158 
dr. edward's report. 
whose interests and affections lie on the other side of the 
ocean, — and to a comparatively small number of our own 
people, with whom the almighty dollar would seem of 
more importance than the lives and happiness of their fel- 
low beings ; men whose entire interests have been identified 
with extensive and profitable speculations in that description 
of merchandise, the importation of which is now most justly 
prohibited. 
The instructions of the eighth of July last doubtless con- 
tained all that was then thought necessary for the full and 
satisfactory execution of the law. In its progress, new 
questions have arisen, and, in accordance with your request, 
I will submit such additional requisitions as time and cir- 
cumstances may have developed. 
Had the law in its fulfilment required but one or two ex- 
aminers, there would have been no difficulty in establishing 
standards, and of arriving at uniformity. The instructions 
referred to have been fully and fairly carried out, with one 
or two exceptions, not at all affecting the interest of the 
law, and these occurred immediately after its enactment, and 
will not again arise. That there should be differences of 
opinion, in relation to the relative purity and strength of 
many medicinal substances, was to have been expected. 
Yet the uniformity of chemical tests, the plain references of 
the law to the established standards, have given a unifor- 
mity entirely gratifying. I have propounded to the several 
examiners a number of questions, and as there exists in 
most of the answers a great similarity, I have deemed it 
proper to avoid prolixity to condense the points of agree- 
ment, and report such facts as apply to the objects of my 
mission. 
In answer to the question, what articles of drugs, medi- 
cines, &c, have you rejected ? in what quantities ? and 
whence were they imported ? the examiner at New York 
reports, that on 
