6o6 A. D. 1777. 



exchange, to convey into their own pockets one fifth part of the whole 

 of the public money. By thefe and other means the governors liave 

 made up accounts, whereby the committee, or rather the pubhc, appears 

 to be indebted to them ^(^i 5,962 : 3 : 5 fterhng, over and above the va- 

 lue of the public goods in the ftores, at the end of the year 1775 ; and 

 it is prefumed, that the debt is greatly increafed during the year 1776. 



Upon the whole of the inquiry it appears, that the number of flaves 

 exported from Africa has greatly decreafed, and the price greatly in- 

 creafed * ; that the importation of gold, which was formerly at the rate 

 of 100,000 ounces annually, procured in exchange for Britifh goods 

 upon very profitable terms, is now annihilated ; and that, w'hile the trade 

 is thus going to ruin, the cxpenfe of fupporting it is increafed to an en- 

 orm.ous degree. 



A reply to this report was prefented at the board of trade in July 

 1779, wherein the governors and other fervants of the African commit- 

 tee, fiationed on the coaft, endeavoured to repell the charges made 

 againft them. 



April 30''' — The corporation of London, finding their operations in 

 improving the navigation of the River Thames above London cramped 

 by the interference of private proprietors of tolls, &c. applied to parlia- 

 ment, and obtained authority to purchafe all the private tolls, and to 

 take a moderate fimplified toll inftead of them, after the 1" of May, 

 from every barge in proportion to the tunnage and diftance. [17 Geo. 

 II/,c.i8.'\ 



The improvement of the ftreets and paflages, communicating with 

 the naval ftreet of Wapping, which was now regulated by parliament, 

 may, not improperly, be mentioned, as a proof of increafing and flour- 

 ifhing commerce. [17 Geu. Ill, c. 22.] 



May 16'" — In order to prevent the frauds committed in the fale of 

 annuities for life by means of the fecrecy wherewith they ufed to be 

 tranfacled, a memorial of all the circumftances of every luch annuity 

 was direded to be regiftered in the court of chancery. All annuities 

 fold by minors are by this acfl, with great propriety, declared null and 

 voidf. [17 Geo. Ill, c 26.] 



To encourage the exportation of tea to Ireland, the whole duty of the 

 cufl.om was allowed to be drawn back. [17 Geo. Ill, c. 27.] 



In order to prevent frauds in the revenue of excife with refped to tea, 

 all perfons making counterfeit tea of leaves of floe, liquorifh, afli, elder, 

 &c. or of tea that has been ufed, are fubjedted to a fine of five pounds 



• Is not the iiicreafe of price a natural confe- mod benevolent intentions, has been perverted by 



quence of the decreafe of quantity ? Perhaps miftakes and violent mifconftruftions fo as to be 



Africa begins to be cxhauflcd of its live (lock. made to holdout encouragement and protedlion 



f This remedial aft, framed with the wifcft and to many infamous frai;ds. 



