The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-02-04 00:00:00

THE CORN LAWS

We have been favoured with the following copy of a letter,
which has been addressed to the members of both Houses of
Parliament. It furnishes some very powerful arguments in
favour of the present system of corn-laws
The merchants and manufacturers of Sheffield having pre,
sented a petition to her Majesty's Government, praying for.
the admission of American flour into this .country, for a
limited period, and at a low fixed duty, for the purpose of
enabling the Americans to 'discharge the veryheavy debt now
Owing by them to this country, I take the liberty very respect-
fully of calling your attention to the folloWing remarks, in
which I have. endeavoured to slink,' that the prayer of the
petition may be granted, with benefit both to the, agriculturaland mercantile interests, and that all almost intinediate 're-
vival of trade and consequent prosperity would be the' result ;

whilst a refusai,wi4 cause our ports to ,be .opene,d
nental corn, to the injury hota of our agricultural' and inaif-:
factoring popOlation. rn Pil.Seitting these rjridaks to your
notice, I am not influenced ether by party or politics, but
solely by a desire to promote the best interests of my country,
and to relieve the mechanic front the distress and misery
which at present surround hurt, :
If my condusions meet with your approval, I flatter nyi
self that the prayer of the petition will have.. your soppor
should the subject be brought' before parliament.
I will first endeavour to show what will be the consegoences
of the importation of continental corn into this country, and
at the same time combat the most favourite arguments f the
Anti-Corn-law League, by which they strive to induce ma-
nufacturers and their workmen to join in the cry for a repeal
of the corn-laws. To the operatives they allege, that it will
produce abundance of orders, and consequently high wages.
The employers are told, that not. only fresh markets will be
opened to them, but that they will be enabled to manufacture
at a less, cost, "for cheap food will produce cheap labour," I
think I shall be able to show that both of these arguments
are fallacious. _ _ _

The Anti Corn-law League assert, that by a free importa-
tion of foreign corn the continental nations will be induced
to give up their •manufactures, and devote themselves solely
to agriculture, This might be the case if we could take all
the surplus corn which the wh6le labouring 'population of
those • rations could raise, at such a price as would afford
them higher wages than could be otherwise obtained. The
most sanguine repealer will hardly promise this. I feel
assured, that if we take the corn of -the continental nations,
we shall find to our cost that, instead of crushiug their ma-
nufactures, it would be the means of extending and improving
them. All that the continental manufacturers want is capital,'
to enter into successful competition with British merchants
in every foreign market, and with this we should furnish
them—tbr gold, and gold only, will he taken in exchange for
-corn. •It is a well-known fati, that foreign merchants, at the
present time, undersell the British in almost every article,
and, that they do not engross the whole trade, is owing to
their want of machinery, and the inferior quality of their
goods. The repeal of the corn laws would furnish capital—
capital would'furniah' inachinerY—and machinery and capital
would soon improve the quality of the goods ; so that, in-
stead of the British manufacturer obtaining an additional
market for his -goOds, he would find the borne trade ruined,
and a formidable rival abroad.
As the Anti-Coin-law League maintain that a directly
contrary effect would be produced, I will pursue this part of
the question a little -further, -and intniire into the probable
result of " repeal," as relates to some particular country ;
take Poland for instance, from whence we might expect to
receive by far the greater portion of foreign corn. The Poles
would, there is no doubt, require gold in payment, from ne-
cessity alone, as the people are too poor to purchase our goods
in exchange, the regular wages of the peasant being only five-
pence per clay, and that of the mechanic ninepence per day—
laboUr is so very IoW, and the raw material so abundant and
cheap, That they can produce the few articles which they
require at a much less cost than we could. They have already
established numerous small manufactories to meet the de-

mand,' They have iron ore of an excellent quality, which can.
be raised with little labour, in districts where both wood and
coal are abundant, the vast dominions of Russia are open to
them on one side, and Prussia on the other ; they only re-
quire capital to become a manufacturing nation. Although
the wholi of the gold received by them for corn would not be
devoted to trade, hut part of it to agricultural improvements,
still there would be a surplus sufficient to give a very material
impetus to the manufacturing interest, the consequences of
which would be very detrimental to British commerce.
In a former part of this letter I observed, that the master
manufacturer is invited to join the Anti-Corn-law League,
on the representation that repeal will bring with it cheap
bread, cheap labour, and the consequent ability to compete
with continental manufacturers in price. Experience shows
that .this argument is as fallacious as the other. My father,
who has been extensively engaged in the manufactures of
Sheffield. for upwards of five and thirty years, assures me
that during the whole of that period the price of labour has
been. regulated by the demand for, and not by the price of
food ; :as a prool.of this, the highest wages were paid at a
time, when flour, even the finest, was only two shillings per
stone; the lowest, when flour, of a very inferior quality, was
sold for seven shillings and sixpence per stone. But whether
the above opinions are correctly formed or otherwise, it is
clear that the present is not the time to repeal the corn-laws,
for even, their most-violent opponent will admit, that for some
length of time we should be obliged to pay in specie for the
corn imported from the continent. It would, therefore, be
highly dangerous to. try the experiment whilst the country is
laboUring under the effects of the last importations, for I
believe that the distress at present existing in this country, is
owing. principally, if not entirely, to the Bank of England
being so nearly drained of her bullion. -
•Although not a mercantile man myself, I am deeply inte-
• res el in all that relates to commerce, my nearest connexions
being mainly dependent upon the foreign trade. I have,
therefore, no other motive in opposing the. introduction of
continental corn than such as arises from a conviction that it
would be equally injurious to the manufacturer as to the
,agriculturist • - .
. Hpwnver just the above..remarks may ba,with,reference to
tha importation of continental corn, they-do not apply to
Anfeiiean'ilbirr ;' this we may obtain in quantity. o makeup
411Y.Aleticieney in the late .barvest, without the adianee of a
single sovereign. The important question, theii. to'be'de-
kirmine.d, is this—did the last harvest produceauftieieakcora:
tto, resider us independent;,,of.continental.importatiops ?
am convinced that it did not,. and. that we shall require a
considerable quantity of corn or flour .from': some quarter ;
ray reasonS:for this opinion are the following :=Eirstly, that
.tbe,old stock of English wheat is nearly exhausted, and it is
the' intth•eii' of the farmer to reserve what remains on.hand
that,Oe-Ereater part of the new wheat
is,nrisoiu;dvsomprof is much so as to be unfit for bread,
and•the rediairifift with•a Oonsidera-
:ble• portion of sound.corit-to make it into. wholesome flour.
Thirdly, that a greatpreadth of land, owing to the wet sea-
Son, is unsown,AtiiittishilitliUthe'siiting pteVe unfavourable,
!must :relnain: to. If mo* the case, we shall be .obliged to
import, as e4ten*.xely next year a-s- we have done this.
Should the 'pOrts'be opened to admit continentalcorn, this
country will he drained of its specie, and the pres Sure in the
.motiey,.marliet wilt be infinitely. ,greater than has yet been
experienced. Trade will be wholly suspended; and ruin, to
a. fearful extent, will.spread:overthe commercial part of the
nation ; even now a dreadful winter is anticipated ; the prin-
cipal 'thanufactorL,s are almos't.at a stand, and thousands of
workmen totally out of employ. This anticipated evil may
be averted, and the present alarming state of the manufac-
turing districts greatly and almost immediately improved, by
an order in council perMitting the importation of American,
flour, as prayed for. By this the Americans would be ena-
bled to pay us every sixpence which they owe to this country
—new life would be given' to the cotton trade—the mills
would again he lighted up with their wonted brilliancy—the
Bank of England, being relieved from all fear of a demand
for gold wherewith to purchase corn, would extent its circu-
lation, and lower the rate of discount—money would become
as abundant as it was before the-late drain of bullion—all the
channels of trade would re-open, and commercial enterprise.
resume its accustomed activity. Nothing can prevent this
sudden transition from the present state of depression to that
of prosperity, if this boon be conceded to the manufacturers ;
and all these beneficial results may be attained by the com-
mercial interest, without the least injury to the agriculturist,
if not with a positive benefit, as I will proceed to.show.
Take the population of the United Kingdom at 27 millions ;
of these from seven . nine millions ,are dependent upon
manufactures and commerce ; the greater .portion of these
are now suffering from the stagnation of trade, and will ine-
vitably continue in this state for the whole of next year, if
gold is again sent in exchange for corn. I will suppose that
four millions of mechanics are ,now. subsisting upon little.
better than paupers' allowance ; the difference in the con-
sumption of agricultural produce by those four millions for
twelve months, on an average. of one„ shilling per week for
each person, would he upwards of ten million pounds sterl-
ing, more than double the value of all the American flour.
which could possibly be imported. is, therefore', evident
that, even if there he corn to supply the kingdom until next
harvest, the agriculturist would be much benetitted by the
admission of American flour, as at least five millions more of
his produce would be consumed. There are also minor rea.
sons why the farmer should 'join in the petition for the ad-
mission of American flour; one is, that-he would he able to-
dispose of the better part of his unsound corn, (to mix with
good flour,) which he must otherwise give to • his cattle.
Another reason is, that the supply from America being
limited ; such a quantity cannot be imported as - seriously to
injure the farmer, even if. unattended with the beneficial re-
sults before pointed out. This would not be the case if the
ports were opened to the whole world, then the quantity ha-
ported would be regulated entirely by the profit attending
such importation. A further advantage, which the farmer
would derive from the privilege being confined to America, is
that the price of corn would not be reduced ' • for the moment
it was known in New York that flour might be imported into
England, that instant would the price advance, so as to leave
the shipper a bare profit at the market price in 'Liverpool.
I have endeavoured to show some of the beneficial effects
which would result from the admission of American flour; I
will now shortly advert to some of the evils which will ensue
to the country in general, if the prayer of the petition be not
granted. 'lt is well known that the Anti-Corn-law League
are meditating a desperate attack upon the Corn-laws, dur-
ing the next session trf Parliathent. 'lf the measnre I now
advocate be not conceded,. their power will most probably ef-
fect some modification of those laws, which will cause the
ports to be opened to foreign corn, drain the Bank of its
gold, and perpetuate those evils under which the country is
now labouring. The distress in the manufacturing districts
is already most appalling, and increases every succeeding
week. Driven to desperation, the hitherto peaceful'opera-
tives will fill the ranks of chartism, and vialenee.will -reign
through half the kingdom. To the agricultural interest I
would appeal, for with them it rests to determine whether
England, for the next twelve months, shall be a scene of
anarchy and wretchedness, or of peace and prosperity ; if
they join in the petition of the manufacturers, there is little
doubt but that American flour will be immediately admitted,
and millions of their countrymen be saved from want, misery,
and crime.
As foreign corn in bond is.most probably already paid for,
it would be only just that it should be admitted on the,same
terms as the American flour; should the prayer of the 'peti-
tion be granted : besides being an act of justice to the im-
porter, this would benefit the farmer, as it would keep up
the supply of sound corn to mix with the unsound of the
late harvest, without which the latter would be unmarketa-
ble ; and also, because no flour can be expected from Ame-
rica until the rivers are again open, the cities having only
sufficient for their own consumption. • . • .• , . •
On these considerations, I trust that your assistance w'

be afforded to the manufacturing •interest in the present
emergency, for, whatever maybe the opinion of Some, it is
my firm conviction, that the great interests of agriculture
commerce, and manufactures, are now inseparably united
and must rise or fall togettuont • • • •
I have the honour to be,
Your most obedient servant,
. •. • EDWIN ;J•NQ.: PICK LAY.
London, Ist January, 18-10. •

Da BIGIiSIIIRF. ELECTION.--7-It has, truly:been said that
Denbighshire and conservatism are so closely allied that they
are incapable of separation. This sentiment haS been aoain.
1 bl
• o mom e ey,
verified by. the election of the .Hon..-Hugh Ch
Without opposition, to succeed his- late venerated uncle, Sir
Watkin Williams Wiinne, deCeased, in the parliamentary
representation. The men of Gwynedd have nobly done their
duty. The undeviating and constitutional loyalty, of Welsh-
men is as creditable togthem as the mountainS•and streams
of their dear native land are beautiful, and attractive. Mr.
Cholinomieley was proposed in an able speech by Lord Dun-
' gannon, and seconded by Lloyd Wynne, Esq., of Cood Coch.
The nomination was received with .the most rapturous plau-
dits. The lion. member immediately set off for ,t-1.40e wantnd9n,
and arrived in • time to vote in the division, shewing the
of confidence of his constituency, in.,. the O'Connell-Mel-
bourne administration.

TOWN COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

THE 24E1V DOCK. DILL.
A specal meeting of the Town Council was held on Satur-
day to take into consideration a Bill for Parliament prepared

.M . .
by the Comittee. for the affairs of the estate of the Trustees
of the Liverpool Docks, pursuant to the resolutions of that
Committee, adopted by thel• Council at their meeting on the
2d of October last.
The MAyon, having briefly stated to the Council the ob-
jects for which they were specially assembled, requested
that,*riglhe-Subject was one of vital importance, they should
address themselves to it in a calm and deliberate spirit,
-avoiding,. as much as
.possible, any personal or acrimonious
observations. : _ _

The Town-Clerk read the following resolutions from the
Dock Committee, passed at- a meeting of that, body, held on
the 23d:ofJanuary, 18-10

_ .
propos:;d new Dock Bill having been submitted by
:e &Pi icitot;--jtesOlved, that the Solicitor be instructed to

forward to the Town-Clerk a fair copy of. the bill, as soon as
it can be-prepared, for the purpose of being laid before the
Trustees. Resolved, also,. that this Committee do respect-
fully request the aid and cn-operation of the Town Council
in their endeavours to obtain the bill now directed to be sub-
mitted to them ; that the very important improvements,
contemplated by the provisions of the said bill may be car-
ried into .effect as early as practicable."
Mr. BARTON presented the following petition, signed by
5925 carters, porters, coopers, - &c., of this town, against
the proposed measure of building Warehouses on the Dock
Quays :

To. the Worshiphd the Mayor and Tori•n Council of the
Borough of Liverpool.
' The Memorial of the Coopers, Carters, Porters, and
Warehouse-keepers and others, resident in the Borough of

Liverpool.
" Sheweth.—That your memorialists find that it is the
intention of the council to allow the dock trustees to erect

warehouses on the dock quays, and to retain them in their
own possession, and to do, the work now performed by the
tradesmen of this town on the Merchandise that may be
stored therein.
" Your memorialists respectfully state that they regard
the proposed application of public funds for the purpose as
most unjust in its principle, and at the same time unfair and
oppressive towards the great body of master tradesmen and
others now engaged in conducting the business.
" Your memorialists are of opinion- that the delay and
obstructions in the discharging and•loading of vessels, which
is frequently complained of, is not attributable to the want
of warehouses on the dock quays, but to the defective ma-
nagement of the docks, and your memorialists feel satisfied
that the erection of close sheds, as. lately recommended by
nearly three hundred merchants, would afford all the

ties expected to result from the erection of dock warehouses,
without inflicting injury upon any interest..
Your inetnorialists consider the large accession of influ-
ence which this measure would insure to the.corporate body,
as inimical to the free and unbiassed expression of public
opinion, without reference to the political sentiments that
are or may be predominant in the town council.
" On these grounds, your memorialists earnestly request
that the town council will rescind the resolution adopted on
the 2nd October last, relative to the erection of warehouses
on the.dock quays.
" November Ist, 1839."
The Town-Clerk read the resolutions adopted at the Coun-
cil held on the 2d October, 1839. The first of those'resolu-
tions set forth, that the Committee; since their late unsuc-
cessful endeavours to seek a bill in Parliament that would
enable them to effect substantial improvement in working the
docks, had accomplished a full investigation into the practi-
cal working of the docks, which investigation confirmed
their former opinion, that no plan of dock improvement
which did not include Warehouses to he erected, to a certain
extent; on the Dock Quays, would meet the wants of the
trade, &c. It was, therefore, expedient to Make a new dock

to the westward of the Salthouse Dock, such dock to be sur-
rounded by warehouses ; and, further, to build warehouses,
two stories in height, on the west side. of the Prince's Dock.
The remaining resolutions were for power to make Graving
Docks, Sit. These were adopted at a Council held on the 2d
October last.

'The MAYOR- said, the Town-clerk had drawn up a sho
report on the subject, which he wished to read to the Counci
The Town-clerk read the Report, which was to the effect
that the Town-clerk had laid before the Council printed copies
of the heads of the Dock Bill, with the clauses numbered,
and the pages for facility of reference to any clause that might
be desired to be read at length. The Town-clerk submitted,-
that, supposing a motion made and carried for confirmation
of the proceedings of the Committee, still such confirmation
should be subject to references of the several clauses to the
committees interested in them.
The report was approved.
Mr. MATnEn inquired whether the clauses of the bill
were to be put separately
The MAYOR believed, that, under the standing orders, a
member of the committee must move each clause separately.
Mr. E.vmes said, sin moving the confirmation of the
Dock Committee proceedings, relative to the bill in question,
be was moving formally for what he considered as already
granted. The Council had, on the last occasion when the
question was; Under dismission, decided in the affirmative of
a principle as to the value and necessity of Warehouses on
the Dock Quays. The 'Council, in negativing the motion
. made by Mr. Sands, to constrain the sale of dock land, in
order that private individuals might build warehouses there,
had declared in the affirmative on the proposals of the Dock
Committee. Those proposals were, to have Warehouses
built on the Dock Estate, and to let the administration of the
affairs of such warehouses be in the Dock Committee, or, by
their instrumentality, through incorporated companies. As
the Committee had prepared a bill in exact accordance with
what had been already sanctioned, he could not expect any
serious obstruction to the future course of that hill. Under
such circumstances, he deemed it unnecessary to repeat
the arguments With which gentlemen were so familiar, and
Which would only go' to prove what they' had not denied,
that the union of warehouses with docks and ships mustbe
extremely beneficial, and that warehouses in that position
held the same relative. value to warehouses elsewhere that
railroads, held to common roads. When he said he would
not go into , detail, he meant that he would not, unless
Compelled by the course of the debate, go into recommen-
datory detail. If •there arose any- discussion, he reserved
to himself the right. of kneetirig.it, as he trusted he 'could,
in the most effective manner, in support of the nmsures,
of thelDock Committee, s Before he sat. down, he thought it
..well.to cast a light over a most important Mistake committed.
by those who rePresented the warehouse interest. Irk- thiS
country there was no ordinary_ileg,ree of syeipathy.with wealth
and,large possessions,_particularly amongst the rich., It;was
an of justice and of kindness to meet this great interest
wits the sympathy that may have been excited by the repre-
sentation that the warehOnse interest amounted in value to
four millions of money ! He had not considered hitherto;
that the amounp. 9f value had much to do with the case s but,
as it had Pleased the warehouse interest to represent it so, he
had looked into the question, anti would let theirs know the
result, not advancing anything on his own authorityi bkitgo-
veming hiMself altogether by theirs. They-stated the value
of the property to be four millions, and the number of ware-
houses to be 1100, averaging 170 square yards each, making
an aggregate of 187,009 square yards' which, multiplied by
six for the number of storeys, would yield 1,122,000 square
yards. At the value which, according to the opinions of the
surveyors of the docks, and for the Corporation, was a high
one, at the utmost and full average value of £2 per yard for
the floorings-Lor for ground area, or that upon which the
building stands, of £l2; upon that calculation it came out
to be, that the value of the warehouse property was not four
millions, but .2,24,1,000. Deducting counting-houses, and
sail-lofts, and beer-shops, and lumber-rooms, and many
other places which were not applied to the storage of mer-
chandise, it was most probable that the nett or real value
would not he quite two millions. Here was a great mistake
committed by- the parties who made the statement. The value
he' (Mr. Evans) had put upon the property would be gene-
rally allowed to be correct. This was not their only error of
calculation. They had also overstated the number of ware-
houses which' the Dock Committee were preparing to build
by about 60,000 yards.- _ The nett amount of warehouses built
would .be about 180,000 square yards. He believed the ex-
isting warehouSe. property to be not above one-half what had
been stated ; hut the warehouse interest .could not pretend
to say that it would all be destroyed. If this were so, the
amount might be about two millions ; but they could not
pretend to. an-injury of more than a small per centage. It
must be exceedingly consolatory to them to learn that they
were not in a position to be injured to the extent they imagin-
ed they must be gratified to tind that they were not so la-
mentably wealthy, with two millions, as they conceived. -It
ought to alleviate their afflictions to .know that the value of
the warehouses was not more than half what it was reported to
be. As it was impossible to know what direction some gen-
tlemen's minds might take on this or any other question, he
would leave some of the points to be replied-to by other gen-
tlemen who were acquainted with all the necessary details.
Mr; Evans moved that the bill now submitted by the Com-
mittee for the affairs of the estate of the Trustees of thelii-
verpool Docks be adopted by. the Council, subject to the re-
port of the Town-clerk. -
Some conversation arose on the right of Mr. Evans to in-
troduce new matter into his reply.
Mr. EVANS said, he should only reply upon such points as
arose in the course of the debate.
Mr. BOLTON seconded the motion. It was admitted that
an increase of dock accommodation was wanted, in order
that the business of the port might be properly carried on.
The improvements suggested were important, in order that
they might successfully compete with other ports which had
these advantages. A petition fromtsthe carters, porters, and
others had been read, and these classes stated that the mea-
sure would injure them. The reply to this was, that every
improvement that had been made bad resulted in giving
greater employment to human beings. It was admitted that
the propriety of having warehouses near the docks had been
conceded. (No, no!) There • had been two prominent
schemes propounded : one of these was to let the Dock Com-
mittee have the management of the proposed warehouses ;
the other scheme was to let the land to a joint stock company
and give them the management. The effect of the last pro-
position would be, that the profits, which it was desirable
should go in mitigation of the dock charges, would go into
the pockets of private individuals. The great object, with
the Dock Committee was to reduce their charges. •
The heads of the bill, which consists of 100 clauses, in
addition to a long preamble, were then read by the Town-clerk.
The latter stated, that it was necessary to read the heads of
the bill, and the members of the council must be unanimous
in declaring that the reading of the whole bill was not
required. Any member who wished any clause to be read at
full length must call for such clause, and it would be read.
•, It was- ultimately understood, that the members of the
council were to call for the reading at length of what clauses
they pleased, and that their arguments were to be grounded
on what was contained in such clauses.
Mr. BOOTH believed Mr. Evans had said, that he did not
expect any opposition to the warehouse clause. He (Mr.
Booth) wished, that to be cleared up. If a former council
could reverse a resolution; that council might do the same.
He, for his own part, was willing to adopt the views of Mr.
Evans that there should be no debate. If this were to be
acted upon, he would at once propose a resolution condem-
natory of the warehouse clause. ss -
The MAYOR said, it had been understood that they were
to read those clauses which members might call for.
Mr. H. LAWRENCE thought the most regular plan was to
first put the question upon the bill itself;. they might then go
into the,particular clauses.
Mr. MATHER called for clause 40 to be read at length.
It .was to the effect, that the warehouses on the quays of the
proposed new dock shall be of such dimensions and height,
as the trustees shall think proper. Mr. Mather said, he
should object to this, and propose, that the warehouses be
only of the height of two storeys.
Mr. H. LAWRENCE said, it was most inconsistent to be
debating about clauses before they had decided whether the bill
was to lie brought Mat all or not.
The 50th clause provides that the occupancy of the ware-
houses by the trustees shall be subject to the payment of pa-
rochial rates.
Mr. EARLE remarked, that this was a most strange pro-
viSion, after it had been so broadly stated, that it was incon-
sistent to think of paying those rates.
Mr. ROBINSON called for clauses rate.
and 60 to be read, but
did not make any remark thereupon. •
Mr. IsAAc HOLMES called for the preamble, as he thought
they ought to get into the subject ; and, if the preamble em-
bodied the objects of the bill, he should, probably, found an
-amendment on it.
Mr. MATHER called for section 53, empowering the trus-
tees to the warehouses on the west side of the Prince's
Dock, under rules and regulations, to any incorporated joint
stock eotnpany.
The blanks, in clause 52, which had been previously open,
were filled up by Mr. LEATHOM, there having been some
dissatisfaction expressed, by the opponents of the proposed