the town of Howden, at which place it takes a southerly direction to the port of Goole, where it is joined by the River Dunn or New Dutch River; winding by Swinefleet and Saltmarshe Hall to a place called Flaxfleet, it there receives the Trent, and from this point loses its name in the River Humber.
By charter of Edward IV. granted in 1462, the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of York were appointed to oversee and be the conservators of this river, as well as of the Aire, Wharfe, Derwent, Dunn and Humber, which are connected with it.
The first act of parliament relating to this river was passed in 1657, when Cromwell was Protector, and is entitled, 'An Act for amending the River of Ouse, at or near the city of York.' The next act was obtained in 1726-7, and entitled, 'An Act for improving the Navigation of the River Ouse, in the county of York.' This was followed by another in 1732, entitled, 'An Act for rendering more effectual an Act passed in the Thirteenth Year of the Reign of his late Majesty King George the First, entitled, An Act for improving the Navigation of the River Ouse, in the county of York;' which authorized the following to be taken above Wharfe's Mouth, as
TONNAGE RATES.
| For all Salt, Lead, Wool, Corn, Flour, &c. &c | 0s 6d per Ton. |
| For all Steel and Iron | 1s 0d ditto. |
| For all Wine, Groceries and other Things | 2s 6d ditto. |
Another act was passed in 1767, entitled, 'An Act for making navigable the River Ouse from below Widdington Ings, at or near Linton, to the Junction of the Rivers Swale and Ure; and for making navigable the said River Swale from the said Junction to Morton Bridge; and also the Brook running from Bedale into the River Swale, in the county of York;' wherein it is stated that the navigation of the said river has been improved above the city of York to Linton-upon-Ouse, in the said county; and that the continuing the said navigation from below Widdington Ings, near Linton, to the junction of the Rivers Swale and Ure, and from thence up the River Swale, to Topcliffe and Morton Bridge, and also making navigable the brook below the said bridge to the town of Bedale, will be of great utility to the public; and a great
