When matters had reached a pitch absolutely intolerable, a petition was presented to Parliament (Feb. 20, 1736) from the magistrates of Middlesex assembled at quarter sessions. In this petition it was stated:—
That the drinking of Geneva, and other distilled liquors, had for some years past greatly increased:
That the constant and excessive use thereof had destroyed thousands of his Majesty’s subjects:
That great numbers of others were by its use rendered unfit for useful labor, debauched in morals, and drawn into all manner of vice and wickedness:
That those pernicious liquors were not only sold by distillers and geneva shop-keepers, but by many persons in inferior trades, by which means journeymen apprentices and servants were drawn in to taste and by degrees to like, approve, and immoderately to drink thereof:
That the public welfare and safety, as well as the trade of the nation, would be greatly affected by it:
That the practice was dangerous to the health, strength, peace, and morals; and tended greatly to diminish the labour and industry of his Majesty’s subjects.[213]
Upon the petition being referred to a committee of the entire House, it was resolved:—
That the low price of spirituous liquors is the principal inducement to the excessive and pernicious use thereof.
That in order to prevent this excessive and pernicious use, a discouragement be given thereto by a duty to be laid on spirits sold by retail.