109 



.even this slight temporary interference (guarded as it is by the proposed li- 

 mitations) with an established system of agriculture. 



The peculiar situation of Ireland, the great difficulty of collecting the 

 revenue on spirits there, the great prevalence of illegal distillation, and the 

 fear that this measure, together with the popular preference for corn whisky, 

 might increase that trade to an unlimited amount, and interfere with any 

 regulations that might be adopted for its suppression, prevent your Com- 

 mittee from decidedly recommending the extension of this suspension to 

 that country ; but they are by no means prepared to assert, that such re- 

 gulations may not possibly be devised as to render its adoption there as 

 practicable as in Great Britain. They are unwilling to express an opinion 

 on this part of the question. 



Your Committee press upon the consideration of the House the severe 

 loss that must be felt by the empire at large, and no part of it more than 

 by the landed interest, if some efficient remedy should not save the West 

 India Colonies from the disasters that await them. When it is recollected, 

 that this country derives from them a net revenue on sugar of L. 3,000,000 

 annually, besides the duties on the other articles of their produce ; that 

 they take off manufactures and produce of this country to the amount of 

 L. 6,000,000 Sterling ; to which considerations must be added the shipping 

 they employ, and the sailors bred in the trade ; and that were the restric- 

 tion taken off that now impedes the export of corn to the Colonies, they 

 would import from hence, to the great advantage of the British landholder 

 and merchant, a considerable proportion of what they now do from foreign 

 parts ; it- is hoped that the House will think your Committee warranted, 

 under the peculiar circumstances of the times, in recommending the suspen- 

 sion of the use of grain in the distilleries of Great Britain, and their restric- 

 tion to the use of sugar for one year, from the first of July 1808, to the 

 first of July 1809, accompanied by the aforesaid discretionary power to he 

 rested in his Majesty. 



George Ramsay & Co. Printers. 



