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Resolved and Ordered That in future no New Watch Boxes be
made, or old ones repaired, without an order signed by the
Church Wardens, and that the Church Wardens be acquainted
herewith, as also the Persons who do the Work, and that such
Orders be produced when the Bills are audited.
The watchhouse erected in 1663 had become so dilapidated
in 1791 as to occasion anxiety to the Watch Committee
and the Vestry:—
Tuesday the 21st day of June, 1791.—The Committee upon viewing
the present Building do find it not only very much out of
Repair, but also so very inconvenient and dangerous to the
lives of the Persons who may be confined there, and considering
the Expence that would attend the Alterations necessary
to make it answer the Purpose, are of opinion that the present
Building should be taken down and the Materials used in
Erecting a Substantial and convenient Building near the spot,
and centrical with the Market, and that the difference of the
expence when compared with the Utility, Necessity and Safety
of the Parish, appear to Your Committee a trifling consideration.
Admittedly dangerous, the place was allowed to stand
fifteen months longer, when a remonstrance was addressed
to the Vestry by the Magistrates at the Police Office at
Queen Square, alleging that the persons confined in "the
cage" were in imminent danger of being suffocated. In
October, 1792, orders were given for the detention of disorderly
persons in the Tothill Fields Bridewell during the
contemplated enlargement and improvement of the Watchhouse
and Cage. The work was expeditiously carried out,
for within a few weeks the Dean and Chapter complained
that the enlargement had been made without their previous
consent. The contention which is duly entered at its
various stages, may be passed over. Here is the conclusion:—
Tues: 22 Jan. 1793.—Letter read from Chapter Clerk notifying
leave for inspection of Chapter Book for the years 1701 and
1709 relating to the Watch-house, stating "that unless the
Vestry apply to the Dean and Chapter as formerly for permission
on account of the enlargement they have lately made of
that building, the Chapter will think it necessary to put the
business into the hands of their Proctor as well as that other
of the Porch they have lately built to the Church without any
leave."