REPORT. xxi 



the exact freight and expenses, I am not able to state the amount 

 of cost and charges to your honorable body, but will do so as soon 

 as possible. 



It may not be irrelevant here to mention the fact that in Cali- 

 fornia, as well as in the Eastern States, the public mistrust the pu- 

 rity of California made wines in the hands of merchants. Wheth- 

 er merchants do or do not adulterate the wine, such doubts injure 

 its character, and restrict its sale greatly. Therefore, to insure 

 confidence, and prevent such adulterations, I would respectfully 

 submit whether it might not be a wise policy to pass an act ap- 

 pointing a general agent for the State, who should reside in San 

 Francisco, and to whom the wine-producers could send their wines 

 to be sold ; the agent to sell the wine at the prices fixed by the 

 manufacturer, with the proprietor's label on the bottles, or, if in 

 barrels, with his name attached thereto. This agent, so appoint- 

 ed, to receive from the owners of all wines or brandies sold a com- 

 mission, to be fixed by law, and not to exceed the commissions 

 usually received by merchants ; the agent to defray the expense 

 of ofiice and cellar out of the commissions he may receive. The 

 law creating said office might also impose heavy fines and confis- 

 cation of the liquor belonging to any individual who should send 

 for sale adulterated articles. Such an ofiice would be r^o burden 

 to the State nor to the wine-growers, as it would be optional with 

 them to send their wines to this officer or dispose of them in any 

 other way. Every producer, however, would find it to his advant- 

 age to avail himself of this medium, as he would meet a ready 

 sale, and pay no more than the usual commissions, while he would 

 aid in preventing frauds, and thus create confidence in the genu- 

 ineness of our wines. The agent would have to be strictly im- 

 partial. All the samples should be indifferently exposed and ac- 

 cessible to purchasers, who could select the wines best suited to 

 their tastes. The agent should be required to give ample bonds 

 for the faithful and impartial performance of his duty, and for the 

 prompt payment of all receipts on account of sales. 



This plan would, I believe, restore confidence, and be at least a 

 check upon poisoning our people by our own productions. 



His Excellency the Governor has directed me to propagate the 

 vines expected to arrive here from Europe at Sonoma, and hold 

 them and the increase subject to the future disposition of the Leg- 

 islature. 



I have the honor to annex to this report a condensed statement. 



