510 CURSORY THOUGHTS

rect the glaring abfurdities there expofed to view, have only fince then expreffed their aftonithment that any individual fhould dare to point out er- rors of legiflation with fuch undifguifed freedom as is there done. Since that time, the effeéts of thefe laws have been more ferioufly felt than be- fore; and had I been able to enter at all upon the fubjeét at prefent, it muft have called forth a much more fevere tone of indignant reprehenfion than it produced on that occafion.: That thefe laws have tended to diminith the production of corn in this ifland, and to enhance it’s average price, and muft continue to do fo as long as they fhall be fuffered to exift,—could be eafily proved, did circumftances admit of it af prefent: but I am far from attributing the enor- mous prices that have for fo long a time de- ranged the economy of this nation, entirely to a diminution of the crop, originating either from this or from any other caufe. This phenomenon muft be afcribed chiefly to political manceuvres of various forts, arifing from circumftances that, when explained, would tend to excite a{mile, if it were not checked by a contemplation of the extent of the pernicious influence of effeéts that have originated from fuch trifling caufes. Among thefe Circumftances, one of very great influence

jy