COTTON WEAVERS AND WAGES ASSESSMENT 637 
made varying in some points from the former, but this also is A.D. 776 
found unavailing, in as much as no one conviction before a 
Magistrate under this Law has ever been confirmed at any 
Quarter Sessions of the Peace; and that several applications 
have since been made to the House to enact such Laws as 
they would judge suitable to afford relief to the trade, in 
which Masters and Workmen have joined, but hitherto with- 
out any effect; and that, about twelve months since, it was 
found that the Statute of Elizabeth (if acted upon) was 
sompetent to afford the desired relief, and it was resorted to 
in certain cases, but the want of generality prevented its 
obtaining at that time, especially as it can be acted upon 
only at the Easter Quarter Sessions or six weeks thereafter; 
and that as Petitions to the Magistrates were almost general 
at the last Quarter Sessions, and all graciously received at 
each different jurisdiction, much hope was entertained that 
at the next Easter Sessions, the Magistrates would settle the 
wages of the Petitioners, and they obtain food by their 
industry ; and that the present Bill to repeal the aforesaid 
Law has sunk the spirits of the Petitioners beyond descrip- 
tion, having no hope left; the former laws made for their 
security being unavailing, there is no protection for their sole 
property, which is their labour; and that, though the said 
law of 5 Eliz. was wisely designed to protect all Trades and 
Workmen, yet none will essentially suffer by its repeal save 
the Cotton Weavers; the Silk Weavers have law to secure 
their prices, as have other Artisans. Tradesmen generally 
received their contracted wages, but Cotton Weavers, when 
their work is done, know not what they shall receive, as that 
depends on the goodness of the employer's heart’.” So far nd " 
as the history of the repeal of these clauses can be traced, it deference to 
does not appear that there was any demand for it, or that Joctrineire 
any petitions were presented in favour of repeal. The 
magistrates and weavers in Lancashire were anxious that the 
Act should remain, and the majority of the employers appear 
to have been favourable to some measure of the sort. The 
House of Commons was not moved by manufacturers or 
practical men of any sort: it seems to have been simply 
1 Oommong Journals. LXVIII. 229.