Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-12
Reciprocitu teiM England.

49, -
Reciprocity toih England.
The Baltimore American suggests that the
treaty now in progress of negotiation between our
Goverument and that of Great Britain should not
| be confined to a settlement of the Fishery CUES.
ton aud the establishment of free trade with |
Canada, but should take wider ard more ma
tiona scope. The Canadian reciprocity and
fishery questions, it argues, are objects OF an
clusivey sectional character,-of commanding
Importance it is true, to the Northern and East
eru Stat es,-but affecting only relatively the in
terests OF the great majority of our confed era
ton, in the restrictions of commerce and the
ultimate resort to war which might possibly re-
suit from failure in their amcabe settlement.
Directly, the West and Southwest have little or
no concern in the Convention, and will feel but
partially the benefits resulting from its successful
negotiation.
The American therefore suggests that eff
fort be made to embrace the Tobacco interest in
the proposed treaty, to place the trade in
that article on basis nearly allied to
ciprocity than that on which it now rests. We
apprehend, however, that England would turn
deaf ear to any proposition of this sort. 1t is
true she applauds and eulogises free trade and
loses no opportunity of tickling the vanity of
loc6foco statesmen and economists, by layishing
encomiums on the wisdom and sagacity Of their
commercial policy, but she never embraces free
trade herself, unless forced to do by stern
and memorable necessity. She modi6edher corn
laws and reduced the duty on American cotton,
only when it had become apparent that in no
other way could she give food and employment to
her pauper millions and thus avert the dangers of
social DISCRIMINATION and rebellion. Tobacco
being merely an article of luxury the present
restrictive policy of the British Government in
regard to it affords no ground for popular discon-
tent and camor, and therefore pressing ext
geucy is likely to demand its modification Eng
land must be convinced, before she consents to a
reduction of duties on tobacco, that such reduc-
ton will not be followed by corresponding dmi-
mutton in the amount of revenue which she de-
riyes from this source. Were she sincere in her
professions of confidence in free trade principles,
she would have no fears on this subject, tor the
professors of that school teach that low duties
yield larger aggregate revenue than high. by
increasing the consumptionof the article. Why
then do English Statesmen hesitate to reduce the
enormous tax now levied by their laws on Tobac-
co, What have they to fear, the score
OF revenue, if the free trade doctrines which
they preach are founded in truth, and admit of
universal application Why not give us free
trade in Tobacco as we'll in Cotton Why
levy tax of 1900 per cent the former article
if free trade be in truth and in good faith the
basis of the present commercial policy of Great
Britain
We subjon an extract from the Americans ar.
dele
% The Tobacco interest is one in which the
States of Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky
aud Missouri have a direct and important concern,
and which indirectly extends many other States.
The Tobacco crop already ranks among the most
valuable of the staple products OF our country,
and its diffusion article of commerce, and
Its rapid rise and present extension present one
of the most remarkable facts OF history. Its in
creased production in this country is only limited
By the demand for it. 1t may. therefore, Justly
be regarded as an article of sufficient importance
to be comprehended in any commercial arrange
nents which our Government may make with
other nations with the view to the removal or
reduction of restrictive duties which have bean
placed upon it.
In England since the year 1643 tobacco has
been considered an article of revenue, and duty
has been imposed on it almost prohibitive, and
ranging at different times from three to six shil
lings per pound, or about 1900 per cent. on the
interior and 600 per cent the superior quail
ties. But whilst thus unustly singled out
as an article of revenue, and placed with duty
which enhances it's cost to the British consumer
many hundred fold still find the consumption
of tob aeco in the United Kingdom has steadily
Increased until, in 1851 it is stated at 20 O62 978
pounds, and at the average duty of three shilings
per pound produced revenue of ef4,485,768, or
nearly twenty three millions Of dollars.
Now, it is evident that the consumption of
tobacco has thus increased in the face of so one
duty, that Il removal Of that duty, or its re.
duction TO a reasonable limit, would have the eff.
feet OF greatly augmenting the consumption
With duty OF Is. per pound an increase of one
half 10 the yearly consumption would not be too
large an estimate And as Great Britain obtains
fully nine tenths of her supply from US, our to-
bacco growing States would as a necessary Sc
quenee be TO that large degree benefited by the
change. The present consumption of Great
Britain. large as it appears in the aggregate is
but small in comparison with her population
averaging but little over pound for each ind-
yidual annually.
Treaty. WITH PARAGUAr.-A letter from
Buenos Ayres, dated Nov. 22d. says the u S.
corvette jamestown still in port, and adds:
THE English Minister Extraordinary, Sir
Stafa 1aaU %1-I T