Star.
London, England, 1815-02-24 00:00:00

matter of satisfaction to the country. Fanners ad.
mitted that they had good tinges t he was glad of it ;
but let the House recollect that those 'sieve times of
the greatest importadOn. .154 did not mean ill as.
irt that iiqothtion had produced their prosPerity.
but to shear that it had not previnted it. The pro-
Posed 861. would be an immense rise from 631. It
would be nearly equal to thirty per cent. and that
was too much when the quality of the corn was such
as he had described. To give that ease and security
which were so ardently called for, the subsistence of
the people ought not to be raised above the price of
labour; otherwise we must again have recourse to
the expedient of paying half the price of labour out
of the Poor Rates. Ho was told no. What else
could be done ? Were wages to be raised to twenty
or thirty shillings a-week to support the family of the
labourer ? It was asserted, that wheat would not
rise to the full limits of the importation price. He
bad no doubt but this year it would. It should not
be forgotten also, that to have the average at 80s.
per quarter, the best wheat must rise to 100 s. at
least. Would it be fair that the public should pay
lOos. in order to give the farmers is protecting price ?
The evidence was allex-parte evidence. They wished
to make a ease, and they had made it. Farmers
were a quiet, prudent set of people. They knew how
to makegoodbargains and to get good bills ; but they
were not vnong in that, it Was their trade, hod they
bad a right to do what would insure them the greatest
profits. He thought 80s. however, really too much.
He apologized for not mentioning Ireland, bystating
that whenever the interests of this country were men-
tioned, those of Ireland were included. lie- was
aware of her distresses ; but was the non-importation
price to be as high for the Irish as for us ? Did they
not grow corn cheaper than our farmers ? ' They had
no Land Tax, no Poor Rates, never had felt the
.Property Tax, and therefore, he conceived, ought
.not to have as high a protection as the cultivators (4.
England. He conceived that the conduct of the
millers, who only took their best samples to the In-
spector-General, and always contrived to forget or
lose their worst, had operated against the farmers,
otherwise the ports +mold probably have been that
against importation massy months ago. He con-1
ceived that 725. or 9s. per bushel, would be a sulli-
tient protecting price. Such an advance of wren
shillings per quarter would answer all the, advan-
tages which the moat sanguine advocates of the mea-
sure could anticipate, particularly his Irish friends.
If these resolutions could be so modified, with una-
nimity in the House, they would produce all the in.
tended good. The experiment would be tried and
the relief given. The distress of the farmers was
not general. Those who only rented arable lands
were most certainly in unfortunate circumstances;
but many farmers had lands of a mixed nature, and
did not suffer, or suffered but little, as sheep, wool,
hops, and fruit, had not failed like corn. He looked
upon this question as one of rent and taxation, .and
the ground on Which he should not oppose ft was,
that it was necessary the landed interest should be
supported that ail other classes should ultimately be
benefited. Though living upon rents -himself, and:
owing his bread to the farmers, he should not shrink
from his duty. He heard it said amongst the public,
that the House was too landed. This objection had;
never been made before, but he thought that there.
were other interests sufficiently powerrui rift itriliV
ment, to check any attempt which the landed interest
might mike to obtain an undue influence. He re-'
commended unanimity to the House. The candour
and temper with which the discussions had been car-
ried on, would do great credit to Parliament, and
great good to the community. Should the meaeure•
be duly considered andfprogrenively introduced, its
effect would be more satisfactory. The people were,
not ignorant of the distresses of the farmers, and
their opinion had lately undergone a great alteration.'
The tradesmen invountry towns had begun to feel'
that since farmers had less money to spend, they had
less to receive. This led them to inquire into the*
cause of the farmers' want of means, end to with
that some relief should be granted them. -Hecon-',
eluded by recommending that the Resolutions should
be modified as he'hadmentiossed.
Sir N. COLEI'HURS'f thought Ireland did not
want Tess, but more protection-than England. If hd
conceived the effect of the measure would be to raise,
the price of bread he would not support it, but he
-thought the contrary would be the Cafe. He decidedly
objected to the amendment.
Mr. PROTHEROE congratulated the House oat
the temper with which the discussion had been con-
ducted. When he beard the quarter from which it
proceeded, he was afraid the whale weight of Go-
vernment would have been thrown unfairly into thd
balance ; , but the conduct of the Right Hon. Gentle-.
man by whom it hadbeenbroughtforward, convinced;
him that he had really the interests of agriculture at
heart. After.some further observations, Mr. Pro-
thero expressed a wish that the protection -price.
should be reduced to 72:.

Sir JOHN STE WA ItTstated, that Ireland would,
.be 'satisfied and gratefellovany regulation the iris.
-dons of Parlimnent would enact for her•pmetecticon.,
Be den took a 'view fof the tiatation of Europe.—,
Whilst, Ili it ihad been said, the :great Kings.of Chet
earth were ,altembled, and with the map of Europe:
before thern,•poiniedfor &sliced out, with unhallowed,
fingers, the-:portione vietatesto be seised, And under
the French name of fraternization, to be united to'
their own empires a 'while dime imusena partitions!
swore taking , place, we must look to tear own little
4,4 land. We were to 'hope the tea, bet to prepare'
for' the word. Was it .with the-view of 'peace that!
those Sovereirezdtiedmillione to their own, euilects?!
Was it Melvin* at 'peace rtbatnPoleddwat tm4
slaved, and • Saxony placed under a eaaftertbe .Slid'
ant choose, and gnat revelutione wet leaking •plate
is other :qaarsers'i ' Could we Trate 'mote attbjects
lahlita-aunkraip; and Nature iftlbltdskit, ihr durieratt.'
lar ilatitioll 1 ftlt roe • aright slo ilt 'by . in creasing ;our
sgricalane. it was a amnion crying—et the Mete'
Corn you gverw, the more inontlis esill:psu 'havoc°
eat b." .111byitgricaltestwwe maid liehe en sire of
land tuppoit time primly theme 'ffidiled oar pa-,
potation.: if stwo, • we •daubled ?it. We ,rhlght then
preevreaa itagthentatiosid. ted'aillioasof'subjeets,
and what.tubjellts I Zaino wet 'Um stalaer 'the iron
sceptre. of a wean, andemidy ,tecillattiben Mt deva-
state at hies atuataid eiretipattitterotemetid ion their
atm sail, tinder the motif iramerfraati toady oldie
is tappertsf3dosir CovialsotiooliNvitiinvs; klailseir
loilopoodemok • . To' dlsoosiolvoktiosilistr 11111140

li:courage population. bad fallen avert to.;
gether. In looking to 'III it *mild be seen that
ilium the prohibition. of the exportation of her wool-
lens, by the lath and flub of King Wiltaint by
which ship and cargo *ere Made liable to seizure;
Ireland had arrive 4 at the pant of paying two mil-
lions to England felt her woollen manufactures. But
this could not continue to bt the case, unless by dis-
posing of her grain she should obtain the means of
making those puichases. After entering at large
into the state of Ireland, and alluding to the emigra-
tion to America, he concluded by supporting the Re-
solutions.
Mr. MORRIS said, that it was a general princi-
ple that a reduction in the price of corn, was a reduc-
tion in the price of labour also. The labourer and
manufacturer, therefore, deceived themselves when
they were so desirous of low price bread. Cheapness
of corn was cheapness of labour. It was bad policy
to depend on foreign nations for subsistence. Our
great enemy. Bonaparte, made the supply which we
drew from France, by which he was enabled to carry
On his views against us. If the country did not grow
corn enough for herself, could she always depend on
those nations from which she had been accustomed to
draw her supplies ? Could the North of Europe,
France, and Antirica, be relied on ? Was there no
danger in depending on the Governments of foreign
nations ? We were hitherto able to maintain our
Maritime supctiolity. But were we sure of being
always able to preserve that superiority ? If we
should lose it, and that those countries from which
we have been in the habit of drawing our subsistence
should be under the contionl of our enemy, what
would be our condition ? A high protecting price
for corn would be an increase of the price of those
articles, which the manufacturing classes have to dis-
pose cf. Encouraging the farmer would be ferti-
lising the soil, fostering the population, and multiply-
ing the strength ol'the country. He, therelme,
would support the Resolutions.
Sir WILLIAM cußris said, that as far as re-
striction on the importation of corn was necessary to
protect the grower, he would go with all his heart
and soul ; but don £4 a quarter was too high. He
would be sorry to see any alteration in the law as it
stood at present, the protecting price of which be con-
ceived was suffieently high.' The only question was,
what would be a sufficient protecting price, what a
fair remuneration to the farmer ? There were but
few, even of those, examined by the Committee, who
thought it should be so high as 80s. there were many
lobo thought it should be below SOs. He would be
sorry to see it higher than 725. though he would not
oppose it at 80s.
Sir EGERTON BRYDGES considered the de-
pression of agriculture Would be as injurious to the
manufacturer as to the farmer. Who would buy the
manufacturers articles, if the landed interest were not
able to purchase ? The depression of agriculture
would be the diminution of the price of these articles.
If any one branch of the wealth of nations was to be
encouraged more than another, it was agriculture.—
It was that on which all depended. It differed from
every other source of prosperity, as it was the first
necessary. Even were foreign countries able to sup:
ply us, we ought not to depend on them. We know
that agriculture has increased our population. • Ask
the manufacturer himself what is to become of that
Increased population, if agriculture be depressed
Even should ~time inconveniencies threaten to result
from the encouragement of agriculture by keeping
up a sufficient price for corn, we oufboto rim the
risk of less evils to avoid .so peat an evil as the de-
crease of our population.
Mr. LOC K kr wished to call the attention of
the Hcuse to one of the arguments made use of by
those Gentlemen who opposed the original Resolu-
tions. They asserted, that the only consequence
which could result from adopting their plans would
be, the throwing out of cultivation a quantity of
poor land, and they seemed to think, that this Would
not be an and sirable thing ; because they conceived
it was better that capital should be withdrawn from
that channel, to be applied to a more profitable pur,
pose. Now, with respect to removing capital from
land, it was impossible. The money once laid out
in improving laud was sunk in it, and could not be
recalled. You might, undoubtedly, refrain from
sinking-any, farther sums in its cultivation—but to
talk of withdrawing capital from it, was to apply 'a
.mere mercantile idea where the governing principlei
were entirely dissimilar. He should be glad to 'mow
what was meant by the term poor land? Did it apply,
to clayey, sandy, chalky, or gravelly soih ? These
soils, it should be observed, produced a great deal of
sustenance for the country. If these soils were to be
taken out of cultivation, where, he would ask, were
they to procure provisions for those who were now
fed by themp-owho were employed in 6MT-them-a-
and who, if they were. given up, would be thrown out
'of employment ? It was clear that they must be fee!
from the products of that land, which was suffi-
ciently rich to grow corn, 'without a very expensi
system of agriculture. Would not this raise tfr
pride df corn produced on those fine soils ? AntW
would not the pootwates,swhich the bad soils hithert,
helpedlo defray, be thrown. entirely on those of •s.
different description ? A (private interest seemed tied
much to be pursued in considering this question.—
fwoirthi instance, ahni his
e lookn
• cs
notetoii tvcek %le totet.lbdcrßet .yr. folk! :711;
Many, to save a paltry Nees in the price of the'
h
nr
quartern loaf, would abandon the interest of the land:
hotheldHero,cuasned,
cwerthoairtipayidhathdejduirviidarids,ludtabei
he
a doubt 'the landowners. He meant not to overlook,,
or tO depreciate that which was derived from com-1
grits/ie. But let•rhe rent of the landowner cease, and.where, fie would 4ike to ,know, were the dividends to,
come.from ? Those who, conceiving they might
sleets trifling loss from the sdoption of the Resalu-
,tiont now'before the House, thought fit to oppose
Amen, were, he was satisfied, overlooking interests
of nuajoritripdrtanee. And /hey would ultimately
&Writ they veiusedimgrane to agriculture a fair
•and just protection,- their tortunes•were placed oh a
sinew/and and visionary lamina—it should he-recol-
lected, solho.poetthid deurvibed.it;
'" itireterasantri, dirk coentey's vide,
. 14 if wpm Opus' coin, Can *CM twooppbud I"
Lord COMPTON supported the Resolutions. If
encouragement were given to manufacturers, how-
ever detrimental to Me. health. "orals, andheppi-
nen of our lation, he could conceive nona-
gon.; yohy a six,,protecpi *lipid be ;dated (Ai
agticuliure.

Mr. J. P. GRANT rose, to state the rla s
which induced him to support the Resolutions inn.,
duced by the Right Horicatrable Gentleman (Mr.
Robinson), and to oppose the amendment. He could
not but congratulate the Committee on the arpp,a
which the Resolutions had received from his M 6
jesty's Ministers • and also on the change of opiuion
dwas obein:;rehle in antral Genklemen since tlt.
question was last discussed—particularly in the alte•
ration which appeared in the sentiments off an Hr.
nourable Gentleman (Mr. Finlay) who represente
one of the largest manufacturing cities which rettirr
ed a Member to that House. If he thought 6.
adoption of this measure would have the effect u
raising the price of grain, no consideration v.,4, :ij
induce him to give it his support. But it tv“s pre.
cisely because he wrs of opinion, that an taw t aav
of this kind was necessary to keep down the price
grain, that he should vote for the Resolutioi:...
had listened with gzeat attention to every thing 7'4
had been said against those Resolutions, told
cularly to what had fallen from the Hon.Guntimrsat
(Mr. Baring) who moved the Amendment; and !:1
confessed, he could not tied a sirtgle at;;l:nlent
appeared to him to be warranted, Ly pi',
ciples that ought to govern this question, or !ry C.
tate of the facts. 'rimy bad been told, aTi,l ;24
arguments against the Resolutions .proceeL.::,l on C.•
Same assumption, that they were about to raise C.
pr ice of bread-corn.—that, by so doing, they
raise the price of labour—and that the coosto.er..:t
would be an increase of the price of manufactures,
which would prevent British good, from enterir.;,
witli any prospect of success, the foteign market.—
They had also been told, that it would be adrar-
tageons for this country to draw its supply of
front foreign parts, in order to support our MCA:.
factuting superiority ; and that it was must impor.
cant to leave trade, and the employment of capita',
perfectly free. He hoped to sliew, that those vl.l
supported the Resolutions were as much impr00,..4
with the necessity of leaving free the etnplo)tuent
capital, as the Genthium who spoke on the etlrr
side of the question.' Under the circumstances ea
*the country, he was of opinion, that a restricti at
the importation of grain, and the giving to ft.?
grower what was not very accurately termed a mo-
nopoly of the home market, were the uric true
means of 'lowering tlw price of corn. Tl:is
could, he conceived, be proved, by a refirence
facts—leaving aside that theory by which so m.tvy
persons had been led astray. They had, in the mu
on the Corn Laws, a connected history of the pricr-
of grain, from the commencement of the tt Tit 4i
James I. And, in applying them to the prescaa
ease, lest it might ha supposed that tentru;iry cif.
cumstances had affected them, he had taken his data
on long periods:

-
Middling Wheat per Quartei.
Average Price.
For 11 year., ending 1603 41 12 141
YO years, ending 1625 1 14 1
YO yeani, ending 1641 1 19 1
20 par, ending 16f:3 t 4 4
Here it was evident -that during this pc!i:ul,
the trade was open, that the price of ulte.:t
risen from 41 12s. 10d. to 12 45.41—m0re th.!a
one third. • Then came the Act of Charles, v..1.i.
protected the home grower of corn. Unc;,7 t!, .
Act, the average puce of corn tor eo year, tic... 3
1665 to 1685, was £1 Iss. 7J. instead of /V. 4s.
It continued to fall till' be year 1764 ; .and it as t
very curious circumstance, that the average. of In
ears preceding the last-mentioned period, wn nef
el I ls. Bd. per qu.trter, being coLsiderably
the average of 20 years, ending with the 4th
James I. notwithstanding the depreciation in e,..!
value Of money. It s% as Laii, that the intreak.
price of corn arose from the increased
aad from the increase c 1 wealth in the c, u. 9).
But, surely, no one could argue, that from ;I:e tinat
of Charter 11. up to the year 17131, the country had
stood still in those respects—and yet it was vev!,
clearly proved, that whaicver -mielzt have "beet t: e
increase of the population, or the aupnent.itinn
wealth, the price of • grain had decreased, during
that period, under the Coin Laws. In 17G1., use
Corn Laws were abolished, and the average price .01
the quarter of corn stood thus r•--

- For 207earr coding t 784 - £2 4 6
For 20 years ending 1804 - 2 1
Thus, they found, that an increase in the ptice
wheat.took place in the. reign of James 1. el.cti r)
restriction existed. The Coin Laws introdeced
the reign of Charles 11. which protected the growCr,
operated-for 100 years, ,to diminish•the price. Tait
• system was abandoned in 1764, and the corueqtreecr
was, that a very
.great increase of price was occi-
sioned. He would only request of Gentlemen
point out some other way in -which :this efiect was
produced. Till that was done, he alruuldvausain e!
opinion, that the moderate -average was the conse-
quence of wholesi.-4ine laws—and that the high ra-e
of corn was occasioned by the want of proper pro
tection for the agricultural interest. Much had torn
said about making this .an exportieg cnuntry. No?
he would state, that-England became an erportk•
Country in 17(15, agd•continned so, snider the Act
Clearles the Second, until 1.764, when that 'Act _es
repealed, and she ceased to .error. In the tarns-.•
years preceding .1764, 350,000 quartets of co: a wr.
exported, on an average ; since that pzriod, we 114.
been, ol.liged to import. Thus it a;pearcd, from t
perience, that the regular operation of laws why.
secured the home-niarket to-the grower, had render..
the price of corn cheaper, and had also end'. kJ
to send grain abroad. He then proceeded to.algl. •
in answer to those who reprobated Cie facing cal
cal by a boulity, to be employed in channels to whit .
it would noz, utherwise find its way, that the sacrifi,
of a little weilth, either where national.bcarrtfr •
national rwienarce demanded it, was, in fact,
politic ; and in bupport of this opinion, Ile-yr,*
Dr. .11.4,im Smith. HeTtztictly agreed with he .
that where the seem icy of a country %% is conctrcie.
it was proper to give up wealth to securer/y:4y -
and. in the same manner, where the sustenance
the people was at stake, it was true policy to gi*
up same, to obtain feel. •—• He then contende.,
that the agriculturist .had. as good a right as ti
manufacturer to protecting enactments—and 1•
called uporkGentlernen who argued on the oppos'
side of the
,qugation, tp point out the swath:A art
dc of the onarinfacture of this cauntry, which.W.
n_tirtiu c fr_otectedi erten to the prohibition of any.
-tr
t consiqg from abroad.. The protectiog du'
.•
'on our mast.tralieg .articla of manufacture wirs-n
's war~ti or.POiser tint. ail va.'crryt. 1% fly then :Lb... •