ABSTRACT
The Committee went on to find that the accounts were 'imperfect ... extremely obscure and defective'. The Governors could not entirely blame Kinleside. He had been discharged and struck off the list of Governors, but problems had existed before he was appointed Treasurer. The Committee found that there had been a 'total want of books of legacies and benefactions' over the previous forty years in 'utter disregard of an express standing order'.6 The embarrassment of the Committee arose from their recognition that it was the 'peculiarly sacred and inviolate duty, of the Governors to record faithfully all the bequests and donations which were specifically limited to any Particular branch of the charities'. It was 'decidedly of the opinion' that 'the Fund for the Incurables' should be kept completely separate.7 The Committee spent a considerable amount of time extracting items relating to the revenues of Bethlem from the Court Books and Cash Books to provide an accurate picture of the Hospital's finances. In addition, the post of the Lincolnshire Receiver, who had handled the receipts from the properties sustaining the Incurables' Fund, was discontinued. As an act of kindness, the Governors decided that only when 'the worthy Possessor retires' that his 'House should then be let' to increase income. To fulfil the receiver's role a new office was created. Now a bailiff, 'residing contiguous to these Estates', was appointed on a small salary to 'superintend their Management' and collect the rents.s The aim was to ensure that the property was administered more closely. When it became clear that these measures were not sufficient, further financial controls were introduced. In the general revision of the rules governing Bethlem's management in 1802 (see pp. 384-7), the Treasurer's financial duties were extended. He was instructed to report on 'all legacies and benefactions' and to 'keep a regular Cash Book for both Hospitals' stating what legacies and benefactions had been received since the last meeting. To prevent fraud, he was also required to give 'a compleat and satisfactory Security for £3000,.9 Sound financial accounting and strict regulation of the Treasurer's duties were necessary to guarantee public trust. 10
Given Bridewell and Bethlem's financial situation, economy now became a byword in the administration. The 1792 Special Committee did not need to state explicitly that there should be 'a strict oeconomy constantly observed in dispensing the revenues of the Charities'. Aware that the Hospital still needed funds, savings were made. In 1793 when the duties of the officers were being revised, it was decided that the Clerk's salary should be reduced to £200. Because 'the other emoluments incident to his situation' were considerable it was felt that he should have 'no Perquisites whatsoever from the Hospitals or an Allowance for a House'. There was no corresponding reduction in his duties. To prevent problems from arising, the existing Clerk was
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ital.13
