Fiscal Legislation, 1842-1865 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 Excerpt: ...duties on nineteentwentieths of all manufactured products, thus giving the French producer an absolute monopoly. More than one attempt had been made to remedy this evil, but unhappily, without success. In the years 1839, 1840, and 1841, a negociation of a new commercial treaty had been conducted by a mixed commission sitting at Paris, which resulted in the preparation of a project of convention, which was agreed to by both the English and French Commissioners. The political rupture between the two countries on the Eastern question, however, put a stop to the prosecution of this treaty. For several years following the failure of these negociations, an entirely different policy was adopted by the two Governments. In England considerable relaxations were introduced, while in France the tariff was made more stringent. In 1842, the French Government raised the duty on linens; and the process was repeated in 1845, the duties of 1842 having been found insufficient to keep out English manufactures. The result was a reduced export of linen-yarn to France, the quantity being 22,202,292 lbs. in 1842, 863,777 lbs. in 1851, and 1,503,853 lbs. in 1859. A similar decrease took place in linen manufactures; the quantity exported was 8,586,667 yards in 1842, which fell to 1,353,097 in 1851, and 118,078 in 1859. Proposals were made in 1852, for the renewal of negociations with a view to the conclusion of a new commercial treaty with this country. The Eastern question, however, again interfered to defer the settlement of this important measure. The intentions of the French Government were not frustrated by the war. On the return of peace, steps were taken to enlighten the French nation on the question of free-trade. Among them was the publication in the Moniteur of July 23, 18...