The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-12-05 00:00:00

the number of paupers by setting

own indestry

through the mewls

seesrld unquestionably have the good
the redendaney of our population
aggregated io MischievoWs masses, subiervient to uni-
versal otility. Whether, if prosecuted with energy, it
may come so nearly to supersede the necessity of
Poor's Rates in villages, as to render the abrogation',
of Poor Laws an easy matter, we will not venture it
my. Bet we may be pardoned if we direct at.
terition to one or two points especially connected
with the statistics of oar empire in pursuance of the
plan.
The first stimulus to population was connected
with the excitement to manufactures end commerce.
Till the increase of these branches of indestry was
observed. and.more especially during Mr. l'irr's Ad-
ministration, the sgricelt oral produce of the country
was greater than the consumption, and we were ex-
porters of corn. Since, however, the beginning of
Mr. PITT'S career, we have been constantly import-
ing ; and as the exchange by which one commodity
is introduced, can only be effected by the exportation
of the surplus labour of the People exchanging, it
follows, that our surplus manufactures have afforded
the means of our purchases of corn. Hence it hap.
pees, that a large number of persons are annually
drawn into life, and supported by the exchange of
domestic manufactures for foreign grain.
We have, nevertheless, in the branch of manu-
factures, owing principally to the wonderful modern
disioveries in the application of scientific power, re.
duced the price of manufacturing-labour to so low a
pitch, that even with the introduction of a foreign
supply of food (which brings down the price of sub-
sistence), the artizanis barely able, and in a multi-
tude of instances he is unable to maintain himself and
family by his labour. The agricultural interest on
the contrary complains, that the price of agricultural
produce, thus lowered by the foreign exchanges of
grain for manufactures, precludes the possibility of
their employing or paying the labourer in husbkrdry
in Inch a way as to make him independent of pirochiell
assistance. Thus the excess in manufacture is the
alleged cause of agricultural distress, white It is, pig.
haps, more certain that the deficiency in the supply
..of food from agriculture is the true cause of the misery
of the manufactering dames.
The extensive cultivation of land in the last
twenty pus has noquestiemaihiHmea essential to
the ben teterests of the community, and that it has
been absolutely required for the subsistence of the
constantly increasing population cannot be denied.
Notwithstanding, however, such additions of pro-
deceive land, we still require large supplies of
foreign corn. Tee course recommended, there-
fore, is to endeavour to apply the sew, or ra-
ther dormant, fond of indestry to that portion
of the soil which new lies waste. The most imme-
diate effect of this will be to lessen the demand for
foreign corn, and to reduce the price both at home
and ahroad—because, if the English artisan can he
fed more cheaply, the English manufacturer will be
able to supply his goods more cheaply, and price is
now allowed to be almost the only bar to the snivel.
sal admission and consumption of English goods
abroad—the demand for such goods will be in-
creased, and the demand for foreign corn will
be diminished,
.unless the population keeps puce
with production. There is too another consideration.
We are to espect that the supplies from Con-
tinental industry during peace will extensively ex-
ceed those during war, and even in the time of hos-
tility the Continent has always been able to afford
their neighbours a supply. Internal causes will
therefore aid a reduction of price abroad. The en.
couragement of oar manufacturers is equally impera-
tive sod important. Situated as Great Britain now
is io respect to coals, capital, and scientific power,
nothing is wanting to a more copious exchange
of manufactures for grain and the luxuries of
the Coetioeut but a lower price of subsistence.--
As production increases, and exchange increases, the
effects of taxation are also diminished by being divided
over a larger surface of industry, and it is worthy of
remembrance that b 7 calling into action new rela-
tions of labour, this will be a relief very sensibly
felt. In truth, the simple principle of the whole is,
that -6 INDUSTRY IS WIIALTII." It Is most incredi-
ble that with such abundant capital and such diffi-
culty in its profitable use as has lately been expe
rienced, with such a profusion of capable idleness fed
at the public ex pence, with unappropriated tracts of
waste to such enormous extent, and moreover with
the ocean teeming all around us—it is most incredible
Are say, that the ingenuity of Statesmen and the en-
tire intelligence of the country, should have been so
long puzzled about the invention of some practical
mode of concentrating and attaching these forces to•
the mighty objects of promoting individual balpiness
,and national opulence.


An express which left the French capital on Wed-
nesday, brings intelligence generally, that the settle-
ment of be speculations of the month preceding hes
passed over more quietly than had been expected ;