Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-23
From Bells Weekly Messenger, Nov. "a.
0o.n;ue of The Ports to Foreign Corn.

Onen;ue Of the Ports to Foreign Corn.
The event long expected, of the opening Oh
the ports for the admission of foreign grain,
has at length occurred; and on Friday the ave-
RACES attained TO such height, that IT was an
nounced that wheat was admissible for home
consumption upon the payment OF the mmi-
mum duty of one shilling per quarter, barley
at three shillings and fourpence, and oats al
seven shillings and ninepence.
More than ten years have now elapsed,
since the ports were opened, unlimited, Tor the
importation of foreign wheat. Since the
year 1918, this country, with very few ex,
captions, has produced its own supply, and
fed its own population: On two or three &C.
casions, indeed, the foreign wheat imported
and warehoused, and which was spelling I'M
der the Kings locks, has been lei into con-
sumption upon the payment of duty. Ihis
bounty, thus conferred on trade, to the in
Jury Of the farmer, and the very small pro-
fit of the consumer, took place during MIR.
Canning's short administration, and the reve-
nue. received nearly half million from the
measure But, according to the general law,
the ports have been shut to wheat since 1917.
Subsequent to the year 1917, the averages
never attained eighty shillings per quarter,
which, until 1922, was the maximum price,
and therefore the experiment under the new
bill Of the !.iarquis of Londonderry, in the
period of 1929, was never made. We are
now, therefore, commencing new era in our
corn trade, and foreign wheat is at present in
the market at the low duty of one shilling per
quarter. This is the Duke of Wellington's
bill, and since 1917, the averages have never
been so high as they are now quoted.
How far the markets will be affected by the
admission Of foreign corn, it is very difficult
10 say. There is every reason to believe that
the granaries Of Europe have been pretty near
ly exhausted by the eotemporaneous demands
for corn, both for England ard France; and
prices are, at this present moment, so high a.
broad, more especially in Dan,zic and the BAL
tic ports, to afford very little prospect OF re-
Enumeration to the importer. But let II be re-
membered, that the corn now let GU! Tor con-
sumption was purchased up in cheap times
The indication OF falling harvest was suff>
GENTLY obvious in the month Of July, and spe-
cua,ion was at work in every foreign port, in
the purchase of wheat, from The moment the
wet season commenced.
# is, however, worthy Of observation, that
the corn market seems 10 have been managed
with so much skill, that Government has been
defeated in its expectation Of revenue. Gam
bling, indeed, appears 10 have deserted las old
position in the Alley, and to have taken up its
quarters a: the Corn Exc change; for never, we
believe, has there been known . season Of more
trick and chcan than has lately occurred in
the great staple Of life.
In considering the question Of the opening Of
the ports, we scarcely know what class of his
Maies,y's subjects to congratulate on this event;
and we very much doubt if any class will share
in its benefits The farmer, whose crop has
-L~~- rarnr.d and i'm paired il. value BY an un-
favorable season, will see the foreign importer
avail himself Of those profits which naturally
belong 10 himself, -enhanced by the profit Of
the merchant, who, in the gainful traffic which
he has pursued, will have nearly double the
cost price which he has paid in the ports OF
Europe. In o,Eer words, wheat originally
bought at thirty or thirty -four shillings per
quarter, will be sold in the British market for
sevenly-two shilings; and this, as our readers
will not fail to observe, upon the payment Of
one shilling only TO the Government! But it |
may be said the consumer will benefit by the |
reduced price Of grain occasioned by the for |
eign importation Of wheat That he will be. |
nehl for time, we make no doubt; but whe.
Their the advantage will be permanent, or not,
is the only important consideration.
Whatever teaches US to depend too mnch |
upon foreign supplies, abridges the spirit of
agricultural improvement, and contracts the1
outlay OF capital upon land; and though man.
may obtain some assistance from q
sudden demand toi their commodities in for.
eign market, the reduction of The home con-
which inevitably follows npon the
low price Of corn, affords bu, poor cumpen.
sation for short season Of active trade abroad.
But we are not now disposed to enter into the
question of the Corn Laws, or to discuss the
policy Of the existing system. We have often
given our opinion upon it, and have consider
ed it reasonable compromise between the
two contending interests Of society, the land
ed and trading interests. Our object in the
pre- sent remarks is 10 call attention 10 the man.
fest injury which arises from the average and
houseing srstem.
Government has found this system to rt-ac,
,pon itself, and instead Of gaining revenue, as
was expected, il has beer defrauded in the very
moment OF promise, by the natural tendency Of
he late law. The truth is, the average and
~arehoosing system, which We arc sorry 10
To- l 4