The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-04-08 00:00:00

GARRATT, MAYOR.
ACOMMON COUNCIL, holden in the Chamber of
the Guildhall of the City of London, on TutreSDAY, the
7th Day of April, 1823,
RESOLVED,
That this Court have observed with satisfaction the liberal policy
which now directs the Councils of his Majesty's Government, in
the removal of Prohibitory Duties on all Articla of Foreign Pro-
duce and 51anitfacture—because they look to this policy as the
means of securing to the People of this Country a supply of
various articles of necessary consumption. upon lower terms titan
they have hitherto been obtained, and at the same time as best cal-
mimed tp remove all those commercial jealousies which have
deprived the British Manufacturer of many important Markets
abroad.
That, although they are deeply impressed with the importance
of these measures, they nevertheless feel that, unless the British
Manufacturer and Artisan is protected from the high prices of
Bread Corn, to which they are almost invariably subjected, by
the operation of the present Corn Laws, they will in vain attempt
to compete with Foreigners ; and that the result, which must prove
ruinous to all who are engaged in existing Establishments here,
will drive others to transfer their Capitals into Countries more I
favourable to their exertions.
That they feel themselves warranted in these apprehensions when
they consider that, during a state of profound peace, Corn and the
various Necessaries of Life bare greatly advanced in price, whereby
a large portion of the Population are suffering under grievous
privations.
They are further confirmed in these fears by observing that the
prices of Wheat in most of the Shipping Ports is Europe do not
amount to more than one. half the rate to which the British Con.
sinters are subjected by the operation of these Laws.
That, under the present system, the Averages are generally
fallacious, and Laws hare been found so inoperative, that, by
means of false Returns, the opening of the Ports have, in some I
instances, been fraudulently accomplished, and, at other times, as
fraodulently prevented, contrary to the true spirit of the Laws, and
°unit:Jody to the injury of the Public on the one hand, and of the
Agricultural Interest on the other. The general effect of this
system is, to force upon the Public at times excessive prices for the
nest important necessaries of life, aed at others, by admitting an
unrestrained and speculative supply, to sink the Agricultural In-
terests into a state of ruinous depression.
That, while they conceive that, if the measures proposed by the
Ministers of the Crown are adopted by the Legislature, the free
importation of Foreign Grain, under certain Duties, is essential to
the welfare of the Public, they disclaim every wish to raise on.
founded prejudices against the Agriculturists, or any popular
clamour against the Dealers in Corn.
They view the Agriculturist, the Merchant, the Manufacturer,
and the Artisan, as members of the same Body Politic, and equally
entitled to the protection and encouragement of the Legislature;
and they truft that, in the event of a free importation of Grain, the
real Interests of the Landed Proprietor would not be sacrificed, but
greatly benefited, as the extension of a recipocral Trade betwixt
the ether Countries will be promoted, and the stability of the Mar-
kets, a.:ii the increased consumption of every species of Produce
be maintained; and that thus a fair remunerating price to the
Farmer will be secured, which the justice, as well as the best in-
terests of the Country, demand.
That the advantages of a liberal system, respecting the Corn
Trade, were long ago foretold by the enlightened Author of the
Wealth of Nations, who says, when treating of this subject,
"That were all Nations to follow the liberal system of free ex.
portation and free importation, the different States, into which a
great Continent was divided, would so far resemble the different
provinces of a great Empire, and that such Laws would operate as
the best palliative of a dearth, and the most effectual preventive of
a famine.

That Petitions, founded upon the above Resolution, be presented
to both Houses of Parliament.

IVOODTHORPE.