appointed, as the duties were never paid until the goods were delivered after a sale had been effected.[1] But, with the exception of a few small vessels, which landed their goods at wharves, and the timber-*laden vessels, which made rafts of their cargoes on the river, the West India and all other traders discharged their cargoes into lighters, creating a state of confusion which, combined with the enormous amount of depredations, at length stimulated the parties most largely interested to devise means for protecting themselves, and suppressing the existing evils.
Docks at length planned.
West India Docks.
The West India merchants, being the greatest
sufferers, took the lead, and through their exertions
an Act of Parliament, which met with much opposition,[2]
was obtained for the construction of the West
India Docks, on the Isle of Dogs, with powers to the
Lord Mayor and Corporation of the City of London
to excavate a canal sufficiently large and deep to be
navigated by ships, extending across the head of that
peninsula between Blackwall and Limehouse Hole.
The stock of the Company at the commencement of this
important undertaking amounted to only 500,000l.,
with power to augment it to 600,000l. if necessary.
They were restricted from raising their dividends
above ten per cent. They were required to inclose
the docks, wharves, and warehouses connected therewith
with a wall of brick or stone, not less than
thirty feet in height, with strong gates, and to
- ↑ Rival traders looked enviously on this privilege, "which could not fail to give an inconceivable spring to commercial pursuits if extended to all the other great branches of trade." And yet the warehousing system, when proposed, met, as we have seen, with fierce opposition.
- ↑ Local Acts, 59 Geo. III., cap. 79.
