ACT FOR PREVENTING THE PLUNDERING OF SHIPWRECKED VESSELS.

In order the more effectually to repress the barbarous practice of plundering ships which have the misfortune to suffer shipwreck—a practice which prevailed upon many different parts of the British coast—to the disgrace of the nation, and the scandal of human nature; a bill was prepared, containing clauses to enforce the laws against such savage delinquents, who prowl along the shore like hungry wolves, in hope of preying upon their fellow-creatures; and certain provisions for the relief of the unhappy sufferers.*

* By the new law, the clerk of the peace in the county where
the crime shall be committed, is obliged, upon receiving
proper information, to prosecute the offenders at the
expense of the county. It was likewise proposed, that in
case no prosecution of this nature should be commenced
within a certain limited time after the information should
have been legally given, in that case the county might be
sued by the person who had sustained the damage, and obliged
to indemnify him for his loss; but this clause was rejected
by the majority; and the bill having made its way through
both houses, received the royal assent.

When the mutiny bill fell under deliberation, the earl of Egmont proposed a new clause for empowering and requiring regimental courts-martial to examine witnesses upon oath in all their trials. The proposal occasioned a debate, in which the ministry were pretty equally divided; but the clause was disapproved by the majority, and this annual bill was enacted into a law without any alteration.