That the practice was dangerous to the health, strength, peace, and morals; and tended greatly to diminish the labour and industry of his Majesty’s subjects.[213] Upon the petition being referred to a committee of the entire House, it was resolved:-- That the _low price_ of spirituous liquors is the principal inducement to the excessive and pernicious use thereof. That in order to prevent this excessive and pernicious use, a discouragement be given thereto by a duty to be laid on spirits sold by retail. That the selling of such liquors be _restrained_ to persons keeping public brandy-shops, victualling-houses, coffee-houses, ale-houses, innholders, _and to such Surgeons and Apothecaries as shall make use of it by way of medicine only_.[214] The Government were at last in earnest: a bill was introduced, the intention of which was to strike a fatal blow, to annihilate the gin traffic. But the blow was too sudden. A rebound was almost inevitable. The Gin Act, which has rendered the year 1736 famous in the annals of history, was introduced into and carried through Parliament by Sir Joseph Jekyll. It runs thus:-- Whereas the excessive drinking of spirituous liquors by the common people tends not only to the destruction of their health and the debauching of their morals, but to the public ruin: For remedy thereof-- Be it enacted, that from September 29th no person shall presume, by themselves or any others employed by them, to sell or retail any brandy, rum, arrack, usquebaugh, geneva, aqua vitæ, or any other distilled spirituous liquors, mixed or unmixed, in any less quantity than two gallons, without first taking out a licence for that purpose within ten days at least before they sell or retail the same; for which they shall pay down 50_l._, to be renewed ten days before the year expires, paying the like sum, and in case of neglect to forfeit 100_l._, such licenses to be taken out within the limits of the penny post at the chief office of Excise, London, and at the next office of Excise for the country. And be it enacted that for all such spirituous liquors as any retailers shall be possessed of on or after September 29th, 1736, there shall be paid a duty of 20_s._ per gallon, and so in proportion for a greater or lesser quantity above all other duties charged on the same.