Injustice of that Cuftom, ordained, that if from thenceforth any one Thing (being within the Vessel) arrived alive, then the Ship and Goods fhould not be feized for Wreck.

This Decree had Force during all his Reign, and ought of Congruence to have endured for ever. Howbeit, after his Death, the Owners of Land on the Sea-Shore, fhewing themselves more careful of their own Gain, than pitiful of other Mens Calamities, returned to the old Manner. Which their unmerciful Covetoufnefs (as I fuppofe) provoked King Edward the First, by the Sta

tute

tute (that we call Westminster the Firft) to make Restitution of King Henry's Law; which even to this Day remaineth in Force, nothing fo heavy against so poor Men (afflicted by Misfortune of the Sea) as that former ill Ufage was, but yet (as the Matter is commonly used) neither so easy as Chriftian Charity would, nor fo indifferent as the Laws of other Countries do, afford; and therefore I will leave it as a Thing worthy (amongst others) of Reformation, when God fhall give Time,

By

1

By the Act of 12 ANNE, it is Enacted,

HAT all Merchant Ships and Men of War

riding at Anchor near a Ship in Diftrefs, are to lend them all fuch Affiftance by Men and Boats as they can conveniently spare; and Sheriffs, Mayors, Cuftom-house Officers of Porttowns near the Sea, and Conftables, Tythingmen, &c. in all and every fuch Places, fhall, upon Application made by the Commander of any Ship in Diftrefs or ftranded, and run Afhore, fummon as many Men as fhall be thought neceffary to preferve the Ship and Cargo; and to encourage them to affift in fuch Cafes, the, Col. lectors of Cuftoms, and the Mafters of the faid Ships, and all who fhall act or be employed in preferving fuch Ship or Cargo, fhall, within thirty Days after the Service performed, be paid a reasonable Reward by the Commander of the faid Ship, or the Owners, or Mariners, or Merchant, whofe Ship or Goods are fo faved; and the Goods or Materials are to be left in the Cuftody of the Officer of Customs, or his Deputy, till all Charges are paid, and all that were employed are reasonably gratified, or Security given for it; and if the Owners or Merchants difagree with the Officer of the Cuftoms about the Monies deferved for fuch Salvage, the Master, Owner, or Merchants, and the Officer of the Cuftoms, or his Deputy, may nominate three neighbouring Juftices of the Peace, who fhall adjust the Quantum of the

Monies

Monies to be paid for it, which fhall be binding to all Parties, and recoverable at Law.

And all Goods fo faved, that are not claimed within twelve Months, are to be fold, and if they are perishable, directly; and all Charges deducted, the Monies are to be returned into the Exchequer, there to remain till legal Claim fhall be made.

And if any Perfon befide those empowered to act in faving the faid Ship and Cargo, fhall endeavour to enter on Board fuch Ship in Diftrefs or ftranded, without Leave of the Master of the Ship, or Perfons empowered to employ Men to fave it, or fhall moleft or hinder any of them that are faving it, or when Goods are faved fhall take out the Marks, or deface them, before they are taken down in a Book provided by the Mafter and Officer of Cuftoms, in twenty Days, fhall make double Satisfaction to the Party grieved, at the Discretion of the two next Juftices of the Peace, or be fent to hard Labour at the House of Correction for twelve Months; and any fuch Master or Officer of Cuftoms may repel by Force any fuch Person who will enter or prefs Aboard fuch Ship in Distress without Leave or Confent, and moleft them in preferving the Ship or Cargo.

And if any Goods fhall be found upon any Perfon that were ftolen and carried off from fuch Ship in Diftrefs as aforefaid, they shall

immediately upon Demand deliver them to the Owner or Perfon authorized to receive them, or be liable to pay treble the Value, to be recovered at Law.

And if any Perfon fhall make or affift in making a Hole in any Part of the Ship, or fteal a Pump, or do any Thing tending to the immediate Lofs of the faid Ship or Veffel, or aid and affift in fo doing, fuch Perfon is thereby made guilty of Felony, without Benefit of his Clergy.

And this is a publick Act; and any Officer of Customs convicted of abufing his Truft by Fraud or Neglect, fhall forfeit treble Damages to the Party grieved, and be difabled from fuch or any Employment in the Cuftoms.

Provided this fhall not affect the Rights of the Crown, or of Claimants under it, or Lords of Manors, or any that have lawful Claims to Wreck Flotfum, Jetfum, or Lagan.

In the 4th Year of GEORGE Ist,

An Act was made to enforce the aforefaid Act, and alfo to make it perpetual.

Anno 26 GEORGII IIdi.

To plunder Ships in Diftress, or steal, take away, or deftroy any of their Materials or Goods when ftranded, wreck'd or loft, or hin

der