The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-09-09 00:00:00

ENGLISH d NI) rnENcu ARTISANS.

The following is a statement of the component parts of
the average r xpenditure of a London and Parisian Me-
chanic, extracted from a work lately published. The scale
is above the rate of ordinary labour; hut the end is equally
answered if it points out the different::: in habits :
Annual
expenditure of a London Annual expenditure oi'aPar!slan
Mechanic, with a wile and four Mechanic, with aII ee and tour
children, supposed to earn 3Us. children, surmosed to Calf) 21
a week, or 781. a year . I tray', a week, or CS/. 10s.
Eughsli money, a year s
X a
Brew!, Fruit, 8:t. . 19 0
31 iiit. Liquor, and articles
or Ito t.e grosth - 11 0
itripnried articles . 3 0
Fuel. I..roliles, Sto. 3 0
t.lothing - . 4 0
Itont . - 2 10
Contingencies, Amuse-
ment.. &c. - 3 •

There has been rather snore work given out to s.
weavers here of late, but at wretchedly low prig s, and se-
veral manufacturers have reduced wages from 10 to 15 per
cent, with this proviso, that if the reduction does not be-
come general, they will return it. The state of the poor
in this neighbourhood is not at all- fuiproved. Sales of
furniture, under distress for rent, take place daily ; in-
deed, the bailiffs and auctioneers are in full employment.
Every wed: we hear of etnigiations to America, amongst
[bone who can raise by any means a sufficient sum of
money to pay their passage. Winter is fast approaching,
and if no alteration takes place, the consequence, I appre-
hend, will be dreadful. A gleam of hope seems to have
shot across people's minds through the opening of the
ports, and on Monday morning our church bells rang a
merry p. al on the occasion. A meeting of the Ilitli, a of
this town will be Itchd to-inorrow, to take into considera-
tion the best means of hirling employ inent for time female
poor in making clothing, &c.
The following is a copy of the address from our
weavers to their employers, requesting their co-operation
in an application to Government for a law to effect ate
equalization of wages:—
TO THE COTTON MANUFACTURERS OF GREAT
AND LITTLE BOLTON.
GENTLEMEN,—Vt'c, the Committee of the weavers of Great
and Little I.k lion, lease resolved to actress you once more, on the
subject of our tti.partelleicd distresses; and by a faithful &strip-
tion of our situation, hope to induce you to join us in an applica-
tion to his Majesty's Ministers,
furs law to protect our wages,
which are our only i 'open,.
It has lung been matter of regret to the more humane part of you
that something could not be dune to put an end to the abominable
and winding practice of abating wages below a fair remunerating
price; and whilst we have beheld, with feelings of gratitude, the
laudable exer ions which some of you have made in our betroth,
se have had the mortification on the odor hand to witness the
overthrow of your benevolent intentions, effected by • few un. ---
100 I 100
principled wre.citea, who scent fully determined to p ty lower wages
than others so long as there is a single shilling lctt for them to These tables have been constructed with reference to
deduct. On' the 211th April last you agreed to a list of prices, , France, because that country is considered our most lot-
which, you declared to be nothing better than a starvation list, buti midabir rival ; but if we examine tin mode of living
which, at the same time, was conceived :o be at as high a rive of ' among the lower orders in other parts of the Continent, the
wages as the then state of the market would bear, and you held out
cortrast will be still more striking.
helms that in a short time you expected to be able to advance thetial
pikes, but what has been the remit? Why that many houses art I fie following table contrasts the earnings of common
now papng 30 per cent. below this list, and even exulting in eeir '. handicrafts of Manche seer with those of Lyons :
inhumanity. Indeed', it is quite evident, that unless a law is grimed . ENGLAND, 5. d. TUAWCH. s. d.
to protect the weaver from this baneful practice,fitnthreand diseare cotton.‘.
. - 12 0 Ginner en axon - 6 0
will consign thousands of industrious and peaceful artisans err a
Silk-weaver . Indienne 7 0
pc:mature grave. We are perfectly aware that, at the present ram Do. 6.4 cam. line. goods 16 0
Woollen-iv. aver (Leeds) 13 6 - 8 0
of manutacturing profits, a competition at the f artul disparity of
Dyer ard dresser
Tailor -16 0
30 per cent. Must eventually ruin the large:: capitalist, and it • -17 0 Teindrier . -21 0
would be folly in us to exi act that you could continue to pay your Hatter 27 0 ( handier2o 0
- -
preset rate of wages, unless others are compelled to do the same ; ' . 18 Is Tailleur - 8 6
--
we know that your stocks of cloth are accumulating beyond all prece- Shoemaker - -16 0 Cordon:der • 8 0
dent, end that buyers .•o rot even deign to call at your warehousesj Ironfourrier - 31 6 Fondeur de fee - -16 0
whilst the grinders are selling as quickly as they can produce, an Sawyer . -30 0 Scieur de bola - 10 0
as i wrirkinen receiving part of their wages out of the pone rates. carpenter 25 0 Cliarpen tier - .15 6
.
An:l wha are the consequencea of these measures to society ? Why sia,„a - .22 0 31aenn de pierre - 12 11
the weavers are ab .oluiely famishing, their house: in many in. I Bricklayer - 22 6 I Mauna -12 0
static. a are bereft of ev.ry particle of In niture; straw and shavings, 21 0 Peititre 8 0
Painter
with the miserable rags which they are obliged to wear during t Sharer . .
day-tone to cover their nakedness, constitute the principal part of . .22 111 Artlasier - -15 6
Cutler (Sheffield) - 15 6 I Comelier - 14 6
their bedding at night; whilst the haggard looks of the husband
From this table (which is of course formed upon a scale
and wife, and the squalid appearance of groups of starving children,
and their piercing; dies for bread, combined with the terrible male. I applicable to British prosperity), the excess of English
die ions uttered against the supposed authors of their calamities, wages is somewhat greater than is assumed in the first
render this once-flourishing town a scene of indescribable wretched. I table.
ness. In addition to this, winter will shortly set in, when extra
fuel and candles will be absolutely necessary, and ourselves and
naked families exposed to the " pelting of the pitiless snout"
Nor does the mischief terminate here, fur the weavers form such
a large portion of our population, that the middle classes, such as
tradesmen, owners of cottage property, &c. are tact sinking into
ruin; for, when respectable retail dealers d dare ••• that they do rot
rt.csive sufficient ino.tey in the way of business to cover their daily
expenses," and the owners of cottage property are necessitated to
apply to their net, nts, ti procure tliet provisions front a credit shop
to keep their families from striving, are we not justified in request-
ing trum our ; atural protectors (the Government of the country) a
law to compel those who have been the principal cause of our mi.
say, to pay such wages as the state of the market will permit?
We ask nothing more than that a Board of Trade, dimmed of
the respectable part of the masters and weavers, should be formed,
and have the power of making such alterations, front time to
note. In the rate of our wages, as the sate of the market will
justify, and that the resolutions Mauch Board sltaii 1,-,.• made bind-
ing on the trade by an Act of Parliament, subjecting those pees: tin
who violate them to a penalty sufficiently large to prevent u repe-
tition of time offence.
We therefore earnestly solicit you to join as in an application to
the Board of Trade in furtherance of our object, as we are lirmly
convinced that nothing short of a Legislative protection can extri-
cate us from the evils of this el-hiding system, which has reduced
us to the verge of despair. is fast scconmlishing the ruin of the
middle classes, and will, if not checked, ultimately plunge the
.country into a state of starchy and confusion too dreadful for
contemplotion.
I ant, in the name of the Weavers' Ceminiitee, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
JOHN YOUNG, Secretary.
Bolton, August 21st, 1826.

A.
Bread and Vegetables 21 0
Meat, Hatter, and Cheese 13 11
Milk, Beer, and Spirits 610
'Fee and Sugar 5 10
Snap.. Candles, and Coal 5 0
11 0
Item and Furniture 10 0
Medicine and Contingen-
cies 6 0

£7B 0

It appears, therefore,—notwi
food in France, the excess of
by the superiority of the fare,
comforts. By throwing the
allowing the proportion whit
diture hear to the whole, t
manifest :
Licor.isil MECRANIC.
Parts of 100
Bread and Vegetables 27
Meat, Butter. Cheute 17
Beer and Spirits 8

.L 45 10
ithstanding the cheapness of
wages in England is absorbed
, and the enjoyment of p,riater
table into another form, and
:h tire st veral parts of expen-
this conclusion will be more

FRENCH MECHANIC.
Parts of 100

Tea and Sugar
Snap. Candle., Coals
Clothing

Rent, rumiture

Contingencies

Brew', Fruit. hr. - 42
Meat, Liquor, home ar-
ticles 21
-
Imported articles - Ili
Fuel and Candles - lit
Clothing . - 24
Rent - - 5
Contingencies - Si

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

[From the Plymovlls Journal, Sept. 7.1
The Mutine gun-brig was commistioned on Monday for the
packet service, by Lieutenant Richard Pawle.
The Porte, 4t. Captain J. Cogblan' C.B. sailed on Mo'iday for
the eastward: and the Vigilant, Ketch, for the westward.
In Ilamoaze.—Britannia, Windsor Castle, Petorus, Cnnitlion,
Cynthia, Eclipse, Slieldrake, and .Mutine ; and Badger, Dolphin,
Active, and Harpy revenues.
At the Island.—Leveret, Royalist, and Nightingale.
The Briton is ordered to be retcommis.imied at Woolwich, by
Captain Cliffhrd, for the Mediterranean station.
Captain W. F. Wise, C. 11., of Plymouth, one of the heroes of
Algiers, and well known as a distingliialted navigator, is spoken of
as the succre.or to Commodore Bullen, in the command of the
African station.
Lieutenants Thomas Blake and John Keenan have been ap-
pointed to the Coast Guard service; and Mr. J. Luckombe, Platter,
and 3lr. James King. Assistant-Surgeon, to the Barham.
Ro Y Al. M Ali 1N 1: s.—Major George Lewis, C.D., is promoted
to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Roby, retired. Captain atal
Brevet-Major Edward Carter &trilby to the rank, of Major, vice
Lewis.

The following is a copy of a letter sent to Mr. Hue-
kisson, by the Secretary of the Manufacturers' Committee
in this town, which accompanied the preceding address :
Bolton, August 23, 1826.
Slll,—l am Italy sorry that it becomts my painful duly, as Se-
cretary to the Coutiaito e of 3lanufacturers, appoin ed by a Public
fleeting held on the 211th 1.1 la‘t April, to submit the following la-
mentable detitription ot the distressed state of the operative weavers,
in this and other manufacturing districts: the Meeting to which I
have relerred was co tven,al at a time when we were placed in the
moat critical and alarming circumstances, of which you have no
doubt been fully apprizA ; and I am sorry to muddle a great pro-
portion of the wisely and dunetut, under which we are suffering, is
principally owing to the uncalled-tor continual reduction of the
weavers' wages, attributable alone to men, who, with a few
exceptions, have commenced the manufacturing business without
any money, and, I em sorry to add, with as little regard to moral
light and wrong. At the Meeting held on the 28111 of April, a list
of prices was then submitted for the general adoption of the trade
in this town and neighbourhood, and 1 am sorry to say that this list
was generally admitted to beat a rate of wages, by which the opera.
tive could nut get any thing like a sufficiency of bread,to say nothing
of rent. clothes, or fuel, nod this starving list was submitted in con-
sequence of many persons giving much less, and a tear that they
would not be Ist ought to arced: toe higher rate than the oneprupuseel.
The manufacturers at this Meeting agreed to this list. hut it has
been clearly demonstrated that several did go under the influence
of fear (the poor misguided weavers in the neighbouring vil.
lages being then engaged in the destruction of machinery), and,
in order to escape the danger that threatened, complied wbh this
however, as sooti.as their fears subsided, they departed from
the* alagagement, ;mil have been going on with the shameful work of
reducing wages far below the list agreed to. The convquence
I that they have monopolized the trade, to the exclusion ado! respect-
! able and humane part of the manufacturers, who, by the conduct of
these men, are generally prevented the opportnnity of a sale, the
buyers naturally going to those whose limited means compel them
to sell, and whose creel treatment towards the weavers enable them
so to do, at prices below the respectable houses. To this may be
attributed the want of employment, and the consequent increased
misery of the poor ; for, if the respectable houses were to give the
some rate of wages as these unprincipled men are doing, they would
be enabled to compete with them in the market, and to employ the
unemployed poor, that are now starving for want of breath. They
have given notice of their intention tutu so. if the reducing houses do
Witco= up; and upon this notice, although riot yet carried into effect
these unfeeling men lt,vc again reduced, and declare they will still
ixsorinue to act upon this principle. Are they to enrich themselves at
the expense of the labouring poor, to the total exclusion from mule
of the capitalist and fair trader, to the ruin oldie proprietors of cut.
Cages, who are actually beaming paupers, not being able to get a
single pound out of what should otherwise yield them a handsome
livelihood, and bringing the shopkeepers aid other classes fast to
pauperism! In short, if somethirg is not done to equalize the rate
of wages, we shall be in a state of anarchy and tumult very soon.
To remedy which, the manufacturers, together with the weavers,
are of opinion, that if a law was enacted, with a heavy penalty, that
the manufacturers might front time to time fix a rate of wage« to be
binding upon all, a certain majority to determine, that we should see
our trade revive, and things improve. low as we are decreased. For
although there are plenty of coders in the market,yet the buyers, find.
ing that wages are continually reducing, limit themselves as narrow.
ly as possible in their purchases, anticipating still lower prices. The
respectable manufacturers in t he neighbouring towns are quite agreed
upon this point, as far as it relates to the statement I have given : it
is presumed thitt this provision tray be made, without any integer.
ence with free trade: but this tV C respectfully submit for your CCM-
:ldeation and opinion. The weavers' statement to the manufacturers
I send for your information, anti vouch for its correctness; and we
have pledged 011ISCITC3 to the weavers to do all that we can for them,
and communicate the result of the statement to you. I shall,
therefore, feel extremely obliged by your advice and opinion, as
early as possible, in order to direct us in our future steps, and con-
ciliate the ftelings of the weavers, who have hitherto submitted
to their privations and sufferings with that patience and humble
demeanour that entitle them to every possible attention.
I am, Sir with great deference and respect,
Your most obedient servant,
TllOlllll IifIoDDELT, Secretary.