342 APPENDIX. 



institution of such a system as this is no doubt highly neces* 

 sary in a country only in an imperfect state of civilization ; but 

 that which requires the authority of government to accomplish 

 abroad, is in England brought about by less questionable 

 means." (Dimsdale.) 



The commercial and enterprising spirit of our countrymen 

 induces them to enter into speculative purchases, which in the 

 end answer very much the same purpose. Our corn merchants 

 purchase largely in years of plenty when prices are low, and 

 store up wheat in expectation of an advance in the price. 

 Thus, without intending to promote any other interest than 

 their own, they really become the benefactors of the public, by 

 providing a relief stock, which is of the greatest importance, in 

 a time of scarcity, and also by laying up what might otherwise 

 be wastefully consumed while plenty lasts. Instead, therefore, 

 of joining in the common cry against such persons, we have 

 reason to be thankful that there are men of sufficient capital 

 and experience to make these purchases, and that they are, 

 generally speaking, disposed to sell immediately they can rea- 

 lize a fair profit. And if there are some who hold their corn 

 in the hope of realizing enormous gains, and wait until the 

 market begins to decline before they sell, it is often to their 

 own shame and loss that they do it. The scarcity they create 

 induces importation, and is thus more than compensated by 

 the good eventually done. The immense amount of capital 

 required to store corn largely, and the waste to which it is 

 liable in the granary, also greatly check the desire to withhold 

 corn too long. 



Whatever may be the precautions employed by merchants 

 and others in laying up for the future, there will be times 

 and seasons when we must look to other nations for a large 

 amount of help as it regards our supply of corn. A total 

 failure of crops scarcely ever happens thoughout even one 

 kingdom, for the weather which is unfavourable to one descrip- 

 tion of soil is generally advantageous to another ; much less 

 does it happen at the same time throughout the whole earth, 

 in the various parts of which seasons and climate so greatly 

 differ. Thus recently, when Europe suffered in many parts 

 a great deficiency in her harvests, it was so arranged by the 

 bounty of the Creator, that America should receive an over- 

 flowing supply. How important then the continuance of 

 peaceful commerce, and rapid communication between all 

 nations, that the deficiencies of one country may be supplied 

 by the abundance of another ! 



