Author: [DICKER (Stephen) attributed to]
Title: A Letter to a Member of Parliament, Concerning the Importance of our Sugar-Colonies to Great Britain. By a Gentleman, who resided many Years in the Island of Jamaica.
Description: London: Printed for J. Taylor, 1745. First and only edition, [2], 30pp., stitched as issued in blue paper wrappers, a very good copy. The author argues against putting an additional duty on sugar "which... would be a great hardship on the sugar-planter in the West Indies, and very little benefit to the revenue...". He sets out all the costs involved in producing sugar, such as the price of slaves and the cost of keeping them, the higher freight costs, insurance, cost of animals and contributions to the defence force. Finally, he states the advantages of the sugar trade for Britain and shows how an additional duty would be to the detriment of the trade. Goldsmiths'-Kress, 8163; Hanson, 5917; Sabin, 40397; ESTC gives the British Library as the only UK hold.

Keywords: ECONOMICS COMMERCE MARITIME HISTORY SUGAR JAMAICA WEST INDIES TRADE COMMERCE