Middlesex Sessions:
Sessions Papers - Justices' Working Documents
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April 1786

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THAT the Justices' Clerks in several Counties are allowed out of the County
Rates different Fees from 1s. to 3s. upon the granting and endorsing of each
Pass; but that no such fees have been for the last 25 years allowed to be taken
in the County of Chester , and the same regulation having been approved of by
the Justices of the County of Lancaster , they have since adopted it; nor are the
Clerks of the Peace for either of the Counties of Chester of Lancaster allowed
any fees for recording Passes. That the fees paid to the justices' Clerks upon
the original issuing of Passes, and endorsing them as the pass through each
Limit or particular Jurisdiction (considering the great number of Passes which
amount to a large sum, and very much increase the expences attending he
passing of Vagrants; and the said fees are of such considerable amount that this
circumstance the Committee has great reason to believe induces persons interested
in the apprehension of Vagrants, and benefited in proportion to the number
which are passed, to prevail upon many Irish labourers and other persons, to
apply for Passes, who would otherwise have travelled at their own expence.

THAT upon the foregoing state of facts two objects of consideration
seem to arise: onerepresenting us Risking the great and general expence of passing
Vagrants of all descriptions; the other relating to the maintenance,
passing and shipping of Irish Vagrants only.

THAT in the general expence of passing Vagrants every County is
more or less concerned.

THAT the burden arising from Irish Vagrants falls in some degree
upon the Counties remote from the Ports where such Vagrants are
shipped, is more sensibly felt by others in proportion as their distance
from Ireland diminishes, but falls most heavily upon the Counties of
which places all or by much the greatest Part of the Irish Vagrants
are sent from whence they are shipped, and where they are maintained
until they are put on board.

THAT although the great and increasing expence of maintaining,
conveying and shipping of Irish vagrants was probably the principal
reason for the appointment of this Committee; yet it appears to them,
that the object of their inquiry will be best answered by recommend-
ing that mode of redress which will be attended with the most gene-
ral benefit, and therefore they have extended their attention to the
forming a plan for the reduction of the expences respecting Vagrants
of every denomination; for the attaining which end there appears to
be the choice of two modesOne by application to Parliament
The other by representation to the Magistrates of other Counties, in
order that the directions of the Statute of the 17th Geo. II. before-
mentioned may be better attended to.
THAT




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