An Addendum to the Fleet Prison Report (1730)
Burdened by the expenses that he had undertaken toward purchasing Huggins’s patent to the Fleet and the improvements that he had introduced there, James Gambier petitioned that the government pay twenty-five hundred pounds to purchase the patent and that it extend his wardenship to cover his own life, rather than expire with the death of Bambridge. Impressed by Gambier’s improvements at the Fleet, Oglethorpe and his committee supported the petition, reported in its favor on March 24, 1730, and doubtless helped to expedite it through the House. Approved in advance by the king, the requisite resolution was passed on April 9, 1730 (JHC 21:468, 538).
My text is taken from Journals of the House of Commons, 21:511, 513.
Martis, 24° die Martii
Anno 3° Georgii 2di Regis, 1729.
Mr. Oglethorpe reported from the Committee, appointed to enquire into the State of the Gaols of this Kingdom, and to whom the Petition of James Gambier, Warden of the Fleet Prison, was referred; that the Committee had examined the Matter of the said Petition, and had directed him to report the same, as it appeared to them, to the House: And he read the Report in his Place, and afterwards delivered it in at the Clerk’s Table; where the same was read, and is as follows; viz.
Dougal Cuthbert, Esquire, being called, and examined, said, that he had paid the Value of 1,300l. in Money, Stock, and Bonds, and had given a promissory Bond of 1,200l. and pledged certain Deeds and Writings, as a further collateral Security for the Payment of the said 1,200l. in all 2,500l. to John Huggins, Esquire, to induce him to surrender his Patent of Warden of the Fleet, and to procure, by his, the said John Huggins’s Interest, a Patent of the Reversion of the said Office for the said Dougal Cuthbert, to commence after the Decease of Thomas Bambridge, during his natural Life; which said Patent he accordingly procured: And, to support his said Evidence, he produced two Receipts, signed by John Huggins. And the said Dougal Cuthbert further said, that he had received 500l. of James Gambier, Esquire, on Account of an Agreement with him made for the said reversionary Patent.
That it appeared by an Act, intituled, “An Act to disable Thomas Bambridge,” &c. that he was disabled to hold the said Office of Warden, and the Crown was enabled to grant the same, during Pleasure, for the Life of the said Bambridge.
James Gambier, Esquire, being examined, said, that he last Year accepted of the Office of Warden of the Fleet, during Pleasure, for the Life of Thomas Bambridge, upon the Belief, that the Tenure would be altered to good Behaviour, removeable by Address from either House of Parliament: That he grounded this Belief on a Bill, that had passed the House of Commons last Year, nemine contradicente, by which the Sense of the House appeared to be, that it was for the publick Good, that the Office of the Warden of the Fleet should be grantable by the Crown, during good Behaviour only, and the future Wardens be removeable, upon Address from either House of Parliament; and the said James Gambier was induced to agree with the said Dugald Cuthbert for the Surrender of the said Patent, on the Payment of the Sum of 2,500 l. of which Sum he, the said Gambier, has already paid 500 l. to the end that such Regulation, as was intended, should be made by Parliament, believing, that the Publick would pay the said 2,500 l.
Thomas Brafield, being examined, said, that, since the said Gambier hath held the Office of Warden, he hath been obliged to several Expences, for Repairs, and other Matters, which were absolutely necessary; particularly, that he hath rebuilt Part of the Womens Ward on the common Side, and hath pulled down, and levelled with the Ground, the Dungeon on the Master Side, in which Arne perished: That he hath made several Reductions of Fees, and Chamber Rent; and that, from the former high Prices of Chamber Rent, he hath reduced the same to 2 s. 6 d. per Week for each Room, furnished by him, and half of that Sum for each unfurnished Room, whether there be one or more Prisoners therein; so that, if there be Four Prisoners in a Room, furnished by the Warden, each pays 7½d. per Week, and, if there be Four Prisoners in a Room, furnished by themselves, each pays the Half thereof; whereas formerly each Prisoner paid at the least 2s. 6d. per Head, though never so many lay in the same Room.
Ordered, That the said Report be referred to the Committee of the whole House, who are to consider further of the Supply granted to his Majesty.