C 272 ] 



No. XVI. 



An Essay on the Production and Consumption of Corn in Great Britain ; its Popu- 

 lation at different Periods; the Means of increasing Human Subsistence; and 

 of preventing future Scarcities. By Mr. William Pitt, of Wolverhampton. 



^ 



*^ CHAPTER I. 



Export and Import of Grain from different Authorities, and Prices at different 

 Periods ; Discussion on the good or bad Policy of importing Corn ; some 

 Causes of Importation. 



An 1688 was granted the parliamentary bounty upon the exportation of corn. This 

 was done at the instance of the country gentlemen, as an expedient to raise the 

 price; yet the price seems to have been low under this bounty for a number of 

 years, particularly of the succeeding century; the price was then 285. the quarter; 

 the bounty was to take place till wheat was so high as 485. the quarter ; when 

 above that price the bounty was suspended. The average price of the best wheat 

 in Windsor market, from 1688 to 1700 inclusive, according to Dr. Smith, was 



5s. g^d. per bushel. 

 From 1700, to 1764 inclusive, - - 45.60^. 



From 1731, to 1740 inclusive, - - 4s. 2d. 



At And from 1741, to 1750, - - 3^. gd. 



During this latter period of ten years, the quantity of grain exported, it appears 

 from the Custom House books, amounted to no less than eight millions, twenty 

 nine thousand, one hundred and fifty six quarters, one bushel. The bounty paid 

 for this amounted to £",1,514,962 17J. ^^d. 



In J 749 Mr. Pelham, then Prime Minister, informed the House of Commons, 



