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and of lessening the means of subsistence ; illiberally, because, 

 in their strictures upon our proceedings, they studiously avoid 

 the explanation of our real designs — designs such as every 

 patriot and philanthropist must review with delight ; but such 

 as our cold-hearted and misanthropic opponents perseveringly 

 misrepresent. 



The speeches delivered at our various meetings all evince 

 the kindliest sympathy for the distresses of the poor, and a 

 desire to promote the culture of flax for the double purpose 

 of providing employment, and of introducing not only cheap 

 bread, but cheap meat into their cottages. 



My visits to Sussex, that appear to have given Mr. Cobden 

 so much offence, were undertaken with exclusive reference to 

 the above objects ; and the happiest results have followed. 

 I should rejoice if similar opportunities were afforded me in 

 Lancashire, where I doubt not that my services would be 

 equally beneficial, and that the operatives of Manchester would 

 soon be supplied with cheap provisions from the resources of 

 their own county. 



But I should esteem it a higher gratification could Mr. 

 Cobden be induced to visit Trimingham, and personally to 

 investigate the effect of those measures which he so incautiously 

 ventured to ridicule ; measures that, notwithstanding the 

 taunts of those who have devoted to the subject fewer minutes 

 than I have years, would, if universally adopted, prove the 

 panacea for the distress both of the rural and manufacturing 

 districts. 



Mr. Cobden and his adherents, though indirectly, have not 

 been the least amongst my coadjutors ; because the effect of 

 their proceedings compels many agriculturists to turn their 

 attention to the cultivation of flax, which, under a remunera- 

 tive price for corn, they would for ever have rejected. There- 

 fore, should the schemes of the League ultimately prove 

 successful, the British farmer, sooner than allow his fields to 

 lie waste, will appropriate them to the growth of flax ; and, 

 with labourers fed upon cheap foreign provisions, be enabled 

 to produce the raw material at a price successfully to com- 

 pete even with cotton. Thus would free trade be as fatal 



