Folio 263: Earl of Rochford to R. Walpole. King is pleased with the draft of his...

Folio 263: Earl of Rochford to R. Walpole. King is pleased with the draft of his "Reply" (f.183). A Reply on these lines has been prepared and approved. He is to pay particular attention to preserving the jurisdiction of the Judge-Conservator, but probably cannot complain against purely police regulations which may be enforced as such. He cannot very well insist on the abolition of the monopolistic Alto Douro Wine Coy, but should press for modification or relaxations on points which might help British merchants. Similarly with the monopolistic Brazil Companies. Also protests against the obnoxious corn-law cannot be pressed too hard, as it is doubtful if this is in direct breach of the 1654 Treaty, as the British merchants claim. Will make a polite but veiled threat to the Portuguese Ministers, that if they do not redress the British grievances, the problem may be vented in Parliament and the existing legislation in favour of Portuguese wines may be abandoned.

Date and place: 1771 Dec 27 London.