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MONTHLY REGISTER,

DECEMBER 1, 1822.

AGRICULTURAL REPORT,

As the period for the meeting of parliament approaches, and as distress presses more heavily upon the landed interest, the efforts of the owners and occupiers of the soil to attract attention, and to concentrate their strength, have become more earnest. Some of the weight now begins to shift from the overburdened tenant to the landlord. The agriculturists have always been considered, perhaps with some truth, as an inert body, mindful indeed of their individual possessions, but not politically active for the conservation or protection of their common property. With the progress of knowledge, however, stirring spirits have arisen, and there are men among both the squirearchy and tenantry who know how to make the country resound with their opinions. Mr. WEBBE HALL is, perhaps, of all the champions of any cause that ever aspired to lead, among the most undaunted and the most pertinacious. He has again appeared in the field, and has published, through the medium of the Farmer's Journal, a very long and argumentative address, "to the Owners and Occupiers of Land throughout Great Britain and Ireland." His principles are well known, and he has not been driven from them. He places the root of the depression in an artificial superabundance, created by foreign supply. He demonstrates that, so long as such supply continues to be admitted, duty free, taxation remaining at its present height, the land owner must sink deeper and deeper into ruin. He therefore contends for protecting duties, a principle which parliament recognised last session, and he invokes the aid of the entire agricultural population to act as one man in demanding an extension of this principle to an adequate rate-meaning (we presume) to that fixed by the committee at Henderson's, at 40s. per quarter on wheat, and a proportionate duty on other produce.

Whatever truth there may be in Mr. Hall's view of the source of distress, there can be little doubt, that he is as wrong in the remedy he proposes, and for the simplest of all possible reasons. Can it be supposed that the people of England would continue to inhabit the country, if subsistence were something more than double the cost upon the Continent? The report of the agricultural committee has spoken deciVOL. VI.-Mon. Reg.

sively to this point. It has been likewise distinctly stated that no ministry would dare to propose,-no parliament entertain, such a scale of duties for a moment. It is there shown, that whoever could, would emigrate, and the committee has fully, though tersely, described the destructive consequences. The price of British pro'duce must either conform to the level of the Continent, or be continually liable to ruinous fluctuation in price, as necessity drives us to open, and policy to close, the ports. Nothing that Mr. Hall has said at all touches this general and important position; and however the agriculturist may desire to see himself relieved by a return to high prices, we are confident, such means of relief will but be rendered the more inefficacious by any provision (such as a high duty) which tends to this object, Whenever the ports open, the high price will be brought down by an influx of corn, vast in proportion to the elevation of price, and the consequent depression will be commensurate, both in degree and duration, with the temptation to import, Such a state of things is of all others the most destructive, because it leaves neither agriculturist, manufacturer, nor merchant, any exact ground for calculating the cost or value of his products: it must unsettle continually all the relations of price, and would be positively intolerable.

Neither does this argument touch the theory which is now daily gaining converts, that the most salutary law of trade is, to purchase at the cheapest market, to which end it is indisputable, that commerce should be left as free and unshackled as possible. We conceive, therefore, that Mr. Webbe Hall will not be listened to, when he attempts to effect a change so contrary to general truth and general opinion.

Mr. Western, the Member for Essex, takes another ground, which he maintains no less strenuously. He has published 66 a Second Address to the Land Owners of the United Empire," in a pamphlet, wherein he avers, that the sole cause of agricultural depression is to be found in the effects of Mr. Peel's Bill, and he predicts the utter and inevitable extinction of the present race of Landholders. It may be doubted, whether the relations of de mand and supply have been naturally af

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fected by the contraction of the currency,
since, by the reduction of value, half the
capital will carry on the whole trade of the
country, and the reduction has even pro
bably increased the demand; certainly it has
that of the manufacturing classes. But when
Mr. Western computes the loss of pro-
perty to the debtors of the country, and the
gains of the creditors by the loans being
made in one currency and paid in another,
we think his facts are irresistible. It is quite
clear, that the landlord, or farmer, or
trader, who borrowed 1007. in 1813, when
the average price of wheat was 140s., if
called upon to pay
in 1822, when the ave-
rage price of the same commodity will
probably scarcely exceed the odd 40s. must
be grievously injured, and there does secm
to be some force in the argument, which
requires that the debts of the state, at least,
should be paid in the same denomination
of value in which they were contracted.
But since the creditor, who obtains pay-
ment, is, in a majority of instances, neither
the person, nor the descendant of the per-
son, who lent the money, the rule is liable
to indefinite modifications, and it must ever
be a serious and doubtful question, whe-
ther the commonwealth will not suffer to a
greater extent by a reduction of its debt
(either by lowering the term of the prin-
cipal or the interest), which must seem
arbitrary, than by preserving its good faith,
even at the hazard of paying more than was
borrowed.

This could not be, if, as we are assured, nothing is left for rent. The only articles in the outgoings of a land occupier or owner, that have not undergone and are not undergoing gradual and great reduction, are taxation and poor's-rate. Rent, tithe, and labour, horse provender, tradesmen's commodities, and subsistence, are all lower, much lower. Even Mr. Western allows that the price of all commodities has fallen 35 per cent. at least. The natural remedy, if it could be accomplished, would be the reduction of taxation and the employment of our paupers. Taxation enters into price universally. Taxation incapacitates the proprietor from abating his rent; it precludes the clergyman from reducing his tithes; it affects in the same manner the commodities of the tradesman and the labour of the peasant. The same may be said of poor's-rate. But how is this reduction to be made, consistently with the preservation of our faith with the public creditor, who cannot be paid even his interest, to say nothing of the principal, if any material reduction be effected? Some other steps must be taken before we can be extricated from this vicious circle. The

country has superabundant soil, superabundant labour, and superabundant capital, which are the elements, and the only elements, of wealth. The problem is, how to combine them; and this, it should seem, ought now to be a national consideration. In the mean while, requisitions for county meetings are on foot in many districts, and petitions will probably pour into the House of Commons, even more numerously than last year. The general desire among agriculturists we believe to be, to confine their prayers to the total repeal of the duties on malt, or perhaps to require some modification of the tithe system.

There never has been a finer season for wheat sowing, which has been accomplished well and early almost universally. The young plants look excellently. The continuance of warm and open weather, and the rains that have fallen, have also improved the turnip crop to such a degree, that it is expected to hold out far better than was anticipated. The accounts from Scotland all agree, that last year's wheat harvest will prove superabundant, fine in quality, and heavy in weight. Potatoes are also a very plentiful growth. Barley is certainly greatly deficient, and the approximation in price to wheat has occasioned many to thresh and get into the market. This circumstance diminishes the appearance of that grain, and leaves a doubt on the mind whether the present supply may be considered the natural, or an artificially reduced, quantity. This is a very important question, and one which we cannot pretend to solve. At present the number of quarters sent to Mark-Lane by sea, which is the only register affording any means of judgment, slight as these means are, is not so vast as to indicate a redundant stock. Oats come very freely to hand. Notwithstanding the considerable growth of the after-grass, the price of hay remains high, compared with other articles of agricultural produce. In some of the counties many farms are left untenanted, in Kent especially; but so little of this abandonment falls under our actual cognizance, that we greatly doubt whether it yet proceeds to any extent. At the late fairs the depression of stock was general, particularly in the western parts of the king. dom. The fear of the weight of pauperism during the winter, for want of employment, is every where felt. The prices at Smithfield remain nearly the same, the market being affected one day a little more or a little less than another, by a full or short supply. Lincoln's, Durham's, and Hertford's, brought respectively on Monday 2s. 6d. 3s. 6d. and 3s. 10d. per stone. Mutton much the same.

COMMERCIAL REPORT.

(London, November 21.)

THERE being nothing this month to merit particular attention, we proceed, without further preface, to our usual statements. Cotton. The demand for cotton in the week immediately succeeding the date of our last report was brisk and extensive, the purchases exceeding 5300 bales. The East India cottons were d. to d. higher; other descriptions at the improvement of about d. per lb.; nearly the whole were sold in bond, viz-600 Pernams, pretty good 11d. good 11d. with a few inferior 104d; 9 Paras 8 d. fair; 100 Orleans 74d. ordinary to 94d. and 94d. good; 260 Bowed, 64d. and 6d. very ordinary, to 74d. for good; 1000 Surats, 5d. fair, 5d. and Ed. good fair, 64d. for good; 3300 Bengals, 5d. and 51d. fair, 5d. and 5d. good fair, and 5 d. for good; and, duty paid, 23 West India 8 d. to 8 d. There was a public sale of Boweds and New Orleans, 906 bales, nearly the whole was withdrawn.

In the succeeding week (to November 5), though the advance was fully maintained, the market was more quiet, and the sales on a more limited scale, amounting to only 2400 bags, all sold in bond. The purchases in the week ending the 12th, were only 1700 bags; but still the former prices were maintained. They were all sold in bond, except 130 Grenada and Cariacou, duty paid, fair 84d. and 9d. and good fair 94d. During this last week the market has been without interest; and though no general reduction in the prices can be stated, yet East India descriptions may be purchased a shade lower: there are, however, no parcels pressing upon the market, and of the other descriptions few cottons are offering for sale; the purchases since our last are about 800 bags, viz. in bond; 172 Bowed Georgia fair 7d. and 7d. good fair 7 d. and 74d.; 16 Orleans 6 d. very ordinary; 100 Madras 5d. and 6d. good fair: 120 Surats 5d ordinary, to 5 d. fair, and good 64d.; 200 Bengals 5d. ordinary, 5d. and 5 d. good fair, very good 6d. and duty paid, 47 Cariacou and Granada fair 84d. to 9d. very good 10d. 5 stained 64d. to 8d.; 120 St. Vincent's good fair 9d.; 10 Demerara good stained 74d.

The Liverpool market has gradually declined; the sales in the week ending October 26, having exceeded 20,000 bags, and in that ending November 16, only 3,500 bags. The sales of the four weeks were 38,500, and the arrivals 27,249 bags.

Sugar. The market has not been favourable for the four last weeks. At the end of October, the prices indeed kept up, but the purchases were very inconsiderable, and the market heavy. The holders, how

ever, did not press sales. The demand for refined goods was slack, and prices almost 1s. per cent. lower, ordinary large lumps at 77s. a few rather extensive contracts for crushed at 36s. to 39s. Molasses 30s. to 30s. 6d.

In Foreign sugars there was a material improvement; good yellow Havannah 28s. fine 30s. and nearly 1200 chests stated to be sold; the brown qualities were also higher; in white there was no alteration in the prices, but rather more demand both for Ĥavannah and Brazil descriptions.

The sales in the following week were still on a limited scale, only that on the 1st of November, towards the close of the market, several parcels were taken at rather better prices. These purchases, however, were not followed up, the buyers being deterred from coming forward, on account of the accumulation of the stock, only 6000 casks less than at the same date last year, and also on account of the great reduction in the weekly deliveries from the warehouses. Refined goods were heavy, and in most instances a decline of 1s. to 2s. was submitted to. The demand for export had become very limited, on account of the advanced season, and the grocers purchased for home consumption on a very limited scale.-Molasses steady at 30s. During the fortnight ending the 19th, the market continued languid, and the prices declined about 2s. per cwt. On Friday the 16th there was a sale of 363 hogsheads of Trinidad sugars; low brown 50s. 6d. to 52s. the remainder 53s. to 64s. 6d.

The refiners evinced a greater disposition to effect sales last week, on account of a small accumulation of stock, yet there was little alteration to notice in the prices, and lumps were in some request.-Molasses were in considerable demand at 29s. 6d. to-day 308.-85 puncheons Trinidad Molasses, on Friday, sold 24s, and 24s. 6d. for very good quality.

By public sale last week, nearly 200 chests Brazil sugars met with few buyers; one lot soft yellow sold at 23s.; the remainder, ordinary and good brown, all taken in at 20s. to 22s. 6d.

Average prices of raw sugars from Ga

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Coffee. The market, which we stated to be in a depressed state at the date of our last report, continued to be extremely languid for a considerable time, and prices declined. In the week from Oct. 29, to Nov.

5, the quantity brought forward by public sale consisted of 954 casks and 484 bags, and such was the heavy state of the market, that a considerable proportion was taken in the Demerara and Berbice, being much wanted by the grocers for the home consumption, sold freely, and at rather higher prices: all other descriptions were exceedingly heavy, and rather lower. Good ordinary coloury St. Domingo in bags, mixed and a little broken, sold at 98s.; the casks were taken in at 978.

On the 5th, there were four public sales of Coffee, 602 casks and 472 bags, consisting of a great variety of Coffee, and some extensive fine parcels both of Jamaica and of Berbice: a parcel of St. Domingo and Porto Rico Coffee forming a complete criterion of the market; the ordinary descriptions of Jamaica 2s. lower, good ordinary Jamaica coloury and sugary, sold at 948.; good ordinary broken, 90s. ; fine ordinary, a little brown colour, sold at 1038. and 104s.; good and fine middling_extensively at 132s. a 134s.: good and fine ordinary Porto Rico, 99s. a 100s.; good ordinary St. Domingo in casks taken in at 978. a 97s. 6d. ; fine ordinary in bags sold at 99s. Generally the Coffee market was 2s. a 3s. lower than on the preceding Tuesday; and, from the highest prices about a month ago, 10s. per cwt. lower on all descriptions of British plantation: the Foreign had not fallen in proportion.

In the following week the public sales consisted of 976 casks and 1,361 bags. British Plantation and Porto Rico sold at a further decline of 2s. and St. Domingo full 1s. per cwt. lower. The market was considerably affected by the public sales declared. On the 12th, there were three sales, 372 casks, 28 bags, chiefly Jamaica descriptions; the whole sold heavily at a further reduction of 28. a 3s, per cwt., making a decline in the ordinary descriptions of Coffee, 4s. a 5s. per cwt., and in the fine 23. a 3s. per cwt. within the week; good ordinary Jamaica, 90s.; good ordinary coloury, 91s.; fine ordinary, 95s. a 99s. 6d.; middling, 127s. a 127s. 6d. ; good middling, 130s. 6d.

The following is the latest report of the market, being that of the 19th.

The public sales of coffee after Tuesday last week were considerable, 632 casks and 2,149 bags; the British Plantation descriptions supported the previous currency: the St. Domingo sold 1s. a 2s. lower, ordinary to good ordinary, 92s. a 94s. 6d. Yesterday, on account of rather favourable reports by the Flanders mail, the request revived, and for good ordinary St. Domingo in bags, 963. was realized. At the public 'sales last week, 1704 bags Cheribon Coffee sold, ordinary brown 90s. a 92s. ; good ordinary, 93s.; good ordinary pale, 95s. a 98s. 6d.

There were two public sales this forenoon, 139 casks 120 bags Berbice and Jamaica Coffee, which went off at nearly the previous currency; good middling Berbice, 130s.; fine ordinary grey taken in at 1168. a 118s.; good middling Jamaica sold low, 124s.: 13 casks 212 bags St. Domingo sold nearly 2s. higher than on Friday, fully recovering the prices of this day week, good ordinary 94s. 6d. a 95s. 6d. ; fine ordinary 96s. 6d. The prices of Coffee may be stated nearly the same as on Tuesday last, with the appearance of an improving demand.

Tallow. The price of Tallow, after having been maintained for some time (excepting a temporary depression on the 4th inst.) began to decline after the 8th, and a very great change has now taken place. Last week one of the monied men for the advance declared his determination to effect sales of his stock remaining on hand, reported to the amount of about 5,000 casks, which offer not being immediately closed with by the other speculators, the whole was disposed of to the most eminent importers of Baltic produce, and who have sold largely parcels for arrival: as this sale gives to the latter the opportunity of throwing more Tallow on the market, and aiding the speculation for the decline, it has produced a great change, particularly when joined with the fact of the misunderstanding among the speculators. Several parcels of yellow candle Tallow were yesterday sold at 40s. ; to-day, the 19th, the market is still lower, 40s. a 398.

Oils have of course been affected by the Tallow market. Greenland has now fallen 21. to 34; and owing to the mild season few parcels have lately been sold. All other common Oils are heavy and lower. By public sale, the 13th inst. 105 tuns pale Southern Oil, 241. to 25l. 15s.

Tobacco. There is more business doing in Tobacco; it is calculated that nearly 1,000 hhds. have changed hands, chiefly fine descriptions, which are scarce, and in demand for the French market. By public sale this forenoon, 17 hhds. St. Domingo, only two or three hhds were sold, and at very high prices, good 16d. a 18gd.

Rum, Brandy, and Hollands.-There is some bustle in the market, on account of Brandies being quoted considerably higher in France: an improvement of 1d. per gallon must be quoted here, and more business doing a parcel, old landed, favourite mark, sold at 3s. 2d. For Rums there is rather more enquiry, but the purchases reported are at prices a shade lower.-In Geneva there is no alteration.

Spices.-E. I. Company's sales, Nov. 11. Saltpetre, 1,000 tons Company's sold, 235. Gd. a 26s. 6d. ; do. Private Trade, 23s. 6d. a 26s. 6d.; Pepper, 540 bags, Company's

Black, 6d. a Cad.; 980 bags scratched;

do. 4,650 Private Trade, 5d. a 63d.; Cinnamon, 364 bales, 1st quality, 7s. Id. a 78. 2d. 186 scratched; do. 48 do. 2d do. 5s. 7d.; 502 scratched; do. 289 do. 3d do. 4s. 7d. a 4s. 10d.; 96 scratched; Cloves, 12 bags, 4s. a 4s. 2d.; Mace, 74 casks 1st quality, 5s. 2d. a 5s. 4d.; 35 do. 2d do. 4s. 7d. a 4s. 11d.; 88 do. 3d do. 3s. 10d. a 4s. 4d.; Nutmegs, 352 casks, ungarbled, 3s. Id. a 3s. 2d.; 154 scratched; Cassia Lignea, 71. 58. a 81. 2s.; Cassia Buds, 177. 5s. a 187. 18.; Ginger, 15s.; Sago, 46s. a 498; Oil of Cassia, 5d. d 6d.

FOREIGN COMMERCE.

Riga, 31st Oct.-Tallow. The prices are merely nominal; viz. white crown candle tallow, 110 r.; yellow ditto, 112; soap tallow 100.-Flax has maintained its prices: the last purchases were on the following terms, Thiesenhausen and Druiana Rackitzer, 44 to 45 r.; Badstub cut, 38 to 39 r.; Risten Threeband, 30 r. ; tow 114r. Hemp of all kinds is nearly sold, Pass entirely so, yet without much influence on the prices last paid; viz. clean, 101 r. ; Ukraine Outshot, 87 r.; Polish ditto, 88; Ukraine Pass, 85; Polish ditto, 87 r.; Torse, 45 r.-Seed. The importation of sowing linseed is estimated at 30, or 35,000 barrels, which will not hold long at the present prices, viz. 74 to 7 r. especially as it does not appear that we are likely to have much farther supply.-Salt. Scanty importation and brisk demand have caused a rise in the prices of some descriptions; viz. St. Ubes to 78 r.; Liverpool to 70r.; rock-salt to 105 r.

Hamburg, 9th Nov.-Cocoa is rather more steady in price.-Coffee. Though very little has been doing this week, yet the prices of good and perfectly clean qualities have been fully maintained.-Gum Senegal has been more in demand, and the prices have improved; but dye goods in general have but a very limited sale.-Spices. There is no demand for pepper; but many orders for pimento; East India ginger maintains its price, inferior 4d., middling

44d., best 44d.-Rice is still in request.Tobacco. Prices and demand as before. Tea. 350 quarter chests of Campoy and Congou; about 600 chests of various sorts of green teas have arrived from Philadelphia.-Sugar. Hamburg refined have been but little enquired for this week, and may perhaps be purchased a trifle lower; treacle is unchanged. Except some small parcels of fine white Havannah at 10d. and very white Bahia at 8d. to 8 d., there have been but few purchases of raw sugars, and the prices have consequently declined a little.

Amsterdam, 9th Nov.-Cotton and Tobacco in little demand, and prices dull.Coffee, in two auctions of fine West India descriptions this week, the prices again declined; for Surinam in bales 153 stivers, ditto in barrels 15 stivers; middling Cheribon has been sold at 124 stivers, and may still be had at that price.-Spices. Pepper and pimento not only maintain their prices, but the latter has been sold at 3 to 4 florins higher.-Rice of the best quality is in good demand; fine white Carolina is held at 44 to 45 sch. Flemish.-Tea is in request only for small parcels, and the prices hardly keep up.-Sugar, raw seems to have fallen to the lowest point, as all the parcels now in the market are firm in price; viz. fine brown Surinam 64d., yellow and bright yellow 7d. to 74d.; fine Havannah, 7d. to 8d.; refined goods are dull, as the shipping season is drawing to a close, and orders sensibly decrease.-Dye Goods in general in good request. A large parcel of Indigo has been bought by one of our houses at the current price.--Dye Woods, especially St. Martin's, much enquired for; many orders are also received for Shumac, in consequence of which all these articles maintain their prices.

France. The purchase of foreign tobacco for the use of the royal manufactories, which was fixed for the 26th of November, must be delayed, because the samples have not arrived in time. The 11th of December is the day now fixed for receiving proposals, from 10 to 12 o'clock.

WORKS PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION.

Indian Essays, on the Manners, Customs, and Habits of Bengal. In one Volume, 8vo.

The Fourth Volume of the Preacher, or Sketches of original Sermons, chiefly selected from the Manuscripts of Eminent Divines of the last Century, for the Use of Lay Preachers and Young Ministers; to which is prefixed, a familiar Essay on the Composition of a Sermon,-a Letter to a Young Minister on Preaching the Gospel,

&c. &c.

Mr. J. Major's highly Illustrated Edi

tion of Walton and Cotton's Angler, with the various River Fish given in the highest style of Wood Engraving, from original Paintings by A. Cooper, Esq. RA. and Mr. W. Smith; besides a great variety of other entirely novel Embellishments.

Quotations from the British Poets, being a Pocket Dictionary of their most admired Passages, alphabetically arranged.

A Collection of Poems on various Subjects. By Helen Maria Williams: with some Remarks on the present State of Literature in France.

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