Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-05-25
RICH MOND:
TUESDAY MORNING. MAY 70.
.Modi6eafi.n efhe Eng 'ish Corn-Lacs.

| -"odtnedhsa 81 fke Eng tsh Corn-Ldics.
The nouec by the British Ministry to make the
modification OF the corn laws a Cabinet question,
is deemed the most important intelligence received
by the lately-arrived Steamer. From the develop
men,s made, however, we confess our inability to
desery any thing to justify the belief that any
change will be made in the existing system, which
will materially affect the introd Vton Of Foreign
Bread stufs. Ministers, It will be seen from
the copious extracts whch We give, were especially
cautious ana reserved in their disclosures. They
only stated that they proposed substitute for the
present varying duty, certain, fixed duty-bui as
to the amount Of it, they were profoundly silent.
IL may bc equally prohibitory with that which now
exists. When closely catechsed, they admitted
that 1t would be duty Of protection
From our knowledge Of the state Ct parties in I'm
gland, and the great interests which lilo at the base
of the Government, We cannot indulge the belief,
that IL is seriously contemplated TO throw open the
ports, and expose the agricultural-ihe great and
controlling interest of the Kingdom, TO competition
with foreign markets. Such measure, it occurs to
us, cannot be effected without pros,rang the landed
Aristocracy and revolutionizing the Government.
The Melbourne Ministry are such lnve,eratc low
Of the spos, that they might be willing to bring
retain power. But there is the rub. They can ob-
tain no such assurance. In the general change md
CONFUSION, they may be the first TO go 10y the
board.
1t strikes US, that they have been prompted .
make the movement, for a two fold object. I. They
were reduced to great straits and difficulty by their
defeat on the Irish Registration Bill. In former
times, such defeat would have led to the instant
resignation of Ministers. 1t was necessary, even
10 excuse themselves with their own adhercnis, to
resort to some new and extraordinary expedient
ano this was the only one within their reach IL
rallies 10 them for the time being the little squad OF
Radicals whom they will amuse for a season, until
they have used them, aud then betray them. ?.
They aware that the Tariff is to be rc-adIusted
IN this country, during the present, the coming
year; ard until we act, they would amuse us with
the idea of free trade, in hopes of inducing US to
take of restrictive duties from their manufactures.
The Chancellor of the Exeh,quer made direct re-
ference TO our contemplated action. This is an old
russ Of our kindred across the water-~ hich they
have played off upon us, whenever the subject of
the Tariff was upon the tapis They have found
their account in 1t: and, no doubt, expect to dd
again.
Dut admitting mat The Brush Ministers are IN
earnest-and that they propose a material modica.
ton Of their Corn Laws-(Free Trade is an alb
s,raeton they do not dream OIL what will he the
effects upon this country7 Can we supply Eng
land with bread stuffs1 Such is the genera
idea-but We are persuaded, it will not be
realized, at least TO the extent anticipated. We
have not heretofore grown wheat enough for
our own consumption, any ten years in success
sion. The heavy imporla,ions of grain few
years since, constituted theme of bitter amenta-
ton TO Mr. Woodbury., late Secretary Of the Tren-
sury, who, TO that fact ascribed all the revusons in
trade, and the pecuniSry embaunssments, which
have afflicted the country. But supposing an in
creased demand will cause an increased production;
there is still another obstacle. Unless we have
monopoly of the British markets-a privilege not
TO be expected-can we compete successfully with
the countries along the Mediterranean and the
Black Seattle finest wheat growing countries in
the world, and which wont to supply even usl
There are, at least, sufficient doubts TO forbid US
forming sansuine calculations OF superintendent
wealth from the opening of British ports-ii that
event shall ever rske place.