71? 
 
 
 
 
 
 ""SJ \ 


 
 r
 
 I
 
 TRACTS 
 
 ON THE 
 
 CORN-TRADE 
 
 AND 
 
 CORN-LAWS. 
 
 By CHARLES SMITH, Esa. 
 
 A NEW EDITION. 
 
 With Additions from the marginal Manuscripts of 
 Mr. CATHERWOOD. 
 
 TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED 
 
 A SUPPLEMENT 
 
 e f 
 INTERESTING PIECES ON THE SAME SUBJECT. 
 
 WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF 
 
 THE LIFE OF MR. SMITH. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR JOHN STOCKDAiE, PICCADILLY. 
 1804.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .. 
 
 w^'^yt*"***"*
 
 G-~|^3:> 
 
 ABVE&TISEMENT. 
 
 The public approbation, and the frequent 
 inquiries of the most intelligent men, have 
 made it necessary to republish the celebrated 
 Corn Tracts of the late Charles Smith. Some 
 pains have been taken to improve this present 
 Edition, besides adding some account of the 
 Author. The errors of the press have been 
 corrected. Some notes have been subjoined j 
 to shew how the law has been altered, as the 
 author had advised. The very accurate notes, 
 in manuscript, of Mr. Catherzvood, are added 
 in the proper places. The least valuable part 
 of the work, on the numbers of the people, 
 owing to the defect of the materials, is now 
 , supplied. 
 
 \^ To this advertisement will be found sub 
 .\ joined, some interesting informations, on the 
 ^S 7 a % same
 
 IV ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 same subject, by the experienced and respectable 
 Mr. Claude Scott. To the whole is added a 
 Second Supplement; containing, 
 
 i . An Abstract of the Enumeration of the 
 People of England and Wales. 
 
 2. A Dissertation on the Corn-trade, and the 
 Depreciation of Money, from Mr. Chalmerses 
 Estimate. 
 
 3. A Statement of the Prices of Wheat, 
 with the Grain exported and imported, together 
 
 with the Bounties thereon, from 1697 t0 l ^ 00 
 inclusive; which was submitted to Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 4. The Representation of the Lords of 
 Trade, on the Commerce of Corn, and the 
 Policy of the Corn-laws. 
 
 MR.
 
 MR. CLAUDE SCOTT'S 
 LETTER 
 
 TO 
 
 MR. STOCKDALE. 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your letter of the 31st ult. addressed 
 to Gower Street, has been forwarded to me 
 here. I am very glad you are going to pub- 
 lish a new edition of Mr. Smith y s Tracts on 
 Corn : for they will be particularly accept- 
 able, now the subject is before Parliament. 
 The intelligent author has taken such a com- 
 prehensive view of the whole subject, that very 
 little remains to be added, even by persons 
 the most experienced in that branch of com- 
 merce, if a very important change had not 
 taken place, since the Tracts were first pub- 
 lished. The Corn-trade was then a material 
 article of export ; and it has since become a 
 still more material article of import. Mr. 
 Catbrrwood's, Tables will make this evident. 
 
 a 3 Notwith-
 
 vi MR. scott's letter 
 
 Notwithstanding the great importations of late 
 years, the general prices of grain m Great 
 Britain have continually advanced, up to the 
 harvest 1803. Mr. Catherwood\ compara- 
 tive statements will shew, that from 1765 to 
 1791 the average price of wheat had advanced 
 1 2 J. 3</. per quarter; of barley 6s. and of oats 
 is. 4^. ; and from 1791 to January 1804, 
 there was a further advance of 21 s. 3d. per 
 quarter in wheat; of 12/. 4*/. in barley; and 
 of qs.6d. in oats; that adding the prices of 
 1800 and 1801 *, when the importation of 
 wheat was 2,720,846 quarters, to the prices 
 of the two following years, ending 5th Jan. 
 1804, the medium rate of wheat in those four 
 years was 88*. lod. per quarter; of barley, 
 46/. Afd. ; and of oats, 291. 6d. ; although the 
 
 * Prices t8co and 1801 of, wheat 
 
 115 ji 
 
 
 of barley 
 
 63 10 
 
 
 of oats 
 jBo* and 1803 of wheat 
 
 38 1 
 61 9 
 
 ) per quarter. 
 
 of barley 
 
 46 4 
 
 
 of ats 
 
 20 10 
 
 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 mportation
 
 TO MR. STOCK-DALE. VII 
 
 importation of barley during the two first years 
 was 243,870 quarters, and of oats 1,126,753 
 quarters. Thus it must appear evident, that 
 the agriculture of Great Britain has not been 
 discouraged by those vast importations, what- 
 ever cause the public may have to lament the 
 necessity for such frequent foreign supplies. 
 It is true, that, for some months past, the mar- 
 ket prices of grain, particularly of barley and 
 oats, have been below the medium rates that 
 can compensate the growers for increased rent 
 and accumulating charges; and if this fact can 
 furnish sufficient ground to conclude that the 
 produce of our own agriculture has very mate- 
 rially increased, it may be wise to put some 
 restraint upon importation by altering the im- 
 port rate, which might enable the farmers to 
 obtain better prices in the home market. This 
 may be a safer expedient, than to widen the 
 door for export, under the uncertainty, whether 
 the reduced prices now complained of by the 
 landed interest, are not in a great degree occa- 
 
 a 4 signed
 
 Vlll MR. SCOTT S LETTER. 
 
 sioned by circumstances connected with the 
 present state of the country. 
 
 Sundridge Park, 
 April 5M, 1804. 
 
 P.S. The average annual importation of oats 
 the four years, ending the 5th January 1803, 
 is 194,300 quarters less than the average an- 
 nual import of the eight preceding years. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 Claude Scott. 
 
 CONffctfTS.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Advertisement - - Page iii 
 
 Letter from Claude Scott, Esq. v 
 
 Some Account of the Life of the Author xvii 
 
 I. A short Essay on the Corn-trade and the 
 Corn -laws; containing 
 
 
 
 Cause of the high Price of Corn in 1756 and 1757 2 5 
 
 Corn-trade under Consideration of Parliament to be con- 
 sidered both as Food and Merchandise its Provision, 
 Preservation, and Preparation for Food, have been always 
 the Magistrates' Care. Our Parliaments have frequently 
 had it under their Consideration j and the Statutes prove 
 they viewed it under the above double Light. Short 
 Account of Corn-laws down to 15 Car. II. - 27 
 
 It might be the Intention of that Act to leave the Corn- 
 trade free and open. A short Account of the Progress 
 of Laws and Price of Wheat, from 15 Car. II. down to 
 
 1757 *9 
 
 The Cause of the high Price may probably be found by 
 
 considering the Method of carrying on the Corn- 
 
 trade .---'* 31 
 
 The Methods taken by the Legislature for its Provision ib. 
 
 Considerations
 
 X CONTENTS. 
 
 Consideration of the Circumstances of the Farmers and 
 Dealers ---_.. p a g e 32 
 
 Of the Preservation of Corn, and of public and private 
 Magazines - - - - - 34 
 
 Of the Preparation of the Corn for Food - - 36 
 
 Corn- trade, more particular Account thereof. Corn, a 
 Merchandise in regard to its Circulation within the 
 Kingdom, as well as Export and Import is circulated by- 
 Merchants and Factors they are the same as Purveyors, 
 Sec . were their Interest tends to prevent Combination 37 
 Meal and Flour is circulated by Meal-men and Meal-fac- 
 tors of the Capital necessary to carry on the Corn and 
 Meal Trades ...... 39 
 
 Calculations of the Sums employed - - 40 
 
 The Numbers employed prewat Combination - ib. 
 
 Of the annual Growth, and Reflections thereon 41 
 
 Baker?, their Method of Trade ... 4^ 
 
 Of the good Use which Magistrates may make of setting 
 the Assize ------ 46 
 
 Some Things then only hinted at, now explained 51 
 
 Two Rules to be observed where the Assize is set 53 
 
 Resumption of the Arguments - - - 55 
 
 Corn- Jaws, their general Purport - 56 
 
 , Hints for their Improvement 59 
 
 Of the Laws regarding Markets - - - 6x 
 
 Selling Corn by Sample, not Forestalling - 62 
 
 A Custom of Lo/.' ion explained - 63 
 
 Rccjratine explained - * - ib. 
 
 Ingrossi/ig explained - 64 
 
 Measures, that Difficulties obstruct their Regulation 65 
 Proposal for having them wrote up - 66 
 
 Abstiaxt of the Register ai Eton - - 67 
 
 JJst of Statute* ------ 69 
 
 A Table
 
 CONTENTS. XI 
 
 A Table of Contents of the Appendix. 
 
 The Crops of 1755 and 1756 were deficient, and cause the 
 
 high Priee - - - - Page 71 
 
 Additional Quantity can only relieve the Distress ib. 
 
 To this End Duties on Import should be suspended ; but 
 
 Care should be taken not to discourage Agriculture 73 
 Internal Communication should be kept free, and Riot* 
 
 prevented - - - - - - ib. 
 
 Old Laws tend to increase the Price, and how - 74 
 
 Their Rigour abated by 15 Car, II. - ib. 
 
 But a due Proportion is not therein observed as to Prices 75 
 Mr. King quoted - - - - . ib. 
 
 15 Car. II. should be reviewed in regard to Oats, and why. 
 
 Care necessary in suspending the Duties - 76 
 
 Inconveniency of coasting Cockets and Bonds - 79 
 
 Not necessary - ' - -- - - - ib. 
 
 London is freed by 1 Ann, from this Custom ; so should 
 
 the whole Kingdom - - - - - 83 
 
 Causes of high Price in 1757 - . - 84. 
 
 Prohibition a good Measure - 85 
 
 Is the Revival of old Laws against Forestalling, &c. 
 
 proper ------- 86 
 
 Circumstances of growing and manufacturing Counties 
 
 requirethe presentMethod of Corn-trade to be continued, 
 
 which is contrary to the Letter of the old Laws ib. 
 
 Consequences of the late Proclamation - - 88 
 
 Davenant quoted - - - - - '89 
 
 The regulating the inland Commerce only, will not be 
 
 sufficient - - - - - ib. 
 
 Quantity wanted, and. how to be procured - 90 
 
 II.
 
 Xft CONTENTS. 
 
 II. Considerations on the Laws relating to the Im- 
 portation and Exportation of Corn containing, 
 
 Section I . That no Law can cause Corn to remain at a 
 fixed Price was it possible, no good Effects would fol- 
 low what Legislators can do, and ours have done 
 and of the Bounty and its Effects - Page 97 
 
 Section 2. Few understand the Corn -trade so as to point 
 out proper Alterations, and all should be heard with Cau- 
 tion; the Opinions of four different Authors relative 
 thereto - - - - - - 100 
 
 Section 3. During the Suspension, the proper Time to con- 
 sider what is fit to be done, the Question stated and 
 answered - - - - - - 101 
 
 Section 4. An Attempt to settle at what Prices Corn may 
 be said to be cheap, reasonable, and dearj with Observa- 
 tions thereon, and Hints of some Alterations. Whilst 
 Corn continues as high as of late, the Bounty not 
 wanting. Caution to proceed slowly, and what may be 
 attempted without much Hazard - - 10 J 
 
 Section 5. Question as to particular Importation stated, 
 and a List of the Duties. Hints what Alterations may 
 be made. Reasons on which the present Importation- 
 laws are founded, and some Explanation of those 
 Law* - - - _ - . _ log 
 
 Section 6. Of general Importations they can be allowed 
 only by Parliament whether the King and Council can 
 prohibit the Export? If Export allowed in 1759, some 
 Alterations proposed. Experience only can shew their 
 Utility, therefore Caution necessary - - 112 
 
 Section
 
 CONTENTS. Xifl 
 
 Section 7. Additions, on Account of the Alterations m 
 
 French Laws - Page 1 16 
 
 Conclusion - - - - - - no 
 
 III. A Collection of Papers relative to the Price, 
 Exportation, and Importation of Corn con- 
 taining 
 
 Account of the Prices of Wheat, &c. at Windsor 1 23 
 
 Average of the said Prices - - - - 129 
 
 The same reduced to Statute-measure - - 132 
 
 Account of Corn exported - . - - - j 35 
 
 Totals of the said Account - - - - 1 39 
 
 Amount of all the Corn exported - ib. 
 
 Annual Averages and Value of middle Quarter - 140 
 Amount and annual Average of Bounties, viz. 
 
 1697 to 1706, nine Years - - 141 
 
 1706 to 1726, twenty Years - - 141 
 
 1726 to 1746, twenty Years ib, 
 
 1746 to 1765, nineteen Years - - ib. 
 
 1697 to 1765, sixty- eight Years - 143 
 
 Account of Corn imported - - - - 145 
 
 Totals of the said Account - 149 
 
 Amount of all the Corn imported - - ib. 
 
 Average of the annual Quantity of each Species 150 
 General Accounts of the foregoing Quantities of Corn 
 
 exported and imported, and the annual Averages there- 
 of compared, viz. 
 
 Barley and Malt - - - - 151 
 
 Oatmeal and Oats - ib. 
 
 Rye 15a 
 
 Wheat ib, 
 
 5 Th
 
 XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 The whole of all Sorts - - - Page 153 
 
 On what Principles the Accounts of the Value of Export*/ 
 with the Gains and Savings in Money, are stated ib. 
 
 The said Accounts, v<c. 
 
 1697 to 1706, nine Years - - 155 
 
 i-jc6 to 1726, twenty Years - - 156 
 1726 to 1746, twenty Years - - 157 
 1746 to 1765, nineteen Years - - 158 
 1697 to 1765, sixty-eight Years - 159 
 
 Observations on the said Accounts - ib. 
 
 Of the Number of People who eat each Sort of Grain, and 
 their yearly Consumption - - - 161 
 
 Of the Quantities of each Sort of Grain applied to other 
 Uses -*-_--- ib. 
 
 Particular Accounts of Corn consumed, See. 
 
 First, Barley - 4 - 16$ 
 
 Second, Oats - * . - - 164 
 
 Third, Rye - ib. 
 
 Fourth, Wheat - - - - 165 
 
 General Accounts of Corn consumed, See. - 1 66 
 
 Proportions they bear to each other - t ib. 
 
 
 
 IV. A Supplement containing, 
 
 Chap. I. Of Magazines - - - - 171 
 
 Chap. II. Accounts from French Authors - 181 
 
 Chap. III. Of the Number of the People - 200 
 
 Chap. IV. Of the Sorts of Bread, and of what Number 
 
 of the People eat of each 205 
 
 Chap. V. Of the Quantities of the several Sorts of Grain 
 
 consumed annually in the Kingdom - - 208 
 
 Chap.
 
 CONTENTS. XV 
 
 Chap. VI. Of the Houses, Inhabitants, and Corn con- 
 sumed in London and Paris - - Page 228 
 Chap. VII. Of the State of the Corn-trade in France 236 
 Chap. VIII. Remarks and Observations on the fore- 
 going Collection - 258 
 
 V. The Second Supplemeut, which is now added 
 containing, 
 
 1. An Abstract of the Enumeration of the People of Eng- 
 land and / J ales, taken in 1801, in conformity to the 
 Act of Parliament j and copied from the Reports in 
 pursuance thereof - 269 
 
 2. A Dissertation on the Corn-trade, and the Depreciation 
 of Money, from Mr. Chalmers's Estimate - 274 
 
 3. A Statement of the Prices of Wheat, with the Grain 
 exported and imported ; together with the Bounties 
 thereon, from 1697 to 1800 inclusive ; which was sub- 
 mitted to Parliament - 301 
 
 4. The Representation of the Lords of Trade, on the Com- 
 merce of Corn, and the Policy of the Corn laws 323 
 
 SOME
 
 SOME ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 CHARLES SMITH, Esq. 
 
 It is a very natural curiosity, which desires to 
 know something of the story of those per- 
 sons, who have either instructed, or amused us. 
 Few will be found to have incited more this 
 rational wish, than the unknown, but celebrated 
 author of the Tracts on Corn, which were ori- 
 ginally published, when the want of knowledge 
 on this subject was great : and have been since 
 demanded by the public, at different times, when 
 the scarcity of food made the legislation of corn 
 the most difficult. 
 
 b The
 
 Xviii LIFE OF CHARLES SMITH, ESQ. 
 
 The author of the Corn Tracts was descended 
 of one of those families, which, in this country, 
 and under our constitution, by persevering in- 
 dustry, and attentive management, acquire great 
 wealth, and deserved distinction. As his father, 
 and grandfather, were both engaged in the corn- 
 trade, our author may be said to have been 
 born m the midst of that traffic, whose prin- 
 ciples he has so clearly illustrated. 
 
 Charles Smith, the undoubted writer of the 
 Three Tracts on Corn, was born at Stepney, in 
 1713, the son of Charles Smith, by one of the 
 coheiresses of Captain Marriner, who acquired 
 notice, and opulence, where so many gain cele- 
 brity, and wealth, in the naval service of the 
 East India Company *. His father occupied, 
 by descent, with a brother, several mills ; and 
 erected those great establishments of the same 
 useful kind, at Barking, in Essex, which arc 
 still possessed by another branch of this enter- 
 
 * See Morant's Essex, article Fange, or Vange. 
 
 4 prising
 
 LIFE OF CHARLES SMITH, ESQ. xix 
 
 prising family. From those profitable occu- 
 pations, his father retired to Croydon, many 
 years before his death, in 1761. 
 
 Our author was educated at the grammar- 
 school of Ratcliff; which has produced several 
 eminent scholars ; but, as he was designed 
 for substantial business, rather than the learned 
 professions, he appears to have not proceeded 
 to either of the Universities, though he seems to 
 have had a natural passion for study. Upon 
 the recession of his father, he naturally suc- 
 ceeded to the occupations of his predecessors ; 
 buc, as he enjoyed a competent fortune, inde- 
 pendent of business, he relinquished the 
 management of the trade to his partner and re- 
 lation, while he found leisure at Barking, where 
 he now resided, to pursue his inquiries, and to 
 qualify himself to serve his country, as a ma- 
 gistrate, and as a commissioner of trusts. 
 
 While thus engaged, at the age of thirty-five, 
 he married, in 1748, Judith, the eldest daughter 
 of Isaac Lefevre, whose father had been driven 
 
 b 7, from
 
 XX LIFE OF CHARLES SMITH, ESG. 
 
 from France to this happier land of toleration, 
 by the memorable revocation of the Edict of 
 Nantz. The same energy, which induced the 
 Lefevres to flee from persecution, they carried 
 into the pursuits of life; and, engaging here 
 in the kindred trade of distillery, they acquired , 
 by the same industry and attentions, similar 
 wealth and distinction. Peter Lefevre, the 
 uncle of Judith, after serving in the army, and 
 discharging the trust of high sheriff of Essex, 
 established the largest malt distillery, which has 
 ever benefited any country, if we may judge 
 from the amount of the duties drawn from it by 
 Government *. 
 
 After his marriage, Charles Smith settled 
 among his wife's relations at Stratford, in Essex. 
 Here, he acted as a magistrate, with more know- 
 ledge of the laws, than is generally possessed 
 by those, who are not of the profession, and 
 with great usefulness in a populous neighbour- 
 
 * This distillery paid into the excise, in 1803, 150,000/. 
 
 hood,
 
 LIFE OP CHARLES SMITH, ESQ. XXI 
 
 hood, as well as credit to himself. During 
 many years, he acted as treasurer and chairman 
 of the trustees for the Middlesex and Essex 
 turnpikes; and by his skill in accounts, and 
 steadiness of application, brought the disordered 
 affairs of this trust into that method, and punc- 
 tuality, which are still experienced to be advan- 
 tageous to the country. 
 
 Inquisitive in his disposition, and industrious 
 in his habit, Mr. Smith appears to have early 
 turned his attention to the operations of the 
 corn-trade, and to the policy of the corn-laws. 
 The knowledge, which he had thus acquired, 
 he was induced, by the scarcity of 1757, to 
 publish, in 1758. In this year, he gave to the 
 public his " Short Essay on the Corn-trade 
 and the Corn-laws." In the beginning of 
 1759, he wrote his *' Considerations on the 
 Laws relating to the Importation and Exporta- 
 tion of Corn." Many informations on these 
 interesting topics were now communicated to 
 him by various friends. All these lie formed 
 
 into
 
 XXli LIFE OF CHARLES SMITH, ESQ. 
 
 into " A Collection of Papers, relative to the 
 Price, Exportation, and Importation of Corn." 
 And to these he added a Supplement, containing 
 several calculations, which tended to explain, 
 and confirm what was advanced in the three 
 former tracts. All those papers he published, 
 during the year 1766, in a second edition, cor- 
 rected and enlarged. These Corn Tracts were 
 universally well received. The accuracy of his 
 details, the precision of his reasonings, the 
 moderation of his opinions, and the candour of 
 his representations, ensured for his labours the 
 general suffrage, amidst the cries of distress, 
 and the clamours of interest. 
 
 The author now enjoyed the satisfaction of 
 reflecting, that he had essentially served his 
 country. He lived to see an edition of his 
 Tracts published by the city of London; he 
 lived to hear his work quoted, with approbation, 
 by the late Dr. Adam Smith, in his Essay on 
 the Wealth of Nations ; he lived to see some of 
 his recommendations adopted by Parliament. 
 
 In
 
 JLIFE OF CHARLES SMITH, ESGt. Xxiil 
 
 In the midst of all these gratifications, this 
 respectable magistrate, able man, and useful 
 subject, was killed by a fall from his horse, as 
 he was returning home from one of his esta- 
 blishments, on the 8th of February 1777, in the 
 sixty- third year of his age, and in the vigour of 
 his faculties. He left his wife Judith, with a 
 daughter, and a son, in possession of a very* 
 plentiful fortune. His widow still survives, 
 in the eighty-eighth year of her age, and in the 
 complete possession of her mental powers: 
 she has the comfort of enjoying the attentions of 
 her daughter, who lives with her unmarried ; 
 and she has the satisfaction of seeing her son 
 respectable in life, with her several grandchil- 
 dren. This son, the heir of the author oi' the 
 Corn Tracts, is Charles Smith, of Suttons, near 
 Ongar, and representative, in the present Par- 
 liament, for Westbury. He married Augusta, 
 the third daughter of Joshua Smith, of Stoke 
 Park, near the Devizes, which he has long re- 
 presented in Parliament : and, by this lady, 
 
 Charles
 
 XXiv LIFE OF CHARLES SMITH, ESQ. 
 
 Charles Smith has one son, and three daughters. 
 Besides the landed and personal estates of his 
 father, the present Charles Smith enjoys a 
 share of the vast distillery already mentioned ; 
 having succeeded his maternal uncle, John 
 Lefevre, in that gainful business. 
 
 GENERAL
 
 GENERAL PREFACE. 
 
 The publishing the Essay in 1758, and writing 
 the Considerations in 1759, though the last 
 was then communicated only to a few, were the 
 occasion of many papers, relative to corn, being 
 communicated to the author, which he had never 
 heard of before ; and those, as they in general 
 tended to confirm and strengthen many of the 
 facts and observations contained in the said works, 
 induced him to procure as many more as pos- 
 sible, and by these means he became possessed of 
 what appeared to him a valuable collection, in that 
 it proved from facts, the great propriety and 
 utility of, and benefits that have arisen from, our 
 corn-laws, which are not the work of a day, but 
 were framed by slow degrees, and are founded on 
 an experience of upwards of two hundred years, 
 which elapsed while they were bringing to their 
 present state, viz. from 1534, 35 H. 8. to 1738, 
 
 8 II
 
 I 8 GENERAL PREFACE. 
 
 ii G. 2. fince when they have not been altered, 
 although they have had some temporary suspen- 
 sions *. 
 
 For which reasons, and as many papers in the 
 collection appeared too valuable to be lost, it was 
 resolved to communicate them to the public ; and, 
 if possible, though this seemed very difficult, to 
 range them in such a manner as to shew their 
 connexion, make them intelligible, and, at the 
 same time, throw light on each other, and on the 
 two first mentioned tracts, which, in general, were 
 well approved. How far this is done, as well as 
 of the value of the papers themselves, and of 
 what utility the publishing them may be, the 
 public will judge, on whose candour the author 
 relies for any mistakes he may have made, and the 
 many repetitions which will be found in the per- 
 formance ; some of which are casual, but much 
 the greater part were made with a view that the 
 reader might, as much as possible, constantly have 
 the whole matter he is reading of before him, with- 
 out being referred ; which yet, after all, will be 
 found too frequently the case. 
 
 * See list of Statutes, in a subsequent page. 
 
 Whenever
 
 GENERAL PREFACE. I^ 
 
 Whenever any thing is said relative to the corn- 
 trade, especially if it contains proposal? for making 
 any alteration in the corn-laws, it should be well 
 weighed, and the reasons given for making the 
 alteration well and maturely considered before any 
 regard is paid thereto ; for the corn-trade is ot a 
 very comprehensive nature, and very few, if any, 
 Ave fully masters of the subjects, the good manage- 
 ment of which is of the utmost consequence to the 
 public : besides, every man is liable to be mistaken, 
 misinformed, and misled ; and the author, after all 
 his care, and the helps he hath been favoured 
 with, is very sensible that this may be his own 
 case ; and therefore, in his attempts to explain otic 
 corn- laws, and hinting wherein he thinks they 
 may be improved, hath given his reasons for every 
 material thing he hath advanced, of which the 
 reader will judge, whom he begs leave to assure, 
 that, in this publication, his principal view is, by 
 explaining the corn-trade and corn-laws, to contri- 
 bute what little is in his power towards keeping 
 corn continually at such a moderate price as may be 
 within the reach of the labourer and industrious poor. 
 
 b 1
 
 A 
 
 SHORT ESSAY 
 
 ON THE 
 
 CORN-TRADE, 
 
 AKD THB 
 
 COIN-LAWS: 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 A GENERAL RELATION OF THE PRESENT METHOD Of 
 CARRYING ON THE 
 
 CORN-TRADE, 
 
 THE PURPORT OF THE LAWS RELATING THERETO IN 
 THIS KINGDOM. 
 
 *IRiT PRINTED IN 1 758. 
 
 B 3
 
 I 
 .AID VBRTISEMEJVT. 
 
 In this edition some paragraphs are added, which 
 aic marked thus-f-; the list of the Statutes is 
 continued to 1766; several notes, references, and 
 a table of the contents, are added ; and the whole 
 is revised and corrected by the Author.
 
 THE 
 
 PREFACE*. 
 
 It may justly be questioned, whether many of 
 the late writers, who have communicated their 
 thoughts to the public concerning the corn-iradc, 
 have not considered the affair in too restrained a 
 light ; as also whether the alterations they propose 
 in the method of carrying on this trade, and the 
 amendments they would make in the laws relating 
 thereto, would suit any other than particular 
 places. 
 
 It is a quite different thing to make laws for 
 the regulation of trade in one particular town, and 
 to make laws for regulating so considerable a trade 
 as that of corn is throughout so large a kingdom 
 as this of Great Britain ; which must be acknow- 
 ledged by all, who consider how much the annual 
 produce in many places falls short of the general 
 consumption of the inhabitants, whilst in others it 
 exceeds it. 
 
 * This is verbatim as in 1758. 
 
 b 4 These
 
 24 PREFACE. 
 
 These considerations have given rise to the 
 following Essay ; wherein is laid down a general, 
 but fair relation, in what method the corn-trade 
 is at present carried on in these kingdoms; together 
 with the laws relating thereto : and till the nature 
 and method of carrying on this business in ge- 
 neral is well understood, it is hardly possible to 
 make laws for its regulation with any probability 
 of success.
 
 SHORT ESSAY, 
 
 &c. 
 
 Although it be the general opinion, that the 
 present clearness of corn arises principally from 
 the avarice of the farmers and iniquity of the 
 factors, merchants, millers, b akers, and dealers in 
 corn ; yet there is cause to believe, that it arises 
 chiefly, if not wholly, from a real scarcity, occa- 
 sioned by the short crops, which for three or four 
 years past have been in the west and north-west 
 parts of the kingdom, and from the general short- 
 ness of the crop throughout the whole kingdom in 
 the year 1756. For supposing the crop of the 
 last year 1757 to have been as good as the tine 
 prospect in the field promised, which there is rea- 
 son to doubt, much of it being lighter, by two or 
 three pounds in a bushel, than in fine years, from 
 the blight or mildew brought on by the dry wea- 
 ther, it would not be sufficient to reduce the price 
 much, or soon, as little or no old stock was left 
 remaining, and of course a much larger quantity of 
 this year's growth must be already consumed than 
 is usual at this time of the year. To confirm these 
 
 observations.
 
 2,6 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 observations, if we recur to former times, we shall 
 find that in the year 1693 wheat rose from il. 6s. 
 to 3/. -js, per quarter, and was not much under that 
 price, except in 1695, when it was 2/. 13*. till 
 1700, when it came down to 40J. In 1709 wheat 
 rose from il. is. 6d. to 3/. iSs. 6d. at which price, 
 within 6d. it continued the next year, and was 
 not so low as 40^. till 1718. In 1740 wheat rose 
 to il. \$s. from 1/. 175. 6d. ; and though the cla* 
 mour was at that time as much against farmers, 
 &c. as it now is, and the harvest of 1741 was good, 
 both as to quantity and quality, yet wheat was at 
 0.1. js. throughout that year; though in 1742 it 
 came down to 1/. 12s, and after that continued de- 
 clining, and was cheap to 1745. 
 
 But how reasonable soever this may seem, yet 
 it must be owned that the general opinion, even 
 amongst many persons of rank and character, ap- 
 pears to be on the opposite side of the question. 
 The dearncss of corn is felt ; and how to bring the 
 corn-trade under such regulations for the future, as 
 to prevent the like distress hereafter, is under the 
 consideration of the Parliament. And we may 
 justly expect from the integrity and abilities of the 
 honourable persons to whom this affair is com- 
 initted, that the business of the corn-trade will be 
 thoroughly examined, from the first throwing of 
 the seed into the ground, to the consumption of 
 the product in bread and drink, or the exporta- 
 tion of such part of it as may at a^ny time be con- 
 veniently
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 27 
 
 veniently spared; as also that the several laws 
 which, since Edward VI. have been made in re- 
 lation thereto, with the good or bad effects they 
 have had, and wherein and why the expectations 
 of them have been answered or tailed, will be care-' 
 fully inquired into and examined, and the laws 
 themselves, in consequence thereof, be either con- 
 firmed or amended # . 
 
 Corn is to be considered both as a food and mer- 
 chandise. The providing it cither by growing or 
 importing, its preservation for use or sale, the pre- 
 paration of it for food by grinding and baking, the 
 fixing, or rather declaring, the price of bread, and 
 what weight the same should be of according to 
 the price of corn, are particulars which have at all 
 times, and in all places, been more or less the care 
 of the Legislature, and fallen under the direction 
 of the civil magistrate^. The parliaments of this 
 kingdom, as appears by the statute-book, have fre- 
 quently had this matter under their consideration, 
 and generally treated it in the view we have men- 
 tioned above, both as food and merchandise J. In 
 almost every statute which attempts any regulation 
 in this trade, we may visibly discern they have en- 
 
 * No alteration was made. 
 
 f See An Account of the Care taken in most civilized Nations, 
 &c. by the Rev. Rich, Onely, fold by Hawkins, 1 758, 
 
 % The author of Les Inteiets de la France thinks it was never 
 seen in this light till 1660 (see Supp. chap. 2, fee. 3.) ; but the sta- 
 tutes prove the contrary. 
 
 deavoured
 
 2S A SHORT ESSAT ON THE 
 
 deavoured to order it so, that, while they were 
 guarding against any thing which might tend to 
 distress the poor, tillage should not be discouraged. 
 To this end they have generally fixed the prices at 
 which all persons might buy and lay up corn, or 
 export it ; and seem to have endeavoured, by all 
 possible means, to make the people see it in the 
 same light ; having in the space of seventy-nine 
 years, beginning with 1548, the 5th of Edward VI. 
 and ending with 1627, the 3d of Charles I. passed 
 ei%ht several acts, as may be seen in the list at the 
 end of this treatise, in which they have increased 
 the exportation price from 6s. $d. equal to 20s. of 
 our money, to 32J. the quarter. How this trade 
 was managed during the civil war doth not appear. 
 But on the restoration, in 1660, the exportation price 
 was immediately set at 40s. the quarter. In 1663, 
 only three years after, it was carried to 48^. By 
 this law it was enacted, that when wheat doth 
 nut exceed that price, all and every person may 
 buy, lay up, and keep the same, and sell it again, 
 under suoh regulations as by the said act are laid 
 down : which act appears to have answered the 
 intentions of the Legislature, as wheat, which for 
 twenty years before, viz. from 1646 to 1666, had been 
 on the average 2/. lys. $\d, per quarter, was for 
 twenty years after, viz. 1666 to 1 686, only il. bs. $d. 
 per quarter on the average: and this was a vir- 
 tual repeal of the acts 5 and 6 of Edward VI. and 
 5 Elizabeth, so far at least as they regard licensing 
 
 till
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 20. 
 
 till wheat is 48,?. ; for, doubtless, upon passing this 
 act, many engaged jn the corn-trade, who were 
 not qualified to take out licenses by the former 
 statutes ; and if at any time it happened that out of, 
 or between, the quarter sessions, wheat came to ex- 
 ceed 48^. when none could be licensed, it could 
 not be supposed that all buying and selling corn 
 should cease till licenses could be granted ; nor 
 would it be right to oblige such who were not 
 qualified* to take licenses by the former acts, and 
 yet had legally, while wheat was under 48^. by the 
 authority and under the protection of this act, en- 
 gaged their fortunes in this trade, immediately to 
 leave off; and where would others be found, who 
 had sufficient knowledge, or were disposed and ready 
 to enter into this trade, which any might again re- 
 sume on the fall of the prices of grain ? 
 
 It might be the intent of the proposers or 
 makers of this law, 15 Car. IT. to leave the corn- 
 trade, as it hath in effect been ever since, free and 
 open-\-\ and so much did the desire of making corn 
 a merchandise then prevail, that in the year 1670 
 an act was passed allowing wheat to be exported 
 even after it exceeded 481. paying the custom; 
 from which time till 1688 the average price of 
 wheat was il. 6s. a quarter ; in which year, never- 
 
 * /. e. Is or hath been married, an householder, and thirty years 
 of age. See Stat. 5 E!. c. ia. sec. 4 am! 5. 
 
 f See Supp. ch. 2. sec. S. how free and open the French have 
 kid the corn-trade with them. 
 
 theless,
 
 $0 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 theless, an act was passed, repealing all custom, 
 and giving a bounty of 51. per quarter on exporta- 
 tion *, till it should exceed 48^. the quarter ; after 
 which, till 1693, wheat, on the average, was 
 36$. 3^. per quarter only ; but growing and con- 
 tinuing dearer till 1698, the exportation was forbid 
 for one year, and then, for nine months, the bounty 
 was suspended ; from the expiration of which term, 
 till 1709, wheat continued cheap, the average price 
 being 1/. 14.?. $d. per quarter; but in that year it 
 rose to 3/. i8j. 6d. per quarter, and exportation 
 was again prohibited for one year ; yet wheat was 
 never under 40^. till 1718 ; from which time till 
 1725 it continued under that price; from 1725 to 
 1730 it was on the average il. js. Sd. ; and in the 
 year 1 729 an act was passed regarding the importa- 
 tion, as also in 1732, and the method of inquiring 
 into the price, in order to fix the duty on importa- 
 tion, was settled. From 17-9 to 1740 the price 
 was 1/. 155. yd. per quarter: in which year the 
 price was 2/. i$s. and the exportation again prohi- 
 bited for one year. It continued at 2/. js. the fol- 
 lowing year, but from thence to 1756 the price was 
 1/. 14s. ^d. In the latter end of that year, and the 
 beginning of 1757, growing excessive dear, and 
 great disturbances arising under pretence of the 
 high price, the Parliament again took the affair into 
 consideration, and passed one act to stop the distil- 
 
 * In English ships. 
 
 hry t
 
 C0RN-TRA1JE AND CORN-LAWS. 31 
 
 lery*, another to prohibit for a year the exporta- 
 tion^", and a third to allow the importation duty 
 free, for a time certain ; in all which acts, such 
 necessary clauses were inserted as prove they never 
 forgot or intended to oppress the farmer, whilst 
 they endeavoured to relieve the poor. 
 
 But corn is still dear, and the discontent near the 
 same; and how far the farmer, and others concerned 
 in the corn -trade, are or maybe the cause thereof, and 
 guilty of ill practices, or whether all or any of them 
 are in fault, or in any degree to blame, may in some 
 measure be determined by reflecting on the nature 
 of that trade, and the manner in which each branch 
 thereof is transacted, and the means made use of 
 with us to provide, preserve, and prepare corn for 
 food: and perhaps what follows may be of some 
 use to that end. 
 
 In regard to the procuring a sufficient provision 
 of our own growth, or by importation; the Legis- 
 lature seems to have taken the following care. 
 
 First, as much as possible by encouraging the 
 farmer to till so much land, that our own growth 
 may be sufficient, and, in case it should exceed 
 the consumption, by making provision for a bounty 
 to be paid in order to export the surplus, where- 
 
 * 30 O. 2. c. 10. which was by several other acts continued 
 to 2r Apr. 1760. 
 
 f 30 G. a. C. 1. continued to 2; Mar. 1759, 
 + 30 G. 2. c, 7. to the 24 Aug. x 7^7. 
 
 5 b y
 
 3 2 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 by the farmer's fears of loss, in that case, are 
 Temoved, or rather prevented. # 
 
 Secondly, by a law empowering the magistrates 
 every six or three months to allow of the importa- 
 tion for six or three months to come, on a very 
 moderate duty, after wheat exceeds 53^.4^. the 
 quarter, and by the late act, for a time certain, duty 
 free; in all which, as' was before observed, the 
 interest of the farmer was remembered as well as 
 the necessities of the poor. 
 
 And here it may not be amiss to consider more 
 at large the circumstances, and general method of 
 marketing, of our present farmers, or growers of 
 corn, and the merchants, factors, and others con- 
 cerned in this trade. 
 
 Now the farmers may be divided into four 
 classes, viz. the poor farmer, the farmer in mode- 
 rate circumstances, the farmer in good circum- 
 stances, and the rich farmer. 
 
 1. The poor farmers, who are very numerous, 
 with great difficulty and labour, and seldom with- 
 out some credit, as well from the shopkeepers 
 as their landlord, arc able to subsist themselves 
 and families till after harvest, and their crops are 
 generally all threshed, sold, and gone, before Christ- 
 mas, or by the time their lands are in order and 
 the seed put into the ground for the next year's 
 crop. 
 
 2. The farmers in moderate circumstances, 
 whose necessities, nevertheless, are such, that, as 
 
 each
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 33 
 
 each seed-time, every quarter, and fair come round, 
 |))ey are obliged to raise money to defray the ex- 
 pense, pay rent, or buy in live stock ; and if they 
 have any corn left in May they think themselves 
 well off. 
 
 3. The farmers in good circumstances, who 
 generally have it in their power, after seeding 
 their lands, paying rent, purchasing live stock, and 
 paying all other expenses through the year, to 
 reserve a few loads of wheat to sell in or after har- 
 vest, in order to bear the expense thereof, and in 
 expectation, if the season should prove bad, to 
 make a better price than before harvest. 
 
 4. The rich farmers, who are in a capacity, as 
 to fortune, to keep the whole, or the greatest part 
 of their crops, the year over, speculate on the mar- 
 kets, thresh out and sell when they like the price. 
 These in some measure serve at their own private 
 expense the same purpose as public magazines, and 
 without many ill consequences which might attend 
 such magazines*, keeping a quantity of corn al- 
 ways in the nation, and the markets from being 
 unreasonably dear; and, whatever may be thought, 
 these men scarcely ever have it in their power, how- 
 ever in their will, to distress the poor; for their 
 numbers are but small, comparatively speaking, and 
 the waste made by vermin makes their expense in 
 keeping it very great, and frequently forces them 
 
 * See Supp. ch. 1. throughout. 
 
 c to
 
 34 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 to market sooner than they might otherwise intend 
 to go. 
 
 The next thing to be considered is the preser- 
 vation of corn when grown, both for use and sale; 
 and in this, regard is to be had both to quantity 
 and quality. Such quantity should be always in 
 the nation as will be sufficient for the consumption 
 of the current year, and also to supply any acci- 
 dental deficiency in the crop ; and this must be 
 kept, either in public magazines, or private hands. 
 How far the farmers keep, or can keep, may be 
 observed from the account of their usual method 
 of trade, as before related, from which it may be 
 gathered, that the sale in the fore part of the year, 
 or immediately after harvest, is more than the con- 
 sumption ; and, if the excess is not then laid up 
 in granaries, the same would be in all probability 
 exported, and corn before the next harvest become 
 scarce, and consequently dear *. But this is pro- 
 vided for and prevented by act 1$ Car. II. which 
 enables, or empowers, all persons to buy and lay 
 it up ; in consequence of which, many subsist by 
 storing up this excess at their own risk, and the 
 public, or Legislature, have seldom any necessity to 
 take any care about it, and were never yet, at least 
 
 * This used to be the case before the bounty was given, and our 
 forefathers have sometimes bought their own corn again; and the 
 people of Berne at this day, notwithstanding tleir magazines, are 
 often reduced to the same necessity. See the Avoyer's letter, 
 Supp. chap. i. 
 
 since
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 35 
 
 since this act passed, obliged to form magazines, 
 which if ever they should be obliged to do, might 
 become a very great discouragement to tillage and 
 the corn-trade, and in the end make corn dearer 
 than before : as the farmer, seeing large quantities 
 collected together in one view, might imagine corn 
 would never bear a price for the future, and the 
 fear of the market being spoiled by the magazines 
 being opened, would prevent all private persons 
 from keeping a sufficient quantity by them, to carry 
 on their business with profit ; and consequently the 
 trade would decline, or be in a manner left off, 
 which might be attended with many other ill con- 
 sequences, at present impossible to be known or 
 foreseen* Neither can that care be taken to pre- 
 serve the corn from corruption, decay, or being di- 
 minished or destroyed by vermin, in such public 
 magazines, as in private hands, and consequently 
 the goodness of the quality cannot be so well 
 preserved ; for they will seldom be emptied more 
 than once a year ; and all who know the corn- 
 trade, know how difficult it is in this climate to 
 preserve corn sweet, after it is out of the straw, for 
 the whole year round. 
 
 But in private hands, though the quantity may 
 be, and generally is, as large as it would be in pub- 
 lic magazines, yet it is always circulating, by many 
 shifted once a month, and by scarcely any less 
 than three times a year; in consequence of which 
 the corn hath no time to decay, and the vermin, 
 
 c 2 such
 
 $6 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 such as rats and mice, are too well watched to be 
 permitted to destroy it ; for, was the private trader 
 to suffer them to make much waste, or the good 
 quality of but a small part of what he circulates in 
 the year to be spoiled, by the natural decay of the 
 corn, which is very apt to heat, and thereby intro- 
 duce an innumerable army of worms, or weavils, 
 it might bid fair to wipe off all his profits for that 
 time. 
 
 The preparation of the corn for food, by grind* 
 ing and baking, is the next consideration : in re- 
 gard to both which our Parliaments have very pro- 
 perly and judiciously interfered ; where corn is 
 ground for hire, punishing the miller if he takes 
 more than his just due for toll, though the grind- 
 ing being now in most places paid for in money, 
 these laws are but little known ; and where bread 
 is baked for sale, fixing the assize, or weight of 
 the penny and other loaves, according to the price 
 of the grain, meal, or flour, of which the same 
 is made, having regard to the sort of fineness 
 of the bread, by which the poor are, or ought 
 to be, satisfied that the baker hath only a rea- 
 sonable allowance ; and he hath no right to ex- 
 pect more ; and, if he attempts any fraud, the ma- 
 gistrate has it in his power to punish him for, the 
 same. 
 
 It were hard to say which of these trades, lies 
 under the worst imputations at present ; some of 
 them arc of a serious nature, many trifling, and 
 
 many
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 37 
 
 many contrary to common sense. What truth there 
 is in any of them, doubtless, the Parliament will 
 inquire, and cause those to be properly punished 
 who have offended against any law now in being, 
 and provide such laws* as may seem proper to 
 prevent such mal-practices in both trades for the 
 future, as the present laws will not reach. 
 
 What has been already said might serve to give 
 a general idea of the corn-trade ; yet it may not be 
 improper to be a little more particular in regard to 
 the method in which it is carried on by merchants 
 and factors, mealmen and meal-factors, millers and 
 bakers. 
 
 Now, corn may be considered as a merchandise, 
 not only in regard of the exportation to, and im- 
 portation of it from, foreign parts, but also in re- 
 gard to the buying and transporting it from one 
 part of the same kingdom to another ; since in many 
 parts much more is grown than the inhabitants can 
 consume, and in many others enough is not grown 
 for the use of the people ; and merchants and fac- 
 tors are employed in this business, either buying 
 qn- their own accounts, or by commission, as op- 
 portunity offers. And this must always have been 
 the case, as the members of cities and large towns, 
 
 * An act for regulating the bakers, &c. was passed, viz. 
 3 1 G. 1. c. 9. ; but this chiefly respecting only places where the 
 assize shall be set, another act, viz. 3 Geo. 3. c. 11. was pased 
 to regulate them where the assize shall not be set. 
 
 c 3 being
 
 38 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 being employed about other affairs, and often at 
 a great distance from the growing counties, can 
 neither have had leisure nor opportunity to fetch it 
 themselves; and those purveyors, laders, badgers, 
 kidders, and carriers, mentioned in the old statutes, 
 must have been men employed in the same sort of 
 business as our present merchants and factors are ; 
 nor was the statute 5 and 6 Edward "V r I. made to 
 give rise to, but to regulate, their method of trade, 
 some evil practices having crept in among them, 
 which were rather increased by that law than re- 
 moved, as appears by 5 EHz. ; all which regulations 
 seem to have been rendered useless, or rather re- 
 pealed by statute 15 Car. II. as was before ob- 
 served, and the corn-trade left in a manner free. 
 
 It is not to be supposed that these merchants and 
 factors are averse to large profits, or that they will 
 not get what they can for their trouble ; but their 
 number seems too great for them ever to combine, 
 by refusing to sell at reasonable prices, to oppress 
 the people. For, as the commodity they deal in 
 is perishable, should they ever have such thoughts, 
 they might lose more by the corn growing worse, 
 than gain by the contrivance, before they could 
 attain their ends. I say not that it is impossible 
 that attempts of this kind may be sometimes made 
 in particular places, but then they will generally 
 turn out to the loss of such schemers, whilst the 
 post is regular, and the corn-trade continues free ; 
 for interest never sleeps, and every advance of price 
 
 is
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 39 
 
 is quickly known to all dealers, and a desire of 
 sharing in the profit will soon overstock the 
 market. 
 
 Mcalmen and meal-factors are employed in meal 
 and flour, as merchants and factors are in corn, 
 and often have mills of their own, though they 
 sometimes hire ; but in the last case the miller is 
 but a very inconsiderable person, barely living when 
 corn is in plenty round his mill, and at other times 
 being greatly distressed ; which hath been the rea- 
 son that many of them, who could raise a capital, 
 have engaged in the meal and flour trades, adding 
 to their old occupation those of mcalmen and meal- 
 factors. 
 
 Having mentioned the word capital, it may not 
 be improper to observe, that to carry on every 
 branch of the corn and flour trades, a much larger 
 sum of money is required than may commonly be 
 imagined, but will easily be believed, when it is 
 remembered that the whole is paid for in present 
 money; and though some part may be returned in 
 a month, yet the whole, by those who have any 
 considerable trade, is not returned more than three 
 or four times in a year ; and, he that cannot in 
 plentiful markets lay in a stock, but is obliged to 
 buy in proportion to his sales in short markets, will 
 find his trade turn out to little account. 
 
 The following general calculation may serve to 
 illustrate this still more. Suppose the whole num- 
 ber of the people to be six millions, and that they 
 
 c 4 each
 
 40 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 each eat one quarter of bread-corn yearly, of thirty 
 shillings value ; that they each drink the produce 
 of four bushels, in the same time, of the value of 
 ten shillings ; that the whole quantity of oats, 
 beans, and other corn, given to and consumed by 
 horses, hogs, oxen, other cattle, and poultry, in the 
 same time, is equal in number of quarters to half 
 the quantity consumed in bread only ; each quarter 
 of which may be valued on the average at sixteen 
 shillings ; and, lastly, suppose the annual quan- 
 tity exported, though this seems most liable to be 
 doubted, is equal in value to one sixteenth part of 
 the home consumption, and that the account stands 
 thus, viz. : 
 
 Quarters. . t. d. 
 
 Bread corn 6,000,000 at 30*. 9,000,000 o o 
 
 Corn made into drink 3,000,000 at ^os. 3,000,000 o o 
 
 Oats, &c. for cattle and poultry 3,000,000 at 161. 2,400,000 o o 
 
 Total of the home consumption, value .14,400,000 o o 
 Add the value of 1-1 6th thereof for the export 900,000 o o 
 
 Total value of corn consumed and exported . 15, 300, 000 o o 
 
 Suppose the money returned 4 times a year, J is .3,825,030 o o 
 
 
 
 Now let us consider, that though some few con- 
 cerned in the export may have larger dealings, yet 
 he is reckoned no small trader who returns one 
 hundred quarters weekly, and multitudes do not 
 return forty quarters in that time ; and, at the same 
 time, let us reflect on the number of persons who 
 must be employed in the corn-trade, to which may 
 !mi added the fanners and growers, who probably 
 
 * See other calculations, Supp. c. 5. sec. 26. 
 
 are
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 41 
 
 are ten times more in number than the others, and 
 it may then be easy to judge how far it may be 
 likely they should all combine to enhance the price, 
 more than the smallness of the quantity may re- 
 quire ; as the least of them all, in such cases, who 
 should sell through fear, necessity, or inclination, 
 would break the knot. It is true, an opinion or 
 prepossession that things are scarce, may some- 
 times accidentally run through the body, and raise the 
 $rice *, but nothing but a real scarcity can support 
 it ; and though, perhaps, the steadiness in the price 
 of corn may be deemed a certain proof of its being 
 in plenty, yet this steadiness may, in a great mea- 
 sure, be preserved, if not sometimes procured, by 
 the magistrates, as will be explained below. 
 
 And here it may not be amiss to take notice, 
 how much the generality of people differ in opinion, 
 in regard to the whole quantity grown-f', and the 
 proportion which the annual produce of corn in 
 this kingdom bears to the consumption, or rather 
 what the latter bears to the former; it being very 
 common to hear men of good capacities and under- 
 standing assert, that we commonly grow enough 
 in one year to serve two, often three, nay some do 
 not scruple to advance, that in one good year we 
 grow enough to serve seven years. In some par- 
 ticular parishes this possibly may be true, but it is 
 very far from being the c&se throughout the whole 
 
 # See Supp. ch, 2. sec. 16. f See Supp. ch. 5. sec. 26. 
 
 kingdom.
 
 42 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 kingdom, Let us only suppose we grow enough 
 to serve fifteen months. Now, to make the matter 
 plain, we say, that in twelve months we consume 
 twelve quarters, and we suppose, that the export 
 ^nd distiller together take off one quarter and a half 
 more, which is beyond the truth ; in this case the 
 whole, used and exported, will amount to. thirteen 
 months and a half, and we have one month and a 
 half left ; which will, in ten years, amount to 
 twelve millions of quarters, and be worth as many 
 pounds at least, even supposing our account in re- 
 gard to the consumption as above to exceed the 
 truth one sixth part. Now, we had ten as good 
 years as ever were known in succession from 1741 
 to 175 1 ; nay, if the common opinion is right, we 
 have had sixteen. But where was the com seen in 
 1751 ? Or what is become of it now? Let us 
 reflect on the appearance of stacks and fulness of 
 barns after harvest in every year, and then say 
 where such a quantity could lie concealed, either 
 in the straw or out. It could not be hid. Corn, 
 even when threshed, is a very bulky commodity, 
 and requires much room to be properly preserved ; 
 and when it lately happened that a great quantity 
 of wheat was imported into London at once, which 
 could not be above forty * thousand quarters, the 
 
 * The accounts having been since made up, it appears to have 
 been 79,610 qrs. 7 b. and that the whole was 130,3433^. ib. ; 
 but this argument will still hold good : 80,000 qrs. is but a small 
 part of the whole annual consumption. 
 
 i whole
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 43 
 
 whole importation not amounting to seventy, and 
 the merchants, who could not meet with sales, were 
 obliged to lay it up, they found it extremely diffi- 
 cult to get sufficient granaries for that purpose ; and 
 yet a gentleman in appearance took the liberty to 
 say, and that too in a public inn, that, of his own 
 knowledge, one man had engrossed and laid up 
 wheat enough to serve the city of London and 
 suburbs three months; which is at least 150,000 
 quarters, and was worth, at that time, near 400,000/. 
 So apt are men to talk freely of what they have 
 so little knowledge. 
 
 The forementioncd calculations are exclusive of 
 the seed, which is at least equal to one tenth part 
 of the growth, and, almost every year, whilst it is 
 putting into the ground, occasions some small rise 
 in the markets ; and the mouths of the clamorous 
 are then open against the engrossers ; but they 
 don't consider, that, at that time, the demand is 
 more than double to what it is at other times; 
 neither need the quantity used for seed be taken 
 notice of, when we consider how much more the 
 annual produce is lessened by a failure in the crop, 
 of only one sixth part, than is taken off, on an 
 average, by both distiller and exporter. 
 
 In the first calculation we supposed the quantity 
 used by the distiller to be comprehended in that 
 used for drink, and in the same account the export 
 is reckoned at only one sixteenth of the consump- 
 tion. In the last we reckoned both together to 
 
 amount
 
 44 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 amount to one eighth of the consumption. Both 
 these estimations were so made in order to give the 
 greater face of probability to the argument. 
 
 Now, suppose the annual produce of an acre, in 
 common, besides seed for the next year, is three 
 quarters of wheat, and that one eighth, in com- 
 mon, is taken off by the distiller and exporter, 
 that is, three bushels ; and then suppose the crops 
 fall short one sixth part, amounting to four bushels; 
 by this means there will be a diminution of one 
 third more than the whole quantity taken off by 
 the distiller and exporter, on the average, which, 
 perhaps, may not have been enough considered. 
 
 Let us make one short reflection, and then re- 
 turn to our subject. The exporter and distiller, 
 whether they take off one eighth, or only one six- 
 teenth of the produce, are large customers, and 
 give great encouragement to tillage ; for whatever 
 may be thought to the contrary, the quantity sown 
 will ever bear a proportion to the demand ; and if one 
 eighth, or one sixteenth, of the demand is taken 
 away, the farmer, finding his stock too large, will 
 contrive to lessen it, by growing less ; as, on the 
 contrary, he will endeavour to grow more, when the 
 demand increases ; and for this reason in dear 
 years, the demand being, at least in appearance, 
 increased, a much larger quantity is always sown ; 
 and though this for the present still helps to increase 
 the scarcity, it nevertheless makes provision for 
 greater plenty the ensuing year. The quantity of 
 
 corn
 
 CORN-TRADE AMD CORN-LAWS. 45 
 
 corn in plentiful years, exported and distilled *, 
 may be compared to the expenses of a man of for- 
 tune in diversions and amusements, for which he 
 takes care to provide the proper funds, as well 
 as for necessaries ; but these increasing, he is con- 
 tent to forego his pleasures, and applies what was 
 provided for them, to supply his wants, and by that 
 means finds comfort, when otherwise he would have 
 been in distress. 
 
 But to return to our subject. 
 
 The method in which bakers carry on their trade 
 is different, according to their different situations. 
 Many, in country places, buy all in corn, and 
 have it ground, either on hire, or at mills of their 
 own : some buy only part in corn, and part in 
 flour, or meal, as opportunity offers ; whilst others 
 buy all they use, in London more particularly, in 
 flour of the mealmen, or meal - factors ; and these 
 last are most capable to make good bread for 
 a constancy ; for the mealmen buying larger quan- 
 tities, and the meal-factors having many sorts to sell, 
 they scarcely ever use the flour of one sort of wheat 
 alone ; and the advantage this gives them is incon- 
 
 * If these reflections are right, neither exporter nor distiller 
 should be too much discouraged ; and the distiller, while spirits are 
 used, should have the preference in point of policy, since it is 
 -aid he pays sixteen shillings and upwards for liberty to use what 
 the exporter hath large sums for taking away. Now by the act 35 
 G. 2.c. 9. the duties on spirits are so increased as to amount to 
 above thee pounds per quarter on all corn distilled. 
 
 ceivablc ;
 
 46 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 ceivable ; for a number of sorts, judiciously mixed, 
 by the mutual assistance of their different qualities, 
 arising from the various soils on which they grow* 
 will do much better than almost any one sort alone* 
 Whereas the baker, who buys corn for himself, is 
 always obliged to use what he hath bought, though 
 his judgment may have deceived him in the 'buy- 
 ing, or the market may not have enabled him to 
 provide himself with such in quality as he may 
 have desired ; or having been bought good, it may 
 be by accident debased in grinding, each of which 
 circumstances will at different times be the case ; 
 and when any of them happen to the mealman, he 
 will have better opportunities of helping himself, 
 by selling the meal for a coarser use. 
 
 When the bakers have provided the wheat, meal, 
 or flour to make bread, they are, or may be, bound 
 to make it of such weight, or sell it at such price, as 
 the magistrates shall order, who are authorized by 
 law to set the same, according to the price which 
 the grain, meal, or flour, whereof it is made, 
 bears in the market, common or reasonable allow- 
 ance being made them for their labour ; and this 
 power of the magistrate, discreetly exercised*, may 
 be of great use in checking the too great fluctua- 
 tions in the market. 
 
 * What is meant by discreetly exercised, is explained further 
 in the paragraphs added to this edition, which are marked thus f. 
 
 Wheat
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 47 
 
 Wheat must alter four shillings in the quarter 
 for the price of the peck-loaf to vary tiro pence* ; 
 and the price of the peck-loaf being generally be- 
 tween eighteen-pence and three shillings, every 
 such variation may be called 8| per cent, or -h of 
 the whole value, which is a great deal. 
 
 Now, suppose that wheat should vary in onfe 
 week eight shillings per quarter, it might be pro- 
 per for the magistrates to raise or lower the weight 
 and price of bread, as if it had varied only four 
 shillings ; always remembering to balance the ac- 
 count, which they will scarcely miss an opportu- 
 nity of doing within the space of three months, by 
 giving the baker, when he hath suffered, for the 
 like time that he hath suffered, as much more than 
 the common allowance, as will make up the dif- 
 ference to him ; and, on the contrary, taking from 
 him when the public hath suffered. 
 
 It is true the table of assize hath provided for an 
 alteration of one penny the peck, which is two shil- 
 lings in the quarter of corn ; in regard to which, 
 the magistrates may sometimes proceed in a discre- 
 tional manner, as before hinted, in regard to four 
 shillings. But they will find it impossible, many 
 times for a long while together, to raise and fall 
 no more than one penny in the peck at a time ; and 
 
 * Two-pence. This, which was said of the old assize-table, i 
 also true of the table in 31 G. 2. taking both sorts of bread into 
 the account ; consequently these arguments still hold. 
 
 it
 
 48 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 it may sometimes happen, though it is presumed 
 very seldom, that they will be obliged to vary more 
 than two-pence. 
 
 If, from any accidental glut in the market *, an ex- 
 traordinary fall in the price should happen, and the 
 magistrates should exercise their power with too 
 much exactness, in fixing the assize of bread, it 
 may deter those who have goods preparing or pre- 
 pared, from bringing them to market, and make as 
 sudden and considerable an alteration the other 
 way, which it might be equally imprudent in them 
 to follow in fixing the price of bread, as it might 
 tend to alarm the farmer, and make him for a time 
 withhold his corn. Complaints against the far- 
 mers for withholding in times of scarcity are never 
 wanting, and yet our Parliaments have not, as we 
 know of, thought proper to make any laws to com- 
 pel them to sell ; for which doubtless they had 
 good reasons. And laws of this sort seem needless, 
 since the farmers in general are obliged to contrive 
 the matter so, that their whole stock may be sold 
 by harvest, to make room for the growing crop; and 
 the returning demands they all, except a very few, 
 have for money, cause some of them every market 
 day to sell some species of corn or other, and there- 
 by as regular and continual supply in general is 
 found, as could possibly be dealt out under the 
 direction of any law. And, from some years' ob- 
 
 * See this further explained in the additions marked f. 
 
 servation,
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 49 
 
 serration, we are persuaded, that if the stock in the 
 farmers' hands had been annually taken account of 
 at Christinas, Raster, or any other time, nearly the 
 same quantity of the crop would hare been found 
 exhausted each year at the same time ; and per- 
 haps more would have been found exhausted, both 
 in very plentiful and very scarce years, than in 
 ^those of moderate plenty, h the first case, more 
 corn must be sold to raise the like sum, and in the 
 last, the increase of money seldom equals the 
 shortness of the crop, and many farmers find their 
 barns empty before they have raised the necessary 
 sums. But Jet us suppose the farmer in times of 
 scarcity doth not bring his corn to market in due 
 proportion, according to the time of the year, it is 
 possible, though he regards only himself, thiscon - 
 duct may be of public utility ; for, was he to supply 
 the market in the beginning of the year, with as 
 much as in good years, too great a quantity might 
 be exported *, and famine stare us in the face before 
 next harvest. It will be replied, A reasonable with- 
 holding may be right ; but they always carry it to 
 a wicked excess. We allow this case possible, but 
 hardly probable. The hopes of gain are always 
 attended by fears of loss ; and fear being the 
 stronger passion of the two, and backed, in regard 
 to most of them, with their returning necessities, 
 though some few may be carried by avarice so far 
 
 * See note, page 34. 
 
 d as
 
 50 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 as to withhold unreasonably, yet much the greater 
 part, pressed by necessity, and urged by fear, will 
 act otherwise ; and upon the whole, the quantity 
 sold will be generally found, even in scarce times, 
 in proportion to the time of the year ; and though 
 upon any accidental rise, as above observed, they 
 may withhold for a time, they cannot continue to 
 do it long, since, in a very short time, corn will 
 be brought from more distant parts, and spoil their 
 sales. 
 
 The power of the magistrates, in regard to the 
 assize, seems declaratory ; and if they take care that 
 the baker hath, one time with another, the common 
 or reasonable allowance, and no more, neither the 
 people nor he are injured; and if the magistrates 
 can, in which however they should act upon good 
 information and with great caution, by sometimes 
 giving more, and sometimes less to the baker, keep 
 the markets tolerably steady, the places where they 
 preside will hardly ever fail of a regular supply ; 
 and perhaps casks may have happened within me- 
 mory, which, upon reflection, must justify this 
 way of thinking. 
 
 f- When this pamphlet was wrote, it would not 
 have been proper, on account of the prejudices 
 which then prevailed, and the bad opinion to which 
 almost all sorts of people were then worked up, by 
 anonymous authors, against the farmers and dealers 
 in corn ; or decent, on account of the transactions 
 having so lately passed, to have fully explained 
 
 what
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 5! 
 
 what was hinted at by the words discreetly exercised, 
 page 46, the last paragraph, and the cases therein 
 mentioned, which was this. 
 
 j- The magistrates in London had, in the year 
 1757, been very strict, and it was thought much 
 too hasty, in following every sinking in the price of 
 wheat and flour, in setting the assize of bread ; 
 and some attempts were made to reduce the prices 
 of wheat and flour, by setting the assize of bread 
 lower than the returned prices of them would 
 bear. The consequences of which management 
 were exactly such, as it is herein before said, such 
 proceedings, on any accidental glut in the market *, 
 would produce. Such mealmen as depended wholl v, 
 or chiefly, on the London market, seeing they were 
 to trade on a much greater uncertainty than com- 
 mon, or rather to a certain loss, proceeded with 
 great caution, and were afraid to do their usual 
 quantity of business: large quantities of corn and 
 flour, which were originally designed for that mar- 
 ket, never came there at all ; but were carried where 
 it was imagined they would turn to a better, or at 
 least a more certain account ; and many loads of 
 flour were fetched out of London again : and so 
 bare of that commodity was the city at one time, 
 that application was made to the Lords \ of the 
 
 Privy 
 
 * See page 48. 
 
 Their Lordships were told, "there was just ground to sus- 
 pect a combination nad been entered into, to raise the price of 
 
 d 1 flour
 
 $Z A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 Privy Council for advice ; and it was proposed to their 
 Lordships to pat in execution the powers given by an act 
 of 25 Henry VIII. to fix a price at which wheat and 
 flour shall be sold*-, and some factors and mealmen 
 were ordered to attend the 25 Aug. 1757, which 
 they accordingly did, and were examined : after 
 which, more regard being had to set the assize of 
 bread aceordi-n.g to the returned prices of wheat and 
 flour, the aitair was soon remedied ; and the same 
 
 flour and wheat ; and that, with this view, nany mealmen have 
 ordered their factors not to sell the flour consigned to them, and 
 have actually carried great quantities of flour and wheat back into 
 the country, in order to make a scarcity in the London market 
 which may raise the price." 
 
 * What is above observed in relation to the power of the 
 magistrate in regard to bread, will hold good as to every species 
 of provision ; and a French aQthor gives us the following story, 
 which confirms what is here advanced, and is an account of tbe 
 uccess of an attempt to make a regulation like that proposed to 
 the Privy Council : 
 
 The ok don nance of Phieip the Fair, in March 1304, 
 Fays, None, under pain of confiscation of their goods, shall sell 
 the setier of the best Wheat, Paris measure, for more than 
 forty sols Paris money, and the setier of other inferior Corn in 
 proportion, and of beans and barley at thirty sols, of oats at 
 twenty sols, bran at ten sols, and other grain in proportion. 
 
 But, says my author, this ordonnance was made in a great 
 scarcity, and it produced a most unhappy effect, in that it hin- 
 dered the market* from bemg supplied ; and it was revoked some 
 days after by another ordonnance, dated at Paris, in 1304,011 
 F aim- sunday, \n which Philip the Fair permits the sellers o 
 corn to get what price they caiK 
 
 Esjai sur Us Monnoies, Paris t 1 746, 4tO. fo. 3 5, notes. 
 
 S having
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 53 
 
 having been continued ever since, with more regu- 
 larity, the markets have in general been well sup- 
 plied. 
 
 f- However, it was then found, from experience, 
 that the power of the magistrate in setting the assize 
 of bread, is in fact, as was before hinted, only 
 declaratory, or saying at what prices, according to 
 the re fumed value of the grain, &c. the baker will 
 have a reasonable living profit. It is true, where 
 they lie under any difficulty to get a tnis relum, 
 they will be at a loss how to make such declaration 
 with propriety : but this can only happen in small 
 towns or villages ; and in such places it is best not 
 to set the assize at all : more especially since the 
 statute of 3 Geo. 3. cap. 9. brings the bakers q 
 bread, particularly of that made of wheat, under 
 a tolerably good regulation in those places where 
 magistrates shall not think fit to set the assize. 
 
 -J" But, as it would be proper in small towns and 
 villages to omit ; so in large towns and cities it 
 will always be necessary to set the assize, in order to 
 satisfy the people that the price which the bakers 
 demand is no more than what is thought reasonable 
 by the magistrates ; and they have two rules by 
 which they may judge if they have been mistaken 
 or milled; that is, for any considerable time: acci- 
 dental mistakes and impositions, as they are im- 
 possible to be avoided, are not here meant. 
 
 -j~ First then, if they have been induced to set the 
 assize too high, or so as to give the bakers too large 
 
 d 3 an
 
 54 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 an allowance, they will find many * of them sell for 
 less than they allow. 
 
 f- And, secondly, if, on the contrary, they have 
 been induced to set it too low, they will find, as in 
 the above case, the markets badly supplied. 
 
 The assize-table % seems to want some enlarge- 
 ments, no notice being therein taken what price 
 flour should be esteemed to bear in proportion to 
 wheat; and, when this is done, it might not be 
 amiss to explain the method which should be taken 
 in setting the assize out of corporations, which is 
 now seldom done, and in many places neglected, 
 only because the law seems not explicit enough on 
 that head ; though it may require great care in ap- 
 pointing for what district the same should be set ; 
 possibly every hundred may do; but, it seems, a 
 certain distance round every corporation (in regard 
 to London, it would be best if it were ten or twelve 
 miles) should be obliged to follow the assize set, 
 and orders made, by the magistrate thereof; other- 
 wise, as bread may, and will, often be different in 
 its price in the town and its neighbourhood, a con- 
 tinual discontent, on account thereof, will be kept 
 
 * Many There are very frequently, or indeed generally, some 
 who undersell ; and it too often happens that they make them*- 
 selves ample amends in the quality, or quantity, and sometimes 
 in both. 
 
 X A new assize-table was settled, and the baking-trade regu- 
 lated, by stat. 31 G.2. e.g.; many of which regulations were by 
 3 G. 3. c. 1 1. extended to places where an assize shall not be set. 
 
 up
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 55 
 
 tip amongst the poor, which may, by the foregoing 
 method of making certain distances round corpora 
 tions follow the assize thereof, be prevented, and 
 that without departing from the rules of justice ; 
 since, one time with another, the neighbourhoods 
 of cities and great towns are served much on the 
 same terms as they are. 
 
 Thus have we in general considered the corn trade 
 and laws, endeavouring to shew in what methods 
 the trade is carried on, from the farmer to the 
 consumer; and in what light it hath, or seems to 
 have, been regarded by several parliaments from 
 Ed. VI. to this dav, wherein we could not forbear 
 to intermix a few reflections ; and, if our account is 
 generally true, most of those who have wrote upon 
 this subject have been mistaken ; probably from con- 
 sidering the corn trade and laws as they regard or 
 afreet particular places, or parts of the kingdom only; 
 whereas all laws, made for the use of the whole na- 
 tion, should be considered in a more enlarged view. 
 
 It is not intended to insinuate, that the corn-trade 
 wants no regulation, or the laws relating thereto 
 no explanation or amendment, and that the dealers 
 in corn are a sort of righteous men, who want no 
 restraint or looking; after. All that is aimed at is 
 only to shew, that this trade is at present under 
 better regulations, and the present corn-laws, though 
 they may want some amendments, much better 
 adapted to the intended purpose, than is commonly 
 imagined; and that, whoever may be the will of 
 
 r - \ particular
 
 56 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 particular persons, Providence, by the nature of the 
 commodity, the large sums necessary, and the num- 
 ber of hands required to carry on this trade, hath 
 put it out of the power of the corn-factors, and all 
 others concerned therein, in any considerable drgrcc 
 to oppress the people, more especially whilst the pre- 
 sent laws are in force; and, we are fully persuaded, 
 no better laws in general for conducting this affair 
 can be framed or delivered, how much soever, in 
 particular instances, they may be improved. Let us 
 reflect once more upon what they say. 
 
 To the farmer Till your land, and fear not hav- 
 ing so great a plenty as to be a burden and loss to 
 you ; for we will give a bounty for the exportation* 
 of what can be spared. 
 
 To the people Be not uneasy at the exportation 
 of corn ; for when it begins to grow dear, the 
 bounty shall cease* ; and when it is dear, it shall be 
 imported at such a moderate and proper duty, as, 
 whilst it adds so little to the price-}*, as not to distress 
 you, shall yet prevent so great a quantity being 
 thrown in, as may deter our own farmers from till- 
 age J ; nay, even when it becomes necessary, it shall 
 be imported duty free. 
 
 * 1 Wm. and M. c. 12. 5 Ann. c. 29. 
 
 t 15 Car. 2. c. 7. 1 Ja. 2. c. 19. 2 G. 2. c. 18. and 5 G. 2. 
 c. 12. 
 
 X How far the fanner may by exportation, for which we give 
 a bounty, be prompted to till, or by the prohibition thereof gene- 
 rally, or absolutely, or by the fear of large importations, be dis- 
 couraged
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 57 
 
 To the corn merchants, factors, mealmen, meal- 
 fachvrs, and all concerned and employed in trans- 
 porting corn and flour from the growing counties, 
 to such parts where the consumption exceeds the 
 
 growth, 
 
 couraged from tillage, our legislators know ; and the following 
 short piece of history, communicated to me by a gentleman who 
 was an eye-witness of the facts, may serve to shew their wisdom 
 and foresight in making the laws which are provided for that 
 purpose. 
 
 in Tutiey t the Grand Vizh, between twenty and thirty years 
 ago, suffered a more general exportation of corn to be carried on, 
 and more ope::'/, than any of his predecessors had done, insomuch 
 that three laindred French vessels, from twenty to two hundred tons, 
 were, on one day, seen to enter Smyrna bay to load corn, and 
 wheat was then sold for less than seventeen pence Ettgliska bushel,. 
 with all the expenses in putting the same on board included. 
 
 From these open proceedings, the Janizar'?: i.nd people took 
 the alarm, pretended that atl the corn w.:s going to be exported, and 
 that they, in conseqtieuce, must be starved; and in Constantinople 
 grew so mutinous, that they could not be appeased till the Vizir 
 was strangled, and his body throw n out to then,. 
 
 His sucl l 1 rook particular care not to split on the same rock, 
 and would suffer no exportation at all ; many of the farmers, who 
 looked on the exportation as their greatest demand, neglected tillage 
 to save their rents, which in that country are paid either in kind, or 
 in proportion to their crops, to such a degree, that in less than 
 three years, the s?.me quantity of corn, vvh ; ch, in time of export, 
 sold for not quite seventeen pence, was worrh more than six shil- 
 lings; and the distresses of the people in Smyrna were such, that 
 every bakehouse and magazine of corn was obliged to have a mili- 
 tary guard, which took can: that no one person should have more 
 than ;i fixed quantity ; and so strictly was this order observed, that 
 an E;:g! : sU ship in the Turkey trade was detained from sailing some 
 time for want of bread. 
 
 The
 
 5 8 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 growth, and collecting it for exportation when 
 allowed Proceed freely in your business ; for if the 
 false notions, which the populace may of themselves 
 conceive, or wicked men for bad purposes, or for 
 want of better information, may possess themselves 
 with, should make them interrupt you, and forcibly 
 take away or spoil your property, the place * 
 where such interruption happens shall pay the da- 
 mage, or those who do it shall be punished. But 
 let not this promise of protection and recompense 
 be so ill received, and ungratefully returned by you, 
 as to induce you to endeavour to get an unreason- 
 able gain, and to oppress the. poor ; for, in that case, 
 we will set a price on your commodity -|~, and punish 
 you, if you do not comply with our orders ; yet this 
 shall be done, not by any inferior magistrates, who 
 by their connexions may, however well they intend, 
 be biassed either for or against you, or for want of 
 proper information may give improper orders, but 
 by the King's Privy Council, and great officers of 
 
 The ill consequences of the^e proceedings were not removed, 
 in many years ; and to this day, the fate of the Vizir, as an unfortu- 
 nate good man, is lamented. 
 
 While we have a Parliament, we need not fear such ill conse- 
 quences from the mistaken notions of the people, or the farmer ; 
 but, within memory, the people, in more parts of Great B>itain 
 than one, have proceeded to extremities upon as mistaken princi- 
 ples as the people at ConstantionopU did in the case above related, 
 and which, if they had not been timely checked, might have proved 
 as much to their own disadvantage. 
 
 * 1 1 Geo. 2. c. 22. f 25 Hen. R. c, 2. 
 
 state,
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 59 
 
 state, or any seven of them, of which the Lord 
 Chancellor, Lord Treasurer, Lord President, or 
 Lord Privy Seal, shall be one, who being best ap- 
 prised of what is fit to be done throughout the whole 
 realm, and in every part thereof, are, for that reason, 
 the most capable to judge, and the only proper per- 
 sons to be trusted in what is fit to be done in this 
 affair. 
 
 In regard to the bakers, it is true, we have trusted 
 them to magistrates of corporations and justices of 
 the peace, who have a clear rule for their conducf. 
 But while the bakers act uprightly, they may pro- 
 ceed with the same freedom and safety, as all others 
 may, in the carrying on their branch of the corn- 
 trade. 
 
 In this small compass may be seen a general view 
 and purport of most of our laws relating to the corn- 
 trade, except those regarding malt, markets, and 
 measures, and which it might be possible to reduce, 
 except the baking-act, which seems necessary to be 
 kept apart, into one plain act of parliament ; in 
 which, though some amendments may be made, we 
 are bold to say, the general plan cannot be im- 
 proved. 
 
 Here a question naturally arises, how, and in 
 what respects, can those amendments in our corn- 
 laws be made ? To this, of myself J presume to say 
 little ; but what I have heard from some able men, 
 who seem to understand the affair, I shall take the 
 liberty to put down. 
 
 Let
 
 o A SHORT ESSAt OK THE 
 
 Let the &>sY/y * on wheat be reduced to 4*. per 
 quarter, and on other grain in proportion, and pay- 
 able on wheat to 40$. rye to 26s. barley and malt 
 to 205. ; yet when they exceed these prices, and do 
 not exceed the old exportation prices, let them be 
 freely exported; and when they exceed those prices, 
 let exportation cease, except to our own subjects 
 abroad in our service, and the garrisons in out forts, 
 and such as ought to be excepted. 1 and then let 
 corn be imported at the present low duties, till it 
 shall have risen, wheat to 545. and other grain in 
 proportion j and, after that, duty free ; taking care 
 i>ot to make the law so positive, but that the King, 
 by the advice of his council, when he shall think 
 proper, though corn shall be under the exportation 
 prices, may forbid the exportation of every, or any 
 species thereof, for a time to be limited : and, to 
 prevent confusion, let the justices of the peace, in 
 each quarter-sessions, and the Privy Council at all 
 times, have power to inquire into the prices of corn 
 in each port, and certify the same to the customer 
 thereof; and let such prices, as they shall certify, for 
 three months after, be his guide, except the King 
 in council shall order otherwise, in regard to pay- 
 ing the bounty, permitting the export without 
 bounty, stopping the exportation, and permitting 
 the importation at the low duty or duty free ; the 
 
 * See this stated at large in the Considerations on the Laws re- 
 lating to the Importation and Exportation of Corn. 
 
 present
 
 CORN-tRAfcE AND CORN-LAWS. 6l 
 
 present method of obtaining the bounty by affidavit 
 in regard to the market-prke, in all ports where no 
 Such certificate shall be in force, being stilt observed. 
 
 Two things, they pretend, ought to be taken es- 
 pecial care of, viz. to guard against the bounty being 
 paid fbT corn not exported, which they affirm for- 
 merly to have been the case, and to protect, at alt 
 times, persons who may be engaged hi carrying 
 corn, or flour, from one part of the kingdom to 
 another, that the whole may have, as near as may 
 be, an equal share of the blessings of Providence % 
 otherwise, whilst a bounty may be paying in one 
 place for the exportation of corn, another part of 
 the kingdom may almost suffer famine. So much 
 for the general laws about corn. 
 
 As to the laws about malt, it would be needless 
 to mention them here, since they, in their execution, 
 are under the Commissioners of Excise. 
 
 In regard to the laws about markets, they seem 
 not full or explicit enough, or to be grown by the 
 alterations of times in a manner useless, or rather 
 impossible to be used ; besides, the statute 5 and 6 
 of Edizard VI. as far as relates to Westmoreland, Cum- 
 berland, Chester, Lancaster, and York, and all foreign 
 victuals imported, except fish and salt, is by 5 and 
 13 of Elizabeth altered, or repealed : by statutes 21 
 of James I. and 3 of Car. I. till wheat is 32*. any 
 person may buy it* in market or out of market; 
 
 and 
 
 * And yet fiowelt, afterwards clerk of the council, in a letter 
 from Rouen, dated Sejit. j, 1619, says, " r T is true England hatb a
 
 6z A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 and by 15 of Car. II. this act is further altered, as 
 bath been before observed. 
 
 A notion had some time prevailed, that buying 
 corn by sample is forestalling, and contrary to 
 law; which seems to be a mistake. The statute of 
 Edirard VI. says so plainly what forestalling is, 
 that ir may be wondered how such a notion could 
 prevail. It is buying any thing coming, or making 
 a bargain for any thing coming, before the same 
 shall be in the market, or persuading persons coming 
 to abstain. Now what hath this to do with samples ? 
 In many places it is not practicable to bring all into 
 the market ; or, if it were, would it be reasonable ? 
 Or could it ever be intended, that in such towns, 
 and many such there are, where from 500 to 2000 
 quarters are sold every market-day, and whose in- 
 habitants do not consume 2,000 quarters of bread- 
 corn in a whole year, every part of the quantity sold 
 should be pitched in the market, after having been 
 drawn many miles, and that, perhaps, through very 
 bad roads, to be drawn afterwards possibly another 
 way as many miles more, nay sometimes directly 
 back again by the farmer's own door, to be ground, 
 or put on ship-board, either for the use of distant 
 parts of the kingdom, or foreign parts ? 
 
 good repute abroad for her fertility ; yet be our harvests never so 
 kindly, and our crops never so plentiful, we have every year com- 
 monly some grain irom thence (France), or from Danizic, and 
 other places, imported by the merchant." The alteration or dif- 
 ferent situation between these times and those in regard to our 
 plenty need not be mentioned. 
 
 There
 
 CORK-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 63 
 
 There is a custom still retained in London, which 
 seems to explain this affair, and to have been at first 
 introduced to prevent forestalling; which is this : 
 no corn is permitted to be measured till a sample is 
 carried to the Lord Mayor, who is thereby not only 
 apprised of its arrival himself, hut also of its fit- 
 ness for mans use, and hath, by his crier, an oppor- 
 tunity to give notice to the whole city of its arrival, 
 and then grants his permit to the person requesting 
 to measure and take tip his corn, either for sale, or 
 to put in granaries. 
 
 Kegrating is selling victuals, in which com is 
 included, bought in the same market, or within four 
 miles thereof, again, except to each person for his 
 family ; which, however, by stat. 15 Car. II. may 
 now he done after three months. 
 
 Now, however necessary it.may be to prevent those 
 who, knowing the particular sort of corn that their 
 neighbours may want, or taking advantage of ig- 
 norant or idle people, which come late to market, 
 engross what they can early in the morning, and 
 then, out of pure friendship, spare it again on the 
 same day ; yet the general and strict execution of 
 this clause would be hurtful ; for who would ven- 
 ture, in London more particularly, to buy and lay up 
 any corn when the market is overstocked, if he was 
 obliged, either not to sell it in the same market again 
 at all, or not till after three months ? or how would 
 that market be supplied, most certainly very 
 sparingly, where any the least surplus must either 
 
 be
 
 64 A SHORT ESSAY Otf THE 
 
 be laid up at the expense of the importer, who ge- 
 nerally wants the money, or else sold for next to 
 nothing ? So sensible were our legislators of this, that 
 when corn is imported, if the importer cannot sell it 
 but to loss, it may be re-exported to foreign parts, 
 and great part of the duty will be returned * : and 
 if he takes care to report his ship for exportation, 
 and keep her without the port, he may, if he dislikes 
 the price, go to any other port of the kingdom, 
 which otherwise he cannot. 
 
 Ingrossing of corn, is getting it into possession 
 with intent to sell it again, except by persons pro- 
 perly qualified, or lawfully authorized, which c\ cry 
 *nan now is, till wheat is 48*. by statute 15 Car. IU 
 m regard to which enough hath been said before. 
 
 In this, as was before observed in relation to the 
 corn -laws, it is not intended to insinuate, that no 
 Jaws can be enacted for the better regulation of the 
 markets, for there certainly may ; but only to shew, 
 at least, that we think, that the old laws could not 
 have the intention in their first institution which 
 some men may imagine ; and that, till every market 
 in the kingdom is exactly, or at least nearly, in the 
 same circumstances, or the growth of corn is nearly 
 the same throughout the whole nation, no one ge- 
 neral law seems possible to be made, which will 
 properly, at all times, and in ail cases, regulate 
 them all ; yet it may be presumed, that, upon ap- 
 plication from any particular place, the Parliament 
 
 * See Book of Rates, title corn. 
 
 would
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 65 
 
 would pass a temporary act to regulate their mar- 
 kets, and their experience might be of great use in 
 serving to shew, how far it would be proper to put 
 other places in the same or like circumstances on 
 the same footing. That which bids the fairest to 
 suit them all is, to cause a certain hour for the open- 
 ing of each market to be fixed, and to make it 
 penal to sell any corn before notice is given by a 
 bell or otherwise, and then those who are not in 
 time may blame themselves. 
 
 Measures have been attempted to be regulated to 
 no purpose, as appears by many acts since Magna 
 Chart a, which is now 500 years ago, by obliging 
 all persons to use the like ; and it may be feared 
 there are difficulties to be surmounted, which may 
 retard their regulation as yet for a long while *. 
 
 J" We shall mention only one, which it seems 
 would not be easily got over, in regard to the mea- 
 sure of corn ; where the poor buy it for their own 
 use, and a large bushel is at present used ; for there it 
 would be very difficult, if it was reduced to t}ie 
 present standard, to satisfy them that they received 
 no injury by the reduction. 
 
 -j~ For instance, let us suppose the act to com- 
 mence in a place where the measure of the bushel of 
 wheat is nine gallons, the weight 7 lib. and the 
 
 * Since this was wrote, two or three Committees of the House of 
 Commons have taken great pains in regard to weights ami measures; 
 but the difficulties are not yet got over. 
 
 e price
 
 66 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 price 45. 6d. ; this bushel being reduced to eight 
 gallons of the weight of 64/^. and to the price of 
 4s. would at first give no offence ; nor so long as 
 the price should remain under four shillings, as it 
 would be plain, that although the size and weight of 
 the bushel were less than before, the price was also 
 reduced in a due proportion ; but whenever it should 
 happen that the eight gallon bushel was sold for 
 4^. 6J. then the poor would be apt to grow discon- 
 tented, and say, The bushel is lessened, and yet the 5 
 price is raised ; and it would not be an easy matter to 
 persuade them to believe, that if it was still nine 
 gallons, the value would be more than five shil- 
 lings. 
 
 In the mean time, if it were enacted, that in 
 every market-house in Great Britain, or some more 
 conspicuous place in every market-town, the con- 
 tents of the bushel, and other measures, in Win- 
 chester quarts and pints, should be wrote up, and 
 kept continually legible, and every person selling 
 corn there should be bound, without express men- 
 tion being made thereof, and in case no express 
 mention be made at the bargain-making to the con- 
 trary, to deliver the person to whom he sells, the 
 quantity for the bushel, or other measure, as so 
 wrote up, and at the same time it should be prohi- 
 bited to depart from the use of the customary mea- 
 sure to any other but the legal, or Winchester mea- 
 sure : 
 
 Many good ends might be answered by this regu- 
 lation ;
 
 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 67 
 
 lation ; every stranger coming into the market would 
 know what measure he is to expect : and, if cer- 
 tificates of the measures used in each market were 
 transmitted to the Excise, the whole mi^hl be made 
 into a kind of alphabet, by which every person 
 would be enabled to find the various measures used 
 in every part of the nation. 
 
 The statute 15 Car. II. fixes the prices at which 
 all other sorts of grain may be laid up, as well as 
 wheat ; and stat. 1 IVill. and Mary gives a bounty 
 on the exportation of rye, barley, and wheat -meal, 
 as well as wheat ; and stat. 5 Ami, on oatmeal : but 
 it was thought proper to take notice of wheal only 
 in this Essay, in order to avoid prolixity. 
 
 The prices of wheat mentioned herein are taken 
 from the register of Eton College, an abstract of 
 which from 1646 follows; and we will close the 
 whole with a list of the statutes above referred to. 
 
 * 
 
 from 1646 to 1666 the average price of the quarter of wheat 2 17 5J 
 1666 to 1686 263 
 
 1686 to 1706 25 9i 
 
 1706 to 1726 24 9j 
 
 1726101746 117 iof 
 
 1746101756 1 17 5 
 
 Note, These are the prices of the very best wheat; 
 besides, the measure there is full nine gallons; so 
 that, deducting is. for the fineness, and one ninth for 
 the measure, the prices will stand thus, viz. 
 
 . s. J. 
 From 1646 to 1686 2 4 4 Vv mchester measure. 
 
 1686 to 1756 -- 1 15 1 Ditto. 
 
 For the list 70 years wheat hath 1 __ quarter, 
 
 been cheaper ) J 
 
 e 2 In
 
 68 A SHORT ESSAY ON THE 
 
 In 1688, the bounty on exportation was first 
 given ; and wheat having on the average been so 
 much cheaper ever since, shews, that the law then 
 made was a good law, as well as 1 5 Car. II. ; for, if 
 only two thirds of the corn consumed in bread hath 
 been wheat, and the above register is true, the 
 money, which hath been saved annually in that ar- 
 ticle only, amounts to above a million and a half of 
 money* an almost incredible sum, and more than 
 four times the sum paid for bounty on the exporta- 
 tion of all sorts of corn in the year of the greatest 
 export ever known ; besides the ready money which 
 hath been brought into the nation for the corn ex- 
 ported. 
 
 * See the account stated in the collection of papers, Tract the 
 third, 
 
 A List
 
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 CORtf-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 
 
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 70 A SHORT ESSAY* ON THE 
 
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 CORN-TRADE AND CORN-LAWS. 7 I 
 
 These are all the most material statutes we can 
 find relative to the corn-trade ; and it is remark- 
 able, that although the bounty hath been before sus- 
 pended, and the exportation prohibited, yet, till 
 1757, the importation was never allowed duty free. 
 
 The following papers, which were before added, 
 are here continued by way of Appendix: the writers 
 are entirely unknown to the Author, nor doth he 
 know how he came by them, but thinks they were 
 given away at the door of the House of Commons, 
 and in his opinion should not be lost, as they not 
 only contain some things which have slipped him in 
 the Essay, but also explain some of those he hath 
 mentioned, in a better and clearer manner than he 
 hath done. 
 
 s 4 APPENDIX.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 January 19, 1757* 
 
 MEMORIAL 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 ROYAL BOROUGHS of SCOTLAND. 
 
 It is now past all doubt with the discerning part 
 of this nation, that the present high prices of grain 
 proceed from the great deficiencies that happened 
 in the two last crops. The first was almost entirely 
 consumed before the last was got well off the 
 ground ; and the last proves extremely deficient, 
 both in quantity and quality. 
 
 It is therefore perfectly evident, that an addition 
 to the quantity can alone relieve the distresses of 
 the poor and labouring people. It is this, and this 
 only, which will reduce the present exorbitant price 
 of grain in the populous grazing and manufactu- 
 ring counties, which never yield grain sufficient 
 for their own subsistence, where the poor presently 
 labour under extreme distress, and which, it is too 
 greatly to be feared, must even increase, if some ef- 
 fectual
 
 APPENDIX. 73 
 
 fectual measures be not immediately taken for their 
 relief. 
 
 It would be highly proper to suspend the duties 
 on the importation of all kinds of grain for a li- 
 mited time, in order to encourage the bringing 
 corn from abroad to supply the wants of the poor, 
 and thereby to support the trade and manufactures 
 of the nation, which otherwise must suiter in a very 
 high degree. But at the same time that the Legis- 
 lature should be attentive to such measures as will 
 not only reduce the present prices, and prevent their 
 growing higher, they should also be careful to pre- 
 vent any unnecessary consumption of foreign grain ; 
 as that must drain the island of so much of her trea- 
 sure, and in some degree discourage her agriculture 
 and abate her strength. 
 
 To this end it is of high importance that the 
 communication be rendered as free and easy as pos- 
 sible, from the growing counties to those who never 
 produce enough for their own consumption. The 
 Legislature ought therefore to consider, how to pre- 
 vent the present riotous proceedings of the common 
 people, their seizing on the rivers and high roads 
 the corn going to or coming from the public markets 
 or shipping ports, and selling it off, or otherwise 
 distributing it as they please, in open defiance of 
 the laws. 
 
 It is to be observed too, that these proceedings de- 
 mand the stricter attention, that they prevail chiefly 
 in the growing counties, thereby preventing the 
 
 supplies
 
 74 APPENDIX. 
 
 supplies from going to the populous manufacturing 
 districts, which are in real want. The least evil 
 that ensues from such abuses, is enhancing the price 
 in a great degree, by increasing the risk and charge 
 o( the adventurer. 
 
 The old laws which were made before commerce 
 was well understood, those, to wit, of the 5th and 
 6th Edward VI. and of the 5th of Elizabeth, seem 
 to have a considerable tendency to increase the prices 
 to the manufacturing counties. They lay many 
 restraints upon the purchasers of corn, and sub- 
 ject them to heavy penalties, which they are liable 
 to incur by very innocent mistakes. Hence per- 
 sons of character and substance in many places now 
 decline all concern or adventure in grain, to the 
 great detriment and distress of the districts distant 
 from the places of growth, which were in use to be 
 supplied by their means, and can hardly indeed be 
 supplied otherwise. It is true, that, in order to 
 abate the rigour of these statutes, there was a law 
 passed in the 15th of Charles U. whereby it was 
 enacted, cap." 7. 4. " That when the prices of 
 corn or grain, IVinchester measure, do not exceed 
 the rates following at the markets, havens, or places 
 where the same shall be bought, viz. the quarter of 
 wheat 48J. the quarter of rye 32*. the quarter of 
 barley or malt 28*. the qr. of buck*wheat 285. the 
 qr. of oats 13*. 4a 1 . the qr. of peas or beans 32*. 
 that then it shall be lawful for all and every person 
 and persons (not forestalling nor selling the same in 
 
 5 the
 
 ATPENDIX. 7J 
 
 the same market within three months after the 
 buying thereof) to buy in open markets, and to 
 lay up and keep in his or their granaries or houses, 
 and to sell again, such corn or grain of the kinds 
 aforesaid, as without fraud or covin shall have 
 been bought at or tinder the prices before expressed, 
 without incurring any penalty ; any law, statute, or 
 usage, to the contrary notwithstanding/^ 
 
 This act, it must be acknowledged, does in some 
 degree mitigate the acts of Edward and Eli%abcth~ 
 But it is to be observed, that the prices therein spe- 
 cified bear no just proportion to each other, especi- 
 ally those of wheat, barley, and oats ; the first 
 being rated at 48*. the next at 28*. and the last at 
 13s. fd. per quarter. It is well known, that wheat 
 and barley seldom now reach these prices, but that 
 good oats exceed the price at which they are rated 
 almost as often as they fall short of it. 
 
 The proportion may have been very just at the 
 time this law was made ; but the alteration in 
 consumption, produce, or quality, has put those 
 articles on a very different footing; so that now, 
 when wheat bears the price of 48^. the quarter, 
 and barley i%s. oats cannot well be under 20 or aitf* 
 
 Mr. King i a very ingenious and accurate calcu-5 
 lator, in his computation of the land product <xf 
 England given by Dr. Davenant, estimates, that, in 
 a year of moderate plenty, the wheat sells at 28*. 
 the quarter, rye at 20^. barley at 16*. oats at i2f. 
 and peas and beans 20*. He likewise tells us, that 
 
 one
 
 76 APPENDIX. 
 
 one tenth of defect in the harvest will raise the 
 price of corn about three tenths above the common 
 rate; that two tenths of defect will advance the 
 price eight tenths, and three tenths deficiency will 
 advance it about one and A. If we suppose his com- 
 putation any thing nearly just, and that the price 
 of oats, in ordinary years of plenty, may be rated 
 at 12s. a quarter, surely their advancing above 
 1 3^.4 d. must very frequently happen. To lay any re- 
 straint therefore upon the purchasing of oats when at 
 that rate, is doing great injustice to the farmers 
 and landholders of the growing counties, as well 
 as to those which always stand in need of supply ; 
 preventing the first from obtaining so good prices as 
 they might and ought to obtain, and the others from 
 being supplied so freely, and on such easy terms, 
 as they would if they were relieved from such re- 
 strictions. 
 
 It would be proper, therefore, that a review was 
 made of this law ; that the buying of oats was re- 
 lieved from any restraint, except when they shall 
 exceed 20s. to 21s. the quarter, which will bring 
 them on a par with other grain contained in the act 
 of Charles II. It is surely for the advantage of the 
 whole nation, that no part of it should enjoy a 
 monopoly against another; and that every part 
 should be cultivated to the greatest advantage. Some 
 districts are found most proper for tillage, others 
 for grazing ; the produce of both is equally neces- 
 sary for the support of the people. The Legislature 
 3 ought
 
 APPENDIX. 77- 
 
 ought therefore, at all times, to have in view the 
 rendering the circulation of the different products 
 into all quarters of the kingdom as easy and free 
 from restraints as possible : for every restraint must 
 lessen the value to the grower, and enhance the 
 price to the consumer ; especially when the article 
 consumed is to be brought from places that are dis- 
 tant. The immediate revising of this statute be- 
 comes the more necessary, that the justices of the 
 peace in the counties of Northumberland and Dur- 
 ham have refused to give licenses for the buying of 
 corn in the terms pointed out by law, though the 
 price of oats is far from being high in those coun- 
 ties ; and it is well known, that agriculture has, 
 within thirty years past, so increased in the first of 
 them, that the people cannot, even in the very worst 
 year, consume near the produce of that county : so 
 if some method is not taken, to check the increasing 
 riotous disposition of the people there, and to re- 
 lieve all doubts and difficulties which the justices 
 may have in regard to the laws, the corn there may 
 be cooped up in the hands of the farmers without 
 sale, to the detriment of the landed interest, and dis- 
 tress of the manufacturing counties, which con- 
 sume oats in bread, and demand immediate supplies. 
 It may also occasion an unnecessary exportation of 
 the nation's substance, by creating a greater demand 
 from abroad for that article, than would be requi- 
 site, if the communication between the growing 
 and manufacturing counties was rendered free, open, 
 
 and
 
 yZ .APPENDIX. 
 
 sDd safe. Therefore, if any measure should be 
 taken for suspending the duties on importation of 
 grain, it is of great importance, that something ef- 
 fectual should, in the iirst place, be done towards 
 quelling the present riotous spirit that too much pre- 
 vails; and rendering the purchasing and transporta- 
 tion of oats from the growing counties to the dis- 
 tant markets, as safe and easy as that of any other 
 grain. 
 
 To those who have occasion to know the situa- 
 tion of the kingdom in regard to that article, the 
 suspending the duties upon the importation of 
 grain appears every day more and more requisite, to 
 preserve the lives of many of his Majesty's subjects. 
 It is, however, a measure that ought to be eon- 
 ducted with great delicacy, lest the landed interest 
 and agriculture of the nation should suffer by too 
 large importation. 
 
 The duties ought therefore to be taken off only 
 for a limited time, with power to his Majesty and 
 Council to prolong the time, as they see cause. 
 On the other hand, supplies from abroad are abso- 
 lutely necessary, and this nation can only have them 
 from countries that lie very distant ; therefore the 
 time of suspension should not be too much limited, 
 lest it frustrate the intention, by preventing many 
 persons from adventuring upon such uncertainty as 
 they must be under, whether they shall be allowed to 
 import the corn after it shall arrive ; the duties 
 upon every kind of grain, except oats, being equal 
 
 to
 
 APPENDIX. 79 
 
 to a prohibition, unless the prices should go so high 
 as can happen only from the most dismal famine. 
 
 As the culture of land is of the highest import- 
 ance to this nation, every way of encouraging 
 agriculture ought to be carefully sought after and 
 cherished ; and every visible obstruction to its im- 
 provement, and whatever tends to lessen the value 
 of its product, ought to be removed. It were a pity 
 an opportunity of doing any thing to answer these 
 ends should be lost ; and none can offer more fa* 
 vourable than the present, when the scarcity of corn 
 has occasioned a bill on that subject to be brought 
 into Parliament. 
 
 One great hindrance, and needless load, upon 
 carrying the produce of the lands of Britain to the 
 proper markets within the island, is that of exact- 
 ing coast-cockcts, and bonds under high penalties, 
 for all corn that may be transported coastwise, from 
 one place of Britain to another, without the bounds 
 of any navigable river. This method is attended 
 not only with very great delay and charge to all 
 persons concerned in the shipping of corn, but 
 also with the greatest trouble and hindrance to the 
 navigation ; and there have been instances, wherein, 
 by neglect of sending the proper certificates for re- 
 lieving these bonds, that some mariners and others 
 have been ruined by prosecutions following there- 
 upon, though there is not the least necessity for any 
 such securities being granted ; and it might be 
 
 shewn^
 
 So APPENDIX. 
 
 shewn* that, in many cases, the taking of them 
 may be even hurtful to his Majesty's revenue. 
 
 By the act 13th and 14th of Charles II. intitlcd, 
 An Act for preventing Frauds and Abuses in his Ma~ 
 jestys Customs, it is enacted, " That if any goods, 
 wares, or merchandises shall be shipped, or put 
 aboard, to bt carried forth to the open sea, from 
 any port, creek, or member, &c. to be landed -at 
 any other place of this realm, without a sufferance 
 or warrant first had and obtained from the managers 
 of his Majesty's customs ; all such wares and mer- 
 chandise shall be forfeited, and the master enjoined, 
 before the ship be removed out of the port, to take 
 out a cocket, and become bound for delivery and 
 discharge thereof in the port for which the same shall 
 be entered, or some other port wiihin the realm, 
 and to return a certificate of the goods being so 
 landed and discharged." 
 
 Upon this law is founded the practice of taking 
 bond, &c. But it is evident, by the very title and 
 nature of the statute, that it was intended to pre- 
 vent frauds and abuses in his Majesty's customs, 
 and to prevent corn shipped coastwise in any part of 
 the kingdom, from being fraudulently carried out 
 of it * to parts beyond the seas. There were con- 
 
 * Being fiaruluhntly carried out of it (rhe kingdom). Possibly no 
 law is more rigorously carried, at all times, into execution than the 
 above; how then can there be any of those illegal exports, winch 
 were slid lately, in print, to be so notorious, as to need no proof? 
 
 sidcrable
 
 APPENDIX* 8t 
 
 siderable duties at that time upon the exportation 
 thereof, which made these bonds and cockets ne- 
 cessary. But by the subsequent wise aws, encou- 
 raging the exportation of corn of all sorts, and giv- 
 ing of large bounties on particular kinds thereof, 
 the necessity of these securities was entirely taken 
 away; nay, the continuation of them rendered alto- 
 gether absurd ; for no man will clear corn coastwise 
 which he intends to export, as by this he would lose 
 the bounty. But after corn is shipped coastwise, 
 and the vessel has perhaps proceeded partly on 
 her voyage, if any sudden advance at a foreign 
 market should induce the owner to dispatch his 
 cargo abroad, with such expedition as not to suffer 
 the delay and charge of relanding and shipping, 
 new entries, &c. to entitle him to the bounty, he 
 is totally cut off from this measure, by the impossi- 
 bility of getting his coast-bond relieved by a proper 
 certificate of the corn being landed in Britain. 
 Such circumstances have happened, and will fre- 
 quently happen, in the corn-trade; and it may be pru- 
 dent for the merchant to take this course, especially 
 when the corn on board is of the kind whereon the 
 smallest bounties are allowed. In this view of the 
 thing, the practice of bond is hurtful to the revenue, 
 as well as the merchant. And no doubt many 
 cargoes in this situation would have gone abroad, 
 without the bounty, if the coast-security had not 
 stood in the way. 
 
 F These
 
 d2 APPENDIX, 
 
 These securities therefore for corn carried coast- 
 wise, serve no end but to raise high fees to custom- 
 house officers, to delay and retard navigation ; es- 
 pecially when the cargoes may be loaded at creeks 
 perhaps ten or twenty miles distant from the cus- 
 tom*house, they often occasion vessels to lose their 
 passage, or come too late to market, and put the 
 shipmasters to considerable charges, in travelling so 
 far to give their securities, and to trouble, in find- 
 ing bondsmen to join them; besides the great trou- 
 ble and expense that is incurred afterwards, by pro- 
 curing certificates, and transmitting them to the 
 different custom-houses for cancelling the bonds. 
 
 It is evident, that all this charge and trouble may 
 be considered as a needless burden on carrying the 
 produce of the lands of Great Britain to market. 
 
 And it is not to be doubted, that the custom of 
 taking bonds and cockets for home- corn carried 
 coastwise would have been abolished, when that 
 valuable law was made for giving bounties on corn 
 exported, if the above observations had then occur- 
 red to the Legislature. 
 
 If it should seem hard to risk hurting so valuable 
 an object as the culture of land in Britain, by 
 suspending, even at such a juncture as this is, the 
 xluties on foreign corn imported ; why allow th^t 
 land to continue loaded with a tax on its produce, 
 when carried coast wise, which answers no good pur- 
 pose, and which in itself is oppressive and absurd? 
 
 The
 
 i\PPEN4HX, 
 
 The city of London got free of this oppressive 
 custom, by statute i wo Anna cap, 26. for the 
 whole river Thames, and the coast between the pro- 
 montory called the North Farmland on the south, and 
 the promontory called the Nase on the north. 
 
 The preamble of this statute declares how grievous 
 a thing it was at that time ; and that the officers 
 taking cockets and bonds, and exacting fees for 
 the same, was oppressive and illegal. 
 
 Ought not therefore the whole kingdom to be 
 freed now in the same manner, by a clause inserted 
 in the corn bill now depending, declaring* 
 that, for the future, permits or transires only 
 shall be necessary for grain carried coastwise from 
 one part of the kingdom of Britain to another, at all 
 times while that commodity may be lawfully ex- 
 ported upon bounty, or without payment of duties ; 
 and that while corn is prohibited to be exported, 
 as at present, bonds and cockets should be exacted 
 as formerly ? 
 
 F % OBSBRVA-
 
 4- APPENDIX. 
 
 ORSERVATIONS 
 
 
 
 ON THt 
 
 PRESENT HIGH PRICES OF CORN. 
 
 The crops in Britain and Ireland \n the year 175$ 
 were very scanty ; and it is certain, that on the 
 approach of the last harvest, which proved late, 
 seldom, in the memory of man, had a smaller 
 stock of old grain been known in these islands. 
 
 The last season of 1756, from its beginning, 
 was extremely unfavourable ; thousands of acres 
 remained unsown ; and the bad condition in which 
 many more were sown, rendered them incapable 
 of producing a good crop, although favourable wea- 
 ther has followed. It is certain, that the weather 
 during the spring, summer, and harvest, was 
 generally unfavourable ; great quantities of grain 
 perished by the rains and winds, and most of what 
 remained proved defective, both in quantity and 
 substance, by its not duly ripening ; and, what- 
 ever people prejudiced or ignorant of the general 
 state of these matters may affirm, it is a melancholy 
 truth, that the crops, though middling, or even 
 good for some kinds of grain, in particular coun- 
 ties, have at no time, during thirty years past, 
 through Britain and Ireland, proved more scanty 
 upon the whole. 
 
 In
 
 APPENDIX. 85 
 
 III this situation, it is the duty of every one who 
 wishes well to his country, to suggest all reason- 
 able methods by which the present exorbitancy in 
 the price of grain may be corrected, and the destruc- 
 tive consequences of another backward season or 
 bad crop may be prevented. This is in all respects 
 the more necessary, as the effects of the last bad 
 season have been almost equally felt over the 
 greatest part of the northern continent of Europe, 
 and as a scarcity in any one country must necessa-r 
 rily affect the prices of grain in every neighbouring 
 country. 
 
 The Legislature has wisely prohibited all export- 
 ation of grain ; but it may be doubted whether 
 this prudent precaution will of itself be sufficient 
 for preventing the calamities which another bad 
 season may produce. 
 
 Experience has shewn that the price of no sort of 
 grain has been reduced by this measure, though, at 
 this time of the year, corn is generally brought most 
 plentifully by the farmers to market. This also 
 affords a strong proof, that, without the seasonable 
 prohibition of export, the prices would have run 
 higher, and that there is a real defect in the quan- 
 tity of corn in both islands. 
 
 To prevent the forestalling and ingrossing of 
 corn, especially in the neighbourhood of a great 
 city or town, where the m'llers, bakers, maltsters, 
 &c. may themselves purchase from the growers 
 directly, and take off all the produce, is most ne- 
 
 f 3 cessary ;
 
 86 APPENDIX, 
 
 cessary ; and strict attention ought to be given to 
 the execution of this measure: but it may be 
 doubted how far the prices of grain will be lowered, 
 by renewing the ancient laws against forestalled 
 and ingrossers, in their full latitude ; and many 
 are of opinion, that the late well-intended procla- 
 mation has rather been hurtful, than otherwise, ift 
 that respect *. 
 
 The counties which are most populous, and 
 where manufactures chiefly flourish in both islands, 
 generally grow less corn than the other counties 
 less populous and less manufacturing. Thus many 
 counties on the east coast generally supply others on 
 their own side, but particularly the west coast of 
 the island, even in times of plenty. 
 
 * Jt was dated 26 N7ov. 17^6; and after reciting the c, and 6 
 of Ed. 6. c. 14. and the 5 Eliz. c, 12, &c. goes on, And when > 
 as the Juices of corn are ah ready very much increased, and the same ^ 
 likely to gro-a.i much dearer , to the great oppression of thejioor; partly 
 because the said acts are not duly put in execution : ll'e have, &c. 
 -. Which words, it was thought at that time, did much harm, in 
 that many of the farmers took the hint to wait for the higher price, 
 and that the dealers being threatened with prosecutions under laws, 
 of which many of them had never heard, proceeded wi,th great 
 caution; whereby the circulation in the corn-trade moved ver^y 
 slowly, the price of wheat rose apace, and it became very dear ; 
 and this, it was imagined, was in great measure owing to the said 
 proclamation, and may be added to the consequence so well de- 
 scribed by the writer further on. In 1 772, the several laws against, 
 badgers, ingrossers, forestalled, and regraters, were repealed, 
 by the 12 G. 3. c. 71. -^Editor. 1804. 
 
 It
 
 APPENDIX. 87 
 
 ' It rs natural, and indeed reasonable, at first view, 
 for people to think, that in times of scarcity there 
 should he no interposition, if possible, between the 
 grower and the consumer, or at least the manufactu- 
 rer of grain; but this, in fact, is generally impracti- 
 cable, unless so far as the produce in the neigh- 
 bourhood of a great city or town will go. 
 
 The corn therefore necessary for supplying dis- 
 tant places or counties has always, and generally 
 must be bought and transported to the places where 
 the demand is, by merchants, or others of sub- 
 Stance and knowledge in that branch of business. 
 
 It is obvious the growers and manufacturers of 
 grain, and far less the consumers, cannot engage 
 in such purchases and transportation of corn to or 
 from distant places. It is also obvious, that the 
 contractors for the sale of such corn, or the agents 
 who may be employed for the purchase of it in the" 
 growing counties, must collect great quantities at 
 different places, until opportunities of shipping can 
 be obtained for carrying it off; and this practice, 
 however necessary for the supply of distant places 
 of the island, comes under the letter of the old 
 Statutes against forestalling and ingrossingof corn. 
 This is more particularly so in the case of oats 
 or oatmeal, which by the statute Car. II. chap. 15. 
 cannot be bought without licenses, &c. when oats 
 are above \$s. ^d. per quarter. Now, as thi.s price 
 bears no proportion to that of other grain men- 
 tioned in that act, the regulation is hurtful in many 
 
 F 4 parts
 
 58 APPENDIX. 
 
 parts of the island, especially those the most "re- 
 mote from the capital ; and it is inconceivable how 
 such a disproportion should have been established 
 between the price of oats and other grain in that 
 act. 
 
 The consequence of the late proclamation has 
 been, in many growing or shipping counties, to 
 make the common people riotous, and to prevent 
 the buying or shipping of corn even in such quar- 
 ters of the country where it can be spared, and 
 where the prices are moderate : it being natural 
 for the common people, in such times, to wish for 
 corn still cheaper, and to prevent any thing being 
 shipped or going out of their bounds, especially if 
 the letter of the law gives the least countenance to 
 such a procedure. 
 
 The effect of this is immediately to stop all pur- 
 chases, and to distress the distant and populous 
 places, which depend on their supplies coast ways, 
 even in time of plenty. Many such places are in 
 the kingdom, which might be enumerated if the 
 fact were not well known ; and they begin already 
 to feel this inconveniency, it having gone to such 
 a height, that the transportation of corn from one 
 place to another at the distance of a few miles to 
 and even from the sea-coast, has been violently in- 
 terrupted by the populace *. 
 
 * Sec now the 36 G. 3. ch. 9. "To prevent Obstiuctions 
 to the free Passage of Grain within the Kingdom." Edit. 1804. 
 
 Dr.
 
 APPENDIX. 89 
 
 Dr. Davenant, a judicious writer, hatf observed 
 fifty years ago, that a review of our ancient laws 
 concerning corn was necessary, for they were in no 
 ways suited to the state of the kingdom, increase of 
 people, and other circumstances of the then times. 
 The observation will more forcibly apply to the pre- 
 sent times. 
 
 This author's thoughts on this subject are wor- 
 thy of perusal at present, as he points out some me- 
 thods for preventing dearths for the future, though 
 not indeed applicable in a scarce year. He exposes 
 in the clearest light the fatal consequences of a 
 dearth, especially to a trading nation : such con? 
 sequences indeed as he mentions are not to be dread- 
 ed in our times. Our agriculture has been so im* 
 mensely improved by the wise institutions of boun- 
 ties on corn exported ; commerce is more practised 
 and better understood ; and it may also be reasonably 
 supposed, that our merchants having both more 
 knowledge and capital than in former times, will, 
 by importations from one quarter of the world or 
 another, always prevent a scarcity from becoming 
 intolerable. 
 
 But whatever is done by the Legislature for regu- 
 lating the inland commerce of corn, if no other 
 measures are taken, it will be only festering the 
 wound, and in no sort remove the growing evil ; 
 it may indeed make corn cheaper for a time in such 
 counties where it can be spared, and where it is al- 
 ready
 
 go APPENDIX. 
 
 ready moderate ; but it will doubly distress the distant 
 and manufacturing places. 
 
 Quantity is wanted ; and nothing but an addi- 
 tional quantity brought lo market can effectuate the 
 good end proposed, and enable the poor to purchase 
 at an easy rate. 
 
 This may be done in two ways ; and both will be 
 necessary at present t first, by prohibiting for a li- 
 mited time the distillery from wheat in Britain, 
 which will add immensely to the quantity for bread; 
 and, secondly, by suspending the duties on all 
 corn that may be imported, at least for some months, 
 or while the prices keep high at home. 
 
 As to the first, without entering into the argiw 
 ments for or against distillery in general, it seems 
 natural and absolutely necessary to prohibit distillers 
 the use of wheat, at least for a time ; if that be 
 true which is asserted with great appearance of rea- 
 son, that half the wheat that comes to the market 
 of London at present is bought by distillers ; that 
 more of that grain is consumed by them alone within 
 England in a year than would maintain 500,000 
 persons*, or than the whole quantity of wheat 
 which is consumed in this island northward of York. 
 Certainly the saving such a quantity of corn at this 
 juncture is very desirable and necessary. 
 
 * The observator was greatly imposed on in this : I am credibly 
 informed they never used near one sixth part of a Quantity sufficient 
 for that purpose. 
 
 As
 
 APPENDIX, ot 
 
 *". As to any encroachment on the revenue thereby, 
 'without question, in our present situation, that is a 
 tender point; but it is supposed the wheat so used 
 pays little if any thing of the malt-tax, and any 
 deficiency sustained thereby may be more than 
 compensated by the increase of duties on spirits 
 made From barley-malt, by the saving of the whole 
 bounties on corn and malt exported this year, and 
 by the additional duties * on foreign and American 
 spirits that may be imported to supply the want of 
 our own made from wheat. 
 
 As to the second part, viz. the encouraging of 
 importations from abroad, there is no doubt, if we 
 are not too dilatory in our resolutions, but We can 
 have corn from America, the southern parts of Eu- 
 rope, Barbary, and possibly some places nearer 
 home. But the present duties on most grain, es- 
 pecially wheat, rye, and peas, are in effect equal 
 to a prohibition. The duty on oats is indeed 
 low, but it would still be a sufficient profit to the 
 importer, and consequently an encouragement to 
 bring them into the kingdom. 
 
 Why then may not all duties on corn imported 
 be suspended for some months, until the appearance 
 of next crop be seen, or until prices at home be- 
 come moderate ? The interest of the public revenue 
 will not be affected by this, it being indeed our 
 happiness, that, for nineteen years in twenty, these 
 
 '- - : * The author means increase of the duties. 
 
 duties
 
 92 AIT fcNDJX. 
 
 duties produce little or nothing ; and as to any 
 objections from the landholders and farmers, or 
 the dealers in home-corn, whose gains may be 
 lessened by this measure, they ought to be disre- 
 garded at a time when the condition of the poor is 
 so distressful. 
 
 If these methods are pursued, large additional 
 quantities will come to market. The very appre- 
 hension of a free import of foreign grain, or the 
 appearance of a few cargoes thereof in our ports, 
 will induce all the hoarders of home-grain, whe- 
 ther farmers or dealers, to bring it out to market, 
 and the prices will of course be lowered for the poor. 
 
 Quantity, and that alone, can frustrate all 
 attempts to ingross or forestall. If there be a good 
 crop, or a proper quantity of grain, either at home 
 or from abroad, to be got for the market, no art 
 or scheme can enhance the price of grain, whatever 
 speculative persons may fancy to themselves ; and 
 if there be a bad crop, and the quantities of grain 
 be scanty, no art or regulation of Government will 
 keep the prices low. 
 
 These methods will, it is hoped, serve our pur- 
 pose^ the next season should prove earlyand favour- 
 able ; but if these methods should fail, or the season 
 in any degree appear backward, a total prohibition of 
 distillery, and perhaps even of malting, may be ne- 
 cessary. But it would seem that a small bounty 
 upon all corn imported for a limited time, over and 
 
 i . . above
 
 APPENDIX. 93 
 
 above the suspension of the duties, might answer the 
 end better, and with less real loss or inconvenience 
 to the revenue or kingdom. 
 
 [These two papers appear to have been printed 
 about the year 1757, and are here copied exactly, 
 except the quotation out of 15 Car, II. in the first, 
 which is copied from the statute.]
 
 CONSIDERATIONS 
 
 Ott THB 
 
 LAW S 
 
 RELATIMQ TO THE 
 
 IMPORTATION AND EXPORTATION 
 
 OP 
 
 :"' CORN: 
 
 BEING 
 
 AN INQUIRY 
 
 WHAT ALTERATION MAY BE MADE IN THEM FOE THB 
 BENEriT OP THE PUBLIC. 
 
 WROTE IS THB BECISSISS OF THF. YA* ^75?.
 
 ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The following treatise was wrote in the begin- 
 ning of the year 1759, for the use of a particular 
 gentleman, who soon returned the manuscript, 
 which has been since lent to several others ; not- 
 withstanding which, the author hath taken the 
 liberty to make some corrections therein, and ad- 
 ditions thereto, the most material of which became 
 necessary on account of the late alterations in the 
 corn-laws in France, and are marked thus'f-. As to 
 the rest, the substance is the same as at first.
 
 CONSIDERATIONS, 
 
 &C 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 The variety in the seasons, one year from another, 
 will ever cause fluctuations in the price of every 
 thing which depends on them ; and it seems as 
 possible to regulate the seasons, as by any law to 
 order it so, that corn shall always remain at one 
 fixed and certain price; and for this reason, should 
 any thing of that sort at any time be attempted, 
 it would certainly fail. 
 
 Besides, could any regulation of that sort be 
 carried into execution, it would tend to lessen the 
 economy of the common people, and the attempt 
 would greatly discourage tillage. 
 
 The economy of the common people would be 
 lessened by knowing at what price they could buy 
 bread, which is their principal expense ; and many 
 of them would act too much like many of those 
 who subsist on certain salaries, that is, calculate 
 their expenses in so exact a proportion to their in- 
 come, that they would find a very small accidental 
 loss extremely difficult to recover. 
 
 g Few
 
 <t)8 CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 
 Few of those whose incomes and expenses are 
 certain, are known to lay up any great matter be- 
 forehand ; and it will be generally found, that those 
 whose incomes and expenses are uncertain, are the 
 best husbands ; and this, because they are thereby 
 obliged to a constant economy, and to strive, if 
 possible, to have something in store for accidents. 
 
 The attempting such a regulation would greatly 
 discourage tillage, as the farmer would be thereby 
 assured, that, should he have the misfortune to lose 
 half his crop, he could receive no indemnification 
 by selling the remainder at a higher price. 
 
 These inconveniencies seem naturally to attend 
 the attempting such a regulation, and it may be 
 questioned if any good purpose could be answered 
 thereby. 
 
 All that can be done by the Legislature in this 
 matter is, to frame their laws so as to prevent grain 
 from being at any time either so dear that the poor 
 cannot subsist, or so cheap that the farmer cannot 
 live by growing of it, which hath been, or at least 
 should have been, the general view of all govern- 
 ments in their corn-laws ; and no regulations that 
 have ever been made, in any country, in regard 
 thereto, can have answered these ends better than 
 those established in this kingdom ; which in general 
 are these, viz. permitting an importation at a low 
 duty when dear, and by a high duty prohibiting it 
 when cheap ; and at the same time, in order to 
 the encouragement and increase of tillage, giving 
 
 a bounty
 
 AND EXPORTATION OF CORN. 99 
 
 a bounty on the exportation, and securing the 
 property of all persons who shall trade therein for 
 that end. 
 
 The bounty was first given on the exportation of 
 grain in the year 1689, now seventy years since * ; 
 during which period, grain hath in general been 
 from fifteen to twenty per cent, cheaper than for 
 forty years before that time, which is a good proof 
 of the utility of the law by which it is ordered to be 
 given, and which is further proved, in that, since 
 its first establishment, the Parliament have not 
 thought fit to suspend it, either in part or the 
 whole, only four times, viz. in 1698, 1709, 1740, 
 and 1757; which last suspension is still in force, 
 and to continue to Christmas next-)**. 
 
 That corn has been as much cheaper since the 
 bounties took place as before mentioned, is so 
 notorious, that the prices thereof to which the boun- 
 ties are payable by law, which, when first esta- 
 blished, were thought moderate, and under which 
 the then Parliament thought the farmer could not 
 afford to grow it, are now thought very dear ; and 
 long before corn is sold at those prices at which 
 the bounties are to cease of course, we have of late 
 heard clamours for taking the bounty off, and 
 stopping the exportation. 
 
 * This was wrote in the month of Jan. 1759. 
 
 f The stat. 32 Geo. 2. chap. 2. which enacted this prohibition, 
 was, in pursuance of a clause therein, by chap. 9. repealed after 
 25 March 1759. 
 
 c a sect.
 
 IOO CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 SECT. II. 
 
 Few understand the nature of the corn-trade 
 so well as to be able to determine justly, if it would 
 be proper to make any alteration in this matter ; 
 and even amongst those few, much the greater 
 part are interested irt the question, and therefore 
 all should be heard with great caution. 
 
 And so different are their opinions, that whilst 
 one urges the necessity of taking off the bounty 
 now paid on the exportation of corn, for the future, 
 because, as he thinks, it tends to make bread too 
 dear for the poor ; it is pressed by another as mak- 
 ing corn so cheap, that the farmers cannot live ; 
 and this author seems to think, that no other 
 country can export corn but our own, and that 
 foreigners must have it at what price we please. 
 
 A third contends that the bounties should not be 
 withdrawn for the same reason, saying, the same 
 effect will follow, and that to such a degree, that 
 the farmer could not go on without a great abate- 
 ment in his rent ; adding, moreover, that, were, the 
 bounties taken away, our shipping would decrease, 
 and consequently our seamen ; and therefore he 
 concludes, that the continuing to give a bounty on 
 the exportation of corn is necessary to the well-be- 
 ing of the nation. 
 
 A fourth says, a bounty should be continued, 
 
 giving for instance wheat, which, in his opinion, 
 
 should never be sold under 3*. 6d. nor for more 
 
 than 4*. a bushel; and proposes, in order to keep 
 
 4 it
 
 AND EXPORTATION OF CORN. IOI 
 
 it in this medium, that a bounty of 6d. a bushel be 
 continued when the price of the bushel doth not 
 exceed 4s. 6d. and, when it exceeds 5^. proposes 
 that a duty of 8;/. a bushel be paid on the ex- 
 portation, which duty should go towards the 
 bounty when corn is low. 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 Although it might be much easier to shew that 
 most of these propositions are calculated to serve 
 particular interests, than to determine what is right 
 and fit to be done ; yet the present time, during 
 the suspension of the law, is most undoubtedly 
 the proper time to consider the question, since no 
 plea can now be made against any alteration in 
 the affair, on account of its tending to deprive any 
 set of men of their present livelihood, and we have 
 also an opportunity of seeing the corn-trade at 
 present carried on without either exportation or 
 bounty. Let us, therefore, suppose the question, 
 in relation to both importation and exportation, to 
 be stated as follows : 
 
 First, Is it proper to allow of any importation or 
 exportation of corn for the future ? 
 
 Secondly, If it is proper to allow of importation 
 and exportation of corn, should it be done under 
 any and what encouragements, restrictions, and 
 regulations ? 
 
 Thirdly, Are those encouragements, restrictions, 
 and regulations, if any are necessary, to be made 
 
 g 3 certain
 
 102 CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 
 certain and remain fixed ? Or, is any and what 
 power of varying them from time to time, to be 
 lodged in any and what hands ? 
 
 To which questions the following answers may 
 be given : 
 
 First, As it would be contrary to common sense 
 to think, when our own growth is not sufficient for 
 our consumption, of prohibiting the importation, 
 so it would be highly unreasonable, when we have 
 corn to spare, to deny the liberty of exporting the 
 surplus ; and, therefore, both importation and ex- 
 portation of corn must be allowed for the future. 
 
 Secondly, As it appears, that under the present 
 encouragement, restrictions, and regulations rela- 
 tive to the importation and exportation of corn, 
 most of which have now subsisted seventy years, 
 that commodity hath in general been as cheap, and 
 wheat in particular cheaper, than before they took 
 place ; it may fairly be concluded, that to them 
 such cheapness hath been owing ; and, therefore, 
 both the one and the other should still be allowed 
 under some such encouragement, restrictions, and 
 regulations, as are now subsisting, though at pre- 
 sent suspended. 
 
 Thirdly, From the same reason the success of the 
 present laws in relation to corn, which are certain 
 and fixed, with a power of variation, lodged in 
 cither of the two quarter-sessions next after Mi- 
 chaelmas and Easier in London, and in every 
 quarter-sessions in all other parts of the kingdom, 
 
 as
 
 AND EXPORTATION OP CORK. 103 
 
 as to the opening the ports for importation only ; 
 we must conclude that it is best for them to remain 
 much on the same footing ; and, if any alterations 
 are made therein, they must consist only in regard 
 to exportation ; either in lessening the bounty, 
 paying it to a lesser price, or, perhaps, taking it 
 quite away ; and, in regard to importation, in a 
 new regulation of the duties payable in that case, 
 or in regard to the opening the ports * for that 
 purpose. 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 The better to determine what may be done in 
 each of these particulars, the following positions 
 may be laid down, viz. : 
 
 1. Corn may at some price be so cheap, that the 
 grower will not have a reasonable reward for his 
 labour. 
 
 2. At some other price so dear, that the poor may 
 find it difficult to purchase it. 
 
 3. And it may also be at so moderate a price, 
 that both the poor may afford to purchase, and the 
 farmer afford to grow it at the same time. 
 
 Now, it seems very clear, could the prices at 
 which corn may be said to be cheap, reasonable, 
 
 * By opening the /torts is meant, the certifying from the 
 quarter-sessions to the collector of the customs, that the prices 
 of grain are so high, that it is chargeable with the low duties only; 
 and, for want of such certificate, the full duties are to be taken, 
 and they amount to a prohibition. See $tat. 1 Jac. 2. c, 29. 
 2G.2. c. 18. and 5G.2. c. 12. 
 
 G 4. or
 
 104 CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 
 or dear, be ascertained, it would be of great use 
 in determining what alterations might be made, 
 with propriety, in all or any of the present corn- 
 laws. 
 
 And, for the ascertaining those prices, we have 
 only to refer to the register of Eton college, and 
 the statutes which give a bounty on the exportation 
 of corn, adding a reflection or two. 
 
 By the said register it appears, that the average 
 prices of the best wheat and malt, nine gallon mea- 
 sure, have been for 164 years as follows: 
 
 Number of Years, 
 and when. 
 
 Prices. 
 
 No. 
 
 From 
 
 To 
 
 Qr. Whezt. 
 
 Qr. Malt. 
 
 5< 
 
 40 
 
 40 
 33 
 
 1595 
 
 1646 
 
 1686 
 1726 
 
 1646 
 1686 
 1726 
 
 *7S9 
 
 2 5 3t 
 2 11 io| 
 
 * S 3i 
 1 18 io 
 
 S 5* 
 1 9 4 
 
 * 7 si 
 
 * 7 4 
 
 9 1 
 73 
 
 '595 
 1686 
 
 1686 
 *759 
 
 2 8 z\ 
 1 18 11 
 
 1 7 7i 
 * 7 3 
 
 164 
 
 595 
 
 '759 
 
 2 4 0$ 
 
 1 7 H 
 
 And the said statutes ordering the bounty to be 
 paid on wheat till 48 s. rye till 32J. malt and bar- 
 ley till barley is 24J. and oatmeal till oats are 15J. 
 shew, that till the several grains exceed the said 
 prices, they arc to be esteemed cheap; and that 
 when the bounty ceases, they are not to be thought 
 
 dear,
 
 AND EXPORTATION OF CORN. 105 
 
 dear, till the prices, except oats *, are considerably 
 advanced, for the duties are so very heavy as to pre- 
 vent any importation till wheat is ^s. ^d. barley 32J. 
 rye 40J. and oats 16s. ; and, though they should 
 exceed these prices, the duties must still be paid, 
 till the port hath been opened ; which can only be 
 done at certain seasons, and in a particular man- 
 ner, as mentioned page 103 in the note. 
 
 We can by no means suppose the Legislature had 
 an intention to keep grain up to these last, or even 
 to the bounty prices. The views of these laws are 
 most evidently no other than to give all possible en- 
 couragement to agriculture and the growth of corn, 
 by opening to the farmer a certain market for his 
 surplus, and assuring him at the same time, that, in 
 case of a failure in his crop, foreign corn shall not 
 be imported on him till the necessity of the people 
 requires it, and the price is so far advanced as to put 
 it in his power in some measure to make up his loss. 
 And the consequences have answered ; for agri- 
 culture hath been so much extended, and the art of 
 husbandry so much better attended to, and managed 
 with so much more judgment and success, since the 
 passing the above laws, and under the protection 
 and encouragement they give, than it was before that 
 time; that, although large quantities of all sorts of 
 grain have been exported, and wheat is much more 
 
 * The bounty is payable on oatmeal till oats are 15^.5 and yet 
 at ids. the low duty commences. 
 
 generally
 
 J06 CONSIDERATIONS OK THE IMPORTATION 
 
 generally used for bread by the common people *, 
 yet the price thereof is considerably sunk, and the 
 price of malt and other grain is not advanced; 
 and also, although the rents of lands have, in ge- 
 neral, been very much raised, yet the farmers are, 
 for the most part, men in much better circumstance* 
 than when those laws first took place. 
 
 From what hath been recited and observed, may 
 be collected at what prices corn may be esteemed 
 cheaf, reasonable, or dear ; or, in other words, what 
 the consumer can afford to give, and the growers 
 afford to take; and this from what hath been done 
 for a considerable time, and by making a comparison 
 between the state of the affair, not only at the pre- 
 cise time the laws were made, and the state thereof 
 at present ; bat, as to the prices of grain, by com- 
 paring the averages thereof for ninety-one years pre- 
 ceding with seventy-three since they took place. 
 
 And we may venture to fix the price of the 
 quarter of each sort containing eight bushels of the 
 Winchester or statute measure, as follows, viz. 
 
 3 ^R If** c l uarter W ^' S I moderate, and 
 
 U-s. 
 
 '[ lis. 
 
 [28V. 
 
 cheap, to I R ' | then dear. 
 
 * Sec Supp. ch. 5. sec. 16 and 1 7, where this is remarked, and 
 it there appears that a labouring man spends sixpence a week more 
 forwheaten than for rye bread j from which increase of expense 
 arise those complaints we have so frequently heard of late of the 
 high price of wheat long before it is sold at 48*. when the bounty 
 is to cease; the bread made of wheat being always dearer than that 
 made of any other grain. 
 
 Pease
 
 AND EXPORTATION OF CORN. I07 
 
 Pease may be reckoned as wheat, and beans as rye. 
 
 Oats to 12s. per quarter cheap, to 16s. moderate, 
 and then dear. t 
 
 W*t keep oats at 16*. as before, because it hath 
 been said, and with an appearance of reason, that 
 they were permitted to be imported at too low a 
 price*, in proportion to the other grain. 
 
 From the above prices it may be concluded, that 
 each of the grains should be exported freely, till it 
 exceeds the moderate price, and afterwards till the 
 ports are open for importation, if not without, at 
 least with a small duty ; say wheat 6d. barley 3^. 
 rye ^d. and oats ^d. per bushel ; but as these duties 
 would amount nearly to a prohibition -j v , it may be 
 better not to impose them. 
 
 From thence it also appears, that the farmer will 
 have no need of a bounty ; provided corn con- 
 tinues on the average as high as it halh done since 
 the bounty took place. 
 
 * See note, page 105. 
 
 j- It would be adding twenty-five per cent, to the first cost of 
 wheat ; the ceasing of the bounty adds \i\ , and that would be a 
 sufficient check ; for example, say wheat costs 36*. in the market, 
 a bounty of \s. reduces it to 32*. Now 4/. is |th of 32J. i.e. 123 
 per cent, and, consequently, was the like duty to commence when 
 the bounty ceases, it would be 25 per cent.; besides, it is an expe- 
 riment which hath been already tried; for when, in 1688, the 
 bounty was given, the act of 22 Car. 2. which makes custom pay* 
 able on wheat exported after 48*. was not repealed, but after twelve 
 years experience, viz. in 1 700, it was repealed by 11 and 12 W. 3.; 
 and what is remarkable, it had been so dear the year before, that 
 the bounty was suspended, and the price was 40/. at the time. 
 
 But
 
 108 CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 
 But as all experiments, which may possibly hurt 
 or discourage agriculture, should be very cautiously 
 made, it may be very proper to allow, for times cer- 
 tain, a bounty on wheat, barley, and rye ; but lesser 
 than the present bounties*, and payable to lesser 
 prices, and lessening every year till the whole are 
 taken off, which we may suppose as follows, viz, 
 wheat 6d. per bushel till 36.?. per quarter, for one 
 year, to decrease per bushel each year after, till 
 the whole is taken off. Barley 3d. per bushel, till 
 1 8s. per quarter, for one year, to decrease | per bushel 
 each year after, till the whole is taken off. Rye 4 d. 
 a bushel, till 14s. per quarter, for one year, to de- 
 crease I per bushel each year after, till the whole is 
 taken off. By which means it might be known 
 without any great hazard-^, how far the bounty oh 
 
 * The present bounties are as under : 
 
 Wheat till 485. $i. od. 
 
 Rye till 32*. $s. 6d. 
 
 Barley till 24*. zs. bd. 
 
 Oatmeal till oats are 15s. 2s. 6d. 
 
 Malt receives the same as barley ; and by statute 3 G. c. 7. sec. 
 14 and 1 5, every tivo quarters of barley is to be esteemed to make 
 three quarters of malt, and the duty is paid accordingly ; by which 
 means, with the expense of /wo-pence per quarter, paid by the 
 excise for breakage on the shipping it off, the bounty given on 
 every quarter of barley made into malt for exportation is four 
 shillings, which, if the price was always twenty shillings, is 20 
 per cent, whereas mo shillings and sixpence on barley is only \%\ 
 per cent. ; by which means the exportation of malt is greatly en- 
 couraged. 
 
 \ Between the writing and printing these Considerations, reasons 
 have arisen to alter these opinions, as will be explained further on, 
 and distinguished thus f. 
 
 com
 
 AND EXPORTATION OF CORN. 109 
 
 corn might be altered or withdrawn without dis- 
 couraging tillage. 
 
 Whilst a bounty is allowed, we apprehend no 
 better method can be found of ascertaining that the 
 prices do not exceed those to which it is payable, 
 than the old method of the exporter's oath, on 
 making the entry in order to the taking out the de- 
 benture, that the average price of the grain to be 
 exported did not exceed the bounty price the last 
 market-day. 
 
 sect. v. 
 
 As to the importation : in order to know if any 
 new regulations or alterations in the duties payable 
 on corn imported, and in regard to opening the 
 ports for that purpose, should be made, it is ncceg- 
 tary, first, to give a short account how these mat- 
 ters now stand. 
 
 The duties payable for the several sorts of grain 
 on importation, are noted by Mr. Saxby, in his 
 Book of Rates, as follows : 
 
 Grain. Duties. Duties. Duties. 
 
 Beans to 28*. per qr. 19J. lod. after till 40J. i6j. %d. then izd. 
 Barley to 2 8j. 19/. iod. 32J. i6j. nd. 
 Malt is prohibited. 
 
 Oats to i6j. 5 j. xod. after g\d. 
 Pease to 40*. i6j. od. after q\d. 
 Rye to 36.;. 19J. iod. till 40*. 16s. Sd, then i2d. 
 Wheat to 44J. 2.1s. gd. till $$s. <d. ijs. then 8/. 
 
 till 4/. and after that about is. \d. 
 Buck-wheat to 32/. per qr. to pay 16s. 
 
 And
 
 IIO CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 
 And the collector of the customs is to govern 
 himself, in regard to taking the duties, by certifi- 
 cates of the prices of corn, which may be made by 
 the justices of the peace in every quarter-session, 
 except in London, where the magistrates are em- 
 powered to certify in October and April only. 
 
 The above duties amount to a prohibition oi> 
 each sort of grain, except oats*, till the prices are 
 very high, which tends greatly to encourage our own 
 tillage, as hath been before observed ; and therefore 
 no great alteration should be made. But there are 
 some who are of opinion, that if oats were to be 
 charged $s. lod. till \%s. per quarter, and if the 
 low duties were to commence on beans at 36^. on 
 barley at 28^. on rye at 36.?. on wheat and pease at 
 $os. the affair would stand rather more on an 
 equality, and no inconvenience could arise. 
 
 And they add further, that it would be well if a 
 certain price were fixed at which, the same being 
 duly certified, corn might be imported, for a time 
 certain, duty free; as nothing will tend more to 
 keep the price moderate, and the desires of farmers 
 and all other holders of corn within reasonable 
 bounds, than being under a constant apprehension 
 of such an importation. 
 
 As to the present method of taking the duties ac- 
 cording to the certificates of the price of corn, 
 
 * It is to be observed, the importation of oats hath far ex- 
 ceeded that of all other grain, being more than two parts in three 
 of the whole,, as may be seen in the Collection of Papers, Sec. 
 
 5 made
 
 AND EXPORTATION OP CORN. Ill 
 
 made by the justices in every quarter-sessions, and 
 of the magistrates in London in October and dpril, 
 it seems founded in reason, and fit to be continued. 
 For if ihe crop hath failed, it begins to be felt in 
 October, and if it is nearly expended, it is known in 
 April, in which two months the magistrates in Lou- 
 Jon are to certify ; and if they certify that corn is so 
 high as to be imported at the low duty, the im- 
 portation must continue for six months ; which, in 
 regard to that port, is very reasonable, for if they 
 bad it in their power to allow of the importation 
 for three months only, it would not be of any great 
 utility, since nobody would venture to load any 
 quantity, as the time might possibly elapse before 
 the arrival, to the loss of the importer. And the cer- 
 tificates of the justices in every quarter-sessions out 
 of London, seem as proper in regard to the circum- 
 stances of most other places, and as well adapted for 
 their service, as the regulation for London doth for 
 the service thereof; for in them, or most of them, 
 a small additional quantity will carry them on for 
 three months ; and if enough doth not arrive in that 
 time, they can continue the port open, by certifying 
 anew, for three months longer. 
 
 These certificates may be made either in the 
 quarter-sessions, or at any adjournment thereof, 
 and the making them seems to be discretionary, not 
 compulsory ; and that it should be so is quite ne- 
 cessary, since it may accidentally happen that the 
 prices of corn may, for one or two market-days 
 
 next
 
 112 CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 
 next before the sessions, be at so high a rate, as to 
 allow of the importation ; and an importation im- 
 properly allowed may be very hurtful to the farmer. 
 
 Therefore the method that hath at some times 
 been taken, of adjourning the sessions for this par- 
 ticular purpose, is very prudent ; and it might be 
 proper always to adjourn the consideration of all 
 petitions as may be presented in regard to this affair 
 in the Michaelmas sessions, till about the 20th of 
 November, as by that time it will be known if the 
 high prices are owing to the shortness of the crops, 
 lateness of the harvest, want of arrivals, or to any 
 other cause. 
 
 When corn is once imported, in pursuance of 
 these certificates, it cannot be reshipped, except for 
 exportation abroad, and not to carry coastways in 
 Britain ; and with good reason, for particular im- 
 portations should be so ordered, that, whilst they 
 are of service to the place for which they are 
 intended, they may not hurt the farmers in other 
 parts. So far for particular importations, for the 
 laws as they now stand regard no other. 
 
 SECT. VI. 
 
 General importations have been esteemed by 
 our legislators of the greatest moment, and they can 
 never be permitted, but by a new law expressly 
 made for that purpose, as is at present the case ; and 
 if ever the power of permitting them is intrusted 
 by the Parliament to any but themselves, it seems 
 as if it can be no where safely lodged, but in the 
 
 King
 
 AND EXPORTATION OP CORN. I 13 
 
 King and Council ; and whenever the question 
 comes before them, they will undoubtedly proceed 
 with the greatest caution ; the state of the markets 
 in all foreign parts, from which corn may be im- 
 ported, as well as the state of our own markets 
 throughout the kingdom, and the time of the year, 
 will be considered. 
 
 At Michaelmas, a late harvest may make corn in 
 general dear for a time, although there may be a 
 sufficient stock in the kingdom : then, and at all 
 times, contrary winds, and in war-time want of 
 convoy, and every other means which tends to pre- 
 vent the free transportation or circulation of grain 
 from one part of the nation to another (which cir- 
 culation there can be no doubt but all in power, in 
 imitation of the Legislature, will always promote, 
 protect, and encourage), may make corn dear in 
 particular places ; and if a sudden rise in the price, 
 occasioned by the above or any other accidental 
 stops in the circulation, should at any time be mis- 
 taken for a real scarcity, and a general importation 
 allowed, it may be the cause of having so much 
 corn imported in six months (and such importation 
 will scarcely ever be granted for a lesser time) as to 
 make our own farmers labour for nothingthe whole 
 year, or perhaps longer, and consequently greatly 
 discourage tillage. 
 
 It will throw some light on this reasoning to con- 
 sider, that a general failure of the crops throughout 
 Europe is but rarely the case ; and though it may 
 
 h happen
 
 114 CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 
 happen that our own growth may be so short as to 
 require a permission of either a general or particular 
 importation, yet, at the same time, some neigh- 
 bouring kingdoms may have so much corn to spare, 
 as, if either is allowed without restriction, to be able 
 in a few months to import so great a quantity, that 
 our own farmers may not be able to get a common 
 price, though they have but a very short crop. 
 Which was the case a few years since in the port of 
 London, with regard to oats. 
 
 When a general importation is allowed, it should 
 not be for less than six months, for the same reason 
 as in the particular at London*, viz. a small quantity 
 would be of little or no use, and if the time li- 
 mited for importation is too short, no great quantity 
 can arrive. 
 
 As in particular importations none of the corn 
 imported should be reshipped, to be carried coast- 
 ways in Great Britain, because such importations 
 are for the service of particular parts of the kingdom; 
 so, on the contrary, whenever a general importation 
 is allowed, the corn imported should be permitted 
 to be reshipped and carried coastways to any other 
 part of the kingdom with the same freedom as corn 
 of our own growth, because such importations are 
 for the benefit of the kingdom in general. 
 
 There is an opinion, that, as the law now 
 stands, the exportation of grain can be prohibited 
 
 * Altered List sessions to every three months, 
 4 only
 
 AND EXPORTATION OF CORN. 11^ 
 
 only by the Parliament *, which may, strictly speak- 
 ing, be true, more especially in time of peace ; but 
 surely the King, by his prerogative, may at any 
 time, particularly in time of war, prevent it by an 
 embargo. And it might be proper to empower him 
 to do it at all times by proclamation, with the ad* 
 vice of his Council, which Mr. Burn says he may, 
 and quotes an act i Ja. J. ; but this power was only 
 an exception to that act, and was, at least virtually, 
 repealed both by 22 Car. II. and 1 Wm, and 
 Mary. 
 
 The Parliament hath, in the act for suspending 
 the laws till Christmas next, 1759, reserved a power of 
 making any alteration during their present sessions; 
 and if corn continues cheap, and it can be done with- 
 out hazard of assisting the enemy, they may possibly 
 allow an exportation \ ; and it deserves considera- 
 tion, if that be done, whether it should not be 
 without a bounty for the remainder of the year, as 
 was the case in 1699 ; and whenever corn is allowed 
 to be exported again with a bounty, whether an 
 inquiry should not be made, if there is any founda- 
 tion for the rumour of the bounty having been paid 
 
 * This opinion appears to be right, by the passing of the act of 
 5 G. 3. cap. 31. to authorize the King and Council to prohibit the 
 exportation of wheat during the prorogation in 1 765. 
 
 + It was by stat. 32 G. 2. c. 8. allowed to be exported without 
 any restriction, and with the bounty. 
 
 h 2 for
 
 I l6 CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 
 for great quantities of corn which were never ex- 
 ported *. 
 
 Nothing but experience can shew, how far any 
 of the alterations here proposed may be of service. 
 We are certain that the present corn-laws have had 
 their desired effect, and therefore should alter them 
 with great caution, and this the rather, since, how 
 light soever some amongst us may think of them, two 
 very sensible late French authors % attribute to them, 
 and to the act of navigation, the present figure we 
 make in Europe, and press the making the like for 
 their own kingdom. 
 
 SECT. VII. 
 
 "} And the sentiments of those writers have been 
 so far adopted by the government, that, between the 
 
 * A jeport, which hath long subsided, was current in the year 
 1759, that, in some of the out-ports, means had been found to 
 impose on the officers of the Customs, in whose presence the corn 
 is measured into every vessel, the first time she loads in bulk, and 
 to make them certify, that many of them held more than in fact 
 they did: if there was any truth in this report, surely it could 
 not be done as to malt; for, by stat. 3 G. 2. c. 7. 14 and 15. 
 all malt made for exportation is to be locked up by, and shipped 
 under the inspection of, the Exciso officer. 
 
 However, all frauds in the exportation of corn may easily be 
 prevented for the future, by making the bounty payable on the 
 proof that the corn is landed according to the entry, or lost; which 
 proof the master of the vessel might be bound to make in like 
 manner as he is in regard to his having made the payments to 
 Greenwich hospital . 
 
 X Let Intertts de la France mal entendus y and V Ami det Hommes. 
 
 i writing
 
 AND EXPORTATION OF CORN. 117 
 
 writing and printing these Considerations, the King 
 hath published two remarkable edicts || ; one allow- 
 ing all persons to trade in corn, and to circulate it 
 freely throughout the whole kingdom ; the other 
 authorizing and encouraging the exportation and 
 importation thereof; the exportation to cease when 
 wheat hath been for three following market-days, 
 at a price which answers to about 48 s. our quarter, 
 statute-measure ; and there are those who say, that 
 they are fully persuaded they shall live to see as 
 good a bounty given for corn exported from France 
 as is given from England. 
 
 \ These proceedings of the French should at least 
 put us on our guard as to any alterations we may 
 think of making in relation to the bounty; for 
 if those edicts are continued and attended with suc- 
 cess, we shall not only lose our corn-trade in 
 France, but also meet the French as competitors in 
 that trade, in all other foreign markets. 
 
 if Therefore the hints thrown out, page 107, of 
 reducing the bounty, paying it to the prices there 
 mentioned, and taking it entirely off by degrees, 
 which in 1759 it was thought might be attempted 
 without any great hazard, seem now, in the year z 766, 
 highly improper ; and that it would be wrong, even 
 to think of taking the bounty entirely off, or to re- 
 duce it, and at the same time pay it to lesser prices. 
 One of the last two may, however, surely be done, 
 
 f| See an account of them, Supp. ch. 2. sec. S and 9. 
 
 h 3 without
 
 I I S CONSIDERATIONS ON THE IMPORTATION 
 
 without any great risk ; and we might either con- 
 tinue the same bounties, but payable to lesser prices, 
 say wheat to 401. and the rest in proportion ; or 
 reduce them, say one third, and continue to pay 
 them to the same prices as at present. 
 
 ^ Was the first carried into execution, we should 
 in general continue to send our corn to foreign 
 markets on as good terms as heretofore, but when 
 it should happen to rise to the prices at which the 
 bounty would cease, it would be so great and sudden 
 a check, as might turn the trade into another chan- 
 nel for some time ; and it may accidentally rise to 
 that price either just before or soon after harvest, 
 and yet, at the same time, the stock in hand may be 
 so large that a great quantity may be spared for ex- 
 portation, and corn sold for a moderate price in 
 the remaining part of the year and until the next 
 harvest. 
 
 -j~ If the second was to be the law, as the mar- 
 kets abroad always regulate the prices at which corn 
 is bought here for exportation, the merchant must 
 always buy at so much less as the deduction in the 
 bounty, to be on a par with them ; and consequent- 
 ly, what he shall buy will tend less to raise the mar- 
 ket here, a very large sum would be annually saved 
 in the bounty, and no interruption would happen 
 to the exportation trade, by the ceasing of the 
 bounty, until the high price should require it. 
 
 CON-
 
 AND EXPORTATION OB' CORN. II9 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 The purport of all that hath been said is this, 
 that as the variety of the seasons will always prevent 
 the price of corn being fixed by a law, and could it 
 be done, it would be attended with inconveniences, 
 and the attempt would discourage tillage; there- 
 fore all that can be done, is to regulate the matter 
 so, that it may be kept in a due medium ; which 
 our present laws have done beyond expectation ; 
 and consequently, that every attempt to alter them, 
 with the least probability of success, must be made 
 by comparing the state of the affair before the time 
 they were made, with the state thereof since they 
 have been in force, which hath been endeavoured, 
 with what propriety we freely submit, but could 
 wish, whether any alteration is made or not, all the 
 laws relating to the corn-trade were reduced into 
 one Act of Parliament. 
 
 n 4
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 OF 
 
 PAPERS 
 
 RELATIVE TO THE 
 
 PRICE, EXPORTATION, AND IMPORTATION 
 
 OF 
 
 CORN: 
 
 WITH SOME 
 
 OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS, 
 
 What the Nafcon may be supposed to have gained by giving the 
 Bounty on the Exportation ; what the Quantity of each Sort of 
 Corn annually consumed, exported, imported, and grown, may 
 amount to, and the Proportions they severally bear each to 
 the other.
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 OF 
 
 PAPERS, 
 
 &c. 
 
 Ait Account of the true Market-price of Wheat and JMalt in 
 Windsor Market, from 1595 inclusive to 1765 exclusive. 
 Taken from the Audit-books in Eton College* 
 
 Stat. Meas. 
 Wheat qr. Malt qr. Wheat qr. 
 
 . s. H. 
 n ^ 
 17 " 
 14 11 
 
 4 91 
 10 n 
 
 9 9l 
 
 14 10 - 1 4 o 1 7 
 
 9 4 o 17 4 1 3 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 Year. 
 
 59> 
 1596 
 
 1567 
 
 1598 
 
 1599 
 1600 
 1 60 1 
 1602 
 1603 
 1604 
 *i6of 
 1600 
 1607 
 160S 
 1609 
 1610 
 161 r 
 1612 
 1613 
 1614 
 1615 
 1616 
 
 - 
 
 % 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 2 
 2 
 1 
 1 
 2 
 2 
 2 
 1 
 2 
 
 j. 
 o 
 8 
 
 9 
 16 
 
 J 9 
 17 
 
 d. 
 
 o 
 o 
 6 
 8 
 2 
 8 
 
 J 5 
 10 
 
 15 
 
 J 3 
 16 
 
 16 
 
 10 
 
 i5 
 
 18 
 2 
 8 
 1 
 
 18 
 o 
 
 + 
 8 
 
 10 
 o 
 8 
 8 
 o 
 
 10 
 
 Malt qr. 
 
 . s. d. 
 
 o o 
 
 6 8 
 
 6 
 
 12 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 
 4 
 17 
 
 2 
 
 19 
 18 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 19 
 19 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 8 
 4 
 
 19 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 T 3 
 18 
 
 7* 
 
 4 
 
 5} 
 
 5* 
 
 12 11* 
 10 6| 
 
 ji io| 
 1617
 
 124 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 An Ac 
 
 count of 
 
 the true Market-price of 'Wheat and Ma\t 
 
 in Windsor 
 
 Market, from 1595 inclusive to ] 
 
 765 exclusive. Continue J. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Stat. Meas. 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 Wheat qr. 
 
 
 Malt 
 
 qr. 
 
 Wheat qr. 
 
 
 
 . s. d. 
 
 
 ' 
 
 J, 
 
 . 
 
 s. d. 
 
 1617 
 
 
 
 288 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 18 5* 
 
 1618 
 
 
 
 268 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 16 io 
 
 1619 
 
 
 
 1 15 4 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 7 XI i 
 
 1620 
 
 
 
 1 10 4 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 3 "f 
 
 162 1 
 
 
 
 1 10 4. 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 3 "1 
 
 1622 
 
 
 
 2 18 8 
 
 
 1 6 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 4* 
 
 1623 
 
 , 
 
 2 12 
 
 . 
 
 1 11 
 
 2 - 
 
 2 
 
 3 3? 
 
 1624 
 
 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 1 3 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 17 i 
 
 1625 
 
 
 
 2120 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 3 3* 
 
 1626 
 
 
 294 
 
 ... ... 
 
 1 7 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 18 11-J 
 
 1627 
 
 
 
 1 16 
 
 - - 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 5* 
 
 1628 
 
 
 
 1 8 
 
 . 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 * l 
 
 1629 
 
 
 
 220 
 
 
 
 1 4 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 13 2 t 
 
 1630 
 
 
 
 2 15 8 
 
 
 
 1 14 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 3 i 
 
 1631 
 
 
 3 8 
 
 . 
 
 1 18 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 13 i 
 
 1632 
 
 
 
 * *3 4 
 
 
 1 ti 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 i{ 
 
 j6 33 
 
 
 
 2 18 
 
 
 
 1 8 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 5 10 
 
 1634 
 
 
 
 2 16 
 
 
 
 1 12 
 
 4 " 
 
 2 
 
 4 3 
 
 l6 3.=J 
 
 
 
 2 16 
 
 
 
 1 7 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 4 3 
 
 1636 
 
 
 
 2 16 8 
 
 . 
 
 1 8 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 4 9 
 
 1637 
 
 
 
 2 13 
 
 
 
 1 19 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 1 io 
 
 1638 
 
 
 
 2 17 4 
 
 - 
 
 2 2 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 5 34 
 
 > 6 39 
 
 
 
 2 4 10 
 
 
 
 1 :i 
 
 *i 
 
 1 
 
 15 Si 
 
 1640 
 
 
 
 248 
 
 
 
 1 7 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 *5 3i 
 
 164.1 
 
 
 
 280 
 
 
 1 9 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 17 11 *- 
 
 l6 + 2>v 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 * 6 43 I 
 
 wanting in the account. 
 
 The year 
 
 
 
 1644 ( 
 
 1646 supplied by BishopFleetwood. 
 
 
 
 i6 4 cJ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1646 
 
 
 280 
 
 
 
 1 9 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 17 11* 
 
 1647 
 
 
 
 3 13 8 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 1648 
 
 
 
 4 5 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 7 * 
 
 1649 
 
 
 400 
 
 
 
 2 2 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 3 * 
 
 1650 
 
 - 
 
 3 *6 8 
 
 
 
 1 18 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 1651 
 
 
 
 3 l 3 4 
 
 
 
 1 9 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 17 ii 
 
 1652 
 
 
 
 296 
 
 
 
 1 8 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 19 i| 
 
 1653 
 
 
 
 115 6 
 
 
 
 1 8 
 
 
 
 X 
 
 8 o 
 
 * Note, these are the last years included in each average. 
 
 1654
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OP CORN. 
 
 I25 
 
 A* Account of the true Market 
 
 -price of Wheat 
 
 and Malt in Windsor 
 
 Market, from 1595 inclusive to 1; 
 
 76$ exclusive. Continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Stat. Meas. 
 
 Year. 
 
 
 Wheat < 
 
 l r - 
 
 
 Malt qr. 
 
 Wheat qr. 
 
 
 
 s. 
 
 </. 
 
 
 . s. 
 
 /. 
 
 ' * 
 
 1654 
 
 
 
 1 6 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 i 
 
 8 
 
 1 6| 
 
 1655 
 
 
 
 1 *3 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 6 4$ 
 
 1656 
 
 
 
 * 3 
 
 
 
 
 1 4 
 
 
 
 1 13 11$ 
 
 1657 
 
 
 
 2 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 8 
 
 4 
 
 1 16 io 
 
 1658 
 
 
 
 3 S 
 
 
 
 
 1 9 
 
 4 " 
 
 2 11 4* 
 
 1659 
 
 
 
 3 ^ 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 2 8 
 
 8 
 
 2 12 i 
 
 1660 
 
 
 
 2 16 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 12 
 
 8 
 
 * 4 7f 
 
 2 15 4* 
 
 1661 
 
 
 
 3 IO 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 13 
 
 4 
 
 1662 
 
 - 
 
 3 14 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 2 
 
 
 
 2 18 5 | 
 
 1663 
 
 
 
 2 17 
 
 
 
 
 1 12 
 
 8 
 
 2 5 o* 
 
 1664 
 
 - 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 10 
 
 
 
 1 12 
 
 1665 
 
 
 
 2 9 
 
 4 
 
 -. 
 
 1 8 
 
 4 
 
 1 18 n 
 
 1666 
 
 
 
 1 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 6 
 
 . 
 
 : 8 5I 
 
 1667 
 
 
 
 1 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 2 
 
 8 
 
 1 8 5$ 
 
 1668 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 4 
 
 
 
 1 11 6* 
 
 1669 
 
 
 
 2 4 
 
 4 
 
 
 1 7 
 
 4 
 
 1 15 of 
 
 1670 
 
 
 
 2 1 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 6 
 
 6 
 
 1 12 11* 
 
 1671 
 
 
 
 2 2 
 
 
 
 
 1 5 
 
 4 
 
 I 13 2f 
 
 1672 
 
 
 
 2 1 
 
 
 
 
 1 2 
 
 ' 
 
 I 12 4f 
 
 1673 
 
 
 
 2 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 4 
 
 
 
 1 16 io| 
 
 1674 
 
 
 
 3 8 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 14 
 
 
 
 * H 31 
 
 1675 
 
 - 
 
 3 4 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 14 
 
 
 
 a 11 i 
 
 1676 
 
 
 
 1 18 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 6 
 
 
 
 I IO A 
 
 1677 
 
 
 
 2 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 8 
 
 
 
 * '3 5 
 
 1678 
 
 
 
 2 19 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 8 
 
 8 
 
 2 6 7 | 
 
 1679 
 
 " 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 1 6 
 
 8 
 
 7 4| 
 
 1680 
 
 
 
 a 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 2 
 
 8 
 
 1 5 6f 
 
 1681 
 
 
 
 2 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 * 4 
 
 8 
 
 1 16 io| 
 
 1682 
 
 " 
 
 2 4 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 1 8 
 
 
 
 1 14 9l 
 
 1683 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 8 
 
 8 
 
 in 6J 
 
 1684 
 
 
 
 2 4 
 
 
 
 
 1 5 
 
 4 
 
 1 14 9* 
 
 1685 
 
 
 
 2 6 
 
 8 
 
 - 
 
 1 8 
 
 
 
 1 16 io 
 
 16S6 
 
 
 
 1 14 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 5 
 
 4 
 
 1 6 104 
 
 16S7 
 
 
 
 1 5 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1 4 
 
 
 
 19 IO* 
 
 1688 
 
 
 
 2 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 2 
 
 
 
 1 16 4 | 
 
 1689 
 
 
 
 1 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 3 8$ 
 
 1690 
 
 
 
 1 14 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 4 
 
 1 7 4* 
 
 1691 
 
 
 
 1 14 
 
 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 1 6 10$ 
 
 1692 
 
 
 
 2 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 1 4 
 
 4 
 
 1 16 1 of 
 
 1693 
 
 " 
 
 3 7 
 
 8 
 
 ^ ~~ "* 
 
 1 10 
 
 
 
 1694
 
 126 
 
 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 An Account of the true Market-price 
 Market^ from 1 $95 inclusive to 1 
 
 Year. 
 
 1694 
 1695 
 1696 
 1697 
 1698 
 j 699 
 1700 
 1701 
 1702 
 
 *73 
 1704 
 
 *i70i; 
 1706 
 1707 
 1708 
 1709 
 1710 
 I,i 1 
 1712 
 
 1713 
 
 1714 
 
 7S 
 
 1716 
 
 7'7 
 1718 
 1719 
 J720 
 1721 
 1722 
 
 ] 7 2 3 
 
 1724 
 
 **75 
 1726 
 
 1727 
 1728 
 1729 
 1730 
 73 l 
 *73 2 
 733 
 
 Wheatqf. 
 
 . s. d. 
 
 3 4 
 
 2 13 
 
 3 ll 
 -\ o 
 
 1 7 
 1 9 
 
 16 
 6 
 
 10 
 6 
 
 3 * 8 
 3 18 
 2 14 
 2 6 
 2 11 
 2 10 
 
 a 3 
 2 8 
 
 25b 
 1 18 10 
 1 15 o 
 11 o 
 
 17 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 16 
 
 1 14 
 1 
 
 2 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 x 7 
 8 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 o 
 6 
 o 
 o 
 
 214 6 
 2 6 jo 
 1 16 6 
 1 12 10 
 1 6 8 
 1 8 4 
 
 0/Wheat andMahin Windsor 
 765 exclusive, Continued, 
 
 Stat. Meas. 
 Wheat qr. 
 
 Malt qr. 
 /. *. d. 
 
 12 o 
 12 
 
 8 
 8 
 
 12 
 
 19 
 
 1 1 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 2 
 
 3 
 8 
 
 13 
 16 
 
 *5 
 
 10 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 
 4. 
 6 
 1 1 
 8 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 8 
 8 
 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 4 
 4 
 o 
 o 
 
 4 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 
 4 
 o 
 
 4 
 o 
 
 4 
 8 
 o 
 
 4 
 8 
 o 
 
 4 
 8 
 8 
 4 
 4 
 8 
 8 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 o 
 
 4 
 o 
 
 12 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 5 8 
 
 2 8 
 
 . ,. d 
 
 a 10 6|- 
 
 1 1 :o>. 
 
 a 16 o 
 
 7 
 a- 14 
 
 o 
 
 a 10 6| 
 
 9f 
 3-5 
 
 5^ 
 1 16 84 
 
 8 
 
 H 
 
 6-1 
 
 iii 
 
 1 9 
 1 3 
 1 8 
 
 7^ 
 8 
 
 1 3 
 1 o 
 1 2 
 
 I 12 9gr 
 320$ 
 
 3 " 
 
 a 2 
 
 1 16 7$ 
 
 a- o 3$ 
 
 * 19 9# 
 
 '3 *'f 
 
 17 1 it* 
 16 1 
 
 10 8 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 9 7* 
 
 8 # 
 
 7 4f 
 
 9 * 
 
 18 s4 
 
 16 41 
 
 13 a 
 
 3 * 
 
 1 7 o| 
 
 8 K>i 
 
 5 I! f 
 
 1 of 
 
 2 4! 
 
 1734 
 
 7? 
 
 2v/
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OP CORN. 
 
 127 
 
 An Account of the true Market-price 
 Market, from 1595 inclusive to 
 
 Year. 
 
 T 734 
 
 *73S 
 i 73 6 
 
 *737 
 1738 
 3 739 
 
 1740 
 1741 
 
 1743 
 
 *743 
 *744 
 ^745 
 1746 
 
 *747 
 1748 
 1749 
 1750 
 
 '75* 
 1752 
 
 X 7S3 
 '754 
 
 r 7SS 
 1756 
 
 *757 
 1758 
 
 '759 
 
 1760 
 1761 
 
 1762 
 
 '763 
 1764 
 
 Wheat qr, 
 . s d. 
 18 z.o 
 
 3 Q 
 
 o 4 
 
 18 o 
 
 15 
 18 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 
 *9 
 
 *7 
 
 12 
 
 18 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 14 
 
 J 3 
 
 5 
 
 o 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 9 
 o 
 6 
 
 8 
 o 
 10 
 10 
 6 
 o 
 
 14 10 
 17 o 
 
 o 
 6 
 6 
 
 10 
 8 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 3 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 19 TO 
 
 16 6 
 
 o/Whea 
 
 : and Malt 
 
 in Windsor 
 
 1765 exclusive. ---Continued. 
 
 
 
 Stat. Meas. 
 
 Malt qr. 
 
 Wheat qr. 
 
 - ' 
 
 </. 
 
 . s. d. 
 
 1 2 
 
 8 
 
 * 10 8 
 
 1 2 
 
 8 1 
 
 -1 13 tr 
 
 1 4 
 
 
 
 1 11 10-+- 
 
 1 6 
 
 8 
 
 1 10 o 
 
 1 8 
 
 
 
 1 8 of 
 
 1 6 
 
 
 
 1 10 & 
 
 1 12 
 
 
 
 2 o-J 
 
 1 12 
 
 8 
 
 1 16 i 
 
 1 10 
 
 8 
 
 1 6 lof 
 
 1 8 
 
 8 
 
 19 7$ 
 
 1 4 
 
 8 
 
 *9 7* 
 
 1 3 
 
 4 
 
 1 1 H 
 
 1 2 
 
 4 
 
 1 10 9 
 
 1 2 
 
 8 
 
 1 7 71 
 
 1 9 4 
 
 1 3 
 
 4 
 
 1 S 
 
 4 
 
 1 9 a * 
 
 : 1 
 
 4 
 
 5 f 
 
 
 
 1 10 5 i 
 
 1 7 
 
 4 
 
 1 13 of 
 
 1 7 
 
 4 i. 
 
 1 *5 3* 
 
 1 8 
 
 
 
 1 7 4* 
 
 : i 
 
 4 
 
 1 6 8| 
 
 
 
 1 15 9* 
 
 ^ 7 4f 
 
 1 16 
 
 
 
 1 1-6 
 
 
 
 1 19 61 
 
 1 7 
 
 4 
 
 in 5 5 
 
 1 6 
 
 
 
 1 8 fof 
 
 1 5 
 
 4 
 
 1 3 ro| 
 1 10 10* 
 
 1 7 
 
 4 ' ' ' 
 
 1 16 
 
 
 
 1 12 2* 
 
 i 14 
 
 
 
 1 16 11} 
 
 Note. In the foregoing computations, you are to know, that in 
 every year there are two prices of corn, the one at Lady-day, the 
 other at Michaelmas, both which are put together, and the half 
 is taken for the common price of that year, and the tax is de- 
 ducted from the price of malt. 
 
 Since
 
 128 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 Since printing the former edition the accounts for 
 1765 and 1766 have been obtained, and are, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Stat. Meas. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Wheat 
 
 qr. 
 
 
 Malt 
 
 l r - 
 
 Wheat qr. 
 
 , 
 
 . 
 
 S. 
 
 d. 
 
 
 ' 
 
 d. 
 
 - ' 
 
 </. 
 
 1765 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 12 
 
 8 
 
 2 2 
 
 8 
 
 1766 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 1 14 
 
 
 
 1 18 
 
 3-1 
 
 That is, 
 
 on 
 
 the average, 
 
 London 
 
 measure, 
 
 
 176$ 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 * 5 
 
 9* 
 
 
 
 1766 
 
 I 
 
 18 
 
 3-1 
 
 
 
 x 6 
 
 IOA 
 
 
 
 Average of the two years, 
 
 % o 
 
 Si 
 
 6 4 
 
 Sis .g > 
 
 sSs- 
 
 *~ .Si frs *2 
 
 *) o -, 
 <5 *"* 4> 
 
 S c 1 3 >> 
 
 Q t 
 
 n 
 
 So 
 
 
 [1767 
 
 
 I768 
 
 
 i 7 6 9 
 
 
 1770 
 
 
 1771 
 
 
 1772 
 
 
 '773 
 
 < 
 
 *774 
 
 
 1775 
 
 
 1776 
 
 
 1777 
 
 4 
 
 1778 
 
 s 
 
 1779 
 
 bfi 
 
 1780 
 
 re 
 0, 
 
 1781 
 
 
 L.782 
 
 Wheat 
 
 qr. 
 
 s. 
 
 </. 
 
 3 4 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 7 
 
 * 5 
 
 9 
 
 2 9 
 
 
 
 2 17 
 
 
 
 3 6 
 
 
 
 3 6 
 
 6 
 
 3 * 
 
 
 
 *.'i 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 2 15 
 
 
 
 2 9 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 2 8 
 
 6 
 
 2 19 
 
 
 
 3 9 
 
 
 
 Wheat 
 
 qr. 
 
 
 * 
 
 d. 
 
 
 2 10 
 
 *4l 
 
 
 2 7 
 
 10* 
 
 
 1 16 
 
 4 
 
 
 1 18 
 
 4> 
 
 * S 
 
 0* 
 
 3 
 
 2 12 
 
 ** 
 
 re 
 
 2 12 
 
 <* 
 
 E 
 
 2 8 
 2 7 
 
 4 
 
 
 1 *7 
 
 ii 
 
 CO 
 
 * 3 
 
 5* 
 
 CO 
 
 1 19 
 
 * 
 
 4 <j 
 
 I 12 
 
 3$ 
 
 ~ 
 
 I l8 
 
 
 2 6 
 
 rt 
 
 
 * 7 
 
 7 J 
 
 
 27,*
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. 
 
 129 
 
 7he Prices of Wheat for eleven Tears at Windsor Market, Statute 
 Measure, compared vjith eleven Tears taken from the Corn Re~ 
 
 gister established by Act 10 Geo. 3. 1 770. 
 
 . s. d. . s. d. 
 
 1771 2 5 0$ 
 
 1772 2 12 i 
 
 1773 2 IZ ^ 
 
 i 774 a 8 n| 
 
 i 77S 2 7 4 
 
 177 6 1 i 7 u 
 
 1777 a 3 fi 
 
 i 77 8 1 i 9 ij. 
 
 1779 1 1* 2 f 
 
 17 80 1 18 3 | 
 
 i 7 8i a 6 7$ 
 
 Total average at "I 8 Total average "I 
 
 Windsor market J 2 3 XI 7 in Corn Reg. J 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 IO 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 II 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 12 
 
 8 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 I 
 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 '3 
 
 8 
 
 I 
 
 i* 
 
 B 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 246 
 
 A Tabic of Averages of the foregoing Prices 
 Wheat and Malt. 
 
 */ 
 
 Number of Years, 
 and when. 
 
 Averages. 
 
 No. 1 From 
 
 To 
 
 Qr. Wheat. 
 
 Qr. Malt. 
 
 1 1 
 20 
 
 I59S 
 1606 
 
 1606 
 1626 
 
 .z 1 61 
 
 2 3 2| 
 
 3 
 1 2 
 
 91 
 
 9 
 
 20 
 
 1626 
 
 1646 
 
 2 IO 5 
 
 1 10 
 
 
 
 20 
 20 
 
 1646 
 1666 
 
 1666 
 1686 
 
 2 17 & 
 2 6 3i 
 
 1 12 
 1 6 
 
 7 
 
 20 
 
 1686 
 
 1706 
 
 2 5 io| 
 
 1 6 
 
 8 
 
 20 
 20 
 *9 
 
 1706 
 1726 
 1746 
 
 1726 
 1746 
 1765 
 
 249 
 
 1 17 9| 
 
 2 ii 
 
 1 8 
 1 7 
 
 1 7 
 
 
 5' 
 
 40 
 40 
 
 *S95 
 1646 
 
 168O 
 
 1646 
 1686 
 1726 
 
 * 5 3} 
 2 11 1 04 
 
 2 5 3i 
 
 1 5 
 1 9 
 
 1 7 
 
 s 
 4 
 5 
 
 39 
 
 1726 
 
 1765 
 
 1 18 n| 
 
 1 7 
 
 4 
 
 9 1 
 79 
 
 !$9$ 
 
 1686 
 
 16S6 
 1765 
 
 2 8 2 
 
 2 2 04 
 
 1 7 
 1 7 
 
 4* 
 
 170 
 
 X 59S 
 
 X765 
 
 254 
 
 1 7 
 
 si 
 
 These
 
 I30 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 These averages are taken to such particular 
 years, that those as were struck by Bishop Fleetwood 
 might stand here, as he hath given them ; and the 
 chasm of 1642, 3, 4, and 5, is not here regarded ; 
 but the average of the sixteen years from 1625 to 
 1642, is taken for that of the twenty years from 
 1625 to 1646 ; as it can make no great difference 
 in the said twenty, and scarcely any in the whole 
 one hundred and seventy years. 
 
 The way the College comes at these prices is 
 this: the College baker and brewer attend Windsor 
 market on the market-days next before Lady-day 
 and Michaelmas ; and bring an account of the 
 highest prices that wheat and malt is sold for in 
 the market on those days to the Provost and Fel- 
 lows : and it cannot be doubted but they are taken 
 with great care; for, according thereto, the rents 
 are settled for the current year ; it being only left 
 to the tenant's option whether he will pay in 
 wheat and malt in kind, or in money, at the said 
 market-price. 
 
 As these are the prices of the best wheat and 
 malt, and the bushel at tVmdsvr contains nine 
 gallons, they by no means give a true state of the 
 mean or middle prices of the said corn or grain, 
 or what the value would have been of all the 
 wheat fit for bread, and all the malt made from 
 all the barley lit for that purpose, supposing the 
 whole of each to have been mixed together on two 
 distinct heaps ; or, what each of them would have 
 
 been
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. 131 
 
 been worth or have sold for in each year ; or, 
 what the respective averages at or for the times 
 before noted would have been. 
 
 But yet the same may be found from them with 
 great exactness, by deducting one ninth for the 
 difference of the bushel above the statute measure, 
 and then one ninth more from the remainder ; for 
 it hath been found that the value of all the wheat 
 fit for bread, if mixed together, would be eight 
 ninths of the value of the best wheat; and the 
 same proportion may reasonably be supposed in 
 barley. 
 
 This, however, would be too tedious to do here 
 for the whole time, but the following table shews 
 what the general averages are, according to such 
 calculation. 
 
 I Z jf Table,
 
 *3* 
 
 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 A Table, shewing the Value of the Quarter of middle 
 Wheat and Malt in Windsor Market, for several 
 Periods within 1 70 fears, and for the whole Time, 
 Statute Measure. 
 
 Number of Years, 
 and when. 
 
 Averages. 
 
 No. j From 
 
 To 
 
 Qr; Wheat. 
 
 Qr. Malt. 
 
 11 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 
 *9 
 
 "595 
 
 1606 
 
 1626 
 1646 
 1606 
 1686 
 1706 
 1726 
 1746 
 
 1606 
 1626 
 1646 
 1666 
 1686 
 1706 
 1726 
 1746 
 1765 
 
 .1 1* te 
 1 14 4 
 1 19 10 
 
 * 5 4* 
 
 1 16 3$ 
 
 1 15 4* 
 1 9 10$ 
 
 1 11 8$ 
 
 18 9I 
 
 17 ii| 
 
 1 3 8* 
 1 5 4 
 
 1 1 
 
 1 1 o* 
 1 ^ 3* 
 1 1 4* 
 1 1 IOJ 
 
 5i 
 40 
 
 40 
 39 
 
 *595 
 
 1646 
 
 1686 
 1726 
 
 1646 
 1686 
 1726 
 1765 
 
 1 15 9f 
 
 2 u 
 
 1 5 9* 
 1 10 91 
 
 1 1$ 
 
 3 H 
 
 1 1 h 
 
 1 1 7 
 
 9 1 
 
 79 
 
 *595 
 1686 
 
 1686 
 1765 
 
 1 18 o 
 1 13 %% 
 
 1 1 iof 
 1 ' 7* 
 
 170 
 
 *59S 
 
 1765 
 
 1 15 9! 
 
 1 1 8| 
 
 From the foregoing accounts, ajjd-the last table, 
 it is observable, that the prices of wheat and malt 
 have not been higher since the bounty hath been 
 paid, which was first given in 1689; but, on the 
 contrary, wheat hath been considerably cheaper on 
 the whole, and continually on the decline; not- 
 withstanding the export hath continued to increase, 
 and there is reason to believe bread made of wheat 
 i become more generally the food of the labouring 
 
 part
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OP CORN. IJ3 
 
 part of the people than before the bounty was 
 given * ; which difference in the price of wheat is 
 explained below, viz. : 
 
 . s. d. 
 
 From 1595 to 1586, average 1 18 o 
 
 1686 to 1726, average 
 
 Less for the first 40 years 
 
 From 1595 to 1686, average 
 
 1726 to 1765, average 
 
 Less for the last 39 years 
 
 From 1595 to 1686, average 
 
 1686 to 1765, average 
 
 Less for the last 79 years 
 
 And, if we compare the average of the forty years 
 immediately before that in which the bounty took 
 place, with the average of the whole time since, the 
 difference appears still greater : 
 
 . s. d. 
 
 From 1646 to 1686, average 2 o 11 
 
 1686 to 1765, average 1 13 2 
 
 
 l 5 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 
 T 3 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 10 
 
 Less for the last 79 years 079 
 
 * See Supp. c. 5. sec. 16. 
 13 
 
 And
 
 134 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 And hereby the utility and good effects of the 
 bounty are manifested, in that tillage hath been 
 I thereby so encouraged and improved, as to make 
 wheat cheaper at home, and, at the same time, 
 bring large sums into the kingdom for the corn 
 exported ; of which the following accounts have 
 been laid before Parliament. 
 
 Am
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. 
 
 *35 
 
 
 
 
 O "H rN tf *J1 In tJ- if w> - 
 
 co i-i co cs i-i | I 
 
 | 
 
 CO ino v ino f) O wi CO ^ 
 0> v^(| wi>-n^ CO ~ - CO 
 
 vO CO <-<"> O CO N O CO 
 TpsC* OCO~ cf'O O sO 
 d t<- O O O O C7> 
 
 M 
 
 u-i\D 0>Tt-0 M 
 co vy O '^O if O 
 co * tJ-sO O O "* 
 
 CO if CO O COvO vy. 
 
 co inco O M rs rj- 
 
 
 a 
 
 <+ 1 I 1 1 Tj- tN >* 
 
 ei 1 co -ovO * <*> 
 
 en 
 
 v vnco m- r^ OCO <+ O 
 O r>^o O mi- 1 >- coco vy 
 
 -< r>cn-co c>^ 
 
 <S ^ ly, w> m 
 
 s s O e> un> w 
 
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 co O cn vy, O r~' 
 
 O if if O* eT ^ t^l 
 
 if CO vO w CO 
 
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 ^ InO wih ri-ifl 
 
 u-, o m i-i -** o o o o 
 
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 CO CO >->>-! 
 
 <S) Cf)NNVflM CO 
 vO O O CO N cl O 
 
 m co co 
 
 "5 
 
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 CQ 
 
 >^sO I n+MvO Jxn| tJ- m t^rh I tN, v, 
 
 CO 
 
 *" sO O <* 11 InO <-< COO 
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 CO >-/-* O Ul vy, ThCO c* CO CO 
 
 "O ^j- munvs o m 
 
 if CO O if O vy, ,+ 
 co v oco co co in e* 
 
 O H NO>^i OO 
 
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 -<f -< O CO In ro o 
 
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 CO COO O "i>0 ai 
 
 u 
 
 3 
 
 uy, + vy, i^,o CO O CO OO 
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 COO 00 ON wstf; 
 
 tf O v ~^0 " o~ 
 COCO S N h Nns 
 
 - >-> IN if CO 
 N (N CO - if >-i CO 
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 Tf 
 
 r 
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 InCO 00 OO M S (O't 1 ^ 
 
 oooooo o ooo 
 
 OO^O MS NKNN 
 
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 NNMnNIMs 
 
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 c3^^ 
 
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 1-1 *3 
 
 s 
 
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 2 
 
 3 
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 M
 
 136 
 
 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 S 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 1 1 S h N | * COO O CO 
 
 CO CO 1 CO *^ M tJ- 
 
 en 
 
 & 
 
 t-^M 00 coo Tj-e O *- co 
 
 * C* <-"> O O CO COCO O - 
 c OO -1- 3" O^OO NOOOO l^OO * 
 
 O 'fo' <+ T r^ co * CO r^-^T+ 
 r r^> *^ c* > 00 00 r> * * 
 
 Cf)Vijv POO J"iCO 
 CO O* t^ w> 
 
 "- COCO o>o^o O 
 
 coco to 
 
 rr CO h pr^O 
 
 <u 
 
 P4 
 
 S3 
 
 J^l t~00C0 1 J"i|0-+vr 
 
 m^m^Mfl 
 
 BO 
 
 v>vri_i co - O e* w r> r> h 
 vno co -t a> r^ (<t<J- w 
 O -*-" - O -<1- ""* W O urii^rj-vn 
 
 M O h coC?->C>C>efefco6" 
 co CO *" !-'*- 4"0 +- 
 
 lJ ^ O CO O * O IA 
 
 coo >-> 000 CO 
 00^ - t1- co O vo 
 cc C? *T ef i-T \> 
 
 M c< -< 
 
 "re 
 
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 O 
 
 S3 
 
 CO 1 -*">0 * VAflTj-Js.'+lO'tTt- 
 
 O *^ 1 - r- 
 
 CA 
 
 3 
 
 vO O CO O -+0Q O !>>" O *^ 
 (Oh (<)C rJ-00 * *-n CO >-ri w-, tJ- 
 
 T co >^ 
 
 tJ- CO - 000 tJ- 
 
 co -rt- r>- ^- 
 * CO "-O ^00 
 
 " eT w" T -f *i* 
 
 2 
 
 cc 
 
 r^ t | - CO - O O *-i I " 
 
 vn ^-o t^ ^ ^*- 
 
 
 
 tri-^-uni^cocoOOeoo co v% wi 
 i> r-O go co c> O * tt* O M 
 C^ e coo O Tj-^t>fNO O 
 ^ O COO" fllv cnOO O vy"> t 
 - e O e ^> O *** ""> coo O *"" O* 
 co co co co co el 
 
 '-'"CO O COO O^ ^v 
 is m + *r r> 
 q^ ^ co t>. TfO O 
 <-r> ^ c> rC iJ* 
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 MO - N H H 
 
 
 
 
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 cf 00 vPi -oo" C> *r - r^ ^> O or 
 
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 r^. > r~ t^> 1^ r^ r> 
 

 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. 
 
 137 
 
 ) rj- m r^ | rt- tJ- rj- r-vO co -n >-n 
 
 H N 1 *- *4" <*- r*. -> d 
 
 OO CO G vO M OsO O "- 1 + G" 
 O O -i" r- O OvtJ-O vo COCO CO 
 _ co "- O m m co rj- rfr- OCQ 
 
 r^oo" roco" *TcTO'<?vocO'-r'-> + 
 
 C* J 1 iri vO CO In ui ^- O* N ") M 
 
 T + - - , r .r f, co a co 
 
 O \0 NOttvO OCO O O 
 
 +000 -<t-0 t^O .vo 
 
 vO O co O vO rf e O d "* 
 
 O vO co O r^ -> O OvO i^ 
 COO tJ- d ^-nO d O vo CO 
 O v-^vO OO *+ d CO d 
 
 | tJ-voco'-* <)-'-' Ht^'-'cJ 
 
 CO CO rt- rj- CO >*- d ^>-i *^ 
 
 10 10 O O OO O e* <S OO 
 vo co c n -j-inOt^N *^ r-sO vO 
 -1 N!i",SCO >- r^ OO M C* >-" O 
 
 co* ** * r^.scf ooo f^ cooo" "4* e*5 
 
 h co d vO CO t^-CO 
 
 S) OCO NVfluiH- 
 c~ r^co co O 00 00 *+ 
 
 vo d COsO O >- !* tJ- d CO 
 rf O O O Or-vo -*J- rj-, 
 
 ^0>0 vo tJ- CO CO t^O H COsO CO 
 
 i '+Ti-d'<*-dwwdd 
 
 00 co On r^-> koooco <o r~ 
 
 ri-O O O i~* *-' vo -< COCO vO r>. 
 
 CO d CO -" CO> s 
 O HvOCOOO r^ O CO" 
 
 d 
 
 1 1 Nr)-S *>vO V-nvO C-. vo -+0 
 
 O CO 1 vo (4 tJ-^O ** 1 \0 
 
 10 -*J- ~ C CO I"vO M^lAN T+- 
 - M CO O O 1-N "Id \0 ^ 
 m -. i^O r>sO CO vo co v-n M CO CO 
 
 CO CO O cT COCO >- 10 CO O O O O 
 O co- O O CO O tJ- d CO <* ~ 
 
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 d CO vO >> vo-^-i^p) C>sO 
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 t^ ~ OvnOvC tC^i-T- 
 CO vO rj- vo co OCO r^ N tJ- 
 
 cocococo ci co co 
 
 t, vn co < -nO * O <-> tJ- <-< | f^ 
 
 co 1 co ^ | co 1 co 1 
 
 co + O O r--\0 ** n vo 00 
 
 ON NvOOCO + CO CO O O I- 
 vo c* vocO OO tJ-OO "+ O O CO 
 
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 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. I4I 
 
 Note, The prices of wheat and malt in the last 
 page are taken from the table, page 132 : the price 
 of barley is the same as malt, deducting 3*. *]d. per 
 quarter for making : the price of oats is calculated 
 at three fourths of the price of barley ; and the price 
 of rye is calculated at two thirds of the price of 
 wheat ; which proportions are frequently, or rather 
 generally, found between their respective prices. 
 
 The said price of malt, however, is to be under- 
 stood of that made for home consumption only ; 
 for, by stat. 3 G. 2. c. 7. sec. 14 and 15. three quar- 
 ters of malt is tc be allowed for every two quarters 
 of barley when malted for exportation, and the 
 bounty is paid accordingly. 
 
 Now, two quarters of barley having been worth 
 on the average only 36^. we ought not to suppose 
 three quarters of the malt set down in the said ac- 
 count as exported, worth more, i. e. lis, per quarter. 
 
 Here follow the accounts of the sums paid for 
 bounties on the foregoing quantities of corn ex- 
 ported. 
 
 Account of the total Amounts of the several Bounties paid for Com 
 exported from England from 1697 to 1 706, being nine Years ; 
 with the annual Averages. 
 
 Barley 
 Malt 
 Oatmeal 
 Rye 
 
 Wheat 
 
 Qrs. 
 251,689 
 
 6 *3>345 
 
 2,015 
 
 238,985 
 
 552,867 
 
 B. 
 
 7 
 4 
 4 
 
 7 
 
 2 
 
 s. 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 - 3 
 ~ 5 
 
 A. 
 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 
 
 3 I '4 6r 4 
 
 77>9 l8 3 
 
 251 18 
 
 41,822 10 
 
 138,216 16 
 
 d. 
 
 9 
 
 ** 
 
 3 
 
 Quarters 
 
 1,668,904 
 
 
 
 
 
 .289,670 14 
 
 o| 
 
 Averages 
 
 l8 S433 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 .32,185 12 
 
 8 
 
 Account
 
 I42 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 Account of the total Amounts of the several Bounties paid for Corn 
 exported from England from 1706 to 1726, being twenty Years; 
 with the annual Averages. 
 
 Qrs. 
 
 Barley 433 2 37 
 Malt 4,381,205 
 Oats 11,922 
 Rye 789,618 
 Wheat 2,518,213 
 
 B. 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 s. 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 d. 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 6 
 
 
 54,154 13 
 
 547 6 5 1Z 
 
 1,490 5 
 
 138,183 5 
 
 62 9553 7 
 
 d. 
 
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 6 
 
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 7 
 
 6 
 
 Quarters 8, 1 34, 1 96 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 , 1,371,03a 4 
 
 <* 
 
 Averages 406,709 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 ..68,551 12 
 
 2 
 
 9,488,703 7 
 
 /. 1,769,756 4 sg 
 
 474,435 * 
 
 ^.88,487 16 2 
 
 Account of the total Amounts of the several Bounties Ji aid for Corn 
 exported from England from 1726 to 1746, being twenty Years; 
 with the annual Averages. 
 
 Qrs. B. s. d. . s. d. 
 
 Barley 590,080 6 26 73,760 1 iof 
 
 Malt 3,871,332 4 2 6 483,916 11 3 
 
 Oatmeal 45, 932 3 2 6 5,741 11 \\\ 
 
 Rye 520,020 6 36 9 I oo3 12 7^ 
 
 Wheat 4,461,337 4 50 1,115,334. 7 6 
 
 Quarters 
 
 Averages 
 
 Account of the total Amounts of the several Bounties paid for Corn 
 exported from England from 1746 to 1765, being nineteen 
 Years ; with the annual Averages. 
 
 Qrs. B. s. d. . ' s. d. 
 
 Barley 1,268,088 1 26 158,511 o 3| 
 
 Malt 4777>33 6 2 6 579,162 19 4J 
 
 Oatmeal 67,186 4 26 8,398 3 
 
 Rye 939,58o 7 ~ 3 6 *- 164,426 13 " 
 
 Wheat 6,800,017 1 50 1,700,004 5 7f 
 
 Quarters 13,852,176 3 . 2,628,503 4 7| 
 
 Averages 729,061 7 ,.138,342 5 6 
 
 An
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. 
 
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 Tt would have given us great pleasure to have 
 been able to have begun the foregoing accounts 
 from 1689, when the bounty took place; but we 
 do not find them made up further back, and it is 
 most probable that before 1697, the export was not 
 considerable enough for notice ; as a course of nine 
 years cannot be thought too long to have elapsed 
 4 before
 
 144 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 before the laws could operate so far as to enable 
 us to export any material quantity, who, before 
 they took place, used to be frequently large im- 
 porters*. 
 
 During the foregoing period of sixty-eight years, 
 the export hath, with some few exceptions, been 
 prohibited four several times, viz. from Feb. 10, 
 1698-9, for one year ; from Nov. 18, 1709, to Sept. 
 29, 17 10; from Dec. 1740, to Dec. 25, 1741 ; and 
 from Dec. 1756, to Dec. 27, 1757 : which last pro- 
 hibition was prolonged to Dec. 25, 1758, and con- 
 tinued to March 25, 1769: and from Feb. 12, 
 1699-1700, to Sept. 29, 1700, no bounty was paid 
 on any corn exported ; nor was any payable on oat- 
 meal exported till May 1, 1707. 
 
 Which prohibitions, non-payment of bounty, 
 and none being paid on oatmeal at first, would, all 
 together, make a considerable deduction from the 
 monies in the preceding pages, could we distin- 
 guish their amount ; but no account thereof, as we 
 can learn, hath been made out by authority, no 
 more than of such grain as hath been exported, 
 for which no bounty is at any time payable. For 
 these reasons, and because it is intended in these 
 observations to give the objections to paying the 
 bounty their full force, no notice is taken thereof 
 in these accounts, and the bounty is supposed to 
 have been paid on all the corn exported of every 
 sort for the whole sixty- eight years. 
 
 * See note, p. 61, and Supp. c.2. sec. is and 13. 
 
 An
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OP CORN. 
 
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 146 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
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 EXPORT, AND JMPORT OP CORN. 147 
 
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 148 
 
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 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. 
 
 149 
 
 63 
 
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 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. 
 
 151 
 
 Central Accounts of the foregoing Quantities of Barky and Malt ex- 
 ported and imported, and the annual Averages thereof compared. 
 
 Years. 
 
 
 General Accounts. 
 
 I Fr. To 
 
 No. 
 
 Exported. 
 
 imported. 
 
 Exports exceed. 
 
 1697 1706 
 1706 1726 
 1726 1746 
 1746 1765 
 1697 1765 
 
 9 
 
 20 
 
 20 
 
 J 9 
 68 
 
 8 75>35 
 4,814,442 
 
 4,4 6 i,4 x 3 
 
 6,045,39! 
 16,196,282 
 
 3 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 6 
 
 361 
 
 1,879 
 
 48,073 
 
 24,901 
 
 75> 2I 6 
 
 / 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 874,673 
 4,812,563 
 
 443339 
 6,020,490 
 16,121,066 
 
 4 
 2 
 
 4 
 4 
 6 
 
 Years. 
 
 
 Annual Averages. 
 
 
 If, 
 I 
 
 To 
 
 No. 
 
 Exported. 
 
 Imported. Exports exceed. 
 
 1697I1706J 9 
 1706 U726 20 
 1 726: 1746 20 
 17461765 19 
 
 , 1697 r 765; 68 
 
 97226 
 240,721 
 223,070 
 3^,178 
 
 238,180 
 
 1 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 f* 
 t 
 
 40 
 
 94 
 
 2,403 
 
 1,310 
 
 i, 106 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 4 
 
 97 l8 S 
 
 240,627 
 220,667 
 3 i6.S63 
 *37>o73 
 
 7 
 6 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 General Accounts of the foregoing Quantities of Oatmeal exported* 
 and Oats* and Oatmeal imported, and the annual Averages 
 thereof compared. 
 
 | Years, j 
 
 1 
 
 General Accounts. 
 
 
 Fr. | To | No. 
 
 Exported. 
 
 Imported. 
 
 Imports exceed. 
 
 1697 1706 
 17061726 
 1 726*1746 
 
 1746,1765 
 1697 1765 
 
 9 
 20 
 
 20 
 
 19 
 
 6S 
 
 2,015 
 1 1,922 
 
 45>93 2 
 67,186 
 
 127,0^6 
 
 4 
 1 
 
 3 
 4 
 4 
 
 2,061 
 
 65,216 
 
 470,336 
 
 495785 
 1,033,39 
 
 1 
 5 
 
 1 
 7 
 
 45 
 
 53 2 94 
 
 424,403 
 
 4*8,598 
 
 906,342 
 
 5 
 4 
 5 
 5 
 
 3 
 
 Years. 
 
 
 Annual Averages. 
 
 . 
 
 Fr. j To j No. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Imports exceed. 
 
 1697! 1 706' 9 
 17061726 20 
 1726J1746I 20 
 \ 746 1765! 1.9 
 169711765' 68 
 
 22 \ 
 596 
 
 2,29(> 
 
 3>53 6 
 1,868 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 229 
 
 3,260 
 
 23,516 
 
 26,094 
 
 15,197 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 2,664 
 
 20,220 
 
 22,558 
 
 13,328 
 
 1 
 6 
 
 3 
 1 
 6 
 
 * Note, Two quarters of oats make one (joarier of oatmeal.
 
 152 
 
 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 General Accounts of the foregoing Quantities of Rye exported* 
 and imported, and the annual Averages thereof compared. 
 
 Years. 
 
 
 General Accounts. 
 
 ! 
 
 Fr. 
 
 To 
 
 No. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports exceed. 
 
 1697 
 1706 
 1726 
 17*6 
 1697 
 
 1706 
 1726 
 1746 
 1765 
 1765 
 
 9 
 20 
 
 20 
 
 *9 
 
 68 
 
 238,985 
 789,618 
 520,02c 
 939,58c 
 2,488,206 
 
 7 
 6 
 6 
 7 
 2 
 
 3.97* 
 
 186,354 
 
 9*556 
 
 199.884 
 
 6 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 3 
 
 335> OI 3 
 
 789,618 
 
 333,666 
 
 930,024 
 
 2,888,321 
 
 I 
 
 6 ( 
 
 3 ! 
 
 Years. 
 
 
 Annual Averages. 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 Fr. 
 
 To 
 
 No. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Imports. | Exports exceed. I 
 
 1697 1706 
 
 I 706l T 726 
 I726JI746J 
 1/46:1765 
 1697U765J 
 
 9 
 20 
 
 20 
 
 19 
 68 
 
 26,554 
 3948c 
 26,001 
 49.45 J 
 35.59 1 
 
 7 
 2 
 
 44 1 
 
 9>3 T 7 
 
 53 
 
 *>939 
 
 3 j 26,1 12 
 
 30.480 
 
 4 1 16,683 
 
 48,948 
 4 , 3^S X 
 
 11 
 
 General Accounts of the foregoing Qua>iti:ics of all the Wheat ex- 
 ported and imported^ and the annual Averages thereof compared. 
 
 Years. 
 
 No. 
 
 General Accounts. 
 
 
 Fr. 
 
 To 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports exceed. 
 
 1697 
 1706 
 4726 
 1746 
 1697 
 
 1 706 
 j 726 
 1746 
 1765 
 1765 
 
 9 
 20 
 20 
 
 19 
 68 
 
 552,86; 
 2,5 i8,a r 
 
 4.461,33; 
 
 6,800,01; 
 
 1 4,330,43 f 
 
 t 2 
 ! 4 
 
 ' 4 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 2 > 6 33 
 
 2.3 1 3 
 128,087 
 150,407 
 283,441 
 
 3 
 5 
 
 5 5. 2 34 
 
 2,515,900 
 
 4,333,250 
 
 6,649.609 
 
 14*048.994 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 t 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 Years. 
 
 
 Annual Averages. 
 
 
 Fr. 
 
 To 
 
 No. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports exceed. , 
 
 1697 1706 
 1 706! 1 726 
 1726J1746 
 174611765 
 1697)1765 
 
 9 
 20 
 20 
 
 '9 
 
 68 
 
 61,429 
 125,9:0 
 223,066 
 
 357.895 
 210,771 
 
 6 
 5 
 7 
 5 
 
 292 
 
 "5 
 6,404 
 7,916 
 4.168 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 2 
 2 
 
 61,137 j 2 
 
 ,2 5,795 ~ 
 216,662 5 
 
 349.979 3 
 206,602 1 6 j
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN'. 
 
 *53 
 
 General Accounts of the foregoing Quantities of all the Corn exported 
 and imported, and the annual Averages thereof compared. 
 
 | Years. 
 
 
 General Accounts. 
 
 
 1 v It 
 Fr. To 
 
 No. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports exceed. 
 
 11697 1 706I 9 
 1170617261 20 
 1726 1746; 20 
 1746 1765! 19 
 I1697 176s' 68 
 
 1,668,904 
 
 8,134,196 
 
 9,488,703 
 
 13,852,176 
 
 33,143,98c 
 
 5 
 7 
 3 
 
 9,028 
 
 69.409 
 
 832 851 
 
 680,051 
 
 1,591,940 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 1,6:19,875 
 8,064,787 
 8,655,852 
 
 I 3 1 7 I 5 2 5 
 
 31,552,040 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 Years. 
 
 
 Annual Averages. 
 
 
 Fr. 
 
 1 
 
 To 
 
 No. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports exceed. 
 
 1697 
 1706 
 1726 
 1746 
 1697 
 
 1706I 9 
 1726! 20 
 1746 20 
 1765 19 
 1765! 68 
 
 l8 5.433 
 406,709 
 
 474.43 5 
 729,061 
 487,411 
 
 6 
 2 
 1 
 
 7 
 '3 
 
 1 ] > 00 3 
 
 3<47 
 
 41,642 
 
 35> 8 *3 
 
 23,410 
 
 1 1 184,430 
 4 403,238 
 
 4 43*>79 9 
 
 6 693,438 
 
 7 1 464,000 
 
 5 
 6 
 
 5 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 From the three last pages may be seen the pro- 
 gress of the export and import from time to time, 
 and for the whole time from 1697 * r 7^5> as to 
 quantity: we shall presently see the value in 
 money, whereby will appear what benefit and 
 savings the nation hath received (herefrom. 
 
 But before the accounts are produced, it may be 
 proper to shew upon what principles they are 
 stated, that it may appear that in those, as well as 
 m all the rest of the foregoing papers, nothing is 
 taken for granted or enhanced in favour of the ex- 
 port, hut that the most moderate principles are 
 adopted throughout, with a view, if possible, to 
 obviate every objection. 
 
 5 First,
 
 154 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 First, then, the debtor sides of the accounts con- 
 sist of a charge of the bounty for all the corn ex- 
 ported ; and the value of all the corn imported, 
 rated at those high prices at which the low duties are 
 to commence *. 
 
 The first article might have been lessened by de- 
 ducting the bounties for 1700, and in some other 
 years, when none were paid, and for oatmeal till 
 1707. 
 
 And the corn imported might very justly have 
 been left out of the accounts, since it is most pro- 
 bable, had there been no export, the import would 
 have been much larger}- . 
 
 Secondly, the credit sides of the accounts consist 
 of the value of all the corn exported, rated only 
 at the average prices J as noted pages 140 and 14.1 < 
 And to the profits at the foot of the said account, 
 reduced into annual averages, are added the savings 
 in the price of wheat cat at home, which for the 
 first twenty-nine years is valued only at nine pence, 
 and the last thirty- nine years at only one shilling and 
 seven fence per quarter, although it appears, page 
 133, to have been cheaper by two shillings and three 
 fence during the first, and seven shillings and three 
 
 * Sec page 109. 
 
 f See note, page 61, and Supp. ch. 2. sec. 13 and 14. 
 
 I It might, with great reason, have been valued somewhat 
 higher j it is seldom shipped so low as the average price ; and it 
 may be questioned if the bounty, one time with another, pay* 
 freight, commission, and all other Incident charges. 
 
 fence
 
 EXPORT, ANP IMPORT OF CORN. 155 
 
 pence during the second period, than it was from 
 159.5 to 1686. 
 
 D r . Account of Com exported and imported from 1697 to 1706 ; being 
 
 nine Tear*. 
 
 . u d. 
 
 Bounty, as per page 141 289,670 14 o 
 Imported, as per page 149 : s. d t 
 
 Barley 361 7 at 32 p 579 o 
 
 Oats 2,056 4 - 16 o-r- 1*645 4 
 
 Oatmeal 45 34 q 780 
 
 Rye 3,97a 6 40 o 7,945 10 o 
 
 Wheat *>633 o 53 4 7,021 6 8 
 
 Quarters 9,028 6 ,.306,869 2 8 
 
 e. 
 
 Exported, as per page 139 : 
 
 Barley 251,089 7 at 16 6 ~ 207,644 % \\ 
 
 Malt -~- 623,345 4 12 o -> 374,007 6 
 
 Oatmeal 2,015 4 ~" 2 4 9* 2 >49+ 3 7 
 
 Rye 238,985 7 -r 24 2 288,777 o 3 
 
 Wheat 552,867 2 36 3 1,002,071 17 9 
 
 Quarters 1,668,904 o . 1,874,994 10 6 
 
 Deduct as above D r . 306,869 2 8 
 
 Gained jn nine years 1,568,125 7 10 
 
 That is, per annum 174,236 3 1 
 To which add gd. per qr, saved on 3,750,000 
 
 wheat eat in England 140,625 o o 
 
 Total gained and saved per annum 314,861 3 1 
 
 * Ifote, Oatmeal is double the price of oats. 
 
 D\
 
 1$& PAPER5 RELATIVE TO THE PRICK, 
 
 J) r . Account of Corn exported and imported from 1 706 to 1 726 ; being 
 twenty Tears. 
 
 . s. d. 
 
 Bounty, as per page 142 1,371,032 4 o 
 Imported, as per page 1 49: s. d. 
 
 Barley 1,879 o at 32 o 3,006 8 o 
 
 Oats 64,622 6 16 o 51,698 4 o 
 
 Oatmeal 593 7 3 2 ~ 95 4 P 
 Rye 6 40 o 1100 
 
 Wheat 2,313 o 53 4 6,168 o Q 
 
 Quarters 69,409 3 .1,432,856 10 o 
 
 Per contra C r . 
 
 Exported, as per page 139 : 
 
 Barley 433>*37 * at l8 8 4<>4>354 *5 4 
 
 Malt 4,381,205 o 12 o 2,628,723 o o 
 
 Oatmeal 11,922 1 28 o 16,690 19 6 
 
 Rye 789,618 6 23 7 93 I 9 Z z * 
 
 Wheat 2,518,213 4 35 4 4,448,84 3 17 
 
 Quarters 8,134,196 5 .8,429,70414 o 
 
 Deduct as above D r . 1,432,856 10 o 
 
 Gained in twenty years 6,996,848 4 o 
 
 That is, per annum 349,842 8 2 
 To which add yd. per qr. saved on 3,750,000 
 
 wheat eat in England 140,625 o o 
 
 Total gained and saved per annum 490,467 8 2 
 
 o 
 
 V.
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORX. 1 trf 
 
 D'. Account of Corn exported and imported from 1726 to 1746; being 
 twenty Tears. 
 
 Bounty paid, as per page 14* 1,769,756 4 % 
 Imported, as per page 1 4.9 : u d. 
 
 Barley 48,073 6 at 3a o 76,918 o o 
 
 0jfs 470,314 2 16 o 376,251 8 o 
 
 Oatmeal 216 32 o 34 16 o 
 
 Rye 186,354 o 40 o 372,708 o o 
 
 Wheat 128,087 3 53 4 341,566 6 8 
 
 Quarters 832,851 1 . 2,937,234 14 10 
 
 Per contra C r . 
 
 Exported, as per page 139 : 
 
 Barley 590,080 6 at 17 9 523,696 13 3; 
 
 Malt 3,871,332 412 o 2,322,793 10 b 
 
 Oatmeal 45*93* 3 26 7 61,051 15 4 
 
 Rye 520,020 6 19 11 51 7,853 19 11 
 
 Wheat 4,461,337 4 29 10 6,654,821 8 9 
 
 Quarters 9,488,703 7 . 10,080,224 7 3 
 
 Deduct as above D r . 2,937,234 14 10 
 
 Gained in twenty year9 7,142,989 12 5 
 
 That is, per annum 357,149 9 7 
 To which add is. fd. per qr. saved on 
 
 3>75o>oo wheat eat in England 296,875 o o 
 
 Total gained and saved per annum. 654,024 9 7 
 
 IK
 
 I58 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 D r . Account of Corn exported and imported from 1 746 to 1 765 ; being 
 
 nineteen Years. , 
 
 . s. d. 
 
 Bounty paid, as per page 142 *- 2,628,503 4 7 
 Jffiported, as per page 149 : s. d. 
 
 Barley 24*901 3 at 32 o 39*842 4 o 
 
 Oats 474,762 1 16 o 379,809 14 o 
 
 Oatmeal 21,023 o 32 o 33*636 16 o 
 
 Rve 9*556 7 40 o 19*113 J 5 6 
 
 Wheat 150,407 5 53 4 401,087 o o 
 
 Quarters 680,6; t o . 3,501,992 13 7 
 
 Per contra C r . 
 
 Exported, as per page 139 : 
 
 Barley 1,268,088 1 at 18 3 1,157,130 8 3 
 
 Mait 477733 6 12 o 2,866,382 5 o 
 
 Oatmeal 67,186 4 27 4 91,821 11 o 
 
 Rye 959>58o 7 21 1 990,474 16 11 
 
 Wheat 6,800,017 1 31 8 10,766,693 15 7 
 
 Quarters 13,852,176 3 > 15,872,502 16 9 
 
 Diduct as above D r . 3,501,992 13 7 
 
 Remains gained in nineteen years 12,370,510 3 2 
 
 That is, per annum 651,079 9 7 
 To which add is. yd. * per qr. saved on 
 
 3, 750,000 wheat eat in England 296,675 o o 
 
 Total gained and saved per annum 947,954 9 7 
 
 * Instead of is. yd. which was taken for - l s of 4/. lod. as. $d. 
 i. c. \ of ys. id. should have been taken in this, and the last 
 page: seepage 133. 
 
 Totals
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OP CORN. I59 
 
 Totals of the Galnt and Savings per Annum, brought forward ft bin 
 
 P *ge S5 '5 6 J 57> J 5 8 - 
 No. 
 
 Ycirrg. From To Gains. Savings. Totals. 
 
 . s. d. . . s. d. 
 
 9 _ 1697 1706 174^3^ 3 i I4 62 5 ~ 3*4>Ml 3 l 
 
 ao 1706 1726 349,842 8 2 140,625 490,467 8 2 
 
 20 1726 
 
 19 1746 
 
 174 6 ~ 375.149 
 1765 651,079 
 
 9 
 9 
 
 7 
 1 
 
 296,875 654,024 9 
 296,875 947,954 9 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 2$ 1697 
 
 39 1726 
 
 1706 295,343 
 *7 6 5 5 CC> 34 6 
 
 IS 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 11 
 
 140,625 ** 435> r ^B t 
 296,875 797,4*i 2 
 
 4 
 1 1 
 
 68 1697 
 
 1765 412,918 
 
 '4 
 
 6 
 
 230,239 645,157 14 
 
 6 
 
 By the above account it appears, at one view, what 
 the totals of the gains arid savings made by the ex- 
 portation of corn for sixty-eight years have been, and 
 how the same have increased during that period, the 
 value of all the corn imported, and amount of all 
 the bounties, being deducted. 
 
 And these accounts are founded on facts ; which, 
 it should seem, cannot be in the least controverted : 
 the most material doubt that can be raised against 
 them would be to assert, that, however fully and 
 clearly they may be stated, however certain the 
 facts on which they are founded are, yet there can 
 be no dependance thereon, unless we could know 
 that an equal quantity of corn hath been consumed 
 since, to what was consumed before the bounty 
 took place ; and that the number of men and other 
 animals who are fed with, and live on grain, in the 
 year 1764, is equal to that of those which was sup- 
 ported in 1689, thereby. 
 
 4 For
 
 l6<> PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 For although it doth appear, that bread- corn and 
 all other grain are, and have been, as cheap, or 
 cheaper, since the bounty on the export hath been 
 given, than before ; yet it may have happened by the 
 number of the people being lessened, or by some 
 other means, that the consumption of grain in this 1 
 kingdom hath been so decreased, as that such cheap- 
 ness should not at all, or at least not wholly, be at- 
 tributed to the imaginary increased quantity of corn 
 grown by the extension of tillage arising from, or 
 rather occasioned by, the encouragement given by 
 such bounty. 
 
 This must undoubtedly be admitted ; but then it 
 must at the same time be also granted on the con- 
 trary, that it may have happened by the number of 
 the people being increased, or by some other means, 
 that the consumption of grain in the kingdom hath 
 been also increased during the said period, and then 
 such cheapness ought wholly to be attributed to the 
 really increased quantity of corn produced by the 
 extension of tillage arising from, ot rather occa- 
 sioned by, such bounty. 
 
 The general opinion seems to be for the last of 
 these propositions, and that the number of men and 
 other animals (ed on grain is greatly increased. But 
 this, as to men at least, doth not appear to be the 
 case ; and yet there are reasons to think they are at 
 least equal to, or somewhat exceed, what they then 
 were, and from the best authority could be obtained, 
 
 that
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OP CORN. l6l 
 
 that the number in England and Waits was then, and 
 is now, about six millions * 
 
 The difficulties that attended this inquiry were 
 not inconsiderable, and in making it, an opportu- 
 nity was taken, in order to get at the amounts of the 
 annual growth of all sorts of grain, to inquire what 
 quantity of bread they consume per head annually, 
 and how much of each sort of grain is made into 
 bread, and applied to other uses ; and this is the result 
 of our inquiries: 
 
 That the numbers of the said six millions, who 
 eat the several sorts of corn in bread, and the ave- 
 rage quantities which they annually consume per 
 head, are as follows : 
 
 Numbers -J- of the 
 
 People. qr. b. 
 
 3,750,000"} f Wheat 1 
 
 739,000 I Consume annually Barley 1 3 
 88 S, 000 [ each j Rye 1 1 
 
 623,oooJ L O ats 2 7 
 
 Besides that which is made into bread, there 
 
 is reason to suppose the following quantities of 
 
 the above and other sorts of grain are annually 
 
 expended in other uses : 
 
 * See Supp. ch. 3. 
 
 f See Supp. chap. 4 and $. 
 
 90,000
 
 l6l PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 Qrs. 
 90,000 Wheat distilled and made starch, &c< 
 3,300,000 Barley in beer. 
 
 117,000 Ditto, other uses. 
 2,461,500 * Oats, horses, soup, &c< 
 31,000 Rye, tanners and hogs. 
 90,000 Beans and pease, for negroes, horses, 
 
 and hogs. 
 134,000 Pease, for sailors and soup. 
 90,000 Rape and other seed, for oil. 
 
 And this exclusive of the several sorts of garden 
 seeds and pulse eat green, of which we could form 
 no idea. 
 
 From these last accounts, together with those in 
 the foregoing part of this Collection, wc may pro- 
 ceed to state the particular and general accounts of 
 corn consumed, exported, imported, and grown an- 
 nually, and the proportions they severally bear to 
 each other ; wherein, although it may be possible 
 some things will be mistaken, yet we presume that 
 the whole will be rather under than above the 
 truth. 
 
 * Note, From the year 1752 to 1765, the annual consumption 
 f oats in London only is increased above 52,000 qrs. 
 
 Particular
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OP CORN. 163 
 
 Particular Accounts of Corn consumed ', &c* 
 
 First, of Barley. 
 
 Bread - Q rs > 1,016,125 
 
 Malt 3,300,000 
 
 Hogs and other purposes 117,000 
 
 Consumed at home 4>333> I ^5 
 
 Exported, page 140, 
 
 viz. Raw 37,398 I 
 
 1,855*) 7 , " 53 
 
 Malted 133,855 
 
 Consumed and exported 4,604,378 
 Imported, page 150, deduct 1,106 
 
 Annual growth *** 4,603,272 
 
 Of which the annual export is little more than 
 one twenty -seventh fart ; and that in the year 1750, 
 which was 445,004, after reducing the malt into 
 barley, being the highest ever known Jj was not 
 quite one tenth, 
 
 * No/e, One third of the malt exported is deducted to reduce it 
 into barley. 
 t Seepage 137; 
 
 x 2 Second,
 
 164 PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 Second, Oats. 
 Bread Qrs. 1,791,225 
 
 I] orses and other purposes 2,461,500 
 
 Consumed at home 4,252,725 
 
 Exported, page 140 3>737* 
 
 Consumed and exported 4,256,40a 
 
 Imported, page 150, deduct 
 
 viz. Meal 6:6 4 1 
 
 } i55'5 
 
 Com 14,878 4 
 
 Annual growth 4,240,947 
 
 To which both the annual export and import 
 bear a very insignificant proportion ; but the highest 
 importation, which was in 1763, as per page 148, 
 with the meal, amounted to 219,310, i, e. one nine- 
 teenth part of the growth. 
 
 Third, Rye. 
 Bread Qrs* 999,000 
 
 Other purposes 31,000 
 
 Consumed at home 1,030,000 
 
 Exported, page 140 3^591 
 
 Consumed and exported 1,066,591 
 Imported, page 150, deduct 2,939 
 
 Annual growth 1,063,652 
 
 " Xotc, One quarter of oatmeal is equal to t<wo quarters of oats. 
 
 Ot
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OP CORN. 165 
 
 Of which the annual export is aboqt one twenty- 
 ninth part; and that in 1706, being the highest ex- 
 port, viz. 166,512 qrs. *, it' there is no mistake in 
 the accounts, is more than one seventh \ however, the 
 next highest, which was in 1749, viz. 106,3 12 J, 
 is one tenth. 
 
 Fourth, Wheat. 
 Bread Qrs. 3,750,00a 
 
 Other purposes 90,000 
 
 Consumed at home 3,84.0,000 
 
 Exported, page j 40 210,771 
 
 Consumed and exported 4,050,771 
 
 lojrt ed , page 150, deduct 4,168 
 
 Annual growth 4,046,603 
 
 Of which the annual export is rather less than 
 one nineteenth part ; but the highest export, viz. in 
 1750, being 947,60 :;, was more than one fifth. 
 
 As to the remaining articles of beans, pease, 
 rape-seed, &c. as mentioned page 162, we shall 
 not take any further account of them, nor include 
 them in the general account of the groiuth, as the 
 quantities there mentioned are founded more on 
 conjecture than any of the others there noted. 
 
 * Page 135. % Page 137. 
 
 i* 3 General
 
 l66 TAPERS RELATIVE TO THE PRICE, 
 
 General Accounts of Corn consumed \ &c. 
 
 Growth. Consumed. Export. Impart. 
 Barley - 4,603,27a - 4,433,125 - 171,253 - 1,106 
 Oats - 4,240,947 - 4,252,7*5 ~ 3,737 - *55*$ 
 Rye - 1,063,652 - 1,030,000 - 36,591 - 2,939 
 Wheat w 4,046,603 - 3,840,000 - 210,771 - 4,168 
 
 3 3>954,474 
 
 Seed * .i39S447 
 
 1 5,349*9* *~ I 3,555, 8 5 - 422,352 J -23,728 J 
 
 The proportions, which all the corn annually 
 grown, consumed, exported, and imported, bear to 
 each other, are as under. 
 
 The export is bare one one thirty -second part of the 
 consumption, one thirty- third part of the growth 
 exclusive of the seed, one thirty-sixth part of the 
 growth, including the seed, and not near one 
 third of the seed itself, supposing it only one tenth 
 of the growth : nor did even the highest year ever 
 Known, the year 1750, when the amount of the ex- 
 
 * The seed is called one tenth. 
 
 % The total of the export being here only 422,352, ^nd the 
 import amounting to 23,728, whereas the first, page 139, is 487,411, 
 and the last, page 149, is only 23,410, arises from the malt being 
 reduced into barley, and the oatmeal into oats, which it was not 
 proper to do in the general accounts, the custom-house not having 
 t!one it. 
 
 port
 
 EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. 1 67 
 
 port was 1 ,500,220 qrs.*, surpass the seed oris twelfth 
 part ; and yet what prodigious benefit hath the na- 
 tion reaped from the exportation ! 
 
 The import hath been about a five hundred and 
 seventy first part of the consumption and one eigh- 
 teenth of the export, and never equalled but a very 
 small part of the growth. 
 
 The growth, exclusive of the seed, which to 
 save deducting we here omit, exceeds the consump- 
 tion only about one thirty -fourth, which confirms what 
 is advanced page 41, and shews how much they are 
 mistaken who talk of one year's growth serving two, 
 three, or four; which is the error of many sensible 
 men and judicious writers ; and this confirms what 
 is advanced in the Essay, page 44, and proves that 
 a small deficiency of crop far exceeds the export. 
 
 And it must be allowed, that what is here suppo- 
 sed the annual surplus is not under- rated, if it be 
 granted that the stock in hand at Michaelmas 1764 
 was equal to that in 1697 ; and that it could not be 
 more seems clear ; for it was found to be so small, that 
 the Parliament thought necessary, by act 5 G.3. c. 3 1. 
 
 * Barley Qrs. 224,500 
 
 Malt 330,754, deduct one third 220,503 
 
 Oatmeal 4,383, doubled 1 8,566 
 
 Rye __ __ _ 99>49 
 
 Wheat 947,602 
 
 As may be seen, page 137. 
 
 h 4 ta
 
 l68 PRICE, EXPORT, AND IMPORT OF CORN. 
 
 to allow no bounty on export, or duty on import 
 of wheat till 24 August 1765, and also made fur- 
 ther provision to stop the export, if found necessary ; 
 neither of which steps were taken in 1697, though 
 wheat was then 3/. a quarter at Windsor, whereas 
 in 1764 it was only 2/. 6s. gd. as may be seen in the 
 foregoing register. 
 
 And if we could suppose all the 1,500,2,20*, 
 which was exported in the year 1750, to have been 
 the surplus of the year 1 749, the growth of that year 
 did not exceed the annual consumptibn one ninth. 
 
 The whole view in collecting and publishing these 
 Papers, and of the observations made on them, is 
 only to endeavour to set the state of the corn-trade, 
 and the effects of our corn-laws, in a true light, 
 wherein if we have failed, we may at least hope 
 they will tend to engage some other more able hand 
 in the attempt, and be of some assistance to him in 
 accomplishing the same. 
 
 * Seepage 167.
 
 .SUPPLEMENT, 
 
 CO.NTAlJilNG SEVJIUL 
 
 PAPERS AND CALCULATIONS, 
 
 WHICH TEND TO EXPLAIN AND CONFIRM WHAT IS 
 ADVANCED IN THB FOHEGOING TRACTS.
 
 *N O T E. 
 
 The division of this Supplement into chapters 
 and sections was done in order to refer to it from 
 the foregoing Tracts.
 
 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 OF MAGAZINES. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 Translation of a Letter from the Avoyer, or cluef Ma~ 
 
 gistrate, at Berne, in Switzerland, to 
 
 relative to the Magazines for Corn and Wine there*. 
 
 Sir, 
 You ask me for an account of the provisions both 
 for corn and wine, which are subsisting in the 
 canton of Berne, and if it is true that we owe the 
 establishment of them to the patriotic zeal of a 
 citizen of this republic, who dying without chil- 
 dren, left his riches for that purpose : in regard to 
 which, I have the honour to acquaint you, tliat you 
 have been misinformed as to the nature of the founda- 
 tion of our magazines \ ; and give me leave to add, 
 
 * A translation of this letter hath before been published in the 
 Museum Rujticum, vol. ii. numb. 41. 
 
 j- The original of the words in italic is, " que Phistoire pre- 
 iendue de cet honnete citoyen et de sa fondation est une fable faite 
 i plaisir, dont il n'y a p^s uu mot de vray." 
 
 hv
 
 I72 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. Ii 
 
 by the way, that it is not in this little republic, as 
 in great states. At Berne, private men fcave very 
 slender fortunes ; on the contrary, the state, by a 
 course of disinterestedness and prudent economy in 
 those who govern, may pass for rich, since the 
 rights of the royalties only, with the rents of the 
 estates, or lordships, of which they are possessed, 
 both by purchase and conquest, put it in their 
 power, and even without raising any sort of tax or 
 excise on the people, to lay up almost every year 
 some saving in the treasury : from thence it arises 
 that the government is always both willing and 
 able to relieve the wants of its citizens and sub- 
 jects, and therefore such foundations would, in 
 this country, be works of supererogation. 
 
 sect. 11. 
 The magistrates of Berne even flatter themselves, 
 that it is more honourable for them to administer 
 the revenues of the republic in such a manner, 
 that none but itself should be in a capacity to 
 relieve the people, than it would be, if by aug- 
 menting the salaries of their officers, which they 
 arc well able to do, they should become, after the 
 example of many great slates, rich citizens in a 
 poor republic. But it is time to finish this long 
 digression, and to apply myself to satisfy, Sir, your 
 curiosity : I will begin by laying before you the 
 nature of the magazines of corn. 
 
 5 SECT,
 
 OP MAGAZINES. 173 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 The people of Berne have two sorts, one subject 
 to great variations, the other always the same. 
 There are of the first sort many in the capital, and 
 in many other parts of the canton, which are filled, 
 more or less, according as the abundance of the 
 harvest, and goodness of the grain, furnish an op- 
 portunity; for, besides the fixed revenue which 
 the state hath in fee- farm rents, it hath a great 
 quantity of tithes, which are of a very casual, and 
 very different produce: when there are several 
 fruitful years in succession, the granaries of this 
 sort in the capital become full ; but in other parts, 
 if there is an appearance, towards Easter, of a good 
 harvest, the corn is sold which is in the castles of 
 the different bailiwicks, after having paid the several 
 salaries to which they are made liable; and the 
 bailiffs, who have a certain revenue made good 
 to them, account for the surplus to the Chamber of 
 Economy at Berne. The magazines of this capital, 
 on the contrary, are never opened and sold but in 
 dear times ; and then care is taken not to sell to any 
 family more than is sufficient for its supply, and 
 always below the market price. 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 As to the magazines of the second sort, they are 
 called the provision, and were established in pur- 
 euanoe of a convention called the defflnsional, 
 which the whole Helvetic body hath entered into 
 
 for
 
 174 SUPPLEMENT* CHAP, ii 
 
 for the common defence of Switzerland, in case 
 of an attack from a foreign enemy. This treaty, 
 regulating the number of troops and artillery which 
 each canton is bound to furnish, obliges them at 
 the same time to have always ready, and in store, 
 provision and ammunition in proportion to their 
 contingent. There are of these magazines of pro- 
 vision, as well at Berne, as in all the castles where 
 the bailiffs reside : they are never either diminished 
 or increased, only care is taken to keep them always 
 in good order, and to substitute good corn in the 
 place of that which decays. A bailiff who should 
 misapply this provision, would be deposed ; and 
 from time to time the deputies of Berne, without 
 giving notice of their intention, visit these ma- 
 gazines, and cause the corn to be measured over. 
 Although there is six times more corn in these 
 magazines than the contingent which Berne fur- 
 nishes by the deffensional, requires, they have 
 never taken, in times of peace, more than one 
 fourth part in an exceeding scarcity ; and they 
 have had great care to refill thero without delay, 
 
 sfct. v. 
 This is, Sir, in abridgment, an account df the 
 magazines for the provision of corn in the canton 
 of Berne. Several short crops within fifteen years 
 having caused the common people to suffer by the 
 high price which they were obliged to give for 
 their bread, and the corn which the government 
 caused to be purchased in Burgundy and Suabia, 
 
 and
 
 OF MAGAZINES. I75 
 
 and resold to a great loss, having given but little 
 relief to the misery of the poor, there is at present 
 a project under consideration at Berne, which, if it 
 is brought to pass, will, in all probability, prevent 
 the subjects of this state from paying very dear for 
 their bread for the time lo come ; which is this : It 
 is proposed to build, in those parts of the canton 
 which are most fruitful in corn, large granaries, 
 and at such times when the abundance of the har- 
 vest shall have caused the value of a certain mea- 
 sure of corn to fall below a certain price, to buy up, 
 on account of the government, all that shall be 
 left for sale in the markets, after private persons 
 have done buying, to the end that the owner, or 
 farmer, may l>e always sure of having a certain 
 price for his corn, and not be under a necessity of 
 being at the expense and trouble of laying up what 
 he may have left in the town-hall, or carrying it 
 home again, or else selling it at too low a price to 
 foreigners in the neighbourhood, of whom the sub- 
 jects of Berne are often afterwards obliged to buy it 
 again at an exorbitant rate. The government, ou 
 the contrary, will sell their corn again to their 
 subjects, as soon as ever the price shall have risen 
 to a certain degree ; and by this management they 
 will prevent both the too high and too iow price 
 of this commodity, both of which are inconve- 
 niences, in their consequences hurtful enough to 
 deserve the care of a sovereign to prevent, who 
 hath nothing more at heart then to procure, as 
 
 much
 
 1^6 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. U 
 
 much as can depend on his care and foresight^ the 
 happiness of the people which Providence hath sub- 
 mitted to his government. 
 
 SECT. VI. 
 
 As to wine. The state of Berne having a great 
 quantity of wine, as tithes and quit-rents, in the 
 several vineyards in the canton, had formerly a 
 great deal in store, both at Berne and elsewhere, of 
 which they made use, in short years, both to pay 
 the salaries in wine, which are annexed to a number 
 of employments, and to supply the poor citizens 
 therewith at a moderate price, observing the same 
 precaution as when they sell corn at a low price ; 
 but the salaries in wine have by little and little in- 
 creased to such a degree, that at this day there is so 
 little left to be laid up, that after two succeeding 
 short years, the state finds itself under a necessity 
 of paying a great part of the salaries in money, 
 which were appointed to be paid in wine, in order 
 to keep it in their power to supply the tradesmen 
 and other poor citizens of Berne therewith at a 
 low rate. 
 
 I hope, Sir, that I have been so successful as to 
 satisfy your curiosity, and have the honour to be, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your humble servant. 
 
 sect.
 
 OF MAGAZINBf. I 77 
 
 SECT. VII. 
 
 'f lid foregoing' curious Tetter was received some 
 years since by a gentleman of rank, whose superior 
 abilities ate continually employed in searching out 
 and communicating to the public, such things as 
 may be useful fo mankind; particularly such as 
 tend to the improvement arid increase 4 of agriculture, 
 and to make corn cheap ; and to him we are in- 
 debted for many of the most material facts and 
 papers contained in this Collection. 
 
 sect. virr. 
 
 Notwithstanding the great care of trie magistrates 
 of Berne, it appears by this letter, that the people 
 in that canton suffer oftener by the dearness of bread 
 than in England, which proves that our corn-laws 
 are better than those established there, and that 
 magazines do not answer the end of keeping corn 
 at a moderate price so well as an exportation under 
 proper regulations, which most men think they 
 will, and seem justified in so thinking, since they 
 have been generally erected by most politicians. 
 
 SECT. IX. 
 
 In relation to this subject, we have the following 
 sensible conversation in a paper called the Humanist ', 
 numb. 3. dated April 9, 1757. Signior GuastaWi, 
 When minister here from the republic of Genoa, 
 being asked, " Whether in his country public gra- 
 naries had not been found of service?" replied, At 
 
 m Gmo*
 
 1 78 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. 1. 
 
 Genoa there was no doing without them, and that 
 the stale had always seven years provision before* 
 hand* ; " but," said he, " in your isle it is quite dif- 
 ferent, for you annually grow more than you eat; 
 and if I am not misinformed, it is hardly one year 
 in twenty, that the produce of the earth is not fully 
 sufficient for the inhabitants of it. Therefore, your 
 business rather should be, to get a market for your 
 superfluity abroad. Yet, I have been told, so neg- 
 ligent is the police here, that at certain times, the 
 public have given a bounty to transport the corn 
 from the mouths of your own people, who at those 
 very times stood in great need of it." 
 
 sect. x. 
 
 Thus far Signior Guastaldi. The author goes on : 
 " I am sorry to say the remark of this learned 
 foreigner had too much foundation in truth; yet, 
 I think, the injury he complains of may be easily 
 redressed, by disallowing the bounty when the 
 corn exceeds the mean rate, and when beyond such 
 a certain rate, by a total prohibition of exporta- 
 tion^." And then says, " Satisfied I am, that the 
 common method of stacking corn in the midlands 
 
 * Only one year's provision in England would cost very 
 
 near as much as the amount of the land-tax at 4*. all expenses and?- 
 
 waste included, to keep it in good order. But our corn is of a softer 
 
 nature and more apt to decay tnan that of Genoa ; and it may be 
 
 supposed, the city only, and not the state, is litre mcaut. 
 
 f See Considerations, sec. 4. 
 
 of
 
 OF MAGAZINES. I 79 
 
 of England, which preserves it good many years, 
 will fully answer the end of public granaries." 
 
 SECT. XI. 
 
 Translation of Abstracts from Ami des Hommes, 
 Vol. 11 L printed at Amsterdam 1758: the supposed 
 Author Monsieur Mirabeau. 
 After shewing, page 60, the inconveniences 
 which the regulations and restrictions relative to 
 the corn-trade have had in France, he proposes 
 the leaving it entirely free * for the future ; which, 
 page 61, he says, Mr. Colbert did, except as to great 
 cities, particularly those near the sea. which he took 
 care should be provided with foreign corn. But 
 that care appears to him superfluous and dangerous. 
 Superfluous, for that the industry of the merchant 
 will always prevent the necessity of such provi- 
 sions, and by that means the charges and loss of 
 the magazines will fall on strangers, or private 
 persons, who will be very ready to support them, 
 and not on the public, whose affairs are never bet- 
 ter managed than when they have nothing to do \. 
 
 * The bad effects of the contrary conduct are seen, or rather 
 felt, in the Roman ecclesiastical state, where there is now, or very 
 lately was, a famine, and the husbandman is so far from being 
 free, that an agent of the Pope's granaries fixes the prices of his 
 Corn at so much a bushel, which price he cannot dispute, nor has 
 he liberty to sell to any other than the said agent, and therefore 
 only raises for the support of his own family. See Essays on Hus- 
 bandry, Land. 1764, p. 117. 
 
 f " Du public dont les affaires ne sont jamais mieux admini- 
 strScs, que quand il n'en a point." 
 
 m 2 Dangerous^
 
 i So 
 
 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. t. 
 
 Dangerous, in that it is beginning an inspection 
 into matters where every inspection opens a door 
 to greater inconveniences, page 63. It hath been 
 proposed, in some provinces, to erect magazines o 
 the King's corn, either for the service of the troops, 
 or for the convenience and necessity of the country. 
 But what would be the consequence ? When it was 
 necessary to fill those granaries, the name of 
 authority would stop the corn every where, and 
 those employed would have it at what price they 
 pleased. 
 
 When it should become necessary to empty the 
 magazines lest the corn should perish, the same 
 sacred name would stop all other sales, and serve 
 as a veil to a certain and unlawful gain. 
 
 " I have seen such men starve a country, and, 
 what is more, wrest from it both honour and 
 wealth." 
 
 He goes on to page 74, in removing all objec- 
 tions which occur to him against making the corn- 
 trade free ; and there, as the sum total of what he 
 hath said, proposes an edict something like that 
 which was passed at Paris in 1764, of which a 
 copy is given in the following chapter. 
 
 sect, xir. 
 In regard to magazines, the ingenious author of. 
 the Essays on Husbandry* says, page 116, " I 
 think public granaries quite detrimental, rather than 
 
 * Printed at London, 1 764, and sold by Brotherton, &c. 
 
 i useful^
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. I 8 I 
 
 trsefill, in a free state like ours. National and even 
 frovincial magazines of corn will naturally produce 
 monopoly ; and an undue fear of famine joined with 
 much anxiety about hoarding up grain, which 
 will put a stop to exportation, is one of the surest 
 methods I know of bringing on a death." He 
 goes on, and confirms what he says with very 
 strong and conclusive reasons. 
 
 CHAPTER If. 
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 AN Account what some French Authors say of our 
 Corn-laws, and of some late Edicts published 
 there in regard to the Corn-trade. 
 
 The author o( L' Amides Homines, vol. iii. p. 53, 
 says, " The English, to encourage the culture of 
 corn in their island, have made use of a singular 
 method, which hath succeeded, which is, to gratify 
 at the expense of the state the exporters of that 
 merchandise. 
 
 " They have methodized and regulated that im- 
 portant object of the police, in proportion to the 
 market prices with them of that valuable meN 
 chandise, 
 
 m 3 " This
 
 "? 
 
 l82 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. II. 
 
 *' This method may have been good for a time, 
 and may become hurtful in other circumstances; 
 for there is no political regulation that in all minute 
 cases can remain fixed here below." 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 Abstracts from a Work, called, Les Interets de la 
 France ma! entendus dans les Branches de l'Agri- 
 culture, csfc. 2 vol. \imo. at Amsterdam, 1757 : 
 supposed to be wrote by Mr. Boulainvilliers. 
 
 Vol. i. page 93 to in, an account is given at 
 length of the method of tillage pursued in the 
 county of Norfolk, and the benefits which have ac- 
 crued therefrom, which it is said the bounty esta- 
 blished in 1689 gave rise to, and that the produce 
 of the land hath in general been augmented thereby ; 
 the author goes on : 
 
 " In other states private persons pay the govern- 
 ment for the exportation of grain ; England acts 
 quite otherwise, and pays them. 
 
 " All common means made use of to that time 
 to increase the fruits of the earth had been insuf- 
 ficient* or, at least, of little use. 
 
 " Before that epocha, the agriculture of England 
 was of little account in Europe. 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 " As long as that monarchy thought only of its 
 own subsistence, it always found itself short of the 
 necessary ; it was very often obliged to have recourse 
 to foreigners to make up the deficiency of the growth 
 
 of
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. 183 
 
 of the nation : but when it made its agriculture an 
 object of commerce, the cultivation of its land be- 
 came one of the most abundant in Europe. 
 
 " Without that stroke of state, the, best concerted 
 of all those which have yet appeared in modern 
 politics, England had never sown but for herself, 
 for what would she have done with the surplus of 
 her grain ? 
 
 " It was the bounty only which could assure her 
 of the sale in foreign markets ; and, for that rea- 
 son, be the only source of the augmentation of 
 her harvests." 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 He then proceeds to answer objections, shews the 
 benefits which have arisen from the bounty, and 
 says, 
 
 " Let us combine all the means which that mo- 
 narchy hath put in use, for an age past, to esta- 
 blish its power; and we shall find, that it is to 
 this in particular, which she is indebted for her 
 elevation." He then proceeds to page 113, to 
 shew the necessity of giving a bounty on the export 
 qf corn in France, after out example. 
 
 sect. v. 
 Vol. ii. fol, 1 23, speaking of the Act of Navigation, 
 he says, " It fixed for ever in favour of this nation 
 the balance of power at sea." The author of VAmi 
 des Hommes quoted above, speaking of the same act, 
 confcsseth the great consequence it hath been of 
 
 m 4 to
 
 .104 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. II. 
 
 to us, by the uneasiness it gives him. In vol. iii. 
 page 259, he saith, "It would be easy to prove to 
 them, the English, that their famous Act of Na- 
 vigation was a folly, even at the time in which 
 it was proposed ; although the incidents, which, 
 at that time, turned the views of foreign powers 
 another way, have caused it to succeed ;" which 
 he explains, and adds, " If those powers, which 
 were equally affected by that injury done to all 
 mankind, had taken combined measures against 
 that attempt on public liberty, the English would 
 have shamefully retreated ; instead of which, each 
 power looked on it as not regarding himself; and, 
 content to obtain the permission to carry to the 
 queen of nations the merchandise of its own growth, 
 saw no harm in that act ; except the Dutch y who 
 are great carriers, hut grow little or nothing." He 
 goes on to give it some more abuse, and says, 
 " Now, when every nation turns its view to com- 
 merce, it could not be passed." 
 
 SECT. VI. 
 
 It must be confessed the last quotations are not 
 directly to the present purpose ; but if that act hath 
 been of such benefit in genera r, no trade in parti- 
 cular hath contributed more to promote the ends 
 thereof than that of corn, by the great number of 
 men necessarily engaged in the navigation of ships 
 and vessels employed for the carriage thereof, both 
 coastways and to foreign parts, which will, it is 
 
 hoped,
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. 185 
 
 hoped, be a sufficient excuse for our so doing, and 
 help to shew how careful we ought to be in dis- 
 pensing with, or altering, not only that act, but 
 also our laws relative to the export of corn. 
 
 SECT. VII.' 
 
 Since the publishing the works from which the 
 above quotations and abstracts are taken, all possible 
 encouragement hath been given to agriculture in 
 France ; many other valuable pieces have been pub- 
 lished, relative more immediately to that, and to 
 the corn-trade ; and several declarations and edicts 
 have been published for the regulation of the said 
 trade, both within the kingdom and in respect to 
 exportation and importation to and from foreign 
 parts, all which are drawn up in a manner so con- 
 formable to the sentiments of the above authors, 
 as to give reason to believe they were advised with, 
 or, at least, the plans they have sketched out were 
 followed, as far as the nature of the thing would 
 bear. 
 
 SECT. VIII. 
 
 It would be tiresome, and is unnecessary, to give 
 translations of all those papers; we shall, however, 
 give the titles of such as could be obtained, and 
 attempt a translation of the edict concerning the 
 export and import, which more immediately con- 
 cerns us. 
 
 Titles
 
 lS6 SUPPEMENT. CHAP. II. 
 
 Titles of Edicts published in France relative to the 
 Corn- trade. 
 
 First, " A Declaration of the King, giving per- 
 mission to circulate corn, flour, and pulse, through 
 the whole extent of the kingdom, free from all 
 duties, even those of toll." Given at Versailles the 
 25 May 1763. 
 
 Second, " Order of the King's Council of State, 
 explaining an Order of 27 Marck 1763, and set- 
 tling a duty on all flour imported." Dated 18 
 September 1763. 
 
 Third, " Order of the King's Council of State, 
 which directs that the liberty given to export flour 
 in casks shall extend to every sort of flour." 
 Dated 21 November 1763. 
 
 The next is that which relates to the exportation, 
 and is as follows : 
 
 Translation of the French Kings Edict relative to 
 the Exportation of Corn, &c. 
 
 EDICT of the KING 
 
 Concerning the Liberty of the Exportation from, 
 ami Importation of Grain into the Kingdom. 
 
 Given at Compeigne, in the month of July 1 764. 
 Registered in Parliament. 
 
 Louis, by the grace of God, King of France 
 nnd Navarre, to all present and to come, greeting ; 
 
 The
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. 187 
 
 The attention which we owe to every thing that 
 may contribute to the welfare of our subjects, hath 
 induced us to give a favourable hearing to the peti- 
 tions which have been addressed to us from all parts, 
 to establish an entire liberty in the corn-trade, and 
 to revoke such laws and regulations as have been 
 heretofore made to restrain it within too strict bounds. 
 After having taken the opinion of persons the best 
 acquainted in the affair, and having carefully deli- 
 berated in our council, we thought it necessary 
 to comply with the solicitations which have been 
 made to us for the free exportation and importa- 
 tion of corn and meal, as proper to encourage and 
 increase the cultivation of land, the produce of 
 which is the source of the most real and certain 
 riches of a state, to maintain plenty by magazines 
 and the importation of foreign corn, to prevent corn 
 from being at a price which discourages the grower, 
 to banish monopoly by an irrevocable exclusion of 
 all particular permissions, and in the end, by a free 
 and entire concurrence or competition in the trade, 
 to keep up between different nations that commu- 
 nication of exchanging superfluities for necessaries, 
 so conformable to the order established by Divine 
 Providence, and to the views of humanity which 
 ought to animate all sovereigns. We are convinced, 
 that it is worthy of our continual care for the hap- 
 piness of our people, and of our justice towards the 
 proprietors of lands and the farmers, to grant them 
 a liberty which they so earnestly desire : and we 
 
 have,
 
 185 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. II. 
 
 have, moreover, thought it necessary to secure, by 
 a solemn and perpetual law, the merchants and 
 traders from all fear of the return of prohibitive 
 laws; but to remove the fears of those who are not 
 as yet fully convinced of the advantage which the 
 liberty of such a commerce must produce. It seemed 
 to us necessary to fix a price of corn, above which, 
 all exportation out of the kingdom should be pro- 
 hibited, when wheat shall have risen to that price. 
 And as we ought not to neglect any occasion to ex- 
 cite industry, wc have resolved to encourage at the 
 same time the French navigation, by securing to 
 French vessels and seamen, exclusively of all others, 
 the carriage of corn to be exported. For these 
 causes, and others moving us hereto, with the ad- 
 vice of our council, and of our certain knowledge, 
 full power, and royal authority, we have by this pre- 
 sent, perpetual, and irrevocable Edict, ordered, de- 
 creed, and ordained, ordering, decreeing, and or- 
 daining, willing, and it is our pleasure, as follows : 
 
 i. 
 Our Declaration of the 25 May 1763, concern- 
 ing the free transportation of corn within our king- 
 dom, with permission to establish magazines, toge- 
 ther with the letters patents explaining the same, 
 of the 5 March last, shall be executed according to 
 their form and tenour ; consequently, it is our plea- 
 sure, that the said interior circulation shall not be in 
 any '.vise obstructed. 
 
 11.
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. iSo 
 II. 
 
 Also, we permit all our subjects, of whatever qua- 
 lity and condition they may be, even the nobility 
 and privileged persons, to trade in every species oi 
 corn, seeds, grain, pulse, and meal, whether it 
 be with natives or foreigners, and to form, for that 
 end, such magazines as they shall think proper, 
 without being liable to be searched, disturbed, or 
 bound, by any formalities other than those mentioned 
 by this present Edict ; nor shall the said nobility 
 and privileged persons be subject to any imposition* 
 by reason of such trade only. 
 
 hi. 
 
 It is our pleasure, to that end, that the exporta- 
 tion, to foreigners, of all corn, seeds, grain, pulse, 
 and meal, shall be entirely free, both by land and by 
 sea, with the exceptions and limitations only laid 
 down by the following articles. We strictly pro- 
 hibit and forbid all our officers and those of lords to 
 oppose or hinder such importation in any wise, in 
 any case, or under any pretence whatsoever* 
 
 IV. 
 
 The export of wheat, rye, maslin, and meal, 
 shall not be, permitted, when by sea, as to the pre- 
 sent, until it shall be by us otherwise ordered, ex- 
 cept from the ports of Calais, St. Valory, Dunkirk,. 
 Fecamp, Dieppe*, h Havre, Rouen, Honfieur, Cher- 
 lourg, Caen, Granville, Morlaise, St. Malo, Brest, 
 Port Louis, Nantes, Famies, la Roohelle-, BoUrdeaux, 
 Blaye, Libourne, Bayonne t Cetle, Ve7idres, Mar- 
 seilles,
 
 IJO SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. II, 
 
 seilles, and Toulon; and the exportation may not be 
 carried on but on French vessels, of which the cap- 
 tain and izvo thirds of the mariners at least shall be 
 French, under pain of confiscation. 
 
 v. 
 Being desirous to provide, by the introduction of 
 foreign corn into our kingdom, so that corn may 
 not rise to a price burdensome to our people, we 
 permit all our subjects and all foreigners to bring 
 freely into our kingdom, on all kinds of vessels 
 without distinction, all corn, seeds, grain, meal, 
 and pulse, coming from abroad, paying the duties 
 imposed by this present Edict. 
 
 VI. 
 
 In case, nevertheless, when, contrary to our 
 expectation, and notwithstanding the reasonable 
 hopes which the free importation of such foreign 
 grain gives, the price of wheat shall be risen to 
 twelve livres ten sous the quintal * and upwards, 
 in any one of the ports or places situated on the 
 frontier of our kingdom, and that the said price 
 shall be kept upjn the same place, for three follow- 
 ing market-days ; it is our pleasure that the liberty 
 granted by the foregoing articles shall remain sus- 
 pended in such place, absolutely, and without there 
 being need of any new regulation. We therefore 
 prohibit, and most exprcsly forbid, in the said case, 
 
 * Alout 48/. the quarter, London measure. 
 
 all
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS, I9I 
 
 all our subjects to export *, or cause any grain to 
 be exported, from the said place, until that, upon 
 the representations of the officers of the said place, 
 which are to be addressed to the controller general 
 of our finances, the opening of the said place hath 
 been ordered in our council, to the end, to re- 
 establish there, a general and indefinite liberty for 
 the import and export of grain, without which, no 
 particular permissions in this respect shall or may be 
 given in any case by our governors, commandants, 
 commissaries in their departments, or other our 
 officers. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Wheat shall be subject, on the importation into 
 the kingdom, to a duty of one per cent. ; and rye, 
 other com, seeds, grain, flour, and pulse, to a 
 duty of three per cent. It is our pleasure, never- 
 theless, that the said grains shall pay, on the 
 exportation from our kingdom, only a duty of 
 one half per cent, for which purpose, those who 
 would import or export these commodities shall 
 be obliged, under such penalties a^s shall be fixed, to 
 make at the custom-houses established on the fron- 
 tiers of our kingdom for the receipts of our dues, 
 declarations, conformable to the regulations, of the 
 quantity and quality of the said commodities. 
 
 *' Export or is not in the original. 
 
 vin.
 
 19^ SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. II. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 We permit all foreigners or natives to import all 
 kinds of grain* into our kingdom, and there to lay 
 them up, that is to say, wheat for a year, and other 
 corns, seeds, grain, meal or flour, and pulse, for six 
 months only ; during which times they may export 
 them freely to foreigners, either whole or in meal, 
 on all sorts of vessels without distinction, without 
 paying any duty ; and they shall not be liabl* to 
 pay the duties imposed by the preceding article, 
 only in the case where the said commodities are 
 brought in for the consumption of the inhabitants 
 of our kingdom, or after the expiration of the time 
 allowed for laying them up. 
 
 IX. 
 
 We repeal all edicts, declarations, and regula- 
 tions contrary hereto, nevertheless, without making 
 any innovation, as to the present, in the rules of the 
 police hitherto observed, for victualling our good 
 city of Paris, which shall continue to be observed, 
 as heretofore, until it hath by us been otherwise or- 
 dered. Moreover* we command our WeJUbeloved 
 and trusty counsellors *, holding our couvt of the 
 Parliament of Paris, that they cause our present 
 Edict to be read, published, and registered, and the 
 contents hereof to keep, observe, and execute accord- 
 ing to its form and tenour,cvery thing to the contrary 
 notwithstanding! We will that to copies of this 
 
 * Conseillers lei Gens. 
 
 present
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. I93 
 
 present Edict, collated by one of our well-beloved 
 and faithful counsellors-secretaries, credit be given 
 as to the original, for such is ovg> pleasure: 
 and to the end that this be a matter firm and stable 
 forever, we have caused our seal to be fixed hereto. 
 Given at Compeigne, in the month of July, in the 
 year of grace 1764, and of our reign the forty- 
 ninth. 
 
 Signed, Louis ; and lower down, Par le Roi, 
 signed, Phelipeaux : Examined, Louis: Examined 
 in council, De VAverdy : and sealed with the great 
 seal of green wax, in strings of red and green silk. 
 
 Registered, &c. in due form at Paris, in Parlia- 
 ment, all the Chambers assembled, 19 July 1764. 
 
 Signed, Dufrane. 
 
 Since the foregoing Edict, letters patents of the 
 King, which fix the duties on the export and im- 
 port of grain, and permit the circulation and ex- 
 port of every kind of grain paying the duties 
 therein mentioned, were published at Fontainebleau, 
 Nov. 7, 1764. 
 
 These are explanatory and in amendment of the 
 Edict of July 1764, and extend it to linseed, rape- 
 seed, turnip- seed, cole-seed, and others the like *, fit to 
 make oil. 
 
 If any thing hath been done since the last, it hath 
 not come to hand. 
 
 * Lin, rabette, navette, colfat et autres semblables. 
 
 N SCT.
 
 194 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. II* 
 
 SECT. X. 
 
 During the year 1764, the propriety of the fore- 
 going laws rTas been fully, freely, calmly, and 
 fairly debated in print, in several pamphlets, &c. 
 in France \ some of which we have been favoured 
 with, and subjoin the original titles, that those who 
 think proper may procure them, and they will find 
 in them a clear account of the nature of our corn- 
 laws with very little mistake : the chief or most 
 material is in relation to opening the ports ; they 
 know it is done by the price in the markets advan- 
 cing to a certain value ; but are not acquainted that 
 it is ascertained at, and certified from, the quarter- 
 sessions, and that when once the port is open, it is 
 to remain so for a fixed time ; but imagine, that if 
 the markets should fall ever so soon, or even after a 
 ship is in the port, the high duties must be paid. 
 Their merchants must be better informed, at least 
 those of any consequence, and yet it is very possible 
 a mistake of this kind may at some times have pre- 
 vented some imports. 
 
 Titles o( French Pamphlets. 
 
 SECT. XI. 
 
 Numb. 1. Contains upwards of 1 50 pages, octavo. 
 
 ** De l'Exportation et de Tlmportation des 
 Grains. Memoir e lu a la Societe Royale d' Agricul- 
 ture de Soissons, par M. Dupont, Tundes Associes.'* 
 1764. 
 
 1 " Lettre
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. I95 
 
 u Lettre contre la Liberte de l'Exportation." 
 " Reponse a la Lettre contre la Liberte, &c." 
 u Reflexions pour servir de seconde Reponse." 
 Numb. 2. " Reflexions sur la Police des Grains 
 n France et en Angleterre." Mars 1764. 
 
 SECT. XII. 
 
 From the first of these we shall give only one 
 extract. At page 146, the author having before re- 
 cited many objections to the scheme there proposed, 
 adds, " When it was under consideration in England 
 to restore agriculture from its perishing state by a 
 grand operation, the same reasonings stood in the 
 way there, and were then made use of, and even 
 stronger, for at that time we supported Spain entirely, 
 and ive supported England more frequently than she 
 comes at this day to our assistance* ; we had, not- 
 withstanding all this, at that time, still more lands 
 capable of cultivation, so that the boldness of our 
 neighbours was so much the greater. Let us com- 
 
 * This is confirmed by Howell (see note, page 61) to be the 
 case in 162 1 ; and in Sam. Hartlz'Ss Legacy of Husbandry, 3d edit. 
 Lond. 1655, page 93, are the following strong expressions : " Al- 
 though the husbandman hath been laborious and diligent in his 
 calling these last years, yet our crops have been thin, his cattle 
 swept away, and scarcity and famine hath seized on all parts of 
 this land ; and if we had not been supplied from abroad, we had 
 quite devoured all the creatures of this island for our sustenance; 
 and yet we could not be satisfied, but must have devoured one 
 another." This appears to have been wrote in Aug. 165 1. 
 
 n 2 pare
 
 196 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. II. 
 
 pare the present state of our cultivation and of 
 theirs, and we shall find the solution.** 
 
 The words for the italics are voila la solution ; 
 and the author explains himself no further, but 
 leaves us to guess at his meaning ; which seems to 
 be precisely this : If England dared to attempt a re- 
 vival, of her agriculture when ours was in such a 
 flourishing state, and so much exceeded theirs, 
 that we supported Spain entirely, assisted them 
 oftener than they, now do us, and still had more 
 lands capable of cultivation ; and, notwithstanding 
 all this, succeeded in the attempt ; surely France, 
 whose present state of agriculture will not be found, 
 on the comparison, so deplorable as that of the 
 English then was, need not fear to succeed in at- 
 tempting its restoration. 
 
 Our extracts from the " Reflections on the Police 
 of Corn in France and England'"' will be somewhat 
 longer. 
 
 SECT. XIII. 
 
 Page 9. " England heretofore languished in the 
 bonds of an absolute prohibition * ; it felt the same 
 effects as we feel at this day, a disregard of tillage, 
 a reduction of the price of labour; and poverty 
 was the lot of all who had no other patrimony 
 besides health and the labour of their hands. A 
 writing published in 1621, by Sir Thonus Culpeper, 
 informs us, that, at that time, the French with 
 
 * It was io in effect, though not in fact. Sec list of statutes, 
 
 their
 
 ACCOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. 1 97 
 
 their corn, and the Dutch with that of Poland, 
 supplied the English markets, and that the national 
 corn was continually below its true value. At pre- 
 sent, says Culpeper, whilst corn and the other mer- 
 chandises which the earth produces are at a low price, 
 the spade and the plough are forsaken. The poor find 
 little employment , and wages are extremely low. If the 
 proprietors of lauds could find their account in meriding 
 them, there would soon be many more people employed 
 in their cultivation than there now are ; and wages 
 would be better. Every man blest with health and 
 strength would ?wt be poor, except through extreme lazi- 
 ness *." 
 
 SECT. XIV. 
 
 " The ascendant which prejudice had on the 
 multitude, and the weak and slow impression 
 which more solid and clear principles made on pre- 
 possession did not permit the English to distinguish 
 readily the causes of their poverty, and it was not 
 till 1660 that our success and their losses -f opened 
 their eyes," &c. 
 
 He goes on to page 1 2, in giving an account of 
 the progress of the alterations made in the Englidi 
 corn-laws, and there says, " This is an account of 
 the origin, progress, and present state of the English 
 policy in relation to the corn-trade. It was es- 
 
 * Not being able to meet with Culpcpct's book, the above is 
 translated back from the French, 
 
 f What losses he refers to doth not appear : the export-price 
 was carried up to 40J. in 1660. 
 
 n 3 tablished
 
 I98 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. I*. 
 
 tablished in passing through all the degrees of exr 
 perience necessary to form, with a knowledge of 
 the principles, a permanent plan." 
 
 Nevertheless, he says, page 17, ". Our policy is 
 still imperfect, and hath plain inconveniences, which 
 cannot be removed, as long as the bounty subsists." 
 
 And page 24, " By reason of prohibiting the 
 importation by excessive duties, England hath 
 been under a necessity to suspend sometimes that 
 free commerce therein to which the English are 
 indebted for the superiority of their tillage, and 
 consequently for the value of landed estates with 
 them */" 
 
 SECT. XV. 
 
 It may plainly be collected from this pamphlet, 
 which seems to be the work of, or at least wrote 
 under the direction of, the author of V Ami des 
 Hommes, that the writer foresees, if by the conti- 
 nuation of the bounty we go on to encourage the 
 export, and by the high duties prevent the free im- 
 portation of corn, the success of the late alterations 
 in their corn-laws, as far as they regard exporta- 
 tion, will be more materially obstructed thereby, 
 than by any opposition which can be mao'e to them 
 at home; and there can be no foundation of hope 
 to see the time return, when the corn of France 
 shall ao a in supply the English markets, and spoil 
 the sales of that grown at home. 
 
 * The expression i^ k. forces dufonds national, 
 
 SECT.
 
 AMOUNTS FROM FRENCH AUTHORS. I 99 
 
 SECT. XVI. 
 
 Page 35, &>V. it is proved that the scarcity in 
 France in 1740, was only imaginary, and arose 
 solely from the restrictions on the corn-trade, the 
 circulating thereof being then unlawful, which pre- 
 vented the merchants from speculating in corn ; 
 and by that means the whole stock was in the 
 hands of the farmer, who, on its growing dearer, 
 left off selling, and withheld it, in hopes of a still 
 higher price; ' an evil which," as he says, " is inevi- 
 table in all places, where those who are possessed 
 of the corn have nothing to fear from the competi- 
 tion of merchants from abroad, [or others.]-r- 
 Mr. Orry" he says, " imported the value of thirteen 
 millions*; but there was none of it sold; and that 
 corn perished, because on the arrival of that suc- 
 cour, how moderate soever it was for a great king- 
 dom-}-, where they talked of want, the fear of loss 
 determined all to open their granaries." 
 
 sect, xy 1 1. 
 
 Have we not, more than once, found the like 
 effects from a small importation ? Hath not every 
 importation, even at its beginning, such an effect 
 as to prevent corn growing dearer ? And do not 
 these observations shew the necessity of fixing a 
 price at which corn should be permitted to be ira- 
 
 * Between 2 50,000 and 300,000 English quarters. 
 f Which is supposed to consume more than fifteen mil- 
 lions of London quarters annually in bread. 
 
 n 4 ported
 
 20O SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. III. 
 
 ported duty free ? Why should not wheat, for 
 instance, be imported duty free, when the price 
 thereof is returned to and certified from the quarter- 
 sessions to be fifty shillings, and other grain in 
 proportion ? 
 
 We must, however, take care not to fix the price 
 too low, leit we encourage foreign agriculture, to 
 the detriment of our own. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 OF THE NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 Extract from a pamphlet in 12010. published 
 at London by Careiv Reynel, Esq. 1674, intituled, 
 The true English Interest. Page 59, Of Marriage and 
 Populacy : " Our people were consumed mightily 
 in these late years : some three hundred thousand 
 were killed in the late civil wars ; and about two 
 hundred thousand more have been wasted in re- 
 peopling Ireland, and two hundred thousand lost 
 in the great sickness, and as many more gone to the 
 plantations!' 
 
 All these together make 900,000, and perhaps 
 the numbers are not greatly exaggerated. Raj>in, 
 vol. ii. fol. 224, says, 40,000 were lost in the civil 
 
 wars ;
 
 OF THE NUMBIR OP THE PEOPLE. 201 
 
 wars; hut that he hath not given the whole num- 
 ber: the account of repeopling Ireland stems pro- 
 bable; for, according to Rap in, vol. ii. fo1. 386, 
 upwards of 300,000 were massacred there in 1643, 
 besides what were afterwards killed in war. Near 
 seventy thousand died of the sickness in the bills 
 only ; and the numbers'that for many years con- 
 tinually withdrew to the plantations were very 
 great. And supposing these accounts to be true, 
 more than one eighth of the people were lost by 
 those means ; not that it can be supposed the num- 
 ber was lessened by one eighth ; these losses were 
 many years coming about, and were at the same 
 time continually making good. 
 
 We have since 1674 had four wars, in which 
 many lives were lost ; but we have had no very 
 considerable emigrations of our people ; and by the 
 revocation of the Edict of Nants in 1685, and other 
 means, have gained a very considerable number. 
 
 sect. 11. 
 
 There have been since 1685 four several ac- 
 counts taken of the number of houses in Emgland 
 and Wales. 
 
 The first from the hearth-tax, published in 1 69 1 -2, 
 hy John Houghton, F. R. S. and reprinted in 1727, 
 by Richard Bradley, F. R. S. in a collection of 
 papers, called Husbandry and Trade improved) which 
 makes the number i,i 75,951. There are reasons to 
 
 think
 
 102 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. III. 
 
 think this was the work of Dr. Halley % and this ac- 
 count is copied in the Present State of England. 
 
 The second, which is published in the Philo- 
 sophical Transactions, vol. xlix. fol. 268, by Dr. 
 Brackenridge, who says, the houses, about the year 
 1 7 10, he finds from a public office, which had 
 caused an account to be taken of them in order to 
 Jay a tax, were 729,048; and the cottages which 
 were omitted, he supposes one fourth more ; in all, 
 911,310. 
 
 The third, not published, was in the year 1 755, 
 but contained only the total number of houses in 
 England and Wales charged with the duty, which 
 was 692,389. 
 
 The fourth, which also was not published, was 
 in the year 1758, and contains an account of the 
 total number of houses in England and Wales,, 
 charged and not charged, inhabited and uninha- 
 bited; the whole number of which is 986,482, of 
 which there were cottages 281,429, and there were 
 uninhabited 24,904. 
 
 This last must be supposed the most exact ac- 
 count ever taken; and by its agreement with 17 10 
 and 1758, we may conclude that the number hath 
 in general continued much the same. As to that 
 published in 1692, it appears to have been only a 
 calculation made from the produce of the hearih- 
 tax ; and the number of houses set down, by sup- 
 posing a certain number of hearths, about three to 
 each house, for the whole tax, is said to have pro- 
 duced
 
 OF THE NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE. 20J 
 
 duced 256,000/.* per annum; which at is, per 
 hearth, allowing three to each house, will make the 
 whole number amount to 853,333 : the remaining 
 number of 322,618, being little more than one 
 fourth of the whole, may be supposed to have been 
 added for houses of and under 20s. a year, that 
 were not chargeable. 
 
 And that this is not mere conjecture, appears in 
 that the number of houses in the counties of York, 
 Middlesex (including London), Kent, Essex, Surry , 
 *nd Sussex, in the account of 1758, is only 279,277; 
 whereas in that of 1692 it is 336,103, that is, more 
 by 56,826 at that time than now-f-: and it will be 
 difficult to prove that the number of houses is les- 
 sened in those counties since 1692. 
 
 This difference must therefore arise from the rate 
 of hearths, whatever it was, being too low ; and 
 consequently, calculating from the amount of the 
 
 * Rapin, vol. ii. fol. 630. 
 
 f Numbers of Houses. 
 Yorkshire 
 Middlesex with London 
 
 Ditto and Soutkwark 
 
 Kent 
 
 Essex 
 
 Surry . _ 
 
 SuSSeX mm* 
 
 
 1692. 
 
 >75& 
 
 
 
 106,151 
 
 96,21a 
 
 
 
 100,136 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 89,736 
 
 
 
 39,242 
 
 35>483 
 
 
 
 34,819 
 
 26,769 
 
 
 
 34,218 
 
 i4>7 
 
 
 
 2i>537 
 
 16,356 
 
 Totals 
 
 336,103 
 
 27W7 
 
 Deduct 
 
 279,277 
 
 
 Difference 56,826 
 
 tax
 
 204 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. HI, 
 
 tax in each place made the number of houses too 
 great. 
 
 By the account of 1758, 704,053 houses were 
 charged; by the accoant of 1755 only 692,389: 
 now between those two years the act of 31 G. 2. 
 c. 22. passed which charged a greater number than 
 the former acts ; so that these accounts agree very 
 *weH with each other, and with that of 1710, which 
 snpposeth 729,048 the number proper to be taxed 
 at that time ; and it cannot be supposed but those 
 ent to number them raised the account as high as 
 possible. Upon the whole, there seems reason to 
 think, that, for this century past, the number a( 
 bouses hath been near one million, and six to each 
 dwelling is not over-rating the people ; which 
 agr-ees with Dr. Brackenridge ; as may be seen 
 Philosophical Transactions, vol. xlix. page 279; 
 and he calculates the annual increase at j 8,000, 
 which, he says, is small, but without the increase 
 of foreigners would be very mconsideraUe, if any tk'wg 
 tall*. 
 
 * The enumeration of 1801 evinces, that the whole of this 
 chapter " Of the .Number of the People" is egregious misinforma- 
 tion. From that enumeration it appears that there were then in 
 England and Wales 1,575,923 inhabited houses, containing 
 ^343,578 souls. By comparing this number with the numbers 
 in Gregory King's Political Observations, it is equally evident that 
 there had been tm increase of people, in this country, since the 
 Revolution in 1688, of 2,830,000 souls. Sec the Estimate of 
 Mr. Chalmers, published by J. SlQcid.ale, in Piccadilly. 
 
 Edit. 1804. 
 
 CHAPTER
 
 F THE SORTS OF BREAD, &CC. 205 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 OF THE SORTS OF BREAD, AND WHAT NUMBER 
 OF THE PEOPLE EAT OF EACH. 
 
 It is certain that bread made of wheat is become 
 much more generally the food of the common 
 people since 1689, tnan '* was before that time, 
 but it is still very far from being the food of the. 
 people in general; and some, who have considered 
 this matter with great attention, and are better 
 informed in regard thereto than most inquirers 
 generally be, were inclined to think that in the 
 year 1764 one half of the people could not be 
 supposed to feed on such bread. 
 
 In order therefore to get at all possible certainty 
 in th's matter, no pains have been spared; and from 
 a consideration of the several sorts of grain with 
 which the London market is supplied from, and 
 sends to, the distant parts of the kingdom, after 
 many inquiries made of, and conversations held 
 with, many who travel into, and have lived or 
 live in several of the distant counties, particularly 
 the labouring people, who are best acquainted with 
 the bread they eat, and calculating the number of 
 mouths from the number of houses, there is rea- 
 son to think that more than half the people do live 
 on such bread. 
 
 This
 
 206 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. I*. 
 
 This work would be too tedious to insert, but an 
 abstract follows ; in which, though there may be 
 some small difference as to the number of houses, 
 as a full copy was not permitted, but only the 
 total number and some extracts *, yet the whole 
 number agrees with the account of 1758 ; and, if 
 any thing, the number who eat wheat is set rather 
 too low. 
 
 The kingdom, with /Vales, is divided into six" 
 parts, taking those counties which lie most con- 
 tiguous, as may be seen in the map* 
 
 Part the first contains, 
 
 1. London, with Middle- 8. Buckingham, 
 sex and Southward, 9. Hertford, 
 
 2. Essex, 10. Bedford, 
 
 3. Kent, 11. Cambridge, 
 
 4. Surry, 12. Huntingdon,. 
 
 5. Sussex, 13. Suffolk, 
 
 6. Hants, 14. Norfolk. 
 
 7. Berkshire, 
 
 Part the second contains, 
 
 15. Wilts 9 18. Devon, 
 
 16. Somerset, 19. Cornwall. 
 
 17. Dorset, 
 
 * Which sec iwte, page 204. 
 
 Part
 
 OP THE SORTS OP BREAD, &C. 207 
 
 Part the third contains, 
 
 20. Monmouth, 16. Northampton, 
 
 21. Gloucester, 27. Salop, 
 
 22. Oxford, 28. Stafford, 
 
 23. Hereford, 29. Leicester, 
 
 24. Worcester, 30. Rutland* 
 
 25. Warwick, 
 
 Part the fourth contains, 
 
 31. Chester, 34. Lincoln, 
 
 32. Derby, 35. Lancaster. 
 33 Nottingham, 
 
 Part the fifth contains, 
 
 36. Fori, 39. Cumberland, 
 
 37. Westmorland, 40. Northumberland* 
 
 38. Durham, 
 
 Part the sixth contains 
 Six counties in South, and six counties in North 
 
 The accounts of each part stand as follows. 
 
 Parts,
 
 20.8 
 
 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 chap. r. 
 
 .1 
 
 ; 
 
 Num. of 
 Houaea. 
 
 N<umb. of 
 Souls,six 
 to each. 
 
 What Number in the whole eat 
 
 Wheat. 
 
 Barley. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 Oats. 
 
 I 
 2 
 
 ' 3 
 
 6 
 
 348,187 2,089,122, 
 150,689 '904,134 
 170,746! 1,024,47 6 
 123,0251 738,150 
 148,7601 .892,560 
 45,075! 270,450 
 
 1,866,405 
 682,815 
 691,258 
 200,339 
 283,996 
 2 9>344 
 
 36,74i 
 221,319 
 159,136 
 128,62 1 
 
 37,196 
 127,585 
 
 185,976 
 
 '56,237[ 17*845 
 "8,795 299,395 
 
 285,3821285,986 
 
 Il 3 ,52l| 
 
 i 
 
 986,482 15,918,892 
 
 3:754,157 
 
 7 I0 r59 8 |859,9i 1 5594,226 
 
 Say the whole number is 6,000,000, and that of 
 
 those who eat wheat is 3,750,000 
 Barley 739,000 
 Rye 888,000 
 Oats 623,000 
 
 Total 6,000,000 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 OF THE QUANTITIES OP THE SEVERAL SORTS 
 
 OF GRAIN CONSUMED ANNUALLY IN 
 
 THE KINGDOM. 
 
 SECTION I. 
 
 The quantity of bread, which is dally or annu- 
 ally consumed by each individual, depends so much 
 on his health, exercise, labour, constitution, and 
 the quantity of his other sorts of food, that after 
 all our inquiries \vc must be content with conjec- 
 tures ; but in order to found such conjectures on. 
 probability, here follows what material informa- 
 tions could be obtained, with some observations 
 thereon ; and averages of each arc struck. 
 
 SECT
 
 QUANTITIES OF GRAIN CONSUMED. 200, 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 Mai/land, in his Survey of London, ed. 1756, 
 fol. 756, says, " The bakers, after some delibera- 
 tion, unanimously agreed, that, including puddings 
 and pies, and other pastry ware, the quantity of 
 flour consumed in this city and suburbs, would 
 daily amount to ten ounces * per head ;" to supply 
 which, requires 5 b. 2 p.-f of wheat, London mea- 
 sure f , per annum. 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 Dr. Braclenridge, in Philosophical Transactions, 
 vol. xlix. fol. 268, says, " Now it is known, and 
 I have observed in the country, that labouring peo- 
 ple in health, on the average eat one quarter, which 
 is 5 1 2 lb. of flour (annually), or 1 lb. 6 oz. per day : 
 we may allow that healthy and unhealthy do not 
 consume half that quantity one with the other ; and 
 to make the consumption as small as can reasonably 
 
 * Wherever English weight is mentioned, that of avoirdupois 
 is meant. 
 
 ^ f Note, The proportion of the flour to the wheat is as seven to 
 nine of the fine sort, and as six to eight on a medium; which 
 Inst proportion is followed throughout this Supplement: and 
 the weight of the bushel of wheat is called fiftv-seven pounds, 
 v/hich is as much as all the wheat, fine and coarse together, 
 statnte-measure, would weigh : and here it may be proper to re- 
 mark, that statute, London, and Winchester measure, are all the 
 
 same. 
 
 X Note, AH the following accounts and quotations are reduced 
 to the same measure. 
 
 be
 
 2IO SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. V. 
 
 be imagined, suppose three people, children included, 
 consume as one labourer ; *'. e. one quarter yearly, 
 or each person 7 oz. per day, &c." If the Doctor 
 really means flout, a third part must be added 
 thereto, to shew the wheat ; if he mistakes meal 
 for flour, then it is the same as wheat ; but he 
 makes his bushel 64 lb.; whereas a bushel of meal 
 is only 56 lb.: we will suppose he means meal, 512 
 lb. of which is full 1 qr. 1 b. per annum, the one 
 third of which is only 3 b. 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 Mr. Hume, in his Essays, Edlnb. edit.* 1752, 
 page 235, Of ancient Nations, says, " The portion of 
 corn given every month to every man of full years 
 in Rome was five modii, or about I of an English 
 bushel * ; i.e. 1 qr. 2 b. per annum." 
 
 SECT. V. 
 
 Mr. Wallace, Otihe Number of Mankind, Ed'mb. 
 edit. 1753, page 29?, speaking of the Athenians, 
 says, '.' They had of grain alone, more than one 
 
 * Which he says " was too little for a family, and too much 
 for an individual." But if by bushel is meant that of London, it 
 should seem he is mistaken; for, according to what he says, the 
 contents of the modius weighed about 91b. 8oz.; whereas, accord- 
 ing to Dr. Arbuthnot, it weighed 141b. and above ,'jy, say, 141b. 
 8 oz. the contents corresponding to one London peck, and 7,68 
 cub. inches; and we think Dr. Atbuthnoth opinion preferable to 
 Mr. Hume's, as he made these sorts of inquiries his particular 
 itudy, and call this 1 qr. 7 b. 1 p. per annum. 
 
 Scotch,
 
 Quantities of grain consumed. 211 
 
 Scotch, or about 1 f English peck a week to each of 
 them : no inconsiderable allowance, considering 
 the plenty of fruits and other provisions with which 
 Attica abounded." In proof of which he hath the 
 following note, viz. " Many of the labouring 
 people in Scotland, when they are on board wages, 
 have no more a week than two Scotch pecks of 
 oatmeal for the whole maintenance. One Scotch 
 peck is to an English peck as 1,47 to one nearly." 
 The Athenians had 2 qrs. 3 b. 2 p. of wheat, and 
 the Scotch have 4 qrs. 7 b. of oatmeal per annum. 
 But query, if there is not some mistake in the last ? 
 for it will require 9 qrs. 6 b. of oats to make 4 qrs. 
 7 b. of meal. 
 
 SECT. VI. 
 
 In Lancashire, a measure of oats, equal to near 
 half a London bushel, makes 91b. which is a peck 
 measure of oatmeal, and what a labouring man 
 eats in a week ; ;'. e. 3 qrs. 2 b. * of oats per 
 annum. 
 
 SECT. VII. 
 
 Recherche de Monnoie, printed at Paris, 1762, 
 page 157, says, "A modius, or Roman bushel of 
 wheat, was sufficient to support a man a week ; it 
 is the present Tuscan bushel, and contains 16 lb. 
 
 * Note, Two quarters of oats will seldom make one quarter of 
 oatmeal. 
 
 2 marc
 
 2I& SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. V. 
 
 marc weight *. The Egyptian bushel, which is at 
 this day the Paris bushel -j-, which the Rotnans fre- 
 quently used, weighed tiventy French pounds. Our 
 feasants, one with another, with the animals which 
 they support, consume in the same time of eight 
 days, twenty pounds of sixteen ounces : it is true 
 bread is almost all they eat, and that the Italians 
 are a little more moderate." Sixteen pounds marc 
 weight of Tuscany are, by Pereiras Tables, equal to 
 about 8 lb. avoirdupois ; /'. e. 7 b. 1 p. per annum. 
 Note, twenty pounds of Paris make 21 \b. 14 oz. 
 
 6 dr. but we shall go by the measure, and 5a 
 bushels of Paris make 4! setters ; i. e. 2 qrs. 3 b. 
 per annum. 
 
 SECT. VIII. 
 
 Essai sur les Monnoies, printed at Paris, 1 746, 
 page 52, in the notes, says, *' It is not thought 
 too high an estimation of the consumption of men, 
 one with the other, to rate it at three setiers a year: 
 
 * It is natural to suppose, the Tuscan pound is here meant; but 
 by the author saying the Italians art a little more moderate, it 
 should rather be understood of that of Paris, for then they eat iqr. 
 
 7 b. per annum; i.e. four fifths of what the Frenches*.', although 
 if it is taken in this sense, it should seem there was no need to apo- 
 logize for the great stomachs of the peasants in comparison of the 
 Italians, by introducing other animals, and saying bread is almost 
 all they eat. However, we prefer the alteration as most probable. 
 
 f Twelve Paris bushels make one setier, and the quarter of 
 London is one setier and \\\ therefore, the setier is 4b. ip. and j. 
 See Essai sur les Monnoies, fol. 68.
 
 QUANTITIES OF GRAIN CONSUMED. 213 
 
 if there are those who eat less, there are a great 
 many who consume more." Now three setiers are 
 fully equal to I qr. 4 b. 3 p. London measure. 
 
 Page 57 : " It is estimated that those who are 
 the greatest eaters of new and soft bread, consume 
 four setiers a year, i. e. 2 qrs. 1 b.; but that a fourth 
 part remains in bran *. Workmen and laborious 
 people, whoeat only brown bread, eat more : it may 
 be reckoned that those whose labour is the least 
 fatiguing eat two pounds and a quarter, and those 
 whose labour is the hardest, as porters, &c. con- 
 sume as far as three pounds a day." 24 lb. is 1 qr. 
 4 b. 3 p. and 3 lb. is 2qr. 1 b. per ann.*j~. (t Each 
 domestic of Paris^ on the footing of 91b. of bread 
 per week, without reckoning that eat in soup, or 
 that which they eat as way-bits, would consume 
 annually 4681b. of white bread, or three setiers of 
 wheat at least : it will require more for workmen, 
 who eat very little meat, and who have not that 
 which one gives to domestics besides their bread." 
 
 Three setiers are equal to i qr. 4 b. 3 p. London 
 measure. 
 
 But notwithstanding what this author hath said 
 as above, he hath in his notes, page 57, as fol- 
 lows, viz. 
 
 SECT. IX. 
 
 f * The prisoners, according to the eleventh ar- 
 ticle of the Arret of Parliament, published the 
 
 * This agrees with note, p. 209, which see. 
 f Note, In this bread the bran is included. 
 
 03 18th
 
 2 14 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. V. 
 
 1 8th June 17 17, ought to have each of them per 
 day, a loaf of a good quality, and of the weight 
 of 1 5 lb. at least \ so that the setier of wheat 
 making 272 lb. of brown bread, will last them 181* 
 days, and they will consume two setiers of wheat 
 at least in a year, /'. e. 1 qr. o b. 2 p. The ration 
 of every soldier is the same, a pound and a half, 
 besides meat and wine. 
 
 " The cavalry are furnished, even on the march, 
 with 36 ounces of bread per day, i. e. 1 qr. 4 b. 3 p- 
 besides two pounds of meat, and a pint and half 
 of wine. They consume each three setiers on this 
 footing. The Quinze Fingis*, who had formerly 
 four, have now only three setiers." 
 
 sect. x. 
 
 It appears that our soldiers have also one pound 
 and a half of bread a day when encamped, and that 
 the prisoners in some gaols J have the same: both 
 these are brown bread, made sometimes with the bran 
 taken out, and sometimes with it left in, suppose 
 half of each sort, and then the consumption is about 
 1 qr. i b. per head yearly. 
 
 * A sort of hospital at Pant for blind men and women, both 
 married and single, who beg in the churches and streets. Richekt. 
 
 \ In London the prisoners have of wheaten bread only one 
 penny loaf per day, and in some other gaols one three-penny loaf 
 every two days; consequently these allowances vary according to 
 the price of wheat: when wheat is 4?. a bushel the first is u oz. 
 and the last 16. 
 
 SECT.
 
 QUANTITIES OP GRAIN CONSUMED. ^Ij 
 
 SECT. XI. 
 
 In the Royal Hospitals at Chelsea and Green- 
 wich the allowance is one pound per head a day 
 of wheat en bread ; which it is said will go as far as 
 a larger quantity of brown, I. e. 7 b. of wheat a 
 year. 
 
 SECT. XII. 
 
 From the inspection of the accounts of a parish 
 workhouse, within five miles of London, for seven 
 years *, it appears that they have consumed on 
 the average six pounds of bread per head weekly; 
 /. e. six bushels of wheat a year, 
 
 sect. xiu. 
 A baker says, " When I was an apprentice in 
 the country, we served two single men who were 
 shepherds, who constantly eat, the one five quar- 
 tern loaves and the other fonr every week, ;'. e. 
 1 qrs. 3 b. 2 p. per annum each.** 
 
 SECT. XIV. 
 
 Two citizens of London, the one a jeweller, and 
 die other a printer, say, the first, that he hath ten 
 in family, of which seven are apprentices, that their 
 weekly consumption of bread and flour is seven 
 half-peck loaves, i.e. 6 b. 2 p. per head per annum : 
 
 * Fix. from March 1753 ta March 1760; and the numbers 
 and ages of the poor on the average were as follows : not exceeding 
 tfn years 15, ten to thirty 10, thirty to fifty 13, fifty 'to seventy 31 , 
 seventy and upwards 5 i in the who>e, icvcuty-four^ 
 
 04 the
 
 2l6 SUPPLEMENT. CKAP. V. 
 
 the second, that he hath six in family, four of which 
 are apprentices, and that his weekly expense of 
 bread and flour is six half-peck loaves, i. e. i qr. 
 2 p. per head per annum. 
 
 The medium of these two might be taken for the 
 average of the bread consumed by the labouring 
 people in London, i. e. 7 b, 2 p.; but deduct the two 
 pecks, and call it only seven bushels. 
 
 SECT. xv. 
 
 Two farmers, who live in Essex, in such a situa- 
 tion, that what they and their servants eat at mar- 
 ket, at least equals what their visitors eat in their 
 houses, consume in their families, which together 
 consist of seventeen persons, in flour annually 24 
 sacks, i. e. iqr. 1 b. if p. per head. 
 
 And it appears upon inquiry, from the quantity 
 of bread corn ground at a mill in the country for 
 several families there, that they consume about the 
 like quantity per head. 
 
 SECT. XVI. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Newcastle upon Tync, 
 Oct. 1765. 
 
 <f With regard to the quantity of rye which 
 will serve one man in bread for one year, the most 
 exact calculation I can get is as follows : 
 
 " A labouring man generally eats in a week as 
 much rye bread as costs him is. 3d. which weighs 
 20 lb. iooz.; and I am informed a Winchester 
 
 bushel
 
 tttfANTITIES OF GRAIN -CONSUMED. 2*7 
 
 bushel of rye when baked weighs four stone ; so 
 that at that rate a man will eat in a year nineteen 
 bushels of rye, 2 qrs, 3 b." See the note at the 
 end of the next section. 
 
 '* That kind of grain is not so much used now 
 amongst the poorer sort of people as formerly ; for 
 almost all the pitmen, and those labouring men that 1 
 earn above nine or ten shillings a week, eat wheaten 
 bread; so that I reckon only one half of the labour- 
 ing people in this country are now fed with rye." 
 
 Upou receipt of the above, a request was made 
 to know what quantity of wheat a man consumed, 
 and the following answer returned : 
 
 SECT. XVII. 
 
 *' The wheat bread most in use amongst the 
 labouring people, is what we call household bread, 
 made of 1st, and, 3rd, and 4th flour, all mixed to- 
 gether: a labouring man will eat of this bread in a 
 week as much as casts him is. gJ.; which weighs, 
 according to the present standard, 1 8 lb. 1 1 \ oz.; and 
 according to the best information I can get, a bushel 
 of wheat, Winchester measure, produces of flour 
 3 st. 51b. weight, and it gains when baked into 
 bread 61 lb.; which makes 3 st. 1 lb. in bread. At this 
 rate, 1 reckon a man will eat in a year i8|b. of 
 wheat, 2 qrs. 2 b. 1 p. 
 
 One
 
 21 S SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. Y. 
 
 St, lb, 
 " One bushel of good wheat 4 7 
 Deduct tor bran and meal 1 
 when ground - - - i 
 
 o 
 
 3 5 neat flour. ** 
 
 Note, This writer is extremely exact : the only- 
 error he falls into, is one common to the most ac^ 
 curate writers, viz. the taking for his calculations 
 the weights of the best wheat and rye, which is 6 lb. 
 above the average ; and consequently, we should 
 call the first 1 qrs. 5 b.; and the second 2 qrs. oip. 
 
 In order to make what hath been said intelligible, 
 let us bring the same under our view, by giving 
 
 SECT. XIX. 
 
 A List of the foregoing Accounts, beginning with 
 
 the least, and correcting Hume'j Account of the 
 
 Romans, and the Account from Recherche dc 
 
 Monnoic, of the Tuscans, by Arbuthnot. 
 
 Section qrs. b. p. 
 
 3. Brackenridge'sa.vcTa.gz 030 
 
 2. Mait land's ditto 052 
 12. Workhouse 060 
 
 14. Citizens 070 
 1 1 . Hospitals, wheaten 070 
 
 9. French prisoners and soldiers 1 c 2 
 
 3. Brackenridge's labourers 1 1 o 
 10. Our soldiers and prisoners 1 1 o 
 
 15. Farmers and families 1 1 ii 
 8. Average of French nation 143 
 
 8. Do-
 
 QUANTITIES OP GRAIN CONSUMED. 21$ 
 
 Section qrs. b. p. 
 
 8. Domestics of Paris 143 
 
 9. French cavalry and Quinze Vingt 1 4 3 
 8. Ditto labourers 143 
 
 7. Italians o 7 11 . Arlmlhwt f > 7 
 
 4. Romans I 2 o J 7 I I 7 I 
 
 8. French eaters of new bread 1 1 o 
 8. Ditto porters 210 
 7. Ditto peasants 230 
 
 5. Athenians 23s 
 13. English shepherds 232 
 17. Ditto pitmen 240 
 
 Note, All the above are wheat. 
 
 5. Scotch labourers. Qats __ r 4 7 o 
 
 6. Lancashire ditto J I 3 2 o 
 
 17. Pitmen, rye 250 
 
 SECT. xx. 
 
 From the several accounts thus placed, how- 
 ever trifling they may seem, there is reason to con- 
 clude, that the quantity of corn consumed by the 
 most laborious part of mankind hath been in all 
 places, and at all times, nearly the same, varying 
 only according as the quantity of other food was 
 more or less. 
 
 SECT. XXI. 
 
 And from the said accounts may also be formed 
 some calculation of what the annual quantities of 
 wheat, rye, and oats are on the average which each 
 person consumes in England, 
 
 And 
 
 '-
 
 *20 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. V. 
 
 And first as to wheat : Dr. Braclenridges three 
 bushels is so much below any account we ever found 
 confirmed by facts, that it ought to be left quite out 
 of the question. Our shepherds and pitmen consume 
 so much above the common rate, that too much re- 
 gard should not be paid to the accounts of what 
 they eat, though very well attested. Mr. Ma'it- 
 hnd's account is given after so careful an inquiry, 
 that it ought not to be entirely disregarded ; but it 
 is only a calculation founded on opinion ; and it is 
 most probable that both the workhouse account, 
 considering the sort of people maintained there, and 
 the account of the citizens, considering the quan- 
 tity of other provisions it is most likely their fami- 
 lies eat, are below the average of the consumption 
 in London : for, besides that they are barely equal 
 to the consumption in the hospitals, it must be sup- 
 posed that much the greater part of the people do 
 much harder labour, and are not otherwise so well 
 fed. 
 
 Dr. Brdckenridgis account of labourers in the 
 country, which is given from his own observation, 
 agrees so well with the allowance to our soldiers and 
 prisoners, and with the consumption of the farmers 
 and families in the country, which arc found, after 
 repeated inquiries, to be just, that it might very 
 reasonably be taken for the average of the consump- 
 tion of all eaters of wheat, more especially when 
 it is remembered how much the greater part of the 
 
 people
 
 QUANTITIES OF GRAIN CONSUMED. 221 
 
 people are in the state of life he mentions, and how 
 much more our shepherds and pitmen eat. 
 
 However, that respect may be paid where it is due, 
 let us suppose the whole number of men, women, 
 and children, who feed on wheat, to be divided in 
 eight parts, and that one part consumes according 
 to Mr. MaitlantTs, another according to the work- 
 house, a third according to the citizens account, two 
 others as the Doctor's labourers, and the remaining 
 three parts according to the farmers ; and the ave- 
 rage will be i qr. and something more, as may be seen 
 below *; but let us call it only the London or Win- 
 chester quarter, which, although it is more than the 
 general estimation, is still rather below our opinion, 
 and not two thirds of the consumption in France, 
 even in Paris ; and it doth not appear, there is suf- 
 ficient reason to suppose we eat so much less; for our 
 
 * London and the Bills are generally esteemed about one tenth 
 of the people; so that if we suppose three eighths to eat below 
 whit we have reason to esteem the average there, only two, 
 eighths at what appears the general average, and the remaining, 
 three eighths the next degree higher, discarding the rest, it seems 
 very moderate. 
 
 One Maitland - 
 
 One workhouse 
 
 One citizen ~ 
 
 Two labourers 
 
 Three farmers 
 
 Total 
 
 qrs. 
 
 b. p. 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 
 
 5 * . . 
 
 6 o 
 
 
 
 7 o 
 
 2 
 
 2 O 
 
 3 
 
 -A:i 
 
 $ 
 
 
 shipfterds
 
 222 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. V, 
 
 shepherds and pilmen prove themselves equally good 
 bread eaters with the French labourers and porters. 
 
 SECT. XXII. 
 
 As to rye, there can be but little difference be- 
 tween that and wheat, and it may be called I qr. i b. ; 
 the Nezvcastle account making it appear not to go 
 quite so far as wheat. 
 
 SECT. XXIII. 
 
 As to oats, Mr. Wallaces account, supposing it 
 4qrs. 7 b. of oats, as it approaches that of the 
 greatest eaters both at home and abroad, it tends to 
 strengthen and confirm them ; but, as we are afraid 
 we do not fully understand his meaning, we shall 
 content ourselves with the Lancaster account, and 
 deduct therefrom 3 b. ; calling the average only 
 2 qrs. 7 b. 
 
 SECT. XXIV. 
 
 There could not be any certain account of barley 
 obtained, other than that of an old careful man, 
 who hath occasionally fed a large family with barley- 
 bread in dear times, and saith that he always found 
 it as cheap to feed his family with wheat as with 
 barley, unless he could buy the barley at two thirds 
 of the price of wheat. Now the average bushel of 
 barley will weigh barely 49 lb. which is five sixths 
 $f the weight of wheat ; and if we allow one sixth 
 mote for the deficiency of nourishment in barley 
 than wheat, it agrees with his account, and we 
 should suppose the consumption of barley 1 qr. 4 b. 
 
 per
 
 GWJANTITIES OP GRAIN CONSUMED. 223 
 
 per bead ; but as the family might not like barley- 
 bread so well, or be so careful of it as of wheaten- 
 bread, and there doth not appear so much difference 
 between the other grains, say 1 qr. 3 b. 
 
 sect. xxv. 
 
 Having now done with regard to the quantity of 
 corn consumed in bread, let us consider what quan- 
 tity is consumed in drink ; and that made into beer 
 appears to have been, on the average, from the 
 account of the produce of the tax on malt made for 
 home consumption for fifty years, beginning with 
 1703 inclusive, and ending with 1753 exclusive, as 
 follows : 
 
 Year 
 
 s. 
 
 Average. 
 
 From 
 
 To 
 
 qrs. b. 
 
 I703 
 
 *7 J 3 
 
 2,959,063 7 
 
 1713 
 
 1723 
 
 3,542,157 2 
 
 1723 
 
 *733 
 
 3>3S*>7 1 2 
 
 *733 
 
 '743 
 
 3,215,094 2 
 
 '743 
 
 1753 
 
 3,404,026 1 
 
 The general average of which is 3,295,682 qrs* 
 4b. which may be called 3,300,00c, and still be a 
 very moderate account ; for, by stat. 12 Ann, c. 2. 
 ^ 20. 24 bushels of wet malt is to be taken as 20b. 
 dry, and we may suppose the duty is sometimes 
 
 * The regularity of the amount of this tax may be taken as 
 arguments that the numbers of the people have continued nearly 
 equal. 
 
 evaded,
 
 224 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. Y. 
 
 evaded, and there can be no doubt but those fami- 
 lies who have compounded for the duties found their 
 account in so doing. 
 
 SECT. XXVI. 
 
 We are now to consider what quantities of each 
 sort of corn are annually consumed for other uses 
 besides those of making bread and beer : in which 
 we shall be obliged to trust more to conjecture 
 than in the foregoing estimates; and yet it may be 
 hoped, that from what will be said some general 
 idea may be formed of the amounts of the annual 
 consumption, and consequently of the whole growth 
 of the several sorts. 
 
 As to wheat, the meal or flour thereof is used 
 by distillers, starch-makers, paper-hangers, sta- 
 tioners, book-binders, linen-printers, and trunk- 
 makers, and probably by some others : it is impos- 
 sible to say the exact quantity consumed by all or 
 cither of these, but the whole annual quantity we 
 estimate at 90,000 qrs. the distillery using barely 
 half that quantity. 
 
 As to rye, the meal thereof is used by tanners 
 and to fatten hogs, and many pease and some beans 
 and barley arc used for this last purpose. 
 
 Maithirid, fol. 758, says 186,932 hogs are sold 
 annually in London, call this one fourth of the 
 consumption; and considering the hogs usedforthe 
 navy, say 800,000 is the whole consumption of 
 the kingdom ; allow these two bushels of corn 
 
 each,
 
 QUANTITIES OF GRAIN CONSUMED. 225 
 
 each, the amount is 200*000 qrs. of which say, 
 pease and beans 100,000, barley 70,000, rye 30,000, 
 to which add for tanners and other uses 1000, and 
 the rye, besides for bread, will be 31,000 qrs. 
 
 As to barley, say the distillers use 44,000 qrs. 
 besides malt, which is accounted for before; to 
 this add the 70,0^.0 for hogs, and 3000 for fowls, 
 and the barley used, besides for bread and beer, 
 will be 1 17,000 qrs. 
 As to oats, the average of the quantities 
 brought by water, and measured in 
 London in 1752 and 1765, is 290,266 
 
 Brought by land not measured annually 20,800 
 
 311,066 
 From which must be deducted, being for 
 
 double the quantities of 179 qrs. 7 b. 
 
 oatmeal exported, and 1513 qrs. of oats 
 
 spld Victualling- office 3,38^ 
 
 Consumed in London 307,681 
 
 Call the consumption of the kingdom little more 
 than eight-fold, and it will be 2,461,500 of oats 
 annually consumed besides in bread. 
 
 No notice hath been taken in the foregoing ac- 
 counts of beans or pease, a very considerable quan- 
 tity of each of which is consumed annually both 
 green and in the grain for the food of man, and 
 in the last for the food of beasts ; and no inconsi- 
 derable quantity of pease are shipped and used for 
 
 p part
 
 226 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. V. 
 
 part of the food of the royal navy and other ships, 
 and of beans for the negro slaves. 
 
 It may be supposed that the beans sold annually 
 in London for the negroes is 20,000 qrs. that 
 horses eat io,ooo, together 30,000; and if this is 
 called a third of the consumption, it will make the 
 whole 90,000. 
 
 The pease sold annually in London to the Victual- 
 ling-office for an average of years hath been 4964 
 qrs.; to private bisket-bakers about 3000 ; the soup is 
 supposed to consume 500, together 8464 ; call this 
 a fourth, the amount is near 34,000, to which add 
 the 100,000 given to hogs, and the whole will be 
 134,000 qrs. 
 
 * The quantity of seeds sold for oil in London an- 
 nually varies very much, but it is supposed it may 
 be set at 15,000, and to be about the sixth of the 
 consumption, which makes the whole 90,000 qrs. 
 
 Of the whole quantity of all sorts of corn and 
 grain annually grown, it is supposed that one tenth 
 is expended in seed to produce the ensuing crop ; 
 some indeed say a larger proportion is used for that 
 purpose with us. And a French writer* says, one 
 sixth is applied to that use with them ; it should seem 
 it cannot be less than one tenth ; if it is more, the 
 export will still be a lesser part of the growth than 
 it seems at present. 
 
 The foregoing accounts and estimates are brought 
 
 * Essai sur Jes MonnoieS) fol. 19. 
 
 together
 
 Quantities ofr grain consumed. 227 
 
 together and shewed in every view, that seemed ne- 
 cessary to make them useful, from page 161 to 168, 
 and some short remarks are there made on them, to 
 which we cannot forbear to add, that from them it 
 appears, we depend more immediately than most 
 men imagine for our daily bread on Providence, 
 whose gifts are so equally and regularly dealt out, 
 that it very rarely happens, notwithstanding the un- 
 certainty of the seasons, on which the whole in ap- 
 pearance so much depends, that the annual produce 
 of the earth is not equal to the necessary support and 
 wants of man, provided he is not wanting on his 
 part to endeavour to obtain it by a due application 
 to that labour to which he was at first condemned, 
 and from which he never can be dispensed ; for 
 let him exert all his skill and abilities to the utmost, 
 it seems impossible for him to obtain so great a sur- 
 plus * as to have it in his power to forbear to till the 
 ground, even for one year, but that he must through- 
 out his life subsist by a continual labour and constant 
 dependance on Him who hath promised that seed- 
 time and harvest shall never fail. 
 
 * He must be thirty-four years storing it up in common 
 crops, and more cannot be expected ; and besides the time it 
 would take up, many other obstructions, some of which are 
 noted in the foregoing work, tend to render such an attempt 
 abortive. 
 
 P 2 CHA p TER
 
 228 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VI. 
 
 CHAFrER VI. 
 
 OF THE HOUSES, INHABITANTS, AND CORN 
 CONSUMED IN LONDON AND PARIS. 
 
 In the course of the foregoing inquiries, some 
 accounts were met with, which, at first sight, 
 seemed to lead to the stating of a more particular 
 comparison of the numbers of houses and inhabit- 
 ants, and quantity of corn consumed annually, in 
 London and Paris, than hath yet appeared. 
 
 But a very little application discovered the mis- 
 take, and from the judicious remarks made concern- 
 ing those two cities, by the author of the Police of 
 France, part v. fol. 123, it appears probable, that 
 all the comparisons, which will ever be made, will 
 be done with so small a degree of certainty, that they 
 will serve for little more than to amuse, which is all 
 that the reader hath to expect from the contents of 
 this chapter. 
 
 The exact number of houses in London and the 
 bills of mortality could not be obtained ; but in 
 1758 the whole number in London, Westminster ; 
 Southivark, and the whole county of Middlesex, 
 was 89,736 ; and if we suppose the number in the 
 county of Middlesex out of the bills equal lo that 
 in Surry, viz. 14,721, the number in London and 
 the bills will be 75,015, and each house must con- 
 tain eight persons to make the number of inhabit- 
 ants
 
 HOUSES, &C. IN LONDON AND PARIS. 229 
 
 tants 600,120 ; *'. e. one tenth of the people, which 
 they are generally esteemed. 
 
 According to the rule laid down by Dr. Brachen- 
 ridge*, which was founded on observation, of add- 
 ing 2000 for Dissenters and Jews to the annual 
 bill of mortality, and multiplying by 30, it ap- 
 pears, that the number hath been from the year 
 1680 to 1760 on the average 766,090; /'. e. above 
 ten to a house. 
 
 Here follow the averages of the hills of mortality for 
 the said time \. 
 
 Years. 
 
 From Bills. Added. Inhabitants. 
 
 1680 to 1700 21,566 23,566 706,980 
 
 1700 1720 22,685 2 4>685 740*550 
 
 1720 1740 26,990 28,990 869,700 
 
 174.0 1760 22,905 24,905 747,150 
 
 1680 1760 23,5361 25,5361 766,090 
 
 We are unable to reconcile these accounts ; but by 
 whatever number the bills are, or should be mul- 
 tiplied, it will appear, if we trust to them, that al- 
 though the buildings are so much increased, yet the 
 number of people are of late diminished within the 
 
 * Philosophical Transactions, vol, xlix. art. 9$. 
 
 | Note, These averages are taken from the account published 
 by Coibyn Morris, Esq. to 1750, and continued down to 1760 in 
 his method. We now know, from the enumeration of 180 r, 
 that there were then, in London, including the whole metropolis, 
 121,229 inhabited houses, and 5185 uninhabited houses, con- 
 taining 864,845 souls. Edit. 1804. 
 
 ? 3 bills
 
 OJO SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VI. 
 
 bills of mortality, and that from 1740 to 1760 there 
 was not one eighteenth more than from 1680 to 
 1700 ; nor doth the destruction of the human spe- 
 cies diminish, but increase ; for the births in the first 
 period were as 63 x to 1000, in the last only 638, 
 as may be seen by the account. 
 
 An Account of the Proportion of the Births to the 
 Burials in London, &c. 
 
 1680 1 700 as 681"] 
 
 1700 1720 721 J 
 
 1720 1740 649 to 1000. 
 
 1740 1760 638 
 
 1680 1760 672. 
 
 Some idea may be formed how destructive the 
 above difference hath been by thefollowing account 
 of the numbers which have been lost by the deaths 
 exceeding the births, viz. 
 
 Per Ann. Total. 
 
 1680 to 1700 6,877 J 37>553 
 
 1700 172 6,317 - 126,353 
 1720 1740 - 9,473 189,467 
 1740 J 760 8,281 165,630 
 1680 1760 7,737 619,003 
 
 After the above was wrote, whilst the work was 
 in the press, we have had an opportunity to com- 
 plete the account for the last five years, ending Dec. 
 1765, and the average is 
 
 Deaths. With Addition. Inhabitants, 
 
 *3>993 2 5>993 779>79 '' , 
 
 Births
 
 HOUSES, &T. IN LONDON AND PARIS. 2JI 
 
 Births to burials as 664 to 1000. 
 
 Loss per annum 8061, in the whole 40,305. 
 
 By the best accounts that could be obtained of 
 the corn-trade in London, the annual average of 
 the whole quantity measured by the meters for se- 
 venteen years, ending with 1764, was * 1 ,200,000 qrs. ; 
 and two thirds of that quantity hath been sold in 
 meal, flour, barley, malt, oats, beans and pease, 
 with which the said meters had nothing to do, in 
 the whole 2,oco,oooqrs. ; of which* 150,386 qrs. lb. 
 have been exported l , and 28,053 qrs. 3 b. have been 
 delivered to the Victualling-olfice 2 , for the service 
 of the navy. For these a deduction must be made 
 of 356,879 qrs. being double their amounts, by 
 reason they have been measured twice: we must also 
 deduct 70,000 qrs. for half that quantity carried 
 coast ways and laid up, which is also measured 
 twice; also 300,000 qrs. for oats, 40,121 qrs. for 
 20,060 qrs, 4 b. of beans and pease shipped off, 
 18,000 qrs. for the same eat by horses at home, 
 
 ' Export. 
 
 * Vict. Office. 
 
 5,624 1 Barley 
 
 5,098 Malt 
 
 68 Malt 
 
 4,964 3 Pease 
 
 179 7 Oatmeal 
 
 2,109 4 Oatmeal 
 
 4473 R >' e 
 
 1,513 6 Oats 
 
 140,041 Wheat 
 
 14,367 6 Wheat 
 
 150,386 1 28,053 3 
 
 28,053 3 
 
 178,439 4 double is 356,879 o 
 
 r 4 and
 
 2J2 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VI. 
 
 and 15.000 qrs. for seeds: all these deductions 
 amount to 800,000 qrs. and leave 1,200,000 qrs. for 
 the support of the inhabitants in bread and beer, 
 and lor other uses. 
 
 Great as this quantity appears, it seems to be much 
 under-rated, if common report says true, viz. that 
 more than half thereof is annually expended in 
 drink. 
 
 If the drink consumes 66c,oco qrs. it is one 
 fifth of all the malt for which duty hath been paid, 
 and the citizens seem to drink more than their 
 share ; for they are about one ninth of the beer- 
 drinkers, as it is reckoned that there are about nine 
 hundred thousand persons in the cyder counties, 
 viz. Somerset, Gloucester, Worcester, Devon, Mon- 
 mouth, and Hereford, and that full two thirds of 
 them drink no beer. 
 
 But please to remember that all these accounts are 
 founded on conjecture, except those which have an 
 asterisk before them. 
 
 In one year, ending AW 8, 1765, the quantity 
 of oats measured was 316,416 qrs. In one other 
 year, ending AW. 8, 1752, the quantity was 
 264, 1 1 7 qrs. ; so that the annual increase in the con- 
 sumption in thirteen years is 52,299 qrs. which will 
 maintain 4023 horses, allowing each two bushels a 
 week. 
 
 This increase in the consumption of oats in Lon- 
 don is wholly attributed to the greater number of 
 horses kept now than heretofore ; and one principal 
 
 cause
 
 HOUSES, he. IN LONDON AND PARIS. 233 
 
 cause for their being kept, is the great improvements 
 made in the roads ; and as those improvements are 
 now become almost general throughout the king- 
 dom, we may suppose the additional number in the 
 whole at least eight-fold that in London and then, 
 can it be made a query, whether the land employed 
 to grow food for the said horses is not one means of 
 raising the price of black cattle ? 
 
 That the number of horses hath increased in 
 London as above, is highly probable, for all the oats 
 in 1765, at the same rate of allowance, after de- 
 ducting 46,416 for other purposes, will support only 
 20,000; and all the oats in 1752, after deducting 
 43,1 17, would support but 1 7,000 ; so that the in- 
 crease is only from seventeen to twenty, i. e. not 
 from four to five *. 
 
 The 
 
 * The following statement is an accurate extract of the 
 price of the quartern loaf, wheaten bread, at the commence- 
 ment and conclusion of the several mayoralties herein stated, 
 from the year 1735 to the year 1800, as entered at the Town 
 Clerk's office, Guildhall. 
 
 The price at the commencement of each mayoralty shew* 
 the price at the conclusion of the preceding mayoralty. 
 
 
 
 Price of 
 
 
 
 Price of 
 
 
 
 Qu- 
 
 Lo. 
 
 
 
 Qu. Lo. 
 
 Dates. 
 
 Mayoralty. 
 
 Wh 
 
 Br. 
 
 Dates. 
 
 Mayoralty. 
 
 Wh. Br. 
 
 Nov. 9. 
 
 
 
 d. 
 
 Nov. 9. 
 
 
 J. 
 
 *73S 
 
 Williams 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 1741 
 
 GodshaU 
 
 32 
 
 1736 
 
 Thompson 
 
 
 ti 
 
 1742 
 
 Wilmott 
 
 4 
 
 4* 
 
 737 
 
 Barnard 
 
 
 55 
 
 x 743 
 
 IVestley f 
 
 1738 
 
 Perry 
 
 
 5$ 
 
 1744 
 
 Marshall 
 
 4^ 
 
 739 
 
 Salter 
 
 
 6 
 
 '7-t5 
 
 Hoare 
 
 4l 
 
 1740 
 
 Parsons 
 
 
 /4 
 
 1 74O 
 
 Benn 
 
 3 
 
 *747
 
 234 
 
 SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 CHAP. VI. 
 
 The houses in Paris 1736 were 28,571. But the 
 author of the Police, page 125, says, " that the 
 French authors have calculated the number dif- 
 ferently, some at 30,000, others at 28,000; and 
 therefore he takes the difference; and putting down 
 29,000, and allowing, as the French authors 
 
 Dates. 
 
 Mayoralty. 1 
 
 Nov. 9. 
 
 
 *747 
 
 Laribroke 
 
 1748 
 
 Calvert 
 
 *749 
 
 Pennant 
 
 1750 
 
 Cockayne 
 
 1751 
 
 Winterbottom 
 
 1752 
 
 Gascoyne 
 
 753 
 
 Ironside 
 
 '754 
 
 Jan&scn 
 
 l 75S 
 
 Bethdl 
 
 1756 
 
 Dickinson f 
 
 *757 
 
 Asgill 
 
 1758 
 
 Glyn 
 
 *759 
 
 Chitty 
 
 3760 
 
 Blackiston 
 
 1761 
 
 Fhidyer 
 
 1762 
 
 Beck ford 
 
 '7 6 3 
 
 Eridgen 
 
 1764. 
 
 Stephenson 
 
 1765 
 
 Nelson 
 
 1766 
 
 Kite 
 
 i;6 7 
 
 I'nrley 
 
 1768 
 
 Tomer 
 
 1769 
 
 Beckford 
 
 J770 
 
 Crosby 
 
 1771 
 
 Nash 
 
 177* 
 
 To'.vnshend 
 
 773 
 
 Bull 
 
 Price of 
 Qua Lo. 
 Wh. Br. 
 d. 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 si 
 
 si 
 
 6 
 
 5* 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 1\ 
 
 1\ 
 6 
 
 4s 
 
 si 
 
 b 
 
 6* 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 ft T 
 
 4 
 
 6| 
 
 6 
 
 61 
 
 7* 
 
 8 
 
 -1 
 
 a 
 
 Dates. 
 
 Nov. 9. 
 
 774 
 775 
 776 
 777 
 778 
 
 779 
 780 
 781 
 
 782 
 
 783 
 784 
 78S 
 786 
 
 787 
 788 
 789 
 790 
 79* 
 
 793 
 
 79 V 
 
 79? 
 796 
 
 797 
 798 
 799 
 800 
 
 t Wfstlry, 1743, bread two weeks a 
 D-ckcnson, 1756, bread four weeks at 
 Curtis, 1795, five weeks at u. 3^. the 
 
 Mayoralty. Wh. 
 
 Wilkes 
 
 Saw bridge 
 
 Hal'.ifax 
 
 Esdaile 
 
 Plmnbe 
 
 Kennet 
 
 Lewes 
 
 Plomer 
 
 Newnnam 
 
 Peckham 
 
 Clarke 
 
 Wright 
 
 Sainsbury 
 
 Burnell 
 
 Gill 
 
 Pickett 
 
 Boydell 
 
 Hopkins 
 
 Sanderson 
 
 Le Mesurier 
 
 Skinner 
 
 Curris f 
 
 Watson 
 
 Anderson 
 
 Glyn 
 
 Combe 
 
 Price of 
 6u. Lo. 
 
 Br. 
 
 d. 
 
 8 
 
 61 
 
 il 
 
 5* 
 
 7 
 il 
 
 6 
 
 H 
 
 51 
 
 H 
 
 3 
 
 ?i 
 
 T2 r - 
 
 H 
 9i 
 
 8 
 J 3 
 
 4^. quartern loaf in this mayoralty. 
 \.L quartern loaf in this mayoralty. 
 luartern loaf in this mayoralty, the 
 
 penny loaf weighing 40Z. 10 dr. And Stainre, 1800, four weeks at ic. 
 
 pretend,
 
 HOUSES, &C. IN LONDON AND PARIS. 2.$$ 
 
 pretend, 20 persons to each house, the number of 
 people would be 580,000;" but he observes,, page 
 129, the bills of mortality there are less extensive 
 than those at London; and observes further, page 
 131, that the boundaries of the circumference of the 
 city have not been enlarged since T724, the date of 
 the last edict, which circumscribed the extent of 
 those boundaries: with liberty, nevertheless, of 
 enlarging the buildings contained therein. 
 
 And we are well informed, that several large 
 houses have since that time been destroyed, and in 
 their stead, and in vacant places, many smaller- 
 houses have been built. 
 
 The average of the corn consumed in Paris in the years 
 1729 and 1730, in French and English measure \ 
 was as under. 
 
 French Measure. EngUJi Measure, 
 muids. set. boiseau. qrs. tv 
 
 Wheat and rye 81,241 10 4 528,072 1 
 Oats 1 7>2,83 7 o 112,343 2 
 
 Barley 2,699 46 I 7>545 6 
 
 101,224 9 10 657,961 1 
 
 Note, The muid is twelve setiers, each twelve 
 bushels of all corn, except oats ; and there the 
 seticr is divided into twenty-four bushels, but two 
 of these bushels are no more than one of the first * 
 The muid, as well as the setier, being the same in 
 
 * See Police, rage ioi. 
 
 5 all,
 
 2^6 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. Vn, 
 
 all, and as the setier is 4 b. i| p. London measure, 
 the muid contains exactly 6 qrs.4b. London measure. 
 
 My author'says, that allowing a muid, i.e. 6 qrs. 
 4 b. of oats to keep a horse a year, there would not 
 be found full 17,300 in Paris in 1729 : it is to be 
 observed, that, allowing double that quantity, the 
 horses in London m 1752 were 17,000, and in the 
 year 1765 were increased to 20,000. 
 
 Such of these accounts as relate to France which 
 are not noted to be taken from the author of the 
 Police, may be found in the Essai sur les Motinoies, 
 from page 50 to 61 , &c. ; which work contains many 
 entertaining and useful conjectures. 
 
 We could have wished to have been more parti- 
 cular, but it was not in our power. 
 
 CHAFrER VII. 
 
 OF THE STATE OF THE CORN-TRADE IX FRANCE. 
 
 The author of Gazelle du Commerce, in his papers 
 of the 22d and 27th of September 1764, No. 76 
 and 77, hath inserted the following speech made by 
 Mr. De Carudeuc dela Chalotais, Procureur General, 
 to the parliament of Brit t any, on the 20th of August 
 preceding ; when he carried into court the Edict of 
 the month of July 1764, a translation of which we 
 have given page 186, requiring it to be registered. 
 
 What
 
 OF THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 235 
 
 What the general state of the corn-trade hath 
 been in France for more than a century preceding 
 that Edict may be seen from the said Speech, the 
 purport whereof is as follows : 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 I hare the honour to inform you of the most 
 signal benefit with which his Majesty can gratify 
 his people, a liberty to trade in corn. 
 
 After having permitted the free circulation in the 
 interior part of the kingdom, by his Declaration of 
 the 25th of May 1763, the King grants by this 
 Edict, which I bring into court, the entire liberty 
 of exportation and importation. He permits all 
 his subjects to trade in all sorts of corn, grain, 
 pulse, flour, &c. either with natural-born sub- 
 jects or strangers. 
 
 You may understand this Edict, Gentlemen, as 
 a presage of the increase and improvement of agri- 
 culture, which will infallibly be the source of the 
 re establishment and prosperity of the kingdom. 
 
 In short, thanks to his Majesty, and the Mi- 
 nister who manages his finances, the system of 
 prohibition seems to be abandoned for ever : a fatal 
 s'ystem, which forbids the subjects of the same 
 sovereign to lend each other mutual assistance, and 
 cuts off between France and other nations that 
 communication of exchanging superfluities for ne- 
 cessaries, which" is so conformable to the order of 
 Divine Providence. Particular permissions, that 
 useless resource, which enriched a few private per- 
 sons
 
 2$$ SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. Vlt. 
 
 sons at the expense of the nation, will not for trie 
 future discourage the farmer. We shall no more 
 be in fear of want, nor, which is almost as much to 
 be dreaded, the too great abundance of crops. We 
 shall no more fear, above all, excessive variations 
 in the price of corn, equally hurtful with scarcity 
 itself. In short, we may hope for an equitable plan 
 af taxations, founded upon true and simple prin- 
 ciples, the cultivation of the lands, and the aug- 
 mentation of the riches of the state *. 
 
 I shall 
 
 * " From hence," says the ingenious author of The Laws and 
 Police of England examined, &c. printed for T. Harrison, 1765, 
 u we may conceive, that the proposals lately offered for pro- 
 moting agriculture in France, are not likely ever to be carried into 
 execution, whilst the intendants have a power to raise the' taille 
 reelle, or land-tax, from time to time according to the improved 
 culture of their ground: whereas the land-tax in England, though 
 in some respects an unequal rate, yet being fixed on the original 
 registered value, the quota payable by each county remains equally 
 the same, notwithstanding the several districts may be improved 
 to yield a larger share of productions, and which indeed, without 
 such a sanction and protection, would not receive any improve- 
 ment at all." Page 33. And the same author, at page 57, after 
 having referred to, and explained what is here said, goes on : 
 " Although ordonnanc.es have been lately published for allowing 
 a free export of corn, in some districts, and at some certain sea- 
 sons, yet how vain are ail such local and temporary expedients, 
 whilst the nature of their constitution will not admit of that 
 general freedom of saie, which I have so often laid down as most 
 essential and necessary for promoting the interest of every trade 
 both at home and abroad !" He then explains the benefits we have 
 received from the com exported. 
 
 What
 
 OP THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 239 
 
 I shall not stand, Gentlemen, to prove truths at 
 present too well known, and carried to the highest 
 degree of demonstration by so many solid works, 
 which are the produce of the knowledge of zealous 
 and well-informed citizens. 
 
 Who is unacquainted, that it is the earth only' 
 giveth riches, because it only produceth and repro- 
 duceth annually a new stock ? That the sale of* 
 merchandise is the only means to cause a circula- 
 tion of money, which is only the representation of 
 the more real riches, the fruits of the earth ? That 
 a state rich in productions, which it can sell, will, 
 necessarily, be rich in money ? but let its mer- 
 chandise fail, or find no sales, it feels infallibly th 
 want of circulation of specie, and falls into a 
 languor which, in its effects, is equally bad as 
 poverty. It is therefore certain, that the most 
 useful of all political laws is that which gives the 
 greatest facility to the sale of the productions of 
 the earth. The necessaries for consumption, taxes, 
 even the trade of the nation, all take their rise from 
 the sale of merchandise ; therefore we cannot ex- 
 tend this source too much, nor be too careful how 
 we straiten it ; if it should be dried up, the evils of 
 the state would be without remedy and without 
 bounds. 
 
 I shall confine myself, Gentlemen, to a few 
 
 What this intelligent author hath advanced, and Mr. Chalotah 
 bath thrown out, may serve to abate our fears of the effects of those 
 Edicts, but should by no means put us off our guard. 
 
 slight
 
 240 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VI J. 
 
 slight observations on the necessity of the exporta- 
 tion of the principal merchandise icorn) ; they may 
 appear unnecessary, since his Majesty hath esta- 
 blished its truth in a perpetual and irrevocable Edict* 
 an Edict conformable to the prayers of the nation 
 which obtained it, to that of the states of this pro- 
 vince *, to experience which is the instructor of" 
 man, to the sentiments of Henry the Great and 
 the illustrious Sully, to the opinion of all those 
 who have examined this question without preju- 
 dice and without interest ; an examination in 
 regard to which no one hath hitherto presumed 
 publicly to contradict, either the reasons, the facts, 
 or the calculations -j-. But it is requisite to encou- 
 rage the timorous, to instruct those who are not as 
 yet fully informed, to remove all mistrust from the 
 people. We have no reason to fear when we arc 
 laying down maxims which promise the good of 
 the state. 
 
 Is there any necessity by a long chain of reason- 
 ing to prove, that to prevent the sale of corn is to 
 prohibit the cultivation? that such prohibition hath 
 made the profession of a farmer /'/; France 1, al- 
 though the most necessary, the most unhappy of 
 all the professions in the state? That a free trade 
 
 * Deliberations of the i Feb. 17159, x 5 $fpt. 1760, and 7 Sept. 
 
 f This seems to refer to the French pamphlets quoted page 194. 
 
 % In France. These words are here, and in many other places, 
 inserted to keep the reader in mind that what is said relates to 
 France. 
 
 in
 
 OF THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 24I 
 
 in grain both within and without the kingdom, is 
 the sole and only means to put the farmer and land- 
 owners in a condition to support public and private 
 expenses. 
 
 Let us not fear to descend to particulars : expe- 
 rience is the foundation of all physical inquiry; 
 calculation is the measure. We arrive at general 
 maxims only by the knowledge of particular facts. 
 
 The necessary expenses of every cultivation what- 
 soever are the seed, the ploughing, the manure, the 
 expenses to harvest, to lay up, and to preserve the 
 crop. It is necessary that the farmer make interest 
 o( the money advanced, wherewith to subsist him- 
 self and family, pay tithes, taxes, and his landlord* 
 whose expenses ascertain the payment of the other 
 classes of the state* who being composed of neither 
 land-owners nor farmers, live at the expense of 
 those who are. 
 
 The earth doth not produce every year the best 
 of grain. It must have years of rest ; it is ne- 
 cessary to lake into consideration good and bad 
 years, and place to the account unforeseen acci- 
 dents, for they will not be wanting. 
 
 Now, in calculating these expenses at the lowest 
 rate possible, it appears that the setier of wheat is 
 barely worth to the farmer that which it cost him ; 
 men well skilled in agriculture have made the cal- 
 culation, and desire all land-owners to make it 
 themselves: it is a work which relates to all men, 
 and in which all professions are interested. The 
 
 q_ neat
 
 242 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VII. 
 
 neat produce of the cultivation of the earth is the 
 only source of the prosperity of a farming state: 
 to know exactly what an acre of land well culti- 
 vated will produce, in different kinds of merchan- 
 dise, according to the difference of the soils, is the 
 fundamental problem of agriculture, commerce, 
 and finances. 
 
 If the farmer doth not gain all his expenses, and 
 wherewith to satisfy all charges, the earth will 
 remain untiilcd, as more ihan the moiety in this 
 province doth ; the starving proprietor will be forced 
 to sustain losses and bankruptcies; the farmer, 
 ruined, badly clothed, and badly fed, will sell his 
 little property; he will take up with his indigent 
 family the art of begging, too common, and which 
 is a disgrace to the nation ; the state itself will suf- 
 fer; the taxes will not be collected but with ex- 
 treme difficulty, and with the greatest rigour ; 
 and it must be acknowledged, that this hath been 
 the state of the kingdom of France for more than 
 an age: in every province the earth shews, in an 
 infinity of places, the marks and vestiges of a de- 
 serted cultivation : houses unroofed proclaim a 
 desertion and depopulation: the cities, and even 
 the capital, are peopled with poor; whilst those who 
 have ruined so many families and enriched them- 
 selves with their spoils, make parade of a luxury 
 which is an insult on public misery. 
 
 There is moreover another principle which 
 manifestly proves the price of corn in France is too 
 
 low.
 
 OF THE CORN-TRADE Itf FRANCE. 243 
 
 low, and that the farmers are far from being in a 
 happy situation. 
 
 The price of corn ought to be in proportion to 
 the value of every merchandise, and every kind of 
 labour, which, after deducting the value of the 
 material, ought to cost more or less according to 
 what is paid per day to the workman. 
 
 It is manifest, that for about an age past the 
 price of labour and merchandise is considerably 
 raised in France. There is none that for fifty years 
 past hath not experienced this. 
 
 The price of corn, which is the measure of the 
 whole, should then have risen in proportion; in the 
 mean time, it hath not only not increased, but it 
 is a certain fact, that -it hath fallen considerably, 
 and that it would require an age ago, a greater 
 weight of silver to pay for a setier, than it doth 
 at present. 
 
 In 1649, the deputy of Mr. , the Procureur 
 
 General at the Chatdet, said in his requisition of 
 the 6th of March to the police, as a known fact, 
 that wheat was at 15 livres the setier, a moderate 
 price (these are his words); but the same setier 
 hath this present year, 1764, been in Paris at 14 
 livres, and 14 livres 10 sous. It was of less value 
 in the neighbouring cantons, and of necessity in 
 the country. 
 
 It appears by the account of prices kept at 
 Paris, that it was worth 18 livres 18 sous in 1649; 
 26 livres 10 sous 5 deniers in 1650 ; 25 livres 13 
 
 a 2 sons
 
 244 SUPPLEMENT* CHAP. VII. 
 
 sous in 1 65 1 ; and 24 livres 18 sons in 1652 thert 
 the price of wheat hath diminished very much since 
 1649, that is, within 115 years; and it cannot be 
 denied, that other workmanship and merchandise, 
 wages, &c. have greatly increased. 
 
 What shall we think, Gentlemen, of so great a 
 difference, when we reflect that the mark of silver 
 was in 1649 at 28 livres 13 sous 8 deniers, that 
 is to say, at almost half less than at this day, viz. 
 (from 1726) at 54 livres 6 sous ? 
 
 The value of the sctier of wheat (in money at 
 present in use) was during these five years on the 
 average price, at 42 livres 2 sous ; these prices are 
 calculated in The Essay on Moneys, and in the 
 treatise Of the Police of Corn. Ought one to be 
 surprised, after these examples, that his Majesty 
 hath fixed the limits ot the exportation at 30 livres 
 the setier, weighing 240 pounds? 
 
 It is then proved true to a demonstration, that 
 corn is in France at too low a price, in proportion 
 to the advances, to the charges and expenses of the 
 farmer ; in proportion to other works and mer- 
 chandise; and consequently to both public and 
 private expenses. 
 
 But to enable the grower to receive back his 
 charges and expenses, that he may support and 
 pay all taxes, it is not sufficient even that corn 
 should be of a certain value; it is necessary that 
 value should be regular, the least subject as pos- 
 sible to variations : if he is not certain of selling, 
 
 v and
 
 OF THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 245 
 
 and of selling every year for profit, this uncertainty 
 deprives him of all security, and he loses the 
 courage to till. 
 
 Now, this was impossible under a system of 
 prohibitions, under a system of temporary and par- 
 ticular permissions, often granted from interest to 
 importunity, scarcely ever free from suspicions. 
 
 A state, whose agriculture is under the direc- 
 tion of prohibitive laws, can never cultivate but 
 for its own necessary use; it can never by good, 
 make compensation for bad years; for such a state 
 is poor, when it hath a superfluity of grain, and it 
 is poor when it hath too little: the superabundance 
 produceth stagnation, and the failure produceth 
 want : one brings with it a vile price, and the other 
 excessive dearth. 
 
 These variations, the alternative of liberty and 
 prohibition^, left the farmer in fear, and could 
 not fail to discourage him, because he was obliged 
 to sell at any price whatsoever, to satisfy his an- 
 nual advance. There is nothing but the constant 
 keeping the ports open, and a (vca exportation of 
 grain, that can remedy these inconveniences. In 
 time of great plenty that freedom will support cul- 
 tivation, because the certainty of sales either 
 within the kingdom, or to foreigners, will make 
 both the landlord and farmer contentedly to see 
 their riches lie idle in their magazines. This con- 
 fidence will make them easv, and prevent in un- 
 fruitful years the terrors of want, which often 
 
 02 causes
 
 246 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VII. 
 
 causes real want. The disadvantage of expenses in 
 bad years will be made up by advantageous sales 
 in those which are good. The poor will find him- 
 self comforted by the abundant consumption of 
 the rich, and by the circulation. He cannot live, 
 if the rich doth not furnish him with the means of 
 subsistence, and the latter cannot furnish the former 
 therewith, if he doth not draw from the earth suf- 
 ficient to pay those recompenses and wages which 
 arc the reward of labour. 
 
 But that which ought to remove entirely all his 
 fears of want, is that constant uniformity of the price 
 of corn, which exportation will necessarily produce. 
 The principal end of a free exportation is not so 
 much to sell, as to support the merchandise at the 
 best price possible, to restore that equilibrium 
 which is supported naturally in the commerce of 
 other merchandise. 
 
 The common price of wheat through Europe 
 varies but little ; it is notorious, that it is never 
 below eighteen livres the setier* Qthat is, twenty- 
 four, the charge of Rennf.s), and that it scarcely 
 ever rises ahove twenty-two ; therefore the average 
 price is twentv livros .}. 
 
 For 
 
 * By the setter in this plat;.* is to be understood the measure, 
 
 not that of 24.0 lb. mentioned before page 244, for that is the 
 
 weight of the setier of the best wheat, and much exceeds the 
 
 average; the weight of the selier from 1418 to 1700 played be- 
 
 l twern 20^ lb. and 244 th. See Essai sur Its Motiuoirs, folio 49. 
 
 X Equal to 33/. 6\d. the London quarter. Now it appears, 
 page 132, that the average price of wheat fur the last ;o. years hath 
 
 been
 
 OF THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 247 
 
 For an age past France bath not, as before that 
 time, bad any sbarc in ibe general market price of 
 Europe^ which is the highest price possible; and it 
 is a notorious fact that the value of corn in France 
 hath almost always been since the prohibitions 
 below the general market price. By what fatality 
 should we obstinately persist in keeping our mer- 
 chandise below the current price between nations, 
 10 lose continually by all we buy of, and all we sell 
 to foreigners? We in 1748, 1749, and 1750, felt 
 this by sorrowful experience. From the time we 
 unfortunately forbad the exportation, our neigh- 
 bours had encouraged and rewarded the exporta- 
 tion of corn. They tilled with emulation, their 
 fields were covered with harvests ; and in those 
 years of want, we, who formerly used to sell them 
 wheat, were obliged to pay them the tribute of that 
 
 been 33J. ihi. at Windsor, that is, 4. below the general market of 
 Europe ; whereas before for 91 years it was 58*. o^d. that is, 4*. (id. 
 above the said general price. And that these Windsor price* are 
 more to be depended on than could at first be known, is proved 
 not only by the said average price of Europe, but also by the average 
 price at London from 1 74.0 to 1 764, being foui.d on inquiry to have 
 been only sixpence per quarter less and by the average of all the 
 wheat bought at the Victualling-offices at London, Dover, Portsmouth, 
 and Plymouth, for the last 20 years, ending Feb. ioth, 1765, as ap- 
 pears by an account laid before Parliament, being only 32^. b\d. '. 
 that is, icd. above the Windsor price for the same time; and this 
 last sum will amount to about i-, x discount on the bills; but we 
 cannot well call it less than 5 per cent. ; and then it will be found to 
 have been sixpence beiow the Windsor, and to agree with the London 
 price. 
 
 0^4 encouragement
 
 248 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VII. 
 
 encouragement which they gave their fellow-citi- 
 zens. In those three years the English received 
 from France 10,465,000 livres. 
 
 The consequences of this bad administration are, 
 first, that France dare not cultivate more than her 
 own wants require; and not being able ever to 
 elevate her views above what is barely necessary, 
 she must infallibly often fall below, and conse- 
 quently remain exposed to all the accidents of bad 
 seasons and short crops. 
 
 Secondly, that she can never make her corn an 
 object of commerce. 
 
 Thirdly, that she generally loses, although she 
 may sometimes gain. 
 
 In short, that her agriculture must continually 
 remain in a declining state, whilst that of her neigh- 
 bours becomes daily more flourishing. 
 
 France, if well cultivated, can never dread the 
 superiority of other nations in any thing; and she 
 would have been but loo happy, if by prohibitive 
 regulations she had not herself shut the door against 
 the labour and industry of her own inhabitants. 
 The time will come possibly, when every nation, 
 reduced to the exportation of its own growth, will 
 be of value only in proportion to its extent, the 
 fertility of its soil, and its situation. France, in all 
 these respects, hath the greatest advantages: she 
 produceth corn equal to the most fertile countries, 
 frequently for a year and half, sometimes for two 
 years, and yet is always in fear of want. There is 
 
 no
 
 OP THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 249 
 
 no cause to fear that in scarce years, which is the 
 same as to say dear years, corn should be exported 
 for sale in places where it is in plenty, and at a 
 lower price : there is no foundation for such fear 
 only in the case when all Europe shall be afflicted 
 with want. The facility of a free trade is a remedy 
 as well for scarcity, as for the too great plenty of 
 merchandise, which is naturally carried where it is 
 most wanted. 
 
 The liberty of exportation is about to remove 
 those barriers that laid a restraint, which attacks 
 the foundations of society. The people will be no 
 longer forbid to enjoy the fruits of their labour, 
 corn will no longer in France be a merchandise 
 prohibited or contraband. We may give ourselves 
 up to the flattering hopes of seeing plenty revive; 
 and, by a necessary consequence, a flourishing trade, 
 which always follows plenty of merchandise. 
 
 Is it necessary to say more, Gentlemen, to es- 
 tablish confidence and tranquillity ? When we are 
 furnished with true principles we need never fear; 
 but we shall draw just conclusions. 
 
 Objects of so great an extent, which tend to 
 increase the revenues of the King and the nation, 
 are not confined, as appears, to furnishing bread 
 for the markets; that supply, although essential, is 
 only one branch of national economy, of which 
 the corn-trade is the agent and general spring ; in- 
 asmuch as it impresses the motion of buying and 
 selling on all the rest : nevertheless, as this is one 
 
 f
 
 25O SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VI I. 
 
 of the most important points of the legislation, an<$ 
 that which strikes most forcibly on the mind of the 
 people, it is right to make them easy in regard 
 thereto, and to prevent their fears. There ought 
 to be a constant proportion between the pi ice of 
 corn and that of bread ; there are several cities in 
 this province where there is not, at least where it is 
 not either enough known or exactly observed *. 
 
 A public regulation, or table, is wanting, which 
 should express what the value of bread ought to 
 be in proportion to that of the setter of corn ; and I 
 am preparing to lay such a table before you. 
 
 It remains to speak to you, Gentlemen, of the 
 restrictions laid by the Edict on the free exporta- 
 tion. We could have wished, that the liberty had 
 been entire and indefinite in all the ports, that there 
 were no limitation to restrain that liberty, that the 
 exportation were exempt from all duties ; because 
 freedom only can extend and support the sale of 
 any merchandise, and promote the consumption ; 
 seeing that the least obstruction stops the course ; 
 because the least duty on buying or selling (for they 
 are both the same) is an imposition which dries up 
 the source, because, in fine, the augmentation of 
 the expenses of transportation causeth the nation 
 to lose considerable revenues, and necessarily 
 destroys its competition with other nations. 
 
 * Some line-, relating to this matter are hire, and in the follow- 
 ing i>g", omitted, as being only local. 
 
 But
 
 OP THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 251 
 
 But I do not mean to consider those restrictions, 
 nor yet those duties, contained in the Edict, as 
 matters of revenue : the Edict bears too much the 
 marks of the Kind's beneficence and love for his 
 people. Convinced of the truth of those princi- 
 ples, which are there established with such force 
 and dignity, he hath paid some attention to popular 
 fears, which, though with little foundation, are na- 
 tural to indigence. He perhaps thought prejudices, 
 which had taken root by long use, ought rather to 
 be destroyed by experience than authority. 
 
 It is then concurring with those views to malic 
 representations to him in this respect, which are 
 for the good of the state. 
 
 To remove all uneasiness from those who are not 
 as yet fully convinced of the advantages which such 
 a freedom of trade must produce, his Majesty 
 hath thought proper to fix a price, above which all 
 exportation out of the kingdom shall be prohibited. 
 
 It is rixed at 12 livres 10 sous the quintal, by the 
 sixth article of the Edict; and it is there ordered, 
 that when that price shall be kept up in the same 
 place for three following market-days, the liberty 
 shall remain suspended in such place; and to restore 
 it, application must be made to the Minister of the 
 Finances. There is no inconvenience in fixing 
 12 livres 10 sous, as we have seen by the average 
 price of corn in the general market of Europe ; 
 but have we not reason to fear, that some covetous 
 persons may, by some private practices, raise the 
 
 price
 
 2j1 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VII. 
 
 price of corn for a few days, to the end that the 
 port may be shut, and they take advantage of the 
 Jail in the price, which wilt necessarily follow the 
 prohibition ? It would appear then right, to pre- 
 vent monopoly, that the export being absolutely 
 prohibited, when the price shall be kept up at 30 
 livres the sctier, or, that which is the same thing, 
 at 12 livres 10 sous the quintal, during three follow- 
 ing markets; it should be also restored absolutely 
 when during three markets the price of the setier 
 shall be below ? 
 
 It appears that in limiting the number of ports, a 
 view was had to the advantage of having regular 
 accounts of the importation and exportation : but 
 give me leave to remark, on the other hand, that 
 this regulation confines the good intentions of his 
 Majesty, and is even contrary to the spirit of the 
 Edict; for the principles which are there esta- 
 blished are true throughout, or not at all. To fix 
 a certain number of ports is to favour a small part 
 of the subjects at the expense of the rest, and to 
 prejudice the greatest part. It would appear more 
 natural, that exportation should be permitted 
 without distinction from all ports, at least from all 
 those where there are commissaries capable to keep 
 a register of exports and imports. We may ven 
 turc to affirm, moreover, that the number of 
 twenty-seven ports throughout all France is too 
 inconsiderable ; that six purls for lint army arc not 
 
 sufficient :
 
 OP THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 253 
 
 sufficient : the fourth article hath fixed eight for 
 Normandy, whose coasts are not so extensive. 
 
 From $/. Halo's * to Morlalx there arc forty or 
 fifty leagues of coast, wliere no ports are appointed, 
 in which arc comprehended the bishoprics of 67. 
 MjIo, St. Brieux, and Treguier, countries which are 
 as fruitful in corn as any other part of the province. 
 There we find the ports of Legiuiy, or St. Brieux, 
 B'mic, Pontrkux, Treguier, and Lannion. From Mor- 
 la'ix to Brest, eighteen or twenty leagues of coast, in 
 which no port is mentioned. From Brest to Port 
 Louis, twenty-five or thirty leagues of coast, where 
 might have been mentioned Audlerne, Quimper, Pont 
 I Abbe, Pont d'Avoine, Concarneau, &c. from whence 
 much grain is brought. Also Henmbonne and Auraj 
 between Port Louis and V amies \ Croisic, Rebon t &c. 
 between Vannes and Nantes. All these places arc 
 fruitful in corn; and if there is no other view but to 
 have entries, there are in all these ports, even the 
 smallest, commissaries of the ports and harbours, 
 commissaries on duty, or controllers, who may 
 take the entries and duties, keep a register of the 
 importations and exportations. 
 
 If it is said, that from these ports the merchant 
 may transport to those whieh are mentioned; besides 
 that it is a considerable increase of charges, the 
 risk of the vessels, and of necessity a diminution of 
 
 * Such readers as are acquainted with the coast of Frame will 
 iest understand the force of what is here advanced. 
 
 the
 
 254 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VII. 
 
 the value of the merchandise ; it will be a subject of 
 chicanery and disputes on the part of the com- 
 missaries, in regard to the quantity of corn, grain, 
 &c. for the discharge of the security, and conse- 
 quently an embarrassment to the trade. Ought it 
 to be necessary, for example, from Paimhceuf, which 
 is at the mouth of the Loire, to go up that river as 
 far as Nantes, to make an entry ? or will the com- 
 missary at Nantes be contented with that which shall 
 have been made at Paimbceuf ? 
 
 I add, that a liberty to go from every port would 
 favour the French navigation, which is one of the 
 objects which his Majesty had in view ; for from 
 thence would arise an increase of navigation from 
 place to place, and port to port. It is well known, 
 that the coasting trade is the school in which the best 
 mariners are bred. 
 
 It is true, that, in order to encourage this navi- 
 gation, the Edict secures to French vessels and mari- 
 ners, exclusively of all others, the transportation of 
 grain : but to make a profit of this privilege, wc 
 have perhaps neither vessels nor sailors enough. No 
 one is ignorant that the price of freight iit France is 
 more considerable than with many other nations ; it 
 is therefore thought, it would be proper to beseech 
 his Majesty to give permission to make use of all 
 vessels without distinction, at least for two or three 
 years. 
 
 As to the duties which are established by the se- 
 venth article of the Edict, although they have no 
 5 other
 
 OF THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 2$$ 
 
 other view than to obtain an exact account of the 
 corn which shall be brought into the kingdom, and 
 that shall be carried out, the difference of one per 
 cent, in the duty of entry upon wheat, and of three 
 percent, on rye, and other inferior grain, may ap- 
 pear extraordinary, inasmuch as in short years, 
 when only importation can take place, this difference 
 would turn to the disadvantage of the poor, who for 
 the most part live only on rye. In short, the emo- 
 lument which can arise from all these duties is so 
 inconsiderable for the finances of his Majesty, and 
 the damage which ariseth to his subjects is so great, 
 by the immense diminution of the whole price of the 
 corn of the kingdom, that we are persuaded his 
 Majesty would be pleased to suppress them ; or, at 
 least, moderate them, and order that they shall not 
 be ever increased upon any pretence whatsoever. 
 
 I thought, Gentlemen, these representations ne- 
 cessary : they have no other end but to accomplish 
 the views of his Majesty, and those tend only to 
 favour our competition with other nations in the 
 corn-trade : but we ought not to flatter ourselves to 
 succeed soon, whilst the duties, though moderate, 
 the fetters with which we bind trade, and the scan- 
 tiness of tillage, shall continue to discourage, and 
 our neighbours shall give encouragement to export. 
 
 So far Mr. Chalet ais. What he says * of the ge- 
 neral average price of wheat throughout Europe 
 
 * Page 246. 
 
 appear*
 
 265 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VII* 
 
 appears to be founded on fact ; and his observation *, 
 that except in case of general want throughout 
 all Europk, there is no danger of too large a quan- 
 tity of corn being exported, when at a high price, 
 is very just; it can happen in that case only, and 
 scarcely then : for as it must be supposed that every- 
 place will feel in some measure the general want, 
 and corn cannot be very cheap any where; every 
 nation will at such times be too much on its guard 
 to be drained of the corn necessary for the subsistence 
 of the people ; and the very orders which will be 
 received, as they will chiefly be commissions for 
 supply , and consequently without limitation of price, 
 will directly raise the market, and immediately give 
 the alarm : however, it is a very proper argument to 
 quiet the minds of the people And the author of 
 Reflexions sur la Police des Grains en France, et en 
 Angleterre \, in order to convince them that so 
 much corn cannot be exported from France as to be 
 hurtful, whilst other nations have so much to spare, 
 gives the annual average of the exports from 
 
 Europe, as follows : viz. 
 
 Setiers. 
 England for 25 years average | 1.020,000 
 
 Poland, Dantzick, the North, and Holland 7,350,000 
 
 Sicily, Barbary, and Archipelago 1,630,000 
 
 Total 10,000,000 
 
 That 
 
 * Page 248, 249. % At Paris, 1764. Page 49. 
 
 |{ Thac is, $52,500 quarters. This exceeds the general average, 
 
 and
 
 OF THE CORN-TRADE IN FRANCE. 25J 
 
 That is, about 5,417,000 quarters London mea- 
 sure. And if the growth of France, as he says # , 
 exclusive of the seed, which the French authors 
 set at about one sixth thereof, is 35,000,000 of 
 setiers, or 18,958,333 London quarters, besides seed, 
 what reason can the French have to fear that too 
 great a quantity will be exported by them, when 
 the exports of all Europe do not amount to one 
 third of their own growth ? And as our growth, 
 besides seed, appears \ to be two thirds of theirs, 
 our fears seem much worse founded, at least in 
 common cases, and when the want is not general 
 throughout all Europe\\ since the number of our 
 people in England is never estimated at half the 
 number of those in France, 
 
 and falls short of that of the last 39 years ; but it is near enough 
 
 for general argument. 
 
 Average of the last 39 years Qrs. 598,448 
 
 General average 48 7,4 1 r 
 
 See before, page 139. 
 
 * Page 48. f P a S e J 66. * See page 256. 
 
 R CHAPTER
 
 258 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VIII. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 REMARKS AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE 
 FOREGOING COLLECTION. 
 
 The author of the foregoing Collection thinks 
 himself bound to acknowledge the many obliga- 
 tions he is under for the several remarks and ob- 
 servations he hath received relative thereto ; the 
 most material of which came after this edition was 
 near printed off, and consequently too late to be 
 noted therein. The purport of them is, viz. 
 
 1. That the calculations are different in different 
 parts thereof: let the reader please to esteem the pa- 
 pers as distinct works, wrote at different times, and 
 take which he likes best. 
 
 2. That supposing certain other general princw 
 pies, other conclusions may be drawn : the princi- 
 ples here argued from are founded on facts, which 
 seem well established ; therefore they are not affected 
 by others. 
 
 3. That many of the arguments will not hold 
 good in all places : these are meant only as general 
 arguments for the whole kingdom. 
 
 4. That the hint thrown out *, thai some are of 
 opinion) that if oats were to be charged 5^. \od. till 
 
 * Page no. 
 
 i8f.
 
 REMARKS AND OBSERVATIONS. 259 
 
 1 %s. is wrong, and no good reason appears why 
 they should not be imported at the present low duty; 
 as the practice is of very great benefit in places where 
 poor people consume oats in bread. And there 
 seems much more need to give some public en- 
 couragement for the increasing the growth of oats 
 at home, by a bounty on that grain when exported, 
 or by a premium for the cultivation of waste or 
 heathy lands in oats, than to alter the old salutary 
 practice. 
 
 Further, it will be found, when examined into, 
 that though wheat and barley bear a much higher 
 price in proportion than oats just now, yet this 
 last article has been advancing more steadily for a 
 number of years last past ; and the growth seems 
 more and more unequal to the consumption ; and if 
 the Legislature doth not give some encouragement to 
 this grain, it seems probable there must be an im- 
 portation of it in some parts of the kingdom or other 
 every year. 
 
 5. That the arguments for continuing the same 
 bounties, and payable to the same prices, are not to 
 be withstood : how then comes it that it is said -j~, 
 " that without any great risk we might either con- 
 tinue the same bounties, but payable to lesser prices, 
 say wheat to 40s. and the rest in proportion ; or re- 
 duce them, say one third, and continue to pay them 
 
 f Page 118. 
 
 R 2 t,Q
 
 260 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VIII. 
 
 to the same prices as at present ?" For though experi- 
 ence teaches us, that but a small quantity of wheat 
 is ever exported when it exceeds 40 s. even with 
 the bounty, and without it there would most pro- 
 bably be none, so that it might have no great in- 
 fluence on the market ; yet it never can be urged as 
 a sufficient reason for making an alteration in this 
 respect merely because no hurt can ensue : it cannot 
 be supposed any Legislators will pass an act but with 
 a manifest view of doing good ; and not when the 
 effects may or can be only nugatory, and can do 
 harm. 
 
 6. That the making a comparison of the prices 
 of corn since, with those before the bounty *, is 
 going too far back ; wc should not go further than 
 forty years back, as there is a necessity that the ma- 
 nufacturer should always have bread cheap, in order 
 to enable him to underwork other nations, and be- 
 cause within forty years he hath been loaded with 
 many new taxes. 
 
 The matter under consideration is to inquire, if 
 the bounty hath done any good : now how can this be 
 known, but by comparing the prices of corn before 
 and after it took place ? 
 
 As to the necessity that the manufacturer should 
 always have bread cheap,to enable him to underwork 
 other nations, and because within forty years he hath 
 
 * Page :\z. 
 
 been
 
 REMARKS AND OBSERVATIONS. 261 
 
 been loaded with many nevo taxes ; it is notorious 
 that the farmer and land-owner bear a full proportion 
 of those very taxes, which were imposed, not to pro- 
 mote and protect agriculture, so far as it regards the 
 growth of corn at least, but to promote and protect 
 the sale of our manufactures abroad; in order to ob- 
 tain which, no reasonable expenses ought to be 
 spared. 
 
 And yet wheat, when the prices thereof are com- 
 pared either with those of other nations, or with 
 what our forefathers gave for it in the last century, 
 although money was then as dear again, will be 
 found to have been cheap during that period. 
 
 What is there but corn, and the labour of the ma- 
 nufacturer thereof, if the labourers in the field may 
 be so called, that hath not considerably risen in value 
 within forty years ? Have the wages of the husband- 
 man been raised in proportion with those given to 
 other workmen ? he cannot with the labour of four 
 days support himself and family a week. 
 
 Is it any reason, because all other things are grown 
 dearer, that corn, which only hath continued mode- 
 rate, should be further reduced ? 
 
 Perhaps it may not be possible to grow corn much 
 cheaper than it was on the average from 1726 to 1765; 
 and yet there seems no doubt, that, if it can be done, 
 it must be effected by continuing to give all proper 
 encouragement to tillage, and promoting a due cir- 
 culation in the corn-trade : at least we may be as- 
 sured, that,with years of common plenty, under such 
 
 r 3 regula-
 
 262 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VIII, 
 
 regulations it will not be dearer, and be one great 
 means of supporting the necessary expenses of the 
 nation, and without increasing, at least in any great 
 degree, the salary of the husbandman. 
 
 7. That the stating the average of all the years* 
 is wrong : the dear years should have been left out ; 
 and then it would not appear that wheat hath been 
 so much cheaper on the average since the bounty 
 took place. 
 
 This deserves a particular answer. 
 
 It must be acknowledged, that, had these averages 
 been struck with a view to point out, that the price 
 of wheat hath been so low that the plough is forsaken, 
 and the country left desolate, as in France ; the 
 dear prices should have been left out here, as the 
 French authors have done with great propriety -}-; 
 for the farmers reap very little, or rather no advan- 
 tage from such dear years, as the shortness of the 
 crop docs generally more than counterbalance the 
 advance of price. 
 
 But the people pay those high prices, although fo- 
 reigners only gain thereby, and not the farmer; and 
 it is not what the farmers gain, but what the people 
 pay, is the matter under consideration: and that be- 
 fore the bounty, they paid more than they have done 
 since, is an undoubted fact ; and yet our farmers are 
 
 * Page 132. 
 
 f See Essai sur la Police generate da Grains, at Berlin, 1 7 5 5j 
 page 243, &c. 
 
 far.
 
 REMARKS AND OBSERVATIONS. 263 
 
 far from those distressed circumstances as the French 
 farmers are said to be in, although they received on 
 the average 19 livres a setter, i. e. about 31s. iod. a 
 London quarter, from 1725 to 1745 * ; whereas our 
 own farmers received, during the same time, only 
 2 9 s. iod. 
 
 Therefore the striking those years out by the 
 French authors is right, and the leaving them in here 
 is not wrong ; and let it be noted, how often such 
 dear years came round before the bounty, to what 
 they have done since, and to what height the prices 
 sometimes rose. 
 
 The French find their farmers cannot live by the 
 present prices, and argue for an export to raise them : 
 we find our farmers thrive at the present prices, al- 
 though lower than with them ; and finding that they 
 have fallen since the export took place, therefore we 
 argue for the continuation thereof, as not only the 
 most likely, but also the most certain means to keep 
 them down : for it is inconsistent to think, that 
 those who live in an exporting country should pay 
 more for their corn that those who live in an im- 
 porting country : was any ever known to buy at a 
 high price, to sell at a lower ? 
 
 8. That the value of the gains and savings which 
 have been made by the export, are much under- 
 valued-^; particularly, that there hath been corn to 
 the value of 100,000/. or 120,000/. every year since 
 
 * See Police des Grains, 255. -j- Page 159. 
 
 r 4 the
 
 204 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. V11I. 
 
 the Union carried to Scotland, where it was pro- 
 hibited before ; which should be added to the ac- 
 counts, as should also the oats and pease exported on 
 foreign vessels to the account of growth ; but the 
 accounts of these exports were never made up. 
 
 That the number of people, the quantity used for 
 seed *, and the quantities of pease and beans are 
 much under-rated : and consequently, by not bring- 
 ing them into the account J. that the annual growth 
 is estimated much too low ; therefore the export 
 hath not borne so high a proportion to the growth 
 as is calculated ; and this confirms that it bears but 
 a very little proportion to a small failure in the 
 crop . 
 
 10. That many people in Wales eat oat-bread, 
 whereas it is supposed, there is none eat there. 
 Whether they eat oat-bread, or that made of any 
 other grain, is immaterial ; the whole growth will be 
 nearly the same. 
 
 11. That estimating the whole number of horses |j 
 eight- fold those in London, is rating them too high; 
 and that supposing *j two quarters of oats to make 
 one quarter of oatmeal is wrong it will take two 
 quarters three bushels ; therefore the oats used for 
 
 * That one ninth for England would be nearer, for that in 
 some parrs a sixth is used ; and if the proportion was to be 
 reckoned for Satlavil, one fifth of the growth will be found upon 
 an av.rapt of the different grains and years to be under the quan- 
 tify ; iiat is .ised for seed, wheat included. 
 
 acuo. Page 44* || Page 225. IT Page 151. 
 
 4 meal
 
 REMARKS AND OBSERVATION'S. l6$ 
 
 meal is much under-rated : let this balance the error 
 in regard to horses. 
 
 12. That it is manifest from experience, that 
 the old laws against engrossers *, &c. do not an- 
 swer the ends for which they were made, are not 
 suitable to the present times, tend to discourage 
 tillage by preventing a freedom in the corn-trade ; 
 and whenever they are put in force, which they at 
 any time may when wheat exceeds 48^. always 
 make the price of grain higher than it would other- 
 wise be, by stopping the circulation thereof; and 
 not only cause, but also make more grievous, the 
 evil they were calculated to prevent. That therefore 
 there seems an absolute necessity to repeal them, 
 and to pass " An Act to encourage tillage and 
 lower the price of corn, by regulating the corn- 
 trade in this kingdom, encouraging the transporta- 
 tion thereof from place to place within the kingdom, 
 and particularly from the growing to the manufac- 
 turing counties, securing of the property and pro- 
 tecting of the persons of those who shall lawfully 
 deal therein, or in any branch of the said trade, 
 and punishing such who shall be guilty of any mal- 
 practices in carrying on the same." 
 
 13. That since the bounty hath had such an ef- 
 fect as to cause wheat to be so much cheaper, that 
 it " is become much more generally the food of the 
 common people since 1689, than it was before that 
 
 * Page 74- 
 
 time,"
 
 266 SUPPLEMENT. CHAP. VIII. 
 
 lime *," and it costs sixpence a week more to 
 feed a poor man with wheat than rye -j*, it is in- 
 sisted that it is not only unnecessary but also un- 
 reasonable to continue to pay it as high as 48^.; and 
 it ought either to be paid to a less price, or entirely 
 taken off, in order to keep wheat within reach of 
 the poor ; that is, as the giving the bounty on wheat 
 hath made it cheaper than it used to be, so the 
 forbearing to give it will make it cheaper still. 
 
 Thus have we to the best of our abilities fairly 
 stated the purport of every material remark and 
 observation* both for and against the foregoing 
 Collection, which have either been communicated to t 
 or occurred to us; and which it appeared necessary 
 to lay before the public, as the affair of corn cannot 
 be too well understood, or too maturely and dis- 
 passionately considered under every view, whether 
 it regards the growth and internal circulation, or 
 the exportation and importation thereof, or the part 
 we bear in the trade thereof in Europe. 
 
 * See page 205. f See page 216, 217.
 
 SECGNJD) SUPPLEMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 INTERESTING PIECES 
 
 ON THE SUBJECT OF THE FOREGOING TRACTS.
 
 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 An Abstract of the Enumeration of the People gf England and Wales, taken 
 
 in 1 80 1, in conformity to the Act of Parliament, and copied from the 
 
 Report in pursuance thereof. 
 
 
 
 By how 
 
 Uninha- 
 
 
 
 
 Counties of 
 England. 
 
 Inhabited 
 Houses. 
 
 many 
 Families 
 
 bited 
 Houses. 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total of 
 
 Persons. 
 
 
 
 occupied. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bedford - - 
 
 : 1,8*8 
 
 13,980 
 
 ,85 
 
 3 ,523 
 
 32,870 
 
 6 3393 
 
 Berks - - 
 
 2573 
 
 23,416 
 
 622 
 
 52,821 
 
 5 6 '394 
 
 109,215 
 
 Buckingham 
 
 20,443 
 
 23,834 
 
 543 
 
 52,094 
 
 55.35 
 
 107,441 
 
 Cambridge 
 
 16,139 
 
 19,262 
 
 3'2 
 
 44,08 r 
 
 45.265 
 
 89,346 
 
 Chester - - 
 
 34,482 
 
 37,6i3 
 
 '.'39 
 
 92.759 
 
 98,992 
 
 19'.75 
 
 Cornwall 
 
 32,906 
 
 39,040 
 
 i,4/2 
 
 89,868 
 
 98,401 
 
 188,269 
 
 Cumberland 
 
 a 573 
 
 25.893 
 
 872 
 
 54.377 
 
 62,353 
 
 117,230 
 
 Derby 
 
 31,822 
 
 33,660 
 
 1,369 
 
 79,401 
 
 81,741 
 
 161,142 
 
 Devon 
 
 57.955 
 
 72>559 
 
 3,235 
 
 '57.24 
 
 185,761 
 
 343,001 
 
 Dorset 
 
 21 '43 7 
 
 24.H 2 
 
 825 
 
 53,667 
 
 ' 61,652 
 
 1 '5,319 
 
 Durham 
 
 2 7i95 
 
 38,109 
 
 1,171 
 
 7477o 
 
 85,501 
 
 160,361 
 
 Essex 
 
 337' 
 
 46,784 
 
 1.027 
 
 111,356 
 
 115,081 
 
 226,407, 
 
 Gloucester - 
 
 4 6 ,457 
 
 55.133 
 
 1,715 
 
 117,180 
 
 133,629 
 
 250,809 
 
 Hereford 
 
 17,003 
 
 18,822 
 
 941 
 
 43.955 
 
 45.236 
 
 89,191 
 
 Hertford 
 
 17,681 
 
 20,092 
 
 491 
 
 48,063 
 
 49,514 
 
 97,577 
 
 Huntingdon 
 
 6,841 
 
 8,150 
 
 "35 
 
 18,521 
 
 19.047 
 
 37,5 6 8 
 
 Kent 
 
 51.585 
 
 65,967 
 
 1.4*3 
 
 '3'. 374 
 
 156,250 
 
 307,624 
 
 Lancaster 
 
 114,270 
 
 132,147 
 
 3,394 
 
 322,356 
 
 35>375 
 
 672,73' 
 
 Leicester 
 
 25,992 
 
 27,967 
 
 742 
 
 63.943 
 
 66,138 
 
 130,081 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 4'.395 
 
 42,629 
 
 1,094 
 
 162,445 
 
 106,112 
 
 208,557 
 
 Middlesex 
 
 112,912 
 
 199,854 
 
 5,171 
 
 373, 6 55 
 
 444.474 
 
 818,129 
 
 Monmouth - 
 
 8,948 
 
 9,903 
 
 417 
 
 22,173 
 
 23,409 
 
 45.582 
 
 Norfolk - - 
 
 47,6i7 
 
 57.930 
 
 1,523 
 
 129,842 
 
 '43,529 
 
 273,371 
 
 Northampton 
 
 26,665 
 
 29,361 
 
 736 
 
 63,4'7 
 
 68,340 
 
 131,757 
 
 Northumberland - 
 
 26,518 
 
 35>53 
 
 ',534 
 
 73.357 
 
 83,744 
 
 i57,ioi 
 
 Nottingham - 
 
 25,611 
 
 30,081 
 
 542 
 
 68,5^3 
 
 7L792 
 
 140,350 
 
 Oxford - - 
 
 20,599 
 
 23,750 
 
 594 
 
 53.786 
 
 55 8 34 
 
 109,620 
 
 Rutland 
 
 3,274 
 
 3,5 6 3 
 
 87 
 
 7.978 
 
 8,378 
 
 16,356 
 
 Salop 
 
 3M82 
 
 34>5 01 
 
 929 
 
 82,563 
 
 85,076 
 
 167,639 
 
 Somerset 
 
 48,040 
 
 57.013 
 
 2,136 
 
 126,927 
 
 146,823 
 
 273,75 : 
 
 Southampton 
 
 38.345 
 
 45,33' 
 
 912 
 
 105,667 
 
 113,989 
 
 19,656 
 
 Stafford - - 
 
 45-'9 8 
 
 48,185 
 
 1,995 
 
 118,698 
 
 120,455 
 
 239,153 ! 
 
 Suffolk - - 
 
 3 2 .253 
 
 43,481 
 
 5 5: 
 
 101,091 
 
 109,340 
 
 210,431 
 
 Surrey 
 
 46,072 
 
 63,673 
 
 i5'4 
 
 127,138 
 
 141,905 
 
 269,043 
 
 Sussex 
 
 25,272 
 
 3,755 
 
 721 
 
 78,797 
 
 80,514 
 
 159,3" 
 
 Warwick 
 
 40,84? 
 
 44,02 s 
 
 2,936 
 
 99.942 
 
 108,24s 
 
 208,190 
 
 Westmoreland 
 
 7,897 
 
 9,026 
 
 3'5 
 
 20,175 
 
 21,442 
 
 41,617 
 
 Witts - - 
 
 29,462 
 
 30,527 
 
 1,127 
 
 87,380 
 
 97727 
 
 IS;, 107 
 
 Worcester 
 
 26,711 
 
 29,74' 
 
 1,109 
 
 67,631 
 
 71,702 
 
 139,333 
 
 ("East Riding 
 5 i North Riding 
 >* (_ West Riding 
 
 25,781 
 
 3 ',544 
 
 681 
 
 67,457 
 
 71.976 
 
 139.433 . 
 
 31.512 
 
 34,542 
 
 1,014 
 
 74.9 C 4 
 
 80,602 
 
 155.506 
 
 111,146 
 
 "7,379 
 
 4,723 
 
 276,005 
 
 28^,948 
 
 5 6 3>953 
 
 1,467,870 
 
 r, 778,42c 
 
 53.9,6 5 j 
 
 3,987,935 
 
 4,343.499 
 
 8,33i>434 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 " Angle-;,
 
 t-jo 
 
 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 1 
 
 
 By how 
 
 
 
 
 
 Counties of Wales. 
 
 Inhabited 
 Houses. 
 
 many | 
 Families 
 
 Uninha- 
 bited 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total of 
 Persons. 
 
 
 
 occupied. 
 
 Houses. 
 
 
 
 
 Anglesey 
 
 6,679 
 
 7,058 
 
 127 
 
 i5>775 
 
 18,931 
 
 33,806 
 
 Brecon 
 
 6 35 
 
 6,800 
 
 479 
 
 i5393 
 
 16,242 
 
 31,63 
 
 Cardigan 
 
 8,819 
 
 9>435 
 
 221 
 
 20,403 
 
 22,548 
 
 42,956 
 
 Carmarthen 
 
 i<3,449 
 
 14,876 
 
 37i 
 
 3 '439 
 
 35,^78 
 
 67,37 
 
 Carnarvon 
 
 8,304 
 
 8,796 
 
 129 
 
 19,586 
 
 2i,935 
 
 41,521 
 
 Denbigh 
 
 12,621 
 
 13,765 
 
 427 
 
 29,247 
 
 31,105 
 
 60,352 
 
 Flint 
 
 7>585 
 
 8,216 
 
 194 
 
 19,577 
 
 20,045 
 
 39,622 
 
 G lamorgan 
 
 14,225 
 
 16,596 
 
 537 
 
 34'9 
 
 37,335 
 
 7i,5 2 5 
 
 Merioneth 
 
 5>787 
 
 6,576 
 
 193 
 
 13,896 
 
 15,610 
 
 29,506 
 
 Montgomery 
 
 8,725 
 
 9,750 
 
 223 
 
 22,914 
 
 25,064 
 
 47'978 
 
 Pembroke 
 
 11,869 
 
 12,448 
 
 398 
 
 25,406 
 
 3 ,874 
 
 56,280 
 
 Radnor 
 
 3,^75 
 
 3,987 
 
 212 
 
 9,317 
 
 9,703 
 
 19,050 
 
 
 108,053 
 
 118,303 
 
 3.5 11 
 
 257,178 
 
 284,368 
 
 541,546 
 
 An Abstract of the Enumeration of England and Wales, taken in i8oi 
 in conformity to an Act of Parliament. 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 Inhahited 
 Houses. 
 
 By how many 
 Families 
 occupied. 
 
 Unin- 
 habited 
 Houses. 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total of 
 Persons. 
 
 England 
 Wales - - 
 Army - 
 Navy 
 
 Seamen in re- 
 gistered vessels 
 Convicts 
 
 Grand Total 
 
 1,467,87c 
 108,053 
 
 l,i;75,923 
 
 1,778,420 
 118,303 
 
 53,9 6 5 
 3>5" 
 
 3,987>935 
 257,178 
 198,351 
 126,279 
 
 144,558 
 1,410 
 
 4,343,499 
 284,368 
 
 8,331,434 
 541,546 
 198,351 
 126,279 
 
 144,558 
 1,410 
 
 1,896,723 
 
 57,476 
 
 4,715,711! 4,627,867 
 
 9,343578 
 
 In England 1,524,227 persons are employed chiefly in agriculture, and 1,789,532 
 in trade, manufactures, and handicraft. In Wales 189,062 are employed in agricul- 
 ture, and 53,822 in trade, &c. 
 
 It will be observed, that when the army and navy are added to the males, there is ? 
 total excess of the number of males over that of females of 88,844. 
 
 2,356,7-3 In towns and cities. 
 98,351 Army. 
 126,279 Navy. 
 144,588 Registered Yesstlfc. 
 1,410 Convicts. 
 
 7,827,401 
 
 Total inhabitants - 9,343,578 
 
 Inhabiting towns, &c. - 2,827,401 
 
 Inhabitants gf the country 6*51 6, 177 
 
 Hit
 
 POPULATION OP CITIES, &C. 
 
 271 
 
 List of all the Cities and Towns in England and Wales, whose 
 Population exceeds Five Thousand. 
 
 Cities 3nd Towns. 
 
 Inhabited 
 Houses. 
 
 By how 
 
 many 
 
 Families 
 
 Uninha- 
 bited 
 Houses. 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total of 
 Persons. 
 
 
 
 occupied. 
 
 
 
 
 London 
 
 12 [,229 
 
 216,073 
 
 5185 
 
 393>369 
 
 47i>476 
 
 864,845 
 
 Manchester 
 
 i2>547 
 
 18,560 
 
 279 
 
 39>"o 
 
 44,910 
 
 84,020 
 
 Liverpool 
 
 11,446 
 
 16,989 
 
 338 
 
 34>3 6 7 
 
 43,286 
 
 77,653 
 
 Birmingham - 
 
 14,528 
 
 1 5,303 
 
 1875 
 
 34>7 J 6 
 
 38,954 
 
 73,670 
 
 Bristol 
 
 10,403 
 
 i4>4!3 
 
 493 
 
 26,943 
 
 36,702 
 
 68,645 
 
 Leeds 
 
 11,258 
 
 11,790 
 
 34' 
 
 2 5>54 
 
 27,658 
 
 53,162 
 
 Plymouth 
 
 4447 
 
 10,708 
 
 89 
 
 18,016 
 
 25,178 
 
 43,194 
 
 Newcastle 
 
 4199 
 
 9844 
 
 198 
 
 16,343 
 
 20,620 
 
 36,963 
 
 Norwich 
 
 8016 
 
 993 
 
 747 
 
 15,810 
 
 21,044 
 
 36,854 
 
 Bath 
 
 4289 
 
 6510 
 
 174 
 
 12,441 
 
 *9>759 
 
 32,200 
 
 Portsmouth 
 
 5310 
 
 6937 
 
 30 
 
 14,309 
 
 17,857 
 
 32,166 
 
 Sheffield 
 
 6518 
 
 6754 
 
 643 
 
 i5>483 
 
 15&3 1 
 
 3>3H 
 
 Hull 
 
 4649 
 
 7449 
 
 118 
 
 13,051 
 
 16,465 
 
 29,516 
 
 Nottingham 
 
 4977 
 
 6707 
 
 100 
 
 13,729 
 
 15,132 
 
 28,861 
 
 Exeter - - 
 
 2692 
 
 3947 
 
 144 
 
 73H 
 
 10,084 
 
 17,39^ 
 
 Leicester 
 
 3205 
 
 3668 
 
 85 
 
 7921 
 
 9032 
 
 *6,953 
 
 York - 
 
 2407 
 
 3841 
 
 72 
 
 7018 
 
 9127 
 
 16,145 
 
 Coventry 
 
 2930 
 
 3548 
 
 204 
 
 7672 
 
 8362 
 
 16,034 
 
 Chester 
 
 3109 
 
 34*7 
 
 85 
 
 6492 
 
 8560 
 
 15,052 
 
 Dover 
 
 3339 
 
 3834 
 
 231 
 
 7187 
 
 7658 
 
 14,845 
 
 Yarmouth 
 
 3081 
 
 354 1 
 
 78 
 
 6463 
 
 8382 
 
 14,845 
 
 Shrewsbury 
 
 2773 
 
 33oo 
 
 88 
 
 6647 
 
 8092 
 
 *4>739 
 
 Greenwich 
 
 2067 
 
 3215 
 
 54 
 
 7323 
 
 7016 
 
 H,339 
 
 Sunderland 
 
 1365 
 
 3372 
 
 i4 
 
 4902 
 
 7510 
 
 12,412 
 
 Oxford 
 
 1827 
 
 2230 
 
 82 
 
 5920 
 
 5774 
 
 11,694 
 
 Colchester - 
 
 x 959 
 
 2829 
 
 38 
 
 5012 
 
 6508 
 
 11,520 
 
 Worcester 
 
 2237 
 
 2627 
 
 133 
 
 4909 
 
 6443 
 
 11,352 
 
 Ipswich 
 
 2170 
 
 2738 
 
 5 1 
 
 4984 
 
 6293 
 
 11,277 
 
 VV igan 
 
 2177 
 
 2277 
 
 59 
 
 5068 
 
 5921 
 
 10,9*9 
 
 Derby 
 
 2144 
 
 2441 
 
 26 
 
 4982 
 
 5850 
 
 10,832 
 
 Huddersfieid 
 
 i373 
 
 1873 
 
 101 
 
 5240 
 
 543' 
 
 10,671 
 
 Chatham 
 
 171s 
 
 2665 
 
 14 
 
 4699 
 
 5806 
 
 10,505 
 
 Carlisle 
 
 1314 
 
 2303 
 
 24 
 
 4479 
 
 574 2 
 
 10,221 
 
 Lynn 
 
 1965 
 
 2437 
 
 47 
 
 4540 
 
 5S5 6 
 
 10,096 
 
 Cambt i Jge 
 
 1691 
 
 2078 
 
 42 
 
 4964 
 
 5123 
 
 10,087 
 
 Reading 
 
 J 75' 
 
 2 '35 
 
 32 
 
 4642 
 
 5100 
 
 9742 
 
 Lancaster 
 
 1598 
 
 1998 
 
 i:; 
 
 39Q9 
 
 '5031 
 
 9030 
 
 v^ummm 
 
 
 "'-" 
 
 1 
 
 " """ ' Mi " 
 
 
 ~" i 
 
 CaoterLurr
 
 2JZ 
 
 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 
 Cities and Towns 
 
 Inhabited 
 Houses. 
 
 By how 
 
 many 
 
 Families 
 
 occupied. 
 
 Uninha- 
 bited 
 Houses. 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 Total of 
 Persons. 
 
 
 Canterbury 
 
 1741 
 
 2276 
 
 58 
 
 3805 
 
 5'95 
 
 9000 
 
 
 Macclesfield 
 
 1426 
 
 539 
 
 IOI 
 
 3979 
 
 4764 
 
 8743 
 
 
 Whitehaven 
 
 1776 
 
 2403 
 
 47 
 
 334* 
 
 5394 
 
 8742 
 
 
 Maidstone 
 
 1330 
 
 1742 
 
 16 
 
 3835 
 
 4192 
 
 8027 
 
 
 Southampton - 
 
 1509 
 
 1876 
 
 73 
 
 3390 
 
 4523 
 
 7913 
 
 
 Devizes 
 
 *55 z 
 
 1728 
 
 4i 
 
 3624 
 
 4285 
 
 7909 
 
 
 Salisbury 
 
 1489 
 
 1833 
 
 45 
 
 3412 
 
 4250 
 
 7668 
 
 
 Bury 
 
 1360 
 
 1 641 
 
 37 
 
 3399 
 
 4523 
 
 7655 
 
 
 Gloucester 
 
 1325 
 
 1732 
 
 43 
 
 3428 
 
 4151 
 
 7579 
 
 
 Durham 
 
 1024 
 
 1930 
 
 30 
 
 3319 
 
 42 1 1 
 
 753 
 
 
 Whitby 
 
 1596 
 
 1992 
 
 ic2 
 
 3271 
 
 4212 
 
 7483 
 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 1516 
 
 1619 
 
 58 
 
 3474 
 
 3924 
 
 7398 
 
 
 Brighthelmstone 
 
 1282 
 
 1380 
 
 142 
 
 3274 
 
 4065 
 
 7339 
 
 
 Bradford 
 
 1254 
 
 1551 
 
 34 
 
 3473 
 
 3S29 
 
 7302 
 
 
 Berwick 
 
 930 
 
 1791 
 
 35 
 
 3009 
 
 4178 
 
 7187 
 
 
 Northampton - 
 
 I 3 2Z 
 
 1052 
 
 49 
 
 3244 
 
 377^ 
 
 7020 
 
 
 Grantham 
 
 1385 
 
 1456 
 
 72 
 
 3377 
 
 3637 
 
 7014 ] 
 
 
 Kendall 
 
 1394 
 
 1671 
 
 30 
 
 2950 
 
 3942 
 
 6892 
 
 
 Hereford 
 
 1392 
 
 1715 
 
 68 
 
 3023 
 
 3805 
 
 6828 
 
 
 Rochester 
 
 I 3 6 
 
 1553 
 
 H 
 
 3071 
 
 3 74 6 
 
 6817 
 6 73 } 
 
 
 Newark. 
 
 I376 
 
 1487 
 
 H 
 
 3098 
 
 3*32 
 
 
 Scarborough 
 
 IOI5 
 
 1769 
 
 5 
 
 2730 
 
 3958 
 
 6688 
 
 
 Sandwich 
 
 I2S7 
 
 1407 
 
 in 
 
 2966 
 
 354o 
 
 6506 
 
 
 Kidderminster - 
 
 I25I 
 
 1405 
 
 44 
 
 3020 
 
 3090 
 
 6iro 1 
 
 
 Swansea 
 
 Il82 
 
 1504 
 
 21 
 
 2529 
 
 3570 
 
 6099 
 
 
 Beverly 
 
 I 3OO 
 
 1432 
 
 35 
 
 2 734 
 
 3 z6 '7 
 
 6001 
 
 
 Boston 
 
 1221 
 
 334 
 
 3i 
 
 2698 
 
 3228 
 
 5926 
 
 
 Winchester 
 
 79I 
 
 902 
 
 '9 
 
 2767 
 
 3059 
 
 5826 
 
 
 T auuton 
 
 II46 
 
 1308 
 
 48 
 
 2450 
 
 3344 
 
 5794 
 
 
 Warwick 
 
 IO55 
 
 1 142 
 
 29 
 
 2709 
 
 3066 
 
 5775 1 
 
 
 Doncaster 
 
 IlS6 
 
 1261 
 
 60 
 
 2477 
 
 3220 
 
 5697 
 
 
 Holywell 
 
 IC93 
 
 1189 
 
 53 
 
 2c66 
 
 3001 
 
 5567 
 
 
 Carmarthen 
 
 930 
 
 1737 
 
 J 5 
 
 2338 
 
 3210 
 
 5548 
 
 
 Deal 
 
 9c 
 
 1 107 
 
 u 
 
 2484 
 
 2936 
 
 5420 
 
 
 Stockport 
 
 2 "2 
 
 2965 
 
 126 
 
 60S3 
 
 7847 
 
 14,830 
 
 
 Bolton, Great - 
 
 2454 
 
 z;-q 
 
 56 
 
 5924 
 
 6625 
 
 12,594 
 
 
 Wolverhampton 
 
 2 344 
 
 3 C *7 
 
 190 
 
 6207 
 
 6358 
 
 2,5 6 5 
 
 
 Oldham 
 
 1212 
 
 j 464 
 
 J 9 
 
 594<5 
 
 6078 
 
 12,024 
 
 
 Blackburn 
 
 2339 
 
 240s 
 
 *3 
 
 5559 
 
 6421 
 
 11,980 
 
 
 Preston 
 
 1 1 69 
 
 2 347 
 
 62 
 
 54' 5 
 
 6472 
 
 11,887 
 
 
 Quick (Yorkshire) 
 
 121T 
 
 1873 
 
 92 
 
 549 6 
 
 5 l6 9 
 
 10,665 
 
 
 Warrington 
 
 2i;8 
 
 23'5 
 
 33 
 
 4780 
 
 5787 
 
 0,567 
 
 
 Walsal 
 
 1084 
 
 2084 
 
 '85 
 
 5274 
 
 5125 
 
 10,399 
 
 
 Dudley 
 
 1922 
 
 2170 
 
 118 
 
 4909 
 
 5198 
 
 10,107 
 
 
 Woolwich 
 
 134' 
 
 2556 
 
 21 
 
 4476 
 
 535 
 
 9826 
 
 
 Spot land (Lancas) 
 
 1672 
 
 1707 
 
 123 
 
 4430 
 
 41 
 
 93i 
 
 
 Ilallifax 
 
 1913 
 
 J935 
 
 62 
 
 3976 
 
 4910 
 
 8886 
 
 
 Fromc 
 
 1653 
 
 ^53 
 
 S6 
 
 4084 
 
 4664 
 
 8748 
 
 
 Wakefield 
 
 172 1 
 
 J 792 
 
 Si 
 
 37 
 
 4430 
 
 8131 
 
 
 Shields, South - 
 
 1260 
 
 22:1; 
 
 3 
 
 3274 
 
 4S34 
 
 8108 
 
 
 Wellington 
 
 1467 
 
 1576 
 
 13 1 
 
 379" 
 
 3735 
 
 753' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Shields,
 
 POPULATION OF COUNTY TOWNS. 
 
 273 
 
 Cities and Towns 
 
 Inhabited 
 Ho uses. 
 
 By how 
 
 many 
 Families 
 occupied. 
 
 Uninha- 
 bited 
 Houses. 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 
 
 Total of 
 Persons. 
 
 Shields, North - 
 
 891 
 
 2024 
 
 3 
 
 297* 
 
 ,4308 
 
 7280 
 
 Huddersfield 
 
 1376" 
 
 1456 
 
 22 
 
 3619 
 
 3649 
 
 7268 
 
 .Bury 
 
 '34' 
 
 1400 
 
 43 
 
 3442 
 
 3630 
 
 "-72 
 
 Bilston 
 
 1246 
 
 1268 
 
 55 
 
 3433 
 
 348 r 
 
 6914 
 
 Tiverton 
 
 1221 
 
 1397 
 
 IOI 
 
 33 ot , 
 
 354 
 
 6 505 
 
 Bradford (York) 
 
 13t7 
 
 1393 
 
 5< 
 
 2987 
 
 3406 
 
 6 393 
 
 Barton 
 
 1051 
 
 1150 
 
 22 
 
 3070 
 
 3127 
 
 6197 
 
 Bishop Wearrhouth 
 
 844 
 
 1603 
 
 46 
 
 2706 
 
 3420 
 
 6126 
 
 Mansfield 
 
 1201 
 
 1258 
 
 44 
 
 2798 
 
 3r 9 o 
 
 5988 
 
 Trowbridge 
 
 1018 
 
 K'73 G 
 
 67 
 
 , 2552 
 
 3247 
 
 5799 
 
 Hunslet 
 
 1205 
 
 1258 
 
 64 
 
 2828 
 
 2971 
 
 5799 
 
 Croydon 
 
 1020 
 
 "'5 
 
 54 
 
 2761 
 
 2982 
 
 5743 
 
 VV01 kington 
 
 1 1 60 
 
 1 375 
 
 21 
 
 2 453 
 
 3263 
 
 5716' 
 
 Ellesmere 
 
 1009 
 
 1117 
 
 26 
 
 2733 
 
 2820 
 
 5553 
 
 Stroud 
 
 1033 
 
 1355 
 
 J 5 
 
 2602 
 
 2820 
 
 5422 
 
 Slrcpton Mallet - 
 
 1105 
 
 Iiiyl 
 
 49 
 
 2310 
 
 2794 
 
 5104 I 
 5070 f 
 
 Hinckley 
 
 919 
 
 966 
 
 1 1 
 
 2597 
 
 2473 
 
 A List oftfie Comity Towns in England and Wales, ivhosi Population 
 is less than Five Thousand. 
 
 County Towns. 
 
 Inhabited 
 Houses. 
 
 By how 
 
 many 
 Families 
 occupied. 
 
 Uninha- 
 bited 
 Houses. 
 
 Males. 
 
 Females. 
 
 - V 
 
 Total of 
 Pet sops. 
 
 Chicheitcr 
 
 821 
 
 1017 
 
 10 
 
 2091 
 
 2653 
 
 4/44 
 
 Bedford - - 
 
 783 
 
 975 
 
 . '7 
 
 171* 
 
 2230 
 
 3948 
 
 Stafford 
 
 710 
 
 802 
 
 '3 
 
 1921 
 
 '977 
 
 3898 
 
 Launcton 
 
 465 
 
 947 
 
 3 
 
 1466 
 
 2218 
 
 3684 
 
 Hertford 
 
 529 
 
 666 
 
 13 
 
 1762 
 
 1598 
 
 3360 
 
 Monmouth 
 
 638 
 
 743 
 
 39 
 
 1512 
 
 1833 
 
 3345 
 
 Dolgelly (Merion.) 
 
 630 
 
 730 
 
 28 
 
 1326 
 
 1623 
 
 2949 
 
 Haverfordwest 
 
 593 
 
 722 
 
 20 
 
 1097 
 
 1783 
 
 2880 
 
 Pool (Montgom.) 
 
 530 
 
 66t 
 
 *3 
 
 1305 
 
 : I5 6 7 
 
 2872 
 
 Cardiff 
 
 3'4 
 
 4 T 3 
 
 13 
 
 852 
 
 ioi8 
 
 1870 
 
 Guildford 
 
 464 
 
 579 
 
 19 
 
 1242 
 
 131* 
 
 2631 
 
 Buckingham - 
 
 SS l 
 
 617 
 
 14 
 
 11S0 
 
 1425 
 
 2605 
 
 Brecon 
 
 499 
 
 586 
 
 4i 
 
 1 123 
 
 M53 
 
 2576 
 
 Dorchester 
 
 344 
 
 515 
 
 9 
 
 1078 
 
 '324 
 
 2402 
 
 Denbigh 
 
 534 
 
 590 
 
 18 
 
 1061 
 
 1330 
 
 239* 
 
 Huntingdon 
 
 350 
 
 35 
 
 6 
 
 993 
 
 1042 
 
 2035 
 
 New Radnor . 
 
 359 
 
 390 
 
 20 
 
 951 
 
 970 
 
 1921 
 
 Cardigan E 
 
 ' 45 
 
 430 
 
 20 
 
 789 
 
 1 122 
 
 1911 
 
 Carnarvon 
 
 304 
 
 336 - 
 
 
 
 828 
 
 942 
 
 1770 
 
 Beaumaik 
 
 267 
 
 288 
 1- 
 
 2 
 
 650 
 
 9'7 
 
 IC76 
 
 A DISSEP.-
 
 *74 
 
 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 A DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, AND 
 THE DEPRECIATION OF MONEY. 
 
 [From Mr, Chalmers'.; Estimate.] 
 
 iU'Jr trade was not only carried on with an ex- 
 traordinary degree of success and profit, but the 
 surface of our island was improved with uncom- 
 mon skill and augmented energy. From the re- 
 storation of peace in 1783, till the commence- 
 ment of the war in 1793, domestic meliorations 
 had been carried on, with equal vigour and suc- 
 cess. But, during the late war, our domestic im- 
 provements have been pursued with still greater 
 knowledge, and more useful efficacy. We may 
 see proofs of those facts, in the subjoined 
 
 Table; shewing the Number of Acts of Parliament-, which 
 passed during the late War for making Roads and Bridges, CsV. ; 
 Canals and Harbours, Wc. ; for lnclosures dnd Draining, &c. ; for 
 Paving and other parochial Improvements; compared with the 
 eight preceding Xtars. 
 
 
 
 79? 
 
 '794 
 
 '795 
 
 1796 
 
 '797 
 
 1798 
 
 '7*9 
 
 1800 
 
 Tot. of 8 
 Years. 
 
 Do. 8 
 Yrs.prcc. 
 
 Roads, Bridges, &c. 
 
 61 
 
 35 
 
 36 
 
 7 
 
 39 
 
 4' 
 
 49 
 
 51 
 
 34' 
 
 30Z 
 
 C.inals, Hal Lours,! 
 
 3* 
 
 it 
 
 '3 
 
 18 
 
 '4 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 16 
 
 13* 
 
 64 
 
 lnclosures,- Drain- V 
 ing, &c. / 
 
 62 
 
 74 
 
 8o 
 
 76 
 
 9' 
 
 5* 
 
 66 
 
 S3 
 
 5*9 
 
 ^45 
 
 Paving, and other 1 
 ; parochial I in- > 
 ' provements .J 
 Total 
 
 '5 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 8 
 
 7 
 
 7 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 62 
 
 39 
 
 i 75 
 
 171 
 
 '3* 
 
 '39 
 
 129 
 
 '5 
 
 107 
 
 119 
 
 r 
 
 162 ! 1,124 
 
 We
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. 275 
 
 We thus see, distinctly, that the active spirit of do- 
 mestic melioration, which existed before the war 
 began, continued, with augmented energy, during 
 the progress of hostilities. The world will con- 
 template this enterprise with wonder. Millions, 
 and tens of millions, have been raised upon the 
 people, for carrying on an interesting war, yet they 
 found money, as they had skill, and industry, to 
 improve their island. Great Britain, as it has been 
 more improved, during the war, is worth more, at 
 the conclusion of it, than when unprovoked hos- 
 tilities began. And this happy isle, where the 
 foot of the foe never treads, if it were brought to 
 the hammer, would sell for more than it would 
 have fetched, at any former period, in proportion 
 to its additional improvements. 
 
 Yet, what do all those improvements of the 
 country avail, if the people have not victual to eat ? 
 This question would lead us into the wide, and 
 thorny, wilderness of agricultural reports. But 
 though I have been regularly summoned to con- 
 tribute a day's labour in this unweeded garden, I 
 have hitherto been frightened by the toil. I had 
 the honour to receive, some months ago, a circular 
 letter from the Board of Agriculture ; soliciting 
 such observations, as I might have to make, with 
 regard to the best mode of preventing future scar- 
 city. But my various avocations have hitherto 
 prevented me from essaying so arduous a subject. 
 
 I will, however, contribute two or three truisms, 
 s % which
 
 ajG SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 which may induce some person, who has more lei- 
 sure, and more skill, than I can command, to add a 
 few more ; in the hope, that a regular collection of 
 truisms may be formed, on this interesting subject : 
 for, amidst a long-continued clamour of contradic- 
 tion, I have scarcely found any two persons, who 
 could agree upon any one position. 
 
 ist Truism. There have been ten times more 
 agricultural melioration, during the present reign, 
 than in any anterior period *. Yet is it in this 
 reign that we appear to have lost the export of 
 corn. Jt would be very absurd logic to maintain, 
 that the surface of our island, in proportion as it is 
 improved, by inclosing, draining, and by every sort 
 of raanurance, became less productive. There are 
 two facts, which are incontrovertible, and are very 
 interesting: ist, During the six-and-thirty years 
 which ended with 1800, the surface of our island 
 was continually improved, beyond all former ex- 
 
 * The foregoing pages furnish abundant proofs of that posi- 
 tion : but I will rely on an authority which will not be disputed. 
 The Report of the Committee of the House of Commons, on the 
 waste lands, stated, in 1797, 
 
 A Table of the acts of inclosure, with the extent of land inclosed 
 IS the following reigns. 
 
 No. of Acts. No. of Acres. 
 
 In Q^ Ann's a *>439 
 
 Jn George I. 16 17,660 
 
 In George II. 226 318,778 
 
 Tn George III. 1,532 2,804,197 
 
 ample,
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. 277 
 
 ample, and in the last ten years of this period 
 more than in the first ten years: idly, With the 
 same six-and-thirty years, our importation of corn 
 began; and has increased the most, towards the 
 conclusion of this long period *. 
 
 2d Truism: During the present reign, there 
 have been more skill, more money, and more effi- 
 cient work, employed in our agriculture, than in 
 any former period. 
 
 By a necessary progress, the nation had become 
 more knowing, more opulent, and more enterpris- 
 ing. The farmers have been better paid for their 
 pains, in this reign, than in prior times J. It would 
 be a very absurd argument, then, to maintain, that 
 our fields produce less, as they are better cultivated. 
 
 3d Truism : This island must necessarily pro- 
 duce more victual in the present reign, than in any 
 former period. From more skill, more expense, 
 and more manurance, the appropriate result must 
 be more product. He, then, would be an absurd 
 reasoner, who, from such premises, should main- 
 tain, that more skill, more expense, and more cul- 
 tivation, must necessarily produce less, upon a me- 
 dium of seasons. 
 
 * The averages in the corn accounts, printed by the order, of 
 Parliament, on the 14th of November 1800, establish the fact, as 
 to the imports ; and the journals of Parliament, and the statute- 
 book, as to the improvements. 
 
 f The corn accounts printed by the said order of the 14th of 
 November 1800. 
 
 s 3 From
 
 2/8 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 From those three truisms there results, in my 
 judgment, a fourth truism, though other persons 
 may think differently from me upon the point : 
 that all the late struggle, canvassing, and clamour, 
 for a general act of inclosure, are groundless. If 
 the country be in a continual course of improve- 
 ment, and if this progress of melioration gather 
 energy, as it proceeds, this much-sought-for mea- 
 sure is groundless, in its policy. If a general inr 
 closure act would divert from profitable employ- 
 ments a greater portion of capital, of labour, and of 
 enterprise, than would otherwise run into that chan- 
 nel, such an act would introduce an evil, rather 
 ftian a good, into our political economy. If all in- 
 terests, however, could be made to concur, there 
 seems to be no other objection to a general inclo- 
 sure act, except that the spirit of improvement 
 might slacken, perhaps, if that object were ob- 
 tained ; as lassitude generally follows enjoyment. 
 
 From the foregoing truisms, I am inclined 
 strongly to .think that there is more victual* pro- 
 duced-, at present, in a bad season, than there was, 
 formerly, produced in England and Wales, during 
 a good season f. *If we throw into the scale the 
 
 vast 
 
 * l r use the good old English word victual, as it was used by 
 Shaiespeaie, and by the Parliament in the reign of Charles II. 
 in a larger sense than corn, :is stores for the support of life. 
 
 f The greatest surplus of corn which was ever sent out of this 
 
 country,
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN TRADE, &C. 279 
 
 ast quantity of potatoes, which are now annually- 
 grown more than there were fifty years ago, the 
 balance will shew, that there is raised, at present, 
 an infinitely greater quantity of victual in bad sea- 
 sons, than there was, fifty years ago, raised in good 
 seasons. 
 
 The difficulty and the distress of late times did 
 not arise from our producing less, notwithstanding 
 the unfavourable seasons ; but from our consuming 
 more: in good seasons, we produce infinitely more 
 victual than was raised in the prosperous years 
 ending with 1754; perhaps enough, in plentiful 
 
 j 
 
 country, was in the five years ending with 1754: and which 
 amounted to -.,----..- 1,087,594 qrs, 
 
 The quantity of corn, which was imported 
 according to an average of the five years of 
 scarcity, ended with 1799, was - 1,190,131 
 
 Now, that quantity would not supply the additional number of 
 people, which enumeration has at length found to be 2^830,000, 
 who yearly consume one quarter each person, or 2,830,000 qrs. 
 The annual deficiency is no less than 554,272 quarters, Mr. 
 Dirom argues this question, upon the supposition, that each per- 
 son consumes, two quartet; 1st, because he made his estimate 
 not only upon whea^ b/H upon oats, rye, barley, malt; *dly, 
 because he included also tfcg consumption of pastry-maktrs and 
 starch-makers, of pou^tty^ pigs, horses which are not- uped in 
 agriculture; and even the brewery and distillery. The feet is, 
 the above statements of the. exports and imports include all sorts 
 of grain : and, consequently, the estimate of the consumption 
 aught to include every sort of consumer. 
 
 s 4 years,
 
 CSO . SECON'D SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 years, as we may infer from the foregoing details 
 but we consume much more ; as we may learn 
 from the well-known amount of the imports ot 
 corn during recent times. We have 2,830,00a 
 more people in England and Wales, at present, as 
 we know, from the late enumeration, than there 
 existed, in the same countries, at the epoch of the 
 bounty on corn, in 1689 : if each consumer use at 
 least one quarter a year, then the general con- 
 sumption of such persons must be 2,830,000 quar- 
 ters of every sort of grain*: and, consequently, 
 
 * The Rev. John Hewlett says, Dispersion, p. n,^ " If 
 these additional inhabitants live upon barley, they will each 
 require twelve- bushels a year, instead ot eight of wheat; if upon, 
 oats, nearly sixteen bushels." Mr. Dirom, in his Corn 
 Tracts, p. 15, says, "Wheat is double the value of the inferior 
 grain ; I shall throw upon the general consumption of the 
 people, the grain consumed by horses which are not employed 
 in agriculture, hogs, poultry, starch -makers, &c. ; and when it 
 is considered that a great number of people live chiefly upon 
 the inferior grain, we cannot, under all these circumstances, ap- 
 propriate less than two quarters of the several sorts of grain, 
 over-hand, to the consumption of each person, upon an ave- 
 rage yearly, for bread, beer, spirits, &c." With those intima- 
 tions the well-informed author of the Corn Tracts had already 
 concurred. According to the principles of Mr. C. Smith 
 [Tracts, p. 40], we may now estimate the whole consumption of 
 England and Wales, which the enumeration has assured us, con- 
 tain 9,330,000 person?, 
 
 Quarters. 
 
 Bread corn, at one quarter each ----- 9,330,000 
 
 Corn made into drink -- 4,665,000 
 
 Corn for cattle, poultry, See. ------ 4,665,000 
 
 . Tr,'- total of home consumption - - - - 18,660,000 
 
 4. more,
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TR ADfi, .&C. 28l 
 
 more than half a million of quarters beyond the 
 former export, and recent import of corn, added to- 
 gether, as we have seen. Neither is there included 
 in this estimate the starch-making, the pastry, the 
 poultry-meat, the pig-meat, the horse-corn, the 
 distillery, the brewery. The consumption is, there- 
 fore, not only much greater now than formerly, but 
 many consumers, who, in less opulent times, eat 
 rye-meal and oat-meal, now cat flour of wheat. 
 The consumption of the whole body of consumers 
 is not only more expensive, but is more wasteful at 
 present than formerly. A revolution, which has 
 gradually taken place during the last fifty or sixty 
 years, has lessened the number of supplies, and 
 added largely to the body of consumers. The cot- 
 tagers have been driven into villages ; the villagers 
 have been forced into towns, and the townsmen 
 have been enticed into cities : while the cottagers 
 remained in their hamlets, and the villagers in their 
 vicinages, they derived much of their subsistence 
 from the soil whereon they lived: when they became 
 townsmen and citizens, they ceased to be partly 
 suppliers, and began to be altogether consumers. 
 
 We owe much of this disadvantageous change 
 to our modern system of agriculture. This system, 
 as it has been long practised, has produced the 
 most calamitous effects, without effecting all the 
 salutary consequences for which it is celebrated. 
 By consolidating farms to an enormous extent; by 
 forcing cottagers from their hamlets ; by pretending 
 
 to
 
 2?2 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 to make much profit with little labour ; the agri- 
 cultural system has depopulated, and is depopula- 
 ting, the shires wherein it prevails. This evil in 
 our political economy, has been long suspected : it 
 is now certain. There is not a proposition in the 
 mathematics, that is more demonstrable than the 
 position, that the agricultural system depopulates 
 the country *. The agricultural system attempts 
 
 to 
 
 >'. 
 * The enumeration of i8ox,amonga thousand other informa- 
 tions, evinces the truth of that position : 
 
 N of House 
 
 5 Ditto. 
 
 Decrease. 
 
 in 1690. 
 
 in 1801. 
 
 
 In Bedfordshire - - 12,170 
 
 ~ 12,073 
 
 97 
 
 Cambridgeshire - 18,629 
 
 16,451 
 
 -~ 2,178 
 
 Essex, - - - - 4P>545 
 
 39,398 
 
 1,147 
 
 .Huntingdon^ - - 8,713 
 
 7,072 
 
 1,641 
 
 Lincoln - - - 45,019 
 
 42,489 
 
 2,530 
 
 Norfolk - - - 56,579 
 
 49,140 
 
 7.439 
 
 Rutland - - 3,661 
 
 3*36l 
 
 300 
 
 Suffolk - - - 47.537 
 
 32,805 
 
 14,732 
 
 These are ali agricultural counties : and the diminution of the 
 numbers of their houses, during the intervening period, is a. 
 sad' demonstration how much the agricultural system tends to 
 depopulate the countries which are comprehended within the 
 circle of its unhappy influence. An equal number of the shires 
 of Scotland, which have been the most improved by agriculture, 
 have been in the same manner depopulated. The ministers 
 of many parishes in North Britain point out, in their statistical 
 accounts, the consolidation of farms, the sheep-farming, the 
 driving the people from the hamlets into towns, as the obvious 
 
 causes
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. a8$ 
 
 to ape the manufacturing system, which has a quite, 
 different tendency. Tbe great aim of the manu- 
 facturing system is to produce a better commodity, 
 at a cheaper rate. The constant effect of the agri- 
 cultural system is~to produce a worse commodity, 
 at a dearer rate. While peers sink into peasants, 
 and peasants, rise into peers, the great body of the 
 people is pining in want. 
 
 There may be politicians, indeed, who, con- 
 sidering money as the chief end of all policy, may 
 think, that forcing the cottagers into towns, and 
 the villagers into cities, is a good to be desired, 
 rather than an evil to be deplored. Yes, we have 
 had statesmen, who laid it down as a maxim, 
 that modern war is merely an affair of expense. 
 The wealthiest nation, it was naturally presumed, 
 would ultimately be the most triumphant; and 
 final victory was supposed to be appended to the 
 weightiest purse. We have lived, however, to sec 
 a nation arise, who could make conquests, without 
 money ; as, indeed, history had already recorded 
 the conquests of poverty over riches. Europe has 
 recently seen that our wealth could not obtain 
 warriors. And we were driven by necessity, or 
 were induced by wisdom, to intrust the safety of 
 
 causes of the depopulation of their several parishes. Yet, see the 
 '* Observations on the Results of the Population Act, 4.1 
 Geo. III." which, from different documents, lead us to very dif- 
 ferent conclusions. 
 
 our
 
 284 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 our island to the virtuous spirit of our people. 
 Where is that illustrious regiment, which overthrew 
 the invincible phalanx, to find recruits, if sheep 
 be driven into our northern glens, as a more 
 valuable animal than the human race ? Where 
 shall our armies obtain the hardiest levies, if the 
 villagers be forced into cities? We may now per- 
 ceive, that money cannot'buy men ; that men are 
 of more value than money : the policy, then, which 
 regards riches as the chief good, must end in the 
 ruin of the state : and that statesman who should 
 consider the Exchequer as the only object of his 
 care, would soon be without an Exchequer to care 
 for. From those intimations we may infer what 
 must be the attentions of the wisest government of 
 the wisest of people. 
 
 As I have been asked my opinion with regard to 
 scarcity, the past, and the future, I will submit my 
 judgment upon this interesting subject. During 
 the war, and the dearth, I was silent, though I did 
 not always approve of what was done, or said. 
 Now, that we have peace and plenty, I will freely 
 deliver my sentiments, which, to those who may 
 not recollect that I am not writing for any party, 
 will perhaps appear to be contradictory. It is 
 necessary, in the first place, to lay before the reader 
 a Statement of the Prices of Wheat, according to the 
 audit-book of Eton College, from 1685 to 1771, 
 and from this year to 1801, according to the ave- 
 rage
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. 285 
 
 rage of the Eton prices, reduced, however, to the 
 statute quarter, and to the middling quality ; and of 
 Mr. Catherwoods prices of England and Wales ; 
 of the excess of exports and imports of corn, from 
 the year 1696, to 1800, inclusive, including Scot- 
 land, after the Union ; together with the bounties 
 which were paid during the several periods 
 wherein bounties were given : the bounties of the 
 three years ending with 1691, and those of the 
 five years ending with 1696, were computed at 
 only the half of what the bounties amounted to in 
 the subsequent years, when the prices of corn were 
 the same. 
 
 s. 
 
 A TABLE J
 
 286 
 
 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 A TABLE ; shewing the average Prices of middli ng Wheat, 
 per Statute Smarter ; the average Exctfi of the Exports of every 
 Sort of Corn, Flour, and Meal ; the average Imports of the 
 same ; and the whole Bounties paid en the Corn exported 
 during the Tears of the several Averages* 
 
 PERIODS. 
 
 % Years Average, 
 
 ending with 168S 
 ^years D ending 1691 
 5 years D* ending 1696 
 
 5 years D ending 1701 
 
 6 years D" ending 1707 
 4 years D ending 171 1 
 4 years D ending 17 15 
 
 4 years D ending 17 19 
 
 5 years D ending 1714 
 5 years D* ending 1729 
 5 years D ending 1734 
 5 years D c ending 1739 
 5 years D ending 1744 
 5 years D ending 174.9 
 5 years D" ending 1754 
 5 years D ending 1759 
 5 years D ending 1764 
 .3 years D ending 1769 
 5 years D # ending 1774 
 5 years D ending 1779 
 5 years D ending 1784 
 5 years D* ending 1789 
 5 years D ending 1794 
 5 years D ending 1799 
 The one year - - 1800 
 
 The Prices 
 of Wheat 
 ;>er stat.qr 
 
 The Excess 
 
 of 
 
 Exports 
 
 s. d. Quarters. 
 
 27 4 
 26 - 
 
 47 9 
 
 42 8 
 
 25 1 1 
 
 49 9 
 
 37 8 
 
 33 
 
 28 10 
 
 37 7 
 
 25 9 
 
 30 10 
 
 28 7 
 
 27 
 30 
 36 
 3 
 43 
 
 47 9i 
 
 40 9 
 
 45 9i 
 
 43 3 
 
 47 2 
 
 <3 5* 
 
 "3 4 
 
 139,866 
 289,304 
 299,367 
 453.986 
 485,85* 
 532.732 
 216,643 
 468,844 
 597.462 
 446,378 
 
 932.593 
 
 1,080,077 
 
 273.805 
 
 676,117 
 
 
 The Excess 
 
 of 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Quarters. 
 
 233.184 
 276,206 
 
 290.595 
 185,906 
 198,716 
 
 i45.584 
 1,191,131 
 
 2,259379 
 
 The 
 
 Bounties 
 
 paid. 
 
 None. 
 
 66,600 
 
 60,000 
 
 26,773 
 310,087 
 
 )2,J33 
 
 288,501 
 248,192 
 388,204 
 286,829 
 
 445>49 6 
 576,550 
 396.941 
 775.137 
 9 6 4,340 
 
 354,33* 
 
 703,170 
 
 5 6 ,505 
 
 24,036 
 
 >93,225 
 
 167,764 
 
 268,148 
 
 106,544 
 
 138 
 
 7,000,045 
 
 The
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. 287 
 
 The epoch of the bounty on corn is 1689. lu 
 my copy of 4he Statutes, the bounty is called a 
 reward to persons exporting corn*. The price of 
 middling wheat, at that epoch, according to a five 
 years average, ending with 1689, was -28*. yd. a 
 statute quarter. A long period of fine seasons had 
 reduced the market value to that low price. And 
 this low price, and those fine seasons, induced the 
 Parliament to pass the before-mentioned act, " for 
 encouraging the exportation of corn," when wheat 
 should be at 48*. or under. The value of money 
 was, at that epoch, in the ratio of 226, in 1689, 
 to 562, in 1800-^; and, of consequence, 1/. in 
 1689 had as much power over the necessaries of 
 life as 2/. 9s. %%d. had in 1800. 
 
 The fine seasons did not continue long. The 
 seasons, however, were so far favourable in 1690 
 and 1691, as to reduce the prices below the average 
 of 281. gd. notwithstanding the bounty, and the 
 act encouraging exportation. The seasons changed 
 from good to bad, in 1692; and continued ex- 
 tremely unfavourable till 1702, when the price fell 
 below the average of lis. yd. Those times were 
 long remembered as the dear years of the revolu- 
 tion, when the price of middling wheat rose to 56^. 
 the statute quarter in 1696. We have had no such 
 
 * 1 Wm. & Mary, ch. 12. 
 
 f See Sir George S/iuckSurg/i Evelyn's interesting and important 
 inble of the appreciation of money, in the Trantactions of the Royal 
 Stciety, 1 798, p. 1 76. 
 
 5 scarcity,
 
 -8S r SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 scarcity, and dearth, during late times. The fine 
 seasons returned in 170a, and continued till 1708. 
 Two or three unfavourable seasons carried up the 
 prices of wheat to 62s. in 1709, and to 61s. yd. in 
 1 7 10. The high prices of 1800, considering the 
 depreciation of money, were not so high as those of 
 1709 and 17 10. A long course of favourable sea- 
 sons now succeeded ; and continued, with very 
 little interruption, till 1756 and 1757, when the 
 price of middling wheat rose to 47*. ^d. the statute 
 quarter, which, having a regard to the depreciation 
 of money, was still under the low price of 16^9. 
 At length clamour, and tumult, began ; which 
 have continued, during bad seasons, till the pre- 
 sent times. 
 
 Some insist, that the bounties have fructified our 
 fields : some, that they have not prevented the 
 return of bad seasons, nor benefited our farmers, 
 in good seasons. The late Dr. Adam Smith main- 
 tained that, without benefiting the farmers, the 
 bounty did harm to the great body of the people, 
 In two respects; it raised^ the price in the home 
 market ; and it transferred vast sums of money, at 
 the most distressful times, from the purses of the 
 consumers to the pockets of the jobbers*. The 
 Rev. John Howlett, with as sound a head as 
 Dr. Smith, and more facts before his eyes, cannot 
 see " the beneficial operation of the bounty -f.'' 
 
 * Wealth of Nations, vol. ii. p. 266. 
 f The Dispersion of gloomy Apprehensions, 1 797, p. 22. 
 
 There
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. 2$<) 
 
 There is a curious circumstance, which neither of 
 those quick- sighted writers distinctly saw : Till 
 the Corn Act of 1791, there was no proper mode 
 prescribed by law for ascertaining the prices of 
 grain *. The customers, who computed the 
 bounty at the Custom-house, and the brokers, who 
 received it, understood each other : but neither 
 the growers of corn, nor the consumers, knew the 
 prices of grain, except the price of the narrow 
 market wherein they dealt. Neither did the King 
 and Parliament, during former reigns, know the 
 general prices of grain, except from the noise and 
 tumult of the needy. Now, those facts not only 
 confirm the reasonings of Smith and Howlett, but 
 evince, that the bounty went directly from the 
 pockets of the consumers into the purses of the 
 brokers, yet without benefiting the growers. From 
 the first establishment of the bounty till its recent 
 cessation, owing to natural causes, upwards of 
 seven millions of money have been paid by the 
 public, not for a good purpose, but for a bad pur- 
 pose. It has, moreover, created a continued 
 contest, by a struggle between avarice and want. 
 And, to the scandal of the better judgment of 
 the nation, a probable good has been allowed, for 
 more than a century, to outface two positive evils: 
 the probable good was the supposed fructification of 
 
 * The register of corn prices began indeed in 1771; but it 
 was inadequate to its end. 
 
 t our
 
 29O SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 our fields : the two positive evils were tbe payment 
 of seven millions of money, for making corn 
 dearer in tbe home market, without contributing to 
 the manurance of the soil *. 
 
 The struggle and perseverance in promoting the 
 export of the produce of agriculture, in former 
 times, appears quite wonderful to the harassed eyes 
 of the present day. The dear years of the revolu- 
 tion began in 1692. The prices of grain rose to 
 the greatest height in 1696. They continued 
 very high till 1699, when they began to abate, till 
 the better seasons returned in 1700. The export 
 of corn was prohibited in 1699, for one year-f-. 
 The bounty was soon afterwards withdrawn, from 
 the 9th of February 1699, to tne 20 * n ^ Septem- 
 ber 1700^. And the duties which were payable 
 on the export of victual, were repealed for ever in 
 1 700 . From those facts it is apparent, that the 
 
 King 
 
 * By the Corn Act of 1773, the original bounty price of 48*. 
 a quarter of wheat was reduced to a rate under 44J. ; and this re- 
 duced rate was continued by the Corn Act of 1791. But the 
 20 G. 3-ch. 31. seemed to introduce a new principle, when it 
 allowed only one half of the bounty on corn exported in neutral 
 ships. 
 
 f By 10 Wm. ch. 3. By 10, 1 r, Wm. ch. 4. the distillery was. 
 -topped for a season. 
 
 + By 11 Wm. ch. 1. All those alleviations came after the 
 <*vil day had passed. 
 
 ^By 11, ia, Wm. ch. 20. During that reign too, there wa* 
 passed " An Act for the Encouragement of the Breeding and 
 feeding of Cattle." 3 Wm. & M. ch. 8. The great object of 
 
 this
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. 29 1 
 
 King and Parliament, in those days, either did 
 not know the state of the prices, or did not feel for 
 the miseries of the poor, with the same pungency 
 as the King and Parliament feel at present. The 
 years 1709 and 17 10 were times of greater dearths, 
 though perhaps of less calamity, than those of King 
 William's reign. The only anodyne, which was 
 applied in those two years, was the measure of 
 preventing the export of corn for one year, without 
 withdrawing the bounty *. There was very little 
 grain imported during those two periods of severe 
 dearths. And this fact seems to evince, that the 
 prevailing passion for export on both those sad oc- 
 casions, drove the consumers to rigid economy, 
 which generally is the best resource. 
 
 A long course of favourable seasons prevented 
 the return of dearth till 1740, which was not 
 comparable to the dear years of King William and 
 Queen Anne. The export of corn was, however, 
 stopped in 1741. The same measure was adopted 
 in 1757, when a worse season in the preceding 
 year occasioned a louder outcry and greater 
 tumult. The outcry, and the tumult, and the 
 alarm, rose to a greater height, during the un- 
 
 this encouragement, which was given at the commencement of 
 the dear ye?rs, consisted in taking off the duties on the exporta- 
 tion of all the products of agriculture. I do not observe, that any 
 measure was taken, during the nine years of want, to stop the ex- 
 portation, or to repeal this act, giving a reward for raising thp 
 prices of the products of agriculture in the home market. 
 * By the 8 Anne, ch. 2, 
 
 t 2 favourable
 
 20/2 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 favourable seasons of 1765, 1766, 1767, though 
 neither the nominal, nor the real, prices of victual 
 were equal to those of the times of Queen Anne 
 or King William. It was this clamour of contra- 
 diction, which induced ingenious men to attribute 
 the apparent prices, and subsequent distress, to the 
 depreciation of money. Montesquieu, and Hume, had 
 already talked of the effect of riches and luxury 
 upon the necessaries of life. But it was Soame Jenyns, 
 who long sat at the Board of Trade, who profess- 
 edly inculcated, " that the present high price of 
 provisions [1766] arises, principally, from the 
 poverty of the public, and the wealth of indivi- 
 duals *." But, as he knew not how to calculate 
 the depreciation of money, he was unable to apply 
 it specifically to his point, 
 
 The passion which had so long contrived ways 
 and means for exporting the necessaries of life, was 
 at length met by a contrary passion. And, from 
 1766 to 1 773> encouragements were continually 
 offered for the importation of the necessaries of 
 life-)-. This importation, and that passion, conti- 
 nued to the present times. The year 1 796 is the 
 
 * In his Thoughts on ttie Causes, and Consequences, of the present 
 high Price of Provisions 1 Dodsley, 1767, Svo. He was immediately 
 answered by a pamphlet, abusing all the servants of the public, 
 who were the very persons that suffered the most from the dtfre- 
 ciation of money. 
 
 f By the various acts of Parliament in those times. The 
 obvious change in the current of the corn-trade may be traced 
 back not only to the bad seasons, but to those Parliamentary acts. 
 
 epoch
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. 0,$$ 
 
 epoch of the bounly on the importation of victual *. 
 This first essay cost the nation 565,802/. The un- 
 favourable seasons, and the continued fright, gave 
 rise to greater and more various bounties on the 
 importation of victual -j~. This second essay has 
 already intercepted, in its course to the Exchequer, 
 no less than 1,251,479/. Of victual, there was 
 imported, in 1800, as we have seen, 2,259,379 
 statute quarters. Such arc the effects of carrying 
 policy to extremes ; in one period, exportation was 
 too much rewarded 1 in another, importation was 
 too much forced. The people 
 
 " " Feel by turns the bitter change 
 
 Of fierce extremes^ extremes by change more fierce." 
 
 In the mean time, something like a corn system 
 was adopted, in 1773, by regulating the export, 
 and import, of grain, according to given prices J. 
 Yet was that system said " to be founded on radi- 
 cal mistakes ||." During the subsequent eighteen 
 years, the corwlaivs were involved in a complete 
 chaos. The ablest lawyers in England could not 
 say, distinctly, by what law the exports, and im- 
 ports, of grain were to be regulated. In this state 
 of legal anarchy, one of the greatest statesmen 
 whom this country has ever produced, undertook 
 the arduous task of drawing order from confusion. 
 All the elaboration of diligence, and all the wisdom 
 
 * 36 Geo. 3. ch. ar. 
 
 f 39, 40 Geo. 3. ch. 29, 41 Gen. 3. ch. 10. 
 
 X 13 Geo. 3. ch. 43. 
 
 11 Mr. Young's Pol. Arithmetic, p. 40. 
 
 T 3 Of
 
 2^4 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 of experience, were now employed, in forming the 
 Corn Act of 1791 *. Yet, alas ! what is the wis- 
 dom of the wise ? A continued succession of unfa- 
 vourable seasons has rendered nugatory the judi- 
 cious regulations of that systematic law. 
 
 During more than half a century, we have been 
 stunned with controversy about the corn-laws, 
 which seem to be abrogated by a higher Power 
 than Parliament. " The grand and leading error 
 upon this subject seems to be," says the Rev. 
 John Howlett, " that we ascribe too much to hu- 
 man contrivance ; and too little to providential 
 superintendence-}-." When this able man made 
 this deep remark, he had before him many facts. 
 When the late Dr. Smith argued this question, 
 he could only see, with systematic eyes, the dispa- 
 ragement of silver. After viewing the whole ope- 
 ration of the corn-laws, with a very acute intellect, 
 Mr. Hewlett % " thought it manifest, that the va- 
 rious changes in our corn-laws are so far from 
 having been the only, or even any considerable, 
 cause of the decrease of our exports (of corn), 
 that there is no necessity for supposing they have 
 been any cause at all." W T ith this opinion I 
 concur. After a long consideration of the corn-ac- 
 counts, which were printed by order of Parliament 
 
 * 31 Geo. 3. ch. 30. This act, however, was not finally 
 passed as it had been originally proposed. See the notes on 
 p. 40, 41, of the Corn Representation, lately printed for Stockdale. 
 
 t His Dispersion, 1797, p. 21. 
 
 t Id. 
 
 in
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. 295 
 
 in November 1 800, and weighing collateral circum- 
 stances, it appears to me, that the seasons, either 
 good or bad, have been the efficient causes of 
 plenty, or scarcity, from the epoch of the exporta- 
 tion bounty to the present times. After fully con- 
 sidering this interesting subject, the series of corn- 
 laws appeared to mc like continued attempts to 
 regulate the seasons. In the weighty consideration 
 of supplying the necessaries of life there are two 
 points, which are beyond the power of Parliament : 
 the Legislature cannot regulate the course of the 
 seasons ; neither can the Legislature control the 
 subtle, and silent, depreciation of money, which 
 seems to have the all-powerful force of steam: the 
 effect of unfavourable seasons may be mitigated 
 by the best system of agriculture : the unhappy 
 influence of the depreciation of money may be 
 mollified by the rigid economy of individuals. 
 
 Thus much, then, with regard to the bounty, and 
 to the corn-laws : I will now speak of the recent 
 dearths, which proceeded from various causes. 
 The principal cause was, undoubtedly, a long 
 series of unfavourable seasons. We have, as I 
 have already shewn, not only a greater number of 
 people to feed ; but a greater number of opulent 
 and wasteful people to feed ; owing to the favour- 
 able change in the circumstances of a great many 
 people. In the mean time, the whole necessaries 
 of life were sold upon the principles of concert. 
 From Cornwall to Caithness there is an understand- 
 ing among the sellers, who never forget that the 
 
 t 4 consumers
 
 296 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 consumers are wholly in their power. And, by 
 means of this understanding, and of that concert, 
 there is not a free market in Britain, where the 
 balance of supply, and demand, can vibrate, with- 
 out the interruptions of avarice. Some of those 
 evils have been attributed to the banks. It has 
 been urged, that the paper of the Bank of England 
 has greatly contributed to raise the prices of corn 
 and cattle. The abstract position is obviously ab- 
 surd : and the arguments which have been given 
 in support of that absurdity, I have always con- 
 sidered as nonsensical. If it had been argued, that 
 the discounts of the Bank promote circulation ; 
 that circulation encourages industry ; that industry 
 energizes agriculture, manufacture, commerce ; 
 that all these create wealth ; that wealth engenders 
 luxury : that luxury creates consumption ; and that 
 consumption affects the prices ; I should have ad- 
 mitted these several deductions to be so many tru- 
 isms : but it is not true, in point of fact, that the 
 paper of the Bank of England ever comes into direct 
 contact with prices, though they may, after a long 
 course of circulation. It seems, however, certain, 
 that the country banks furnish accommodations to 
 farmers: yet, have not farmers the same right to 
 the benefits of accommodations, as merchants, and 
 other tradesmen, have, to discounts, and advances, 
 and other commercial resources ? The talk about 
 paper money, on this occasion, is only an outcry, 
 that we are an opulent and free-spending people ! 
 Whether the late war has had any great influence 
 
 on
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, See. 297 
 
 on prices, has been doubted by some, and denied 
 by others. There is scarcely a paradox that 
 some philosophers have not maintained. Some of 
 our political economists have closely followed their 
 track in the paradoxical line. One truth is clear? 
 it was not the word war, nor the thing, which 
 raised the prices, in the domestic market: but our 
 fleets, and our armies, have large mouths, that must 
 be supplied : and when the public agents go into 
 the market, with additional demands, the prices 
 must necessarily rise; since the price is governed 
 by the demand and the supply. If there should 
 be an additional demand, and a less supply, during 
 seasons of scarcity, the public agents must, un- 
 doubtedly, raise the prices, in a high degree. But 
 some other effects of war contributed to enhance 
 the prices still more. When the assessed taxes, and 
 the income-tax, were collected, the suppliers of the 
 necessaries of life contrived to impose their propor*. 
 tion of those taxes on the consumers, in the prices of 
 the necessary articles. The public agents "have 
 withdrawn from the markets ; yet the consequences 
 of fhe war affect the consumers, during the enjoy- 
 ment of peace. 
 
 This intimation leads to a slight consideration of 
 the depreciation of money. The mean appreciation, 
 from 1689, the epoch of the export bounty on 
 corn, to 1800, is in the ratio of 226 to 562, 
 nearly * : now, the result is, that 1/. in 1689, had 
 
 * See Sir George Shuckburgh Evelyn's Tabic of the appreciation of 
 Money, in the Transactions of the Royal Society, 1798, p. 176. 
 
 as
 
 2^3 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 as great a power over the necessaries of life, as 
 il. 95. Z\d. had in 1800. From the same ap- 
 preciation there is another result. According to 
 a five years average, ending with 1689, the price 
 of middling wheat, per statute quarter, was 
 il. 2s. 8|d. ; now, this sum had as great a power 
 over the necessaries of life, as 3/. lis. $d. in 1800: 
 and the average price of five dear years, ending with 
 
 1799, was only 3/. $s. $%d. : so that this high price 
 of five dear years, was not so large as the low price 
 of middling wheat, in the five plentiful years end- 
 ing with 1689. From the foregoing results we 
 may infer, that the dear years of recent times were 
 not equal in dearness, and misery, to the dear years 
 of a century before. The depreciation of money, 
 according to Sir George Shuckburgh Evelyns table, 
 from 1696 to 1800, was in the ratio of 234.52 to 
 562, nearly: so that 1/. in 1696, was equal in 
 power to il. 7*. nd. in 1800: and, of consequence, 
 the average price of wheat, in the very dear year 
 1696, was equal to 61. 145. ad. in the very dear 
 year 1800. The depreciation, according to the 
 same curious and important table, from 17 10 to 
 
 1800, was in the ratio of 247! to 562, nearly: so 
 that il. in 17 10 was equal in energy to 2/. 5.?. $d. 
 in 1800: now, the average price of the quarter of 
 middling wheat, in 1709, was 3/. is. ; which, in 
 power over necessaries, was equal to 7/. os. gld. 
 in 1800. It is therefore demonstrable, that the 
 dearness and distress of recent times, were not 
 equal to the dearness and distress of the several 
 
 reigns
 
 DISSERTATION ON THE CORN-TRADE, &C. 299 
 
 reigns of King William and Queen Anne. Under 
 Providence, we owe the favourable difference of 
 late times to the better state of our agriculture; 
 proceeding from that gradual progress of improve- 
 ment, which has been traced, during the two last 
 centuries ; and which has doubled in its progress, 
 during the present reign, and has redoubled its many 
 meliorations during the last six-and-thirty years. 
 
 The subject of the depreciation of money is so inte- 
 resting to the state, to the governed, as well as to 
 the governors, that I will presume to exhibit it in 
 a different light. By a parliamentary arrangement, 
 in 1760, the civil list revenue was compensated 
 by an annuity of 800,000/. ; his Majesty having 
 graciously offered to relinquish his hereditary reve- 
 nues, in consideration of an equivalent. It is a 
 parliamentary principle, which has been long set- 
 tled, that whoever, whether the prince or the pea- 
 sant, relinquishes any rights, for the benefit of the 
 public, shall receive a full compensation. On that 
 principle was the said annuity of 800,000/. settled, 
 by Parliament, on his Majesty, in lieu of his here- 
 ditary revenues *. Upon that annuity the depreci- 
 ation 
 
 * 1 Geo. 3. ch. r. The historian of our revenue does not dis- 
 tinctly sWte that arrangement, which comprehends the royal 
 grace and the parliamentary engagement. The learned Baronet, 
 however, recapitulates the various sums, which, from time to 
 time, have been paid in supplementary aid of the civil list ; and 
 at length infers, that the total, during the space of twenty-eight 
 years, amounts to 923,196/. jter annum. Sir J. Sinclair's Hist. 
 of the Public Revenue, vol. iii. p. 72. But his sagacity seems 
 
 not
 
 JCO SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 ation of money attached, as it equally attaches upon 
 all other annuities. It was found necessary, there- 
 fore, in 1777, to bring the arrears of the civil list 
 before the Parliament, for its just consideration. 
 The civil list debt was paid ; and the said annuity 
 was enlarged to 900,000/. without any very minute 
 calculation, whether 900,000/. in 1777, had the 
 same power over the necessaries of life, as 800,000/. 
 had in 1760. The depreciation of money, from 
 1760 to 1800, according to the important table 
 before mentioned, was in the ratio of 34a to 562 : 
 so that 1/. in 1760, could command as many of the 
 necessaries of life, as 1/. \is. lod. in 1800: and 
 consequently, an annuity of 800, oco/. in 1760, 
 was equal, in its faculties, to an annuity of 
 1,314,619/. ijs. 7|<r/. in 1800. Such, then, are 
 some of the effects of the depreciation of money, 
 which, as they are subtle and silent, cannot be easily 
 foreseen, and cannot be wholly prevented. I have 
 now spoken of the several points of our political 
 economy, which I proposed to discuss, with the 
 freedom of a man who always thinks for himself. 
 
 not to have perceived, that the depreciation f money was out- 
 running the annuity ; and his algebra did not discover, by com- 
 putation, that 923,196/. in 1786, were not equal, in power of 
 purchase, to 800,000/. in 1760 : in fact, according to the Table, 
 and the principles before mentioned, an annuity of 900,000/. was 
 equal, in its energies, during the year 1760, to an annuity of 
 1,478,94.7/. 7*, 4//. in 1800. Now, the mathematics cannot be out- 
 faced by confidence, nor out-argued by declamation. 
 
 A STATE-
 
 PRICES OP WHEAT, &C. 3OI 
 
 A Statement^/ the Prices of middling Wheat 
 per Quarter, according to the Winchester Measure ; 
 also of the Quantities of all Grain exported, 
 with the Bounties f> aid thereon, and of the Quan~ 
 tides of all Grain imported in each Year, from 
 the Year 1697 to tne Year 1799, both Years inclu- 
 sive, divided pi to Periods : With an Account of the 
 Excess of the Exports and Imports, on an Ave* 
 rage, in each Period. 
 
 It has been thought right to bring into one view 
 a statement of the corn-trade of this kingdom, du- 
 ring the whole of the present century, from the best 
 documents that could be procured. The account 
 of the import and export of corn of all sorts to and 
 from England, which is the most important docu- 
 ment of all, has been correctly kept in a ledger at 
 the Custom-house of London, by the Inspector Ge- 
 neral of Imports and Exports. Many parts of this 
 account of the import and export of corn to and 
 from England have, for different periods, occasion- 
 ally been printed by order of one or other House of 
 Parliament. The office of Inspector General of 
 Imports and Exports was not established till the 
 year 1696. No earlier complete account could 
 therefore be obtained than that of 1697. This ac- 
 count, of course, commences from the year 1697, 
 inclusive, and is continued to the present time. 
 
 5 I*
 
 302 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 In Scotland, a similar ledger, or accurate account 
 of the import and export of corn to and from that 
 kingdom, was not kept at the Custom-house at 
 Edinburgh before the Union, and for many years 
 after the Union, that is, till the year 1755. From 
 the year 1755 a similar ledger has been kept till the 
 present time ; and the same confidence may there- 
 fore be placed in the official accounts of the imports 
 and exports of corn to and from Scotland, from the 
 year last mentioned to the present time, as in 
 the accounts of the imports and exports of corn 
 to and from England. To remedy the deficiency 
 in the Scotch accounts of the imports and exports 
 of corn previous to the year 1755, it has been 
 found necessary to have recourse to the tables 
 published in the Corn Tracts of Mr. Dirom, a 
 gentleman who took extraordinary pains in col- 
 lecting from the best sources every information 
 of this nature j and his tables are generally sup- 
 posed to contain the most accurate account of the 
 imports and exports of corn to and from Scotland of 
 any that have ever yet been published. 
 
 The conversion of wheaten flour imported and 
 exported, into quarters of wheat, has been made, by 
 estimating three hundred weight of flour as equal 
 to one quarter of wheat. This practice has been 
 followed since the year 1771 ; but it is supposed 
 that, previous to that period, the practice of con- 
 verting wheaten flour into wheat, at the Custom- 
 house,
 
 PRICES OF WHEAT, &C. 303 
 
 house, was by estimating four hundred weight of 
 flour as equal to one quarter ofwheat. 
 
 In stating the quantity of malt imported or ex- 
 ported, the rule observed has been to estimate a 
 quarter of malt as equal to a quarter of barley. 
 
 The conversion of oatmeal into oats has been 
 made according to a rule laid down in the Corn Act 
 of 1791, by multiplying the number of bolls of oat- 
 meal imported or exported by 140, which is sup- 
 posed to be the average weight in pounds avoirdu- 
 pois of a boll of oatmeal, and then by dividing the 
 sum so produced by 176, which is the number of 
 pounds declared by that act to be equal, on an ave- 
 rage, to eight bushels, or a quarter of oats. 
 
 The statement of the bounties paid on corn ex- 
 ported is taken from an account furnished by the 
 Receiver General of the Customs from the year 
 171 7 to the present time. He has also furnished a 
 like account for the years 1700 and 1701. But he 
 alleges, that for the remaining years, from 1697 to 
 1 71 7, there is no official account now remaining at 
 the Custom-house. The accounts therefore of the 
 bounties paid in these deficient years have been 
 taken from the best printed accounts now extant, 
 which it is probable were copied originally from 
 Custom-house accounts, which were then in exist- 
 ence. 
 
 The prices of wheat in the first column of this 
 
 statement are taken from the audit -book of Eton 
 
 College. These prices are taken twice in each year, 
 
 4 that
 
 304 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 that is, at Lady Day and Michaelmas, for the purpose 
 of ascertaining what is called the corn-rent, by vir- 
 tue of an act passed in the 18th Eliz. ch. vi. and ac- 
 cording to the rules prescribed in the said act : but 
 as the Windsor measure was one ninth greater than 
 the Winchester measure, the prices in this state- 
 ment have been reduced in proportion. And as 
 the price of wheat so taken and registered in the au- 
 dit-book of Eton College is of the best wheat, a fur- 
 ther reduction has been made, to bring it to the 
 price of middling wheat, according to a rule laid 
 down by the late Mr. Smith, author of the Corn 
 Tracts, and adopted by J. J. Catherwood, the pre- 
 sent receiver of corn returns, with the approbation 
 of the late Mr. Whitbread. And in addition to 
 this table of prices, founded on those kept in the 
 audit-book of Eton College, a further account of 
 the prices of middling wheat from the year 177 1, 
 inclusive, is given in an adjoining column, accord- 
 ing to the returns made to the Receiver of Corn Re- 
 turns from several parts of the kingdom, by virtue 
 of Acts of Parliament requiring the making of such 
 returns; from which a weekly table has been pre- 
 pared, according to the rules laid down in the said 
 acts, and published weekly in the London Gazette. 
 An opportunity is thus given of judging of the 
 accuracy of these prices, by comparing them to- 
 gether. 
 
 ENGLAND.
 
 PRICES OP WHEAT, &C. 
 
 30$ 
 
 s 
 S 
 
 
 
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 rt 
 
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 5 
 
 5. 
 
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 SEfcOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
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 PRICES OP WHEAT, &C. 
 
 37 
 
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 SECOND SUITLEMENT. 
 
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 >} M M 00 00 

 
 PRICES OF WHEAT, &C. 
 
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 3 20 SECOND SUPPLEMENT* 
 
 The average Price of middling British Wheat, taken from 
 Mr. Catherwood's Tables, from the 26th of September 
 1799, to the 26th September 1800, fzj 
 
 s. d. 
 In England, was 106 per Quarter. 
 
 In Scotland -* 83 4 per Quarter, 
 
 The average Price of middling British Wheat, calculated 
 from the Accounts kept in the Audit-book of Eton Col- 
 lege, and taken at Lady-Day and Michaelmas 1 800, 
 
 s. d. 
 Was 112 7 per Quarter, Winchesters 
 
 (a) 1699. The export of corn was prohibited; for one 
 year, by 10th William 3. ch. 3. The bounties were sus- 
 pended, from 9th February 1 699, to 29th September 1700, 
 by the nth William 3. ch. 1. 
 
 (b) 1709. By 8th Anne, ch. 2. the export of corn was 
 prohibited, before the 29th September 1710, with a power 
 to the Queen to allow export sooner. 
 
 (c) 1 741. By 14th Geo, 2. ch. 2. the export of corn, 
 flour, &x. was prohibited, before the 25th December 1741, 
 with the same power to the King to allow export sooner. 
 By the 14th Geo. 2. ch 7. power was given to the judge 
 of the bills, in the Court of Session, to allow import of 
 corn, &c. or suspend the same, in time of dearth and 
 scarcity in Scotland. 
 
 (d) 1757. % 30th Geo. 2. ch. 1. the export of corn, 
 malt, meal, flour, &c. was prohibitedj before the 25th 
 December 1757. Continued D y tne 3 Ist Geo. 2. ch. i<; 
 and further continued by 3 2d Geo. 2. ch. 2. The prohi- 
 bition was taken off by the 32d Geo. 2. ch. 8* 
 
 (0
 
 PRICES OF WHEAT, &C. 32 1 
 
 fej 1765. By 5th Geo. 3. ch. 32. the King was en- 
 abled to prohibit the export of wheat, wheaten flour, bread, 
 &c. during the recess of Parliament. By the 5th Geo. 3. 
 ch. 31. the duties on the corn imported were discontinued 
 for a time, and the bounty on wheat and wheaten flour was 
 also discontinued. 
 
 (f) 1766. By 6th Geo. 3. ch. 3. the import of com 
 and grain from the colonies was allowed, for a limited 
 time, duty free; by 6th Geo. 3. ch. 4. the import of oats 
 was allowed, for a limited time, duty free; by the 6tU 
 Geo. 3. ch. 5. the export of corn, malt, meal, flour, 
 bread, Sec. was prohibited for a limited time. 
 
 (&) 1 767. By the 7th Geo. 3. ch. 3. the export of 
 corn, gtain, malt, flour, bread, Sec. was prohibited for a 
 limited time. By 7th Geo. 3. ch. 4, 5, 8, 11, 30. the 
 import of wheat, 8cc. was allowed for a limited time, duly 
 free. By 7th Geo. 3. ch. 7. all persons were indemnified 
 for executing the embargo on ships laden with wheat, dated 
 26th September 1767. 
 
 (h) 1768. By 8th Geo. 3. ch. 1. the prohibition on. 
 the export was continued for a further limited time ; and 
 by ch. 2, and 3, the importation of several sorts of grain 
 was allowed. 
 
 (1) 1769. By 9th Geo. 3. ch. 1. the prohibition of 
 export was further continued for a limited time. 
 
 (h) 1770. By the loth Geo. 3. ch. 1. the prohibition 
 of export was further continued, for a limited time. 
 
 (I) 177 1. By IJth Geo. 3. ch. 1. the prohibition. 
 of export was further continued, for a limited time. 
 
 (m) 1772. By 12th Geo. 3. ch. 1. the prohibition 
 of export was further continued, for a limited time. By 
 ch. 32. the free importation of rice was permitted, for a, 
 limited time. By ch. 33. the free importation of wheat, 
 &c. was permitted for a limited aiina. 
 
 X (n)
 
 322 SECOND SUPPLEMENT. 
 
 fn) 1773. By 13th G^. 3. ch. 1. the free importation 
 of wheat, &c. was permitted for a limited time. By 
 ch. 2. the free importation of wheat, &c. from America 
 was permitted for a limited time. By ch. 3. the prohi- 
 bition to export wheat, &c. was continued fos a limited 
 time* 
 
 (0) 1775. By 15th Geo. 3. ch. 1. the importation of 
 maize was permitted, on a low duty. 
 
 (p) 1780. By 2oth Geo* 3. ch. 31. half the bounty 
 was allowed on the exportation of corn in neutral ships. 
 
 (q) 1 78 1. By 21st Geo. 3. ch. 1. the importation on 
 the low duly of wheat, &c. was permitted for a limited 
 time. By ch. 53. the King was enabled to permit, for a 
 limited time, the free importation of wheat, &c. into 
 certain counties of Scotland. By ch. 81. the payment* of 
 bounty on the exportation of wheat was suspended for a 
 limited time. 
 
 (r) 1790. By 30th Geo. 3. ch. 1. all persons who 
 had acted under orders of Council of the 23d December 
 1789, and 2d June 1790, respecting the importation and 
 exportation of corn, were indemnified. 
 
 fs) 1793. By 23d Geo. 3. ch. 3. all persons who had 
 acted under an order of Council of 9th November 1792, 
 respecting the importation and exportation of corn, were 
 indemnified. 
 
 ft) 179?. By 35th Geo. 3. ch. 4. the King was 
 enabled, till the expiration of six weeks after the com- 
 mencement of the next session of Parliament, to permit 
 the free importation, and prohibit the exportation of 
 'wheat, &c. 
 
 fu) 1796. By 36th Geo. 3. ch. 3. the free importa- 
 tion of wheat, &c. was allowed, and the exportation pro- 
 hibited, until the expiration of six weeks after the com- 
 mencement
 
 PRICES OF WHEAT, &C. 323 
 
 mencement of the next session. By eh. CLl, bounties 
 were allowed on the importation of wheat, &c. to Sep- 
 tember 30, 1796. 
 
 (x) 1797. By 37th Geo. 3. ch. 7. the stat. 36th, 
 Geo. 3. clj. 3. was continued, until the expiration of six 
 weeks from the commencement of the next session of 
 Parliament. 
 
 (y) , 799* ^y 39 tn Gfo. 3. ch. 87. the regulations of 
 36th Geo, 3, ch. 3. were further continued until the 
 expiration of six weeks from the commencement of the 
 next session of Parliament. 
 
 fzj j 800. By 40th Geo, 3. ch. 29. bounties were 
 granted on the importation of wheat, 8cc. till 1 5th October 
 1800. By ch. 58. the King was enabled to prohibit the 
 exportation of wheat, &c. and permit the free importation 
 thereof, until forty days after the commencement of the 
 next session. 
 
 REPRESENTATION
 
 ( ) 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO THE 
 
 PRESENT EDITION. 
 
 IN the prefent ftate of this Country, when the prices 
 of wheat and of all other forts of grain are fo high, 
 the Public will naturally wifh to fee the reprefentation 
 made to the King, by the lords of the committee of 
 His Majefty's moft honourable privy council, on the 
 8th March 1790, as it contains the principles on 
 which many of the regulations in the prefenc corn laws 
 are founded, as well as fome account of former fyftems, 
 and of the laws relating to them. This reprefenta- 
 tion was printed in the year 1790, by order of both 
 houfes of parliament ; but it is probable that many of 
 the copies then delivered to the members, may have 
 been loft or miflaid ; it has on that account been 
 thought proper to reprint it. A lapfe of ten years 
 fince this reprefentation was prefented to the two 
 houfes of parliament, and the events which have hap- 
 pened during that interval, may have furnifhed rea- 
 lbns to juftify many in not entertaining the fame fa- 
 vourable fentiments of thofe principles, with which 
 
 A 2 they
 
 ( iv ) 
 
 they were at firft received by the public, and which, 
 induced the legiflature, after full confideration, to adopt 
 moftof them : It may now perhaps be thought no longer 
 fafe to reft fo important a concern, as the trade in the 
 moft neceflary article of life, folely on thofe prin- 
 ciples. Whatever may be the opinion of the public 
 on this moft interefting and delicate fubjecl:, the pre- 
 fent re-publication will be fo far of ufe, that it will 
 bring thofe principles again under their view, and 
 thereby enable every one to form a correct judgment 
 concerning them. It may not however be improper 
 to obferve, that in this Reprefentation, the public 
 were firft: informed by authority, that the quantity of 
 wheat produced in the kingdom, was not then, and 
 had not been for feveral preceding years, equal to the 
 confumption of its inhabitants* j and confequently, 
 that the price of it had for fome time continued to 
 advance, though in a former period, that is in the firft 
 fifty years at leaft of the prefent century, the quantity 
 of wheat produced in the kingdom, had been far more 
 than equal, upon an average, to the confumption of 
 its inhabitants, fo that the prices had then been gene- 
 rally low, and great quantities of it had been exported 
 to foreign countries, and large fums paid out of the 
 public revenue, to encourage fuch exportation. 
 
 45 th October 1800. 
 
 Note. The period nuhen the importations of wheat into this king- 
 dom firft began to exceed, on an average, the exhortations of nuheat from 
 this kingdom, was betiveen the years 1 765 and 1 769. probably in the 
 year 1767. The importation of oats, into this kingdom, began to exceed 
 th$ exportation of oats from tbis kingdom, at a much earlier period* 1
 
 ( v ) 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO THE 
 
 FIRST EDITION. 
 
 IN order to underftand the better the following 
 Reprefcntation on the corn trade and corn laws 
 of this country, it is proper to premife, that in a for- 
 mer Reprefentation to His Majefty, prefented about 
 the middle of laft December, it was fhewn, that the 
 price of wheat, taken on an average from the feveral 
 markets of England, was at that time fifty-two (hil- 
 lings per quarter That the price of wheat, as taken 
 from the market of Amfterdam, which is a free 
 market for corn, and affords therefore the beft crite- 
 rion of the medium price of Europe, was, by the 
 loweft eftimation, ten millings higher per quarter 
 That the prices of corn in other foreign countries, 
 were much higher than in ordinary years That the 
 old (lock of wheat was nearly exhaufted in moft 
 parts, by the demands of the foregoing year That 
 bounties were given by the municipality of Paris, on 
 wheat brought into the faid city ; and that bounties 
 were paid, as well by the government of France, as 
 by the municipalities of many of the great towns fitu- 
 ated upon the coaft, on wheat imported therein - 
 That in Spain, all duties on corn imported were taken 
 off, and that bounties were given on wheat and Indian 
 corn imported into that kingdom That the ex- 
 port of wheat had been prohibited from feveral 
 
 As of
 
 '( vi ) 
 
 6f the northern countries, from whence great quan- 
 tities of that article are ufually drawn, for the fupply 
 of the fouthern countries of Europe That, in expec- 
 tation of a fcarcity, many governments had formed 
 magazines for the fuftenance of their fubjedls ; and that 
 contracts had been made with merchants of England, 
 for the delivery of American wheat at fixty-two and 
 fixty-five millings per quarter, and for the delivery of 
 American flour at fixty millings per fack, on its arrival 
 in the Channel. 
 
 It was alfo fhewn, that from a failure in the execu- 
 tion of an act paffed in the laft feffion of parliament, 
 there was at that time no law in force, fufficient to 
 prevent the exportation of corn, whatever the price 
 thereof might be, or to permit the importation upon 
 low duties, if it mould be found neceflary. 
 
 From a due confideration of all thefe circumftances, 
 the privy council then advifed his Majefty to iflue an 
 order in council for preventing the exportation, and 
 allowing the importation, of feveral forts of corn, 
 until the fenfe of parliament could be taken on this 
 fubjedT:, in order to infure to his Majefty's fubjecls a 
 continuance of the advantage they then enjoyed, of 
 being fuppliedt with corn at a much cheaper rate than 
 it could be obtained in moft of the neighbouring coun- 
 tries, and thereby to execute and fulfil what the privy 
 council conceived to be the real intentions of the legis- 
 lature, for the benefit of the people of this kingdom. 
 
 As foon as the parliament met, they {hewed their 
 approbation of this meafure, by paffing a law for pre- 
 venting die exportation, and allowing the importation, 
 of corn, in the manner directed by the before-mention- 
 ed order in council, till the 29th of September next.
 
 ( 7 ) 
 
 REPRESENTATION, &c. 
 
 At the Council Chamber, Whitehall, the 8th of 
 March 1790. 
 
 1 
 
 By the Right Honourable the Lords of the 
 Committee of Privy Council, appointed foi 
 the confideration of all matters relating to 
 Trade and Foreign Plantations. 
 
 To the KING'S Moft Excellent Majesty. 
 
 May it pleafe Your Majefly, 
 
 THE Committee of Your Majefty's moft honour- 
 able privy council, appointed for the confideration 
 of all matters relating to trade and foreign plantations* 
 humbly offered to Your Majefty in a former reprefenta- 
 tion their advice on fuch meafures as, in their judgment, 
 were neceffary, in order to apply an immediate remedy 
 to the evils likely to arife from the difficulties, which had 
 occurred in the execution of the laws of this kingdom, 
 made for regulating the exportation and importation of 
 .corn, and to preferve Your Majefty's fubjects from being 
 expofed to that diftrefs for want of this indifpenfable ar- 
 ticle of fubfiftencc, which has of late been ieverely felt 
 in feveral neighbouring countries j but the committee 
 having in their inveftigation of this fubject been led to 
 
 A 4 confidcr
 
 ( * ) 
 
 confider the ftate of the corn laws, and the trade of corn 
 in general, and finding that fome further provifions arc 
 wanting to amend and improve the faid laws, they pre- 
 fume to lay this Second Reprefentation before Your 
 rvlajefty, and therein to fubmit to Your Majefty's confi- 
 deration their fentiments on fuch amendments and alter- 
 ations in the fubfifting laws, as appear to them to be ex- 
 pedient. 
 
 The committee thought this fubjecl: the more deferv- 
 ing their attention, as they find, by an account * laid 
 before them, of the quantity of corn imported and 
 exported during the laft eighteen years, that this king- 
 dom, which, in former times ufed to produce more corn 
 than was necefiary for the confumption of its inhabitants, 
 has of late years been under the neceflity of depend- 
 ing on the produce of foreign countries for a part of its 
 fupply. 
 
 Barley is the only article, of which this country pro- 
 duces more, at prefent, than it confumes. We had 
 formerly a large and profitable trade in the export of 
 corn i upon an average of nineteen years, from 1746 
 to 1765, the corn exported from this country is fup- 
 pofed to have produced a net profit of not lefs than 
 . 65 1,000 per annum ; but in the eighteen years from 
 1770 to 1788 f, by fetting the value of the corn im- 
 ported againft that of the corn exported, and deducting 
 the amount of the duties received thereon from the 
 bounties paid during the fame period, it will appear that 
 this country has upon an average fuftained a lofs in this 
 trade of . 291,000 per annum, which fum it has annu- 
 
 * Vide Appendix, Ne. I, f Vide Appendix, No. 1. 
 
 ally
 
 ( 9 ) 
 
 ally paid to foreign nations for the ftipply of its inhabi- 
 tants. 
 
 The following Table will (hew the quantity of each 
 fort of corn exported annuaily from England, upon an 
 average of 19 years, from 1746 to 1765, inclufive: and 
 alfo the quantity of each fort of corn exported annually 
 from England and Scotland, upon an average of 18 years, 
 from 1770 to 1788 inclufive; with the bounty in each 
 period paid thereon. 
 
 Vide Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 Wheat and wheatmeal 
 Barky and malt - - 
 Oats and oatmeal - 
 Rye - - - - - 
 
 19 years average, 
 
 from 1746 to 1765, 
 
 incluli e, from 
 
 England *. 
 
 18 years average, 
 
 jfrom 1770 to 1788 f, 
 
 inclufive, from 
 
 EngUnd & Scotland. 
 
 Annual bounty paid thereon 
 
 Quarters. 
 
 3^9,810 
 
 306,974. 
 
 20,702 
 
 47^77 
 
 Quarters. 
 
 108,247 
 99,458 
 25,802 
 
 6 04 1 
 
 .138,677.3.7! 32,968. 6. 4} 
 
 Bounty paid on corn exported from Great 
 Britain in 1788 - .-_-_- 
 
 45,182. 12. 3{- 
 
 Note. * The accounts in Scotland of imports and exports 'were not kepi 
 by the Commiffioners of the Cufoms there before the year 1 75 c , in fuch 
 a manner as to enable the Committee to obtain an accurate account oj the 
 corn imported and exported to and /'rem that part of the United Kingdom 
 during the firjl of theje periods. 
 
 Note, f An account of the quantity cf the feveral forts of corn exported 
 and imported from and to Great Britain in the year ending the $th January 
 1790, has not yet been obtained by the Committee, as the accounts front 
 Scotland have not been hitherto transmitted. Bjt the bounty on corn ex- 
 ported from England only, in the courfe of this year, amounted to . 76,5 5 1 . 
 16 s. \\d. which is confederacy more than double the bounty paid on all 
 corn exported from England and Scotland on un average of the eighteen 
 preceding years, and proves ho^x great a quantity of corn during the courfe 
 of lajlyear nvas carried out of the kingdom, before the prices of the je-veral 
 ftrts exceeded the prices at or betovj which export is by laui permitted . 
 
 The
 
 ( io ) 
 
 The following Table will (hew the quantity of each 
 fort of corn imported annually into England, upon an 
 average of 19 years, from 1746 to 1765, inclufive : and 
 alfo, the quantity of each fort of corn imported annually 
 into England and Scotland, upon an average of 18 years, 
 from 1770 to 1788, inclufive. 
 
 Vide Appendix, 
 No. 3. 
 
 19 years average, 
 
 from 1 746 to 1765, 
 
 inclufive, rnto 
 
 England. 
 
 
 18 years average, 
 from 1770 tor 788, 
 
 inclufive, 
 
 Into England and 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 
 Quarters. 
 
 Quarters. 
 
 Wheat* - - - 
 
 12,654 
 
 Wheat and flour 
 
 150,905 
 
 Barley - - - 
 
 J.SOO 
 
 Barley and malt 
 
 48,048 
 
 Oats and oatmeal 
 
 3<M49 
 
 Oats and oatmeal 
 
 291,405 
 
 Rye ... - 
 
 502 
 
 Rye - - - - 
 
 5'577 
 
 Beans and peafe 
 
 None. 
 
 Beans and peafe 
 
 Annual duties 1 
 paid thereon J 
 
 31*683 
 
 Annual duties } 
 paid thereon J 
 
 .4,569. 8. 4 f 
 
 .7,620. 8.3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Note to the prefent edition. * No wheat -flour* or malt, were im- 
 ported into England in the 19 years from 1 746 to 1765, and in federal 
 of thrje years there -was no importation into England of fever al of the 
 bef ore-mentioned jorts of grain. 
 
 In the f.rfi edition there was infer led in this place an account of the 
 corn expert ed and imported from and to Inland for ten years, ending the 
 2$th March 17S9 ; hut as this account throws no light on the quejlion, in 
 its prefent flate, it is here omitted. For the fame reafon are omitted in 
 the appendix, two accounts relating to the trade of corn in Ireland. 
 
 2 The
 
 ( II ) 
 
 The committee hope, that a change To extraordinary 
 in a concern of fo much importance, is only to be im- 
 puted to an increafed population; to the numbers of 
 horfes and other cattle, which we now breed and main- 
 tain more than formerly ; and to that opulence which 
 has generally dirTufed itfelf aniongft all ranks of men, 
 from the ex tendon of our trade and manufactures, and 
 which has occafioned an increafed confumption of all the 
 neceffaries of life ; for there can be no reafon to fuppofe 
 either that the agriculture of the country has of late de- 
 clined, or that, for fo long a continuance of years, the 
 fcafons can have been uniformly unfavourable. 
 
 The committee are further imprefied with the im- 
 portance of this fubject> and are the more induced to 
 think that it requires immediate attention, as from ac- 
 counts they have received of the produce and confump- 
 tion of corn in molt Kuropean countries, they are inclined 
 to believe, that in ordinary years the produce of corn in 
 Europe is not more than equal to the confumption of 
 its inhabitants; and that whenever the crops fail in any 
 degree, the deficiency can only be fupplied from the har- 
 veft of America. 
 
 The lords of the committee are of opinion, that the 
 principles which are bed adapted for the conduct: and 
 regulation of other trades, cannot in every refpect be ap- 
 plied to this of corn : other trades in general produce 
 only the comforts and conveniencies of life ; this has 
 for its object an article that is indifpenfably neceffary for 
 fubfillence : If they at anytime decline, fome indivi- 
 duals may be affected in their fortunes, and the public 
 can only naffer a temporary lofs and inconvenience ; 
 but a miftaken fpeculation in the trade of corn may pro- 
 duce dearth the confequence of which will always be 
 general diftrefs, and fometimes popular commotions: fo 
 that in the management of this trade, government ought 
 ever to have in view, not only the profperity of the trade 
 itfelf, and the intereics of thole concerned in it, but the 
 fubfillence of the people. 
 
 The
 
 ( 1 ) 
 
 The beft market for corn in every country is the 
 home market; and the circulation of it within every 
 kingdom ought to be free, fo that the furplus of one part 
 may fu'pply the deficiencies of the other, and that the 
 price throughout the whole country may be brought as 
 near as poflible to a level. 
 
 To facilitate the circulation of Corn, this kingdom en- 
 joys peculiar advantages, which arife from its fituation as 
 an ifland, from the number of its canals, and the excel- 
 lence of its roads ; and by thefe means the populous and 
 manufacturing counties in fome parts of the ifland can 
 draw the neceflary fupplies from other parts, which are 
 lefs populous, but more productive of corn* 
 
 In other countries magazines of corn are formed by 
 their refpective governments, or by the principal ma- 
 giftrates of great cities, as a refource in times of fcarcity. 
 This country has no fuch institution The ftores of corn 
 are here depofited in the barns and flacks of wealthy far- 
 mers, and in the magazines of merchants and dealers in corn, 
 who ought to be by no means reftrained, but rather en- 
 couraged in laying up ftores of this nature, as, after a 
 deficient crop, they are thereby enabled to divide the in- 
 convenience arifing from it as equally as poflible through 
 every part of the year; and by checking improvident 
 confum prion in the beginning of fcarcity, prevent a fa- 
 mine, which might otherwife happen before the next 
 harveft. The inland trade of corn therefore ought to be 
 perfectly free. This freedom can never be abufed 
 To fuppofe that there can be a monopoly of fo bulky and 
 perifhable a commodity difperfed through fo many hands 
 over every part of the country, is an idle and vain appre- 
 henfion. The ancient laws of this kingdom, which by a 
 falfe policy reftrained the inland trade of corn, have in 
 general been repealed. The ifthCha. II. ch. 7. which 
 does not permit the buying corn to fell again, and the lay- 
 ing it up in granaries, except when the feveral forts of 
 corn are below certain prices therein mentioned, is the 
 
 only
 
 ( >3 ) 
 
 only law of this defcription which will now be found in 
 our ftatute book, and ought certainly not to remain there 
 any longer. 
 
 But to extend the freedom of this trade to an unre- 
 ft rained export of corn to foreign countries, would, in 
 the opinion of the committee, be productive of the great- 
 eft evils; fuch export might, in a year of general icar- 
 city, exhauft the ftock of any kingdom, and deprive its 
 inhabitants of what is neceflary for their fubfiflence, by 
 fending it for the fupply of other nations. There is hardly 
 a country in Europe, the government of which, in the 
 courfe of lalt year, did not find it neceflary to interpofe 
 either to retain its own flock wholly for the confumption 
 of its inhabitants, or at leaft to prevent an unlimited ex- 
 portation; and, it is Angular to obferve. what induftry 
 and artifice have been -employed by the merchants, and 
 even by the miniftersof many countries, to break through 
 thefe reftraints, and* to draw fupplies from their neigh- 
 bours. The greateft advocates for a free trade in corn 
 wich foreign countries, have always cited the practice of 
 Hamburgh, Holland, and particularly of the town of 
 Amfterdam, being free markets for corn, as a proof than 
 no inconvenience would arife to the inhabitants of a coun- 
 try by allowing at all times perfect liberty in the import 
 and export of corn : The fenate of Hamburgh, fenfible 
 of the imperfection of fuch a fyftem, have always kept a 
 magazine well ftored with every fort of it, to provide for 
 the confumption of their own inhabitants, in cafes of 
 emergency: and, in the laft year, many towns of 
 Holland thought it neceflary to prohibit the export of 
 corn from their own precinct and jurisdiction to other 
 towns within the fame province; and the free circulation 
 of it was thereby prevented even in their own country; 
 and the magiftrates of Amfterdam, which is the greateft 
 corn market of Europe, though they kept their port 
 open for the importation and exportation of corn, yet, 
 being fearful that the prices would rife fo high as to oc- 
 cafion diftrefs to its inhabitants, collected and laid up in 
 
 magazines,,
 
 ( H ) 
 
 magazines, at the public expence, great quantities of 
 corn, and fold it to the people at reduced prices. And, 
 during the laft autumn, if the laws of this country had not 
 reftrained the export of corn, and Your Majefty had not 
 providently interpofed to carry the intention of the legis- 
 lature, in this refpect, into perfect execution, your Ma- 
 jefty's people would have been deprived of the advantage 
 they now enjoy, of purchafing this neceflfary article of 
 fubfiftence at a much cheaper rate than thofe of any 
 neighbouring nation. 
 
 It appears, therefore, that the principles on which our 
 corn laws are founded are in general wife; the two ob- 
 jects they have in view are, tirft to fecure a reafonabls 
 price at all times to the farmer, and in the next place to 
 prevent that price being at any time fo high as to diftrefs 
 the poor and the manufacturer. With a view to the firft 
 of thefe objects, export is allowed, and even encouraged 
 by a bounty, till the price of wheat arrives at 44J. per 
 quarter; and the import of foreign wheat into this country 
 is reftrained by a high duty, till the price of wheat in the 
 home market arrives at 48 s. The fame policy is ob- 
 ferved with refpect to other articles of corn. It is a true 
 obfervation, that no market will be plentifully fupplied 
 with corn, unlefs fome liberty is given of difpofing to 
 profit of the furplus, for which there may be no demand; 
 without this liberty the farmer would endeavour fo to 
 contrive, as to produce no more corn than could be fold 
 in the home market at a reafonable profit, and his fpecula- 
 tions would extend no further; the confequence would be, 
 that he would frequently produce lefs than the home 
 market would demand, and fcarcity muft fometimes en- 
 fue ; for it has been found by experience, that a very 
 fmall deficiency of crop will raife the price in a very high 
 degree. 
 
 It is right, therefore, to allow the export of corn, when- 
 ever it is fold under a certain price; it is not necelTary 
 for the committee to offer any thing in juftification of that 
 
 policy,
 
 C J .) 
 
 policy, which commenced at the revolution, of encou- 
 raging by bounty this exportation, and which the legifla- 
 ture has thought fit to continue to the prefent time. 
 Whatever doubts may be entertained by fome, of the 
 wifdom of this meafure, it cannot furely be thought pru- 
 dent to alter it at prefent; for it is a certain faft, that the 
 agriculture of this country has progreffively increafed and 
 flourilhed from the time when this bounty was firft grant- 
 ed; though it is true, that other caufes have been affigned 
 for this improvement This bounty may be confidered 
 as a compenfation made to the farmer for the reftraints 
 impofed on his trade, in order to enfure fubfiftence to 
 the people : and it may well be doubted whether the 
 exportation which is necefTary to encourage tillage in a 
 degree fufficient for the home fupply (as before flated) 
 would take place if this bounty mould be withheld. In 
 all years, and particularly, in thole of reafonable plenty, 
 the price of corn is lower in the countries bordering on 
 the Baltic, and in America, than it is in Great Britain. 
 In the North of Europe corn can be more cheaply raifed, 
 becaufe the value of land is lefs, and the price of labour 
 is lower. In America, the value of land is greatly lefs, 
 and from the extent of their farms, they are able to refort 
 to new lands, or to fubftitute fallows in the place of ma- 
 nure, and can therefore raife corn without this additional 
 expence; and thefe circumftances more than compenfate 
 the higher price of labour in that country. Without the 
 aid therefore of the bounty, the merchants of the countries 
 before mentioned would be able to under-fell our corn 
 factors in foreign countries; and in confequence thereof, 
 the furplus corn of this kingdom would never find a vent, 
 except in times of general fcarcity on the Continent (as of 
 late has been the cafe) and it is probable that in common 
 years, when, in order to keep up the price at home, fome 
 fale in the foreign market is molt, neceflary, very little 
 corn would be exported from Great Britain. 
 
 When the price of wheat is from 44 s. to 48 s. per 
 quarter, neither the exportation of Eritifh wheat, nor the 
 
 importation
 
 (. I ) 
 
 importation of foreign on low duties, is allowed j from 
 which it may be inferred, that it is the opinion of the 
 legiflature, that between 44J. and 48 s. is the medium 
 price at which wheat ought to be fold in the markets of 
 this country, for the encouragement of the farmer on one 
 hand, and the comfortable fubfiftence of the people on the 
 other. It has been remarked by attentive obfervers, that 
 in manufacturing towns there is more regularity of con- 
 duel:, and more productive induftry, when corn is not at 
 a price unufually low; but the condition of the country 
 labourer Certainly requires, that the price of it mould be 
 low, that he may be enabled by his wages to purchafe 
 what is neceflary for his fubfiftence As foon as the 
 price of wheat pafies 48 s. the legiflature have thought it 
 their duty to attend to the necefiities of the poor, and to 
 encourage the importation of foreign wheat, by allowing 
 jt to be imported at very low duties. 
 
 The whole of this fyftem wifely correfponds with thofe 
 principles by which the corn trade ought to be conducted. 
 The only doubt that can be entertained upon it is, whe- 
 ther the export does not ftop before the price is fufficiently 
 high for the encouragement of agriculture, and the in- 
 tereft of the farmer It is fingular that the price at which 
 corn is prohibited to be exported is now lower than it 
 was above a century ago, and that the price, at which fo- 
 reign corn is permitted to be imported at reduced duties, 
 is now alfo lower than it was above a century ago; and 
 during this period the prices of the principal forts of corn, 
 taken upon an average of a number of years, do not ap- 
 pear to have advanced in an equal degree with the prices 
 of many other articles which are of general ufe, and even 
 of fome which are the produce of the farm; and there are 
 thofe who doubt whether this circumftance has not con- 
 tributed to make the quantity of corn produced not equal 
 to the confumption, as it is at prefent. 
 
 The policy of our laws has however produced an effect 
 highly advantageous, both to the grower and confumer 
 
 of
 
 ( 17 ) 
 
 t>F corn, by rendering the viciffitudes of plenty and dearth 
 lefs frequent than they were formerly, and by making the 
 price of corn more fteady and uniform. The farmer may 
 now at all times depend on a certain reafonable price, and 
 feels that his labour in cultivating his land will not be 
 wholly unprofitable On the other hand, the poor have 
 no reafon to apprehend, as in ancient times, the cala- 
 mities of dearth and famine. 
 
 The committee having now traced the principles, by 
 which in their opinion the corn trade ought to be regu- 
 lated, and to which our corn laws appear in general to 
 conform, they will proceed to confider in what refpecls 
 thefe laws are defective, and what amendments ought to 
 be made to them, fo as to make them fully correfpond 
 with the principles before dated. 
 
 It appears from the provisions of ancient ftatutes, and 
 particularly from the preamble of Stat. r5 Hen. VI. C. 2. 
 that it v/as not lawful * to carry corn out of the realm 
 without the licence of the king j By this ftatute permif- 
 fion was firft given to export feveral forts of corn out of 
 the realm, whenever the price of each fort was at or below 
 the prices therein mentioned. 
 
 By fubfequent ftatutes the export of the different forts 
 of corn was in like manner allowed, whenever the price of 
 each fort was at or below the prices mentioned in each 
 ftatute refpeclively. The following table, N 4, will 
 mew what the prices were, at or below which corn was 
 allowed to be exported at different periods, according to 
 the monies of the times. 
 
 * InMaddcx's Hijlory of the Exchequer , Ch. 14. Sec. 1 5, there is an 
 account of fe<veral amcrciaiitnts for exporting corn without liceizein very 
 iarly times* 
 
 B N- 4 .
 
 ( i8 > 
 
 N 4. P R I C E S at or below 
 
 BY STATUTES, 
 
 15 Hen. VI. c. 2. - - 
 
 1 and 2 Ph. and M. c. 5 
 1 Eliz. c. 11. - - - 
 5 Eliz. c. 5. - - - 
 13 Eliz. c. 13. - - 
 
 - Per Q^ 
 
 3$ Eliz. c. 7. - - - - 
 
 1 Ja s c. 25. - - - - - 
 
 21 Ja s c. 28. - - - - 
 
 3 Ch $ I. c. 4. - - - 
 
 12 Cha s II. c. 4. - - - 
 15 Cha' II. c. 7. - - - - 
 
 1 W m and M. flat. i.e. 12. 
 
 1 1 and 12 W m c. 20. - - - 
 
 13 Geo. III. c. 43. - - 
 
 Wheat. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 S. d. 
 
 s. d. 
 6 8 
 6 8 
 6 8 
 10 - 
 When the prices 
 
 was made by 
 
 peace. 
 
 4 ~ 
 
 5 
 
 20 
 26 
 32 
 
 13 4 
 15 
 
 20 - 
 
 The lame prices 
 
 40 I 24 I 
 
 48 I 32 I 
 
 No cuftom, or 
 
 The iubfidy, and 
 
 44 ~ 28 
 
 Note. The fever al forts of corn fo exported, during all this time, paia 
 the duty of export, which varied according as the U w food in each 
 period. By the. aft of tonnage and poundage, la Charles II. c. 4. the duty 
 n corn exported vms the fame whatever the price might be; it nuas not 
 however high, as com of every fort nuas rated at a very lovo value in the 
 bQok of rates. 
 
 Notr,
 
 ( IJ ) 
 
 which Exportation was permitted. 
 
 Peafc 
 
 Beans. 
 
 Oats. 
 
 S. 
 
 S. d. S. d 
 
 4 i - 
 
 Barley. 
 
 Malt. 
 
 Beer or 
 Big- 
 
 Si d> 
 
 S. d. 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 3 3 
 6 8 
 
 3 3 
 
 6 8 
 
 
 Buck 
 
 Wheat 
 
 were fo reafonable and moderate as that no prohibition 
 the queen or council, or juftices of afiize, or of the 
 
 13 4 13 
 15 1$ 
 !6 I 16 
 as in the laft act. 
 
 24 I 24 
 32 [ 32 
 
 l6 20 20 
 13 4 28 28 
 
 any fee or reward, to be paid on exportation, 
 all duties, to ceafe. I 
 
 12 
 14 
 16 
 
 12 
 
 14 
 16 
 
 28 
 
 28 
 
 14 22 
 
 22 
 
 28 
 
 Malt made cf barley, beer, or big, to be 
 governed by thofe grains refpectively. 
 
 Note. The duties on export avere taken off" by if William and Mary 
 c. 12. and by the \\ and 12 William, c. 20. A bounty vtas liksvoifl 
 given on feveral forts of corn exported, by the before-mentioned aft cf 
 ifl William and Mary, -which bounty has been varied by feveral fibfequent 
 flat ut es. The following Table, No. 5, nvilljhevj all the variations made 
 in the bounty on each fort cf corn, ar.d the prices according to which it was 
 paid. 
 
 B2 
 
 N'$.
 
 ( 20 ) 
 
 N*5> PRICES at and below which 
 
 By Statute?, 
 
 ift W m & M.jThe price per 7 g 
 quarter - - y 
 
 ilat. 
 
 i. c. 1 
 
 Wheat. 
 
 S. 
 
 i Bounty - 
 
 5 th Anne, c . J I T^ price per 
 J 7 I quarter 
 
 5th Anne, c. 2.9. 
 
 13 Geo. III. 
 c - 43- 
 
 Bounty 
 
 ("The price per 
 I quarter - 
 
 Bounty 
 The price 
 
 quarter 
 Bounty 
 
 per 7 
 
 s- 
 
 on male 
 made of 
 wheat - 
 
 5 
 44- 
 
 5 and 
 1 all malt 
 made of 
 wheat. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 Peafe. 
 
 S. 
 
 3 ^ 
 
 I- 
 
 23 
 
 3 
 
 It is extraordinary that no one of the before-mentioned 
 ftatutes, nor any ftatute till 13th year of Your Majefly's 
 reign, c. 43, enacts any rule for afcertaining the prices, 
 according to which the export fhould be allowed, or the 
 bounty be paid, though fome ofthemeftablim regulations 
 for afcertaining the quantity of corn fo exported, and the 
 quantity on which the bounty was to be paid. 
 
 The officers of the cuftoms, being left without any rule 
 prefcribed by law, purfued a method of their own: They 
 obliged the exporter, in making the entry outwards, to 
 fwear, that the prices of the corn lb entered for exportation 
 did not, on the laft market day, exceed the prices at 
 
 which
 
 ( 21 ) 
 
 certain Bounties were given on Exportation. 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 
 
 Malt made 
 
 
 Buck 
 
 
 !>eans. 
 
 Oats. 
 
 Oatmeal. 
 
 Bur ley. 
 
 of Barley. 
 
 Beeror Big. 
 
 Wheat 
 
 
 
 
 
 S. d. 
 
 S. d. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 24 
 
 24 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 S. 
 
 
 
 9 6 
 
 2 6 
 
 s. <L 
 
 
 
 
 *5 
 
 s. d 
 
 2 6 
 
 
 
 24 
 2 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 from 
 Scotland. 
 The fame 
 
 from 
 
 j 
 
 f 
 
 from 
 Scotland. 
 The fame 
 
 from 
 
 
 
 
 
 England 
 as from 
 Scotland. 
 
 r 
 
 i 
 
 England 
 
 as from 
 
 Scotland. 
 
 
 
 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 22 
 
 22 
 
 a A ^__ 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 2 6 
 
 2 6 
 
 2 6 
 
 2 6 
 
 and alfo on 
 malt made of 
 beeror big. 
 
 
 which export was to be allowed, or bounty to be paid} 
 and fometimes they obliged the exporter to produce a 
 certificate to the fame effect on the oath of feme fuppofed 
 credible witnefs This practice was probably founded on 
 the directions given in the id W m and Mary, c. 1 2. for af- 
 certaining the quantity and quality of the corn fo exported. 
 By the before- mentioned ltatute of 13th year of Your 
 Majefty's reign, it was enacted, that in cafes of exporta- 
 tion from the ports of England, the prices of corn fhould 
 be afcertained according to the methods directed by pre- 
 ceding acts of parliament, as well as by that act, for af- 
 certaining the prices of corn or grain in cafes of importa- 
 
 B3 tion;
 
 ( M ) 
 
 tion; and the bounty was to be paid according to prices 
 afcertained in the fame manner. It is proper to obferve, 
 that the prices for regulating importation were, according 
 to the i ft Ja s II. ch. 19, afcertained only four times in 
 each year- By the fame act of 1 3th year of Your Majefty's 
 reign, the prices of corn in Scotland, both in cafes of ex- 
 portation and importation, and for the payment of the 
 bounty, were to be afcertained by returns made four times 
 a year, from the fheriffs or ftewards depute, Qr their de- 
 puties, on the oaths of two perfons qualified in the man- 
 ner in that act defcribed. 
 
 This method ofafcertaining the prices being found very 
 inconvenient and detrimental to the export trade of corn, 
 as the prices which were to govern the exportation and the 
 payment of the bounty could be altered only every three 
 months, though the real prices might in the mean time 
 be very much increafed or diminifhed, it was enacted in 
 the next feffion, by flatute of the 14th year of Your Ma- 
 jefty's reign, c. 64, that the prices of corn exported from 
 Great Britain fhould be regulated and governed by the 
 average prices, at which fuch corn fhould be reflectively 
 fold in the public market, at or near the port or place 
 from whence fuch corn was intended to be exported, on 
 the laft market day preceding the (hipping thereof; and 
 that the refpective bounties on each fort of corn fhould 
 be paid accordinf to fuch prices. 
 
 But even in chis act no method was prefcribed for af- 
 certaining what thefe prices were, fo that the officers of 
 the cuftoms were flill obliged to have recourfe to the me-, 
 thod, that had before been adopted and practifed by them- 
 felves But this laft- mentioned act, as far as relates to 
 the port of London, and the ports of the counties of Kent 
 and F-fTex, was repealed by ftat. of 21ft year of Your 
 Majefty's* Reign c. 50, and a new mode of afcertaining 
 the price. 1 - in thofe ports was therein enacted ; an officer 
 created by that act, and called vifpetJcr of returns cf com y 
 was directed to receive from the feveral factors of the 
 Corn Exchange an account of the quantity of each fort 
 of corn they had fold in the courfcof the preceding week, 
 and of the prices, and the names of the purchafersj and 
 from the prices at vhich the whole aggregate o^antity of 
 
 each
 
 ( *3 ) 
 
 each fort of corn fo refpectively fold in the courfe of that 
 week, he was to compute and form an average price of 
 each fort of corn, and fuch price was to be taken as the 
 average price dining that week, and the import and ex- 
 port of each fort of corn, and the bounty payable thereon, 
 was to be thereby regulated in the port of London, and 
 in the ports of Kent and EfTex. 
 
 In this ftate, which was certainly very imperfect with 
 refpecl to all the ports of Great Britain, except thofe of 
 London, Kent, and Eifex, the law for afcertaining the 
 prices of corn, as far as related to exportation and the 
 payment of the bounty, continued till the paffing of the 
 act of laft year. 
 
 As it appears by fome ancient ftatutes not to have been 
 lawful to carry corn out of the realm without the licence 
 of the king, k may be collected from others that it was 
 generally lawful to import Foreign corn into this king- 
 doms and from both thefe circumftances it may juftly be 
 inferred, that the legiflature in ancient times was more 
 foiicitous to provide for the plentiful fubftftence of the 
 people, than to encourage tillage within the realm. 
 
 By ftatute 3d Edward IV. c. 7, feveral forts of Foreign 
 corn were forthe* firft time prohibited to be imported, 
 till the priee of each exceeded the refpectivc prices men- 
 tioned in the ibid ftatute. 
 
 This ftatute continued in force till 21ft J a* I. when it 
 was repealed, and the importation of Foreign corn was 
 again generally permitted; but corn fo imported was 
 always fubject to a duty, which varied according to the 
 Jaw in each period. 
 
 By 12 Gha'TI.c. 4; the importation of-ForSs?n corn 
 firft began to be regulated in the manner that fubhfts at 
 prefenr, that is, by impofing high duties when the price 
 of each fort of corn did not exceed certain prices, and low 
 duties when it exceeded the fhid prices. 
 
 The following Table, N 6, will fhew the prices at 
 which corn was at any time prohibited to be imported, 
 and at what prices the high and low duties on Importation 
 respectively took place, and what was the amount of thole 
 high and low duties upon each fort of corn ac each period 
 relpectively. 
 
 B 4 N< J.
 
 ( u ) 
 
 N 6. P R I C ES at or under 
 
 By Statutes, 
 
 ! 
 
 Wheat. 
 
 
 3 Edw. IV. c. i. 
 
 repealed by 2 1 Ja. i . 
 13 Geo. III. c. 43. - 
 
 . . - .. per Qua 1 
 
 6' 8 
 
 
 PRICES at which certain high or low 
 
 By Statutes. 
 
 12 Cha' II. c. 4. - - 
 
 15 Cha' II. c. 7. - 
 22 Cha' II. c, 13, 
 
 Not exceeding - per Qua r 
 
 Duty - 
 Exceeding the above prices, 
 
 Duty - 
 Not exceeding - - - - 
 
 Duty - - - - 
 
 13 Geo. III. c. 43. 
 
 15 Geo. III. c. 1. - - 
 
 27 Geo. III. c. 13. - 
 (Confolidating Aft.) 
 
 Wheat. 
 
 44 1 
 
 40 
 
 6 8 
 
 48 
 5 4 
 
 Exceeding the laft-mentioned prices, 
 Not exceeding - - - - 53 4 
 Duty - - - 16 
 Exceeding the above prices, 
 
 but not exceeding - - 80 
 Duty - - - 8 
 
 Exceeding the laft-memioned prices, 
 At or above - - -'48 
 
 Duty - - 
 
 D on wheat flour per cwt. 
 
 6 d 
 
 2 
 
 Not exceeding the laft - mentioned 
 
 When bar- 
 at one 
 
 48 - 
 
 H 3 
 
 Under - - per qua' 
 
 Duty - 
 At or above. 
 
 Duty -
 
 ( *5 ) 
 
 which Importation was prohibited. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 Peafe. 
 
 Beans. 
 
 Oat5. 
 
 Oatmeal. Barlev 
 
 3 
 
 16 
 
 Into Scot- 
 land. 
 
 Malt. 
 
 Beer 
 or Big 
 
 Buck 
 "Wheat. 
 
 Duties on Importation were to take place. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 Peafe. 
 
 Beans. 
 
 Oats. 
 
 Oatmeal. 
 
 barley. 
 
 3 6 ' 
 
 - . 
 
 28 1 
 
 __ 
 
 m -, 
 
 i8< 
 
 26 8 
 
 
 
 26 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 8 
 
 5 ~ 
 
 . 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 32 
 
 32 
 
 32 - 
 
 13 4 
 
 
 
 28 - 
 
 4 ~ 
 
 4 
 
 4 - 
 
 1 4 
 
 
 
 2 8 
 
 the low duties impofed by 12 Cha s Ii. ch. 4. 
 
 40 
 16 
 
 40 
 16 
 
 40 
 16 - 
 
 16 
 
 5 4 
 
 |3 2 
 
 16 
 
 M ale 
 
 Beer 
 or Big. 
 
 28 1 
 
 
 26 8 
 
 
 28 
 
 : 
 
 2 8 
 
 ' 
 
 3^ ~ 
 
 __ 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 Back 
 VVlicat. 
 
 28 
 
 32 
 l6 
 
 When rye, peafe, beans, oats, barley, malt, or buck wheat 
 exceed thofe prices, then they are to pay a duty as before 
 this act further 5 per cent, was laid on French or pearl 
 barley, 
 the low duties impofed by 12 Cha s II. ch. 4. 
 
 32 ~ 6 n - 
 
 3 
 
 32 [16 - 
 
 
 '4 
 
 prices, the nigh duties impofed by 12 Cha' II. ch. 4. 
 
 ley is imported at l d duty, Indian corn or maile may be imported 
 
 penny. 
 
 !32 
 22 
 
 32 
 18 4 
 
 j2 
 
 22 
 
 l6 - 
 
 6 7 
 
 24 - 
 22 
 
 24 
 
 22 
 
 Till
 
 ( a6 ) 
 
 Till the firft year of James II. no rule had been en- 
 acted for afcertaining the prices, according to which the 
 high or low duties on corn imported were to take place; 
 but as it was then found by experience, that great quan- 
 tities of corn had been imported, without paying the 
 proper duties, it was enacted by ftatute i James II. ch. 
 19, That the juftices, at their Michaelmas and Fafter 
 feffion, by the oaths of two or more perfons, not being 
 dealers, and by fuch other ways and means as to them 
 ihouid feem fit, fhould examine and determine the com- 
 mon market prices of middling Englifh corn, as the 
 fame was commonly bought and fold in the counties 
 where any foreign corn might be imported, and certify 
 the fime to the chief officer of the cuftoms at the port 
 where the importation might be, and the duty on foreign 
 corn imported was to be paid according to fuch certi- 
 ficate ; and. the fame method of afcertaining the prices 
 was to be puriued by the lord mayor and aldermen, in 
 the city of London, in the months of October and April j 
 and by ftatute of fixth year of Your Majefty's reign, ch. 
 17. they were to afcertain the prices in like manner in 
 the months of January and July. 
 
 The juftices in fome counties having neglected to fend 
 their certificates at the Michaelmas fefiion of i728> 
 gave occafion to paffing ftatute 2 Geo. II. ch. 18, by 
 which, in order to remedy the paft neglect, the juftices 
 of thofe counties were authorized to fettle and determine 
 the prices at the next quarter fefiion. And it was further 
 directed, that, in all future cafes of like neglect, the col- 
 lector fhould be empowered to receive the duties on corn 
 imported according to the loweft prices mentioned in 
 flat. 22 Car. II. ch. 13. 
 
 But the mode of afcertaining the prices under flat. 
 1 Jair.es II. ch. i 9. having been found, upon further ex- 
 perience, to be ineffectual, a new method was eftablifhed; 
 and it was enacted by flat. 5 Geo. II. ch. 12, that the 
 juftices in every county, where corn is imported, fhould 
 at every quarter fefficn give in charge to the grand jury 
 to make enquiry and prelentment upon their oaths of the 
 common market prices of middling F T ngHfh corn, of the 
 
 refpectivc
 
 ( *7 ) 
 
 refpective forfs mentioned in ftat. 11 Cha' II. ch. T3; 
 this prefentment was to be certified by the juftices to 
 the chief officer of the ports where corn is imported, and 
 the duties on foreign corn imported were to be paid ac- 
 cording to the prices mentioned in fuch certificate. 
 
 The method however of afcertaining, in. the port of 
 London, the prices of corn, as directed by the flat. 
 1 James II. was not repealed by this act. By this fta- 
 tute ail foreign corn once imported was forbid to be ex- 
 ported from any of the ports of England, or even carried 
 coaftwife from one port of England to another ; but this 
 reftraint was not extended to the ports of Scotland. 
 
 The ftatute of the 13th year of Your Majcfty's reign, 
 ch. 43, made no alteration in the method of afcertaining 
 the prices for the pur poles of importation in the ports of 
 England, but left it as directed by former acts. But 
 with refpect to Scotland, it directed that the prices mould 
 be afcertained by the fheriffs and ftewards depute, or 
 their deputies, in the manner already mentioned. 
 
 By ftatute of 21 ft year of Your Majetty's reign, ch. co, 
 a new method of afcertaining the prices in the port of 
 London, and in the ports of Kent and EfTex, for regu- 
 lating the importation of corn, was enacted. Jt was the 
 fame as that which has already been defcribed for regu- 
 lating the exportation, and payment of the bounty. 
 
 In this ftate the law for afcertaining the prices of corn, 
 fbr the purpofc of regulating the importation thereof, 
 continued till the pading of the act of laft year. It Was 
 certainly much more perfect, than the mode for afcer- 
 taining the prices, that were to regulate the exportation 
 and payment of the bounty; and the legfflature appears 
 never till laft feflion to have directed its attention to tUc 
 prevention of frauds in the exportation of Britidi corn, or 
 in the payment of bounty, in the fame degree as to the 
 prevention of frauds in the importation of Foreign corn. 
 
 There exifts however in the laws of this country an- 
 other method for aicertaining the prices of the fevrral 
 forts of corn in this kingdom, though enacted for another 
 purpofe. Byftatme of the 10th year of Your Majefty's 
 reign, ch. 29j intituled, " An act for regifteririg the 
 
 " prices
 
 ( 28 ) 
 
 " prices at which corn is fold in the feveral counties of 
 " Great Britain, and the quantities exported and im- 
 " ported," the juftices at the quarter feffion for each 
 county, riding, divifion, or ftewartry, held after the 
 29th of September in every year, are directed to order 
 returns to be made weekly of the prices of wheat, rye, 
 barley, oats, and beans, and of big in Scotland (peafe 
 are omitted) from fuch and fo many market towns as 
 they (hall think fit. not being iefs than two, nor more 
 than fix, in each county, and to appoint a proper perfon, 
 being an inhabitant, for the purpofe of making fuch re- 
 turns to an officer created by this act, who was to be 
 appointed by the commiffioners of the treafury, and was 
 to receive and publifh them in manner hereafter men- 
 tioned. The meal weighers of the city of London are 
 directed to make the like returns of corn fold in the 
 laid city. In cafe the juftices neglected to appoint the 
 perfons before mentioned, the lords of the treafury were 
 authorized to appoint them ; and the perfons fo appoint- 
 ed were to be paid a fum not exceeding two millings 
 for each return, upon a certificate from the receiver, that 
 inch retun had been properly made. And an abftract of 
 all thefe returns is directed to be publifhed by fuch re- 
 ceiver once a week in the London Gazette, and to be 
 transmitted four times in every year to the clerk of the 
 peace of each county, and to the lord mayor and alder- 
 men of the city of London. 
 
 The committee have examined the receiver of corn 
 returns, appointed under the act, and they find that the 
 provifions of this act have been completely executed in 
 every part of England : that the juftices at their feffions 
 have regularly appointed the perfons who make the returns; 
 and that the lords of the treafury have been never under 
 the neceffity of exercifing the authority verted in them, 
 in cafe of the neglect of the juftices : that the returns 
 are generally made from three to fix markets of each 
 county : that the peribns making the returns are fatis- 
 ried with the allowance of two fhillings for each re- 
 turn j and the receiver is of opinion that thefe returns in 
 general are as carefully made as the prefciibed manner of 
 
 making
 
 ( *9 ) 
 
 making them will admit. The receiver alfo informed 
 the committee, that from Scotland the returns, imme- 
 diately after pafling the act, were made pretty generally ; 
 but that the magiftrates have by degrees ceafed to exe- 
 cute the law, fo that he has received of late no return 
 from that part of the united kingdom, except from In- 
 verary j and the reafon, as he believes, is, that the ma- 
 giftrates confider the execution of this act as an unne- 
 cefTary expence. 
 
 The committee have thought fit to ftate the feveral 
 regulations of this aft, and the manner in which they 
 have been executed, in order to fhew that there exifts a 
 method of collecting the prices of the feveral forts of 
 corn in the markets of this kingdom, which in England 
 continues to be completely executed, and which was ex- 
 ecuted in Scotland for fome time after pafling the acl, 
 though this acl: was made for a different purpofe than 
 that of regulating the importation or exportation of corn, 
 or the paymsnt of the bounties. And it was to the 
 averages, formed according ro the directions of this adt, 
 that Your Majefty found it necefTary to refort, when the 
 act of laft year failed in its execution, and when You were 
 gracioufly pleafed to make regulations for the importa- 
 tion and exportation of the different forts of corn by your 
 late orders in council. 
 
 The committee will have occafion alfo to refer to the 
 regulations of this act, in the advice which they fliall 
 think it their duty to offer to Your Majefty at the con- 
 clufion'of tiiis reprefentation. 
 
 The committee will proceed next to ftate the regula- 
 tions of the acl of lalt year; and they will then confider 
 what additions and amendments fhould be made to this 
 act, and to the corn laws in general. 
 
 This act was made from a conviction that the provi- 
 fions of former laws for afcertaining the prices of corn 
 were very imperfect, and that great frauds had been 
 committed under them. There can be no doubt of the 
 exiftence of thele frauds, as has been Ihewn more fully 
 in a former reprefentation on this fubject, which the com- 
 mittee prefented to Your Majefty. The principal pro- 
 visions
 
 ( 3<> ) 
 
 vifions in which this act differs from former laws are, that 
 it divides England into diftricts, and the average prices 
 taken in each diftrict, in the manner therein directed, are 
 to regulate and govern the importation and exportation 
 ofthe feveral forts of corn, and the payment of the bounty 
 thereon, in every fuch diftricl. The city of London, 
 and the counties of Kent, EfTex, and Suffcx, form one 
 diftricl, and the reft of England is divided into eleven 
 other diftricts, each confiding at leaft of two counties, 
 except thac the county of Norfolk is made a diftrict of 
 itfelf. 
 
 In the diftrict which includes London, and the coun- 
 ties of Kent, Effex, and Suffex, the average prices are 
 to be taken from the maiket cf London, according to a 
 new and improved method. 
 
 Irjlead of requiring the oath of only two corn factors, 
 chofen by lot, to the truth of their returns, all the corn 
 factors within the city of London, and the fuburbs there- 
 of, are to fwear that they will make true returns; and 
 any perfon exercifing the bufinefs of a corn factor, with- 
 out having taken this oath, and obtained a certificate 
 thereof from the Lord Mayor, is to forfeit . 50. A 
 weekly average is to be made up of thefe returns in the 
 manner directed by the former act, and the certificate of 
 fuch weekly average fent to the collector was not to re- 
 gulate the exportation of the feveral forts of ccrn, and 
 the bounty payable thereon, for the week to which thefe 
 returns refer, as direfled by the faid act, but it is to regu- 
 late the fame from the time that fuch certificate is reflec- 
 tively received by the collector of each port, to the time 
 that a certificate of a new average (hall be received by 
 him j and for the purpofe of regulating the importation of 
 Foreign corn, an average is to be made up, not of the 
 returns of thirteen weeks, as directed by the former law, 
 but of the fix weeks preceding every quarter feflion, ex- 
 cept in the cafe of oats, the importation of which is ftill to 
 be regulated by an average made from the returns of 
 thirteen weeks; and a certificate of fuch averages, fent 
 to the collector of each ofthe ports, is to govern and re- 
 gulate the importation from the receipt thereof to the 
 time that he receives another certificate. 
 
 In
 
 C Ji ) 
 
 In the other eleven diftricts thejuftices at the Michael- 
 mas quarter feflion are to nominate certain principal 
 market towns, not being more than twelve nor lefs than 
 eight in each diftrict, from which returns of the prices of 
 corn are to be fent. There are fome exceptions made in 
 the act with refpect to the number of market towns in 
 particular diftri&s, from a confidcration of local circum- 
 Itances. The juftices are to appoint alfo, from among 
 the chief cor.fcables, or fuch other perfons as to them fhail 
 feem proper (not being dealers in corn, &c.) one or more 
 perfons refiding in or near fuch market towns, to colled: 
 weekly an account of the quantities and prices of the corn 
 fold therein, from thofe who buy the fame; thefe per- 
 fons are to be called infpeclors of the prices of ccrn returns, 
 and they are directed to return in every week, to the re- 
 ceiver of corn returns in London, the weekly prices and 
 quantities of corn bought in each market town. Each 
 infpector is to take an oath to make true returns to the 
 receiver of corn returns, according to the accounts de- 
 livered to him by the feveral buyers, and to ufe his belt 
 endeavours to procure true accounts. The receiver of 
 corn returns is required to make up a weekly average, 
 and alfo an average of the fix weeks preceding every quar- 
 ter feffion, of the returns received by him from each dif- 
 trict, according to the manner practiied in the city of Lon- 
 don, as before defcribed. He is to tranfmit a certificate 
 of each weekly average, and alfo a certificate of each 
 quarterly average, collected from the returns of each dif- 
 trict, to the ports of fuch diftri-ct refpectively, and fuch 
 weekly certificate is to regulate and govern the exporta- 
 tion of corn, and the bounty payable thereon; and fuch 
 quarterly certificate is to regulate and govern the impor- 
 tation of Foreign corn, from the receipt of the fame by 
 each collector to the time that he fhall receive a new 
 certificate. 
 
 This aft contains many good regulations for afcertain- 
 ing the prices of corn, fo as to prevent many of the frauds- 
 committed in the importation and exportation of it, and 
 in obtaining the bounties. But the feveral claufes of the 
 act were very imperfectly drawn, fo that, at the time 
 
 thatL
 
 ( 3* ) 
 
 that the committee laid before Your Majefty their firft re- 
 prefentation, this act had failed in its execution in every 
 diftrict, except in that, which is compofed of the port of 
 London, and the ports of the counties of Kent, Effex, 
 and SuflTex; fince that time five diftricts have made 
 returns conformable to the act, but in the fix others the 
 act has not been carried hitherto into execution. 
 
 Your Majefty's attorney and folicitor general, in their 
 letter of the 1 8th December laft, annexed to the former 
 reprefentation of this committee to Your Majefty, gave 
 it as their opinion, " That in thofe diftricts where mar- 
 <l ket towns have not been felected and nominated, or in- 
 u . fpectors appointed by the juftices at the laft Michael- 
 " mas quarter fefiion, they cannot now be appointed, as 
 v no authority is given by the act for that purpofe." And 
 as the magiftrates in feveral diftricts have omitted to ex- 
 ercife the powers given to them in thefe refpects, the act, 
 as applicable to the whole kingdom, ceafes to be opera- 
 tive, and muft therefore, as a general regulation, be con- 
 sidered as exifting no longer. All the powers given by 
 former laws to this end are by this act repealed ; fo that it 
 is become abfolutely necefiary to pafs a new law. And 
 with this view it may be proper to confider, what parts of 
 the act of laft year, or of the acts that were thereby re- 
 pealed, it may be fit to revives what parts of exifting laws 
 it may be fit to continues and what new provifions it may 
 he right to propofe to the legiflature for their judgment 
 and decifion. 
 
 The committee therefore humbly offer the following 
 advice: 
 
 ift. That England continue to be divided into diftricts, 
 according to the plan of the act of laft fefiion ; and 
 that Scotland be divided into diftricts in like man- 
 ner. 
 
 The committee think, that according to the true prin- 
 ciples of the corn trade, as before ftated, one general 
 average qught to be formed, and taken from the prices 
 of the markets of the whole kingdom, to regulate and 
 govern importation and exportation, and the payment of 
 the bounty, in all the ports thereof. 
 
 3 Such
 
 ( 33 ) 
 
 Such a regulation would tend to equalize the prices 
 over all the country, to fecure to thofe parts which may 
 be in diftrefs, a fupply from the redundancy of more plen- 
 tiful diflridls, and to preferve in the kingdom a flock, at 
 all times, fufficient for the fubfiftence of its inhabitants. 
 It would alfo remove the principal objection urged againfl 
 the payment of rhe bounty, as the bounty would not in 
 in that cafe operate, as it does now, to force corn out of 
 parts of the kingdom for the fupply of foreign nations, 
 when orher parts of (he kingdom are in want ot it; for as 
 long as lb large a bounty can be obtained by exporting 
 corn to foreign countries, it can hardly be fuppofed, that 
 corn will be carried coaftwife (in which cafe no bounty is 
 paid) for the relief of any other diftrict at a confidsrable 
 diftance. But as it is probable that the landholders, at 
 leaft in fome counties, will not approve of this plan, and 
 as they now appear to be fatisfied with having the king- 
 dom divided into diftricts, and making the average price 
 of each diftricTt the rule for governing importation and ex- 
 portation in all the ports of fuch diftricTt, fo much atten- 
 tion is due to their opinion and wifhes, that it would not 
 be advifable to make any alterations therein, contrary 
 to their inclination. 
 
 This plan of diftricts is certainly greatly preferable, 
 and much lefs liable to fraud, than that of making the 
 price of each port the rule to govern importation and ex- 
 portation at fuch port. The committee do not think fit 
 to offer any opinion on the manner, in which the diftricto 
 were formed in the act. of laft year, as this arrangement 
 has fo lately met with the approbation of parliament. 
 
 But, in order to make the fyftem complete, it is ne- 
 ceflary, that Scotland mould be divided in like manner 
 into diftricts, and that importation and exportation there 
 fhpuld no longer be regulated according to the defective 
 and difcordant fyftem of former laws, and that in a bufi- 
 nefs of common concern every part of the united king- 
 dom mould be made fubject to the fame regulations. It 
 
 C was
 
 ( 34 ) 
 
 was fhewn by the committee, in their firft reprefentation 
 to Your Majefty, that juft before the late orders in coun- 
 cil were iffued, wheat was exported from Scotland to 
 foreign parts upon bounty, while the price of that article 
 was fo high in England, as to open the ports there for the 
 importation of foreign wheat upon the low duties. 
 
 ad. That whenever the export of any fort of corn is 
 flopped in any one difbridt, becaufe the price thereof 
 is above the export price, corn of the fame fort 
 fhould not be allowed to be carried from thence 
 coaftwife to any other diftridt, the ports of which 
 are open for the exportation thereof. 
 
 This regulation will tend greatly to prevent fraud; 
 and as the price of any fort of corn in a diftrict, the ports 
 of which are open for exportation, mud be lower than in 
 a diftrict, the ports of which are fhut, it is evident that it 
 cannot be carried for confumption to a diftricT:, the ports 
 of which are open for exportation. 
 
 3d. That the act of 10th Geo. III. ch. 39, for regif- 
 tering the prices of corn, fo far as relates to the ap- 
 pointment of infpectors, be repealed, and that the 
 regiftry of corn publifhed weekly in the Gazette, be 
 formed upon the averages taken, according to the 
 prices returned by the infpectors appointed under 
 the act of Jaft year. 
 
 Though thefe averages were directed by the two feveral 
 acts before mentioned to be taken for different purpofes, 
 there can be no reafon why they fhould not be taken in 
 the fame way, and by the fame perfons. The prices of 
 the feveral forts of corn, as taken in thefe two ways, will 
 frequently be different, as is fhewn in paper N 4 in the 
 Appendix, The prices, as taken in one way, are pub- 
 lifhed in the Gazette, to enable the merchant to {peculate; 
 but when he brings his corn to port, in order to import or 
 export it, he will often find that the prices, as taken in the 
 ether way, are not the fame as thqfe, on which he fpecu- 
 
 lated,
 
 ( 35 ) 
 
 lated, and he is thereby deceived. The manner of form- 
 ing thefe averages in the act of laft year is certainly the 
 moft accurate, as is clearly fhewn in paper N 4, before 
 mentioned. 
 
 If the two modes of collecting the prices mould be 
 allowed at the fame time to fubfift, the counties will be 
 put to the expence of two clafTes of infpectors; and one 
 objection made to the act of laft year is, the expence in- 
 curred by the payment of the infpectors. The laving 
 arifing from the abolition of one clafs of infpectors will 
 nearly defray half the charge incurred by the new 
 fyftem. 
 
 4th. That a duty of one half-penny per laft be paid 
 on all Britifh. corn imported coaftwife, and one 
 penny per laft on all corn imported from foreign 
 countries into all the ports of Great Britain, as is 
 now paid in the port of London; and that the mo- 
 ney arifing from thefe duties be made a fund for 
 the payment of the infpectors, and defraying the 
 other expences incurred by this act j and that the 
 corn returns fent by the poft be not fubject to the 
 payment of poftage. 
 
 The object of this propofition requires no explanation. 
 
 5th. That the infpectors be paid not by falaries, as 
 directed by the act of laft year, but by a certain al- 
 lowance for each return, certified to have been pro- 
 perly made, by the receiver of corn returns, accord- 
 ing to the act of the 10th year of Your Majefty's 
 reign, ch. 39. 
 
 It is obvious that the object of this regulation is, to 
 (ecu re the execution of the act, 
 
 6th. That in cafe the returns from any diftrict fhall 
 not be completely made, according to the direc- 
 tions of the act, the importation and exportation of 
 
 C 1 every
 
 ( 3& ) 
 
 every fort of corn in that diftricr, fhall be governed 
 by the average price of the reft of the king- 
 dom. 
 
 It is obvious alfo, that this regulation tends to fecure 
 the execution of the act, and to prevent in every fuch 
 ditlrict, any improper importation or exportation. 
 
 7th. That a power be lodged in Your Majefty, with 
 the advice of Your privy council, during the pro- 
 rogation of parliament, to prohibit generally the 
 exportation from this kingdom of any fort of corn, 
 and in like manner to permit generally the impor- 
 tation, on the low duties, of any fort of Foreign 
 corn, whenever the average price thereof, taken 
 from the returns of the whole kingdom, is higher 
 than the price at or above which Foreign corn is al- 
 lowed by law to be imported, if Your Majefty in 
 Your wifdom for the public benefit fhall fo think 
 fit*. 
 
 A dilcretionary power of this fort appears to have 
 been veiled in the crown by a great number of acts of 
 parliament-}-, from Richard II. to the prefent time; the 
 acts by which this power was granted are cited in the 
 margin, It has been found by repeated experience, 
 that the veiling fuch a power in the crown is neceflary 
 for the welfare of the people. Government pofTefles at 
 all times the beft means of difcerning the general exi- 
 gencies of the kingdom, and the ftate of crops and 
 markets in foreign countries, and there can be no juft 
 reafon to fufpect, that it will at any time be influenced 
 by any bad motive to exercife this power improperly. 
 
 * Note to the prefent edition. Parliament did not adopt this Jtb 
 refolution, but temporary lanvs have frequently paffed fince the year 1 790, 
 *vejl,ng in His Majejiy a difcretionary power of this fort far a limited 
 time. 
 
 i Stat. 17 Rich. II. e.7. 15 Hen. VI. e 2. 1 W 2 Phil, fcf Ma. 
 t. 5. 13 Eliz. c. 13, 35 Eliz. c. 7. 8 Ann. (.2. 14 Geo. II. c. 3. 
 J 5 Geo. II. c. 35. 30 Geo. IJ. c. 1. 
 
 8th. That
 
 ( V ) 
 
 Stti. That the colle&or of the cuftoms at every poft 
 in Great Britain, do tranfmit weekly to the receiver 
 of corn returns, an account of the quantity of the 
 feveral forts of corn (hipped in fuch port to be car- 
 ried coaftwife, with the name of the (hip or vefTel, 
 the name of the mafter, and the port or place in 
 Great Britain, to which the com was intended to be 
 carried } and alfo an account of the quantities of 
 the feveral forts of corn brought coaftwife into 
 each refpective port, with the name of the fhip or 
 vefTel, the name of the mafter, and the name of the 
 port or place from whence it is brought ; and that 
 the faid receiver do, at the end of every three 
 months, tranfmit to the commiflioners of His Ma- 
 jefty's cuftoms in England and Scotland, an account, 
 to be formed and made up in fuch manner as the 
 faid commiflioners fhall approve, of the quantity of 
 the feveral forts of corn fhipped to be carried 
 coaftwife from each port, or brought Coaftwife into 
 each port refpectively. 
 
 There can be no doubt that in the courfe of the laft fix 
 months, confiderable quantities of corn have been ex- 
 ported to foreign countries, which were fhipped under 
 the pretence of carrying the fame coaftwife. 
 
 The commiflioners of Your Majefty's cuftoms have 
 the merit of ufmg every endeavour to prevent this evil, 
 and there are already many wife provisions in the laws 
 of this country to make the commiflion of this fraud as 
 difficult as poflible. A bond is given for landing the 
 corn fo fhipped to be carried coaftwife at fome fpecified 
 port, or at fome other port or place in Great Britain, 
 and no where elfe there can be no doubt that the re- 
 gulation now propofed will be an additional check to 
 this practice, for by bringing into one view an account 
 of the whole of the corn fo carried coaftwife, and by 
 comparing the quantity fhipped with the quantity land- 
 ed, every fraudulent attempt may be detected. 
 
 C 3 9th. That
 
 { 38 ) 
 
 9th. That the warehoufes in which Foreign corn im- 
 ported is to be lodged, under the joint lock of the 
 King and the proprietor, according to the ftatute of 
 the 13th of Your Majefty's reign, ch. 43, be pro- 
 vided at the public ex pence -, and that the officers 
 of the cuftoms, whofe duty it is to attend thofe 
 warehoufes, be paid by the public, as is now prac- 
 tiied with refpecl: to the warehoufing of tobacco. 
 
 There is no regulation in our fyftem of the corn laws, 
 that is more beneficial and more deferves therefore to be 
 extended and improved, than thofe provisions which 
 permit the warehoufing of Foreign corn this regulation 
 tends to fecure to us a very important branch of com- 
 merce it enables our merchants, who receive corn from 
 the Americans in payment of their debcs, to lodge it 
 here, either for the home or foreign market, as occalion 
 may require it is alfo * the only method of forming ma- 
 gazines of a public nature in this country, againft times 
 of fcarcity and diflxefs, without prejudice to the Britifh 
 farmer and grower of corn if the legiflature have thought 
 it prudent to pay for the warehoufes in which tobacco is 
 depoiited, and the charges of the officers who are ap- 
 pointed to attend thefe warehoufes, it is reafonable that- 
 the public revenue mould defray the like expence in 
 fupport of a trade which may in time prove more va- 
 luable than that of tobacco, and may become necefTary, 
 in certain contingencies, for the fubfiftence of Your Ma- 
 jefty's fubjecls j and from what has been already expe- 
 rienced in the cafe of tobacco, the committee have realon 
 to believe that this expence will be no confiderable bur- 
 then to the revenue. 
 
 * Note to the prefent edition The cbjett of this regulation ivas in 
 a great me/fure defeated, by Claufe 19, ;';/ the Ait paffed on this occafion y 
 nvhicb requires, that corn imarehoufed c wben tbe bigb duty fubjif:, if taken 
 out for heme (.onjumption, even ivben tbe price at tbe place <wbe>e it is in* 
 ttud'd to bt conjmned is fo rifen, that it may be imported there on the loth 
 duty % pall pay tn addition to fuch lo-iv duty % a further duty, which in tbe 
 cafe of wheat i> 2 s. 6 d. per quarter.: and it can hardly be expected that, 
 cornjbould be imported to be warehoufed, enfucb terms. 
 
 4 10th. That
 
 ( 39 ) 
 
 loth. That Foreign corn imported and not Ware- 
 houfed be not allowed again to be exported. 
 
 When the high duties on importation fubfift, Foreign 
 corn is never imported, except to be warehoufed j when 
 the low duties commence, in confequence of fcarcity of 
 corn in this country, Foreign corn has frequently been im- 
 ported; and in confequence of the right which the pro- 
 prietors have heretofore had of re-exporting it, frauds 
 have been committed in exporting Britim corn, which 
 by law is not then exportable. The legiflature, con- 
 vinced that frauds of this nature were committed, did by 
 the 5th Geo. II. ch. 12, prohibit the carrying Foreign 
 corn, once imported, to the open fea, in order to be land- 
 ed in any other port of England. 
 
 If the public pay the expence of warehoufes, as above 
 propofed, the merchant can have little reafon to complain 
 that he is obliged to lo.ige his corn in a warehouse 
 provided by the crown, under the care of the public 
 officer. 
 
 nth. That corn fo warehoufed be permitted to be 
 taken out, to be ground by the importer or pro- 
 prietor, on condition that he give bond, not fubject 
 to any (lamp duty, in double the value of the faid 
 corn, that he will export from the port where it was 
 warehoufed, within two calendar months from the 
 time of taking out the faid corn, a quantity of flour 
 equal to the corn fo taken out, reckoning the quan- 
 tity of wheat meal, or other ground corn, for every 
 bufhel of fuch corn unground, according to the 
 proportion as it is now fettled by law ; or that he 
 will pay the duty chargeable on the faid corn at the 
 time that it was taken out of the warehoufe. And 
 that no importer or proprietor fhall be entitled to 
 the receipt of any bounty on any corn or flour ex- 
 ported by him, until after he has fettled his account 
 of the corn fo taken out of the warehoufe, and dif- 
 eharged his bond. 
 
 C 4 This 
 
 'o v
 
 ( 40 ) 
 
 This regulation will encourage in this country the 
 manufacturing of foreign corn into flour It will alio fa- 
 cilitate the trade, as many foreign countries may at times 
 be defirous of obtaining from this market flour inftead of 
 corn. In confequence of the reftriflions which accom- 
 pany this permiflion, no confiderabie fraud can eafily be 
 commitrcd. By ftatutes the 15 and 16 Geo. II. prohi- 
 bited hall India goods, being warehoufed, are now al- 
 lowed to be taken out to be dyed or glazed, on giving 
 bond to bring them back in a limited time to be ex- 
 ported. 
 
 There is another propofition of more importance, 
 which the committee fubmit with greater diffidence than 
 any of the preceding ; and which they only venture to 
 fuggeft, in order, that it may be taken into confideration. 
 
 1 2th. That wheat be permitted to be exported, but 
 without bounty, when the price thereof is between 
 44 s. and 46 s. * and other corn when the prices 
 thereof fhall be in like proportion; and that wheat 
 be allowed to be imported into this kingdom, from 
 Your Majefty's kingdom of Ireland only, on the 
 low duties, when the price thereof is at or above 46 s. 
 and other forts of corn when the prices fhall be in 
 like proportion. 
 
 The two regulations contained in this propofition, 
 to take place whenever the parliament of Ireland 
 
 ftall 
 
 Note to the prefent edition. -7/ will he fcen by the preceding 
 Talk, No. 4, that Itritijb wheat was not permitted to be exported 
 by the Jaws tbtn in force, till the price of it bad fallen to 44/. per 
 Quarter. And by Table No. 5, it will be ften, that Britijh wheat, 
 when fo permitted to be exported, at the price befo.ementioned, was 
 entitled to Ue bcunty. The legislature adopted this 1 2th propofition, and 
 by the law founded on it, Britijh wheat was permitted to be exported 
 when the price of it tvas belcw 46 s. per quarter, though it continued to 
 be not entitled to the bounty, till it was below 44 s. per quarter. The ex- 
 portation of all other articles of Britijh grain was regulated in the neiv 
 .ci upon ihejame principle. See fiat. 31 Geo. III. ih. 30. Table (B.) 
 fhis regulation, by enco. .raging exportation, wag thcughl to be in favour 
 of agriculture.
 
 ( 41 ) 
 
 mall make a regulation with refpect to Britifh corn, 
 fimilar to the laft in favour of Irifh corn. 
 
 The committee are inclined to think, that thefe regu- 
 lations are both beneficial in themfelves; but they have 
 coupled them together, as they think that the one is cal- 
 culated to counteract any evil which may be fuppofed to 
 arife from the other. The great corn counties of Great 
 Britain are in general on the eaft fide of the ifland, and 
 there corn is in general cheapeft. The capital is fortu- 
 nately fituated in the midft of them: but many of the 
 great manufacturing counties and towns are on the oppo- 
 fite fide of the ifland, and there corn is generally deareft. 
 The firft of thefe regulations will be beneficial to the corn 
 counties on the eaft fide of the ifland j the laft of thefe re- 
 gulations will be beneficial to the populous and manufac- 
 turing counties and towns on the weft fide of the ifland, 
 which are more convenienrly fituated for importation 
 from Ireland; and both regulations, taken together, will 
 contribute to bring the price of corn in the different parts 
 of the kingdom more to a level. 
 
 'o v 
 
 It is not probable that any great quantity of corn will 
 be exported without bounty, unlefs when corn is much 
 dearer in foreign countries than here, a contingency whicli 
 may fometimes, but does not often happen ; and there is 
 little reafon to apprehend that the importation of Irifh 
 -corn into the weftern counties of this kingdom will dif- 
 courage the agriculture of them, as much lefs corn is 
 grown there than is confumed by the inhabitants, and the 
 price of it is confequently high. 
 
 It was the opinion of the commiflioners of the cuftoms, 
 in a report prelented to the lords of the treafury in 1774, 
 that the export of corn fhould be allowed to continue, 
 when the price of corn is fomething higher than that, ac 
 which the bounty ceafes to be paidj and fome of the beft 
 judges on this fubject have expreffed the fame fentiment*. 
 
 There 
 
 * Note to the prefent edition. In addition to thefe twelve pro- 
 pofuions, the legijlature thought ft in the bill then brought in to raife 
 
 what
 
 ( 4* ) 
 
 There are feveral other proportions for the amend- 
 ment of the corn laws of lefs importance than thofe before 
 ftated, with which the committee do not think it necef- 
 iary to trouble Your Majefty; but if it fhould be thought 
 fit that any of Your fervants fhould propofe a bill to par- 
 liament for improving thefe laws, the committee will be 
 ready to fugged them. 
 
 As the corn laws ought of all others to be generally 
 known and underitood, the committee think, that the fub- 
 fifting regulations, and fuch as may now be adopted, 
 fhould be brought into as narrow a compafs as poffible, 
 and that the act of the 13th of Your Majefty's reign, 
 ch. 43, and the act now to be propofed, fhould compre- 
 hend 
 
 what is called the importing price, that is the price of wheat and 
 other forts of grain, taken according to the price of grain y of the fame 
 fort, the produce of this kingdom, at or above 'which, Foreign grain 
 tf thofe jeveral Jorts fhould he refpeeiively permitted from thenceforth 
 to he imported into this kingdom. The objerl of this lafi proportion 
 'was, by fecuring to the Britijb farmer a Jujfcient prnf.t in the j ale of 
 his 'wheat and other grain, to encourage agriculture, and to promote in- 
 cicfurcs, and thereby to bring into tillage a great quantity of the ivafe 
 lends of the kingdom: It was aljo hoped, that by this encouragement tbs 
 produce of wheat in the kingdom night be made equal, or more nearly fo, 
 than it bad been of late, to the conjumption of its* inhabitants. How far 
 this alteration in the fyfiem of our coin laws has anfwered the ends 
 tf promoting inclcfures, and of making the produce of wheat in this king' 
 dom equal 10 the confumpticn of its inhabitants, the reader nvilljce by fw$ 
 accounts, infertcd in the Appendix of the prefent edition. [A r c. 5 and 6] 
 
 By the laws then in force, Foreign ivheat had hitherto been permitted to 
 be imported at the love duty of 6 d. per quarter, when Britijh 'wheat was at 
 or above 48 s. per quarter. By the new law, Foreign 'wheat was not per- 
 muted to be imported at the low duty of 6d. per quarter, till Britijh 
 ik heat 'was at or above 541. per quarter ; fo that the import price at this 
 4tery lew duty was ratjea 6 s. per quarter. It was thought however, 
 ri.J.t, upon the lame principles, 'which had been adopted in the I 2th propo- 
 fit ion, ivith refpeel to ixportaiion of wheat, to make the importation oy to- 
 il take place by degrees', and it was therefore enacted, that 
 when Britijh wheat was at or above 50 J. but under 541. per quarter, Fo- 
 reign ivheat fhould be permitted to be imported on paying a duty of 2 s. 6d. 
 per quarter. 1 he importation of all other articles of grain, and of oat~ 
 meal, was regulated in the new aQ upon the fame principle. See flat. 
 31. Uea. III. Jj. 30. fable E.
 
 t 43 ) 
 
 hendall the regulations that are allowed to fubfifh or per* 
 haps, that even thefe two acts fhould be confolidated. 
 
 The committee are decidedly of opinion, that one per- 
 manent fyftem fhould now be eftabiifhed, fo that the 
 grower of corn may know how to direct his induftry and 
 his fpcculations, and be fure that no temporary meafure 
 will intervene, to deprive him of the fruit of them: The 
 corn trade is in itfelf fubject, from the viciffitudes of iea- 
 fons, and other circiimftances, to greater fluctuation than 
 any other; it ought not to be expofed to the additional 
 uncertainty arifing from frequent alteration of laws, and 
 changes of fyftem. 
 
 In forming thefe regulations, the lords of the com- 
 mittee have endeavoured equally to provide for the prof- 
 perity of the grower of corn, and the neceffities of the 
 confumer. The interefts of the grower and confumer 
 are fuppofed by fome to be at variance: To reconcile 
 them as much as poftible, is the end which every wife 
 government fhould endeavour to attain. The intereft of 
 the confumer is entitled to the firft confideration, fo far 
 as to preferve him, in every poffible contingency, from 
 fcarcky and diftrefs. And as diftrefs for want of this ne- 
 celTary article of fubfiftence cannot long exift in any coun- 
 try without expofing it to thofe commotions which fre- 
 quently happen in times of dearth, it is not likely that the 
 grower of corn would enjoy in fafety the fruits of his in- 
 duftry, unlefs due attention is paid to this firft and capi- 
 tal object; but this point bein^ once fecured, the in- 
 tcrefts of the grower fhould in the next place occupy the 
 particular attention of the legislature. The production 
 of corn is the firft and mod important occupation of the 
 fubjects of every country, and on its fuccefs refts the main 
 iupport and prosperity of every other trade. For the fake 
 of the confumer therefore, the moll liberal encourage- 
 ment and protection lhouid be given to thofe employed 
 in it; for without ofFenng proper incitement to their in- 
 duftry, plenty can never be pr cured : For thefe realons 
 it will be found, perhaps, en due confideration, that the 
 
 interelts
 
 ( 44 ) 
 
 interefls of the grower and confumer, well underftood, 
 are lefs at variance, than at firft they may appear. In 
 the advice, which the committee have thought it their 
 duty to offer to Your Majefty, they have aimed at dis- 
 covering the point of union, at which thefe interefts meet; 
 and they humbly refer to the judgment of Your Majefty, 
 how far they have accomplifhed the object they had ia 
 view. 
 
 APPENDIX:
 
 APPENDIX: 
 
 CONTAINING, 
 
 No. I. An Account of the quantities of Corn and Grain exported 
 from, and imported into, England and Scotland, for iS 
 years ; &c. 
 
 No. 2. An Account of the quantity of Corn exported for 19 years, 
 from 1746 to 1765 inclufive; &c. 
 
 No. 3. An Account of the quantity of each fort of Corn imported 
 into England, from 1746 to 1765 inclufive; &c. 
 
 No. 4. How Returns of Corn are made from the markets of Lei. 
 cefter and Manchefler, 
 
 No; 5. An Account of the feveral forts of Grain exported and im- 
 ported from and to Great Britain, for eight years; Sec. 
 
 No. 6. An Account of the number of Bills for Inclofure that patted 
 the Legiflature in each year, from 1780 to 1799 inclu- 
 five j Sec.
 
 ( 46 ) 
 
 Appendix, 
 
 An Account of the quantities of corn and grain exported from, and imported into, 
 the bounties and drawbacks paid, and the duties received, thereon; 
 
 
 WHEAT and FLOUR. 
 
 Ti A RLE V and MALT. 
 
 OATS and OATMEAL. 
 
 
 Exported. 
 
 Imported. 
 
 Exported. 
 
 Imported, j 
 
 Exported. 
 
 Imported. 
 
 
 Quarters. 5 
 
 Quarters 
 
 Quarters. I; 
 
 Quarters. ; 
 
 Quarters. 2. 
 
 Quarters. 
 
 i 77 i - - 
 Price of tie Year 
 
 1771 - - 
 Price if tc Yiar - 
 
 10,089 L 
 Wheat, 47 1. 2 d 
 
 6.959 
 Wheat, 50 s. 8 d. 
 
 2,510 
 =5 '474 
 
 34.198 & 
 Barley, 25 j. 8^ 
 
 14,031 
 Barley, 251. \d 
 
 22o 
 
 3,068 
 
 J5>*33 & 
 Oats, ids. Zd 
 
 23.599 
 Oats, 161. 2.i 
 
 212,327 
 106,820 
 
 till __- 
 Pi ict cftbe Year - 
 
 7^37 
 
 Wheat - 51 s 
 
 56,857 
 
 2,475 
 Barky, 28 s. 4-*/ 
 
 63,916 
 
 18,777 
 Oats, 17 j. zd. 
 
 329,454 
 
 1 "74 - - 
 Pr'ue cf the Year - 
 
 15,928 
 Wheat, 52 j. 8^. 
 
 2^9,149 
 
 291 1 
 Baric, 23 j. 6d- 
 
 171,508 
 
 ' 6,43 3 
 Oats, 171. 10 d 
 
 399.499 
 
 1771 - - 
 Price of tht Yiar - 
 
 9 '.037 
 Wheat, 48 s. 4^. 
 
 500,988 
 
 5>,4>4 
 Barley - 261 
 
 '39)45' 
 
 26,485 
 Oats, 1 6 j. 6 c 
 
 384,942 
 
 ,776 i - 
 Price oj to. Year - 
 
 210,604. 
 Wheat, 381. zd 
 
 20,578 
 
 136,1 14 
 
 Barle), 20 j. id. 
 
 .8,499 
 
 34.987 
 Oats - - 15 j 
 
 378,566 
 
 1777 - " 
 Price of the Year - 
 
 87,686 
 Wheat, 45 s. (sd. 
 
 233,323 
 
 142,725 
 Barley, 20 s. 6<5 
 i 103 930 
 ; Barley, 22 . Z d- 
 
 7,981 
 
 36,614 
 Oats, 15 j. Zd 
 
 366,446 
 
 1778 - - 
 Trict of tie Year - 
 
 141,070 
 
 Wheat, - 42 j. 
 
 106,394 
 
 42,714 
 
 56,543 
 Oats, 151. zd 
 
 201,170 
 
 '779 - 
 Price if tbr Year - 
 
 222,161 
 Wheat, 331. %J. 
 
 5.-39 
 
 ! 85.777 
 
 Eariey, 19 s. 6 a 
 
 7,085 
 
 22,286 
 Oats - - 141 
 
 348,511 
 
 17J0 - - 
 P, ice of loe Year - 
 
 224: 59 
 Wheat, 35 J. Zd. 
 
 3.9*5 
 
 ' '9',5 6 3 
 Barley - 17 .-. 
 
 352 
 
 27,023 
 Oats, 12 j. 10 d 
 
 195,224 
 
 1781 - - 
 
 Pe'.ct :f the Yejr - 
 
 103,021 
 Wheat, 44 J. 8 d. 
 
 159,866 
 
 1 50,468 
 ' Barley, 17 s. 2 d 
 
 56 
 
 41,717 
 Oa.s, 131. Zd. 
 
 109,446 
 
 178a - - 
 
 Pi ict of tbeYtar - 
 
 145'' 5* 
 Wheat, 47.'. iorf. 
 
 80,595 
 
 127,744 
 Barley, 221. 6 d 
 
 1 3.5'92 
 
 23,3,7 
 Oats, 15 t. zd 
 
 38,562 
 
 1 7S3 - - 
 Prkt'jj ici Y*r. 
 
 5"943 
 WhtJt, 51 s. 8<J. 
 
 584,183 
 
 ^4,065 
 Barley, 3c s. q.d 
 
 144,926 
 
 11.826 
 Oats, 19 j. io</. 
 
 228,942 
 
 1 " -4 - - 
 Price tf 'be Year - 
 
 Sg.zaS 
 (Wheat, 43J. IC;/. 
 
 216,947 
 
 - - 
 
 66,889 
 Bariey, 271. tod. 
 
 77,182 
 
 I3,5'i 
 Oats, 18 i. 4<i. 
 
 266,998 
 
 1785 - - 
 Price i>l -be Year - 
 
 132,685 
 
 Wheat, 411. lod 
 
 1:0,863 
 
 . - - . 
 
 166,448 
 
 Barley - 241 
 
 67,212 
 
 25. z 73 
 Oats, 17 j. zd 
 
 274,089 
 478.473 
 
 1786 ; - 
 Pi iee ttj tie Year 
 
 205.4^.6 
 W!ie, 381 lod 
 
 5M 6 3 
 
 in, ;;c8 
 Barley, 24 s. t^d. 
 
 62,374 
 
 I9>293 
 Oats - 18 j. 
 
 1 - 1- - - 
 Price -ft be Year . 
 
 120,536 
 Whe-t, 4J i 2<^. 
 
 59' 3 39 
 
 I35o89 
 Barley, 2-... 8./. 
 
 43.M4 
 
 17,098 
 Otts, 16 j. id. 
 
 512,004 
 
 17S8 - - 
 PrWeaftbeY.ar - 
 
 82,971 
 
 - 45 s. 
 
 148,71c 
 
 212,81 1 
 
 ! Barley - 22). 
 
 11,479 
 
 - - 
 
 14,418 
 Oats, 151. Zd 
 
 413,827 
 
 1 1 Years. 
 
 1,548,452 
 
 i, 716. 293 
 't94845 a 
 
 1,790,250 
 
 864,867 
 
 864,867 
 
 464,433 
 
 5,245,300 
 464'433 
 
 .:: loir-ore i 
 B lance Expound 
 
 - - - - j 767,341 
 
 j 925,383 - - 
 
 1 
 
 4,780,867 
 
 The pric* of the gr.iin being fairly confiJercd, both on importation and exportation, 
 
 Th* .-.v rage pr'c? of the above r~ yean - per Q>j 
 
 1 forts of grain gene- - } 
 reduce the average price f per Or. 
 
 Barley. Oats. 
 
 23 j. -]d. 16 t. 2 d. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 29 j. Zd. 
 
 Beans 
 281. \od.\
 
 ( 47 ) 
 
 No. i. 
 
 England and ScotlanJ, for iS years, from 5th January 1770 to 5th January 1789, with 
 together with the average price of corn in lingland, under each year. 
 
 R Y E. 
 
 BEANS and PEASE. 
 
 Exported. 
 
 Imported 
 
 Quarters. 2 
 
 . . .8 
 
 Rye, 34 s. $d. 
 
 Rye, 36 i. id 
 
 x y e > 23 s - 4 4 
 2,260 
 
 R > e . 34 ' 4^- 
 2,722 
 
 Rye, 32J. iod. 
 10,979 
 
 Rye, 261. io'/. 
 
 946 
 
 Rye - 23 
 
 1.7:6 
 Rye, 23 j. 4^. 
 
 3*99 
 Rye, 23 1. 4 d 
 
 6,305 
 Rye, 22 s. 2 d 
 
 2,701 
 
 Rye, 26?. icJ. 
 
 4,003 
 Rye, 28*. iod. 
 
 33<5s 
 Rye, 3 5 ,.8 d 
 
 6,731 
 Rye, 32 i zd 
 
 13,163 
 
 Rye - 28 s. 
 
 6,736 
 Rye, 27 j. 2<y. 
 
 12,683 
 (lye, 27 s. 8 </. 
 
 31,2:0 
 Itye, 27 s. 3 J. 
 
 Quarters 
 2,179 
 
 4.799 
 
 9.255 
 
 4i.4 2 7 
 
 33.574 
 
 3.415 
 iS, 45 4 
 
 9.327 
 1,693 
 
 i>743 I 
 
 81,295 
 
 24.779 
 28, 7 6r 
 
 3.643 
 7.054 
 
 Exported. 
 
 108,739 
 
 280,398 
 '08,739 
 
 171,659 
 
 Quarters. -. 
 
 17,053 ft 
 3c3ns, 28 j. 6 d 
 
 17,096 
 3eans - 30 :. 
 
 15,181 
 ears - 33 j 
 
 I3567 
 Beans, 311. id. 
 
 J9.349 
 Beans, 28 1. 8 d. 
 
 56.037 
 Beans, 26 t. 6d. 
 
 ! 47. '56 
 
 Beans, 28 s. 6 d. 
 
 37.675 
 Beans, 87s. id. 
 
 44.593 
 Beans, 241. zd 
 
 22,941 
 Beans, 22 s. 2. d. 
 
 19.344 
 3eans - 23 s. 
 
 26,128 
 Beans . zSs. 
 
 12,960 
 Beans, 34*. j Q d. 
 
 10,976 
 Seans, 321. id. 
 
 1 5.9^4 
 Beans, 301. id. 
 
 16,309 
 Beans, 33 j. 2 d 
 
 18,260 
 Beans, 31 s. iod 
 
 '5.135 
 
 Beans, 271. zd. 
 
 Imported.. 
 
 425,664 
 
 Quarters . 
 J 31 
 
 490 
 
 61,116 
 
 2 4.59 I i 
 44.452 I 
 38,843 ; 
 63,829 j 
 
 57.933 
 43.745 
 25.125 
 J 7>753 
 S.558 
 31.614 
 45,816 
 16,813 
 
 35.709 
 42,884 
 10,902 
 
 PAID ON F.XPORTAT10N. 1 **''** 
 
 I Jir.eorraci'jn. 
 
 Bounties. 
 
 D-ra *bcks 
 
 Duties* 
 
 *. d. 
 
 6 ; 170 7 6 
 
 5:0.304 
 425,664 
 
 144,640 
 
 Balance paid in bounties. Sec, 
 ic balance paid in the 18 years amounts to - - 
 
 Total paid for grain and bounties, SiQ. - 
 or ^.291,000 per annum. 
 
 6,023 3 IC ' 
 
 7,849 10 ij~ 
 
 52,248 9 l 
 
 45,666 16 54 
 
 43,806 7 9 
 
 54.506 2 61 
 
 77.715 17 I 
 32,270 1+ 73 
 
 47.9 '4 7 45 
 
 *3.357 4 H 
 
 23,620 4 6\ 
 
 26,314 5 10J 
 
 53,804 4J 
 
 56,979 18 9 
 
 45,182 12 3 
 
 ' ' 
 
 1,798 16 s 
 786 8 
 
 IC2 I ic 
 
 224 8 6 
 97 1 2 
 
 ' d. 
 i37'7 * 
 
 3,766 i'i.J- 
 Duty-free. 
 
 '3>75 15 "4 
 
 '9.797 19 6 i 
 
 3,688 18 
 
 8,8*6 8 6| 
 
 ! 4.94 9 4 
 2,989 16 91 
 
 29 17 1 j 1,117 " "H 
 
 593-429 15 5i 
 4,153 IO !I 
 
 46 9 2 
 
 55 7 1 
 
 461 11 3 
 
 2 55 3 5 
 
 207 1 6 
 
 79 19 4 
 
 9 5 " 
 
 4.153 IO " 
 
 4,722 11 } 
 2.349 17 1 
 
 =0,609 3 5 
 9,929 10 8 
 7,448 17 2 
 6,270 11 6 
 6,625 19 9 i. 
 
 6,665 14 10 
 
 i3-,i6 7 8 6k 
 
 597.583 6 4 
 137,167 8 6* 
 
 460,415 17 i<4 
 
 ,776,000 
 
 5 236.415 '7 c { 
 
 Expirts an'! Imports, 
 
 Extract-,- 1 from the Cu flora 
 
 H< ufe Bo. ki. 
 
 Price- of the 18 years, 
 Ex ratted from the Corn Re- 
 gifter efta'jlifl) d by Act of 
 iorh Geo. 111. 
 
 And the great exportation trade entire'y loft, which, from 1746 to 
 
 1765, produced a net gain of . 65 1,000 per annum. (See .^ t ames cvrHERVVOOD 
 Sm ith's Corn Traces, fo. 136.) J J 
 
 The average prices of the iq years (from 1746 to 1761;) are? /-. 
 , 
 
 Wheat. 3akle y. 
 
 Oats. 
 
 I4-. O.
 
 ( 4* ) 
 
 Appendix, No. 2. 
 
 An ACCOUNT of the quantity of co r n exported for nineteen ye-rs, from 
 1746 to 1765, inclufive, with the bounty paid thereon ; diflingui(hing each 
 year, and the ieveral forts of corn. N. B. This account is for England. 
 
 
 Barley. 
 
 Malt. 
 
 Oatmeal. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 Wheat and 
 >V heat-meal. 
 
 Oats. 
 
 r 
 Bounties paid. 
 
 
 Q^ s . B 
 
 Q^. B. 
 
 QL B. 
 
 QL 5 B. 
 
 QL B- 
 
 Q^ B. 
 
 * d. 
 
 *747 - " 
 
 103,140 2 
 
 361,289 3 
 
 2,122 4 
 
 92,718 3 
 
 266,906 7 
 
 12,010 2 
 
 141,123 1 10 
 
 174S - - 
 
 73^57 
 
 349>363 
 
 3.768 4 
 
 103,891 4 
 
 543.387 5 
 
 15.813 1 
 
 202,637 H Ir 
 
 749 " - 
 
 52,621 3 
 
 355^9 5 
 
 1,281 2 
 
 106,312 4 
 
 629,049 
 
 12,605 7 
 
 228,566 8 1 
 
 1750 - - 
 
 -24,500 7 
 
 33o,754 2 
 
 4,283 4 
 
 99,049 3 
 
 947,602 1 
 
 10,554 2 
 
 262,583 2$ 
 
 1751 - - 
 
 32,698 
 
 25 6 547 4 
 
 2,476 2 
 
 71,048 4 
 
 661,416 4 
 
 8,459 1 
 
 154,904 17 41 
 
 1752 - - 
 
 106,331 3 
 
 287,578 6 
 
 1,590 i 
 
 57.847 2 
 
 429,279 4 
 
 9,666 3 
 
 ! 26.218 7 % 
 
 753 - - 
 
 67,049 
 
 274.424 7 
 
 7,012 1 
 
 24,835 7 
 
 299,608 7 
 
 II,I07 2 
 
 222,508 8 6^ 
 
 1754 - - 
 
 47>77& 3 
 
 321,995 
 
 2,330 2 
 
 42,915 1 
 
 356,270 i 
 
 20,22 8 I 
 
 143,412 7 2 
 
 755 - " 
 
 32,836 
 
 341,568 6 
 
 1,112 2 
 
 43.441 7 
 
 237,459 2 
 
 7.779' 5 
 
 166,134 7 4 J 
 
 1756 - - 
 
 26,938 5 
 
 236,925 6 
 
 2,3 to 4 
 
 29,968 7 
 
 101,936 4 
 
 8,499 5 
 
 109,228 1 8$ 
 
 i-57 - - 
 
 7>94 7 
 
 56,164 2 
 
 4,417 6 
 
 907 1 
 
 11,226 
 
 12,117 
 
 22,558 16 9J 
 
 1758 - - 
 
 691 
 
 10,728 1 
 
 1,831 4 
 
 
 
 9,233 6 
 
 7,93 2 4 
 
 3,752 6 icf 
 
 75? - - 
 
 22,S62 4 
 
 166,079 
 
 3.134 6 
 
 41,480 2 
 
 226,426 
 
 6,566 5 
 
 53,802 9 2$ 
 
 1760 - - 
 
 34.59* 4 
 
 224,195 
 
 2,388 4 
 
 52,766 4 
 
 390,710 4 
 
 12,299 5 
 
 118,247 4 si 
 
 1761 - - 
 
 97,897 1 
 
 279,051 5 
 
 2,839 6 
 
 57.571 1 
 
 440,746 2 
 
 14,683 
 
 '53-558 4 ii 
 
 1762 - - 
 
 130,873 3 
 
 254,429 5 
 
 1,368 4 
 
 28,410 2 
 
 294,500 
 
 145,025 7 
 
 129,210 2 6 
 
 176} - - 
 
 38,390 j 
 
 165,494 6 
 
 1,664 4 
 
 12,933 7 
 
 4*7.074 3 
 
 10,844 1 
 
 152,879 13 2| 
 
 J :'+ - - 
 
 9,218 6 
 
 223,220 5 
 
 1,101 
 
 27,690 1 
 
 396,537 5 
 
 8,4 3 6 5 
 
 149,607 2 7j 
 
 1765 - - 
 
 '9/'3 5 
 
 208,235 3 
 
 2,047 6 
 
 12,083 7 
 
 167,030 
 
 9 6 33 5 
 
 33.933 14 8{ 
 
 >J. B. The comptroller general cannot ca-ry an account of the bounties actually paid further 
 b.ck than the year 1747 hut it appears, by an account of the bounties payable fi nee tha 
 couunc ac< .-licit of the prefent century, that the greatelt b >unty was paid in the year 1750. 
 
 inip-clor Gen>r..ri OfFr*, 
 Cuflo n :ujf-, L"i'iun, 25 Frb. 1790. 
 
 THOMAS IRVING, 
 
 Iafpcdor Genera!* 
 
 Appendix,..
 
 ( 49 ) 
 
 Appendix, No. 3. 
 
 An ACCOUNT of the quantity of each fort of corn imported into England, 
 from 1746 to 1765, inclufive; diftinguifhing each year, with the amount of 
 duties paid thereon, diltinguifhing each year. 
 
 Years. 
 
 Barley. 
 
 Beans. 
 
 Oats. 
 
 Oatmeal. 
 
 Peafe. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 Wheat. 
 
 -Wheat 
 Flour. 
 
 Total Duties. 
 
 
 Ql Buk 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Q^. Bu'. 
 
 
 
 I747 - - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1748 " - 
 
 14 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 385 
 
 
 
 24 11 6 
 
 1749 - - 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 Qfs. Bu lj 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 382 
 
 
 
 2 5 5 10 
 
 1750 - - 
 
 
 
 
 
 20 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 279 5 
 
 
 
 12 18 9 
 
 1751 - - 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,291 1 
 
 Qj. Bu ,s . 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 57 9 3 
 
 1752 - . 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 250 
 
 10 c 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 10 * 
 
 1753 - " 
 
 
 
 
 
 33 3 
 
 2 4 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 17 9 
 
 1754 - - 
 
 
 
 
 
 5M*i 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 ' 
 
 201 
 
 
 
 1,323 13 
 
 J755 - ' 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,591 2 
 
 292 
 
 
 
 QTJ.Bu 1 '. 
 
 
 
 
 
 40 3 
 
 1756 - - 
 
 46 
 
 
 
 41,390 
 
 5,280 4 
 
 
 
 1,695 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 1,230 16 1 
 
 1757 - - 
 
 5>779 ' 
 
 
 
 7,460 2 
 
 298 3 
 
 
 
 7,86i 7 
 
 130,343 2 
 
 
 
 8,839 17 3 
 
 1758 - - 
 
 9>75* 2 
 
 
 
 12,276 2 
 
 i>563 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 19,039 7 
 
 
 
 i,38i 5 10 
 
 1759 - - 
 
 42 4 
 
 
 
 321 4 
 
 13 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 82 1 
 
 
 
 14 19 8 
 
 1760 - - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 10 
 
 1761 - - 
 
 
 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 6 
 
 1762 - - 
 
 942 3 
 
 
 
 16,570 1 
 
 829 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 56 2 
 
 
 
 47' 7 4 
 
 1763 - - 
 
 3,227 7 
 
 
 
 117,637 5 
 
 836 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 1 
 
 
 
 5>57 13 * 
 
 1764 
 
 5,110 2 
 
 
 
 122,477 3 
 
 11,892 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 1 
 
 
 
 3>54 5 * 
 
 1765 - - 
 
 3.597 
 
 
 
 $2,205 4 
 
 54 1 6 
 
 
 
 
 
 89,642 5 
 
 
 
 6,771 a 6 
 
 THC 
 
 J 
 
 )MAS 
 nfpe&or 
 
 [RVI 
 
 Genera 
 
 NG, 
 
 1. 
 
 
 
 Cuftom 
 
 [nfpeclor Cc 
 houfe, Lorn 
 
 neral's ( 
 on, 1 fr 
 
 )ffice, 
 
 larch 1790. 
 
 The infpe&or general begs le.we to acquaint their lordihips, that the rate of the duties upon 
 corn depends upon a variety of circumftances, but more particulaily upon the current p ices at the 
 time of importation, which prices cannot now be afcertained with any degree of accuracy during 
 the period for which the above account is required. The infpe&or geneial ha* confuhed fome of 
 the beft informed officers in the long room, and they are of opinion that the importation generally 
 took place under the low duties ; he has therefore computed the Quantities according to thole 
 
 D 
 
 Appendixi
 
 C jo ) 
 
 Appendix, No. 4. 
 
 I ft. VX7 O U L D the laft-mentioned method of making the re- 
 * turns, according to the directions of the corn adt patted 
 laft: feflion, embarrais the bufmefs, or make it fo much more 
 difficult in the execution, that the returns might not be fo re- 
 gularly made, or that the perfons making them would in con- 
 fequence of any additional trouble be diffatisfied with the al- 
 lowance now made them ? 
 
 In anfwering the above queftion, it will, I conceive, be proper to 
 (late the manner in which returns are made under the act of the ioth 
 Geo. III. and alfo thofe made purfuant to the a& of the laft feffions. 
 
 By the firft-mentioned aft, the perfons who make returns, receive a 
 fum not exceeding two fhillings for each. They colledt the prices by 
 enquiry among the dealers on market days; and when afcertained, 
 they make up their returns in the following manner ; viz. 
 
 County of 
 Leicefter. 
 
 Saturday, 
 February 6th, 1790; 
 
 Leicefter. 
 A R E T U R N of the prices of corn from this market. 
 
 
 Price by the 
 cuftomary 
 meafure. 
 
 Average. 
 
 Price by the 
 
 ftandard 
 
 Winchefter 
 
 bufliel of 
 
 8 gallons. 
 
 Wheat per quarter, from - - 
 to 
 
 . s d. 
 2 18 6 
 
 2 7 
 
 2 12 9 
 
 jr. s. d. 
 
 - 6 4 - 
 
 Note. t 
 The quarter is 8 bufhels, the 
 bufhel containing 8 gallons 
 and 2 pints. 
 
 The price of the other forts 
 of grain is given in like 
 manner. 
 
 From the mode of collecting thefe prices, it is not likely that the 
 infpeftors can obtain them fo accurately as could be wiflied, not being 
 authorized to demand any account from the dealers, and the dealers 
 not being obliged to render them any. 
 
 Tlic method above dated, of giving the average, is not a true one. 
 
 For if a greater quantity of wheat was fold at .2. 18 s. 6 d. than 
 
 at . 2. ys. the average would be more than ,2. lis. Qd.; and 
 
 3 if
 
 ( 5 ) 
 
 if a Uh quantity was fold at the former than at the latter price, the 
 average could not be fo much as . 2. 12 s. yd. It is therefore 
 evident, that unlefs the quantity is known, and the coft of it, the true 
 average price cannot be ascertained; of courfe the returns made under 
 the act of 10th Geo. III. are not fo accurate as thofe maue purfuant 
 to the late ait, which enacts, That the buyers of corn for l'ale fhall be 
 fworn to deliver every week, to the infpe&or of the maiket at which 
 they buy, a true account of the quantities they purchafe, and the coft 
 thereof. 
 
 When the infpe&or has received fuch accounts, which, at fome 
 places, are very numerous, he enters them in a book, from which he 
 makes his return to the receiver of corn returns, as under, and then 
 tranfmits a duplicate of it to the ieveral collectors of cuftoms within 
 his diftria. 
 
 County of Lancafter. 
 
 Mancheftcr, Saturday, February 6th, 1790. 
 
 A RETURN of the quantities and prices of corn and grain from this 
 market, for one week, ended this day. 
 
 t- 
 
 Quantities, 
 cuftomary 
 
 Price 
 
 Amount 
 
 of 
 
 The aggregate 
 
 The average The average 
 
 
 hy the 
 
 each parce 
 the feve 
 
 lat 
 -al 
 
 q uantlty, 
 Winchester 
 
 price per quar-lpriceperbuftiel, 
 cer, Winchclter Winchefter 
 
 
 meahire. 
 
 quarter. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 rates. 
 
 
 meafure. 
 
 meafure. 
 
 meafure. 
 
 
 Qu r .Bufiiel. 
 
 1. d. 
 
 . s. 
 
 d. 
 
 QurBufhel. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 > * d. 
 
 
 4 4 x 
 
 58 - 
 
 '3 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 51 4T 
 
 55 4 
 
 142 13 
 
 If 
 
 
 
 
 
 8 4I 
 
 54 6 
 
 23 8 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 Wheat by the 
 
 93 34 
 
 54 4 
 
 2 53 15 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 quarter, Win. 
 
 32 3i" 
 
 38 5i 
 
 53 
 
 53 8 
 
 87 '3 
 103 14 
 
 5l 
 
 
 
 
 chefter mea- 
 
 7 ~ T 
 
 53 5 
 
 18 13 
 
 u 
 
 
 
 
 fure. 
 
 17 2f 
 
 52 1 1 
 
 45 ,6 
 
 1 
 
 f 
 
 
 
 
 25 I 
 
 52 8 
 
 66 3 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 - si 
 
 5'i 3 
 
 15 
 
 2^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 z 6 
 
 42 8 
 
 5 18 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 282 f 
 
 
 
 762 12 
 
 8 
 
 282 \ 
 
 2 14 -i %$ 
 
 - 6 9 ||# 
 
 If the average of the above was taken according to the ufual me- 
 thod, under the act of 10th Geo. III. by giving the medium of the 
 higheft and loweft price thus, wheat from 58 s. to 42 s. 8 d. the ave- 
 
 C. 2. 
 
 only 
 
 10 j. 4! d. inftead of 
 
 rage price per quarter would be 
 .2. 14 s. old. 
 
 From what has,been before ftaud, it is manifeft, that the duty of 
 the infpe&ors under the aft of 10th Geo. III. is confiderably lefs than 
 
 D 2 the
 
 ( 5"- ) 
 
 the duty of the infpetors under the late a&, and that the allowance 
 made to the former would be deemed very inadequate to the trouble of 
 the latter. 
 
 3d. Can you recommend any method of making thefe returns, 
 which will render them as accurate as thofe directed by the 
 afl of lait year, and yet not put the perfens, who are to make 
 thefe returns, under too great difficulties in making them ? 
 
 I can think of no method better calculated for obtaining true re- 
 turns or the prices of corn and grain, than that dire&ed by the adi of 
 laft feffion. 
 
 JNO J AS CATHERWOOD, 
 
 Receiver of corn returns. 
 17th February 1790, 
 
 Appcndi
 
 ( 53 ) 
 
 Appendix, No. 5. 
 
 i ACCOUNT of the feveral forts of grain, exported and imported fron 
 and to Great Britain, for eight years, previous to the commencement of the new 
 corn law [31 Geo. TIL ch. 30.] and for eight years fubfequent to its commence- 
 ment; divided into periods of four years, with the averages thereof. 
 
 
 Wheat and Flour. 
 
 Barley and malt. 
 
 Oats and oatmeal. 
 
 Rye. 
 
 Peafe and beans. 
 
 Years. 
 
 Exports 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports 
 
 Imports 
 
 Exports 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Imports. 
 
 Exports. 
 
 Qps. 
 
 10,976 
 15,904 
 16,309 
 18,260 
 
 61,449 
 
 15,362 
 
 Imports. 
 
 178; 
 
 35 
 86 
 
 87 
 
 Total 
 
 89,288 
 132,6X5 
 
 205,466 
 120,536 
 
 547,975 
 
 Qps. 
 
 216,947 
 
 110,863 
 
 5M63 
 
 59>339 
 
 Qr S . 
 
 66,889 
 166,448 
 I 1 1,598 
 135,089 
 
 48C.O24 
 
 I20,CC6 
 
 Qp5. 
 
 77,182 
 67,212 
 62,374 
 43. 2 44 
 
 250,012 
 
 QpS. 
 
 '3.5 11 
 
 25,273 
 19,293 
 17,098 
 
 Qp S . 
 
 260,998 
 274,0.9 
 
 478.473 
 51. 2,004 
 
 Qrs. 
 
 6,731 
 
 i3 ,6 3 
 
 6,736 
 
 12,683 
 
 3933 
 
 Qrs. 
 
 24,779 
 28,761 
 
 3> 6 43 
 
 7,054 
 
 64,237 
 16,059 
 
 Qr. 
 4:,8i6 
 16,81 j 
 
 35"09 
 42,884 
 
 438,612 
 
 75 I 75 
 
 T,53',5 6 4 
 
 141,222 
 
 Average 
 
 136,994 
 
 109,653 
 
 62,503 
 
 18,794 
 
 382,891 
 
 9,828 
 
 35'305 
 
 1788 
 
 89 
 1790 , 
 
 9 1 
 
 82,971 
 
 140,014 
 
 30,892 
 
 70,626 
 
 148,710 
 112,656 
 
 222,557 
 469,056 
 
 212,811 
 
 345,685 
 
 50,966 
 
 4 ! >59 c 
 
 ",479 
 1 1,128 
 29,718 
 61,1:4 
 
 14,418 
 33,283 
 14,290 
 i6,4')8 
 
 78,489 
 
 19,622 
 
 413,827 
 
 437,59-* 
 786,546 
 836,736 
 
 31,220 
 
 40,151 
 
 47 
 
 3.528 
 
 14,845 
 21,682 
 56,378 
 
 92,905 
 
 23,226 
 
 15,135 
 29,644 
 
 17,576 
 13,707 
 
 io,9cz 
 391 
 
 43, c 94 
 14,726 
 
 Total 
 
 324,503 
 
 952,979 
 
 651,052 
 
 113,459 
 
 28,3-5 
 
 2,474,703 
 
 74,946 
 
 76,062 
 19,015 
 
 69,113 
 
 Average 
 
 81,126 
 
 238,245 
 
 162,763 
 
 6iS,6 7 6 
 
 18,736 
 
 I72?S 
 
 J792 
 
 93 
 94 
 95 
 
 300,80^ 
 
 7S.789 
 
 1 52,202 
 
 16,920 
 
 22,786 
 500,572 
 328,446 
 3iS,io4 
 
 47,54' 
 3,447 
 9.296 
 6,416 
 
 n8, 5 26 
 
 147,163 
 
 128,568 
 
 18,071 
 
 24,628 
 
 17,380 
 
 14,436 
 
 5.9*8 
 
 1,008,75c 
 722,527 
 862,979 
 460,378 
 
 16,151 
 
 512 
 
 1,920 
 
 277 
 
 13,027 
 
 55,592 
 24,472 
 24,039 
 
 17,285 
 
 H,352 
 10,800 
 
 J 4>55 
 
 47,254 
 
 48,271 
 
 i30,6iz 
 
 36,07* 
 
 Total 
 
 548,716 
 
 1,169 98 
 292,477 
 
 66,700 
 
 412,334 
 103,083 
 
 62,432 
 
 3,054,634 
 
 18,860 
 
 117,130 
 29,282 
 
 56:987 
 14,24: 
 
 258,210 
 
 Average 
 
 '37'79 
 
 16,675 
 
 15,608 
 
 763,65s- 
 
 4,715 
 
 64,55* 
 
 1796 
 
 97 
 98 
 99 
 
 21,809 
 5 J .470 
 55 409 
 37.397 
 
 889,003 
 
 462,579 
 396.941 
 466,208 
 
 13,099 
 13089 
 15,075 
 41,380 
 
 82,649 
 
 20,662 
 
 40,032 
 
 64,198 
 
 116,484 
 
 19,537 
 
 10,845 
 20,040 
 
 2 5>37 
 19,280 
 
 8oi,373 
 609,120 
 
 773>995 
 529,540 
 
 122 
 jo8 
 
 680 
 
 40 
 
 950 
 
 237 
 
 164,453 
 
 8,258 
 
 6925 
 
 22,051 
 
 201,687 
 
 10,725 
 1 1,300 
 i9, r o 7 
 11,81? 
 
 53,35 c 
 13-337 
 
 67,917 
 35,2.1 
 34>oio 
 
 '3. 55^ 
 
 Total 
 
 166,085 
 
 2,214,731 
 
 240,251 
 
 75,202 
 18,800 
 
 2,714,028 
 
 150,689 
 
 Average 
 
 r.r, -t-~ 
 
 41,521 
 
 553,683 
 
 60,063 
 
 678,507 
 
 50,422 
 
 37.67 
 
 Appendix,
 
 \> i+ 
 
 Appendix, No. 6. 
 
 r 
 An ACCOUNT of the number of bills, for Inclofure and Drainage, 
 that pafied the legiflature, in each year, from 1780 to 1799 inQ ^ a " 
 five, with the averages thereof; in periods of four years. 
 
 
 
 
 
 N. 
 
 Average. 
 
 1780 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 37 
 
 
 1781 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 22 
 
 
 1782 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - *5 
 
 
 1783 
 
 
 
 
 - 18 
 
 " 23 
 
 1784 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 - 16 
 
 
 178$ 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 23 
 
 
 1786 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 24 
 
 
 1787 
 
 " 
 
 
 
 - 2 4 
 
 - 22 
 
 1788 
 
 - 
 
 . 
 
 - 
 
 " 35 
 
 
 1789 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 36 
 
 
 1790 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 28 
 
 
 1791 
 
 
 
 
 - 42 
 
 " 3> 
 
 1792 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 43 
 
 
 1793 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 63 
 
 
 1794 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 73 
 
 
 795 
 
 
 
 
 - 82 
 
 - 66 
 
 1796 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 7S 
 
 
 1797 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 91 
 
 
 1798 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 - 53 
 
 
 1799 
 
 
 
 
 - 80 
 
 ' 7S
 
 /A 
 
 & 

 
 
 
 
 
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