The Sun.
London, England, 1826-01-30 00:00:00

THE SILK.TRADS.

On Saturday at two o'clock a private meeting
took place at the Mansion House, to consider the propriety of
I raising a subscription to alleviate the distresses of the labouring
silk.manufacturers in Spits Welds. There were about twenty-
five persons present, all of whom, with the exception of the
Bishop of Chester, and Aldermen Wood, Thompson, Garrett,
and Lucas, wefe( we believe, connected with the sillorade.
The LORD MAYOR, on taking the chair, observed, that
they were assembled for the purpose of endeavouring to afford
relief to the sufferings of the silk weavers of Spitalfields. It had
been proposed to him to call a public meeting in the Egyptian
Hall, but considering that the object in view was of a purely
charitable nature, a private meeting was the best calculated to
effect it. lie had taken the liberty to send a notice of the
meeting to Mr. Rothschild, who had just been with him, and
to four or five other gentlemen connected with the city, who lie
believed would attend. The great object was to raise a sub.
scription for the weavers, who, from his own personal observe.
etnheirertelpnogrutdiswoheisceh
in ebneeexntsreutbnieni,ttetegdreeto.
bore their sufferings with a aubmissiveness and kindness
htlitrillWahsasebwuktenljeluwsattsiocefmbteulo the unfortunate weavers, to say, that they
of feeling winch did them the highest credit, and en.
titled them to the charitable aid of all who were capa-
ble of affording it. There was no doubt, he thought,,
that a subscription, if once set on foot, would be support-
ed generally throughout the kingdom. Government had
informed him of their intention to give 1,0001., and Mr. Roths-
child had put down his name as a subscriber for 1001. and
many individuals would, in all probability, follow so excel-
lent an example. lie ventured to suggest that it would be
better on the present occasion to abstain from any discussion
as to the causes of the existing distress. If it were proposed
to call a public meeting to take into consideration the general
state of the silk trade, with reference to the measures which
have been, or were about to be, adopted by the Legislature
with respect to it, that was quite another question. The pre-
sent meeting, however, was solely for the purpose of instituting
a charitable subscription, and to that object he trusted that
gentlemen would confine themselves.
Mr. Gipson said that the weavers were much indebted to
his Lordship for his humane desire to afford temporary relief
to their.sufferingstand -they were not less obliged to the Right
Reverend Prelate who had done the meeting the honour to
attend to forward so benevolent un object. He would endea-
vour, in what he should address to the meeting, to keep within
the line which had been prescribed by the Lord Mayor, at the
same time he thought it desirable to endeavour to point out
the means of removing the existing distress? (independently
of temporary aid of a charitable nature), if it could be done
without bringing under discussion the general question, of
the expediency of the measures whisk Parliament had
adopted with regard to the silk trade. To suppose that the
aid of humane people would be able to maintain the weavers
in any thing like the situation in which they would be placed
by their own labour, if they had an opportunity of exercis-
ing it, was an idea which could only be entertained by per-
sons who were unacquainted with the number of labourers
who were at present unable to procure employment. It ap-
peered front a report which bad been made at the request of
Government, founded on an accurate investigation, that there
were now no less than 10,000 weavers unemployed, and that
that number was increasing every week. It was too much to
expect that the aid of public benevolence alone would enable
them to subsist without employment. The existing distress
arose out of an apprehension on the part of the masters, who
had hitherto employed the weavers, that they would not be
able to obtain an adequate return for their capital, if they
should continue diet: labourers in employment. Whether
that apprehension was well or ill founded it was for the meet-
ing to inquire. The silk trade, it was true, suffered in com-
mon with other branches of the commercial interests, from
causes which affected all alike, but it suffered in this way in a
very trifling degree ; the great caose of the distress was the
alarm which was felt at the approaching change •of the state of
the trade with respect to foreign competition. The alarm which
was felt by the manufacturers was not that kind of ignorant
panic, which it was impossible to remove, because no one could
discover on what foundation it rested. It was founded on a
knowledge of the fact that it was-impossible for the manufac-
Luarderbetoencoeneteinneuteomtoedentiopipoeyytitibeewine:iVweritsbattbtehesrlaigtebtaeettwiltiriecehpeleiet
of advantage to himself. It had been said, that the master ma-
nufacturers had endeavoured to increase the present einbarasa.
ing situation of the silk trade, by withdrawing employment
from the weavers.
The Loan Al avow stated (as we understood) that there
had been some misunderstanding on that point, in a certain
quarter.
Mr. Gipson said, he had heard it asserted in several quar-
ters, that the manufacturers had endeavoured to augment the
existing distresses, in order to prevent the Government from
carrying into effect the changes which they had proposed with
respect to the silk trade. He had before stated, that the non-
employment of the labourers by the manufacturers was the
result of an apprehension of loss in the minds of the latter, and
he would tell the meeting upon what that apprehension
was founded. At present it was found necessary to protect
one-quarter of the labour employed in the silk-manufacture,
that of the throwster, by a duty of 6s. per pound on the im-
portation of the spun silk. It required a pound and a halt' of
that silk to make a pound of wrought silk, so that the duty on
the latter amounted to 71. 6d. per pound, which was more than
it was proposed to levy upon the Importation of manufactured
silks. It was therefore not unfounded, the alarm with which
the manufacturers looked forward to the period when the pro.
posed alterations in their trade would take effect. The Spite'.
fields manufacturers were actuated, not by an unfounded
panic, but by well-grounded apprehension. if 7s. 6d. per
pound on the article was required to protect one-fourth of the
labour employed in the manufacture, four times that sum was
necessary to protect the whole. lie quilted that he had not
travelled further into the question then, under the circum.
stances of the case, it was allowable for him to do; and he was
willing to leave it precisely as it stood upon the statement
which he had made. There was one circumstance of allevia-
tion to which lie felt pleasure in adverting. It was, that time
silk-trade was not suffering under a stagnation occasioned by
an accumulation of stock, which an alteration in the circum-
stances of the country could alone remedy; fer he knew, that
if the alarm of the manufacturers could be removed, they
would, in a very short time, be able to set to work every indi.
vidual who had been thrown out of employment...-( Hear I)
Mr. DOXAT bore testimony to the kind conduct of the
manufacturers towards their laboureA, who all spoke in the
highest terms of their employers.
ill r. HALE rose to move the first resolution. It would not, per-
haps,be considered impertinent, that he should make some obser.
%Fattens on the locality of Spitalfields. It was well known that
the parish of Spitalfields was inhabited by a multitude of poor
who resorted there on account of the cheapness of the rents ;
so that there was always much distress m the parish even
when the silk-manufactures were prosperous. Owing to the
vast number of small houses, it was impossible to raise a paro.
661 rate sufficiently large to afford any thing like adequate
relief to those who applied for it in a season of. unusual dis.
tress. It was not the weavers alone who suffered from the
want of employment, but likewise the mall shopkeepers, who
depended for their support upon the customs of the former.
The Spitallields weavers had, besides their distresses, another
claim upon the sympathy of the public, on account of the loyal
and peaceable disposition which they had always manifested.—
eepeLadcdea peaceable.
toTehoeob
wieehucig irebwc
circumstances,
inniotit
li,ey;,tsai
nt weaversen
want
tw)ovfiteelerirneoaeglr
employment
istonelyilgianioulnoweeninsansitsi
18s. per
oaltheypilfnueeer
Whilst riot and outrage were being committed by other
o
ve.
hey
labourers in different parts of the country,. they had continued
upon
ivt
them
Underweaver's
iat gkeest lei e throughwts
by them, for a man could not support himself, a wife, and
children, on 15s. per week, and save money besides. At the
present moment hundreds were absolutely dying for want. lie
concluded with moving the resolution.
The Bishop of CnEarEtt observed, that lie might be mei-
tiered out of piece in coming forward on the present occasion,
had not his office of rector of a parish in Spitalfields led him
to the knowledge of the circumstances which had given rise to
the meeting. On former occasions he had found it necessary to
afford such relief as he could command to the distressed
weavers of his neighbourhood. They then wanted money to
enable them to set their looms at work. He was induced to
conic forward on the present occasion to aid in promoting a sub-
scription, because the weavers now not only had not the means
of setting their looms at work, but were obliged to sell them,
thus depriving themselves of the means of procuring future
subsistence for themselves and their families. lie cense forward
onfltahlei ao;evtlicite woio' ulllda
an the pastor of a flock, many of' whom were in a state of star-
vation, to endeavourito obtain some alleviation for their suffer-
ings.. In taking this step, he hapdeaacceteatiblue.p
most respectable and excellent parishoner Air. Doxat. It was
meetingei at dfo been
ge ewe nu! r
aletthhn thrown' .sitiroileaouendtt
the duty of every person who had it in his power to hold out a
helping hand to the unfortunate sufferers, who amidst all their
distresses were still resigned and
not be considered that he was travelling out of the record it' he
venturedits
ys
au attention
nit,
iootroldi repeatsolely
loeyl
oyr the_ton
teshlutegi
ecgth; cation tritiobtanebticharitable
the which,bi
assembled, and abstain from entering upon the 1
tolifatrtititeiwnoguld be bette-
of the state of' time silk-trade.—(Hear I)
L'iireitoaesdjeealous eye at a' alluirbosicLisr. r
Mr. Alderman CTARRATT 8
with a meeting composed chiefly
ioonli.olldesat
tbe publicpn public
eetrogn
should
dor looktheu"wp
tion of' that nature originating
of persons onmected with the silk-trade.
The LORD MAYon was of opinion that a subscription could

not originate more properly than with those persons wheel
connection with the trade gave them peculiar opportunities of
knowing the extent of the distresses at present existing. lie
had no doubt that the public would have sufficient confidence
in the gentlemen had come forward to place what chari•
table aid they could vittp It their disposal.
Mr. Alderman GARRETT explained, that in what he had
said he did not intend tcss oppose the charitable bbjects of the
meePg. •
Mr. HALE stated that the silk manufacturers who were
present, formed a committee, and were the moat respectable
persons in the trade.
swidderie thneilemweeht
Mr. Alderman Tlioreesost said, he would adhere strictly
purpose. If the meeting were to enter upon the consideration
meeting
his
as Lordshipbeingassheamd
bplreedscrsoi bl
eedly, afno dr
awrohual dr
tea/
of the policy of the late measures adopted by Governracat
' with regard to the silk-trade, there could be no doubt that
considerable difference of opinion would be expressed. The
subject was one of great importance, upon which at that
moment he was not prepared to give a deliberate opinion.--
He attended the meeting solely for the purpose of charity'
and lie hoped that the resolutions to be proposed woeld
be strictly confined to that object. Not having seen the
resolutions, he begged it might be understood that coming
forward lie did not commit himself to any thing further than
to aid by his humble endeavours to alleviate the calamitous
distress prevailing in Spivalfields. He could bear testimony
to the peaceable and orderly conduct of the people inha.
biting that district. In allusion to a' charge which had
been made against the master silk.manufacturers, lie could
state from his own knowledge, that there was no class of IBM.
tees who behaved with more liberality and kindness towards
their labourers. There must have been some misrepresenta•
• don, otherwise Mr. Huskisson, a gentleman who was distin-
guished for his liberality and candour, could not have made
such a charge.
Mr. Alderman Lucas approved of the object of the meet-
ing, and said, that the silk manufacturers were in no way
accountable for the existing distress.
Mr. almost said, that after what he had -heard, he wee
satisfied that it was impossible to confine the attention of the
meeting to the existing distress, and to abstain altogether No
alluding to its cause. After having stated the extent of the
distress, it was natural to inquire how long it might be elx-
pectcd to continue, and whether it was likely to be diminished
or aggravated. The President of the Board of Trade had
charged the master manufacturers with having occasioned the
present distress, by inlulging in speculation. Over produc-
tion, it was said, had loaded the market' with such a large
quantity of manufactures, that nothing.hut the process of time
could relieve the trade from the weight which pressed upon it.
The President of the Board of Trade was misinformed, how'.
ever. There had been no speculation on the part of the master
manufacturers. The imports had not been great, and yet they
remained unsold ; but with respect to the Spitallields manult
ture, there were no large quantity of it in the market. 4"e
wag'it which pressed on the silk trade was the fear of the el)-
preaching change. To set the matter in a proper light, there'
fore, he would propose a resolution setting forth that the P''
sent distress was not occasioned by any feult of the manutet-
turers' but solely by the alarm they felt at the change *lug'
would take place in the silk trade as regarded importations from
foreign countries in July next. The worthy gentleman the,
moved a resolution to chi effect stated.
Mr. Alderman THOMPSON objected to the resolution juet
proposed. He attended the meeting for a charitable purl'°*.n
only—not to discuss the causes of the present distress, but 1o
.
endeavour to relieve it. Parliament, which was about w tt,t'.,
amble, was the fittest place for investigating the cause of tne
calamitous result which they deplored.
Mr. Alderman GARRATT likewise objected to the resoluti°ll
as being calculated to injure the cause for which they had
tangled.
The Bishop:of GREETER said, that the resolution proPuted
had quite taken him by surprise. He had been ihattee,, to
take en active part in originating the meeting, on the under-
standing that there should be no discussion as to the est•it •
of the distress. If die resolution were persisted in, lie wished
to be understood that he took no part m the proceedings of t
ae
meeting.
Mr. Alderman WOOD thought it would be absurd fur so
small a meeting to put forth a declaration as to the causes of tae
existing distress.
Mr. GIBSON disclaimed for himself any knowledge of ti
' understanding referred to by the Right Rev. 13ishop•
solution which he had proposed was drawn up by the Genus'
men who had consulted with his lordship.
Mr. BALLANCE said, that he could no. t separate from t,
question of relief the consideration whether the sufferers W(
likely
t.)atrotoomobdtiadino
owtoarskkintha
ashqourtesotrioaol,ontgh
otimpoeb.
lilof
wgeonotildenoun toy
dould
ors.
Irtisrhi ..eoaTird3 lishetLirmLesAs master-manufacturers
cisort
lfntpchrtool
iltn:ruer e
dt,
Trade
distress
ot:lrnialoshssone
now
t hoomAwnelovaAani
gc:ctsaoit
tor:
conviction
stated Bawl
2 tt
bat,yhy(t
thecs l wwani eorvi understood,guoaeulnalfodarcocibgtanuei
canrntousean,de unable
ifeicnoa
irett
:ruei emc
comer
ge
error
_0:
L..
ypw)oseaetdareartsto.tisleayPrt"huitdetnl odifstthreesspesTrig.::.
h
ie
wit') the foreign market. As long as tf • don hot
.At."
edthe resolution.

The Lotto 3lAroa expressed his objection to the mein
which the discussion had taken. The present meeting hed,bieq.
assembled only for the purpose of raising a subscription•
was nothing to prevent the master manufacturers front dhow
ing every point on which they were at issue with the Govern-
ment at another meeting. dolt*
Ntr. Alderman LIMAS thought that the public would
it
to know something of the cause of the distress which they were
called upon to relieve.
os tP s o rt.
tsaid r
etshorthit wouldhoui ibnet Ppe;oed
Tupi
subscriber,iposed that he was pledged to the op
wl
IneasATlier:dmAi ler, nbaean
which it expressed.
A long conversation took place, in the course of which fir`Gibson was repeatedly urged to withdraw his resolution, ,o
to no purpose. The Bishop of Chester, Mr. Alderman TheDIPI:
son, and Mr. Alderman Garrott, declared, that if it Were,Y.llo'
they would leave the meeting, because there was no doubt
to the result, seeing that the great majority of the tnee,
were silk manufacturers. At length Mr. Gibson said, tsl4' id
consideration of the unpleasant situation in which the 'toe.
Mayor scented to consider himself to be placed, he would; its sent to withdraw the resolution, though fully convinced c" -
propriety.
On the motion of Mr. Gianni, it was resolved that a Tim
scription be op :tiled for the distressed weavers of SPitniie.
and a committee was appointed to manage it.
oe'rjhaAnikasyowr. ereanthdenthve niot:edetitnogbrke
theoßiushpo.p of Chester And the
L

The distress still continues to increase to an alarming.cfee
among the silk-weavers of Spita!fields, as the following 1,01
struts from the books of the undermentioned parishes
chew, viz.:-_..

SPITAI,FIZLDS PAlllBlll.—Paupers in the workhouse,496;
relieved out of the houses 160 ; stun expended on the out-P°°r
in the week ending 28th instant, 26/. ; increase of the out-}to
on the wee.k, 80 ; increase of expenditure on ditto, 211. ; tots
increase o' poor in the above parish, 22 persons.
BETHNAL-GOA:EX Panisit.—Paupers in the workhOle
' '-
899 ; relieved out of the house, 1,400; sum expended in '
week on the out.poor to the 28th inst., 130/. ; increase a di!
out-poor from the last week, 108 ; increase of expendittag .°"
ditto, 69/. ; total increase of poor on the week in the Abe°
parish, lOU.
NILE END, WiIITECHAFEL PARISI( POOll,-1-
„ Oro
Workhouse, 100; ditto relieved out of the douse, t,'"in
expenditurel ,11. lncrease s efoorf t
hteh the
out-poorout-poo
expended on the out-poor during the week ending the 21st at*•
rofnrorn ditto, 143
t
paupers in the above parish during the week, 20. The reP",
received by the Trade Committee up to last Saturday, givie%
most alarming addition to the number that are uneuiPPaYea '
the silk-trade, viz. 20,414 persons.
147.eekio8ta; iinnccrreaseases
oe_t

The SERPENTINE RIVER was an object of it°
interest yesterday,
of sheets of water in its centre, and what are called straight"
forward skaters, scrambling down and up, frequently arnuel
the spectators by their falls, and die awkward appearance 0
their Sunday costume, on risings dripping with wet. In
if we except the extraordinary appearance
shade the frost remained, the wind south-east; it was the raj
of an extremely warm sun which produced this effect on,
ice. lire saw no one among the skaters worthy of notice•
banks of the river were lined with pedestrians four or the (1,!l!
in the promenade, but in the carriage drive the fashiontte,!:
vehicles were but thinly scattered. The grand mart wee
great road, north and south. There we saw the Alontros,e"
ilia Harrowbys,the Soinersets, the Cbohnondeleys, the Howar,.i!o
Alolyneuxs, lilontagues, and Cavendishes. The new Parisi°
bmnet wo before alluded to, seemed to be all the rage.

BANKRUPTS.—.The London Gazelle of Sal":
day, our Readers will, with us, be sorry In fill";
contains a list of no less than sixoe.six
Bankrupts, including six Declarations of botht
vency—the greateht number, we believe, that
has ever appeared in any single publication v?
the Official Gazette.