The law against imports of tobacco that had been stripped from the stalk hinged on questions that seem ridiculous to us. The government, in England, was fearful that the total weight of tobacco would drop because the stalks were not included. If the weight dropped, so would the customs revenues. Gooch presented arguments to the Board of Trade, to the effect that the rules encouraged contraband tobacco, i.e., tobacco that had been stripped off the stalk, which found its way past the custom inspectors without the payment of the tariffs. Gooch also argued that the better quality that could be achieved by stripping would encourage the end use, raise the customs collections, and generate more shipping. [Tobacco was very important to England, because the product imported from the colonies was sold to other nations and earned foreign currencies.]
Gooch understood what arguments would win, namely, if the government revenues would be raised, then the government was apt to in favor of it. In the end, Gooch's arguments prevailed, which helped his standing with the planters.
The continual depressed state of Virginia tobacco led Gooch to search for another solution to the colony's problems, which the stripping law and the stint law had done little to reverse. Gooch embarked on a campaign to win the support of the planters and the merchants both. He held discussions and invited participation. He informed the Board of Trade in 1729 that, after conferring with the planters and merchants, he had found general agreement on the best way to revive the tobacco trade. But, he was careful to set forth all of his ideas as tentative , and invited further participation. His general thoughts were:
"...to bring all the Tobacco under a strict examination by sworn Officers, before it be allowed to be ship'd off for Great Britain; that all that is found Bad be destroy'd, and none exported but what is really good and merchantable, and that an account of the true weight of every Hogshead or cask shall be transmitted to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs."
There were no limits on the amount of tobacco that could be planted. Inspection would be done at public warehouses by officials, not the planters. All trash tobacco would be destroyed. Records were to be kept at all stages to discourage smuggling. The system was designed to restrict the low grade tobacco and to prevent smuggling. It was assumed that the amount of quality tobacco would actually rise, and raise revenues for the planters and the government.
Though Gooch was convinced of the merits of the plan, he was apprehensive about the proposal's chances of gaining support among the colonists. He entertained the idea of having the legislation passed by Parliament, and not just by Virginia. Though Virginia was the major producer, it was not the only one.
(22 May 01)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.