45 



such a measure, that has not existed for all 

 that time. 



That there may be want in some particular^ 

 districts at present, I will not deny. This may 

 be a good reason for affording- them relief front 

 the abundance of other districts, but is none 

 for a general measure like stopping distillation, 

 when the state of prices shews that there is a 

 general plenty in the country. 



But, secondly, It is said, that although no 

 scarcity now exists, the present or future crops 

 may fail. It may then exist; and we must take 

 precautions against that event. 



To this I reply, that the present or future 

 crops have as good a chance of being abundant 

 as deficient. This is a contingency which no 

 man can foresee ; and there can be no reason 

 for taking the precaution now, which will not 

 always exist. This system of 'perpetual precaution* 

 therefore, just amounts to a standing prohibi- 

 tion of the distillery of grain. 



But in case the calamity of deficient pro. 

 duce should at some future time actually befall 

 us, what will be the effect of this premature 

 precaution ? The grain raised for distillation 

 being forced back on the grower, or dealer, 

 and the general prices falling, he will cease 

 to raise the same quantity by the whole a 

 mount of wjiat was usually distilled, probably 



