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Your Excellency is aware that, in the reign of the Emperor Kien-loong, opium was subject, as a medicine, to a duty. The extent of its consumption was then inconsiderable. Subsequently to that, the drug was prohibited, and penalties attached to its consumption; but this prohibition, and these penalties, instead of preventing, appear to have increased the consumption of a noxious article in a wonderful manner, until the value in money of the prohibited opium imported has come greatly to exceed the amount of the lawful tea exported. This is the experience of China. You will therefore the more readily believe that the experience of England lias been the same in reference to all commodities. Opium, having never been prohibited, is consumed in small quantities, chiefly as a medicine. (it) |
