5—. 2 8 8 5 ———— —————— . 8 ——P——————— — — ax PEN OU TR Y INTO THE CORN LAWS avp CORN TRADE o GREAT. BRITAIN, D A©> Fe pe Re en re 00 5 RÉ nn EE = D ER: é CUTE AREA= INTO THE CORN LAWS ann CORN TRADE OR A LB RIT AŒN. AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE PROSPERITY or rue KINGDOM. IYITH SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CORN LAWS or) By Tue LATE ALEXANDER DIROM, Eso. OF MUIRESK, IN THE COUNTY OF ABERDEEN. To WHICH IS ADDED, À SUPPLEMENT By Me WILLIAM MACKIE or OrmisTon iN Easr LornHianx, Bringing down the CoNsiDERATION Of the Sugjecr to the PResenr TIME; InvesTicaTinG the Cause of the prefent Scarciry; and fuggelling Mrasures for promoting the CULTIVATION of the Wasre LanDs; and for rendering the Propuce equal to the INCREASING CONSUMPTION of the Kincpom. >= NE BEBLIOT EN % æ © EE ne D D. KONIGLICHE\ 4 3= À ACADENM! FA r\DES LAdipar DIN BURGH: L9ES LANDBALES |\#1 JUL GEL]\ Printed for WILLIAM CREECH; UMR And G. Nicozr, Pall Mall; and J. Sewezz, Cornhill; Londo 1796, tt Lis er mmner me rene—… — À S n Pre nn TE S=— DT VAE LR mn Drm dt«_——— AT Le nl 0 A æ mn===+ a— PT RP x f / Ne-’ — dr ch ont_-_» se. z … n Fe,> = er Ÿ eds SE F: ze l| Î 4| || | ë Fa 11 ï TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY D'UN DAS, ONE OF HIS MAÏJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES OF SEATE, Oe Sr. Co. SIR, ON my return from the Eait Indies, in the year 1792, 1 found the following Work in Ma- nufcript, among my deceafed Father’s papers; with a memorandum written, in the end of the year 1787, a fhort time before his death, containing a recom- mendation to me to have it publifhed. Finding that my Father had obtained your permiflion to dedicate his intended publication to you; and it being congenial to your character to coun- tenance a work, which has the profperity of the kingdom for its object, I am happy in thinking that this Inquiry, whatever may be found to be its merit, will ftill have the advantage of appearing under your patronage; nor does it afford me lefs fatisfaction to have this opportunity of teftifying the high refpeét, with which I have the honour to be, 1, Your much obliged, and Moîft obedient humble Servant, ALEX. DIROM: Edinburgh, roth March 1706. a nr r É- Author of the following Work, who lived to the age of fixty-t a devoted a confiderable part of his time to the ftudy and practice of agriculture*. To a profefional know- 7 ledge of the ui. he added extenfive literary acquirements; md and, actuated by a ftrong zeal for the public good, undertook J Ml©) this inveftigation, which will appear to have been a work of much refletion and refearch. The great obje@, which the author appears to have had in contemplation, was to exh1bit fuch a view of the principles and effets of the Corn Laws, enacted at different periods in Great Britain, as might fhew that the Corn Trade, both as a manu- he firft fature, and an article of commerce, is, of all others, t in importance to the profperity of the kingdom. His ftate- ments, founded upon fs, tend to prove, that abundance of grain at home, and at a moderate price, cannot be obtained by mportation from abroad, and can only be fecured by vins fuch liberal encouragement to exportation, as may ren- der agriculture, or the raïfing of corn, the favourite object of ee{ re I 2 Fe A: A ovicul a axill La NE in VA oht? L* An account ofthe Author’s praétice in Agriculture will be found in Wight’ State of Hufbandry in Scotland, Vol. 3. page 677, and page 710. < bi av De Le: kr nn pe em induftry in the kingdom. Thus, inftead of purchafing a con-| fiderable part of our fubfftence from foreign countries, we| may, by falutary regulations in the Corn Laws, be enabled, | not only to fupply ourfelves, but to render our country one of| the principal granaries of Europe. Itis neceffary to remark, that this inveftisgation includes only | the Corn Laws, as far down as the year 1774, and the confidera-| tion of the fubjeét in general, to the year 1786. Since that| period, féveral ftatutes, particularly that of 1701, by which| all the former Corn Laws are repealed, have received the fanc- tion of Parliament; the expediency of which, it is hoped, may, in fome meafure, be alfo judged of from the principles efted in the courfe of this Inquiry. In order, however, to afford to the Public a continued chain of information, on a fubje& fo difficult, and fo important, the Editor-applied to Mr Mackie of Ormifton, in the county of Baft Lothian, à man of extenfive knowledge in this line, as well as in practical agriculture*, to furnifh him with a review of the Corn Laws that have been enacted fince this Inquiry was written, and to bring down the confideration of the fubjeét to the prefent times. This has been done by Mr Mackie in Two Letters, which the Editor hopes will be found to be an ufeful and able Supplement to the Work. * Mr Mackie is the author of two fmall Traëts, the one entitled, Difquifitions on the Influence of Soil and Climate, in Improving the nourifhing quality of Vege. tables; the other, An Addrefs to the Landed Intereft in Great Britain, on the Prefent State of the Difillery. Both printed for William Creech, Edinburgh, 1786. CONEEN TS. io PAT mie q ue CHAR. I, De.| Page Of the General State of Nations, avith refpeët to the Alhimentary Support of Mankind; and particularly that of Great Britain CHAP. E. Of the Caufes and Effeëts of the feveral Corn Laws of Great Britain, prior to the Revolution in 1683- 27 Ù e CHA P. IEL Of the Caufes and Effeits of the feveral Corn Laws of Great Britain, fubfequent to tbe Revolution tn 1688- 73 CHA P EN. Recapitulation of tbe principal Heads of tbe Corn Laws of Great Britain, and a Dedu&tion of Principles from their Effeits—==-= 109 CHAP: V: Arrangements propoled for carrying into Execution, and giving Effe&, to the Corn Laws,—Conclufion of the Work“159 se CONTEN SUPPLEMENT. ÉETTER TI From Mr Mackie, Farmer in Ormiflon, to the Editor, contain- ing a Review of the Corn Laws, and an Account of the Corn Trade, from the periods to wbich the Inquiry is bro oug be down, t5 the year 1793; with farther Suggeflions for the fmprovement of the Corn Laws-- PTÉER IE Containing an Examination of Dr Adam Smitb's Theory on the Corn Trade; an Inquiry into the Caufes of the prejfent Scarcity in Great Britain; with Suggefhions for pr re ÆAgriculiure, and particu larly the Cultivation Ÿ tbe W. Lands,. and for rende) 2ng the produce equal to the increafing Confumption of the kingdom afle APPENDIX. N° I. : Tables 5 jor conver tag the Ancient Mone ey into the Prefent Mo- ney, and of the Price of a Quarter of Wheat, from the year 1223 70 1784= =_ No II. An Account of the“Exportation and Importation of Grain) from and to Great Britain, from tbe year 169 97 to 1784* Pag. 216 II * The Supplement to the Inquiry, contains an account of the Exports and 1m. ports of Grain from the year 1785 to 1793 inclufive, Sr El %* CONTENTS. No III. General Account of the different Sorts of Grain exported feve- rally from England and Scotland, from the Union to the year 1763, wben the Great Importation of Foreign Grain com- menced=== No IV. Table of the vearly Prices and Averages of Wheat, and of the ea s 9 General Importation and Exportation of Grain, to and from Great Britain, from the year 1097 to 1784= No V. Table of the Quantities of the different forts of Grain Exported from Great Britain, and of the Price of Wbeat, from the Union to the year 1363, wben the great Importation of Fo- reigno Grain commenced==* à= No VI. Tables of the Prices and Duties wbich regulated tbe Exporta- tion and Importation of Wheat in England, and in Scotland, prior to the Revolution in 1688-_== No VIL Abbreviation of the Corn Laws reviewed in this Work, fhew- ing the Prices, Bounties, and Duïjes, by wbich the Ex- portation and Importation of Grain bave been regulated in England, and in Scotland, and in Great Britain, down to _—__== œ æ the year 1773 No VIII. Table Explanatory of Sundry Articles in tbe frecedng Wort----=--- XI Pag. 99) [R°2 Go OQ EN OO CLR INTO DIPE CORN PA WS,&e CET ASP. Of the General State of Nations, with respeët to the alimentary sup- port of Mankind; and more especially that of Great Britain. IHE ftrength and power of nations being limited, or extended, according to the number and induftry of their inhabitants, the attention of their refpective go- vernments ought to be direéted to fuch meafures as have an immediate tendency to encourage agriculture; thereby giving rife to an ufeful population, and enlarging that bafis which aflords the moft folid fupport to wanufaëlures and commerce. On reverting to the ftate of mankind, in the different ftages of fociety, we find that the inhabitants of a country, who fubfift by hunting, can aflociate only in fmall numbers, on account of the great extent of land which the chace requires to fup- A CHAP. I. mt " Les— PP eee ae. ie nr# RE ee RE om PE PI ‘ 2 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. TI port a family; and of courfe, the population muft bear a {mall proportion to the extent of territory which they poflefs. If, like the Tartars or Arabs of old*, a nation be wholly employed in pafturage, its population will be in proportion to its herds, or, which is in effect the fame, in proportion to the number of cattle, which the territory occupied by fuch nation is capable to fupport. Under mild and fruitful climates, where mankind are part- y fupported by the fpontaneous produétions of the earth, and obtain their fubfftence with a fmall degree of labour, the population may be great, but the inhabitants will in general be feeble and enervated; unaccuftomed to mental, as well as to bodily exertions, they are without refources upon emergen- cies; their ftruggles in adverfity muft be weak; and a barren feafon will either banifh or cut off a tumber of them, propor- tioned to the decreafe of the ufual quautity of food. In communities fuch as Holland, Venice, Genoa, Geneva, and other republics, the Hanfe, and other free towns, whofe induftry is great, but whofe territory is of fmall extent, the inhabitants muft barter their labour in the different arts, or in commerce, for the produétions of the lands of other na- tions: depending therefore, in a great meafure, upon foreign countries for fubfiftence, their profperity can advance by only flow degrees, and their population will be proportioned to the fupply procured by their manufactures and commerce. In Great Britain, and other extenfñve countries under the * Vide Genefñis, c. F3. ver. 2,$, O.; and C. 33. ver. 13. " ee it à THE CORN LAWS. 3 like climate, where the foil is capable of being made highly produétive by labour, but without labour is nearly barren, the exertion of the inhabitants is called forth, and is rewarded by abundant crops.‘The population, manufactures, and com- merce of fuch nations, will increafe with the induftry and ca- pital employed in Agriculture, and can be limited-only by their territory. Since the acquifition of the means of fubfftence muft pre- cede that of the conveniencies or the luxuries of life, fo the in- duftry which procures the firft, mul, in the order of time, as well as of importance, be prior to that which furnifhes the o- thers. The true riches, therefore, of all countries, both pri- marily and ultimately, muft be derived from bodily labour, and the food of mankind, produced by that labour; popula- tion, and every occupation of mankind, being entirely fupport- ed by, and dependant upon thefe main fources of national wealth. It is evident, that a much greater number of people, can be reared and fupported in the fame extent of territory, by the produétions of the vegetable, than poflibly can be by thofe of the animal worid. Thus the Hottentots, who lived by hunting, having been prefled backward by the Dutch colonifis at the Cape of Good Hope, have decreafed in numbers at leaft propor- tioned to the territory of which they have been divefted; yet, by the cultivation of the foil, the number of the Dutch colomifts, now comfortably fupported upon the fame fpace of land occu- pied by their predecefors, exceeds the latter probably fifty times. The fame obfervation may be applied to North America. 2 CEHAP.T CHAP'TE Le mu) 4 AN INQUIRY INTO Agriculture, or the art of raifing corn, having increafed po- pulation, and greatly contributed to extend the ftrength and power of Great Britain, it may be worthy of the attention of the community, to enquire into its rife, to contemplate its pro- grefs, to inveftigate the caufes of its decline, as well as of its profperity; and as far as pofhble(avoiding thsory) to point out to the legiflature, from the experience of paît times, thofe circumftances that have moft materially contributed to its fuc- C2 cefs, or to its depreflon. The period appears to be very diftant when agriculture was firit introduced into Great Britain; for when the Romans in- vaded the fouthern parts ofit, they found the fields full of corn, and the inhabitants in pofleflion of trained horfes and chariots 6f war, which they managed with great dexterity*. And although the other parts of the ifland were inhabited by people, who lived by pafturage or by hunting, and clothed themfelves in the fkins of their cattle, or of their game, yet, having been initiated by the Romans in the arts of civilized khfe, they foon began to cultivate their fields, and to raife corn. After the departure of the Romans, the inroads of the Scots and Piéts, the invañon and conqueft by the Saxons, their heptarchy, and military appointments, were all unfavour- able to agriculture; and che invañons and fuccefles of the Danes, and the immenfe fums which they carried out of Eng- land, continued its depreffionf. * Cæfar’s Commentary, lib. 4. 28. and lib. 5. 10. Clarke’s edit. + Flor. Wigorn. Brad. Hift. Eng. vol. 1. p. 123.3; Cartes Hift. of England, vol. 1. p. 3345 Hume’s Hit, Eng. vol. 1. p. 93.&c. THE CORN LAVWS, s à The Norman conqueft, by the frefh diftrefles of war, and the change of property, retarded its recovery; and, except im the royal domains, or thofe of the dignifed clergy, of the gréat barons, or of religious orders, agriculture for a long time after that period, appears to have been left to the feeble ex- ertions of fuch people, as by their infirmities or age, or their inferior fituation in life, were not called for in war. By de- grees, however, the Englifh and Norman families came to be fo much incorporated, that the diftinétion was loft; the bold and independent fpirit of the Englifh Nobles again appeared, and the fields began again to receive cultivation. It would appear that at fome diftant period, agriculture had been in a higher ftate of perfection in Scotland, than it now is, and that the country had been more populous than at prefent. The ftraight and equal ridges ftill appearing upon extenfve fields and high grounds, in every part of the country, which muft have been barren for many centuries; and even the penalties in fome of the old Scotch laws having been paid in wheat, feem to point out a more plentiful and populous era, Malcolm IL. gave great fupport to agriculture; but in the year of his death(1034) a few days after the fummer fol- flice, there were fevere frofts and deep fnow, which deftroyed the fruits of the earth, and a great famine enfued”. In the beginning of the reign of Malcolm[V. a great fa- mine raged over all Scotland, by which great numbers of men and cattle were deftroyed. * Buchanan’s Hift. Scot, L. 6. Jub finem. Tibet CHAP. I Cu) CHAP. I. mn) 6 AN INQUIRY INTO But whatever progrefs agriculture may have made in Scot- land, prior to the acceflion of William, in the year 1165, the war with England, the captivity of that prince, and the money paid for redeeming the fuperiority or vaflalage of his kingdom, which William had furrendered for his releafe, brought Scotland into fuch diftrefs, that, upon the acceflion of his fon Alexander I. in the year 1214, agriculture was found to have been almoft totally abandoned; and the very firft law, made in his reign, was to oblige the inhabitants to labour and fow their lands*, Under Alexander IIL. Scotland recovered, in fome degree, its agriculture and its confequence; but the difputes that hap- pened upon his death, and the war which enfued with Eng- land, diminifhed both afterwards for many ages. It is not, however, to a very diftant period we need apply to difcover at what time agriculture came to be{o far advanced in England, as to render wbeat the chief article of fubfftence. This could only be the cafe, when the quantity raifed became {10 abundant as to bring the prices of that grain, one year with another, to be reafonable, and nearly equal. If fcar- city fhould now double the ordinary prices, it would pro duce dearth; but if it fhould triple them, famine would follow. Therefore, fo long as we find the prices of wheat rary, ten, twenty, thirty, or forty times the current value of it, in years of ordinary plenty, we muft confider the cul- ture of that grain to have been ftill in its infancy, and that Pal mankind did not depend upon wheat as the chief part of their fupport. In the year 1244, the price of wheat was 25, the PER AkRr ELLE ee ee” THE CORN LWAS. 7 quarter. In 1270, it was at L.4, 165. equal to L.47:12:4 of prefent money; fo that, in fuch times, it would appear in fmall quantities, and only at the tables of the rich. In: 288, it was 1. 6d In 1317, it was at L. 2, 4s. before harveft, and the fame year, after harveft, it fell to 6s. 8d. In 1340, the price was 28 In 1350, it was L.1:6:8; and in:1367;, 25. the quarter. So late as the year 1557, wheat rofe from 8s. the quarter, to L.2:13:4. In 1562, it was at 8s. the quar- ter, and'in 1574, at L.2, 165*. We are difappointed, when we apply to the flatutes of our ancient legiflatures, to difcover the encouragement beftowed upon agriculture; for that feems not to have occurred to them, as a matter in any way neceflary: on the contrary, We find many of the old laws of England and Scotland, inviting and encouraging foreign merchants and others, to import corn * The principles, upon which the ancient money of England, and of Scotland is con- verted into the prefent Sterling money, are explained in the Appendix, No I.; which ao contains a Table of the price of the quarter of wheat iu England, at fuch periods as it can be properly authenticated, from the year 1223 to 1784. The authors are numerous who have made calculations of the progrefs of the va- lue of money from the Conquelt to the prefent time; and to afcertain it has been found a matter of the greateft difficulty. Mr Hume, in his Hifory of England, vol. r. p: 228. calculates the money about the time of the Conquelt at 30 times the value of the prefent money. He even goes the length to fay, that we may multiply the fums mentioned by hiftorians, for fome reigns after the conquelt, by 10e. Bifhop Fleetwood, in his Chronicon Pretiofum, publifhed in 1707, fhews, that a quarter of wheat, which in the year 1249 coft L. 4: 13: 9, would be equal to about L.so of prefent money. In 1489 he reckons that L.; was equal to L. 40 of prefènt money, Or as 1 to 8. The calculations of our Author are lower than. Bifhop Fleetwood’s, but, upon the whole, correfpond pretty nearly with them.. They are made upon principles :‘ L be 1: a L= 2e+1 more general, and more eafily applied than the Bifhop’s, and appear, from other: manuferipts left by the Author, to have been adopted by him, after a long and pain- ful inveftigatien of the fubjeét.. Eds, D Te EEE 5 x: Loue OV RBPRN EST. ADRTAES° CHAPE Lan en) REP ru RE CHAP.T. . Ps ne R LE pate 0- 2" 0 mr mm EP DE 2 ae dm 8 ANFENOUTREY-ENTO and all kinds of provifions; and the inhabitants purchafed them, with their raw materials, of wool, leather, and lead, which they themfelves were then incapable of working up*. Agriculture was for feveral centuries after the Conqueft, without reputation, and without fupport. The lands were chiefly in the hands of the clergy, or of the great barons; they were laboured by their villains or flaves, in proportion to whom, the number of hufbandmen or focmen was very fmall over all EnglandŸ. The freemen, who occupied farms in the country, and they were but few, held no rank in fo- ciety; and befides the depredations of the banditti, with whom the kingdom in thofe days was overrun, they were opprefled by the greater legal depredation of purveyance. This originally comprehended the neceffary provifons, carria- ges,&c. which the neareft f:rmers were obliged to furnifh, at the current prices, to the Kings armies, and his houfes and caftles in time of war. It was called#he great purveyance, and the officers who collected thofe neceflaries were called furveyors. The fraller purveyance included the neceflary provifons and carriages for the King’s houfehold, when living at home, or cravelling through the kingdom, which the tenants in the King’s demefne lands were obliged to furnifh gratis; and the Like practice came to be adopted by the barons, and great men, in every tour which they thought proper to make in the countryi. d * Vide Magna Charta, K. John, cap. 50. + Brady’s Hift. of England, General Preface, p. 7. 8.&c. ses for es his ne m exifts now in the Æ4f Jndies,‘where the feudal fyftem is in Ed PT ne RE THE CORN LAWS. 9 Thefe exactions were fo grievous, and levied in fo licen- tious a manner, that the farmers, when they heard of the 9# 2. s. court’s approach, often deferted their houles, as if the country had been invaded by an enemy*. Purveyance came to be a prodigious diftrefs upon the fab je@s in both kingdoms, and was perhaps, for many centuries, the chief obftruction to the agriculture and improvement of Great Britain. The abufe was extended fo far, that hoftlers, brewers, and vituallers, purchafed the King’s letters-patent, of the office of purveyor.‘The exactions were fo grievous, and the office came to be fo odious,‘that the heinous name of purveyor, € was ordered by law to be changed into that of buyer à Many laws were made for the reformation and regulation of purveyance, without effet. The diftrefles of the people of England, arifing from this mode of oppreflion, are well painted in one of thofe reforming laws, 28 Hen. 6, entituled‘ The & penalty for taking any perfons horfes or cart, without the ‘ delivery of the owner, or fome officer, or for taking money “+9 iDate them.” An higher legal diftrefs cannot well be imagined, than this old and ordinary method of purveyance; nor a meafure more ‘piurious to the beît interefts of the kingdom. Hume’s Hift. vol. 1. p. 242.+ 26 Ed HEC,> B\ ‘CHAP. I. Ca yn) EO ANS ENQUERS® INTO CHAP. TI. The praétice was not confined to the neighbourhood of the King's houfehold, it was fpread over the whole kingdom'; for when fuch powers are to be fold, purchafers would be found every where. If à farmer had an hazardous crop to take in, if he had-an appointment upon urgent bufnefs, if he had fixed a day for the marriage of a fon or daughter; it was then that his neighbour purveyor came, and laid hold of his horfes and carriages for the fervice of the King, and detained them until they were redeemed by a fine; and this fine would be pro- portionate to the anxiety, or the diftrefs of the farmer; for ali fentiments of humanity or juftice were out of the queftion. By this law, thofe letters-patent having been recalled, none fuch were afterwards iffued; but purveyance in other refpetts continued to.be executed in its ufual rigour. In the 3oth of Elizabeth, the Commons pafled a bill for re- 3; P gulating purveyance; butit was loft in the Houfe of Peers. In the following feflion, they made a frefh attempt to re- move that grievance; but the Queen exprefsly prohibited them to meddle with that branch of her prerogative. The various modes of oppreflion by purveyance, fo late as the reign of James[. are pointed out by Bacon, in his fpeech delivered in the firft parliament of that king#, * Hume’s Hifi. vol. 4. p. 64. ER-> Ke ss=— Re a RE ne A GERS pi À“troie ae im dut go HER are ae€ — à_—- bé ge=- è hoc THE CORN LAWS. ft Another great diftrefs upon agriculture had arifen,:, and continued long, in the execution of the office of Clerk of the narket. The Clerk of the market was originally an oflicer in the King's houfehold, who had the charge of the King's mea- fures, and the cuftody of the ftandards for regulating the weights and meafures throughout the kingdom. But the jurifdiction of this office had, by degrees, been ex- tended over the whole markets of the kingdom, and by the general inequality of weights and meafures then in ufe, the Clerk of the market came to be invefted with powers in ap- pearance legal, to opprefs the farmers, and other fubjects, at his pleafure. The Crown had alfo been in the praëtice of letting the ofice to farm, for which, great fums of money were paid; and, Of courfe, it became neceflary to the leflees, for their own reim- burfement and profit, to execute the unjuft powers committed to them with the utmofit rigour*. * The Cutwal of the bazar, or market, in India, is exa@ly fuch an officer as is here defcribed. In fhort, the peafantry of that country, particularly under the native princes, labour under all the hardfhips that appear to have exifted in Great Britain fome hundred years ago. This being the cafe, may not benefit be derived, even in the government of the Britifh empire in India, from the inveftigation of this fubje&, fo important in all countries? And might not the example of our government there, were they to redrefs all fuch grievances, have a happy influence in alfo direting the at- tention of the native princes, to objets of fuch confequence to the profperity of their people? Eds, B'2 GFAPT Lu) - ZE a: nent Se-ees EE = ET LE id CHAR::k. Loan mm) F2 AN SIENOQ PIRE: IN TO { Several laws were made for removing this grievance with r was reftricted to the verge of the court; and th. e] le CS SEE NS=(Ce> Poe a En— powers of the officer, over the reft of the a were + ai= TN /E4+ U e= Sel c Y à« rMNA fait= se. Ter æ num és it rê Ras À EE Te Ne» SRE mis>=: SES mr rt OS se=—— É 6 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP-T an average yearly, for bread, beer, fpirits,&c. and of courfe the confumption of 8 millions of people, will be 16 millions of quarters of the feveral kinds of grain over-head yearly. It will be afcertained that, for many years, Great Britain exported about 850,000 quarters of grain yearly; and we may therefore conclude, that, in thofe years of profperity, corn fuflicient was raifed to fupport the inhabitants for near[4 months, befide the feed to be fown, at the rate of fomewhat more than 1,300,000 quarters monthly; for it may be admit- ted, that at leait one month’s provifion muft be kept on hand to bring in the new crop. But even in fuch years, the produce is fo nearly balanced by the confumpt at home, that, independent of bad feafons, if by any miftake, or mifapplication of the laws, the hand of labour fhould, in a fmall degree, be withdrawn from agricul- ture, the confequences would be dreadful.: From the ftrength E re erYrEe 7 10} ip KT S A so ba}] XT fo e ne of our commerce, we might ward of the blow for a fhort time, by the importation of foreign grain; but while that would impoverifh us by the payment of the price, it would increafe our wants, by trenching upon the remains of our own agriculture. Yet 1f the people can be plentifully and cheaply fupported, and even the exportation mentioned kept up, it would be a vaft addition to the wealth and refources of the kingdom; but if, by any encouragement that the law can give, corn could be yearly raïfed fuflicient for 15 months provifon to the in- eme E ù€ Se Re ÉCREA——__ 12 FE. CORN ca 2/’ œ r+ 0=> 10+ qA Ye AE ES … F7 m U1 rain, 111 YCalo UE orGinarv DICIIL y i 4 J 4 X7 la ba:1319| FE tent} naTvf of+] a VOUIG GC CE FTtO dd LCDES alt É- ERIC Êz— the im pot | 1- 1«TT—+ would alwavs be unneceflary, unlefs UU 4 Nr e Darren ieaion. Import tation of foreign gran . is at all times ru _: Le er 2 ana witn BE at CITCUMIPE C[1ON. and added to the prime coft and freight,&c. we are Iub} 1 and fhould never be adm TT A LAVW sn%+£2#0o a half of quarters re D: Re mie. Biron waonin ÉERXIFE"I Drilalil WOUIU = . PorE‘. tort 1 Lys ct PE LaliUiz OL EUEFCIES n PÉMICE O æ n.: atter 1ome tremeilr aiter 1OMIE C2AULECILICEY { =. += EU ns ar nn at IOÏIILC LIRRICO Lie Le Inthate vent fne 1 ce Mi] VCOIIL LAC ULICLLD LLILELL =,+. 1 À 14e our iUuDDIY+n>} I alu 1% LJ Le i 14 À LiIL 52 RE 4 L=. o< a" E Aa nnrifra nn-— T> 1 à ECG UVL OT net ULUEU/ILSs 1 i/ É23 y 1 RE Ty 41:13 Hsacta nr Ve er de to the payment of fuch taxes, as the prince from* ports VER TS ne us de=; we are to be fupplied, fhall be pleafed to put upon it; and which may DES be increafed in proportion to our neceili AT s LE EE 3= Eee 2] Pr Fe. 1 kb+ tIES. efides, DY 1 nportation, we empio ÿ Hé and 1a- J: : TR+ si s>: FE.. ee un nr es! A D D cer Ad re Dour oï otner nations, ac the EXDEREE of VIiEIŒiNSs" 10 IMUCH OL £= our own, an 10 Tar we cut Off OUF OWI In every COL iINtTY, the quantity O1 et 4 : 7» 4 ne f0D sf+, dr== DE portioned to tne uiual tion acc CENCE, WV1iL telidt FÉE EC exCreic port the ns F9 sers: LS RES MERE becaule a ihort crop, Which 1n OtNET F=> È, e more corn ta: 1 nn 4 Z feiOUFCES. n== 1 = DE_—— ner LL-d 10 VY 2E. VY 112[er” 2 =+ £ 1 { … DE rrOon s ee Eee OT TRE CFOD RGO a na- —= frarcitsr RU= ps ve À o 41 nm:+ ra 41. z 1.1:. d Î r: 1:- tra_ is SE De LILUALIULIS Il EÉEU"IC EEC Rens a DS à | be] 18 AN ENOEERY ENTO ful, will generally afford a fufficient fupply for home con- fumption, ne exportation muft ftop. AJ nations who have hands fufficient for the purpofe, wifh to keep their raw materials at home, to be wrought up by their own people, and to allow a free trade of the goods manu- factured. When 100 people are employed upon the fame fubject, 1 e. ne oo or on Donc ee d A to of them are fufhicient for one branch of it, and 00 are required for the other, we may in general fuppofe the firft to be the raw material, and the other the manufaéture. Corn being entirely the produce of labour, the land upon which it grows may be faid to be the raw material, and of 100 people employed in bringing corn from the feed to the oven or full, more than 90 are engaged in bringing it to market- able grain; after which, fewer people are employed init, than are neceflary to cut and few up the woolen and linen cloths, after they have received the laft hand of the manufaturer L'; fo that corn, when brought to be drefled grain, is a finifhed manufacture in every fenfe of the word. The generality of other manufaëtures are arbitrary, and may be taken up or laid down at>ofibly without H much detriment to the nation; but agriculture muft be fup- _—— as it is the hinge upon which both our lives and actions turn, and the ultimate and only certain refource of the flate, both for men and for money. SE ne me— ge me, D=——— a EE— ns ES mé——— THE. CORN LAWSE. rt 2 7= 1 c y AN] 3 Afi 5 4+ a ES A CE À ET Almoft every other manufacture, may be admittedto aïree 7 AP. I. C4< 3 c MC pds ART SRE PR de- Dut,ras the né of corn muft at all times be limited 7=] n AC M Lac‘a the Mars E ro ire nd fubfervient to the neceltities OT the Itate, 12 TEQUITÉS Li] 1 the attention of a careful and foftering parent. Ou ture ought therefore to be guarded by the wifeft laws, and the ftricteft execution of them, as the only certain means of employing the greateit number of people, and confequently of increafing our population; and it is the better entitled to this attention, that the farmer and the landhold. proportion of all taxes impofed, for promoting and proteéting the file of our other manufactures, both at home and abroad, as well as for the growth of corn at home. Ït is not eafy to afcertain, with certainty; the number of people employed in the raifing, m: anufa@uring, tranfporting, and fale of corn; but it may be computed with a great degree oO” Lu of probability. It is imagined that a farm, from which 100 quarters Of orain, of the ordinary produ@tion of the county in which it 4 is fituated, can be fold yearly,(after maïntaining the farmer s family, fupporting his cattle,&c. and fowing the grounc i for another crop}, will employ, at an average, 12 Rae old and young”. It is fuppofed that the farmer’s family confifts of himfelf, his wife, and three children at a medium; that he acts as overfeer, that his wife manages the dairy, and that they employ, 2 men fervants, 1 maid fervant, ES OR er 7m S ne nn: Le === RS— A rs< ddl 20 ANT INQUIRM INTO CHAP. I. In larger farms, where the foil is good, and the climate fa- no vourable, fewer die will be required; and when the farms are fmaller, or the foil and climate lefs favourable, more will proportionally be neceflar y. To raife 13 millions of quarters of grain for fale, would, according to the above calculation, require the labour of at 1,560,000 people, old and young; and their maintenance, ] | the rate of two quarters to each_— being added to that quantity, will make up the general yearly confumpt of 16 millions of quarters. But befide the farmers, who raïfe grain for fale,(without including millers, ER factors, a others employed en- nl 1= tirely in the corn trade), there muft be at leaft two hundred - thoufand families of cottagers in Great Britain, who raife as much corn as ferves their own famihes only, and whofe land- rents are paid by other branches of their induftry; and allow- ing 5 to each of their families, there cannot in all be fewer D 1 herd, x hind or labourer for threfhing corn,&c, and 2 children to tend the lefler animals. ‘The cattle and live-flock neceffary for work, or to be reared for profit, may be con fidered to confift of at leaft, 4 work horfes, and a riding horfe, or 8 oxen in place of the 4 horfes, for work; 6 cows and their produétion for three years, and about 50 fheep; and that the farm will befides feed Q 3 hogs and two breeders, with poultry,&c. Ù ne ANS a CE” Le, Le RES=+ ESS—— = en z Er Sn QE 7 Se RE ne A Es Sa CS Ë PASSER ci sa THE CORN LAWS. 2: than two millions and a half of peor le employed in huf- Deduing 5 millions of quarters of ee for the main- tenance of the ue ers and cottagers(at tlie rate of two quar- ters to each perfon), from the 16 millions of ue which we have re ex to be the quantity required for the general confumpt of the kingdom, there remains 11 millions of quar- ters of grain, which is to be confidered as the produce of the lands, after fupporting the people and cattle employed in raifing the corn, and fowing the Se or, in other words, a aua tit r@ al a the confumbt£ c‘illions and half ic Jai ILY equa to tne coniumE OÏ ne 5 m1ii lions anc à AAIL of people, who are not employed in ee andry. >) e= 1 pra: SERRE vr+ But it is to be obferved, that the 11 milhons f quarters of grain, are raifed by the m illion and a half of he for the cottagers, raïfing only as much grain as will fupport their own families, come not into the computat jon: fo that every d in hufbandry, as a trade or J perfon, old and young, employec manufacture, 1s RU to raife as much corn as will main- in himfelf, and nearly four other panne, after fupporting ftock upon the farm, and labouring and fowing the ground for another crop. We have taken up this calculation, as is already faid, from the generally received opinion, that there are 8 millions of people in Great Britain; but we are apt to beheve that the population confiderably ex«ceeds that number, É CEPAP:E Co.) raifers will be more: D Lo AN INQUIRY INTO = If this be the cafe, we.do not pretend to alter the computa- tion, by faying, that every perfon, old and young, employed in agriculture as a fcience or trade, could raife, upon an average, more grain than would fupport 4 other perfons be. fides himfelf, after defraying the other neceflities of the farm; for we believe that if 48 or$o people, old and young, in pro- portion to the raifers, were to be billeted upon fach a farm as we have mentioned, they and the people upon the farm would find fall ufe for all the productions of it, after fupport- ing the cattle,&c. and fowing the ground. But if there are more people, the numbers of the corn- {o, in proportion to the number of the other members of the community, which will make no dif- ference in the other parts of the calculation; and from every confideration we have had in view, and every Judgment we c an form, we are apt to imagine that there are at leaft-2 nul- 3 Ω I lions of people, old and young, employed in agriculture in Great Britain, befx 1 ARE ARR) DS RRAlS CRU te ee À es r"PI:° the other branches of the community are in proportion. This xx nl] wouit make the population of the country amount to about 11 millions. In flating this number, we have, among other confde- rations, taken the taxes or public revenue, under review, amounung to 15 millions of pounds Sterling, all which muft | Be 1 fe 1 2Ya: L qe H : from the induftry of the people at large*; for thofe HS NAS ÉtR n EL A Te à DS 1 se vas Written M the year 1786, when the public revenue rather exceeded fifteem ullions. Edit. e the cottagers; and that the numbers of à ä MR À 3 TA CORN LAWS: 23 Ce parts of the community, who, by their birth, fortune, or em- ployment, are not fubjeéted to bodily labour, although equally neceflary in fociety, are not very confiderable in number, when compared with the great body of the people, Fifteen millions of pounds, to be paid yearly by eight millions of people,:would amount to 37s. 6d. each perfon, or L. 9: 7:6 out of each family, fuppofed to confift of five perfons, which would appear rather impoñhble to be borne; but divided among 11 millions, it will only affect each about 23s. 6d. per annam, or L. 5:156s. from each family, which is more likely to be the cafe. It has been faid, that the land tax, the window tax, the tax upon carriages,&c. do not affect induftry; but that is with- out foundation: For land, without the induftry of people, vould be of little or no comparative value; nor 1s it of any confequence whether the landiord or the tenant pays the land tax: For if it be paid by the tenant, he will pay proportion- ably lefs rent; and without the induftry of the people, there would be neither cultivated land, nor windows, nor carriages to pay taxes. Every public burthen muft be paid out of the GFEAPST. common ftock of induftry, although fome of the taxes may: affe& one clafs of people more than another. 2 y@ In the unimproved ftages of fociety, there was no occafion for public taxes; becaufe every member of the community contributed perfonally, both to public and private defence and accommodation. = S TS+: cSs Das RS ms Fe pré me mem de ee ON = ë rs PE us== 4 JF 14 24 AN AINQUPFRY INTD CHAP.I. There are but four occupations natural to mankind, hunt- ing, fihing, pafturage, and war for defence or retaliation; {or agriculture is a trade or manufature, and has been intro- duced by art. The perfons who were at the head of thofe occupations, were the makers of their own inftruments, as well as the ufers of them; their children and relations were allowed to parti- cipate in their toils and in their pleafures, but thofe who ferved them were their flaves. In well regulated communities, there muft be fubordina- ton, but flavery is not neceflary; on the contrary, every per- {on 1s free, and a ufeful member of the fociety in his vocation, whatever it is, fo long as he conforms himfelf to the rules of the fo ociety. en of fuperior birth, fortune, or merit, come naturally to be employed in the political line or department of govern- ment; the farmer raifes bread for the community; the failor and foldier defend it; the manufaturer, affifted by the la- bourer, works up its raw materials; the artifan by the divifion of labour, and the application of the mechanic arts, gives aflift- ance to both; the merchant facilitates the exchange of its commodities with thofe of other nations: and thus every part of the cor nmunity h: angs by the other. LIL In the courfe of this inquiry it will appear, that from the SAS RIRES SERGE pr À: San= AO lon SRE Le Union, ull the year 1763, is che period when agriculture, with mor RARE ee à s; a ns Re‘- —-=-—— es A D+ ne Po mn AD ETES ET TND NN] A T7 Q& LE EYE Ë Î S AAC E ARE LN LAN YA: 2 2 de e> ss à SPP ER EN OS À SE RCA l'ERETE fome few exceptions, received the fuil protection ot t ETES Ke ee TE rt" Ç r]a' Ce QC If from the exports of grain from England and from Scotland, de ne DS ESS Se Ce&, Sr ES. à during that time*, we may judge of he comparative quantitiés nn. PT CE VS 4 A An raifed in each of the kingdor ee which may poffibly not be an improper rule, we fhall find that England produces 15 times as much corn as Scotland; that, in general, the crops of England confift of#- of wheat, and:2 of inferior gran; and that the crop of Scotland has only-' of wheat, An grainf. In England the prevaihng crop appears to be wheat and barlev: and in Scotland barlev and oats. Je J During the above profperous period, the average exporta- tion from Great Britain for 10 years, from 1740 to VE Oo, was 848.660 aquarters vearlvy. In 17650 above a million an da +03 À D) J 12 1 of quarters were exported; and, for feveral other years," * Vide Appendix, No 3. + From the Reports of the rents or revenue of the bifhopricks and religious houfes in Scotland, fo far as they were payable in grain, made up after the Reformation in the year 1562, which have been very carefully colleéted by Maitland, in his Hiftory of Scotland, it appears, that the quantity of grain amounted to 5078 bolls of wheat, and 64,655 bolls of inferior ge Thefe proportions would point out the crop of Scotland to confift of about 5; of wheat, and+ of inferior grain. Butifit be con- fidered that the rents of FA clergy were, in general, of the better kind of grain, and that the exportation from Scotland was chiefly of the inferior grain; if we take the medium of the proportions of the grain paid to the clergy, and of that exported, we may With great probability conclude that, in general, the crop of fuch land con- fifts of H- of wheat, and+ of inferior grain. But again, taking the quality of the crop of both kingdoms under review, and com- puting the quarter of wheat at 40s. and that of the inferior grain, over-head at 205. D C 1 1 A 2 Ï mi 0 T3 CHAP: LC Lo rune) 26 AN INQUIRY INTO annual importation was above a million of quarters, The ave- rage exportation for 50 years, from 1710 to 1760, was near 600,000 quarters yearly*; and in the courfe of thofe years it will be found, that#he prices of grain gradually fell as exporta= tion increafed'; and rofe again as exportation decreafd, and as tbe importation of foreisn grain took place. we fhall find, that in England the quarter of grain, over-head, is worth 28s. and in Scotland only 215. 4d. f; fo that in point of quality the crop of England is about x of more value than that of Scotland; and being 15 times more in quantity, the crop of that kingdom may be even 19 times the value of that of Scotland. So powerfully and fleadily do climate and foil operate, that the fpecies of grain payable to the clergy of old, points out the general ftate of the crop of the feveral pay 8Y 8 P diftriéts in Scotland at this day. Only, in examining this point, it muft be attended to, that the Archbifhoprick of St Andrew’s comprehended all the territory fouth of the Forth, which was afterwards, in the vear 1633, creéted into the Bifhoprick of Edin- burgh. * Vide Appendix, No 2. + Vide Appendix, No 4.& 5. ? Vide Explanatory Table, Appendix, No, 6, Art. 8. THE CORN LAWS, Lea Sn G ELA Es«IE Of the caufes and efeëts of the feveral Corn Laws of Great Britain, prior to the Revolution in the year 1688. OR feveral centuries after the Conqueft, in order to main- tain the laws of England, in force, it was thought necef- fary to renew, or to confirm them, upon the acceflion of every new fovereign. The laws themfelves too, though generally made with great care and attention, receiving but little fup- port from the executive power, fell often into difufe. This accounts for the numerous confirmations of the Great Charter, and the frequent re-enations of the fame laws on this and other fubjets, without any frefh meaning, to be found upon the ftatute-book. In thofe times, the rents of lands, poflefled by tenants or farmers, were chicfly payable in corn or cattle, or other pro- D 2 CÉHRP-RE Cons men) Ne 1 pi 7] k À. CEÉRAP STE Les) 28 NAN OUEN: ENTO duétions of the foil The rules by which the rents were re- ceived, were very irregular; the meafures of grain varied, Se see tney were t nn ken heaped, and 9 bufhels were generally taken j: Ü > 3 FO c> TArrer EOT the quarcer. By the Great Charters of King fohn and Henry II, often confirmed by fucceeding kings and parliaments, one weight and one meafure had been appointed to be ufed over all Eng- land, but with very little effet. Of this we have fufficient evidence from an aét of the 25 Ed. IL. by which the weights ures were again attempted to be regulated; and by ricken, and no more, were appointed to be received for the quarter of grain,‘ Buf faving the rents and < farms, and all manner of franchiles, of the Lords” With fuch refervations 1t is not to be expected that the: law could have any effect. Under fuch impoñtions, with the oppreflion of purveyance, and the deprefled fituation in life, wherein the farmers were placed, it is not to be wondered that agriculture languifhed, and that à numerous community depended upon foreign pro- vifions for their fubfftence. It would be an ufelefs and a difagreeable labour, again to harrow up the laws, and the habits, which checked the productions of our own fields, and made foreign provifions neceffary. We fhall now, with pleafure, leave them be- Re à A 2> ÿ°« Aa ntroan RTE AI nés 7 sind us, to enter upon a more agreeable inveltigation, and 9 ni— ne GR— THE CORN LAWS, 29 endeavour to trace the fteps by which agriculture emerged from obfcurity, and rofe to be the frft pillar of the flate. But before entering particularly into the corn laws; as foreftallers, regrators, and ingroflers, are frequently mention- ed, it may be neceflary to make the reader acquäinted with them. For many years after the Conqueft, the greateft part of th trade or bufnefs of England, was carried on in markets and fairs; and a very confiderable part of the revenue of the crown arofe from the duties payable to’ the king upon the goods brought to them for fale*. The barons had alfo tolls at the fairs within their refpective jurifdiétions. When the farmers and merchants were bringing their corn, and other neceflaries, to be fold at the markets and fairs, people met them by the way, and purchafed their proviñons, in order to retail them at a higher price. Bÿ thefé means the king and the lord of the manor loft the feveral duties payable to them, and the price was raifed upon the inhabi- gants, by leffening the quantity of provifons brought to mar- ket. Such were the original foreftallers, and thus both pu- blic and private intereft were united againit them, and fevere * Hume, vol. 1. p. 414. + Ord. for Bakers incert. temp. c. 10. 25 Ed. 2 asc; 2; Ed.3, GEL and LI 2 Rich: 2 1 C. 2: l nn RE es fée. de Te 6: CHEAP. IL Ces mu): ma és Cal & € le = 4 re À LL : AN INQUIRY INTO But the defcription of a foreftaller was farther extended, to any perfon who fhould buy any merchandife or viétual, coming toward any fair or market, or toward any city, port, creek, or road of England or Wales, from beyond fea, to be fold; or who fhould make any bargain for having the lame, before the merchandife or vi@uals fhould be in the market to be{old; or who fhould make any motion for en- hancing the price; or fhould move any perfon coming to the market to forbear to bring the things to be fold#, ‘ À perfon who fhould by any means regrate, obtain, or get into his pofleffion, in any fair or market, any corn, wine, fifh, butter, cheefe,&c. that were brought to any market in England or Wales to be fold, and fhould fell the fime in any fair or market holden or kept in the fame place, or in any other fair or market within four miles thereof, fhould be holden and reputed 2 regrator+. ‘ À perfon who fhould ingrofs, or get into his hands, by buying, contrat, or promife-making, any growing corn in the fields, or any other corn or grain, butter, cheefe, fifh, or other dead vituals whatever, with intent to{ell the fame again, fhall be holden and reputed an ingroflert” It is need- {s to add that fevere penaities were enacted againft the of- nders. Pas mb Ed..6. cr ji C4 ES= FETE CORN LAWS, cs everal parts of the laws againft ingrofhing were, however, CHAP. I. à: 7 re foftened, to facilitate the internal commerce of the kingdom, which will be noticed in their proper pla In Scotland, laws to the fame purpofe were made againft foreftallers and regrators; and although the word ingrofler does not appear in the laws, the defcription of an ingroffer, and the penalties upon the practice, are fully comprehended under the defcription of the foreftaller and regrator*, Many antient laws had been made, inviting the importa- tion of foreign provifons, and the exportation of Englifh ain had been prohibited f. So that while the exportation of the excrefcent part of our own produce was prohibited, and the importation of foreign grains encouraged, we cannot con- fider agriculture to have been chérifhed as a national objet. But a dawn of reafon began now to appear, and a law 1303. was made, authorifing all the king’s fubjects to carry corn out of the kingdom, upon payment of the cuftoms and fub- fidies. Which law was confirmed this year, referving to 1425. the king and council to reftrain the exportation when they fhould judge that to be necel But this refervation had been conftructed into a prohibition * Burrow Laws, c. 78. Cham. Air. c. 19. 20. 21, Ja. 5. Pañ 4. c. 21. Par. 7. c. 98. and Ja. 6. Par. 12. c. 148.: ft Abbrev. Imp.& Exp. Laws, vide Appendix, No 7. T 17 Rh.2,c. ren. 6. cr. 1442. AT TH D) 7 T-AT I 72 AN INOUIRY INTO LL D. REA rise et ER Re 3 ES) EN Atallx nhaxrontaA to export grain without a licence, which had totally preventeä é> FRS gens ER me the beneficial confequences expected from the rit law. =°°° ed s_ ea ss Fa À y 7 qu 3 This mifapprehenfñon of the law, or pofhibly the high hand à_. of executive power, making licences difficult, checked the *. PR 2| Lie+ ls early progrefs of agriculture, and brought diitreis upon tne whole kingdom. This fufliciently appears from the preamble of the foilow- ing law, by which liberty was given to perfons to tranfport grain to where they pleafed, without licence, except to the enemies of the king when wheat was at 65 8d. and barley rates. the quarter#> And:chele-fums: wWerer-rather above the middling prices, being equal, in the prefent money, to L.2:4s. for the quarter of wheat, and 19s. rod. for the quarter of barley. This law had been found fo benefcial to the kingdom, and had produced fuch plenty of corn, that it was now confirm- ed, and continued for ten years, and foon after was made per- petual f; and the confequences were, that, fo far as we can now difcover, the price of grain did not fluétuate greatly for 40 years, and was very moderate f. But fill che laws inviting the importation of foreign grain continued in force; the trade was in the hands of foreign ren. 6. 0 bà 7.20 Hen.6, c. 6. and 23 Het. 6.€. 6. t Vide Appendix, No:. nt 7 TT MM D NT a CT a de 1 À KL CZ IX\ RE EX V He ge J J 4:. o A — La es+++ à A MrVOY 1 merchants, who carried their corn, and otn roviñons, from à|+ 1 1 C| 3 a. f tt+7, nn VE" À{ 113YA Ï 4 A saTrizrefr Mheaftnre rha 1 à He rat DOTC CO poi La ana ecureEet the INArÏKEL DELOFE CILC nil iiani Li= Bee L Ne RES ACT=} mers could bring forward their produce. | Pa PRE ee 2 a nl rt NE RE rs And although thofe merchants MAY NnAVE IOIL upon CAE grain DT Jr ae SR lens ier vhich they imported into England at this time, they gained se Se te CEE nee neral courfe of the trade Re nm n£nifhed woollen cloth. and ready money 1901 return, WOO!, URHNILN L WOO1IEN CiOCn, ana rec ŒYy cY5 upon which they made gre eat profit in theit 11 ê hi À snAsce Nf at bi à lle n thus were enabled to underfell the produce of our füelds at home. ee er cha pond This appears to have been the cafe, even after this periot, from two reftrictive and regulating laws of Richard HI.* by the laft of which it appears, that the foreign merchants, who imported wines into England, had not only taken their pay- ment, two thirds in woollen cloth, and one third in ready money, but had confiderably leflened the contents of t wine cafks, although fold under the former titles+ contents. The diftrefs upon hufbandry, occafñoned by the continual c+ ct (@) +4 bo) F [er o < qui importation of foreign grain, came at length to be a to, and a preventative lw was made; although we can learn from it nothing of the caufes, but, in general, that the la- bourers and occupiers of land had been grievoufly damaged by the importation of foreign grain, when corn at home was at a fimall price; and that therefore the importation of foreign # x Rich. 3. c. 8. 13. E SE Le as annees SERRE SERRE SEE RE RES Te F; ESPRERE? DEPART OR EE 34 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. TT grain was prohibited,. until the prices at home fhould exceed Lo um) 6s. 8d. for the quarter of wheat, 4s. for rye, and 3s. for bar- lys equal to LT:2; L. 1,18. amd Pie. 1Od:-01 pre- D fent money. Thefe were the laws to which the agriculture of England may be faid to have owed its origin; and, although their purpofes have been often defeated, by other laws, they are the foundation which-ftll remains, and upon which à great fabric(at prefent out of repair) has been built, which, with moderate attention, may long continue to be the chief ornament and fupport of Great Britain. Upon thefe laws the agriculture of England refted for near a century; but it is to be lamented, that the want of execution rendered them, in a great degree, nugatory: The prohibition of the importation of foreign grain was never attended to, and the occupiers of land in England had ftill to ftruggle with the competition of grain from abroad, and the oppreflion of pur- veyance, and other griévances at home. FEV 2 This is evident from an act of this year made againft re- grators, foreftallers, and ingroffers; by which the crime of foreftalling is extended to perfons buying viétuals coming in fhips from beyond the feas, to be fold in any market or fair, city, port, haven, creek, or road, as if no laws had fubfifted by which fuch importation had been prohibited, 2 Ed 4 cz TELE: CORN:LAWES. 2& JD Although a repreflion of the practices of foreflalling and regrating might have been neceflary, it is difhcult to difcover a reafon for the enaîtment of ingrofling, at fo late a period as the prefent reign, when commerce had made fome con- fiderable progrfs; and, by the fame law, no perfon at home could tranfport corn from one part to another without a li- cence; neither could they purchafe corn, to be laid up in their granaries for home fale, until the quarter of wheat was at, or under, 6s. 8d.(equal to 16s. 6d. of prefent money); malt and barley at 35. 4d.(85. 3d.); oats at 25.(4s. 11:d.); peafe and beans at 4s.(os. 11d.); and rye at 5s.(125. 5d.) per quarter*, Thus the former fyftemn of corn laws was totally overturn- ed; for although thefe were che prices to which exportation was limited, by the a of Edward IV. in 1463, the value of money was materially changed; for, at the former period, there were only 37s. 6d. in the pound of filver, and now there were 60s. and at the former period, money bore a very high and un- limited intereft, and now, it yielded only about 12 per cent. per annum; fo that 65. 8d. for a quarter of wheat in 1463, was equal to L.1:15:2; and, in the year 1552, it was on- ly equal to 165. 6d. as is already noticed; and the prohibition to purchafe corn, to be laid up in granaries, or to carry 1t coaftways, until it fhould fall to a price below the expence of raifing it, muit neceffarily put a total ftop to all trade in corn, and ruin the farmers; and all this was done at a time when the price of grain had been uniformiy low. *. 5& 6 Ed. 6. c. 14. É 2 CHAP.IT, Lu mx) fl À | (F ë à de ES Eee Fe meme PE perd" rires 36 AN: CENQ UTRY: INTO It does not feem to have occurred to the legiflature at t time, that by keeping the corn at home in times of great plenty, the price muft be raifed, becaufe the farmers would not be able to continue their trade of#5 HP CON at à dif advantage; fo that, how foon the ftock on hand was ex- haufted, fcarcity or famine would enfue; nor did it oc- cur, that by allowing an exportation of the excrefcent ftock, plenty would be enfured, by keeping an open market to the farmers, and thereby enabling them to carry on their buf- nefs, and to raife more corn than was generally neceflary for home confumption; nor did they attend to the benefit that 4 would arife to the kingdom, from the additional number of 121 F at might be employed in raïfing and exporting what D= 2 Ce Le corn could be fpared, and the fums of money that would be brought into the kingdom for the price of it. 11+1 ee:; I nent They feem to have proceeded upon the principle, that the only way to preferve plenty, was to keep all the corn and o- thier provifñons at home, and import as much as poflible from abroad, which experience has fully proved to be totally erro- neous. ERA EEX EE SE ce]+ 4 KT u 1, T ra The fame plan, however, was followed out, and en 1forced 3 à°+ by another law of this. which enaëts,© That whereas ‘ fundry good ftatutes and laws have ee made within this redten a be tone 00 Dee le. Lin - lEAimM, 1n(ne CrHme Of the Queen S his hi 1e{5 Inc oft noble jte A à:: SEnNICOI Ss Cnat none ihoulcd tr ani E Oft, caf] y OI COnVEy, OUT Cas 3 Ho roal AE lee Re Te 1 this réalm, int0 any place in the ports beyond the feas, SCLLU Se br ? & YO Cor hyyttor ar SAGE be: any corn, butter, cheefe, or other victuals, exc cept only for y TRE: CORN:LAWS. 3 ‘ victualling the towns of Calais,&c. upon divers great pains and forfeitures, in the fame contained: That notwithftanding many and fundry covetous and infatiable perfons, fecking ‘ their only lucres and gains, have and do daily carry and te 111 me a] le LR: tit T vell£c NY] TR] à Nm convey innumerable quantity, as well Of corn, cnéeie, Dut- € ter, and other victuals, as of wood, out of this realm, to 3 D?? ‘ parts beyond feas, by reafon whe f the faid corn, Ve. + ‘ and wood, are grown into a wonc: I ni dearth, and extreme 261 CIC ‘ prices, to the great detriment of the commonwealth of this ‘ your Highnefs 4.4 and your faithful fubjeëts of the :: ‘ fame. It was therefore ena@ted, that no manner of. perfon or per- ) Ï fons fhould export any wheat, rye, barley, or other fort Of grain, growing within England; or any malt made within the fame; or any beer, butter, cheefe, herring, or wood, withou having licence fo to do, under fevere penalties; except whe a] the common price of corn, within England, fhould not … 1 Fe for wheat 6s. 8d. to 165. 6d. of prefent money); rye, as,(os. 11d.); and barley, 3s.(7s. 5d.) per quarter*. Here it may be obferved, that notwithftanding the com- He Ah lol orccot or Rd cbr plaint, of the high price of grain, in the preamble to this law, the price of wheat this year, and feveral years before, had n€;: ag TRE: Cl$ been only 8s. the quarter, ee. to 195. rod. of prefent moz ; ney}; and the export prices were far below the medium prices, in times of ordinary plenty. ® 1& 2 Phil, and Mary, c. 5 #6 M Éonn CHRP-ES À È=-— A Sr È CL à Pere D; es rs Bye PT ES ce RO FES_ sé" dé états Es: La Se ne en As PE s, me_ 1662, 6 AN INQUIRY INTO C3 Ouch, however, was the policy of Edward VI. and of Phi- hp.and Mary; and it was foon after followed in Scotiand by 2 AS laws exprefsly prohibiting the exportation of all kinds of R2IICS victuals, tallow, and flefh, under fevere penalties*#. Several favourable feafons happened to follow afèr this law had pañled, the importation of foreign grain was continued, and the price of wheat continue about 8s. the quarter; but the Englifh farmers came to be ruine d, and agriculture began to be en Laws are neceffary for the regulation of fociety; but they become inept when they either dire@ im: pofübilities, or order people to labour in profeffions, by which they cannot earn a reafonable fubiftence. The wife laws of Hen. VI. and Ed. IV. bad fubffted without repeal duri ing the whole of the reigns of Hen. VIL and LL. VII. but without receiving any counte- nance or execution; and yet they, as well as Ed. VI. and Phil. and Mary, the latter of whom were the chief inftruments in crufhing hufbandry, made repeated 1 aws to oblige people to labour and fow their lands Thefe incongruities did not cfcape the obfervation of the vigorous adminiftration of Elizabeth, although the defir raife money fuperfeded the wifdom of the other propofed for the benefit of the kingdom. e to inflitutions # fary. par. 6. c. 40.— Ta. 6. par. II. C. 55. 1 4 Een. 7.€. 19.2 Hea Sc. L—27 Hen. 8. c. 22.—5& 6Ed6. Cs Dem & 3 Phil. and M. c. 2. al| CE TTE ER ni THE CORN LAVWS. 30 Soon after her accefliom, fhe renewed the former laws for iding houfes of hufbandry, and labouring the land, which had Énnens been in culture, with more vigour; but, by another law, fhe allowed the farmers to export their grain as 7 merchandife, when the price of it was not high at home. The former laws, obliging the in Of tenants to re- build the dècayed houfes of hufbandry, and to return to D tillage, had given the penalties to the king; but thefe were © 2 now ei to the next heir,&c. of the perfon offending. It was enacted, that fuch lands as had been put in tillasce and eared in any one year, and fo kept 4 years, fince the 20 ‘,Hen. VIT. fhould be again eared and put in tillage, accord- ing to the nature of the foil and cuftom of the country, by the occupier thereof, upon pain that every offender fhould forfeit 10s. an acre yearly, to the next in remainder or re- ‘ verfion, for the term of life, lives, or in tail, for which he Sr diftrain; and in default, by the fpace of one year, ‘ then he, in the reverfion or remainder in fee fimple, fhould have the fame remedy; and in his default, to the imme- ‘ diate lord of the fee; and in his default, the Queen, or the a“ Queen and the informer+, By the other law‘ It was enacted, that it fhould be lawful ‘ for all and every perfon and perfons, being fubjeds of ‘ the Queen's majefty, her heirs and fucceflors, only out of #5 EUZ,€ 2 CHAPTE Less” me) I 502 A T TA*">* TATT AN 49 LE Ï JP.) j il U Su 4 LaCii pa LO iLL iLLESOz» by} FX© À CE re 1 C10 ji i1:L U 1 JC Ë è_ er] à À: 2/:]+ Fa As iii S al aD! O111 Us tO}}) Cdi 1 5 and C'ahiDOrcC: 2 Li CU liCatl, LIVE, Dariey, Mait, peEai€, Or Deans, uñto any pP Le Gel XTN] 1 4 4. 11 Nn« orne A+ N{1 inc PA ere DEVORCG. UC 1 103 EOMElEAS ad mel Liicdiltiits 111 Li D’ Cid) Li ç DU ee nth REA E A rh srant M\x7 à cris 4 HE 12 ea AE A O OLRET CIICIS, WMNETÉOÏ AaNV Hein DOrn LU DJECTS tnen € AI TR l le EE 4! N1 ee]{ 3 {hall be the only owners;{o t e price of the faid corn € AR hs D ep ne RC SR PT ana grain, 10 Carrie and Ci anipoi té“, EXCEEGU TOÙ CRE PI 1CCS ç] le)>r 2: oy Are œ nf Le timMec hav TN Ç 1 1) À 71> Q f né reaïceïr 10H10 W Ing, al tne CIINCs, ia VCIIS, Œliicl f Iaces where nA Le+1 Re= On Ne ER CT AT+{ EE “ and when the:faid corn and grain fhall be fhipped and \ ee Li RE LATA ES= not tor JE A n+ nf T7” ES PR Q 1 iaaen, NES the quartel OÏ Wneat, af IOS. equal CO Las I 5e € TE fe OÏ prefent money); the quarter of rye, peafe, or beans, at ( N 16s. 7d.); and the quarter of barley or malt, at 6s. 8d. 135. 10d.) of current money of England*. This was a confiderable extenfion of the exportation prices and it appears by Camden and Sir Walter Rawleigh, both fa- mous authors, and co-temporaries of Queen Elizabeth, that from the year 1562, that great princefs baving penetrated into the caufes of odious monopolies, the exorbitant prices of proviñons, and artificial fcarcities, that impoverifhed and devoured the nation, wifely took off the old prohibition of the exportation of corn, leaving full liberty in that refpett; and it 15 remarked by the fame authors, that the direct and imme- diate confequence of this wife meafure, was the increafe of tillage, and the redudion of importation. And Sir Walter, in his Remarks on Trade, prefented to 5 Elz€. s.#26. , PTS A1 RE Go | THE CORN LAWS. e T: à] James[. poftively aflerts, that for fome years preceding the CHAP.1f. above period, the importation of corn had exceeded 45 milk VT Lions of livres“, But foon after a more vigorous effort was made to recover 1570, the agriculture of England, by a law entitled,‘ An aû for the better, increafe of tillage, and for maintainance and in- of the navy and mariners of England.” By this law it was enacted,© That it fhould be lawful to ç every perfon and perfons, being fubjeéts of the Queen’s ma- jefty, her heirs and fucceflors, and inhabiting within her highnefs realms and dominions, only out of fuch ports and ‘ creeks, where were, or fhould be refdent, a cuftomer or colleétor of fubfidy, or tonnage and poundage, or one of their deputies, and not elfewhere, to loäd, carry, or tranfport any wheat, rye, barley, malt, peafe, or beans, into any ports beyond the feas, in amity with the realm, and not prohibited ‘ by any reftraint or proclamation; only to fell as a merchan- dife, in fhips, crayers, or other veflels, bearing crofs fails, ‘ whereof any Englifh born fubjects, inhabiting within hér ‘ highnefs dominions, then fhould be che only owners, at fuch ‘ times as the feveral prices thereof{ball be fo reafonable and moderate, in the feveral counties where any fuch tranfporta- tion fhall be intended, as that no prohibition fhould be made, ‘ either by the Queen’s majefty, her heirs or fucceflors, by * Gen. Review of England from 1600 to 1662, p.18. The book from which this quotation is taken, having been written in French, the fum mentioned is called pre= fent money, but can mean only millions of livres. K 2 AN INQUIRY INTDO 4 proclamation to be made in the fhire town, or in any port towns in the county; or elfe by fome order of the Lee Pre- fident and_. of the North, or the Lord Prefident and Council in Wales, within their feveral jurifdictions; or‘of the juftices of aflize, at their feflons, in other fhires, out of the jurifdiétion of the faid two prefidents and counails; or by the more part of the juftices of the peace of the county, t their quarter feflions, in this manner following, that is, The faid lord prefidents and councils for the fhires, within their jurifdictions, the juftices of aflize at their feveral feflions in other fhires, out of the faid jurifdiétions, belong- ing to the faid councils in the North, and in Wales, yearly, fhould, upon’ conference had with the inhabitants of the county, of the cheapnefs and dearth of any of the faid kinds of grain, within the counties, within the jurifdiétions of the faid councils, or in the other counties within the limits of the faid juftices of aflize, by their difcretion determine whether it fhould be meet, at any time, to permit any grain to be carried ont of therealm, by any-port within the faid feveral jurifdi@ions or limits; and fo fhould, in writing under their hands and feals, caufe and make à determination either for permifhon or prohibition; and the fame caufe to be, by the fheritfs of the counties, publifhed and affixed in as many accuftomed market towns and ports, within the faid fhire, as they fhould think convenient, and in fuch manner as the Queen's majefty’s proclamations were ufually publifhed and afixed; which F mination of the faid prefdents and coun- cils in their jurifdiétions, and of the juftices of aflize in their Enuts, fhould continue in force for the time, place, and 6" ee THE CORN LAWS. za manner therein exprefled, until the faid prefidents and coun- cils fhould otherwife order; or until the juftices of aflize, at their being in their faid circuits, in every of the faid coun- ties, fhould alter or otherwife order the fame, except the fame : fhall be otherwife, in the mean time, altered or countermandà ed by the Queen’s majefty, her heirs or fucceflors; or by fome order of the juftices of the peace, in the counties fitu- ated out of the jurifdiction of the faid two councils, in their quarter feflions, to be holden in the mean time; or the greater part of them fhall find the fame determination of the juftices of aflize to be hurtful to the county, by means of dearth, or to be a great hindrance to tillage, by means of too much cheapnefs; and fhould by their writings, under their hands and feals, make any determination to the contrary, either for permiflion or prohibition of carriage of any kind of grain out of the realm; and the fame determination fhould caufe to be, in like manner, publifhed and aflixed as above is faid.. Which determination fhould alfo continue in force, except the fame fhould be altered by the Queen s majefty, her heirs and fucceflors; or until the juftices of aflize, at their being in their faid circuits, in every of the faid coun- ties afore to them limited, fhould alter or otherwife order the fame; who fhould and might, upon new conference had, by their difcretions, from time to time, alter and change the {aid determinations, in the whole or in part, as to their dif- cretions fhould feem meet; and the fame fhould alfo caufe to be publifhed, as is before prefcribed.” & Provided, neverthelefs, th2t neither any of the faid pref- FE: 2 CELA: Con me) 44 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. IT...6 dents and councils, nor the faid juftices of aflize, nor the Lee arm) es de-: fi ‘ faid juflices of peace, above-mentioned, fhould PRE; 1e| Le fame fhould their determinations, above-mentioned, until t € befirft. E rriting, notified he Queen’s maiefty. ort efirit, by writing, noufed to the Queen's majefty, or to ‘ her privy council; and by her majefty, or her privy council, ‘ fhould be liked or allowed.’ ‘ Provided alfo, that the Queen’s majefty, her heirs and fuc- ceflurs, fhould have and receive, by the cuftomers and offi- cers of her ports, for the cuftom or poundage of every quar- ter of wheat, to be tranfported by force of this ftatute, twelve-pence; and of every quarter of other grain, eight- pence. And of every quarter of wheat that fhould be, by any fpecial licence thereafter to be granted, tranfport- ed out of the realm, and not by force of this ftatute, two 1hillings; and of every quarter of other grain, fixteen- ? ‘ pence,&c. ** Provided alfo, that her Majefty, her heirs and fucceflors ‘ might, at all times, by writ of proclamation, to be publifhed ‘ generally in the whole realm, or in the counties of the realm ‘ where any port towns were, command that no perfon fhould, ‘ by virtue of this a@, tranfport, or caïTy out any manner ‘ of grain, to any parts out of her dominions, either generally ‘ out of any port of the realm, or particularly out of any ‘{pecial ports, to be in the fame proclamation named: and ‘ that it might not be lawful, for any perfon, to carry out ç any fuch grain, contrary to the tenor of the fame proclama- » 4_ 3 E—# D emmener— D# ee cos a n— FA ET"MAD NT À Jvr Et CEE CORN:LAWS. A5 upon fuch pains as by the laws of the realm are, and ‘ have been provided*,” Re D Le quon es LL= SE site Here the corn trade appears to have been fcientincally con- TE ] SE ë a| VUS roro fidered; and if the plan laid down had been properly digefted igeitec and modified, and the duties upon exportation removed, there can be no doubt of the aét having produced the moîft benef- cial confequences to the kingdom; but the judges, to whom this moft important bufnefs was committed, had no certain rule to direct their procedure; they were not allowed to de- termine, by the price of grain at the time of their yearly in- quiry, which is the only certain index of plenty or fcarcity, but merely upon a conference with the people of the country, to judge, whether it would be hurtful to the kingdom, by means of dearth, or be a great hindrance to tillage, by too much cheapnef, to allow of exportation of grain; than which, nothing could be more vague and uncertain. But wliatever confideration may have been given to the framing of this a@, the laying a duty of 20 per cent. ad valorem, upon grain to be exported, by licence, and 10 per cent: upon grain to be exported by the ftatute, was equal to à proh1- bition, and gave full fcope to the importation of foreign grain, which was ftill received without the payment of any duty. So difficult it is, in all fituations, to judge, or point out the propriety of conduct, where revenue or public intereft is con- cerned. # 13 Eli, SE A CHAPET. {) é = ee‘ RS' or 56 AN INQUIRY INTO of rye, peafe, and beans, was equal to L. 1: 8: 10; 20s. for the quarter of barley and malt, was equal to L. x: 4s.; and 16s. for the quarter of oats, was equal to 195. 2d. Ard by this law the duties, payable upon exportation, were 20s.(equal to L. 1: 4s.) for the quarter of wheat; 105.(equal to 125.) for the quarter of rÿe, peafe and beans, barley, malt, and buck wheat; and 6s. 8d.(equal to 85.) for the quarter of oats: which behoved to operate equally to à prohibition. By the rates inward, adjoined to the{ame law, the importa- tion duties were fixed as follows: For the quarter of wheat, when the price, at the place of importation, did not exceed 445.(equal to L. 2: r2: 10), the fum of L. 2(equal to L. 2: 8s.); and when it exceeded that price, 6s. 84.(equal to 8s.): For the quarter of rye, when the price, at the place of im- portation, did not exceed 368.(equal to L. 2: 3: 2), the fum Of L.1:6:8,(equal to L. r: 125.); and when it exceeded that price, 55.(equal to Gs.) For the quarter of beans, barley, and malt, when the price, at the place of importation, did not exceed L.,r: 6: 8,(equal to Er er) the umor ir. c- 8,(equal to L.:: 125.); and when it exceeded that price, 5s.(equal to 6s.) of prefent money. So that until the price of wheat was above L.2:12:10, of prefent money, per quarter, and of other grain in Proportion, the importation high duties were, in like manner, equal to à prohibition; andthe exportation being, in fa@, prohibited, the THE, CORN:LAWS: 57 prices would foon rife, and prepare the country for importa- tion, at the low duties. And this accordingly happened; for, in 1660, the quarter dfiwheat fold at:L°2: 16:6, equal. to L. 3: 7: 0, of prefent money; in 1661 it rofe to L. 3: 105. equal to L. 4: 4s.; and, in 002 to bee.r4s equal to, E. 4: 6:66;-ofprefent money LR Thefe laws, befdes raifing grain to an extravagant height, had ruined.many of the farmers; agriculture declined; and a great part of the lands lay without tillage. Thefe circumftances induced the parliament again to take the corn laws under their confideration; and, from the pre- amble to a law of this year, made for the encouragement of trade, the ruinous fituation of hufbandry is clearly pointed out. It mentions,‘ Forafmuch as the encouraging of tillage “ ought to be, in an efpecial manner, regarded and endeavour- “ ed; and the fureft and effeétualeft means of promoting and any trade, occupation, or myftery, being by ren- it profitable to the ufers thereof; and great quantities ‘ of land, within this kingdom, for the prefent, lying in a ‘ manner wafte, and yielding little, which might thereby be ‘ improved to confderable profit and advantage(if fuflicient “ encouragement were given for the laying out of coft and 6 labour on the fame), and thereby much more corn: pro- * Vide Appendix, No. 1. H CHAP. IT. La) mn) 166 3 1 € le br L RE É ? À 3 58 AN INQUIRY INTO 6 ç ue duced, greater numbers of people, cattle, and horfes em- + ployed, and other lands rendered alfo more valuable* It was therefore enacted as follows: Lai Cal € € cc 6 Be it enated by the King's moft excellent majefty, with the advice and confent of the Lords fpiritual and temporal, and the Commons in this prefent parliament aflembled; and by the authority thereof, be it enacted, That from and after the firft day of September 1663, and from thence-forward, when the prices of corn and grain, Winchefter meafure, do not exceed the rates hereafter following, at the havens and places where the fame fhall be fhipped and laden, viz. The quarter of wheat, 48s.(equal to L.2:17:7 of prefent money); the quarter of buck wheat, barley, or malt, 285. (equal to L. 1:13: 7}; the quarter of oats, 135. ad.(equal to 16s.); the quarter of rye, peafe and beans, 328.(equal to L.1:18:$) current Englifh money; that then it fhali be jawful for all and every perfon and perfons, to fhip, load, carry, and tranfport, any of the faid corns or grains, from the havens and places where they fhall be of fuch prices, unto any parts beyond the feas, as merchandife, any law, ftatute, or ufage, to the contrary notwithftanding; paying fuch rates for the fame, and none other, as are to be paid when the fame might have been tranfported by one act pañled this prefent parliament, entitled,‘ À fubfidy granted to the King of tonnage and poundage.” And it is hereby further enacted, by the authority afore- * 35 Cha. IL c. 7.$ s. 2, 3. 4. DE De Ed D deu rs Ta THE: GORNM-LAWS. 59 : faid, that when the prices of the aforefaid corns and grains do not exceed the rates above-mentioned, refpectively, Win- chefter meafure, at the havens and places, into which any of them fhall be imported, from any parts beyond the feas, there fhall be paid for the cuftom and poundage of every quarter of wheat, 5s. 4d.(equal to 6s. 5d. of prefent money); and for every quarter of rye, 4s.(equal to 4s. rod.); and for every quarter of barley or malt, 25. 8d..(equal to 35. 2d.}; for every quarter of buck wheat, 25.(equal to 25. sd.).5- for every quarter of oats, 18. 4d.(equal to 1s. 6d.); and for every quarter of peafe and-beans, 4s.(equal to 4s. rod.) of prefent money. hereby further enacted, by the authority forefaid, that when the prices of corn or grain, Winchefier meafure, do not exceed the rates following, at the markets, havens, or places where the fame fhall be bought, viz. The quarter of wheat, 485.; the quarter of rye, 32s.; the quarter of barley and malt, 28s.; the quarter of buck wheat, 28s.; the quar- ter of oats, 135. 4d.; the quarter of peafe or beans, 32s.; - that then it fhalt be lawful for all and every perfon and per- {ons(not foreftalling and felling the fame in the fame mar- ket, within three months after buying thereof) to buy in open market, to lay up and keep in his or their granaries OF houfes, and to fell again, fuch corn or grain, of the kinds Forefaid, as without fraud or covin fhall have been bought at or under the prices before exprefled, without incurring any penalty; any law, ftatute, or ufage to the contrary not- withftanding.” 2 mr— 60 AN INQUIRY INTO We have every reafon to think, from the preamble to this Jaw, that the encouragement of trade in general, and agricul- ture in particular, was its chief object; and there can be no doubt but thefe were the intentions of the leciflature; and yet, by the infertion of a fingle monafyllable, probably done infidioufly in the ingroffing, and afterwards pafling unob- ferved, the whole law was reduced to a mere folecifm in terms. By this law the exportation prices were extended beyond the former bounds; but the exported grain was füll loaded with near$o per cent. of duties, which was equal to a pro- hibition. Upon the other hand, the high importation duties were taken of; and when the prices of grain did#of exceed the fame rates limited for exportation(or, in other words, when grain was at the loweft price), importation was allowed, upon payment of about 0 per cent. of duties ad valorem; being much lower than the low duties fixed by the aët of tonnage and poundage. The word of, in the importation claufe of the law, per- verts the meaning of the whole. It never could have been the intention of the legiflature to permit importation at low du- ües, until grain had rifen above the exportation prices; for. until that rife, the prohibition to ingrofs was taken off, and the fame reafons operated in both cafes. THE CORN LAWS, 6 Las| We can hardly place this to inattention; and we are he CHAP. IL. more inclined to this opinion, that by a law of the fame year és pafled in Scotland, where the policy of England was very uch attended to, and often followed, although importation of grain had been, by the laws of that kingdom, before this period, permitted without limitation or duties, they now per- mitted the exportation of grain, when it did not exceed certain prices; but they laid a duty of about 40 per cent. ad valorem, upon all grain to be imported,. when the prices were under thofe ftipulated by the act*. An abftract of this Scots law may be ufeful and entertain- ing. It proceeds thus:‘Our Sovereign Lord, confidering how ‘ neceflary it is for the encouragement of the tillage of this ‘“ country, which is fubjeét to fo much toil and expence, ‘ though the improvement thereof be moft advantageous to ‘ the whole kingdom, that liberty be granted for the exporta- « tion of corns, after the natives are fufficiently provided FOÉS € Therefore the King's majefty, with the advice and confent « of his eftates in parliament, ftatutes and declares, That it € fhall be lawful to export corns, of all forts, when they are ‘ under the prices following, at the ports or refpective places « of exportation, viz. IKk boll of wheat, under L. 12(equal to « L. x: 4s. of prefent money); bear and barley, under L. 8 ‘(equal to 165.) the boll; oats and peafe, under 8 merks, ‘(equal to 10s. 8d.) the boll; notwithftanding of any former ads, laws, or pra@ife to the contrary, they paying the ufuai % Cha. IL. par. 1. fefl. 3. c. 12. 14, CHALP:EL. Los rm) 62 AN INQUIRY INTO: cuftom and bullion as formerly(6d. of prefent money per boll); with this provifion, that when the Lords of his Ma- jefty's fecret council fhall judge it neceffary, for the good of the kingdom, and preventing of dearth, they may difcharge the exportation of viQual, of all forts, for fo long a time as they fhall think ft. As alfo for the improvement of the pafturage of this kingdom, and for encouragement of the breeders of the beftial thereof, It is ftatute and ordained, with advice and confent forefaid, that the exportation, by {ea, of ail forts of beftial, either nolt, fheep, or fwine, and barrelled flefhes, of all fort, fhall be free of cuftom, bullion, and all other impofitions, for the fpace of nineteen years next, after the date hereof. ‘ The eftates of parliament, confidering what great fums of money are carried out of the kingdom, by perfons im- porters of corn hither from Ireland; who, having fold their corns, export the money, without bartering any of the com- modities of this kingdom, whereby the whole nation, thofe near adjacent parts of the kingdom, are much impoverifhed of money; and thatit is juft and reafonable that the faid corns fhould bear cuftom, toward the increafe of his Majefty’s revenue, proportionally with other imported commodities; efpecially when the corns of this kingdom are fold at cafy rates: Therefore the King’s majetty, with advice and con- {ent of his eftates of parliament, doth hereby impofe L. 3 Scots(equal to 6s. of the prefent money) of cuftom, upon ilk boll, Linlithgow meafure, of corn imported into this king- dom, from Ireland, after the firft day of September next: 4 And appoints 365. Scots(equal to 3s. Sterling) to be raifed CHAP.IT. ‘ upon ilk boll‘already imported, and not yet retailed, con- form to an act of the committee of eftates, made there anent 6 anno 1660 But left the more indigent fort of people mi un C ‘ be prejudiced, by heightening the prices of faïid corns in th time of dearth, under pretence of the faid cuftom: Thérefore < the King’s majefty, with advice and confent forefaid, doth ‘ hereby give power to the Lords of hs privy council, to re- ‘ mit and difcharge the exactin the faid cuftom, when ‘ they fhall find the prices of dE un of this kingdor € meal and barley refpective, to exceed L. 8 the boll; and ap- ‘ points the Lords of his exchequer to caufe put this aë to full ‘ execution, and caufe the forefaid cuftom be exaétly levied; ‘ with power to them to allow fuch fees to the collectors ‘ thereof as they fhall think fit Here the Scotch parliament clearly took the lead in the libe- ral and wife exercife of their powers, for the encouraging of agriculture, and thereby procuring plenty and cheapnefs of provifons of all kinds. They permitted the exportation of all forts of grain, when the prices at home were moderate, upon payment of a fmall duty; and, as long as the prices remained in that fituation, the duties payable upon importation were equal to a prohibi- tion: and they gave unlimited powers to export cattle, and barrelled flefhes of all kinds, without the payment of any duty: While, in England, importation was permitted, when the price of corn at home was at the cheapelt rate, upon payment 64 AN INQUERT“ENT:O CHAP. IL. of a low duty; and the duties upon exportation, when the price of corn was in the fame fituation, amounted to a pro- hibition. 1669. And the parliament of Scotland, upon re-confidering the fubje@, and finding the exportation of corn had been ob- ftructed, by the duty payable upon the fame, they now re- : moved all duties, except a merk the chalder(equal to 1s. 4d. prefent money), payable upon corn exported, when the prices at home did not exceed thofe ftated in the above law, anno 1663*. And for preventing any debates that might arife anent the refpective prices of vitual, when the fame were un- der or above the rates exprefled in the faid at, they recom- mended to, and authorifed the Lords of the privy council to determine the fame; and declared, that it fhould be lawful ta his Majefty’s fubje&ts to export corns of all forts, unlefs by a proclamation or public intimation from the faid Lords of coun- c1l they be prohibited and difcharged to do the fame. The conftant drain upon England, for payment of the price of the great quantities of grain imported, brought on a revi- 1670. fon: of the corn laws;: and by a law now pañled, entitled; An at for improvement of tillage and the breed of cattle, for the common good and welfare of the kingdom, it was enact- ed, That it fhould be lawful for every perfon, native and foreigner, at any time, to tranfport, as merchandife, all forts of corn, although the prices exceeded the rates in: the a of HAChas IL par, 2-1: 0.14 VS ET LE. ECO RN L A W:5. 6 Ur the 15th of the prefent reign; paying for the fame the rates contained in the at of tonnage and poundage. And when the prices of corn, at the places where the fame fhould be im- ported, fhould not exceed the rates following, there fhould be paid for cuftom thefe rates, viz. For every quarter of wheat, when the fame fhould not exceed 535. 4d.(equal to L. 3: 4s. of prefent money}, the fum of 165.(equal to 196. 2d.); when the fame fhould exceed 535. 4d. and not exceed L. 4(equal to É. 3: T0), there fhould: be pad 8s(equal to gs. 7d.);"for every quarter of rye, when the fame did not exceed 408. (équal”to L?2* 88.) the fm Of 16%(ros. 2d.); for every quarter of barley, malt, or buck wheat, when the fame did not exceed 325.(equal to L. r: 18:$), the fum of 165.(108. 2d.); for every quarter of oats, when the fame did not ex- ceed 165.(195. 2d.), the fum of 5s. 4d.(equal to 6s. 5d.); and for every quarter of peafe and beans, when the fame did not exceed 40s.(L. 2: 8s.), the fum of 16s.(195. 2d.): And when the prices of corn fhould exceed the rates forefaid, there fhould be paid the former cuftom and poundage. Suppofed to have been intended by the act 1663 to be 5s. 4d.(equal to 6s. sd.) for wheat; 4s.(equal to 4s. 10d.) for rye, peale, and beans; 25. 8d.(equal to 3s. 2d.) for barley and malt; and 15. 4d.(equalto 1s. 6d.) for oats*, This law was certainly intended to encourage the exporta- ton of Englifh corn; and to check, if not to prohibit, the importation of foreign grain. 92 Cha He 1301. 2 CHAP. FT. 66 ANT INQUTFRYE FENTO CHAP. IL. But exportation was efe@tually prevented by the high duties tuiucd upon it; and, fimilar to the operation of the word ot in the former law, the check intended for importation was rendered nugatory, by having no rule laid down for afcer- taining the price of grain, at the time or place of importa- tion;{o that this trade continued to be carried on upon payment of the low duties, agriculture languifhed, the mer- chants found their account in feeding the people with foreign grain, and the prices continued high; the average price of the quarter of wheat, for the ten years preceding this date, having been L. 2: 8: 10, equal to L. 2: 18: 8 of prefent mo- ney. A farmer knows little about laws; he feldom hears of them; if he did, he probably would not underftand them, or if he did underftand them, his cry is at too great a diftance to be heard; but he feels his fituation, when he finds himfelf un- able to maintain his family, and pay his landlord, by the raifing of corn. By thefe laws, the poorer farmers came to be ruined, the richer were weakened, and obliged to turn their attention from corn to cattle, fheep, or any other ob- jeét by which they could fupport their families; the price of corn rofe upon the manufaéturers and labourers, and an im- porter of foreign grain came be a great man, raifed upon he t ie ruins of the landholders, the farmers, and the manufadu- rers. Fhis piéture, may, with great propriety, be held up to the prefent day. THE CORN LAVWS, b7 The landholder, however, comes to feel in his turn; his CHAP.IT, ee;:+ ee nm tenants fail, and his rents are not paid. Neceflity calls forth exertion, he difcovers the caufe of the evil, and his fituation enables him to apply for redrefs. Thefe operations, however, are generally very flow. We have feen a fingle monofyllable pervert the meaning and beneficial intentions of a very material law, and remain for feven years without alteration; and, in the prefent cafe, things remaln- ed as they were now placed, during the remainder of this thoughtlefs reign, which continued for 15 years af- ter the prefent period. The price of grain of courfe conti- nued high; the average price of a quarter of wheat, for the 20 years, from 1660 to 1680, having been L.2:9:9, equal to L.2:19:0, of prefent money. Upon the acceflion of James IL. the evafon of the duties food (®N ©QQ Fa payable upon grain imported, and the diftrefs brought upon England by the immenfe importation of foreign grain, were brought before the parliament of that kingdom, and the following law was made, entitled,‘ An additional a for the sn-9 ‘ improvement of tillage*. € Forafmuchas(by an aét made in the 224 year of the reign 6 his late Majefty, of ever blefled memory, entitled,‘An act for ‘ the improvement of tillage, and the breed of cattleÿ-16us, ‘ amongft other things provided and enaéted, that from and # 1 Ja. 2. c. 19. 1e 68 AN.INQUIRY INTO CHAP. IT.€ after the 29th day of June 1670, and from thence forward, NT eicerrain.rates fhould be paid for the cuftom and poundage of ‘ foreign corn and grain, imported into this kingdom, accord- ‘ ing to the prices of Englifh corn, at the towns, havens, and ‘ places, when and where the fame fhould be imported, as ‘ by the faid ac particularly appeareth: ‘ And inafmuch as no provifion was made by. the. faid.a& ‘ for afcertaining and determining the faid prices, by reafon ‘ whereof feveral great quantities of foreign corn and grain * have been imported, without paying the refpedive duties by ‘ the faid aët appointed, contrary to the true intent and mean- ‘ ing of the faid at: * Now for fupplying the faid defe&) be it ena@ed, by the ‘ King's moft excellent majefty, by and with the advice and ‘ confent of the Lords fpiritual and temporal, and the Com- ‘ mons in this prefent parliament aflembled, and by authority ‘ of the fame, That from and after the feaft of St Michael the ‘ archangel, next, and from thence forward, it fhall and may * be lawful to, and for all and every the juftices of the peace ‘ for the feveral and refpective counties, within his Majefty’s ‘ kingdom of England, dominion of Wales, and town of ‘ Berwick upon Tweed, wherein foreign corn or grain fhall or ‘ may be hercafter imported; and they and every of them ‘ are hereby enjoined and required, at their next refpective ‘ quarter-feffons, after Michaelmas and Eafter-day yearly, by ‘ the oaths of two or more honeft and fubftantial perfons of ‘ the refpective counties, being neither merchants nor factors Rs pm=": M 5 THE CORN LAWS. 69 for the importing of corn, nor anyways concerned nor 1n- terefted in the corn fo imported; and each of them having a frechold eftate of L. 20 fer annum, OT a leafehold eftate of L. so per annum, above all charges and reprizes, and being fkilled in the prices of corn,(which oath all and every the faid juftices are hereby empowered to adminifter) and by fuch other ways and means as to them fhall feem fit, to ex- amine and determine the common market prices of middling Eaglifh corn and grain, of the refpeive forts in the faid act mentioned, as the fame fhall be commonly bought and fold, in the faid refpective counties into which any foreign corn or fhall be imported, and to certify the fame, with two fuch oaths made as aforefaid, in writing annexed, unto his Ma- jefty’s chief officer and collector of the cuftoms for the time being, refñding in the faid refpective ports or havens, where the faid corn and grain fhall be imported, to be hung up in fome public place in the cuftom-houfe, to which all perfons may refort, for their information. « And it is hereby farther enacted, by the authority afore- faid, that from and after the feait of St Michael the arch- angel, next, the se and duty of foreign corn and grain, imported into any of his Majefty’s faid. inions of Eng- land, Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed, appointed by the faid aét to be paid, fhall be colle@ted and paid accord- ing to the prices contained in fuch refpeétive certificates as aforefaid, and not otherwife; any thing in dhis, ach Of 1n any other law or ftatute, conta ined to the contrary notwith- ftanding. CHAP.IT, (San) CAP, IT. Los mu) 1686. 70 AN INQUIRY INTO + Provided always, and be it further enacted by the autho- rity aforefaid, That all that by virtue of this a@ is to be ‘ done by the juftices of the peace, at their quarter-feffons, in their feveral counties, fhall be done and performed in like manner in the city of London, in the months of Oûtober and April yearly, by the mayor, aldermen, and juftices of peace there; and that the perfons making fuch oath fhall be no corn-chandler, mealman, factor, merchant, or other per- {on interefted in fuch corn fo to be imported; but fhall be fome fubftantiai houfe-kecpers, Lving in Middlefex or Sur- rey, qualified as aforefaid. 6 In Scotland, the importation of vi@ual from Ireland had been prohibited under fevere penalties; but referving power to the Lords of the privy council to admit of it, for fuch times as they fhould think fit, when the price within the kingdom was at or above L. 8 Scots,(equal to 165. of prefent money) for beer and meal; and L. 10(equal to 205.) for wheat, per boll*, And now a total prohibition to import vitual from Ireland was enacted, and all vi@ual that fhould be imported from thence was ordered co be funk and deftroyed f. The average price of a quarter of wheat in England, for the ten years from 1650 to 1660, was L, 2: 9:6,equaltoL.2:10:6 of prefent money; from. 1660 to 1 07o,it was L, 2:8:10, equal * Cha. 2. par. 2. feff. 3. c. 3. Ÿ Ja. 7. par. 1. ff, 3.€. 14 de ; THE CORN. VE: / to L.2:18:8; from 1670 to 1680, it was L.2:10:8, equal to L.3:0:10 of prefent money; and the average price of the quarter of wheat, from 168r to 1685, inclufive, was EL, 2 45. 4. equal(to L.2:13:T 6! prelent imoncy. The reader will be farther enabled to judge of the unfa- vourable fyftem of the corn laws, which we have reviewed in this chapter, by the fcale we fhall annex of the prices fixed by thofe laws, for the exportation and importation of wheat, from the year 1360 to 1688*, It is very fingular, that the benefit which muft arife to e- very nation, from raifing as much corn as pofhble, and ex- porting fuch parts of it as the home confumption does not re- quire, fhould have been fo long mifapprehended in Great Bri- tan.‘The example of their neighbours, who wifely exchang- ed their excrefcent ftock of corn, for the raw materials and money of England and Scotland, fhould have pointed out the benefit of that trade; for had it not been profitable they would not have continued it for fo many centuries. This importation trade cut many ways againft the moft ma- terial interefts of Great Britain. Our agriculture decayed, a great part of the lands lay without tillage, population confequently decreafed, the public revenue fuffered a propor- tional diminution, and our remaining manufacturers came to * Vide, Appendix, No 6. 72 AN INQUIRY INTO / CHAP.1I. be fed at a very high price, with the productions of the lands AY of other nations, often our enemies, who drew immenfe pro- fits therefrom, and drained our country of its wealth. FRE" CORN'DLAWS. ST Lee) CE A PI Of the caujes and effeëts of the feveral Corn Laws of Great Britain, Jubfequent to the Revolution in the year 1688. F AVING traced the corn laws of Great Britain, for near five CHAP. III. Ë hundred years prior to the Revolution; and having, to the re beft of our ability, recognifed the wifdom, and pointed out the errors or defects of thofe laws, it is with pleafure we now approach to that period, when the fame daring and enlightened {pirit, that could dart through and reform the errors of govern- ment, appears to have cut afunder thofe chains, in which the agriculture of thefe kingdoms had been fettered for fo many ages. This happy change was not effected by amending or reform- ing the old laws, or fimply, by leflening the duties upon grain exported; but boldly, by relinquifhing every idea of revenue from corn raifed at home, and eftablifhing a new fyftem, which would both invigorate agriculture, and give a new fpring to trade and navigation. K > ER TT ne L Ë 2 RS— ee: pis PE Se ne in CEÉPAP. TE Lou) 2= ni Re De DRE nt! 5.48 AN INQUIRY INTO Pan În a numerous, and well regulated fociety, the efliciency of aws points out, to the legiflature, the ftudy, the care, and the attention, with which they ought to be conftructed. Their operations are immediate, the confequences are foon felt; and the effe@s of thofe laws, which we are now about to inveftigate, will, it is hoped, afford inftruction to future gene- rations, as well as to the prefent, 500n after the acceflion of William and Mary, the follow ing law was made, entitled,‘ An aét for encouraging the ex- ‘ portation of corn.’ ‘ Forafmuch as it hath been found by experience, that the exportation of corn and grain into foreign parts, when the price thereof is at a low rate in this kingdom, hath been a great advantage, not only to the owners of land, but to the = 1. * trade of this kingdom in general: * Be it therefore ena@ed, by the King’s and Queen’s moft excellent majefties, by and with the advice and confent of the Lords fpiritual and temporal, and of the Commons now aflembled in parliament, and by the authority of the fame, That when malt or barley, Winchefter meafure, is fhall be at 24s. per quarter(equal to 285. rod. money), or under; and of prefent rye, at 325.(equal to 38s. sd.) per quar- wheat, at 48s.(equal to L. 2: 7-00 à quarter, or under; in any port or ports of this kingdom, or dominion of Wales; every merchant or other perfon, who 2 ter, of under:#and æ IECE: CORN:EAWS. 4 Un fhall put on fhip board, in Englifh fhipping, the mafter and two thirds of his mariners, at leaft, being their majefties fubjets, any forts of the corn aforefaid, from any fuch ports, where the rates fhall not then be higher than as afoi faid, with intent to export the faid corn to par a A feas, every fuch merchant, or other perfon, fhall bring a certi- ficate, in writing, under his or their hands, containing the quantity or quality of corn, fo fhipped, to the farmers, com- miflioners, collectors, or other perfons appointed, or to be appointed, for the time being, to collect the duties and rates, arifing by cuftoms within any fuch port; and, upon. made of any fuch certificate, by one or more credible perf or perfons, upon their oaths, which oaths the faid com ee fioners, or other perfons, are hereby authorifed and required to adminifter; and upon bond given, by every fuch mer- chant, or other perfons, in the fum of L. 200 at leaft, for every 100 tons of corn fo fhipped, and fo proportionably, that the faid corn(danger of the feas excepted) fhall be ex- ported into parts beyond the feas, anc 1 A H Q the 1faonde ŸJg+iit didc L1I1CLO in the kingdom of England, domimior EH à nt were CTW iCK U Don 1 WELCU. Of Guerni. ey and Jerfey, or town of Every fuch de{o a off any of the aforefaid “TE TR SN RS Le SR EN PU RES corn, and ra iving cefrtinc e and bor Œ as af0I elaid, 1ihall have and receive€ from fuch farmer rs, commi{l honers S, and COlECLCOTS, -] È 2 SN PRE IGN NE RTE Sn 4= or other perfons, in any port refpectively, where the fame corn fhall be fo fhipped, for every quarter of barley or malt, Te oround or unground, 25. 6d.(equal to 3°. of prefent money}; for every quarter of rye, ground or ung round, 35. 6d.(equal to 452)3 for every quarter of whezt, ground or un- K 2 ç ç 6 AN INODIRY INTO ground, 55.(equal to 6s.); which fum or fums, every fuch commiflioner, farmer, or other perfons, are hereby autho- rifed and required, upon demand by fuch exporter, to make prefent payment of accordingly; without taking or requi- ring any thing for cuftom; or any fee or reward for corn fo laden to be exported; or for fo much grain as fhall be ex- ported in any fhip, wherein any other goods fhall be fhipped; any law, flatute, or ufage, in any wife to the contrary not- withftanding: And upon certificate returned, under the com- mon feal of the chief magiftrate, in any place or places be- yond the feas; or under the hands and feals of two known Englifh merchants upon the place, that fuch corn was there landed; or upon proof, by credible perfons, that fuch corn was taken by enemies, or perifhed in the feas, the examina- tion and proof thereof being left to the judgment of fuch commiflioners, farmers, colle@tors, or other perfons; which proof being made, or certificate delivered, to fuch perfon or perfons, refpectively, as took bend as aforefaid; the faid bond fkall be delivered up to fuch exporter, or his order, to be cancelled, without any fee for the fame: And the momies, by any fuch commiffioners, farmers, collectors, or other perfon, fo paid, in obedience to this a@, fhall be ac- cepted of in his or their accounts, as fo much paid to their Majefties; and he and they is, and fhall be, difcharged therefore accordingly*” And when grain was at or under the above prices, the above bounty was extended to corn fhip- ped at Berwick f. # 1 Will.& Mary, c. 12. + Ibid, c. 24.$ 18. + THE CORN LAWS, Eais E a À 2 This policy was foon after followed in Scotland, by a law entitled, An a& for encouraging the exportation of victual, in thefe words:‘ His Majefty, and eftates of parliament, confi- ç * 6 € ee dering that the grains of all forts, are the greateft produét and commodity of this nation; and confidering how necef- fary it is for the promoting of tillage, and improvement of trade, to the beft advantage of the kingdom, that an effec- tual encouragement be granted for exportation of corns and victual forth thereof: Therefore his Majefty, out of his royal bounty, with confent of the eftates of parliament, ftatutes and ordains, That all forts of grain, exported out of the kingdom, after Martinmas 1696, fhall be free of any dues formerly payable upon exportation: And that for encoura- ging export, after the faid term, there fhall be given out of the cuftoms, to the exporter, upon his oath of verity of the numbers of the bolls exported, fubfcribed with his hand, and attefted by the colleétor of the next adjacent cuftom- houfe, eight merks for ilk chalder of grain that fhail be ex- ported, by fea or land, when they fhall not exceed the prices following, viz. When wheat is at or under twelve pound the boll,(equal to L. r: 4s. of prefent money); bear, barley, and malt, at or under eight pound,(equal to 16s.) per boll; peafe, oats, and meal, at or under fix pound,(equal to 125.) per boll; allthe faïid grains being of Linlithgow meafure: With this provifion always, that the faid exportation fhall be by Scot{men, or in Scots fhips, and that the mafter and three-fourth parts of the feamen of the faid fhips fhall be Scotfmen: As alfo with this provifion, that when the grains exceed the forefaid rates, the Lords of his majefty’s fecret CHAP- LT. Lo Fm) 100%. 78 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAPIIL:«4 council may difcharge the exportation of viétual of all forts, Cou)- ay and till the grains fall to the prices forefaid*,’ But the fubfdies and duties, payable upon corn exported from England, not having been given up by the former a&, 1700. were now finally removed by the following law:‘ And, ‘ for the greater encouragement of tillage, be it further en- ‘ aéted, by the authority aforefaid, That from and after the * 3oth day of March 1700, the fubfidy, and all other duties ‘ whatfoever, payable for, or upon the exportation of wheat, ‘ rye, barley, malt, beans, peafe, and other forts of corn and ‘ grain whatfoever, ground and unground; and for, and upon the exportation of bread, bifcuit, and meal, or any of them, out of, or from the kingdom of England, dominion of Wales, or town of Berwick upon Twecd, as to fo much of the faid commodities, or any of them, as fhall be fo exported, ‘ after the fad 3oth day of March,-fhall ceafe, determine, ‘ and be no longer due or payable to his Majefty, his heirs, ‘ or fucceflors; any law, ftatute, ufage, or prefcription to the ‘ contrary notwithftanding f. Thus the great, and new fyftem of corn laws was Anally iii f ftabhfhed, both in England and Scotland; and thefe king- 1506. doms having foon after been thoroughly incorporated, their corn laws were in like manner united by the followins fetion te) of the 6th article of the at of Union:‘ That all the parts of © th iniieclinodoma bar crc C-=- SAR ns 3a 11 the united Kingaom for ever, from and after the Union, fhall Ê ATV 1 eo 3 GE m= c William, pari. 1. c. 32. F. 198 12-Waillsc. 20.64. die nait E nn RE TRE. CORN LAWS. Li LI 4 Li A«rc av PRES En| es RS ER have the fame AaliOWarñnces,( encoui ag el me nts, ana GfawWD CES, . RU Di et and rev: and be under the fame prohibitions, reftrictions, and regu- lations of trade, and liable to the fame cuftoms and duties on import and export; and that the allowances, encourage- ments, and drawbacks, prohibitions, reftriétions, and regu- lations of trade, and the cuftoms and duties on import and export, fettled in England, wheñ the Union ecommences, fhall, from and after the Union, take place throughout the whole united kingdom; excepting and referving the duties upon export and import of fuch particular commodities, from which any perfons, the fubjects of cither ee are fpecially liberated and exempted by their private rights; which after the Union are to remain fafe and entire to them, in all refpects, as before the fame: And that from and after the Union, no Scots cattle, carried into England, fhall be liable to any other ee either on the public or private ac- counts, than thofe duties to which the cattle of England are or fhall be liable, within the faid kingdom. And feeing, by he laws of England, there are rewards granted upon the ex- portation of certain kinds of grain, wherein oats, tie or ungrinded, are not exprefled, That from and after the Union, when oats fhall be fold at 155. Sterling(equal to 185. of PS fent money) per quarter, or under, there fhall be pa 6d. Sterling(equal to 25.) for every quarter of the oat ue O 3 à D) O@ Li exported in terms of the law; whereby, and fo long as re O LVL wards are granted for exportation of other grains, and th æm D e+ the beer of Scotland have the fame rewards as barlev. Ad in refpett the importation of victual into Scotland, from any place beyond the fea, would prove a difcouragement to til. CE ETA D OTIT LAliLe Lili Lay) CERXP-TITE C7) um) ©,© EE o AN PFNOUrIRY: ENTO lage; therefore, that the prohibition, now in force, by the law of Scotland, againft importation of victual from Ire- land, or any other place beyond the fea, into Scotland, do, after the Union, remain in the fame force as now it is, until more proper and effeétual ways be provided by the parlia- ment of Great Britain, for difcouraging the importation of the faid victual from beyond the fea*,’ And, by another law of the fame year, it was enaéted as follows: And whereas, by the forefaid articles of Union, it is la provided, that from and after the Union there fhall be certain allowances for all oatmeal, and grain called beer, exported from Scotland: Be it enacted, by the authority aforefaid, that for all oatmeal, and grain called beer, a/ias bigg, which, from and after the faid firft day of May 1707, fhall be ex- ported from any port of this kingdom of England, dominion of Wales, and town of Berwick upon Tweed, to parts be- yond the feas, by any merchant, or other perfon or perfons whatfoever, there{hall be the like premium given upon the exportation thereof, as is to be given upon exportation of oatmeal and beer from Scotland; fuch merchant, or other perfon, firft bringing a certificate, in writing, under his or their hands, containing the quantity of fuch oatmeal, or beer, alias bigg, fo fhipped, to the colleétor or other perfons appointed, or to be appointed, for the time being, to colle the duties or rates arifing by cuftoms within any fuch port; and making proof of fuch certificate, by one or more cre- A? L #& Anne, c. 8. art. 6. LTÉE CORN:LAWS, 8 dible perfon or perfons, upon their oaths,(which oaths the the faid collector or other perfon is hereby authorifed and required to adminifter), and giving bond in the fum oQf EL. 10 at leaft, for every ton of oatmeal fo fhipped, confifting of 20 hundred weight; and for every forty bufhels of beer alias bigg,{o fhipped; and fo proportionally for a greater or leffer quantity; that the fame fhall be fo exported to parts beyond the feas, and not to be relanded: which premium, every merchant or other perfon, fo fhipping off any fuch oatmeal, or beer, alias bigg, and giving certificate and bond as aforefaid, fhall have and receive, from the colle&or or other perfon, as aforefaid, in any port refpectively, when the fame fhall be fo fhipped, out of her Majefty’s revenue of the cuftoms; and upon certificate returned, under the common feal of the chief magiftrate, in any place or places beyond the feas; or under the hands and feals of two known Englifh merchants upon the place, that fuch oatmeal, or beer, alias bigg, was there landed; or upon proof, by credible perfons, that fuch oatmeal, or beer, alias bigg, was taken by enemies, or perifhed by the feas: which proof being made, or certificate delivered, to the collector or other perfons, who took bond as aforefaid, the faid bond{hall be delivered up to fuch merchant or other perfon, or his order, to be can- celled, without any fee for the fame. ‘ And whereas, by an act of parliament, made in the firft year of the reign of the late King William and Queen Mary, of bleffed memory, entitled,‘ An act for the encouraging the exportation of corn, it was, among other things, thereby L 82 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. IT.< enacted, that every fuch merchant, by the faid a@ defcribec, Lg) mom) ç (4 6 fhipping any malt or barley, rye or wheat, and giving cer- tificate and bond, as the faid a@ directs, fhall have and re- ceive from the farmers, commifhioners, collectors, or other perfons appointed, or to be appointed, for the time being, to collect the duties and rates, arifing by cuftoms, within any fuch port where the faid corn fhall be fhipped off, for every quarter of barley or malt, ground or unground, 25. 6d.; for every quarter of rye, ground or unground, 3. 6d.; for every quarter of wheat, ground or unground, 5s.: And whereas, fince the making of the faid ac, there have been divers quantities of malt made of wheat, fome part whereof hath been exported; and fome doubts having arifen touch- ing the bounty money to be paid upon the exportation there- of, to the difcouragement of the exportation of corn; and for clearing thereof, and for preventing future difputes touching the fame, be it enacted, by the authority aforefaid, That every merchant, or other perfon, exporting malt made of wheat, from and after the faid frft day of May 1707, fhall have and receive of the faid farmers, commiflhioners, or perfons aforefaid,$s. for every quarter of malt made of wheat, or wheat malt, ground or unground, to be paid by the refpective perfons, in the faid recited aét mentioned*. In Scotland, fome time before the Union,(anno 1703) an: at of parliament was pafled, confirming the former laws of I 672 and 1686 againft the importation of viétual and cattle MR AMIE, C20.$T0. Fr #+ TITEÉ CORN. PA WS. 83 < FR*A à+ 1] du=# 5 ot A. 1 Fe» 4- 4 A from[reland; and to render the prohibition more effectua, e z® ry]l ï it was, befides other penalties, flatuted and declared,‘ That 6 al! Lare 6 Pre= 2 Ds re ali importers of Irifh vidtual, as well mafters and feamen of =. | 1!*.... ‘ the veflels wherein it is imported, as alfo the refetters, fellers, Pen ‘ retailers, and buyers thereof, or any part thereof, wittingly, fhall not only be liable to the pains and penalties of the act ‘ 1672, but likewife all under the degree of heritors,{hall be to any Scots officer, ferving her Majefty’s allies ‘ abroad, and to be tranfported by them for recruits, when ‘ once difcovered and conviéted,&c. And, by the fame law, ‘ all importation of viétual, by fea or land, from any country ‘ whatfoever, into Scotland; and all buying and felling, re- ‘ fetting and retailing, wittingly, of viétual imported, is ex- ‘ prefsly prohibited, except that wheat, peafe, and beans, for feed, might be imported into England, upon payment of ‘ 40s.(equal to 4s. of prefent money) more than the ordinary ‘ cuftom, per boll; if fairly imported and entered,&c.: Pro- € vided always, that when, by reafon of dearth, the prices of € victual exceeds the rates aftermentioned, viz. wheat, twelve ‘ pound(equal to L. 1: 4s. of prefent money) the boll; bear, ‘ barley, malt, and meal, eight pound(equal to 16s.) per boll; ‘ and oats and peafe, fix pound(equal to 125.) per boll; the ‘ Lords of her Majefty’s privy council fhall have power, after ‘ due trial by them taken, to fufpend and difcharge the ‘ execution of the faid prohibitory acts, for fuch fpace and € time as the exigence of the faid dearth fhall require, and no ‘ longer* * Anne, par. I: C. 9. L 2 CHAR, TEE Lu mm) 84 AN EINOUERT ENT O Thefe were the laws which received the fanétion of the 6th article of the Union, above ingrofled.| In all countries, laws, particularly thofe of bounty or re- venue, receive an uncertain execution, where there is any ma- terial word either wanting or fupernumerary, or any claufe which can receive an equivocal explanation by perfons in- terefted. The prices and duties of corn, imported, were fixed by the act 1670; but, as has been already obferved, the duties were evaded, by the at having laid down no rule for afcertaining the prices, at the times and places of importation. This defect was fupplied by the act 1685, by which the juf- tices of peace of the feveral counties were enjoined and re- quired, at their refpeétive quarter feflions, to inquire into and determine the prices of grain, at fixed periods; and to {end certificates thereof to the feveral cuftom-houfes, within their jurifdiétions, to be hung up there, in a public place, for the direction and rule of all parties concerned. But as, by this law, neither the trouble of the execution of it was to be compenfated, nor the negle@ of it to be punifhed, it was, in many places, not attended to; and, as no. method or rule had been fubftituted, in the event of this defe&, im- porters availed themfelves of the opening; and, in the years 1728 and 1720, they introduced a great deal of foreign corn: into Great Britain, without payment of the duties, ME CERN: LAVWS. 8s Some difficulties had alfo arifen, from the methods which had been practifed, in afcertaining the prices and quantities of corn exported. À law was therefore now made, which, after narrating, in the preamble, the two laws above noticed, proceeds thus: ‘ And whereas the juftices of the peace, in fome of the ‘ counties of this kingdom, have, notwithftandiug the laft “ mentioned act, omitted or neglected to fettle the price of “ corn, at their quarter feflions, after Michaelmas laft, and to return certificates thereof to the chief officer and collector of “ the cuftoms, refiding in the refpective ports, where the ‘ faid corn has been, or may be imported; by means whereof “ the faid officers were at a lofs how to charge the cuftom and ‘ duty due for fuch corn, which Das been, and may be à great “ Jofs to the revenue, and a detriment to the farmers and fair & traders. The juftices therefore, who had omitted their duty, were enjoined and required, at their then next quarter feffions, or any adjournment thereof, to inquire into and determine what the common market prices of middling Britifh corn, or grain, were, at or about Michaelmas then lait, in their refpective counties, by fuch ways as were dirécted by the act 1670, and to grant certificates thereof; according to which the officers of the cuftoms, and all other perfons concerned, were to go- L] vern themfelves. And in: all cafes, where any corn or grain had been import CHAP; HT Le us.) 1720: { A 86 AN INQUIRY[INTO ed fince the firft day of Michaelmas quarter feflions then Taft pat, if the importers or proprietors thereof had negleéted to pay the refpeétive duties for the fame, or fhould negled to pay the fame upon demand, fuch importers or proprietors fhould _ forfeit and lofe all fuch corn and grain, or the value thereof. And in cafe the juftices of peace fhould thereafter omit or negleét to examine and determine the prices of corn and grain, and to certify the fame to the officers of the cuftoms; then, and in fuch cafe, the colieétor of the cuftoms, at the refpe“tive ports of importation, was impowered to receive the feveral du- ties, according to the loweît price of the feveral forts of corn and grain, mentioned in the forefaid aét 1670. And for the better afcertaining the quantity of corn or grain, to be fhipped for exportation, which, by the act 1688, is no otherwife afcertained than by the certificate to the exporter, at- tefted upon oath, it was enacted, that the proper officers of the cuftoms fhould be empowered to admeafure all corn and grain, whereon there is an allowance, payable upon the ex- portation thereof, by a tub, or meafure, containing four Win- chefter bufhels; and if fuch corn or grain, intended to be ex- ported, fhould be brought to be fhipped off, in facks, they were empowered to make choice of any two of thefe facks, out of twenty, and from them to compute the quantity of corn to be fhipped, according to which the bounty was to be paid. And that the like powers, certificates, and regulations, fhould be extended to the afcertaining the prices and quantity of beer, Re D= RE THE CORN LAWS. 87 alias bigg, oatmeal, and malt, made of wheat, or wheat malt, intended for exportation*, Still, however, the remiffnefs of the juftices, or fome other debility of the laws, had left an open door, through which confiderable quantities of foreign grain were introduced into the kingdom, although the prices, at home, were exceedingly low: And, to prevent that abufe, another law was made, men- tioning that,° Whereas by an a made in the firft year of the ‘ reign of his late majefty King James IT. entitled, 47 add ‘ fional a& for the improvement of tillage, provifion was made ‘ for examining and determining the common market price of “ Englifh middling corn and grain, which neverthelefs hath € been found ineffectual: Therefore, for the better afcertain- ing the fame, and /or preventing the fraudulent importation of foreign corn and grain, it was enaéted, That it{hould be lawful for all and every the juftices of peace, for the feveral and re- {pettive counties within that part of Great Britain called Eng- gland, Wales, and the town of Berwick upon Tweed, where- in foreign corn or grain fhould or might be imported; and they were thereby enjoined and required, at every their quar- ter feflions, to give in charge, in open court, to the grand jury, to make inquiry and prefentment, upon their oaths, of the common market prices of middling Englfh corn and grain, of the refpeétive forts and quantities mentioned in an a made in the 22d year of the reign of King Charles IT. entitled, ‘ An act for the improvement of tillage, and breed of cattle,” as M2Geo. IL c-18,-0 52,3, 4,5 CHAP:TIT, Leu.) (a Lo CHAP. IIL Leu) 88 AN INQUIRY INTO the fame fhould be commonly bought and fold, in every fuch county; which inquiry and prefentment, the faid grand jury were thereby impowered and required to make. That fuch prefentment fhould be made in open court, and fhould be certified by the faid juftices, in writing, to his Ma- jefty’s chief officer and colleétor of the cuftoms, for the time being, refiding in every fuch port or haven, where fuch corn and grain fhould be imported; and fhould be hung up in fome public place in the cuftom-houfe, belonging to every fuch port or haven, to be reforted to by all perfons, for their information. That the cuftom and duty of foreign corn and grain, im- ported into England, Wales, and Berwick, as aforefaid, ap- pointed to be paid by the faid act of the 224 Charles IT. fhould be colleéted and paid according to the prices contain- ed in fuch certificates as aforefaid, and not otherwife; any thing in the faid act of King James IT. to the contrary not- withftanding. But nothing in this act to affect the authority given by the faid at of James IL to the city of London. It was alfo enacted: That no warrant, fufferance, coaft-cocket, tranfire, or let- pafs, whatfocver, fhould be granted or allowed for tranfport- ing, conveying, or carrying forth, to the open fea, in any fhip or veflel, from any port in England, Wales, or Berwick, to any other port or haven of the fame, any foreign corn or grain, THE GORN. LAWS. 80 Q after the importation thereof; and that no perfon, or perfons whatfoever fhould, direétly or indirectly, tranfport, convey, or carry forth to the open fea; or caufe or procure to be tran- fported, conveyed, or carried forth to the open fea; or from any port, haven, creek, or road, or member thereof, in Ens- land, Wales, or Berwick, in order to be landed or difcharged in any other port or place within the fame; or lade, or caufe or procure to be laden, in any fhip or veflel, in order to be landed or difcharged in any other port, haven, or place within the fame, any foreign corn er grain, mixed with Englifh corn and grain, after the importation thereof, under the fevere penalties and forfeitures therein mentioned*, Agriculture had now recovered its ftrength, and the exer- tions of our farmers had become vigorous and conftant. For feveràl years preceding this period, the price of grain had been very reafonable; a great export trade of corn had been carried on from Great Britain; and proper attention had been paid to the execution of thofe laws which guarded againft fraudulent importation. The average price of a quarter of wheat, for the$ years from 1731 to 1735 inclufive, was only 34s.; the price of the quar- ter of wheat in 1736 was 40s.; in 1737 it was 385; and, in the prefent year 1738, it was only 35. 6d, # à Geo. 2:<. 12. M CHAP. II, en 90 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. HI. Yet in the midft of this plenty, the common people had been ftimulated to violence from motives, or by perfons, not now known. Théy rofe in mobs in different parts of the kingdom; they feized horfes and carriages on the way to the ports with corn for exportation, deftroyed the horfes and car- riages, beat the drivers, and fcattered away the corn. In fome places they pulled down granaries, and damaged or carried off the contents; they entered fhips, and threw away and deftroyed the cargoes of corn that had been fhipped for exportation. To reprefs thefe diforders, a law was made for the fevere punifhment of fuch offenders, and fubjeéhing the inhabitants of the hundred, in which fuch offences{hould be committed, to the payment of the damage*. I74E, Hitherto the prohibition to import foreign grain into Scot- land, or to buy, fell, or retail fuch, had refted upon the act 1703, and the two preceding acts therein referred to, by which it was provided, that if, by reafon of dearth, grain in Scotland fhould exceed certain prices, the Lords of her Majefty’s privy: council fhould have power, after due trial by them taken, to fufpend and difcharge the faid prohibitory acts, for fuch fpace of time as the exigency of the dearth fhould require, and no longer. And, as is already noticed, by the 6th article of the Union, thefe prohibitory laws were declared to remain in force % 1x Geo. 2.€. 22 ——————————_—_—_————— THE GOIR N:- LAW. OT until more proper and efle@tual ways fhould be provided, by the parliament of Great Britain, for difcouraging the importa- tion of viétual from beyond fea. Things, however, had remained in this fituation, without any fuch provifion having been made; and, as by aét of the 6th Anne, c. 6, it had been determined, that the Queen, her heirs and fucceflors, fhould have but one privy council for Great Britain; the privy council of Scotland came thereby to be annihilated. The prices of grain, in Scotland, having rifen in the year 1740, after a very fevere winter, fome importations of foreign grain were made, although againft law, as no power then exifted to fufpend the prohibitory acts in that part of Great Britain. To obviate this difficulty, without entering into any new fyftem, a temporary expedient was adopted, and a law was now made, by which the powers originally committed to the privy council of Scotland, for fufpending thefe prolibitory laws, when neceflary, and removing fuch fufpenfion, when the exi- gence of dearth no longer required it, were vefted in the Courts of feflion, jufticiary, and exchequer, in Scotland; and rules were laid down for their procedure*. Some difficulties having arifen with refpect to the computa- # 14 Geo. 2. c. 7. M 2 CHAP.TM, Los rue) à pe+ Ce name ds te re Et 7 CHAP. III. Los) me.) 92 AN INQUIRY INTO tion and admeafurement of wheat meal, and other ground corn and grain, whereon a bounty was payable upon exporta- tion; in order to reconcile all difputes and differences that might arife thereanent, the oflicers of the cuftoms, by a law now made, were impowered to allow the fame bounty, and no more, upon the exportation of 224 pounds weight of wheat meal, or other ground corn or grain, whereon there was a bounty, as was allowed upon the exportation of four bufhels of wheat, or other corn or grain, unground, and fo in pro- portion for any greater or lefler quantity; and, for the greater expedition in the bufnefs, the oflicers were allowed to make choice of two facks out of twenty, when the wheat meal, or other ground corn or grain, were brought-in facks; from whence they were to compute the weight of the meal, accord- ing to which the bounty was to be paid*, Thefe falutary laws had increafed the export trade of corn to an amazing extent, while plenty remained at home, and the prices continued moderate. The average exportation for the four years, from 1748 to 1751 inclufive, amounted to 1,212,686 quarters yearly; and, the average price of wheat, for thefe four years, was 365. 34. per quarter. Fhe revenue applicable to the payment of the bounty upon corn exported, having been alfo chargeable with other pay- ments, came to be infufficient to difcharge the monies due upon thefe great exportations; and a law was now made, by 24460. 2 c 60.(un TITF CORN A WS, 93 = which the debentures for thefe bounties were to carry intereft at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum,(oO COMMENCE fix months following the day when they fhould, or might have been pro- duced to the commiilioners of the cuftoms at London, accord- ing to the directions of the aét of the r2th and 13th of King William*. The crop of this year having been weak, and of courfe the Je e)) prices of grain having rifen, the common people, long ac- LU cuftomed to plenty and cheapnefs,: did not attribute the rife- in the prices, to the fhortnefs of the crop, but to thecdrtsof the farmers, dealers, millers,&c. and got into mobs, com- mitted many outrages in different parts of the kingdom, and deftroyed mills with the grain in them, as if they had been the chief acceflories to the dearth. The advanced prices of corn, however, brought forward laws, by which all forts of corn, meal, malt, flour, bread, bifcuit, or ftarch, were prohibited to be exported before the 25th December 1757; only malt, made for exportation, and declared to be fo before the 4th December 1756, was allowed to be exported; and veflels cleared out, before the 2$th Decem- ber 17:56, were allowed to proceed on their voyages: But it was provided, that in cafe his Majefty fhould, at any time, before the faid 25th December 1757, judge it to be moft for the benefit and advantage of the kingdom, to permit the ex- portation of the corn, and the other commodities aforefaid, or %# 26 Geo. 2. C. 15; SJ bi ST Ca CHAP. III. Lan) 94 AN INQUIRY INTO any of them, that then it fhouid be lawful for his Majefty, by proclamation, to be iffued by and with the advice of his privy council, or by his Majefty’s order in council, to be publifhed in the London Gazette, from time to time, to permit and fuf- fer all and every perfon and perfons, natives and foreigners, (but not any particular perfon or perfons) at any time or times, before the faid 25th day of December 1757, to export or carry out all or any of the commodities aforefaid*, AU cuftoms, fubfdies, and duties, rates, or impoñtions whatfoever, upon corn or flour imported, or upon corn, grain, meal, bread, bifcuit, and flour, taken from the enemy, and brought into the kingdom, were difcontinued until the 24th Auguft 1757; and the fame might be alfo carried coaftways, without duty f. Importation of corn, duty free, was allowed in fhips of other nations, in amity with Great Britain, from any port or place whatfoever f. And from and after the r1th March 1757, no low wines or fpirits whatever were to be extrated or diftilled within the kingdom, from any wheat, barley, malt, or any other fort of grain, or from any meal or flour, for and during the fpace ot two calendar months| Fab Get. SC+ Ibid t.7. $-Æbid. c- 9. 14. Ibid:€, rc. THE CORN LAVWS. 05 And this prohibition was afterwards continued to the r1th December 1757; but with power to his Majefty, by procla- mation, to be iflued with the advice of his privy council, or by an order in council, to be publifhed in the London Ga- zette, to fufpend this at, and to allow the diftillers to pro- ceed*. Thefe laws eflectually checked the exportation of corn; a bout 80,000 quarters had been exported, before the prohibi- tion took place, and about 150,000 quarters of foreign corn were brought in. The Exportation trade, however, was reftored and recover- ed in the year 1759, and went on as formerly, with little or no importation of foreign grain; but the crop 1762 having failed a little, the importers found, that upon a very fmall ftart in the prices, they could afford to pay the low duties, to. come in competition with the market at home; and, con- fequently, a very confiderable importation took place for that, and the three following years. Indeed, in the laft of thefe years, fome panic had feized upon the kingdom, and an embargo was laid, the 26th September, upon all fhips laded with corn for exportation, which, having been done againft law, an aét of indemnity was made for it the following year|. » There does not, at prefent, appear to have been any good * 30 Geo. 2: c. 15. 4 7 Geo. 3:© 7: CHAP:IIE. 1766, CEA PAT. Co) roux) 1708. F4 SI ON jo 96 AN INQUIRY INTO reafon for thofe meafures; for, in the year mentioned, there were above 300,000 quarters of grain exported, and lefs than 250,000 imported. Laws were now made, prohibiting, for a limited time, the ex- portation of corn, grain, meal, malt, flour, bread, bifcuit, and ftarch; and alfo the extraction of low wines and fpirits from wheat, and wheat flour. And allowing, for a limited time, the importation of wheat and wheat flour, oats, and oat-meal, rye, and rye-meal, free of duty*. Thefe laws were renewed this year, with fome additions; and it was enaéted, that they fhould continue until twenty days after the commencement of the next feflion of parlia- ment, The exportation of corn, grain, meal, malt, four, bread, bifcuit, and ftarch; and alfo the extraction of low wines and fpirits, from wheat and wheat flour, was prohibi- ted(except to fome Britifh dependencies). An importation, not only of wheat, wheat flour, barley, barley-meal, pulfe, oats, oat-meal, rye and rye-meal, from any part of Europe; but Indian corn, or maize, and rice, from North America; and wheat and wheat flour from Africa, were permitted, duty- free+. This year the exportation of corn, grain, meal, malt, flour, bread, bifcui, and ftarch; and alfo the extraction of F5 Geo. 3. 0. 3.4.5. 8.+ 8 Geo. 3. c. 1. 2. 3. PE: CORN: LAWS: 9 low wines and fpirits, from wheat and wheat flour, was pro- hibited, until twenty days after the xommencement of the next feflion of parliament; and the free importation of rice from North America was permitted. This year the former law of laft year, prohibiting the ex- portation of corn, grain, meal, malt, flour, bread, bifcuit, and ftarch; and allo the extraction of low wines and fpirits from wheat, and wheat flour, was continued in force, until twenty days after the commencement of the next feflion of par- liament; providing that the faid continuation might be abridg- ed or fhortened, and this act, or any part thereof, might be altered or varied, by any other at or acts to be made in the prefent feflion of parliament*. And accordingly, by another law of this feflion, fo much of the former acts as prohibited the exportation of malt, was removed and repealed f. This year alfo an at was made for regiftering the prices at which corn is fold in the feveral counties of Great Britain, and the quantity exported and imported f. Laws were now made prohibiting the exportation of corn, orain, meal, malt, flour, bread, bifcuit, and ftarch; and alfo 10 Geo. 3. C. I.+ Ibid€. 10,+ Ibid. ce. 30. N 98 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. IL. the extraction of low wines and fpirits from wheat, and wheat { n'en.:._- flour(except for viétualling fhips, and to Britifh dependen- cies), until the twenticth day after the commencement of the next feflion of parliament*. EL Upon the commencement of the feflion of parliament, this year, a law was made, prohibiting the exportation of corn, grain, meal, malt, flour, bread, bifcuit, and ftarch; and alfo the extraction of low wines from wheat, and wheat flour, was prohibited, until the twentieth day after the commencement of the next feflion of parliament. And afterwards an at was made, allowing the importation of wheat, wheat flour, rye, rye-meal, and Indian corn, free of duty, until the firft day of Decem- br r72 All this would appear to have been done without any folid reafon; for the price of grain was not very high, and the quantity of grain exported, from the year: 1760, to. the year 1770, confiderably exceeded the quantity imported. 1773 Immediately upon the meeting of the parliament, this year, laws were made allowing the free importation, before the 1ft day of January 1774, of any wheat, wheat flour, rye, rye- meal, barley, barley-meal, oats, oat-meal, peafe, beans, tares, calivancies, and all other forts of pulfe, from any part of Europe, or Africa, without the payment of any fubfdy, cuf- 7—" e 78= LE ASE En ee À À Es v'4 1} Î 5 H y LE$ | LE | || Me Le Ë Ée | 11 EY # 11 Geo. 3. c. 2. + 12 Geo. 3. c. 1. 33. THE CORN LAWS. 09 tom, duty, or impofñtion whatfoever; and permitting the fame to be carried coaftways, under fuch regulations as the wheat, wheat flour,&c. of the growth of this kingdom, were allowed to be carried coaftways, provided that due entry fhould be made, as was pracifed before the making of this act; and the importation of wheat, wheat flour, Indian corn, nd jan meal, bifcuit, peafe, beans, tares, calivancies, and all other forts of pulfe, from North America,-was alfo permitted for the fame time, duty free, upon making entry as aforefaid, By another law, pafled at the fame time, the exportation of corn, grain, peafe, beans, meal, malt, flour, bread, bifcuit, and ftarch; and alfo the extraction of low wines and fpirits from wheat, and wheat flour,(except for RAR{hips, or to Britifh dependencies}, was prohibited until the faid rft dy of January 1774% Thefe laws, however, although deftruétive of our own agri- culture, were only temporary, and their confequences might have been recovered, as they did not trench upon the general fyftem. But we now come to a law of this year, by which ébe vene- rable old code, fo beneficial to manufactures e nn_ fo falutary to the kingdom in general;#baf code, which had raifed the agriculture of Great Britain, from the loweit ftate y 4 D CHA IP: TB Los) Cou LR e 100 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. UT. of depreflion, to the higheft degree of profperity; which had Ce) mx);:. produced plenty, at reafonable prices, for fo great a number of years, at home; and had brought fuch immenfe fums of money for the excrefcent ftock of corn, from abroad, was now torn up by the roots, and fcattered in the winds*, This falubrious code had not‘been the work of a day; ït came to be reared. by flow degrees, and was the refult of the experience of many generations; although the multiplicity of its component parts had rendered the diftinét knowledge of it a matter of confiderable labour. The introduétion of this new law, 10 /imilar in terms, and{o adverfe in Principle, to the former laws, involved the corn laws in greater perplexity than ever; and it need not be matter of{urprife, that perfons of the beft underftanding fhould be unwilling to enter upon a ftudy fo dark, and fo intricate.. The neareft road to conviction, in fuch cafes, is to place- the objeûts to be compared parallel before the eye; to ex- hibit them in their firft principles; to ftudy their opera- tions; and to. determine according to their confequences and effects. With this view we fhall lay before the public a comparative ftatement of both fyftems, in order that we may, by con- trafüng them in this manner, be the better enabled to Judge of the difference between the 0/7 /ifem, which had been efta- #13 GÉ0- 2. C. 4% —_—_—-_=—= er— nr EN OT om ER FÉE.: CORN EAWS. TOI blifhed, by the laws of 1670, 1688, and 1706; and the ew CHAP.IIT. / Jyem,(for we muft confider it as fuch) which was now in- troduced, by the law of 1773. Las ur) US om 102 AN ANQUIRE TNTO Comparative Statement of the Laws for tbe Importation of Grain into Money of thetime.|| Money. Table of Importation Prices and Duties, by the Old Laws. Prices.| Duties.| Prices. Dell te Me ar 0 nee d| 1670. For every quarter of wheat, when the price did not exceed 2.53: 40,10.:6|5,,4 00 19 2 when above that price and not exceeding[4 o ol 8 ol4 16 ol 9 l when above that price 6.000+. 41010..0o0 s For every quarter of rye, peafe, and beans,when the price did notexceed|2© ol 16 cl: 8 olo 10 02 when above that price G-9:004:0l0©. oo 4m%) For every quarter of barley, when the price did not exceed T'12 OO 10©Ï1 18 50 19 2| when above that price D506-06:2. 8e: o oo 32 For every quarter of oats, when the price did not exceed o 16 cb 5 4lo 19 22 6 when above that price OP DP00""Tr 10.0 eo dt Remarks on By the old laws, particularly that of 1670, importation was not permitted until the prices, FR rat home, were very high, and even then the duties upon importation were confderable, fo ALAUALLIICO}=<;: the old laws. that foreign grain could only be brought in to fupply neceflitous times, but could never ftand in competition with the home produce. The law of 1688 did not mention importation. It was made entirely for the encourage- ment of our own agriculture, by providing a new market for our excrefcent corn, and thereby flimulating the people to cultivate the wafte lands. It left importation to the pre- ceding laws, by which it was thought to be fufficiently guarded, if not prohibited. When thofe laws were enaéted, and until the year 1714, money carried intereft at the rate of 6 per cent. per annum, and confequently was proportionally of more value thanitisat th the intercft at 5 per cent. per annum. The fpirit of the old laws did not permit the importation of flour, or manufattured grain, at any time; but only the grain at particular places where the prices fhould be very high. 7 Nor did they give permiflion either to carry imported grain by fa, coaftways, or to tran- >“++ 37 A Se à+ Re Ex 2: DT And+ f ab Eee port it to any other place but that to which neceflity called it. And thefe reftrictions ap- peared fo neceflary, that they were enforced by the a@ of the 5th George II. under very fevere penalties. | The la ding Br here th wheat, N dom,{he of thele ftated 10 And! any othe meal doe By th that fore markets: By tk and lande grain, 0t: wheat flo are allow And a de sin ul Le, OGC OMOMC Cr ENS O La) oo Le) o o o = 4 4 bi NOMOMNOGODION OO HO os D Co ES CPE | o | Ê atil the prics nfiderable, Id never fan e eNCOUrIE: nt COIN, all n to the pie bited. reftatthen e thaniti fadtured gui pe very DE Lu THE CORN:LAWS. 103 _ der om Le Je; De: Noam. Cris Great Britain, according to the Old, and ta the Nero Syflern, Table of Importation Prices and Duties, by the New Law.| Prices.| Duties.| (Les diff, ss. di a F==———| a For every quarter of wheat, when the price was at or above_——|2 o) oj0 o 6! 100 weight of wheat flour__—— SR REZ 0**0lb#02 For every quarter of rye, peafe, or beans, when the price was at or above Le p2 5 2 barley, beer or bigg, when the price was at or above MsS LA ob so 2] | ee oats, when the price was at or above—— G-56:10 lo] 2] || | The law of 1773 begins with importation, and enaëts, that whenever the price of mid- dling Britifh corn and grain fhall be at the prices above ftated, at the ports and places: where the fame fhould be imported; then all cuftoms and duties, formerly Ar Eve wheat flour, rye, peafe, beans, barley, bear, big, and oats, HUE ed into this king- , determine, and be no longer payable, during the refpettive continuance AP that, in lieu of the former duties, there fhould only be paid the duties Fable. payable dom, fhould ceafe of thefe prices. ftated in the above And it was allo enacted, that it fhould be lawful to import oat-meal from Ireland, or from any other part beyond the feas, into any port or place in Scotland, where the price of oat- meal does exceed 16s. per boll, weighing 8 ftone,. Troy. ECS) By the new law importation is permitted, when the prices of grain, at home, are fo low. that foreign grain may, at all times, come in competition with our home produce, in our own markets; and this has been the cafe ever fince this law was pañled. By this law too, wheat and other grain, imported, may be carried coaftways, and entered and landed in any other ports of the kingdom, at which the prices of middling Britifh corn, grain, or flour, are at, or above the refpecive rates aforefaid, under fuch regulations as wheat, wheat flour, rye, peafe, beans, barley, beer, bigg, or oats, of the growth of this kingdom, are allowed to be carried coaftways: And any perfon importing corn, grain, or flour, and paying the duties, if the fame fhall be again exported, within fix months, the duties are to be drawn back and repaid. _—=-, Sn Remarks on thefyftem in- roduced by cu new law, 104 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. III. Comparative Statement of the Laws for the Exportation of Grain from Ce oume) Money of the time.||} Prefent Money.| i i: j= ee it— Table of Exportation Prices and Bounties, by the OldLaws.| Prices.| Bounties.|| Prices.|Bounties. | ee ed(Lier als: d Lis 1688. Upon every quarter of wheat, ground or unground, when the price was at or under— 2.8: 00 Upon every quarter of rye, when the price was at or under Upon every quarter of barley or malt, when the price was at or under 1706. Upon every quarter of oatmeal, when the quarter of oats is at or under O SE 70.0 0 FE? OÙ IL 0 so 4 2] F 4 00.2 O6! 5 100 3 0 (6) O0 45 00 2 6llo 16, CO 2 es We fhall now take a view of the old laws, and of the new law, with refpect to exportation. The laws of 1688 and 1706, have been already recited, and to which we fhall refer for any particulars that are not again ftated in the above Table, By the new law, it was enacted, That when the price of the quarter of wheat fhould be at, or above 44s.; rye, peafe, or beans, 28s.: barley, beer or bigg, 22s.; and oats, r4s. no perfon fhould tranfport, or carry out of the kingdom, any fuch corn or grain, under penalties. That, after the 1ft day of January 1774, the bounties for- merly allowed, by law, upon corn exported, were to ceafe; and inftead and in lieu theréof, when the prices of corn and grain fhould be under the rates aftermentioned, at the ports + THE CORN LAVWS. 108 LS>= L EE 7= Great Britain, according to the Old, and to tbe New S y/lem. CHAP. III. | | | i Table of the Exportation Prices and Bounties, by the New Law. Prices.| Bounties.| |“ Le Se d, JE Se d; | Upon every quarter of wheat, or malt of wheat, when the price is| 1773, | under 2:.4 00 5(e] rye, when the price is under L 5 0:-006423% o! barley, beer, or bigg, or malt made thereof, when the price is under[[ 2© 2 6 oats, when the price is under(0:54 00.‘2% 6 And for every quarter of oat-meal, confifting of 276 pounds;avoirdupoiso o 2 6 and places in this kingdom, from whence the fame fhould be fhipped, there fhould be allowed upon the exportation of fuch corn or grain, either ground or unground, being the growth of this kingdom, and put on board in Britifh fhipping, the mafter, and at leaft two thirds of the mariners, of fuch fhips, being his Majefty’s fubjeéts, the following bounties, that is to fay, when the price of middling Britifh wheat, per quarter, fhould be under 44s. there fhould be paid a bounity, for every quarter of wheat, or malt made of wheat, ss.; when the quar- ter of rye was under 28s. a bounty of 35.; when the quarter Of barley, beer, or bigg, fhould be under 225. à bounty, for every quaïter of thefe, or of malt made of them, of 25. 6d.; and when the quarter of oats fhould be under 14S. à bounty of 25. upon every quarter of oats, and 25. 6d. up- on every quarter of oat-meal, confifting of 276 pounds, avoir- dupois*. * By the a& 1761, the fame bounty is allowed upon 224 pounds weight of whezr O CHA PC ITT. 106 AN INQUIRY INTO By the old laws, the method of afcertaining the prices was left to the Juftices of peace, at cheir quarter feflions; and it was, by the prefent law, continued for England in the fame way; but, for Scotland, it was committed to the fheriffs of the feveral counties, to afcertain the prices four times in the year; and to fend certificates thereof to the refpective cuftom- houfes within their jurifdi@ions, to be the rule of export and import, and for the payment of the bounties and duties. But with refpect to exportation, thefe rules were now alter- ed; and it was enacted, that the prices of corn and grain, and oatmeal, exported, fhould be regulated and governed by the average prices, at which fuch corn and grain, and oatmeal, fhould be refpectively{old in the public market, at or neareft to the port or place from whence fuch corn or grain, or oat- meal, fhould be intended to be exported, on the laft market day preceding the fhipping of fuch corn or grain, and the bounties payable accordingly. The different principles and operations of the old laws, and of the new law, will be readily comprehended, on a com- parifon of the ftatements exhibited in the above Tables; the old laws having been clearly made for the encouragement of agriculture, at home, and prohibiting the importation of fo- meal, or other ground corn or grain, as was allowed for 4 bufhels of the fame fort ef grain; fo that, by the one a@, 276 pounds of meal, is declared to be a quarter; and, by the other, it requires 448 pounds. a THE CORN LAWS. is: reign grain, except in cafes of neceflity; and the new law, encouraging the importation of foreign grain, whether there be neceilty or not. For inftance, while the foreign farmer is permutted to import his flour into Great Britain, without any duty but a mere trifle, the bounty upon flour, or meal made from wheat, is repealed*, Thus have we endeavoured to give a juft idea to the Pub lic, of the old, and of the new fyftem of Corn Laws: 10 the law of 1773 muft be confidered as a new fyftem. The comparifon we have made, will, we truft, be found to be both accurately, and fairly ftated. We write for no to- pical or partial purpofes, nor for or againft any man, or fet of men. Itis for the benefit of the public, in gene- ral, that our agriculture fhould be reftored to its former effi- ciency; and that our children and manufaéturers fhould be fed with the bread of our own lands. Itis the only bread. that can be eaten in plenty, and with fafety; for if we fhall be brought to depend upon the bread of foreign nations, our * To facilitate the obfervation of the feveral laws, enumerated in this and the pre- ceding chapter, and the duties and bounties payable in confequence, we have made up an abbreviation of them. Wide Appendix, No 7. O 2 Rp ET CHAPYTEE Los) CHAP.TIL. Less) ee. 108 AN INQUIRY INTO manufactures will foon be buried in the ruins of our agri- culture*, * The reader will be pleafed to recolle& that this Inquiry was written, while the Corn Law of 1773 was in force; and it appears to have been a chief objet in the author’s view, in undertaking this Work, to fhew the impolicy of that law, and to in. duce Parliament to revert to the former fyftem. Since that time, the Corn Law of 1791, by which all the former laws are repealed, has been ena@ted; and, on com- paring it, in this manner, with the laws of 1670, 1688, and 1706, it will appear, that the legiflature have already, in fome degree, reverted to the old fyflem.- Zwr. TiTE CORNETAWS. PES +4 CHA PIN: Recapitulation of the principal beads of the fev. ral Corn Laws of Great Britain, and a deduttion of principles from their efe&ts. À IBERTY was given to export corn, upon payment of cul 1393 toms and fufidies. Which law was confirmed; referving power to theKingand 1425. council to reftrain exportation, when they fhould judge that to be neceflaay. Liberty was given to export corn, when the prices at home 1436. did not exceced certain rates. Which law was this year continued for ten years. 1442. And was now made perpetual. 1444. From the grievous damage fuffered by the. farmers and oc- 1463. cupiers of land, by the importation of foreign grains, all im- CHAP, IV. Can) 1562, 1570. 110 AN INQUIRY INTO portation was prohibited, until the prices at home excecded + certain rates. Thefe form the true foundation of the corn laws. All im- portation of foreign grain was prohibited, until the prices were high at home; and the exportation of our own grain was allowed, when the crop was abundant, and the prices rea- fonable; referving power to the King and council, at any time, to put a ftop to exportation, when they fhould judge that to be neceflary for the good of the kingdom at large. And the above act of 1463, is the firft act made in England to prohibit, or regulate, the importation of foreign grain. But the beneficial purpofes of the former laws were loft for want of execution; and the fyftem was totally overturned by a law of this year, which, in effe&, prohibited all kind of trade in corn, until the prices were far below the expence of raifing it. Which law was enforced by another act of this year. Exportation was again allowed, when the prices were higher than thofe limited by the aûts 1552 and 1554, provided the grain was carried abroad in fhips owned by Englifh born fub- jeéts. This was the dawn of the Navigation Laws. Exportation was allowed, without limitation of prices, out of fuch ports and creeks, where had been placed à cuftomer, ox collector of the fubfidy of tonnage and poundage, to any THE. CORN LAVWS, tit part beyond feas, in amity with England, when not reftrained by proclamation; providing the exportation was made in fhips owned by Englifh born fubjeéts, and refiding in the Englifh dominions, at fuch times as the feveral prices of grain fhould be fo reafonable and moderate, where fuch exportation fhould be intended, as that no prohibition fhould be made by the Queen's proclamation, or by the prefdents of the North, or of Wales, within their feveral jurifdiétions; or of the juftices of aflize, at their feflions, in other fhires out of the jurifdiétion of the faid two prefidents and councils; or by the major part of the juftices of peace of the county, at their quarter feflions, as follows. Thefe feveral magiftrates were to have yearly conference with the inhabitants of the county, about the cheapnefs or dearth of the feveral forts of grain within their refpeétive jurifdic- tions; and fhould, by their difcretion, determine whether it would be meet, at any time, to prevent any grain to be car- ried out of the realm, by any port within their jurifditions or limits; and fhould, by a writing under their hands and feals, make a determination, either for permiflion or prohibi- tion, and fhould caufe the fame be publifhed by the fheriffs of the feveral counties; which was to continue in force until the fame fhould be altered by the faid prefdents and councils, or other powers refpectively; except the fame fhould, in the mean- time, be countermanded by the Queen, her heirs or fucceflors: or by fome order of the juftices of peace, in the counties fitu- ated out of the jurifdiétion of the faid two councils, in their quarter feflions to be holden in the meantime, or the greateft CHAR, 1, Con um) CHAP. IV. La rm) 1593: 1604. 112 AN INQUIRY INTO part of them, fhould find the determination of the jJuftices of affize to be hurtful to the country, by means of dearth, or to be a great hindrance to tillage, by means of extreme cheap- nefs; which determination was, in like manner, to be pub- hed, and to continue in force until a new regulation fhould be made; except the fame fhould, in the meantime, be altered by the Queen, her heirs or fucceflors: provided always, that thefe prefñdents,&c. fhould not publifh their determinations, until the fame was firft notified to, and approved by, the Queen, or her privy council, and that the cuftom or pound- age fhould be paid upon exportation: provided alfo, that the Queen, her heirs and fucceflors, might, at all times, by pro- clamation, prohibit exportation, either generally from all’parts of the realm, or from particular parts only. The exportation prices were confderably encreafed, but the duties payable upon grain, exported by force of the ftatute, was doubled; and an unlimited importation having been permitted, the law was thereby rendered nugatory, and the price of grain continued at an extravagant height, The exportation prices were confiderably encreafed, pro- vided the grain was carried abroad in fhips ownéd by Englifh born fubje@ts; and referving to the King, his heirs and fuc- ceflors, by proclamation, to reftrain exportation from the realm generally, or from particular places; but exportation baving been fill, by this law, loaded with duties, the full ope- ration of the a muft have been retarded. THE CORN LAWS. ï1 3 The exportation prices were ftill farther extended, under the fame terms with the former law; but the duties upon ex- portation having been full kept up, the law could not have its proper effect; and it would appear that it had been made entirely for an extenfon of the revenue. Aad it was this year renewed in the very fame terms. This year the exportation prices were ftill extended; but the duties were raifed fo high, as to be equal to a prohibition. Importation was alfo allowed; but the duties, in like manner, amounted to a prohibition. The exportation prices were ftill extended, but the duties were continued; and, by the infertion of the word ot in the importation claufe, full liberty was given to import foreign grain, when the prices, at home, wére at the loweft or cheapeft rate, upon payment of lower duties, than the low duties fixed by the act of tonnage and poundage. By a law of Scotland, of this fame year, the powers of ex- portation were extended, referving to the King and privy council, to reftriét or to prohibit it, when they fhould Judge it neceflary; but a duty of 40 per cent. ad valorem, was laid upon grain, imported, when the prices did not exceed the ex- port prices; with power to the King and council to remit the duties, 1f the prices fhould rife. This year the Scotch parliament removed all duties upon P CÉRRPIV. Lu un.) 162 = D° 1669. — Cm a:: es ÉLES CHAP. IV. ns on 7) É 06 so 114 AN: INOUERY,: INTO exportation, except a mere trifle of about a penny per boll; and they authorifed the privy council to determine the prices, from time to time, according to which every RE was to have liberty to export corn, of all kinds, unlefs prohibited by proclamation. The prices of grain, for exportation, were fuil extended, but the duties laid on by the act of tonnage and poundage, JUL LAiC amounted to a prohibition; an 1d heavy duties were laid upon corn imported, when the prices did not exceed certain rates; but no rule having been laid down, by this law, for afcer- taining the prices, importation was fill carried on at the for- mer low duties. This defeét was attempted to be remedied; and, in England, it was remitted to the juftices of peace, in Le feveral countie: where foreign grain might be el at their quarter fef- re fions, after Michaelmas and Eafter, by the oaths of two ot mor.)ftantial perfons, being neither merchants nor factors for the importation of corn, nor any wife concerned or in- terefted in the corn to be imported, and: each having a free T L. 20 fer annum, or a leafehold eftate of L. 50. 0. annum, to determine the prices of the feveral kinds of grair which they were to certify to the chief officer of the. bi in the feveral counties, for his rule, under fevere penalties; referving to the —=_=— er TT “ en er,— me ps Suns [ar| Y A f mn AT à<* t L A LA\URURAS\ à 4\,- Ke+ Au« =+ n a Rr ITS_ MAFITAR 4 PAM Nr NP Da NY Di DHT1ON} À Of En pi IVY COUNCI! power to remove te ProninitiON vhen +] Ses+ the prices rofe CO à certain exteOC hic ve co| tal;‘@" Le] X7Q 1e) ada° n A À 27 2lE(TO O0 n1S Y Ta Œœ LE ta pr i Oi n w as ALGER 3 anG IUCA 2Talil ds 4 Le) {h 114 be 2 1 rted Fr 58 re land GS| a\ A er-ed t-( he A aitTrO noui« CIM DO CEG ITOI Feianc La was orue CG TO DE-GeILTOVEC Ï ne Tee— rn ce 4% rar TER 18 à= È ea EPA Eee ExDOrt it1ON W(ete) pet mIiCtecL I[OM Ai LIILES VV ARCIL Liit 2 ik Re x+;+ 7] at home did not exceed certain rates, providing it was made :n Enolifh fhivoou AR nec SE à à A Et in Englifh 1N1PPI 10 W here DL f the mafter, and at leait CWO CAiras Le à . 1°" 20 1 £ nc. Q re LPS| F+€ p+++ sxrNnNntrraon of the mariners, were Englrfh fubjects; and upon the exporte ++ = ft mnder Lie ha: À É L à raontit 7 C broducin à Ccefrtinica under nis nand, Of tne quantity Oi corn héppeds to the. ector of the cu is at the port where the corn had been fhipped, and proving the by the oaths of one or more credible perfons; and, upon bond, that the faid corn fhould be exported to parts beyond feas, and not again relanded, the exporter fhould receive a bounty; and producing a certificate, under the common feal of the chief magiftrate, in any places beyond is. or under the hands and feals of two known Englifh merchants, that fuch corn had been aétually landed; or, upon proof, by cre- dible perfons, that fuch corn had been taken by enemies, or r D re in the feas, the exporter’s bond was to be delivered up; and the money, paid by the colleétor or commiflioner o the cuftoms, was to pafs in his account. This a was followed in Scotland. All export duties were taken off; and a bounty was granted upon corn exported, when the prices did not exceed certain rates; provided the exportation was made in Scotch fhips, and by Scotfmen, and F2 1095. CHAP:AV. Css) mx.) L725 116 AN ANQUIRY. that the mafñfter and three-fourths of the feamen fhould be Scotfmen; but referving power to the Lords of the fecret coun- cil, when the prices exceeded the rates fixed, to difcharge ex- portation. And in England, this year, the fubfidy, and all other duties payable upon grain exported, whether ground or unground, were totally given up, and taken away. By the articles of Union, the fame bounties granted upon grain, exported from England, by the above act 1688, were extended to grain exported from Scotland; and bounties were alfo given for oatmeal, and for beer or bigg, exported from either kingdom. The juflices of peace, in many places, having neglected to determine the prices of grain, whereby the duties upon corn, imported, was to be regulated, it was again recommended to them to do it, in time coming, as direéted by the a 1670; and if they fhould omit or negle& to do fo, the collector of the cuftoms, at the refpective places of importation, were em- powered to demand and receive the duties, according to the loweft price of the feveral forts of grain mentioned in the faid act 1670. And, in order to afcertain the quantity of grain fhipped, for which bounty was allowed, the oflicers of the cuftoms were appointed to admeafure the fame. Still, however, neglects had been made in determining the prices of grain, according to which, the duties payable upon FÉE CORN LAWS. 117 importation, were to be levied; and therefore, jor better afcer- taining the Jame, and preventing fraudulènt importation, 1 was now again recommended to the juftices of peace, at their quarter feflions, in the feveral counties where grain might be imported, to give in charge, in the open court, to the grand jury, to make inquiry and prefentment, upon their oaths, of the corn-market price of middling Englifh corn and grain; which prefentment fhould be certified by the faid juftices, in writing, to the chief officer or collector of the cuftoms, at the port or place where importation fhould be made, and fhould be hung upin fome public place in the cuftom-houfe, for gene- ral information; and that the duty upon foreign grain, im- ported, fhould be collected and paid according to the prices contained in fuch certificate. And, after importation, no fo- reign corn or grain was to be exported, or in any fhape laden on fhip board, or put to fea, for tranfporting it from one port of the kingdom to another, either by itfelf, or mixed with Englifh grain, under fevere penalties. To reprefs mobbifh diforders, and lawlefs attempts, to inter- rupt the free exportation of grain, when the fame is encou- raged by law, the inhabitants of the hundred in which fuch offences were committed, were fubjeéted to the damages. In Scotland, the power of fufpending the laws which pro- hibited the importation of foreign grain, having been formerlÿ vefted in the Privy council of that kingdom, was now con- veyed to the Courts of Seflion, Exchequer, and Jufticiary; and the judges of thefe courts were, according to the prices o CHAPEIV: Lu) 1741. be rod| Un a e ——— ns ee à L 0 ANTr ENOTAR#Y TINC J15 EN) ANQULE T IN TO 8 se A RTE PT ED ce| ICE 20H ES Aatarm ne vharhin= gTaIn 1n NE COUNTY Oo EdinDureh, to determine whether ex- = J es)? .* fonte q 1 1 T2 B RAT ou: 7-+={ ol A= À x7} DOI tation Of IMDOCI CatiOn inOUIC Ca Ke Pic LCe 2 AC dame IAW ps£ ral! 1m À 1 SE PR 1] TT ü the duties payable, in England, by the aét of the 22d Charles IL, 2, s: e x marlotia Le ra: 1" Q 1541 werc to be paid upon the importation of grain into Scotland; É AS D ee ts Re ns Re ee ve ne£ and the whole claufes and provifons of that at, and of the IL prés 4 ds À George Il. entitled, An act to afcertain the cuftom payable for corn imported, were extended to Scotland. To obviate fome difficulties anent the admeafurement of wheat meal, and other ground corn, whereon a bounty was payable, upon exportation, the officers of the cuftoms were empowered to allow the fame bounties upon the exportation of 224 pound weight of wheat meal, or other ground corn or grain, as was allowed for four bufhels of the fame fort of grain; and for the better expediting the bufnefs, they were allowed to make choice of two facks out of twenty, and from thence to compute the weight. Debentures for the bounty upon corn exported, when not paid within fix months, were to carry intereft at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum. A] Exportation having been prohibited, by law, for a limited time, power was referved to the King to take off the prohibi- tion, by proclamation, and to allow all perfons, natives or Ce foreigners,(but no particular perfon or perfons), to export The exportation prices of grain were altered and brought FTÉE: CORN.LAWS. 119 down; the prices for importation were alfo brought down; CHAP.IV . ae L=: Les Peu.) and the duties upon importation were reduced to a trifle. The rules for afcertaining the es:| grain, in England, were left with the Juftices of peace; but, in Scotland, they were taken from the fuperior courts, and committed to the {heriffs of the feveral counties. he rules for exportation of grain were totally alte and it was enaéted, that the prices of corn, grain, and oat- meal, cd. fhould be regulated and Er by the ji» É er ooes É ich fucl ei= 1d ie ET average prices, at which fuch corn, grain, and oatmeal, fhould 5 FR| E à y M yes PAUL refpectively fold in the public market, at or neareft t 1 Se PE| 7 z AV 22 C LES the port of fhipping, on the laft market day preceding fuch { We have now recapitulated the principal or leading features of the feveral corn laws that have ever been enadted in Eng- land and Scotland, or in Great Britain, fince the acceflion of William L of England, and Malcolm IIL. of Scotland: and upon the whole it would appear, that the chief outlines, or k foundation of them, was laid down by the Englifh laws of nd 1463, and the four intervening acts. Thefe in- deed laid fubfidies and duties upon grain exported, which in 1393; à ed lai thofe days, when commerce was in its infancy, were indif criminately laid upon every article, whecher exported or im- ported; and fuch 1s the power of habit, that the duties were continued to a very late period. The experience of 300 years at length not only detected this.error, but pointed out to a dif. nn. CAP IV. Css) ms) &2 PES Er— en à — A==——— T9 À mL AN INQUIRY INTO 4. tinguifhing adminiftration, the beneficial confequences that would follow the oppofite conduét of giving bounties upon corn exported. From which it appears, that the doctrine in- culcated by experience, is unqueftionably orthodox, although flow in its operation; for the duties and fubfdies, payable upon the exportation of the manufaétures of Great Britain, were only removed in the year 1721*. No records have been preferved, refpeéting the exporta- tion and importation of corn, prior to the NÉAaR 1007;2"0E, probably the at 1688 not having removed the fubfdies and duties payable upon grain exported, little or no bufinefs of that kind had been carried on; befdes, the feafons from 1690 to 1700 were, in general, very unfruitful; and agricul- ture not having yet become vigorous, there was probably little corn to fpare. The average price of the quarter of wheat, from 1690 to 1700, was L. 2: 16: 10, equal to L. 3: 8: 3 of prefent money. We find, however, that during the four years from 1697 to 1700 inclufive, the exportation of the feveral kinds of grain amounted to 331,223 quarters, while the importation amounted to only 8,948 quarters f. Upon the removal of the fubfdies and duties, payable upon the exportation of grain, in the year 1700, the feafons allo 28 Geo. r.©. 15.7. + Vide, Appendix, No 2. THE CORN LAWS. 12 bd having become more favourable, the face of affairs was entirely changed; and a certain market having been opened by the bounties, for grain in all feafons, the implements of hufbandry were feized upon with avidity; and, from that period, thé diligence and emulation of our farmers, were rewarded by en- creafing fuccefs, During the ten years, from 170+ to 1710 inclufve, the ave- rage yearly exportation amounted to 248,945 sn ters, while the average importation came only to 442 quarters; and the average price of the quarter of wheat fell to L. 2: 3: 2, equal to L. 2:11: 10 of prefentmoney.[In one of thefe year above half a million of quarters; and ee thefe ten years no lefs than 2,840,446 quarters were exported, and only 4,442 quarters imported. The money, brought into the kingdom by this large expor- tation, enabled the farmers to extend Heidi operations; and we accordingly find that for the ten years, from 1711 to 1720 inclufive, the average yearly exportation had rifen to 449,10 quarters; the average yearly. importation was only 71 quar- ters; and the average price of the quarter of wheat continued comparatively low, having been only L. 2: 4: 10: per quarter. The exportation of thefe ten years had nearly doubled that of the forrner ten yeafs, having amounted to 4,491,933 quar- ters, while only 714 quarters had been imported, ? ad a+= H AN TR Re NES PA It may be afferted, that we had now above 53,000 more _ CETAP: TV: La fu) + ner eneeee ps re: ne Ms, CHÆP: IV. Los mx) 122 ANNE ENOTERY ENTO people employed in hufbandry, than had been at any time before this period*; and the yearly exportation of the grain had given employment for 90,000 tons of fhipping, and a proportional number of failors, for one voyage f. Of the ten years from 1721 to 1730 inclufve, two of chefe years had carried fhorter crops than ufual; and, upon a fmall ftart of the prices, the importers, always watchful of cheir intercit, however hurtful it might be to the country, intro- duced confiderable quantities of foreign grain to the kingdom, in the years 1728, 1720, and 1730, without payment of the duties; upon the old pretext, that the juftices of peace had not fixed the prices of grain, according to which the duties were to be levied. Our exportation, however, kept up nearly to that of the preceding ten years; but the importation of foreign grain was greatly increafed, and the price of wheat continued nearly the fame it had been for twenty years paft; the average price of it having been L,. 2:25. per quarter. There were in all exported, during thefe ten years, 4,470,683 quarters; and there were imported 732,692 quarters of the feveral kinds of grain. The aët 1729 having given a check to the importation of * Reckoning twelve people, old and young, to be employed in raïfing every hun- dred quarters of grain. Vide chap. 1. p. 10. + À ton of wheat, in London, commoniy weïghs between. 2200 and 25co Ibs avoirdupois; rye, between 2100 and 2240; and barley, between 1709 and 1800 Ibs avoirdupois, Five quarters are commonly reckoned to a ton, in freight. Pofilethavaites Dis. of Trade and Commerce, art, England: HÉÉE CORNSGEAWS 529 foreign grain, our agriculture again got forward, and the average yearly exportation, for the ten years from 1731 to 1740 inclufive, got up to 549,447 quarters, while the average importation amounted only to 4,690; and the a average price of wheat fell to L. 1: 17: 6 per quarter. A 77 Eur Li ! À There were in all exported, during thefe ten years, 5,494,4 quarters; and there were imported only 46,909 quarters of th A LV feveral kinds of grain. Such was the fpirit of our farmers, when they were freed from the trammels of prohibitory and improper laws, that. r the ten years, from 1741 to 1750 inclufive, the average yearly amount of our exportation, rofe to the amazing quantity of 848,660 quarters; the importation amounted only to 15,103 quarters; and the average price of wheat fell to L.r: 13:8 per quarser. Ât this time there muft have been above 100,000 people more employed in agriculture, in Great Britain, than there were at the time of the Union, to raife this excrefcent ftock of grain, the exportation of which would employ about 170,000 tons of fhipping, for one voyage*. Where then can be the neceflity of importing foreign grain, when, with proper laws, upon the chance of a foreign fale only, we have raifed, upon an average of many years, à quan- tity of corn, over our home confumption, equal to maintain * Vide Notes, p. 122. Q_2 CETAP, IV. Lo) run) 124 AN INQUIRY INTO near 450,000 people; and, in fome particular years, quanti- ties equal to maintain near double that number? In the year 1748 there were exported 1,123,953 quarters; in 1749 there were 1,250,306 quarters; and, in 1750, the immenfe quantity of 1,667,778 quarters were exported. There were exported, in all, during thefe ten years, no lefs than 8,486,602 quarters; and there were only imported 159,437 quarters of the feveral kinds of grain. Ïs it not clear from hence, that Great Britain, under proper laws, is capable to increafe her growth of corn, to any degree for which demand can be obtained; and that, as her quantity increafes, the prices, at home, fall, and come to be, one year with another, nearly equal? The direct contrary ftate may be expected from improper laws; and, indeed, will be woefully proved from the effects of the later laws, which havèe checked exportation, and facili- tated importation. During that profperous period of agriculture, a labourer or manufacturer, and every other perfon, had the bread of every one of his family at leaft 20s. in the year cheaper, than in the prefent days*. For the ten years from 1751 to 1760 inclufive, our exporta- * Written in the year 1786.—Vide Exp. Table, Appendix, No 8, Art.». par CEE EP IE ET© mt THE CORN LAWS. 125 tions fell, upon an average, to 582,837 quarters; the impor- tation was, upon an average, 37,397 quarters; and the ave- rage price of wheat rofe to L. 2: 2: 6 per quarter. This was entirely owing to the failure of the crops 1756 and 1757; particularly the former, which yielded far lefs corn than any crop fince the commencement of the century. IÎn- ftead therefore of continuing an exportation of 848,660 quar- ters of corn, which was the average of the ten years from 1741 to 1750, or even 815,943 quarters, the average of the expor- tation of the five years immediately preceding, there was an im- portation, in the year 1757, of 167,301 quarters, and there were.only 80,656 quarters, chiefly of malt, exported; fo that there was a deficiency of this crop, compared with the ave- rage of the fifteen preceding crops, of near 700,000 quarters of grain. Here we have x frefh and a feparate proof, of the immenfe benefit arifing to a nation, in the practice of raïfing more gran than it confumes; for if, in the year 1757, which depended upon the crop 1756, Great Britain had been accuftomed to be fapplied but in a fmall degree with foreign grain, this addi- tional demand of 700,000 quarters, muft have brought on famine, or muft bave raifed the prices fo high, as to have bor- dered upon famine; yet, by the profperous ftate of agricul- ure, and the accuftomed exertion of the farmers, although there was little to export, there was nearly a fufhiciency to ferve the inhabitants; the importation having exceeded the exportation only about 87,000 quarters; the price of wheat a: + | {) — &ITAP. IV. Lu) i 26 AN INQUIRY INTO advanced onlÿ to L. 3; and, in 1758, it fell to = / TOS. per quartecr. But we have now finifhed the bright fide of the picture. In the year 1763 the great importation of foreign grain was begun, and it has been continued ever fince The importa- tion of 1763 and 1764 were chiefly oats; but, in 1765, there were imported 218,031 quarters of foreign grain, of different ds, chiefly wheat, while our exportation of the feveral kinds of grain amounted to no lefs than 457,730 quarters; and it is not eafy to find out a good reafon for permitting o large an importation of foreign grain, when we had fo much corn of our own to fpare. But the importers were, by degrees, juftling our farmers out of the market: and, in 1» per À 7- 3-[ag ne dd the year 1767, the immenfe quantity of 907,420 quarters of foreign grain were brought in, of which about 500,000 Ê quarters were wheat; and upon the average of the twelve years from 1761 to 1772 inclufive, our yearly exportation had fallen to 370,703 quarters; the yearly importation had rifen to 251,279 quarters; and the average price of wheat amounted to L. 2:>: ro per quarter.| Here we muft make a paufe, to give place to the aû fHi7a is an act entitled,‘ An at for regulating the importation and ‘ exportation of corn.” But to carry the fpirit of this law into its title, it ought to have been called, An a@ to facilitate the importation of foreign corn into Great Britain, and to re- ftrain the exportation of corn the growth of that kingdom; THE CORN LAWS:_ for fuch it certainly is, and its operations have jufüified the ütle, which it ought to have affumed, In the year 1774, there were imported, under the fan@tion of this law, no lefs than 026,174 quarters of foreign grain, about à third part of which was wheat, and wheat flour: while our exportation was no higher than 51,099 quarters. In 1775 the amazing quantity of 1,163,407 quarters of foreign grain was imported, the one half of which was wheat, and wheat flour, while our exportation amounted only to 191,007 quarters; and, upon the whole, during the twelve years from 1773 to 1784 inclufive, the average yearly importation rofe to 578,358 quarters, and our exportation fell to 267,182 quarters; and the average price of wheat continued as high as L.2:5:7 er quarter; and for the laft four years the average price of per q;>| the quarter was L. 2: 8: 6. There were imported, during thefe twelve years, no lefs than 6,940,293 quarters of foreign grain; and only 3,206,184 quar- ters of our own grain exported: À melancholy reverfe of cir- cumftances fince the commencement of the year 1763. Thefe particulars will be more readily obferved, from a fcale of the yearly prices and averages of wheat, and of the general exportation and importation of grain, from the year 1697, to the year 5784 inclufive; from which it is evident, that the prices of grain fell gradualiy, as our exportation took place,. and rofe again as our exportation decreafed; and propor- . *. CHAPIN: Ce xs) RE SR Free© pures CHAP. IV. Ë=] 128 AN INQUIRY INTO tionally as the importation of foreign grain came to be per- mitted*, There muft be fomething very feduétive, or very profitable, in the importation of foreign grain; for all the laws, that hi- therto have been made to prevent it, have been evaded; and yet, except the importer, it is clearly againft the intereft of every other perfon in the kingdom: for it is deftructive of our own agriculture, and we have feen, from certain evidence, that it raifes the price of grain upon the confumer. We have alfo learned, from the experience of paît times, that no laws, nor any diétates of human authority, can oblige people to cultivate the lands, to build houfes of hufbandry, or to labour in that, or any other vocation, by which they can- not earn a reafonable fubfiftence. In many other countries, where the{oil and climate are more favouraBle, and the produétions of the earth more eafly reared, but the government defpotic, it is with indifference, that the inhabitants, in general, cultivate the lands, and even fee the convulfons of the ftate; they have no fhare in the vernment, and a change of mafters does not alter their con- ® nie but, in Great Britain, where more induftry may be neceffary, labour is fweetened by freedom, and nothing but sen laws will check the fpirit of the people. TÉLÉ. GORN'EAWSS. 12G >” While the ancient laws laid the country open to the impor- tation of foreign grain, by injudicious duties, or reftrictions, upon our own produce, our farmers were difpirited; a great part of the foil lay without culture; the price of grain was confequently high; and population was reftrained. When the reftriétions were not only removed, but bounties given upon the exportation of our excrefcent ftock, by the acts of 1688 and 1700, the happieft effects were immediately experienced: thefe laws acted like magic; our agriculture im- mediately rofe as from the dead; population increafed; and, inftead of eating the bread of foreign nations, we not only main- tained all our own people, at a lower rate than was ever known before, and confiderably lower than at prefent(1786) but the kingdom received an immediate addition of riches and ftrength, from the money brought in, from the increafe of fhipping, and from the people employed in raifing and exporting the furplus of our produce: A ftate of profperity which continued, without interruption, for above half a century after the Union. No fooner was importation again encouraged, than our agri- culture languifhed; our exportation declined; the prices of grain rofe; and we have the mortification to receive, and pof- fibly now to need, an immenfe importation of foreign grain every year. Next to agriculture, the woollen trade may be confdered to be the chief manufacture of Great Britain; and is protected by the moft anxious laws, to prevent the competition of fo- R. CELABP. AV: 130 ANTINOUERY INTO CHAT. IV: reigners with our manufaturers at home: yet, if by fome fa- Los mr) bricated terror, or other arts of defigning men, a perfuafion = fhouid go forth, contrary to fat, that our own manufaétu- rers could not clothe the people, the legiflature might, for fimilar reafons, be induced to permit the importation of fo- reign cloth: Or, if by miftakes or inaccuracies in the laws, made for this purpofe, or by a failure in the execution of them (all which have happened with refpect to corn) foreign wool- len cloth fhould be introduced to the kingdom, at a price be- low that for which our own manufaéturers could afford to feli cloth of the fame quality, we fhould foon ftand in real need of foreign cloth, from the check given to our own induftry, and from the number of manufaéturers, that, in the mean time, would be ruined and difperfed. This cafe is perfectly applicable to the Corn trade. Great Britain is certainly capable to maintain, from the produce of her own lands, an immenfe number of more people than have ever exifted in it; but there are feveral nations around her, in Europe, and extenfive countries in America, where neither the rent of the lands, nor the expence of raifing corn, are{o high as in Great Britain. Several of the nations, in Europe, have adopted the wife laws of our King William IIL by giving bounties upon the exportation of this excrefcent ftock of grain. And, from mif- takes, or other faïlings of our laws, thefe nations have been per- mitted to introduce their corn into Great Britain, and to dif- pute the market at home with our own farmers, THE CORN LAWS. 131 Le By thefe means many of our fmaller farmers have been ruined, and their families difperfed; and whenever country people are driven from their ordinary employment, and habi- tations, to the trading or manufacturing towns, without any other means of fubfftence than bodily labour, they foon melt away, and are loft to the community. To vouch thefe obfervations, we have only to look around us, and obferve the immenfe increafe of the poors’ rates, and the vaft quantity of landed property which has been brought to market, and fold under its former value, within thefe rwelve or fourteen years paft*. And nothing but the great capitals, and the uncommon and continued exertion of many of our farmers, could have poflibly kept the agriculture of Great Britain in any fhape afloat, under the preflure of fo many difcouraging laws. Perhaps no better laws can be made than thofe of 1688, and 1700, refpecting exportation; and thofe of 1670, and 1732, refpecting importation: although much more vigour and care, than have been hitherto exercifed, feem to be neceffary for the execution of them. The former of thofe laws not only relinquifhed all fubfdies and duties payable upon corn exported, but granted à libe- ral bountÿy upon the exportation of wheat, when the price did not exceed 48. the quarter, which was equal to L. 2: ns * This alludes to the period preceding the year 1786. R 2 CHA 22 Co mn) << pi — Er. he AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. IV. of prefent money, and upon other grain in proportion; and Len x)= they took no notice of foreign grain to be imported, as that was confidered to have been fufficiently guarded againft by the law of 1670, by which no importation could take place until che prices at home were confiderably higher, than thofe to which the bounties upon exportation were limited. The bounty upon the exportation of wheat, afterwards ex- tended to wheat flour, and malt made of wheat, was con- tinued until the price, at home, rofe to L. 2: 8s. equal to L. 2:17: 7of prefent money; but, by the aét 1670, if wheat was imported, when the price, at home, did not exceed L. 2:13: 4, equal to L. 3: 4s. of prefent money, it was load- ed with a duty equal to a prohibition; and this duty was only lowered as the prices rofe at home. The bounty upon the exportation of rye was continued un- til the pricé,: at. home,‘rofe:te Lin::128-equalto Li: xt: 5 of prefent money; and, by the above aét of 1670, 1f rye, peafe, or beans, were imported, when the price, at home, did not exceed L. 2, equal to L. 2: 8s. of prefent money, the du- ties, in like manner, were equal to a prohibition; but were lowered as the prices rofe. The bounty upon the exportation of barley and malt, after- wards extended to beer or bigg, was continued until the price, at home, amounted to L. 1: 4s equal to L. r: 8: 9 of pre- fent money; and, by the act 1670, if barley, malt, or buck wheat, were imported, before the price exceeded L. r: 125. THE CORN:LAWIS. T33 equal to L. 1: 18:$ of prefent money, the duties were equal to a prohibition; but were lowered as the price at home rofe. The bounty upon the exportation of oatmeal, was continued until the price of oats, at home, rofe to 15s. equal to 18s. of prefent money; but, 1f oats were imported before the price came to 165. equal to 195. 2d. of prefent money, the duty was equal to a prohibition; but was leflened when the prices rofe, Thefe and other fuch circumftances, will be readily feen from the abbreviation of the exportation and importation laws*. Thofe laws were ftrongly inforced by the ad 1732, made to prevent the fraudulent importation of foreign grain, by which corn or grain, once imported, was prohibited to be again fhipped, to be re-exported; or to be carried coaftways, from one port to another, under fevere penalties. It would appear, from this law, that difcoveries had been made, that, under various pretences, corn imported, had been carried on fhipboard to other places, and from thence exported, and the bounty paid for it, as if fuch corn had been of Britifh growth; and, from fome late publications, it would appear that this practice has not yet fallen into difufe. The beneficial confequences to the kingdom, which thefe wife laws brought about, have already appeared; and it is dif- ficult, even for the imagination, to fancy any reafon for rever- LA VE figning men, * Vide Appendix, No 7. TRE CHAP:1Y. Cas ru, 134 AN INQUIRY INTO CHAP. IV. The melancholy reverfe, occafioned by the act 1773, has however taken place, and we have feen the miferable confe- quences of it; a ftriking evidence that people may be wearied of the beft fituations, and even cloyed with happinefs. It is impofhble to imagine that the legiflature had any in- tention to injure the beft interefts of the kingdom by this act; and, perhaps, there is not a worthier character in it, than the very man to whofe lot it fell to frame this law—/d bumanum cf? errare*. The law, however, has had its effet; exportation has been reftrained, and agriculture of courfe reprefled; importation has been facilitated, and the trade laid open to fraud, by per- mitting the re-exporting, and carrying coaftways, from one port to another, grain imported. For fifty-five years after the Union, our exportation of grain counted as 1 to 21 of our produce; and the yearly average of the importation of grain, during that period, amounted only to a 475th part of our produce; and a great part of that im- portation was clandeftinely brought in upon us, without necef- fity, and contrary to law. The ten years, from 1741 to 1750 inclufive, were the moft profperous. During that period our * The perfon here alluded to is probably Governor Pownall, who, in 1773, laid a er UT = An de DE 2 TS 1e nippon: par is: mms me=<5S es pc” Memoir before the Lords Commiflioners of the Treafury, relative to the Corn Laws, and may have been employed to frame this a@&. Mr Arthur Young gives a copy of that Memoir, and fome able Striétures on the act of 1773, in his Political Arithmetic, publifhed in 1774. Edit. + Vide Appendix, No 8. Art. 5. THE CORKH LAVWS. 135 early average exportation amounted to 848,660 quarters, and CHAP.IV. .. Cons) um) the yearly importation only to 15,943 quarters; fo that our exportation was as 1 to 14, and the importation only as 1 to 742.0f our produce*, But thefe were our halcyon days, and we have feen the me- lancholy reverfe. During the twelve years from 1773 to 1784 inclufive, there were imported of foreign grain, upon an average yearly, 578,358 quarters, and our exportation amounted only to 267,182 quarters; fo that the importation has encreafed to the proportion of 1 to 18, while our exportation is reduced to that of 1 to 40 of the produce; and the balance of importa- tion againft us amounts yearly to 311,176 quarters Ÿ. In the year 1775, there were imported no lefs than 1,1063,407 quarters of foreign grain, and only 191,007 quar- ters of our own grain exported, which brought the importa- tion, that year, as high as 1 to 8 of the produce, and the ex- portation fell as low as r to 531. It is a hazardous fituation, to be dependent upon the pro- duétion of the lands of other nations for our bread, one day in every weck; and it is a drain, which even the power and riches of Great Britain cannot long fupply. * Vide Appendix, No 4.; and No 8. Art, 5. + Ibid. 5 Vide Appendix, No 2.; and No 8. Art,&. ne SE T4 où fl TE BR ER | ll || EE 130 AN: INOUEFRY: ENTO Importation of foreign grain, a@s like a mole under ground; we know nothing of its operations, but by the heaps which it raifes;.and when thefe heaps come to cover an 8th, an 18th, or even a 475sth part of our own oil, it is high time to turn them down. In whatever point of view we confider this ac, it has every appearance of having been furreptitioufly obtained, or having been what is commonly called a job; and certainly great muñft have been the addrefs, on the part of the fuitors, and no lefs the fupinenefs on the part of adminiftration, when fuch a mea- fure was carried into effect. In all cafes of commerce, and more particularly in thofe where the beft interefts of the kingdom are concerned, the trade ought to be put upon a footing as folid and permanent as pofhble. The former laws appointed the exportation and importation of grain, upon which bounties or duties were payable, to be regulated according to the prices, at the refpective places of exportation or importation; and, in England, it had been com- mitted to the juftices of peace at their quarter feflions; and, in Scotland, to the Courts of Seflion, Jufticiary, and Exche- quer, to afcertain the prices. By the act 1773, the prices of grain, in England, were left to be fixed by the former rules; but, in Scotland, thefe powers were taken from the fuperior courts, and vefted in the fheriffs PS À THE CORN LAWS. 137 of the feveral counties, and their fubititutes, who were ap- pointed to take proof of the price of grain within their feve- ral jurifdiétions, four times in the year, which was to be the rule both for exportation and importation from, and to, the harbours within the feveral counties. But there was no compulfory claufe in this act to oblige either the juftices of the peace in England, orthe fhetiffs in Scotland, to execute this part of their duty; and an incongruity occurred, from which, indeed, the former laws were not free, that many of the counties, upon the fea coaft, both in Eng- land and Scotland, were divided by the ftream of a river fall. ing into the fea, the mouth of which formed à harbour for both counties; fo that if the prices of grain in fuch adjoining counties differed, exportation might be going on upon the one fide of the river, and importation upon the other. Still, however, the jobbers were not fatisfied; for the job was not yet completed. Exportation, as well as importation, was füll limited from three months to three months, by which their hands were fo far tied up. Another law was therefore procured, in 1774, by which the exportation of grain was appointed to be regulated, and the bounties to be paid according to the prices at the neareft mar- ket-place to the port of exportation, on the laft market-day preceding the time of fhipping; fo that, in the very time of importation, a trader, who had a parcel of grain, upon hand, which he could fell to more profit abroad than at home, could S CHAP. IV. CHAP. IV. Le=) 535 AN INQUIRY INTO cafily contrive à fale at the neareft market-place to entitle him to export his grain, and to receive the bounty; and, confe- quently, exportation and importation may be going on at the fame time, and from the very fame fpot or creck. The im- propriety, and inconfiftency of thefe rules, need no comment. There is doubtlefs fome plaufbility in that part of the act of 1773, by which it would appear to mean, that if a trader imports corn to fupply the neceflities of the country, it would be hard not to allow him to re-export it, if he could not find a fale for it in the country; and it would be full a greater hard- fhip upon him, after having fupplied the place of importation; and alfo unjuft to the poor of other places, where the prices were high, not to allow the remainder to be tranfported, in fhipping, coaftways, to the places where it was fo much wanted. But this illufory pretence is totally exploded, by the fpirit and ftrong fenfe of the former laws, which tell the trader: You are at liberty to fupply the wants of any part of the kingdom, where. fcarcity may happen to be, and which will be known from the prices of grain, while fuch fcarcity continues, upon payment of a certain duty, which will be lowered if the prices rife at home; but you are not to hoard up quantities of imported grain, to be a check upon the fale of the next crop of our own lands; nor will you be allowed to re-export fuch grain, 1f you cannot find your own price in the country; becaufe that would be making a free port of the whole kingdom for grain, to the utter deftruétion of our own agriculture; neither will you be permitred to fend your imported grain coaftways, from one place to another; for befides, that fuch a meafure would be de D j md A THE CORN LAWS. 1 39 hurtful to the fale of our own grain, it would lay the trade open to fraud, which fhould, at all times, be avoided; and, if you have no fuch temptation, you will conform yourfelf to the true fpirit of the laws, and will import no more than will {fupply the neceflities of the place to which your importation is directed: Nor will you be allowed to import the flour or meal of any grain; for although we may fometimes ftand in need of corn, we can at no time ftand in need of mills. Thefe appear clearly to have been the fentiments of our for- mer legiflators, with refpect to the importation of foreign grain; for whatever fpecious arguments may be ufed in favour of importation, for lowering the price of grain, in times of {carcity, the true principle to proceed upon, is, to prevent {carcity, by giving every pofhble protection and encourage- ment to our own agriculture, which we have feen, from the experience of more than half a century, is a certain way of procuring plenty, at reafonable prices. It has been already clearly evinced, that the importation of foreign grain, has invariably raifed the prices at home; nor is it to be imagined, that an importer will let them down, if he can keep them up; for he has nothing in view but his own profit. In an unfruitful feafon, when deficient crops oblige our far- mers to raife the prices, and thereby, in fome meafure, to put the confumer upon fhort allowance, an importer purchafe: corn in a neighbouring country, where the feafon has been D 2 CHAP. 1V. LL) rm) 140 AN INQUIRY INTO more favourable, or where corn is raifed at lefs expence than in Great Britain; or where perhaps the country gives a bounty upon corn exported; and by bringing it over, duty free, he is enabled both to drive our farmers out of the market, and ftüll to Keep up the prices. To confirm this affertion, we need only have recourfe to the evidence already before us, founded upon the experience of near a century; and we fhall fee, from the Table of the yearly general exportation and importation, and the yearly price of wheat, from 1697 to 1784, that the price came down gradually, as our exportation advanced, and rofe again as it declined, and as the importation of foreign grain took place*, It'cannot therefore be doubted, but that found policy fhôuid direct us, to lay fuch a duty upon foreign corn, imported, as will balance the advantages which the foreign farmers have over our own; that, 1f there muft be a competition, both par- ties may ftart equally at market; and, if there muft be high prices given, itis- more for the intereft of the kingdom, in general, that they be paid for the produce of our own lands, than for that of other nations, There may be, no doubt, fuch barren feafons, as may ren- der a fupply of foreign corn abfolutely neceflary, to prevent famine; and in fuch events, powers ought to be vefted in:che King in council, to leflen, or to fufpend altogether, the du- ties upon corn to be imported; but, in all. other cafes, refpect- + # Vide Appendix, No 4. ES— EE CHE CORN LAWS, 41 ing importation, perhaps we cannot recur to a better rule than. IV. the act 1670. But to do this with propriety, will require oi great circumfpeétion and care. We are near the brink of a precipice, at the fame time that our retreat to a place of fafety, is not without hazard, Upon the fuppoñition that there are eight millions of people in Great Britain, whereof two millions and à half are farmers and cottagers, or people entirely employed in the bufnefs of manufaéturing grain, and that the other five nullions and a half fill up the other departments of the community; and, reckoning that two quarters of the different kinds of grain, overhead, are neceflary for the fupport of each perfon, the amount of the annual confumption, exclufive of the mainte- nance of the people employed in agriculture, is eleven mil- ons of quarters*, If we fhall fuppofe à year, in which Great Britain can juft maintain herfelf and fow the ground, without récelving Gr fending out any grain, the eleven millions of quarters would be the amount both of the confumption and. of the produce, being the exact quantity raifed, after fuppporting the people and cattle employed in the manufadure: and the exaût quan ty neceffary for the other branches of the community. But, in years when we export more than we import, our pro: duce muft be greater than our confumption; and in years when we import more than we export, it muft be propor- tionally lefs. % Vide Chap. I. Page 21. and Appendix, No 8. Art. 4, CHAP. IV. Lam) 142 AN INQUIRY INTO Quarters. For the ten years from 1741 to 1750 inclufive, our exportation, at an average*, amounted yearly to 848,660 And deducting our yearly average importation of 15,042 There remained of clear yearly exportation- 832717 To which being added our yearly confumption of 11,000,000 Thefe together made up our produce, amountingto 1 1,92; 714 Quarterss In the other point of view we muft firft ftate our yearly confumption of--- 11,000,000 And our average yearly exportation from 1773 to 1784 inclufive---- 267,182 Amounting together to.== É1207,192 And from thence deduéting our average yearly ‘importation---= 578,358 Our produce is reduced to-. 10,688,824 Quarters. Now, ftating again our produce, in the times of the profperity of agriculture, amounting to 11,922,717 And our prefent produce of-- 10,688,824 The difference is 1,143,893 quarters of grain lefs, raifed in Great Britain now, than for- merly, which is about 1 to 9 of our prefent produce. * The amount of the exports and imports, in this fatement, will be feen in the Appendix, No 4. Le. 1 L hd THE CORN LAWS. 143 This amazing difference, allowing twelve people for raïfing every hundred quarters of grain, cuts off from Great Britain, the employment of 137,256 perfons, old and young, who would have been employed in raïfing this corn, and transfers the occupation and profit of the manufacture to the lands and people of other nations. Had Great Britain kept this branch of bufnefs to herfelf, if we compute five quarters of the different kinds of grain over-head, to make a ton weight, the exportation of the grain would have afforded employment to 228,778 tons of fhipping for one voyage*. And, for the fame voyage, allowing five mariners, young and old, for the navigation of every hundred tons, it would have given employment to 11,435 failors, befides labourers and boatmen, in loading, piloting,&c. And, if we fhall fuppofe this voyage to take up only one eighth part of the year, this navigation would have been equal to the conftant fupport of above 1400 feamen, or to the man- aing of two fhips of the line; all which, with many other beneficial confequences, which would attend fuch an exten- five branch of commerce, have been totally loft to Great Bri- tain. It appears, by an extract from the Corn Resgifter, that, for # Vide Note, p. 122: CH A P, IV, n'en à CHAP. IV. Ce) ue) t44 AN INQUIRY INTO the fourteen years from 1771 to 1784 inclufive, the average’ prices of the quarter of the different kinds of grain, were as follows, viz. Lies 4. The quaïter of wheat— 2-0 0 barley= É+ 0 oats= 610 0 Tye=- H'10 3 beans.. GNT which makes the average price of the quarter of thefe differ- ent kinds of grain, over-head, to be_ or 0 2 If Great Britain had continued, as formerly, to raife and. export at the rate of 832,717 quarters of grain, fhe would have received, befides the advantages already ftated, for the price of the grain yearly- 22172949 12. 8 But inftead of that receipt fhe has yearly to pay for 311,176 quarters of foreign grain imported, over the amount of all her exportation, which comes to= 455004 18 Which makes a yearly balance againft Great É.3,672,049 10. 5 Britain of== Thefe faûts merit the moft ferious confideration*. * In the fupplies for the year 1796, no lefs than a million Sterling is voted, to pay bounties on the importation of foreign grain. This fum, at the rate of feventeen y tn 1 [a THE CORN LAVWS. 145 Having feen our average yearly produce brought to nearly ewelve millions of quarters, when Great Britain enjoyed the ex- port trade; and again reduced to little more than ten millions and a half, when that trade was loft; there can be nothing more clear than that the quantity of corn fown, will, at all times, be proportioned to the demand; and that, as our agriculture fhall be extended, the number of our people will be increafed. It is, however, to be confidered, that we have now, for a confiderable period, been accuftomed to receive a yearly 1m- portation of near 600,000 quarters of grain, or about an eighteenth part of our own provifion, from foreign countries; and if we{hall cut off or lofe that fupply, before our agricul- ure fhall be fo far extended, as to be fufficient to fupport the kingdom, at reafonable prices, without it, the fhock might be fuInOUS. The great increafe of population in Great Britain, during the prefent century, would appear to have taken place chicily from the year 1708 to 1763, when agriculture flourifhed, and when the great trade, of raifñing and exporting corn, felt the fhillings per quarter, being the average of the different rates of bounty for wheat, may produce an importation of 1,177,064 quarters; which, if reckoned to fell at L. 4 per quarter, would, together with the million for bounties, amount to L. 5,708,266; and although it may not be poflible to procure even half that quantity of wheat, yet, from the vigorous meafures taken to prevent dearth, the reft of the fum may be applied to the purchafe of other grain. Allowing that the odd feven hundred thoufand pounds may remain with our own merchants, as their profit; the drain of money, from Great Britain, for foreign grain may, and probabiy will, amount to five millions Sterling in o one year! Ædit. E Ê] CHAP. IV Loan) EE { 7 F* LE 1] à 370 E 2 -# i 1 À k 1 T D+ Î 1 3 [5 à L { HAT 412 E 0 E L| A] l (WE | XE: Le ! ‘ | nd L © Æ: FANS J4 EE«4 dE î 1“ |: n| + RE| l 1 À (AE| I À :| à y : er.£ PT ! 140 AN /INQUIRY, INTO fame proteétion and enjoyed a like fuccefs with our other ma- nufactures. For, fince that time to the year 1784, emigra- tion, colonization, and war, have drawn fo largely from the number of our inhabitants, that the alarming increafe of im- portation, in fo fhort a period as thefe twenty years, cannot be afcribed to an additional confamption, from advancing po- pulation; nor does it appear, that it can be entirely accounted for in a fatisfatory manner, by any other caufe, than the difcouragement occafoned by the change of fyftem in the Corn Laws, which has turned the induftry of the people, from the raifñing of corn, to objets of lefs importance to the profperity of the kingdom, From the refult of experience; during a period of feven hun- dred years, we have found, that the principles of the Corn Laws ought to be calculated to encourage the people to improve their lands, and to raife as much corn as the foil and climate will admit: An objet which can only be at- tained, by fecuring a certain and fteady market to the farmer for his produce; not only by preventing importation, but al. {o, whenever it fhall appear, from the moderate price of grain: at home, that a greater quantity has been raifed, than is re- quired for the annual fupply of the inhabitants, by giving fuch à bounty on exportation, as fhall enfure à ready vent for our excrefcent ftock.in foreign countries. It is not enough. that à nation raifes, in general, a fufficiency of corn for the confumption of its inhabitants:: It muft be accuftomed! to raife confiderably more, in order to aford plenty in bad de t L afons; and its annals ought be dftinguifhed by a greater or THE CORN LAWS. 147 leffer exportation; but, on no occañon, ought it be reduced CHAP.1v. D; 2 9)(e) 6 Û... es to the neceflity of émportation, and having recourfe to foreign countries, for an expenfve and precarious relief. In the courfe of this Inquiry, it has appeared, that thofe happy effects have been beft promoted by the laws of 1630, 1688, 1706, and 1732; and, in order that the principles of thofe laws may be clearly underftood, we fhall exhibit à Table, fhewing the prices, bounties, and duties, by which the Corn Trade was regulated, under the old fyftem*. * To enable the reader to compare thefe with the prices, bounties, and duties, by which the Corn Trade is row regulated, under ithe law of 1701, a fimilar Table of them is given along with that referred to by the Author. 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Le 12 BL: (E| | 24 41 L& F1 FE 5tb, That, no flour, or ground-grain, ought to be allowed. to be imported,.= $ Pre Y è Li DE un a 1 NES é me 6tb, That, corn, once imported, ought not to be again exe | ported; nor carried coaftways, from one port to another. 7tb;. That, as either exportation or importation may be:| RE re RE ar Ü— ER natitids:. S S= CHAP. IV. Ce) 152 AN INQUIRY INTO à carried to excefs, powers ought to be vefted in the King in Council, to reftrain or prohibit exportation, or importation; and that either generally, or in particular places, as may ap- pear to be moft beneficial to the kingdom at large*. # The power here prepofed to be vefted in the King in Council, for fufpending £he operation of the laws, might render them too uncertain to be fully depended upon by the Public; efpecially by that part of the community, who are engaged inraifing corn: à bufinefs of itfelf fo precarious, as to require both a fixed and permanent fyftem for its encouragement. This objeétion is obviated in the following Chapter, where it is propofed that the fufpending power, vefted in the King in Coun- cil, fhould be exercifed upon the recommendation of an Executive Board, by which the ftate of the grain in the country would be conftantly afcertained; and, by whofe reports, exportation and importation would be regulated. Zi. nding ended gaged | and Wing oun- rhich whofe CHAR 721 ss Arrangements Propojed for Carrying into execution, and giving effei > 7 Pad RAT T) À to the Corn Laws.—Conclufion of the Work. L'THOUGH the true fpirit and conftruction of the Corn Laws have already been conveyed to us, by our fore- fathers, they have not been equally fuccefsful in the rules laid down for the execution of thofe laws. À national object of this importance would require to be put under the direction of perfons of the firft confideration: and the laws, for its encouragement and protetion, ought to be executed with the utmoft precifion. We have feen the agriculture of Great Britain flourifhing under the benign influence of the former falutary laws; and we have feen it blafted by the hafty application of contrary rules. If we fhall fuppofe the principles, ftated in the feven thco- rems, which concluded the foregoing chapter, to be the foun- dation of our Corn Laws, we may confider how far the exe- U CHEAP: V Las eve.} Dr 11 | Û À 5 ÿ H - E54 AN LNOËUERTYEINTO cution of them may not be rendered more prompt and certain than heretofore, and fraud more efe@ually prevented. Although England and Scotland be politically incorporated, and that, in the prefent cafe, the fame prices, bounties, and duties, and the fame rules, will anfwer for both countries; yet, from their being under a feparate jurifdi@tion, as well as from a diverfty of climate and crops, it appears neceffary that cach fhould have a feparate inftitution for the execution of the laws. Let us fuppofe the three junior Judges of the courts of King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer, with a fecre- tary or clerk, with fuitable appointments, to be formed into a Court for the Corfervation of the Agriculture of England; and two of the Judges to be a quorum*. And the three junior Judges of the courts of Seflion, Jufticiary, and Exchequer, in Scotland, with a fecretary or clerk, and fuitable appointments, ; V4 ébtit= to be formed into a Court for the Coyférvation of the Agricu ure of Scotland; and two of thefe Judges to be à quorum. it Let us fuppofe England to be divided into ten diftri@ts, and Scotland into five; and, to avoid the confufon and irregularity arifing from exportation and importation going on at the fame time, 1n the fame harbour or creek, let the divifions be made, as much as pofñble, from headland to headland, or places 1 1...:== * The three junior judges are mentioned, as they are fuppofed to be vigorous time of life than their feniors, and of courfe more capable of bearing the additional fatigue of this office. À pere Lorne mt) + a EF CG OO R N TL, A W 5, where there are no harbours or creeks; and let the neighbour-. CHAP. v. ing counties form the diftriét, as follows*: ENGLAND,. From Berwick to Redcar, comprehending the fea coafts of 1 Difria. the counties of Northumberland and Durham; and thefe counties to form the diftriét. ing the pi. n) e [@) (®) Fat) €®} © P- R es 1:—.. From Redcar to Spurn-head, comprehend Diftri&. Yorkfhire; and that county to form the diftrit. From Spurn-head to Orfordnefs, comprehending the fea 34 Difria. coafts of the counties of Lincoln, Norfolk, and Suffolk, and the navigation of the Humber; and thefe, with the counties of Cambridge, Huntington, Northampton, Warwick, Leicef- ter, Rutland, Derby, and Nottingham, to form the diftri From Orfordnefs to Dungenefs, comprehendino the{ea«athDiftria. (e] 2 Ê o t coaft of Eflex and Kent, with the navigation of the river Thames; and thefe, with the counties of Surry, Berks, Ox- ford, Buckingham, Middlefex, Hertford form the diftriét. ; and Bedford;-to From Dungenefs to the Fafter limit of Dorfetfhire, compre- 5thDifiri&. es (Pa: hending the fea coaft of Suflex and Hampfhire; and thefe, with Wiltfhire, and the Ifle of Wight, to form the diftri@t. * The divifion of the diftriés, in the a& 1791, not being made from headland to headland, appears to be liable to the objections, which the author has endeavoured to obviate in his arrangement,£Edir. Ù 2 Re 7th Diftrié. fl IF ae k s F oth Diftriét. at Difiniét. :oth Diftriét. 156 AN INQUIRY'INTO 1 … n° Vas e-. From the Fañftern limit of Dorfetfhire to+ CONM- prehending the fea coaft of Dorfetfhire, and that of Devon- fhire and Cornwall; and thefe counties to form the Ho From Minehead to Pen Kenny’s Point, comprehending the fea coaft of Somerfetfhire, Monmouthfhire, Glamorganfhire, 1 Caermarthenfhire, and embroscnire with the navigation of the Severn; and thefe, with the counties of Gloucefter, Here- ps ford, and re ock, to form the diftrict. From Pen Kenny’s Point to Great Orm’s Head, comprehend- the fea coaîfts of Cardiganfhire, Merionethfhire, Carnar- vonfhire, with the Ifle of Anglefea; and thefe, with Mont- gomeryfhire, Radnorfhire, and Sbropfhire, to form the diftrict. From Great Orm’s Head to Roffal Point, comprehending the fea coaft of Denbighfhire, Flintfhire, Chefhire, and Lanca- fhire; and thefe, with Staffordfhire, to form the diftrict. From Roffal Point to the bottom of the Solway Firth, com- prehending the fea coaft of Weftmoreland and Cumber- land; and thefe counties, with the Ifle of Man, to form the diftrict. SCOTLAND. From the bottom of the Solway Firth, to the bottom of Loch Long, comprehending the fea coaft of the counties of Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, Wistoun, Air, Renfrew, and Dum- gus and Fife, with the navigation of the Tay to tl FE: CORNLAWS.; Ga barton, with the navigation of the caft fide of Loch Long, and the navigation of the Clyde; and thefe, with the county of Lanark, to form the diftritt. From the bottom of Loch Long to Arderfeer comprehend- ing the fea coaft of the counties of Bute I NU Cromarty, Sutherland, and Caithnef, Sb etland, and Orkney, with the whole iflands that belor ng to thefe counties, Pepe 2e GET ER| O: CA, upon the nort ti 1 iide É n0Q= NY y ND 1 NAT 1e JE= ac% far as Arderfeer, and upon both fides, above Arderfeer: and the above counties to form the diftridt From Arderfeer to Mather Point, RUN of John’s Haven, comprehending the fea coafts of the counties of Nair n, Moray, Banff, Aberdeen, and Mearns; and.. counties to form the diftrit. From Mather Point, fouth of John's Haven, to the Bridge o Sturling, comprehending the fea coaft of the counties of An- 1e Bridge of Perth, and of the north fide of the Forth; and the above counties, with thofe of Claickmannan, Kinrofs, and Perth, to. form the diftrict. From the Bridge of Stirling to Berwick, comprehending the fea coaft of the counties of S Stirling, Linhthgow, Edin- burgh, Haddington, and ee and thefe counties, with 1 bles, Selkirk, and Roxburgh, to form the diftrict. N°10: 2d Diftrict sth Diftrict, INQUIRY INTO Thefe are the divifions which occur to us to be the moft convenient and proper, according to the beft of our informa- as unexceptionable, In a work of this nature, it is fufficient that a reafonable plan be propofed, leaving it to be canvafled at the county meetings in the feveral diftriéts, and the par- ticulars to be afterwards arranged and fixed by the legiflature. Now, fuppoñng thefe courts to be conftituted, and the dif. triéts to be fixed. At Michaelmas, yearly, when the harveft will be generally over in England, let the fheriffs call a jury of twenty-four grave fubftantial people, fuch as are ordinarily called upon grand Juries, in every county; and, in Yorkihire, in every Riding; and let this jury declare, upon oath, from their own knowledge, or from fuch evidence as they fhall think proper to call before them, their opinion of the ftate of the CrOP, and of the prices which the feveral kinds of grain may be worth for the enfuing fezfon, within their refpective counties. Let thefe verdiéts be immediately fent to the Decretary of the Court of Confervation, who, from thence, is to make out an average account of the feveral prices of grain within the refpeétive diftri@s; which is to be laid before the Court, and, by their authority, publifhed in the Gazette, and to ftand as the rule for exportation and importation within the feveral difiriéts, until another general report{hall be publifhed, unlefs “% FIFE CORN- LAWS. re L FC 27 Q° pee 9 x. the fame fhall, in the mean time, be altered by the King’s pro- clamation. At Ladyday, when the feed, in England, will be moftly in the ground, let juries again be impannelled in every fhire, and in every Riding of Yorkfhire; and let them declare, upon oath, from their own knowledge, or from fuch evidence as they may think proper to calk before them, their opinion of the value or prices which the feveral forts of grain, withir their feveral counties, may be worth until harveft; which ver- dits are‘to be immediately reported to the Secretary of the Court of Confervation, from whence he is to make out an average account of the prices of the different kinds of grain, within the feveral dftrids, which is to be laid before the Court, and, by their authority, publifhed in the Gazette; and to ftand as the rule for exportation and importation within. the {everal diftriéts, until another general report fhall be publifhed, unlefs the fame fhall, in the mean me, be altered by the King's proclamation. Let à weekly account be Kkept in one or more towns in each An$ Cal county, and im each Riding of Yorkfhire, where corn or mea markets are ufually held, and if more than one, at leaft twenty miles diftant from each other, of the- prices of the feveral kinds of corn, grain, or meal, per quarter, allowing pounds avoirdupois, for the quarter of meal in thofe markets; which accounts are, immediately after the markets, to be fent to the Secretary of the Court of Confervation, from whence he is to make up an average account of the prices of the dif. ee_ Lg es ss ET 160 AN INQUIRY INTO ferent kinds of grain, within the feveral diftriéts, to be laid before the Court once every week*. Thus the Court of Confervation, being in poñleflion of the general ftate of the crop, and of the value of the different kinds of grain, in the feveral diftriéts, twice every year, and of the weekly ftate of the markets, in the event of any fud- den rife of the prices of grain, either from known or unknown caufes, or from the appearance of a late or a bad harveft, or in the cafe of any confiderable fall in the prices, the judges have it in their power to lay the cafe before the King in Council, in order to procure fuch an alteration in the exporta- tion or importation, as they fhall judge moît for the good of the kingdom at large. In executing this part of their duty, it is not to be doubted that the judges will act with fuflicient caution and circum- fpection, to fruftrate any artifices for raïfing or falling of markets. And here it may be proper to obferve, that the weftern coaft, both of England and Scotland, from the difference of climate, 1s not{o well adapted to the production of corn, as the eaftern coait, and confequently that the prices of grain muft, in gene- ral, be higher in the one fide of the ifland than the other; be- iles, there are other populous grafing and manufaturing ounties, which never raife corn fuflicient for their own con- ( * The af 10 Geo. 3. cap. 39. with fome amendment might anfwer this purpofe. pofe. Ft TS T 7 Le LT> Li] Er NN F 4 LAS COR) A VE 0 IOf fimntion: and DOS Los aafa Pomme nf the Aire iU FA DUO n and, UT DO tie eaiter”n COAfE, LOMME OM EMENCHIACELCES =]+ he RE 1 71 ci ee, à SC 2 may enjoy& P it ntifu] narveli Lg wWnliie others Ÿ9 IFOM da lefs LaVOUT- able feafon, have reaped but a fcanty one. In fuch cafes it is well worth y of the attention of the leg:i- flature to confider, how far it would not be proper to giv fome bounty equal to the freight, for tranfporting grain from Es à À 4iiViSL . e Li el"1 one diftriét to another, or even from the one fide of the 1fl: ne or a to the other, rather than to import foreign grain; for it fhoulc be never out of view, that for every hundred quarters of fo- reign grain, which we bring into the kingdom, we cut off the bread and employment of twelve of our own people, old and young; or, more properly fpeaking, we prevent the exiftence of fuch a number of additional people, with the proportional production of cattle, one&c. by employing the lands and labour of other nations*. At any rate it would appear to be neceflary to give every cafe pofhble to the tranfmiflion of our own corn from one part of the kingdom to another, by per- mitting it to be fhipped and carried coaftways, or by inland navigation, without any cuftom-houfe difpatch, or any other detention whatever. And to prevent frauds, by carrying fuch corn abroad, it may be declared, by a law, to be highly penal to load any corn for exportation, without entry at the cuftom.- houfe: And all reftraints upon buying and felling of corn, except thofe upon foreftalling and regrating the particular mar- kets, ought to be removed. The fame rules for carrying on the bufinefs of the Court of * Vide Appendix N° 8. Art. 0. ee Es M nn—< PS RES NEC CAP.-V. En ENOUERY TN TO AN Confervation in England, will apply to that of Scotland, and hey need not therefore be repeated. + We fhall now proceed to mention what occurs to us, with refpe to the particular bufnefs of exportation and importa- tion; what the probable expence may be atteriding the execu- tion of the laws; and in what manner the funds raifed for that purpofe. The bufinefs of open ec will be much circumfcribed, by the general plan for afcertaining the prices; but qu this branch of the trade, ought, for ce already enumerated, © bré* bia. _ Ce ba e to be attended to w ith the utmoft preci It is not to be doubted, that the reports of the juries, at Ladyday and Michaelmas, will eftablifh the general ftate of the prices of the feveral kinds of grain throughout che kine- dom; and thefe being the HA of the trade, will guard it againft improper importation; and, if any fraud fhall be at- tempted, by the artificial raifing or falling of particular mar- kets, the general, as well as the particular, ftate of the prices over all the kingdom, being conftantly in the view of the Courts of Confervation, the judges will thereby be enabled tely to prevent fuch attempts from having any effet; at spa fame time that the community at large, may fafely re- pofe fuch confidence in thefe courts, as to believe that the pon due confideration, will, from time to time, when Guxk [er (e - (eye) (à) [ep] w a ra| es MESSE D+ TFAhNovy ES rA ii K: they fhall fee it proper, by their reprefentations to the King B © Fer D) (jp) but pd bp {often the neceflary rigour of the laws to b« (@ nd (a ECU- be Le” TT Pa Ps»* fi+& 4 LE Cr IN LIN Lis LA VY a 3 RO EN at 8 OR ee SD à HiaGe APratriLC 1IMDOrTAUION, UE TAC A0riIeuILULEe CE: Cie Kins= D j ë©[a] A CI Cf CS race.: Se dom ihall farniin gra Li n f\ uf iC CRHCTOIN ETES confumpt ti1ON. re s{pe CY eYNnOor va+ t e il wW œ rAQ ea BR=)} AIN LXT+ JE With refpect to exportation, the lax gives the bounty to the 1d' His cron2+bro1id 2": nn dté farmer, for enabling him to fend his crop abroad, and to dif Jofe of it in another country, when he cannot find a market Le) lan) (£- raifing corn, preferably to other produétions of the foil, which 4 are not{o neceflary nor fo profitable to the kingdom. It no doubt anfwwers the fame purpofe to give the bounty to the merchant who exports the grain, becaufe he is thereby enabled to pay a proportionally higher price to the farmer; and, from his knowledge and correfpondence in the trade, he may find a market for it, when the farmer cannot. But to guard againft fraud has been always the chief dif- ficulty in the. execution of the Corn Laws; for where profit 15 to be obtained, there will be people ready to break through, or to evade the ftricteft laws, even thofe moft beneficial to the kingdom. On the.plan recommended, it will be the object of the laws to provide, that the corn and meal to be exported, upon which a bounty 1s to be paid, is really and truly of Britifh growth; that it 1s neither corn of foreign growth, nor mixed with fo reign corn; that it is not corn ground, or malt made from corn of foreign growth, nor mixed with foreign grain; and K 2 for it at home; and by that means to continue his trade of 164 AN INOUIRY INTO : j NYTAD X7 J GELAEN that ît is not corn of Britifh growth which had been formerly Casse) nn):: ÿ exported, and afterwards relanded. Ta obviate thefe difficulties, as far as pofhble, it may be propofed, that the exporter fhall make oath, that the corn in- tended to be fhipped by him, for exportation, was purchafed by him, or by perfons immediately employed by him, from Brituh-farmers,-or-raïfers of corn;-andthat,.to the-beft:.0 his knowledge and belief, it is not of foreign growth, nor mixed with corn of foreign growth; and that it 18 not corn of : Britifh growth, which had formerly been exported, and after- wards relanded, nor mixed with fuch corn. It may be objeéted, that fuch niceties would be a reftraint upon the trade, and a bar to the transference of property; but where bounties are to be given for the general good, upon as eafy terms as is confiftent with a proper guard againit fraud, the receivers are not entitled to{crutinife, or to find fault with the rules prefcribed by the generous benefaétor. Fair dealers will find no fault with proper reftriétions, nor can thefe rules in the fmalleft degree obftruct exportation. - In all countries there are people who tread upon the heels of the fair trader; and, in cafes of this kind, where penalties | muft be aflixed to tranfereflions, fuch people might name perfons as exporters, to qualify their cargoes, as had neither character nor property to lofe. Exportation of corn, according to the former laws, ougl /£. cu a. mr daigdie e s hal mé re A LAN als LS Nu RS De.“ ht À Lu PHP: CORN L'AWS, L6 G Ca ips owned by Britifh born fubjects, refñding in the Britiih SAP and whereof the mafter, and at leaft two thirds of the mariners, are alfo Britifh fubjects; and the exporter ought to give bond, under the penalty of m 10 per ton, that the corn fhipped, fhail be carried abroad, and not relanded in Britain; but the bounty fhould be payable, al- ough the grain fhould perifh at fea, or be taken by enemics; and the bond ought to be given up, upon producing proper certificates that the corn was really landed in a foreign coun- try, or that it had perifhed at fea, or had been taken by ene- miles. The difpatch of bufinefs is of great confequence; and the Ï] ab) pr [@) o laws have allowed the officers of the cuftoms to ma of two facks out of twenty, and from the quantity of corn contained in thefe, to compute the quantity fhipped. If we could expect the long wifhed for equalifation of the weights and meafures of Great Britain, we would propofe, that the bounties fhould be made payable according to the weight of the quarter of well drefled middling Britifh grain. This rule, while it deals out juftice to the public, would tend greatly, in a fhort time, to ftamp a fuperior value upon Britifh grain, at foreign markets. But, if this cannot be the cafe, the farmer is much fafer to fell his grain to the merchant by mea- fure, than by weight; becaufe his own meafures will be fome fort of check, and there is probably lefs| of deceit, in the diverfity of the meafures, than in that of the weights (a CEÉFÉPANE Ce ann À .= Aa pe pm: ro_* 13 3 À 1 syover nart af Age nm te 12... fox FC EEVEEY JA CrOT GVfeat 1511 LA PS+] e CT Er-]: 7? 1c] Cons D=) II ra POS à À lat la!> à DY the act O1 te 24{N:-KreOFLCÉ. LE.: When grounc COL. 15 | 2> r- nLhetnes Fe+ l æ fhipped, the fame bounty is to be allowed upon weight of wheat meal, or other ground corn or grain, where- on there is a bounty, as was allowed upon the exportation of four bufhels of wheat, or other grain or corn unground; and, for the difpatch of bufinefs, when fuch ground corn fhould be brought in facks to be fhipped, the officers of the cuftoms were authorifed to make choice of two facks out of twenty, and from thence to compute the weight of the meal to be {hipped, for which the bounty 1s to be paid. jo) 7 Q. à 7= av..= By the a 1773 the bounties payable upon corn ground(ex- cept oatmeal*) are taken of, while the foreign farmer is per-| mitted to import his flour, upon payment of a mere trifle of duties, It is not eafy to difcover a reafon for this part of that law; for if our farmers are to be allowed a bounty upon the ex- * By the a& 1773, the quarter of oatmeal is fixed at 276 pounds avoirdupois, upon which a bounty of 2s. 6d. is payable. By the former laws, the bounty upon 244 pounds of meal, made from wheat or other grain, upon which a bounty was payable, was the fame as was allowed for four bufhels of the grain from whence the meal was The weight of the quarter of all kinds of meal, ought to be the fame; and a bounty of 4s. upon 448 made; which brings the weight of the quarter to 448 pounds. pounds of oatmeal, will be equal to 2s. Gd. upon 276 pounds. portation of wheat in body, they are much better entitled to< it, in found policy, when, by the manufaûture of it into fiour, they add 10 Der cent. of the value of it, to the common ftock of de dits of the kingdom; and ro per cent. more, for the cloth ufed in facks for it. It is therefore to be hopec d, that this bounty, and the claufe for difpatch in the bufinefs of ex- portation, ea be replaced, The bounties upon exportation fhould be paid according to 31 TPS Pre=> 4 1e ill.+ 4 E the certificates of the officers of the cultoms, at the port of fhipping, within fix months after the certificate fhall be pre- fented to the hsftéoie rs of the cuftoms at London or Fdin- Purgh reipeëtively; and, failing fuch payments, the money to ? bear intereft at the rate of 3 per cent. Per annum, until paid, agreeable to the act of the 26th George IL, Having mentioned what occurs to us refpecting this ie poied law, re the execution of its different branches we {hall now take under confderation the expence and f DE ne- & ns for carrying on the external and me bufinefs of the propofed Court. It may be prefumed, that the jurymen will attend chef. Et may De preélumed, that the Jurymen will attend the feve. ral meetings upon their own expences, for the public 200d: but to call them together, to ingrofs the feveral fteps of their ul É 1 RES jus SRE FE:+ En M° procedure, and make the reports to the Court of Confervation, muit be attended with fome expence, and this being an ad © LC 2 ditional piece of duty to be fixed upon the fheriffs, they 168 AN AEN-QURY INFO By the act of the roth George IIT for regiftering the prices \ of corn, the perfons to be appointed to take up the prices of corn, at the feveral markets, and to tranfmit the fame, were to be rewarded according to the determination of the juftices À of the peace, and to be paid quarterly out of the county rates; x but, in counties where there were no county rates, this part of the law could not be executed f. Befides, this law extends 3 only to the prices of wheat, rye, barley, oats, and beans, in England, and only to beer or bigg, in Scotland: And, to an- fwer the prefent purpofes, the prices of all kinds of grain in ufe for the food of mankind, and the prices of meal, made from fuch grain, muft be returned. Reafonable falaries muit be made to the judges, and to their fecretaries or clerks, and a proper allowance for the con- tingent expences of the courts. As every plan, fuggefted to the public confideration, ought to be made as complete as poflible, we fhall here fpecify cer- ’* Hitherto, when fuch duty was committed to the juitices of the peace, in many places it was not executed; and, as a law of the propofed kind, cannot have the wifhed-for effe&, without prompt and diftinét execution, it would appear to be ne- ceffary to convey the power to the fheriffs, as an indifpenfable part of their office. + Although provifion may be made for the payment of the perfon who takes up and tranfmits the market prices, fill it would appear neceflury to have a penal claufe inferted to infure the execution of his duty. to D“4° annees ent tes THE CORN LAVWS, 109 tain articles, which it appears to us may form the principal heads of the expence of executing this law. In England there are 51 counties, befide Yorkfhire, in which there are 3 Ridings, each of them larger than many counties; and as we have propofed a jury in each county, and in each of thefe ridings, there would be in all$4 juries in England. In Scotland there are 34 counties, but as 6 of thefe are very fmall, and are, at prefent, feverally conjoined with other coun- ties, under the jurifdiétion of one fheriff; 28 juries will ferve for Scotland. The number of market towns, from whence the weekly re- turn of the prices are to be made, ought to be regulated ac- cording to the numbers of people, and extent of the counties or ridings. We fhall propofe thefe to be arranged as follows: IN ENGLAND. I 2 pi 8 9 IO IE 12 13 14 15 10 3 Dorfetfhire 4Somerfetfhire 5 Wiltfhire 6 Hampfhire No) COUNTIES. MARKET TOWNS. Ne Cornwall Devonfhire Suflex S= uIry Kent Ld Glamorganfhire Monmouthfhire Gloucefterfhire Berkfhire Oxfordfhire Buckinghamifhire Middlefex Ge EE, EE.= EE E HA P:\ 3 Con am) Se To % l46 Lincolnfhire Fe L= SRE nr PE ARTE 170 AN INQUIRY INTO ENGLAND Nol COUNTIES. MARKET TOWNS. ne Se 17 Hertfordifhire || | Î | 4 7. à 10 Pet m ee | 2 1 1 à [zo{Caer martnenil ir e D ER[Re A 2} BrCe nockih ire ere |22/Cardiganfhire Pa |22lRadnorfhire | | 24/Herefordfhire 2: Worc ce [2 26 War vickfhire [27 Northampton ifhire 28! Bedfordfhire [2 1H untingdonfhire ss:mbridecthire Suftolk Montgomeryfhire Merci Shropfhire Staffordfhire Leicefterfhire Rutlandfhire Norfolk Carnarvonfhire Anslefea 41Denbighfhire 42/Flntfhire 43 Chefhire. \44Derbyfhire l45Nottinghamfhire j à À EL REA CS) Ca + LU C0© D©©©© O© NI H\Lancafhire: 49Cumberland soDurbam ci Nor thumberland* s2Yorkfhire,E.Riding 3Ditto, North Riding aDitto Weft Riding| _ Sd dd SC RS Deere sn- FTÉÈE CORN LAWS, SCOTLAND. | No] COUNTIES. men MARKET TOWNS. 1 Edinburghfhire 2 Haddingtonfhire 3iBerwickfhire, 4 Roxburghfhire 5 Perthfhire 6 Mearns 7 Aberdeenfhire | 8Invernefsfhire | oSelkirkfhire F o Peebles 11 Lanark 112 Dumfriesfhire 13 Wigtonfhire 14 Ayrihire 1$ Dumbartonfhire L 6Renfrewfhire 17Stirling and Clackmanan 18 Linlithgow 19 Argylefhire 20 Bute 21 Fife and Kinrofs l2 2 Forfarfhire 123 Banfhire 124 Caithnefs and Sutherlan 25 Elgin and Naïirn 260rkney and Shetland 27 Rofs and Cromarty 128Kircudbright \ N CT RE ES UE RL ué pe 172 AN: INOEERY l'NTO CHAP.V. Let us fuppofe the falary of the three Judges in Le) ms)= 1 England to be L. 300 each-= 1005"0 0 To their fecretary or clerk-- 25%© 0 Contingent expences.-: 60© o Lx210:-07 0 Salary of the three Judges in Scotland, fuppo- fed to be L. 200 each É606 6 a To their fecretary or clerk- 200 90 Contingent expences= 10 04 0 Expence of calling 108 juries in England yearly, and of engrofling their procedure, and ma- king their reports, at L.10 each jury= 1080:© 6 Expence of calling 56 juries in Scotland yearly, and of ingrofling their minutes of procedure, and making their reports, at L.10 each jury 560 o o Expence of the weekly returns from market-towns in England, and in Scotland, in all, at L.5 yearly each Total Et; The above being thé probable amount of the expences at- tending the eftablifhment of the propofed Court of Conferva- tion, we fhall proceed ta ftate the probable:means by which thefe expences may be defrayed. For the forty-four years, from the 1741 to 1784 inclufive, there have been, upon an average, imported and exported Qo© o O Va= ich Re THE CORN LAWS. 173 yearly, to and from Great Britain, 737,697 quarters of grain, of which more than one third has been wheat, or wheat flour, or malt made from wheat, and the remainder of other grain. It may be prefumed, that the amount of importation and exportation together, will rather exceed than fall fhort of this uantity in future, as we have feen, that for many years, when the exportation trade was entirely in the M Of Great Britain, the quantity yearly exported, upon an avera amounted to 848,660 quarters. Taking, therefore, the average of the importation and ex- portation, as above, and fixing an executive premium of on- ly 2d. upon the quarter of all wheat, wheat flour, or malt made of wheat, imported and exported; and 1!d. upon the f every other kind of grain: this premium, upon O 245,809 quarters of wheat,&c. at 2d. per quarter, will amount to= 2040 2-2 And upon 491,798 quarters of other grain, at r1!d. per uarter-- O1 0 737,697 In all Les ra fit Having, for many Fear beftowed great attention upon the fubject which gave rife to this Work; and, feeling it the duty fe i of every member of the community, to fuggeft fuch ideas as may in any way contribute to the public good; we have, with the utmoft deference, ftated the meafures that have occurred to us, by which the Agriculture of Great Britain may be pro- CHAP Y: Leu.) Concluñon oncinfnn UIILAULIOEIS 174 AN ENQULRY INTO CHAF. V._ moted, with the moft certain profpect of fuccefs: and by which, the export tradein corn may, in a reafonable time, be j|‘ revived 1n this country: a branch of commerce, the extenfion of which is the fureft index of national profperity, and of an encreafing population, fuch as adds effectually to the ftrength and power of the ftate*. It were to be wifhed, that the community at large would er PRET AAA . PT view Agriculture, as the frft object of national importance: F. becaufe, unlefs it profper, all other purfuits are vifionary: | Yet, fuch is the fluctuation in the minds of men, that fome- times it has been treated as of the firft confequence to the flate, and, at other times, caft off as unworthy of confider- | ation, Perhaps the time may be yet to come, when, amidft the mul- uplicity of other fuitors, Agriculture fhall be enabled to prefs { * 50 great is the difference between the population produced by the extenfon of Agriculture, and that arifing from a premature encouragement of Manufac. tures and Commerce, that it is remarked by Mr Arthur Young, in his Tour through France, that fuchwas the wretched ftate of the lower clafles of the people, in that country, in confequence of the depreffed ftate of Agriculture, and the ae pen AMENER fcarcity of provifons, that the nation would at that time, in 1789, have been in a far more flourifhing flate with four or five millions lefs of inhabitants. See vol. 1. chap. 1,7. page 469, on Population, and chap. 20. page 510, on Manufatures. tbLa whol thie able le TS as lo, In the whole of this able Work, particularly in thefe two chapters, the impor tant AbA1 À: Q”;+ AD pale S= tant decductions, drawn from faëts of great magnitude, fhew, in the cleareft and .+ t Convincinoe m: nnner+he 2 oran> r CUUYICUIO Mannet LLC preterenc 18; ce due to Agriculture in every country. Ædit, THE CORN LAVWS. 17 Ca through the erowd, and claim the attention of the Public. To bècome its patrons would do honour to the higheit charac- ters in the ftate; and, in any eflential effort made for its ad- /ancement, we might look up with confidence to the protec- tion of our Sovereign, the beneficent promoter of whatever can tend to increafe the happinefs of his people, and the pro- fperity of his kingdom, THE END. CHAP. V. n'en. SUPPLÉMENT. LETTER EE From Mr Mackie, Farmer in Ormiflon, to the Editor, containing a Review of the Corn Laws, and an Account of tbe Corn Trade, from the periods to wbich they are brought down in the preceding Inquiry to the year 1703; with farther Suggeflions for tbe Im- provement of the Corn Laws. Ormiston, in East Lothian, 10{b December 1795. DEAR SIR, N confequence of your defire, I have perufed, with atten- tion, your late Father’s Inquiry into the Corn Laws of this country, and agree with him in opinion, that a judicious{yf- tem of regulation, reftriéting the free importation of foreign corn, and affording a bounty on the exportation of our own produce, when low priced in the home market, is abfolutely neceflary for preferving the agriculture, profperity, and in- dependence of Great Britain; and for fecuring that decided fuperiority of internal refource, which at prefent fhe fo hap- pily enjoys, even in times of neceflity, over the furrounding nations. Previoufly to afigning my reafons in fupport of the prin- ciples laid down in the preceding inquiry, it may be neceiiary 178 LECLTER E PERTE corémark, that they ftand in oppofition to the theory of one of the firft political writers in this or any country,(Dr Adam Smith on the Wealth of Nations) who aflerts, that the re- ftraining laws are hurtful, and that a free importation and exportation of Corn would at all times be beneñcial to the ftate. Ifhall therefore, firft, take a view of your Father’s fentiments, contrafted with thofe of Doctor Smith, on the Corn Laws; and afterwards, by way of ERP ent, bring down his account of the Import and Export trade in Corn 5% to the. time; giving, atthe fame time, a 7 ac- | count of the particular ftatutes which have been enaéted by # the Legiflature of this country, for regulating this eflential (| branch of national policy, fince he finifhed his Treatife on The intention of your late Father”’s Work is to eftablifh this principle—That a judicious fyftem of laws, prohibiting the importation of foreign corn, except in cafes of abfolute É neceflity, and giving a bounty on the exportation of our own produce, when low-priced in the home market, gives à per- manent impulfe to the exertions of the hufbandman,{0 as re- \ a é gularly to promote agriculture, and afford uniformly a more plentiful fupply of grain in the home market, and at more af] moderate prices, than if no fuch laws were in force; by which »|| means the neceflaries of life being more eafily procured, po- pulation and active induftry are greatly promoted, on which D 1 | the power of a ftate chiefly depends, Cote ER ON, FPÉE FCOORMN: LA WS. of prohibiting the importation of foreign corn aff more{ettled form, and particularly fince 1688, when che bounty on our own produce was eftablifhed by à permanent law, for near a century after thefe periods, the average prices of corn, in the home market, were not only confiderably cheaper than in the one immediately preceding, but alfo an immenfe fum was brought into the country, for the furplus quantity of corn exported, after liberally fupplying the inha- bitants. The author of the Inquiry into the Nature and Caufes of the Wealth of Nations, admits that the average prices of grain were higher in the laft than in the early part of this century, after the bounty took effe@; but he denies that it procceded from this caufe.‘The bounty(he fays) was granted for the ‘ exprefs purpofe of raifing the price of corn in the home ‘ market; and he attributes the fall which afterwards tock place, to the demand for money, now neceflary for repre- fenting the accumulating capitals, arifing from the increafing induftry of the different European flates, in almoft every country, even where no bounties were eftablifhed, particularly in France, where,{o far from any bounties being allowed, corn of all kinds was then totally reftrited from being{ent out of the kingdom, to find a foreign market, exportation being rigoroufly reftriéted by the laws of that defpotic govern- ment. ÂAllowing, however, that the fall in the price of corn proceeded from the caufe which Dr Smith has here afligned, I fhall afterwards endeavour to fhow the danger that would refult to Great Britain, in her prefent fituation, from relaxing Z 2 RTS re BÉFETER T che force of thofe falutary laws that have hitherto. fupported he agriculture of this country; but which, from the accu- mulating burdens that now reprefs the induftry of the farmer, will in future, it may be feared, be unable to keep pace with the growing confumption arifing from the increafing population, the opulence, and luxury of the inhabitants; unlefs the wifdom of the legiflature remove thofe obftruétions which prevent the improvement of the wafte lands, and the adoption of a more perfe& mode of cultivation on the fields already under the management of the hufbandman. The inhabitants of this country may be divided into two clafles, known by the appellation of the landed and mercan- tile intereft, viz. thofe who draw their immediate fupport from the produce of the foil, and the manufacturers and mer- chants, who are confumers of the produce. Although the welfare of thefe two clafles depends, in a great meafure, on each other’s profperity, yet, at firft fight, their intereft ap- pears diametrically oppofite.‘The manufacturers, and thofe who live in towns, being daily fupplied from the country, with provifons for themfelves' and thofe employed in their manufactures, are greatly alarmed at the fmalleft advance in the price; being regularly informed from the newfpapers, and other vague authorities, of the moft abundant crops, which they pretend every year cover the face of the coun- try. If, notwithftanding this regular prediétion, a bad crop enfues, and the prices of corn get up in confequence of a real fcarcity, it is attributed only to a manœuvre of the farmers, and corn dealers; they are liberally branded with the epithets ON VÉPE= CORN: LA WS. 181 ted ee of foreftallers and regraters, and loud complaints are raifed, LETT.I cu-#:;(eS that by keeping up the corn from market, the high price of ‘4 provifions will put a ftop to HARACUTES, 2 and involve the a country in ruin. Open the ports, is the gener es allow us hi to bring in corn from the Baltic, where we can purchafe it ‘£ for half the money it cofts us at home, and then our drooping tie manufactures will revive, and our country reallime its wont- à ed profperity. To fuch language, the government of this the country has always lent a willing ear, when ftrengthened with the united importunities of the manufaéturing and mer- cantile intereft; men whofe fole occupation, is to feize eve y two favourable opportunity to improve their fortunes; and who, Can-- hving in towns, know the force of combination, and of acting port in concert. Whilft, on the other hand, gentlemen of landed ner- property, whofe revenue, arifing from the productions of the the earth, without any particular efforts of their own, can- (ure,_ not perceive with the fame acutenefs, when their general in- L ap- tereit 1s attacked, nor be brought to act with unanimity and fi hofe rit in warding off the blow. Let me add, alfo, that this apatby try,:| or indolence of the landed intereft, on every fubject refpeéting heir agriculture which is brought before the legiflarure, has of jate es become more confpicuous, fince rents were wholly paid in ino- pers, ney, which prevents them from feeling the immediate bad ef. 4 feéts of thofe regulations on the agriculture of this country, . which proceed from the repeated complaints of the mercan- nn. le intereft. Accordingly we find government, on many ER occafons, interfering in favour of that interet, and abrogat- ]: 2; cs ing the laws refpecting the export and import of corn; but it 4 was not till the year 1773, that a-new law was framed, repeal- Het => 1F 182 ÉEPrTER LETT.L ing a number of ancient flatutes, made at and prior to the Re- volution, and putting the corn trade under an entire new code æ of regulations. When we review the growing profperity of Great Britain, in | the period above mentioned, and the immenfe wealth and capi- h tal acquired by this country in 1773, when compared with that f° 1 e- è in 1688, and the confequent fall in the value of money, we | fhould imagine, that if any alteration in the Corn Laws had “4 been neceflary, it would have been to raife the rates at which foreign corn was allowed to be imported, in order to proteét fe-;>;:: É the agriculture of Great Britain, by removing every impedi- ment which might obftruct the value of home produce from Ë 1 F.|| keeping pace with the advance in the price of labour, and of | every manufatured commodity. But there was no occafon for fuch an alteration; the ancient laws had been framed with fuficient wifdom to protect and cherifh agriculture, for a great length of time,(one error excepted, which I fhall after- wards take notice of) and they would have continued to 4| have done fo, if they had not been altered by the new code, || framed for the evident purpofe of lowering the price of corn | in the home market, thereby finking the revenue of the land- v ed intereft, and reprefling the induftry of the hufbandman. (| Although it was the exprefs intention of the original infti- gators of this law(1773) to reduce the prices‘of corn in the home market, to a par with what they had been at, in the period of forty years immediately preceding; it, however, produced no fuch effet. The large addition to the national ON TH CORNILAWS 18: capital now in circulation, arifing from the increafe of the. B public debt, from the revenue and internal trade of India,— and the rapid advances which the country had made in ma- nufactures and commerce, fince the peace of 1763, counter- racted the intended effe& of the law. It, neverthelefs,. re- prefled agriculture, by encouraging the importation of foreign corn, and funk the profit on the ftock employed in the culti- vation of the foil, below that which was embarked, during the fame period, in trade and manufactures: thereby prevent. ing the additional capital neceflary for producing a return, to fupply the growing confumption of the country, from being invefted in agriculture, and even endangering the drawing out of part of that already engaged in this moft produdtive branch of human induftry.‘The impolicy of fuch à fyftem is evident; and accordingly it is to this law that your Father af- cribes the lofs of the export trade of corn to Great Britain. LE, however, do not go this length; I admit its evil tendency, but am of opinion, it was only one of the caufes that have produced this effet; the others, I fhall endeavour afterwarde to explain.‘ Previoufly to the pañing of this a@, the export; trade of grain was rapidly declining, and verging towards that period, when the balance began to appear on the other fide of the account, and to ftand againft this country. We muit not therefore be furprized, after the legiflature had thus given way to the folicitations of the mercan- tile intereft, in lowering the import rates of foreign corn, to find, that a regular fyftem of importation was immediatel formed by the corn merchants, under the fan@ion of this e tablifhed law, which could not before be carried. into execu. J {: LT Aid EE: 184 LETTER EL tion, the bringing in of foreign corn being almoft prohibited, on account of the high importation rates and duties then in force, and being only allowed by the authority of partial and temporary ftatutes. I muft here obferve, that in years of plenty, the farmer is in general beft paid for his corn; the low price, which follows from the abundance of the crop, naturally occafons| want of attention, and confequently prodigality and wafte in the confumers; and the increafed confumption, arifing from this caufe, has the effect to raife its money price above its real value. On the other hand, when the price gets high in con- fequence of a deficient crop, every purchafer becomes of ne- ceflity an œconomift, the confumer is finted to a bare fufh- ciency, and the diminifhed confumption, of courfe, finks the price below its real value, that is, its prime coft, or ex- pence beftowed in rearing and bringing it to market*. In this fituation, how diftrefling muft it be to the hufbandmen of Great Britain, to have the prices of grain ftill lowered by the importation of foreign corn; which, when once brought into the countrv, being lodged in the warehoufes of opulent # L know the contrary is alledged, viz. That a certain deficiency in the crop pro- duces an advance in price in favour of the farmer. I cannot, however, admit the fa; in the natural courfe of things, the price of every commodity is regulated by the demand and quantity at market. We muft, however, except any interference of go- vernment, which impedes the regular courfe of circulation, whereby an alarm is ex- cited in a country; witnefs the maximum and paper money in France, and the effeët of the laws and regulations, propofed by the legiflature ot this country, for lower- ing the price cf corn. ON: FRE GORN:RAWS 185 n merchants, in the populous towns, where the grain is chiefly confumed, they are therefore always at hand to pufh a fale, and fupply every demand, in which they are aided by bank accounts, and difcount of bills, to give long credits to pur- chafers. From thefe caufes, the corn merchants have a de- cided fuperiority in the market over the farmers; and they ac- tuallÿ difpofe of their foreign corn from ro to 15 fer cent. dearer than the farmer can procure for grain of the fame qu Ety, and the produce of our own foil. n a I have obferved above, that the ac of 1773; by lowering fo confiderably the import rates and duties on the introduction of foreign corn, gave rife to an eftablifhed fyftem of impor- tation, and opened the door to fpeculation, of which the corn merchants wifhed at all times to Ecep the key, e—The prices of corn in the foreign markets being generally much lower than in Britain, they were therefore alw: ys ready, by artifice, to open the ports, before the price of Britifh corn in the home market, rofe to the rate at which It was therefore found neceflary, from time to time, to pafs acts for counteracting thefe infidious defigns, in order to render the general law more effe@tual. Of thefe particular ftatutes, the following were enacted, after your Father finifhed his Treatife on the corn laws: the law allowed the importation of foreign grain: By.the aét, 21 Geo. 3.:cha. so, fo much:of theads of 1ft Jas. 2.; 5 Geo. 2.; 6 Geo. 3.; and 14 of Geo. 3. as refpects the determining the prices of middling Englifh wheat and other Cal A& SI OQ bo 186 LEMVER# grain, in the port of London, and counties of Kent and Ef- fex, are repealed; and in lieu thereof, by this act, an infpec- tor is appointed, to afcertain the weekly average prices, made out from the actual fales in the port of London, which are to regulate exportation, and the bounties paid thereon. An aver- age price is alfo direéted to be made up from three months weekly returns, on the firft day of the feflions in London, held in January, April, July, and September, to regulate im- portation, and the duty paid thereon, for three months, in the port of London, and counties above mentioned. The Corn Law was fufpended, importation at low duties was allowed, and exportation prohibited, till 25th Auguft 1783, in England, and 2çth September in à SCotl and. The aét 29 Geo. 3. chap. 58. improved and extended the at 21 Geo. 3. chap. so. Every corn factor in London and fu- burbs, was obliged to give in weekly returns of his fales to the in{pectors. portautn was allowed into London, Kent, and Eflex, when the prices of middling Britifh grain rofe to the rates prefcribed inaét 1773, as taken by the fix laft weekly re- turns in the port of London, immediately preceding the quar- terly feflions, oats excepted, which continued to be regulated by twelve weekly returns, as formerlÿ.. The at was exterided 1 o the maritime counties of England, which are divided into re? eleven diftri@s. Infpectors of corn returns are to be appointed by the juftices of the peace in each county, to make weekly returns of the prices of corn, from not more chan twelve, nor 23 Geo. 3. chap, 1. 23 Geo. J 3. chap. 53. 23 Geo. 3. chap, 8r4. ON THE CORN LAWS. Re fewerthaneightmarket-towns in each county; the average price (##) # arifing from the weekly returns, are to be fent to the colle@ors of the ports in the diftriét for regulating exportation; and the average prices for the whole diftriét, made up from the fix weekly returns, immediately preceding the 1ft day of February, May; Auguft, and November, are to regulate the importation of foreign corn, and duties paid thereon. 30 Geo. 3. chap. 1. is an a@ of indemnity, for abrogatins the Corn Laws, in purfuance of orders from the Privy Council, dated 1ith and 18th November, 234 December 1786, 2d and 8th January 1700. By this ac, the above orders are con- firmed, and the Corn Laws fufpended; no kind of Britifh gran being allowed to be exported, except the particular quantities fpecified for the ufe of the fugar colonies; and all forts of foreign grain freely allowed to be brought into every port in Great Britain at the low duties; the a to continue in full force till 20th September 1700. 30 Geo. 3. chap. 43. The execution of the corn laws further fufpended, till 28th February 1701; but full powers given to the Privy Council, to permit the exportation of all forts of Britiih grain, or ftop the importation of foreign grain, when- ever the Privy Council judged it neceflary. 31 Geo. 3. chap. 4. The above two acts amended, and by a clauf: in the general Corn Law, which pañled this feihon, L + Ca they are continued in force till its cominencement on 7 the ss LIT 29 November 170. À a 2 Li ti Ÿ t LERT:I. Lan rm.) 1701. LEFT TER. LE It will be obferved, that none of thefe acts for rendering the law of 1773 more effectual were extended to Scotland; the confequence of this was, that owing to the average prices not being afcertained by the actual fales, whenever the ports were opened for the importation of foreign grain into Scot- land, it always took place, when the current price of our pro- duce was confiderably below the reduced rates, at which even the law of 1773 allowed the bringing in of foreign grain, viz. wheat at 48s. the Winchefter quarter,&c. And, on the other hand, when the furplus quantity of grain was fo abundant, as to admit of exportation, the ports in Scotland were always fhut, before the price of home produce got up to the limit at which exportation ends; both cafes militating againft the Agri- culture of this country. I fhall now proceed to give an account of the new general Corn Law, viz. 31 Geo. 3. ch. 30. which commenced on the 15th November 1791. Itrepeals 1 Jas 2. ch. 19; 1 Gul. and M. ch. 123 5 Geo. 2: ch. 12; 10 Geo: 3. ch. 39; 1 3 Geo. 3. ch. 41; 21 Geo! 7 ch 50:29: Geo. 3; ch;+85‘and 10 much of.the 15 Cha. 2. ch. 7th as prohibits the buying of corn to fell again, and laying it up in granaries, when above certain prices. As you have already had occafon to give a Table fhewing the prices, bounties, and duties, by which the Corn trade is regu- lated, under this a€@t*, I fhall refer to it, and proceed to give an account of the general regulations, contained in the a, # Vide p. 149: C2 ON. THE CORN LAWS. 18c The maritime counties of England are divided into 12 dif. ricts, and Scotland into 4 diftriéts, in all 16 diftri&ts. The prices of grain at the Corn exchange in London, are made to regulate export and import in the firft diftriét, containing the portof Lon- don, and the counties of Kent, Eflex, and Suflex. In the other diftriéts, the at mentions the particular market towns, at which the prices and quantities of grain actually fold are colleted. AN dealers in grain are to give in, upon oath, weckly ac- counts of their aétual fales made during the w eek, to an officer called the infpe@or of returns; who, from thefe returns, makes out an account of the general week! the whole diftri&, and tranfimits the fame to the colleétors of the cuftoms at the different ports within the diftri; which. regulates the bounties to be paid on exportation. Four times in the year, viz. within feven days after the 1sth of February, 1 sth May, 15th Auguft, and 1sth November, the receivers of corn returns, in each diftriét, make up the average prices of corn within the fame, taken from the laft fx weekly returns;(excepting that of oats which is made up from twelve weekly return) this quarterly average is tranfmitted to the collectors of the cuftoms at the different ports within the dif. trict, at the periods above mentioned, which regulates importa- tion, and the duties payable thereon, for the enfuing quarter, fn Scotland, the average prices of grain are not afcertained by the a@ual fales. Once in the month, the fheriff$ of the dif. me erent counties convene juries to determine the average price at which it is generally felling; but the witnefles examined be :_ KiV average price Of SR Pr Poe eu nee VIS - Ce eee El (I LP E Cum) 190 LEBTER L produce no account of their aétual purchafes, or fales; they only depone, to what they believe from their own experience, and the opinion of others, to be the current prices; and there is great reafon to think, that either from carelefsnefs or de- fign, this is often done in an erroneous manner*. The fheriffs of the différent counties‘in Scotiand make up monthly ac- counts of the average prices of grain within each county,(af- certained in the inaccurate manner above mentioned) which they fend up to the receiver of corn returns in the port of Lon- don; from thefe, the receiver makes üp an average account for each diftric, and tranfmits it vo the collectors of the ports within the fame, which regulate the bounties upon exportation; and, at the quarterly terms above mentioned, he makes up average prices, from the two laft monthly returns; which regulate the duties upon importation for the enfuing quarter. Foreign corn may be imported and landed at any time, without payment of duties, provided it is warehoufed under certain regulations; but it cannot be taken out‘of the ware- houfe for home confumprion, before firft paying the low du- ties, and any other duty payable at the time, in the diftri& in which it is intended to be confumed; nor corn of any kind, +}, + ither foreign or of home produce, can be carried coaftways, * Upon enquiring at a confiderable corn dealer, who is frequently adduced as a witnefs, he acknowledged that the corn dealers gave themfelves very little trouble about the matter; and a: ded, tha the laft time he was examined, he and other dealers whom he mentioned /made uptheir minds, by copying off the prices from the newi- papers immediately before going into Court. Let me add, that thefe prices are not “) 2# LS inferted in the newfpapers by any authority. |"nn NT M OYT T7 EN NT T A-XiI7 QC 1êy ON PHE CORNILAWS. 101 10 cs, from the port of any diftriét, when exportation is not allowed.1 ere at the time of M to the ports in any diftri& where ex- A. de. portation is allowed. ris ac When the general average of the whole kingdom, exceeds (af. the rates of import at the low duties*, in that cafe, the parha- ich ment not being fitting, his Majefty, with the confent of the on- Privy Coun'il, can fufpend the execution of the corn law, fo far for as to prohibit all exportation, and allow importation at the low Fr duties, which permiffion muft continue in force for three and, months; butthe power does not extend to the prohibiting the rage exportation of foreign grain formerly warehoufed, the;: The above contains a fhort abftrat of the general regula- aons of che Corn law of 1591. The following laws have been | enacted for further regulating the trade in corn: rime, nder 33. Geo. 3. ch. 3. At of indemnity for ftopping the execu- 1703 are- tion of the general Corn Law, by an order of Council dated oth du- November 1792, prombiting the exportation of home produce à in and granting liberty to import foreign corn, until 1ft Etes nd, 17093; and further fufpending the faid law, by granting power jays, to his Majefty and Council, at any time during the fitting of parliament, to allow importation and prohibit exportation.| ed as 4 rrouble 33 Geo. 3. ch. 65. General Torn Law of 17017 altered, by er repealing the claufes for afcertaining the average prices of neWi- niet re n0Ë #: Vide, p. 149. ._———| “a de. ons 5 P irc ES a Rae 0 pen") 102 L'ÉPTERS SE grain in England, and adopting others of the fame tendency, with certain variations in their place. Further altered, by granting liberty to his Majefty and Council, when parliament is not fitting, to allow the importation of grain, and prohibit the exportation of home produce, when the general average of the whole kingdom exceeds the prices at which grain can be imported at the low duties from Ireland, and the colonies of North America, viz. wheat 48s. rye 325. barley 24s. oats 16s. Further altered, when oat-meal is under 136. per boll, exportation to be allowed, with a bounty of 1s. 6d: When a- bove 14s. per boll, exportation to foreign countries prohibited. 35 Geo. 3. ch. 4. 1 3th February 1795. Sufpends the general Corn Law of 1791, by empowering his Majefty, with confent of the Privy Council, to prohibit exportation, and allow the importation of all kinds of foreign grain, without payment of any duties whatever. The act to continuein force till fix veeks after the next meeting of parliament. 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I ÿr o6otrg7 lor£tr+Lo6r QT OA SECEr #.«or oVotpr OT SN TeN Er [P 8 ovr'‘oz [Oz uVOT rx HE MOT SERRE lo or gofflr Ie ET loose | j? ms« 47) 14 "aAtupout£6L1 où SgLr wouiz‘sres4 6 107‘urea | 17 6o€cS h 1VEogr'S OI ÉtogStzgr or 17/€/b6/T t° gro Se t. grleSEor O1 81SLzbr O 91Ég9tzE 9 Srlorbpr 8 9186041: Oo SIE6z 61 IT LilElztSz 4 S 2114 S19JIPN0) CIS GOE"TT a GLr‘91 ‘€ O1 96VzeS+rT(sr2] Jenb sy3r-6£OSESLS IO} tunuue 494 S8ursq Ÿ6 9404 91 UL UICILIG Civoio 4qpred oourereg TX SO AgSg4r ÿ, 9 65598fr LUI 5320 10} SIP9A 1TOTOE"S 9 65SEogtblor Ur 1oGzDES ÿ —(£6L:|9 SAS a Pele ——— r6Lilor++o6S16| —— IrGL 1 9-£r otv'ort|r Mori 0001 Var 797 0008 —— QU TO Mr DIsERE Ts ——{gglrlor v1 VIgfCIE lo ant Lglilo o olofozt|e Enr ogbrlo Vr Srofoft lo par1od Da9 OST SR| als QU A‘p OT 1<9°T ox 9: VOEU3 Ut dd>> TO“36€ SN à ri _ ‘DL 12 zSzrL 81|10ÿ'g600°1 81601691 I gréLr(sec O1 zt/ 67t Srllzo Crt g1itootzrS gilelbeo Lt Li Ggotlz ec $ *819IPN0) "HIDJIAT 0947) ‘por: Lx és1e34 6 JAOQE 24} J0 29114 38r194V —- EGL1 ————‘[z6L1 ————— 1641 ee—— O6LT ——— GgLr MR TT ggLt naar rl Lglr 9841 pouoduf S2O uäta1o j oy|Sabx fr 4Q OTxorta- \ rela- ir and em{0 ny of alue, great chant an al- ea j ON THE CORN LAWS. 203 moft complete command of the home market, as he could fup- ply it cheaper from foreign countries, than the article could be raifed for in Britain; our farmers would, of coutfe, turn their fkill and attention to the raifing crops of the other grains, which, being higher rated in the table of importa- tion, would thereby give them a better chance of profit. That this is now the cafe in England, with ,refpect to oats, Î fhall endeavour to prove from the following ftate- ment, Ît muft be allowed, that the great accumulation of wealth, and the immenfe quantity of money in circulation in this country, when compared with what was the cafe in any former period, have raifed the price of labour, and augmented, in an aftonifhing manner, the rents of land, and the expences of cultivation in Britain, whilft, at the fame time, thefe have not much advanced in the countries that fupply us with corn. It is therefore obvious, that the Englifh farmer, muft now in a particular manner be underf{old, when he attempts to raife and bring to market, any kind of grain, to the culture of which, the foil and climate of the northern countries in Europe are peculiarly adapted; and he will at laft be obliged to abandon the cultivation of that grain, if the im-. portation-rate continue{o low as not to allow the price in the home market to get up, fo as to indemnify him for the expence of rafing it, and leave a fuflicient profit on.the capital employ- ed; or even if it does not afford him an equal profit with the other grain of the moft general confumption. That this is the cafe at prefent, with the cultivation of oats in England, is obvious from the following ftate of fa@s: By the ancient law, eftablifhed in 1670, for regulating the import and export of corn, foreign wheat could not be imported at the low duty GE 2 oO— 3 me“ mme—— RARES,— — LÉ EEPÉT Laser mm) ST NEA z 204. LESTERTT LETT.I, price got up to L. 4 per quarter; and even then, a duty Of ss. 4d. per quarter was impofed on importation. Mr King who wrote about the fame period, and who is celebrated by Davenant as a good politicaLarithmetician, whofe calculations, he fays, cannot be controverted, computes the average price of Englifh wheat at 28s. and oats at 12. per quarter. By a me- dium of the average prices of grain upon record, in the county of Edinburgh, for 84 years, from 1628 to 1712, the price of wheat, reducing the meafure to the Englifh quarter, amounts to 28s. 8d. and of oats to 125.$d. which correfponds with furprifing exaétnefs with Mr King's calculations. If the im- port rate of oats had therefore been originally regulated, in proportion to their current values, in 1670 and 1688, when the prefent fyftem of corn laws was firft enacted, it ought to have been fixed by law in the following proportion: As 28s. the average price of wheat is to 85s. 4d. the import rate of wheat, including the duty, fo is 12s. the average price of oats to 365. 6d. being the relative import rate at which oats ought to have been imported, including the duty: whereas this law allowed foreign oats to be imported at 17s.4d. in- cluding the duty. Upon turning up Mr Young’s Annals of Agriculture, vol. 18. page 431, wherein he gives an account of the agriculture of a diftri&t in Effex, we find he mentions that the courfe of crops there is, turnips,oats, clover, wheat; and that the wheat produces 2: quarters, and the oats 45 quarters per acre. Upon putting the following queflion to an intelligent farmer in this parifh; Ïf from fields, which after being fummer fallowed, manured, and fown with wheat, 10 bolls per acre is produced, what quantity of oats might have been expected, 1f they had been ON THE CORN LAVWS. 205$ fown with that grain? his anfwer was, 12 bolls per acre, LETT.L This produce, allowing for the difference of the meafure, is nearly in the fame proportion to the quantities mentioned by Mr Young, viz. as 5 is to g. I fhall however admit, that in any fituation, where wheat is fown, double the quantity of oats would be produced. The real value of oats therefore, being the labour and expence incurred by the farmer in raïfing and bringing them to market, may atthe loweft be eftimated at one half of the value of wheat. The rate at which foreign wheat could be imported at the low duty by the a@ of 1773 was 48s. per quarter: and the equivalent rate to infure the farmer an equal chance of pro- fit, when he fows oats, fhould of courfe have been 245. per quarter; whereas the law allowed the importation of foreign oats when the price in the home market got up to 16s. per quarter, a price at which the Englifh farmer is at prefent by no means indemnified for the expence of cultivation: It is therefore obvious, that the prefent fyftem of Corn laws, from their original eftablifhment in 1670, has always been defec- tive, in allowing the importation of oats at too low à rate, when compared with that of the other grains; and that the legifla- ture, when it pañled the at 1707, in place of amending the error, made matters worfe, by increafing the import rates of the other grains, more than they have done that of oats, and thereby finking the relative value and money price of that grain. Îts price was, in fa@, much too low before the law was altered, and had occafioned the Englifh farmer fo far to abandon the culture ofthat grain, as to require a large annual importa- tion of foreign oats, to fupply the great number of horfes now Eee an ie TES LEE 206 LPETER FE ufed in luxury, and in tranfporting the extended manufactures of this country. By the law of 1701, the import rate of wheat, at the low duty, is now fixed at 54s. per quarter. As it has been fhown, that the real value of oats, is at prefent, to the real value of wheat, äs 5 is to 9, the import rate of oatsin proportion to that of wheat ought to have been fixed, by law, at 30s. per quarter, in order to give the farmer an equal chance of profit, and to encourage him to go on with the cul- tivation of this grain; but the law of 1791 allows foreign oats to be imported, when the price in the home market gets up to 18s. per quarter. The effect of thefe low rates has been, that in the 9 years from 1785 to 1793, of which I have given an account of the corn trade, the average price of wheat was 45s. od, while the average price of oats was only 175. 10d; whcreas, in proportion to the price of wheat, and the expence they coftthe farmer, it ought to have been 25s. sd. The price of oats being thus reduced, by the low import rate, no lefs than 75. d. per quarter below their relative value, the natu- ral confequence has been, that the cultivation of this grain has been neglected, and. Great Britain, in the 9 years above mentioned, has been obliged to import oats from foreign coun- tries to the amazing amount of 5,362,921. quarters, value L. 4,863,599: 6: 4. The oats which are imported from abroaë, growing chief- ly in the northern countries of Europe, are of a very in- ferior quality to the crowth of Great Britain; but be- ing imported into England, and chieflÿ given to horfes, their imperfettion is never properly afcertained. In Scot- land, however, where the value of oats is immediately ON THE CORN LAVWS. 207 known by the meal they produce, the inferior quality of the foreign oats is readily detected, and confequently none are brought into this country, except in cafes of abfolute neceflity. Upon making inquiry into the quality of the oats imported from the Baltic, in confequence of the very defeétive crop in 1782, at a reputable meal maker, he informed me, that upon infpecting his books, he found thofe oats were about 225. per cent. worfe in quality, than the oats of the growth of the Lothians, and Northumberland, of the fame defective crop; a circumftance the more deferving of notice, as the fea- fon of that year was even more unfavourable in this ifland than in the north of Europe. It is in vain perhaps to look for our recovering foon a fa- vourable balance to any confiderable extent from the exporta- tion of corn, till the expences of the hufbandmen, in the dif- ferent countries in Europe approach nearer to a par, as wasthe cafe in the early part of this century, unlefs that object be attain- ed by an adequate bounty. But Great Britain may, and ought undoubtedly to cancel the unfavourable balance paid to fo- reigners, and fupply herfelf with corn, the produce of her own foil. This fupply, however, muft become deficient, whenever foreign corn is allowed to be imported at cheaper rates than it can be raifed at home. From like caufes, Rome, when miftrefs of the world, by purfuing an impolitic fyftem, deftroyed the cultivation of Italy, and was at laft reduced to tremble for her exiftance, at every blaft of adverfe wind; on the other hand, check the importation of foreign corn, and the more that wealth and luxury abound, fo much the more will an addi- PRET Cu) LEPECR. LI a] LETT.I. tional capital be invefted in agriculture, for carrying on rurai ii improvements, to fupply the increafñing confumption. Let it therefore be the care of the legiflature, by wife laws, to re- {train the importation of corn, except in cafes of abfolute ne- ceflity; cafes which then indeed would but feldom occur. If Great Britain is to continue to fupport the confpicuous cha- racter fhe at prefent difplays in the eyes of Europe, fhe muft not ftoop to depend for fuftenance upon any nation. Itis alfo to be confidered, that Poland, which formerly at all times opened #|- its granaries, to fupply the deficient crops of every country in Europe, cannot now be depended on; its government being | deftroyed, and the kingdom difmembered by afpiring nations, who formerly united in a formidable combination to diftrefs us, when involved in a tedious and expenfve war; and who, although fome of them are at prefent in amity with this country, are neverthelefs jealous of our naval power. Were Great Britain to depend on the ports in the Baltick, or on America, for a regular fupply of corn, they might tell us with impunity; you{hall not have à bufhel, till you alter your : navigation laws, and. allow our fhips to participate in your trade. The decided part, which the different nations of Europe took in the conteft with our colonies, clearly proves, what we are to expeét from them in the time of diftrefs: if Great Britain had ftood in need of a confiderable fupply of foreign corn at that period, fhe muft have made peace on the moft humilating terms. It ufed to be the boaîft of the mercantile intereft, that whilft we preferved our navy and commerce, corn would flow in ON. THE: CORN LAWS. 209 from other countries, at a cheaper rate, than it could be pur- chafed at home; the danger, however, of trufting to this fup- ply, is at prefent obvious; for we are informed from high* authority, that the different countries in Europe are now raifing no more corn than what is barely fufficient to fupply themfelves. Seeing therefore our dependence on foreign nations for corn is every day becoming more critical, let us hope that the Bri- tifh legiilature will, by wife laws and judicious regulations, take every meafure 1n its power to encourage agriculture at home. The requiring an annual fupply of foreign oats, or indeed of any other grain, is the more to be lamented, whilft fuch large tracts of wafte land, to the extent of many millions of acres, remain uncultivated in Great Britain. Oats being the crop, which at firft can be raïfed to the greateft advantage on thefe wañfte lands, it would be neceflary that the lepiflature fhould give fuch encouragement as might enfure the cultivators a fuitable price for their produce, fo as to indemnify them for the expence of cultivation, and leave a profit on the capital employed, in fome degree adequate to that which is invefted in trade and manufa@tures. And for fecuring this, in carry- ing on improvements on the wafte lands, the raifing the im- port rate of oats to a par with that of other grain, in propor- tion to their real value, appears to be one of the moft eflential regulations. * See the Reprefentation on the Corn Trade, by the Privy Council, in 180. D d BEPBE La) ous — a——— ml T+ IA Pan+ DSTA 4 # L LV 2 Sp - It may be obfefed, that this meafure would be pernicious, as it might tend, by increafing the cultivation of oats, to di- minifh the quantity of wheat or barley: on the contrary, it would encourage the Britifh farmer, gradually to extend cultivation over three or four millions of acres of wafte land, and to purfue a more perfect fyftem of hufbandry, on a more extenfive field. Nature delights in variety; the feldomer a crop of any particular fort of grain is fown upon a field, the more bountiful is her return for the feed and labour; repeat it often, and at laft, in general, you will not reap a produce equal in quantity to the feed. Any regulation, therefore, that renders the rotation of crops more various, increafes the productive powers of the foil. Lefs wheat would be fown on the land at prefent under culture, but more might be brought to market: and when we take into the account the cultivation which would be extended over the immenfe tracts which at prefent lie wafte, there is not a doubt, but that the fupply of wheat would be much more abundant, and fully adequate to anfwer the confumption of the inhabitants. The decided preference given, for many years paît, to the rai- g of wheat in Britain, owing to the high price it brings in the market, in proportion to other grain, ftimulates the huf- bandmen to fow too much, and repeat that crop too often on the foil; the confequence is, that the plants, not‘receiving a fuffcient fupply of nourifhment neceflary for perfe@ing their feeds, which nature digefts and ftores up in the foil, by a flower procefs, than the rapid fucceflion of the crop ad- ‘muts of, they of courfe become weak and fickly, and in adverfe feafons, blight, fmut, mildew, and difeafe, attack the crop. I have not a doubt, but that the deficiency of me, S can”= ee De LU ON" THE CGORN LAWS. ZT US/. Eù 2 PEUT F the wheat crops in England, has, of late years, 1n part pro- ETT. I \=<:: sud) ceeded from this caufe; and that in the end, repeating it 4\t /9 feldomer on the land, from a more various and Judicious fy{- tend re tem of cultivation being adopted, would not diminifh the and quantity brought to market. That raifing confide ably the nore import rate of oats would produce the falutary effects above- Er à mentioned, cannot be denied: It would alfo increafe the con- the: fumption of beans, as provender for horfes:; which, contain- D 2 2 eat ing three times more meal than oats, is a much heartier food \uce for that ufeful animal; and às a crop of beans is an excellent ire, preparation for a crop of whcat, increafing the confumption eaes of the one would promote the cultivation of the other. In Low this point of view, it feems no fmall defet in the Corn t be Laws, that a bounty is not given on the exportation of peafe and the_ beans; an encouragement that ought to be equally extended rats to all forts of grain, in proportion to their real value. Thefe that kinds of pulfe are a nourifhing food for the negroes in our and: colonies; and by a fimple and cheap procefs, they can be ftrip- nts. ped of their fkin or hull, and{plit, when they become a pa- paie latable difh, even on the tables of the opulene rings 7. ME The frequency with which the Corn Laws have been fet afide, 2 with refpe& to fending grain to our colonies, plainly evinces, >" Of â ci ae that the prefent fyftem is erroneous, and that a free eXporta- Aving; à uon, at all times, fhould be allowed from the mother coun- CUS:: Le- 1 D try; more efpecially, as our fhips go out without a full load- : 4 ing, and the produce they bring back has an almoft comp ad- ee P monopoly of the Britifh market. The old government of in è L France adopted the policy of a free’ export to their colonies in ttac D d°2 £ Y OË LE T. À) 212 LETIER L the Weft Indies; and before the prefent difturbances broke out, its colonies were certainly the mofîft flourifhing, and ïts co- lonial trade the moîft extenfive of any nation in Europe. All the writers on the national policy of regulating the export and import of corn, whom I have read, feem to think, that a permanent law is neceflary for perfecting the fyftem. Such an idea appears to me extremely erroneous, efpecially dur- ing the very unequal divifon of wealth, population, and na- tional expenditure, that fubfifts amongft the different nations, at prefent connected by the extended commerce of Europe, which gives fuch a decided fuperiority in point of expence, to one country over another, in the raïfing of corn. Although the agriculture of Great Britain was never carried on with fo great a capital, fkill, and induftry, as at prefent, it has, never- thelefs, relatively funk. Formerly a large furplus quantity of grain was annually exported, now corn is not raifed to fup- port the increafñng confumption of the inhabitants, and a large fupply of foreign grain is annually imported to make good the deficiency. This appears to arife from our agriculture being deprefled by various burdens, which fhackle the induftry of the hufbandman, and particularly by Corn Laws, injudiciouiiy framed, which allow the importation of foreign grain, at prices below what the farmer can at prefent afford to raife it; occa- fioned by the immenfe capital in circulation, and the increaf- ing demand for our manufa@tures, which have raifed the price of labour, the expence of cultivation, and of every article of confumption in the kingdom. Seeing the wealth of nations varies confiderably at different > en):“UE”— ON THE CORN LAWS. 213 periods, fo ought the rates which regulate the export and im- port of foreign corn; if thefe affle@t the money price of our own produce in the home market, and tend to fink its re- fative value below the current price of labour, with which it muft always bear a juft and neceffary proportion, the rates muft confequently be raifed in order to preferve agricul- ture, the only folid bafs on which the real wealth and lafling profperity of a ftate can be founded. Should the in- duftry and capital of Great Britain continue to increafe for 39 years, in the fame proportion it has done fince the peace of 1783, money in circulation, the price of labour, and ex- pence of cultivation, may be double what it is at prefent; the price of corn will naturally rife in the fame proportion: And if the rates, at which the importation of foreign côrn is then allowed to be imported, tend to obftru& this rife, they muft either be heightened, or Great Britain will lofe her agricul- ture; a ftriking inftance of which has already taken place in the article of oats. On the other hand, was the profperity of this country to decline, fo as to diminifh the demand for la- bour, or the floating capital one half, the price of corn cught to fall in proportion to the reduced price of labour, and the importation rates be lowered, if they were the means of pre-: venting the neceflary redu@ion. Should thefe principles be found juft, a permanent law to regulate the export and import of corn, is incongruous with found policy; it ought therefore to expire regularly at flated periods, fuppofe at the end of every twenty or thir- ty years, when the wifdom of Parliament, taking the then ftuation of the country under its ferious confideration, | 1 214| LETTER Æ a 7. SETT.T. regulate the Corn Law, in conformity with the price d A : à ae 9 »( Li ù 4 14 k 1 j (à of labour; the moft certain index of the growing profperity 2 ftationary fituation, or declining ftate of the nation. From what I have ftated, I hope it will be allowed, that the reafon why Britain does not now fupply her confumption of oats, with the growth of her own fields,(from which caufe, the permanent balance, that now ftands againft this country in the foreign trade of corn, moft generally arifes,) is the low rate at which the importation of foreign oats is allowed; chereby preventing the Englifh farmer from receiving an ade- quate price to indemnify him for the expence of raifing them, efpecially of late years, fince the charges on cultivation, from a variety of caufes, have been fo much increafed. This circumftance alone may convince every friend to his country, of the neceffity of a well regulated fyftem of Corn Laws. If, from the importation price of foreign oats being too low rated, we are yearly lofing the cultivation of. grain, what could we expect from the total abolition of the laws, which a celebrated author fo warmly contends for: moft=: affurediy the confequences Ould be, that Great Britain PS like ancient Italy, would gradually lofe her agriculture, and depend at laft on foreign countries for every fpecies of corn; of courfe, the immenfe confumption of manufactures ufed by three or four mullions of inhabitants, who derive their fup- port from the immediate labour of the fields, would be loft to mie this and a.moft complete check be given to that bufy circulation of wealth and induftry, on which the f ftrength RE sésis B on D a rs PRARA SU ES \ ON THE CORN LAWS. 215 1Ce- 2h. ‘à and Energy of this nation chiefly depend. As fhe could Hot PERL T EE) 15.»°°. Co) un) hke the empire of Rome, be fupplied with the fpoils of conquer- ed provinces, and the plunder of the induftrious hufbandman; " a rapid current would therefore perpetually be carrying out LUNE;:;: the riches of the country, till gradually falline from the Exalt- n of Æ:: ; ed flation fhe at prefent occupies in Europe, her wealth and aufe:: refources would at laft fail, and finking below the level of the ni 5:| ) furrounding nations, fhe would be reduced to the prefent vx S e=? Ce A fecble and abje@ fituation of Spain, and exhibit to the world, red: another melancholy picture, of the downfal of à great na- ade- üon, by withdrawing her capital and induftry from the culti- hem, vation of her own fields, and embarking it in the improve- from ment of diftant colonies and foreign commerce. . F fhall be happy, if thefe obfervations ferve to elucidate. o his your late Father’s Treatife on the Corn Law s of this country, Corn and am, Dear Sir, CIN hat‘ that Your moft Obedient chefe Fe. Humble Servant, itain tan, Wm MACKrE, and 1] s‘°" e Fr Corne To Lieutenant-Colonel Dirom of }£ URLÉ, Mount Annan, Edinburoh.{- ed U}?£ LE TEE R- JE Containing an Examination of Dr Adam Smith's Theory on tbe Corn Trade: An Inquiry into the Caufe of the prefent Scarcity of Grain, in Great Britain; with Suggeflions for promoting Agaiculture, and particnlarly the Cultivation oftbe Wafle Lands; and for ren- dering the produce equal to the increafing confumprion of the King- 4om. Ormiflon, 1 3tb February DEAR SIR, 1706. N my former Letter, my endeavours were ufed to in- force the arguments contained in your late Father’s Inquiry into the Corn Laws, and to fhew, that to preferve the agriculure of Great Britain, whilit fhe poileffes fuch a decided fuperiority in point of wealth and circulating capital over the furrounding nations, it becomes abfolutely neceflary to reftrain the importation of foreign corn, by laws judicioufly framed, fo as to fecure to the cultivators of our own foil a fuflicient value for their produce, correfponding with the cur- rent wealth and profperous fituation of the country; a prin- ciple, in political œconomy, which appears to be fully exem- plified at prefent by the deficiency in the culture of oats, as ftated in my former Letter; and to which perhaps the eultiva- FAUr AS PERS DR us À | | | to — a a— e ps>, 7- DS SET SSEST 3e TE——_—_—_—_—_—— Te RES MT=& Corn NS Fan\ Mure, ren= ing IY o if her’s e the aded | OVET iry(0 ioufly {oil a je CUT- prin- >xemM- ts, as \tiva- ON. FETE OORN LAWS. 217 / tion of wheat is alfo faft approaching in fome parts of Eng- land. This being an objet of the firft national confequence, it cértainly merits the fulleft difcuffion, particularly at a period when this country, labouring under an alarming fcarcity, is even threatened with an abfolute famine. I fhall therefore proceed to inveftigate the caufes that now render our corn crops inadequate to fupply the demand, and point out the means which, in my humble Opinion, will remedy the evil. Às my fentiments coincide with the general tendency of your late Father’s Treatife, that à well regulated fyftem of Corn Laws is abfolutely neceflary for encouraging agriculture at home, on which every nation that wifhes to preferve its wealth and independence ought only to rely; I find my- {elf under the neceflity of examining and combating the opinions of à juftly celebrated political writer Dr Adam Smith, in his Inquiry into the Nature and Caufes of the Wealth of Nations The arguments of this author tend to prove, that the free importation of foreign grain fhould at all times be allowed, in order to lower or keep down the money price of corn in the home market, which he fays will encourage agriculture, promote the intereft of the proprietors of land and cultivators, and finally prove of the greateft advantage to the ftate. His Own words are:‘[£ ‘ importation was at all times free, our farmers and country ‘ gentlemen would probably, one year with another, get lef: Ée LETRAT Ca x) 14 pére ei des. 218 PEER: IL LETT. IL.€ money for their corn than they do at prefent when importa- EN 6 tion is at moft times in effet prohibited; but the money which they got would be of more value, would buy more ‘ goods of all other kinds, and would employ more labour: Their real wealth, their real revenue, therefore, would be < the fame as at prefent, though it might be exprefled by a ‘ fmaller quantity of filver; and they would neither be dif- € abled nor difcouraged from cultivating corn, as much ‘ they are at prefent* In another part of his work, where he argues in favour of the monopoly of the home market, and bounties granted on the exportation of manufactures, which raife their price in the home market, he fays,‘ You ‘ thereby increafe, not only the nominal, but the real profit, « the real wealth, and revenue of thofe manufacturers, and you ‘ enable them either to live better themfelves, or to employ a ‘ greater quantity of labour in thofe particular manufactures, ‘ You really encourage thofe manufactures, and direct towards them a greater quantity of the induftry of the country, é than what would probably go to them of its own accord. -‘ But when, by the like inftitutions, you raife the nominal or ‘ money price of corn, you do not raife its real value; you : do not increafe the real wealth, the real revenue, either of our farmers or country gentlemen; you do not encourage ‘ the growth of corn, becaufe you do not enable them to and employ more labourers in raïfing itf. The truth of thefe aflertions is founded on the poñition which he :s down, that the money price of corn regulates the money *# Bovk 4. chap. 5. p. 311. 7th edit.+ Ibid. p. 27 1 s A RE RL mme cures, You roñt, [you loy à tures, wards ntry, cord. al of ; you her of ur age em(0 AT ich he non€y PL] ON TÉECORN::LAWS. 210 price of all things: he fays,‘ By regulating the money price ‘ of labour, it regulates that of manufa@turing art and induf- ‘try; and by regalating both, it regulates that of the com- ‘ plete manufacture. The money price of labour, and of ? * every thing that is the produce either of land or labour, ‘ muft neceflarily either rife or fall in proportion to the mo Se ee Je 9 -mew-price of;cern*. [ readily agree, that the money price of corn may produce his effcét in a nation where the flate of fociety is ftationary, or declining, fuch as China or Hindoftan; but when applied to Britain, or any country advancing ina wealth and popula- tion, the argument appears to me to be unfounded. In China, where wealth and population are ftationary, the pro- duction and confumption of the country are fo exactly balan- ced, that it is with the utmoft difficulty the great mafs of the people can drag on a wretched exiftence; Dr Smith himfelf draws a melancholy piéture of their miferable fituation in the 8th chap. of his rft book, to which I refer. It is obvious, that in this ftate of fociety, the money price of corn muft regulate the money price of labour, and every other commodity what- ever. The wretched labourer, or mechanic, whofe con- fumption correfponds fo exaëtly with his gains, is frequently under the neceflity of deftroying his offspring, in order to narrow his expences, as he can fee no profpect of relié from any additional demand for his labour, to increafe his wages and.add to his gains. Thus, from dire neceflity, is one # Page 250. E:e 2 LETFEIT, Lu) um) D NE pe men LETF, EH. Ce un) 220 L EL EÉRR© of the univerfal laws of nature diffolved, the moft engaging tie with which fhe binds the whole animal creation broken, and the moft neceflary duty impofed upon a government dif- regarded. If therefore at any time the neceflaries of life ad- vance in price, in confequence of bad crops, numbers of the miferable inhabitants are ftarved to death, till the price of corn is again reduced, and arrives at its former ftationary equilibrium with the price of labour and every other necefla- ry commodity. Even in China, were the government tointer- fere, and reduce the price of corn below this ftandard rate, either, if pofible, by promoting the importation of foreign corn, or by fxing a maximum, it would afford no relief to the great mafs of inhabitants; for the price of labour would ftill fall in proportion, till it funk to the loweft rate at which the labourers could afford to work; on the contrary, it would make their fituation worfe, by deprefling agriculture, part of the capital employed in cultivation would be diflipated, and the cultivators which it had kept in employ being thrown idle, would regorge upon the reft of the inhabitants and add to the general diftrefs. In this ftate of fociety, therefore, it appears to be extremely impolitic in à government to eftablifh a fyftem of policy which favours the importation of foreign orain, in order to fink the price of corn in the home market below the natural rate arifing from the wealth and fituation of Me country. But as Dr Smith has recommended this fyftem as proper to be introduced into the political œconomy of the refent Furépean ftates, and particularly into that of Great 3ritain, a country where the fituation of the inhabitants is diametrically oppofite to what I have defcribed, and where Le| c+ ge: ON THESEGERN:LAWS. 221 L the population, and pa ticularly the wealth, induftry, and capital of the ftate are increafing with a rapidity unknown in any age or country; it will therefore be neceffary par- ticularly to enquire if the principles are juft, on which this celebrated œconomift has formed his theory, of allow- ing the free importation of foreign grain, for the purpofe of keeping down the price of home produce, by which he maintains the agriculture of this country would be encou- raged. Upon perufing his chapter on bounties, and digreflion on the corn laws, it will be found, as I mentioned before, that he grounds his arguments on the fuppofition that the moncy price of corn regulates the money price of labour, and every other commodity. I have fhown, that in China, where fociety is ftationary, and directly the reverfe of every thing in this kingdom, the price of corn produces this effe&: But in countries where indufiry, population, and wealth, go- ing on in a progreflive ftate of improvement, are conftantly increafing the national capital, and continually adding to the general confumption, thefe caufes alone operate to raife the money price Of labour, and every other commodity, with- out being, in the fmalleft degree, affe@ed by the money price of corn. For inftance a demand comes to Manchefter, Eceds, and Glafgow, which raifes the price of goods 4d, per yard, and the profits on ftock 10 per cewr. Every manufac- turer anxious to fhare an additional profit, in order to pro- cure an additional number of workmen to fupply the increaf- ing demand, offers them one penny per yard advance on their work: they, in their turn, finding three or four fhi'- Hngs per week added to their carnings, increafe their con- LETTRE Ca) rm) 22% LEETVTER:E fumption; in place of brown bread, they can now buy wheaten, and in place of dining upon bread and beer, they can now afford to add a few pounds of beef, or a quarter of mutton: thefe articles rife in their price with the demand, and the farmers, finding more profit in fattening beef and mutton, turn their attention from the raifing of corn till its price is alfo advanced in proportion. On the other hand, a gentleman returning from abroad, or retiring from trade or public employments, with a large fortune, purchafes an e- ftate in the country, and to adorn and improve it is to be the future objeët of his life; the labourer is bribed by higher wages to quit the plough, and the mechanic his former maf- ter: The hufbandman now finds difhiculty in procuring hands to cultivate the earth, and, in his turn, muft raife the price of labour before he can get ploughmen to engage in his em- ploy: Every article, either of rude material or manufattured commodity, which he has occafion for, he finds alfo encreafed in price, and the expence of raifing corn, advancing with a rapidity which threatens to wreft from him his capital em- ployed in the cultivation of the fields; but, on the other hand, the natural effeét of the fame cauie, univerfally difuf- ing itfelf through every rank of fociety, operates in fâävour of the hufbandman. When he goes to market with his corn, and other rude produce of the foil, he finds a competition amongft the purchafers, who offer him higher prices in confequence of the increafing confumption. The landlord, in his turn, requires an additional rent, this 1s again expended in manu- faures, and other articles of luxury, and an additional ca- gi Si tr : is ON THE CORNS LAWS, 223 pital is thus put in circulation, for encouraging population, and the induftrious exertions of every member of the ftate. It is obvious that in this natural courfe of events, whenever the wealth of Great Britain is fo much accumulated as to in- creafe the expences of cultivation, and advance the real value of Britifh grain above what it can be raifd and brought to market from foreign countries, the bringing in of foreign corn, for the purpofe of reducing the money price of home produce, or even rendering it ftationary, would neither fink 1or render ftationary the money price in this country. As long as it continued to advance in profperity, every addition to the capital and confumption of the nation would infallibly increafe the money price of labour, and every manufaétured commodi- ty, even although the importation rate of corn from foreign countries fhould not allow the money price of that article to rife in the fame proportion. The confequence of this would be, that the capital employed in agriculture would be gradu- ay diflipated, the revenue and confumption of the landed intereft and cultivators much diminifhed, and of courfe, à check would be given to the internal circulation of induftry, and the profperity of the country; although perhaps its bad effects might not be immediately felt on the power and re- fources of the flate, 1f the gradual extenfon of foreign com- merce made good the deficiency. Neverthelefs, as foreign commerce 1s the moit precarious fource of wealth and profpe- rity, if at any time, it happened to be cramped by war, or any other caufe whatever, enervated by the conftant drain for foreign corn, and the languid circulation of internal induf. T@) ui FÉES: LS eee r+ Ë s. RÉ Enr EE£ s 4; ES See BETTIE Ce mu) LELCT'H, ——_ a— a Jo LÉFAER HE try, the ftate would become feeble, like a foldier fainting with the lofs of blood after a fevere confliét with the enemy. Dif aftrous in the extreme, would it prove to this country, if, by any combination amongft the naval powers, we loft our fu- periority at fa; being then cut off from our fupply of bread corn, famine and peflilence would follow in the train of our misfortunes, In order to try Dr Smith’s theory by the teft of experience, and to prove that the money price of corn does not regulate the money price of labour, and other commodities in coun- tries, that are in a progreflive flate of improvement, but which rife in price folely from the quantity at market not being fufficient fully to fupply the increafing demand, it is only neceflary to compare the money price of corn, with the price of labour in different countries, and at different perioüs. I fhall begin with the American States: There the demand for labour is fo great, that, although corn and other kinds of rude produce, fell in general for half the money they do in Britain; neverthelefs, the price of labour, from the excef- five demand, is three times higher than in England. In the accurate account which Mr Young has given us of the agri- culture and commerce of France, in his Tour through that kingdom, immediately before the breaking out of the revolu- tion, he informs us that provifions are as dear in France as in England, that labour is 76 per cent. cheaper, and the price of manufaétured commodities dearer than in England, Here are effects produced totally different from what Mr Smith’s theory points at, that the money price of corn regu- _ D 27 DES We man ti île: Bee ON THE CORN LAWS. 225 Lo lates the money price of all things, on which he founds his LETT.1r. arguments for a free importation of foreign corn, whilft, at the fame time, he argues for prohibiting foreign manufac- tures. It muft, however, be obferved, that the account, which Mr Young has given us of the average price of provifions and la2 bour in France, feems to contradict the idéa l have thrown ouf, that the money price of labour, in a country advancing in improvement, regulates the money price of corn.‘The difcerning eye, however, which runs over Mr Young’s work, will foon difcover that the kindgom of France, even under the old government, appears not to have been advancing in profperity, and if not declining, was at leaft ftationary, havi ing followed, for upwards of a century, the deftrudtive po: Hicy of foreign conqueft, and diverting the capital which ought to have been invefted in: agriculture, into the cultivation < l 4 4 pli! of diftant colonies, and encouragment of foreign commerce: We muit not therefore be füurprifed, that although of late IEC years, the commerce of France had advanced with greater ra: pidity, than even that of England. neverthelefs, her power e relources have declined, with her agriculture and internal induftry. This cannot be doubted by any perfon, who con- f the erroneous fyftem of hufbandry, carried on in France; are two white crops, following à fallow in conftant ro: Er æ Perd EE a tation, muft deftroy the productive powers of any foil Were the lands in Great Britain to be cultivated in the fame manner, for a feries of years, I have not a doul Dt, but that the annual produce of the foil would be diminifhed one half FF ALES 4- x:< ÉETEST, Ca) amd) 220 L PF RE of whatitis at prefent. The wretched policy of France has hitherto prevented her manufactures and commerce from affording aid to her agriculture, whilft the luxury introduced into the cities has raifed the price of corn without advancing in proportion the price of labour, and the confumption of the cultivators. Hence the torpor and languid ftate of internal commerce and intercourfe in France, for want of the ra- pid interchange of the produétions of labour fo confpicuous in England, which, like the circulation of the blood, gives ftrength and vigour to the whole fyftem. Were Great Britain to adopt Mr Smith’s fyftem of a free importation of foreign grain, fhe would certainly be reduced to the political fituation of France, immediately before the re- volution as defcribed by Mr Young. But the prices of corn and labour in France, during the laft and prefent century, demonftrate, in the cleareft manner, the fallacy of Mr Smith’s arguments in favour of his theory. Of this we have accurate information, in the excellent fpeech of M. de Carraduce, de la Chalotois, Procureur General to the Parliament of Britta- nv, made before that Court, on the 2oth Auguft 1764, when “ee edit for allowing the free commerce of grain was regif- tred, when he gave the following account of the then fitua- tion of the agriculture of France.© Itis manifeft, that for about an age pait, the price of labour and merchandife js confiderably raïfed in France, there are none that for < fifty years paft hath not experienced this. The price of € corn, which is the meafure of the whole, fhould then have proportion. In the mean time, it hath not only not increafed; but itis a certain faét, that it hath fallen ave 1llen ON THESCORNILAWS.- Ger di confiderably, and that it would, an age ago, require a greater weight of filver to pay for a fetier, than it doth at ‘ prefent. In 1640, the deputy of M—, Procureur General at the Chatilet, faid in his requifition of the 6th March to the police, as à known fa, that wheat was at 15 livresthe fetier, a moderate price,(thefe are his words) but the fame fetier, hath, this prefent year, 1764, been at Paris at 14 livers, and 14 livers 10 f.. It was of lefs value in the ncighbouring cantons, and of neceflity in the country. What fhall we ‘ think, Gentlemen, of fo great a difference, when we reflect that the mark of filver was, in 1640, at 28 livers 1e deniers, that is to fay, at almoft one half lefs than at this ‘ prefent day*.” Here is complete evidence, that the price of corn has no effect on the price of labour, but that it is regu- lated like every other commodity, by the demand and quan- ty at market. For$o years, previous to 1764, the price of labour and manufaétured commodities in France, had rifen confiderably, when, at the fame time, wheat had fallen one half; and at no period, within thefe hundred years, does that country difcover any ftrong marks of general profperity, which no great nation can attain, unlefs agriculture is encou- raged by prices for the produce of the foil, proportioned to the price of labour, and of every manufactured commodity. The bad effects of the low price of corn in France, M. de C. defcribes in the following manner:© If the farmer does not ‘ gain all his expences, and wherewith to fatisfy all charges, ‘ the earth will remain untilled, as more than the moiety of this province doth. The ftarving proprietor will be forced € * Vide Corn Traës, page 216. Ff2 LETT, II. LC mn) Le te res re no EE_ RE PRE Ermene fe Le L ETES. 228 LE EVEREST to fuftain bankruptcies and loffes; the farmer ruined, badiy ‘ clothed, and badly fed, ie fell his little property; he wil! take up, with his indigent family, the art of begging, too ‘.common,:and which is adi ace to the nation: The ftate itfel£ will fuffer, the taxes will not be collected, but with extreme dificulty, and with the greateft rigour. And it muft be acknowiledged, chat this hath been the ftate of the kingdom of France, for more than an age. In every province, the earth fhews, in an infinity of places, the marks and veftiges of a deferted cultivation; houfes unroofed proclaim a de- ‘ fertion and depopulation; the cities, and even the capital, ‘ are peopled with poor, whilft thofe who have ruined fo many ‘ families, and enriched themfelves with their fpoils, make ‘ a parade of luxury, which is an infult on public mifery*.’ I muft here remark, that, in the laft century, France exported confiderable quantities of corn, and fome of the old Englifh writers complained that what was brought into England, funk the value of home produce, and cramped the agriculture af Een this ee I fhall next proceed to give an account of the effe& of the money price of corn, on that of labour and manufa&tured commodities in Britain. Dr Smith informs us, in the r1ith chapter of his 1ft book, that the average price of wheat in the Windfor market(which Mr Young has proved to be nearly ÈS average price of wheat in England) for fixty years, end- ng 700; amounted t0 Le 2:11 pet Quarter, that the a- verage price of the firft 64 years of this century amounted to L.2:6d. and during a feries of the cheapeft years from 1731 15° to 1750(in which one year of fcarcity intervened) to only * Vide Corn Traës, p. 215. no EE re rte = aie Li! eq ON: THE CORN: LAWS. 229 L. 1:13: 9 per quarter; but it is well known, that the low price of corn in the early part of the century, and particularly in the period of remarkable cheapnefs, produced no effet in low- cring the price of labour, or of any manufactured commodity: On the contrary, they were gradually onthe rife. The profpe- rity of Britain had been advancing from the Revolution, the furplus produce of her land and labour only amounted to 4 mullions, till at the latter period of 1750, when + when 1e Had reached to 12 millions*, This advance however had not much increafed theprice.of country labour and expence of cultiva- tion, and the farm es. by puripg a more Judicious mode of cultivation, and probably by extending it over lands that had lain uncultivated during the civil wars in England, increafed the annual produce of the foil fo as not only to counterbalance ‘the growing confumption of the country, but alfo to aflord a confiderable quantity of cora for exportation. The hufbandry of this country côntinued much in the fame fituation till the peace of 1763, which may be looked upon as a new epoch in the annals of agriculture, and ever fpecies of Britifh induftry. After that period, the pumber of hands which had been diverted from the channel of produc- uve induftry, to fupply the army and navy during the war, the increafing demand for our manufacture V J s, our extended commerce to every quarter of the globe; the! large fortunes that had been made by individuals during a profperous war; the increafe of the public debts and taxes; all confpir- ed to raife the price of labour and cultivation; and had * Vide Chaïlmer’s Eftimate of the comparative ftrength of Great Britain. Table fronting page 2343; new edition in 1794. " 4 A $ 1 Al 1} 4 1 À| | | 14 230 L'ÉDATIR IL not the rapid circulation of induftry pervaded all ranks, and by an increafing confumption raifed the money price of corn, and other articles of the rude produce of the foil, in pro- portion to the growing wealth and profperity of the country; the agriculture of Great Britain muft have declined, like that of France, where land of a better foil, and fituated in a better climate, is far lefs produdtive than in England.: The wealth and capital of Great Britain having increafed with an amazing rapidity of late years, fo has the demand and money price of labour. In the year 1702, when the fur- plus produce of the land and labour of Great Britain, export- ed, amounted to near 25 millions*, in the fame year did the farmers find the greateft difficulty in procuring hands to car- ray on the cultivation of the fields; the wages of labour and price of every manufactured commodity rapidly advanced, and agriculture, as well as manufactures, was encouraged by an additional confumption increafing the money price of corn. Dr Smith himfelf bears teftimony to this material progrefs of induftry in a country advancing in improvement like Britain. The whole tenor of his firft book tends to prove it, where, amongft other arguments, he fays‘ the demand for thofe who « live by wages therefore neceffarily increafes with the in- ‘ creafe of the revenue and ftock of every country, and cannot ‘ pofñbly increafe without it The increafe of revenue and € flock is the increafe of national wealth, the demand for ‘ thofe who live by wages, therefore naturally increafes with € the increafe of national wealth, and cannot poflibly increafe . And finally,‘ The money price of labour in # Vide Chalmers’ Eftimate of Great Britain, ibid. + Book 1. chap. 8. p. 104. = es CIE ON THE:CORN LAWS. 2 231 ‘ Great Britain has indeed rifen during the courfe of the pre LETT. 1. ‘ fent century. This, however, feems to be the effet not TT ‘ much of any diminution in the value of filver in the Euro- ‘ pean market, as of an increafe in the demand for labour in ‘ Great Britain, arifing from the great and almoft univerfal ‘ profperity of the country*.’ It is fomewhat furprifing, that Dr Smith fhould aftérwards abandon his own arguments, founded in truth, and the ex- perience of this country, and endeavour to eftablifh a theory, framed on the fuppoñition, that the money price of corn re- gulates the money price of all things; principles totally differ- ent from what he himfelf had laid down, as mentioned above, and incompatible with the political fituation of this country, for the purpofe of overturning the eftablifhed national policy re- fpecting corn, by allowing the free importation of foreign grain, which, as it would have the eff of lowering the price of corn, and every article of produce, would thereby, in his opinion, en- courage agriculture, and promote the intereft of the proprie- tors and farmers. In fupport of this theory, he advances fome extraordinary arguments; for inftance, he fays, in Book 1. ch. 8.‘ In years of plenty, fervants frequently leave their maf- ‘ ters, and truft their fubfftence to what they can make by ‘ their own labour: But the fame cheapnefs of provifions, ‘ by increafing the fund which is deftined for the main- ‘ tenance of fervants, encourages mafters, farmers efpecially, to ‘ employ a great number., upon fuch occafions, expe& ® Chap. F5, p.313. 232 LETTER-H. more profit from their corn, by maintaining a few more labourins ‘ férvants, than by felling 1 at a bw price in the market. The « demand for fervants increafes, while the number of thofe < who offer to fupply the demand diminifhes; the price of ‘ Jabour, therefore, frequently rifes in cheap years” The firft obfervation is certainly juft; but that agriculture will be encouraged, and carried on with greater fpirit from cheap- nefs of price, owing to farmers expecling greater profits by employing more fervants, and confuming their corn at home; rather than felling it at a low price in the market, will not be admitted by any farmer of common fenfe. The aflertion is founded on wo pofñtions: 1/, That the money price of corn regulates the money price of every commodity,. which I have proved does not apply to the prefent ftate of fociety in this country; and 24/y, that in agriculture, as in manufac- tures, the produce of a farm is increafed im proportion to the number of hands employed, which is by no means the cafe; nothing, therefore, wiil give encouragement to farmers hiring a greater number of fervants, and extending cultivation, but ac- tually receiving a high price for their corn, in the fame manner as a manufacturer is encouraged to hire more hands, and extend his operations, in confequence of receiving high prices for his fabrics. As a farther proof that Dr Smith’s ideas, on the ftate of agriculture in Britain are erroneous, it may be obferved, that he does not allow that the high prices of corn, which followed the peace of 1763, procecded from an influx of wealth, occafñon- ing an increafe of luxury and confumption, but afcribes it en- tirely to bad crops; and whilft he views the high price of corn as a public calamity, he looks upon the high price of butcher er D ll mi : 5 ON THE CORN LAWS. 233 meat, cheefe, butter, wool, hides, tallow, ar every fort of LETT.IL. rude produce, corn excepted, as the Jforerunner and attendant on tbe greateft of all public advantages, imagining that the high price of thofe articles will be followed by the low price of Corn, potatoes, and every vegetable production; a conclufion which he draws from erroneous principles, and in whichit is. novr evident he has been miftaken, When we recur to firft principles, and the immutable lawe of nature, in judging of Dr Smith'’s Opinion on the free IMpor+ tation of foreign corn into Britain, and the propofed monopoly in favour of manufactures, we fhall find fufficient caufe for drawing oppofñite conclufons, and that whilft agriculture re: quires to be protected by à monopoly, manufa@tures may be left free. In order to fhewthisin à clear point of view, E {hall point out the different principles on which the pro duétive powers of agriculture and manufactures are founded. And fhall frft begin with manufaûtures. It is obvious that the Supreme Difpofer of all things has given to the general mafs of mankind, in every country, near- ly an equal fhare of bodily ftrength, and faculties of mind fu£: ceptible of cultivation and improvement, This cafe, as manufactures are performed by the labo body, facilitated by the inventi all nations are nearly on a p being the ur of the ons of art, in this point of view ar{Or carrying on manufactures: 1f, however, one nation advances confiderably in population beyond the other, their wants increafe in Proportion, and 2: fpur is given to their ingenuity, in order to fupply them.. In: Gg Lu) au) A ee EE Tu : À Ç LÉ à 2 ! À , cs| Q ;|: “AE:: D i LETE. IE. Can) 234| LÉTTER:E the boundlefs progrefs of improvement, new wants multiply with every refinement of art, and manufactures are carried on to a degree of perfeétion, to which it is impoflible for a foci- ety more rude and with fewer wants to attan; and though from the wealth accumulated by the induftrious nation, in this ftate of refinement, the price of labour fhould be raifed fo high, as to allow another nation, lefs advanced in wealth, to bring manufaétured articles to market at a cheaper rate, yet thé rich nation will fill maintain its fuperiority, by avail- ing itfelf of the fuperior capital it pofñlefles, and of 1ts fupe- rior{kill in the divifion of labour, of which manufactures are fufceptible. If, again, the divifion of labour is not found adequate to anfwer the end, renewed exertions of fkill and capital, by calling in the aid of machinery, fo far reduces the effet of the high price of manual labour on the articles ma- nufactured, as to give a decided fuperiority to the rich and ingenious nation, over all others lefs advanced in wealth and refinement. Hence the manufactures of Britain are found fuperior to thofe of every country in Europe, and are even rivalling the fabricks of Bengal, where the money price of la- bour is about only a tenth part of what it is in England*. It being therefore obvious, that the induftrious country, whilft it preferves its fuperiority in wealth and ingenuity over other na- tions, has an evident advantage in carrying on its manufactures; there feems to be no necefhity for the manufaéturers of Great Britain obtaining a monopoly againft thofe of other nations, lefs advanced in wealth, ingenuity, and refinement; and the decided fuperiority which the manufacturers of this country * The wages of a weaver in Bengal are only two and a half rupees, equal to 55. 7id.-2-month. O # L'ANPE PRES 2 ! RÉ han à ces LE ir ON THE CORN: LAWS. 2 maintain over thofe of every country in Europe, in the free American market, is a proof of the fat. Having thus finifhed the propofed fketch of the progrefs of manufactures, I fhall proceed to defcribe the principles on which the productive powers of agriculture are founded. Although the Author of Nature has given to man, in the different countries of the world, an equal fhare of ftrength of body, and faculties of mind, fo as to enable him to per- form nearly equal portions of productive labour, when thefe powers are alone employed; yet, for wife purpofes, He has formed the foils and climates of the différent countries of the earth, with that aftonifhing diverfity which univerfally per- vades the face of nature, from the fertile felds of 5icily, Flan- ders, and England, to the frozen regions of Norway, Lap- land, and Kamfchatca. As the fuccefs of agriculture, depends, in à great meafure, on the produétive powers of foil and cli- mate, it is obvious that an equal portion of‘fkill and capital}, may produce a much greater quantity of corn in one country than it can do in another. This being the cafe, let us fuppofe that the foïl and climate of Poland, for inftance, is fo much fu. perior to that of Britain, that the exertion ofan equal portion of fabour and fkill, will produce double the quantity of corn, or of other fuftenance in Poland, that it will do in Britain. As nothing could counteraët this phyfical difference,‘corn in Bri- tain would fell at double the price it did in Poland, as it would require double labour and capital to produce an equal quanti- ty... Thus, it is obvious, if Poland could fupply Britain with Gg 2 LE moque m7 a 2 à LEFT, M: n'en 2 36 LETTER IL LETT. I. 2 confiderably quantity of grain, at one half or two thirds of Fe le price itcould be raifed at home, the agriculture of Bri- tain muft either be protected, by granting to the cultivators a monopoly of the home market, or if left free, agriculture would decline in the laft mentioned country. On the other hand, let us fuppofe that the foil and climate of Poland and Britain are equally good and fertile, and that two hundred years ago, the wealth, population, and induftry of the two countries were exa@tly fimilar, and that only one fourth of the lands in each country, being kept under the plough, was fuflicient to fup- port their refpective inhabitants. In this fitnation, both coun- tries would be upon a par for raifing corn, and a free inter- courfe in grain could not hurt the agriculture of either country. if, however, from the blefhing of a free government, or any ther caufe, Great Britain fhould, inthe courfe of two or three hundred years, by extending every branch of national induitry, quadruple her population and wealth, fo as now to require feven-eighths of the land to be kept in conftant culti- vation, for fupplying food for the inhabitants; the improve- ment of the productive powers of agriculture, not depending entirely on capital and ingenuity, as in manufactures, but being in a great meafure influenced by the good or bad qua- lities of the foil and climate, no fkill or capital pofiefled by the cultivators could prevent the money price of corn in Bri- tain from rifing very confiderably above the money price of “corn in Poland: for two reafons,#r/, the fall in the value of money; and /écoxdly, the additional Hibour and expence that muit now be beftowed in raifing and bringing it to market, To prove the Jaft pofition, I muit revert to the œconomy af té om— ON THE CORN LAWS. 237 nature, and îts eff upon agriculture. Nothing is more certain, than that the fertility of the foil is exhaufted by too conftant a fucceflion of crops of corn, and reftored by allow- ing it to remain for à certain time in paîfture. It is there obvious, that in a country only fo far advanced in population, as to require but one fourth of the land being kept in culti- vation for fupporting the inhabitants, the other three fourths remaining in pafture, more abundant crops of corn will be then raifed, with lefs labour and expence than can afterwards be produced on the fame foil, by any exertion of fkill fore and capital, when à more extenfve population requires perhaps feven eighths of the lands being kept conftantly under the plough. This progrefs in the œconomy of nature is ful exemplified in this country, by the rich Crops raifed on the ploughing up of old paftures. The luxuriant Crops that grow on new foils are alfo found to decline and to be rendered lefs certain, being more affected by the influence of bad{a- fons in proportion to the length of time the land has been kept under the plough. Hence in England, countries advanced in wealth and popul lation, corn is raifed at a greater expence of manure and cultiv H 5? iY and in other ation, and the crops are more precarious, than in countries thinly peo- pled, fuch as America or Poland, where a fimple plowing, or rather fcratching and throwing in the feed, are frequently fuficient to fecure a good crop. Às a teftimony of the above mentioned progrefs in agriculture, and the effeét of wealth and population in advancing the price of corn, I fhall add that Mr Young, in his 1 3th volume of the LETT, IL Lu) ERETAT. no IE PER AE Annals of Agriculture bas given us the expence to the farmer of raifing a crop of wheat in fome of the counties in England at this prefent day, the prime coft amounting to from 55. iod. to 7s. 10od. fer Winchefter bufhel, In vol. 15th he has ao given the felling price of grain in the Bannat on the river Tybufcus, viz. wheat at 18. 43d. rye at 1s. barley at Je per bufhel, and hay at 35. per tun. No fkill nor induftry could enable the farmers in England to raïfe corn at as cheap rates; but notwithftanding the amazing low price of corn, which Dr Smith fays regulates the price of all things, allow the free importation of Britifh manufatures into the Bannat, and they would not only rival but annihilate every manufañure in that country. From every view of the fubject, in the preceding difcuffion, it plainly appears, that agriculture and manufa@ures are efta- blifhed on very different principles, and that whilft wealth and population raife confiderably the money price of corn, and other rude produce of the foil, they have not an‘equal effect in advancing the price of manufaétures. Thence, although. contrary to Dr Smith’s opinion, we may fairly deduce the following political maxim: That agriculture, in rich and populous countries, ftands more in need of a monopoly for its fapport than manufactures; and that the farther a nation a4- vances in profperity, it becomes the more neceflary to fecureits agriculture, not only by reftraining the importation of foreign corn, but alfo by removing every impediment which may pre- vent, and by giving every encouragement, which may promote So DER UE DE PT I ON THE. CORN: LAWS. 27 the extenfion of face of the country. From a review of the arguments of this juftly celebrated author, Ï can fee nothing that overturns the principle laid down in my former Letter, that if Great Britain wifhes to preferve her prefent fuperiority in wealth and refources over the furrounding nations, agriculture muft be protected by al- lowing to the hufbandmen prices for their produce propor- tioned to the internal wealth and profperity of the country; and thatif; at any time, the bringing in of foreign corn tends to fink the money price of Britifh grain below the corref. ponding value of labour and other commodifies, the importa- tion muft be checked by judicious laws, altered from time to time, at différent periods, to correfpond with the profpe- rous or declining ftate of the country. In the inveftigation Of Dr Smith’s opinions, I have no other intention than, by fair difcuflion, to fearch out the truth; and to his theory of free importation, founded as I think on erroneous principles, T have laftly to oppofe the favourable effets of à contrary {yftem, on the agriculture and profperity of this country, as cleary fhown in the preceding Inquiry into the Corn Laws, and fully afcertained from the profitable experience of more than one hundred years. It no doubt will prove a matter of furprife, and a juft caufe for alarm to find, that at prefent, in the moft flourifh- ing æra of Britifh induftry, when agriculture is carried on with a larger capital than at any former period, and when the fkill and induftry of the hufbañhdmen were never cultivation and improvement over the whole LETT. 11. Gus nm,) EETE. IT. Las) 240 LENTER 1. fo confpicuous, the quantity of corn raifed in this coun- try is gradually becoming more and more inadequate to the confumption and maintenance of the inhabitants, and that in place of having a large annual furplus quantity of grain to fpare, we are now every year becoming more and more dependant on foreign nations, for fubfiftence; a fa which is inconteftibly proved by the accounts of the exports and imports of grain. In purfuing the inquiry into the caufe of this deficiency, it will be found to proceed, 14, From the ac- cumulating wealth and luxury of the country, which will tend to elucidate the principles which[ have laid down, when examining Dr Smith’s theory; and, 24}, From our agricui- ture being cramped by fuch reftraints as prevent the opening up a more extenfive field for cultivation, and which might render the fupply equal to the increafed confumption of the kingdom.. It has been fhown, in the former part of this Eetter, that itis generally from countries thinly peopled, and having-a confider- able portion of their good land'in pafture, that confiderabie quantities of corn can be exported at a low price. But this furplus quantity alfo arifes from the ftate of fociety in thofe countries at the time; the inhabitants being cultivators with few wants, and living with fimplicity, chiefly on vege- table food and the produce of their herds, a larger fufplus-re- mains aftér fupplying their frugal neceffaries. If, however, the population of the country increafes, and the inhabitants full retain their fimple manners, and continue to live on ve- getable food, it is aftonifhing how great a number of inhabi- tants the foil will maintain, if it pofleffes a moderate degree of Le NE AE Déié nat Lu ON FE CORN: LAWS. 241 fertility. The population of Hindoftan when under an effci- ent government, and the prefent ftate of China, are a ftriking proof of the obfervation. It is obvious, however, that if thefe nations were to alter their manner of life, and fubfift in a great meafure on animal food, like the people in England, the countries could not afford provifion for their numerous inhabitants; and that if they could not procure an addi- tonal quantity from other countries, their population would foon be confiderably diminifhed. Im order to fhow the effet which living on vegetable or on animal food will produce on population, or the abundance or fcarcity of fubfiftence which it may occafion to the inhabi- tants of a country, their numbers remaining ftationary, I fball calculate the population, which a farm of$04 acres of fertile land will maintain, when under a judicious mode of * cultivation, the inhabitants living entirely on vegetable food; and the numbers which can be fupported on animal food bv F4 the produce of a like farm when in pafture. With a view to afcertain this point with as much precifon as the nature of the calculation will admit of, I called at the fami- lies of feveralJabourers and mechanics in this place, who live en- tirely on vegetable food, to learn if poflible the exact amount of their confumption, which{ knew, that, out of policy, they are always at pains to exaggerate. In the firft houfe I entered, I luckily found the kettle full of potatoes, juft ready to be put upon the fire, to be boïled for dinner; the family confifted of one man, his wife, and one child, a remarkable ftout boy FER EPTE TR Cu) 12 LETTERS-F. 242 of eleven years of age.[ was informed,—. regulary dined LS and fupped upon them every day, and that the quantity i € in the kettle ferved them for both the. I immediate- ly weighed the potatoes in the kettle, and found that they 2- mounted to nine pounds Avoirdupois, and was informed that eight pounds of oat-meal ferved them for breakfaft, in pottage, a week. The fecond family I entered was compofed af three men, one woman, and fix healthy children, three of whom were botn at one birth: this family alfo dined and fupped upon potatoes; the quantity they ha d prepared to drefs for dinner ce thirteen pounds, an Ê ÏI was informed it required near four pounds oat-meal each day for their breakfaft. Af- ter examining the confumption of feveral families that had two meals of potatoes per day, I found, to my aftonifhment, thät about 22 libs. Avoirdupois raw potatoes, and$£ OZ. good oat-meal, when made into pottage, did aétually maintain, for one day, in good health and condition for labour, on an each individual of a family, compoñfed of two parents ss el a pe à ob) Ja © and three children, as long as their ftock of potatoes lafted. Having thus afcertained the length which potatoes and oat- meal will go as food, when a vegetable diet only is ufed, I fhall proceed to calculate the guanium of population that the farm of 504 Englifh ftatute acres, fertile land, well cultivated, will maintain, under the following mode of cropping. Em anhs # Garden ground. II. 84 acres wheat, at 30 bufhels per acre, at 581Ibs. per ON THE CORN LAWS.“242 LEFT t Produce after dedu£ting Seed. No lbs. Potatces. . 84 acres of potatoes, average produce of Lancafhire 250 bufhels per acre, at 90 Ibs. deduéting 18 bufhels for feed== 1,7 535920 7] AA à ; u LOS AL COL: bufhel, deduéting 3 Ibs. per bufhel rough bran, pro-: dut 2520 bufhels of meal, at 55 1bs.* per bufhel 138,600 . 84 acres peafe and beans, at 24 bufhels, 2016 bufhels, one half eaten by the horfes on the farm; one half 1008 bufhels, at 40 Ibs. meal per bufhel-= 49,320 IV. 84 acres barley, at 36 bufhels, 3024, at 46 Ibs. meal per bufhel-==-= 139,104 lbs. Bread, Pounds meal 318,024 or 397,530 . 84 acres clover confumed by cattle. VI. 84 acres oats, at 60 bufhels, 5040 bufhels, 13,440 pecks of oat meal, at 8 Ibs. per peck. 504 acres f1,753,920 Ibs. potatoes, at 151bs. per meal to Meals. à| each individual-= 1,312»940 2 397,530 lbs. bread, at+1b. per meal to ditto 530,040 | 13,440 pecks oat-meal, at 24 meals per peck 26* to ditto-- 322,560 530 acres. 365 days,.at 3 meals per day, 1095)2,165,540(1977 In this manner, 504 acres of fertile land, the garden ground not included, will maintain, when well cultivated, 10977 people old and young; and if the population of Great Britain amounts to nine millions, it would require only 2,412,746 fertile acres, well cultivated to maintain them when living on the fame por- tions of vegetable food as the common people do in Scotland. * This is the quality of the flour, of which the bread prefently ufed in my own family is made. Upon comparing it with Sir George Young’s experiments, wide page 259, I find itto correfpond pretty accurately, only coarfer, principally from being made of wheat of an inferior quality. H FA 2 244 LÉFFER NN I.{ fhaïl next proceed to inquire into the number of people which the fame farm of 504 acres in pafture would maintain when living entirely on animal food, This branch of rural œconomy, of determining the quantity of animal food which land will produce, although of confider- . able importance, has never been properly attended to. Mr à Young, indeed, has begun the inveftigation; but as yet it has ol Le been confined to afcertain the fattening quality of different 7 | animals and vegetables. Upon confulting feveral intelligent farmers, it feemed to be their opinion, that an acre of good | grafs might, in the feafon, increafe the weight of the’animals | fed upon it twelve ftone, at 14 Ibs to the ftone; which at ss. per E à ftone, would afford a good rent, and leave a handfome allow- ance for management and profit on the capital employed. Fixing therefore upon 12 ftone as the gantum of animal food, which an acre of our farm will produce; upon this data, the 504 acres will give 60438 ftones, or 84,672 Ibs. T'have not been able to leara what proportion of weight the bones in the carcafe of an ox bears to the flefh; but allowing three quarters of a Ib. of bones and flefh on an average to a meal for each individual, at a meals per day, 84,672 lbs. will fupport an individual 37,632 days; or, in other words, the produce of the farm will fupport a population of 103 individuals throughout the year; dividing thefe into 20 families, and allowing one fourth of an acre of garden ground to each family, it amounts in all to sog acres. Upon calculating from thefe data, it will be found that it would require 44,475,728 fertile acres, to maintain the po- ù js pulation of Great Britain, each individual, upon an average, RP m2 » Fa Se=, a APE D mises tt ;“ie SR RRE à orme— ut es RTE pa ee= D?——_— Te RE———--= in ON THÉ CORNLAWS 245 confuming 2: Ibs. of butcher méat per day; but the famenum- LETT. 11. ber of acres would fupport a population of 165,021,725 indi- È viduals of all ages, if the inhabitants lived on the fame por- ions of vegetable food, which at prefent fubfft the common labourers in Scotland. T have calculated thefe two extremes of the produce of land under the plough, or in pafture merely for fattening cattlé, without including a dairy in either cafe, in order to place this objet in a ftrong point of veiw, and to fhow the different effets which living on vegetable or animal food will have, 1n fupporüng an increafed population, or in rendering fuften- ance plentiful or fcarce in a country. Hence it may be inferred, that it was to encourage or preferve the immenfe population of the eaftern nations, the original lawgivers of India difcharged the eating of animal food, and ingrafted this political maxim upon the ancient ftock of fuperftition in the country. The ab- ftaining from animal food, however, feems beft fuited to thefe countries, fituated under a burning fun, where water alone renders the foil perpetually fertilé, in producing vegetable food for fupporting the inhabitants. In more temperate climates, the foil cannot be kept in a conftant ftate of producing bread for man, without materially injuring its fertility.‘The beafts of the field are alfo the children ofsnature; fhe wills to fupport them, and the land muft be allowed to afford grafs for their faftenance, which reftores, at the fame time, its fertility for raifing corn; and man being formed to live on a mixture of animal and vegetable food, avails himfelf of this œconomy of nature, to add to h1s enjoyment. LEP. Lay) 246 LE TTER IE è From this caufe agriculture, in temperate climates, will be car- ried to the greateft perfection in thofe countries where the inha- bitants add a certain portion of animal to their vegetable food. But there is a certain proportion from which, if, in the pro- orefs of luxury, they deviate, by increafing the quantity of a animal food, they will certainly feel the want of bread corn, which appears to be one of the principal caufes that, of late years, there is an evident deficiency in the growth of corn in Britain, or rather in England, to fupply the inhabi- tants; and that we are every year becoming more and more dependent on foreign nations for our daily fupport, in place of being able, as formerly, to fpare a large furplus quantity annually for exportation. In order ftill farther to elucidate this important object, and to fhow, in the cleareft manner, the effect of an increafed con- famption of animal food, in diminifhing the quantity of corn raifed in Britain, I fhall fketch out a{cheme of cultivation fuited more nearly to the average confumption and population of the country. à Garden } 1 mund, al- f LE Ing about (l an acre bech fa AR ee CR nant de assise à 0 NE RE© ON THE CORN LAWS. Le x ss LEPE: HE À= En se Produce of a Farm of$o4 acres, very fertile land, and in a bigh Jlate ; me [O- of cultivation. of ad Nos. at I 72 acres pafture, to be Poe up in rotation, reckoned to produce 12-ftones , beef or mutton per acre Pounds. Meals. of He in all 12,096 at ilb.permeal 16,128 4 Potatoes, 250 bufhels per acre, )1= I]. 90lb. per bufhel- 90,000 at Izlb.—— 67,500 F+ 68 Turnip, at 24 ftones beef or mutton per acre= 22,848 at21bs,—. 20404 ace HIT,#72 acres bariey, confumed in ale and Es fpirits. IV P: É | IV. 72, acres clover and hay, confumed by the horfes V. 72. acres wheat, at 32 bufhels, at 6olb. dd bread per bufhel- 148,240 at 3lb.— 107,653- VI. 72 acres peafe and beans, confumed à on- by horfes.- acres oats, at 60 bufhels, 4,320 [ of": of which one half confumed ñ| by horfes:= 2,160 On À one third in pottage È 1,440 3; 840 O pec ks oat-meal: on| at 24 meals 92,160 {on h in bread= 720 bufhels, or 19,200 lbs. rue, bread at 4 per meal 256,600 * Garden EL ground, al- 19 Jlowing about 4 EE 7 of an acre 514 acress Meals in the year 1,005)429,505(39224 to each fa- mily. In this manner, a farm of 504 acres of very fertile land, a high ftate of cultivation, could maintain 392 people, old and young, living on a mixture of animal and vegetable food, À : 7e ne-_:=__ ü PRE EE.—— Eee ete——_ Evene ms Rues ee——- RTS d 248 PETER IE pe LETT. IL. of which the above quantities would afford to each individual fron for daily confumption to Of animal food=- 2:* 4 OZ. qu f Bread Wheaten 1 Ib.‘oz.| pal 1 Ditto Oaten us Of vegetable food d|: 4 F2 Ib.: oz. du } Oat-meal in Pottage 32 4 L Potatoes 10 J| acr con ñ And to maintain the inhabitants of Great Britain, comput-| acre | ing the number at nine millions, and each individual to con-| sh fume daily, on an average, the quantity of animal and vegetable| ril | food mentioned above, there would be occafon for 11,703,709 tin Ur acres of very fertile land, in a high ftate of cultivation; of cre which it would require fift 3:212,318 acres for fattening animal food, producing wil ÿ nearly 18 ftones per acre. 91,780— for potatoes. 1,052,050— for barley. oth 1,652,050— for clover hay. kil 1,052,050— for wheat. | 1,652,050— for peafe and beans,|: L 1,062,050-:—‘“IOr oats. di 220,451— for garden ground. 11,703,709 total acres. From the above ftatement it appears, that it would require: th 3»212,318 fertile acres, to afford four ounces of animal food be ;« à RS: ee nos; üty * The daily confumption of each individual in Paris, is pretty accurately afcertain- ed from the tax on cattle paid at the Barriers, to be about 54 0z.; in London it is to| probably more than double. ON THE CORN: LAWS. 249 }: ES._=. ei x lai per day, to every individual in Britain, But if, at any time, LETT. HET. from the increafe of luxury in the nation, every inhabitant was VTT 02, to confume one ounce more per day; in that cafe it would re- quire an additional 803, 79 acres of fertile land, one halfin rich OZ, paîture, and nearly the other half in turiup, to fatten and pro- duce the neceffary quantity; four-fevenths of which, or 458,900 acres, were annually carrying luxuriant crops ofcorn. But even, computing thefe crops at the low average of two quarters per acre, it would occafion an annual failure of 917,800 quarters, which will account for the difference between the moft flou- rifhing period of the Corn Trade, and the deficiency of latter times. Whoever, therefore, confiders with attention the in- creafed confumption of animal food in Britain, within thefe fifty years laft paît, and particularly fince the peace of 1763, will fee good caufe for the growing fcarcity of corn. Before I leave this part of my Inquiry, I muft mention an- other effect of luxury, in adding to the fcarcity both of ani- mal and vegetable food, viz. the great degree of fatnefs to which the people in England now require to have their beef and mutton fed, till, as Milton defcribes the cattle in Para- dife, On the grafs, Couch’d, and now fill d with pañture, gazing fat, they can hardly ftand on their legs, or travel a few miles to ire be flaughtered. There is reafon to believe, that half the quan- od üuty. of land would feed cattle moderately fat, that is required to put them in condition for flaughtering in England; and it t 15 ET CR RE RS PE AE ps rm nn __—— EE RE ps= RE nn api tt é ;, pee s:-.£ 2 RTE GRR ET a ere 250 HEAMER: IT LETT.IL is more than probable, that the great noife that has been made, arts TT fofhte years, about increafing the fize of live ftock, 15 a fpecies ere of quackery which is a real lofs to the nation. Small animals cheh certainly take on more fat, in proportion to their food, than| por! large ones, for two obvious reafons: 1/, The furface of fmall| of c animals is much greater, in proportion to their weight, than| frot large ones; and as the fat is moflly laid on the furface, they| dith have confequently a larger fpace to lay it on. 2dly, The muf-| pan cular fibres of fmall animals are lefs tenfe than thofe of large| orde ones, and admit more eafily that portion of the fat which 1s| Lo infinuated, in the procefs of fattening, into the intertor veficles of the mufcular flefh. Iknew an experiment that was tried on the fattening of large and fmall oxen with turnips and hay: The non RS md nt + oo pi large oxen ate doublethe quantity of the fmall ones while fatten-: ing; they were all fold at the fame time, each large ox brought L.12 Sterling, but two fmail ones, which confumed no more 4 food, were fold for L.16.. Thus, it is probable, that a con-# fiderable wafte is occafioned in the nation, from increafing hi the fize of the domefticated animals, and certanly not a little L : alfo from rendering them extremelÿ fat before they are flaugkh-| D tered. D D Nor is the increafed confumption of animal food the only D caufe of the fcarcity of corn; the immenfe number of horfes| now trained for war, or luxury, or kept for the more necef-| D fary purpofe of carrying on the largely extended. internal commerce of this country; in tranfporting the rude materials to the fite of manufactures, and returning'the manufaétured: articles to the different markets and ports in the kingdom, in the ON THE CORN LAWS. 251 LETT.IE carrying the ftone, brick, wood, and iron, neceflary for erecting the numerous buildings throughout the nation. All thefe branches of induftry muft demand a great number of horfes, that will not only require a very confiderable quantity of corn, but alfo a large portion of land muft be withdrawn from cultivation for fupplying them with hay and grafs, either to enable them to endure hard labour, or to put on the pampered fleck appearance neceflary for fhow and luxury. In order to form an idea of this confumption, I fubmit the fol- lowing calculation. From the ftatement already given, it appears, that it would require near 12 millions of fertile acres, in a high flate of cultivation, to fupport the population of Great Britain. Butit is more than probable that it atually requires 24 millions of acres, of the average quality of arable land; and allowing 5 horfes to every 100 acres in cultivation, that gives of Horfes ufed in agriculture== 1,200,000 Do kept for pleafure, which pay tax- 214,090 Do fuppofed not entered- À- 50,000 Do Cavalry, including levies of all defcriptions- 36,000 Do pofting horfes, mail, and hackney coaches, colts and fillies, not taxed z=- 250,000 Do employed in the carriage of rude materials and manufactured commodities.= 256,000 Total, 2,000,000 Suppofñng each horfe, on an average, to be fed 200 days in the ftable, at 20 pounds hay and 3 pecks Scotch per day, equal T12 LETF. IE y m). 252 L'EÉPETDERAEH. to 4000 Îbs, of hay, and 561 Winchéfter bufhels in 200 days, but, with extra feeding, fuppofe 60 bufhels, the produce of: 1 fertile acre 4000 pounds of hay, or 352 cwt. the produce of 1 fertile acre Ât pafture, 165 days, when he eats the grafs of 1 fertile acre À horfe therefore confumes the produce of 3 fertile acres; and 2 millions of horfes will require 6 millions of fertile acres to maintain them. Upon this calculation, Great Bri- tain will confume on horfes annually, 15 millions of quar- ters of grain, of which, about one million is now imported from foreign nations; befides, the produce of 4 millions of acres of fertile land in hay and pafture. In the period from 1730, to 1750, when Great Britain was exporting the greateft quantity of furplus corn, after fupplying tlie inhabitants, the tunnage of her fhipping amounted, upon an average of that period only to 475,940 tuns, whereas it now amounts to near three times as much, being in the year 1702, 1,396,003 tuns*. The revenue arifing from the poft-office in the year 1754 amounted to only L. 210,663: it was in 1703, L.607,268; from which it may be fafely inferred, that the in- ternal commerce of Great Britain has been tripled fince the period that the largeft quantity of furplus grain was exported; the increafe of wealth and Tuxury has alfo been very great, and if we allow that the number of horfes kept for pleafure have increafed in the fame proportion, the additional numbers now employed may be eftimated thus. * Vide Chalmers’ Eftimate of Great Britain.+: Ibid, . ON TE PCORN LAWS 253 Horfes kept at préfent for pleafute= 264,000 For the carriage of goods,&c.- 250,000 For pofting, and for mail and hackney coaches 86,000 600,000 Deduét one-third in the former period- 200,000 ê Increafed number of horfes highly fed- 400,000 Allowing three acres of fertile land for the maintenance of eack- horfe, this addition to the number of horfes will withdraw 1,200,000 acres of fertile land, from affording fuftenance to the inhabitants of Great Britain. Here alfo is fuficient caufe for a great deficiency in the produétion of corn; and when we al. {0 take into the account the amazing effet of an increafe in the confumption of animal food, we need'not be furprifed at the prefent fcarcity of bread.corn,. nor at the annual deficiency of one milhon of quarters of grain, when comparing the quantity now brought into the kingdom, with. the quantity formerly exported, even although the population of the country had con-. üinued the fame, or had even declined; notwithftanding the. induftry and the capital of the cultivators of the{oil have been: greatly increafed fince the period when the large furplus quan tuity of corn was annually exported. The great increafe of grafs land rapidly extending over the kingdom is obferved by many of the agricultural reporters. T fhall, however, confine myfelf to one fentence, taken from the improved report of.the agriculture of the county of Lancafhire “at this period(1705)#be diminution of arable land is dikely to ? BETT IT Co un) 2.54 LEFPRER IE LETT.IL 6 Become a-ferious calamity to the nation at large” not by giving an immenfe bounty on the importation of fo- reign corn, that the legiflature of Great Britain will make up for the annual deficiency in the produce of grain; for what is this but’ reforting to the weekly diftribution of ancient Rome, under another form, to relieve the wants of the inhabi-| tants. But it muft be by removing every obftruétion to the extention of cultivation over the wafte lands, and every bar to the raifing crops of corn, by the moft produétive modes of hufbandry on the fields already improved. As alfo by adopt- / ing every judicious regulation which will reduce the price of{ bread, and encourage the confumption of vegetable food. To effect thefe defirable objets, I humbly fubmit the following re- gulations to the confderation of the legciflature, as the prin- ciples on which laws may be founded; for encouraging agri- culture; for promoting the intereft of proprietors, cultivators, and manufa@turers; and finally for adding to the wealth, capi- tal, and refources of the flate. Regulations for promoting the improvement of the Wafle Lands, for encouraging Agriculture, and for rendering the lands more pro- du&tive, wbich are already in a fit Jlate for cultivation. 1/, À general law for dividing commons in England, a ; meafure now under the confideration of Parliament. 2dly, By heightening the import rate of foreign oats, the crop which can be firft raifed to the greateft advantage on Wafte Lands, in order to fecure to the cultivators, a fufflicient return PU— onde| ON THE CORN LAVWS. 256 for the labour and capital employed.—Nore. This regulation would operate as a tax on horfes, in favour of agriculture, by raifing a little the price of oats, without materially increafing the price of the food of the inhabitants. As the fame advancce in luxury, which increafes the confumption of oats in the feeding of horfes, leflens the confumption of oatmeal as the food of man, by the gradual introduction of wheat as bread corn. The expence of cultivating Wafte Land, from the prefent high price of labour and every article of confumption, muft now be very great; and on the Wafte Lands in Scotland, and a great part of thofe in England, it is by cultivating oats, that a great fhare of the expence may be indemnified, 3d!y, By a law for fettling on the clergy a fixed revenue in corn,(as grain will always rife in price with the increafing de- mand for labour, in countries advancing in wealth and pro- fperity under well regulated governments, and when ftationary, it becomes the exaët meafure of the real value of every com- modity,) and freeing the cultivators from every fpecies of tythe. Note. Whulft tythes are drawn, cultivation can never be carried on with fpirit, or approach towards perfection; and as the country advances in wealth, the paying of tythes will occafñon more land being withdrawn from raifing corn, and will pre- vent old paftures from being ploughed up for cropping, as it now requires greater capitals and exertions of fkill in the cul- üvators, to replace the rent, expence of cultivation, and profit on ftock, than formerly. Therefore, tythes now fall more heavy on the induftry of the hufbandman, and prove a greater check to his activity. \ LEFT Los um) LETAEL Ke nm) 256 LETTER,Ù 4tbly, By a ftatute to amend the poor laws* in England, which ‘prevent labourers, mechanics, and manufacturers, who can- not find employment in one parifh, from removing to another, where they can get work, and burden the farmers with a variable arbitrary tax for their fupport, to the number fre- quently in country parifhes, of one half of the wholeinhabitants, and to the amount perhaps of one half, or three fourths of their rent. Where is this evil to flop? farmers muft difcourage population, and turn their farms into grafs, out of fear of being ruined by poors rates? The rent of land ought to be precifely afcertained, for tythes and poors rates operate, like the faille under the former government of France, and moft materially difcourage cultivation. 5thly, À tax on all lands held by farmers without a leafe, or any regulation that will encourage landlords to grant leafes to their tenants; otherwife, no fpirited exertions in agriculture can be carried on in Britain: holding land from year to year may fuit the cultivation of the vineyards in France, where only labour and a few forry tools are neceffary, but is deftruc- tive of good hufbandry in this country, where a large capital uft be invefted in agriculture. 6thly, À tax on all lands occupied by tenants when reftriét- ed from cultivation by the landlord. If the ftate be in want of bread-corn, or any other produétion which the foil affords, the proprietor, who ties up the hands of his tenants from con- * Since writing the above, the poor laws have been brought under the confideration of Parliament, EE——— ON THE CORN LAWS. 257 tributing a proportional relief, is certainly no friend to his country. Nothing can be more abfurd than the modes of cropping prefcribed by fome landlords to their tenants; for inftance, obliging them to fallow their lands every third year, preventing them from fubftituting turnips in place of the fal- low; prohibiting them from planting potatoes, or from fow- ing wheat, after peafe and beans, re/fraining them from plow- bay or paflure lands*, Grant tenants leafes for twenty years, and let all reftriétions be abolifhed, at leaft till the laft three or four years of the leafe, allowing them to crop their farms in the manner moft advantageous for their own and the public inte- reft. Relieved from thefe fetters, they will give an advanced f * Mr Arthur Young. In his Tour through France, recommends the allowing the hufbandmen of that country unlimited power to fow and plant what they pleafe, upon the land they farm, in order to render the foil more productive, for fupplying the inhabitants. In his Account of a Diftriét in Effex, in the Annals of Agriculture, he fays, While I was at Spain’s Hall, Mr Ruggles offered to feveral neighbours a large € field of ftanding grafs, ready to mow for hay, part ofit for 25s. per acre, and partat . and was refufed by all. The ground being excellently good, and the crop large, ‘ J'expreffed my furprife at this, when I was affured fheep would not pay for hay; that € they would eat 205. a-head in hay, and not be five fhillings the better for it; that the € fame remark is applicable to cows, which wiil never, for any quantity, pay more € than 15. 6d. per cwt.;#hat there is not a meadow fcarcely in the country, but avould be € ploughed up, if the landlords avould allow it: whence it is fufhciently plain, that they € efléem cornto be vaftly more advantageous than grafs; even on land that fhews ‘ figns of bemg fingularly adapted to it.” Wide Annals of Agriculture, vol. 18. p. 410. + Mr Arthur Young fhews the advanced rents that are given by tenants, when freed from reftriétions, even when purfuing the moft injudicious modes of cultiva- tion, in the following inftañce:‘ After being pared and burned to fow three « fuccefive crops of white corn, in confequence of the benefits derived from the K k EEE FT Los vu) LETE TT. Lorrymm) 258 LETTER: IL rent, agriculture will become more produétive, and the ftate 1‘8e benefit of their exertions. Regulations for lowering the price of Bread, and'increafing the con- LE ee fumption of Vegctable food. 17, By a law for lowering the duty on beer:or ale of a certain defcription, to enable the labourer, manufacturer, and mechanic, to purchafe a nourifhing liquor at a moderate price, fo as to encourage them to live more on bread and ale, and ‘ operation, is to rack and exhauft the foil, and following thefe with rye grafs, ‘ chiefly mowen the firft year, and none that I faw clofe fed, is to continue cropping, ‘ when the land moft needs repofe. If, therefore, the practice is really or effentially $ bad, or ruinous, as fo many think it, here is one diftriét in which it fhould be found ‘ particularly fo. But the fa@s I meet with will not juftify fuch a conclufion: The rents of the lands, thus tortured, have rifen in twenty years, from$o to 100 per am cent. The downs that were let at 25. 6d. and 3s. an acre, are now at 5s. and 6s. # Whatever the pra@tice may be, therefore, it cannot materially have hurt the land- a lord, if it has, in any cafe, hurt him at all” Æunals of Agricul. vol. 23. p. 358. a this part of Scotland, where tenants hold their farms generally on leafes for 19 or 21 years, they have hitherto been feldom reftrited from fowing what they pleafe, during the currency of their leafes; but this liberty, fo far from leffening the advanced rent given at the renewal of the leafe, has certainly had the effect to raife itt Land here is higher rented than in England, in proportion to its quality. There has been lately given for a farm, on a leafe for 21 years, L.3 Sterling per Englifh flatute acre, which was feverely cropped at pleafure by the preceding tenant, and where no manure can be procured for putting it in order, but from the produce of the farm: Alf, for another farm of 140 acres in the fame fituation, only within reach of Edin- burgh dung, which, however, will coft the tenant from L. 6 to L."7to manure an acre, there has been given of yearly rent L. 100 Sterling in money, 63 quarters of wWheat, 03 quarters of barley, and 105 quarters of oats. à jel ul ee À ON.FHE- CORN EAWS. 259 lefs on butcher meat, as well as to difcourage the pernicious LEIT. 11 ufe of fpiritous Hquors. A 24dly, By a law for regulating weights and meafures, parti- cularly thofe by which corn is fold; although this is one of the moft important branches of pèlice it is fhamefully nezlect- ed, owing to its being left to the management of incorporate bodies in towns. The corn meafures are fraudulently increaf- ed from time to time, and are all of them much larger than the ftandard; the confequence that follows is, that in fixing the price of bread by the aflize, it is always rated and fold at a higher price than the law allows in proportion to the real price of wheat by the Winchefter bufhel. 3dly, By a law for regulating the aflize of bread, after afcertaining the exaét quantity of flour produced from wheat of different weights, and the exact quantity of bread produced from a given quantity of flour; not by taking the opinion of corn factors, millers, or bakers, in à committee room of the Houfe of Commons, but after a number of aétual experi- ments, repeatedly made by intelligent men not interefted in the trade*. * By the prefent mode of regulation, the law fuppofes a bufhel of wheat to weigh 56 1bs. and to produce 42 Ibs. of flour, only 3-4ths of the weight of the wheat. The law dire@s this flour to be divided in the bolting, into two equal parts, but of un- equal finenefs; of the fine half the wheaten bread is made, and of the coarfe, the koufehold: The law fuppofes, that there are only 12 quartern loaves made out ofthe produce of a bufhel of wheat; but from Sir George Young’s experiments, made in K k 2 TE rit a sisi Emi asie 8 ne Gros qe==. à a pe à à PS A ES rt RAS Se RS Sen RS ie ere Ris re pue 3 Atbly.and lafily /y, By a law for regulating the allowance of millers; obliging them to grind for money, and return the weight of the grain in meal, after deducting the juft propor- tion of wafte.[ have frequently known poor people take bread the procefs of manufatturing wheat into bread, it appears, that a bufhel of tythe wheat weighed Go Ibs. which produced 451bs. of flour of a medium finenefs, of which < ls 17 60 1bs. of ftandard wheaten bread was made, and alfo 9 Ibs. of coarfe flour, of which 132 Ibs. of bread was made, making in all 734 1bs. per bufhel: Whereas the law fup- pofes there are only 52 Ibs. 2 ozs. made from the bufhel.— But this experiment of Sir George Young only points out part of the evil; it does not dete&t the frauds that are committed, wherever the aflize of bread is regulated by the current prices of wheat, from its produce in flour being divided into a larger portion of fine flour than the law dires. 1 once fold a parcel of fine wheat, the produce of my own farm, the price of which was to be determined by the quantity of flour it produced. The return from the mill was 34 Ibs. fine flour, and 20 Ibs. houfehold, per bufhel, in all 54 lbs. the exaét quantity obtained by Sir George Young. Suppofing the wheat to be fold at ics. 6d. per bufhel, including the allowance to the baker, it would produce, Of wheaten bread 9 quarterns at 15.-- 6 09 Ditto 4 twopenny loaves--- ce Of houfehold 5 quarterns at 9d.-:- Ô':4% Ditto 3 twopenny loaves- È E.©:-9*-:6 S ÉgiTI 6 quarterns wheaten at 15. œ 1] à1 rat 2 Fegalallowance 42 ditto houfehold at od. Profit to the Baker L.o 3 5 per bufhel over and above the legal aïlowance. This extra profit is calculated on the le- gal eftimation, that a fack of flour only produces 80 quartern loaves. But upon my enquiring fome time ago, how much bread was made in London, from a given quan- tity of flour, at an intelligent young man, who had the management of à bake- houfe in that city, he anfwered me, that his mafter never complained, when they made 86 quarterns out of the fack, Upon comparing this quantity with the propor- le PRE VO© pe nn. = ON. THE. GORN: EL À WS. 261 corn to the mull, and get one fifth of the weight abftracted by the miller for grinding.—Nore. The bill introduced fome ume ago by Sir Francis Bañflet, on this fubject, feemed well calculated to remedy the complaints of the poor people, and. i encourage the confumption of bread corn*, My Supplement to your late Father’s Work is now finifh- ed; in which I have ventured to fuggeft fuch farther re- gulations, as have occurred to me, to be neceflary for im- proving the fyftem of our Corn Laws, and for rendering the produce equal to the increafing confumption of the kingdom. It was alfo my intention to develope the caufes, which, in ad- dition to the errors in that fyftem, have, of late years, occafioned a fcarcity of bread corn in Great Britain; and I have endeavour- ed to prove, that,in a country rapidly advancing in wealth and refinement, the encouragement of Agriculture is not only ne- cefary for fecuring the continuance of the national profperity, ‘ tional weight of ftandard bread, made from the weight of flour, in Sir George Young’s experiment, I find them to correfpond exattly, calculating, therefore, the ac- tual"produce of bread from the bufhel of my wheat, by the dafa in Sir George’s ex- periment, the baker’s profit on the bufhel amounted to 4s. 6d. over and above the legal allowance of 15. 6d. and the value of the bran. * Since the above fheet went to prefs, a bill has been brought into the Houfe of Commons, from the Committee on Corn, for regulating the allowance to be taken by millers for grinding,&c. La TT ere tnt 5 5 VE ce Me >—:—Æ.« SE … nn Se._—_—_ Tor 262 LEÆTER LETT.IT. but is the only effectual means of promoting plenty, and of { e ad increafing the power and refources of the ftate. If I have thrown any additional light on this important object, fo as to tend in the fmalleft degree to the advantage of my country, it will prove a fuficient recompence to, My dear Sir, Your fincere Friend, And obedient Servant, Wm MaAcKre. To Lieutenant-Colonel Dirom, of l Mount Annan, Edinburgh. Dm CPI PP PAP CP CON INPI PP ON PANTIN PN ON CON PNPNEN ONE CN ASE P EN DEX. Oo Æ æ Re—__—_———=—= RÉ— pe z pe) PCR à 57 se TR= x dE De D LE" e—— nr_—_— Em# DE nm Pomme re—=— LE"4 Dash rt” ka y En D PL N D I*Y No I, THE Principles, upon which the Ancient Money of England, and of Scotland, is converted into the prefent Sterling Money, are- briefly as follows: I Tale or Denominatior: À In England, and in Scotland, at the time of the Conqueft, there were /æenty hillings in the Coinage pound of Silver; which con- tinued, with very little variation, in England, till the Year 1347; and, in Scotland, till 1306: but now there are Jixty-tavo fhillings in the Coinage pound of Silver in both kingdoms; 10 that L. 100, at that time, were equal to L. 310 of the prefent money, in point of tale or denomination. IL. Znéerefl, or Yearly Value. Prior to the fixteenth century, the intereft or yearly value of money, in both England and Scotland, was about Jixteen per cent. but which is now reduced to fve Der cent. ber annum. ExaAMPLE.—Money being raifed or reduced in value according to the yearly legal produce of it, L. 100, bearing intereft at 10 per: cent, is equal in value to L. 200, bearing only s fer cent. and other {ums in proportion: So that L. 100 of ancient money, being equal: in value to L. 310, in point of denomiuation only, and money be- ing now worth only$ fer cent. Per annum; therefore, the L. 310, with the intereft at 16 per cent. wa equal to L. 092 of the prefent+ money. following Tables will fhew the value of Money, at different” periods, from the Conqueft to the prefent time, both in England, and in Scotland; and, by them, the ancient Money may be con- verted into the prefent Monev, according to the variation in the tale or denomination only; or, alfà, in proportion both to the tale and the rate of yearly Intereft of money, as done in this Work. a w nn pa nr ser' nr PRE" 7 RE men em gens D re D”"Hem DRE re ave mn‘Re anècé ce;= Fe EST. re s: D me ee—= tam 9 oisimee mn A, mon-;--<18 ne- TS a——————— Re MÉIEAE rm ee ner ect ne à *( 1 | | | | | |; l le| | 1 oO NS Co: 1 QI AO 10 1P tOÏ8I O7 11] ouuy Este | 1 0#8 QU 0 re OA de On pa 0 MONA Nen An or| (14 0€|||{|, e”| 7\l| AAA ne are I CMP 0 0 dope et se Paseo‘4 | z 07 Do o 4loi I Qi 0110/ 1e TOI8I O7 IT 2 He PIRO US| || YA le NAN eo: | 26) 580) Oo: it GO re 0 TO COR. ee ne| | ré Sarl a 0 7 Al TR NO 1@© 10 09/61 ot 11|9 PMPH O9|Z-:1)| | in 0 L1 oo sl 60€‘9‘pMDa S[1557]| Me a O0 ae ON TRATeP oo) Er OTIO) 70 I 4| À ne que LS| | Ne erOt M RPC NOT) CRC O) merOor Ole Li É zLo 90 F OPA Aer(] i MCD ro dr De TRE HS onS 10 gro go ae| À { al,& sh ER S 7| si AS ARE| Praha Noir à 10 gro 9 9|'8 AI.| JO AURONT Gen CBrANe Al Ge| ar 19 oVlo zlo o1!8 AIUSE: 1| dE CLONE t OT mel en ec 112200 L 10 SYgr oÙ7 AS RARE AUS" !\£-0 Azuotr 64001| À a“td 5 DU Li Ç OI sol Po I 0 gO£I 19 CIS T 4 a nu 7| DD SL 0e cie oo) LT#00) mnt L ce o€lg1 og 11/9 Aiusyy Ÿ, lozŸ1 à | CRUE A 20 on) ne 2 nero a ado er opter eTri| gt”£ z Ù> 7 À) ce] il z- I d\'ON t© cl pit Toloter O7 11 SAUT O0 ICT VI| 19) FAR 9 ovv c 9£ a de| à| GES 1 ANA eo ire, L Use Alone Ps c'e coin ccm pAnarse ï.| ñ 1|! e TNA LA] 0,6 0 On CON ec 20 De I z9 zel8i OZ 11 ÿ PAPA OZLVeI 06 2er OEE+ Vior OO Pr due. D NON ci dONOgRr QeerT LUE RER| | p-p es! p A: P 1" QT) p À ie es 04 ire 2(QE À / ts nd$*: Î D cure*SuIITIUS‘puno E g. Fad*Surliqs‘punod ee nn rs Î PRE STO Jo onye A| 9uo Jo onfrA 5 2» je Y au0 70 NEA 2UO JOOMEA[EE PEUT SEE*USIOY SUTIEUOIN| 2n[eA 3:: nm©.| NA= Oo pu| 285*juo uor} Le À ee HA v| Re æ Ë à#: Ur|‘IO9 2?: JPUX JUN J0 9 |:*Aduouw Jo Aout Ayreo pue 2[83 01 Hi0a es£ Lenrwousp 10 21e3 2u3 03 on dou ut|S E È 4 do. SDINJUIPUI Ü| MATE u1 ASUOYN JU9IOUE au} JO AN[PA 5° Ÿ|adwo93y J0 punog JU2UE 21 JO ONE À, Die©:; LD dr.) ‘ANVIONA NI XAANOMN 40 ANTIVA AHL AO NIAV.L {| 1 M AE 70 FO bar Oh re I,©) 9 1 où For Ok 11) Suuv ei 260 oil Oct 1 00 80 THON OES dr Complet Ole 11] OI 6$or du biere, Al OU er) O0 60 sl ON SOUL 100 0740): TO TITONTAINIE|ESO PRO mio) 06e ve) ol Ant e 0 prebor do, nor see a 1EEOn “te, CMOS EN ON ON 60 D'OR 0 OS No o Une 11-90 sowuef SEl1oy: ou Grue dicome ali 0 Nos o/0008 210) rio 162667 ol ve EOdmne Mr MOT A OR Ti Dyzitec cero Nictrrlotsertme( ze OS ACIDE D A0): 0 1: 0), 20cC 00:06) Moisatuef STE cohene que Sonor oO 7 O0 QPPO ES VOMET'0"sSuel ÉTIGES 1 ol role av«Laon, or z, digne. GOEO0;sauef TEL ES: ol AG ot(0 10 or HOME. 2.0) 10 00 Mo me do C0 0'oisate(. SOLS Me Cl ue© Cet Ces, Où RUE\ O0 0040 1 1.1)© AMBIN ETSOSI er 00 lp NI OMAN CR, 7 Qc 0h C0@070 110 NS AE Mao: LU Léo ro poid ON AE 0er 9 oo 010: 10 11}8sotuef OS: Na ee 10 07 no ES Pop POS co otilgi où 11|+ sowuef g1lSoS1 PT Sd RP 00 Prior) ou ES NOMPO NE: Go or To olc 11/E souref VzirgVi eo du l Ce ENS RON SOS TO LA o| OO PYIQI ol 11€ souuef 91/1 bel OM ca Vrr dar| ol Lo AT z à O) g01o4 of 11h souef Ozl0S+ M 2 SE ne 0 c AMOR ON LIL OP VE O0 C0) 7 QnOZ Tihzssatuef Silrépt D EN NO Eu GS MO Tel te, Le ROUE 1 0 ME tlomior Mines Lelcér: ob, z)0 À 10 0 riRoMor ee CAPE TD Mie 1 LG NGErIONE, oc HE rdo CON Duo HO om ic Smoor| Ne TN aeE Nc to Grion Ori LTIeuprrecr O8 LOE 1 AUS DIS DL Gt AMorl Et) to peer" O0 Se" or of 11F2 prae 8£199€: Ÿ OT g I 1Z I Ilowumn zou e 107%‘uieyiauf E:0! 5: S0P6) MoN 0 OMor set M D 2) 2408 Onco' ter or, Mn HdoM tn|06€ 1 PO 10 0 Ve ou Oracle EN or ro iGr go mr AR Tpuosr °P°P fl ÿA:*P*P s*p NN ENS RS re°&0/ A4 20 EU ré o DE*AuuD, D D. anfe A| 5 La 0 one| 4 î à J= EU:*USIOY SUDIPUOIN L: Ë 8=*AJuO uor PE: me LA De St Me. Æ= PUIWIOUIP JO 21] 243 07 uorJodoid ut ë É Ë coute M ER |: È IN ONE SN TO AE É©&ldwos2ÿ Jo punoqg iusloue 24} jo anfeA SE a LP POLE ou. ‘ŒNVTLONS NI AINON AO ANQTVA HHL 4O A'IAVE Us \ $ nm nr A ce Re HR nement UN af 0 APTENDIX No! syE THE following Table contains an account of the price of Wheat, Y 4 in England, with the value in the money of the times, and in the ca prefent money, calculated on the principles that have been ftated, D as far back as it can be obtained upon proper authority, that is from 1223, down to the year 1784. Prior to the year 1646, the prices have been taken from the$ collection of Bifhop Fleetwood, from the ftatute books, and other| authentic documents. From that period to the prefent time, we have certain and dif- tint accounts of the price of Wheat; which, from 1646 to 1706, have been alfo taken from Bifhop Fleetwood’s colle@tion; and the Bifhop has informed us, that they were colleéted from the audit books of Eton College*, From 1706 to 1770 inclufive, the prices have been likewife ex- tracted from the audit books of the fame College; and the account is certified by Dr Roberts, the prefent Provoft of the College. bons of money In Thefe prices fhew the rates at the market of, Windfor, which de. Fée termine the fum, or converfion in money, to be paid for Wheat to Eton College; they are made up twice in the year, at Lady-day and Michaelmas, and being joined, the medium is taken.! The Wheat payable to Eton College is of the beft kind, and nine! Clnge of bufhels are payable for the quarter; fo that thefe prices muft be nu higher than the general run of the markets of England. From 1771 to 1784 inclufive, the prices of Wheat are taken from the Corn regifter eftablifhed by law; and the account of them is at- tefted by Mr Catherwood. *:Chron. pret, p. 107. TE—- Ro M— = TABLE of the Price of a Quarter of Wheat, in the money of the time, and im the prefent money, from the year 1223 to 1764. Anno Regis. Wheat in England| 1223| 8 Hen. 3[Price of the quatter of wheat———|$ 1237| 22 Hen. 3[Price of ditto—==— Di22 A! 1.13 1 1243| 28 Hen. 3 Price of ditto—— Le es= hlos-2-0t O9 ro | 244 29 Hen. 3 Price of ditto ie D ee s 2»©| O0 19 LEO (1246! 31 Hen. 3[Price of ue a_— set 16 0h 18729 11247| 32 Hen. 3[Price of dit is, UNE O 13| 6 z2 3 1257| 42 Een: 3(Price of ditto He Tr Oo à 9 18 ç 1258| 43 Hen. 3 Price of ditto nu pe DR EE o 16 o| 7 18 9 1270] 55 Hen. 3[Price of ditto——— me+. Ha Dar 12 à 1286] 14 Edw, 1[Price of ditto—_—_—— is RICE Price of ditto in the end of the fame year 2 SAE0:<©! 7 16 9 1287| 15 Edw. r[Price of ditto Es. O3 al 1 1907 1288| 16 Edw. x Price of ditto Les SAR 0 OLA TI 1280] 17 Edw. x Price of ditt ue 5-26. 0 2 50:06 1290| 18 Edw. x[Price of ditto——————= jo.E0 A 7 18 9 : ne|. 1204| 22 Edw. x[Price of ditto_——=“#osr0: 0h 7 Tot110 1302] 30 Edw. x Price of ditto er o:24 o| F° 19 0 1309] 3 Edw. 2[Price of ditto— coma te 1315 Edw. 2[Price of ditto—a great famine began this year 1: 0 ol O1 1316| 10 Edw. 2(Price of ditto—famine Œo12 Of5 17 5 1317) 11 Edw. 2[Price of ditto beforc harveft—famine—— lb 4 ol 16 6 after harveft—— 6-82 6 2 1336| 10 Edw. 3[Price of ditto— mo 5 2€ Oo 19 10 1338| 12 Edw. 3[Price of ditto= Rs 1. Die dl.le13_O 1339] 13 Edw. 3[Price of ditto——_——_— D M 6424 4 Change in the taler 346| 20 Edw. 3 Price of ditto Do._— GE 0 611310 2 of money in 134/|1340) 23 Edw. 3(Price of ditto———_— Gite à 0.1) 6 Change ofthetale1351| 25 Edw. 3 Price of ditto—_——__—— o 6$]2 18 10 in 1354 1359) 33 Edw. 3 Price of ditto—_—=—__—— mis Gi BNOFEE"6 1363| 37 Edw. 3[Price of ditto———#1 Etre Oo 10 LI 1369) 43 Edw. 3 Price of ditto—_— En—. Is AS 0) 9:10.‘4 1379— Price of ditto— a Dé 4 CO]. LrÉT 9 1397— Price of ditto—— O2| OL 10 1390—. Price of ditto—— Digg Cl S IE\O I40I— Price of ditto———_—— 16 o| 6:6 TE 1407— Price of ditto—————— Déono AE 6. 9 Change ofthetalelT416— Price of ditto—— Le some 0,6 15 in 1422 1423] 2 Hen. 6[Price of ditto— ne eh 9 Cl 231% LOZ 1425| 4 Hen. 6 aies of ditto_—_— se Set ox‘6% 1434| 13 Hen. 6 Price of ditto ee LOST 10 3 1435| T4 Hen. 6 Price of ditto D. 4 LA 3 1436| 15 Hen. 6(Exportation, when the price of wheat did not€ xceedlo 6. 812 4 TZ 1439) 18 Hen. 6 Price of ditto_— ie de ALLER 2 r440| 19 Hen. 6[Price of ditto SR FÉA. C7 19 0 1444| 23 Hen. 6[Price of ditto Smet, ee 4 Ai à 8 8 1445| 24 Hen. 6 Price of ditto= eo ta(OT: 0 9 1447| 26 Hen. 6 Price of ditto er"— P 8 O| 2 12 104 1448| 27 Hen. 6[Price of ditto ne ma HAN[2“4 1 1440] 28 Een. 6 Price of ditto a a Se nol E 127 Qi ON ER mo rar TE ED PAR Gate EE lé ET EE= mo tem M sa nmnntent ts de 6 APPENDIX, Nol. Changes in t value of on . n Price of the Quarter of Wheat in England. hange 11 Lai 1543 me+ n Change of Interel in I547 ras à n en‘a LHAaNngeE IN E552 O1 Ses Lutr Lait 4 ne ye car 1601 Changeoflnteref in 1625 om > ON Où a La Un Ua Va O #2] es) >] ü EH En 0 D D D©© 7% ©\(©QO GE k [ æ fre fade) pa C4 at: of the tale QUO) SCT +1 NEA El EC @ D + Hd pd ep rm | æ) bonj palej bem fem b @} T la[a D bd es Fe D EST Ca Ca Un DINS 100 ON ON Q\a La D D m bei € Le Cr CV TI A UO IC CO [S) \Q\O\O ©) OU) C0 QT tn\O ST Our 0 Tr CDD \Q \Y\Q Charge of taie in © ia be ff ed a NN NANA AN K FES O US 6 Price of the quarter of wheat ss GP rice of ditto a 6lPrice of ditto es 6Price of ditto_— 6Price of ditto— Price of ditto*_— en ee when the price of wheat came to Price of the quarter of wheat at London ss in Norfolk= | alPrice of the quarter of wheat 7 Price of ditto= e 7iPrice of ditto CS re |= 7 HECIOr aitto ee ares ms r 7|Price of ditto res CE ss D Le 7Price of ditto ee ce=_—— 7iPrice of ditto——== 7 Pri ICE of ditto me a mm— ô| rice of ditto ere SEL ÉPrice: of ditto= Es 5 _[P rice of ditto RS É Price of ditto es CORRE Pr ice of ditto. EE 12 rice of ditto Er SRE Pri CR dre Price of ditto, in the fpring LS ee |. n f Price the fame year, before harveft [The fame year, in London, after harveft ni and in the country Price of the quarter of wheat— Price of ditto neo amas En es nes Price of ditto__— Price of ditto—_ DE ÉOUe t r1Ce Où aitto——— Price of ditto in the great dearth at London the fame year, after harveft se Price of ditto a es. Price of the quarter of wheat Price of ditto ne Re Price of ditto_— EE Se S es Price of ditto ne Les the fame year, after harveft= _ 1\Ëxportation, when the quarter of wheat did not exceed 1Ëxportation, when the quarter of wheat did not exceed ilPrice of the quarter of wheat—— rice of ditto a RE Price of ditto—=_—_ Price of ditto—_— 2 ne Price of ditto__— PE ns Average of thefe 5. laft years——— EX ney of bel st OMNOMOMOISTONO ST PRET SMS ATOS) om Exportation, when the quarter of wheat did not exceed — 1Ëxportation, when the quarter of wheat did not exceedl Het be bo FA lei Prefent e time.| Money. Sr OP sd 8 ol 2,1% 102 SAT IS 120.7 67 5 02 14© Dept 13 CE ©] 2 12 10+ 6: 8 T is 2£ 25 0" 0 16.. à 1.80. 8 O4 GONE re 2: Æ ol 6 6: 82 A 31% 5 dE OÙ Je AO EL}. 7 SR RTE AE CE AT Le Ge OÙ E O0 @=.0;3 17© DÉC D y de 0,©]© 19 ro 8©|© 19 10 S 0-0 19 10 8.| Grg 10 8 o|o r0:10 35 46 12 2 He©)© 224 40/40: 09.42 85 0]‘019.40 Sol©. ro. to 8 ol o 16 7 &, 0| 0 16 7 8 0o| 0 16:% Go SE Ti 4. 0!) 2 9 8 4 er 06 12, 6 dE O2 18 4 ee s I tr 3 4 5 10 5: O 4 8 55 7 dore 16 3 Ro 5 7 69232 à 2 2 346 0 2, C'æir 2 8 o| 3: 16() 3 8 S17 Q D 20] C6 6 a ol GS re #26 6 26 Ce —+ > 4 MENT Er er 16 7 7 NN Ces DC 4 4 Le ni Cr SIND ie += M= EN Len O D Ep Er SERRE Le SR CS ares EN TOME Ne) VS Deere APPENDIX, Nol. Î neEv Où’reient Ce ET Anno Régis.| Price of the Quarter of Wheat in England, he time.= Mo cv Ls Se d'\f,e$« Le Change of Intereft 2651— Price of the quarter of wheat es Hit At 0 0 this year.|1652= Price of ditto_ es Doeo.-6|-2 19-24 H6<4— d rice of ditto— ses eng| 2. 2 1654— Price of ditto_—— 6© rit 2 (1655— Price of ditto——— Eh 42 0 0 1656= Price of ditto nn en DE ol 2 13 7 1657— Price of ditto——_—_—» 6 5.2 10 6 P 1658— Price of ditto a——— 2 Cl lo : 1659]= Price of ditto purs HS|3 6 ol 3 19 2 l 166012 Chas. Le of ditto LEE li6r C3 7 9 || Average of the laft ro years—— Bd 0) 200); (1660!— Exportati on, when the quarter of wheat did not exceed(D 0:-0h2 9.0 Importation, when the au arter of wheat did exceed(2 O2 F2 1661— Price of the quarter of wheat es,|3 1or:Cl 4 4 1662— Price of ditto RS 3-14:0) 4 Sr 1663== Price of ditto—— E ee 27 03 8 Exportation, when the quarter of wheat did not exceed2 ON? Importation, when the quarter of wheat did not ex Es BE Pad 17 7 | 1664)_— Price of the quarter of wheat— 20. 012 0 7 1665— Price of ditto——— 29 4|2 19 3 1666!— Price of ditto Re—_—_— F:16 rs 2 |. 1667_— Price of ditto_——_—__— MIO C2 7 1668)-— Price of ditto_— TE bo 0,29 6 \ 1669]_. Price of ditto—_— re Éd 4213.32 1670——. Price of ditto= Dit 82106 6 Average of the laft ro years BB 102.10 à || Emport ation, when the ee of wheat did exceed{2 13 4] 3 4 o | 1671— Price of the quarter of wheat Ë de oh2.10. 5 1672— Price of ditto——— Br© 210 2 167%—[Priceofdito—— es h 6 81216 o f 1674= Price of ditto—— Dr dde 2& 167$ Lu em:“Price of ditto-=——— GT 9h35, 17.7 1676= Price of ditto=—— MS oz S 7 1 1657— Price of ditto——— L 2 o| D TO. à ! 1673—_— Price of ditto——————— Brg dF3 10.10 3 1679— Price of ditto———— 3© Gi F2< 1680= Price of ditto—— SEE(2 02 14 0 Average of chefe ro years————= DÉro 8] 2 O4 À: 1631_ Price dé the quarter of wheat ss ee 632-106 1682—— Price of ditto a 12 4 ol 2 12 IC 11683 7 Price of ditto_— ei—. 2 o o! 2-8. o (1684— Price of ditto_—_—— Pad lei ro | 1685 1 James 2/Price of ditto————— 2426 8|2.16 o | 1686— Price of ditto———— EE| 14.0) 2:© 10 | 1687 Price of ditto Arr(x Vol rio 2 |(1688. 1 W.& M.Price of ditto D 6 oars 2 | Exportation, when the qnarter of wheat did notexceedz 8 o| 2 17 7 | 11689] eur Pr ee> of the quarter of wheat_—_—_— E Et©1160 1690]— Price of ditto————— noige 912 8 | E|[Average of the laft 10 years—— Hi Gui | RS— CE_—_—— D ne Men e-e n D Eee ce RTE il 4 8 APPENDIX, Nol s Money of|l Prefent k So Fees Anno Regis. Price of the Quarter of Wheat in England.. time. Money. 4 QE+ HER| 16914 W.& M.{Price of the quarter of wheat———— Ho 02 010 1692—[Price of ditto—_—— 2:46 82:26 0; (1693, Price of ditto a———— 1 O4< 2 È (1694_—_ Price of ditto dE ie+4 034206 10| 11695— Price of ditto ee ee DsEd O3 3.7 11696 es Price of ditto—_——— dE O4. 5 2 1697— Price of ditto——#0 013 12: 0 11698— Price of ditto=——$ 6 4/4 20 11699= Price of ditto__—— ÿ4 0! 3 18 10 [1700= Price of ditto ee 260 02 5 O | Average of thefe 10 years=== 1 10 10 3 0. 2 lr7o1| 1 Anne(Price of the quarter of wheat——— pag 02.5 2 f 702— Price of ditto——— Le Où OT hi703— Price of ditto—_—— F6 O2 3 2 1704— Price of ditto—— 2.6. 62 15.510 1705] Be Price of ditto——_—_—— HO 0! T:10:.© 1706)— Price of ditto_——— Of Or EE 2 170"—- Price of ditto——— D Se Or 14 2 1708]— Price of ditto———— or 62 9.10 1709)! es, Price of ditto—— 3 18 6 hs RE| 1710—— Price of ditto———— Sin Cl 4 13 7 | Average of thefe 10 years ne— ea, 2. 2-11 10 ‘711— Price of the quarter of wheat_—— 2:14 0,3 470 1712)—(Price of ditto—— A: AL2ISe 7 : 1713.—(Price of ditto—— re DAT O3, I 2| Change this year 414 1 Go.xr Price of ditto parus Re 7 10 4 of intereft& tale. 1715 2 Price of ditto En CEA SE 2 3 0 x 4 16!— Price of ditto=—_— 2, 6.0{ 171#|[Price of ditt——— 2-50| 1718— Price of ditto_—_—.—— Ps 16 10# (E719 ee Price of ditto————— L 14 0 f720 er Price of ditto——— a 7© i Average of the laft ro years———=—|2 4104| VE: Price of the.quaster of wheat me— ee| 0 1722 a Price of—_—_— En T0©[ 5723— Price of_— a—+ 149 [1724]—— Price of———_—— M r 7:10 1926 Cu Price of Ré es RES re De 8 0 hi 526—— Price of« ne=_— 21 0 0. 1727 z Geo. 2[Price of Re co e?=>.09 ï 728= Price of————|2:14 6 L729| ss Price of Ù ee À LR in 2 7 6 (1730)— Price of ditto———— T 16 6 Average of thefe ro.years mm—— 22700 17231— Price of the quarter of wheat————| T 13 0 nn 32= Price of ditto TRES— LE T 069 1933= Price of ditto_—_— RS Es F8"4 7 34— Price of ditto gs eee Eur E 17 9 1735—_ Price of ditto ee— ba 3 0 l | 4 L ù 1 °{ A EE— Méeitets En PARA ee,> RE_“ APPENDIX, No. o of Prefent 3 Ce al£ I a Changes in the lAnno HE Ar nb ad| - value of money. Pom. de HE ER ENTER FEES HR 1 7 DÉPENS E ER 8) 2 16 1736| 10 Geo. 2 Price of the quarter of wheat be O0 4 84 1: 1737— Price of ditto ae Hr0 3161 1733— Price of ditto= Tes DE AS: ee y| 1739— Price of ditto Le se I 17 6 04 5 a 1740_— Price of ditto—— 2 LAC 3:12, 0 Average of thefe 10 years— PT. 0 44 26: h][741— Price of the quarter of wheat_— 2-70 0, 318 10 1742— Price of ditto=| TT2 12 o! 2 17.— Price of ditto—— se Ce,‘O |: ff; Ne— Price of ditto—_—_— ER‘4 ] ei I— Price of ditto a Es. rs ER à ::: nie en Price of ditto_ ENS Pepe 2$ f 1747— Price of ditto——_—— 1, T4 10 La À le| 1748= Price of ditto—_—_——_— IR 0 | F6 0| 1749— Price of ditto——— T Price of the quarter of wheat— LV10 3 18 10 1762 Es Price of ditto— Fe 19:09 14 9%| 1763 me Price of ditto—— 2- 9 pe, 0| 1764 as Price of ditto— es 2 9 2 4 104' 1765— Price of ditto———| 2 FA£ 117 0 1766_— Price of ditto_——_—— 2 2 1 16 0| 1767 Se Price of ditto ae— SA; 1 1410 À 1768 Es Price of ditto sn= eo F0 1769— Price of ditto——_—— D% HR 0. 1770 ue. Price of ditto— 2 9. 9 20.0.«_JAverage of thefe 10 years—— M2 9.0 1 2 0 k 1971 ee Price of the quarter of wheat—= Di< 214 6 1772= Price of ditto— Ce DE OO 1753 Me Price of ditto DL E DC+[Exportation, when the quarter of wheat was under| 2 4 0 ; o——fmportation, when the quarter of wheat is ator above) 2 8 0 2 0’ 1774 er Price of the quarter of wheat__——|2 12 Ô s; 1775 mx. Price of ditto— 2 8 4 : 8 9 1776 Les[Price of ditto er—— ER 10 JE as à 1777 A Price of ditto— a 2 6 “ 0 11798_ Price of ditto—_— a F2 2 0 "à b } EE: ER PT.== 10 APPENDIX,: No LT re lano Anno Regis. Price of the Quarter of Wheat in England. Eu i | LE. d. 1779) 19 Geo. 3[Price of the quarter of wheat—— 118. 9 1780== Price of ditto—. be Average of the laft ro years—_— eue OC 1781= Price of the quarter of wheat Le Es 2 4 8 17382 ee Price of ditto—— 2 710 1783— Price of ditto En RES 2 12020 1784— Price of ditto ER ni SE a S$'ro _+}Average of thefe 4 years ame—— 2 8 6: :| À| L Ë L & A Fest=: 4 su= 2 mææo|s A ul AN© 000 oO AP FEIN DA X, No ec An ACCOUNT of the Exportation and Importation of Grain, from and to Great Britain, from the year 1697 to the year 1784*. Exported Imported Mears: ENGLAND ALONE. Quarters. Quarters. Wheat and Flour== 14,698) 400 6 Barley and Malt—— 84,666 QT 1097 x.) Oats and Oatmeal= 295$ I -Rye——= 2,596 E 2 1O2,26. 612 | Wheat and Flour ss, rs 6,836] 1,689 608 Barley and Malt—— 77575) 150) ne 1 Oats and Oatmeal— F2 520 -Rye—— 1,343 3,622] =| Î 5976)| Wheat and Flour== on 48: 6 Barley and Malt——== 1,586_| 7 QT Oats and Oatmeal— 302 1,280! Rye—— 405 350! 2,850 2,TE0 Wheat and Flour—— do à Barley and Malt== 63,408]— x, EX). Oats and Oatmeal on 391 234 Rye=—- RU 140,147. 239 Wheat and Flour— 08,324 I Barley and Malt—— 12,400— FI0E+ Oats and Oatmeal== 286 20 Rp Re=> So 214,927 21 Wheat and Flour== 00;230 É : Barley and Malt—_—— 88,137 2 DIQE ee Oats and Oatmeal— 90 I Rye—_— 51,710= 230,167 1 Wheat and Flour—— 106,615) 5° 2 Barley and Malt—— 194,815!_ LE RE Oats and Oatmeal_ 152) 2 Rye_— 58,439— | 369,028] 52 * The Author mentions, in the memorandum which he left along with his Manufcripts, that the accounts of Export and Import were made up from other documents, before he g ot the neceffary vouchers from the Cuftom-houfes of London and Edinburgh; and, although the difference be not material, he meant to have reformed them, according to the Cuftom-houfe vouchers, if he had kept his health. Edit. APPENDIX, No TI. Exported eee Imported | Years| ENGLAND ALONE. Quarters. Quarters. | Wheat and Flour_—— 90;:314 2 | Barley and Mait se LEE 133003 58 17044 ne Oats and Oatmeal—— 220— Rye—— 29,285— 253422? Wheat and Flour—_ s 96,135 ae $ Barley and Mait—— 158,783— 165 ss Oats and Oatmeal—_—_— 100— Rye ne RES 24,060— 279,128— Wheat and Flour_—_ 188,332 77 Barley and Malt_—_— 151,306—| 1706 ne Oats and Oatmeal—_ 62 579) Rye=.— 49,892—| | 389,592 656 | Wheat and Flour—_ 74155 ee 5| Barley and Malt—— 115,924— ee LL Oats and Oatmeal—— 104 12 | Rye——_— 34,032— | l 224,215 12 | ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND. Wheat and Flour—— 83406 86 Barley and Mait—— 127,727 me 1708| England— Oats and Oatmeal—— 68 0 Rye_—— 4720 Le Wheat and Flour—_ 563= | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 16,263 Le 1708 Scotland—< Oatmeal___== 6,099 a Rye—— 12 Es CHulled Barley_——_ 30 238,858 186] Wheat and Flour_—— 169,680 L552 Barley and Malt—— 180,447 606 1709| Englend— Oats and Oatmeal=— 38 ï Rye—_ 166,5 13]= Carried forward 516,678 2,159) ne metier —————————— ER— APPENDIX, No ll. LE? T5 Exported Imported Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. Brought forward=— de 516, 678 2,1 59 Wheat and Flour— I 1938— 1 Beer, Barley, Barley Meai, and 4 Mait E5,200— 1709| Scotland— …s and Oatmeal—— 2,785— =,= 6— mix Barley——_ 73 536,607 2222 d Wheat and Flour—— 13,924 400! F à- Barley and Malt—_= 85,275 576 1710| England— Gi nd Oatmeal==—= 25 253 Rye—— 12,210=> Wheat and Flour— 2,683 Es 1 Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Mait 7,569== 1710 Scotiand— Re and Oatmeal me—_ 689 CS— a: GE— Halled Barley——_ 31 122,502 1,260 "Wheat and Flour_—— 76,949— | Barley and Malt—— 148,389_ oe RUREN Oats and Oatmeal__— 321— Rye==— PCR Wheat and Flour= 35992+ Bear, Barley, Barley Meal, and dM alt 26,990= 111| Scotland— re and Oatmeal Eee ee 8,595= LE Hulled Barley——— 19 303199) 19 Wheat and Flour—_— 145191 ss Fa Barley and Malt:—— 211,403 ar FES PB 400| Oats and Oatmeal bé 304 Be Rye au RP= 173735== Wheat and Flour— 3348==: Seed Beer, Beer Meal, Barley, and Malt 36,875 ï LT r2 7 SOA Gr nd Oatmeal—_— 6,083 ee Rye—— 83— || 421,082 1| RS——— Es—— re APPENDIX, No I. DC LOS NEA. A————— Exported Imported| Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. Wheat and Flour—= 176,227 Ces : Euslal Barley and Malt—— 270,518— ns NEC) Oats and Oatmeal—=== 1,370— Rye LS eur Be 33,626 4 f Wheat and Flour— 3742— Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mat 27,007— 1713| Scotland< Oats and Oatmeal—— 8,058— | Rye_=== 266— UPeafe and Beans—— 72 se ; SSL Wheat and Flour—_ 174,821 16 Barley and Mait— es 229,958 ete 4 AD ETES Oats and Oatmeal—— 129 24 Rye——— 20,455 nn Wheat and Flour— 5,344 Se > ee Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Malt 34254 ee 1724.) Scotlend— Oats and Oatmeal—_— 7,140— Rye as_ 23 ss 481,521 37 Wheat and Flour_—— 166,490= Barley and Malt ee_ 108,445— as EE Oats and Oatmeal==— 304= Rye ee 31,161= Wheat and bre— 6,747== Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Malt 28,851_— ee IR CO LE; Ys y 505 Pis CO ESS Oats and Oatmeal= se 7,423_ Rye—=== 95 ES 349516= Wheat and Flour—= 74,926 5e de Barley and Malt—— 241,474— 1716| England— Oùats and Oatmeal—— 720= Rye——— 40,123—= Wheat and Flour— 950 Le Beer, Beer Meal, Barley, and Mal 3313838— Es f Chant! 22.10:) 3 DJ) 1716| Scotland Oëts and Oitméal= s> 11,714— &Rye__— 1,570)— ||| Î 404,865]— ET— RSS LE_——— APPENDIX, No ll | Exported “| Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Wheat and Flour—— 22,054 ne Barley and Mait—— 269,519 1 RES Oats and Oatmeal—— 404 Rye="— 29,032 [ Wheat and Flour—— 2,683 Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mal 33,019 1717| Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal— 8,850l | Rye_—— 6 ee 45 (Peafe and Beans_— 327 145 366,244 16 Wheat and Flour_—= 71,80| eh k Barley and Mal———— 374274 21! 1718| England— Oats and Oatmeal— 869 Rye==— 49417 Wheat and Flour— 2,581 a Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 54,126 1718 ai Ne and Oatmeal= 14,010 Rye———+0 37 5 67382 Wheat and Flour—* 127,762] Barley and Malt—— 367,148] Rien Oats and Oatmeal— 219 Rye—= 45,502 Wheat and Flour—— 277 [ Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 49;970 | 1719| Scotland—_ and Oatmeal—— 11,763] | Rye— e— 187 | an 605,322 RE Wheat and Flour—— 83,084 A Barley and Malt—_- 258,016 1720| PRÉ Oats and Gatmeal—— 3, AT Rye—_—— 49,241 Wheat and Flour_—— 1,250 : à Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 435838 1720| Scotland— Oats and Oatmeal_— 16,788 Rye—=: 353 —| 456,050 16 APPENDIX, Noll. ES Exported Imported: Ya Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters.| Quarters.| a Wheat and Flour——— 81,632_— L, Barley and Malt—_— 359551 445 1721| England—1 Gais and Oatmeal— 578— Rye— 69,698 es Wheat and He— 1,116 La | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mat 45,726— 1521| Scotland—< Oats and Oatmeal— 135535—| 1[R 2| ye==— 02—_ Peafe and Beans— 50— 563,688 445] Wheat and Flour_— 178,830= - Barley and Malt— 4043257_ 1 4722| England— Oats and Oatmeal— 324 Le Rye=== 42579)—’ ç Wheat and Flour 25 a | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, ont Mat 22,258_| 1722| Scotland 4 Oats and Oatmeal— 5905 Lt 7|R je Te E 233 7 (Peafe and Beans——— I 654471 1| | Wheat and Flour— 157,720 a| ;. Barley and Malt_—— 350:853 ue 1723| England— Gi and Oatmeal— 542 113) Rye— a 12 738—| p Wheat and Flour 26e—|| | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 35425_— Fi À 1723| Scotland—« Oats and Oatmeal— 626—; Rye—= I= LPeafe and Beans.——— ui 526,267 262 Wheat and Flour— 245,865 148 Barley and Malt—— 252,194— 1724| England Gi and Oatmeal_—- 16 61,630 Rye—— 23441— FWheat and Flour 7,207= Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, ES Malt 2,004 10 4924| Scotland— 4 Oats and, Oatmeal= 621— | Rye— 9— | Peafe, Beans, in Buck Wheat_ 1e] j 525947 61,798,| | | Cr APPENDIX, NolIl. FA niiss| ee Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters.| Quarters. Wheat and Flour_—_ 204,41 3 12 Barley and Malt—== 307,808 D NES ANS Oats and Oatmeal— 1,447 2,E52 Rye—— 20,540)—— Wheat and Flour— 6, 762)— | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 27:943!— 1725| Scotland—+ Oats and Oatmeal_— 8,986._— Rye— 232= [Peafe and Beans— I 23 : 578232 2187 Wheat and Flour— 142,183 Re - Barley and Malt— 355: 043— ee gant and Oatmeal— 1,413) 20 Rye—_ 18, 835.— Wheat and Flour= 1,443 : Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mait 30,705= HS st M and Oatmeal—_— 3,722— R ye= a 1:335— 555669 20 Wheat and Flour— 30:315— £ enr Barley and Malt— 260,117 100 MT ReI Oats and Oatmeal—_ 2,205 16 Rye—_— 9,169— [ Wheat and Flour— 715!— Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 50,052]— 1927 FR Oats and Oatmeal me 7,042 ï | Rye a 0 St ce LPeafe, Beans, and Peafe Meal 33== 350,083 F1 Wheat and Flour— 3:81 745574 ee Barley and Malt—— 195,539 11,745 SA NEUE Rs Oats and Oatmeal— 1,333 70,070 Kye— T4 42,206 Wheat and Hriour— 118— | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 16,547= 1728| Scotland 4 Oats and Oatmeal== 1,371 ëE és—_ 270— Peafe and Beans— 5— | 219,064] 198,505 = 18 APPENDIX, No Il Exported Imported Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. Wheat and Flour in 18,993 40,315 Barley and Malt—— 135,394 17,202 1729| England—4 Gti and Oatmeal ee 2,541|: 184,092 Rye——— 1,460 132,046 Wheat and Flour——_— AU pr Barley, Barley Mel, and Malt 9:177— 1729| Scotland Oats and Oatmeal 2— 6,868_—_ | R ye— 17— 174,450]:655 Wheat and Flour ae 03971 76 $ Barley and Malt=.— 194,429 386 en& and Oatmeal_— 4,479 95149 \ye==+ 12,394= and Flour 559 cu Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 23,882— 1730| Scotland— Ji and Oatmeal— 1,933—— Peafe, Beans, hd Buck Wheat— I 331,812 95.612 Wheat and Flour_— 130,025]- 4 arley and Malt=—— 191,262 3:503 1731| Ensland= gun and Oatmeal— 1,808 15.893 h. u— 213090 ae [ Wheat and Flour= 625— | Beër, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 19.753—_ 1731 Scotland— à Oats and Oatmeal— 2,005 ne É e_—_— 3038— Peafe and Beans= 202_ 367.078 19.400 .g Wheat and Flour— 202,058] ns Barley and Malt—= 174,950&= 17932| England—(or and Oatmeal= 1,275 12,044 Kye—— 16,536_ Vheat and Flour— 554— ae Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mait 15.633 se. jan| SCORE Vi and Oatmeal_ 691 Le _Rye=— 40— 410,737 12,044 ss. Year 1 Ru. + 77007 ÈS fi APMENDIX,; Ne-Il to Exported Imported Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters.! | LE ne a—— 427,199 7 5 S arley an alt mms me 240,713—_— | 1733| Enplnd Oats and Oatmeal——, 1,457 9 L: Rye—— 28,TES re | Wheat and Flour— 206= | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 18,349— 1933| Scotland— Ots and On= 2303= Rye= TR 377— 719,117 16 Wheat and Flour—— 408,107 7 Ke Barley and Malt— 2 303:349 x 1734| England— Oats and Oatmeal ee nd 3039 9 Rye RE F— 10,735 a f Wheat and Flour_— 550__— Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 27,862— 1934| Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal,— S,:570== Rye—_ ue 255— (Buck Wheat and Peafe_— 2 7159555=. Wheat and Flour= 153344 9 Barley and Mait—— 277:302— 2735| England Oats and Oatmeal ee” 1,921 6,439 Rye__ 1,330 le |[ Wheat and He= 1,936_—_ Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 26,991 Es \ 1735 sel Oats and Oatmeal_—— 27,841 Ps LATE— 203— Peafe and Bac Wheat— ss ï 490,868 6,449 Wheat and Flour—_. TITO,T71 17 Barley and Malt re= 19y,463 ee +736| England Oats and Oatmeal—— 1,197 268 Rye—— T,22}== f Wheat and Flour_—— 47 ï Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 23.091= 1736| Scotland ris and Oatmeal— ee. 16,618 Es set 90 PL Pate and Bcaps—— 359,898 286! C 2 ER== 20 APPENDIX, No Il. Exported Imported Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. Wheat and Flour 2— 461,602 32 Fa slatd Barley and Malt—_— 127,388— 2537:| F8 400) Oats and Oatmeal—— 1,922 7 Rye——== 7,849= f Wheat and Fiour—— 4,469= | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mal 18,160 I 1937| Scotland—< Oats and Oatmeal_—— 25729 es Rye— AO= LPeafe and Buck Wheat—_ 2 624,159 42 Vheat and Flour—— 580,597 3 É Barley and Malt—— 259,298 T 1738| Englend Oats and Oatmeal—== 1,777 22 Rye_— me_ 36,159— Wheat and Flour 7,687= Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Mait 3232] 2 1738 sn) Oats and Oatmeal_—— 5:448 es LB— 166— Buck Wheat|== ee ne 2 923;459 29 Wheat and Flour——— 279:543— 23 5:: Barley and Malt—— 246,324—_ 1739| England— Oats and Oatmeal ee= 1,110 32 Rye= 29;791 es d Wheat ard Flour ee 5.949— | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and 4 Malt 24.685 ï 1739| Scotland+ Oats and Oatmeal—— 027 es Le_— 503 ss | Peafe, Beans, and Buck Wheat— 24 | 595838, 80 | Wheat and Flour_— Rs 54:391| 5,469! ul End Barley and Malt=— 169,565 ï 74 8 4%) Oats and Oatmeal—— 25572 1,223 Rye_—— 8,980 1,090 F{ Wheat and Flour———_ 7 | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 7,423 120 1740| Scotland—« Oats and Oatmeal Le— 831 513 Rye— er Peafe, Beans, and Buck Wheat— 27 243,702, 8,553 ee a Re; APPENDEK: No 2 Exported Imported Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. Wheat and Flour—— 45417 7,540 - Barley and Mait—— 129,972 15,532 t74r| Pngland Oats and Oatmeal— 1,107 84,322 Rye—— 7,622 EI;0r2 [{ Wheat and Flour—=— Le | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 23 374 1741| Scotland—< Oats and Oatmeal— 266 355722 | Rye ES— a es LPeafe, Beans, and Indian Corn= 3035 184,396, 158,437 Wheat and Flour——— 293,260! I End Barley and Mailt——_ 201,008 D: Le BA00— 1 Oats and Outmeal_— 1,380 25 Rye——— 63,272 23 f Wheat and Flour—— 2,438 ca | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 31337| I 1742| Scotland+ Oats and Oatmeal— 7238)— | Rye——. 354 36 [Peafe, Beans, and Buck Wheat 10 13 600,297! 16 Wheat and Flour_— 371431) É Barley and Mait—— 254213]= 1743: Enslne— Oats and Oatmeal_— 1,882 r3 Rye—_ 88.273 a Wheat and Fiour_—— 4,548= | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mait 39:773— 1743| Scotland— 4 Oats and Oarmeal— ess 13,988] Le | Rye—— 361— LPeafe, Beans, and Buck Wheat so! 8 774,524 24 Wheat and Four_— 231,985. 2 Barley and Mait—— 239,953!= 1744| England— Oats and Oatmeal Er ie 1,058 63 Rye es se” 74169]= f Wheat and Flour—_—= 2,289 LS | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mait 38,089!_— 1744 Scotland< Oats and Oatmeal FLE es 7534 ss | Rye_== 398] Le UPeafe and Buck Wheat=— Met 596,075 14 ”+; mn es ner mm À Pc res es ae APPENDIX, No IL Exported Imported Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. Wheat and Flour En es 324,840 6 : Barley and Malt——— 315234= 2745| England—1 Gi and Oatmeal_— 9770 5 Rye—— 83966— f Wheat and Flour—— 509= Beer, Barley, and Malt 21,840 Le 1745| Scotland—! Oats and Oatmeal— 30737 2. :[Re_——_— 160== Buck Wheat and Flour_ mm.| 13 787.056 24, Wheat and Flour— en 130,646 ee, À Se Barley and Mait— 440,744 Er. 1746 England—(jats and Oatmeal m—…— 20,203 ne Rye—_ 45,782= Wheat and Flour— 459 Æ | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 1,001 se 1746| Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal&= É Le | Rye— ee— ss LPeafe and Buck Wheat—— 4 638.835 4 Wheat and Flour— 266,907 es as à Barley and Malt—— 464:439 se PE7#7 England— Oats and Oatmeal= 2,122 ie CLRye_— 92,718= Wheat and Flour— 3:584= | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 24,591 Lu 1947| Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal— 55020 14 | Rye——— 4,010— LPeafe and Buck Wheat ee,_— 13 863-382 27 Wheat and Flour= 543 383 F 6 ; re Barley and Malt—_— ee 423:220| 1748 England— Oats and Oatmeal_— 3:769— Rye— EE 103 392 Li ç Wheat and Flour ce 1,852 Le | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 39757 Ês | 1748 Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal ms 8,377 æ: || Rye—_— 251 a |[Buck Wheat, Peafe, and Beans 53 14] || 1| | 1123953 nr APPENDIX, No Il. Years. GREAT BRITAIN. 1749 1749 1750 1750 1751 1752 2752 175I E Sub England— Scotland cd England Scotland England— me England * Séotland— Wheat and Flour Oats and Oatmeal Barley and Mait Rye Wheat and Flour re 1 Beer, Barley, Barley Meai, and Malt Oats and Oatmeal Rye Chef and Buck Wheat: Wheat and Flour Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Malt Oats and Oatmeal Rye Wheat and Flour, Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and à Malt Re and Oatmeal Le eafe and BE Wheat 2 "Wheat and Flour Barley and Mait Oats and Oatmeal Rye Wheat and Flour Bear, Barley, Barley Meal, and à Malt Oats and Oatmeal Le 188 Buck Wheat Wheat and Flour Barley and Malt Oats and Oatmeal Rye { Wheat and Flour | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Malt 4 Oats and Oatmeal | Rye, Peafe, Buck Wheat, and Hulle led Barley = — se ee 23 Exported Imported Quarters. Quarters. 620,049 382|= 1,281— 408,091 4 106,312— D958= 79:669— 235833]— 113— ge 9 1,250,306) 431 47,602 280 5555255 Ta 45283 20 99749 cs 50,264— 8,203 SEE 241_— = 1G 1,667,778 319 651,416 3 289,245— 2,476 2,201 71,048—— I: 547 me 18,233— 43065 rs EE 14 1,048 324 2,308 429,279)> 593197— 1,590 260 57:847= 838=- 25128 56 ms 14,C90 I20 223 886,71 14,629] TR Er ne re 24 APPENDIX, No IL | Exported Imported Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. Wheat and Flour——_ 299,609 te ; Barley and Malt—— 341474— 1753| England—+ Gt and Oatmeal—_ 7,012 36 Rye_— 24,836— (Bees, 1 and Flour— 1,145= Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Mait 5,066_— T553 Scotland d Oats and Oatmeal 45102 7,013 1 Peafe, Beans, BuckWheat, and Hulled: L Barley——_ 17 683,244 7,066 Le and Flour—_== 350,270 201 24 À Barley and Malt—— 369,771— 1754| England— Gi and Oatmeal—_— 2,330© 525422 Rye— 42,915— Wheat and Flour_— STE— : Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Mait 155534=| RAR) Scotland— 4 Gats and Oatmeal— 8,706 43409| Peafe, Buck Wheat, and Hulled Barley—— 15 | 795697 57:047 | Wheat and Flour—_— 237459_— Se Barley and Malt—— 3745404— HE es Oats and Oatmeal=_— ÉTI2 2,883 lé se es Fa 43442= | UE and Flour— 7— Fbée Barléy, Barley Meal, and d Mait 73265== Re Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal ee 2,056 3 : Rye—— 4 x Buck Wheat=— Les 13 | 665.739) 2,899 Wheat and Flour——| 101,936$| :. Barley and Malt_| 263:865 5| 1756| England—+ Gi and Oatmeal—— 2,310 46.670| | Rye_— 29,99 1,695 | Wheat and Flour 816— re Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, nt Malt 6,085— [ 1756| Scotland—+ Oats and Oatmeal_—_ 3:189] 8,068 || Buck Wheat and Flour——==| 18 || | 408,170 56,461 | ie se ee APPENDIX, No ll. | Exported lVears. GREAT BRITAIN.| Grstere far eat and Flour—| 11,226 Ke es Barley and Mait es 63,250! 1757| England—}C+ and Oatmeal—_— 4,418] 2_ 907] WA heat and Flour 319 Beer, Bariey, Barley Meat, and M: fait 10€! à. OUats and Oatmeal—== 27S 1757| Scotland— Beans and Peafe es ee D, us Buck Wheat and Indian Corn— re | Rye ee Su 57) | 80,656 Wheat and Flour_—— 0,234 eos Fil Barley and Mait—— I 1,410 75 8404 7) Oats and Oatmeal—— 5831 R ye—— ae f Wheat and Fiour—= Beer, Barlkey, Barley Meal, and d Malt LÉ, Oats and Oatmeal—_= 1758| Scotland— 4 Rye 8 Peafe, Beans, and Buck Wheat_ | Indian Corn and Hulled Barley—— 22,484 "Wheat and Flour_— ue 226,426 Barley and Malt—— 188,942 1759 Prin Oats and Oatmeal—— 95135 Rye:—_— 41,480 F What and Flour— E,21 Bear, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Malt 19,855 1759| Scotland—< Oùats and Oatmeal= ee 3,802 LES and Buck Wheat= 32 Rye_————— 29 484,916 Wheat and Flour Es_—_ 390,710 Barley and Malt—— 258,787 1760| England— Oats and Oatmeal— 2,338 Rye—_—_— 52776 f Wheat and Flour 2e 2,904 : Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and d Malt 32363 1760| Scotland! Gi and Oatmeal—— 12,1 58 Buck Wheat and Hulled Barley LE Rye, Peafe, and Beans_ 398 | 7523434 d Enr—_-== pre= vx=“4 nn u— Sn à= 26 APPENDIX, No Il. Exported Imported Years. GREAT BRITAI Quarters. Quarters. F| Wheat and Flour— 140,746— | 3arley and Malt ee== 76:949— 1761| England—4(,,4$ and Oatmeal— 2,340 21 Rye==|== 57571 Er Wheat and Flour 1,210_— | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mait 36,942 en 1567| Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal—_— 8,450 37 | Buck Wheat and Flour—— 15 LR ye—— 4II 2 = 9255120 1 çWheat and Flour—— 294,500 50 k Barley and Malt——,| 385:303 942 1702 Ed ts and Oatmeal_| 1,369 17,400 —— 28,410= EWheat and Flour 885 || Bees. Barley, Barley Meal, TE Malt 37761— G 1762| Scotland—« Oats and Oatmeal_— 14,623— | Rye—|— 219= | Buck Wheat—+ ns 34 163070 18,432 Wheat and Flour— 4273074 8! je Barley and Mait== 2 203,88 228 em ETC PS rte 35904 3» 1763| England Cats and Oatmeal_— 1,664 218,474 Rye-—_. 12,934= ç Wheat and Flour 2,464 GA|- | Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mait 11797 EE 1763| Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal— 1,378 16,425 || Rye=— 17— | EE Abe TES des | CBudE VW neat me A9 L 661,212 238:248 || Wheat and Flour— 396,538| 1564"| England— Barley and Mait ss ess 232:439 5,110 Oats and Oatmeal_— 1,101 E34370 -Rye— En 273690 EE | Wheat and Fiour_—— 319_— j Rue——=— 50 a 2e a| Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Mait 14:45= 1764| Scotland< pe 4(Bcans_ 12= | Oats and Oatmeai es 2,851 402 | Peafe, Buck Wheat, and Hulled Barley|— 48 || 675450 139,931 RL— | AODENDIR, NS TT. 2 Exported Imported | Years GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. Fe and Flour— ZT 16,036 I01,0cQ}! ee 3arley and Malt Ee hs 227,867| 2,0% 1965| England— oE and Oatmeal— 11,653 82,747 Rye, Beançs, and Peafe= 26,209$ ù; f Wheat and Flour= Be 90 3:53 Beer, Barley, Barley Meal, and Malt 24,060 1,014] $ Oats and Oatmeal— 72-,830 6 Scotland— 9 Saes 1765| Scotland— J Re de sn ee= : Buck Wheat—_=_— 4il | Péafe and Beans——| 250] : F| | 457:730) 218,031 : : |! Wheat and Flour_— 163,908 0,230 | Barley and Malt——— 95,061 2,621 166| England Le and Oatmeal_— 210,129 ye—_ ,045 140] Peafe and Beans— ee 25,048 363 1| Indian Corn—_— 195 f Wheat and Flour—— T O8 1,790 Barley and Mait_—— 54 1,E2$ }; 1766| Scotland à Oats and Oatmeal— 696 20,510 jt.\ Peafe and Beans—— 14 1,362 L Buck Wheat and Indian Corn_ 63 }£ 302,794 247,518 3 fWheat and Flour—_— 5,071 481,734 | Barley and Mait=— 18,654 64,895 Oats and Oatmeal— 10,593 209,403 { 1767| England—« Rye ee ue 53 655498 : LE Peafe and Beans—_— 16,052 16,469 7] Indian Corn_——_ LS 16 j fr Wheat and Flour=——_— 16,171 Barley and Malt—_ 46 9:469 ? 1767| Scotland—< Oats and Oarmeal= LE 12 39,750 | Rye——_== 259 . LPeafe and Beans_—— 3746 50,481] 907,420 ; d 2: CS TN= SE— Fe ER de= pa—— à—."Le= 28 APPENDIX, No Il, : lEaported Dubortel| Years. GREAT BRITAIN Juarters. Quartgrs. [ Wheat and Flour—= 7433] 3335 76 Barley and Malt_= 6,508 11,483] Had Oats and Oatmeal== es 12,096 125,014 1768 RS Rye——— 1 50 57»C73 Beans and Peafe—_— 13,932 55207 { Indian Corn——— 13:993 f Wheat and Flour—_—— 15,092 | Barley and Malt__ 79 8,098 1768| Scotland—< Oats and Oatmeal==_— 8 69,725 -Rye—— 806 LPeafe and Beans—— 75 29) 10,256 649176 [Wheat and Flour Er= 49,892 43171 Barley and Malt—— 37449 220 Oats and Oatmeal—— 13,264 75:37 1769| England—« Rye É 3 Es 21 22| Peafe and Beans—— 16,160 43| Indian Corn———— 50 r Wheat and Flour——— 207 | Barley and Malt— 2,376 ï 1769| Seotland—< Oats and Oatmeal==— 28 34090 | Rye and Buck Wheat_—— 49 LPeafe and Beans_—— 44 119,190 114,273 r Wheat and Flour—— 75,401 34 | Barley and Malt—_ 166,561 28 $ Oats and Oatmeal__— 19,7 109,203 1770| England— Rye me ee. Le 3. [Beans and Bel= ae 19,508 9 [ Wheat and Flour=== 48 Re | Barley and Malt= Le 3,348 L 1770| Scotland—« Oats and Oatmeal_ ns 05115 T4,941 | Peafe and Beans_—— 6_| LBuck Wheat——= 9 294,866 1243225 L: | | rs À S => ed A APPENDIX, No ll. 29 4 PET F | Exported Imported ;: Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. FES Wheat and Flour— 10,089 2,510 Barley and Malt— 34198 228 1771| England and Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal— 253233 212,327 | Rye_—===— 2,179 ÉPeafe and Beans:— 75062 131 96573] 217375 [ Wheat and Flour— 6,959 25,474 | Barley and Malt— 145031 3,068 1772| England and Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal— 23599 106,820 | Rye ne ns 41799 UPeafe and Beans— 17,096 490 61,685 140,651! r Wheat and Flour— 7037 56,857 | Barley and Makr:— 2,475] 63,916 1773| England and Scotland—< Oats and Oatmeal— 18,777! 329;454 || Rye ae AE— 95255 EPéafe:and Beans— 15,181| 61,116 44,07] 520,598 Wheat and Flour— I 5,928 289,149! Barley and Malt— 2,911| 171,608] 1774| England and Scotland 4 Oats and Oatmeal— 16,433] 299,499! Rye==— 2,260 41,427] LPeafe and Beans— 13,507 24,501| 51,090| 926,174] Wheat and Flour— 91037 560,988+ = Barley and Malt— 51,414 139;451 1775| England and Scotia Oats and Oatmeal— 26,485 384942]; | Rye et— 2,722 33:574 |‘2(Pesfe and Beans::— 19:349 44,452 191,007| 1,163,407 cWheat and Flour— 210,664 20,578 +|-Barley and Malt— 136,114 8,499]. 1776| England and chti 30 Oats and Oatmeal— 34987 378:566!. | Rye_—— 10,099 354ES LPeafe and Beans— 56,037 38,843 Ï 448,801] 449,901! Î| | TAN er D es DT 3e APPENDIX, No Il ES Exported beats Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quaters.| Quarters.| r Wheat and Flour— 87,686 2335323 } Barley and Malt— 142,525 7.981 1755 England and Scotland— à Oats and Oatmeal— 36,614 366.146 Rye—— 046 18.454 LPeafe and Beans— 47156 63;329 | ANT 27 690,033 ç Wheat and. Flour,— 141,070) 100,394 Barley and Malt— 103,930] 423714 1778| England and Scotland—< Oats and Oatmeal— 56,543 201,170 Rye—— 1,706 9,327 PEAR and Beans— 37075] 57933 340,924) 417538 ç Wheat and Flour— 222,261 5,039 Barley and Malt— 86,777 7,085 1779| England and Scotland— 4 Cats and Oatmeal-= 22,286 348,511 Rye——_— 3199 1,603 lPeafe and-Beans‘:— 44593 43:745} 378,116 406,073] ç Wheat and Flour— 224,059 3915 | Barley and Malt— 191,503 352 1580| England and Scotland—< Oats and Oatmeal— 275023 195;224 | Rye—— 6,305—| [Peafe and Beans— 22,941 25,125 471891 210,086) | | ç Wheat and Flour— 103,021 1 59,866! Barley and Malt— 1 50,468 56 198:| England and on Oats and Oatmeal— 41717 109,446 LE——— 2,701 10,743 .Peafe and Beans— 19,344 17753 3715251 297 84 Wheat and Flour— 145,152 80,695 | Barley and Malt— 127744 13602 1782| England and Scotland— 4 Oats and Oatmeal— 23317 38,562 | Rye==— 4,003 a { Peafe and Beans— 26,128 8,558 | | 326,344] 141,407 APRENDIS.: Ne TE 3£E Exported Imported Years. GREAT BRITAIN. Quarters. Quarters. >[ Wheat and Fiour— 51,043] 584,183] | Barley and Malt ee 54,005 144,926 1783| England and Scotland—< Oats and Oatmeal— 11,826 228,942 | Rye nn 3365 81,295 CPeale and’Beans.— 12,960 31,6:4 134159). 1,070,960| [ Wheat and Flour— 80,288] 216,947! | Barley and Malt— 66,889 715882 1784| England and Scotland J Oats and Oatmeal— 13511 266,998! | Rye—— 6731 24,779 LPeale And Beans …— 10,976 45,816 187;395 631,722 DD ENT N APPÆNPDIE, No IIE GENERAL ACCOUNT of the que of the different forts of Grain, Exported feverally from England and Scotland, from the Union to the year 1763, when the Great Importation of Foreign Grain commenced. JA LL | SCOTLAN D- ENGLAN D.| | | Oats de| Bark y and[Rye, Peaï fe, Wheat and Whecat andRye, Peafe, Barley and, Oats and| IRENTE À M Me and Beans,| Four here Flour and Beans, Malt Meal| | Les eu S,| on ters.| Quarters.| Quarters. Ses Quarters. Quarters.| Quarters. Quarters.| || 6,09 9 16,263 12| 56211708 83,406 4»72©| 1275727 68] 2,785- 153200 6 1,938/1709| 169,68< 166,513| 160,447 38! 639 7,500 21 2,683h1710| 13924] 12,216]:275 125! 8,595) 26:ÿ90 6 og2h7ril 76,949) 37957] 14339 321 6,083] 36,875 83 3348712] 145,191!. 17735) 211:403 304 8,058) 37867 266|.:3,742l1713| 176,227 38,626| 270,515 1,376| TA 345254 23 5,844|1714 174,821 20,455 238,855 120)! 7423) 28,851 95 G,jamhis| 166,490 31,161] 108,445 304 —| 46,872) 203,869 pex2 28,857 1,006,688| 329,483 1371009 2,665! 11,714) 33385 15070 g50|1716 74,926 40,123| 241,474 720] | 8,850!* 38,019 456 2,683|1717 22,954 23,032] 269:519 404 os| 14,010!"1 54,126 306 25811718 71,800 49,417| 374273 869 |© r1,763| 49079 187 2,771l1719| 127,762 45,502] 367148 219 | 16,788 43,838 353 1,259l1720| 83,084] 49241 258,016 3,471 nn 4235210 3384 39101 1,387,;214| 536,095 2,881,499) 8,348 13,535)* 457720 852 1,116|1721 81,632 69,698| 350,551 578 5905) 22,258 233 35l1722| 178,880] 42:579) 404257 324 626 3425)«+ 1 362l1723| 157720 12,738 350,853 542 621 2,004 9 1,29711724| 245,805 23:441| 252,194 516 8,986]:943 333 6,762l1725| 204:413 20,540] 307,805 1,447 130,670, 524,566] 4,812] 48,673 2,255,724| 7056094 4547102! 11,755 3722]:795 1,335 1,44311726| 142183] 18,835] 355:943 1,413 7,042 50,052 468 7:5|1727 30,315 9:169| 250,117 2,205 1,371 16,547 275 1181728 3,917 14] 195539 1,333 6,868 075l x de 20) 16009) 1,460| 135304 2,541 1,933| 23,882 165 s59l1730| 93»971| 12394] 194:429|. 4479 160,606! 655,019 7,072 51508 2,545:003 47566! 5,678,584 23770 2,006| 70,53 510 6241731] 130,025 21,090| 191,262 1,808 691| 15,633 49 5541732| 202,058 15,536] 174950 1,275 2,631] 18,349 377 2061733| 427199) 28,155] 240713 1,487 5570) 272862 253 ssoli734l 408,197] 10,735] 303349):039 275841 26,991 203 1936/1735] 153344 1580 SITE 13921 |? 7) 199,344) 763007 8,455 55379 3:865,826| 824,412 6,866,160 33306! ——" pui Ga ST. LR_ TE: > 2 S 1 D+ 2 Len LVL Ou Le = fn ES 2 + + AP PÆENDAX, No RL E enn ge LEE SCOTEAND: ENGLAN D. Oats and|Barley and[Rye, Peafe,\Wheat and Wheat andRye, Peañfe,lBarley and] Oats and Oatmeal Malt and Beans, Flour VS Flour and Beans, Malt Oatmeal Quarters.| Quarters.| Quarters.| Quarters.©| Quarters.| Quarters.| Quarters.| Quarters. u=| 199,344] 763,607 8,455).3865,826 824,41216,866,16 33,306 16,618 23,091 90 471736! 118,171 1,221|, 109,402 1,197 2,729 18,160 40 4,4691737| 461,402 7,849] 127,388 1,922 5448] 32,327 166 7608717381 580,597 36,159] 250,298 1777 7:927| 24,685 503 5949/1739! 279:543|-29,791| 246,324 1,116 831 7:423|—— 740] 5439: 8,980| 169,565 2572 232:897| 869,293 9254] 73:53) 5359930] 908,412/7,868,198 41,890 255 23—— YA 45417 7:622| 129,972 1,107 7,248 31337 354 24381742) 293,260 63:272| 201,008 1,330 13,938 39,778 411 4,54 743| 3715431 88:273| 254,213 1,882 75341 83,089 398 2,280/1744| 231985) 74160] 239,953 1,058 30:737|- 21840 160 5091745|50324040)© 832966! 3152341: 9770 292,6 59| 1,000,360 10,577 83315 6,626,863| 1,225,71419,008,6 78 57,687 es 1,001— 45911746| 130,646 45:782| 44C;744 20,203 5,020 24,591 4,010 3»5841747| 266,507 02;718| 464,430 25122 8,377| 39151 251 1585211748] 543388] 103,802] 423,220 3»769 222528 79,669 113 1,958|1749| 629,040 106,312] 408,091 1,281 8,203 50,264 241 2,881l1750| 047,602 99049! 555,255 4,283 338,092] 1:195,036 15192 94049 95144455] 1,673,467|11,300,318 89345 4,365 18,233— 1,541|1751| 661,416 71,048] 289,245 2,470 — 3128 122 83811752| 429,279 57>847| 393910 1,590 4102 SOON— 1,145|1753| 290,600 24,830] 341:474 7s012 8760 0, La 4) es— 5111754] 356.27 42,915] 309:771 2,330 2,056 75255 4 711755|. 237:459). 43442). 374404) 1,112 357381 1,249,052 15;310 98,091 11,128,488] 1,913,55513,C60,1 22) 103,865 3,189 6,085== 816/1756|" 101,936 29,960] 263,865) 2,310 275 195 167 31011757 11,220 00 63-259) 45418 eu Es—— 1758 0234=< 11,419) 1,331 353802 10,855 29 1,215/17,9| 226,426] 41,480] 188,042] 2,135 12,158] 32363 398 2,904/1760| 390,710 52,766] 258,787 2,338 8450] 36,942 41 1,21C/1761| 440,746 57.571] 376,949):840 14,623 37761 219 88511762| 294,500] 28,41C| 385,303 1,369 399,878 h 3773052 16,4331 105,440 68260) 2,124:05814,617,646!:122,106 Le nn pa menti eee TRS AN TT TRE= ver epre Le ù— D sant_—_ a pes;=— RER© = pu RE a re ns re EE 2_ ai E RE 06— 34 APPENDIX, No IV.| an. TABLE of the Yearly Prices and Averages of Wheat, and of the General Im- 7: portation and Exportation of Grain, to and from Great Britain, from the tai year 1697 to the year 1784 incluñve.| fous Yearl Average IMPORTATION. Bac Prices a EXPORTATION. Sum of Im-lAveragelm-| Ve:= the Quarter ats pt Le arly Ex-lAverageEx-Sum of Ex- more portation. RE of Wheat.|""| of Wheat. rx Re Let Quarters.| Quarters.| Quarters.[£. os d. fe s] Quarters.| Quarters.| Quarters.| 612]3 D... 0 6907 102,255| 59813 8 4 h1698| 85976 2,116 4 o[1699 2,850| 4 Years 8,948 23237 2392© o 17002 18. 1| 140,147 82,807| 3312284 Years ul 11043 lt. 9 8|rgot 214,927 gun, 15979 1lr 9 61702 230,167| Lis 16- 011703 360,028 212 6 61704 253422 1:10 CET 279;128 65611 6 o|1706| 389,592 121 8 6|1707 224,216 1862 1 6 1708 238,858 25339\3 19‘6|[r709 536;607 1GVears|, 4,422 442 1,260/3 18 olr710 3 2/| 122,502) 284,945/2;849,446l10Years| 19/2 14 OO[1711 303:199. mas 373 112 6 4(TF2 421,082| sr V9 xt. 0‘H?rs 536;752| 2I2 à A[V7r4 481,521. 5 — 2 3'04171s 349,516 l =.|? 9. ONGIO 404,865 622.5, C\r7z7 366,244 21lr 18 10 1718 567;382 3201 14 91719 605,322 ro Years 714 À‘2541 17©1720 4 10%] 456,05b| 449,1034:491,933l1o Years 4AS\T 17. O6|1724 563,688 1 10:©|1722: 654;471 2621 14 9|1723 526,267| den 39? 61,ÿ98|1 17©|1724 525:947 2528712 91 611725 578:232| 202 6©|1726 555:669 RIMZ 2 01/2 350,083 198,505|2 14 6.|1728 219,064 3736552 9 6|1729 174,450 aYears| 732,602| 723,269! 95,6121 16 617302 2 o!| 331,812] 447,9684,470,683l1oYeart| 19;4OO!T 121.0 0731 367:078; 12,044I1 6 9 1732 410,737 1611 8 4|1733 AO; 7 TOI 17, 98e 75955515 6,440!2 3 o[1935| 490,868 il 2862 o 41736 359:898 Hé 4211 17 9 1737| 024159 2911 15 6-|1738 923»459 Soit 17 6|1739 595838 10Vears| 46,909 4,690 85532 15 0117407 17 6| 243,762! 549,447/5,494,471ltoYears RER D pe— LES ne' Ce = nn nn SR HSE TEA ES———\ General, In, from, k Um of Ex. Portation, Quarters, 331284 Ven 4 84944600 (its } LoYeuts 105,033 70,683 toYas pa gril APPENDIX,.NoIV. 35 Yearls vera:_ IMPORTATION. DES+ see EXPORTATION. Sum of Im-lAveragelm-Vearlv Im QuAREENT rs thé Quarter. x-lAverageEx-Sum of Ex- portation. bre portation. of Wheat.|"|of Wheat, eos RARES in. Quarters. Quarters. Quarters. Ga upe DR en Quarters. Quarters, Quarters.| 1584372 7 o l1741] 184,306 ’ 767 12 141942 600,297 241 5 o|1743l 7741524 754 4111744-| 596,075 244 7 6 1745 787056 4 19 o|1746 638,835 2711 14 10 1747 863,382 201 17 o 1748 1:123,9053 ABair: 17° 0° H749 1,250,306 IoYears| 150:437| 15,943 3191 12 6fr7507 13 8|1:667,778) 848,6608,486,602/10 Year 2,3081 18 6[1751 1,048,324 14,6292‘I 10|1752 886,712 7:0662 4 51753 683,244 57»0471 14 9 1754 795:697 2890! 13: 9 76e 665,739 66,4622 3{2756 408,170 167,3013© O 1757 8c,656 64,56:2 10 oO 1758 22,484 1,6881 19 10|1759 484,916 1OVears) 373972] 37:397 121 16 6 19602 2 6! 752,434] 582,83716,828,376/10Years 934 10 3 1761 025;119 18,432 19 OO 1762 763,070 238,2482 O 9 1763 661,212 13950312 6 9 1764 675:459 218,0312 14 O 1765 457730 247,5182 8 6|1766 322794 9074203 4 6|1767 504 649,1763 Oo 6 1768 49,256 1142732 3 1|1769 119,200 124,2252 9© 1770 294,866 22%:375/2. 7 2 19% 06,573 12Vears 3015353] 251,270] 140,651/2 10 8 19722 7 10 61,68;| 370,70314,448,435|12Years 520,5982 II© 1753 445079 026,1742 12 8|1574$1:099 1,:1034072 8 4 1775 191,007 4499011 18 2|1776 448,801 690,0332 5 6|1777 315127 4175382 2 O© 1778 3495974 406,07311 13 8|1770 378116 224,6161 15 8|1780 471,891 2978642 4 8|19787 317251 141,407/2 7 10[1782 320,344 1,070,960!2 12 8|r783 134159 12Vears6,940,293| 578,358] 631,7222 8 10 17842 5 x| 187395) 267,182/3:206,18412 Years eZ LE rer Rome emma ere 0 36 APPENDIX, No V. TABLE of the Quantities of the different forts of Grain Exported from Great Britain, and of the Price of Wheat, from the Union to the year 1763, when the Great Importation of Foreign Grain commenced. T Yéarly| Average Price of thelPrice of the Wheat and| Rye, Peafe,| Barley and Oats and uarter of| Quarter of Years. Flour and Beans, Malt Oatmeal W heat. Wheat. Quarters. Quarters. Quarters. Quarters. ESS dass le DértE 5 6 1708 83,969 4,732 143990) 6,167 RS 0 1709 171,618 166,519 195647] 2,823 359 0 ado) 16,607 12237 92,344 814 DAC ET 80,941 37:903 175329) 8,916 2: FO LA 1712 148,539 17,818 248,338 6,337 late 1713 179,969 38892] 308,355 9:434 F2 40 4 1714 180,665 20,478 273109] 7,269 2-82 1715 173:237 31:256|° 137296) 7727 | | 2 152 1,035545 329»805| 1:574938) 49537 2: 8°.© 1716 75,876 41,693 274,862 12,434 2 0 1717 25:637 23,488] 307-538 9:254 I 198 TO 1718 74,381 49723 428,399 14:879 sr 20 1719 120,532 45,639 417118 11,082 Æ Ten 0 1720 84,343 49,594) 301,854 20,259 l 2 AOSLL 1,426,315 540,082] 3304709 ne FE] 40 19| 82,748 70,5 50 396,277 14,112 T0 0 1722 178.915 42,812 426,515 6,229 1 1410 1723 168,082 12,739 3545278) 1,168 1 17© 1724 247,102 23,450 254198 2,597 2186 1725 211,175 20,873|+: 3355752 10,433 | 2,3045397 710,506 5,071:728 151:425/ C2 1-6 1726 143,062 20,170 386,733 RoE3S 2:02 1727 31030 9:637| 300,169 9»247 La 424 1728 3:935 239 212,086 25754 2 6 1729 18,993 1,477| 144571 9409 1 16 1730 04:530 12,65 59 218,311 6,412 2s965r1] 754638] 6333603]:382 Fr 22 1731 130,050 21,600 211,015 35813 ÉT RO 1732 202,612 6670 190,583 1,966 Bert 1733 4275405 28,532]: 259,062 4118 pe 18 10 1734 408,747 10.988] 331211 8,609 F2 3-02 1735 155280 1,533| 304293 29,762 || PR | 1 14" C 3921,205| 832,867] 7,629: 707 232,65C|- a ja.=, e zS SES RE Pro ES = APPENDIX, | Yearly Average (Price of the|Price of the Quarter of| Quarter of| Years. Wheat.|. Wheat. A ed Brought forward] 1735 2-0 À 1736 1/10,© 1737 ri-45-06 1738 15 28-06 1739 2:10 8 1740 2 0,7 De 1741 EF 14© 1742 EM 410 1743 Le TO 1744 te 1745 ; E Lis 7 EF 19‘© 1746 14 10 1747 17© 1748 FT 0 1749 re 6 1750 E 16-48 190 1751 mt 10 1752 2400 1753 14 0 1754 | I 13 10 T5 0 | | F6F9 8 (2: 5.73 1756 | 3 O Q 1” 57 |° 10_O 758 T' 19 LD 1759 dr 10 0 176: |+ 10 176x [529.0 1762 | 22;xI = Sasaté_-; Dm D nan om ne nero er No XE, 37 Car SAS Wheat and| Rye; Peafe,| Barley and Oats and Flour and Beans, Malt Oatmeal Quarters. Quarters. uarte Quarters. er| 921,205 832,867| 7,629,707 232,06 118,210 F,9T1 222,554 17,815! 465,871 7889 145,548 4,651 538,284 36,325 2913625 75225 285,492«30:294 271,009 9,043] 54391 8,980 176,988 3:403 55433»461| 917,666] 8,737:491| 274,787 45:417 7,622] 129,995 1,362 295,698 63,026! 7 232,34, 8,628] 375079 88,634 293,99: 15,370 234;274 74,567 273,042 9:102 325:349 84,126|:074 10,507 6,710,178| 1,236,291 10,008,938 350,346 131,105 45,782 441,745 20,203 20,491 96,728 489,021 7,142 545;240 104,143 462,371 12,146 631,007 106,425 487,760 25,114 050,483 99:290 605,519 12,486 9:238,504| 1:688,650| 12,495:354:437 662,957 71. 48]:578 6,841 430117 57967:038 1,590 300,754 24,836 346,540 I1,114 356,781 42,915 334:905 11,096 237466 43.449 331,059 3168 11,226,579) 1:928,874| 14:312,974 461,246 102 752 29:969| 269,950 5,499 11.545 964 63.454 4.693 9:234_— 11,419 1,831 227641 41,509| 208,707 6,937 393614 53164 291,150 14,496 441,956 57982 413,89 11,290 295.335 28,629 423.064 15,992 12,708,706| 2,141,091| 15,994,690| 521,984 4 38 APPENDIX, No VI. TABLE of the Prices and Duties, for the Exportation of Wheat from TABLE ENGLAND, prior to the Revolution, awno 1688. Exportation Prices Exportation Duties per Quarter. per Quarter. Prefent{Money of some..[Money of} Prefent Money. Îthe Time. Dom.| Anno Regis. the Time] Money. FCO TA ST CE; PO ARE À CR À Permitted—— Lo ooco o 0|r360/34 Edw. 30 o oo 00 ee 0:::0.010-.0-0/1303|57 Rich.2.40-o où©© ———@ 0:00:0:01425| 4 Hen.: 6.10© ch’ 0. 06 ue 2.1:4 00.6:8/:436|15 Hén. 6.0:° 0 ob-0o:0 une 0 16 66 6 815541 2P.&M{jo o co 00 —— r:-0:86.10 0156215 Eliz.#5 0 06© o — 0.© où.0 0157013 Eliz.:{© 1 0Q 2 slby flatute — OO OÙ© 0]————©O 2©C© 4 2lby licenfe — D NT AT 00150170 Hliz.s lo-=2 far LEUR 2.13 Alt: 6:8l1604 2 da. 1/0 2-0p 4.0 — 3 4.01 12 CN6232x, Ja 10 2 oo 4o _— 2-11 21-12-0162) 3 Chas 1,0-2 06 3 2 LE 2. 8 O2 0 olr66012 Chas 21 6 er 40 2. 17 112 8 6160315 Chas 2/7»-_| RER ERUTE SC ne ee M RÉ En Pt css_|- Q the nn| O re- a rs APPENDIX, No VII. Anno Regis. ABBREVIATION OF THE BRITISH EXPORTATION LAWS. 5 Anne. 8 Anne. 2 George 2 5 George 2. 14 George 2. 24 George 2. 26 George 2. 30 George 2. 31 George 2. 6 George 3. 7 George 3. 8 George 3. 9 George 3. 10George 3. 11 George 3. 12 George 3. 1 3 George 3. Rules laid down for meafuring Corn to be exported, and for afcertaining the | Union fettled_—Englifh bounties adopted over all the kingdom, and extended to Oatmeal, Bigg, and Malt of Wheat.; Exportation prohibited, until the 29th September 1710. prices,&c. Grand Juries, at Sellions, to prefent the price of Corn; and Corn imported, not to be again exported, nor carried coaftways. Prohibited, until the 25th December 1747. Bounties upon Corn exported in Meal, to be paid according to the weight, at| the rate of 448 pounds for the quarter- Money, due upon Debentures for Corn exported, to bear intereft at 3 per cent. per annum, 1f not paid in 6 months after prefenting thé certificate. Prohibited, until the 25th December 1757; but with power to the King and Council to take off the prohibition. Corn Market eftablifhed at Weftminfter;—and, the fame year, an ÂAflize made for Bread. Exportation prohibited for a limited time;—and, fame year, an Embargo laid upon fhips loaded with Corn, for exportation;—and, fame year, the Mayor and Aldermen of London impowered to determine the prices of Corn in January and July, as well as in April and Oétober. Exportation of Grain, and diftilling from Wheat or Wheat Flour, prohibited from the 26th September to the r4th November 1767. Exportation of Corn, and diftilling from Wheat or Wheat Flour, prohibited until 20 days after the commencement of the next Seflion of Parliament. 5000 quarters of Bigg allowed to be exported from the Iflands of Orkney, yearlÿ.;—and, fame year, exportation of Grain, and difilling from Wheat or Wheat Flour, prohibited for a limited time. Corn Regifter eflablifhed; and Weekly Returns, from market towns in the fe- veral counties, to be made of the prices of Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, and Beans, in England; and of Bear or Bigg, in Scotland. Same year the ex-| portation of Corn, and the diftilling from Wheat or Wheat Flour, prohibited till 20 days after the commencement of the next Seflion of Parliament. Exportation of Corn prohibited, and alfo the diftilling from Wheat or Wheat Flour, until 20 days after the commencement of the next Seflion of Par- liament. Exportation of Corn, and diftilling from Wheat or Wheat Fiour, prohibited until 20 days after the commencement of the next Seflion of Parliament. Exportation of Grain, and diftilling from Wheat or Wheat Flour, prohibited! until the 1ft day of January 1774. f | | | 14 George 3. Em©" ue nes Sn OSame year the former bounties and du! tiés repealed, and 2 total alteration made in the Corn Laws.| Alteration of the method of afcertaining the prices of Corn to be fhipped for! exportation.| 42 APPENDIX,-No Vil. | Money of| Prefent Anno! Anno Regis. Abbreviation of the ENGLISH Exportation Prices. the time.| Money. Dom.! Las Se) RTS 8 A 143615 Henry 6.|Exportation permitted, when the price of Grain, at |; home, did not exceed, per Quarter, for Wheat—— 050 18/2, 4:10 Barley—_——#0 21) 01011970 15541 P.& M.Permitted, when the price did not exceed, for Wheat—— 6:*0+8: 0110 Rye—_ D ArOM0:, 0 LI Barley—— ons OO VUE 1562! 5 Eliz. Permitted, when the price did not exceed, for Wheat—_ OH1O: Où 8 Rye, Peafe, and Beans— O8. 040410: 6 Barley and Malt— 22406 8.071353 10 159335 Elz. Permitted, when the price did not exceed, for Wheat—— 150) 00 rs EtcA Rye, Peafe, and Beans me Did di og Barley and Malt—— 101#2:60 4 10 1604| 2 James 1./Permitted, when the price did not exceed, for Wheat—_ 1: 0 9121214 Rye, Peafe, and Beans—_ OS 5.0 10°.© Barley and Malt— MS 14-011 9°0 1623|21 James 1./Permitted, when the price did not exceed, for: < Wheat— a Lo2 0 2640 Rye—_— 0:80 42 0 0 | Barley, Malt, Peafe, and Beans O S10%:0 3128-10 1627| 3Charles 1.Permitted, when the price did not exceed, for Wheat_— É 12 EL 6 2 Rye—— 1 OCT L2.© Barley, Malt, Peafe, and Beans GPO O. Hs 7 1660l12Charles 2.(Permitted, when the price did not exceed, for Wheat—_ 20©2090 0 Rye, Peafe, and Beans— 4 0, 1,,09 Barley and Malt= HO O1 4. 0 Oats—— lb 16 ok 19 2 116631 sCharles 2.Permitted, when the price did not exceed, for | Wheat_— 2e 80 PL. 7 Rye, Peafe, and Beans— PI 40 1 18 4 Barley and Mait— er#0. 400) 19 67 Oats—— QI 4 O 10 6 16881 W.& M.lPermitted, when the price did not exceed, for Wheat—_— 28 012 17 7 Rye—_—_ A2 0|E 18 4 Barley and Malt= le 4 Où 9 N.B. Prior to the year 1346, the Exportation of all kinds of Grain, from England, was totally prohibited. em Pan per= mt APPENDIX:::-No VIL 43 Fe nt y: Money of| Prefent d. Anno the time.| Money. —— Dom.| Anno Regis. Abbreviation of the BRITISH Exportation Prices. AS ART pied 1706|$ Anne.[Exportation of Grain permitted, when the price of 0 the quarter did not exceed, 10 For Wheat, ground or unground, or Malt of Wheat 8 o 217 7 Rye, ground or unground——_— 12 CO| T6:$ 6 Barley, Beer or Bigg, or Malt, ground or un- % ground— 4.0.1, 020 74 Oats___— 130 JO'ES8: 10 :) 1973113 George 3: Exportation permitted, when the prices were under g For Wheat——— OO: 0 2e 40 6 Rye;—_—_ 6-6©|1. 950 Barley, Beer or Bigg, or Malt thereof— lo o or 2 0 re Oats=_—+© D oo 14. 0 - 7 10 4 : Price_ EN CE Duties per Quarter. Anno Abbreviation of the ENGLISH Exportation| Money of| Prefent| Money of| Prefent Dom.| Anno Regis. Duties. the time.| Money.|the time.| Money. 0| EG NL es NE RS 1e 0& 9 157013 Eliz. For Wheat, when not prohibited— DOM O16: oMo10: rx 0-10: 72 0 Other Grain——— 002 Or GIÉ 0 0401.60 osire 4 2 Wheat, exported by licence— D Ob-OND% Oxn0p0 2.004-© : Ocher Grain, by ditto—— 06:0‘0,0#0%0.0 1. 440 2:08 159335 Eliz.|For Wheat, when the price did not exceed|r© 02 1 5 2 ob 4 o| fl Other Grain, as per exportation prices ob© ol o ob 1 4lo 2 8 1604] 2 James 1.|For Wheat, when the price did not exceedir 6 8213 4kb 2 ob 4 o 9 Other Grain, as per exportation prices 10 6° 06e 00 L 40 2-8 9 162321 James 1.[For Wheat, when the price did not exceed|r 12 O0$ 4 0 2 ob 4 oj 0 Other Grain, as per exportation prices ob o ol o ok 1 4k 2 8 2| 1627| 3 Chas. 1..For Wheat, when the price did not exceed 1 12 O2 11 20 2 ok 3 21 | Other Grain, as per exportation prices ob© oo o©o ob 1 4lo 2 12 | 166012 Chas. 2..For Wheat, when the price did not exceed|2 0 02 8 ol o or 4 o l Rye, Peafe, Beans, Barley, Malt, Buck 4 Whéeat si A— MOo4#6 0 D C7 0el0 10.0 lo 12.0 1 Oats, when not above—=‘ou0 400.102 6 6 8 8 0 9 166315 Chas. z. For Wheat, when the price did not exceed 2 8 Of217 711 oO or 4 o Rye, Peafe, Beans, Barley, Malt, Buck 7| Wheat——— 010,20 10:50 04010: 0110 12 0 He S Oats a_— b13 4016 ob à ob o o 9 167022 Chas. 2./For Wheat, without limitation of price lo o ol o or o-or 4 o Rye, Peafe, Beans, Barley, Malt, Buck | Wheat—_—_ OMOMFOMOMOMAONONTO M O\|ONT200 À, Oats—=— 110 000100 0.0.6 6.0.8" 04 | F2 |= | * 0# =—> See sé: EE TETE cu Re—— are peer: a << ea——=__——= —. LS CS Em mo on rm rh 8 te ts,| RE Pr TR T6+ D ur ni dé st sm rt er hs a RS share P te À 44, No VIL f the Quart-| ne ch cr Fi Bounties per Quarter. Anno ENGLISH AND BRITISH BOUNTIES Money of| Prefent| Money of| Prefent Dom.| Anno Regis.| ON EXPORTATION. the time. Rose the time.| Money. Ts le 6 de es CAL) se Je. 16881 W.& M.For Wheat, when the price did not éxceed(25 701% 17, 710, 5 Oo 6. o Rye, ground or unground, when not above—=— LH2 Moi Aa8"#03"6 014.2: Barley and Malt, ground and unground, when not he—=|L uen 6790826 107300 1706|; Anne.|For Wheat, or Malt made of Wheat, ground or unground, when not above DS HO 27e nlonar.- oO: 6470 Rye, ground or unground, when not | above—— l 120 O DO 03 6 0! 4° 27 Barley, Beer or Bigg, Malt, ground or unground, when not above Le TE LRO NOIONLZ" 02102 Quarter of Oatmeal,whenOats notabovelo 15©[0 18 00 2 60 3 o 1973|13 George 3. For Wheat, and Malt of Wheat, when the| | price is under— oPe:0l2: 4 0 lon0- oo Rye, when under—— OO 0 1" 0 040804010270| Barley, Beer or Bigg, when under DO"Our i2 40 lo SOON 46 Oats, when under—— Jo O0 OMd 70010 6 Di ar0 And, for every quarter of Oatmeal, confit:| ing of 276 pounds, avoirdupois F-01010 0 070 FONONO FN 0 | Money of| Preient Anno| ABBREVIATION of the ENGLISH IMPORTATION PR CES. the time.| Money. Dom.| Anno Regis. DOME ST AA Mt vd |\ 1463) 3 Edw. 4. Importation of foreign Grain permitted, when the prices,| || at home, per quarter, did exceed| (For Wheat ee——==(© AD SE 15 | Rye Le ai_ lo SNL. Sr fm] || || Barley———(O.281- 0 10 LOC| IL660!12 Chas. 2. Importation permitted, w hen the prices did exceed| | For Wheat——— 2#40|212::Q || Rye= a= Fi 10) 0 1%: 2 | | Beans, Barley, and Malt+ Rs E HO ln 116631% Chas. 2.Importation permitted, when the prices did nof exceed*| |. For. W ee——— 2 8 O2 Pr 7 | Rye, e, or Beans'_ ee PDO Lois’ ||| See So t, or Buck Wheat— ho lice im ||| Oats———_ O1, 400 10}© |< 12 S Le(Y] l165022 Chas. 2.Importation permitted, when the prices did exceed | For Wheat— Pr Es 2 IB+ 4182 44© | Rye, Peafe, or Beans—— 20 Otler"Or D | Ba irley, Malt, or Buck Wheat_—__— I 190 0| FO LES | || Oats=——— OO OCTO: 177313 Geo. 3.Importation permitted, when the prices were at or above |[For Wheat ns= En e 5. Oo OMS | Rye, Peafe, or Beans—_ D Lo KO IT ER do | Ba rley or Malt——— DMOLETS x 4 0| || Oats_——— 0© ob 10 Où , d Fhis js the a&, in which, the infertion of the word of, in the importation claufe, entirely altered the int tion of the law. See chap. 2. page 57. Ædit. $ de€ St mes D merci re 2 _. ds bits RS TE Re ms s 2 mn">— cs— See— LaË__— CETTE==— APPENDIX, No VII Î Fee Dom. 11202 1215 20 (1297 I1328/ 2 1350 [1360 F463 11660 AN AN F bai DNI DEA RO PASS MO PE pe ST AEN ON D\© [ES] D EN Dm po | Anno Regis. ABBREVIATION OF THE ENGLISH IMPORTATION LAWS. John. 16 John. 9 Hen, 23 Edw. | Edw, 25 Edw, 34 Edw. 3) Edw: | I2 Chas, Chas. 22 Chas. 1 James 2 George 5 George 30 George 6 George +©% HO) 2. 26 2 2. P}S Pa 2./Duties, upon the importation of Corn, fufpended until the Importation of foreign grain invited. Invited. Invited. Invited. Invited. Invited. .Invited. Prohibited, until the price exceeded 65. 8d, for Wheat, 45.{or Rye, and 38. for Barley» per quarter. Allowed, upon payment of di Allowed, upon payment of‘ Abe, upon payment of different duties, accor ding to the prices. Regulations to La ent fr audulent importation. Regulations for afce rtaining the price of Corn, for receivi ng the duties. ù Further regulations anent the prices, and prohibiting Corn imported, to be again exported, or carried coaftways. Ferent d uties, according to the prices. lo ower«a es t the time of i importation, and 24th Auguft 1757; and importation allowed, duty free, in fhips of foreign nations in amity with Great Britain. € 3-[mportation of Foreign Grain permitted, for a limitted time, duty free. 7 George 3-1n nportation Rent for a limited time, duty free. 8 George 3.{Importati ion RÉ rm itted, for a limited time, dut ty free 9 George 3-Importation of Rice permitted, fur a limited time, duty free. 12 George 3-mportation permitted, duty fe to the rft Dec cubes Fee 13 George 3 /Pern itted, duty tree, 40 cit January LATAN-S AIRE year the Old Co rn Lawe | totally altered; and importation of Foreign Grain and Flour permitted, at all times and places, when the price of the quarter was at or above_48s. for W heat; 328. for Rye, Peafe, and Beans; 24s. for Barl ley; and 165. for Oats; and importation of On 1eal, into Scotland, PRIE ted, duty free, when the [= 1price there fhall exceed 165. per boll, weighing 3 ftone troy. EE—_——— gras ren ee D, nb"né mr om 1 2 Re SR PE SE SERRE PT SACS Sn enr ea$ 2 ë LT RER E 46 APPENDIX, No VIT. ———= JON anoo RE ve LS Duties per Quarter.| ET d Anno Money of Prefent| Money of| Prefent 65113 a) Dom.| Anno Regis.| Abbreviation of the ENGLISH Importation Duties.| the time.| Money.| the time.| Money.|'grho Jam so AL PR ILE 5e, d: HS| Chas 66311 166012 Chas. 2.For Wheat, when the price did not exceed 2 4 0 2 12 02 co, 22870| when it exceeded that price—= at Alo OR BEC NOR Oo| Cha Rye, when the price did not exceed— 11 16 02 3 211 6“8MET2:€ 0 M when it exceeded that price__— los#06 670 Beans, Barley, and Malt, when not above r 6 91 2 or 68/2570 when above that price—_ Lenoir se oo Oro 166315 Chas. 2.[For Wheat, when the price did not exceed 2 8 ol217 lo 5 4 6 5 | Rye, Peafe, and Beans, when not above 5 22©|1 r8 5 0 4:06 4.9 Barley and Malt, when not above hr Shodlr13 lot 72:7016 13/2: ED Buck Wheat, when not above—— 1 8 o113 719 2 00 2 5 Fa” Oats, when not above— AO 44ONT0 10 07 141017 no 167022 Chas. 2.For Wheat, when the price did not exceed|2 13 4/3 4©{l0o 16 ok 19 2 on. Anno À when above that price, and notexceeding 4©© 14 16© Lo 8 0410107 Enr when above that price——— 7: s 10:02 1663115 Ci Rye, Peafe, and Beans, when not above(2 o 012 8 0olo16 019 2 LA when above that price——— halo; 0101494|| Barley, Malt, and Buck Wheat, not above|1 12 0 1 58 65 lo 16 o lo 19 2| io à A! when above that price——— 40,2 95 ira 2:| Oats, when not above— 5e 1611405(1902.60: 400 POS| when above that price=—— me a OT TT PASIO T7 La G | BRITISH Importation Duties. pe] 177313 Geo. 3. When the price of Wheat is at er above——Hi2 7940#10, 0° 0| Rye, Peafe, or Beans, at or above— T2 7©— Lo o 3| Barley, Bear, or Bigg, at or above— D ei D HP ME Re) 0110 2| Oats, at or above————— 610©© 002| [And for every 100 weight of Wheat-flour_—_+ 10"0,712| Mis 5 C | | | ll ones ABBREVIATION OF THE SCOTCH IMPORTATION LAWS.| pe| 1454117 James 2. Importation of Foreign Grain invited to be made either by Foreigners or Denizens. n6gs GA 1493]$ James 4. Invited.| 1663/15 Chas. 2. Allowed from Ireland, upon payment of a duty of L. 3 per boll, when Meal and Barley| did not exceed the price of L. 8 per boll at home.: :672/24 Chas. 2:Importation of Viétual from Ireland prohibited under fevere penalties. 1687) 3 James 7. Prohibition to import Viétual from Ireland renewed, and victual, fo imported, ordereü ni to be deftroyed.| 1703| 2 Anne. Importation of Viétual prohibited from foreign parts, until the price of the Boil of 169$ 7 Grain exceeds L. 12 for Wheat; L.8 for Bear, Meal, and Malt; and L. 6 for O:ts|| and Peafe; but with power to the Lords of the Privy Council to fufpend this prohr.|| tion when neceffary. il r441lt4 Geo. 2. Importation permitted, when the prices of Grain in the county of Edinburgh exceedéd bof s 40s. for Wheat; 20s. for Peafe and Beans; 18s. for Bear and Barley; and 135. 4d.| for Oats, per Quarter; and L.8 Scots, per Boll,-for Oatmeal, upon payment of the | duties fixed by the Englifh act of the 22d Charles 2, er ns Rs en= 2= A— RS ne RES— ÈS re Pen=_ D— A TT MSRES TT©: Le= CS APPENDIX, No VIL 47 Anno Dom. Anno Regis.| | ABBREVIATION OF THE SCOTCH EXPORTATION LAWS. ‘3 Mary.[Exportation of Grain prohibited under fevere penalties. 158720 James 6.Prohibited. =| à... ë 15 Chas. 2.Exportation of Grain permitted, when the price of Viétual at home was under L. 12 D OO DEA IT ND 7 Can& W La [2 … rm, ee + D© DC 1063 | for Wheat; L. 8 for Bear and Barley; and 8 merks for Peafe and Oats, per boll;| upon payment of the ufual duty. 166921 Chas. 2./All duties payable upon Grain exported removed, except one merk per chalder upon || every kind of Victual,| Price of Grain per Boll. Duaties per Boll. i Money of| Prefent| Money of[ Prefent Anno SCOTCH IMPORTATION DUTIES.| the time| Money. the time.| Monev. Dom.| Anno Regis. EURE d£. SE Anse Al 105 0) 166315 Chas. 2.Duties payable upon the boll of all kinds of| Grain imported, when the boll of Barley| and Meal did not exceed, at home,= OM00 10 02 0010. 6-0 1703| 2 Anne.|A duty of 405. per boll, befides the former duties, upon each boll of grain from Eng- land for feed————_—#12 O 040-4: 0 1741l14 Geo. 2./The fame duties to be paid in Scotland, as is payable in England, upon Grain imported by the Englifh Aët of the 22d Charles 2. SCOTCH EXPORTATION DUTIES. 166315 Chas. 2..For Wheat, when the price of the boll, is under——_ 2 0.00 4 0 0.0.5 0.0 6 Bear or Barley, when the boll is under| 8. o oo 0 00 0.56 lb© 6 Oats and Peafe, when the boll is under 8| merks——_— 5 6 86610 066 0+.0. 026 1669|21 Chas. 2Duty upon each chalder of Grain, exported, when under the above prices at home———. 0.13‘40 r. 17 1695| 7 William. Duties upon Exportation ceafed, and bounties commenced. SCOTCH EXPORTATION BOUNTIES. 1695! 7 William.|For every chalder of Grain, when the price of : the boll of Wheat is at, or under,—-|12© oïr 40 Bear, Barley, and Malt, at or under—| 8 o co 16:| M-6 9-60: 8 | Peafe, Oats, and Meal, at or under—| 6 o ob 110 1706, 5 Anne. ŸLhe fame bounties with England. … JÈRE ET— ee De——= se en RE no 8, HO RE mm me Ram pt mme ie a # PR 0 os ee 1 rt reste 2 à nec de 48 APPENDIX, No VIIL TABLE Explanatory of Sundry Articles in the preceding Work. L Juarters Article I.——ENGLAND. es £ overhead. From the year 1700, when the old fyftem of the Corn Laws was complet- ed, until the year 1763, that the great importation of Foreign Grain commenced, the Corn Trade was entirely in the hands of Britain, and importation of Foreign Grain was little known*. For$s years after the Union, that is, from the year 1708 to the year 1762 incluñve, there were exported of Grain from England, Of Wheat and Flour— 12,603,266 Rye, Peafe, and Beans Barley and Malt— 5 Oats and Oatmeal— 122,106 Total Exportation from England, in thefe 55 years—_— 29:467,676 By the above proportion of Grain exported, it would appear, that the ge- neral crop of England confifts of about eight-twentieth parts of Wheat,| and twelve-twentieths of inferior grain. Yearly average Exportation during thefe 55 years—— 526;770 Article I[.—ScoTLAND. During the above 55 years, there were exported from Scotland, Of Wheat and Flour— 105,440 Rye, Peafe, and Beans, 16,433 , and Malt—:,377,053 Oats and Oatmeal— 390,878 Total Exportation from Scotland, in thefe 55 years——_ 1,898,804 Yearly average Exportation during thefe years_— ee= 34,524 By the above proportion it would appear, that the general crop of Scot- land confifts of one-eightéenth of Wheat, and feventeen-eighteenths of s inferior Grain. Article IHI.—GREAT BRITAIN. The Exportation from Great Britain, during the above$5 years confifted Of Wheat and Flour— Rye, Peafe, and Beans, Parley and Mait— 15:994,699 Oats and Oatmeal> 521,984 Total Exportation from Great Britain, in thefe 55 years— 31:366,480 Yearly average Exportation, during thefe years—— 570,300 æ Vide Particular and General Account of Exportation and Importation, Appendix No 2. APPENDIX, No VIIL 7 TABLE Explanatory—continued. Quarters of Grain Article III. Brought forward. overhead. During the$5 years mentioned, there were exported from Great Britain, of the feveral kinds of Grain overhead ee sm= 31:366,480 And there were only imported, during all that fpace,— 1,335:907 Balance in favour of exportation—== 3503055713 For the 22 years from 1763 to 1784 inclufive, there have been imported, of foreign Grain, into Great Britain,—— 9:937»14X And, in that fpace, there have been only exported—— 5:966,430 BE rare mere Balance in favour of importation—— 39703711 Article IV.—ConNsuMPTION. If eight millions of people make up the population of Great Britain, and if thefe require 16 millions of auaïters of the feveral forts of Grain overhead, yearly, for their fubfftence, at the rate of two quarters for each perfon; and if, of that number of people, two millions and a half of them are employed in bufbandry, the true confumption of the kingdom, is the quantity neceflary for the fupport of the other five millions and a half, after maintaining the people and cattle employed in raifing the Grain, amounting to===— I1,000,009 Article V.—PRODUCTION. In years when Great Britain fupports herfelf, without receiving or fend- ing out any Grain, or when the quantities exported and imported are equal, the produétion and the confumption will alfo be equal, each amounting to——— I1,000,000 =<‘. e= É as= But in years when Great Britain exports more than fhe imports, her pro- duce muft have an increafe; and in years when fhe imports more than fhe exports, her produce muft have fuffered a proportional decreafe.. L, During the 55 years already enumerated, the average ex- Quarters. portation having been yearly—— 579;300 And deduéting from thence the average yearly importation 24,289 We have remaining a clear yeariy exportation of—_— 546,01: Don ee ue AT 1= i= 7 av ce+hefe ec ve ce se Vhich makes the average yearly produce of thefe ss years to be 11,546,017 Q 1- ñ e 1-= 50 that our exportation yearly then, Was aS I(O:2] 3 due. ie. 2; of the produce. And the importation as_— I 0 475 3 œ OO —— Drame— à.= ne ci ss so APPENDIX, No VIIL TABLE Explanatory—continued. D'core SRE ASS Ne Ve Bb ne= of Grain rtirlie/ roupghnt+ t= ÆATEICAC SV. Drougnt[OTWarG, overhead. In another point of view we fhall again ftate the confumption— T1,000,000 2 1= Æ ES NU RU es a rer x For the 10 years from 1741 to 1750 inclufive, there were Quarters. exported yearly, upon an average,—— 848,660 rar die Vs dre the ne# NA>: From which, deduéting the yearly importation Of= 15,943 We have remaining a clear yearly exportation of_—_— 822,717 T2" LAAGHIILIEIS œ Val year) En Le 03 5,/ fl Eee Which extends the yearly average produce of thefe to years to_— 11,9325717 And our exportation reached as far as 7 to 144 fine pro :;- of the produce. The importation amounted only to r to 742$£ We fhall again ftate the confumption being= ee 11.000.000 During the 12 Years from 1773 to 1784 inclufive, there were imported, of foreign Grain, at an average yearly» Quarters. e Le} CE on Ë me no lefs than ne Se is 78,358 And our average yearly exportation, during thefe 12 years, SES only amounted to—_— 267,182 This leaves: nc£ vearly 1 at; inft US m6 This leaves a balance of yearly importation againit us— 311,170 Fo Which reduces our yearly average produce, thefe 12 years, to— 10,688,824 And now the average importation, yearly, is as 1 to 18 nlyt XL: ee nr of the produce, While our exportation comes only to 1 tO 40 L In the year 1775 there were-imported, of-foreign Grain, no lefs than 1,163,407 quarters, while there were only exported, that year, 191,007 quarters, which re. duced our produce to 10,027,600 quarters. This brought the importation nearly as 1 to 8 Se: LE of tne produce. While our exportation was oniy as 10,52 Article VI._—Of the Proportional Value of the feveral kinds of GRAIN, From the experience of paît times, the following appears to be as near the proportions as can be defcribed, without entering into fraétions, which in the prefent cafe is not neceffary. VWheat, as the fuperior Grain, muft be the ftandard. Rye, Peafe, and Beans, two-thirds Barley one-half Qats-third of the value of Wheat. - x Le. x KE té- Lab<— ES sr ser\ Dire= Se S Re SR RP RS ma. re jai. ss Fes: S& ss=: ag x STE er Sn 7_— us“= crc=- A EE ne_—_ MR+ 7 RTE I% Sc > D Do—"mm 5 ro pr 2 0 gt 2 Cane nes L TABLE Explana tory—continued, le VI. Brought forward. A. Article l)uont| A1 IECICICSVE Drouocnt I0YWaïc px According to which computation, Wheat is double in value to the inferior Grain over. © ? k € € head: For example— Price or value of à quarter of Wheat fuppafed Le—_ E2 270 Two-thirds thereof for the quarter of Rye, Peafe, and Beans L.r 8 o One-half thereof for the quarter of Barley= A Ste One-third thereof for the quarter of Oats— O Et Amount of all L.3 3 o Which, divided by 3, makes the quarter of inferior Grain overhead Tr 5#60 According to the prices in the Corn Revifter, from 1791 to 1984 in- clufive, the average prices of the quarter of the feveral kinds of Grain, are— For Wheat— É2:8 0 Barley— 1 3.0 Oùats— 0 10 0 Rye— ne CLIS 7 Beans— For 1 And the average price of thefe feveral kinds of Grain, overhead, per quarter, 1s——— IF 98 50 that the price of two quarters, for the maintainance of each perfon, now amounts to——— L25:285 6 And the price of the quarter of Wheat is nearly double the average price of the inferior Grain overhead. Thefe are all high prices, and clearly occafoned by foreign importation taking place of our own cultivation; for when our agriculture was in full profperity, the average price of the quarter of Wheat, for the 10 years from I74L10 1760 inclufive, was only_—— PE 13 8 And computing the other Grain, according to the price of Wheat, and in proportion to the above prices, they amount, per quarter,— For Barley OT 7 Oats_—(OS À ET Ne Rye tt 1 2 Beans——© 19 10 The average price of all thefe feveral kinds of Grain, overhead, being L.1:0:6; the price of two quarters for the maintainance of each perfon, in thefe years, only amounted to_—= DT 0 50 that the yearly fupport of each perfon, for bread, beer, fpirits,&c. at prefent, exceeds the former expence in no lefs than— L'o'17 6 œ B 2 "Le hre_- d 2—— EE TT … ms ee# 3—= D a TP SE— cr: EE+ Br. A JA N nn, av) re) LH VA hd A WA 2 7 O À + Fr bi us| L2 FELA DE T T: 1+ P L| re] Ei xrmto mm en SCT PNA 297 1 ADI, EX DIAMALUL VTC Ur tTiTAU te L A LE H+ ENTRE| \ he Thyrrrxrar Art Viil, DBrougnt 10rwafrc. [AE eftablifihment OI tne:Cofrtr DEA SA 1 PES JE cles ARE Ç ER= Sc AE VV£ RENE 26 ken from the audite books of Eton, where the Wheat is of es£: 1 4 Eh 1 life n the meafure nine gallons to the bufhe}, the difference mult B Re RE Rte dis Cle tt nd Value Of the: PES ArR Article VIII.—Comparative State of the Quantity and Value of the Crops of GRAIN 2 ur J 2 of ÉNGLAND and 5COTLAND. e. RE r PES À/ Fe ec Crrain, 1rom ELngie(Art. E. OÏ he Union, it appears that the aver Dot th TS RTE Te S and that the average exportation, exportation; := Ce om©cotland, à is not quite a£fteenth part of the other. licCn È sd 2 fetlS À PNG Le re his flate>£ the exp PURE nie all If we are to judge Of the production from this ftate oï the exportation, WE Mmuit = 2 1 CC RSS à RS D NES TE EE e that England generally produces fifteen times as much Corn as Scotland. Le) From the fan it appears, that the crop of England generally confifts of eight- twentieths of Wheat, and twelve-twentieths of the inferior Grain overhead; and that the crop of Scotland generally confifts of one-eighteenth of Wheat, and feventeen- eichteenths of inferior Grain. < er — By the ftate of the antient revenue of the Scots Clergy ît would appear, that the £ that kingdom confifted of about one-thirteenth of Wheat, and twelve-thir- teenths of inferior Grain. If we confider that the rents of the clergy were, in general, of better Grain than the ordinary payments of the other rents of the country, and that the exportation was chiefiv of inferior grain; if we take the medium of the proportions of the Grain paid to the Clergy, and of that exported, we may conclude with fome degree of certainty;, that the crop of Scotland conffts generally of one-fifteenth of Wheat, and fourteen- fifteenths of inferior Grain. Computing the quartet of Wheat at 405. and that of inferior Grain overhead, at 205. we fhall find that, in England, they have Licht-twentieth parts of Wheat, at 405.—— L.6316:.50 ( 5 e 1 } And twelve-twentieths of inferior Grain, at 205._ a.12% oO Making L.1 8 o And, in Scotland, they bave only One-fifteenth part of Wheat, at 405._= 6e: 2 And fourteen-ffteenths of inferior Grain, at 208.— dre. Makinos zx 1 4 Thus the quality being about one-fourth better in England than in Scotland, and the quantity being about fifteen times as much, the general value of the crop of England, will be about nineteen times as much as that of Scotland. TNA* À AE| Le£ CE+ 2 xs LR 2 à ”=_" 7 ph ess on Sn;= PE et LORS RE_——_—_— I NDIX, No VIII. TABLE Explanatory—-coniinnea, : CES TS D 4 PR| r r ASS F 2 OL Article IX,—Of the Increafe of PorULATION from the Extenfon of ee Agriculture. (æ] From the year 1741 to the year 1750 inclufive, the average ye: portation of Grain amounted to ee Le PRÉC For the 12 years from 1773 to 1784 inclufive, the average yearly ex- 5#7 Ci oo d portation‘of Grain has only been eu ee 267,182 ifference 15 581,478 : during that period. in Great Britain quarters of furplus Grain annually raif And reckonin 1g twelve people to the raifing of every hundred quarters, we muft fiave had 69,768 people then employed in hufbar ndry, more than were necefary to furnifh fubf ftence fo the kingdom. d TT Printed by ALEx, CHapwan AND. Co. des app RÉ nom méme eme Error tb te Séisme E-R RAT À. Page 10. Line 3. for are read awere. — 12. for à read ax. Note+ for No 6. read No 8. — 316. Line rs. inftead of was read avere. 9: inftead of 0 read#10. 13. inftead of 15,193 read 15,043. 15. reference wanted, Æppendix, No 4. 24. read mercantile. 6. inftead of rarsd read raised. “ O em 2 —— olour& Grey Controſ Chari Blue Cyan Green Vellow Hed Magenta —— — White 8 SGrey 1— Grey 2— Grey 3 Grey 4 Black — —— —