260 Advantages of TEA. 
was no more imported than at prefent, the price would be run 
up in favor of the company. The merchant, or retailer, would 
alfo run it up, and this would again encourage fmuggling. And 
if the company was to import double the prefent quantity, 
without the date receiving any benefit from it, if it is a perni- 
cious branch of commerce as it now dands, it would then be 
doubly fo : and moreover it feems to be a lefs difficult enter- 
prize to difcontinue the ufe of tea, than to give up the revenue. 
The governing part of this country, would rejoice to fee this 
revenue abforbed, if the article from whence it arofe was no 
longer in faffiion ; otherwife they may have a dronger con- 
viction of the utility of the tax, than of the advantages of giv- 
ing it up with a view to prevent smuggling, which poffibly 
might not anfwer the purpofe. 
You ffiall fee prefently what a vad expence tea creates to in- 
dividuals, from the number and wealth of whom taxes mud 
be drawn. Were we to confume herbs of our own growth, we 
could afford to pay at lead thrice the fum as the prefent tax 
on tea • and you may be affured that the fame defire of find- 
ing ways and means to fupport the government, which now 
prevails fo apparently, will induce miniders to do their part, 
if you will do yours. But you fee, madam, what a difficulty 
you have brought us into : there is no remedy left, but to aban- 
don tea: ’tis a hard leffon; but, as in the difcipline of the 
paffions, if an eye offends we are to pluck it out -, fo, in po- 
litical concerns, which are oftentimes connected with morals, 
there are fome darling inclinations which we mud renounce or 
perish. And what an everlasting reproach it will be to the 
2 common 
