Star.
London, England, 1820-05-24 00:00:00

CORN LAWS.

TO TITS RIGHT HON. F. J. ROBINSON,
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OH TRADE.
SlR—There is no subject of deeper interest to the
community than that on which I presume to address
you, and as it will-very soon occupy the attention of
both Houses of Parliament, I shall endeavour to lay
before you, with as much brevity as possible, the rea-
fOns why think the present Corn Law better adapted
to-the, interest of the farmer than any other which
shall have for its basis a system of protecting duties.
By the present law the farmer has a monopoly of
the home-market till the price of Wheat shall have
maintained 80c. on the average of the six weeks pre-
ceding any of the four periods of the year which go-
vern the import. Experience has shewn, that when-
ever the price exceeds the import mark, be that 655.
or 80s. it proceeds from a deficiency of the home-
supply, and importation immediately takes place. It
is of this the farmers complain ; their monopoly is
then broken through, and they cannot submit pa-
tiently to competition with the merchant. On exa-
mination, however, it will be found, that in point ofl
fact they have no substantial ground of complajpt,
for instead of the import lowering the market, die
very reverse has really occurred. For information
on this point let us refer to November, 1816 :
The Ports opened on the 15th of that month, the
average being - 925. 9d.
Oa the 15th February following, it was -100 s. 10d.
And on the 15th May - • -102 s.
. . _

And it is very remarkable, that though the importa-
tion was free from November, 1816, to February,
1819, (with the exception of the November quarter,
in 1817), and that during that period the value of Fo-
reign Corn received, exceeded 17 millions sterling;
this average of the average prices which governed
this import was 91s. 6d. Here then is a cfear proof
that an import does not take place but from neces-
sity, and that then it has very little influence on the
price, except so far as it prevents an extraordinary
and insufferable advance. In the above-named pe-
riods the country was visited with bad crops, and but
for this supply no inconsiderable portion of its inha-
bitants must have perished by famine. The advo-
cates of protecting duties sly, we admit the deficiency
and the necessity for a supply, but this is the very
reason why a duty should have been levied ; it would
have been only so much taken out of the pockets of
the foreign farmer, and put into our own Exchequer;
this, however, I apprehend is a complete fallacy, as
the quantity which the foreigner sends depends upon
the price he receives. A terrain price will drain the
coasts Of Europe and America; but if we require
more, we must have it brought down from the in-
terior, and then the cost is increased ; it must be
brought further and further, every increase of the
distance increasing the price. Wheat, within the pe-
riod named, was brought 500 miles down the rivers
to Dantzig and Petersburgh, and Flour 1500 to 2000
miles to the shipping ports of America. What
brought this supply but the wants of this country,
and the high prices we were willing to pa) for it?
Surely it will not be asserted that if by any duty we
had abridged the price received by the foreigner, the
supply would have been as great, and as we un-
' doubtedly wanted all we obtained, it is quite evident
that if a duty had been imposed, the consumer must
have paid it. An import of 17 millions sterling re-
quired an average of 91s. tid. and it will hardly be
contended that an average of 80s. would have brought
as much, or that if we had wanted 25 millions we
must not have paid 955. to 100 s. It is the price
which determines the quantity imported, and the
price is regula:ed by the quantity required, and the,
expense of obtaining it.
If then, Sir, I should have succeeded in proving to
tou, that the duty imposed must eventually be paid
by the consumer whenever the wants of the country
are very large, I will,.in the next place, draw your at-
tention to the consequences of protecting duties, when.
the crop of cur owa country is adequate to its con-
sumption. It usually happens that when the crop of
England is good, that of Europe is good also ; a good
crop in England, it will not be denied, is equal to
the consumption. Now, if with such a crop we should
be, exposed to importation, from any scale of duties
to which the country is likely to submit, the price
must be depressed wretchedly low, and a succession
of bountiful harvests would annihilate the agriculture
of the kingdom. Even with defective crops in Eu-
rope, we have seen what immewe quantities can be
spared, and with productive ones it is hard to say how
low the growers would be willing to sell, sooner than
hold a redundant produce which could scarcely be
said to possess any exchangeable value.
The present price of the best wheats, in some pf
the lewer ports of the Baltic, is about 325. per quar-
ter, and I am satisfied it would still be lower, but
from the conviction which rests on the minds of the
farmers, that if they only persevere in holding their
stocks, they will certainly obtain pretty nearly our
import price, for it should be remembered that upon
the whole this must be considered an *porting
country. If, however, the present Corn Law should
be repealed, and a scale of duties substituted, the
first question on the part of the foreigner will be,
"what duty shall we have to pay ?" and from that
moment the price will adapt itselr, and importation
will immediately take place. This too will com-
mence at a period when the price of our home pro-
duce is confessedly too low, but it could never hap-
pen under the present Law. It is true that impor-
tations in bond continue, and that at some future
time the owners will reap the benefit; but why should
they not? the benefit arises on British capital, and
accrues to British subjects—for four-fifths of the im-
ports are on British account. Let the importation
go on; it cannot interfere with the price of home
produce, till its average value exceeds 80s. and when-
ever this is the case, experience has testified that we
require all the aid we can procure. Suppose, in the
event of a scarcity, we should require one million
quarters of wheat, and that half of this quantity,
.which costs the English merchant only 86s. per
quarter, was ready upon the spot to be sold the
moment the ports were opened, then we should re-
quire the other half from the foreign farmer, who
would certainly obtain about 80s. Tor it. Is it not
better, then, that one half of the profit on our own
wants should go into the pockets of Englishmen,
than the whole into those of Germans and Poles?—
Is it not better that the English farmer should be
contented to see this distribution of the profits arising
from a great advance of prices, an advance which
I would benefit himself, than that he should betray an

unworthy spirit of jealousy, which, to sritiry
would inevitably fix the. agricultural interest in 'a
state of certain decay? Is it wise to aggravate and
render permanent the grievance of low prices, by
opening the flood-gates of the world on the payment
of a duty, a duty which the adaptation of foreign
prices will always render abortive? Who will un-
dertake to say at what price the foreign farmer can
produce grain; but he who takes upon hithself to say
at what price it should be sold when it is produced,
betrays an atter want of experience in the vicissi-
tudes of trade, and of the necessities arising out sof
rEdundance—necessities which frequently nothing
satisfies but giving twice or thrice the quantity for
the same amount in value which a better state of
things previously required ? Is not a whole crop of
hops, of coffee, or of sugar, sometimes sold at a loss
of 40 to 50 per cent.? nay, are not our own farmers
selling their corn for less than it costs ? and even if
it sold for 20 per cent. less than it now does, they
must go on; so it is with the foreign farmer; and if'
the agriculturists of this country think they can hold
out longest, I am inclined to believe they will be mis-
taken; but of this I am quite certain, that nothing
but a blind spirit of jealousy, or of ignorance of the
real cause of their difficulties, could possibly induce
them to enter into so gratuitous a contest.
The agriculturists, it appears, wish for a perma-
nent duty of 40s. per quarter, without reference to
the market price—a demand more monstrous and
unfounded, in reason or policy, was scarcely over-
heard of. They object to the average system in toto,
because of its multifarious defects. That defects
exist cannot be denied, but it may be affirmed with
great truth, that most of these defects proceed from
the neglect of the provisions of the existing law.—
The law provides every man with power; it directs
the bu-,-er zo make returns, and if the seller gives
information that he has sold certain quantities of
grain, if the buyer has not made a return, he is sub-
ject to a penalty of 101. and this penalty may be
enforced by any Magistrate before whom the infor-
mation is laid. If there be any reason to think the
Inspector does not do his duty, an order from a
Magistrate may easily he obtained to examine into
his conduct, and if he has failed, either fine or dis-
mission must take place. Bat there is another very
important point involving the conduct of the agri-
culturists. The law of the land is, that grain shall
not,be sold by any other measure than the Winches-
ter bushel of thirty-two quarts, and on this the re-
turns are founded. Instead of conforming to the
law, the farmers act in daily violation of it, for they
sell by as many different measures as there are coun-
ties hi the kingdom.
The other day the whole country was in a state of
agitation, in consequence of the return of Oats from
Monmouth being 40s. Fraud was instantly imputed,
but what was the fact? The Inspector wrote in ex-
culpation of his conduct, that the return was founded
on the " customary measure," which, I believe, is
about forty quarts. It is not then to be wondered
that discrepances in the returns should exist, and it
must he confessed that it is not quite decorous in
those Gentlemen to come before the Legislature com-
plaining that the law does not protect them, when
they cannot deny their neglect and contempt of its
provisions.
After a diligent intestigation of the present average
system, I am thoroughly satisfied that it " works
well," and is even wonderfully correct, considering
the complication of its machinery. If the experi-
ment be tried of leaving out any, particular County,
or any particular district, at any given period, it will
very rarely be found to produce a difference of one
shilling per quarter is the result ; and that difference
is by no means uniformly on one side, either higher
or lower.

The Inspectors of the towns in the Maritime Dis-
tricts found their average on quantity and price, but
the Receiver in London founds his return for the Ga-
zette on the average price only. Now it may be
thought that this is an uncertain plan, but on trial it
will be found to make little or no difference what-
ever. It is, however, still a more convincing proof
of the general correctness of the averages. that the
returns for the Midland Counties seldom vary so
much as one shilling per quarter from the returns for
the Maritime Districts. Whatever errors, therefore,
exist in the average system, they, are uniform and
consistent, and cannot be deemed a serious practical
evil. If it be considered necessary to approximate
still naarer to accuracy, the Landed Interest are in-
structed by law how to accomplish this point on their
parts, and aided by some new regulations with re-
gard to a local publishing of the returns for each
town (which regulations may be made under the ex-
isting law), I am satisfied that the average system
would then be thoroughly and substantially correct.
It should be remembered, that the present law was
founded on that system which had been recognized
and acted upon in all former Bills since 1778 ; there-
fore ignorance of its results cannot be pleaded, and
when 80s. was demanded, it was granted specifically
on that recognition. If any alteration of that sys-
tem be attempted, the import price must be altered
also, or an innovation of the most serious and aggra-
vating nature may take place. For instance, the
average price of Wheat in Scotland since 1792, has
been nearly 12s. lower than that of England and
Wales, and that of Ireland has been still lower : of
course those districts could not be comprehended in
the returns without a corresponding diminution of
the import rate; but if the present mode of collect-
ing average is liable to abuse, why open and extend,
the field of such abuse? Is it not better to correct
and render perfect the existing plan ?
There is an opinion very prevalent, that the de-
pression in the price of Grain proceeds from a re-
dundant import in 1818, but those conversant with
the Corn Trade can !star testimony to its fallacy. It
is a notorious fact, that on the Ist day of October
last, which was about the time the new crop began
to press upon the market, the stock of free Foreign
Grain was then less than it had been known at any
period since 1818 ; and I am persuaded that she,
Ports would not hazre closed in February, 1819, had
not the discussions on the subject of the Bank-Re-
strictions 'shaken to its foundation the whole corn•
mercial fabric. Agriculture was not exempted from
the consequences of that discussion, and ever since
there has been more Grain thrown upon the market'
than the immediate demand required. I can feel no he-
sitation in asserting, that it. is the approximation to
cash payments which has produced the difficulties.
under which the farmers labour, and under them

they must continue tb !abaft, Ml'less the* ile a re-
Mission 'Of taxes, or a mitigation of the scheme. for
resumption of cash currency. Corn Bills will
not avails Consistency and justice to all parties re-
quire, that as the value of money has been zraised,
the nest step in fixing the import price should be re-
trograde. The Bill which passed both Houses of
Parliament about a year ago, for an entire change of
our monetary system, I will undertake to say, was
the most adventurous measure ever adopted in this
or any other country ; its consequences, I am con-
vinced, were not justly appreciated, and are only
now beginning to be developed. It remains v) be
seen what degree of pressure is to be inflicted by the
attempt to correct, in the short space of three years,
all the mischiefs of an abuse of the- piper system;
which had been in full operation for a period of ar
least twenty. There was something specious in thusr
distributing the pressure of distress over a given pe:
riod, hut I conceive it may be proved to demonstra
tion, that in 1822 the distress will
,be much greatei
than in 1819, and that it must then continue to in-
crease. No Act of Parliament could limit the period
or ascertain the precise degree of suffering incident
to a nation involved in debts, which the utmost
stretch of its revenue, in its greatest prosperity, was
barely sufficient to cover, when suddenly its currency
was increased in value, by which its resources of
every description were impaire 1 and gradually
wasted. The public debt, the national expenditure,
bonds, mortgages, leases, and taxes, continue un-
touched and unaltered • it remains to be witnessed
how long this measure will be persevered in ; and if
persevered in, what extraordinary and unheard of
courses in the legislation of this country will be re-
sorted to.

Feeling, therefore, the great uncertainty which
pervades the future, and deeming, as I do most
highly, of the value of agriculture in the scale of our
resources, I cannot but consider any immediate at-
tempt to conform the import rate of corn to the in-
creased value of money, as a measure fraught with
the most serious consequences, and wholly unwar-
ranted by any indications resulting from the progress
to cash payments. lf, as I venture to think, a great
error in legislation was committed by the sudden and
forced elevation of the value of our currency ; if, as I
conceive, the standard or Mint-price was fixed much
too low, considering all the circumstances in which
the country Was placed ; it will be unwise to aggra-
rate the mischief by following up with consecutive
plans a measure, the consequences of which no one
can yet fully comprehend. 11, unfortunately, it shall
be discovered that the country is placed in the di-
lemma where " wrong cannot be done without ru.ia,
nor right without afflictiOn,"a little-furtherexperience
• will serve to chew what course it will be the part of
wisdom to adopt.
I -have taken the liberty of publishing this letter,
because I think some of the statements may be use-
ful, and I address it to you, because, on a recent oc-
casion, you afforded me ample proof that there is no
individual more competent than yourself to enter-
tain the necessarily complicated subject of which it
treats. What is wrong in fact your habitual accuracy
will detect, and what is erroneous in theory cannot
escape you. I remain, Sir, with great respect, your
most obedient and humble servant,
Liverpool, May 11, 1820. JOSEPH SA/C.DARS.

By the aggregate average of the price of Cora
for the six weeks ending the 15th inst. the Ports re-
main closed against the importation of all descrip-
tions of Corn (for home consumption) to the 15th of
August next. Notwithstanding, wheat, barley, oats,
and pease, may be imported at the present. average
prices from any of the British Colonies in North
America, by certificate, proving such Corn .to be the
growth of the Colony from whence shipped
Trade has of late :considerably revived in Paisley,
and the prices of weavin have experienced some
little advance in consequence of the demand. Ti,e
Bleachfields and Printfields have also been brisker
during the last week.

LEIPSIC FAta.—A letter from Leipsic, dated May
the 9th, says,
44 The Easter Fair is now ended, and the result is
generally known. Much wholesale business was
done, but whether it was profitable, is another ques-
tion. The English were nunierbtts, and the quantity
of English goods was very large, and most extensive
dealing{ were made in them. The house of Beh-
rens, from Hamburgh, sold English goods to the
value of 800,000 dollars (above £130,000 sterling);
but the German manufacturers have also done a
great deal of business. The English calicoes were
again very cheap, and therefore in great request.
Silk goods were in very great demand; and it is af-
firmed that the quantity remaining here is very
small. The buyers from the North purchased large
quantities of expensive goods, as well as others. Thus
a Jew went into the warehouse of a French shawl-
merchant, and asked how much per cent. he would'
allow him, if he would take-his whole stoat? Li-
nens maintained a good prick; woollen cloths were
much sought after at the beginning, and the finer
sorts sold readily.
,‘ Though the English had deluged the place with
goods, it would be untrue to say that they alone had
done much business. Becker, from Chemnitz, Al-
brecht, from Zeds, and many othetl, sold large quan-
tities of their manufactures. In the retail trade, on
the contrary, the Fair was bad, aid' fl* complaints
in this particular are loud and weltrailiiiied. Colo-
nial goods remained at the forisiei ptir s. Articles
of luxury, as well as objects of daily'nse, weie in
.great demand. Straw hats could scarcely be sup-
plied in sufficient quantities, and those for children
could with difficulty be procured at all at the end of
the Fair. The Fair passed over without any bank-
ruptcy of importance."

DIED.
Yesterday, at the residence.of , her father, Clapham Common.
•of a rapid decline, in her £24 year, Matilda, eldest daughter of
Thomas Newton, Esq. Warwick-square.
Lindy, at Bottwneg,- Carnarvonshire, in her 100th year,
Margaret Griffith.

MdkILS sass D•Y.—ARR. BUZ. •ss. ors
-Dublin 1 0 Lisbon • o 0
Waterford ff -1 France 0 •
Guernsey aid Jersey 1.. 0 Hantbersh 1 0
Hollatid I 0 Gottenbargk 0 1

HldH-WATERat LONDON BRIDSR TO-MORROW,
Morning - o minutes alter 12
Attdrneeo - 13 -- 12

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LONDON : h
intedand published by Lam. Karr, ?idea-
' Place, Temple-Dar