Star.
London, England, 1816-08-17 00:00:00

,PRICE SEVESI-PENCI:.

A SSOCIAI'ION It'd! TRE R ELT Er Or THE
4-11- MANGFACTUiIitIG ANU LABOURING Min.

His ROyal Highness thy: biake of YORK, Preeidiint.

igsaiptions are receive I for the Association by all the !taken
iln London and Westminster. at the Bar if Lloyd's Coffee.
House; and at the City of Lpndon Tavern.

Aniount of Sobscriitions alread
East India Dock Com-
pany X2OO d
Right Hon. Sir T. and
Lady Planner 50 0
Messrs. T. F. Forster
and Co. 50 0
Mrs. E. Crombl”holnis 20 0
J. king and Co. 21 C
Mr. Andrew 20 0
Visitors at Aldburough 5 0
Jos. Cotton, Esq. 20 0
M tehell anti Venn 10 10
Wm. Prevost, Esq. 10 0
• 10 10
1 1
Min GB"lnroonicibureidgt e.
G. L. N. 5 5
Mr. Jenkins 10 0
Captain P. Hughes 5 6
Mrs. P. Hsghes 5 5
Admiral the Hoes H.

advertised 8261012 11
Mr. 'l. Avery • AS 3
Mr. FM. Blueneantle g g
Alr. 'l. Plea .S
F. Lind, E•ri. 10 0
Cco Esq. 10 10
Lad) Serachey 10
A. Semisoft, Esq. SO 0
Mr. W. Mattbtws 3 0
1. G. G. .

Mr. T. Nesbitt
Miss M. A. Hahn 5 5
Rev. R. Twin 3 3
Lord Carleton 4 i 0,
Hon. General E. Bligh 20 0
Mr. L ker A 0
Browne
•

3 3

Lord R6rers

Mho _ M. Farbill , . 0
W. L. Guy/yr, Eiq. . # S
Mr. H. Rowland 1 1
Hon. Col H F. Stanhope 5 0
Rev. E h enpe S 0
Mr. G. Yeats S 0
Gen. C. U. CiaWford SO 0
G. 3. 0
.Cape. A. lysaight. R.N. 204 0
Mr. R. J. Harrison S S
Mri E. Hamm!' I
C. Greville, 10 0
C Lambert, Esq. 20 b

Corson 10 0
Was F. P. Habana 21 0
Young Ladiei U. P.
R P. 0
Rev B. Chapman 5 5
H. Steward, Bop 20
Cook, Towmend, and
Cook 30 0
V. Freeman, Eq. 10 0

It is requested that all Lettsei him the Country to the Also.
elation be directed to the Secretary, and put uuder i
addressed as follows: ,
Frasseis Fralisy., Eq.
Gssas►ra/ Post-bps.

A. M L. P.

Temple-Chambers, London,

W. G. CARTER, See.

DISTRESS of Me SPITALFIELDS WEAVERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.
Ste--Tlie population of this piece is far greater
than all the distressed parishes of Staffordshire, foe
which so strong an interest has been justly excited,
and somewhat exceeds that of any of the large towns
in Great Britain. The proportion of poor is much
larger than is contained within the same population
in any part of the kingdom.
It is well known that the silk trade of the country
has its chief seat in this quarter, and usually finds
employment and support for the majority of these
poor persons. The number of looms in this trade
has been ascertained to be about 10,000 ; anti each
of these, when in work, will furnish employment for
three persons in the various bunches of elying, warp-
ing, winding, quilling. &c. Ot these 10,000 looms,
however, more thin half have been totally unethployed
for several mouths, and the nntherous families depen-
dent upon them deprived of all their supplies.
When the effect of such a calamity is duly consi-
dered, I shall be believed when I assure you, that
there has been no description, either of general &
individual misery, in all the affecting deteils Wan
Staffordshire, which might not find its complete
counterpart in Spitalfields. I have personally visited
some hundreds of these unfortunate people, and can
adduce proof of this deplorable fact, should there be
any one found to doubt it. Many have literally
parted with eve: y thing that could produce a shil-
ling; their rooms are stripped of their little furniture
and bedding, and their bodies left almost without
any kind of covering. The small allowance, which
the parishes can afford is, at length, all that numbers
of them have to subsist upon, and this is rarely half
sufficient to buy them bread.
When my countrymen seea fellow-creature Almost
perishing fur want, they do nut, I know, stop to in-
quire whether he be a worthy object of .relief. I
might otherwise state, in behalf of the Spitalfields
pow, that they suffer patiently and in. silence.. His
Majesty has not a more peaceable and industrious
body of subjects within his dominions. .
After so describing' the sufferings and virtues of
the Spitalfields poor, it will, I am sure, be a matter
of astonishment and sorrow to your Readers, as it
has been to myself, to learn that not one shilling of
the public bounty has yet tOund its way into the dis-
tressed families of that district. It is but justice to
state, that this neglect does not appear to rest with
the Committee of the general Association, since a
small sum has been voted by them and sent to that
quarter, but with the parties to whom this money has
been entrusted. Oh, could these Gentlemen have
seen what I have seen, neither conscience nor hu-
manity would have suffered them to sleep in their
beds with this money one day in possession, till the
most prompt and decisive measures had been taken
for its distribution.
The comparative inefficacy of pecuniary relief to
meet such deep and extended distress, and the apathy
which, in some instances at least, attends its applica-
tion, make me turn with the more anxious.hope and
desire to the encouragement of our manufactures.
This point you have repeatedly urged, and I am glad
to perceive that the Committee of the Association
have likewise noticed it. With regard to the imme.
diate subject of my letter--were every Lady to when
it would be_ no burden to add one silk dress to her
wardrobe, and purchase a few extra yards of riband.
it would probably lead to the employment, of some
thousands of poor weavers during the ensuing winter,
and would be by far the best and most effectual made
of relieving their destitute families. It may, perhaps,
be proper to add, that I am myself in' no way eel-
fleeted with the trade of Spitalfields, and that the
interest I feel for that neighbourhood arises solely
from the opportunity I have had of witnessing its
present distress in the course of some evening %Vs
to afford a little relief.
Though I have not distinctly mentidised them, it
will not be forgotten that there arb in Spilldfields
multitudes belonging to other trades, withAt any
employment, besides a very considerable number
who have fps that half work.