SMITH, Charles.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

A Short Essay on the Corn Trade, and the Corn Laws. First edition of this pamphlet refuting claims that producers caused the 1756-57 shortages and riots by hoarding grain, emphasizing poor harvests instead. Charles Smith later provided expert parliamentary testimony on the causes of high food prices and was praised by Adam Smith (no relation), who described him as an "ingenious and well-informed author" (Smith, p. 92).Charles Smith's family had been profitably engaged in the grain trade as millers for two generations. In 1761 Smith took over the family business, however he soon pivoted to working as a magistrate and grain trade economist.This work is from the collection of the Dutch economist Arnold Heertje (1934-2020).

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.