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morni than. THE NORTHERN STAR Mibch 22, ...
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IHE NORTHERN STAI SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1845.
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THE SPOTTISWOODE PAPER MONEY SCHEME, AND...
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THE TRADES' CONFERENCE. On Monday next, ...
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RANK OPPRESSION. THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOY...
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men, we are glad to learn, have refused ...
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THE HAND-LOOM WEAVERS AND THE BOARD OF T...
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Crj <&eatttr$ & CmTtspommtte
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Mr. T. Coopeb.—Mr. O'Connor is absent in...
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gecflmtte, <®$mit$ > & $nque$tss
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The :latj5 Expiosioif at Messrs. Samuda ...
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Lady Thieves' Protection Society. A Soci...
IMPORTANT INTERVIEW OF THE _-BAg _^ LOOM WEAVERS' _DELEGATES WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD Oh
TRADE . , A deputation from the _^ _vefcidv , f * _J _™* _fi _sitting in _^^ r _^ _* _^? _ae _B'A of but previous engagements prevented . The deputa tion was _introdu _^ by the two honoi _^ ble gentlemen , and were received by his Lordship -in the most courteous manner . Mr A « lionby stated that previous engagements would prevent him staying during the whole of the
interview , but he thought it his duty to inform his Lordship and the Government that there were many _M-P . _' s who took a great interestin the devising of some practical plan ior the relief of that much suffering body , the Hand-loom Weavers . _Ixird Dalhousie expressed himself much gratified by the statement of tne honourable member . Then , turningto the deputation , he apologised for not being able to name an earlier day for the interview , as he feared that he had kept them in town at great expense and inconvenience : but there must have been some mistake respecting a former appointment which lie could not account for .
Mr . Lowe , the secretary , said the letter did not reach the delegates until four o ' clock—two hours after the time appointed for the interview ; and he believed the neglect must have been at the Post-office . Lord Dalhousie , turning to Mr . Sherrard , said , I think I have seen vou before on behalf ofthe Spitalfields Weavers ; andyou -will please to open the case , as I think I can derive more _infoi-mation from your own statements than if I were merely to ask
questions . , , _& Mr . Sherrard said , the Spitalfields Weavers had repeatedly made applications to the Board of Trade . ; bnt it was thought that as the Hand-loom Weavers ofthe country generally did not make similar applications , their grievances werc merely local , and could not well be legislated for . On the present occasion the country delegates would show to his Lordship that the grievances were universal . The condition of the spitalnelds Weavers was deplorable in the extreme . Many families were cooped up in small , miserable rooms , and oftimes compelled to work on Sundays to eke out a miserable living . Lord Dalhousie remarked , that to persons in his station in life , surrounded by affluence , it was not easy to perceive how a necessity could arise for working on the Sunday : but , admitting the necessity , he
thought working on the Sunday could not be attended with any beneficial results . Mr . Sherrard : The fact was to be deplored , but the responsibility rested on those whose conduct produced such state of thiBg 3 . What the Weavers had to complain of was _nosiE-GOMrEnTios ; one unprincipled manufacturer paying a less rate of wages than another , and thus _rompeRing the honest manufacterer to reduce in the same proportion . It was this that induced them to ask the Government to establishLocalBoardsofTrade . The Spitalfields Weavers did not feel so much the effects of foreign competition , nor yet ofthe system of abatement so prevalent in Lancashire- it was the inequality and inadequacy of-wages of which they had to complain , and which evil Local Boards of Trade could remedy , or at least abate .
Lord Dalhousie , tunung to Mr . Lowe .: Areyou frem Lancashire , which we heard so much of last year , and to whose case the attention of the Government was directed to make some alteration in the Act of Arbitration to meet jour peculiar hardships . Mr . Lowe : Tea , your Lordship , the Weavers ofthe district of Leigh have grievances to complain of , that perhaps no other class of workmen in thc country are subject to . They suffered dreadfully from what are termed "abatements "' fir -stoppages of wages on . the most frivolous pretences ; and so enormous are the ' ¦ abatements , " and so extensive the practice , that the great mass of the people are in such a state of
wretchedness as hardly to be conceived . To giveyour Lordship an idea ofthe system , I have here compiled a table of " abatements " made-by different manufacturers in three given days . The first manufacturer abated from Ms Weavers in three days , £ 45 12 s ., out of about £ 260 wages ; another abated £ 18 4 s . Id ., out of about £ 90 ; and so on in . proportion , to the lowest abatement made by the - _* most respectable masters , whose abatements from 204 Weavers , and ont of £ 300 wages , only amounted to £ 3 17 s . In this case only one Weaver considered iimself unjustly abated , which is very trivial , as coni-• paredwith other masters' abatements .
Lord Dalhousie : What do these abatements take IMacefor ? -Mr . Lowe : On various pretences . Sometimes for heing too thick ; again for being too thin : for being too _^ soft , and for being too hard for being woven too tight , and for being woven too slack : in fact , for a hundred and one causes : but the greatest grievance of all is abatements for time . The agent , with every warp , gives out a ticket , on which is specified the -price to be paid if returned vAthin a given time ; and , if not , . _t-r > be abated one penny per yard ; and on on in proportion : the time stated being such as the Wearers cannot perform the work in . Lord Dalhousie : But-will they not make you some little allowance from that stated time ?
Mr . Lowe : _Xotaminute . The time is fixed , and if the Weavers are not there to the minute , they must take tiie wcrk home till next morning , and are subjected to the abatement . Lord Dalhousie _: Don't yon tliink if some alteration -was made in the Act of Arbitration that it might be made applicable to your case ? Mr . Lowe : Not any , my Lord , for there is such a combination among some of the manufacturers , that if a Weaver takts advantage of the law , they ivill not employ him ; and himself and family are either thrown onthe parish , or left to die of starvation . Lord Dalhousie : Your case is indeed a verv hard
Mr . Lowe : Another great hardship is the long distances the _Weavere'have to travel for warp and weft . [ Mr . Lowe then produced a table showing munerouB cases where the Weaver had to travel three , four , five , six , and seven hundred miles , from the taking home of one . cut to the getting out of another . ] The remedy the Weavers propose for these grievances is Local Boards of Trade , where the Weaver shall be recognised aspart ofthe law , and thus escape proscription and persecution . Lord Dalhousie : Are thero periods when employment is plentiful , and when it is scarce ? Mr . £ owc ; Yes ; there are some periods ofthe year when employment is very scarce indeed ; but there ie alivays a redundancy of hands f and I have prepared a table to show your Lordship the decrease in -the number employed , that has taken place in our district .
[ The table was handed in . ] Mr . Brocklehurst : Your Lordship wDl please to remember that when the Spitalfields Weaver complained , le was told " his work had gone into Lancashire : " but here is Lancashire , showing a decrease also . The true cause is , the importation of foreign wrought silks . Were this not so , these poor men -would not be seeking for Boards of Trade ; for their labour would "be in demand , and these would be more employment than _theliands could do . Only tliink of £ 380 , 000 of duty paid on silks earning through the Custom-house . That must be a serious drawback on the workman . Lord Dalhousie - , I fear a great deal more comes in another way . believe
. . Mr , 5 _rGSKieh . uret : I think not . I the idea of the amount of smuggling is greatly exaggerated . If smuggling were carried on to any great extent , we should hear of some great seizures , as in the case of brandy and tobacco , which might be considered in comparison with silk imperishable commodities ; for silk was like cooked meat , it must be consumed in season , or it would be lost . He was confident if there was some responsible Minister at the head ofthe Custom House , like Lord Lonsdale at the Post-office , smuggling would be put an end to . Mr . West said he represented Macclesfield and district , which was chiefly engaged in the manufacture of silk in lis yarlous branches ; and where one branch suffered , the others must feel the pressure . They
had to complain of the effects ol foreign as well as home competition ; but from the declarations of the Government , they had no hope that they would go back to the old protective system : they did , however , earnestly hope , that their condition would not be made worse by still further reductions of the protective duties . They asked thc legislature for Local Boards of Trade , because they were desirous that steikes and tckk-outs should cease . At present strikes were the only remedy they had against reductions . In 1832 , the Weavers of Macclesfield had a strike which lasted seven weeks . During that time the town suffered much ; and , though the Weavers suffered hunger , they were determined to die rather than their waxes should be liable to periodical reductions . As he liad said , the
Weavers suffered much ; and the manufacturers suffered also . This taught both parties a wholesome lesson ; and no great strike had taken place since . They had maintained their prices with veiy little variation up to the present time . The Weavers had a committee , appointed from their own body ; and if any manufacturer attempted a reduction , he was at once waited on , and reasoned with . Khecontinuedob * _jtinate , a _« _hr _*;* ewasthere 3 ult ; the Weavers and other workmen , supporting their brethren in their struggle until an arrrangement took place . The working out of this systemhad originated theidea of Local Boards of Trade , whereby bad feeling would be destroyed , and a better spirit created between masters and workmen , by their mixing more with one another , and legislating for the mutual benefit of each .
Mr . Bentole said he also came from Macclesfield . The Weavers had not to complain of the system of " abatements" _MmuimastheWiavereofl _^ _isas'hire . _«« w great grievance was the inequality of prices paw for weaving the sane description of fabric . In jroot of-this , he would read to his Lordship extracts _•* Sm . 2 * l _^ ch ha been com piled , by which ho wuiuu see that m some instances unprincipled manu-
Lady Thieves' Protection Society. A Soci...
facturers werepayingfrom 35 to 40 per cent , under the regular trade price . This had a most injurious effect ; and often drove the fabric out of the market altogether , rather than the respectable manufacturers should be compelled to reduce their Weavers under what was hardly a living price . Lord Dalhousie : If you have had this arrangement of your committee waiting upon manufacturers for the purpose of rejmlating prices , how is it that these parties could be allowed to persist in paying such an inequality in prices ? Mr . Bentole : I waa convinced that this would occur to your Lordship ' s mind . It arises from two
causes ; if the-workmen strike , the __ fabric is sent into Lancashire , where they get it done much cheaper : and again , there are individuals who do not weave themselves , but bave a number of looms , for which they receive " loom-rant , " at the rate of three shillings a week : and there are always to be found destitute Weavers , who are glad to receive work at any price . He wished to inform his Lordship , that a great ma jority of the manufacturers of Macclesfield were in favour of Boards of Trade ; twenty-one out of twenty-eight having signed a document to that effect .
Mr . B . Hanson , from Carlisle , said he represented a district chiefly engaged in cotton . The condition of the Weavers had been wretched for a number of years . Sir James Graham had truly said in the House of Commons , that the wages of the Carlisle Weavers were only six shillings a week ; and to that miserable pittance had they been reduced since 1808 , when . their wages werc 18 s . per week . They had prepared a lengthy statement of their sufferings , whichhe begged to hand to his Lordship . They considered their labour was entitled to protection as much as any species of property ; aud they hoped their case would _nicet with the serious attention ofthe
Government . Lord Dalhousie said he felt much gratified with the _hiforniation he had received . It was the duty of every Government to receive information from every class in the community , no matter how humble ; and he could assure the deputation their case should receive the most serious attention of the Government . They had had in contemplation some alteration in the Arbitration Law ; but they had been waitingforthe report of the Framework-Knitters' Commission , whose distressed condition was nearly similar to that
of the Hand-loom Weavers , that report had been received , and was now under the consideration ofthe Government . He wished it , however , to be distinctly understood that neither he nor ihe Government pledged themselves to any specific plan , * but if any practical remedy could be applied to amend then * distressed condition , he was sure the Government would most gladly adopt it . The delegates then handed in statements from Wigan , Middleton , Norwich , and Leigh , for his Lordship's perusal ; and Mr . West , on the part of the deputation , returned thanks to his Lordship for the courteous manner he had received them . The deputation withdrew , highly gratified with the interview .
Morni Than. The Northern Star Mibch 22, ...
. THE NORTHERN STAR _Mibch 22 , 184 _§ - : i ' i ' " ' " ' i Ti TT ~ ~~ ""
Ihe Northern Stai Saturday, March 22, 1845.
IHE NORTHERN _STAI SATURDAY , MARCH 22 , 1845 .
The Spottiswoode Paper Money Scheme, And...
THE SPOTTISWOODE PAPER MONEY SCHEME , AND ITS NEW-BORN ADVOCATE . We have in type , an article , embodying several extracts from . the writings of the hired advocate of the " _-emascitaiio-s" of the industrious classes , by means of unlimited issues of Paper Money—wliich said extracts _wowe / beyond all power of contradiction , that the said advocate has " turned his back \ on nm-6 elf . ! " and is now engaged in writing-up schemes wliich he has formerly denounced as the perfection of rascality , and pboved . to be [ inimical , in the highest
degree , to the interests of the producing many . This we demonstrate hy merely quoting the writer against himself : but we are obliged to defer the expose ior one week longer , the several calls on onr space at a late period of the week , particularly the Report nf the interview ofthe Hand-loom Weavers with the President ofthe Board of Trade , rendering such a course indispensable . Next week , however , we shall serve np the delectable dish : and thus exhibit the melancholy spectacle of an unprincipled writer prostituting his pen to . the support of a " FRAUDULENT SCHEME ; " a shenie which " would
be a FLAGITIOUS ROBBERY on all serv & nts , clerks , annuitants , and other persons employed at fixed salaries for specified periods ; " a scheme wliich " would operate as an act of insolvency for half of . the traders of the kingdom ; " a scheme that " could only , even if successful , make society more artificial than ever ;* ' a . scheme that ' " ' would be a Godsend to bankrupt merchants and insolvent tradesmen ; " a scheme that would " ROB honest creditors of half their debts—enable bankers to accommodate demi-insolvents with fictitious _caphai— overrun tlte country with fresh swarms of middle-men usurers
—and operate as an all-absorbing engine to suck the wealth of society out of the hands of those who produce it , and silently transfer it , as it were by magic , into the hands of commercial speculators , who , at the same time that they produce nothing , are the greediest and most inexorable of tyrants ;" a scheme that" would just yield a bubble of prosperity , which would soon disappear from the surface , and leave the surges of society more troubled than ever : ' ' we say that we shaU have to exhibit the
melancholy spectacle of a public writer writing _rou hire in support of a scheme so truly " execrable , " even AFTER he has demonstrated it to be aU that in the above quotations it is described ! This wc shall do by quoting , in _cxteneo , ms own language , as we have done above in brief : and having done that , we shall leave him to the contempt and scorn of those whose interests he would sacrifice to the usurious speculators who are their " greediest and most inexorable of tyrants !"
The Trades' Conference. On Monday Next, ...
THE TRADES' CONFERENCE . On Monday next , under the presidency of T . S . Duncombe , Esq ., M . P ., the delegated representatives of British Industry will commence their proceedings : and on Saturday ' we shall submit a full and faithful report of their ddings to the world . The little countenance given by the Press to this important experiment will , so far from lessening its importance , adds to itthe charm of novelty . Had the projected conference been for the representation of any _middle-class section ofsociety it wouldhave been heralded into existence and followed to its completion b y a large number
of our cotemporaries : but where labour seeks the means of its own regeneration without middle-class interference , the sons of toil are ever met either by cutting sarcasm or cold neglect . Had not the national Trades ofthe country evinced a strong desire to do their own work for themselves , and had not all chance of proffered service failed to divert the Working Classes frem hope in themselves to reliance upon the promises of others , we should have had a multipli city of interested arbitrators sucing for the adjustment of their cause : and the fact of no such tender
being made we ascribe io the improved Working Class mind of the country . At any time such a representation as that of so important a body as the Trades of England , must carry with it alarge amount of interest : but at the present moment , when the Prime Minister appears to have resolved upon the complete new modelling of the social system , to have withheld from him the opinions ofthe most interested in those several changes , would have furnished a justification for every ministerial blunder , and would have added a new difficulty in the way of redress .
As we have before observed , the time for such a gathering is not when hostile measures shall have been proposed , and when hasty opposition would have the appearance of rash and unnecessary excitement , rather than the result of deliberate thought , but not being represented in the House of Commons , we aver that the Minister himself has , by the comprehensiveness of his several propositions , invited the aid of all to effect a general settlement . Had temporary " prosperity" lured the Working Classes into the unopposed acceptance of Sir Robert _Peel ' s measures ,
all subsequent opposition—after the effect of those measures , all tending towards Free Trade and the consequent depression of native industry and English wages—had become known , would have been met ¦ with : "My measures were before you ; you must have known what their effect would be ; you failed to declare your hostility in time—they have now become sanctioned , by your representatives , and are law , and therefore you must for ever holdy our peace . " Again , although sectional and class opposition is offered tothe measures of the Prime Minister , nevertheless we dis-
The Trades' Conference. On Monday Next, ...
cover even in Labour ' s advocates , the amount of amelioration which is intended as thoir clients' share . Hence , in the motion of Mr . Cowpeb for bestowing land allotments upon the labouring classes , we find the honourable gentleman ' s mind is directed to the preservation of comparative slavery than to the total emancipation of those whose cause he professes to advocate . We look to the possession of land by the Working Classes as the means of organising them into a perfectly distinct and wholly emancipated body ; while he tells us that he is not prepared to go to that
extent , wluch would so weaken the strength of the labouring man as to deprive his employer of the full benefit of his lusty labour . Now this is sentimental slavery with a vengeance . It is saying in broad terms , you shall devote your health , your strength , and vigourous labour , to the servico of those who pay you so small an amount of wages that you cannot eke a livelihood out of it ; and when you have so toiled away your freshness , you may then repair to your own allotment in a state of bodily exhaustion , and there rob the night of some few hours / and yourself of sleep , to better your condition .
Had the Trades committed their cause to the tender mercy of professing friends , their advocacy would have been of a precisely similar character to that of Mr . Cowjper ; but having undertaken it them _, selves , their case will , though reluctantly , be forced upon the consideration of a servile Press , and a more servile Parliament . Of course , much will depend upon the manner in which their proceedings are conducted ; as they may rest assured that a correct impression of their power and resolution will be conveyed by hired spies to the ear of Sir James Gbaham , and by him to the Prime Minister . Should we
venture to hint at the course wliich should be pursued by the delegates , it would be an indirect presumption of Mr . Duncombe ' s unfitness for thc office whicli he has so honourably assumed , as well as a doubt of the capacity of the delegates to discharge those duties imposed upon them . As , however , we have the most implicit reliance upon the judgment of their leader , and the capabilities of the representatives , wc arc spared the necessity of saying more upon that branch ofthe subject , than again to impress _upen their mindg the absolute necessity of devising some simple means by which the whole organised power of British
industry may be brought simultaneously to bear upon all matters connected with thc interests ofthe Trades . We have written so copiously from time to time upon the inevitable tendency of the unchecked power of machinery , as to entertain a belief that the slow but certain workings of this monster-enemy will be fully and _searchingly discussed , and that its indirect influence upon those with whose labour it does not appear directly to clash , will be deliberately entered upon and fully considered . Nor should we deem thc land question , now considered of sufficient importance to warrant the appointment of commissions , and to
occupy the time of the House night after night , the columns of the press day after day , and which may constitutes a portion of every man ' s daily conversation , a subject either too light , insignificant , orunimportant , to enter largely into the consideration of the Conference . Surely , when a large party maintains the principle of Home Colonization as the means of widening the field of British industry—when we consider that tho monopoly of the land is thc source of every social and political evil—when we reflect that every law that " grinds the faces of the poor" has emanated frem time to time from this anomalous monopoly—when it is borne in mind that our national debt , our standing army , our luscious law church , our large police force , our necessity for " pauper " -rates , our
dead weight , our civil list , our glorious rag money , our unjust laws , our game laws , our impure magistracy , our prejudiced jury system , our pampered court , and thc pampered menials thereunto belonging , are one and all so many fences thrown round the poor man ' s inheritance , to preserve it for the " kindly use" oi monopolists , so that , in duo time , they may enjoy itfor their own " sole use behoof , and benefit ; " and when we call to mind that the breath of the united Trades can blast this upas system , that destroys all that comes within its pestilential influence , then , wo say , it is neither presumption on our part to suggest , nor will it be surpassing their duty , to try to devise means by wliich they may for ever uproot thc barriers of corruption , and open the field of industry to the sons of toil .
Upon thc whole , at the present moment , when the measures of Sir Robert Peel appear , if not to have paralysed , at least to have - placed agitation in abeyance , it is impossible to contemplate such a movement as the projected Conference without feelings of the deepest intensity , or for the mind to have sug . geBted one better calculated to disturb that ministerial tranquillity so ostentatiously boasted of . Sir Robert flogs his servile adherents into hypocritical subserviency in the House of Commons , as a kennel huntsman whoops or whips the pack from tlieir carrion ; but we doubt that the Trades' mind of the
country , once set upon thought , and directed by tho master-mind of their indomitable leader , will insure for thc " fascinating financier" the longer possession of that bed of roses where his slumbers are now and then only disturbed by the " rolling thunder" of Cobden , or the " galling prick " of D'Israeli . Sir Robert is aware that Cobden would fly to his rescue if endangered by D'Israeli ' s sarcasm : and' that _D'Israeli's gall would be turned to honey if Peel stood in danger from the assaults of the Free Trader . Not so , however , with the Trades . It would require more than the usual pliancy of thc House to
defend the Prime Minister against the united assault of the justly roused indignation of those whose interests are carved up and distributed as sops to the petulant foe . Wc trust that Mr . Duncombe will see the necessity of converting this great national movement , if not to political , at least to electoral purposes ; for he may rest assured that the day is coming , and is not far distant , when the battle of Labour must bo fought upon the floor ofthe House of Commons ; and when his usefulness to Labour's cause will be in exact proportion to the amount of support that Labour can furnish for the struggle .
In conclusion , we need but observe that thc country looks to the result of Labour ' s Parliament with great anxiety ; and , in order that all mayjudge , wehave made such arrangements as will enable us to give their deliberations fully to the world . We wish them God speed ! and that their performance may realise our fond anticipations , wo remind them that their strength is in their union , their power is in their voice , and their success in their perseverance . Hurrah , then , for _Ddxcoube , and tlio _Pooplo'B Parliament !
Rank Oppression. The Employer And Employ...
RANK OPPRESSION . THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYED , Below will be found the terms of agreement between one " John Hargreaves , of Broad Oak Within New Accrington , in the county of Lancaster , Calico Printer , and his co-partners , on the one part , " and the slaves whom they condescend to employ " on thc other part . " Let eveiy working man in England read the terms on which these ruffians propose to alloAv their slaves to live , "Not only do they claim the full exercise of all that power ivhich the Employer has oyer the Employed—" a poAvor more dangerous , than the most stringent laAvs "—but they would further impose on tlieir slaves tho odious
and detestable duties of spies over their comrades ! What , Ave would ask , do these slaveowners mean by "the direct or indirect support , encouragement , or countenance of any unlawful combination , union , or society V Is not the law sufficiently strong to avenge any violation of its decrees ? or are we to understand Hargreaves and partners arethemselves to be judges of what constitutes the legality or illegality of a union or society ? And who ever read of such a condition contained in an agreement as the following •— . " That the hands employed shall not engage in , or be parties to , any union or society , the object , nature , or tendency whereof may be in any respect to controul , restrain , or impede his masters in the full exercise of their said trade or business , or attempt so to do f" The
Men, We Are Glad To Learn, Have Refused ...
men , we are glad to learn , have refused to affix the slave-mark to these degrading conditions ; and in submitting the whole question to the consideration of Conference we allege this case as a practical specimen of injustice from which thc National Trades , if thoroughly organised , would be bound to defend the parties rejecting the degrading conditions , and to sustain them in their struggle against the masters . - We have no doubt but the spirit of spyism introduced by Sir _Jamhs Graham for the sustainment of Lis Government will be adopted and extensively practised by the tyrant masters , of whom he is a most fitting Minister : but we trust that there is even yet a sufficient amount of English independence to rouse the Working Classes of the country , from one end to thc other , to hostility against this monstrous innovation upon the rights of Englislimen . Trusting that the Delegates will consider thc case to which we refer as one demanding investigation , wc confidently
leave the question in their hands . Memorandum of an Agreement Made on the respective dates in the schedule hereinafter written , between each of the persons whose names or marks are to the said schedule singly and individually subscribed , being Block Printers of the one part , and John Hargreaves , of Broad Oak within New Accrington , in the county of Lancaster , Calico Printers , and his copartners for the time being , of the other part . Whereas tlio said John Hargreaves and his present
partners carry on business at New Accrington , as Calico Printers , under tho firm of _Ilargreaves , Brothers , and Company ; and it is necessary for them to employ many persons , whose names ov marks are to the said schedule subscribed , have singly and individually agreed to become the servants of the said John Hargreaves aud his present or future partners for the time being , in such business as Block Printers , on the dato set opposite to his name respectivcly in the said schedule , and at the wages , and subject to the stipulations and conditions , hereinafter mentioned .
Now , each of they , the said parties hereto , with the said John Hargreaves , and with his present or any future partner or partners of his , to serve him and them in the said Calico Printing business , as a Block Printer , from the date mentioned in the said schedule opposite his name , and at the wages and on the terms and conditions hereinafter mentioned . Namely , that each of them , the said servants , shall be faithful and obedient to his masters , and faithfully and diligently execute his and their lawful and reasonable commands , and he conformable to the regulations now made , or which sftaU or may from time to time be made during the time of his service . For the general conduct of the servants employed in the shop or workshop assigned to him by his masters , and will to the best of his ability execute and perform all sueh works as shall be offered or entrusted to him so long as he shall continue thc servant of the said parties hereto of thc other part .
And also shall not , nor will directly or indirectly disclose any of the secrets of his said masters or any of them , or of their said business , or any part thereof , to any other person or persons whatever , nor the secrets of his own particular department or occupation thereof . Nor shall or will directly or indirectly give , communicate , or impart any information in any way whatever , of any patterns , styles of work , mixing of colours , or any other process , chemical or otherwise , which may from time to time be invented or used by his masters in their said business as Calico Printers , or by any of their servants . And ShaU not absent _hwwtlf from Ms master ' s employ without leave , nor waste , _mis-spend , embezzle , or destroy , any of tlic property , goods , estates , or effects , of his masters .
jVor permit the same to be done by others , but shall give notice of any wrongful act committed by any person to his masters' _prejudice immediately on having knowledge thereof . And shall not become a member of , or directly or indirectly support , encourage , countenance , or assist , any unlawful combination , Union , or Society ; the object , nature , or tendency whereof may be in any respect to control , restrain , or impede his masters in the full exercise of their said trade or business , or attempt so to do . And also shall not , nor will do , any act whatever to the prejudice of his said masters .
And m consideration of the service to be rendered hy each of them , the 6 « iid parties hereto , of the one part , in manner and on terms aforesaid , the said John Hargreaves , and his partner or partners for the time _bein'j-, hereby pro / nise and agree with each of thc persons whose names or marks are . hereunto subscribed , to pay to him as wages for his services as aforesaid , after the rate of and according to the general list of prices made and established for the time being at the works of the said parties hereto of the other part , for the regulation and fixing of the wages of Block Printers . In witness whereof the said parties hereto of the one part , and each and every of them , have affixed their hands , the month , and day , against their names respectively written thc said schodule . And tho said party or parties hereto of the other part , or 6 ome or one of them , have affixed their , or some or one of their hands , at the foot of each signed page of the said schedule , by the saidfirst-mentionedparties _. The Schedule referred to . *—I Signature of Witness to Date of Em- the person tbe Signature How Wages ployment , employed nt of the person are payable _, length . employed . i
The Hand-Loom Weavers And The Board Of T...
THE HAND-LOOM WEAVERS AND THE BOARD OF TRADE . In another place will be found a report of an interview which a deputation from the Conference of Hand-loom Weavers have had with the President of the Board of Trade , Lord Dalhousie . By that report it will be seen that the Government are " considering" on a measure , or measures , to affect Labour ; they are " contemplating" an alteration in the Arbitration Law ; and they are " considering " on thc report of thc Commission of Inquiry into the condition ofthe Frame-work Knitters .
It is well for the Gexerai _, Coxferekcb op Trades that these facts have come to light in the very nick of time . The assembling and proceedings ofthe Handloom Weavers' Conference have been most opportune . The deputation have elicited information which makes it doubly incumbent on the General Trades to have their eyes sharp about them . They are interested in getting to know thc nature of the measures that Government have in " contemplation . " This they can best do by means of their delegates . The Hand-loom Weavers have shown the way . to thc Government Offices . A deputation from the confederated Trades of the kingdom will surely bo as " courteously" received ,
and have as much attention paid to it , as a deputation from one of those Trades . Laboue can thus confer with its governors . It can tell its own tale ; detail its manifold grievances—rehearse its woesindicate its remedies—and enforce its claims . It can pursue a similar course with tho members of the Legislature . Deputations from the Conference to enforce on M . P . _' s the line of policy the workers wish to be pursued , will not be without weight : and by means of this Conference both Government and Parliament may be induced to " contemplate , " and PASS also , measures affecting Labour , far different in scope , intention , and effect , to any that the last fifty years has seen .
It must be noted that tho Hand-loom Weavers have pressed on Lord Dalhousie ' s attention the propriety of establishing Local Boards of Trade , for the transaction and regulation of Trades' business , Tho report that we elsewhere insert of the BoiLEn-MAKEnB ' Conference , and the other reports of Trades' doings that we from time to time publish , show that this question is one that is very generally entertained * Too much importance cannot be attached to it . It is the only mode of putting an end to strikes and turnouts , as'it is the only mode of promoting agood
understanding between the Employers and tho Employed . It is tho only mode of miotecting the honest and welldisposed portion of ( the employers—those who wish to give something like remunerative wages , and treat their -workmen well—from the ovils entailed on all by theunprinciplcd employers , who seek every advantage , and embrace every opportunity to grind Labour down , forcing all into the downward path of ruin . It is the only mode of erecting a tribunal in which all concerned could have confidence ; a tribunal at once cheap , popular , and effective .
What could be more easy than for the Employers in a particular trade , in a given district , to elect a certain number of their own body , and the " hands " employed in that Trade to elect a similar number , who shouldhave the power , _&•/?««* , to meet at certain times , and , _talung into account all the circumstances of the times , "the plenty or the scarcity of food "the plenty or the scarcity of employment-and the price ofthe raw material and the nature of the work to be performed , m the rate of wages that aU shall pay ; and also determine on the number of hours that
The Hand-Loom Weavers And The Board Of T...
all shall work . This would not be " fixing a uniform rate of wages by Act of Parliament : " but it would be introducing the principle of _self-goverimto-t and self-regulation into the Trades , embracing both the Employers and thc Employed . Trades' combinations , as far as strikes were concerned , would thus be rendered unnecessary . They would , it is true , bo needed for mutual support in sickness , and for interment when dead : they might also be needed for the temporary support of the operatives out of employment ; but for strikes and turn-outs they would be unnecessary , because these latter , by thc mode we
have indicated , would be done away with . Let but the proclaimed determinations of thc Boards of Trade have the effe ct of Law , till set aside by thc same bodies , the infringement of which shall subject thc offenders to heavy penalties , and we should have no attempts on the part of the unprincipled employers to beat down wages—or if we had , the tread-mill remedy would be much-more _Bpeedy , much more certain , and much more effectual , and infinitely less costly than a strike ! If new circumstances arose , fairly demanding either an increase or a reduction in the rate of remuneration ,
the Boards would at once deal witli thc question , i he employers would be there , to sec that no undue advantage was taken of them ; the employed would be there also—a part op the law to watch over their interests , and see that what was done was in accordance with reason and right : and thus feelings of mutual respect , mutual confidence , and mutual dependence would be begotten , and transfused throughoutthc bodies of which thc Boards were respectively the representatives . We might then hope that harmony and peace would reign , where all has been discord and contention hitherto .
To the General Conference of Trades we would commend the consideration of this question , so well launched on thc tide of public opinion by thc Handloom Weavers and other trades . Of course , we do not mean that tliis question should supersede any other , of which , mention has been made * , but wc do urge it , as one tliat will be necessary to give to Labour its true position , whatever measures else may be adopted . It is true that the first thing to be aimed at , is the means of relieving the labour-market of its " superabundant stock * . " but diminish that number as you please , these Boards of Trade will be necessaiy for the protection and due regulation of those that remain .
They will , in operation , be found beneficial to all—Employers and Employed ; they will unite all ; they will give to all the power to govern themselves ; they will render strikes , and appeals , and arbitrations , with all their concomitant ill-feelbig _, bad blood , anger , and all uncharitableness , useless and unneces " _sary * . they cannot 6 c injurious to the true interests of any : and therefore we recommend a strenuous efjfort to the Trades generally , and the Conference in particular , to obtain them .
Crj ≪&Eatttr$ & Cmttspommtte
Crj <& eatttr _$ & _CmTtspommtte
Mr. T. Coopeb.—Mr. O'Connor Is Absent In...
Mr . T . Coopeb . —Mr . O'Connor is absent in Lancashire , We withhold the communication until that gentleman can append a note , if he deems one necessary . J . Clegg , HoiMriRTH . —We should say that thebeer-seller ib not disqualified from serving the office of Churchwarden . W . Weight , Stockport , had better wait the issue of his application before he seeks publicity . lie must also bear in mind that his statements are libellous , unless published by " authority , " Isaac Lund , _Keigulet . —Amid the many pressing calls on our attention and space , it is possible that even a " promise" to insert a certain document or address may not have been sufficient to prevent its being passed over . Each week we endeavour to give sueh matter as wo deem most interesting to the cause of Labour :
and though we had " promised a certain article , we should not insert it to the exclusion of more important matter . Charles _Clodebav , Holbeck . —Thanks for the copy of the placard . We are favoured with a copy also from one " James Mosley , " accompanied by a gem of a note . We shall have something to say to this worthy in a short time ; probably next week . 11 ark aw at . —We have not room for his address . If he pleases , it can be handed to the body to whom it is addressed . Wm , _Neagh , Barkslev , must bear in mind that if other parties have a right to hold an opinion opposed to his , as to the merits of a particular institution or practice , they have also a right to express it , Pasties sending post-office orders , or cash , to this office , ought to be careful to write something in their letters , so that we can tell who sends them , and what they intend us to do with the money . We have four or five
agents who never write a word more than the address of this office on the outside of the orders . We are partial to short letters , when on matters of business ; but these are rather too short . If those who send will only sign their names , it is all we ask ; and , if they will not do that , they must expect that the cash will sometimes be credited to the wrong agents . To correct such errors afterwards takes much time in writing for all particulars , besides the risk of the person sending the money losing it altogether . From a recent alteration in the post-office order department , it is impossible to ascertain tho name of the person sending , without writing to the post-office where the order was first obtained , or to the general office . Several of our agents are still determined not to send their orders payable at 180 , Strand . We have this week received orders payable at the General Post-office from Halton _, Preston ; Arthur , Carlisle ; and Clark , Birmingham . If they would but ask to have their orders made payable at 180 , Strand , they would oblige .
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_gecflmtte , _<® $ mit $ > & $ nque _$ tss
The :Latj5 Expiosioif At Messrs. Samuda ...
The : latj 5 Expiosioif at Messrs . Samuda s _hAcronr , —An / orjRNEO Inquest . —Monday , March 17 . —Upon the Coroner takmg his seat this morning , pursuant to adjournment , Mr . Ballantine addressed him , and requested to know whether he would require the presence of Mr . Samuda . That gentleman was most anxious that thejury should have before them every possible evidence which it was in his power to give them , but ho liad that day an engagement in the House of Commons , which would render his attendance there particularly inconvenient . He therefore wished to know if he could be relieved from attending . He had further been desired by Mr . Samuda to mention , that Mr . Lowe was a person who , up to the present time , had always borne a eood
character , and had shown himself to be a very careful and attentive person . —The Coroner : With regard to Mr . Samuda himself , he knows nothing of this accident or its causes , as he was , I understand , at the time some miles distant from the spot . —The Foreman of the Jury : Mv . Samuda promised that we should have the lever of the safety-valve produced , and I understand he has since refused to produce it . —Mr . Samuda : There must he some mistake in this matter . I can only say that every part that can be found I have given orders shall be produced . Eventually tho lever iu question was produced . —Another juryman then observed , that he liad received a letter stating that the piece of wood mentioned by Burnand in his evidence as that used to prop up the
safetyvalve lever could be produced . —Coroner ; Well , then , let it be produced at once . —A piece of wood was accordingly produced , liaving a nail sticking in it , as mentioned by Burnand in Ids evidence . Burnand said he thought it was thc piece in question , as it wag very like it _.-Lowe , thc foreman , who was present , and whose countenance appeared much scarred , observed that he would convince any person in a moment that the wood produced was . not thc piece spoken of . A desultory conversation then took place between Lowe and the witness Burnand , in which the former attempted to show that there had been disputes between them , and that a bad feeling existed towards him on the part of Burnand , whicli , however , Burnand strenuously denied ; at the conclusion of which
the proceedings were continued by the examination of Joseph Turner , who deposed that he lived at 51 , Crucifix-lane , Bermondsey , and is a labourer . Had been m the employ of Mr . Samuda since Christmas last , and was so at the time of the explosion . Had been engaged on the boiler from the time it first came to the premises , three weeks previous to thccxplosion . Did not know what was given for it . It came by barge . Thinks the value of the boiler was about £ 30 . Docs hot know thc width of the plates , hut believes they werc those commonly used in works of that kind . Thoy were sufficient to resist ordinary pressure . The workmanship of them was good . The rivets and workmanship werc not disturbed by the explosion , which was caused by the tearing of the plates and some of the thickest parts of thc iron . Could form no sound opinion " of the cause of the
explosion . Was there part of the time the two engines were united , and did part of the work . Considered that the length of pipe from the boiler to the engine and the cold weather caused the steam to condense in the pipe in its passage , which prevented the engine from working . The pipe was from thirty-five to forty foet long . There was a cock to remove the condensed water ; but it did not act effectually . —Juryman-What part of the steam-pipe was that cock in ? — Witness : About half its length . —Juyrman : Did vou perceive water running through that cock ?—Witness : Yes ; I saw steam and water running through that cock . —Witness continued : Cannot say whether any , and what , additional power was appb ' ed to the boiler to force the steam through the pipe . Was in front of the boiler after breakfast on the Wednesday
The :Latj5 Expiosioif At Messrs. Samuda ...
morning . Saw nothing more than usual then . Tho * was a piece of wood standing in an inclined directi ; i against the boiler about four or Hive minutes befel the explosion . The piece of wood was placed to kee the handle of the lever up instead of _lcn-yui g it move downwards , the effect of which downward ¦ nio * _-- i ment would be to open the safety-valve . Thinks i was p laced against a nail in the pioce of wood wi , _* . ;( checked its movement downwards . Did not L . ' who placed it there . Saw nobody meddling with —The coroner was at this point ofthe ease inform i _* that Mr . Barnes , a professional gentleman _•*« , attendance , and that it would bo a great content !'' te him if he could then be examined . Uno _! , m ! coroner assenting , hewas called , and stated ¦! , !• _•* lows : —John Barnes , of Wellington-street St » n . „
is a civil engineer , liau seen and cxaininp , * n boiler with the gentlemen of thc jury . Hi s a til }"" had been particularly directed to the causes ! r ? _' " explosion . He had examined in the first _imtn the boiler had been overheated so that iras ra , ' , h eii been produced , but found that that amS , _™ certainl y untenable , inasmuch as tlic upper J > , V "" tubes being of brass , were incapable of _resisting _« a heat as would decompose water , and mn "* _> Uc ™ presented no signs whatever of _haviii-r _^ pll _^ heated . It was , therefore , evident that _Z _lT had been burst from an overcharge of steam r , not speak as to the degree of pressure with _nJ- _™ but thought nothing under 100 lbs . t ] le _* _„^ % could have caused the explosion . Knew _i ' Z . i -. " when it was on board the stemuer No liw ' i rt and knew that it was made to sustain -. _,, _1 - "" 18 lbs . to the square inch , for which it in !** i , M l'K _oW strong . Had not measured the plates bn _iT _^ they agreed with the drawing ; tiie ve . _V " , 10 , lg ,, t ; iro , _Upressureof _4-Mbs . o _^ improper pressure on such _,-, boiler . Tilt- _OI-il » l _? UXi
ot tiie boiler was cyununca . whicli ii tlm -T form , since the pressure would be , fl' _^ I 'T _^ _andthercsistauceofthcplatcs Cn 5 fi ° " * » is no weak point in a perfect cylindrical boiler Wi in the prcseut case a considerable portion _, (){ ' of the boiler had been cut awav in i ™ _,, Vi t P ' tion to allow the addition of a _to _^ _Jgf the pressure m that neighbourhood liad nolli whatever to resist the tendency of the t sides from separating ; that defect nm _« t 1 , 1 ?' been apparent to any one who had seen the boil ? ' which should have been strengthened by _metml ' r cross-stays equivalent in strength to that _nnnir . of the shell cut away . ThiS appeared Eft have been done . From this defect the boiler wonW have yielded to much less pressure than if it ] , T been perfectly cylindrical , or provided with sti _\ l which would have restored the strength . _Thought _nir must
. _ijowe nave oecn aware of that circuin stance , and that such a boiler should not have been used as a high-pressure boiler . Had a | 30 examined the safety-valve , and although he considered it in several respects injudiciously constructed , vet if it had been allowed fair play , the . lecideiit _Uuld Mt have happened . The principal point objected to bv witness was the complexity of levers , which very much increased the chance of accidents , which mi _<* ht also give rise to its becoming fixed , but particularly he objected that the lever for lifting the valve was not constructed as is usual in London-made boilers which not onl y allow of the valve beiim lifted but which prevent its being held down by anv action of the lever . In this case the action of the " lever permits its held down
being . Believed if tho valve , with aE its defects , had had fair play , this accident would not have happened . By thc words " unfair play , " he meant that thc valve had been fastened down . Gould not otherwise account for thc explosion . II ad heard the evidence respecting the piece of wood : the effect of that would be to prevent the valve acting . If * , _])* -. valve were partially open , it would let off some portion of the steam , out not enough to prevent explosion . Had calculated the time required for tlic rising ef the steam , and from the capacity of tlic boiler , and from the rate at which the steammight bo _gwiDraftJ _, if no escape whatever werc allowed ; the pressure of steam would increase about 100 lbs . to the square inch in less than a minute ; if a small escape were
allowed , of course it would increase more slowly . [ The witness explained , that in all well-constructed London engines tlio safety-valves would act of themselves , and that it was utterly impossible for the engineers to load them so as to prevent their acting , or hold them down by any other means . ] Witness continued : Considered it highly dangerous to place anything upon the valve to prevent its action , and as exhibiting great want of caution , and likely to lead tothe consequences which have ensued in the present esse . Had no information of the amount of _ivcijrht placed on the valve . —Mr . Lowe wished to ask whether he had made his calculation upon the usual strength of the two fires ?—Witness : Yes ; but 1 should observe , that it is only amatter of calculation . If the fires
were reduced , the quantity of steam would be also reduced in proportion . —The witness Turner was then recalled , and at the desire of Mr . Lowe , was asked what state the fires were in when he went u _* iih his can , and was answered , they wero very low , — The examination of Mr . Barnes was then continued by Mr . Lowe : When boilers ave proved in France , they must by law be proved at three times the pressure at which they are intended to work ; but was not aware there was any law upon the subject in this country . —The Coroner here remarked that it would be important for the public safety if machines should first be tested by the Government , and that steamboilers should be tested in the same manner as gam at Woolwich . —The witness continued : _According to
the weights stated to me , the weight , unbalanced by any counterpoise , would be 50 lb . on . the square inch ; if balanced , it would be _diminished pro tanto . —William Heath was then sworn : Lived at 13 , Georgestreet , Bromley . Was a fitter in thc employ of Messrs . Samuda . Was at the time of thc explosion in thc new building , nad been at work on this boiler the week before the accident . Mr . Lowe was present , and could see into the boiler , as it was then open . Lowe superintended the work generally . The work was well done , and the boiler was complete . Did not see the boiler tested before it was attached to the engine . Put up part of the pipes two or three days before the accident . Two or three minutes before tlic accident saw Mr . Lowe null the lever down .
He did so with his hand . That let the steam out of the funnel . Was then in the new building , facing the boiler . Did not see the piece of wood and nail . Thinks he must have seen it , but it misrht still have been there without his doing so . Could not say what caused the explosion . Saw there was a square and round ball on the lever aa weight . Did not sec Lowe remove anything from the handle . Must have seen if he had removed anything . Could see the handle ofthe lever from the new shop . At that time Grimes was on the top of thc boiler . Thinks he was putting sacks over tho steam-pipes to keep them warm . — Peter Cryer examined : Lives at No . 11 , North-street , Poplar ; is a fitter , in the employ of Messrs . Samuda ; had been employed on this boiler nearly two or three
weeks , from the time it first came on Messrs . Samuda ' s premises . Did not see it tested before it was fixed . Saw it on the morning of the accident , Fitted the biggest part of the safety-valve . It was done according to the instruction of Mr . Lowe , and in the usual manner of other safety-valves that ne had seen . It was fitted up in the ordinary way of safety-valves . On the morning of the accident sat * the boDer , and the steam was then blowing off . ' 1 » c Safety-valve handle was stuck on a rivet of the boiler } went and fetched Mr . Lowe to it , as he did not consider it safe . Asked Lowe who had placed it there ' . Lowe said he had . The safety-valve whs when so placed prevented from acting , unless the rod bent . It was a small rod hanging down . Did not consider
it safe m tliat position witliout a person was eonstantly watching to sec how the steam was going on Left Lowe there with it , and went to his work , anil saw nothing more of it . Did not sec a piece oi Avood there . Tlus might be from half to three _(|« ar * ters of an hour before the explosion . Saw nothing near the boiler . When the explosion took place was in a workshop close by . When Lowe was told cj the lever resting on the rivet , he said it was a- right . I asked him who had placed the handle on _" rivet ? He said he had done it . Tried the steam »• that time . It was not very high . Went to Mr . Lo _« _o to ask him ivho had put the valve there , ( 15 _wittier f ' _sldered it dangerous . Several persons Avcre stiinihns by , but could not say who . Afterwards watched die
boiler from a window , and could see the steam bio **™* off . When the boiler Avas first tried there was a lea- *"* but of no consequence , and it Avas afterwards _i _* _ej * au _* ed . When working on it there ivere no bruises , am' it was all right when attached to the engiue . Did no ' sec any additional weight added by Lowe—Joseph Read was then called , and stated that he resided at Orchard-place , Blackwall , and Avas a pattcni-m _akfr in the employ of Messrs . Samuda . Had been in tlw 1 ' service nearly four years . Had been eight or i _' _* months employed in Orchard-place . Was present »' the time of the explosion . Made the pattern ci «¦» safety-valve . It was 41 inches in diameter . / _' thickness of the Yalve was Iths of an iueh oiicachs ' " _- _* Thc diameter of the box above the valvo was _bctww _* 5 and 6 inches . Made a weight pattern , Avhich fl _" ? the intended weight for working the safety-valve- ' was a round _bailOfr inches in diamotcr n »» *
, , . meant to weigh , when cast , from 371 b . to 3310 . It }!;• not then cast , and in the meantime Mr . _Lowcapp _}' other weights . Saw one weight appended to " _* lever , but not another . On the morning of the _^ plosion was there , and noticed that the steam _* * blowing off freely . From nine o ' clock till thc exiij _* - _' _' " it blew off from its own agency . The _engines ili « •*'; go well ; but they had gone without manual assisti » J : Could not tell the cause of the explosion , as 1 _®^ served no interruption in the action of thc «¦ ' . •'' Did not remark the position of the handle ol i » valvo , but before breakfast saw _Loavc pull down '" handle ofthe valve , and let the steam escape , * ¦ *• . breakfast did not see Loavc pull thc handle , as ' steam blew off of itself . Did not see tho handle res ing on the rivet . SaAv Lowe several times during' ' morning . _Ileappeared very attentive to the _woi'W _^ of thfi _finsine : but made no remnrlr _"Rv Lowe : " '
it an old valve , or one made by my order ?—W " itn <*¦' The pattern of the valve-box was old , and had w used before . The casting of the valve-box -was n _^ as also the box , and was made by your orders . —" neas continued : At the time ofthe explosion was in ' *
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 22, 1845, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_22031845/page/4/
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