ABSTRACT
The year Eighteen Hundred and Forty-Four opened hopefully so far as regarded the means of agitation for free trade. The League was certain of its £100,000 fund. Amongst its supporters it had, in Mr. Samuel Jones Loyd, the wealthiest individual of the monied interest; in Mr. Marshall, of Leeds, the wealthiest of the manufacturers; and the first day of the new year gave it the wealthiest of the nobility. On that day the following letter was received:
“Eaton Hall, Jan. 1, 1844.
‘Sir,—Having, on a former occasion expressed to you my anxious wishes for your success in the arduous contest with monopoly in which you are engaged, I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of congratulating you upon the rapid progress you have since made in the struggle with that formidable adversary.
“As you have found your foe to be daring and resolute, so have your energies increased in a wonderful manner; and, in spite of opposition, you have carried the war most effectually into the enemy’s strongholds. With such vigorous and sustained efforts the victory must be yours; and my hopes of ultimate triumph, and that at no very distant date, therefore, much exceed my fears of failure.
“As to the duty—that it is said, would be lost to the country, if not insisted on, I am satisfied that such would be the prosperity of all classes from the abolition of this impost, such the advantage that would accrue to all the monied concerns of the community, that, in a very short time, the general wealth would be so far augmented that the national revenue would outrun the amount of any duty that has been proposed, whether 3s., 5s., or 8s.
“It may be all very well, at agricultural meetings, to talk of the advantages of long leases, of tile-draining, &c., and to drink the health of the labourers; but to what good effect? Long leases are, in certain districts, and under certain well-known circumstances, desirable enough; good draining has long been understood and practised, where there have been sufficient means, sufficient enterprise, and a soil requiring it; praise has no doubt been deservedly lavished upon the farm labourers; but there is something still to be done much more important to them, which is, to give them the means of obtaining an honest and independent livelihood—solid pudding being preferable to empty praise—and this cannot be effected without the abrogation of these mischievous enactments.
“I have much pleasure in sending a contribution of £500 to your fund; and I venture to express a hope that you will not relax your endeavours until you have obtained from government, in whatever hands it may happen to be, the fullest measure of free trade compatible with what is due to the maintenance of public credit.
“I remain, sir, your most obedient servant,
“Westminster.
“George Wilson, Esq.,
Chairman of the Council of the National
Anti-Corn Law League.”
