The Statesman.
London, England, 1815-02-28 00:00:00

TIIE STATESMAN.

t ass a hoi rilae (1/11.111110Ire, in which' he was stare
Parlianimit %souk.' 'lever •'consent to place the people
of this country. If the former in this country was i
to be compelled to contend with foreigners in the
prices of earn, extol ience had frequently shown, and
ne might he certain from all the inferences that I
could be deduced on the subject, of what the result lr
would be. No less, lie would behold to say, than I
that we should be undersold in oar own markets.— I
This was clear from the late supplies at the Corn
Market, by the emotes of which it appeared evident
i that in the same period of time the importation of fo-
reign corn was 800,000 quarters, and not more than
200,000 quarters from the home supply. The wo-1
mentous questima then would be whether the people I
of this country should suffer a present alarm, which
he trusted was entirely unfounded, to drive them into
the perilous state of seeing this country put out of
tillage. The farmer says he must come to that de-
termination, unless you give him encouragement and
protection. if England and Ireland are driven to
the monstrous resolution to go out of tillage, the
consequence will naturally follow that the manufac-
turer must go out of manufacturing, for he will have
no corn to feed his labourers with but what he must
obtain at the mercy of foreign traders in that article :
and if either from caprice or any other cause that
precarious supply should fail, it was dreadful to con-
template what would be the situation of the se hole'
country. It seemed tobim that the manufacturer suffered
• his alarm of the !dal] pi ice of corn to fetter his reason,
and make him blind to the unreasonable objections
they raised against the present measure. It was ne-
cessary this body of men, acting under the impulse
of prejudices so strong and so unfoutieled, should
make out a strong ease in support of their objec-
tions. This they had by no means done as yet.—
Their principal view see:ned to he to obtain a high
price for their various commodities, and at the same
time to have their proviimis eatremely cheap. They
argue, that if corn rise beyond a certain price, their
manufactures must suffer of course; but this was a
mode of reasoning founded on pailosaphicnl calcula-
tions, which, mince they were made, had been
proved by experiment to he altogether false and
wrong. Corn is undoubtedly a necessary, but it is
not the only necessary of life—and they could not
fairly apply the rule of philosophy without taking
into consideration ell the errors with which it has:
been attended. Were we willing to put the trident
into the hands of our enemies ? Were we certain
that foreign markets would furnish us with a supply ?
At the same time that we were throwing ourselves
upon foreign markets, in order 'to make corn cheap,
we were triscouriging tillage. The domestic market
was capable of supplyirg all our consumption. We
had power within ourselves to satisfy the whole of
our demands, and it was only the want of mirou-
ragernent that kept back that abundance which we
might enjoy at home, unless we looked abroad. If
we encourtged the agriculturists of Ireland, the
question would be, not how to procure corn, but
what to do with our abundance ? if we coasting/Ad
Ireland, we brought the whole of our empire into
force. By the protection which we had hitherto
afforded to the agriculture of that uitary, she had
not only been enabled to support her own loiltahl-
• tants, but also to supply England with a cousidera•
ble portion of taxes and revenue. Did we mean,
• then, that Ireland should cease to he un agricultural
country ? If we meant her to continue her assistance •
to us, how could she do so, but by the produce of
her land ? If we took away from her the corn trade,
how could she pay us four millions of taxes? We
ought to mnke the two countries assist each other;
since the one could not go to dinner nor the other
to supper, without the benefit of the corn trade. Ile
should, therefore, support the Resolutions.
Sir ROBERT PEELE observed, that Mr. Pitt'a
luminous mind was convinced, that unless bread
were supplied at a moderate price, oar manufactures
would not survive. The country had risen to its pre-
sent state of glory by the labours of her manufac-
turers; and if slim had been enriched by these meaus,
. was not every landholder interested in them? If our
trade were to he discontinued, and if we did not
supply Ireland with the surplus of our country,
every article would here fall. The two countries
must go hand in hand together. Was the price of
land much less now than it was 20 years ago? ft was
well known, that it had increased from 15 to 20 per
cent. It was the interest of this country not to
suffer any measure to pass which was not beneficial to
the manufactures. While the sea Was open to as
exclusively, we were enabled to force a trade abroad;
but, at present, it was open to rival nations, and we
had no opportunity of offering our goods for sale at
foreign ports, except at a smaller price than other
countries could supply them. What was it that con.
stituted the wealth of this nation? It was the labour
of the manufacturers; and his opinion was, that the
' manufacturer had been the principal friend of the
landholder. Let his labours therefore be continued,
and this -country would remain the envy of all other
nations; but this could only be done by protecting
the produce of the earth against any unwise resole)...
tions, and enabling the manufacturer to procure
bread are moderate price.
Mr. C. YORKE said, that every Gentleman who
had participated in the debate on this subject the
other evening, had acknowledged the necessity of
something being done; the only point in controversy
was, whether, instead of having 80s. some • lower
price should not he fixed. He had never heard any
question argued with more candour; and he believed
that every merchant in that House, and every lands
holder, bad but one view,—to decide for the benefit
of the community at large. The interest of the
grower of corn, mid of the consumer, must be the
same; and whoever endeavoured to separate them,
could not intend ally good to his country. It had
been asked, whether we should suffer ourselves to
be made dependent on France for our suppint ?
No Gentleman could doubt, that if this country
could be independent of a foreign nation for food,
it would be a most desirable event ; and, with re.
spect to France, without. meaning the least hostility
towards her, yet, as she must continue to be our na-
ratural rival, he considered it highly necessary that
we should not be dependent on her. Some Gentlemen
seemed to think, that the ltesofutions were framed
upon a new rule: whereas it was well known, that
it was the same system that had.prevailed ever since
the time of.sine IYilliarri, and, indeed, ever since
we became a trading cation. As to showing a ne•

cessity for the measure, he had already acknow. tion from France was little or nothing.
ledged it, and every person who had shared in the tion, however, were to take placo, we coo
discussion had admitted it. The distress of the eider in what manner it was to be p,iit for
agriculturists in England, Scotland, and Ireland, • merce was nothing but an exchange of
was greater at this moment than had ever been and if we were an importing country, in some re,
known in the memory of man. He must enter his spects, we must necessarily be an exporting you, tri
tproeest against the view which some Gentlemen had in others. It was impossible that we could mak;
taken of this subject. It had been said, that this large exports of manufactures, 1% ithobe produrt,,,,l
11 country was a"commercial country; but it was also great addition to our national wealth, which iras;ti,
a great agricultural country, and commanded great fact, the best security to the landholders for Chair
inflUence in Europe, berme it possessed any trade at estates preserving their value.—As to the excluiN
all. If the commerce of the country were to be privileges to agriculture, by bearing sexing 11,
I ruined, it would still he a great country; and it. other vs interests of society, they ould ultimately b:
would be found, that it did not depend so much on injurious to agriculture itself. lu considering the
our manufactures as the Honourable Member whO general opeiation of lazes upon agriculture amid ilia,
had just sat down seemed to suppose. If the mann. nufactures, he would say, that, as.they.went cane,
lecturers thought they would now flourish as much rally to raise the price of labour, end as there sus
as they had clone during the last twenty years, they more labour, employed iu manufactures than it
' were much deceived; fur peace would enable France agriculture, they would bear heavier on our mane,
and other countries to increase their manufacture!, factures. The Chancellor of the Exchequer had,
and to rival us in foreign markets. It had been ar- his Budget, proposed to relieve the landed interest,
gued, as if this 13111 was intended to raise the price the burden of the Income Tax, but at the same lima
of corn. This he denied ; and it was well known laid fresh taxes on manufactures. At the same time
that when these restricting duties,were first imposed, that he was talking of the Property
.Tax, which wt
the price of corn was lower, because the agricul- but temporary*, he laid a sort of permanent Income
turist felt so much confidence, that he could afford Tax upon every establishment used for a inatianc.
to sell it at a reasonable rate : and so it would be tory. He had local opportunities of knowing ham
again. It had been said, that corn must be supplied this tax would press upon manufacturers, and healer
'to the community at a moderate price. Ile admitted knew what the manufacturers had reason to a,
it ; but then it must be a constant supply. Taking the prehend.—He had had a conversation
population of Great Britain and Irelatidotl7,ooo,ooo, ' two days ago with a very eminent spinner, who
and supposing 12,000,000 to eat bread, and the other had gone over to France to examine the state of their
five to eat other sorts of corn, would it be said that the manufactories. 'filet gentleman had assured him,
whole nation could not, cow:minibus annis, be made t that upon comparing the machinery in France (-
independent of foreign nations? But then came the spinning cotton with that used in England, the fret,
question of 755. He was of opinion that the House machinery, upon the whole, was better. The ma.
ought not to have token up the subject last year, chinery was there recently established; and all tie
because sufficient information had not then been ob. recent improvements were introduced • whereas

tained ; but since he had seen the restrictions which I many establishments in England they did not make
had been imposed by France and other countries, it use of the recent improvements. It was true that we
was important that no farther time should be lost.— were superior in the finer sorts, but it might betted;
The great opposition seemed to be made by the city said upon an average, that their mechanilr, for spit
of London ; and he was willing to acknowledge that ning cotton was equal to oar's. It .red been said k
the country had always derived considerable benefits' argument, that if this measure did not pass, we weald
from that great city. In the present Corporation, lat some times be deluged with French' corn, reel
however, there were same persons for whom he did other times be in danger of being started, flee ,!
not entertain much respect, when he considered the , it happen, however, that all the rimiest countries,
purposes to which they occasionally lent themselves.l the world had been at all times commercial and corn.
Great misconception hart prevailed on this subject; importing countries? Some of those Gent ells who
and people in general did not seem to care where the , feared that we shooed be deluged with feistier, corn,
corn came from, so that they could be supplied with i at other' times said that the whole nay of England
it. It might, however, be useful to remember, that would not be sufficient to bring hole • core e•igrege
the poet.' of the Romans was destroyed by this very for the consumption of this ceontry . Those twe Nee
wish of hiivieg cheap bread. They were furnished nions could not well be reenaceled in point of con.
gra,uitously at first by their demagogues, and then sistency. He should beg leave to read an estract
by their Emperors; and as long as they could pro- ! from a mast able work g it the external corn trade, I;
cure corn from Sicily and Egypt, the protection of Mr. Torrens. As the don. Itepreseutative for GI,
the rusticorums mascula proles," the just pride of gets, had once changers his opining, on this sohje,
every nation, was neglected. In the time of Nero, he thought that if he would per.•%e this hook,
this mighty people, who. had conquered the world, • might probably change it again. The exeact 112.1
came to desire nothing more than "pram,: et air- substance, 66 that Providence, by makito; corn of
censer." How was it possible that the agriculture of certain bulk that was not easily exported, hard in t
this country could hear a competition with the agri- been the best Legislator, and that we alight not
culture of France dr Flanders? The ports of those overturn its wise• regulations." He coesidered
countries lay fully as conveuieut for the London ; most imprudent at a time when the Frets!h eau d get
market as the ports of•Nerfolk, or even Essex. To cotton without any restriction, for our Gavel-einem
his own kilo N ledge there wore farmers within 25 to lay a duty of three pence a pound on what came'
miles of the metropolis, that could not sell their • foreign ships, and a penny a pound on What came
corn at all. The miller would not buy a grain of it ißritish. As to the actual number of the populatis
while they could he supplied with foreign corn. If employed in agriculture and manufactures, he cool(
the city f London was to be fed entirely on foreign not say ; but as to the relative population of differevi
corn, it would probably have the effect of making ! districts, he knew that the manufacturing districts
corn cheaper for a few years, but in the end it would creased much more rapidly in population. lie shoM
entirely put down the agriculture of tt' kingdom.— first instance the agricultural county of Rutland,
Some corn land might. hdeed, .be laid down for where the population had decreased front 18,000 to
pasture, but a great part of it would soon bearceu.ll6,ooo inhabitants. As to the county of Norfolk,
vied by thistles and brambles. If, then, we were which had certainly been brought into a very high state
to he entirely dependent on France for supply, al of culture by the exertionrearld clam* of an Hos.
war with that country, a failure of her crops, or Gentleman, a Member of that House (Mr. Coke)
many other circumstances might reduce us to the the population in 1800 had beeo 282,895, and in
most distressing situation. France, without corn. year 1816 it was but '291,900 which was an increase
merce or manufactures, had very nearly conquered of but 9,000. He made his calculation on the sup
the whole of Europe, and some time or another she i position of five inhabitants to every house, but "
might perhaps try it again. He hoped that this proportion would be he same on any other cake
would not beahe case, but still he would ask whether ; tion. In the county of York, in the year 1690,
any man that had an English heart could bear the population was 601,260, whereas the meow. pope-
idea of deriding upon France for the means of silk- I beiou was 978,559. This increase he supposed
sistence? He was at first for the importation price ! have arisen from its being a manufacturing digtre
being fixed at 765. instead of 80s.; but it was upon Tile West Riding of. Yorkshire alone (which was
the supposition that there would be a graduated most manufacturing pert of it) contained as gran
scale of duty rising from the price of 765. up to per- population now•as all Yorkshire did in the year 1690.
haps 90s. He thought that the averages, as they It certainly appeared to him that the best and fairest
were now taken, did not give sufficient advantages practicable way to relieve the landed interest from '
to the farmer, and that we should rather take them pressure of which they now complain, would be,
higher titan the lower rate. He was, upon the had been proposed by his Hon. Friend (Me. Baring)
whole, never more strongly convinced of the pro. I to take a scale that should be gradually diminishing,
priety and necessity of any measure, than of that lentil things had time to come down to their nature'
now before the House. It /meld have the greatest • level. The agriculture of this country materially di
effect in restoring confidence to the apiculturel in. pended upon our commerce. The gains of commerce
terest, and he could not see how returning confi. I naturally sought• that security in land which tar
deuce would have the effect of raising the price of; only could give. It did not appear to him that Si,
bread. As lie thought the measure might be produc.lierious injury could result to any body from adopting
live of much good, and could do no harm, lie should that gradual decrease proposed by his Hen. Friel
support the Resolutions. Mr. BANKES entirely agreed with the genera,

Mr. PIM-IN thought that the Right Hon. propositions that had been laid down' on both sidL
Gentleman Ind by no ne.aris made it out dint the se- that the interests of commerce and manufactures
curity of the country depended en this measure. He were so closely connected with those of agriculne
did not appear to him to have brought any thing like that the one could not be depressed without injurit
proof of this fact. He had, indeed, spoken about the other; and that the enemies of either were sub-
the people of ancient Rome, who, in their fondness stantially the enemies of both. HP conceived, ho-
for cheap bread, had given themselves up to dema- ever, that the circumstances in which the count►
gogues, and had their liberties overturned. It did had been so long placed, had brought on such a atm
not, however, appear, how the liberties of the people of things, that it was impossible now to avoid don
of England were to be overturned from the cheap- something to encourage the cultivation of the rout
ness of bread. Corn was already raised in price, and try. He had but few Gentlemen to contend wits
he could see no reason for passing a Bill to augment radically upon that principle. It seemed to be vat
the price still further. It had been said that it was vernally confessed, that it was essentially neeessar
allowed on all sides of the House that some regula- to"do something. The Honourable Gentleman %v
lions were now necessary. If he admitted that any spoke last, as well as another Honourable Gentlemal
regulations were now required, it was on account of (Mr. Baring), were both agreed that somethit
the extraordinary circumstances in which the country ought to be done for the protection of the farmer
had been placed in the late war, which had given the but what they proposed fur his protection was soma
monopoly of the home market to the home growers thing that every year was to be less of a protection.
of corn. This was an unnatural state of things and was finally to vanish away altogether. The of
which required alteration. It would have a.destruc- ject of the present measure was certainly to give con-
live operation as he thought, upon our manufac- fidence to those who otherwise would not have it..
tures. An Honourable Gentleman had said, that As our legislation was in almost every thing else 6
let us do what we will, France would still rival us a permanent nature, he could not see why in this so
in marinfactures; the Netherlands and Holland stance only it should be-of a temporary nature.- A!
would rival us. If that was the true state of the case, to the book which had been so highly praised by I;
ought ee to do any thing that would give France, Honourable Gentleman who spoke last, and of whirl
the Netherlands, and Holland, nn advantage over us he had read an extract, he had certainly not tete
in this rivality ? A great deal had been said about this that hook ; but if the remainder was like what hr
country being dependent on France for subsistence; been read to the House [a laugh] lie really did nt
but he believed that the fact was, that the imperta. think it would have much dint in changing the opt