Star.
London, England, 1827-07-12 00:00:00

FREE CORN TRADE.

Amongst the Consular Returns made to Govern-
men', and ordered by Parliament to be prin'eJ, appear
the following documents, foto arded to the Marquis of
Clam icarde
COI;

TO LORD

Florence, March 13, 1827.

Dill LOID,—You request to be Informed of the existing laws In
this country relative to the impartation and exportation of grain,
Ste. In answer to your Lordship's request, I have the honour to
send y..u. enclosed, # memoir, in which you will find a short state-
ment of the history of our cern laws in the last half century, and of
the theoretical principles which prove their utility.
(Signed) V. FOSSONIBRONI.

KINIOIII coaczaaniC THit Laws ON ina Coast
The trade In corn, since time immemorial, was subjected in
Tuscany, as well as every whet e else, to severe restrictions ; and
the exportation of it to foreign parts was nut only generally pro-
hibited, but the multiplied regulations concerning it directed even
its circulation and price In the interior.
It is flattering for Tuscany, that one of her citizens, DI. Bandinl.
was the fur to exttni that part of civilization, and shortly after the
commencauent of the 18th century. in a work composed for the
t purpose, to develop, the first ideas of the liberty of the trade in
corn, and of the great advantage resulting from it. The discourage-
ment of agriculture, and frequent and periodical famines, invariably
accompanied the system of regulations—a fact. of which the state
meet in the annexed book, of the thany years of calamity and penury
which have inflicted Tuscany, olrers an irrefragable proof.
'ln 1768, an extraordinary famine afflicted Tuscany, and the fa.
"barer, of regulations could do nothing but make project after pro-
lent. Then it was that the imam tal Leopold acted upon the happy
inspiration of carrying into practice the cries of Banditti, and accord-
ed liberty for the circulation of corn, at the very moment when
people were in want of it. He knew that individual industry en-
cuuraged freely would alone provide for the public subsistence, as
amply as was done by the power of the Government.
It is sufficient to say, that the importation and expottation of
commodities are less subordinate to the civil laws than to a law of
nature, which demands an equilibrium between the price of commit.
ditirs in countries which are in communication with each other.—
The prohibitory laws of the free commerce of provisions cause a
considerable alteration in their natural price, and nothing tall
prevent them from being transported into the country where the
prices, placed out of equdibrium by the laws, have become higher
than elsewhere.

--- --.
The expedient adopted by Leopold was from the very first mo-
ment crowned with complete success, and the num rous supporters
of the ancient restections were reduced to silence when they beheld
the market., emptied by a lengthened scarcity. covered a few days
afterwards with a quantity of corn,coming front foreign parts,witich
always went on in ing.
The price of that commodity, restored to its natural liberty,
and regulated solely by the chance of commerce, rose at first
a little above the price which the regulations had capriciously
fixed; but their increase was very inconsiJerable; and the
people, in daily fear of wanting bread, which, in fact, they
often did want, saw their subsistence ensured ; and if some-
• times they bought bread or wheat at a higher price than for-
merly, they also found the price of their labour increase propor-
tionably, by degrees, inasmuch as the price of grain is the necessary
and constant basis of the price of all other objects.
, True it h, that it is extremely difficult at once to destroy an
. . . .

old and deeply-rooted error. R;asoo, indeed, in academic dig•
cussions, may triumph over error; but in social practice error
is so seductive, that its destruction can 'sever be effected but
by the introduction of habits, in lrirtue of which a long tissue of
11 actions may decor, in opposition to the erior in question, until, in
cuosequence, every one is inclined to stand aloof from it, without
having acknowledged or condemned it.

In 1792, and again in 1812, momentary restrictions on the
cons trade were re-established, sod the fact demonstrated to the
dullest sight the necessity of leaving the circulation of grain wholly
' disincumbered by the law, since deficiency and famine immediately
followed the abundance of that commodity which was enjoyed be-
fore the re-establisbnient of the restrictive measurss;_ and, after a
very short trial, the:Govei nment was obliged to retrace its steps, and
to revoke these new disastrous regulations ; but even that ter some
time slid not prevent the effects of restraint Irons being felt.
In erect, as loon as the freedom of trade was re-established, corn
U.-appeared on all bands; and so much was the emulation of the
sellers excited by hope of gain, that the markets were not only
abundantly supplied, but the price in a few days became much lower
than that established during the restrictions.

This day. Second Edition. price is. THE SPHYNX.—
The whole Impression of 3,000 copies of the First Number of this
New Sunday Paper, edited by Mr. Bucctitottast, baying been en-
tirely disposed ot—nearly the half of these being sold at the Office
of Publication, 147, Strand, without including the Copies dis-
patched by Orders to the country,—a Secoan EDITION has been
sent to l'ress, and will be ready tot delivery Tuts DAT. This Edi-
tion is distinguished by a new feature in the Title-head, to give it
a more distinct and separate identity, and is printed on a Paper of
• finer quality, being that originally intended for the First Edition,
but which, as stated in • notice to that effect, did not reach town
from ON paper mills in time for the first issue.—The Swop*
Ninuaa will he,. a Country Edition ready for the Post of Sa-
turday Night, and a Town Edition ready for delivery by Four
iamb on Sunday morning 47, Stral4l.—Wednesday, July 11,
1827.