THE EDDYSTONE : FACTS AND FICTIONS. 
201 
I have already mentioned that Mr. Walter Whitfeld was the 
person who undertook to build a lighthouse on the Eddystone, and 
that in order to recoup him for his risk and outlay he was to 
receive a portion of the dues on shipping, granted by the Eoyal 
Patent of 1694. Since the building had been erected Mr. Whit- 
feld's lease had become the property of a gentleman named Lovett, 
and on him consequently now devolved the duty of re-building 
the lighthouse, or of forfeiting his right to the dues. Negotiations 
were consequently opened between him and the Corporation of 
Trinity House with the view of his being secured an extension of 
the time during which his lease ran • and it was eventually agreed 
that, in consideration of the loss he had been subjected to by the 
destruction of his lighthouse, he and his heirs and assigns should 
be entitled to receive, from the time when a light should be 
re-kindled, all the duties which might be granted for the purpose 
by Parliament during the remainder of a term of ninety-nine 
years, only reserving to the Trinity House a yearly rent of £100. 
And for the better procuring of such a grant, the Trinity Corpora- 
tion agreed that its name should be made use of in the petition 
to Parliament. This agreement was dated January 12th, 1705; 
and in the following session of Parliament the Act 4 and 5 Anne 
ch. 20 was passed. It is as follows : 
" 4 and 5 Anne ch. 20. An Act for the better enabling the 
M. W. and Assts of Trinity House to rebuild the Light 
House on the Edystone Kock. 
Whereas, in and by cne act of parliament made in the eighth 
year of the reign of our late sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth 
intituled, &c, they the said M. W., &c, are impowered to erect and 
set up beacons, marks and signs for the sea needful for avoiding 
of dangers, and to renew, continue and maintain the same in such 
manner, as in the said act is mentioned, and whereas, there now 
is and hath been time out of mind, a very dangerous rock called 
the Edystone lying off of Plymouth in the County of Devon, 
upon which divers ships and vessels have been cast away, and the 
lives and goods of many subjects of this Kingdom lost and 
destroyed : And whereas, upon application sometime since made 
to the said M. W. and A. by great number of Masters and owners 
of shipping, to have a lighthouse erected upon the said rock ; 
offering and agreeing, in consideration of the great charge difficulty 
and hazard of such an undertaking, to pay to the said Master W. 
and A. one penny per ton outwards, and the like inwards, for all 
ships and vessels which shall pass by such lighthouse (coasters 
excepted who should pay 12 pence only for each voyage) they the 
