The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1818-01-07 00:00:00

TO TMI RIGHT HON. THE LORD ADVOCATE.

MY LORD think it proper to acquaint your I airelship,
that the Board of Excise has thought it expedient to mud
out fresh 111S1 1-1111i11118 to their Officers on the subject of illi-
cit drstillstaean, as the nppiosching long nights, and the pro.
duce of the late harvest, render it necessary for them to
adopt some pleasures, if possible, of addatiousl actively and
preesuti 4444 for its suppression.
The Board are satisfied that the landholders of the coun-
try, having become•very generally aware of the dangerous
consequences of illicit distillation to the habits and morals
of the people, are much disposed to support the measurer
by which those pernicious practices have already materially
heels checked, and which, if firmly persisted in, will, it is
hoped, make rapid progress towards their flual extinction.
They are persuaded also, that the provisions of the Act,
sflth ur the Kiug, have, by encouraging legal, abeady con-
tiibuted to diminish illicit distillation, and will continue to
produce a similar result.
The Boned, however, consider it their ditty to mention to
your Lordship, that fiom the returns which have Wen made
of convictions wider the statutes, it appears, that in some
districts, the fines imposed upon delinquents are frequently
Pontius!, and inadequate to the purposes of deterring offen-
ders, from it viola,' of the Excise laws.
In nosily cases of prosecution for not leaving taken out
licenses, the imposition of a flue equal only, or nearly so,
to the license duly which might originally to have been paid,
has been considered as an adequate punishment, and a %UM-
civil compensation to the levy • for the offence. Thus is ■
considerable injury inflicted upon the community, by pine-
ing the convicted offender in nu worse situation than the
well-disposed trader, and thereby tempting him to run the
chance of evading the duty, through the persuasion that, if
detected, he will not he ponished.
The Board is also of opinion, that the practice, which
much prevails, of imposing one penulty for several offencev,
in►tead of attaching a distinct and separate fine for each
conviction, is highly injurious, and should be discontinued.
The Officers of the Excise have received slice ial din ctions
upon this subject, so far as their conduct is connected
with it. . .

I hare thus taken the liberty of comm ritirsz to your
Lordship eireinnstances which it has appeared to the Iluaril
it was essentially necessary that yuu should be informed of,
persuaded that your Lordship will take theist into )11111' coil-
siderati ... and honour them with your opinion whether any
remedy can be devised fur the evils whirl, we hare pointed
out, nod which are unquestionably iajnriuus to the Revenue,
to the fair trailer, and the c unify at large.
I have the honour to be, with great respect, my Lord,
Your Lordship's must obedient Servant,
(Signed) WOODBINE I'ARISII.
Excise Office, Edinburgh, N0v.11,1617.

COURSE OF EXCHANG
Amsterdam .... 37 6 R.2U.
Ditto at sight .. 37 0
Amsterdam.... 11 10 C. F.
Ditto at sight .. 11 7
Rotterdam ..... 11 11 2 U
Antwerp. ll 12.901 u.
Hambnrigh.. .. 34 6 VU.
Altona ......... 34 7 2W.
Paris 3 Jay's date 24 40
24 00 2 U.

111$1,11.1raux .... 24 60
Frankfurt uu die
51:tin 145 ex
Madrid ...... 38! cfrect.
38 effect.
liillrua

Seville ... S7►
Gibes'tar 33

legborn
Cedes .. 47

IMP

MIME

MARKETS.

From " The London Mercantile Price Current," of fit: Relay,
January n, 1818.

WEST INDIA AND SPANISH WAIN PRODUCE.
The E. P. SUGAR market opened on Tuesday last wills a
brisk demand, which has continued during Ike week, and
prices obtained are 2s. liiither than they were before the holi-
days; eery brown Jamaicas 745. to 75v. middling 77a. to 7Ss.
and strong working parcels for the pasts 79a. a 1345., brown
Dutnissicas 765. Suit Saves hare not met with attention.
An additional duty stn house consumption of 3s. per cwt.
attached uu the 51h instant. lu Foseigt% Sugars, nothing
doing.
Covvrt.sThave experienced an improved demand by pri.
vale contract, ass.' priers have sthaitergl. St. Miteliste.,
other Foreign Coffers are the descriptions is. which purchases
have brew chiefly made. No public sale has taken place
since our last.

In addit to the stock of W. I. CorFEE remaining on
hand the 31st December, 1817, there nem about 700 bags
Brattl, and 83,200 bags E.ist
No salt 8 of CocoA by auction, and no inquiry by private
contract. _ _

Itunt continues nominal in price,' for want of drtnnnd :
and the demand in llyewouns and PIMENTO is extremely
dull.

EAST INDIA PRODUCE.
Spies:lL—Cinnamon has licen in demand, and higher
to ices paid. In other Spice% but little doing.
Tra.—The hest Bohea and low Cunguu Teas are inquired
after at a small advance.