The establishment of the West India and the London Docks still left the East India and China shipping to be provided for; the accommodation afforded by Mr. Perry’s Dock at Blackwall being scarcely sufficient for the shipping of the East India Company alone. To meet this deficiency the East India Dock Company was formed. The Act passed in the year 1803, the docks were commenced in August of the same year, and opened on August 4, 1806. This view, which represents the docks as they appeared when completed, gives a very interesting picture of the river at this point, as also of the virgin character of the surrounding country. Like its predecessors, the East India Dock Company started with a twenty-one years’ monopoly. All vessels with cargoes from the East Indies and China were obliged to discharge in these docks. Outward-bound ships to these parts of the world were also compelled to load here or else in the river below Limehouse. But, for the protection of the London Dock monopoly, it was enacted that no vessel not immediately from, or immediately bound to, the East Indies or China, should, under a penalty of £50, enter these docks without the consent of the Treasury in writing. Most people are not aware that the East of London is indebted to the East and West India Docks for two of its finest roads. Before the establishment of these docks neither the Commercial, nor the East India, Road had any existence. The distance of these docks from the City rendered good roads an absolute necessity, especially in those days. Here I may observe that when the Duke of Bridgewater began his canal—forty years previously—the cost of the land carriage of goods was 40_s._ a ton. The carriage of goods on the river was not less than 12_s._ a ton. From Wapping, eastward, fields, nursery-grounds, rope walks, gardens, &c., &c., stretched right away to Barking. Through these the Commercial Road was cut at a cost of £100,000; and when the East India Docks were started, a further sum of £20,000 was raised to continue the road to that distance, the extension taking its name from the docks. The government of both these roads was vested in fifteen trustees, including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the two Dock Companies. As you are probably aware, both these roads are now entirely free.