By the act of the 12th George I., c. 15, commonly called the Tonnage Act, the corporation obtained the power to levy tolls on all goods brought into the city by any boat, keel wherry, lighter, buoy, or other vessel as follows:—4d. for every chaldron of coals, for every last of wheat, rye, barley, malt, or other grain, for every weight of salt, for every hogshead of sugar, tobacco, molasses, or hogshead packed with other goods, for every three puncheons of liquor, for every two pipes of wine, spirits, &c., for every eight barrels of soap, raisins, oil, pitch, tar, &c. For five years prior to May, 1836, the average amount of revenue derived from the tonnage dues was £970, showing that a very large quantity of goods was brought by river to the city. After June 24th, 1836, the tolls were let by auction for £1375; in 1838, for £1210; in 1840, for £1220; in 1847, for £1000; in 1850, for £1050 yearly. This shows that after the opening of railways the dues were reduced, but not so much as might have been expected; the wherries continued to bring in a large proportion of the heavy goods. The project of opening a communication between Norwich and the sea, for sea-borne vessels, originated with Alderman Crisp Brown, who in 1814, submitted to the corporation a plan for making Norwich a port by way of Yarmouth. After this, surveys were made, and a report was published in 1818, by Mr. Cubitt, who recommended avoiding Breydon by a new cut on the south side. In the same year he made another survey, to ascertain the practicability of opening a communication with the sea at Lowestoft, and in 1821 this report was laid before the public. As the Yarmouth corporation had signified their determination to oppose either of these plans, it was at length determined to carry out the communication to Lowestoft, although the expense was double that of the Yarmouth plan. This turned out to be a very unfortunate undertaking. Subscriptions were raised and fresh surveys were made; and in 1826, a company having been formed, an application was made to Parliament for an Act; but being opposed by the Yarmouth corporation and timid owners of the marsh lands, who were fearful of an inundation, it was lost by a majority of five. This act, however, was finally passed in 1827, after £8000 had been spent by the corporation of Yarmouth in opposing it. Of course, the object of that body was to retain the monopoly of the Norwich trade, which was then very great. On May 23rd, 1827, the bill for making Norwich a port having been passed through both houses of Parliament, the navigation committee, with the mayor (their chairman), were met at Hartford Hill, on their return from London, by thousands of their fellow-citizens who were assembled to welcome them; and a grand procession having been formed, they marched through the city, while guns were fired in all directions. The celebration concluded with a bonfire at night.