The Sun.
London, England, 1821-05-30 00:00:00

free import, like the imports of 1814 and 1815,9
would throw so much ofl)ur land out of tillage as
to be the cause of subsequent scarcity and dea,r-
ness, on account of our consumption being greater
than the supposed surplus of all countries could
immediately supply.
And in our times so far from our continually
expecting a considerable surplus of corn beyond
our consumption, as in the middle of the last cen-
tury, we had for many years previously to 1812
imported larger supplies in aid of our subsistence,
insomuch that in the twenty one years ending
with 1812 we paid more than fifty-eight millions
of money for foreign coin. The gold coined in
the reign of his late MAJESTY amounted to up-
wards of 7-11 millions sterling, which has been
chiefly exported.
It will be perceived, therefore, that there have
occurred and do exist material alterations in many
important circumstances of this country as com-
pared with those of, the middle of the last cen-
tury, upon which the celebrated ADAM SMITH
grounded his enlightened views of the freedom
of trade and the means of accelerating the pro-
gress of opulence.
In our present circumstances, therefore, al-
though it be admitted that restraints upon im-
portation originated only in, fostering agriculture
and manufactures in their infancy, by giving
them the monopoly of the home market, the in-
creases of the national debt has sanctioned the
_policy-of the system, on account of the internal
taxes which are levied for the payment of interest
and providing 'for the 'redemption, being- neces-
sarily combined with the natural price of all do-
mestic productions; and because the free impor-
tation of cheaper similar commodities from un-
taxed foreign countries would displace the
labour, and-throw out of cultivation the land of
our own people, which would diminish the
home consumption of our own manufactures.
But a particular system may be good to,a cer-
tain extent, which may not be good to an inde-
finite extent. Although certain restraints be re-
quired to be continued until a material reduction
of the amount of .taxation can be accomplished,
we may, by increasing the power of restraint,
deprive the nation' of the present opportunity for
enjoying the advantages of peace, and of more
extensive intercourse with foreign nations.
On the other hand, in contemplating by what
means we might possibly restore the progress of
opulence, by which the Nation had recently ad-
vanced to a station of unrivalled. eminence, we
must take into consideration all the present cir-
cumstances of the country, bearing upon this im-
portant question. Delightful as every' thing re-
garding liberty is to British feeling, we may in
our actual circumstances do incalculable mischief,
by determining, that becapse the freedom of trade
was sound policy in the middle of the last cen-
tury, and was then grounded upon the most en-
lightened principles, the same freedom of trade
and total oblivion of restraints would in our
times be equally sound policy, with a view to
the prosperity of all branches of natural industry,
or because legislation on affairs of trade at that
period only fettered enterprize, and counteracted
the efforts of individual intelligence, not only
not improving the condition of the people, but
actually impeding the march of national prospe-
rity ;—because it had then been wiser to let
things find their natural level, it Would be equally
wise to do so in our present circumstances.—ls
there actually no danger of this level becoming
lower and lower in national di4tress

We humbly conceive,- that by resting satisfied
that the pressure is only temporary ; that trade
will soon revive ; that the evils will right
themselves upon the principle of letting things
find their level ;—by such reflections we pro-
bably either immediately deceive ourselves,
or if we derive from them any consolation,
it may, be grounded only upon doubtful and
unphilosophical inferences, and may unhap-
pily, from time to . time, prove delusive.—
It is a maxim in all philosophy, that causes
which do not appear, are to be considered
as not existing. Unless we can clearly see the
causes which promised to restore prosperity and
happiness to the society—causes reasonably .suf-
ficient for these effects, how can we consider
them to exist ? Upon what solid foundations can
we raise our hopes ? Surely it were better to
perceive the pernicious tendency of reposing upon
such uncertain expectations, however patriotic
our wishes, or benevolent our views., in as`much
as they discourage all inducements to attempt the
developernent of remedies for positive evils, the
existence of which is clearly seen and univer-
sally admitted.

Viewing calmly, and without disguise, our :pre-
sent circumstances, we-must admit, however re-
luctantly, that the National Debt, and the coll.:-
tributions drawn from the community for its
support, constitute-. the most interesting object
of attention and anxiety, if not of apprehension.
-In extricating the nation from an arduous and
protracted- contest, for sustaining towards
triumphs finally so glorious, .such.immense exer-
tions had been made, it were impossible that the
accomplishment of results, so immediately and
universally important,
,should leave, nothing be-
hind. The National Debt, which to
,a ,certain
extent is on many accounts a pnlitical.advantage„
has increased into a cause of, probably,the pre-
sent difficulties. And we. might now sincerely
lament that those financial exertions which, pre,
vented its greater increase in the latter years of
the war,. were not uninterru pteclly continued dur-
ing peace; by means of which a considerable
and salutary reduction of the amount might by
this time have been accomplished.

(To be continued:)

MELANCHOLY ACCIDENT.--On Wednesday
morning, a melancholy accident occurred at a
colliery, at Silkstone, near Barnsley. Between
9 and 10 o'clock, eleven men employed in that
colliery we're -ascending from one of the pits,
and after having nearly reached the top, the
brig gave way, and thechain breaking, the whole
were unfortunately
.precipitated-to the bottom, a
depth of nearly, sixty yards. Six of them were
killed, and the remainder so dreadfully injured
as to leave but little hopes of their recovery.—
Most of the unfortunate sufferery -have-left fa-
milies.