[148] Ann Reg., 1763.
[149] See Gent. Mag., 1761, p. 475; 1780, p. 1446, and Laurence's "Life of Fielding."
[150] Of the several Statutes dealing with police passed during the reign of George II., the most valuable and important is the 24 Geo. ii., c. 44, which enacts that action cannot be brought against a constable for anything done by him in obedience to a Justice's warrant, unless the Justice who signed the warrant is made a joint-defendant with the constable; and which directs that if action is brought jointly against the Justice and the constable, then the jury shall find for the latter, provided that they are satisfied that he acted strictly in accordance with the terms of the warrant that he pleads in justification. When making an arrest a constable should, if required, shew the warrant which is his authority, but he need not allow it to leave his hand.
[151] 29 Geo. ii., c. 25.
[152] 31 Geo. ii., c. 17.
[153] 14 Geo. iii. c. 90.
[154] Wedderburn.
[155] This was the first occasion on which the word "police" was officially made use of in the British Isles.
[156] Irish Statutes, 26 Geo. iii., c. 24.
[157] 33 Geo. iii., c. 4.