The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-09-14 00:00:00

A mere cursory view of this scale is sufficient to show that
its leading feature is to promote a system of gambling in the
article of food, offering the highest premium, when the prices
denote a scarcity of food. 'fake the following specimens of
its working when opposed to the general interest :
When the price of British corn ranges from 635. to CGs.
per quarter, for every shilling increase in price the duty is
diminished Is.

From 665. to 68s. per quarter for every shilling increase in
price the duty is diminished by 2s.
From 68s. to 70s. for every shilling increase in price the

. .
duty diminishes 3s. And _
From 71s. to 723. there is a difference of 4s. in the duty.
Until the price exceeds 665. the inducement to work up the
averages may not compensate the labour and hazard of the
attempt; but to work them up from 665. to 68s. gives an
extra profit of 6s. per quarter, viz.:—
Diminished duty ..
Increased price

From GBs. to 70s. gives an extra profit of Bs. per quarter
Diminished duty
Increased price

From 71s. to 725. only ls. advance in price, gives an addi-
tional profit of ss.
Diminished duty 4s.
Increased price

and if the averages could be forced up from 665. to 725. per
quarter, the additional profit on the introduction of foreign
corn would be 20s. per quarter, namely—
Diminished duty..
Increased price

Can there possibly be a greater inducement held out to spe-
culation and gambling in the article of food than is here ex-
hibited ?
The following scale of duties has been constructed so as to
occasion the smallest variation when the price of corn is
highest, and thereby diminishing to the minimum extent the
motive for speculation, and is therefore free from the princi-
pal objections of the present one.

GRADUATED SCALE OF DUTY

Average price Average net price per
per quarter Import duty quarter obtained for
of per quarter, foreign wheat,
British wheat. ex duty.
s. s. d. s._ d.
72 and above 1 0 .. .. 71 0
71 ~ I 6 .. .. 69 6
70 f t 2 0 .. .. 68 0
69 I* 3 0 .. .. 66 0
68 79 4 0 .. .. 64 0
67 19 5 0 .. .. 62 0
66 /9 6 0 .. .. 60 0
65 ~ 7 0 .. .. 58 0
64 79 S 0 .. .. 56 0
63 ~ 9 0 .. .. 54 0
62 ~ 10 0 .. .. . 52 0
61 ~ 11 0 .. .. 50 0
60 „ 12 0 .. .. 48 0
59 „ 13 0 .. .. 46 €,
58 „ 14 0 .. .. 44 0
57 ~ 15 0 .. .. 42 0
56 ~ 16 0 .. .. 40 0
55 ~ 17 6 .. .. 37 6
54 ~ 19 0 .. .. 35 0
53 „ 20 6 .. .. 32 6
52 „ 22 0 .. .. 30 0
51 ~ 23 6 .. .. 27 6
50 and under 25 0 .. .. 25 0
The above is intended as a protecting duty, without
reference to its being a matter of revenue.
If to be constructed for the purpose of increasing the
revenue the diminution of duty must stop at 675. per quarter,
all wheat imported when the averages are at or above that
price to be subject to a duty of ss. per quarter.
It should also be borne in mind, that the improvements in
agriculture which have been made, and are still going on, in
every parish in the kingdom, enable corn to be produced at
a cheaper rate than formerly, and justify a reduction in the
scale of duty. The improved systems of management have
brought into cultivation much of the light lands, which were
previously considered incapable of producing the most valu-
able descriptions of grain ; and it is worthy of remark, that
in wet seasons, as in the present, these light lands produce
wheat of better quality than the stiff soils so highly ap-
preciated. The bringing of the greatest variety of land into
cultivation is also the means of affording a more uniform
supply, and may be one reason why a recurrence of scarcity
is now less frequent than in former times; and for these
reasons the new ministry may feel themselves fully justified
in thus stopping short, and frustrating the excited hopes and
delusive prospects of the corn-law abolitionists. .

THE CHINESE WAR

The following interesting communication on the state of
our warlike operations in China, is from an officer who has
distinguished himself in the expedition, and has been re-
ceived within a few days by a relative in this neighbour-
hood:—
" I have at length bad an opportunity of seeing how the
Chinese fight, and am more than ever convinced that we are
engaged in a warfare which never can be considered as a
glorious one. In consequence of the continued fiery edicts
of the emperor, it was determined to approach nearer to Can-
ton. The boats of the advanced squadron contained about
500 men. The navigation was intricate, but we had explored
it five days previously, and we succeeded in getting up to
the battery, about 2 p.m., Saturday, March 13, being towed
by the Madagascar steamer. The fort was about 350 paces
in circumference, and the parapet fifteen feet high, mounting
27 guns. The steamer commenced the action, and one or two
shots from her dislodged them almost immediately ; in fact,
no gun was fired by them twice. The shot whistled about us
pretty freely ; but, as it was evident they were deserting the
battery, the boats were ordered to pull up and take posses-
sion. We found no one in the fort, which is situated on an
island, and admirably adapted for a strong position. It has,
accordingly, been garrisoned by the marines, and as it com-
mands one of the best approaches to Canton, will, I pre-
sume, be kept until hostilities cease. A strong raft con-
nected this island with both sides of the river. The Ple-
nipotentiary, as usual, put a stop to further proceedings,
and we remained in a state of inactivity for the next three
days, when we proceeded up in the Nemesis with a flag of truce,
to deliver another chop, and renew the protocol war. Very
fortunately, John Chinaman took it into his head to fire at us,
and we just gave him a shot or two, in earnest of what was
coming, and returned to the Modeste. A passage for her
through the raft was soon cut through, and the next morning
the ship was moored within three-quarters of a mile of the bat-
tery. The Algerine, Starling, Madagascar, and Nemesis being
in company, we waited until late that evening, in hopes orders
would be given for the attack, but somehow or other it was
judged not advisable. During the night, the raft opposite the
new battery was cut through in two places by the guard boats
without any molestation, which led us to fear they had fled
from the battery. Fearing that low water would prevent the
boats from getting in so easily as they might otherwise, and
also to allow one division of boats to proceed up a channel,
which entered the main branch of the river above Canton, and
cut off the retreat of the Row boats, which were drawn up in
very gallant style, we did not weigh until half-past eleven. The
Chinese stood to their guns remarkably well. The Modeste,
however, did not fire a gun in return until she had passed
through the boom, and was abreast the fort. The stern anchor
was then let go, and five broadsides cleared them out. Capt.
Bouchier, of the Blonde, commanded the landing party, and
did me the honour to select me as his aid-de-camp. We were
soon on shore, and found about a hundred Chinese still in
the battery ; they decamped, however, as quick they could,
so much so, that although second in the battery, I never had
occasion to draw my sword. The battery was situated on a
small hill, covered with trees, the shot rattling amongst
which must have alarmed them considerably. It was well
protected by sandbags; but they had not the means of point-
ing their guns. We found a considerable encampment, and
quantities of mated-locks, bows and arrows. I succeeded in
picking up the colours of the regiment, (which we have since
learnt was 1,800 strong and the elite of the Tartar enemy,)
which will do as a trophy for your library until I can win
others, more gloriously, for this warfare I am almost ashamed
of. The fort mounted 30 guns. The boats took some more
batteries, one mounting five guns at the western extremity of
Canton, and an extensive grain store with nine guns: Two or
three shots soon dislodged them, though they had repulsed two
small boats of the Modeste, when we landed and found that
very unfortunately for them one of our shot got through the
house, and made an opening so that they could get out. We
then pulled up opposite the city, and found the Plenipo with a
flag of truce up as usual. It appears to me a most strange
policy that the victorious party should not compel the
vanquished to hoist the white flag first. The consequence of
this manoeuvre was that the Chinese thought, I suppose, we
had had enough of it, and they came down and fired several
matchlocks at us. Down flag of truce—fire away again. This
new method of fighting oecurred five or six times. The ships
remained off the city that night, and the following morning
possession was taken of the factories, and the jack hosited.
ac-
cordingly the shill)
The Hong merchants and the Kwan-choo-foo (or officer
answering to our mayor) waited upon Captain Elliot, and it
w settled that the trade should be opened forthwith ; ac-
cutta to consult receiving teas s have moved up to Champoa, and are
again I amuck. ow we are going to commence hostilities
mand to Sir F. The commodore has started off to Cal-
senervernor-general, and has left the cona-
for he wont stand aullie, which has delighted every body,
it will be managed "'bug, and if anything occurs now
Peri "

Some Yankee has invented a new kind of ink, called " the
love letter ink." It is a sure preventive against all cases of
" breach of promise, as the ink fades away and leaves the
sheet blank again in about four
_weeks after being written
upon ! •