A. D. 1776. 587 



March 25* — ^The permiffion to import cattle and falted provifions 

 from Ireland free of duty, which had hitherto been allowed by tem- 

 porary ads, was now made perpetual. But America, having become a 

 hoflile, if not a foreign, country, was now totally excluded from the 

 trade. [16 Geo. Ill, c. 8.] 



The fre importation of tallow, hog's lard, and greafe, was prolonged 

 till the 25,h of March 1779. [16 Geo. Ill, c. 12.] 



To accommodate the inland trade in iron, lime, potter's clay, and coals, 

 at Coalbrooke dale, which was frequently obftrucled by the infufficiency 

 of the ferry on the Severn at that place, trullees were appointed and 

 empowered to build a bridge over the river of caft iron or any other 

 material, and to take tolls upon it ; no ferry-boats being permitted to 

 ply within 500 yards of the bridge, unlcfs it fhall happen to be in a 

 dangerous condition. [16 Geo. Ill, c. 17.] This bridge of caft iron, 

 which was the firfl of the kind ever executed, has fince been followed 

 by feveral others. 



Confiderable improvements in the conftruclion of engines for making 

 blocks, fheeves, and pins, for fliips, in iron, brals, and wood, having 

 been invented by Walter Taylor blockmaker in Portfmouth, he ob- 

 tained the king's patent for fourteen years, as ufual : and feveral im- 

 provements having been made after his death by his fon, a further term 

 of fourteen years was granted to him by parliament, to be computed 

 from the expiration of his father's patent. [16 Geo. Ill, c. 18.] 



April a"* — It was now difficult to find feamen in fufficient^numbers for 

 the I'ervices of war and commerce ; and therefor merchant vcfTels were 

 allowed to carry foreign feamen for three fourths of their complement. 

 [16 Geo. III,c. 20.] 



The corporation of Bofton in Lincoln-fhire, and a number of com- 

 millioners afTociated with them, were empowered to improve the har- 

 bour and town of Bofton, and to regulate the pilots. [16 Geo. Ill, c. 



23-] 



May — The fociety of merchant venturers of Briftol were empowered 

 to enlarge the floating dock, formerly made by theni, and to build a new 

 quay and proper warehoui'es for ftoring goods. Regulations were alfo 

 made to prevent combuftible articles lying too long on the quay, and 

 for other matters of harbour police. [16 Geo. Ill, c. 2^2,-^ 



Additional taxes were laid on wheel carriages (except hackney 

 coaches) indentures, bonds, newfpapers, parchment, playing cards, and 

 dice. And two millions were borrowed on the terms of £,'}']: 10:0 

 in the three-per-cent funds, and three lottery tickers, for every /Ti 00 

 paid by the fubfcribers. In this year's lottery the old plan was revived, 

 whereby the government retained the whole price of the tickets, and 

 paid an annuity on the amount of the prizes at the rate of three per 

 cent; fo that a prize of ^^ 10,000 w.is an income ot jCjOO a-yc:ir, or 

 3 4 £ 2 



