158 On the Corn Laws. 



from the tahle above inserted, that when collected, they are-greatly 

 superior, in regard both to the number, and the value of their pro- 

 ductions, to those less essential classes, who presume to despise them. 

 A nation cannot subsist without the productions of the soil, but it can 

 abundantly prosper, without those manufactures, to the existence of 

 which, theoretical writers absurdly attribute so much importance. 

 The people of this country were happy and powerful before the cotton 

 trade was introduced among them ; and if the cotton weavers cannot 

 exist, without the importation of foreign grain, why should the agricul- 

 tural classes in Great Britain and Ireland be reduced to beggary on 

 their account ? Why should, not only millions of acres be condemned 

 to perpetual barrenness, but immense tracts already improved, be laid 

 waste, to gratify their wishes ? In the reign of William the Conqueror, 

 an extensive tract was rendered desolate, that he might enjoy the 

 pleasures of the chase. No circumstance mentioned in the English 

 history is so loudly reprobated. Yet it is now proposed, to lay waste 

 millions of acres, and to reduce to poverty thousands of the most 

 valuable subjects of the empire, under the pretence, that a number of 

 weavers in cotton, cannot otherwise be supplied with cheap food. 



If the measure of protecting averages be objected to, the following 

 plan, which seems to me not liable to any material objection, may be 

 adopted. 



Let some public institution, (like the Board of Trade), be autho- 

 rised, as soon as the harvest is completed, to make every possible in- 

 quiry into the state of the crops. 



If the board has ascertained, that there is likely to be a deficiency, 

 let it then advertise the amount required to be imported, and its de- 

 sire to receive offers, for granting licenses to furnish grain to that ex- 

 tent, either by those who have corn already warehoused, or those who 

 will undertake to bring, from foreign parts, the quantity required. 

 Those who offer the highest duties to be preferred, by which any risk 

 of partiality will be prevented. Where the offers are the same, pro- 

 portionate deductions to be made from each. 



This plan would be attended with the following important advan- 



1. A larger quantity would not be imported, than would be requi- 

 red for the supply of the country, though it would be advisable, rather 

 to exceed, than to be under the mark. 



2. The demand being kept within fixed bounds, the importing mer- 

 chants would not be induced, to raise the price abroad, to that immo- 

 derate amount, which must be the necessary consequence of unlimit- 

 ed speculation. Their profits occasionally might not be so great, 

 but, on the other hand, they would run no risk of loss. 



3. The duty on the grain to be consumed, would be insured to the 

 Exchequer, before the corn could be brought into the British mar- 

 kets ; and, 



4. The agriculture of the country would thus receive a certain, and 

 consequently a most essential protection ; and there would be no risk, 

 by exciting a rage for speculation, that grain of inferior quality, unfit 

 for human sustenance, would be introduced into our markete. 



