View report page

25
evening watch was set for the outlets and entrances to the
Liberty from one hour after sunset until the grand watch was
set. Halberts and lanterns were to be provided by the
inhabitants for the use of the watchmen, and a rate was
levied over the whole parish instead of the cost of watching
being borne only by those able-bodied residents who desired
to be relieved from the obligation of personally performing
the duties of watchmen. At the same time the salary of the
beadles was fixed at not less than £25, nor more than £45,
according to the trouble and attendance required; this salary
was a charge on the watching rate.
No alteration in the rules of the burgesses appears to have
been made since 1720.
By an act passed in 1756, a Leet Jury were authorised to
appoint eighty constables for the City and Liberties of Westminster,
fourteen of them being assigned to the parish of St.
James. Persons appointed as constables and refusing to serve
were liable to a fine of £8, but the same person was not to be
appointed a constable more frequently than once in seven years.
A high constable was to be appointed, and for this office an
innkeeper or retailer of spirituous liquors was ineligible; no
person was to serve for more than three years together, and any
person appointed and refusing to act was liable to a fine of £20.
The same Act provided for the appointment of an Annoyance
Jury, to consist of not more than 48 persons, for the
purpose of presenting nuisances, defective pavements,
obstructions, unlawful weights, and similar matters. The
penalty for refusing to serve on this jury was 40s., and the
penalty for possessing unlawful weights was not to exceed
the like sum. No person was to be required to serve on the
jury more than once in three years. All fines imposed by tho
Act were to be applied in aid of the Poor Rate, but amerciaments
imposed by the Annoyance Jury were to be divided
between the High Bailiff and the Court of Burgesses.
c