date

8 Decr 1801 Maximum 8. Local
8 Decr 1801

Maximum

8. Local Variation

1

8. “If it were worth pursuing the point further, it might be shewn, that the

difficulties in the execution of it would be insurmountable. The same maximum

could not apply universally throughout the kingdom, nor could it be set

correctly in every different place, according to all the variety of

circumstances which operate upon price.”

Observations

If what the Hon.ble Gentleman appears so confident of being able /having it in

his power/ to shew and forebore to shew only because in his view of the matter

it was not worth shewing had been shewn, this one argument might have stood in

the place of all the rest. The same maximum not apply universally throughout the

kingdom? - why not? what should hinder it? Had he said that different maximums

could not on the extraordinary occasion in question be applied to all the

different places of the kingdom as /that are wont to/ exhibit in ordinary years

so many differences in regard to price, and that in such manner as to make the

extraordinary fixed price be in the same proportion in each place /every where/

to the ordinary natural one: had this been the atchievement rejected /attempt

/measure/ reprobated/ on the score of impracticability, I should have found no

difficulty in acceding to the rejection: That
Similar Items
  • Title: [8 Decr 1801 Maximum 8. Local]
    Description: 8 Decr 1801

    Maximum

    8. Local Variation

    2

    That the allowed price of bread corn could not be adjusted to the living-profit price of breadcorn in every place of the kingdom with as much correctness as in the metropolis the allowed price of bread is to the market price of breadcorn, is an proposition, the truth of which I {am as well satisfied as he can be /see no reason for disputing/.} Whether it would be worth while to attempt to make any difference at all between place and place, between the place /places/ which gives /give/ /average/ upon an average the highest price is a point /question on/ is more than at present, if ever, I should /can/ regard myself as competent to pronounce. But the question is not whether a fixation of this sort could be performed with the utmost degree of correctness that could be wished, but whether it could be performed at all. The Hon:ble Gentleman’s answer is most decidedly, and without {restriction or} limitation or condition in the negative: if therefore any one maximum /fixed/ price be pointed out, that shall at the same time be less /lower/ than the greatest /highest/ free price known and shall at the same time stand clear of the Hon Gentleman’s arguments, the whole apparatus of them falls to the ground. I will venture for illustrations sake to name a price in this view: and let it be the exact[?] double of the highest ordinary /average free/ price at the place at which that price is highest. That a price thus high

    would
  • Title: [8 Decr 1801 Maximum 8. Local]
    Description: 8 Decr 1801

    Maximum

    8. Local Variation

    3

    would not be sufficiently correct to do as much good as the fixation of the price

    of bread may for anything that will be shewn to the contrary have done, is

    evident enough. - but because it is out of our power to do all the good we wish

    and have in view, is that a reason for doing none?
  • Title: [20 Decr 1801 Maximum Mode]
    Description: 20 Decr 1801

    Maximum

    Mode

    Execution

    1

    As to the mode of accomplishment – it might be affected either by a fresh law

    under the powers given by an already existing Act, as by a fresh law: in either

    case the maximum price might be fixed either by the general authority for the

    whole island or the whole of South Britain or the whole Island or the whole of

    the United Kingdom; or by local authorities such as the Magistrates in and for

    each County in Sessions: and in this latter case, either within limits fixed by

    the general authority, or without any such restraining limits.

    In effect and substance, these options lie equally /as/ open supposing the

    existing Act to be taken for the ground of operation, under that Act as under

    any fresh Act: the difference would be only[?] in mode and form. The authority

    would require the signatures of the great Officers of State mentioned in the

    Act, but there is nothing to hinder them from sending the matter to the local

    authority to report upon, and acting, so far as should seem proper on the

    foundation of such reports.

    The objection, and though perhaps the only one against the acting under the

    existing Statute without a fresh authority, in that /inasmuch as/ under the

    existing Act there is no maximum price already fixed and known, the growers and

    vendors of corn would remain /be kept/ in a state of uncertainty, inconsistent

    with the security due to their respective trades. A man would not have it in his

    power to know what would be the price set in the first instance; nor supposing

    such first price

    set