The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-30
Oar cha m pagne Correspondence.
,sF. RHEIMS, DEpARTMEST OF la Marine I
Ancient Province OF Champagne, Oct II, 1865 I

y sNF RHEIMS, DLpARTnEST OF la MsRSE, \
Ancient Province OF Champagne, Oct Il, 1865
The Eseing Against the United Staes-Ats,yd Ideas
Champagne .yoatd 10 Aid IN Paying ne NashnaI
Det-Tae United States Marion Of !" voisuys'- VIII
Sensible People Sdy-What the Wine Dealers Want, dc
stated in previous letter that the feeling Of the
Champagne dealers, and the people generally in tins
region, is particularly amiablc toward the
government of The United States The absurd and
ridiculous indeed given and believed for the
Of champagne wines in San Francisco
New York 'Ihe government OF the United States,
they say sis in debt and il IL taking our produce
and selling it to help pay or this immense Indicted.
ness' and among the uneducated people here you
looked upon as a nation Of 'voleurs," brgands and
highway robbers Had France only supported the
South they say, and recognized her independence,
al this trouble wonld have arisen - and many
people believe that the French government will
Immediately demand the restoration of the conscated
wine and an indemnity for all losses growing out
Of the AFFAIR The cooler and sensible people, who
see the udcrousncss and absurdity Of the idea that
government which in support OF its nationality has been
spending two three millions Of dollars day should
resort such petty stealing couple OF
millions worth OF wine with which TO repenish its
Golfers still complain bitterly against what they con-
slider the harsh sudden and they consider it, unjust
action OF the authorities They say that instead
Of sendin. here such Willard Farwcl the late
agent Of the Revenue OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
directly and pccupariy Interested in placing them in the
wrong-the government should have employed
dsntcrcsted person to investigate the whole matter
They believe that the action OF the government arises
from OF the facts and from tho greed Of gam
the part Of the customs authorities and their agents
who derive large profit from these seizures. They
plain because these charges brand them dshonorablc
men, and they that II rdiculGis suppose that
entire community Of merchants whose business de-
ponds upon their honorable reputation, should have
conspired together TO swindc government; because
nI In N their
the United States ard place them in very embar-
RAISING position. Most OF the large houses such
as Widow Cicquot Piper Co, dc st. Marccaux Mumm
Co, have ceased exporting, and the trade is rapidly
falling into the hands irresponsible Those OF them
have watched with interest and with hope for the
varying chances OF war; regret that anything should
have arisen To- friends here bad dca Of and
our enemies an argument against honor and integ
rfy az nation They assert, also, that the government
is really loser by this entire operation and that where
most al the profits Of the will 10 into the
pockets Of individuals, the government has during the
past year alone lost duties which II would otherwise
champagne amounting TO 81, 200 600.
Ia relation 10 the suits now pending against them,
affecting not only their pockets but their honor the
wine merchants say that they desire amcablo settle
ment that IL the government believes that they have
Enthusiastically erred in their Interpretation Of the law
they are willing 10 abide the governments decision,
put tnai tLey seriously object to This wholesale
charge ~ fraud II is with view TO an ami
M the Intervention OF the French government
and with a very reasonable prospect Of obtaining
IT, In he future, they say, they only wish to know
upon what basis they must invoice their manufactures
in fact, something positive and beyond possibility OF
misnterIretaton An absolute specific duty OF much
per dozen bottles would be the most satisfactory TO them
and would put end any misin.
depreciation OF words This Is the system adopted in
most az the countries in Europen Russia the duty being
ninety copecks bottle in England three slSngs a
gallon; in Prussia and Germany specific duty also
exists but dependent upon weight and the duty is also
specific III Belgium, Sweden and Holland.
This s matter which affects not only the champagne
manufacturing interest here, but also the champagne
drinking interest which is rather large and important
one in the United States Already and irresponsible
exporting houses being established who said
be preparing 10 pour into your country large quantities
Of inferior article Of champagne and for which the
consumer will be required 10 pay much II not MORE
than has heretofore been demanded for good article In
the interest OF lovers Of and the pure and
genuine widow" ''Pper'' or "Charles Heidsieck or
,de 81. Ma!Seeux " "Mumm,' let US hope thst such
may hot be the case