this valuable, though
long-neglected harbour, the distressful delays too often embarrassing
and disappointing the nation in her naval operations, might be in a
great measure happily removed, to the infinite relief and enlargement
of the kingdom in the means of improving its naval force; the necessary
progress and free execution of which was now so unhappily and frequently
restrained and frustrated, by the want of a harbour like that of
Milford-haven, framed by nature with such local advantages. This report
appeared to be so well supported by evidence, that a bill was framed,
and passed into an act, for granting ten thousand pounds towards
carrying on the works for fortifying and securing the harbour of Milford
in the county of Pembroke. Other laws of national consequence were
enacted, in the course of this session, with little or no opposition.
On the very first day of their sitting, the commons received a petition
from the mayor, magistrates, merchants, and inhabitants of Liverpool,
complaining of the high price of wheat and other grain; expressing their
apprehension that it would continue to rise, unless the time for the
importation of foreign corn, duty free, should be prolonged, or some
other salutary measure taken by parliament, to prevent dealers
from engrossing corn; submitting to the wisdom of the house a total
prohibition of distilling and exporting grain while the high
price should continue; praying they would take the premises into
consideration, and grant a seasonable relief to the petitioners, by a
continuance of a free importation, and taking such other effectual means
to reduce the growing price of corn as to them should seem necessary
and expedient. This being an urgent case, that equally interested the
humanity of the legislature and the manufacturers of the kingdom, it was
deliberated upon, and discussed with remarkable despatch. In a few days
a bill was prepared, passed through both houses, and enacted into a law,
continuing till the twenty-fourth day of December, in the present year,
the three acts of last session; for prohibiting the exportation of
corn; for prohibiting the distillation of spirits; and for allowing the
importation of corn, duty free. A second law was established, regulating
the price and assize of bread, and subjecting to severe penalties those
who should be concerned in its adulteration. In consequence of certain
resolutions taken in a committee of the whole house, a bill was
presen