"That this Committee is fully convinced that considerable advantages have been derived from the institution of the Marine Police in checking the depredations on West India produce on board ships in the River Thames; and consequently approves of the Bill for constituting the said Marine Police, with powers enlarged and more effective, and on a more extended plan, provided the Act for that purpose be in the first instance limited to the duration of three years, and that the whole expence of the Institution does not exceed Ten Thousand Pounds annually."
Extract from the Minutes of a General Meeting of the West India Planters, held by public Advertisement at Wright's Coffee-house, Soho-square, London, June 13, 1799.
The Right Honourable Lord Penrhyn in the Chair.
"Resolved,
"That this Meeting confirms the Report of its Committee, and approves of the project of a Bill for the purposes, and within the limitations stated in that Report.
"Resolved,
"That Lord Penrhyn be requested to present to the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Report of a Committee of this Meeting, on the subject of the Marine Police Institution, and the Resolution of this meeting approving the said Report.
"Resolved,
"That Lord Penrhyn be requested to communicate the thanks of this Meeting to Mr. Colquhoun for the zeal, ability, and perseverance with which he has endeavoured to form an effectual check to the system of depredation which prevailed on the River Thames."
[69] Since the publication of the last edition of this work, the Select Committee on Finance in the House of Commons, who have derived immortal honour from their various and useful Reports, have recommended the abolition of fees; and the Lords of the Admiralty, and the Commissioners of the subordinate Boards, are entitled to the thanks of their country, from the exertions they are using to carry this measure into effect.