The Sun.
London, England, 1814-10-14 00:00:00

-7r BONDINti

TO THE "Emma OF THE SUN.
SlR—Thexery proper manner in which you
have called the attention of the Public to the pro-
ceedings at the late Meeting of the Merchants of
London, has induced me to trouble you with a
few observations in regard to t;xtending the time
limited by law for goods to remain warehoused..
Whatever may be. the result of the proposed
conference with Government, it is of importance
that the question should be correctly understood
dining the present discussion, in order that on a
future occasion the Nation may not be taken by
surprise, and induced to acquiesce in the perma-
nent continuance of i measnt*, whlcbnothing
Emit a continental war can justify.
Previous to the passing of the Warehousing Ad
(-13 L Geo. Ill.), the duties of Customs and Ex.
cise were payable as soon as 'goods were landed ;
that Act, however, allows them to remain ware-
housed for fifteen months, on bond being given
hat previous to the expiration of that time
they shall be re-exported, or pay the home con-
sumption duties.
This period was considered by the wisdom of
the Legislature amply sufficient to enable the im-
porter to obtain a foreign m:trket, or advance the
British duties"; it will not indeed enable the
wealthy Merchant to withhold his goods from
the consumer for an indefinite period, and charge
a price according to his own ideas of profit butt
for all the purposes of legitimate commerce, it is
unquestionably sufficient:
The extraordinary Decrees of BUONAPARTE,
however, required an remedy ; and
"i;► 1809 the Treasury, adverting to the state of
the Export Trade, granted an extension of six
months to the time limited by the above Act for
go,ds to remain warehoused. This indulgence
appears to hale been continued from time to
time, in consequence of the situation of the
Continent, until the latter part of 1813, when
notice was given, that as the causes which

originally led to it had ceased, it woul.l be dis-
continue:l on the Ist of June, 1814. At the ex-
itiration of that period, however, tnemorials and

remonstrances (not- public meetings, for these
were kept in reserve,) were again numerous, and
the time, was once more extended to the 30th inst.
• with an intimation, in the strongest possible lan-
guage, that no further time would be allowed.
This, as far as I am informed, is the present
state of. the question. That the Government are
acting wisely and equitably (after the notices
which have been given) in resisting the unlimited
continuation of.this indulgence, and reverting to
the original law, cannot be doubted.

If the Merchants pay the duties, the money
%via be immediately applicable to the service of
the State ; the goods must be brought into the
market at a cheaper rate a larger quantity will
be consumed ; and the Exchequer will be perma-
nently benefited.

If they export their goods, our foreign Ex-
changes gill be improved, and the extensive ope-
rations of Government abroad materially assisted.
In every way, therefore, the question is against
the Merchant ; and I shall conclude these obser-
vations, by expressing an anxious hope, that. the
Government will ngt, be again induced to grant an
unlimited exteusiomkof the indulgence solicited.

1 am, Sir, yours,

13th ect. 1614.

C:VIS.