Star.
London, England, 1827-05-26 00:00:00

the Bill wet of that peculiar nature, that fete alteration
many of its clauses might endanger its success this
session, he would not be a party to overthrowing-a
measure of the general principle of which he approved.
jt was unnecessary for him to be mote explicit on the
subject, but Noble Lords would perceive to what he
alluded, and he repeated that if any proposed change
in any of the details of the Bill woold go to endanger
the present success of the measure, he for one was ready
rather than risk the chance of its
to take it as it was,
oustpunement to another Session, lie should vote for it
its present shape and form, because he thought any
thing better than that a measure of such paramount
sthlyntance should be permitted to hang up for another
Se,slnn.
The Earl of MANSFIELD rose to state his objections
to the Bill. The Noble Lord proceeded to complain of
the manner in which the averageshad been taken in the
maritime districts, which he said gave the appearance
of scarcity where nine really existed. As to fluctuation
of price also, that prevailed to an extraordinary degree
before the enactment of the Bill of 1815, which it was
now se much the fashion to decry. The present mea-
sure was avowedly proposed for the relief of the ma-
nufacturing interest:, but he believed that it would have
no such tendency, for it would cripple the resources of
the persons connected wilt land, who were the best
customers of the manufactures a. when trade revived,
no more complaints would be heard on the subject of
the Corn Laws; but whilst distress prevailed in that
branch of industry, every law in which the word
w corn' was mentioned would be made the subject of
popular clamour.
The Duke of SOMERSET said, that the objection
to the f see importation of corn, which was founded on
the alleged fact of that commodity being always paid
for in gold, and not by manufactured goods, was an
objection of no weight cr importance, for the precious
metals did not differ from any other commodity in any
respect that could be justly conceived niatetial to the
ligament in question. It bad been charged against the
suppoiters of the present measure, that they were inno-
vators, speculative men, political economists men
whose measures tended to renew the evils of the French
Revolution. Burke, a statesman by no mean:favourable
to the principles of the French Revolution, had argued
strenuously and successfully in support of the doctrine
which it was the object of the Bill then on their Lord-
ships' table to carry into operation. He then entered
ism a warm vindicathn of•the liberal doctrines of the
political economists, and strenuously defended them
from the imputations which persons interested in resist
*the progress of political science had so industriously
circulated. His Grace concluded by giving to the
mea•ure his most unqualified consent and support.
Earl STANHOPE said, the time at which it had been
attempted to introduce the measure before the Hou•e
was most unfortunate; for the agricultut al intele.l was
at the present moment labouring under a heavy pressure
of taxation, which was aggravated by the late change
in the currency. A Noble Lerd had designated the
Agricultural Association which assembled in London, an
Agricultui al Parliament. He wished that the Parliament
of the Empire had only displayed as much practical
wisdom as that Association. The law of 1822 bad never
came into practical operation. No foreign corn had
ken introduced until what he might call the violation
of that law took place. The- principle of the preseat
hill was completely subversive of that of 1822, which
vas adopted by Parliament, after deliberate investiga-
tion. The principle of the present measure was to allow
*nation at all times, subject to a fluctuating duty.
The state of uncertainty in which the agricultural ince.
tea would be kept under such a system, must be pro-
doe .vr of great evil. Farmers would providently ce-
dare their expend.ture to the lowest possible scale, and
you'd employ no mote labourers than were absolutely
accessary. The consequence would necessarily be, an
mgmentation of the burden of the poors-rate, which
vas atready suffi:iently grievous. It never could hap-
pen except, under extraordinary circumstances, that 60s.
vould prove a reinunerating price. Then let their
Lordships consider what would be the consequence of
admitting the importation of corn, subject to a duty of
20s. when the price reached 6)s. Two w itnesses who
were examined betoie the House had proved, that in
the course of last year, foreign wheat was brought to
this country, including all expenses, at 225. per qr.--
nod re, when the price should arrive at 60s. in this
country, that wheat might be imported (duty included)
at so more than 425. per quarter--(Hear). There were
two circumstances which ought to have deterred Mi.
millets from bringing forward the present measure...—.
One was the Act passed a few years since respecting
the currency, which a high authority in that House had
properly called an edict of confiscation ; and the other
vas the example of what had happened from the allow.
mg the importation of foreign wool. The consequence of
lint per missi..n had been a great decline in the export of
ar woollen manufacture. The market, also, was at
present so stocked with wool, that it was become almost
In unsaleable article. •He did not mean to dispute the
paver and authority of Parliament; but that power
'Sea to be exercised only for the benefit of the people,
is trust for whom it was held If their Lordships should
Resent to pass the present Bill, they would not be act-'
for the benefit of the community. The consequence
toot inevitably be, a diminution of the number of per-
ors employed. He could prove from the number of
petitions lying on the table of the House, that in some
ti,.rict-, and those by no means the worst, one-fourth of
e who number of the labouring poor bad been de-
hived of employment, in consequence of the low price
of corn. The immediate effect of this measure, which,
tt was said, would prove so generally beneficial, must
be to raise the poor rates. The profits
of the farmers must
he reduced, the rents
uf the landlords would fall off, and
ultimately cease. With an increasing population, there
would be diminished means of employment; pauper.
Its would be seen stalking through the land, exciting in
the first place discontent, and in the next, by a natural
tonsequence, open disaffection. This was his firm and
-onest conviction, and his first wish was to avert such
'ethos must necessarily ensue it theßi II should pass into a
6.• lie was sure that the Noble Viscount and his Col-
lo.
Lees by whom it was proposed did not intend it should
I"ve such an effect ; but nothing that he could imagine
'mid so effectually accomplish the wishes of visionary
Muff ern and radicals as that which was now brought
1%14 sanction of the House. A revolution in the
kale must be the necessary consequence of a revolution
""tte r
uperty of individuals; the beginning of such a
imparirnitvhas to be found in any measure which tended
the_ e security of property; and nobody, he
i,1121.1! could doubt that this Bill would produce that
I,l37:nruy. lie would admit, that if it could be proved
also
measure was advantageous to one class, it
hi,e,uic! 14 Produce a beneficiaf effect on the whole
this &two in the Cory Laws, be contended, was.