Your Memorialist takes the liberty to enclose the draft of a clause for consideration.
Copy of Enclosure.
178.—And whereas it is expedient that no obstacle should be presented to the introduction of improvements in machinery for printing newspapers; and that to this end it is desirable that a provision should be made for allowing newspaper stamps to be affixed to the paper before it is cut up into separate sheets: Be it therefore enacted, That it shall be lawful for any printer of newspapers to stamp his own paper (either as it passes through the printing machine, or in such other way as he may prefer), provided he can satisfy the Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes that no danger of a fraud on the Revenue will arise in his case.
Copy of Reply.
Treasury Chambers, 18th June, 1836.
Sir,
Having laid before the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury your Memorial praying that a Clause may be inserted into the New Stamp Bill, allowing the printers of newspapers themselves to impress the necessary Stamps on their papers, I am directed to acquaint you that My Lords cannot comply with your request.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
A. G. Spearman.