1827 Wine and spirit adulterators unmasked

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be prevented, by regulations, that could be provided for the purpose ; and how any measure of the kind, to accomplish so desirable an end, could be consi- dered an act of injustice to the Retailer, appears to me difficult to conceive; whilst he is allowed independently of his other business, and in the possession of a Wholesale License, (for which he pays but 10/. per annum) to enjoy advantages, infinitely superior to those of the Wholesale Dealer, inasmuch, as from the means afforded him, by his Re- tail department, for adulterating the whole of his Wines and Spirits, to any extent he pleases, he is enabled, completely to undersell the fair and respect- able trader. 1 leave this suggestion to the judg- ments of my Readers, and shall be more than satis- fied, if the representation I have made, may engage the attention of that Government whose duty it is, and whose inclination it is professed to be, to place every branch of trade on the broadest and most equitable basis, and whose interest, not less than its duty and its inclination, are involved in the present case ; because, if some such alteration was once adopted, a much greater proportion of the genuine which pays the regular duty, would necessarily ; and some of that money, which at present goes exclusively into the pockets of the Advertising Gin-shop-keeper, would then find its way into the coffers of the State. Another method, however, whereby the Public might perhaps be still better preserved, from the Spirit, be sold