Autograph Letter Signed R Cobden [reformer] to C. E. Macqueen, responding to a request for his views on direct taxation.

Four pages, 12mo, bifolium, fold marks, first page somewhat grubby, text clear and complete. fresh remarks but considers himself a poor hand at preaching in generalities. He thinks there is nothing to justify his expressing his views on direct taxation. Repeating oneself is damaging to a public man. [H]e bores his audience. Since his letters to Macqueen go into the London papers & are expected to be read generally I am always addressing the same audience. But The discussions on the budget this year will open up the whole question of taxation & finance, and I shall not be wanting in opportunities for dealing with your subject. He comments on sugar duty which involve persoanl interests. But looking at it solely as a consumers question, I hold these three propositions as demonstrable as mathematiucs problems. Ist. If customs duties are to be levied ad valorem [?]. 2. If that be deemed impracticable, then the nearest possible approach to ad valorem rates in the form of a scale of specific duties . . . 3. The clumsiest, & least just to the consumer is a fixed rate of duty in all qualities. I acknowledge no exception to this rule, which is founded on principles of justice. He goes on to discuss the defective nature of a scale. Are you called upon to interfere at all in this mere question of expediency & detail? I should have thought your wiser course would have been to have shown up the mischief & difficulties in the way of customs duties altogether.