jgS Mr. Curwen on the Means of 



rale, would, in a very short period, produce an increase of population to answer 

 all puiposes. 



The number of useful hands (by this means added to the population of the em- 

 pire) would prove a powerful acquisition of strength. Can there be a more cogent 

 argument in favour of growing the grain requisite for our own consumption ? were 

 all other considerations balanced, is not this one abundandy sufficient to decide 

 upon the wisdom and policy of our attempting it ? Under our present circum- 

 stances, one million of British subjects depend upon foreign countries for the means 

 of their subsistence. In the course of time, when the north of Europe and America 

 shall have made a further progress in manufactures, what is to become of that part 

 of our population which is supported by them? If it be more advantageous to be a 

 nation of manufacturers, than cukivators of ground, what country will continue to 

 pursue agriculture for the benefit of another? If the exam.ple of Great Britain, 

 in her predileciion for manufactories in preference to agriculture, operates on 

 other countries, the period is not distant when these supplies may be supposed to 

 fail us. An alteration has been attempted in this system, and much appears to 

 depend upon the firmness of parliament, whether it shall be persevered in, and en- 

 couragement be given for the growth of British grain; or whether popular clamorists 

 shall prevail and defeat it, by acting upon the feelings of the moment ; blind to 

 every prudential consideration; regardless of future consequences; ignorant and 

 insensible of our growing dependnnce on foreign countries for a very considerable 

 portion of our daily- bread. 



The elucidation thrown upon this subject (by the discussions on the corn laws 

 which took place in the last two sessions of parliament) must, or at least ought, to 

 have demonstrated to every unprejudiced mind, the necessity of efficient means 

 being taken to encourage the internal growth of grain. However unbounded our 

 capital, can the country be esteemed really flourishing or secure, whilst it is not 

 possessed of the means of feeding its inhabitants? The temporary loss of our supe- 

 riority at sea, hostile influence, or a combination on the Continent, might eflPect 

 by famine what their attempts by open war, I trust, can never accomplish. Is 

 there wisdom or policy in suffering the empire to remain dependant on circum- 

 stances, distinct from its courage and love of liberty ? 



The wild and preposterous speculations broached a few years back, that it was 

 more for the interest of the nation to purchase than to grow grain, were well and 



