Letter received by Banks from Richard Shepherd, November 1806 (Series 20.61) - No. 0008

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I have not yet compleated my Extracts from the Imports & Exports, but the following Statement of the Ships belonging to the Island & employed in Trade does not afford a flattering Prospect.

From the 30th September 1790 to 30th September 1791.
Vessels Bermuda built ----------- 135 -- 11702 Tons
Prizes made free ---------------------  6 -   371  
In ye Service of Bermuda Merchants -- 141 Ships 12.073 Tons  

From the 30th Septr. 1798 to the 30th Sept 1799.
Bermuda built - - - - - - - - - - 205 Vessels 16,639 Tons
Prizes made free - - - - - - - - -43 -----------  3,774   -
In ye Service of Bermuda Merchants -- 248 Vessels. 20,413 Tons                                                             

From the 30th Sept.r 1805 to 30th Septr 1806
Bermuda built - - - - - - - - -  86 Vessels 6502 Tons
Prizes made free - - - - - - - 10 ---------- 1190  
In ye Service of Bermuda Merchants ---96 ------ 7692   -                                                                  

          During the last War they neglected their carrying Trade for the piratical Profession of Privateering, in which they had forty Vessels engaged;  every thing in the Shape of a Ship they captured, & every Prize that was brought in was certain of Condemnation from a Vice Admiralty Judge of their own Tribe.  His Decrees I need not inform you were all reversed by the Court of Appeals, & the Captors were now smarting so severely by a refund of their illegally acquired Wealth, that they have not ventured to fit out a single Privateer.  Many of the Principal Families are totally ruined; & all are sufferers either as Principals or Sureties.  I should feel some concern for them had their Conduct been less notoriously piratical, & their