428 Mr. Wimpey on the Impropriety of allowing 
plan, what would become of the farmer and land- 
owner ? I anfwer both would be totally ruined. 
In mod countries in Europe , both land and 
labour are fo much cheaper than in England , 
that, in fruitful feafons, grain would be poured 
in upon us in fuch immenfe quantities, and 
the pi ice fo far reduced, that the farmer mult 
give up his bufinefs, and the land-owner 
cultivate his land, for the bare maintenance of 
his family. On the other hand, when the feafons 
proved unfavourable, and the crops were infuffi- 
cient, our ports might be open to no purpofe; 
no corn would arrive; the unavoidable con¬ 
sequence would be, a general famine; and un¬ 
der the influence of fuch an execrable meafure, it 
would not be in the art or power of man to pre¬ 
vent it. It is not in corn only, that high cuftoms, 
prohibitory and penal laws, are abfolutely necef- 
fary, but in very numerous branches of manu¬ 
factures; indeed, in manufacture almofl: the whole 
of linen and filk. Vaft quantities of the former 
are imported under duties of, from eighteen to 
twenty-five or thirty per cent; and a vaft variety 
of fmall wares 'at twenty-five; and one article 
at almofl; cent, per cent. Even fine broad-cloth, 
which is a ftaple commodity of this kingdom, 
I have known imported under an infurance of 
twenty-five per cent, ad valorum. In (hort, 
were our ports open to all, as fome Politicians 
advife. 
