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facture, that all goods, of any importance, can be manu- 

 factured in this country (with the present corn laws), at a 

 cheaper rate than in any other part of the world : English 

 manufacturers, therefore, fear no foreign competition. 

 When it can be proved that it is possible to produce corn 

 at as low a price in this country as on the Continent, then, 

 but not till then, shall I become one of the numerous agri- 

 culturists whom Mr. Lefevre wishes may be convinced, 

 " that the best thing which the Legislature can do for them, 

 is to free their trade from the shackles imposed upon it by 

 impolitic laws." I can truly say that it is not on selfish 

 grounds that I wish to retain the present corn laws, but for 

 the welfare of the whole rural population, which forms so 

 great a portion of the British nation. As the mercantile, 

 manufacturing, and trading interests are most powerful in 

 the House of Commons, and united against all corn laws, 

 it would be the height of folly, should there be any dis- 

 union amongst the supporters of the agricultural interest, 

 on account, of a difference of opinion as to which is best, a 

 fixed or a fluctuating duty on foreign corn. No change in 

 the present corn laws, in my opinion, ought to be 

 attempted, for 1 am well convinced, should any take place, 

 that it would be disadvantageous to the agricultural 

 interest. 



ON PRICES. No one can, with any degree of cer- 

 tainty, foretel what will be the future price of either corn or 

 meat. Whenever it can be ascertained that there is a pretty 

 general belief throughout the country, that corn, or meat, 

 at a specified time, is to be high priced, 1 think it advisable 

 to sell before that time arrives ; for from the generality of 

 persons acting upon this expectation, they prevent the rise 

 of price at such time. Before an occupier of land fixes the 

 price of any thing he has to sell, he should previously 

 inform himself what is the real market price of that descrip- 

 tion of produce which he has to dispose of; for if he asks 

 the price such was worth, ten days, a week, or often 

 only a few days, before, he will be liable, either to sell 

 under the market price, or to ask so much above it 

 as to lose a good customer. Not having convenience 

 to keep corn, when threshed, it has been my custom 

 to sell, on its being winnowed up, and, taking one year 



