had, indeed, been only one thirty-fifth; but it might come, if proper measures were not taken to encourage the home cultivation, to be in the proportion of one-tenth, or even one-fifth. Nothing could be more dangerous to the safety and tranquillity of the country, than, by accustoming it to a regular and extensive importation of grain from abroad, to expose it to all the evils which must, in that case, result from a sudden stoppage, or even diminution, of the import; whether that stoppage or diminution might arise from actual scarcity, or which, in some cases, would probably occur, from political and hostile motives.

The effect of the consequent variation of price on the poorer classes, would be in the highest degree injurious. It would be well if those classes could be taught so much prudence as to economize when the necessaries of life were cheap, in order to enable them to meet a period of dearth; but as this was more than could be expected from human nature, it became the duty of the legislature to make such arrangements as would preserve, as nearly as possible, an even supply. To effect this desirable object, the resolution proposed by the honourable baronet seemed admirably calculated; and he trusted, that neither the honourable baronet, nor any other honourable gentleman, would be deterred from supporting it, by any popular clamour that might exist on the subject.

For himself, no one could suspect that his approbation of the resolution arose from any personal bias towards what was called the landed interest. Several other honourable gentlemen, who had maintained the expediency of it, were similarly situated: all which distinctly proved, that it came recommended, not by any partial or selfish feelings, but by considerations of sound and general policy.

With regard to the agriculture of Ireland, he would contend, that the effect of the honourable baronet's resolution

would be materially to encourage it; and this was a strong additional inducement with him to vote for its passing into a legislative enactment.

The amendment was negatived, on a division, by 144 against 27. Mr. Huskisson's amended resolution was then agreed to, and a Bill was ordered to be brought in thereupon.

May 24.

The report of the Corn Importation Bill being this day brought up, several members expressed their wish that the further proceedings upon it should be postponed, on the ground that the House was not in possession of sufficient information.

Mr. HUSKISSON said, he believed there never was a measure which had come before that House that was less liable to the charge of precipitation; for although a month had nearly elapsed since the resolutions had been agreed to, they had not yet passed into a law. It was certainly not his intention to hurry the measure. He would agree that, abroad, a considerable degree of alarm had been excited by the assertion, that the object of it was to raise the price of bread; but it would be found to contain nothing of so mischievous a nature. If the subject were fairly looked at, it would be seen that its tendency was, not to create a pressure upon the poor, but to prevent those fluctuations in the price of corn, which, at certain intervals, had caused so much public calamity, and which would periodically return, if not frustrated by some legislative measure of this kind. He would add, that if the Bill did not pass into a law in the present session, the alarm which prevailed among those who had devoted their capital to agriculture, would be greatly increased.

The Report was received, and ordered to be taken into consideration on the 6th of June; upon which day, the Chancellor of the Exchequer stated to the House, that in consideration of the great number of petitions which had been presented against the proposed

alteration of the Corn Laws, he would move to refer the said petitions to the consideration of a Select Committee, with the intention and hope, that if they could make their Report in due time, some legislative measure might be founded upon it, in the course of the present session.

Mr. HUSKISSON said, he would state the reasons why he should support the present motion, although he had objected to the appointment of a Committee on a former occasion. He believed now, as he did then, that there was no probability of any importation of corn into this country before the next harvest. The only circumstance which had induced him to vary his view was the number of petitions which had been presented to the House. The wishes and entreaties of these petitioners, even if founded in misrepresentation, although they ought not to induce any honourable member to do that which he was not convinced was just and proper, were entitled to the most respectful consideration of the House. Although the petitions were, in many instances, the result of artful and mistaken appeals to the feelings of the people, they ought to be met by temperate inquiry and the fullest investigation.

With respect to the encouragement which ought to be afforded to the agriculturist, it should be borne in mind, that there was at present a great diminution in the value of money; and that the capital necessary for carrying on farming operations must now be double what it was previous to the war. The noble lord* deceived himself, therefore, if he imagined that things could return to the state in which they were before we entered upon the contest. This was one of the most dangerous errors that could possibly be entertained. The whole expenditure of the country at that time only amounted to sixteen millions. He could not anticipate what part of our present establishments would be kept up; but, whatever they

• Lord Archibald Hamilton.

might be, he was confident that our peace-establishment must entail upon us a permanent charge of nearer sixty than fifty millions. And would this produce no alteration in the money value of articles? value of articles? When gentlemen talked of the increased price of bread, did they forget that every thing else had risen in proportion; and that not in consequence of the high price of bread, but of the amount of taxation? It was impossible for the country to return to the prices before the war. It had been said, that the obvious remedy was, for the land-owners to lower their rents. He had not the good fortune to be himself a land-holder, and had no interest but that of the public in general in view. The proportion of the gross proceeds of land, which now came to the landlord, however it might be represented in money, was now much less than what it was in 1792. Previous to the war, in a farm of moderate extent, the farmer considered himself requited if he made three rents from it. But it was necessary, in the case of such a farm now, that he should make at least five rents to enable him to go on. If even the whole rental of the country were remitted, it would be impossible to return to the prices before the war. He was afraid that the people of this country must not expect-let the law on the subject be what it might-that until our enormous burthens were reduced, the price of bread would be less than double what it was before the war. With respect to the next harvest, it was in the hands of Providence, and he trusted that it would be as plentiful as the last; but in the year following this, the farmer ought to know what chances he had of being protected or ruined in the enterprizes in which he was engaged. With a view, therefore, to satisfy the opponents of the measure, as well as to give hopes to the agriculturist, he thought it would be desirable to proceed to the Committee.

The House divided: Ayes 173, Noes 67. Majority 106.

CIVIL LIST EXPENDITURE.

November 15.

Mr. Tierney moved for a variety of Papers connected with the expenditure of the Civil List, with a view to its reduction. He especially complained of the appointment of Mr. Canning, as Ambassador at the Court of Lisbon, at a time when we had another Minister, supported at a great expense, actually at the Court of the Prince Regent in the Brazils, by which a superfluous addition of 14,0007. a year was, he alleged, saddled upon the country.

Mr. HUSKISSON* contended, that the right honourable gentleman had completely failed in making out a case, to prove the propriety of laying before the House the documents he had called for. Prior to the year 1804, no accounts of this nature were called for, unless when a message from the Crown announced an excess in the Civil List; although, previous to that period, he believed the arrears, in particular departments, had frequently been very great. In that year, in consequence of seven quarters being due in some of the departments, Parliament was called upon to look into the state of the Civil List, and a very large sum was voted to cover the deficiency. An Act was then passed, by which it was provided, that if any branch of the Civil List were more than two quarters in arrear, the account should be submitted to Parliament. Now, it was necessary to mention this statute, in order to shew what the sense of the legislature was upon the subject. The enactment to which he had referred clearly proved, that a motion for papers of this description was not, as the right honourable gentleman seemed to suppose, a mere matter of course; but that, in certain cases only, they were to be

On the 29th of July, Mr. Huskisson was sworn of his Majesty's Privy Council, and took his place at the Board accordingly; and, on the 6th of August following, he was appointed First Commissioner of his Majesty's Woods, Forests, and Land Revenues.