By these admirable regulations,
Peace was preserved within the Realm,
and Robberies, Thefts, Tumults, Riots,
and other Felonies, seldom escaped
detection; and in case of the escape
of an Offendor, the Sheriff, with the
"posse Comitatus," which attended at
his beck, could raise a whole County
and soon capture the Delinquent,
upon whom summary punishment
was inflicted, according to the ---
nature of the offence.