University of Virginia Library

8453. TOBACCO, Differential duties.—

The difference of duty on tobacco carried to
France in French and American bottoms, has
excited great uneasiness. We presume the
National Assembly must have been hurried into
the measure without being allowed time to
reflect on its consequences. A moment's consideration
must convince anybody, that no nation
upon earth ever submitted to so enormous
an assault on the transportation of their own
produce. Retaliation, to be equal, will have the
air of extreme severity and hostility.—
To M. La Motte. Washington ed. iii, 289.
(Pa., 1791)