Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-05-28
Mr.. .Sitrenson 10 Mr.. Forslh.

Mr.. Strenson 10 Mr. Forsyah
LEGATION THE U. STATES,
London Jan liz, 1889.
Sir: have now the honor of commun icalng To you
the result Of my Efforts TO carry into effect the wishes Of
the Preside Tie subject Of the duties and restycpns
imposed by this Government opon The tobacco trade Of
the u. 5 and The regret feel al lis having terminated
unia vorably to any immediate change in the existing
system As the subject may be regarded os the present
as disposed or avail ayseif Of The earliest opportunity
To communicate the result and the manner in which
ha We fulfilled my instructions.
In my communication OF the 18th June, 1917, m
formed you Of The steps had taken, 10 anticipation Of
Instructions in aid of the application which had been
made by the merchants and manufacturers of Liverpool
and Bristol TO Parliament Tor reduction OF the duty
American tobacco NobDg, howe grew on; OF that
application and The subject not having been considered
or discussed, my calculation was, that would again be
presented 10 Parliament, and thut ! would await the
issue.
INDUCED confident hope that the first application
which had been made by the persons so largely interest
ed in the trade would be followed up by others from
different parts OF the Kingdom. and better opportunity
afforded me of giving efficient aid determined,
therefore, wait and ascertain whether the subject
would again be brought forward before made any d-
rec application the Government Having IN the course
o! the session understood, from communications with
the parties interested that They did not intend again
agale the question: but that was to De eit 10 the ac
ton OF the Government, determined TO make an effort,
and ascertain whether the Ministry intended 10 move in
IT, accordingly had an interview with Lord Polmerson,
for the purpose of communicating officially my insrnc-
lions | stated to him frankly the Presidents wish that
the subject should be brought 10 the notice OF her MaIes
tvs Government and my readiness TO do 1t in the way best
calculated have il fully considered and the most con-
yenent 10 The Government. With that view, took the
liberty Of suggesting that, probably personal and nior
NAL were better adapted Tor giving ana
receiving explanations such subject than The re-
strain, and formsllies OF official notes. and that II he
concurred in opinion would prefer communicating di.
recy with the Chancellor of the ExcheGuer The Pre-
sid, nj Of The Boutd of Trade both, whom subjects
of this character familiar aud Ia whom, presume,
they were in the first instance, generally referred
thought this moreover, the most eligible course, mas
much rs the subject Of some deiIcacy, and not
witlout s embatrasSments; the duty OF which COM
plnn,d having been laid uvowedly for revenue, and
no, uroecon and, therefore, liable to be regarded
one or the consider alton OF their own Government ra
Their Than that of foreign nations knew, too that the
oupions OF these gentlemen on subjects connected
with trade and especially with The United States, were
,r liberal character; and that the President oil the
Board Of Trade MIR. 1hompsonl had takena prominent
and leading part years ago in Parliament IN get
ting the duty on tobacco reduced and had been
The means OF having the law prohibiting lis culture ia
Gieu, Britain extended 10 Ireland. Win these views,
the suggestion was made, and am happy TO say
tina, Lord PalmersOn readily assehted to The course,
as favorable to fsl mad free discussion accordingly
embraced il, and during the session of Parliament
and after It's adjournment, had pea,ed interviews with
the Chancellor Of The Exchequer and the President OF
the Board Of Trade (more frequently with The alterD
in which the whole subject was freely discussed In
deed every opportunity was Afforded me OF expressing
knew our Government entertained the subject, and
no opportunity lost Of pressing lis consideration, and
enforcing the injurious operation Of The present exor'
btant duty, as well apo" American as bril!sh Interests
This felt myself at liberty TO do under my INSTRUCTIONS
MyeffJrts however regret 10 say, have proved un-
awaiting and the result has been determination, re-
Gently communicated, to make recommendation to
Parliament the subject lend the sanction Of the
Government 10 any alteration oil The present system
In communicating This result, 1t may be proper That
should accompany it with general statement OF the
grounds which deemed my duty TO take against The
Justice and policy Of this whole system.
n,y first object 10 explain the Importance oil our
tobac trade and the injury which II sustained under
the restrictions and duties Of foreign nations and cspc
cally those of Great Britain stated the tact hat, al!
,bogh the cultivation Of tobacco IN the United States
had increased within late years II would have done so
10 much larger extent but for the heavy and unequal
burdens which il had TO bear; that, although The con-
sumption o! dniypad totaeeo IN u Brian mao 'nc'ees'a
from eght to millions Of pounds ye0rty there was
every reason for believing that The consumption would
have been fully fourth part greater II The duty had
been less took OCCASION Also 10 refer TO Inc lae pro-
ceedpps in Congress- md 10 the report oi select COM
nit,ee Of he House OF Representatives. TO show that
The subject was Attracting the attention OF the Govern
mon, nd peopIe OF the w. and that Efforts were max
ing 10 relieve this important branch OF their national m
cusiry from the burdens imposed on IL ny oregn 90
v,rn,nens; that the benefit 10 be derived from Inc re-
ducon Of The present duty vas NOT as had oeen sup
posed in the enhanced price OF the article nut 10 lis m
creased consumption thereby enlargng the means of
production and giving employment 10 more cu!lVa'"rs
Of The soil in regions peculiarly calculated for The growth
of lhe plant That, besides the planter, il was of i'm
10 The shipping and navigating interests Of the
q states ,hat the consumption OF tobacco should be
.r,od in Eurupe, nasInuch as, OF all the American
s,aIes iobocco v ss The one which united in peculiar
d.a,ss ,om lis heayiness and bulk The greatest nd
10 the freight shipping interests; the exports:
,on Of the article ncreasing Of course, with increased
cnsumpon That, moreover, as nearly the whole OF
The tobacco brought into Great Britain the growth
Of tic s., in selecting it for exclusive taxation, and
ru,ring 90 high duty it operated, in fact, not only
a. duty, but prohibition upon all 'oLaccos except
,hpsc o! finer quality
With these ex pana.ions, proceeded 10 state The OBJ
ipc,ions 10 the sysem upon the general principles Of
commercial pulley and free .rate that IN lhe nfs pl,ce
ohno tended more 10 ccun,eract commercial hostility
and bind nations together Than The adoption OF liberal
anu Of fp enes or 1 pence eaue was only
departure from The general principles Of free trade and
ooop,errial reciprocity but in direct hostility TO the
, and liberal principles which characterized The com
,ns,eal relations Of the Two countries That'urh duty
contrary the principles Of commercial policy upon
bieh Great Britain herself proessed to acf VIZ; mat
Of lowering The duties Of customs upon Inc nPoTa-