70 



can be for the public benefit that this vent 

 should be forcibly interrupted. 



We are told, however, that admitting the 

 justice of all the above general principles, the 

 present departure from them is too trifling and 

 temporary, to be considered as an important 

 exception. Admitting that the interest of the 

 public, and of the home grower, will be injured 

 by the stoppage of the distilleries, as far as 

 their consumption goes, this consumption, it 

 is said, is comparatively trifling. The wants of 

 the colonists are urgent, and require immediate 

 relief. The distilleries will afford them such re- 

 lief; while the want of their vent will be little 

 felt by the farmer. Whatever might be the ef- 

 fect of a permanent suspension, the present ex- 

 pedient will be but temporary ; and even during 

 its continuance; a power is proposed to be lodged 

 with the King in Council, to open the distilleries 

 again, in case the price of barley fall too low. 

 This view then gives up the question on general 

 grounds, and, admitting that the public and the 

 British growers both surfer from the suspension 

 of distilleries, only maintains, that they should 

 voluntarily submit to this suffering, for the re- 

 lief of the distressed colonists. 



This leads me to the third branch of the sub- 

 j."<-r, which I proposed to consider. 



