The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9) / Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private

by Thomas Jefferson

TO MR. GALLATIN.

October 14, 1808.

As we know that Sullivan's licenses have overstocked the wants of the eastern States with flour, the proposal to carry more there is of itself suspicious, and therefore even regular traders ought not to be allowed. The regular trade was to supply flour for exportation as well as consumption. If the rule of the sixth (or eighth, I believe,) is extended to them, the supply will be kept up sufficiently for consumption. The rule of the sixth is a good one, because if the vessel goes off, the gain will not be more than the loss by forfeiture, which in that case becomes an efficient penalty. If they wish to take more, it furnishes good grounds of suspicion that they mean to pay the forfeitures out of the gains, and to profit by the surplus. I should think it ought to be adhered to, and that the collectors should consider it as a rule to regulate their discretion, and to give equal measure in all our posts to all our citizens.

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