418} 
inferior a quality, as to be unfit 
for the use of man; and under a 
full persuasion of the necessity of 
fixing some limit, in order to pre- 
vent the object, for which «the 
-bounty ‘is given, from being de- 
feated by the importation of corn 
inapplicable to the subsistence of 
the people. They have since re- 
ceived further information, which 
has satisfied them, that wheat, 
naturally of somewhat a lower 
weight, may produce wholesome 
food; and that cargoes, not fre- 
quently, arrive out of condition, in 
consequence of which, the weight 
is for the time diminished, though 
it soon recoyers; and that it might 
prove an inconvenient restraint on 
speculation, if the merchant were 
exposed to lose the whole of the 
pounty, by a slight inattention of 
his agents abroad, or by a temporary 
and accidental deterioration of the 
article imported; they are, there. 
fore of opinion, that a bounty, 
equal to four-fifths of the proposed 
bounty, shouid be gétven on all 
wheat weighing not less than at 
the ‘rate of fifty-three pounds per 
bushel. 
* Your committee having stated 
such further observations as they 
have thought necessary, respecting 
‘the amount of the bounties, and 
the limitations as to weight, and 
quantity, and time, beg leave to 
recominend, for the prevention of 
fraud, that all corn and flour im- 
ported for bounty should be subjett, 
in addition to the inspection of the 
proper officers of the customs, to 
the examination of pérsons qua 
lified to judge thereof; that with- 
out the certificate of such persons, 
stating that the article is merchant- 
-able and fit fo: making bvead, no 
bounty should be paid; and that 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1796, 
the importation of corn and flour 
for bounty should be confined te ~ 
such ports in which it is probable 
that persons so qualified may be 
found. ‘ 
Your committee have also receiv- 
ed information, that there are ships 
now in the ports of this country 
laden with corn, which are intend- 
ed to be reported for exportation, 
and that other ships may arrive, 
the consignees of which may send 
their cargoes to foreign ports, un- 
Jess tempted by the beunty to un- 
load them here; and they beg leave, 
therefore, to submit the expediency 
of extending the bounty to the 
cargoes of all ships which may now 
be in the ports of this country, or 
may arrive here previous to the 
passing of the aét by which it is 
to be granted. pees ar 
Third Report fron the Sele& Cammit. 
tee appointed to take into considerae 
tion the present hig’ price of Corn. 
THE select conjmitteé appointed 
to take into consideration the pre. 
sent high price of corn, and to col- 
leé&t evidence relative thereto, and 
to report the same from time to 
time, as it shall appear to them, to 
the house, with their observations 
thereupon, have received, since 
their first’ report, a considerable 
number of returns, made by the 
custodes rotulorum of the different 
counties, respecting the state of 
the last crop, together with much 
additional ‘intelligence upon that 
subjeét communicated by’ many of 
their members, They find it how. 
ever, impossible as yet to draw, 
either from these returns, or from 
any other quarter, a precise con. 
clusion, The ‘returns are so in- 
complete in their number, and are 
fownded upon so many different 
: “ prine 
4 
