The Sun.
London, England, 1827-03-02 00:00:00

STATE OF TRADE, POWER-LOOMS, &c.

BLACKBURN, LANCASHIRE.—There is a little more work for
the weavers here ; but their average earnings are not more than
four shillings per week of eighty hours. Whatever may be said to
the contrary, I assure you that the power-looms are the principal
cause of the distress here ; for, previous to their invention, the
wages were good ; and, by the following remarks,,l will show you
the cause why they are excellent for the advantage of some 20 ca-
pital mais be endured?stermanufacturers, but pre3udicial to th enation at large.
Shall

•
It is calculated that in England and Scotland they have super-
seded entirely 40,000 hand-looms,or weavers at their own cottage,
and they have also partially superseded above 200,000 weavers. I
mean, they have reduced their wages from 30s. to 4s. 6d. per
week. I have been in many cottages in this neighbourhood, and
find the people all starving, a few potatoes and salt, and per-
haps a red-herring twice a week, is their only food. Where there
are families, the parents deny themselves the luxury of the above
countenancesfish in order
otfo purchase
oaf
thelittle
populationmilk for their
bespeak children.stu r
v l
and here let me tell you how this misery is, and has beena,ti°nhe
;
in-
creased by the practices of the masters. They one and all strive
to undersell the other. This is carried to such a height, that
if one master can grind his poor weavers to a reduction of 6d.
each per week, all the other masters follow his base example, as-
serting that they cannot sell their goods in the Manchester Liarket
if they do not do so. But even these small wages cannot success-
fully compete with the steam power-loom, which may he
worked 20 per cent. cheaper, and actually make stronger
and better goods (calicoes, &c.) I trust you will insert
this Letter in your valuable Paper, and I hope that Mr.
Peel, or some other equally able Member of Parliament, will pro-
cure a Committee, or a Travelling Commission, to inquire into
these facts, and the remedy for them. If this Committee was
granted, the troops here might be rendered unnecessary.
You well 'know, Sir, that when 500 or 1000 people are turned
out of employ, by the decline of any branch of trade, they may and
can get employment in other trades ; but that rule will not do
here—for 300,000 weavers, and those dependent on them for their
subsistence, it becomes a national concern, and ought to be en-
quired into. In 1781, we imported 5,198,778 lbs. of Cotton,
from theseper
and exported 96,788 lbs. ; in 1824, we imported 136,735,566 lbs..,
and exported 10,220,500 lbs., and the value of the latter Cotton
exported, was 16,427,1391. See Baines's excellent History, &c.
imported
pmorutechd,
only
of the County of Lancaster; which also states there are above
15,000 steam power looms in Lancashire, and a child of 10 years
looms,eek atgherse,ocan timeswa attend nd two looms,
introductionbette r w o ven cloth, opt,vears
itohoembs,estvilzi.ainnd-i,ivseaov67. Previous to the
and
dagot;,o aptrot ‘dvuoco shillings
58,176,283 lbs. of Cotton WOol, and the weaver's wages were
from 20s. to 30s. per week ; and we last year had 140,000,000 lbs.
of Cotton imported, and the wages average from 7s. to 4s. 6d.
per week. How is this ? any honest man will enquire. I leave
it to your readers to make the calculation of how many this
excellent invention of the steam power loom has already thrown •
out of employ, and leave them to consider the dreadful conse-
quences of the further increase of these engines, upon an increased
population.
The masters have the art, notwithstanding, to gain money by
this trade (talk of West India Slavery, indeed, after this) ; they
say that if they do not employ power looms, foreigners will ; but
that is denied—the foreigners have neither machinery, nor coal,
nor -operatives.
I leave it to the wisdom of Parliament to devise measures.
Your's, &c. A TRAVELLER.

LONDON,
FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 2, 1827.

His MAJESTY'S Ministers last night redeemed the
pledge they had given to the country, to submit to
Parliament certain propositions for regulating the
future importation of foreign corn ; and the speech
which Mr. CANNING delivered, in submitting these
propositions to the House of Commons, will be read
with the deepest interest, and, we think we may add
with the highest satisfaction, by all classes of his MA-
JESTY'S subjects.
The Right Hon. Gentleman, on this occasion,
teems to have endeavoured to keep down the natural
brilliancy of his eloquence, and to confine himself to
a plain and simple narration of the present system
of the Corn Laws, and of the plan which
the Government had determined to propose, the
object of which is to reconcile conflicting opi-
nions, and to avoid falling into the extremes con-
tended for by either party, of prohibition on
the one hand, and unrestricted importation on the
other. The plain and clear statement of Mr. CA-
NING, illustrated by his force of argument, but ' un-.
adorned by his usual flashes of wit, was as powerful in
its effect on the House, as the most brilliant display of
his eloquence ever was on any former occasion ; it
calmed contending passions, reconciled the most op-
posite opinions, made it appear that the-interests of all
were inseparable, and, in fact, carried conviction to the
fluids of all who are not blinded by the sordid feelings
of self-interest. The nation at large, we are convinced,
will catch the feeling which animated the House of
Commons on this occasion, and will feel that his MA-

JEsTy's Government have again entitled themselves to
• the gratitude of the country, for the just and liberal
Principle which they propose to establish in the regu-
lation of this great question.
The nature of the proposed measure may be briefly
stated as follows :—lmportation is to be allowed at all
times on the payment of a duty, so regulated in
amount as to afford protection to the Agriculturist,
and prevent prices rising or falling above or below a
fair average. Thus, 'when the weekly average price
of Wheat is 60s. per quarter, the import duty is to be
205.; and in respect of every integral shilling by which
the price shall be above 605., such duty is to be de-
creased by 2s. until the price shall be 170 s. or upwards.
When the duty is to be ls. And in respect for each
Shilling by which the price is below 605., such duty is
to be increased by 2s. per quarter. A scheme of duty
founded on the same principle is proposed for Barley,
Oats, &c. the protecting point of Barley being 108.
When the price is 305., with a decreasing rate of ls. 6d.
per quarter till the price reaches 375., when the duty
is to be ls., and an increasing duty as the price falls
of Is. 6d. for each shilling decrease of price ; and the
protecting price of Oats being 225., when the duty is
to be 7s. with an increase or decrease of ls. per quar-
ter as the price rises or falls. •
This is the outline of the measure proposed to Par-
liament ; and it appears to us to be founded on wise,
sound, and just principles. It will entirely prevent
those extraordinary fluctuations of prices which have
ten..,!tk place during the operation of the present Corn
tend also to keep steady the price of most other articles.
The Agriculturist will be able to calculate on no im-
moderate depression, while the consumer will be
eeallY safe from any exorbitant rise in the value
articles most essential to the existence of the coin-
fort of human nature.
do she further consideration of the proposed Resolu.
Was fixed for Thursday next.

.
,russels Papers of the 28th ult., and
morning.
Observer of the 17th, have been received this .
the Austrian
It appears that the affairs of Holland are rapidly im-
proving if increase of population be considered atest,
for, by a summary
for the year of the births, deaths, and marriages
1825, the excess of births was 75,0
If we are to believe the Austrian Observer, the Uni-
versa Gazette of Greece, which is published at Egina,
contailon ans the report of the entire failure of the expe-
ditigainst TALANDI by the Greeks, in which,
though the chiefs distinguished themselves very much,
yet their hopes of success were baffled by the want of
unanimity among the troops—and the inactivity of the
fleet, which was absent at the moment when its co-
boperation was most desirable. However, to counter-
mishaps, the Greeks have obtained two
victories (one of which we noticed a few days ago)
and their future exertions were likely to be stimulated
by the success of KARASX'AIKI :---
SECOND CHAMBER OF THE STATES GENERAL.
SITTING OFFEBILUARY 24.
25.—1 n this. sitting the project of law rela-
BRUSSELS, FEB.
tive to the tariff of customs
.was discussed, and, after a lengthened
debate on some of the articles, was carried by a majority of 54
to 22.
The Government has published a summary of the births,
during
deaths, and marriages, in the kingdom
,the year 1825
,223
Births ..•
he
Deaths 146,138

Excess of Births 75,085
Marriages
FRANKFORT, FEE. 21.-An affair between some citizens and
some Austrian officers, who are employed on a military commis-
sion to the Diet, and which led to the arrest of the former, had
nearly been followed by some serious consequences. However,
the persons arrested have now been set at liberty, and the officers
sent for the present out of the city.
The Emperor of Austria has issued an ordinance at Milan,

prohibiting, under very severe penalties, the sale by public auction,
of fragments,of the true cross and other reliques.
The Austrian Observer of the 16th of February, gives extracts
from the Universal Gazette of Greece, published at Egina, of
the Nos. 10 to 12, dated from the 20th to the 27th of December.
No. 11, of the 23d of December, contains the report of the entire
failure of the expedition of the Greeks against Talandi, in which,
however, many illustrious warriors distinguished themselves in a
manner worthy of their ancestors. The failure of the expedition
is ascribed to two causes, the first, that the troops did not act all
at once, and in concert, and those that hught, did it in a disor-
derly manner : secondly, that contrary to all expectation, the
ships of war retired, at a time when their assistance was
the most needful. But there is every hope that these
troops will soon be in motion again, since such generals,
as Karatasgo, Gatzo, &c., cannot be indifferent in the
present situation of the country, or not be inspired by the
victories of Karaiskaiki and his companions in arms. Among
the brave men who fell on this occasion were Capt. Aligelo, the
old Capt. Kalamida, the Pentakosiarch (commander of 500
men) Condo, Anagosti, Chamakiaki Sakellion, and Athanarius
Emanuel Paha.

The Universal Gazette of the 20th, contains the report ,2 the
engagement at Rachova, on the 6th December, signed by the
Commander-in-Chief Karaiskaiki, (formerly Karaiskaki, i. e.
Black James) and 94 officers. They state the loss of the enemy
at 1,300 killed, including all the Commanders, and that of the
Greeks at eight men.
The Number of the 27th December gives a short account of a
second victory gained by the Greeks at Vilitza, to the north of
Rachova, in which the Turks, who were 1,500 strong, are stated
to have been totally routed by Karaiskaiki, with great loss in
killed and wounded. The Greeks took 1,000 beasts of burden,
laden with ammunition and provisions, coffee, sugar, &c. The
General writes our people are greatly enriched by the booty.

" By the arrival of his Majesty s frigate Pyramus, we
have communications from Lisbon to the 21st ult.,
being four days later than the last arrivals. By the
fgovving extract- of a private letter it will be seen
~tffiit the secret influence of the rebels has not been de-.
stroyed, although their power in arms has been for a
time defeated. The capture of some baggage has dis
closed the names of a number of fresh conspirators to
the Constitution, and among them we regret to learn
that several Members of the. Chambers of Deputies and
Peeri are implicated. Even the Nobleman in whose
house General CLINTON lodged was deep in the
cause of rebellion ! Really, it would appear as if
disaffection, like a leprosy, tainted the great
body of the People. Nor are the higher or-
ders a whit more patriotic ; indeed such was the
distrust prevalent in Lisbon, that honest people were
afraid to look their neighbours in the face. The ori-
ginal letters of treason found in the baggage were laid
before the Chamber of Deputies, and debated on with
closed doors. What a picture of national degradation
when the Senators of a free country are afraid to hear
the disclosure of treason, lest their own names should
be found among the list of conspirators ! The pusil-
lanimous conduct of the Executive has been all along
complained of, and with good reason, for their want of
firmness in punishing traitors and confiscating their pro-
perty to the service of the State, not only betrays their
own weakness, but acts as a bounty to rebellion. But we
apprehend that the true reason consists in the secret
participation of several Members of the Government in
the nefarious proceedings of the Apostolicals. They
therefore oppose any harsh measure lest its severity
should fall upon their friends, and ultimately touch
themselves,' on the disclosure of their names by con-
demned rebels, who would not be disposed to show
mercy to those in whose hands their destiny was placed.
If the spirit of rebellion be so general in Portugal, it
is dangerous for our small army to remain there, unless
strengthened by a much larger force, for they are now
treading on a volcano, ready to burst when the power
of the disaffected is equal to their baseness. But why
should we endanger the lives of brave men, and incur
great expense in protecting a constitution for which
the people are not prepared by liberal *sentifilents—
and which the Nobles abominate because it indirectly
limits their tyrannical authority by giving the people
a larger share in the Government. If it be true that
a bold peasantry,
When once destroyed can never be Supplied.

it is equally true that when nobles are dead to virtue
and to honour, there is no hope of patriotism in the
country; and the slave is worthy of his taskmaster._
But
the Priests are the original cause of all this
demoralization—they have humbled the public mind
so low, that it is as insensible to present shame as fu-
ture reproach. The Portuguese have been so long under
the influence of their Priests that they fear to disobey
them, and dread their wrath. Like a blind man, they
have leant on their spiritual guides so long,
that theyTfhe
They
pdaarrael yz
noted t ahtinkthfeora p
themselvespr e apprehension
andf
cannot
aons
Inogt
Men who hug their chains
bageefinetes..
ttahlireeemreuf.:Nrveorbtehyfrteoe
Extract of a private letter, dated Lisbon, Feb. 21 :—I
embrace the opportunity of the sailing of the Pyramus for
England, in order to give you the news which has occurred
since Saturday; the Marquis de CHAVES made his last attack,
at the head of 1,500 regulars, who were well provided,
and was assisted by 4 or 5,000 guerillas, who fled at the
first fire. CilAvEs being obliged to escape, got into Spain,
and il passed near Monteray, at the head of a party of horse,
and fled towards Tras-os-Montes, into which he effected
his entrance ; he is now at Chaves joined by TELLES
JORDAO, who has not more than 300 regulars and
about 1000 Guerillas, and no dependence can be placed on
the armed peasants, who scamper off at the first shot. The
news from Spain is good, in consequence
t of the determi-
nation.eohtoo
of France not to enter into the war. Theo
Rebels who were disarmed at Tuy, asked permission
2O
n
return Portugal to throw themselves at the mercy
e
Government, which the Governor refused. A rumouroft is
circulated that General CLINTON has issued a Proclama-
tion against the Rebels, threatening them with immediate
destruction if they resisted any longer.
We have all been here on the quz vine these two days, in
consequence of the discoveries of certain parties in the in-
terior and in Lisbon, in carrying on a correspondence with
CHAVES and his party. This correspondence was disco-
vered in the capture of the baggage of Viscount MoNTEA-
LEGRE ; it compromises many of the greatest men in
both Chambers, Peers and Deputies, and many of the
first merchants; amongst whom is the Viscount P. C. in
whose house Sir William CLINTON lodged. General
STUBBS has taken copies of the letters, and sent the ori-
gifrals to his Government. Copies are also sent off to
England. This discovery has produced a great sensation,
for we are afraid to look at each other. The papers
were laid before the Chamber of Deputies on INlondaY,
when there was a secret Sitting on the subject. It ap-
pears that Spain has a Cordon in Estramadura, and that
the passage of the subjects of either kingdom is absolutely
prohibited, and all letters opened and examined. The
English Commander has sent Officers to ,examine the state
of Elvas. Letters from Oporto state that all is quiet there.
It is affirmed that the British troops will not at present
march for that city.

Sydney Papers have been received at the North and
South American Coffee House this morning, to the
ion!.
16th of September last : the following are extracts :
". Sterling money is beginning to show itself in current trans-
ac Others besides merchants are at length gratified with
the
~privilege of handling British coin.
The Bank of New South Wales struck the blow to the
dollar system, on the Ist of September, in the most effectual way,

refusing from that period to receive dollars in deposit, and also
desisting from paying• them away. Upwards of 60,000 dollars
were tendered to the Commissariat for Treasury Bills, the whole
of which were received. A greater quantity of dollars was,
however, tendered, thanthe parties were able to secure; the con-
sequence of which will be, that the parties must find sterling
specie in lieu.

It is in contemplation to remodel the late Government order,
which allows to married prisoners in the Government Establish-
ment, the privilege of working for themselves on Fridays and Sa-
turdays, and the unmarried of the same class on Saturdays only.
By the Police Report more disturbances were committed on Fri-
days and Saturdays than during the_ whole of the month besides ;
therefore these indulgencies will be restricted in a great measure,
by drawing a medium between the well-disposed and disorderly.
Sydney Gazettes of the 13th of Sept. 1826, and Australian
Papers of the 16th of same month, have been received, per the
Fairfield, at the North and South American Coffee-house. The
contents of which are not of importance, and chiefly occupied by
local circumstances. The private letters by this conveyance are as
late as the 12th October. The Bush Rangers, it appears, had not
been quite extirpated. In Van Dieman's Land considerable loss
had been suffered by many of the settlers, in consequence of the
severe winter they had experienced, and the rot had attacked the
sheep, considerable numbers of which had died. The weather had
been more severe than for the last five years. The price of wheat
was 6s. 6d. and Ss. per bushel; maize, 3s. 6d. ; flour, 20s. per
cwt. ; beef, 3s. Bd. to 4s. per stone; mutton, 4s. 2d. to ss. 4d.;
pork, 4s. 6d. to ss. 4d.
The transport ship, Earl St. Vincent, Captain Middleton, and
the Australian Company's ship, Portland, Captain Wood, from
Leith, had arrived at Hobart Town. Considerable activity seems
to be exhibited by the settlers in the Seal and Whaling Trade.—
These papers mention the death of a Mrs. Baker, resident in
Launceston, which is imputed, in some measure, to the want of
skill of the nurse. The unhappy husband took the death of his
wife so much to heart, that three days after he committed suicide,
leaving four young orphans, including the new born babe, to la-
ment their loss.