“A STRONG ADVOCATE OF FREE TRADE”

MACGREGOR, John. The Commercial and Financial Legislation of Europe and America, with a Pro-Forma Revision of the Taxation and the Customs Tariff of the United Kingdom. London: Samuel Clarke, 1841. Octavo, original plum blind-stamped cloth. $850.

First edition of this scarce title by a strong advocate of free trade between nations, issued shortly after he became joint secretary of the Board of Trade, in original cloth.

"In 1836 MacGregor reported to the Board of Trade on the effects of the Zollverein on British trade with Germany. He attended the first conference of that body later the same year, with instructions to explore the possibilities of a tariff agreement. Both sides were willing to make concessions, but negotiations foundered. MacGregor reported that the Prussian commissioner 'took his stand upon Corn, saying the other reductions were of little consequence' (Brown, 105). In 1838 he led discussions which resulted in a commercial treaty with Austria. He met Metternich and Kolowrat, the minister of finance. Talks which he conducted with a very free hand in 1839 and 1840 led to draft treaties with Naples and Prussia. When Hume retired in 1840 MacGregor succeeded him as joint secretary of the Board of Trade (24 January 1840). He was a strong advocate of free trade… Soon after becoming joint secretary MacGregor appeared before the select committee on import duties (1840), when his dogmatic views on free trade were given full vent" (DNB). In this book MacGregor expounds on the virtues of free trade, based on his extensive firsthand experience. Goldsmiths 32248. Kress C.5555. Sabin 43281. Early owner ink signature, dated 1845. Small bookseller's label.

Mild spotting to title page and last few leaves. Spine sunned. An extremely good copy of this scarce title in the publisher's original cloth.