nd [wm 1794]

Inserenda

Observations

VI. Miscellanea

§. 45

Anonymous

4

That there are cases in which anonymous information may have its use – that is, that real benefit may be derived to the public from there are cases in which information may be productive of benefit to the public, although the informant should not at the time of giving the information nor even at any subsequent time, make himself or be made known, will not be denied by any one.

One case is – where a crime is as yet but meditated, and an anonymous informant without saying by whom meditated, gives such information of it as serves for the prevention of it, no person in particular being called to account, or to so much as suspected of being concerned in it. Newgate is intended to be broke open tomorrow night – The Bank is intended to be broke open tomorrow night – A quantity of smuggled goods lie concealed in such or such a hole or cave – Suppose a man to give information to any such effect without making himself known, supporting it by indications, which an enquiry prove to be true. Is it better that Newgate should be emptied of its inhabitants or the Bank of its treasures, than that anonymous information of this sort should be attended to and acted upon? – The Gunpowder plot would not have

been