Page:The Real Cause of the High Price of Gold Bullion.djvu/8

 the Restriction Acts.—They were bound to prove what was the population of Great Britain at the commencement of the War, and what in 1810.—They were bound to shew what was the amount of taxes at the commencement of the War, and what in 1810.—They were bound to shew what was the amount of sums levied before the War, and what in 1810.—They were bound to shew what was the state of Imports and Exports, and Commerce, and Navigation in general at the commencement of the War, and what in 1810.

And before they should have resolved, that Excess of Issues were the sole cause of the rise of the price of gold, they should have stated the different results of the inquiries in the above mentioned points,—and given leave to every impartial man to make his judgement accordingly.

What particular reasons prevented the Committee from taking this impartial line of inquiry, and induced them to limit their views to one sole object, when so many important objects naturally obtruded themselves for consideration, is not for me to canvas. It is trusted however that the present Committees will not adhere to a line so culpable, but emancipating themselves from the trammels of prejudice, will enter into every view of the question, and face every difficulty which may present itself.

Let us advert, for instance, to the subject of our population as it stood in 1790, and as it stands at present.—In 1790, the population of Great Britain was 10,242,000; in 1811, it was 12,358,000; and if it has increased to this day in the same ratio with its increase from 1801 to 1811—the total population of Great Britain at the present day exceeds the population of 1790 by about 3,000,000.

Let us advert also to the annual amount of income