The nature of the present excise, and the consequences of its farther extension, examined / In a letter to a Member of Parliament. [Anon].

Date:
1733
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The nature of the present excise, and the consequences of its farther extension, examined / In a letter to a Member of Parliament. [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/74 (page 16)
    But after all, they are very ignorant, and flatter themfelves in the grcfjeff Error, who imagine, that none but the poorer Sort are directly affedfced by the Laws of Excife ; ah moft every Country Gentleman *in England is as itrongly under their Lafh, as the meaneff Dealer. He cannot make a Pound of Candles, or a Builiel of Malt, in his own Family, without acquainting the Excifeman with it; and he has equal Power to examine his Houfe, upon Pretence of Frauds if he thinks proper. Perhaps he may not think proper, or his Superiors may, for fome Rea- fons, give him Diredtions at this Juncture* to be more moderate in the Exercife of his Power towards fuch Perfons. And iuppofing ) the farther Extent of thefe Laws, to have been a Thing long in View, which is no unreafon- ble Suppofition, thofe Reafons are noi difficult to be found out. As for that AfTertion, that thefe Severities are weceffary *, allowing it to be true, which yet we can by no Means agree to, it is very improperly and weakly urged as an Argument in favour of an Exci fe it may be one for die Continuance of thofe Powers during the Continuance of the Excife s but it is very far £