CHA1*. XIX.

IN ENGLAND.

7 5

The several laws passed between the years1554 and 1604 are, perhaps, the best criterion ofthe increased average price of wheat, because theyshow what was deemed by the legislators a prices o low as rendered it proper to admit of its beingexported to foreign countries; and they seem moreappropriate, because the first of these laws passedat the time when the mines of Potosi had justbegan to flow from Spain through the rest ofEurope .

By the acts 1 and 2 Philip and Mary, cap.5> in 1554, corn is forbidden to be exportedexcept when the price of wheat shall not exceedsix shillings and eight-pence, of rye four shillings,and of barley three shillings, per quarter. By anact, 1st Elizabeth, cap. 11, corn may be exportedwhen the prices do not exeeed for wheat six shil-lings and eight-pence, rye four shillings, andbarley three shillings, per quarter. By anotheract of the fifth of the same reign, exportation wasallowed when wheat does not exceed ten shillings,r ye eight shillings, and barley six shillings andei ght-pence, per quarter. The next act, that1593, 35th Elizabeth, cap. 7> sec. 8, allowsw beat to be exported when not above twentyshillings; and by the act 1st James I. , cap. 25,Sec * 26, 1604, the exportation of wheat is allowedw hen the price does not exceed twenty-six shil-lings and eight-pence the quarter. It seems thenclear that the legislators who framed these severallaws must have concurred in judging what was