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duce some regulations in his own family | liged to begin on the crop of that year with regard to the consumption of bread. soon after it was harvested. This enHe would take an account of the con- croachment on the new crop helped to sumption of bread, and would endeavour occasion the stock of wheat to be still to lessen it by a third. He would re- more exhausted at the end of the last very commend that potatoes might be used in- backward harvest of 1795; so much, that, stead of bread, but he thought that pota- notwithstanding the opinion of some, that toes should be used as potatoes, not by considerable quantities of wheat were mixing them with flour to make bread. hoarded, he was disposed to believe, if the He thought also that rice should be made whole quantity could have been equalized use of instead of pastry. If compulsion throughout Great Britain, we had scarcely was at all to be used, he would submit the at that time a fortnight's supply of Bripropriety of using stale bread instead of tish wheat. The crop in 1794 was parfresh; for which purpose baking might tially very good, and in some parts very be allowed only three days in the week, thin; the last crop has been unequal, and and then every person who eat bread, on the whole, probably inferior to that of would be compelled to make use of some the preceding year, and also inferior to an that was stale, and this was the highest average crop. An average, or common species of compulsion he could bring crop, is not equal to the usual annual conhimself to consent to with regard to bread. sumption of the country: an abundant Mr. Martin agreed to the proposition harvest occasionally, more than supplies us; before the House, and declared his rea- but our imports prove a general deficiency, diness to come to any measure that might for on an average of the last twelve years, relieve the poor by any law that could be we have imported about 225,000 quarters devised, because he thought it was hard, of wheat and flour. It is almost imposindeed, that a labouring man could not sible to acquire a precise knowledge of live by the fruits of his labour alone, our present stock of wheat. An unequal without being compelled to apply to the crop last harvest gave rise to various opicharity of the rich. nions; and the variation, in respect to Lord Sheffield said, he could hardly the deficiency, is from a third to a seventh; conceive that those gentlemen who ob- but if we allow a deficiency of six weeks, jected to the proposition before the House, or an eighth and two-thirds in the last crop, were sensible of the necessity of adopting of our supposed annual consumption, and every measure that could promote a di- a deficiency of six weeks more, on acminution of the consumption of wheaten count of our beginning upon the last crop flour. He assured the House that the at- six weeks at least sooner than usual, three tention of the committee had been unre- months deficiency in the whole could not mitted, and that there was more difficulty be thought exaggerated, amounting to in obviating by law the distress which one million and a half of quarters. If might arise from a deficiency of corn, six weeks deficiency should be thought than probably occurred to those who had too little, and six weeks premature connot attended the committee. He thought sumption too much, still on the whole, it a duty to state the probable deficiency there is good ground to state there will be of crop, and the inadequate quantity of a deficiency of three months. The opiwheaten flour we are likely to acquire nions that the scarcity is in a degree arfrom abroad. The people should not be tificial, and that there is a prospect of an encouraged to believe that there was a adequate supply, may be essentially misstock of wheat in the country previous to chievous, and divert us from that ecothe late harvest; that the last crop of nomy and management which can alone wheat was a good one, and that a large prevent extreme distress. The legisla quantity of wheat might be obtained by ture, to show its readiness to adopt every importation. Such notions had been sug- measure that might possibly obtain any gested, at least without doors; they were quantity of that grain which is the favourlikely to promote unnecessary consump-ite food of the people, had offered great tion, and to check the disposition to use substitutes. We have generally three, four, or five months stock in hand of old wheat at the time of harvest; but it is known, that in the autumn of 1794, it was nearly exhausted, and that we were ob

bounties, with a view of encouraging the importation of it; but he thought we could not be too explicit in declaring the probable deficiency in the stock of wheat, and the impossibility of obtaining from abroad an adequate supply. Instead of

three months supply of wheat, it is not a considerable degree adopted. In some probable we shall be able to obtain from districts, the people had entirely returned foreign countries, with all our bounties, to barley and oaten bread; it is, there. sufficient for three weeks of our usual fore, reasonable to suppose, there will be consumption. We have never been able, a saving of one-third, except in great during a century, to import into this towns and their neighbourhood. In those country 500,000 quarters, except twice, towns where an equal saving cannot be and the greatest quantity in one year was expected, the quantity of wheat likely 560,000 quarters, and both happened at to be imported, though not very considera period of general peace. The admi- able, when added to the rye, Indian corn, nistration of France had engaged deeply and rice, with what can be spared by sav in the purchase of wheat. His majesty's ing one-third in the country, may in the ministers, apprehensive that the British whole make up the deficiency of onemerchants would not be able to meet the fourth of the consumption. There was national purse of France at the foreign much more reason to apprehend that the market, thought it necessary to cause some people might be flattered into the idea purchases of corn to be made; but not- that management was not necessary, than withstanding all their efforts, the total im- that a true state of our situation should portation of the twelve months is not likely continue to keep up the present unconto exceed 300,000 quarters; not more scionable price of corn, the scarcity of than fifteen or sixteen days consumption which was not the only excuse of that of this country. It is highly incumbent price; but it can hardly be doubted, that to make these statements fairly to the the laws which are now passing to prohipublic; although they may alarm at first, bit any articles of food from being conthat alarm will cease when we consider verted to other uses, and the almost genethat we have a most abundant crop of ral use of potatoes, with many other exoats, barley, and potatoes, and thereby pedients, will so much lessen the demand ample means of making up the deficiency for wheat, that the price must necessarily of the wheat crop. It cannot be consi- fall. At all events, every exertion should dered as an insufferable calamity, if we be used, that can possibly provide cheaper should be obliged to make up one-fourth food for the people; and it will be fortuof our usual consumption on an exigency, nate if the present scarcity should turn by such substitutes, or by such whole- the attention of the legislature to some some or palatable mixtures. Barley and great measure which may prevent in fuoaten bread were, not many years ago, ture a precarious dependance on foreign the food of nearly half of this island; and countries for our subsistence, and such in very good times, they are very whole- a famine as must of course have ensued, some, and have been found sufficiently if the crop of other corn and potatoes nutritive for the most laborious part of had, through a bad season or bad harvest, the community. If it should be thought been as defective as the crop of wheat. that we have not enough of those articles to make up a fourth of our usual consumption, a bounty might be offered to encourage the importation. He had no idea of any limitation of expense, to secure sufficient food for the people. That a bounty would be of service, is, however, much to be doubted. The good sense of the country, when satisfied of its real state in respect to the stock of wheat, and its resources, will turn to the only management which can obviate the distress which must otherwise take place before the next harvest. The greatest difficulty in respect to substitutes or mixtures, occurs in large cities or towns; but even there, the high price of corn will produce good management and great saving. There are few parts in the country where substitutes for wheaten flour were not in

The resolution was agreed to: as was a resolution stating, "That the persons subscribing this Engagement do also engage to recommend the same, in the most earnest manner, to be adopted in their respective neighbourhoods." It was then ordered, "That a committee be appointed to draw up an Agreement pursuant to the said Resolutions; which agreement shall be left in the office of the clerk of the Journals of this House, in order that the same may be signed by such of the members of this House as choose to sign the same, or to give some other member, or the clerk of the Journals, authority to sign the same in his name." and a committee was immediately appointed. Shortly after, Mr. Ryder reported that the Committee had come to the following

AGREEMENT.

The Resolution and Agreement was communicated to the Lords, who, after a short conversation, agreed thereto.

Dec. 16. On the motion, that the Bill to permit Bakers to make certain sorts of Bread be ingrossed,

"We, the undersigned, impressed with a sense of the evils which may be experienced by his majesty's subjects, in conse quence of the deficient supply of wheat, unless timely and effectual measures are taken to reduce the consumption thereof, Mr. Francis said, that the motion gave within such limits as may prevent the him an opportunity, without irregularity, pressure of actual scarcity previous to the of submitting to the House his opinion on next harvest, and may secure, as far as the general subject of the measures repossible, the necessary subsistence of the commended by the committee, and of people of this kingdom, until it shall comparing them with the urgency of the please Divine Providence to restore the case, as stated by the reports. With blessing of general plenty; do hereby, respect to the agreement, which the comjointly and severally, pledge ourselves, inmittee had brought forward for the adopthe most solemn manner, to execute and tion and signature of the members of maintain, to the utmost of our power, the both Houses of Parliament, he very much following Resolutions; and also most doubted whether he ought to put his earnestly to recommend the same to be name to it in that form, as a member of adopted in our respective neighbourhoods: the House of Commons. The resolution "We will reduce the consumption of of a majority of that House to sign an wheat in our families, by at least one- agreement, the tendency of which was third of the usual quantity consumed in laudable, and the object likely to be po ordinary times. In order to effect this pular, did not leave individuals at perfect reduction, either we will limit to that ex- liberty to refuse their signature, though tent the quantity of fine wheaten bread in their judgment they might see sufficient used by each individual in our families; reasons for doing so. He, who cannot or we will consume therein only mixed fairly and openly act up to his opinion, bread, of which not more than two-thirds without being personally marked and inshall be made of wheat, or we will con- curring the risk of an invidious comparison sume only a proportional quantity of and popular odium, is not free to delimixed bread, of which more than two-berate or safe in his decision. I know not thirds is made of wheat; or a proportional quantity of bread made of wheat alone, from which no more than five pounds weight of bran per bushel is excluded: and we will also (if it shall be necessary for the purpose of this engagement) prohibit in our families the use of wheaten flour in pastry, and diminish, as much as possible, the use thereof in other articles than bread.

to what purposes such a precedent may possibly be applied hereafter; but I know that it is not a parliamentary proceeding, and that dangerous precedents are always established under favourable circumstances. But though I have serious doubts about the propriety of signing the agreement here, I have no doubt at all of contributing my assistance to promote the general object of it to the utmost of my "By some one or more of these mea- power, in the little circle in which my insures, or by any other which may be fluence and example can be supposed to found equally effectual, and more expe- operate. No man can be more convinced dient and practicable, in our respective of the urgency of the case, nor more serisituations, we will, to the utmost of our ously apprehensive of the distressing power, ensure the reduction above-men- consequences which may follow, if meationed, of at least one-third of the quanti-sures, immediate and effectual, are not ty of wheat usually consumed in our families in ordinary times.

"This engagement shall remain in force until fourteen days after the commencement of the next session of parliament, unless the average price of wheat in the whole kingdom shall be reduced, before that time, to 88. per Winchester bushel: and we do carnestly recommend to our fellow subjects to adopt and strictly to adhere to the same."

taken to restrain the consumption of wheat within such limits, as may produce a general and a material saving in that article. Unless it be general, it cannot be material. My opinion on this subject, is founded on some experience and observation, which, in such a case, perhaps is better than speculation. I do not pretend to carry it beyond what I have had an opportuuity of observing in Lon

don and its neighbourhood. That space, however, supposing it to extend no farther than to a circle of a dozen miles round the centre of the metropolis, includes a very considerable part of the whole population of the kingdom; and by that population, the consumption of wheat far exceeds the quantity consumed by equal numbers in any other part of the country. Of the success and effect of the proposed agreement in the distant counties, and how far the example set by the nobility and gentry, in confining themselves to bread of an inferior quality, will operate there, and be followed by the other classes of the people, I do not take upon me to judge. Such examples are probably more respected in the country than they are here. In London and its neighbourhood, I am very much afraid it will have no considerable effect, or not a beneficial one.— In the course of last summer, an agreement of this kind was made, and a similar example given by some of the privy council, and other persons of great name and authority, and followed, or attempted to be followed, by many others, and by myself among the rest, in my own family, and in the parish where I live, a few miles from town. What was the consequence? In the first place, it was with great difficulty, and after a considerable delay, that we could obtain from the bakers, a supply of the sort of bread recommended by the agreement. They said, it was not their fault, for that the millers, to whom they are a good deal in subjection, would not furnish them with meal of the quality required. At last we got it, heavy and ill made, perhaps for want of use, and still more, I suspect for want of inclination. Nothing is well done, if it be done against the grain. This bread, however, I persisted to eat for several weeks: with this hope at least that, as far as the uses of my own family went, there would be a saving in the consumption of wheat. The consequence is worth your attention. Persons of great rank and fortune, whose situation does not permit or oblige them to look into the details of domestic economy, cannot be so well informed on this subject as I am. Upon inquiry I found that, although there was a trifling saving in the price of the quartern loaf (not more than a halfpenny) that saving bore no proportion to the excess in the quantity consumed. I found that, in this period of economy, there had been more bread consumed or destroyed in my house,

than at any other equal period. Why? because the bread was ill made and unpleasant, and for that reason wasted. None but the best bread is fairly eaten in families, where the servants and other inmates are numerous. What they do not like, they throw away. Now, observe what passed out of doors. We made a contribution for the relief of the poor in bread and meat. The numbers relieved were considerable, and in general they were very well satisfied. But did they follow our example? Did they eat the same household bread that we did? No such thing. In spite of all our remonstrances, the poor in my neighbourhood, (and I have no doubt that it was pretty much the same in all the populous villages round us), would eat nothing but the finest and whitest wheaten bread. If one baker refused to supply them with it, they went to another. In the end, the bakers, though they gained by it, assured us, that by our contributions we were defeating our own purpose; for that in fact they had never, in any equal period, sold so much white bread to the poor, as while we were eating a coarser sort ourselves, and doing every thing we could to lessen the consumption of wheat. Sir, they who have never tried the experiment, will not not readily believe how difficult and unavailing it is, for any man with the best intentions for the public service, but, without power, to act with unwilling instruments, to contend with unwilling millers, unwilling bakers, unwilling servants, and above all, with an unwilling poor. Do what you may to serve them, the latter very seldom give you credit for your true motives. They always suspect, or pretend to suspect, that you do not act as you say, that in fact you eat better bread than you recommend to them; nor will they believe the contrary, until they know that you can get no other. For all these difficulties, I am convinced there is but one effectual remedy. To compass your object, there is but one course; and if the object be as important as it is stated, and as I believe it to be, that course must be adopted and pursued as speedily as possible, and at all events. It is to pass a law, by which millers shall be compelled to furnish the bakers with meal of a certain prescribed quality and no other; and the bakers not to make any bread in which the proportion of wheaten flour shall exceed two-thirds of the whole weight. For my own part, I believe, that

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if the poor knew with certainty that the restraint bore equally upon every body, that all men were on a level, and that the rich were not fed with better bread than themselves, there would be no discontent. They would all be satisfied, and submit to the necessity of the case. But if it were otherwise, I say you are bound by prudence and duty to meet the difficulty before it is insurmountable; sooner or later you must do it. In my mind, you ought to have taken this resolution long ago. You must make your option between two inconveniences, or rather between some inconvenience, and the probability of a great calamity. Consider whether it be worse that the people should murmur and repine to-day, or run the risk of being starved to-morrow. If the object be essential, it must be accomplished. I do not say that the agreement which the committee propose to us to sign will have no effect at all, or that it ought not to be promoted. This and every other expedient that can be devised to lessen the consumption of wheat, ought, undoubtedly to be encouraged. But when a security against famine is the object, it is not wise, it is not safe, to trust to hopes and probabilities, if you have certainty in your power. That certainty is to be had by such a law as I have alluded to, and in my opinion, by no other method whatever.

Mr. Ryder said, he differed from the hon. gentleman, as to the adoption of a legal provision; at least, till gentlemen saw the issue of a voluntary engagement. The question of remedying the evils of scarcity divided itself into two parts. First, how far we might be supplied from foreign markets; and, secondly how far by internal arrangements we might prevent the evil. It then appeared to him doubtful whether we might not, in consequence of the bounties offered for importation, and by the voluntary associations of people of distinction, preclude the necessity of a positive law, which, in such cases, should only be resorted to when all other exertions failed of success. Mixed bread was before prohibited, and now the bakers were permitted to use and sell it. The usage of this sort of bread was a good deal unknown to the people; and time should be allowed to see whether it would become general. If not, it might, as the last resource, be enforced by law. The only question was, whether a voluntary agreement, or compulsion, was preferable, with a view of remedying

the deficiency of wheat. He allowed that, on this question there was a considerable difference of opinion. He confessed that the mere signatures of members could not be expected to have the desired effect, unless the subscribers, by their individual exertions and influence, endeavoured to recommend and forward the agreement in the several parishes in town and country. Without this, he could entertain no sanguine hopes; but feeling as he did, the importance of the object, he could not but expect that every exertion would be made. Another objection was, that we should find a reluctant and discontented poor; but in various places it has appeared that many of the poor have been inclined, from the scarcity of wheat, to have recourse to other mixtures of grain; and he understood that in one of the parishes of Westminster 1,400 loaves, of an inferior qua lity, were distributed weekly among the poor. In every measure of this kind there were two objects; first, that of increasing the supply and diminishing the consumption; and, secondly, to do that in a way the most satisfactory to the bulk of the people. If, in the course of the ensuing year, the necessity should appear greater than at present, and this agreement should not be found to answer the desired ob ject, it would be for the wisdom of the House then to consider what farther steps might be necessary to be taken. mean time, he thought that the probable advantages of the present measure would be sufficient to counterbalance any evil arising from the delay of adopting any other plan.

The motion was agreed to.

In the

Debate in the Commons on Mr. Whitbread's Bill to regulate the Wages of Labourers in Husbandry.] Dec. 9. Mr. Whitbread presented to the House a bill "to explain and amend so much of the act of the 5th of Elizabeth, intituled, 'An act containing divers orders for Ar'tificers, Labourers, Servants of Husbandry, and Apprentices,' as empowers justices of the peace, at, or within six weeks after, every general quarter sessions held at Easter, to regulate the wages of labourers in husbandry." The bill was read a first time. On the motion for the second reading, Mr. Whitbread said, that he had brought forward this bill under the idea that it was possible, by adopting its regulations, to give great re

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