N. B. The above account was ordered to be printed the 24th of June, 1806. It is observable that it contains only a return of four years instead of sixteen years, which was ordered pursuant to a motion made by sir Charles Price, bart. in the words set forth at the head of this account. To form a correct idea of ship-building in Great Britain, in 1805, a reference must be added to the letters from the out ports, page cxxxiii; by which it will be seen that there is a general decline of ship-building, and not merely a removal of it from one port to another from cheapness of wages, &c. It therefore becomes a subject of the highest importance for immediate legislative inquiry into the causes which have led to it, and to consider of the most effectual means to regain it. Had the old maritime principles of the nation been adhered to, and such burthens on shipping as those imposed by the tonnage duty bill, which passed in the peace of 1801-2, there is good reason to believe the country would not have had cause, at this moment, for alarm on this interesting subject, and that the same spirit of enterprize which theretofore characterised the shipping interest would have continued; but which, unhappily for the nation, is at present nearly extinguished, 24th December, 1806.

the Year 1805, at the several Ports mentioned in er to shew the actual Number of Ships fit for the

No. XXIII.

EAST INDIA TRADE.

East India House, 12th June, 1806,

SIR,

THE court of directors of the East India Company having referred to the consideration of the committee of shipping your letter of the 10th ultimo, requesting to be furnished, for the information of the committee of ship owners, with an account of the quantity of tonnage employed by the company in their export and import trade, from the year 1780, to 1805, inclusive, and also the average rate of freight per ton, with the war contingencies in those years*, I have the committee's commands to transmit you an account of the number and tonnage of the ships employed by the company in their export and import trade, from the year 1780, to 1804, inclusive.

I am,

Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

JAMES COGGAN.

Mr. Nathaniel Atcheson.

*It is to be regretted that the rates of freight in their service for those years were not given with the statement of tonnage.

No. XXIII.-CONTINUED.

An Account of the Number and Tonnage of regular and extra Ships engaged for the East India Company's service, from the season 1780, to 1804, inclusive.

The season 1805 is not yet concluded.

East India House, 12th June,

1806.

JAMES COGGAN.