1805.] Äliscellanies. 131

The meeting having taken into consideration the law passed last Seszion of parliament for regulating the exportation and importation of Cory, and having found, from an examination of the prices of Grain, as stated in the gazette, during tlie existence of the former law, that, if the rätes under which importation was probibited at the 16w duties, had then been fixed the Same as they are now by the pre- Sent law, either the prices of all kinds of Grain must have risen very considerably in this country, or that the poits of Scotland must have been Shut ior importation from forcion parts during the whole. of that period, except in those years of scarcity, when from an unusual fai- Jure of the crops, the prices rose to an height hitberto unknown in this Kingdom:--- And having alsso considered that this part of the country, even in the most plentiful Seasons, cannot produce as much Corn a515 ip any degree Suihcient for the Subsistence of its numerous inhabitants,

"They were of opinion;

That, in a country which cähnot Supply its own constmption, all bounties granted on the exportation, or restrictions on the importaätion of grain, must raise the price to the consumer much more than it can be ot advantage to the gtower. 0

That the prices under which importation is prevented by the late law, are higher than any alterrtion of circumstances required; or than 18 hecessary tv Secure an adequate return to the farmer, and higber tan is consistent with the comfort of the labouring people of this part of the country, or with the prosperity of its manufactures.

That, if the prices at which importation is allowed, were reduced 50 as to berendered“ equitable for all parties, it would greatly Simplify the opeyation of the law, if these prices were regulated by the average of the whole kingdom, instead of taking one average for England and another for Scotland; and a free transmission of grain allowed at all times from ote part of the country to another, as thereby the prices would be rendered more steady, the farmers would be enabled to avail themselves of every market in the Kingdom, and the manu- facturers to draw their Supplies from those parts in which there was the greatest plenty, besides affording a great encouragement to the coast= ing trade, an object of much impartance to this nation.

That, in opening the ports för the admission of grain from his ma- jesty's dominions in America, they Should continue so for Six months instead of three, in order to allow time for Ihe merchants to transmit their orders for the grain wanted, and to receive their cargoes before the ports may be again Shut.:

"That a humble petition be presented to parliament, praying them to reduce the prices now fixed under which grain cannot be imported into this country, to regulate the importation thereof in the 5ame man- nher through the whole kingdom, and to allow a free transmission of Stain at all times from one part to another; and that, when the ports are opened for the importation of grain from his majesty's colonies in Awerica, they may continue for 5ix months at a time.

"That ihese resolutions be pnblished in the Glasgow, Ecinburgh, London, Mavchester, and Liverpool newspapers.;

| JOHN GORDON, Chairman. GILBT. HAMILTON, Secretary. pi