The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-05-22


AtlFlamburg, the great mart of the corn
trade we learn, on the best authority, that the
stock is unimportant, hardly sufficient for the
local wants.
Tho prices attliese Northern ports,ns com.
pared with former years, show the great fiji
ling oifin the supplies in thOt grent granary
Of the world, The average price of wheat
at Danlzic, from 1880 TO 1914 inclusive, was
ninety cents por bushel but in November last
il sold as high us 81 so per bushel. At Ham,
burg the average price for fourteen years
ending with IA was 81 cents per bushel, but
in December last il had risen TO l,52. Al
Stenin, where the price has usually been about
81, free on board, wheat has recently com
manded 81 SIS free OH board. The price ut
Warsaw has formerly been about 80 cents
free on board, but the December price has
been us high ms 81 so. These prices, as com
pared with the former ones leave 10 doubt
ofscarcity ofgrain in the grain-growing Sec
tons Of Europe. Nor has this falling off been
confined to wheat: the crops of barley, oats,
rye, pens and beans have partially failed, and
the potatoe crop has been still worse.
know of no period when there has been
such n general failure of crops in all parts of
Europe as during the past year; and hence,
the general apprehension of famine, not only
VI lItluIlNl, Dut VII illt COUllUtUls LIcl any
man examine these facts, and he will not be
at a loss to account for the increase of prices
and the extraordinary demand for orr grain
and meat. To ascribe these changes TO the
modification ofthe English corn laws is too
Ridiculous TO be seriously considered. But
as nm effort has been made TO delude the
grain growers in this country, by describing
this change TO commercial regulations,
will state few facts, which 20 directly TO
show that the effects. IL we must as
crbe them TO commercial regulations, are
directly the opposite ofthose predicted by the
friends Ofiree trade, bothin EurOpeS; America.
The great argument Of Mr. Secretary Wal
ker was, that reduction of our duties would
induce Great Britain to repeal her corn laws,
and this would so cheaper grain in England
as to increase the consumption TO that extent
that large quantities ofour grain would be
required for the English market. Now, the
fact is, that the prices in Great Britain, instead
of being reduced, have advanced at least %
per cent; and if the present prices are the re-
suit of her Legislation, the effect has been d-
rectly the reverse ofwhat was predicted. And
the same is true of prices in this country. In
November, lS45, one year before the Inodif-
cation ofour tariff, flour sold for from Sc rs
to SO 81; while in January last. one month uf-
ter the nriffhad taken effect it could he pur-
chased for from $3.50 TO 5,62, being decline
of 81 ,25 per barrel. And at the present time
the prices are no higher than they were in
November and December, 1Si5, one year be-
fore Mr. Walkers famous tariff took effect.
This failure of the crops in Europe has al
so contributed to save Mr. Walkers financial
system from entire failure. The large en-
port ofprovisions to supply foreign demand
created not by statutes, but by national Gu
l,,1.
increase the imports into this country, and so
keep up, TO some extent, the amount of reve-
nue.. The warehousing system has also had
no small share of influence in increasing the
revenue for the first quarter, under the new
tariff. An importer, whose goods should mr.
rive in October or November, would not pay
the then existing rate of duties, when, by
putting them into the warehouse, to remain
from two 10 six weeks, he could save one half,
and OH some articles three iourths of the du-
~. BY this operation, the imports under the
tariff of 1S42, have paid duties under the tar
iff of 1916, and in that way have in a measure
prevented that falling off in the revenue,
which must otherwise have occurred. But it
is perfectly obvious that here is II loss Of rev.
enue, ms whole. All that is gained for De-
ceniber and January, is taken from October
and November. Nor is this all-lhe loss to
October and November is greater than the
gain to December and January,a las the rates of
The tariff of 1642 were higher than those of
1876 But this pretended gain from ware
housing will rot occur again; and when the
famine in Europe shall have passed away our
imports will fall off, from our inability to pur-
chase;S then,but not till then, shall we have
fair trial ofthis pretended commercial reform.
But the fact is, we must look to other eau
ses than to commercial regulations for the
present demand for -four, and the causes are
amply sufficient to account for the change.
No human foresight could have calculated
upon the almost universal failure ofthe crops;
and for The friends ofthe present Executive
TO seize upon this calamity, which is spread
ing suffering and death through many for
eign countries, TO sustain n weak administra-
tion, argues a temeriry rarely to be met with.
1t is placing the demands of party above those
of humanity, and rioting OH the n6sfortunes
of our brethren. could easily extend these
remarks much further, but your good sense
will readily supply their place. Hoping that
the prosperity ofour country may in future
depeud upon wise Legislation at home rather
than upon famine abroad, l subscribe myself
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
CHARLES HUDSON.
WESTMINSTER, Mass, March H. 1S47.