Docks in the Thames:-Statutes Against Evasion of Customs: Origin of Legal and Sufferance Wharfs: Want of Accommondation for Shipping, 1762-1800: Merchants' Bill of 1796: Competing Scheme of Corporation of London: Inquiries in House of Commons: Increased Commerce of Port: Rival Bills, 1797-9: Port of London and West India Docks Act, 1799: City Canal Through Isle of Dogs: London Docks, 1800: East India Docks, 1803: St. Katharine's, 1826: Amalgamation of East and West India Companies, 1838: Surrey, Commercial, Victoria, Millwall, Dagen-ham, Tilbury Docks

ABSTRACT

Another statute " for preventing frauds and regulating abuses in his Majesty's customs" enabled the Crown, in 1662, to appoint further " places, ports, members, and creeks for discharge and shipment of goods."4 "Sea-coal, stone, and bestials"5 were now specified as articles of free export as well as fish. Early during the next century, it was found that, owing to a great increase of trade, the legal quays and wharfs, appointed in pursuance of these Acts, were of insufficient extent, and that great delays were therefore occasioned

customs were farmed and only produced 14,000/. yearly, a sum afterwards increased to 50,000/. In 1613 they produced 110,000/. From the farmers they were transferred to the management of a Board of Commissioners so lately as 1671.—De Hamel's Int . to Customs Consolidation Act, 1853.