The Statesman.
London, England, 1812-05-29 00:00:00

111.. STATESMAN.

thought it right to otatc, that the retitkai should be
referred to a Select Committee.
The How then went into the Committee span the Orders Ih
Council, and examined ieveral witnebaes; filer which it ad-
journed.

EXAMINATION OF WITNESgES
OK PETITIONS AGAINST TILE ORDERS IN WUNCIL,
DI ST 20, 1812.

SPITALFIELDC.

Mr. Jon,/ Ilovrrsttiv has been in silk-manufac-
ture in Spite!fields ever since 1797. Spitalfields pa-
rish contains about 5000 looms; and in the other
parts of contiguous parishes, there are about 12 or
15000 looms. For the last twelve months, one.
half of the weavers in.Spitalfields parish out of cm.
ploy ; lower orders in deplorable state, almost all out
of employ ; receive parochial relief; their numbers
much increased. At last census 16,000 inhabitants,
and 2000 poor ; considerable private charity. Soup
kitchen gives 3 or 4000 quarts of soup per diem ;
distress much greater than in 1800 and 1801; Qua-
kers take the chief part in carrying on the soup-
kitchen ; light silks the only ones cheap enough for
American market. In heavy silks the French under.
sell us, getting raw materials cheaper._ If market
were open, should have opportunity to send consi-
derable quantities to America. Tuliied off many
hands during last ten months. Distress greater with-
in three or four months. He employed in 1807
130 looms, which gradually have fallen off to less
than 90 now. Knows no other cause but the stop-
page of American market. Six or seven thousand
weavers in his parish ; but the labourers generally
distressed for want of work : high price of provi-
sions may be one cause. Near 480 poor in work-
house, in the year 1810.11, and nearly as many out-
door paupers: some persons died for want, from not
being relieved in time. Declines giving any political
opinions. The French have not attained the way of
making light silks. If ports were open, and the
French did oblige America to take silks, yet a great
proportion of our's would find a market. None of
our silks so eheap as French, if of the same quality.l
Some of our's go to the West Indies, some to Russia
and Portugal: knows of none going to South Arne-
rica. Silk coming lately from the Continent has been i
mostly thrown silk: one cause of distress. Raw
silk particularly dear during last six months. Be-
fore the Orders in Council, the American orders came
twice a year. American trade did not employ quite
one-half of the weavers. Distress partly from dear-
ness—from want of provisions, but chiefly from want
of work.

Mr.W.IIALE has been in the silk line above 20 years,
and is Parish Treasurer. In 1800.1, a considerable
sum was voted by Parliament for relief, but at that
period most were in full employ. From 20 t 0.30,000
men, women, and children, are employed in the silk
line in and about Spitalfields : from the number of
workmen and labourers of all sorts there, they are
always subject to parochial distress. Thinks not
above one-third of weavers in full employ. Fashion
last winter of ladies wearing broad-cloth, greatly
disappointed them, and velvets and silks remain-
ed on hand. Large importations of raw silk
lately from Bengal. Articles in which we succeeded
against the French were gauzes, crapes, Persians,
slight Barcelouas, &c.; now not made at all. Ex-
port trade to America has declined for 14 years.
Soup Society the means of preserving many hundreds
of children of lower orders from dying of want.—
Bengal importations have not been sufficient : gene-
rally, nut so good as the Italian. In 1793 thinks as
many were out of work as now, and 10,0001. were
collected for them; but then, the quarters-loaf was
only seven-pence, and potatoes very low. Trade
♦ery good in 1807: very bad, indeed, last Christmas.
Many distressed who used to supply the weavers,
such as slop-sellers, shoemakers, &c. Many Sews,
&c. have bought goods on hand at low prices, and
sold them so, and deluged the country shops with
them at 30 or 40 per cent. under market price;
5000 bales of silk imported last week from Bengal.
Mr. GEORGE STEVENSON, has been in silk trade
15 years. When trade was good, employed near
200 weavers in London, now about 100; and at
Reading 120, now from 90 to WO. Turned oft' his
hands in 1811, and this year, from loss of the mar-
ket. Understands French silks have been lately
smuggled over: but has seen none in the market.—
His American trade was only an eighth or tenth of
his whole trade, of which the returns were 50,0001.
a year : but the American articles being the low sort,
employed a great number of hands. Home market
also considerably diminished. Cannot tell the cause
exactly. A general falling off of the trade. Menu-
factory for pelisses; &e. considerable about three
springs ago. Export articles are made by boys,
girls, and women: gauze he made at Reading. Had
considerable orders in December, 1810, from Ame-
rica, which are still on hand. Generally used to
sell fancy stock twice a year to the shippers: that
sale has failed. The greater part of his men dis-
charged were employed for home consumption ; .but
1 considerable part of what was manufactured
for home consumption in the first instance, used
to go to America. Articles for America employ
a greater number of hands in proportion to value
than other articles. Fancy goods failing London
market, used to he sold for America at reduced
prices ; such goods as he made originally for Lon-
don : dismissed the London hands first; as,
if he had dismissed those at Reading, he could not
have gor them again. Conceives, that besides stop-
ping of the Atnericau trade, there has been a general
falling off.

I •. z`r~ .

1807, more than that ofrafinatmstrailioitinetuiticaleodorrry.cu
tor;l4.u7erbsurue‘rt%::ivotheajudesyl:edicrition.;:tioliiriAivopeer.iu,nvgneec:. Itkat.Order merged in the Order of April, tstoe. A,
II io this country only about 10 ye..- is ago. HI;
1 4141)11118114":Me7ircaddbersturhetei:trie"nnaascl ehodeutatnphrcelielcoNl
cW at end of August last. has a partner at N,-er
a citizen of the United States. Is a native et
/ itlountry. Has been an exporter to Amniez
4ae or four years. The full shipment, of 1810, to
erica, was perhaps as great as any preceding
'year. (be stock then in America, he believe,
to be almost entirely used. A few parcels ins,
iti
now get in by smuggling. Use of expensive
goods may he diminished by the distress there,
among the merchants particularly. If market
were open, he would ship a variety of nook%
Ind cotton manufactures. Almost every thing that
vied to be shipped would be eligible there: some
small Manchester wares be should not ship, they
'ng manufactured in America. No important ri-
valry as yet from American manufactures. More
I French silks there than the country wants, so that
{et
they cannot be sold to the advantage of importers.
1 Assigns same causes for quantity, &c. of French
' goods as former witnesses. Three quarters wide
French sarsnet sold at 6s. 9d. French manufac-
i tures were entirely silks, cambric', and a few laces.
I As to Saxon and Silesian manufactures, he can only
refer to the time of open market, when we were not
undersold. Woollen goods particularly were selling
at great loss in Canada. In case of repeat of Order
I of April, 1809, should make shipments at his own
I risk. Ile should insure, with precautions for en.
gNaeinwstY4ormke.riclaVuownlid.
w theith
osuhti
cotton calicoes, are made in America.
pinsuring
ff
a
zure. A few low-priced cotton goods) and stout
1 gruunirYth'el'iihsekn,

cent. against this country, or in favour of it till the
commencement of 1811: very seldom so high one
embargo.mwaoyr
eotrhtal:
sontpeh
efeorr
Ihtlehelacorsitsredfiiavnebaoyrvyne pacrosur was
irtsesesldotuamearinvrgaparrietithat
Before
That he generally took that as a standard. At tba
beginning of• 1810 it was very near par sad ptduallj
declined : et end of 1810 it got to Maud thence its
10 below par. In March, 1811, It, was 11, an
gradually varied to 73; at Cleat of 1W lerecove
a little; and his remittances were at 15 fo 17 per:
cent. till April 1812: since then the disiount has in-
creased to 20 and 211 against Englund. " Chiefly re-
ceives payment in bills of exchange on London or
Liverpool. Within two or three years has exported
at the rate of 20 to 30,0001. to Quebec and Mon.,
treal : increased his shipments three since 1809 ; but
lin 1811, and up to this time, the market there has
been glutted in many branches. The heaviest parts'
of shipments there have been sacrificed at auctimelfl
French manufactures were plenty, and selling low
lin the United States, in January and February, 1814/..
I Additional cost to consumer in France within the last
' two or three years, in consequence of freight and in.l
surance, he calculates to be a penny per pound of
Havannah sugar, and something less on a pound of
bowed GeOrgia cotton : on ashes 4s. 6d. per cwt.
Price of exchange with America has depended some.
'times on amount of American money in Londoe,
• and remitted from the Continent. At the Embargo,
stoppage of shipments diminished the deposits in
London. Understands sarsnet to be one article in
which the French undersell us. Insurance from
Boston to Liverpool is 3 to 34 per cent. ; but to
I Bourdeaux, 20 to 25 per cent. In April his cal-
-1 culation of insurance from Boston to Bourdeaux,,
and back again, was 40 to 50 per cent. Nankeen
chiefly made in the United States, at Providence,
Rhode Island : a different sort of nankeen from the
Indian : the latter is preferred by a genteel person,t
the labourers wear the British manufacture. Under-
stands hats are made at Boston ; so as almost to ex-
clude our importation. Sugar refineries are also esta-
blished there : price of sugars have been so low here,
that within three or fuuryears refined sugar has beast
sent to Boston, notwithstanding American pro.
testing duty. Glass-houses are established near
Roston, and a manufactory of sail-cloth and duck.
Supposes American manufactures of certain kinds
will increase, particularly in farm-houses ; and that
if American produce become lower than before,
they will supply their wants. In New England,
coarser clothing in a great degree made at home.—
The
greater duties on goods by British than by Ame-
rican bottoms one cause of the trade being mostly
carried on in American ships,but are also faster sail-
ers, and carry the goods drier, &c. which gives them
a preference. Insurance to France he understands
Ito include all the risk on the cargo : and the risk in
' port only arises from any disposition of the French
Government to seize the goods. Bowed Georgia
cotton, a little time fink, could he bought in Ame-
' rica at bil. per pound, and delivered at Bourdeaux
(reckoning the sea-risk at one penny, and two-i
pence to three-Fence for freight), at about nine-
pence
per pound, not reckoning any French duties.
The same has been lately sold at Liverpool at from
141. to 16d. By last accounts, British manufactures
in America sold rather dear, and the French chap, •
; they being of a different description. The cotton
delivered at Bourdeaax at 9d. would be bought here
at 7d. a pound, reckoning a freight of 14. and pie-
mium of insurance, &c. at five pet cent. and no duty.
Employment of American shipping is certainly iu
great degree owing to way in which duties are taken.
Ten per cent. is added to value of British goods, and
duty estimated en that. Thinks it not possible to
substitute French for British Manufactures in Arne.
rim. His exports fell off in 1808, and ceased on
the Ist of February, 1811. In 1810, there was a
favourable trade. Wash goods remain unsold,
though there has been no export since Feb. 1811.—
The American goods interfere with the sales : the
opening of trade would not much promote imports
of that kind; such as broad-cloths at 10s. to 18s.
a yard. Has attributed cheapness of French ma-
nufactures in America to the regulation for exporting
net amount of cargoes imported, in French produce
and goods, which did not find a consumption ; but
doubted whether American merchants could find mar-
ket for such a surplus. If risk of capture taken off
by repeal of Orders in Council, French goods would
go cheaper by the amount of the insurance; the same
as to England; if Ameriea complied with French
port regulations. Our goods would not come into.
competition with the French even then: they being,
of a different description, and could not be substi-
tuted but from necessity. Fine cloths have goue to i Accounts from Newcastle state, that tumult
America from France, but never heard of any cot- disorder yet prevailed in Cumberland. On the &gilt
ton goods. Thinks whatever difference of price l'of the 15th inst. the corn-mill at Monkhill, near Car.
may arise, that France could furnish America only !lisle, was broken into by a number of persons,
with fine cloths of woollen or cotton: what good _thence not less than 150 stone of oatmeal, and 65
cloths the French manufacture for exportation have 1 stone of flour, were carried sway or wasted. ou.
been generally too much &bre., Oiler te price. AseeLflii-143t1r, abaisetwelve at night, GEO. JOHNSON, and.
prebends France compete with us in wool-' M A VELUM BARNES, both of Burgh, were ateckeof
lens of a low description. Great proportion of car- ; near Coalfell-hill by two men ; but footsteps beng
rying trade between us and America is in hands ofl beard they thought it prudent to retreat. '111?
American ship owners. Repeats, that American' sons who came up were C. Roaiseoe, of Drum
ships arc preferable as being better sailers, though ‘and J. Rom: sole, of n, two ludas.,
--p
our's may be stronger and more durable. tteinas men, who had been at Carlisle receiving Pr
Mr. JOHN RICHMOND JAM ky, of London, is in efor•serne work done, and who accompanied the ton
the American trade, and has shipped goods to the4erseenentioned persons. They had not proceeded
United States, and a small quantity to Canada and , above half a mile, when they were again assailed .
their
British North America. • Was in North America re-' a banditti, consisting of seven, ‘‘hci presented
ceutly, and in Canada in September, October, and pistols, and after having much injured the tom' /' t
November last, where there was a great deal of Eng- I, widi'stones and bludgeons, compelled them to thine
lish goods : as also in New Brunswick. At the two i the* property.
exits, that
last places he was unable to sell his goods without le• Gold ! precious Gold ! that cure for all
great loss. British goods in general were selling there. healer of differences, that universal Panacea.
at a loss of 10, and up to 50 er rent. below Prime p.cniring upon us.—OAKEs, at 8, Cornhel, exhibit,
in
cost and charges. Believes one-half of the goods his window a most gratifying sight to the pubitc,-7
were sent with a view to get them into the United oceans of Guineas ! obtained, we suppose, to pay his
i
States, which the precautions of the United States "Capital Prizes in the Lottery to be drae n on t
prevented. Has imported nothing to the United Birth Day of him whose likeness they exhibit.
6.
States Auto the Non-Importatiou Law took effect i FRENCH LITERATORE.—Among the various as
in beginning of 1811. Would resume shipments velties that have lately issued from the French
on repeal of Orders in Council. He would certainly 'particulraly deserving the notice of the literary eon".
then make a very large shipment. Has considerable are, Voyages et Menroires De CHATEAUERI "'
"orders conditional on that event. Alludes to Or. Greece et en Palestine. Paris dans le dix iieurl.c
ders in Council, April 26, 1809, particularly.— Siecle.—Mad. de SeaEe's work on Literature, tenth
vern
rf
Should feel warranted hi shipping on that repeal Memoirs of her Life.—Mad. de GENUS'S //1•10,1. a. 14
alone; as he conceives that would occasion a repeal Romeo Celebres.—And P
IGAULT LE 1311L114
of Non-Importation Law. His correspondents mere- Novel, Une Macedoine. Copies of these work• ri it
ly alludes to the Orders in Council, they do not spe- at resent be procured in London of Mr. Cote'
city particulars. They mean the Order of November, Conpduit-street, and a few other Booksellers.