Star. — 1818-10-31 (London, England)

MILLMAN.  MANCHESTER, OCTOBER 29.  PRIVATE LETTER.  I learn, with regret, that the Masters have been under the necessity of making a further reduction in the wages of the Weavers.—i am informed that the seduction amounts to the whole of what they so lately o'Jt.ained in advance. It was stated, some time ago, drat they had held meetings to considet of the propriety of giving in their reeds to such house's as had given notice of their intention to reduce their pricer. This measure, I understand, they afterwards carried into effect ; and have since wished to take them out again, but have been refused, and are under the necessity of seeking for new employers, at the reduced prices, which they have been compelled either to accept or starve. The resignation and patience with whieh this long-suffering and peaceable body of men ler.,'.nto privations and disappointment, entitle them to universal commiseration ; but I much fear there is no great: probability of any amelioration in their condition. Many of the Masters are men of the most humane and liberal feelings, and would gladly do all in their power to promote the welfare of those they employ ; but they cannot counteract the current of events, which sets so strongly against this once flats! rishing and well-paid branch of industry. If the weaving trade, however, be depressed, that of the Spinners was never known to be so brisk. The immense foreign orders for cotton twist, particularly from the Northern nations, continue unabated. Two respectable houses here have been busily employed, until a late hoar at night, for some weeks past, in packing and sending off this atticle. lam given to understand, that the immense exportations of twist arc injurious to the trade of the Weaver, and that a duty ought to be laid on it, in order to keep it for working up at home. There is not, however, any possibility of doing this without a legislative enact.meat ; and were any interference of this End made, to protect the Wearers, it must necessarily, for a time at least, prove irai.ice to the Spinrics. Ilow far it is matter of sound 'volley to allow the exportation of twist, duty free, and thereby enable foreigners to compete with in the most important branch of our staple manufactures, must be left to the consideration of those %chose peculiar province it is to watch over the national interest and prosperity.  Thursday se'nnight the calico and muslin wearers of B?lfast :1,•?.):dou:, as it is termed, for an advance of wages. About three thousand of them assembled in. SmithEeld, and afterwards formed into processsion, and marched in a peaceable manner through Belfast, pt•ce:ding acrecs the Long Bridge, towards Ballyi macarrett, were they separated. At the Old Bailey Sessions this morning, the first , persons pr: on trial were, William Rayner and John Fuller, for the murder of James Wakeiy, in a boxing match. The witnesses called proved that the deceased had been the aggressor, had given the challenge to fight, and had otherwise acted in a most improper manner : and the Jury, under the direction of the Judge, acquitted the prisoners. Wakely had fought several pitched•battles previous to the casual encounter in which he thus lost his life :  The Bank of England prosecutions for Forgeries next came on, when John Lennard, an old man, nearly 70 years of age, was put to the bar, charged with passing a £1 forged note, with intent to defraud, &c. The trial was proceeding when our Reporter came away. At the Clerkenwell Sessions, yesterday, T. Cotcrlery, who had been unlawfully gathering walnuts in Lord RANkLAGH'S grounds, at Putney, and even breaking the walnut-trees, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment in the House of Correction, for an assault upon his Lordship's butler. The prisoner was one of a gang. of fifteen, who refuscxl to leave the grounds when desired to do so. He offered.to fight the butler, and when taken called upon his fellows to release him.