I gave you, some time ago, a project of a more equal tariff on wines than that which now exists. But in that I yielded considerably to the faulty classification of them in our law. I have now formed one with attention, and according to the best information I possess, classing them more rigorously. I am persuaded that were the duty on cheap wines put on the same ratio with the dear, it would wonderfully enlarge the field of those who use wine, to the expulsion of whiskey. The introduction of a very cheap wine (St. George) into my neighborhood, within two years past, has quadrupled in that time the number of those who keep wine, and will ere long increase them tenfold. This would be a great gain to the treasury, and to the sobriety of our country. I will here add my tariff, (_see opposite page_,) wherein you will be able to choose any rate of duty you please, and to decide whether it will not, on a fit occasion, be proper for legislative attention. Affectionate salutations. ------------------------------------------+-------+---------+--------+------------- | Cost | | |25 per cent., | per | 15 | 20 | being the |gallon.|pr. cent.|pr.cent.| average | | | | of present | | | | duties. +-------+---------+--------+------------- Tokay, Cape, Malmesey, Hock | 4 00 | 60 | 80 | 1 00 | | | | | | | | Champagne, Burgundy, Claret,[1] Hermitage}| 2 75 | 41¼ | 55 | 68¾ | | | | | | | | | | | | London particular Madeira | 2 20 | 33 | 44 | 55 All other Madeira | 1 80 | 27 | 36 | 45 Pacharetti, Sherry | 1 50 | 22½ | 30 | 37½ | | | | [2]The wines of Medoc and Grave not} | | | | before mentioned, those of Palus, } | 1 25 | 18¾ | 25 | 31¼ Coterotie, Condrieu, Moselle } | | | | | | | | St. Lucar and all of Portugal | 80 | 12 | 16 | 20 | | | | Sicily, Teneriffe, Fayal, Malaga, St.} | 67 | 10 | 13 | 16¾