152 On the Corn Laws. 



the soil in England, with such an addition to their burdens, will be re- 

 duced to beggary. 



16. That it is in the highest degree impolitic, in regard to so essen- 

 tial an article as food, to prefer the interests of the consumer, to that of 

 the grower ; for that it is not a temporary interest that ought to be kept 

 in view, but one of a lasting and permanent nature : That if the whole 

 globe were ransacked for cheap food, it may be obtained for a short 

 period ; but that, in the course of years, a, nation will be supplied with 

 grain, both cheaper and better, by promoting domestic agriculture, than 

 by depending on foreign importation. 



17. That cheap corn is not favourable to industry, it being well 

 known, that in manufacturing towns, there is more regularity of con- 

 duct, and more productive industry, when corn is at a medium price, 

 than when it is unusually low : That manufacturers in general are 

 more likely tq be happy and industrious, when they pay a fair price 

 for their food, than when it is too cheap *. When manufacturers can 

 gain their livelihood by the labour of four days in the week, they often 

 spend, the three remaining days, not only in idleness, but also in dissi- 

 pation, to the injury of their health and morals. 



18. That it is a most dangerous maxim, " Import goods, and you 

 " are sure to export;" for you must pay for the goods you import, 

 but you may not be paid for the goods you export, or the price may 

 be so low, that no profit will be derived from it. Besides, when we 

 get corn from abroad, we import the labour of men, and in return, we 

 export the labour of machinery. 



19. That the idea of abolishing all restrictions on the commercial 

 intercourse of nations, is visionary and absurd : That notwithstanding 

 every effort to preserve peace, national jealousies will arise, and wars 

 are inevitable : That under the proposed liberal system, a million of 

 manufacturers might be employed in France, to supply England with 

 silk goods, a manufacture in which France is eminently successful ; 

 and in England, another million of manufacturers might be employed 

 in fabricating cotton goods for the French market. The exchange of 

 commodities might go on advantageously to both during peace ; but 

 a war unexpectedly takes place, and a million of people, in each of 

 these countries, are deprived of their usual means of subsistence. The 

 consequences would be, such scenes of misery, as cannot be contem- 

 plated without horror. 



20. That though prosperous manufactures may benefit agriculture, 

 yet if foreign corn be admitted, the advantages are reaped, not by do- 

 mestic, but foreign agriculturists. Nor can it be too seriously incul- 

 cated, that a manufacture, the materials of which are imported from 



foreign countries, where the workmen are fed on foreign produce - 

 and which depends for sale onforeign markets, (which must always be 

 precarious), instead of being a blessing, must be a curse to a country. 



21. That it is proved by the history of nations, that commerce and 

 manufactures are uncertain and evanescent sources of power ; that they 

 tend to enervate those who depend upon them, and that there are 



* See Representation of the Privy- Council, 10th March 1790. Annals of 

 Agriculture, vol. iii. p. 419. 



