CORN-LAWS.-The Report of the Select the following points:-1st. The recent exCommittee of the House of Commons, tension and improvement of the agriculture which I have given below, clearly indicates of the United Kingdom: 2d. The prescat that some legislative measure may still be expense of cultivation, including the rent 3d. The price necessary to remunerate the expected, for the vain purpose of regulating grower. On the first point, it appears to the price of this important, and, above all your Committee to be established by all the others, most necessary, article of subsist- evidence, that, within the last twenty years, ence. The Committee have done so far a very rapid and extensive progress has been well, in pointing out the great advantages dom-that great additional capitals kive made in the agriculture of the United Kingwhich must result from a proper encoubeen skilfully and successfully applied, not ragement of agriculture at home, and the only to the improved management of lands baneful consequences which must follow if already in tillage, but also to the converting it is discouraged or neglected. But they of large tracts of inferior pasture into prohave attached too much importance to the ductive arable, and the reclaiming and inimportation of corn from other countries. closing of feas, commous, and wastes, which It is admitted, that all foreign supply must have been brought into a state of regular he precarius; yet, it is to the Baltic the prizes, directed to the same important cultivation :-that many extensive enter Commitee have directed the attention of objects, are some of them still in their inParliament, as a great, if not a principal, fancy:-that others, though in a more forscarce, whence deficiencies are to be made ward state, do not yet make any retura for up, when our own crops are unproductive. the large advances which have been laid out Nothing, in my opinion, can be more falla-upon them; and that these advances, in parties (involving also the loss to the nation of the produce, which in a few years might be expected from such expensive undertakings) if, from the want of a sufficient encouragement to continue them, they should be abandoned in their present unfinished state. It is to the stimulus of this many instances, will be a total loss to the cious. There is no certainty of obtaining a full and regular supply of corn, but from our own soil; which, if properly cultivated, is capable of meeting all our wants. As this is a subject which requires more attention than my present limits will admit of, and I have much to say respecting it, I shall take the carlicst opportunity of re-encouragement, during the last 20 years, suming my remarks. - REPORT OF THE CORN COMMITTEE. more than to any other cause, that all the Thre (2.)-With respect to the second point, "the expense of cultivation, including the rent," it is stated by all the evidence, that, within the same period of twenty years, the several occupiers of land distinguished for their practical knowledge, and the accurate manner in which they have kept their farm is very material to bear in mind, that many of these witnesses, who are very extensively employed as surveyors and land agents in the letting of estates, all concur, in stating, that the calculations upon which they have proceeded for some years have in so instance been below 80s. a quarter and that they have frequently exceeded that price.Several other witnesses, equally distin money rent of land, taken upon an average, has been doubled; but if the value of the rent be measured by the proportion which it bears to the gross produce of land, it appearsing accounts. On this part of the subject it to have very considerably diminished within the period in question: the landlord's share of the whole produce of estates occupied by tenants, having been twenty years ago about one-third, and being now calculated at no more than from one fourth to one fifth. With respect to the amount of capital requisite for the stocking of a farm, and the general expenses of management and cultivation, there appears to be very little difguished for their knowledge and experience ference in the evidence. They are stated to in matters connected with the letting of be at least double what they were twenty estates and the agriculture of the country, years ago. Without pretending to offer to state, that the price of 80s. a quarter will the House any statement by which they not afford a sufficent protection to the might be enabled to form an opinion, howBritish grower. The evidence and calenmuch of this increase of charge has been pro-lations which they have given to the Comduced by increased taxation; your Commit-mittee, will also be found in the appendix ; tee have thought it not unconnected with this part of their inquiry, to call for an account of the total amount of taxes received into the Exchequer, in the several years ended the 5th of April, 1791, 1804, and 1814; which will be found in the Appendix. | | by a reference to which it will appear, that several prices, from 84s. up to 96s. have been stated by different witnesses, as the lowest which, under the present charges and expense of cultivation, would afford a r i re muneration to the grower. It may be pro per to observe, that these latter calculations appear, in most instances, to be furnished by witnesses, whose attention and ex districts consisting chief of cold clay, or waste and inferior lands, on which wheat cannot be grown but at an expence exceeding the average charge of its cultivation on better soils. On lands of this description, however, a very considerable proportion of wheat is now raised; and it appears by the evidence, that if such lands were withdrawn from tillage, they would for many years be of very little us, as pasture: as that the loss from such a change, as well to the occupiers as to the general stock of national subsistence, would be very great. (3.)-On the third point, "the price ne-, cessary to remunerate the grower of corn," it is obvious that it must be almost impos-perience have been principally arrected to sible to arrive at any very precise conclusion; and that this price will vary according to the variations of soil, markets, skill and industry in the occupier, and many other circumstances affecting differently not only different districts, but different farms in the same district. At the same time, there can be no doubt that these circumstances are taken into consideration, both by those who let, and those who take farms; and that their calculations of charges and outgoings on the one hand, and of return on the other, are made with a reference to some given price, as that which, upon a fair average Your Committee having thus briefly crop, would be necessary to remunerate the stated the princip result of their inquiry grower. It is this price which your Com- into the state of our own agriculture, and mittee have endeavoured to ascertain.-One the circumstances which affect the growth of the witnesses examined by your Com- and price of corn in the United Kingdom; mittec states, that, according to the calcu- it remains for them to bring before the lations which he has made of the expenses House, in a like manner, the substance of and produce upon a farm which he occupies, the evidence which they have procured rehe is of opinion that, wheat being at 72s. perspecting the trade in foreign corn, which quarter, the growers of corn would be able to live; but this calculation, he adds, is made on the supposition that the property tax will be taken off, and the price of labour reduced. It is the concurrent opinion of most of the other witnesses, that 80s. per quarter is the lowest price which would afford to the British grower an adequate remuneration. Their evidence is inserted at length in the minutes, and their names will be found to include many of the most eminent surveyors and land agents from different parts of Great Britain, as well as some persons who have been long and very extensively engaged in the corn trade, and seems naturally to form the second, and only remaining branch of this important subject, as far as it stands referred to the consideration of your Committee. They have, in the first place, to express their regret at not having been able to procure any information respecting the expense of raising corn in foreign countries: but, although their endeavours have failed in this respect, your Committee have collected such evidence, on other points, as appears to them very impor tant for the due consideration of the Corn Laws. It appears from the statement of Mr. Scott, a member of your Committee, confirmed by the evidence of other witnesses acquainted with the trade in foreign corn, rially to depress the home market, even that, in the countries bordering on the though the prices were as low as 635. per Baltic and the North Sea, wheat is grown, quarter ? —Undoubtedly.-You have stated, not so much for the consumption of their that no importation that could be reckoned own population (which is supplied by rye and upon would prevent the price of corn, in other inferior grain) as for a foreign market: the home market, from rising above 80s. in -thit, from Poland in particular, the great the event of our own growth being below est part of the wheat annually produced, is an average crop; now do you think that, in regularly sent down to the shipping ports of the event of the protecting price against imthe Baltic, for exportsfion; and that these portation being raised from 63s. to 80s, the are the only ports of Europe to which the quantity of corn imported would be dicountries not growing wheat enough for minished one single bushel, in the event of their own consumption can resort, with a our own growth being any thing below an certainty of procuring an annual supply. In average crop?-Certainly not.-On the other thes ports it appears, from the evidence, hand, were a large importation to take that the price of wheat is not regulated, as place, such as you have stated under certain it is in countries where it forms the habitual circumstances may happen,when the price is subsistence of the people, by the state of the at or below 63s. would not the effect be to home market; but almost entirely by the discourage the growth of wheat in this demand in the other countries of Europe, kingdom?-Certainly it would.-The eviwhich are in the habit of making large pur-dence of Mr. Charles Frederick Hennings, a chases in the Baltic ;-that the market price native of Elbing, locally acquainted with the of wheat at Dantzic, for instance, is not so districts of Poland, from which the corn is much affected by the abundance or de- sent to the ports of the Baltic for exportaficiency of the crop in Poland, where, be the tion, and himself a corn-factor of considerquantity more or less, it is grown for exporable experience in London, is in substance tation, as it is by the price in the markets of London or Lisbon. It is therefore obvious, that, if the prices in these and the other im- Two obvious, but very important infeporting markets should be very low, the rences, are to be derived from this evidence; price in the ports of the Baltic must fall to | 1st. That in the event of the price at which meet them; consequently there is scarcely foreign corn should be admitted to importaany price in our own market, which, under tion duty free being raised from 63s, to 80s. circumstances of a general abundance in the per quarter, (assuming, for the sake of arguother parts of Europe, would be sufficiently ment, the latter to be the price necessary for low to prevent an importation of corn from the protection of the British grower), this althose foreign ports at which a considerable teration would in no degree check the imsupply is annually accumulated for ex-portation of corn from foreign countries, portation only. The evidence of Mr. Scott, on this point, appears to your Committee to be so material, and his knowledge and experience give so much weight to that evidence, that they cannot forbear inserting it. It is usows: Supposing the growth of wheat in this k dem to be below an average crop, do you think that any importation that could be reckoned upou from the Baltic, would prevent the price of wheat in the home mar the same as that of Mr. Scott on this important part of the trade in foreign corn. whenever the quantity grown in this kingdom should be below an average crop. And, 2d. That, under certain circumstances, a price in the home market, already so low as to be altogether inadequate to the remuneration of the British grower, might be still further de pressed by an importation of foreign corn, if the law should not interfere to check such importation.-In France, it appears by the evidence, the growth of wheat is, in common years, fully adequate to her consumption; com rising above 80s. a quarter-1 and that it is only occasionally, when her own think no. Do you think, that importation harvest is very deficient, that any considerfrom other quarters aiding that from the able purchases are made on her own account Baltic, would produce that effect-Unless in the Baltic. This country, on the contrary, under circumstances of a general abundance having been for many years habitually and in the countries not habitually exporting extensively dependent on a foreign supply, cora, I think not.-Supposing the price of our demand has borne so large a proportion wheat in England to be 63s. a quarter, and a to that of other countries, that the Baltic geveral abundance in Europe, do you think prices are principally governed by those of that a considerable importation could take the British market. That this is the case, pice into this country?-1 do.--Do you even in the present year, is in some degree think it could at any price below 63s. sup-corroborated by a paper furnished to your posing the duty not to counteract such im- Committee by Mr. John Wilson; by which portation? It is difficult to state what price it appears, that, on the 17th of May last, the would be sufficiently low to prevent an im- price of wheat at Dantzie was from f. 350 to portation from those parts that annually. 380 per last, making, at the then exchange have a considerable quantity to spare.Under the circumstances above stated, would not such an importation tend mate upon London of 14/15. a price of about 21. 9s. 10d. per qr.; but that, on the 3d June, when the exchange upon London bad risen to 18/12, the price of Dantzie wheat immediately amount, is neither salutary nor safe for thi3· followed it: so that, notwithstanding this country to look to as a permanent system &. great improvement of the exchange in favour and that many of the sacrifices and privations of this country, the prices at which wheat to which the people have been obliged to could be purchased by a bill upon London re- sub nit, during the late long and arduous mained ucarly the same, viz. f. 370 to f. 390 contest, would have been materially alle per last, or 21. 10s. 8d. per quarter.-If this viated if their means of subsistence had been country, either from policy or necessity, less dependent on foreign growth. If, comshould continue to depend on the import of pelled by the frequent recurrence of those foreign corn for the subsistence of a portion | sacrifices and privations, the country has at of its population, it is obvious from all the last made exertions which will enable us, evidence, that the Baltic is the only part of under ordinary circumstances, to hold ourEurope upon which we can rely for a steady selves independent of the precarious aid of and regular supply;-that Spain or Portugal foreign supply,-your Committee, without are more or less our habitual competitors in venturing to suggest the mode, cannot doubt that market; and that France resorts to it that it will become the wisdom, and will con occasionally when her own harvest is defi- sequently be the policy of Parliament, on the cient. Occasionally also, the government of one hand, by protecting British agriculture, France appears to permit the exportation of to maintain, if not to extend, the present a part of her own produce, but only for a li- scale of its exertions and produce; and on mitted time, and when her own markets are the other, consistently with this first object, very much depressed. This, therefore, is a to afford the greatest possible facility and resource which cannot be reckoned upon by inducement to the import of foreign corn, an habitually importing country. It may whenever, from adverse seasons, the stock be forthcoming when least wanted, and with- of our own growth shall be found inadequate held at the moment of our greatest need. to the consumption of the United Kingdom. It is a fact, not undeserving the attention of As connected with the general interests of the House, that a considerable duty appears trade, even independent of the great object to be levied on all corn exported from the of occasionally supplying our own wants, it Baltic. Your Committee have reason to be- is evident that this country possesses peculiar. lieve, that this duty has been greatly increased advantages for becoming a deposit for foreiga on some occasions, when the wants of this corn. It can only be made so by our allowing country were most pressing. Indeed it can- the free import of grain, to be bonded and not escape observation, that revenue being warehoused free from all duty, and as much the object for which a duty is imposed; and as possible from local charges, or harassing the prices in the Baltic being governed by regulations; and by the owners of grain so price here, the scale of such a duty admits bonded being permitted, at all times, and of being increased in proportion to the de- under all circumstances, to take it out of the gree of scarcity and consequent high price warehouses, either for exportation or for existing in this country.-From a considera- home consumption; subject, in the latter tion of this and the many other inconve- case, only to the same rules and duties as niences, both domestic and political, which, may be applicable to any other corn immein a country like this, cannot fail to grow out diately entered for that purpose. Your Com of a state of habitual and extensive depen-mittee are so forcibly impressed with the dence on a supply of foreign corn, your Comruittee have great satisfaction in observing, that of late the export of corn from Great Britain and Ireland has nearly, if not fully, balanced the importation. Looking to this important change in our situation; to the abundance which we now enjoy; and to the great and extensive improvement made in cultivation both here and in Ireland, your Committee cannot but indulge a hope that we have nearly arrived at that state, in which nothing but a discouragement and consequent falling off of our own agriculture can again drive us to the necessity of trusting to large importations of foreign corn, except in unfortunate seasons, when it may be neces sary to resort to this resource, to supply the deficiency of our own harvest. Should this expectation be confirmed, as they trust it will, by the experience of future years, it will be highly gratifying to the view which your Committee take of this important national concern. They are convinced that a reliance on foreign importation, to a large importance of this measure, that they cannot conclude this Report without stating their opinion,-that any encouragement which could ensure to this country the benefit of becoming the place of intermediate deposit in the trade of corn from the North to the South of Europe, would, in addition to other very important advantages, have at all times a tendency to keep the price more steady in the home market, and to afford to the country a security, the best, perhaps, that, in the present increased state of our population, can be devised, against the effects of a des ficient harvest.-July 26, 1814. THE POPE.-No sooner have we got rid, according to the generally received opinion, of the most oppressive tyranny, in the Government of Napoleon, that ever existed on earth, than a new tyrant rears up his head, who does not only meditate the establishment of a despotic sway over the bodies, but actually professes it to be his in We styled him a true son of the Church. We proclaimed his cause to be the cause of heaven, in which no monarch could refuse to take a part, without incurring the Divine displeasure. In short, had a Crusade been set on foot in favour of the Church of Rome, such was the attachment to, such the regard, and such the zeal, of the thinking, the reflecting, the intelligent, the good, and pious, people of this country for the in tention to subjugate the minds of the whole human race, to a spiritual domination. On the first view one takes of this subject, it excites surprise. We are apt to be astonished at the folly of an attempt, on the part of any Sovereign, to restore the barbarous usages and the superstitious rites of the dark ages. But when we reflect a little on the subject, we will find that there is nothing very extraordinary in this; that it is what was to be expeeted interests of the Pope, that it was to be exthe circumstances of the case. It is well pected, an association, at least equal to that known, that Pope Pius VII. is an old and which reared its head against jacobinism, infirm man, whose faculties must, in the would have been formed here, and as much course of nature, be considerably impaired. blood shed to obtain possession of the His long imprisonment, too, must have Roman See, as flowed in the frantic atgreatly accelerated that infantine state to tempts to deliver the Holy Land, and which old age is almost uniformly subjected. rescue, from the polluted hands of the SaIn such circumstances, it can be no matter racens, the wood of the true cross, the sacred of surprise, that on so sudden and un- porringer, the Virgin's smock, the thorn expected an elevation as what his has of St. Paul, and the tail of Balaam's ass.been, he should have fallen into the Can it be a matter of astonishment then, hands, and have become the dupe of a that the Holy Father, after such marked cunning and interested priesthood, who proofs were given by his dear children in are ever on the watch to take advantage this great empire, of their entire devotion of public events, and of weak-minded to his cause, that he should not, under the Sovereigns, in order to forward their own sanction of such high-authority, endeavour ambitious projects. But this is not the to resume the extensive influence over the only circumstance, in the case of Pius, consciences of men, that his predecessors that has led to the re-establishment of held, and which they considered so essenthese monstrous institutions, and the tial to the glory of Christ's kingdom on avowal of those infamous principles, under earth? A much less reflecting man than which the Church of Rome formerly held Pope Pius is represented to be; at least, a the human mind in bondage. To this less penetrating, and less cunning body, than very country; to this enlightened age; to we know his Cardinals and other clergy to the thinking, the reflecting, the intelligent be, could not have hesitated as to the part people of England, are to be ascribed, it was necessary to take in such favourable more than to any other cause, the melan- circumstances. The people of Englandcholy, the gloomy, the degrading, and dis-aye, the wise people of England, who exult graceful change, that threatens to restore in having effected the overthrow of Napothe empire of the clergy, by which the Icon, yet have lent their assistance to bring world was formerly, for so many centuries, an independent nation under the yoke of plunged in midnight darkness.-Ever since one of Napoleon's captains, and still boast a coalition was formed against France by of being able to re-colonize and enslave a the Allied Powers; ever since the autho-whole Continent. These very people who rity of the Pope was disregarded by the talk so loud about liberty, about buRevolutionists of France, the cause of his manity, and about their exertions to cmanHoliness was espoused by us as the cause cipate the human mind, have encouraged, of God. Instead of abusing him as the have given a stimulus to, and have sanebigots and fanatics were in use to do; in- tioned, all the late proceedings of the stead of loading him with the epithets of Roman Pontif.It is to Great Britain Whore of Babylon, Scarlet Whore, and the that mankind owe the re-establishment of Beast, we regarded him as a real servant the Inquisition, of the Jesuits, and the of the Lord. We applauded his resistance revival of all those Orders of Monks, of to the attempts which were made to curtail Friars, and of Nuns, which our forefathers hig power. We considered him the op- were in use to regard as the most disposer of tyranny. We eulogised him as graceful and immoral of all institutions.the friend of humanity. We extolled I have annexed to this article a new Edict him as the assertor of the people's rights. of the Pope, by which he suppresses all |