History in Manuscript: Letters and Documents from a Distinguished Collection

History in Manuscript: Letters and Documents from a Distinguished Collection

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 123. Sir Robert Peel | Autograph letter signed, announcing the formation of the Metropolitan Police, 1829.

Sir Robert Peel | Autograph letter signed, announcing the formation of the Metropolitan Police, 1829

Margin SchemeUK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Lot Closed

April 13, 03:02 PM GMT

Estimate

800 - 1,200 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Sir Robert Peel


Autograph letter signed, to William Gregory, Under-Secretary for Ireland


headed "Private & confidential", announcing that he is abolishing "the Parochial watch of the Metropolis and its environs" and replacing it with "a new system of Police" of 2000-3000 men, to be commanded by two magistrates, asking his correspondent if he knows of a "military man or a man of military habits" with experience of policing in Ireland who would be an appropriate appointment for this post, which will have a salary of "800 per annum", 4 pages, 4to, Whitehall, 29 May 1829, creased at folds


A LETTER ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST MODERN POLICE FORCE. The Metropolitan Police Act received Royal assent on the 19 June 1829 and the force began duty on 29 September. Formed during Peel's time as Home Secretary, the total number of constables initially was 1,000. Based out of Scotland Yard, they were popularly known as 'Peelers', or 'bobbies', in honour of the man who had masterminded their formation.

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