The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-30
Our Champagne Correspondence.
RHEIMS DEpARTMRST or LA Marine,

Our payne correspondence
I. . RHEIMS DEPARTMENT OF LA MARINE I
Ancient Province OF Champagne, Oct r. 1855.
The Eseiiag Against the United States-1bs,,yd Ideas
Champagne Ssised 10 Aid in Paying he National
Deb.-The United States Marion Of 'Voeus' = WIZ
Snsble People Sdy-Whaf The Wine Dealers Want dc
stated in previous letter that the feeling Of the
Champagne dealers, and the people generally in tins
region is not particularly amiahlc toward the
government the United States. The absurd and
Ridiculous indeed given and believed for the
seizures Of champagne wines in San Francisco
and New York he OF the United States y
they say, 's debt. and il is taking produce
and selling it to help pay on this immense Indicted
nessi among the uneducated people here you are
looked upon as q nation OF ''roeurs,' brigands and
highway robbers a'Had France only supported the
South, they say 'snd recognized her independence
M this trouble would not have arisen; and many
people TO believe that the French government will
Immediately demand the restoration Of the contscatcd
wine and indemnity for all losses growing out
Of the affair The cooler and sensible people, who
the udlcrouspcss absurdty Of the idea that
which in support Of its nationality has been
spending two three millions Of dollars day should
resort such petty measure stealing couple Of
millions worth OF wine with which TO replenish its
Golfers still complain bitterly against what they con-
slider the harsh sudden and they consider it, unjust
action OF the customs authorities They say that instead
Of sendin. here such men as Willard Farwell the late
navy agent ~ San Francisco and Montgomery Gibbs
secrc, agent Of the Revenue OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
directly and pecuDariy interested in placing them in the
wrong-the government should have employed some
dsntcrested person to investigate the whole matter
They believe that the action OF the governments arises
from ignorance of the facts and from tho greed of gam
on the part OF the customs authorities and their agents
who derive large profit from these sezures They
plain because these charges brand them shonorabe
men, and they assert that IL IL ridiculous to suppose that
an entire community Of merchants whose business de-
ponds upon their honorable reputation should have
conspred together 10 swindlc government; because
ths affair threatens to break up their trade with
the United States ard place them in very enbar-
RAISING position. Moat OF the large houses, such
as Widow Cicqnot, Piper Co., dc ST. Marccaux, Mnmm
Co, have ceased exporting and tie trade is rapidly
gng into the Lands OF irresponsible Those OF them
who through our desperate struggle for life and honor
have watched with interest and with hope for the
varying chances OF war, regret that anything should
have arisen 20 give friends here bad idca Of and
Our enemies an argument against honor and ineg
rty a. nation They assert, also that the government
is really loser by this entire operation and that where
most 81 the profits Of the will 20 into the
pockets of Individuals the government has during the
past year alone lost duties, which II would otherwise
have received, upon two hundred thousand buckets OF
chainpaaue, amounting TO II, 100000
In relation TO the suits pending against them
affecting not only their pockets but their honor, the
wine merchants say that they desire aicabo settle
mot that II tho government believes that they have
Internationally erred in their Interpretation Of the law
they are willing 10 abide the governments decision,
but that fiey seriously object to this wholesale
chirge ~ fraud II is with view TO ami
cable arrangement that they nvok-
M the Intervention OF the French government,
and with very reasonable prospect Of obtaining
II. In The future, they say, they only wish TO know
upon what basis they must invoice their manufacturer
in fact, something positive and beyond possibility OF
rnsnteIreta'ion. An absolute specific duty OF much
per dozen bottles would be the most satisfactory them
ana would put an end TO any misunderstanding misn
depreciation of words This Is the system adopted in
most Of the countries in Europen Russia the duty being
ninety copecks bottle, IN England three slsllings
gallon: IN Prussia and Germany a specific duty also
exists but dependent upon weight and the duty also
specific IN Belgium, Sweden and Holland
n mat rxbir lv tha
manufacturing interest here, but also the champagne
drinking interest, which s rather large and important
one in the United States. Already and irresponsible
exporting houses are being established, who said 10
be preparing 10 pour into your country large quantities
Of an inferior article Of champagne and for which the
consumer will be required pay much IL not more
than has heretofore been demanded for good article In
the interest OF lovers Of and conn0sscurs the and
genuine widow" "Pper' or Charles Heidsieck,
de 81 Masceeux " "Mumm,'' let us hope thst such
may not be the case