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Letter to Editor
February 13, 1812
Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A letter criticizes the heavy importation of French luxury goods like silks and laces, valued at over 70,000 dollars, which contributes to trade imbalances requiring specie shipments and risks war with Britain. It urges American women to boycott these items through self-denial.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
MR. SNOWDEN,
I have just seen an invoice of French gew gaws from France, amounting to upwards of 400,000 francs, about seventy thousand dollars, consisting chiefly of Silks, Laces, Artificial Flowers and Perfumery! I could not but exclaim, my God, is this a trade for which we are to go to war with Great Britain?
Nor is this all, for it has been proven by gen. Smith in the Senate, (and the fact can be further attested by many of our suffering merchants) that we cannot ship any merchandize to France, either of domestic or foreign production, but what is totally absorbed in excessive duties and other charges. Hence the necessity of shipping specie to purchase these gew gaws. My fair country women, if our Government will not, you can, put your veto upon such a trafic. "Touch not, taste not, handle not, the unclean things." And you will receive your reward in pleasing reflections on SELF DENIAL.
I have just seen an invoice of French gew gaws from France, amounting to upwards of 400,000 francs, about seventy thousand dollars, consisting chiefly of Silks, Laces, Artificial Flowers and Perfumery! I could not but exclaim, my God, is this a trade for which we are to go to war with Great Britain?
Nor is this all, for it has been proven by gen. Smith in the Senate, (and the fact can be further attested by many of our suffering merchants) that we cannot ship any merchandize to France, either of domestic or foreign production, but what is totally absorbed in excessive duties and other charges. Hence the necessity of shipping specie to purchase these gew gaws. My fair country women, if our Government will not, you can, put your veto upon such a trafic. "Touch not, taste not, handle not, the unclean things." And you will receive your reward in pleasing reflections on SELF DENIAL.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
Economic Policy
Military War
What keywords are associated?
French Imports
Luxury Goods
Trade Deficit
War With Britain
Boycott
Self Denial
American Merchants
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Snowden
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Mr. Snowden
Main Argument
the importation of french luxury goods creates a trade deficit requiring specie payments and justifies war with britain; american women should boycott these items to promote self-denial and national interest.
Notable Details
Invoice Of 400,000 Francs (70,000 Dollars)
Proven By Gen. Smith In The Senate
Excessive Duties On Shipments To France
Biblical Allusion: 'Touch Not, Taste Not, Handle Not, The Unclean Things'