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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow 467.: malthus to ricardo2[Reply to 463.—Answered by 468] - The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, Vol. 9 Letters 1821-1823

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467.: malthus to ricardo2[Reply to 463.—Answered by 468] - David Ricardo, The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, Vol. 9 Letters 1821-1823 [1821]

Edition used:

The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, ed. Piero Sraffa with the Collaboration of M.H. Dobb (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 2005). Vol. 9 Letters 1821-1823.

Part of: The Works and Correspondence of David Ricardo, 11 vols (Sraffa ed.)

About Liberty Fund:

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467.

malthus to ricardo2
[Reply to 463.—Answered by 468]

My dear Ricardo

I have been afraid of going on with our discussions, though I have much to say on the subject lest, they should take up too much of our time. When a difficulty strikes me, and I propose it to you, I am inclined to be satisfied with hearing your opinion on the subject without rejoinder. If you satisfy me, the matter is settled. If you do not, I hold my opinion, comforting myself with the reflection that having submitted my thoughts to the most ingenious man I know, and he not shewing me that I am wrong, I am entitled to fancy that I am right, forgetting perhaps all along that it may be only owing to my prejudices or stupidity that I am not convinced.

I write now to hope that you will be in Town for the first meeting of the political Econy club, which I have just heard is to take place on monday the 3rd. of December. It is a busy time generally just at the end of our term, and I must be in College early tuesday morning, but I think I shall be in Town on saturday and stay till that time.

Shall I have any chance of seeing you. It would give me great pleasure.

I conclude you must have met with Torrens work by this time. He has an elaborate chapter on Effectual demand1 ; but I am more firmly than ever convinced that the doctrine “Des Debouchés[”] is fundamentally and radically erroneous.

In great haste

Ever most truly Yours

T R Malthus

[2 ]Addressed: ‘D. Ricardo Esqr MP / Gatcomb Park / Minchin-hampton, / Gloucestershire.’ MS in R.P.

[1 ]An Essay on the Production of Wealth, Ch. vi, Sec. vi, ‘On the Principles of Demand and Supply.’