measure for regulating the marine
forces, which contained nothing new or extraordinary. A committee being
appointed to inquire what laws were already expired, or near expiring,
they performed this difficult task with indefatigable patience and
perseverance; and, in pursuance of their resolutions, three bills were
prepared and passed into laws, continuing some acts for a certain time,
and rendering others perpetual. [440] _[See note 3N, at the end of this
Vol.]_

The lord-mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, in common
council assembled, having drawn up a petition to the house of commons,
alleging that the toll upon loaded vessels or other craft, passing
through the arches of London bridge, granted by a former act, passed in
the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty, for improving, widening,
and enlarging the passage both under and over the said bridge, was
altogether precarious, and insufficient to defray the expense, including
that of a temporary wooden bridge already erected; and praying that a
bill might be prepared, for explaining and rendering that act effectual;
a committee was appointed to examine the contents, and a bill brought
in according to their request. This, however, was opposed by a petition
from several persons, owners of barges, and other craft navigating the
river Thames, who affirmed, that if the bill should pass into a law as
it then stood, it would be extremely injurious to the petitioners in
particular, and to the public in general. These were heard by their
counsel before the committee, but no report was yet given, when the
temporary bridge was reduced to ashes. Then the mayor, aldermen,
and commons of London presented another petition, alleging that, in
pursuance of the powers vested in them by act of parliament, they had
already demolished a good number of the houses on London bridge,
and directed the rest that were standing to be taken down with all
convenient expedition; that two of the arches might be laid into one
for the improvement of the navigation; that they had, at a very great
expense, erected a temporary wooden bridge, to preserve a public passage
to and from the city, until the great arch could be finished, which
temporary bridge being consumed by fire, they must rebuild it with the
greatest expedition, at a further considerable expense; that the sum
necessary for carrying on and completing this great and useful work,
including the rebuilding of the said temporary