WOOL TRADE. STATE OF THE WOOL TRADE IN ENGLAND IN 1809, BY LORD SHEFFIELD.' Convinced that it is highly important to the People of this Country that they should render themselves independant on the Continent, for the articles of Raw Material necessary to the Manufactures established among us; and knowing that these become daily more essential to our Prosperity, if not to our Existence as a State, we insert with pleasure a corrected and authentic Report of the Speech on the Present State of the Woollen Manufactures, which was delivered by Lord Sheffield at the Fast Wool Fair at Lewes. We trust our readers will not fail to make comparisons with the account of the Dutch Woollen Manufactures, as exhibited in Specimens of their Industry, in Panorama, Vol. IV. pp. 1169 to 1173, and Vol. V. pp. 123 to 129. Lewes, July 27, 1809. Our Wool Fair, held yesterday, was fully attended; at dinner, several rooms were full of company, and soon after they had dined, they assembled in the principal room. Lord Sheffield, who presided, then rose and said "I have collected, from a very extensive correspondence, a statement respecting the manufacture and prices of wool, which I conceive it may be proper to communicate to the meeting. It is well known that since I had the pleasure of meeting you last year, there has been great variation in the price of wool. Previously to that meeting, in consequence of the distrust which arose in respect to the American States, and the disordered state of the continent, our manufactures suffered a depression, more considerable than at any former period of the war; and, assisted by much misrepresentation, the price of wool was kept down; but, towards winter, the price rose rapidly, and afterwards, to an extent never experienced before. I stated at our last wool fair, and in confident terms, that such would be the case. It was not difficult to foresee it; and, I particularly represented, that there was no foundation for the supposition that the manufacture of the finest woals (now principally under our consideration) were essentially prejudiced by the war, as the sale depends almost entirely on the home market, and comparatively very little on the export to the continent of Europe; I wish now, to bring to your recollection, that the home demand is the great support of all our manufactures. Little argument can be deduced from the extravagant prices of wool, during the greater part of last winter and spring. It was evidently occasioned by wool-dealers speculating on the scanty supply of Spanish wool, and it is certain, that the value of wool is much on the article being in few hands: however, higher than it has been of late years. With respect to our woollen trade in general, there is no doubt that it will be considerably better than it was last year. The American non-importation act, which was in a great degree ineffectual, is at least suspended for the place, and it will not be an easy matter for the present, a great exportation thither now takes enemies of Great Britain in that country to renew the embargo and non-importation ex periments.† Several other channels are + We insert the following copy of a letter (from the American newspapers) from Mr. Lynam, American Consul in London, to the hon. S. R. Bradley, Esq. a senator in Congress; it is dated May 3d, 1809.-Although we do not wish to depreciate the importance of our trade with America, yet, we trust there is nothing to apprehend in the loss of it, that can ever force England into any un due concessions. Heaven avert the period when the united power of the whole world should be able to coerce us for such purposes;We know of no other alternative than to be prepared for that attempt; for that such an experiment is not far off, we have frequently thought;-the American already says, we are to have a little seasonable coercion, and the Frenchman (we beg his pardon, the CORSI CAN!) says, we must be taught by experience that our merchants are not necessary to the exist ence of all other nations.-[Buonaparte to General Armstrong, Panorama, p. 46 of Vol. VI.] "I take this opportunity by the Pacific, one of our packets, to address a few lines to you at Washington; where, on the arrival of that vessel in the United States, I presume you will be, and learn, both from public and more private means of information, the important change which ha lately taken place in the policy of this govern ment, by the revocation of the Orders of Council, This event, although other Orders are substituted therefore of a nature so highly objectionable, is, vastly important: first and principally, as it furnevertheless, considered by all our friends here, nishes an example, and establishes the fact, the United States can make the interests of this country feel, and that very sensibly and secondly, as we have no participation in the revocatica of the old, and the substitution of the new Orders, we are thereby pledged to nothing, and at full liberty to take advantage of occurrences as they Trade in England in 1808, compare Pano- done all this? My reply is, the steady policy of arise and pass on. You will say, then, what has For Lord Sheffield's State of the Wool ama, Vol. IV. p. 1174. our government, and the support of the people, of wool from Spain was only 1,961,750lbs, and the importation, including all parts, only 2,353,725ibs. found for our manufactures, and whatever was deficient in the demand for them, in preceding years, will be amply compensated by the future demand; for, they must be had "The preceding year, there was an extraordi❤. somewhere, and the manufactures of the nary import of Spanish wool; every bale was continent are certainly greatly reduced and dispatched from that country, in consequence, prejudiced by revolution and war. The of the impending ruin, apprehended from principal apprehension is, whether our manu- the invasion of Buonaparte; and the aggre facturers will be enabled to procure an ade- gate import into Great Britain amounted to quate supply of the raw material. Whatever 11,760,000lbs. much more than an average check or decline takes place in the excellent importation. But, the average of the great, manufactures of fine wool, in the west of Eng- and small importations in 1807 and 1808 is land, does not arise entirely from the scarcity nearly equal to the average of the seven years and high price of Spanish wool, but partly preceding 1807, viz. 7,684,547lbs. If, therefrom the high wages, which are likely to fore, the importation this year should not extransfer the manufacture to the less luxurious ceed the import of last year, the deficiency manufacturers of Yorkshire. It has been 5,330,822lbs., must be made up from the fine generally supposed, that the manufactures of English wools. And, considering the state woollens, in the West Riding, have been of Spain, Portugal, Saxony, and all countries greatly hurt by the war, and especially last from which we receive wool, the importation year, by the impolitic measures of the Ame-this year will surely be still less than last year. rican States, which were infinitely more in- Very much less than usual, and less than last jurious to themselves than they could possibly year, as appears from the Custom-House enbe to us; but, it appears, that the manufac- tries, has been as yet received this year. The ture of broad and narrow cloths, (the only supply must be very scanty, as the provinces branch of the trade of which a precise know- from whence comes the great mass of the ledge can be obtained), last year, amounted Spanish export of wool, and the principal to 5,309,007 yards of narrow, and 9,050,970 ports, (Bilboa, &c.) from whence it was yards of broad, very little less than an average exported, are now in the hands of the of the ten preceding years, which include French; and, even if they were not, all that several years of the greatest export. And, it part of Spain, especially, is in such a ruinous should be observed, that, notwithstanding all state, that the quantity of wool clipped this the declamation we have heard on the ruin of year must be extremely diminished; and as our trade, the decline in the export of wool- to a supply from Saxony, none can be exlens, of all sorts, in the last year, compared pected. The increased demand, therefore, with the preceding year, is only £519,282 for our manufactures, added to the very official value. Last year, the importation scanty supply of Spanish wool, must very considerably raise the intrinsic value of our fine wools, which, it is well known, are very greatly improved within a few years; and the coat which I now wear shews that South Down wool may be used as a very good substitute for Spanish; its appearance is equally good.-I have corresponded with every part of England, where there are considerable fairs for wool. At Hereford fair, 1st July, Ryeland wool sold at 3s. 4id. and was Supposed to be undersold; my correspondent observing, that his wool had been valued at 6s. 6d. by a man in the trade; but, it should be remarked, that the Herefordshire wools are trinded, and cleansed from some of their impurites. It is added, that the sellers, pleased with prices higher than usual, had sold under the real value. Mr. George Wil. braham has this year sold his Delemere Forest wool for 3s. 4d. some had been sold as high as 3s. 6d. and one instance of 3s. 6d. There are parts in the Delemere forest fleeces, finer than in the South Down; but, the latter are more even, so that little difference is made in the price. Mr. Coke, of Norfolk, who is well known to you all, as the distinguished friend of the agriculture and trade of the evinced in the late presidential and other elections. I do not consider the repeal of the embargo, and substitution of the non-intercourse law, as a change of policy, but only of measures; and it was so regarded here. Indeed, it is generally allowed, that the non-intercourse would be more severely felt than the embargo; notwithstanding, you may be assured, that the latter, if continued, would have answered the most sanguine expecta tions. This country is wholly commercial, and suffers extremely by any obstructions to trade. Mr. Spence lately published a book, entitled, Great Britain Independent of Commerce; and Lord Sheffield has always been endeavouring to prove her independence of our commerce; but facts prove that neither understand the question. Mr. Burke understood it better, who said," that our commerce was the food which nourished this political body." The United States, instead of being the dupes (which sometimes I fear we have been) of the policy and artifices of France and England, may make them subservient to our interest, AIDED BY A LITTLE SEASONABLE COERCION. I hope you will pardon these few hasty suggestions, which my present situation rendered so obvious. It is some times useful to know only the impressions which are made by the same objects in different situations. year. price than heretofore, the weight of the fleece will be the principal object of the grower. This is a crisis in the wool trade of Britain; and by not exacting exorbitant prices, the manufacturers will be induced to use British fine wools in the place of Spanish. If the present extravagant price of Spanish wool should induce the manufacturers to encourage, by advanced prices, the growth and manufacture of British fine wools, the prejudices of the country, in favour of Spanish, would be soon done away, AND WE SHOULD BECOME INDEPENDANT OF OTHER COUNTRIES FOR THE MATERIALS OF STAPLE MANUFAC TURE, and save nearly three millions sterling to this country for nothing is more clearly demonstrated, than that WOOL MAY BE RAISED IN ENGLAND, EQUAL IN QUALITY TO ANT THAT IS IMPORTED." country, in his account of Thetford fair, | quantity; and unless we can obtain a better 15th July, says, that there was a great attendance of growers, but little or no business done; that 2s. 8d. was generally offered for the Down wool; that some was sold at 29. 10d. and that there was no doubt that 39. will be generally given for the best. I have since learned, that a considerable quantity of South Down was afterwards sold at that price. Letters from Suffolk mention, that less than 80s. per tod of 28lbs. which is about 2s. 104d. per lb. for South Down wool has been refused. Mr. Western of Essex, who is also known to many of you, as perfectly well informed, says that no business was done at the Colchester fair, 17th July; that, one lot of a middling quality has been sold for 2s. 6d. but that, the growers of the best wools will not take less than 4 per tod of 28lbs. or 2s. 101d. per lb. Mr. Western sold his wool last year, in Ireland, at 3s. and his lamb's wool at 1s. 9d. his factor says, it will sell for 3s. 6d. this Even the common wool, in the Weald of Sussex, is sold from 2s. 6d. to 2s. 9d. and Mr. Collins, of Brenchley, Kent, has refused 2s. 3d. for his wool, a mixture of Romney Marsh and South Down, and I know several instances, in this county and out of it, where s. for South Down have been refused. I Have not so detailed an account of Mr. Tollett's wool as usual, but I learn from him, that he has sold to the same persons who have bought his wool for several years, 843 fleeces, of which 120 were pure Merino, and the remainder mixed Merino, for £878. 10s. which is 20s. 8d. per fleece. Notwithstanding the decline in the price of Spanish wool, the best quality has been sold within a short time at 15s. but I understand that the manu. factures in the west of England have good Spanish wool at from 8s. to 10s. per lb.-I have exerted the fullest inquiry to obtain a correct opinion of the value of wool this year; and after a due examination of a very extensive correspondence, the opinion I collect from it is, that 3s. appear to be a fair price for our finest wools, and so proportionally for wools of inferior quality; and I think it sufficient, because it is fully equal to 4s. when washed and brought to the state of Spanish. We should not appreciate our wool, by the vety contracted extent of the supply this year, but rather restrict ourselves to its intrinsic value. That value, I do not hesitate to say, the grower of fine wool has scarcely ever yet obtained. Hitherto, it has been a depreciated commodity; it has seldom found an open market; and the woolstaplers have never evinced a proper degree of discrimination, in respect to quality. But, an advanced price has promoted, and will always secure, a greater degree of care and attention to the quality of the fleece, rather than to the The candour of this statement seemed to be acknowledged from all parts of the room, Nevertheless, some of the buyers repeated the usual common place observations on the difficulties under which the trade laboured, and which were greatly exaggerated, even if ap plied to the state of it many months ago, but by no means corresponded with the present state of the trade. Indeed, they applied so little to the statement which had been made, that Lord Sheffield offered, in answer, w read the report again, but some of them continued their vague assertions, that, all the warehouses in the kingdom were fall of goods, that there was no demand or market for our manufactures, and that it was ridiculous to suppose that any man would pay such an extravagant price as 3s. per lb. Lord Sheffield replied, that "the statement he had made tom-House returns, and letters from the most was supported by authentic documents, Cus respectable persons in all parts of the king dom, where the necessary and best informa tion could be had. That expectation being ed 3s. which he knew had been refused by very high in respect to price, he had mentionseveral, as a maximum for the finest wool, and that he knew that price had been given in several parts of England, for inferior wool; and that, he by no means meant to guide the opinion in respect to wool of inferior quality."-It has seldom happened that much business has been done on the day of the fair, however, towards night, the buyers and sellers had much conversation together; the owners of the finest wools insisted on i per tod of 32lbs. or 3s. 14d. per lb. and there was little doubt of their obtaining at least 3s. per lb. A considerable quantity of the inferior wools was sold at 2s. 6d. 2nd Lord Sheffield mentioned, that his tailor, who is also his woollen draper, whose interest it was not to over-rate the memory, (as, being intimate with him, we know he spoke unreservedly his genuine sentiments) and have enabled us on various oc6s. 1fd.casions to anticipate the conduct of France quality, had valued the cloth of the coat he then wore, as worth 28s. per yard. The manufacture of the cloth, even at the present high prices, amounted to, per vard, The wool, at 3s. per lb. in the fleece 7 0 p. 119 Compare Panorama, Vol. I. for the Report of Committee of Hon. House of Commons relative to State of the Wool Trade. Vol. II. pp. 866, 1303, 1424-Vol. III. pp. 199, 413-Vol. IV. pp. 176, 367, 995, 1277 to 1291-Vol. V. pp. 123 to 129.-Vol. VI. pp. 757, containing official tables of the real value of all imports into, and exports from, Great Britain, for three years, 1807, 1808, ending Jan. 5, 1809. On a question of so great magnitude as the Woollen Trade and Manufactures of Britain, in which different interests draw contrary ways, it would be exceedingly strange if there were not more than one opinion maintained. It has been objected to Lord Sheffield, that his very patriotism misleads his judgment, and that on questions, in which America is concerned, his memory is somewhat too irritable. We beg leave therefore, to adduce on this occasion, the sentiments of a writer and a politician, who certainly is not chargeable with partiality to this country, we mean the celebrated Brissot de Warville, to whose talents France owes what he then affected to call her " Salvation;" but, what succeeding years have, unhappily, more truly described as a most dreadful fall into the gulph of Perdition. It is not, generally, known to the extent it ought to be, that Brissot was long in England; and that he was Corrector for the French Language, in the Printing Office of Messrs. Cox, Son, and Baylis: where his salary was about 30s. per week. At that time he spoke his sentiments without reserve; and the observations he made, were the foundation of those measures of which he was the author during the horrid Revolution. His political opinions are deeply engraved in our VOL. VI. [Lit. Pan. Sep. 1809.] in cases of emergency. We therefore deem this personage an unexceptionable witness, on the subject of British manufactures; and submit his remarks to our readers with confidence. We can also affirm, from our knowledge of the manufactories of France, that of Louviers, in particular, on this subject, that although the very finest French cloth had some advantages over the British, yet they were more than lost, in the greater price at which they were rated: which was not less than a guinea and half, for such as were selling in London at a guinea. The late King of France had a mortifying proof of this fact, in a piece of blue cloth, made expressly, at an unlimited price for the then king of Sardinia: being somewhat of a curiosity, the piece was shewn to king Louis, who, naturally partial to the productions of his own country, had a coat for himself cut off; and forwarded the rest to Turin, with the handsomest possible apologies for the toll which had been taken. This piece being shewn by been his ambassador in England, he offered the king of Sardinia to a nobleman who had to produce his majesty a piece of equal fineness from London, at two-thirds of the price; and without any previous commission: but from the then supply of the market: and this he effected, to the inexpressible astonishment of the king his master, and mortification of the French ambassador at Turin. So much for French fine cloth: and as to the supply of ordinary cloth, we merely beg leave to recal to the recollection of our readers, that during the time of the very bitterest animosity of the American war, when the American agents were favoured with a supply of money from France (£300,000) for the purpose of clothing the American army,-it bought British cloths, in the ports of Ilolland: the French ministry, vexed at being. duped, complained to Congress on the subject: their agent answered, that he had made the most economical use of the money entrusted to his charge, (by the Congress, his principals), from wherever received; since, by purchasing British cloths, he had saved them nearly one-third in the cost, as well as had procured them a superior commodity. 2 R 1 We shall find the sentiments of Brissot, in perfect union with these anecdotes: they occur in his Considérations sur la Situation relative de la France et les Etats-Unis de l'Amérique. Paris 1788. of England? It is here necessary to develope the cause: it is the surest means of encour ing government, to take every measure, which will, without extraordinary or forced expedients that are of short duration, restore us to all the advantages we have received fron nature confidence will be restored to the Americans, when they see the few obstacles we have to surmount. "We owe little gratitude to those of our speculators, who first, and at the beginning of the revolution, dispersed our cloths in the United States; if one spark of public "Lord Sheffield, in avowing the superiority spirit, had animated them, they would have of our fine cloths, and of their cheapness, perceived the precious, and honourable ser- observes, that the greatest consumption vice, which they were able to render to their the Americans is of common cloths, wit country, in these first adventures, by giving respect to which, France cannot enter in to the Americans a great idea of the state of a competition with England; and he draws our manufactures. These people were well from it the judicious consequence, that the disposed by the succour France gave them, to inconvenience of dividing the demands, to cherish its inhabitants; to esteem their cha- compose assortments, and the consideration racter and receive their productions. They of the small quantity of fine cloth necessary were well disposed to abjure the contempt, to form them, will cause these to be ordered and aversion with which the English had in England, notwithstanding the advantage inspired them for their rivals, and their pro- there would be in getting them from France. ductions and to give them the preference "But why should we not furnish common in every thing; why has avarice, by a miser-cloths to the United States; we, whose wei able calculation, rendered thes good disposi-manship is at a lower price than that of tat tions of no effect? Men were willing gain, English? It is because, in common cloths, greatly to make what is called a good gheapness of the raw material is more essential stroke, in raking advantage of the distress that of workmanship, and that the of the Americans, and forcing them to take have wools not only better, but those commodities, English which were unfit for we have; and for why? becane every other market. own wool, and that, excet indispensable to superfi e "This dishonesty has counterbalanced the service rendered them, for the imprudent and wretched young man, whose throat is cut by an usurer, owes him no acknowledgement. A greater evil to France has been the consequence; her cloths have lost their reputation in the United States; but let the Americans undeceive themselves, let them not attribute to the nation the fault of a few individuals; let them not have a bad opinion of our cloths, because some bad ones have been sent to them. The same accident would have happened to English cloths, if, in a like case, there had been English merchants, avaricious enough and so far strangers to the public good, as to send their refuse to the United States. "The Americans who come among us, study the nature of the intercourse which we shall one day have with the United States : they know that our manufactures possess all the means which give to English cloths their reputation; that they make them in the same inanner, and that the superfines are superior to those of England; that in general, dyeing is better understood with us, and carried to a greater perfection; in short, that it depends but on some circumstances easy to be got over, to make the cheapness of our work manship assure us the preference to the English with respect to cloths. "Why do our manufactures of cloths, contend with so great a disadvantage against those than they gather thanding in need of foreig spare a consideraba the wools of Thornton, Compare the remark of Co the number Panorama, Vol. II. p. 487. thats in Eng of sheep in France was as 11 to animals land: with the diminution of the Panorama, Vol. I. p. 1106. While we are on the subject of the th Trade, it may be worth while to remo i America seems to have made but little gress in this branch of manufacture. She lately proposed resolutions favouring her ho productions by imposing additional duties the following imports: salt, ready made clothing and millinery, cotton goods brought from beyond the Cape of Good Hope, on corduroys and fustians-but broad cloths and others in the piece are not included among the subjects of this additional impost, |