The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-16 00:00:00

quote the language of the Report—" to let the ques-
tion of wages, about w hich so much has been said,
find its own level." It was proved also that the
labour of women and children, so far from diminish-
ing, was greatly on the increase in the factories, and
that Lord ASHLEY, in his speech in the House of
Commons, rather underrated than overrated the
extent of the evil. In reference to this subject,
we quote a few significant passages from the
Report which was read at the meeting :—" MAN-
CHESTER : Female labour is here very much on the
increase ; in one mill, which may be taken as an
average of the whole, there are five hundred and
forty-two pair of looms, and of this number there
are upwards of four hundred women. The propor-
tion of women and children to adults, is about four to
one of the whole employed."—" STOCKPORT : Women
are on the increase ; and in some mills, where there
are two thousand looms, there is not a single man at
work. The proportion of women and children is at
least four-fifths of the whole employed."—" BOLTON :
The number of women is on the increase, and is now
at least six to two."—" BURY : The people here are
determined to do all they can for the Ten
Hours Bill; and one of our largest manufacturers is in
favour of it, as well as some others."—" HYDE : The
feeling is universal in favour of Lord .Asni..ny's Bill,
and the operatives are willing to sign petitions ; but
many are afraid to be seen doing so, lest they should
be discharged!" Discharged And for no worse
crime than endeavouring to protect the interest of
their families, and secure the comfort and happiness of
their own oppressed wives and children ! Was there
ever a greater libel on humanity than is im-
plied in this natural apprehension on the part
of the operatives ? We quote one more pas-
sage from the Report, which will show heir
little attention is paid to considerations of mere
feeling, when they come in;collision with those of
grasping avarice : "BLACKBURN : The number of
women is here much on the increase. The propor-
tion of women and children 'employed, as compared
with adults, will be upwards of four-fifths.. The Dele-
gate was authorised by an overlooker in this town to
say, that when a woman leaves her work to be con-
fined, her husband, who is himself a power-loom weaver,
and cannot obtain employment on account of his sex,
is not allowed to work for his wife during
her confinement, and the consequence is that she is
often compelled from necessity to return to her work
a few days after her confinement." After reading
statements like these, vouched for by unimpeachable
evidence, who shall presume to say that the period is
not arrived when the Ten Hours Bill should be
brought into full operation, and a partial stop, at least,
be put to that system of excessive and unnatural labour
on the part of women and children, which, in
order to gratify the insatiable demands of Mam-
mon, makes a total wreck of health and happi-
ness among families; brings on in youth all the
infirmities of age ; blunts and demoralises the
character; sows the seeds of distrust, hate, despair,
and every species of crime ; and annually consigns
hundreds—perhaps we might add, thousands—to a
pauper's grave in a union work-house ! Be the oppo-
sition of Ministers what it may, we must, ere long,
have Lord ASHLEY'S Ten Hours Bill, and as a fitting
—indeed an inevitable—sequel to this, a total Repeal
of the Corn-laws !

We have accounts from Madrid of the Bth inst., by
which we are sorry to learn that a frightful calamity
occurred on Palm Sunday at Felanitx, a town in
Minorca. On the occasion a sermon was preached in
the old cemetery of the place, when an old wall gave
way and buried a vast number of persons under the
ruins. The Alcalde (Mayor) six members of the
municipality, and the priest were killed. According
to the Corresponsal there were not fewer than 605
sufferers, 414 being killed, and 191 wounded. The
journals contain no other intelligence.
The Bourse was closed on the Bth, it being Easter
Monday.

The Moniteur of Sunday contains the dispatch of
Admiral DUPETIT THOUARS, addressed to the
Minister of Marine, Admiral MACSAIJ, relative to the
affairs of Otaheite. It is a lengthy document, and
not very impartial, as one of its objects is to impute
all the blame of the misunderstanding between the
QUEEN and the French to English intrigue. It will

appear evident, says he, that the only object of the
English in wishing to make us abandon this archipe-
lago is to put themselves in our place. This, the
French Admiral ought to know, is contrary to fact,
and contrary to the declared sentiments of the British
Government. The Protectorate, or the Sovereignty,
or by whatever name full power over the country may
be described, it is well known was offered to England,
and it is equally well known was positively rejected.
'We refer our readers to the dispatch, which will
be found under the proper head, and simply
express our regret that a French officer of high rank
.should, in a public document, seem more anxious to
impugn the motives of England than to justify the
severe and unjust measures which he adopted towards
the unfortunate and helpless QUEEN. On Saturday, the
affair was brought under the notice of the Chamber
of Deputies, when a violent and angry discussion took
place. On the Minister of Marine presenting copies
of the dispatches,: M. BILLAULT asked Ministers for
other reports—namely, those forwarded to Govern-
ment by junior officers, and among others, by Captain
BItUAT. " Why," said M. BILLAULT, "is not his
account laid before us? How is it possible fui: the
Chamber not to be in a state of the greatest distrust
towards the Government, when it sees in what a man-
ner the Admiral, who was placed over the new pos-
session, has been treated ? lam aware that the Min-
ister of Foreign Affairs can keep silence by pretending
to be the depository of State secrets, but the Govern-
ment ought not so to act, for it had commenced the at-
tack itself, in accusing an officer of misconduct. Let the
reports sent in two months back be laid on the table,
so that they may be compared with those now pre-
sented. In fine, this matter ought to be brought to
an end. If the Admiral has acted improperly, there
are articles in the penal code of the navy to punish
him.—(A loud burst of disapprobation from the
Centre, and cries of 4 That is not the question.') Why
not allow the officer who has just arrived to be in-

terrogated ?—(Loud cries of Hear, hear,' from the
Left.) You keep him to yourselves. No person
but yourselves has seen him !;—(Fresh cries of hear,'
and marks of disapprobation from the Centre.) The
termination of this matter must be either a judgment
according to the articles of war, blaming the Admiral,
or a decision of the Chamber, throwing blame on the
Ministry. It is because we want to come to this
point that we demand to have all the papers laid before
us, in order to fix our opinion, and they are now re-
fused without any serious motive."
M. GUIZOT replied to these remarks with great
firmness, though frequently interrupted, and refused
to furnish all the papers transmitted to Govern•
ment. "We cannot," he said, " make communica-
tions beforehand, as you seem to demand, without
knowing at what point of information you aim.
To make those communications in th,, general and
confused manner that you require is impossible.
We do, not inform you beforehand in an absolute

manner, that we shall communicate to you every,
_ _

thing; nor, on the other hand, do we tell you before-
hand in an absolute manner, that we will refuse all.
When you shall have read the report, you can ask
what questions you may deem requisite, and we shall
know what we ought to do. Until then we ought to up-
hold our rights and the true principles of Government."
These replies were received with very general ap-
plause. M. ODILON BAEEOT admitted the right and
the power of the Government to refuse the docu-
ments, but the question was one not of principle, but
of honour and of good faith. However, as the Mi-
nister for Foreign Affairs refused to furnish more
than one dispatch, they would examine that carefully,
in order, if possible, to arrive at the real facts, and
afford some consolation to the country. M. GUIZOT
made some further remarks for the purpose of showing
that Members would have a full opportunity of con-
sidering the question, and that the Government were
ready to meet them in debate. The discussion would
have ended here quietly lint for that singular
tru(ure
per-
sonage, of repeal notoriety, M. LEDRU ROLLIN, who
h
The Minister
knowledge ofParliiasmaelnwt
ary
procedure showed
in his correct
England. ,6
ays
quoting England," said he. '• Why
does it not follow
its example in this matter? In such a case the House
of Commons would appoint a Committee to receive
the communications of the Minister.—(Cries of No,
no.') The country will judge you, for it is now evi-
dent to every one that at the moment the Ministry
was compromising a brave officer, by a measure