270 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



It is the universal remark of observant travellei'S through the vine- 

 lauds of the world, that no communities are so contented, and happy, 

 + and domestic, in their tastes and habits, or so strongly attached to home, 

 kindred and country, as the dwellers among the vineyards. 



Every California farmer should naturally desire a vineyard, and would 

 do so, if the Government afforded them proper protection in that branch 

 of industry; whereas, now, every man who has planted vines in years 

 past wishes that he had not done so, as he feels that in working up its 

 small produce he is exposing himself to arrest, and his machinery and 

 crops to confiscation, and liable to have himself and family turned adrift 

 upon the world as criminals. 



A. more iniquitous and ruinous system to our State could not have 

 been devised by the shrewdest and most implacable of her enemies. 



The interest of the State, and of the General Government also, would 

 be better served by relieving the fruit growers from the onerous burden 

 of being placed upon the same footing, and subject to the same rules 

 and regulations with their stills, as the grain and malt distillers; their 

 cases are by no means analagous, for, with the latter, distilling is their 

 sole business, generally employing their entire capital and time; 

 whereas, with the fruit grower, distilling is merely incidental to his 

 vocation as a horticulturist, enabling him to save a portion of his ripened 

 and perishable crop,, which would else be wholly lost to him and to the 

 market. 



The General Government would gain more revenue by giving the fruit 

 distillers exemption than it will by its present policy. The consumption 

 of those articles that pay duties would be more gain to the Government 

 than the small taxes now collected, after deducting the heavy expendi- 

 ture of keeping up the army of officials necessary to watch every little 

 vineyard. 



In a few years, if the grape and fruit interest could have that protec- 

 tion or exemption so essential to foster and encourage it (which should 

 be the true wisdom and policy of the Government), the shipping of wines, 

 brandies, raisins and other fruits, from this State, would be a source of 

 pride, not only to Californians, but to every American. 



Your committee have not deemed it necessary to enlarge upon the 

 various kinds of wine made in our State, or their relative merits; nor 

 the manner of rearing the grape and manufacturing wines and brandies 

 therefrom, all of which have hitherto been largely treated of in Cali- 

 fornia, and books upon the subject are open to the study of any desiring 

 information on the subject. 



Perhaps it would not be out of place for your committee to mention 

 in this report the fact that their attention has been called to an improved 



process of distilling brandy from the grape, discovered by Mr. 



Johnson, of Coloma, whereby he has succeeded in separating the brandy 

 almost entirely from the fusil oil, thus rendering it more palatable and 

 wholesome, and greatly enhancing its value as an article of commerce. 



Your committee respectfully submit the foregoing report, and beg 

 leave to offer the following concurrent resolution, with a recommenda- 

 tion that it pass : 



CONCURRENT RESOLUTION. 



Whereas. The existing Internal Eevenue Law of the United States is 

 oppressive and unjust in its operation toward the fruit distilling interest 

 of California, leading to arrest as a criminal, and working a confiscation 



