The Sun.
London, England, 1833-10-14 00:00:00

MANSION-HO USE.

ROASTED CORN AND BRITISH LEAF.—On Sa-
turday Mr. Hunt waited upon the LORD MAYOR in
consequence of the conduct of the Board of Excise
towards Mr. Ileale, the patentee of " the British
leaf" beverage, as stated in the report of what took
place on the preceding day on the condemnation of
the article to the flames. He stated that, by the
Act for the regulation of licenses, dealers in roasted
corn, peas, and beans, and other vegetables, were
required to be annually licensed, under a penalty of
501. for each neglect. That Act had, according to
the statement of the Excise Board, been repealed in
the year 1825, as he was given to understand upon
application at the office. He found, however, that,
at any rate, no formal refusal had taken place, and
he stated that fact to the Board; but the answer
he received was, that, as the mention of that beve-
rage was omitted in the Act for the regulation of
licenses, the necessity for taking out a license was
abrogated. He somehow or other found a difficulty
in relying upon the humane authority of the officer,
although assured that the Commissioners prohibited
the taking out of licenses for his roasted corn, which
he had accordingly sold ever since without being
licensed, his premises being still under the surveil-
lance of the Board.

The LORD MAYOR thought there would be no
danger likely to arise from observing what had been
stared by the Board.
Mr. Hunt— It appears that, in Mr. Heale's case,
twelve months ago, the broad arrow had been at-
tached to the British leaf, and removed by order of
the Board, after a consultation as to the legality of
the manufacture. Now such a removal was a virtual
admission of the efficacy of the patent. But how
did the Excise act subsequently ? They waited
until an immense stock was laid in, and then they
pounced in and made a seizure, and pursued the
article to condemnation in the teeth of their former
decision. How did he know, then, but that the
Excise would play some trick of the kind on him ?
(A laugh.)

•
The LORD MAYOR—It must be recollected that
the conduct of the Excise Board was not the ques-
tion yesterday. It was wh,ther the Act prohibited
the fabrication of any article in imitation of tea.
He had decided upon that question in Mr. lleale's
case, because he found that notwithstanding all that
had been battered into his ears by a Learned Ser-
geant, the nasty stuff had been made to imitate
and be mixed with tea, and for that purpose alone,
and that nobody bought an ounce of it for other
use except two agents of the patentee, who had in
one year bought a pound a piece, and much joy he
wished them of their purchase—(Laughter)—so
that thirteen thousand pounds weight had been made
up for accommodating the grocers of the metropolis
and its environs.

Mr. Hunt—Without wishing to impugn the con-
duct of the Excise on the occasion of the condem-
nation of the British leaf, I certainly am fearful of
following their advice, or taking all they say for
gospel; and I apply to your Lordship, that if any
trick of the kind should be contemplated towards
me it may be known that I tendered the price of the
license, and was refused upon the ground that no
license was necessary. lam manufacturing roasted
corn as actively as ever, and it would he very hard
if I was pounced upon in the midst of my honest
labours. I have between two and three hundred
agents in the country, and a vast number in town,
for the sale of it. I intend to manufacture a herb
tea as I have done before, but I wish to violate
neither the letter nor the spirit of the Act.
The LORD MAYOR—WeII, I hope you won't use
sloe-leaves or willow-leaves, or make any thing like
the stuff I have condemned, which is very properly
called caper tea. The decision has, I think, made
the proprietor cut a very pretty caper.—(Laughter.)
With respect, however, to your notice, i•'lr. Hunt,
I dare say the Act you allude to has been virtually
repealed.
John Stoddart, the commander of the ship Lord
Stewart, from Hamburg, was convicted in the penalty
of 100/. for having in a concealed place in his ship
some brandy, geneva, and tobacco. The quantity
of spirits did not exceed the general allowance for
the use of the crew, but the offence lay i❑ having it
in a private situation.