The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-15 00:00:00

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IN‘N'‘N.W•Nc_.

tary ambition, and kept alive by unprincipled
personal aggrandisement.
In tho prudence and decision of the active and
intelligent representatives of the states thus threat-
ened, and of that large body of English merchants
who are so deeply interested in their continued peace
and welfare, we have every reliance.

THE Commissioners of Customs have issued direc-
tions to the different Ports for returns of all the corn,
grain, meal, and flcar imported into the United King-
dom daring the present year; and also for the amount
exported, and to what countries, and whether of home
or foreign production. It is a curious fact that there
should be any occasion for this last sort of return. It
is like asking a family, without food enough for the
day, how much they have sold of it since morning.
And yet it is not less true than strange. With a stock
notoriously inadequate for home consumption till next
harvest, we kave become an exporting country.
Foreigners have been accommodated with a portion
of our purchases, after they had been safely ware-
housed; and not only so, but some of the growth
of our own fields have gone into French and
Belgian markets. The quantity is probably small ;
but the wonder is great, that a single grain which we
had grown, or laid our hands upon, should have been
thus disposed of. This is amongst the last doings of
Protection for us. There is still a is. duty payable.
Our Ports are open for sale, and barred for purchase.
Exportation is free, and importation is clogged. We
have put, and keep ourselves at, a disadvantage in the
world's market, during a season of general competi-
tion. And we deserve to become the world's laugh-
ing stock for this unparalleled absurdity.
The direction for these returns is, we hope, a note
of preparation. Now that we export, and so com-
pete with the foreigner upon his own soil, there can
be no further question about the ability to compete
with him here ; now that foreign grain is flowing
away from us, there can be no further question as to
the impolicy of any remaining duty upon its admis-
sion. These returns, or rather the fact that there are
any such returns to be made, must be the death-
Warrant of all restrictions: their order for immediate
execution. The public will so understand the matter,
and confidently anticipate some prompt and decided
proceeding. It is a prelude to the immediate opening
of the Ports.

The present temporary corn-law has the same ob-
ject, within its limited operation, as the professedly
permanent enactment to which it succeeded. As
compared with the old law, its tendency is to lower
prices; but, as compared with the natural course of
things, its effect is to raise prices. However
disguised, the influence of a corn - law, so
far as it extends, is to make artificial
scarcity. It keeps away foreign corn; or it
adds the amount of duty to the cost of foreign corn.
There is, consequently, leas in the muket ; or it is
there at a price which there is less ability to pay,
and the home grower reaps his advant.ge accordingly.
As spread over a series of years, the system had this
excuse, often urged at its commencement, that the
artificial scarcity induced for a time, would, by the
prices obtained, stimulate our own agriculture into
furnishing an ample supply for the wants of the popu-
lation. Thus, it was inferred, the temporary dearness
would result in permanent cheapness, and the tem-
porary scarcity in permanent abundance. There is
no occasion now to point out the fallacy of this
plea. What we wish to remark is, that, whether
sophistical or valid, it only applies to a corn-law of
indefinite duration. It has no bearing upon a corn-
law with a prospective repeal already enacted. The
law has lost all its vindication by being limited. The
artificial dearness, and the artificial scarcity, are no
longer means to an end ; that end being a legal
stimulus to increased home production. We are
looking forwards now, at a defined period, to free
trade. Agricultural operations are, regulated by the
free trade which is anticipated; not by the protection
about to expire. So that, in our retention
of artificial dearness and artificial scarcity, we
are now retaining them for their own sakes,
and not for any ulterior advantage as a re-
sult. We have been for these thirty years doing
evil that good may come; and the evil is still done,
only without any prospect of good to come from it.
It is simply so much artificial scarcity, with the
attendant privations and sufferings. There is no
reason for its endurance. Its alleged (though un-
sound) recommendation as a means, is gone. It must
be tried by its own merits, which are demerits. A
temporary artificial scarcity, is the be all and the
end all of the present Corn-law. With average har-
vests and supplies, it would still be evil, and nothing
but evil. And the addition, if it be only the merest
modicum, of this artificial scarcity to the general and
natural scarcity under which all Europe labours, is
a monstrosity, incredible but for the fact of its
existence.

That Ministers should hesitate at the unsettlement
so speedily of the late legislative arrangements, is not
surprising. That the Protectionists would raise a
loud outcry, is to be expected. We fully admit the
undesirableness of one enactment thus treading on
the heels of another, and tripping it up just as it
comes into operation. But famine and pestilence do
net stand on punctilios. The failing crops of this
year make no scruple of following the failing crops of
last year. The counteraction which seemed sufficient
in spring time, is altogether inadequate to meet the
exigencies of the autumn, or allay the apprehensions
of winter. The circumstances have changed as well

as the ministry. This is no time to be over-courteous
to faction. Nor does the existing Corn-law bear
any character of compact, or mutually accepted com-
promise. The BENTINCK party never took it as a
bargain. They acknowledge no such obligation to
respect it, as, under Sir Ron Ear PEEL's guidance,
they voluntarily incurred in reference to the Reform
Act. They hold no treaty or truce to exist. They
are bound by no terms. But if they be free to retard,
Ministers are free to accelerate. If they would
change 1849 for 1860, others may change it for
1846 or 7. It is too late for them to impose an obli-
gation, which they have uniformly and vehemently
refused to acknowledge. Any scruples on their ac-
count are misplaced. They told the late Government,
if there was famine they ought to open the Porta.
There is famine, and the present Government should
open the Ports. The occasion is too serious for the
petty etiquette of party. The necessities of
millions should ride over all consideration of what
certain country gentlemen may say. If the progress
of legislation be rapid, it nevertheless, until the
Ports be open, lags behind the progress of want and
,destitution.

The continuance of an import duty on food is the
only flaw (should it remain) which the conduct of
the Government, on this trying occasion, offers for ani-
madversion. In whatever relates to Ireland, they
have done, and are doing, their duty manfully. Com-
plaints and reproaches are so manifestly unreasonable,
that they produce an instant reaction of reprobation
on their author!. Their course is marked by a vigorous
generosity which deservedly wins for them " golden
opinions from all sorts of people." But they must deal
with this venomous tail of the bread-tax, to complete
their work. It is necessary for the sake of that public
confidence which is so important an element of success
in their endeavours. They will be strengthened by it
for the arduous struggle with national calamity which
is yet before them. With this exception, they have
done all they can ; all that any Government can do,
in such circumstances. The remaining restriction
abolished, we may say that Man has fulfilled his pert,
and is entitled, humbly but confidingly, to await the
result front the Air p motion. of Proviel.nce.

IMMEDIATE peace, we find by yesterday's arrival
from America, is not the result of SANTA ANNA'S
return to Mexico. Whatever ho may have promised