The Sun.
London, England, 1821-06-01 00:00:00

FOR 'DIE SUN.

ON THE PAST AND PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THIS COUNTRY,

WITH A VIEW TO THE RELIEF OF AGRICULTURE,

MANUFACTURES, AND COMMERCE

' (Continued from our Paper of yesterday.)
Dr. COLQUIIOUN was of opinion that Ole pro-
duce of the soil in England had, previously to
1812, more than doubled in sixty years ; in Scot-
land' it had trebled ; and in Ireland the tillage
of arable land. had increased six fold, in only the
preceding twenty one years.
And in the public mind may not some such re-
flections as these present themselves ? Were it
not painful, that our possessing a sufficient sup-
ply of corn for our own territory; our being
again independent of foreign nations for food ;
our having surmounted all the difficulties which
the community had frequently suffered for want
of ibis abundance and -independence ;--were
not lamentable that these should not be deemed
national advantages ?—That any thing in our
system should exist in the least calculated to
convert these- blessings of Providence into so
many causes of even national distress ?—That
while infinite- wisdom bestows upon us con-
genial seasons,,,and rewards the labours of the
anxious year with gracious profusion, such bless-
ings are no longer ifor our good ?—Therefore,
that we must seek by human contrivances to
counteract this exuberance of bounty ?
And further, is every impression of former
dearths and. distresses already obliterated ? Have
we forgotten that it appeared by authentic docu-
ments, that in twenty one years previous to Isl 2
we had paid foreign countries more than fifty
eight millions for corn in times of scarcity ;
in gold chiefly, "not in goods; more than forty
millions of which was raid in only eleven years,
1800, to 1810 inclusive ? We well remember an
anxious time, when it was ascertained for the in-
formition of Governmimt that London did not
contain more than a fortnight's supply, on account
of contrary winds ; and that the preservation of
the Metropolis from actual want and from tumults
depended only on a change of wind ; that. many
eminent men thought nothing could prevent these
afflicting consequences, but fixing a maximum,
price upon bread corn ; and from having been in-
strumental in preventing its adoption, we cannot
forget the extremity of public distress and alarm,
which suggested the dangerous. alternative. Nor
can we forget the enlightened wisdom and un-
daunted courage of Mr. Pitt, who, by protecting
the freedom of internal trade, and the _tranquil
supply of markets ; by avoiding the checks of
restraint, amid ,the apprehensions of the timid,
converted the distress experienced and the dear-
ness which prevailed, into the most.powerful en-
couragements to the cultivation of waste land,
which laid the foundations of our present abund-
ance and independence.
If we extend our views beyond the interests
which we have attempted to consider, and
contemplate the political importance of com-
merce with Foreign States. If we admit

that peace with all Nations is a blesSina ;
that war is equally at variance with oar wishes
and oar interests,_ we shall cherish-and
.admire,
commerce as a beautiful contrivance for most im-
portant purposes. Commerce distributes among
nations the various productions, of which some
have abundance, and which others need. She
supplies the various necessities which Jecipro,
cally arise from the difference in climates, situa-
tions, and the geniuses and character of natiOns.
She combines the interests of the most distant
states. She diffuses the dig.coveries and improve-
ments in the moral and intellectual condition of
mankind. Considering how dependent men and
nations are Upon each other, commerce appears
to be one of the most beneficent, as well as effec-,
tual, means for promoting unity, peace, and hap-
piness among the human race.
_ _

Considering,, also, our geographical position
with reference to a neighbouring nation, in the
people of which the military spirit predominates,
Would it not be wise policy to endeavour to en-
courage such a people to became commercial ; to
cultivate in 'them a real interest in the continu-
ance of peace with all'states surrounding them,
by favourable commercial treaties ? Can there
exist, for example, between two nations so
near to each other, a wider difference between
the natural productions, and other circumstances
favourable to their views, than between England
and France?

Then, as .Commerce is the parent of Naviga-
tion, the more we cultivate Commerce, should we
not at the same time be more and more strength-
ening our principal arm of national defence in
case of future war ?

Upon these various grounds we submit,, how-
ever reluctantly, that the present amount of the
National Debt appears, in our humble
to be the chief difficulty to be surmountedin the
existing circumstances of this country ; the prin-
cipal impediment to restoring activity to our in-
dustry; to increasing beneficial employments for
capital; to extending the freedom of exchanging
equivalents with foreign nations, upon treaties
favourable to commerce and to peace; to encou-
raging the fullest development of Our resources;
and even to rendering the nation more and more
powerful in the event of future war.
Although there May be no new loans or addi-
tional taxes, the prospect of being relieved from
any existing tax, unless another be substituted,
must be considered as very remote. Do we suffi-
ciently appreciate the increased amount of debt
and annual charge, comparatively with the dimi-
nished value of " the land, the trade, and the per-
‘.t sonaj industry of the subjects, which are pledged