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The importation of grain is a precarious traffick. 

 The produce of diflant countries, or even of thofe 

 near home, when long in collefting, or long detained 

 on ihip-board, is fubjeft to heat, foon becomes fetid, 

 and is often fo far fpoiled and depreciated in its va- 

 lue, as to fell for lefs than the original cofl:. Hence! 

 the merchant overwhelmed with lofTes, regrets his 

 patriotifm, grows fliy of importation, and, unlefs in- 

 vited by a certainty of gain, drops the trade, even 

 whilfl: the nation flands in need of fupplies. 



Miniflry, aware of this, have judicioufly provided 

 for his fecurity by an ample bounty; if v^e could 

 further add an afTurance of the good condition of 

 the corn on its arrival, the abundant profit would 

 enlarge the field of enquiry; grain would flow in 

 from every fertile province of the globe; and Britons, 

 inftead of dreading the approach of famine, would 

 become the fl:ore-keepers of plenty. 



The prefent feafon demands the immediate exer- 

 tion of every nerve to prevent the diflrefs which 

 threatens us. Each fhip-load of corn, brought 

 home in a ftate of perfe£lion, makes a happy addi- 

 tion to the national flock; and will help to keep 

 down the exorbitant price exafted by jobbers and 

 overgrown farmers, under whofe influence the mar- 

 kets rife. 



Should the importation become extenfive, and the 

 means of preferving the grain wholfome be ren- 

 4er?d eafy, certain, and grow into ufe, plenty would 



be 



