he petitioners so largely
contributed, proper measures might be taken for preventing the public
loss, and relieving their particular distress. The house would not lend
a deaf ear to a remonstrance in which the revenue was concerned. The
members appointed to prepare the bill, immediately received instructions
to make provision in it to restrain, for a limited time, the distilling
of barley, malt, and all grain whatsoever. The bill was framed
accordingly, but did not pass without strenuous opposition. To this
prohibition it was objected, that there are always large quantities of
wheat and barley in the kingdom so much damaged, as to be unfit for any
use but the distillery, consequently a restriction of this nature
would ruin many farmers, and others employed in the trade of malting.
Particular interests, however, must often be sacrificed to the welfare
of the community; and the present distress prevailed over the prospect
of this disadvantage. If they had allowed any sort of grain to be
distilled, it would have been impossible to prevent the distilling
of every kind. The prohibition was limited to two months; but at
the expiration of that term, the scarcity still continuing, it was
protracted by a new bill to the eleventh day of December, with a
proviso, empowering his majesty to put an end to it at any time after
the eleventh day of May, if such a step should be judged for the
advantage of the kingdom.

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

MILITIA BILL.

The next bill that engaged the attention of the commons, was a measure
of the utmost national importance, though secretly disliked by many
individuals of the legislature, who, nevertheless, did not venture to
avow their disapprobation. The establishment of a militia was a very
popular and desirable object, but attended with numberless difficulties,
and a competition of interests which it was impossible to reconcile.
It had formerly been an inexhaustible source of contention between the
crown and the commons; but now both apparently concurred in rendering it
serviceable to the commonwealth, though some acquiesced in the scheme,
who were not at all hearty in its favour. On the fourth day of December,
a motion was made for the bill, by colonel George Townshend, eldest son
of lord viscount Townshend, a gentleman of courage, sense, and probity;
endued with penetration to discern, and honesty to pursue, the real
interest of his country, in defiance of power, in contempt of private