The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
BRITAIN / GOVERNMENT / POVERTY RELIEF
I never knew an instance of the English parliament's undertaking to
relieve the poor, by a distribution of bread in time of scarcity. In
fact, the English commerce is so extensive and so active, that though
bread may be a little more or less plenty, there can never be an
absolute failure. This island is so narrow, that corn can be readily
carried from the seaports to its interior parts. But were an absolute
want to happen, and were the parliament to undertake a distribution of
corn, I think, that according to the principles of their government,
they would only vote a sum of money, and address the King to employ it
for the best. The business is, in its nature, executive, and would
require too great a variety of detail to be managed by an act of
parliament. However, I repeat it, that I never heard or read of an
instance of the parliament's interfering to give bread.
to Marquis de Lafayette, 12 June 1789
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