The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1842-10-21

located III regard to their market, and
could not compete with foreign rivals on
the continent of Europe, who stood ready
at any favorable moment on the reduction
of duty, TO rush in with their produce and
fill up the vacuum before the American
produce had half crossed the Atlantic.
The only remedy the American had, was
TO leave his produce in English ports upon
bond, as tits called, waiting for favorable
turn in the state OF the market, which
could enable him to pay the duties and
sell his produce at an advance upon its
cost.
England in her commercial operations,
has always been guided by an exceedingly
selfish policy. She manages to keep the
balance oftrade in her favor. Most Of the
countries with whom she trades are deeply
in her debt. Her agricultural interest at
home is highly priced and deeply cher
ished. 1t is the foundation upon which
her greatness rests, and it is guarded with
as much jealousy and care as if upon it
depended her existence as nation. She
is herself great wheat grower. The
amount raised within her borders is i'm
mense. 1t was only when there vas a
failure of the home crop that any consl-
derable amount was imported. Nothing
but the sternest necessity ever induced her
to throw open her ports and reduce her
duties upon foreign grains. Her policy
was invariably to sustain her own agrcul-
tursts, and this she has done thro' the
medium of her corn laws. There was
not only great want and distress, but actu-
al suffering and starvation among her peo-
pie before she deviated in the least from
her rigorous and cruel policy.
There is no country upon earth where
| agriculture, as a science, is better under
stood than in England. No subject has
excited so much attention among her citi-
zens. Immense sums of money have been
invested in It. Great efforts have also
been made to improve the system by
means Of numerous agricultural societies,
and the distribution of premiums for use
full discoveries. Scientific men have made
it more anobject study than in any other
nation. From these causes it is probably
superiorto that of any other country, and
the products of the field and dairy more
rich and abundant. The whole number
of acres in England and Wales, is estima-
ted at thirty-seven millions: of which SIX
millions are waste lands-about sixteen
millions are devoted to pasturage-twelve
millions are under actual tillage, of which
three millions is supposed to be devoted
10 wheat. Art has, in her case, Supplied
! the deficiencies of nature, and every ara
/ bic spot in her island Is TILED to perlee-
ton.
So far as England is concerned, under
her present system of laws, | refer to the
plan Of Sir Robert Peel, passed at the late
session of Parliament) we have but little
to hope from her market. 1t is true, the
rate of duties is fixed, yet so high are they,
that nothing but the necessities OF the
people will warrant expectation. The
present law is intended, and will be found
in its operation, as efficient protection
for the much cherished agricultural inter
ests of England, as were ever any of the
most oppressive and odious Of her corn
laws. Could she be induced to abandon
the system, and throw open her ports tc
American produce free Of duty, the days
OF her agricultural prosperity would soon
be ended, and the products of these ives
tern states would flow in upon her to hC
returned back upon US in a golden tide
| To hope this, or to expect it, is to say tht
least, hoping for most improbable even,
which may not, and probably will not
ever occur; involving as it does, catas
trophe no less important than the entire
overthrow ofthe British dynasty.
| Analogies drawn from the practices o
European countries, are .'.a n
applicable TO the United .C "A
the laws of internal trad y,,
are concerned There il
Europe similar to the L tie
in its form of goyernmt He yariot,
of its vegetable and mi s .o4gea o
in its physical organic or Villain on
limits are found all III s which
according to political ono aa qui
site TO constitute natio sad Iros
2erity. The same aoas no
: exist with us as it doe lH ions
to resort to commerc Glen
: cies at home. Their le mH If tn
great articles OF COZ v ;anno