Under the title "Excise" are the following words:—
Excise, n.s. (accijs, Dutch; excisum, Latin,) a hateful tax levied upon commodities, and adjudged not by the common judges of property, but wretches hired by those to whom "Excise" is paid.
The people should pay a rateable tax for their sheep, and an Excise for every thing which they should eat.—Hayward.
"Ambitious now to take excise Of a more fragrant paradise."—Cleveland.
EXCISE.
"With hundred rows of teeth the shark exceeds, And on all trades, like Cassawar, she feeds."
Marvel.
"Can hire large houses and oppress the poor By farm'd Excise."—Dryden's Juvenal, Sat. 3.
The Author's definition being observed by the Commissioners of Excise, they desire the favour of your opinion:
Qu.—Whether it will not be considered as a libel; and if so, whether it is not proper to proceed against the author, printers and publishers thereof, or any and which of them, by information or how otherwise?