10 Decr 1801

Maximum

6. Scarcity Crops

3

It may be rejected /set down/ /noted down/ as no better than an argument ad

hominem, if I were to call to mind upon this occasion as upon a former, that the

case of the scarcity-crop farmers which is here regarded as the prevailing one

which is here assumed /taken up/ as having a claim to be the measure and

standard of the desirable rate in regard of price is thrown out of the question,

that the cause of this unfortunate class so decidedly taken up and patronized,

is in less than six pages after given up and deserted. Of two inconsistent

propositions the Hon: Gentleman will at all times /any time/ be at liberty to

adhere to which he pleases, though he can not well adhere to both at the same

time, he may at any time, on condition of giving up the other /one/ adhere to

either. On the terms of acknowledging that the measure we have seen him

announcing with complacency and which on that ground I will venture till

corrected to call his measure – the measure of encouraging importation for the

express purpose of keeping down the price – upon the terms I say of giving up

this /his/ measure of his, he may at any time abide by /adhere to/ this argument

which is more particularly and exclusively /decidedly/ his own /he may at any

time make his election/. He may say happen what will to the consumers – I will

take care of the unfortunate part of the farmers I will bring them whole at any

rate. The