dency to fraud, and so easily
susceptible of dishonest artifices, that I believe every member of this
house will desire its suppression.

To confirm my assertion, sir, and illustrate the question before us, I
shall mention some particular instances of fraud to which this custom
has given occasion; of fraud so evident and so detestable that it cannot
be related without indignation.

The Royal George was a large ship belonging to the South sea company,
which, having been a voyage to Vera Cruz, put in at Jamaica in her
return; and being there refitted to proceed on her voyage homewards, set
sail, and came within a week's sailing of the port, when, upon a sudden,
the officers entered into a consultation, and determined to go back a
month's voyage to Antigua; for what reason, sir, may easily be guessed,
when it was told that a ship was insured upon a supposed value of sixty
thousand pounds.

This resolution, sir, was no sooner formed, than orders were given to
change the course and steer to Antigua, in opposition to all the
remonstrances of the carpenter, who is the proper judge of the condition
of a vessel, and who declared, with honesty and resolution, against
their whole procedure. But they pursued their new scheme without any
regard to his murmurs or assertions; and when they arrived at Antigua,
found some method of influencing the officers of that island to declare
the ship unfit for the prosecution of the voyage.

Their design, sir, was now happily completed. To confirm the
determination which had been pronounced in their favour, they stranded
the ship upon a bank of sand, forced out the iron that grapples the
timber together, and having first taken away the masts and rigging, and
whatever else could be used or sold, threw the ballast to each end, and
so broke the vessel in the middle.

By this well-contrived shipwreck, having, as they imagined, raised their
fortunes, they came home triumphantly from their prosperous voyage, and
claimed the money for which the ship was insured. The insurers, startled
at a demand so unexpected, inquired into the affair with all the
industry which its importance might naturally incite, and, after some
consultation, determined to try whether the ship might not be refitted
and brought to Britain.

In pursuance of this resolution, they sent workmen and materials, and,
without much expense, or any difficulty, brought it hither.

I believe, sir, this relation is sufficient at once to