Letter from Lord Farnham, Farnham, to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1788 July 6 : autograph manuscript signed.

Concerning regulations in the brewing trade compared to the laws which regulate brewing in Great Britain and setting forth his objections to some of the regulations regarding Permits; saying "Their [Great Britain] Laws tend to prevent the use of improper materials, to guard ag't Frauds in their measures and to regulate the price, at which Beer shall be retailed, which varies, according to the Price of Mault, much upon the same Principle, upon which the [illegible] of Bread is framed. They have not any law, which obliges the Brewer to sell always at the same Price, or to make use of any Specifict Quantity of Materials. It may be proper to have a Law for regulating the Brewing trade, but it does not appear to me, that it sh'd be made part of the Revenue Law;" discussing various Permits that relate to the Revenue Laws which the Lord Lieutenant has "...expressed an intention of revising...;" saying "Permits in general, are of very little use. They are granted, with't any Evidence that the Goods have paid Duty, except upon the Removal of some for articles, such as Spirits, Wine, Tobacco & Tea. In Truth, Permits so granted, tho of great Inconvenience to the subject, are not attended with any utility, except to the officer who grants them;" concluding "The Revenue Law is a Code of Penal Statutes, & as such should have a particular attention paid to it & where it is not clear, should be amended. It often comes up to the Lords, in a very imperfect State, and an Ill founded Jealousy is entertained, of any person, who shall point out its Defects, & endeavour to amend them. The mode of Continuing those Laws, is lyable to many objections, & sometimes creates much doubt. It wo'd be much more clear, if the whole intended to be continued, should be reenacted verbatim, that by way of Reference."