The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-18 00:00:00

MANUFJCTURING DISTRICTS.

[From the Beitoa Express.)
STATE or Taatee.—We turn with pam to this gloomy
topic, and grieve that too improvement has taken place
during the past week. Prices keep going down gradually,
and rurchurrs become more scarce in Manchester every
market day. Yarn, 40 hanks to the pound, has been sold
at 13d., and calicoes are reduced 2.d. per piece. The stocks
on hand are daily enlarging, and the difficulty of effecting
sales at a profit price is greater than ever. IVe have re-
peatedly advised that the production should be lessened,
rather than continue to add to an already overstocked mar-
ket. The manufacturers in the neighbourhood of Hod-
derafield appear to have arrived at the same conclusion,
and have resolved to make fewer pieces instead of reducing
the workmen's wages to nothing. It is indeed a matter of
policy, for every reduction is a serious loss to those
who hold large stocks. We have heard of in instance
ads' eh will show the necessity of this measure. A loom at
St t-hillock,near this lawn, is working a 7.8 40 reed cotton
broad, St picks in the inch, and os yards long, for two
shillings out of the warehouse. What will remain for the
jourueyman weaver, after paying for sizing, winding,
sowen, and loom rent? The work has to be taken three
miles to the warehouse after it is finished.
The poor's rate in this town is, we are told, to be ad-
vanced to five shillings in the pound. The collectors state
that it is next to impossible to get in the old rate, and how
they will succeed with this addition may easily be guessed.
The rate will be grievously felt by such as pay heavy rents,
for the means of paying will of course fall oft' in proportion
to the increase. It is hoped that things will wear an im-
proved aspect ere long, for notwithstanding the difficulties
of our situation, we are firmly persuaded they are only
temporary, and that a new impulse will shortly be given
to trade am! commerce.
lire have been informed, that at the meeting lately held
to hear appeals under the Police Act, a woman, the wife
of a crofter who resides in this town, stated as a reason for
exemption from the tax, that her husband earned from lOs
t c 145. per week, out of which one-eighth was deducted by,
his masters, because they have not a badger's shop on the
premises!!! We ate assured of the correctness of this
statement by several respectable individuals, and we must
say, if true, it is a most barefaced and villanous species
of robbery. The system of shops being opened for the ac-
commodation of workmen seems to be upon the increase,
notwithstanding the severe penalties of the Act of Parlia-
ment made to prevent workmen being paid in goods instead
of thecurrent coin of the realm. We are really very sorry
to hear that a large spinning concern in the neighbourhood,
which has always maintained a high character in the town,
is giving in to the prevailing practice, by commencing one
of these 30 per cent. poor-impoverishing concerns. To say
nothing of the injury which the regular shopkeepers sus-
tain by the adoption of this plan, it is cruel to reduce the
amount of a man's wages, by taking an extravagant profit
on goo:ls which lie is compelled to purchase. IVith re-
spect to the case above-mentioned, we refrain publishing the
names of the parties ; but if another instance of this alsnni-
nable practice should come to OUT ears, we will assuredly
hotel up the principals coucerned to the just abhorrence of
society.
DENFEEMLINE.—The linen trade its this place is still
much depressed, and there is at present little prospect of
amendment. There are about 300 looms unemployed, and
still mote are expected to become vacant. About Ic2o
weavers are employed in levelling and repairing a turnpike
Tomlin the vicinity, at a very low rate of wagese—Seofsman.
o.i Friday a meeting took place here (Dublin), at the
AVsavers' Hall, between the manufacturers and operatives
in the silk trade, fur the purpose of fixing on a scale of prices
to he paid during the present distressed state of the trade.
After considerable discussion, the manufacturers agreed to
meet the operatives in the same place at eleven o'clock the
next day, when it is to be hoped an arrangement satisfactory
to both parties will be the result. It was stated that, after
another fortnight, the funds by which the Committee of
the Corn Exchange had been hitherto enabled to give em-
ployment on the roads to the distressed operatives, would
be entirely exhausted.—Dale/in Paper.

Pr at te DIIITIMIB.-4:01111, JULT 13.—1 t is the opinion
of some persons, that we have been too long silent upon the
height to which distress has reached this city, and upon
the ixteet of wretchedness which meets the eye of the
most inattentive and callous observer, at every corner and
in every street. It is the opinion of others, that these re-
presentations would be not only useless, but mischievous,
anti that the work of relief goes on more effectually, by
leaving the humane and charitable to the exercise of their
own benevolent feelings, than by forcing, as they call it,
xollections, through the instrumentality of public appeals.
The reophig of flax has commenced in the parish of
Deuipace, and though the crop is by no mean, good, still
it is better than the farmer expected, the drought having
been severely felt in the district. As a proof of this we
have only to state, that at Denny-bridge the far-famed
Carron is almost dry.—Sli.-ling Paper.
Farmers, whose craps have completely failed, might at
this late season sow a crop of barley. The writer has
known barley cut down a good crop in the end of Novem-
her, five months hence. It will depend on the season
whether barley sown so late will produce a crop of grain ;
but one thing is certain, that plenty of straw will be pro-
deced, and, as that article will undoubtedly be scarce, it
remains with the farmer to consider whether the large crop
of straw would recompense him for the seed, failing a crop
of grain. The green crop might be saved, by larding or
mixing it with other straw, and salting the whole.
Several vessels left the Tay last week for Holland, for
the purpose, it is said, of importing hay of last year's
growth. It can be purchased there for about 241. per stone;
the importers calculate the freight will cost 6d. ; so that
after paying all charges, they expect to be able to sell it in
this country, with a fair profit, at Is. per stone. The pre-
sent price of that article in this neighbourhood is from
Stud. to 'es.; and in some of the grazing districts 2s. ed.
has been repeatedly refused, the fortunate holders not be-
ing willing to part with it, in the present appearance of all
aorta of crops for cattle feetling.—Perth Courier.
COMMUNICATION WITH I NDIA.—It gives us great plea-
sure to observe that a direct trade betwixt the port of Leith
and India is soon to commence. A vessel of considerable
tonnage is at present in the harbour loading for Calcutta.
It is the first enterprize of the kind from the east coast of
Scotland, and we wish it all possible success.

LIVERPOOL COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCEI

LIVERPOOL, JULY

We have had a steady demand for B. P. Sugar, and fur lower
qualities more money has been asked ; consequently, not so much
done in them. About 1,000 lihds. have been suld, principally of
the good and fine sorts for home trade. About 700 bags fine White
Bengal Sugar have been sold at 735. per cat. In foreign Sugar or
Molasses nothing done. In Rum very little doing, at uncertain
prices. Very little doing in Coffee. In Cocoa or Pimento nothing
done. About MI bags Barbadoes (linger have been sold at 00s. per
eat. In Ashes the sales are 350 bids. States Pot, at 255. a 255. 811.
1/0111C Pearl. at 24.. a 21s. 6d. ; 100 brls Montreal Pot, at 21s. for
Old, and 225. for New ; and 80 brls. Pearl, at 235. fad. for Old, and
245. G.I. for New. The arrivals of Rice having left the importers'
bands, 100 casks Carolina have been sold, at Ills. a 19s. per cwt. ;
and 350 Bengal, at Ills. a 19s. In Bides the sales are 10,000, viz.-
Salted Buenos Ayres, at 34.1. to lid.; dry Salted Brazil, at 54d.; East
India, at 3d. ; North American, 34d. per lb.; and Rio de Janeiro,
Horse, at 31. a 4.. 2.d. each. In Turpentine, 500 brls. have been
sold, at Us. 6d. per cwt. •Quercitron Bark steady; 50 Ws. Phila-
delphia, at 12s. fid. for ordinary, and 114,. 6d. for inferior; some
good at 13 . fat. and a small lot of New York, at 10s. Dyewoods
In general very dull ; several attempts by auction, but without
success; 80 tons Campeachy Logwood sold at 8/. 75.11 ti. a 8/. 10s. ;
73 tons Cuba Fustic, at 71. 2s. 6.1. a 71.12.. 6d.; 26 tons Spanish,
at 31. and a few tons Zante, at 71. 10s. ; 30 tons Angola Rarwood,
at 61. 7s. 6.1. and 5 tons Gaboon Ilarweod, at 6/. 55. ; 5 tons Cam•
wood, at 151. ; and some prime solid Nicamguawood, at 201. a 22!.
per ton. In Indigo and Cochineal nothing done. Brimstone very
dull ; GO tons rough Sicily have been sold at 3g4., and 20 tom Roll,
lin bond, at 111. In Shumac, 120 bags Malaga, at 115.. 6.1. a-d 130
Verona, at 6.. a 7r. In Saltpetre the prices are rattier lower, 315
bags sold, at 225. a 245. 3d. In Tar there is nothing doing. Cotton
continues much depressed and prices 1-rover about :,(1. to 4d. at which
reduction 4750 Mobile and 380 Uplands were sold by auction
yesterday, and 70 Sea Islands, at 4d. to Id. below the last public
sale. 400 bags American at d 300 Brazil have been sold for export.
The private sales have been 1,900 hags of Uplands, at 50. to 73d. ;
630 New Orleans, at 61d. a gad. ; 1,400 bags Alabama, at Ad. a
6jd. ; 100 Sea Island, at 13d. a 1341. ; 20 stained Sea Islands, at
7d.; 200 Pernambuco, at 94d. a 10Id. ; 400 Maranhant, at Od. a
9.1 d.; 150 Bahia, at 94d a 04d. ; GO Demerara, at M. ; 600
Egyptian, at 7d. a 9.0.; 30 Barbadoes, at 741. a 71d. ; 15 Cattlia-
gena, at 60. ; 301 Surats, at sd. a sttl. ; and 33 Bengal, at sd. ;
making a total of about 6.800 bags.

Import of Cotton, from gilt to 14 July. inclusive 14,923 bales.

--------
COpPER CURRENCY.

[From the Freeman's Journal.]
We are fated, we believe, in this country, to experience
not only those difficulties which, from a variety of causes,
seem indigenous to us, but others also which are the off-
spring of palpable neglect and indifference to the wants of
the people, and which might be avoided or remedied by
common prudence. Since the time of Locke no one
thing has been thought of greater importance in Eng-
land than a proper attention to the state of the currency ;
and the necessity of regulating it according to some fixed
standard, is now admitttd as a general principle in poli-
tical economy ; and yet, is to ha credited that in Ireland
we have been left for six months without any siandard by
which the price of a single commodity can he known with
certainty ? On the Sth of January last, the Act for assi-
milating the currency of this country with that of Eng-
land came into operation; but on that day not a single cop-
per coin, in which alone the difference of currency (aimed,
had been provided for Ireland. Three months, we believe,
elapsed before the first cargo of copper arrived in the
country ; and up to this time (six months) there is not half
what would be requisite to carry on the retail trade of the
poor. The effect of this has been, to keep in circulation
copper coins, different in value, but under the same deno-
mination, to the utter confusion of trade, and to the mate-
rial loss of the poor, who are losers by it. The best in-
tentioned tradesman cannot with certainty fix a price on an
article which is to he paid for in copper, because he does
not know whether it may be paid for in English or in Irish
copper, or partly in one and partly in the other. He there-
fore adopts the surer practice ; he fixes the piiee in the old
currency, awl if he happens to be paid in the new. he
gins the difference over and above his regular profits. It
is quite evident that the poor, whose dealings are small,
must be sufferers materially by such an authorized ano-
maly. But we may expect that in a city like this there
will he a numerous class of dealers ready to take advantage
of a circumstance so favourable to the practice of imposi-
tion. This, we are sorry to learn, has been very exten-
sively the case with the bakers. The assize price of bread,
for the last six weeks, has been from loid. to llid ,
English currency, for ie quartern loaf. When the poor
man goes to buy the half-, uartern, the price is 50 ; if he
pays for it in Irish copper he pays Old., which is a fraction
more than the assize; but if he takes the new copper, lie
is required to pay the same price. And if lie remonstrates,
lie is told, •• 0, the coppers arc all the same." In fack,
the poor must remain in ignorance of the price which
they ought to pay for their bread, or any other article of
life, while the two currencies are in circulation—and both
will continue in circulation until the old coppers are pe-
remptorily cried clown after a certain day.

BRA NCH BA N are now enabled to state, from
the best authority, that the Branch from the Bank of Eng-
land, to which we have so repeatedly called the attention
of our readers, will be opened iu this city, for the despatch
of business, on Wednesday next, on the premises lately
occupied by Messrs. Turners and Morris. On this event,
important as it is to Gloucester and the surrounding coun-
try, we heartily congratulate out friends and the public.
The necessary arrangements for the formation of this Esta-
blishment, and for taking possession of the Banking-house
and adjoining premises, now purchased from Messrs. 'fur-
tier by the Bank of England, have unavoidably delayed
the opening of the Branch Bank here ; but it must be sa-
tisfactory to the inhabitants of Gloucester to know, that
no doubt has ever been entertained of its claims for such
an Establishment, or of its peculiar fitness for the com-
mencement of an Institution, which, it is probable, the
Directors of the Bank of England will extend throughout
the country. The experiment will first be made here—
successfully made, as we earnestly hope—and here will be
first reaped the fruits which we augur will assuredly spring
from ft.—Gloucester Journal.. _ _

THE SCOTCH Noy Es.—The anticipated withdrawal of
Scotch notes his been the principal topic of interest in
Cumberland and Westmorland.A meeting was itch! on

the subject on Thursday, in Carlisle, at which the merits
of the question met with rather a lengthened discussion.
Sir Philip Musgrave, Bart., M.P., on the motion of Sir
J. R. G. Graham, Bart. NI.P. was in the chair ; and Sir
James read the memorials which are intended to be pre-
sented, one to the Treasury, and the other to the Scotch
bankers having agencies here ; the one praying their Lord-
ships to take some measures to avert the threatened evil ;
the other praying the bankers "to suspend the change of
system which they contemplate, and which would deprive
the memorialists of a currency which has hitherto proved
safe." Sir James then informed the meeting that he had
beeo to Edinburgh for the purpose of communicating with
the Seottish bankers, and that he had received several let-
ters on the subject. Ile expressed it as his opinion, that
the continuation of Scotch notes about the English border,
was by no means devoutly to be wished ; yet be thought
that a too sudden withdrawal of them would occasion a
vacuum in the Border which might be calculated to do se-
rious injury. The present measure was proposed as a
temporary one, the necessity of which, he hoped, would be
obviated in the next Session of Parliament, when he would
gladly support any measure tending to do away with the
necessity of depending upon Scotch liberality.
We are sorry to observe that the Stirling Bank has
this week suspended payment; but it is understood that
the public will eventually lose nothing. The bank con-
tains seven partners, and has existed fur nearly filty years.
—Seutlmun.
MURDER IN IfIELAND.—On Tuesday last, Mr. Thomas
Russell, of Crobane, near Killenaule, was killed by a stag
of a knife in his left breast, inflicted by a man named
Denis Connell, whom Mr. Russell had detected in the
act of skinning a calf of his about twelve o'clock at night.
The deceased lived just to declare who the person was that
had stabbed him. The murderer was apprehended at au
early hour the next morning.

THE BRITISH PRESS.

NEGRO STEALING.

[From the Norfrik Herald, American Paperl
A Man who• passed by the name of William Ittlwatile,
came over from Hampton last Wednesday evening, oath a
negro fellow in custody, for whom the next morning,
bright and early, he was endeavouring to find a purchaser;
but having no document to prove his right to sell him, no
one seemed disposed to purchase; indeed, Mr. Currier,
the jailor of this borough, went so far as to doubt whether
Mr. Edwards had come honestly by the negro, and so in
order to be entirely satisfied upon the subject, he pro-
posed to Edwards to deliver the negro into his custody,
until the right of property could he clearly identified. To
this Edwards assented without the least hesitation, and
the negro was lodged in jail for the present. Upon being
questioned, he stated that his name was Peter, and that
he belonged to Mr. William Jarrett, of Greeneville
county, (Va.) That be was at work in one of his master's
fields near the highway, when a Jersey waggon, drawn by
two sorrel horses, passed along, in which were two white
men and a black and a mulatto man. A tittle way behind
was this man Edwardson horseback. Edwards stopped and
told him he had just bought him from his master (at the
same time exhibiting a piece of paper, which he said was a
bill of sale), and that he intended to take him to Noifolk,
where, if he could find a purchaser, he would sell him ; if
not he would keep hint, and let him hire his own time.
Believing what he had heard, the negro left his work and
followed his supposed new master, who soon after secured
him with irons to prevent his escape. Edward. and 'the
white men in the waggon were in partnership, but he could
not learn their names, nor where they had picked up the
other two coloured men. The whole proceeded on to po-
tersbnrg, and thence down towards Norfolk, but crossed
James river at a ferrying-place, and took the route through
Williamsburg and York towards Hatnpmn. Edwards and
Peter, however. parted with the men in the waggon some-
where above Hampton, and came down to that place,
whence they crossed over in the steam-boat to Norfolk, as
before stated. Peter also informs that he heard Edwards
speak of having a mother, who lie said lived in Surrey
county.
Upon this information the Mayor sent an officer to bring
Edwards before him for examination, but he was nowhere
to be found. It appeared that immediately after delivering
up the negro he left town, and upon inquiry it was ascer-
tained that lie had passed over the toll-bridge, on foot, and
barefoot. Mr. Cherry, the officer, who had been despatched
in search of him, lost nn time in procuring a horse and
gig, and taking with him Mr. Mortis, at whose house Ed-
wards had put up, followed after, and overtook hint at
Shoulder's Hill, fifteen miles on the road to Suffolk. It
seems he made good use of his feet, as it took him but two
hours to get thus far. They called upon hint to surrender,
upon which Edwards drew a pistol and showed fight; but
seeing that Mr. Cherry paid no regard to his menaces, but
deliberately dismounted front his gig, and advanced to-
wards him with a firm step, he took to his heels, bounded
over a fence with the agility of a greyhound, and footed it
across a field at the rate of twelve knots an hour. Cherry,
however, never asked odds in a foot race, so darted after
him, followed by his companion, and but for an unlucky fall
in mounting the fence, would no doubt have overtaken him
at the onset ; but this little accident e.tabled the fugitive
to shoot so far a-head, that his pursuer could never after
get within tangible distance of him ; he however kept up
a hot pursuit for upwards of a mile and a half, over fences
and ditches, and marches, and through brambles and
briars, into a trackless wood, when Edwards completely
secured his retreat by dashing into a jungle of thorns and
briers, so bristling and dense that no animal with a hide
less obdurate than that of a rhinoceros would have dared

to follow him. Here Cherry thought escape was impos-
sible, rightly inferring, from the nature of the asy-
lum, that, like most scrapes, the difficulty was not so
much in getting in as in getting out. But he reckoned
without his host; for although Edwards, on gaining his'
penitential sanctuary, made a pause, as if to breathe a
little, it was only lung enough for Cherry to turn round
and halloo for his companion, who had been left far behind
in the race. And on turning his eyes again to the jungle,
Edwards had vanished ; nor could the most diligent search,
which they prosecuted fur half itf hour, sake to un-
kennel him, and they reluctantly concluded to relinquish
it. Much credit is due to Mr. Cherry, for the prompt and
fearless manner in which he discharged his duty (the fel-
.

low being armed with a brace of pis'iols), and wee 'only re-
gret that he was not more fortunate.
We understand there is no doubt that Edwards is the.

same person who, under the name of Smith, stole a pair
of horses not long since, and had them under the hammer
in Washington, at the very moment that the owner came
up and recognized his property. Smith (as he called him-
self) had quickly recognized him, and deeming it unsafe
to tarry longer, sneaked off and made the best of his way
out of Washington ; not, however, as the report goes,
without being as completely put to the top of his speed, by
an eager pursuit, as he was by Mr. Cherry.

TEA TRADE.—The Roxburg Castle, from Canton, 21st
Jan. arrived at Quebec 10th May, with a cargo of Teas.
The advantages which are likely to result from the direct
trade iii this article, by the honourable the East India
Company, to Canada' have in some measure been realized
by the importation of the last year, both as to the reduced
price of the article, and its superior quality, independent
of the increase it has brought to our revenue, and the con-
sequent decrease of the perilousand unlawful practice of
smuggling. The Company, it appears, are determined that
the people of Canada shall have the benefit of this trade to
its greatest possible extent, by sending out cargoes this year,
which it is said they intend shall be sold at costs and charges.
When reflecting on the good which has already resulted
from this measure, and anticipating the probable profits
which it may yet afford, and when congratulating each
other on tile successful turn which has been given in our
favour, to so important and general an article of commerce,
we should not lose sight of or forget the persons by whose
means so desirable an object has ben accomplished. The
former Parliament of Upper Canada have the merit of
having succeeded in procuring this trade for us. To them
the thanks of the country are most justly due, and though
some of the persons who advocated this, and other mea-
sures of public utility, have retired from our Legislative
Halls, it is to be hoped the country will bear it. grateful
remembrance their valuable labours on this important sub-
ject.—Upper Canada Gazelle.
I NT cox' CATION.—An Alabama paper gives a Iragi-comic
illustration of the effects of intemperance. A man was
about to sell his horse, but being himself too much ia-
inzieefed to attend to the matter, he desired his son to give
the animal some wet meal to botoll him out. The sop was
also a little intoxicated, and instead of wetting the meal
with the pure element, he steeped it in a bowl of whiskey
from which his father had been drinking. The natural
consequence was, that the horse became intoxicated, and be-
gan to dance a pas sod (circus riders will do well to
remember this recipe), then to lie down, jump dp, and
renew his capers. After performing out of doors, a sort of
kindred feeling induced him to walk into the house, and
join his jolly companions. Here he began to dance before
the old man, who, believing the devil was come to him in
the shape of a horse, took up an axe and knocked out the
brains of the poor animal. The story is told with all the
gravity which beloilgs to truth, and we are therefore bound
in all courtesy to believe it.
COUNTERFEIT Sll.VER.—During the last few weeks an
immense quantity of base silver has been put into circula-
tion in Manchester and the neighbourhood, and it is
highly necessary that persons in the habit of receiving
silver, and especially those who stand in the markets,
should be very careful in examining the coin offered to
them. On Saturday last, a man and a woman were taken
in the Old Church-yard, by Kathie and Wordtington,
two of the beadles. The woman was seen to throw some-
thing from her, which on examination, turned out to be
a number of se shillings wrapped up in paper, and on
searching the man, nine bad shillings and a bad half-crown
were found upon him. They were committed to the ses-
sions yesterday. Last Saturday but one, a man who was
selling butter in the market received no less than fifteen
counterfeit half-crowns; indeed, the whole of the silver he
received was base. On Saturday last, a woman tendered
him a base shilling, and he immediately recognized her as
one who had paid him three counterfeit half-crowns the
Saturday before : she was consequently taken into custody
and lodged in the New Bailey.