The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-18 00:00:00

EVENING SUN

time they should have the opportunity of meeting. their
excellent Secretary Mr. Allen, who was about to leave
the country, it was but proper• that they should offcr
some testatnony to him of the esteem in which he was
held. After a lengthened eulogy, Mr. Dyke concluded
by moving a resolution, to the effect " That the present
- Special general Meeting could not separate without ex-
pressing its high sense of the efficient services rendered
by their excellent Secretary,' Mr. Allen. His ability,
unremitting attention, and untiring devotion, under the
most difficult and trying circumstances in support
of that cause which called the Association into ex-
istence, could not be too highly commended. They
feel justified in calling the attention of the Refor-
mers of England to the unparalleled correctness of
the estimate of the comparative number of Reformers
and Tories, published by the Association last March,
taken from tables, planned and executed entirely by Mr.
Allen ; the labour and utility of which cannot be appre-
ciated but by actual examination, embracing, as they do,
a period of four entire registries, and tracing the votes
given at three different elections. In losing the valuaile
services of their present Secretary the meeting are happy
to learn that the books of the Association are in such
perfect order that by a continuation of the course pur •
sued by Mr. Allen at the formation of the Association,
and so successfully continued by him during the four
years of his conducting its affairs, the same triumphant
results may be expected in the borough."
Professor KEY, in very flattering terms, seconded the
es^' •';on, which was also adopted unanimously.
r FO,Jriptions towards liquidating the debt were then
ente. d into, and in the course of a few minutes upwards
of 1001. was subscribed, and steps having been taken to
secure-the remainder, thanks were voted to the Chair-
man, t.nd the meeting separated at a very late hour.

LONDON CYJVIREIGYDDION
SOCIETY.

The forty-sixth anniversary of the London Cymreigyd-
dion (Welsh Literary Society) was celebrated on the 16th
inst., at Dolly's Chophouse, Mr. John Williams, of the
firm of Williams and ffatton, Regent Circus, in the chair,
supported by upwards of one hundred Ancient Britons.
The objects of the Society being to perpetuate the An-
cient British tongue, and the customs of Wales, the pecu-
liar mode of singing called " Pennillion," appeared to af-
ford great entertainment to the company, and the im-
promptus of one of the bards (Sam o Von) after each
toast reminded one strongly of the effects stated to have
been produced in days of yore by the effusions of the
minstrels, when their countrymen congregated to con-
tend for hearth and home. Had the Bard and Harper
been greybeards, instead of being in the prime of life, the
picture would have been perfect, and we might have fan-
cied ourselves spectators of scenes enacted a thousand
years since.
After her Majesty's health had been drunk with all
the honours, the CHAIRMAN observed, that as that was the
first meeting of IVelAmen in the Metropolis since the
creation of the Prince of Wales, he had great pleasure in
proposing his health with nine times nine, but he (the
Chairman) could not help remarking that his education
would: not be complete until he had learned the language
of the place whence he derived his title. The sound of
it, at all events, he should hear, as, according to prece-
dent, when he arrives at a proper age, the address that
will be presented will be in that language, and the
Chairman hoped that there would be no necessity for an
interpreter. In proposing the health of his Royal
Ilighness Prince Albert, the Princess Royal, the Duchess
of Kent, and the rest of the Royal Family, the Chairman
observed, that if the same care were taken in the
bringing up of the Heir Apparent as there had been -in
the case of her Majesty, we should have every reason to
be proud of our Prince.
Mr. Iluom WILLIAMS was called upon to propose the
next toast, which was, " Oes y byd i r Gymraeg," the
age of the world to the Welsh language. The sentiment
he had to propose, he would give most cordially. The
man who possessed no national feelings was, in hi,
opinion, unworthy the name. Conquered naticns gene-
rally merged into those of the conquerors, and one at
the present day could not pronounce whether the Eng
lish owed most of their characteristics to their British,
Belgic, Saxon, Danish, or Norman ancestors ; but th'
Welsh have retained their language and habits amongst
their fastnesses., and it would be a hopeless task to at-
tempt to eradicate the former, when it has now a press
enlisted in its aid, and a nation of literary rustics to
support it. Injuries have been endured patiently, bu
their countrymen now well knew their rights, and they-
would assert them; more particularly when they were sup-
ported by such assemblages as he then saw before him.
Their countrymen would soon have an opportunity o.
worshipping God- according to the forms of the Este
Wished Church, in the accents first enunciated by them.
Mr. 0. W. THOMAS, in proposing the healths of hi,
Grace the Duke of Northumberland and the patrons of
the Society, stated, that though the Duke was no:
a Welshman, yet he was nearly allied to some of thi
best fattilies in Wales, and this Society was much in-
debted to bins for his liberal support of their exertion:
in promoting the literature of their country. The en
thusiasm of the'ordinary members solely could not enabh
them to carry out their intentions into full effect, on,
means being the offering pecuniary rewards for the best
literary productions in the language of their forefathers.
and the publication of useful works, which was often at-
tended with considerable loss to the Society. Their ef-
forts-were dire.eted to- the promotion of the best interest,
of at least seven_ hundred thousand of her Majesty's sub-
jects, who were unable to avail themselves of the store,
of knowledge contained in the English language, ant
to excite the genius of their countrymen by emulation,
and to diffuse the means of enlightenment generally.
They had been seconded in particular by Dr. Lewis, the
Rev.. Mr. Llewelyn, Mr. T. Edwards, and Mr.
Morgan, the latter of' whom was seldom absent fron
their meetings ; and he regretted much that family
affliction had caused an exception that night.
The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the Hon. E.
M. Gl. Mostyn (who, as usual, had furnished a libera.
supply of venison for the occasion), and the Gentry of
Wales.
The VICE-CHAIRMAN proposed the health of the
Ladi:s hall 10-Al Guest, and the PUtronesses of the cus
toms and literature of Wales.

Mr. WM. Trtom.ts, the Secretary, then observed that
it was with some degree of regret that he rose to inter-
rupt the hilarity of their proceedings, but the duty that
then devolved ution him had seldom if ever been ne-
glected in that. Society. At their last, their forty-fifth
anniversary, their venerable founder was amongst them,
whom he often. with a sigh designated his undutiful
children, but now his seat was vacant, and he was gone
to that bourne whence no traveller returns, and In
(the Secretary) could do no less than add his Timm
to those whose memories they had been in the
habit of paying a mark of their respect to on former oc-
casions. 116'Wotird notdetain them by dilation, upon the ob-
ligations laid neon Welshmen by those wain he would
presently name. Suffice it for him to say, that as long
ns their aspirations fOr "ties y byd i'r Gymraeg," were
not disappointed (if he might be allowed the expression),
so lorig would the fame of Owen Jones (Myfyr), Dr.
W. 0. -Pughe, J. H. Parry, and, as the founder of that
Society and contributor to Welsh literature, might be
added the name of poor Thomas Roberts, of Llwynrhy-
do!, hntt. Even were the language itself extinct, the
monuments raised by the labours of those named would
be ret'ernal to and admired so long a; true learning ex-
isted in England.—(Drunk in solemn silence.)
Dr. Lr-wis, -in proposing_ the health of the Bishop of
St. Davin'. and the Welsh Clergy, obse:ved, that they
ha 1 certtinly been indebted to the dignitaries of the
Church fur a tran:lation of the Bible, but they were
natives, and since t at time hc was sorry to observe his
countrymen had been hid tinier but few obligations to
the'Establishcd Church, acd had been under the neces-
sity of providing alehurch for themselves. A brighter
prospect, however,. at the present time appeared before
them. The Bishop of St. David's had enrolled himself
a member of that Society upwards of a twelvemonth
since, and it was admitted by all that he spoke their lan-
guagewell as any native.
cared not where a
man was born, so long as he was competent to discharge
the duties of his Office. Eternal rewards and punishment
had been preached to his poor countrymen in a language
of which they understood not a single Word, and though
there had been seldom oceasion, some
had been sen-
tenced to death ,by .Judges. who could not utter an ex-
pression that was
intefligi bx to the criminal
defatigable exertions of that Society -
in-
better state of things, and they were anxious to do honour 'icing a
to those who deserved it.
toasts were
Mr. G. finoaLts-then proposed the health of the
Member,
Wm. Morgan, of Holyhead, and thei. Hoontohrear7 n'ev•
in a highly - complimentary'
drank, amongst which was that of the Chairman, most flost
enthusiastically, for his excellent conduct in chair, as
• to promote e in_
wellas for his desire on all occasions
thout regard th
per-
to
terests of his fellow; country wi
sonal sacrifices. •

at two
MYSTERIOUS A FFAI R.— YeSterdlly,
o'clock, an inquest, adjourned from the previous
resumed before Mr. Wakley, M.P., in the Board-room
day, was
e. . of
body of Mr.
St. Marvlebon workhouse, on view of the
Henry Geary, mealman, of Uxbridge, who was found on
Monday evening last lying dead, with his pockets ified.
the
in Niwth.bank, Regent's-park. T rhe particularsof _
first inquiry appeared yesterday. Dr. Robert Boyd, phy-
sician of St. Marylehone workhouse, deposed that he
had, by order of the Coroner, made a post mortem
examination of the body of deceased. There was
n° appearance indicative of deceased having taken
poison. There was an effusion of about a pint
and a half of blood on the brain, induced by an
enlargement of the heart, which was double the
natural siz•, and weighs 21* ounces. Witness had
no doubt that deceased's death was caused by apo-
plexy, con a (pent: on the effitiion he had described.
Coroner (to deceased's son)—llas anything occurred
to lead You to suppose that deceased died otherwise
than in the course of nature ? Son—No, Sir. I am
perfectly satisfied with the testimony of the medical
gentleman, and the only mystery which now remains is
how he came to where he was discovered, and what be.
came el his watch and sovereigns. The Jury then re-
turned the following verdict, " That the deceased Henry
Geary was found dead in a certain open road, and that
his death was caused . y
b effusion of blood on the brain,
.produced by natural causes."'
GOOD FORT oNE.—A aingu'ar instance of
good fortune has, within the last fe v days, happened to
a poor man named George Peters, with a numerous
family, who followed the occupation of a journeyman
baker, and resides in an obscure street at Camberwell.
It appears that a distant relative, residing at Bath, and
from whom no expectations were ever entertained, has
recently died, bequeathing to the wife of Peters large
funded property amounting to near 50,0001. Ire has a
fablily of six children to participate in his unexpected
good fortune.
Died, at Mellerstain, Berwickshire, on the 1 1 th
inst., George Baillie, Esq., of Jerviswoode, in the seventy-
ni„ al year of his age. He was a man of large property,
and spent no small portion of it in keeping the finest
pack of hounds. in Scotland. Re was father to the pre-
sent Marchioness of Breadalbane. A

MEETING OF MERCHANTS, MA-
NUFACTURERS, AND OTHERS.

MANCHESTER, FRIDAY.—One of the most important
meetings held in this town since the existence of com-
mercial distress in this district was held yesterday in the
Corn Exchange, for the purpose of receiving reports and
communications in reference to the present depressed
state of trade in their several districts. The meeting
was convened for ten o'clock, at which hour only a few
persons had assembled, but in a short time afterwards
the room gradually filled, and towards noon there was
a crowded assembly of the leading manufacturers, mer-
chants, cotton-spinners, cotton-printers, and others en-
gagW largely in trade here. R. H. Greg, Esq., late one
of the Members for Manchester, was calld to the chair.
He entered into a luminous but startling detail of the
falling state of trade, and of the fearful competition be-
tween this country and foreigners. He spoke for up-
wards of an hour, and adduced a great variety of facts
worthy the attention of Parliament at this extraordinary
juncture. Mr. Greg was followed by Mr. T. Bayley, a
gentleman largely engaged in cotton-spinning in this town.
The meeting took place in the Corn Exchange, to
which the public were admitted as listeners and spec-
tators, and upwards of a thousand people availed them-
selves of the privilege. The attendance of deputies was
large, including Richard Cobden, Esq., M.P., Joseph
Brotherton, Esq., M.P., Robert Hyde Greg, Esq., John
Brooks, Esq., T. Bazley, jun., Esq.. W. R. Callender,
Esq., George Wilson, Esq., William Evan, Esq., Samuel
Lees, Esq., W. Rawson, Esq., James Kershaw, Esq.,
John Rawsthorne, Esq., W. Lockett, Esq., W. Besley,
Esq., and A. Prentice, Esq., for Manchester and Sal-
ford ; Robert Benson, Esq., jun., Droylsden ; Charles
Jackson, Esq., Legh ; Timothy Warmby and Os-
ward Moseley, Esqrs., Hazel Grove ; Thomas
Thornber and William Ecroyd, Esqrs., Colne ; John
Ryland and John Allen, Esqrs., Warrington ; John
Bright, Esq., Rochdale ; Nelstrop (Mayor), Hol-
lins, Henry Coppock (town clerk), Charles Hudson,
Lefton, and Wilkinson, Esqrs, and the Rev.
Messrs. Smith and Waddington, Stockport - Edmund
Ashworth, Henry Ashworth, J. C. Darbishire, and
Thomas Thomason, Esqrs., Bolton ; Joseph Spencer,
George Southern, Alfred Reyner, and G. Iligginbottom,
Esqrs., Ashton ; Joshua Brooks and Bradley Pass,
Esqrs., Mossley ; Robert Platt, John Cheetham, and
William Bayley, Esqrs., Staleybridge ; J. H. Roberts,
Esq., Burnley ; H. Fletcher, Esq., Damen ; William
llethwell and John Barker, Esqrs., Todmorden; Hol-
loday, Esq., Oldham; Nicholson, Esq., Leeds, &c.
Mr. BRIGHT, of Rochdale, said the staple of that town
was not the cotton trade, but still the flannel trade of
Rochdale was one so near the cotton districts that it had
not been thought improper some statistics should be
brought before the present meeting. lie had written
down, at the recommendation of a Committee in Roch-
dale, some facts connected with the state of that town,
which he would read, in order that he might take up no
Inure time than . necessary by any digression from the
subject :—Many intelligent manufacturet's suppose that
previous to the passing of the American tariff nearly
one-third, or at least one-fourth. of the flannels made in
Rochdale were exported to the United States. The
American tariff passed in the year 1828, by 105 to 94 in
the Rouse of Representatives, and by 26 to 21 in the
Senate. It is remarkable that 28 of the New England
Representatives voted against it, and only 15 for it, and
as the Representatives of the Southern States opposed
it, it was carried by the Representatives of the middle
or manufacturing States, and the western, or agricul-
tural States. Mr. Randolph said, that " If the Bill had its
true name, it should be called a-Bill to rob and plunder
one half f the union for the benefit of the other half."
Mr. Drayton moved to amend the title as follows: strike
out all after an Act, and insert "to increase the duties
on certain imports for the purpose of increasing the
profits of certain manufacturers." When the Bill passed
the New York papers said " the expression of public
opinion is very batter against this measure, and the ship-
owners will have occasion to lament it more than any
other part of the mercantile community." As soon as
the Bill was known to have passed the Senate all the
shipping in port displayed their colours at half-mast,
as a token of regret for the injuries inflicted on com-
merce. The consequences of this tariff on the flan-
nel trade of Rochdale were most disastrous. It at
one blow annihilated the American trade in that de-
cription of goods, and since 1828 the export of
flannels to the United States has been reduced
to an amount quite inconsiderable, in comparison
with that which took place previously. The inevit-
able effect of this diminished demand was the scarcity
of employment and fall of wages. Wages had remained
pretty stationary from 1820 to 1828 ; but in 1829 they
fell sixteen to twenty per cent., and employment was
scarce. No new market was open to take off the goods
usually made for America ; weavers were too numerous
for the work to be done ; wages continued to fall, and
in 1831 they were 40 par cent. below the rates paid in
1828 ; great numbers of sober, industrious, and valuable
operatives emigrated to the very country whose food we
refused to take in payment for flannels, and whose people
were partly compelled to make flannels for themselves.
These operatives would have remained in their own
country to add to its population, strength, and prosperity,
out for the suicidal policy of the landlord Government of
England. Distress made fearful strides among those
who remained at home, and had it not been that the
cotton trade extended in the town about this period, tak-
ing up many hands from the woollen trade, the sufferings
if the operatives n ust hive been greatly aggravated.
Co such a state was the flannel trade reduced, that
.nany looms were broken up, being worthless as looms,
and bought to be used as props in the coal mines of
the neighbourhood! Owing to this emigration, and the
consequent diminished number of hands, and the general
improvement in trade as provisions became cheaper;
there was a slight improvement in the flannel trade and
in wages in 1832. In 1833 a further rise took place, pro-
visions•still falling, and the home demand improving ;
and up to 1837 this advance was fully maintained. In
1838, 1839, and 1540 wages gradually declined, during
which time the price of provisions has greatly advanced;
snd it may be safely affirmed that wages in 1840 were at
least 40 per cent., and in many instances above 50, lower
than in 1828 ; and many weavers were unable to pro-
cure employment, and vast numbers had only an irre-
gular and precarious employment. That a deplorable
change has taken place in the condition of the opera-
tives engaged in the woollen trade at Rochdale within
the past fifteen years is admitted by all persons ac-
pminted with their past and present circumstances.
The house of the woollen weaver was almost proverbial
for a degree of comfort and plenty, such as is now
rarely witnessed. The furniture was abundant, always
sufficient, not rarely handsome. A good chest of maho-
gany drawers, as a family wardrobe, its excellent polish
protected by a large cover of green baize, and a clock in a
large and handsome mahogany case, bespoke the degree
of affluence and comfort to %Odell their dwellings are now
almost entire strangers. Now we see abject poverty on
every side. Wages so low that many men with full work
are compelled to apply to the parish for relief ; their
houses are unfurnished, possessing neither wardrobe nor
garments ; and their hunger-marked countenances be-
speaking the terrible wrongs they endure. If it be true
that protection to landowners gives a home trade so good
as to make up for any decrease of foreign demand, how
comes it that the home trade has never yet been able to
place the flannel trade on its former footing, and to sup-
ply the customers of which it was deprived by the Ame-
rican tariff? If the landlord interest has purchased one
piece more flannel than it would have purchased without
the Corn-laws, the price of that piece %%as first stolen by
law from the weaver that made the piece.

CABINET MAKERS' FURNITURE:— Minute inquiries
show that from fifteen years previous to 1828 there were
twenty-eight to thirty journeymen cabinet makers and a
few boys regularly and fully employed in Rochdale. At
this time there are only twelve or thirteen journeymen
and about ten boys in the trade, and these have not bad
full and regular employment for a long time past. The
population of the town and neighbourood has greatly
increased during the past fifteen or twenty years ; but
there has been no increase of furniture, clearly proving
that the condition of the people is much worse, and their
comforts greatly abridged.
TRAVELLING SCOTCHMEN —l. Travels Todmorden,
Saddleworth, Shaw, Lees, Oldham, Middleton, Hey-
wood, IVardle, and
.neighbourhood of Rochdale. Has
travelled part of this district for twenty years, dealing
with many families throughout this period ; his customers
:save gradually beeome poorer, and are now mostly ruined,
and unable to buy clothing, tea, coffee, &c., as formerly.
six years ago their condition was much better. Tod-
inorden was then his best district—now very much worse,
,pills there having worked short time many months. In
his journeys he finds many houses which he has known
well furnished almost stripped, the furniture having gra-
dually been disposed of to provide food. Has given up
the Wardle district, the people being reduced to poverty
io abject that they can pay for nothing. Most customers
•ire ashamed to meet him, and skulk away to avoid him
when they know he is coming, as they have nothing to
pay for what they have had from him. This is a common
occurrence
about Middleton and the neighbourhood.
Many travellers have given up the trade— their once good
customers no
rieninal'e°rin vergi
w
shtletel;t:rtahceleirapruurienhoausseso ln.eerytostmhoasi le'
and bad debts
engaged in it.
SHOPKEEPERS
l of l
hiss formerAND PROVISION DEALERS.-1. The
quantity of meal sold in Proportion to the flour is much
greater than it used to be half a dozen or three or four
years
sofcheese and suear and not
than half the tobacco. The quantity of malt is reduced
to one-third of his sale in better times. Debts cannot be
more thanago.
two-thirds Sells
nuehe
paid ; many honest and Industrious customers have debts
standing over till timestl
mend.
2. More meal in proportion to the flour sold now than
a few years ago. His customers buy half a pound or a
pound of meal at once, as they are able. Much less tea
one-halfless ; tobacco one:
sold ; sugar
rless. New
Id chea er -
butter net much bought ; o
half. 13Brc'a:1) ,often none used
In cheese the reduction is one-
n articles )1(1-1 in penny.
worths commonly ; all the common
stai.lsdi)l:,oi-io s„ I 3
now in very small quantities. I
load of malt where' 'l7: r tall
better times. Only sells one
halfpenny worth"
to sell four. Boy came for three
and . _ . s of
industrious
meal in rags ; family of seven, sober
work 1 to 12s. per week ;
.
at most wages with full lswith
setting cards.
father 7s. or Bs., two boys earn 4s.
Only one bed forseven persons ; no hope of improvement.
3. Double quantity of meal and coarse flour sold in
proportion to the whole quantity for bread. Customers
• a pennyworth,
who used to buy a pound of sugar now btt)
Tea sold in
or a quarter of a pound for twopence. a
quantities as small as half a quarter of an ounce, for
halfpenny. Butter as low as a half-penny or a penny ;
bacon a penny, or a quarter of a pound for twopence.
Four or five in a family send for half an oat-cake, worth
one half-penny, with bits and scraps of bacon, worth a
half-penny or a penny more. Meal sells most in quan-
tities of one pound each. Only sells half as much cheese
as formerly, and of a lower quality. At breakfast and
dinner hours many come in for a halfpenny or a 1
penny worth of bread. Debts cannot be collected.
Knows that many of his customers are short of food ;
hears many a curse as the destitute part with their last
coin for half a meal for and their children.

Wishes Sir R. Peel might stand in his shop for one day,
an,l will gladly let any gentleman do SQ who doubts any
part of this statement.
BUTCHERS, SHINNERS, AND TANNERS—Estimate that
four years ago 180 beasts were killed weekly in.the pa-
rish of Rochdale ; now not more than 65 to 70 are killed.
Sheep and pigs much fewer. Poor pieces eagerly
bought ; good joints difficult of sale. Customers buy a
pennyworth or two-pennyworth of bits of suet or steak.
Cannot buy more. The condition of the population very
much worse than four years ago.
DISPENSARY.--The reports of the Dispensary exhibit
a very serious increase of the number of applicants fur
medical assistance. In 1835 the applicants were 1,809,
and in 1840 not less than 2,444. The Good Samaritan
Society exhibited the same Syliiiitoms of distress. In
the three years ending 1837, the numbers relieved were
607, while in the three years ending 1840 they had in-
creased to 983, and the increase of expenditure in 1841
over that of 1835, was 1,3221., or 115 per cent. The
Poor-rates in Scotland township in 1835 were 4,6381.,
while in 1840 they amounted to 6,3321. The committals
by the Magistrates had increased in the three dear years,
as compared with the three cheap years, by 502 cases,
or 67 per cent.
The wages in the cotton trade are now coming down,
and the decline is already from 12 to 15 per cent. within
a few months. Many persons are unemployed, and there
is no prospect of any change for the better.
SURGEONS' OPINION.—We, the undersigned, are of
opinion that, owing to the high price of food and want
of employment, the labouring classes in the borough of
Rochdale and its neighbourhood are now suffering great
and increasing privations. That they arc in great num-
bers unable to obtain wholesome food in sufficient quan-
tity to maintain them in health, and thus they are pre-
disposed to disease and rendered unable to resist its
attacks. That affections and diseases of the skin, with
many others, are caused by a poor supply of food, and
by innutritious food, and that many cases of appalling
distress and suffering come almost daily under our no-
tice. In these respects the population amongst whom we
practice are in a much worse position now than they were
Live or six years ago; and that, for three years past, their
condition has been gradually sinking, and we never knew
them in so bad a state at any former period.
T. H. WARDLEIVORTII,
ROBERT BARKER,
GEORGE MORRIS,
WALTER DUNLOP.
Rochdale, Dec. 13th, 1841.

The Rev. J. WADDINGTON, from Stockport, then ad.
dressed the meeting, and after furnishing statistical de •
tails of distress similar to those given by the last speaker,
said it has' been ascertained that since the year 1836,
more than half the master-spinners or manufacturers in
the town and its immediate vicinity have failed; twenty-
nine firms, including upwards of forty partm rs, are in
their list. Of these, the machinery of seventeen mills
were sold by auction, four by private contract, and eight
effected a composition. Seventeen mills containing
40 horse power are totally unoccupied ; in seven other
mills 285-horse power is standing still ; no acts of de-
predation have as yet been committed by the people ;
but the superintendent of the police states that the num-
ber of petty offences, especially such as have for their
object obtaining food, or such property as could easily be
converted into money, or be made use of as the means of
obtaining food, have been considerably increased during
the last six months. The health of the town is equally
bad as at Rochdele. Indeed it is impossible to imagine
human beings reduced to a lower state of temporal wretch-
edness than that in which we have found our fellow-towns
men. To mention but one instance: when a visitor called at
a house to make his inquiries, he found a mother with eight
children out of work. She was expecting every hour to
give birth to another child of misery, and there was no
couch to the miserable dwelling, nor an article of furni•
ture fit for the accommodation of any human being. Not-
withstanding the strong and deeply-rooted aversion to
break up their relative connexions, and to apply to the
officers of their parish, within the last four months
two hundred have applied for orders of removal—or more
than an average of two every day, without interruption.
I might add to this mournful detail of facts other particu-
lars, showing the general decay of our local interests; but
I fear to trespass on your patience. Whole streets are
deserted, and in hundreds of these now tenantless dwel-
lings a secret martyrdom of spirit has been suffered for
months before they were abandoned. Hitherto there
has been a forlorn hope that things would improve, but
gradually that hope has given place to feelings of deep
resentment against those whom the working classes are
led to consider as inflicting upon them, instrumentally at
least, their present miseries. I assure you, Gentlemen,
that I am merely reporting the statements of the people
with whom I am brought into daily contact, and not ex-
pressing so .much any opinions of my own. It is the
almost universal conviction of the operatives that there
is provided in the bounty of Providence bread enough
and to spare. That the famine of the necessaries of life
is artificial, and that the markets are closed against the
produce of their labour in order to keep up the rents of
the lords of the soil, and to increase the value of the
tithes. Many of them, honest, industrious, and well-de-
signing men, have walked hundreds of miles in the fruit-
less
search of employment. They may be fund sitting
in their damp, cheerless, and poverty-stricken cellars,
surrounded with their children, meagre-bellied, or
sickening before them under the power of disease,
and, as they brood over their miseries they compare
their lot with those whom they regard as their oppres-
sors—pamrered in luxury,. and, as they believe, as
regardless of their wretchedness as the rich man in
gospel was insensible to the wants and sufferings of
Lazarus, who perished at his gate full of sores. It is
scarcely necessary to say, that the rumour that a plan
is being formed to ship them off as felons, has awakened
a spirit of indignation that will not be soon allayed.
Gentlemen, I have now accomplished the task assigned
me, and my only regret is, that the duty has been dis-
charged so imperfectly. Allow me a word or two before
I retire as to the sentiments which this painful investi-
gation has excited in my breast. Without fear of con-
tradiction from any quarter, I can say that my remarks
are not those of a partisan. Those who are best ac-
quainted with my course for the last nine years can bear
me witness that few have less mingled with affairs of a
secular or political nature. I was not present at the
meeting of the inhabitants which appointed the Com
mittee to make these inquiries. It was contrary to my
expectation that I had to take part in them, and still
more so that I should be here to-day. But
having witnessed more wretchedness than can be
described, occasioned by the want of employment-s-
-having witnessed the operation of decay extending
over every class in our community, it would be extremely
painful to me not to express my solemn conviction that
we are rapidly appoaching the very limits of human en-
durance. It is not for me to suggest the means of
amelioration—my counsels and sympathies in my daily
intercourse with the poor are those dictated by the
Gospel of Christ. I know not that in a single instance
I have ever dwelt on the topic of the Corn-law. The
suffering poor need from me something rather to allay
than to inflame their burning sense of wrong. But
even I do feel it to be my sacred duty to lay bare
this deep and wide-spread social malady to those whose
office it is to prescribe the remedy. So far as in me
lies will I expose these scenes of lamentation and woe.;
nnd, fellow-countrymen, if, after these disclosures,
ghastly want should lead to disorder, to tumult, to pil-
lage, or to bloodshed, for one, I and guiltless of the con-
sequences ; the inquisition for blood will be macho on
those elso suffer such a mass of wretchedness to remain
without the adoption of the only adequate means of ame-
lioration.—[This speech made a deep impression on the
assembled multitude. Many were moved to tears.]
A member of the Deputation then read details of the
want of trade and distress in Preston, which, though
not so bad as in Rochdale and Stockport, was still
of a fearful description. Crime had increased with the
price of corn as regularly as the mercury rises from heat.
The number of cases of felony in Preston was as fol-
lows :—ln 1835, 18 cases ; 1836, 27 ; 1837, 84 ; 1838,
103 ; 1839, 112 ; 1840, 160. This alarming increase is
attributed by some to the increase of dram-shops, con-
cert-rooms, &c. ; but when I consider the great increase
of churches, chapels, schools, and moral institutes, which
ought to be equal in their counteracting influence, I cannot
help attributing much of this increase to the waat of em-
ployment caused by the pressure of the times, and which
always falls first upon the idle and dissolute.—(Hear.)
The wages of spinners have beon reduced this year to
about 10 per cent., with a probability of a still greater
reduction. Weavers are wandering about, and willing to
take work at any price. Everybody's spirits are down ;
the shopkeepers are complaining bitterly, and the small
farms in the neighbourhood, owing to bad seasons and
heavy taxes, are fast sinking into ruin. A subscription
has b?en raised, soup, meal, clothing, and bedding are
being given to the poor. I visit the houses of the poor.
every week, but to give you a description of the poor
living, and miserable furniture (if such it can be called),
of the wretched bedding, of the amount of human wretch-
edness and misery which I find amongst them, would be
only such as would exceed all belief unless it were wit-
nessed. I took the Rev. Mr. Spencer and J. Curtis,
Esq., when here, to see some of these cases, and they
seemed astonished at the scenes of human misery, as
well as Christian patience, exhibited by these poor people.
(Here the Speaker read the return of thirteen sales of
furniture at Preston averaging 6s. 51d. which appeared
in The Sun yesterday.)
A Report from Wigan was also presented, detailing at
great length the sufferings of the working classes of the
town and neighbourhood. This was followe 1 by a Report
from Bolton: the want of trade was still greater. Out
of 50 mills there are 30 stopped, and 8,124 workpeople;
5,061 are idle or working only four days in the week.
In 1835 the number of iron-founders, engineers, and
mill-wrights was 2,110, while at present they
amount to only 1,325, and a considerable number
of those discharged have gone to the Continent or Ame-
rica. The same may be said of carpenters, brick-setters,
and stone-masons. One half of the tailors are out of
employment ; the number, in 1835; having been 500,
while now there are only 250, and but partially employed.
sufferingb
in
Re
h Iporta were then read from Oswaldwistle, parish of
which Sir Robert Peel draws rents to the
"mount of 2,0001 a year, and has given 201. for the re-.
lief of the poor), from Glossop, Hyde, Mossley, Bury,
and Legh, all of which contain the same melancholy de-
tails
offY
and want. The following resolutions,
unanimously
agreed to,
sum tip the whole :
M•
—RIGHT , of Rochdaler•
" That the districts ofw hic' moved—
" Manchester is the centre,.
engaged in various branches of the cotton trade and its'
(tile)
epednudreaitticoi ens ,€)
Lancashire. Thwahtlei
of which
suffering tinder a general depression,
that the condition otfhitlB::!sri
of
employer and operative, is
snueolvTipdoaeuia-nac(lialien-lh
eifnortehetli hisismt oereybt
oth
that fixed capital, such as buildings,greatlyne
o
iensegt
rnol -half gpopulation,and
cdaeppirteaeinsattae,dasina
duye nheaavrelyi 0 n
gmachinery, deterioratedsc c;.
has
since ceased to obtain a
profitable return for their
raierndmv
have
esuffael sincene tcaihsinaegdt b 1; aBrn3etl6l:l,lae-;i
reverses;
hcsayet;
sahnodphienespoelrvsenchyavhe
that the reward of labour has been generally
diminished ; that great numbers of skilful and de-