D. Erklärung der Spitalfieldsfabrikanten. 695 
len cloth, without taking or binding them apprentices, yet, as it hath been 
sommon for men of different occupations to bind their children apprentices 
to learn the Woollen Cloth Trade, a sever years’ servitude is absolutely 
necessary, in order to furnish good and skilful workmen, and to entitle 
them to follow the Woollen Cloth Trade. — - 
Resolved unanimously, That as certain individuals (actuated more by 
private interest than public good), made application to Parliament for the 
repeal of all restrietive laws, and are now opposing the regulations which 
the domestic manufacturer wishes to obtain, that they may have liberty 
to erect Factories at will, we ought immediately to send one or more de- 
legates to assist in giving such evidence before the Select Committee 
aforesaid, as may tend to counteract the design af such individuals. 
Resolved unanimously, That a committee of thirty-one Master Ma- 
aufacturers be immediately appointed for carrying these resolutions into 
effect. — 
Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this meeting be given to 
William Wilberforce Esqu. for his public approval of the domestic SyS- 
tem; and that a copy of the above resolutions be immediately printed 
and sent to him. — 
XD. 
Zu Seite 451, Anmerkung 1. 
Erklärung der Spitalfieldsfabrikanten. 
Second Renort on ribbon weavers, 1818. 
We, the undersigned silk manufacturers of London, are decidedly of 
apinion, that the Acts relating to the silk-trade of London, Middlesex 
ınd Westminster, called the Spitalfields Acts, have been productive of the 
following most important results viz., they prevent differences and dispu- 
tes between the silk manufacturer and the journeyman; put it out of the 
power of the journeyman to exact from the manufacturer & high rate of 
wages, when the trade happens to be in a flourishing state; secure to the 
journeyman a fair and equitable price for his labour and consequently 
prevent the manufacturer from taking advantage of his weaver, under a 
temporary depression of ihe trade; give encouragement to ingenuity, the 
weaver knowing that in proportion that he is skilful his earnings increase, 
{he skilful weaver working with greater facility than the ordinary hand, 
and consequently is rewarded according to his skill; prevent an exorbi- 
tant increase of the poor rates, keep the distriets in which the silk-trade 
is the staple manufacture in a state of quietude and repose and has effec- 
tually arrested the progress of pauperism. —