§ Mr. Secretary Ryder moved, for the re-appointment of a Committee to consider of the expediency of erecting Penitentiary Houses, and that it be an instruction to the said Committee to enquire into the effects produced by transportation to New South Wales.
Sir S. Romillyhoped that this latter subject, which had originated with himself, 604 would not be thus thrown into the back ground. If it was to go to the Committee now proposed, the House could not expect to hear of it again during the present session. The system of transportation to New South Wales had now been proceeded in for 25 years, without any proof of the beneficial effects of it having been at any time submitted to the House. It was of the utmost importance, in a political point of view, and as it affected other countries. Those who escaped from New South Wales were well calculated to give a new character to the inhabitants of the South Sea islands, and to form dangerous nests of pirates. Being on this subject, he could not but advert to a circumstance which he thought well worthy of inquiry. When the subject of the Police of the metropolis was before the House, he had delivered it as his opinion, that the system of offering rewards for the discovery of offences was liable to great objection. An hon. gentleman, on that occasion, thought that the evil lay, in not making the rewards universal, proportioning them to the nature of the offence. He now observed, that an individual parish in Westminster had so far acted on this principle, as to offer a reward of 10 for the apprehension and conviction of every reputed thief. When it was considered that the only evidence required to the conviction of a reputed thief, was the oath of a Police officer, that he had found him waiting, or walking up and down in a public street or place, and that he believed him to be a reputed thief, he presumed the House would agree with him in thinking, that the assumption of such a power as this by the officers of any parish, however respectable, was a thing highly to be discountenanced; and one to which, if not remedied, he should, on some future occasion, call the attention of the House in due form. At present he had only to express a hope that his right hon. and learned friend would appoint his own committee on the subject of Penitentiary Houses, and would leave to him to move on Friday for a Committee to inquire into the effects produced by the system of transportation to New South Wales.
After some farther conversation, Mr. Secretary Ryder agreed to withdraw the latter part of, his motion. Sir Samuel Romilly then gave notice, that he should on Friday move for leave to bring in a Bill for repealing the act of the 29th of the King, relative to the transporting of convicts.