Star.
London, England, 1819-08-27 00:00:00

to be wondered at, *bile Men of Rank and Fortune fail to do
their duty. Many who, by their successful prosecution of busi-
ens, have, by the very labour which is now palsied and rests as
a dead welgat on the market, acqttired Princely Fortunes—l say,
while these men, who are alone competent to arrest the growing
evils, look supinely on, indifferent as it were to those conse-
quences wkicb are inevitable, what eon be hoped for unless
relief is in some way administered ?
" It is in vain to look for a more prosperous state of things
from the probable improvement of Trade, as it regards a great
proportion of our labouring Poor; the means of production,
aided by our numerous mechanical contrivances, are almost in-
calculable, and these press so upon all the markets to which thus
far we have found access, as to render our Manufactures of little
value, leaving the industry of the Country without hope of re-
muneration.

" It is not from foreign competition alone that these evils pro-
ceeds it is from the mistaken policy of our Manufacturers, who
ought to be the natural guardians of the labour of the Country,
but who are ever bent upon reducing the price of that labour
whenever the demand becomes languid ; and thus producing a
twofold evil, destroying the comforts of the operatives, and, in
proportion as the prices are reduced, compelling them, by long
hours and excessive exertion, to the production of an increased
quantity of the very articles which are already too abundant.
" I hpve too good an opinion of nine-tenths of the population
of this country, for a moment to believe that the present ebul-
lition deserves any such character as that given to it ; but I am
at the same time confirmed in my judgment, that great distress
pervades a large body of well-disposed and well-affected men in
the Country, who would sit down contented with living In great
moderation and plainness by their own industrious exertions.
Give them but food and clothing as the reward of their labour,
and all the cant of Universal Suffrage and Annual Parliaments,
with the rest of the catalogue of their demands, would disappear,
9r be found only with the itinerant politicians of the day. But
when want stares them in the face, and the men of weight, of
consequence, and of information, refuse to listen to their com-
plaints, to whom :hen are they to look?
" I am no party man myself, nor do I recollect ever, is the
course of my life, attending a Political Meeting, er in any way
interfering with the political contests of the day. But, sur-
rounded as we ale with alarm and difficulty, I could not excuse
myself, if I did not state what appears to me to be calculated to
tranquillize the public mind, and to restore order and comfort
amongst us.

Permit me, with all due deference and respect for thy cha-
racter and high rank in life, to suggest that, as Lord Lieutenant
of the County, if thou were to call a Mecing of the Nobility,
Gentry, Landholders, and principal Manufacturers, fer thepur-
pow of taking into their serious consideratioxi Ke present distressed ;:ate
of the labouring orders of people, with a view to the stet: ang (11 :soh
measures as would give instant activity to the surplus labour us the
several Manufacturing Districts, I am of opinion that many ex-
pedients might be resorted to to effect this; and, probably, the
Manufacturers themselves might bring about a co-operation
through the kingdom, for the purpose of raising the price of
labour, and making its moderate exercise sufficient to procure the
ordinary means of existence, without the degradation of parochial
aid to eke out the scanty provision.
" Could the poor but see the rich thus interesting themselves,
to restore to them what the pressure of the times has gradually
taken away ; to what privations, during these efforts to serve
them, would they not submit, with patient resignation ?
" I love my country, and greatly value its inhabitants. I can-
not, therefore, contemplate the proposed emigration to the Cape
of Good Rope, as at all calculated to relieve our present dis-
tresses. Who, having the feelings of an Englishman, does not'
look with affection on the land of his nativity?

" Let us then cherish that attachment, by a timely attention
to the difficulties and distresses with which our suffering Bre-
thren are struggling. And this will, I'll answer for it, call them
back to their duty and allegiance, and a time may come when
they might prove themselves the country's best safeguard. The
Crown and Waste Lands in the United Kingdom, might, In my
bumble opinion, be parcelled out, under the direction and superin-
tendance of Boards of Agriculture, composed of Gentlemen
who would most cheerfully give their services amongst the un-
emploled labourers and their families, to be held for a term of
years free from rent and taxes.
" Thus would profitable activity be given to the labour of
thousands of families, and the districts where they are now
hardly existing on pauperism, be relieved from a weight of ex-
pense which produces general distress and di/culty. This mea-
sure would give an increased value to the labour that remains;
and it would be sought for at a (nice that would sustain life in
cornf..rt.

" Should this plan be resorted to (and it has the sanction of a
Noble Earl, who is also the Lord Lieutenant of a Northern
Dbtrict), no man, whose opinion is worth regarding, would dare
to say, that it is a concession prompted by fear; because the
precautions taken by Government, and all the Constituted Au-
thorities through ;be Nitior. are, of that formidable kind, that
cannot but convince the nv.st desperate, that in the event of a
general conflict, nothing but destruction awaits them. The pre-
sent Poor Rates of the Country amount annually perhaps, to
Ten or Twelve Millions of Pour.ds : if what I would most re-
spectfully recommend were taken up, on a broad scale by Go-
vernment, a fourth or a fifth part of this amount might be fairly
called for and easily furnished, as the means by which to carry
into effect the proposed measure, because the operation of it
would take the Poor out of the several districts where they arc
the most burdensome; and, as a necessary consequence, would
'give a proportionately additional value to every man's property
so relieved.

" To ascertain the drg•se of distress prevailing through this
country, (and of which, some people affect to doubt) a Commis-
sion of respectable, independent, and humane men, ought to be
appointed, correctly to obtain, the number of families out of
employment who are willing to work, their general characters,
usual occupations, and how tong this state of things has existed
amongst then

" Should this imperfect sketch, Noble Earl, be found to con-
tain any thing worthy thy notice and attention, I shall indeed
greatly rejoice ; and I io trust, that the motive by which I am
actuated, will be admitted as a sufficient apology for the freedom
I have exercised; and that thou wilt believe me to be, with all
due deference and respect,
" Thy obliged, and sincere Friend,
" Bmo. 10, 1819. " DAVID BOLT."

Yesterday a Meeting of the Cabinet Ministers took
place at the Secretary of State's Office for the Home
Department. Among those present were—the Earl
of LIVERPOOL, Viscount SIDSIOOTH,ViScOUnt CASTLE-
REAGH, &c. The ATTORNEY and SOLICITOR GENE-
RAL attended the Meeting. A Cabinet Council sat
at the same Office on the previous day.

We learn that Mr. BROOKS applied yesterday for
further time to give the answer which the Secretary
of State desired with respect to Sir FRANCIS BUR-
DETT'S letter, and we understand that the time origi-
nally granted, and which was only for two days, has
been extended until Monday next.