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Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: Law

W. Wickham to Charles Abbot. - Jeremy Bentham, The Works of Jeremy Bentham, vol. 10 (Memoirs Part I and Correspondence) [1843]

Edition used:

The Works of Jeremy Bentham, published under the Superintendence of his Executor, John Bowring (Edinburgh: William Tait, 1838-1843). 11 vols. Vol. 10.

Part of: The Works of Jeremy Bentham, 11 vols.

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W. Wickham to Charles Abbot.

“Whitehall, 5th June, 1799.

“My dear Sir,—

Government has no other objection to the Bill you mention being brought forward immediately, but the wish to bring forward a general improved plan of Police for the Metropolis at one and the same time, with which it is apprehended that any partial project might interfere.

“It is this apprehension that has induced Mr Pitt to promise the sum of £2000 a-year in aid of the Marine Police Establishment, in addition to the purse, whatever it may be, furnished by the West India Merchants. This sum exceeds by £1460 what was originally promised to be paid by Government: I am inclined to think that Mr Pitt would grant a still larger sum, if necessary, rather than go to Parliament with any Plan, that should be confined to this Establishment alone; at the same time, I have every reason to believe that both Mr Pitt and the Duke of Portland are as persuaded, as the merchants can be, that the greatest utility may be, and has been already derived from it.

“You are no doubt aware that this very thing was in contemplation when a seventh office (viz. that of Shadwell) was added to the six originally intended to have been established by Mr Burton’s very excellent Bill, and I have not the least hesitation in saying, as well from my thorough knowledge of the system itself, as of several of the very excellent magistrates who now conduct it, that every benefit holden out by the new office might have been acquired, if the merchants had contributed from their own funds to the Shadwell office, the money they have furnished to the new one, and I most entirely agree with you on the principle of justice to Mr Burton, and the magistrates who have acted under his Bill, if for no other reason, that either the Shadwell office ought to be transferred to the Marine Police-office, or the M. P. O. to Shadwell, either of which may be done, as I conceive, by Mr Burton’s Bill.

“The Shadwell office cannot be transferred elsewhere, because there is really no want of any more Police offices in London; nor will it, I conceive, be either just, fair, or wise, to abolish it altogether, because it did not do what really it had not the means of doing.

“Believe me ever, with the sincerest esteem and regard, my dear Sir, most faithfully yours.”