Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-05-28

pected that her Msjes,ys Government would consent 10
abandon syse in direct hostility TO liberal and Jus.
policy, and affecting deeply the national interests anu
rights of both countries.
These views were received by the Chanceii"t o. -"
Exchequer, we'll the President OF the b"afa 0.
Trade, in my interviews with them, 10 'hat spur -
frankness and Cancellation which am haPpy 10 roy uo
marked alkmy intercourse with FMS HoVethiheh' ''1>
my residence at this Court
They both assured that her Majesty IIo'e'n"t
was entirely sensible OF the Importance attacheu " W.
snbjec, by the Government and people OF me = ams
that it was the wish Of themselves ana the, c"'r"
to promote as far as possible whatever might oe desa
Bile or beneficial 10 people towards whom mere MeI
SO many motives for chershing feelings OF hu'uI'
friendship and respect and with whom they hoPeu u
ways 10 be united. ;, l,,
ges of preserving only the existing friendly
between the two countries but OF placing their uaoe
upon the most liberal footing
They said that the, duty on 'ooacco was Que 80
svey for rercaue and not protection, as was eV'oeeu
by the fac, that their laws prohibited the culture OF Tue
plan, both in Grea. Britain and Ireland That II was,
The fair subject for taxation, Ike The TAX on sp'
rs and par,ook more or less OF the character :" vo
luntarv payment, not being imPoseu On an u'0'e - no.
necessity.
That, regarding the duty solely with view to raising
the greatest amount Of revenue from The article, Inc IN
teress of Grea, Britain aud the United States were IN
great measure the came. Hence, The important CUES
ton TO be settled was his how the greatest possible
quantity Of tobacco could be consumed, bringing WIN
the greatest return; or, in other woros, "hat iae
duty would give, al the same time, The greatest
Of revenue and produce the largest comsuthpuo" % e
article?
WITHOUT yielding 10 oil the arguments advanced lhey
conquered In mos, Of The views had taken as 10 The e.
feet diminishing the present high duty both us 10 I'M
effect on cpnsn the duty received al
prfsent was about 100000 sterling. while the value
orlhe tobacco on which The duty paid was little
than tenth Of that sum- the duty was too hgh'
and that reduction whilst II increased The consumption
- ,t,>I,~ hnrn pnntd
the end, but would in all probability add 10 The revenue
received
That the height TO which taxation Unsuitable was
the height which enabled the fair trader to underse the
smugger, and that The present duty on tobacco had
therefore greatly overstepped The mark.
Indeed, the Chancellor Of the ExcheGuer expressly
sad that he had difficulty in declaring that the pre-
sent duty of three shings was infinitely higher than
any just policy would sacton.
The President Of The Board Of Trade also said that
he admitted the force of the opinion had referred to,
expressed BY him in lS3O-3i, when he submitted TO
Parliament Gas one of the ministers Of The Government
plan for the reduction of this duty tobacco. These
opinions he still entertained and cherished, and was de-
sirous of seeing carried into operation.
The great difficulty, however, which presented itself
was TO Try The experiment fairly
Both conceived that, in doing so, very large reduc.
ton Of the duty would be indispensaby necessary.
That the taking off sxpence, even one shilling,
from the existing duty Of three shilngs they believed
would do little 10 increase the consumption Of duypad
tobacco whilst its effects would be 10 diminish greatly
the revenue. They admitted, that put down snug
Cling and adul,eraon, and bring the article into
sumption by those classes who could not afford 10
purchase, would be highly important and bene6cal but
to Go this would be necessary 10 lower the duty TO
shilling and siJpcnce at least probably one shilling
That this would involve too large an amount Of reve.
nue.. For the first year, probably million and half OF
two millions of pounds sterling; for The second, perha
million, and for some years to very considerable
sum- not reckoning the return the first instance upon
~ he psiIp md n
large portion of which would probably -nuy, certainly
have paid no duty.
That whilst, therefore, increased consumption nigh,
certainly follow, it would be Immediately, nor in
the same proportion with the Of revenue sacri-
fced and, consequently, if the reduced duly realized
only one.half Of The existing revenue now amounting
10 O0O the remaining half Of Gl 800 600 would
be put ut hazard; aud that il would, moreover, take,
some time 10 double the consumption Of The United
Kingdom With the sncerest DESIRE therefore, TO see
the experiment tried, and with sangune views of its ul
Innate success, they forced TO confess that un
der existing circumstances, II was at Ibis lime imprac-
tcable
They admitted that, with Overlooking Treasury
there was no duty of customs in which her Mujesly
Government would be SO much disposed TO make The
experiment that of obnccn. Such, however, not
the condition OF their Treasury this time. In rea
ton TO all my views os to the extent Of the benel 8
which would result from The reduction Of the duty
neced with the consumption and the extension of the
trade, they did not entirely concur They thought j,
might well be doubted whether the reduction oil the du
~ would increase the consumption, extend The trade
in the manner and to the extent supposed II said
that the tobacco still came from The U s. and however
much the trade Of smuggling to be regretted, it
still trade They, moreover, thought that the actual
consumption, at the present time, greater than
generally supposed or avowed They, however, admit
ted that if this all So furnished no valid defence
Of the present system.
Both, therefore, concurred in opinion that The expert
ment Of reducing the presen, high duty very des
rabe, as well in relation to the Interests Of The u S.
those Of Great Britain.
They said they wished they could entertain the hope
that would be in the power of their Government dc
il at curly day, but OF this they could give no assu
ance; they begged me, however 10 be satisfied that il
It was possible they would be- ready and willing as
we could be TO make the experiment but that, as this
was not The case, il was 10 Ge hoped that Govern
ment would unite with that Of her Majesty in waiting
patiently until existing impedments to change could
be removed and The experiment fairly made. The Chan
cellor OF The Exch,qner, in my ast interview empha
cay assured me that he would not lose sight OF the sub
Jec but that the moment it in his power he would
submit plan Tor the reduction 10 Parliament That
additional motive aud qualification, in his being able &c
do So would be The advancement of the domestic
esis Of country which, Ia his own he regarded
with the deepest respec. and affection
These were The general vie VS. and plantations which
were gwen by these gentlemen for declining 10 make
The change which had bee instructed TO urge upon
them.
Having nscertoined that they were 10 be regarded
the opinion OF The Government, least 70. the
oa ho' oe.ih neeoiu or proper 10 press the sLbec
further, and more especially The system had not been
defended on principle, but placed considerations pc
cuar TO itself, and entirely of financial character
Whst, therefore, ,hereis little hope any speedy OF
acceptable change on the subject, have at least
gnned insomuch that The present system is admitted Ia
be ndeensibe upon general principles and favorable
opportunity only wanted TO get rid Ct it, This laer
myself under The enlightened and liberal principle of The
age may De looked 10 as an event even than pro
bsbIe. Indeed, on the subject of free trade generally
(and The corn laws more particularly the sensibes
OF The British people have oi lutte been deeply awakened
aud will in all probability, lead 10 some signal and
practical result The ensuing Parliament will no doub,
be invoked TO an early consideration Of The subject
We must therefore, suppose wait for more propiious
times But need not trouble you with refill c,ions on
the subject, or make suggestions The course our
Government ought 10 pursue. These will doubtless
suggest themselves 10 your mind and that Of the
President
may BE- proper, before dien'ocrg ,hie subject, that
should inform, yan that although authorized by your