The Sun.
London, England, 1853-03-19 00:00:00

Matheson, Esq.,

That inasmuch as protracted discussions upon alterations of duty
detrimentally affect the interests of all parties both here and abroad,
promote undue speculation, and tend to diminish the amount of
duties received for the revenue, it is highly desirable that any reduc-
tion proposed as regards the tea duties should take ,ffect with the
least possible delay.

It was proposed by G. T. Brain, Esq. ; seconded by Lewis Huth, Esq.
That as regards the extent of reduction, i.his meeting is fully im-
pressed with the importance of it► being of such a magnitude as would
secure to the people a difference in price sufficiently important to en-
sure such increased consumption as would promptly restore any
temporary deficiency in the revenue.
It was proposed by Richard Twirling, Esq., jun.; seconded by John

Entwistle, Esq.,

That the following Memorial be signed, for presentation to the
Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, conveying to him the views of this
Meeting on the subject, and that the same be handed to him by John
Masterrman, Esq. M.P., and Samuel Gregson, Esq., M.P.
It was proposed by J. Ingram Travers, Esq. ; seconded by Jas. Lay-

ton, Esq„

That the cordial thanks of this Meeting be given to John Master-
man, Esq., M.P., for his conduct in the chair this day, and for his
ready attention at all times to the wishes of his constituents.
To THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM HWART GLADSTONE, M.P., CHAN-
CELLOR OR Hut MAJESTY'S EXCHEQUER, &C.

The Memorial of the undersigned Merchants ant Traders of
the City of London.
Showeth,—That your Memorialists are deeply interested in the
trade with China, or engaged in the sale of tea.
That your Memorialists consider the present duty charged upon
tea to be exorbitant and oppressive, and most Inconsistent with the
avowed commercial policy of the nation, of securing to the mass of
the people all necessary articles of consumption at the cheapest pos-
sible rate.
That this excessive duty interferes most seriously with the con-
sumption of tea.
That the natural development of the China trade (in most in-
stances one of barter) is greatly impeded by the imposition of a high
duty upon one of the principal articles of import, as the extent of
British manufactures to be introduced into that country must be
regulated by the returns of China preducts,which_we are enabled to
consume

That your Memorialists consider that could returns be taken from
China in sufficient quantity, the exportation of British manufactures
would be increased to an enormous extent, China being not only the
most populous country in the world, but its inhabitants are probably
the most dress-loving people and the most prone to the indulgence of
cheap luxuries of any nation with which we are acquainted.
That your Memorialists are convinced that the reduction of the
duty on tea will ensure a largely increased consumption of that
article.

That the loss of revenue occasioned by a reduction of duty would
be speedily repaired by such increased consumption, provided the
reduction were sufficiently important to cause a sensible diminution
in the price, and one which would be felt by the mass of the people,
whose purchases, though made in very small quantities, are enor-
mous in the aggregate.
That the duties imposed by the Chinese tariff on British goods
varies from 5 to 7 per cent., while the duty on tea, their staple
export to Great Britain varies from 200 to 250 per cent.—st fact
which should induce the Government of this country to take the
earliest opportunity of lessening the excessive duty now charged
thereon.

That independently of commercial views, the extended consump-
tion of tea In this country may be deemed a moral and social qu Ca-
tion of great importance. Tea yields a wholesome and agreeable
beverage to every class of the population, one that is increasingly
desired as a subs* ittite for intoxicating liquors, and is peculiarly valued
by the humbler classes, whose comforts would be increased, and
whose social habits would be improved were the cost of so important
an article of consumption materially reduced.
That in reference' to navigation, a large reduction is important.
Tea is a light and bulky article, requiring considerable tonnage in
proportion to its value; the continued emigration to Australia will
direct a large amount of shipping to the southern hemisphere. a part
of which, proceeding to China, would find profitable employment,
were a large additional quantity of tea required in this country.
That your Memorialists would further mention that during the
past six years, while the shipments of tea from China to Great Bri-
tain have only increased from 57,600,001 lbs. to 65,000,00611 m, the ex-
ports of tea to the United States, where no duty is imposed, have in-
creased from 18,000,0001b5. to 34,300,000 lbs.,—a striking illustration
of the expansive power of the tea trade if relieved ttom burthensome
and oppressive duties. _ _

That in our colonies and dependencies where tea is free or lightly
taxed, the consumption is, in oroportion to the population, in some
cases two, in others three to one more than in this country, a tact
which further strongly illustrates the capability of greatly increased
consumption.

In conclusion, your Memorialists will only refer to the elaborate
investigation into the working of the China trade by a Committee
of the House of Commons in 1847. The Report of that Committee,
which entered most fully and ably into all questions arising out of
this important branch of our commerce, contained the following re-
commendation to the house :

" Your Committee think themselves warranted in recommending
to the house a considerable reduction in the duty on tea at the
earliest period which in iti wisdom it may see fit, a ..1 most desirable
in itself, with a view to the comforts and the social habits of the
people, as involving but a temporary loss to the Revenue, and as
essential to the extension of our trade with China, nay, even to its
maintenance at the point which it has already reached."
Under these circumstances, your Memorialists pray for a liberal
and prompt revision of the Tea Duties.
London, 14th March, 1853.
Baring Brothers aad Co. W. B. Moffatt
Matheson and Co. J. J. Noyes
Paimers, Mackillop, Dent, & Co. G. H. and 3. F. Whiff
Fred. Huth and Co. Beni. Williams
Gregson and Co. Joseph Rackley
Forbes, Forbes, and Co. John Waring
Rawson, Norton, and Co. J. Crump ton
Peter Dickson and Co. Norton, Kilburn, and CO.
Sanderson, Frye, Fox, and CO. Russell and Co.
T. A. Gibb John J. Edwards
.Ashton and Co. H. C. White
G. T. Braine H. C. R. Macduff
R. Twining and Co. Charles Hawkins
Horrocks, Miller, and Co. Robert Archer
Gladstanes and Co. W. D. Beard
Peek, Brothers, and Co. Thomas Maltby
W. J. and H. Thompson Charles Maltby
Layton, Hulbert, and Co. W. J. Bland
Elias and Co. Thomas How
J. Travers and Sons W. H. Williamson
Crawford, Colvin, and Co. Edmund Crarley
Harvey, Brand, and Co. Absolom Crocker and Co.
. Finlay, Hodgson, and Co. Mitchell, Blain, and Co.
Daniel, Dickenson, and Co. Lloyd, Matheson, and Co.
Reiss, Brothers, and Co. Charles Barris and Co.
Small and Co. Charles Ady Hulbert
Moffatt and Co. Smith, Kennedy, and Co.
Finnis and Fisher Jos. F. Stackhouse
Arbuthnot, Latham, and Co. F. and H. lklonkileld
Philpot and Buttevant Robert R. R. Moore.
It. Gibbs and Co. Thomas Watkins
Dallas and Coles Lewis Brothers
Timothy Smith Cornelius Pugh
Ewart, Maccaughey, and Co. Thomas Howard
Phillipps, Shaw, and Lowther James Moore
Hyde and Jones George Findlay
John Entwistle. Robert Earnshavv
Hayter and Howell W. G. Aspinall
Carlisle, Capel, and Co. John Nicholson and Co.
R. Hillhouse and Sons W. 0. Young
Maul and Sons Wm. Wilson
Delafosse and Wathen George Buck
Mitchell and Blain George Saintsbury
Jos. Goddard and Co. John H. Mason
Thos. How and Sons Charles Hope
F. Clarance Wm. Weston
J. Deane, jun. Passam Smith and Co.
W. E. Franks, and,Sons John Teesdale
Heath, Beatson, and Ca. John Thorman
Robert Smith and Co. Wm. H. Alcock
G. Peabody and Co. John Pringle
John Silverlock John Hawkins
Charles L. Fergusson Wm. Sentence
Rowley and Davies Edwin Hussey
Edwards and Sons Robert E. Warwick.
Davison' Newman, and Co. Wm. Pritchard .
Parker, Son, and Pritchett R. B. Whiteside
J. White
James Cousens and Sons
Fincham, Matson, and Co. Phillips and Co.
David Lloyd
oyd Brothers,
North, Simpson, Graham, & Co. Andrew Johnson and Co.
R. Holb im and Sons Charles Hunt
Bennett, Noel Whiting
W.
Robert H. Salmon
Miller and T.owcock John Towse, jun.
J. A. Abbiss and Co. Richard Gibbs, jun.
Geo. Duncan . James Gilbertson
Chas. Watson William Spottiswede
t John Fletcher Betts
Ismith Brown,anCo.o and Co.
F. Farnan and Son.,
Chas. Barry and Co. W. Hanswell
C.llOlllO