56 



The next statute, in point of importance as 

 well as time, is that of the 12th Edward IV. c. 

 7, which is entitled " The penalty of them that 

 do not perform the award and order of the 

 commissioners authorizes! to pull down wears." 

 After reciting " that by the laudable statute of 

 Magna Charta, among other things it is con- 

 tained, that all kiddles by Thames and Med- 

 way, and throughout the realm, should be 

 taken away, (saving by the sea banks,) which 

 statute was made for the great wealth of this 

 land, in avoiding the straightness of all rivers, 

 so that ships and boats might have in them 

 their free passage, and also in safeguard of all 

 the fry of fish spawned within the same ; upon 

 which Magna Charta, the great sentence and 

 apostolic curse by a great number of bishops 

 was denounced against the breakers of the 

 same;" and reciting the statutes of Edward 

 and Henry before mentioned, it expressly de- 

 clares, " that all wears, &c. were to be pulled 

 down, that boats might have free passage," 

 and particularly mentions the Thames. 



These several statutes then must evidently 

 and indisputably rebut the assertion, that the 

 River Thames was made navigable by means of 

 these wears, c. ; but they prove the direct 



