The increase is certainly astonishing, since it is known that in London and the Country, there were some time since fifty-four actual Coiners, and fifty-six large Dealers, besides, at least, ten Die sinkers, whose _names_, _characters_, and pursuits, were perfectly known; but these bear no proportion to the horde of smaller dealers and utterers of base money in the Metropolis, and in most of the commercial and manufacturing towns in the kingdom. Their numbers must amount to several thousands. From being at present nuisances to society, in the constant habit of defrauding the Public, they might be rendered (through the application of the remedies proposed) useful members of the State; by changing a life of idleness and crimes, for a course of useful labour and industry. CHAP. VIII. _The magnitude of the Plunder of Merchandize and Naval Stores on the River Thames.--The wonderful extent and value of the Floating Property, laden and unladen in the Port of London in the course of a year.--Reasons assigned for the rise and progress of the excessive Pillage which had so long afflicted the Trade of the River Thames.--The modes pursued in committing Depredations as the result of a regular System, which had been established through the medium of various classes of Criminal Delinquents, denominated--River Pirates--Night Plunderers--Light Horsemen--Heavy Horsemen--Game Watermen--Game Lightermen--Mudlarks--Game Officers of the Revenue--And Copemen, or Receivers of Stolen Property.--The devices practised by each Class in carrying on their criminal designs.--General Observations on the extent of the Plunder and number of Individuals implicated in this Species of Criminality.--The effects of the Marine Police in checking these Depredations.--The advantages which have resulted to Trade and Revenue from the partial experiment which has been made.--The further benefits to be expected when, by apposite Legislative Regulations, the System of Protection is extended to the whole Trade of the River.--General Reflections arising from the Subject._ The immense depredations committed on every species of Commercial Property in the River Thames, but particularly on West India produce, had long been felt as a grievance of the greatest magnitude; exceedingly hurtful to the Commerce and Revenue of the port of London, and deeply affecting the interest of the Colonial Planters, as well as every description of Merchants and Ship-Owners concerned in the Trade of the River Thames.