Middx.

At the General Quarter Session of the Peace holden in June
and July 1746.

A Report & Representation
of Thomas Lane< no role > Esqr . Chairman
of the Sessions & other
Justices of the Peace agt.
Sabbath breakers, and for
the better Observation of
Lords Day.

}The Petition of Several Barbars in this County praying the
Advice and Assistance of this Court how more effectually to hinder and
Suppress the Exercise of that Trade on the Lords Day being referred
to a Committee your Committee met on the 26th. Day of May last,
When your Committee took into Consideration the Objections which
have been made and the Difficulties which have hither to occurred
relating to this Matter and that not only as it had a Reference to
Barbers but also to Butchers and others exercising their Several
Trades on the Said Day.

It has been Objected That the Punishment for this Offence is
Chalked out by Act of Parliament and that Recourse ought to be
had to a Single Justice of Peace and Indictments not So proper if to
be maintained.

That with respect to Barbers but more particularly as to
Butchers it may be often necessary for them to exercise their Trades
on the Lords Day and Some times unavoidable.

That the Punishment for this Offence is too Strictly carried into
Execution both as to Persons and Times, having been extended to
Persons who bake Meats and Pies on the Lords Day and also where
the Accusation has been for what was done before nine in the
Morning.

That Several of these Prosecutions have been carried on thro'
Malice or with a Prospect of Gain to the Persons accusing.

That as different Persons have presided in the Court there have
been different Opinions as to the very Same Matters complained of
and consequently different Punishment by which means the Proceedings
of the Court have not been uniform where as every Court ought at all
times to be consistent with it Selt as to its own Determinations.

That as there are many Indictments every Sessions and Some
preferred against different Persons by the Same Prosecutor it makes
an Attendance Some times necessary the Greatest part of the Sessions as Persons
indicted give Notice either to plead or confess at different times,
That Sometimes the Prosecutors have had no Notice of the Parties
coming into confess [..] and of ten times a very Small Fine has been