OF

_London_ and _Westminster_.


GENTLEMEN,

_Experience has confirm'd you in that everlasting_ Maxim, _that there is
no other way to protect the_ Innocent, _but by Punishing the_ Guilty.

_Crimes ever were, and ever must be unavoidably frequent in such
populous Cities as yours are, being the necessary Consequences, either
of the_ Wants, _or the Depravity, of the lowest part of the_ humane
_Species_.

_At this time the most flagrant Offences, as_ Burning of Dwellings;
Burglaries, _and_ Highway Robberies _abound; and_ Frauds _common_
Felonies, _and_ Forgeries _are practic'd without Number; thus not only
your Properties, but even your very Lives are every way struck at_.

_The_ Legislative Power _has not been wanting in providing necessary and
wholesome Laws against these_ Evils, _the executive part whereof
(according to your great Privileges) is lodged in your own Hands: And
the Administration hath at all times applyed proper Remedies and
Regulations to the_ Defects _which have happen'd in the_ Magistracy
_more immediately under their Jurisdiction_.

_Through the just and salutary Severities of the Magistrates, publick
excessive_ Gaming _has been in a manner Surpress'd; and some late
Examples of divine Vengeance have overtaken certain of the most