Your lordships have heard a great deal upon the competition of foreign manufacturers with our own in foreign markets.  I certainly am one who does not despise the consideration of these subjects; which, on the contrary, I think of very high importance; but this question is a large one, and it is necessary to consider it on rather broader grounds.  This very consideration may be material with respect to some countries of which we have been the creditors; but I do not see how our relations with those which are not corn countries can be affected by any change in the corn laws.  The power of taxation, which would be thrown into the hands of foreign powers, in the event of the repeal of the corn laws, constitutes, in my view, a most important feature of the case.  Suppose we were involved in an arduous competition with Prussian or Russian manufacturers for the supply of a particular article:  if we should make up our minds to rely solely on those countries for a supply of corn, as we are called upon to do by the opponents of the corn laws,—­and if the success of our manufactures depends on the abundance and cheapness of corn among our population—­must we not expect, according to the usual course of such affairs among mankind, that the corn exported from those countries would be taxed so as to render the food of our manufacturers as dear as it would be under any other circumstances?  If that is likely to be the case, I would strongly advise you, my lords, to agree to no measure which may render this country dependent upon others for its supply of food.  Let us persevere in those measures which have been successful in raising the agriculture of this country and increasing its produce; let us increase its produce to the utmost possible degree, and render all the articles of food as cheap as possible; and then let us see what can be done with reference to commerce and its interests; but let us, I entreat, begin by securing to her majesty’s subjects a supply of the best food from the produce of her majesty’s own dominions.

March 14, 1839.

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As a public man, stands on public grounds.

The noble earl (Radnor) says that I am an advocate for a monopoly; and he talks about my not assisting the landlords, not assisting the farmers, and not assisting the labourers.  My lords, I know nothing about landlords, farmers, or labourers, when I am advocating a legislative question of a public nature in this house.  I have nothing to say to them any farther than as their interests are identified with those of the community at large.  I beg the noble lord to understand, when I come into this house, I come here upon the public interest.  I have no more to say to landlords, farmers, or labourers, than the noble earl himself; and I am thoroughly convinced there is not a noble friend near me who does not look at this question solely on public grounds, and those which he conceives it to be for the interest of the country to take.