1823: Equitable Adjustment of Contracts

Abstract

Although the prices of agricultural produce began to rise during this session of parliament they were extremely low at the commencement of the year. In December 1822 the price of wheat was thirty-nine shillings per quarter, as against fifty-three shillings in December 1819. As a result, the ‘squeakings’ of the country gentlemen rose to a crescendo in late 1822 and early 1823 with a series of county meetings which attracted very large numbers of small landowners and farmers.¹ At these meetings resolutions were passed concerning the need for parliamentary reform, taxation reduction, government economy and ‘the equitable adjustment of contracts’.

I have seen small poets, and great prosers, and

Interminable — not eternal — speakers

I have seen the funds at war with house and land

I have seen the country gentlemen turn squeakers, —

I have seen the people ridden o’er like sand

By slaves on horseback — I have seen malt liquors

Exchanged for ‘thin potations’ by John Bull —

I have seen John half detect himself a fool. —

Lord Byron

Don Juan, Canto XI (1823)