The Turgot Collection

Extracts from “Letters to the Contrôleur-général on the Grain Trade”

In several letters, Turgot opposes restrictions on the grain trade. He replies to the argument that free trade in grain will help only the proprietors of land, not cultivators of land or consumers. In response, Turgot notes that gains to the proprietors will help cultivators and consumers, since the proprietors will have more money to make purchases, It is not true that free trade will lead to an increase in the price of grain: to the contrary, increased production is likely to lower prices. If it is argued that any gains to cultivators will be passed on to the proprietors, Turgot answers that this will not immediately be the case. In the time that it takes for rents to be readjusted, the cultivators will gain. Turgot reiterates his view that all taxes are ultimately paid by owners of land.