MR. COBDEN AND THE LEAGUE. 



283 



plied, the labour-market cleared, and remunerative wages 

 ensured. But the League are too well informed upon these 

 subjects to risk a discussion that would end in the overthrow 

 of their favourite scheme of ruining the landed interests of the 

 country. 



The original and chief pretext for free trade was the im- 

 provement of the condition of the redundant population, which 

 the manufacturers averred could only be secured by an inter- 

 charge between British manufactures and cheap foreign bread. 

 But, no sooner were flax associations formed with the view of 

 providing employment for the people, and cheap provisions 

 from native resources, than the promoters were unjustly and 

 illiberally attacked by the Anti-Corn-Law League. I say 

 unjustly, because the League attribute to the supporters of 

 the flax cause an intention of increasing the price of wheat, 

 and of lessening the means of subsistence ; illiberally, because, 

 in their strictures upon our proceedings, they studiously avoid 

 the explanation of our real designs — designs such as every 

 patriot and philanthropist must review with delight ; but such 

 as our cold-hearted and misanthropic opponents perseveringly 

 misrepresent. 



The speeches delivered at our various meetings all evince 

 the kindliest sympathy for the distresses of the poor, and a 

 desire to promote the culture of flax for the double purpose 

 of providing employment, and of introducing not only cheap 

 bread, but cheap meat into their cottages. 



My visits to Sussex, that appear to have given Mr. Cobden 

 so much off'ence, were undertaken with exclusive reference to 

 the above objects; and the happiest results have followed. 

 I should rejoice if similar opportunities were afforded me in 

 Lancashire, where I doubt not that my services would be 

 equally beneficial, and that the operatives of Manchester would 

 soon be supplied with cheap provisions from the resources of 

 their own county. 



But I should esteem it a higher gratification could Mr. 

 Cobden be induced to visit Trimingham, and personally to 

 investigate the eff"ect of those measures which he so incautiously 

 ventured to ridicule; measures that, notwithstanding the 

 taunts of those who have devoted to the subject fewer minutes 



