304 THE BEE, OR Feb. 1 6, 



'thoughts on the Corn Laws, 



With a view to the propofed new Corn Bill. 

 By the Editor. 

 At the prefent time, when the attention of the country 

 is called to confider the nature of the corn-laws, a few 

 obfervations on that fubjeft will not be deemed unfea- 

 fonable. 



For a good many years part, our corn-laws have 

 been only temporary enaftments, with a view, as it 

 ■would feem, to give time for difcovering what was the 

 beft fyflem to be adopted in this important department. 

 It is now propofed to make a pcrr?mrient law, with the 

 avowed intention of continuing unaltered for a great 

 many ye^rs ; it is therefore of much importance that 

 the fubjeft Aiould now be coolly difcufled, fo that fuch 

 errors as may pennanently affeft the welfare of the 

 country may be avoided. 



The fubjeft is avowedly of great importance ; and 

 the inveftigation of it is attended with intricacy. A 

 difference of opinion therefore, in many particulars, may 

 take place even among thofe men who have made poli- 

 tical economy a princijsal objeft of their attention : But 

 among the great body of the people, who have never 

 been accuftomed to judge with precifion on fuch intri- 

 cate fubjects, a ftill greater variety of fentiments muft 

 prevail. Truth, however, which is all that either par- 

 ty can in this cafe fearch for, can only be difcovered by 

 a calm and unprejudiced inveftigation ; and it will be 

 well, if every perfon when he begias it, will try to di- 

 veft himfelf of prejudices which tend to confound, but 

 never can enlighten mankind. 



In confiderin? the corn-laws, there are two leading 

 queftions that require to be feparately examined, viz. 



I ft. Is a bounty on the exportation of corn, under the 

 beft regulatioQS that can be adopted, capable of pro- 



