By contemplating this general State of the immense Commerce of the River Thames, in the particular light in which it is placed, the mind is assisted in forming a conception (which might otherwise be extremely difficult) of the existence and extent of the Depredations which have been committed.

It certainly exhibits a very unpleasant picture of the state of morals among the Labouring Classes, whose assistance is indispensably necessary in moving this immense Machine.

But while their profligacy is sincerely deplored, it is an act of justice to state, that the major part confine themselves entirely to this species of Pillage; and that many of this class of men, who, from early habits and the force of evil example, have become deeply implicated in offences of this nature, would shudder at the idea of committing a Burglary, or robbing on the Highway.

Hence a hope is entertained, which has indeed already been proved, and will be shewn in the sequel of this Work, not to be fallacious, that practicable means exist, whereby this excessive evil may be kept down if not nearly eradicated.

The leading eause of the evil is to be traced, to the total deficiency of any measures of Preventive Police, calculated gradually to check the progressive increase of Crimes: the constant and never-failing attendant on the accumulation of Wealth. In the course of the advance of the latter, which has been already

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already shewn to have been rapid beyond all example, nothing material has been attempted towards the suppression of the former; ' and hence it has followed, that Commercial Riches and Criminal Offences have grown up together. Preventive Police may be considered as a New Science, yet in its infancy, and only beginning to be understood. Its nature and the effects which it has produced, with respect to one great branch of Commerce, will be explained in the following Chapters.

CHAP.

CHAP. IV.

The causes which produced the Institution of the Marine Police. -The proceedings which preceded its establishment. A general view of the State of Delinquency, and an estimate of the number of Offenders, in a course of Criminal Turpitude, previous to its adoption:-1. Mates of the numerous Ships trading to the River-2. Petty Officers, and Crews employed in the Trade-3. Inferior Officers of the Revenue of Customs and Excise, and Custom-house Watermen-4. Lumpers employed to load and discharge Ships in the Thames-5. Coal-heavers employed in the River-6. Journeymen Coopers employed in discharging Ships in the River-7. Watermen plying between London Bridge and Greenwich -8. Journeymen Lightermen employed in the River -9. Mud-larks and Rat Catchers-10. Watermen in Ships and Lighters, and on the Quays11. Labourers on the Quays, denominated Scufflehunters-12. Labourers in the Commercial Warehouses-13. River Pirates-14. Night Plunderers15. Light-Horsemen-16. Receivers of Public and Commercial Property, in twelve Classes. Recapitulation of the 12 Classes of Receivers estimated at 550.-Recapitulation of the numbers of the different Classes of Delinquents who contribute to the Depredations on Commercial Property: - Explanatory Observations Observations applicable to the subject. The new System of Marine Police explained. The judicial Department. The Marine Police preventive Department. The Department for employing Lumpers. -The general Department of Accounts.-Recapitulation of the whole, with a general View of the Annual Expence. The number and functions of the permanent and occasional Officers. -General observations respecting the advantages of the design.

SUCH were the evils with which the Commerce of

the Port of London was afflicted, and such were the extent and magnitude of the Depredations committed on West-India produce, and Merchandise of every description, as well as on the Tackle, Apparel, and Stores of Ships, Vessels, and Craft in the River Thames, as represented in the two pr ceding Chapters to have existed, and to have advanced progressively during many years previous to 1798.

At this period the Trade of the River Thames had arrived at a height of unparalleled prosperity. The importation of West-India produce was not only very extensive, but the value of the different commodities was much enhanced; of course the pecuniary loss by Pillage was greatly augmented, and appeared, in spite of every exertion on the part of the Committee of West-India Merchants, to be increasing yearly.

After

After trying every expedient, and incurring an enormous expense in Rewards and Prosecutions, without appearing to diminish the evil, the expedient was at length suggested by the Author of this Work, of forming a System of Police, applicable to the peculiar circumstances of the Trade of the RIVER THAMES.

On the 30th of January 1798, the Committee of West-India Merchants, after fully considering the plan submitted to its consideration, for this purpose, entered into a resolution to carry the same into effect, with the approbation of his Majesty's Executive Governinent.

On the 27th of February following, a General Meeting of the West-India Merchants confirmed the resolution of their Committee, and which soon after received the approbation of a joint meeting of both the Planters and Consignees.

On the 27th of March, His Majesty's principal Secretary of State, to whom the plan of the Marine Police had been previously explained, gave his full approbation of the measure, on behalf of Government; and this sanction was afterwards explicitly confirmed on the 16th of May, by a Letter from His Grace the Duke of Portland to the Right Hon. Lord Penrhyn, Chairman of the West-India Planters. (t) In consequence of the sanction and approbation

Whitehall, May 16, 1798.

(1) MY LORD,

I have this moment received the answer of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the proposal I made to him, relative to that part

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