The National Register.
London, England, 1817-04-28 00:00:00

No. 4M.—VoL. X.

POLITICAL DISQUISITION.
--40.--

PITHLIc DISTRESS, AND THE CHANCELLOR OF
THE EXCHEQUER'S'I'LAN FOR RELIEVING IT.

OUR readers will have observed with pleasure the
plan of the Chancellor of the Exchequer for affording
relief to the labouring poor throughout the kingdom.
There has long been but one opinion respecting the very
pressing necessity flir some measures of melioration.
The sighs of the widow, the weepings of the orphan,
the groans of the captive debtor, have created a sensa-
tion throughout the country which was never before
fejt by Englishmen. Mini.aers have not teen insen-
sible to the wants of the poor ; they have not, as some
falsely assert, turned a deaf car to their cries. It is
true, they have rejected -certain insults which have
been, from time to time, offered to them in the shape of
petitions, addresses, and remonstsances ; they have ens
deavoured.to silence the voice of sedition, to crush the
hydra-headed monster anarchy, and to preserve from
destruction the lives and property of the peaceable and
well-disposed against tLe vile machinations of the fac-
tious and rebellious. They may not, in every instance,
have taken the ssisest course ; they may rot, at all
times, have adopted the very best means of accomplish-
ing their objects. They may have been led by their
fears and over-anxious vigilance to magnify our dangers,
as others have studiously magnified our distresses.
They may have been deceived or mistaken as to the
actual extent of the numerous conspiracies and plots
which leave been detected and exposed. All this Mini-
sters may have done ; but we are f:rmly persuaded that
they have laboured, we trust efli,ctually, fbr the relief
of the nation, noel the redress of its many grievances.
This plan of Mr. Vanaittart's proves it. On the mea-
sure itself we shall not at present dilate. It is slot per-
f,,eted ; all observations upon it would, thereflue, be
premature. We rejoke, however, that something is to
be done, which, although confessedly only of a tem-
porary nature, it is hoped, before this source is ex-
hausted, the usual channels of our commercial inter-
tercourse and national prosperity will be re-opened
and that we-shall again behold the return of public
confidence and private happiness.
We have lately had an opportunity of conversing
with several intelligent merchants and manufiuturers
from the northern manufacturing districts ; and we are
glad to learn, that trade revives a little, though, it is
sided, but very slowly.
At Stockport, in Cheshire, there are several exten-
sive manufactories of hats ; but, for sonic time, there has
been a great want of employment fur the journeymen.
Those who arc employed, even now, earn a competent
weekly sum flux their maintenance. A good workman
can earn about twenty-five shillings per week : in Let-
ter times he would have earned nearly three times that
suns !

In the same neighbourhood are several calico-pri?it lug
establishments. These are, generally, in a very low
and sinking state. Those who have employment can
earn about thirty abilliugs or two pounds per week :
formerly a good workman at this business could earn
upwards of three pounds.

The weaving and spinning traer, me getting bettor ;
tut the wages are still excessively low. A muslin
weaver and his wife must lalamr very hard to earn the
sum of ten shillings in the week ! In the ►oust pronpe-
nous times of our tunic, the salvo persons could have
cleared upwards of fifty shillings by the same exertions.
These are very afflicting considerations ; but it is impos-
sible not to reflect, that had thc:,e poor creatures exer-
cised that prudence and foresight which it was t.teir
duty sr► have done; hail they, to use a common proverb,
" made hay whilst the sun shone," they would have
" laid up tic-a:thing fior a rainy day," and would not
now have bee►► reduced to Lcalar.y and pauperism : at