Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-08-28
Tobacco.

The English government as well as most Of the
governments of Europe have always derived large
revenue from the duty tobacco, which Is
svc as to lead to the most extensive smuggling,
well as the greatest ingenuity IL adulteratlon, winch
Is practised variety of ways TO reduce the cost Of
the article Genuine tobacco is frequently sold in
London at IS Cd, % cefs per pound, the duty alone
being ~ cents, fact which of itself its illicit
mode of Introduction. The English law divides the
offence into smuggling above six pounds and under
six pounds. To smuggle above that weight incurs a
penalty of fl00, and under that weight of f5, aud
during the last year 72l persons were committed for
this offence, Of whom sou paid the penalties. Il is
known that there are Isl ,025 vessels, manned by
400, 600 seamen, which enter the various ports Of
Great Britain during the year, each Of which smug-
giles more or less tobacco Very large quantities of
negro head made up ia small hands for the purpose,
are Struggled from all the German ports. Mr.. Ayre,
the clerk 10 the Hull magistrates stated that last year
there were 50 detected at that port and that for
every detection there at least 10 escapes In most
OF the countries of Europe Reggie strict govern
monopoly exists and the tobacco is either sold
out by the government directly, farmed out to
panies who sell al such enormous prices greatly 20
encourage smuggling. Perhaps the most extensive
traffic of this nature exists between Belgium and
France, and ls carried BY dogs There are three
lines of custom house officers pass, but large guam
titles are nevertheless carried by the animals to de-
pots IN France. An official report states that in III
years, 40 2S dogs killed by order of the French
government, at an expense of l20, S34 francs.
The adulteration in England is very general, and
varies from to 40 per cent, and in some cases l00
per cent. In the United States we believe, aduera-
ton is only practised by mixing Spanish liquor;ce
with the article 10 improve In Eng land,
adueration of 10Th sugar greatly reduces the cost
of the tobacco but it is mostly done with less expcn-
sive articles; garden rhubarb, foxglove leaves,
brown paper soaked in sarsapara cbcory root Irish
moss, carbonate potash, sugar Of milk, terra aponi
ca, &c. &C. There exists great difficulty in detect
ing these substances when the tobacco prepared for
the market. This plan of adulteration is
poyed to greater less extent by each of lSS 900
licensed retailers of tobacco in the United Kingdom,
who pay 5s. 3D. each. To such an extent of fraud
does the unconquerable propensity 10 consume this
noXiOus weed give rise under the heavy taxes of the
government that very many families get their entire
support from continued and systematic violation Of
the law. The official reports show that under
these circumstances the English people pay duties
about u, 600 pounds. The actual consumption
is perhaps 100000 pounds and under moderate
laws would doubt rise to 60 coo, 900 pounds,
great portion of the noxious aduItRatons now con-
sumed the injury of health, would then be omitted
Most of this large supply is, however, derived from
the United States. In the annual transactions be-
tween the two countries, large cash balance is due
to the United States from England, and that govern
has lately reduced duties on necessary articles
of consumption, greatly to augment that bul
ance. 1t would, therefore, until disposition to
ciprocate in some degree manifested the part Of
this country, be clearly unwise on the part of the
English statesmen 10 encourage the larger introduce
ton of tobacco, by which means S3,000,000 would
be added to the annual amount of specie drawn from
her already for other produce. On the other hand,
we have doubt but that modification of our, ia
riff would Immediately be followed by reduction
tobacco there.-N. Y. NecS.