JB/150/308/003

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Estimates which I have laid before the Committee in the Paper No 2
at the same time in an enquiry so extensive it is not to be presumed
(especially as I had no means of information with respect to the Country
Dealers that the Estimates can be considered as accurate.

I can only in general State that nither opinion of persons
who are practically informed on the subject they are not considered to
be overrated either with respect to the number Persons or their ability
to pay the Duties proposed, but as this investigation took place in
1793 & 1794 at which period I wrote many Papers on the Subject
& also drew a Bill for Regulating these Dealers it will be obvious to the
Committee that such estimates can apply only to that period. Not having
an opportunity since 1794 of making particular inquiries of these
Dealers. I can only State generally from what has fallen under my
Notice as a Magistrate that the mischief arising from their continuing
without regulations appear in no respect to be diminished & those mischiefs
(if various measures are not adopted) will unquestionably increase
very rapidly on the termination of the present war when to the
existing Stock of Criminal delinquents there must be a very great accession.

As it should seem that the object of Controul & Regulation will
be obtained by the License alone does there exist any reason except
that of increase of Revenue for adding so considerably to the Duty
already paid by Pawn Brokers and for making the Duties on
some of the Dealers enumerated so high?

With respect to pawn Brokers the additional Duty
proposed is not a Duty for exercising the Trade of a Pawn Broker but
as a Dealer in Metals & other Articles arising from Pledges which
have not been redeemed or which have been purchased for the
purpose of being sold in Retail. An additional Duty laid on Pawn
Brokers as Salesmen & Dealers in Old Metals Old Cloaths & other
Articles seems to be reasonable in contemplation of Similar Duties
being laid on other Persons dealing in the like Articles. It may

Identifier: | JB/150/308/003"JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 150.
Date_1	1798-03-04	Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	150	Main Headings	police bill
Folio number	308	Info in main headings field
Image	003	Titles
Category	copy/fair copy sheet	Number of Pages	4
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering
Penner		Watermarks	[[watermarks::l munn [britannia with shield emblem]]]
Marginals		Paper Producer	benjamin constant
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public	see note to letter 1329, vol. 6	ID Number	50529
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