The Sun.
London, England, 1812-05-08 00:00:00

1111..Vt7T1,.:'S OF AVIDENC,

TAXES iMPORE THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
HOUSE, TO WHOM IT WAS REFERRED, TO CONSI-
DER OF THE SEVERAL PETITIONS, WHICH HAVE
BEEN PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

IN THIS SESSION OF PARLIAMENT, AGAINST THE

ORDERS IN COUNCIL.

Mercurij, 29° die Aprilig, 18127
TIIOMAS BABINGTON, Esq. in the Chair.
Mr. T. ATTWOOD called in and examined.

[Continued from our Paper of Yesterday .]

At the same time that wages diminished, atty.' that
a number of workenen were turned off, has the stock
on Jrand of goods in the iron trade increased or di-
mished ? —The stock on hand of manufactured
goods has increased i every manufacturer, is over-
loaded with stock, to the best of my knowledge,
and if he sells his iron he only sells it at his ow n
loss, he cannot sell it a price equal to the price it
cost him, in any branch of the iron trade.
Since when has this effect taken place ?—About
twelve months ago iron might have been madufac.
tured at probably no loss, or at least at a small loss ;
but now iton cannot be manufaetured in Stafford-
shire, nor I believe in Shropshire Or any part of
England or Wales, without great loss ; I mean the •
wanufaduring it into the bar or, wrought iron.
To what country or countries is the export trade
of Birmingham confined ?—The export trade of
Birmingham has been principally confined to the
United Stares of Amer ice J. certainly ~considerable
trade was formerly carried on with the Continent of
.Europe, I might say a much greater trade than is
now carried on with the United States of America ;
bat for the last twenty years one branch alter ano
then has been lost, and now the export trade to all
other countries in the world is small in propor-
tion to that to America. The export trade to Ame-
rica has been subject to-very great embarrassriaents
and distresses, almost annihilating the profit attend=
. ing it, but still furnishing employment to thousands
of mechanics ; but for the last twelve months there
has been no apart trade to America, and the ma-
nufaauters are reduced to a state of glitvous-affiic-,
tion. From the best knowledge I possess, I should
conceive about 800,0001.,0r a million, of Birming-
ham manufadures are exported to America, in yeas s
of open intercourse. .
This export of Birmingham manufa6tures having
during the last twelve months entirely ceasei, has
there been any export to- the Continent or any other
countries from Birmingham ?—There has peen a
trifling export to Portugal, Spain; and Malta, South
America, and a very small quantity to Heligo-
land.
Is the whole artiount of that export considerable ?
I should conceive the whole amount cannot be more
than 2-00,0001. or 300,0001. per annum. •
Do you mean that this was the amount of that
export during, the last 12 months ?—Yes, I think the
export to those countries must have been that much
within the last twelve months.

What may the export of the same articles to the
same countries have been, during the , preceding
twelvemonth ?--Rather more. _ .

What may the export of the same articles to the
same countries have been for the twelvemonth pre-
ceding that, the year before the last ?—I should
think still more. The exports to South America
three or four years ago were very .cimsiderable, but
their goods still remain•in South America, and no
proceeds have been received; 1 say none, for I know
many who have sent out goods to South America
who not only have received no proceeds, but have
been obliged to ply expences upon their goods.
I have heard that goods have been sent to South
,America, and that they have not, been , inquired
into for that reason; :or that considerable losses
have been incurred, not only on the fee-simple of
the manufaaures, it I may so call it, but even be-
yond that. .
In those cases, have you understood that the per-
son was contented to abandon the whole chance of
proceeds from the sale of the goods, in or4er to
avoid the additional payment to the Captain
Certainly.
In what did that additional expense consist
'The freight insurance, and. sea charges of every de-
scription.
Over the primp.cost ?—Yes, over the prime cost.
Has there been recently at Birmingham any extra
employment of the iron naanufaeturers, for the
purpose of making cast-iron pipes i.--,-Very conai-
derable.

Can you state to what amount ?—The manufac-
_lure of cast-iron pipes in the iron works of Stafford-
shire, I should consider within the last twelve
months must have arnot3nted to nearly 100,0001.
Had it not been for that resource, the situation of
the iron tradz must have been considerably worse
than it is.

Was this resource one peculiar to the last year ?
—Altogether peculiar to the .last year or two years.
Is the Committee to understand that was a re-
source that was not pos•essed by the manufacturers
previous to,t he last to o years ?—iNever in arty extent.
that is worth mentioning.
In what state, are the Birmingham manufacturers
with respect to this resource, for -the 'meson' ? —The.
Birmingham manufacturers are not materially inte-
rested, but the Staffordshire iron-works are still inte-
reSted
the
in the manufacture of iron pipes
for the different Water-works Companies forming in
all pits of England..
Do you know any thing of the export formerly
carried on from Birmingham to America, of steel
work ?—I have had an opportunity of knowing well
the export of steel, because my family has 'always
been engaged in the export of steel ; till within these
few years, a considerable export of steel took place to
the United States of AmeriCa. I have lat,ely been
informed, that the-Americans have ereded furnaces,
and that they procure their iron from the same
mines in Sweden from which we pracute it, and
that they arc not likely to want any more steel from
-England.
In point of faEl, have you and your family not
sent any steel to America lately ?—Certainly not
within
.this year and a half, not since the 2d of Feu.
1,8 I 1. '

Have you been informed by your Correspon-
dents in America, that the reaso❑ for the demand

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