"I just here repeat the opinion which I have declared here before, and also in the House of Commons, that I cannot consent to substitute a fixed duty of 8s. a-quarter on foreign corn, for the present ascending and descending scale of duties. I prefer the principle of the ascending and descending scale, to such an amount of fixed duty. And when I look at the burdens to which the land of this country is subject, I do not consider the fixed duty of 8s. a-quarter on corn from Poland, and Prussia, and Russia, where no such burdens exist, a sufficient protection for it."[16] [16] Do. p. 8. Again-- "If you disturb agriculture, and divert the employment of capital from the land, you may not increase your foreign trade--for that is a thing to dwell under existing circumstances--_but will assuredly reduce the home trade, by reducing the means to meet the demand_, and thus permanently injure yourselves also."[17] [17] Do. p. 13. Again-- "I have come to the conclusion, that the existing system of an ascending and descending scale of duties, should not be altered: and that, moreover, we should as much as possible make ourselves independent of a foreign supply--and not disturb the principle of the existing corn-laws--of these corn-laws, which, when you have an abundance of your own, exclude altogether the foreign supply--and when the price rises in this country, freely admits it."[18] [18] Speech, p. 15. Again--he quoted the following remarkable language of Lord Melbourne on the 11th June 1840-- "_Whether the object be to have a fixed duty, or an alteration as to the ascending and descending scale, I see clearly and distinctly, that that object will not be carried without a most violent struggle--without causing much ill-blood, and a deep sense of grievance--without stirring society to its foundations, and leaving behind every sort of bitterness and animosity. I do not think the advantages to be gained by the change are worth the evils of the struggle_."[19] [19] Do. p. 18. And Sir Robert Peel concluded the foregoing summary of his views, on the great questions then proposed to the country for its decision, in the following words:-- "I ask your free suffrages, with this frank and explicit declaration of my opinions."[20] [20] Do. p. 18. On this, there occur to us three questions--