Source 2

Transcript

(For the Marquis of Normandy, Principal Secretary of State)

The Corn Laws ameliorated [made better] by Barter [trade].

The manufacturing interest benefited without the total prostration [collapse] of the landowner Bread made cheaper without abstracting [removing] the gold from the country.

Corn Laws are national evil, the offspring [result] of expediency [need] and dire necessity.

The abrogation [repeal] of these laws though they are intrinsically [in themselves] bad, would induce an increase of evil to the country at large, however beneficially it might out toward, a large and influential part of the community.

The interests of the landowner and of the manufacturer are at variance [odds]. The first has a right to the protection of the legislature. It is the duty of government to consult the interests of the other. They have both a claim to attention, but not equal favour.

The landowner however deserving of favour has no right to expect that any monopoly allowed him in corn- should admit of bread being raised to an inconvenient price.

The annulling [repealing] of the Corn Laws will not make the foreign corn grower take manufactured articles for his produce. The greatest part of the grain or flour brought to this country must be paid for in gold.

The abrogation [repeal] of the Corn Laws would enact a two-fold injury. The ruin of the landowner and the abstraction [mining] of the precious metals. Both these evils are to be encountered in an attention to indulge the aspirations of the manufacturer, in the total extinction of the Corn Laws. Cannot his mercenary views be gratified without sanctioning so preposterous a sacrifice.

These palpable [real] truths induce the following proposition, as a first milieu [position], which will in some measure be acceding [consenting] to the wishes of the manufacturer, without inflicting the total prostration [harm] of the landed interest.

The plan is to establish a system of Barter or exchange- of English manufactures [goods] for foreign corn.

To carry this proposition into execution there should be in different parts of Great Britain. Granaries to receive foreign corn near and in a relative position to which, there should be store houses, to receive articles of British manufacture for Barter [exchange].

All corn on its arrival in England must be deprived in the granaries, and all bargains to be effected [affected] under the sanction of a government officer, who will likewise see to the embarking of the articles [goods] bartered [exchanged].

All deception or fraudulent transfers will make the articles subject to confiscation and debar the manufacturer in future from the right of storeroom. In clearly to be understood that no money in any shape is so given in exchange for grain houses in the granaries.

These granaries to be erected near some seaport, it being a great object for the foreign merchant to be certain of having his grain securely housed on its arrival in England.

Many advantages might be attendant on this plan being carried into execution, as the manufacturer instead of having to send his superabundant stock to a foreign market on a chance speculation, would have his goods under his own eye, waiting for the occasion to barter to advantage.

It would give additional employment to our shipping, as vessels would have freights of corn from distant countries, under the charge of a supercargo, the safe housing system, would give confidence.

Government pointing out the spot, for these depots, the erection of the granaries and stone houses, might be a natural expenditure, or an affair of individual speculation.

The incidental charges for the housing of corn, and the storing of manufactured articles, would yield a good rental.

J. Browne

June 10. 1840.

22, St. Castle Street

Cavendish Square.