveing taken the
Statute made for that purpose into their consideracon, and
likewise observeing that the late increase of Street
robberys began in point of time Some time before
Michmas last they are therefore of opinion that the Said
Act might be more usefull in this respect if the
Inhabitants therein menconed were required to light
their houses or doors earlyer and later in the year and
for a longer time than twelve a clock at Night which
in the time now appointed by the Said Act of