Autograph Letter Signed ('F H E') from the banker and Liberal politician Sir Francis Henry Evans to 'My dear Sir H[enr]y', regarding 'Free Trade v. Protection' in the United States following 'the fiscal follies of the earlier part of last century'.

4pp., 12mo. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Closely written. He feels that he can give an account 'sufficient for yr. purposes without risking inaccuracies wh. opponents might attack'. He begins as follows: 'You are probably aware that after the fiscal follies of the earlier part of the last century the people of the United States resolutely set their faces against taxation except for revenue purposes for the absolute necessities of the Govt. - this lasted till the outbreak of the Civil War when the extraordinary demands upon the Treasury required widespread taxation - & wherever home industries were taxed, equivalent or greater import duties were levied.' There follows a detailed analysis of the question, concluding: 'Free Trade v. Protection has been a lifelong study for me & I have been so mixed up with the question in the US & with Bright & Cobden in this country that it is difficult for me to believe that we are really committed to a further struggle to maintain the wonderful position wh. Free Trade has given to this country.' From the Evans family papers.