The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-09-02 00:00:00

-

.
,j.

--~'-

.-

'

•

~~.

• ;.

-~

•
lions weeded the consumption since the waste of
war had ceased. This opinion had been contested by
the President, who bad urged in the House of Com-
mons, that it was the sudden and enormous redue-
lion of the circuleting medium which bad maker!
_ every effort of the People, every operation of the
State—the adoption of tite Batik Restriction had a
sudden and immediate effect in Mr,/ branch of na.
timed wealth—produce and labour were soon &u-
-tiled in value; for such was the unbounded confi-
dence in paper currency. that banks end hank-notes
sprkug up like Mushrooms over the whole empire ;
Which circulation, though originating in a secret and
inveterate disease, was Mistaken for some time as a
symptom of prosperity. The moment a check •was
given to this system, the nation adopter) a conduct in
direct opposition to that which it had pursued for the
previous eighteen years—receding from unbounded
confidence, and adopting general distrust—produce
fell to prices that scarcely compensated for the la-
bour of its production—Abe reduction in the value
of farming stock was "Oat to fifty or sixty mil.
lions—the contest ceased to be for price, -but for
a purchaser at soy rate that could be obtained. The
quantity at market was mistaken for a superabundant
supply.
The esperience or the last two years (observed the
President) i•as lamentably proved the fallacy of such
I supposition. The importation of corn in the year
1816 es.; equal toe million and a half ,of quarters—
that of 1817 to (we millions soda half, the last Pis
months greater than -soy preceding period of equal
duration. Since the year 1766, with the ezception
of hut a short interest, we have never ceased to he
large importers of corn. In the lest two years and a
half we paid to foreign cosittries not less than tee
millions for grain and flour. It has often been con.
tended that all is well if we purchase these articles of
food, by the esportation of our manufactures. 3ut
bow are the purchaser of food and the buyer of
clothing and other Minaret-tures circumstanced with '
respect to each roller? The former must purchase, ,
the latter may lake the goods or not as it suits his
Interest and contettience--these must he cheaper or
better or he will resort to other markets—there is no
leriprocity between the parties. No country can he
said to ha in a state of security that depends on to.
reign supplies for the feed of its People. Hence it
Must be etident that there is an ample field for nth.'
cultural esertions, for above o twelfth part of the
Consumption is still wantieg.
Its the last Sessions of Ptrlionent, objects of great
national importance came under discussion. The
Poor Lana occupied much-Variation. it is much to
be regretted that a Bill which came before the House
was, from time to time 4 SO altered as to prevent its
passing into a law. The importance of the subject
—the it.dispensible necessity of applying a remedy,
was universally felt, in and out of Parliament; the
principal feature in whit h must he by wise regulation,
to prevent pored! instead of providing fur it. It is
to he hoped that a commencement of efforts will be
resealed in the nest Sessions on this most interesting
subject. 'the evil is of too long standing, and has be.
come too inveterate, to be corrected by summary
proceedings—tinot mutt ho Alliteed to introduce het.
ter rep) .ti.•ns, mid to abotish the otiose, which have
been sanctioned lit, more than two centuries. H.-. vy.
as the burden 4if Poor 11.-oes is in this comity, it is
light when compared with the assessments in the
fouth, where the *how rural populs i• n is pauperised
be the harrow, selfish, illiberal, sod unwise istactice
of chmhieing the wages of labour with the Rates for
tb. Poor : this policy has been adopted for the pur-
pose of distinguishing the bsehel.,l from the .carried
Matt, and has the lamentable effect of depriving the
!Rte.,' of those eernings which, by 'flue ecittoimy4
settuld enable him, at a proper period, to have made
a provision for M.- maintenance of a
_family, and the
enjoyment of that state which is contemplated by all
as the completion of human happit.e.,,. Thns is the
spirit and iodependency which form the basis of our
national character, on which our national prosperity
rests, early degraded sod soon afterwards entirely
destroyed. On the preservation of individual inde-
pendency and freedom depends our superiority ever
every other country under the sun. To cherish—to
preserve these ine•limstile blessings, ought to he
the study and aim of Government. How little have
those nations to boast of individual security or the
stability of their Governments, which depend on mi.
Wary despotism 1.
In the' last Sessions of Parliament, in object of
great importance to the husbandry of the country was
achieved, in the reduction of the ditties on rock salt.
as far as it regards agricultural purposes. In the
preceding year the duty was lowered to 101.1 ton ;1
but the restrictions wills which it was fetteredond by
which aloe, it could be obtained, prevented it being
available. Eight tons only were all that was sold
under the reduced duty, five of which came to she
Schooso Faim. It is now reduced to 51.1 ton, and
the inconvenient restriction') on obtaining it dons
sway. Its importance to stock of all descriptions is
beyond what may be in the general contemplation of
those interested in the husbandry of the country, for
there is well founded reason to believe the advantages
capable of being derived to the stock alone, by its
general use, would amount to three millions annually.
The sheep are computed at thirty millions. Now if
any Advantage at all by its use is derived, that ad.
Vestige cannot be rated, yearly, at less than site
pence per head in the prevention of disease, and in the
improvement of carcase and wool. This would
amount to 750,0001. Sic millions and a half of
cattle benefited by its use, 55. per head annually,
would produce 1,625,0001.; and a million and a half
of horses, taken at 101. each, would give 760,0001.
more—making an aggregate sum in favour of its use,
of 3,125,0001. Great as- is this estimate of advan-
tage, and little is it was in the contemplation of the
Committee, it had its desired effect and infloence..r.
The dock of South Downs at the Schnose has hem
much admired. The lambs and 'headings called far;
mile have been valved and sold at improved prices;
and experience there has justified the opinion in
favCer of the use of salt, which has been given in the
proportion of two ounces weekly per bead in each ;for
ow( of 650 sheep and lambs not One has been Inst
daring the last five months. lintsee and fall volt n
Cattle are given four ounces a day—to calves and
•neng stock from two to three ounces are found suffi-
cieut. The condition of horses, sheep, and stock have
given general satisfaction to the .Meeting, and more
su to those who base had opportinities of dilly wit.

, -CIY
ci