Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

that the French or Germans are superior to the English in the construction of machines; on the contrary, their inferiority is adinitted by themselves, and by everybody else. That that spirit of invention, which has effected such astonishing results in the cotton manufacture, should have been wholly unknown in that of silk, is entirely to be ascribed to the fact of the former never having been the object of legislative protection. The cotton manufacturers were not bribed into the adoption of a routine system; they could not rest satisfied with mediocrity; but being compelled to put forth all their powers-to avail themselves of every resource of science and of art-they have, in a few years, raised the British cotton manufacture from a subordinate and trifling, to the very first place amongst the manufactures, not of this country only, but of the world!

Change, in 1826, of the Monopoly System.-At length, however, the impolicy of the system by which the silk manufacture had been so long depressed, became obvious to every intelligent individual. The principal manufacturers in and about London subscribed, in 1824, a petition to the House of Commons, in which they stated that "this important manufacture, though recently considerably extended, is still depressed below its natural level, by laws which prevent it from attaining that degree of prosperity which, under more favourable circumstances, it would acquire." Fortified by this authority, by the experience of 130 years, during which the prohibitive system had been allowed to paralyse the energies of the manufacturers, and by the sanction of parliamentary committees, Mr. Huskisson moved, on the 8th of March, 1824, that the prohibition of foreign silks should cease on the 5th of July, 1826, and that they should then be admitted for importation on payment of a duty of 30 per cent. ad valorem. On this occasion Mr. H. observed-"The monopoly had produced, what monopoly was always sure to produce, an indifference with regard to improvement. That useful zeal which gives life to industry, which fosters ingenuity, and which in manufactures occasions unceasing efforts to produce the article in the most economical form, had been comparatively extinguished. To the prohibitive system it was to be ascribed, that in silk only, in the whole range of manufactures, we were left behind our neighbours! We have here a proof of that chilling and benumbing effect which is sure to be produced when no genius is called into action, and when we are rendered indifferent to exertion by the indolent security derived from restrictive regulations. I have not the slightest doubt, that if the same system had been continued with respect to the cotton manufacture, it would have been at this mo ment as subordinate in amount to the woollen as it is junior in its introduction into the country."-(Speeches, vol. ii. p. 249.)

We have already alluded to the enormous duties imposed, in 1719, when Sir Thomas Lombe erected his throwing mill at Derby, on foreign organzine silk. These, though subsequently reduced, amounted, in 1824, to no less than 14s. 74d. per lb.! There was also, at the same time, a duty of 4s. per lb. on raw silk imported from Bengal, and of 5s. 74d. per lb. on that imported from other places. Even had the manufacture been otherwise in a flourishing condition, such exorbitant duties on the raw material were enough to have destroyed it. Mr. Huskisson, therefore, proposed, by way of preparing the manufacturers for the approaching change of system, that the duty on foreign thrown silk should be immediately reduced to 7s. 6d. (it was further reduced to 5s. in 1826), and the duty on raw silk to 3d. per lb. These proposals were all agreed to; and considerable reductions were at the same time effected in the duties charged on most of the dye stuffs used in the manufacture. It is to be regretted that Mr. Huskisson did not propose that the reduction of the duties on raw and thrown silk, and the legalised importation of foreign silks, should be simultaneous and immediate. During the interval that was allowed our manufacturers to make preparations for the change, the French had been accumulating a large stock of goods to pour into our markets. To quiet the alarm occasioned by this circumstance, a singular device was fallen upon.-The French had long been accustomed to manufacture their goods of a certain length and, in the view of rendering their accumulated stock unfit for our markets, a law was passed in 1826, prohibiting the importation of any silks except such as were of entirely different lengths from those commonly manufactured by the French! No one can regret that this wretched trick, for it deserves no better name, entirely failed of its object. The French manufacturers immediately commenced, with redoubled zeal, the preparation of goods of the legitimate length: and the others having become unsaleable at any thing like fair prices, were purchased up by the smugglers, and imported, almost entirely, into this country. But no permanent injury arose from this circumstance; and, on the whole, the effect of the opening of the trade has been such as to justify all the anticipations which the advocates of the measure had formed of its success.

Effects of the Change of 1826.-We do not exaggerate, we only state the plain matter of fact, when we affirm that the silk manufacture has made a more rapid progress during the last 8 years, or since the abolition of the prohibitive system in 1826, than it did during the preceding century. So unprecedented has been its advance, that "the once existing disparity in quality between goods of French and English make has, with some very unimportant exceptions, not merely disappeared, but actually ranged itself on the side of the British artisan." Some of our readers will, probably, be not a little surprised to learn, that

[ocr errors]

the real or declared value of the silk goods of British manufacture exported to France, in 1832, amounted to 75,1871.

Most of the machines and processes known on the Continent have been introduced amongst us, and many of them have been materially improved. Nor, after what has taken place, can the least doubt remain in the mind of any one, that had the same freedom been given to the silk manufacture 50 years ago, that was given to it in 1826, it would now have ranked among the most important and valuable businesses in the kingdom, and would have had nothing whatever to fear from the admission of foreign silks, free of duty. It is the opinion of the most intelligent persons in the trade, that the existing duty of 30 per cent. on foreign silks ought to be reduced to 20 per cent.; and that it should be further reduced 1 per cent. per annum till brought to 12 or 15 per cent., at which it might be allowed to continue stationary, not as a protecting duty, but as a duty imposed for the sake of revenue. A measure of this sort, by increasing fair competition, would continue the impulse already given to the manufacture, and excite to new efforts of invention. Under such a system, we are well assured that, in a very few years, perhaps not more than 5 or 6, our superiority over France in some important departments of the silk manufacture would be little less decided than in that of cotton.

"I maintain,” said Mr. Poulett Thomson, in his excellent speech on the state of the silk trade (14th of April, 1829),—a speech equally distinguished for soundness of principle and beauty of illustration,-"I maintain, without fear of contradiction, that the very essence of commercial and manufacturing industry is freedom from legislative interference and legislative protection. Attempt to assist its course by legislative enactments, by fostering care, you arrest its progress, you destroy its vigour. Unbind the shackles in which your unwise tenderness has confined it-permit it to take unrestrained its own course-expose it to the wholesome breezes of competition,-you give it new life, you restore its former vigour. Industry has been well likened to the hardy Alpine plant; self-sown on the mountain side, exposed to the inclemency of the season, it gathers strength in its struggles for existence-it shoots forth in vigour and in beauty. Transplanted to the rich soil of the parterre, tended by the fostering hand of the gardener, nursed in the artificial atmosphere of the forcing-glass, it grows sickly and enervated, its shoots are vigourless, its flowers inodorous. In one single word lies the soul of industry-competition. The answer of the statesman and the economist to his sovereign inquiring what he could do to assist the industry of his kingdom was, 'Let it take its own way.' Such is my prayer. Relieve us from the chains in which your indiscreet tenderness has shackled us; remove your oppressive protection; give us the fair field we ask; and we demand no more. The talent, the genius, the enterprise, the capital, the industry of this great people will do the rest; and England will not only retain her present position, but she will take a yet more forward place in the race of competition for wealth and improvement which, by the nature of things, she is destined to run amongst the nations of the world. Place us in that condition, not by any violent change, but by slow and easy transition. Here we shall find security for our enterprise, and reward for our labours.

"Hic patet ingeniis campus; certusque merenti
Stat favor; ornatur propriis industria donis.'"

It was not, however, to be supposed, that all departments of the silk manufacture would be equally benefited by the change of system that has taken place.-Non omnia possumus. The probability is, that the trade will in future be divided between the English and French. In point of substantial excellence, the plain silk goods manufactured in England are superior to those of France; and the difference in favour of the latter in point of finish is every day becoming less perceptible; while in all mixed manufactures, of silk and wool, silk and cotton, silk and linen, &c., our ascendancy is admitted by the French themselves. On the other hand, the ribands, figured gauzes, and light fancy goods, manufactured in France, are superior to those of this country. Even in this department we have made a very great progress; and fancy goods are now produced at Spitalfields, Coventry, and other places, contrasting most advantageously, in point of taste and beauty, with those produced previously to the introduction of the new system. Still, however, we are not sanguine in our expectations of our countrymen being able to maintain a successful competition with our neighbours in the manufacture of this class of articles. The greater attention paid to the art of designing in Lyons, the consequent better taste of the artists, and the superior brightness and lustre of their colours, give them advantages with which it will be very difficult to contend.

But, supposing that the trade is partitioned between the two countries in the way now stated, it is easy to see that the best share will belong to us, and that that share will be incomparably more valuable than the whole manufacture formerly was. The proofs of the accuracy of this statement are at hand. Notwithstanding the decline of the trade at Coventry and a few other places, the manufacture, taken as a whole, is rapidly increasing. During 1822 and 1823, when the restrictive system was in its vigour, the entries for consumption of all sorts of raw and thrown silk amounted at an average to 2,454,842 lbs. a year. But, in despite of all the sinister predictions indulged in with respect to the ruin of the manufac ture, the entries amounted, at an average of 1832 and 1833, to 4,565,850 lbs.; being an increase of nearly 100 per cent, upon the quantity entered during the monopoly !

The increase in the exports of wrought silks affords, if possible, a still more decisive proof of the extraordinary improvement and extension of the manufacture. Instead of having any thing to fear from the competition of the French at home, we are actually underselling them in the heavier and more important species of goods, in every foreign market equally accessible to both parties. The exports of silks from France have been declining, while those from England have been increasing beyond all precedent. The declared value of our exports of silk goods, in 1823, amounted to 351,4097., whereas in 1833 it amounted to 740,2947., being an advance of more than cent. per cent.! Not only, therefore, are the statements as to the ruin of the silk manufacture proved to be wholly without even the shadow of a foundation, but the expectations of those who contended that the repeal of the restrictive system would be the commencement of a new era of invention and improvement, have been realised to the fullest extent.

What has now been stated renders it obvious, that though the manufacturers of fancy goods may be obliged to change their employment, a new, and at the same time a more extensive and fruitful, field is opened for their exertions. We lament the hardships incident to the transition even from one department of the same business to another, but the suffering thence arising will speedily disappear; and when the change has been effected, the manufac turers will enter with fresh vigour on a new career of prosperity.

It is to be regretted, that it is not possible either to abandon a routine system, or to introduce new and improved methods of production, without injury to individuals. But because such is the fact-because the bridge cannot be built without displacing watermen, nor the plough introduced without superseding the spade, nor wine brought from abroad without diminishing the demand for ale and beer-is that any reason for proscribing inventions, and denying ourselves gratifications within our reach? To maintain the affirmative, would be evidently absurd, it would be equivalent to maintaining that the interests of society are best promoted by perpetuating poverty, ignorance, and barbarism! The injury occasioned by the adoption of an improved method of production, or the opening of new markets whence cheaper supplies of any article may be obtained, is temporary only, and affects but a very small portion of the community; while the advantage is permanent, and benefits every individual, even those whom it may, in the first instance, have forced to resort to other businesses.

Those unacquainted with the history of the silk trade, who may have looked into the pamphlets and speeches of those opposed to the late alterations, will probably be disposed to think that, though more limited in point of numbers, the condition of the workmen engaged in the trade was better previously to 1825 than it has been since. But those who have looked, however cursorily, into the history of the trade, must know that such is not the fact: and that, speaking generally, the situation of those engaged in it has been materially improved since 1825. We have already adverted to the state of the trade in 1793 and 1816. At the last mentioned period, 7 years before any relaxation of the monopoly had been so much as thought of, the distress in the silk trade was infinitely more severe than it has ever been since the introduction of the new system. In proof of this, we may mention that, at a public meeting held for the relief of the Spitalfields weavers, at the Mansion-house, on the 26th of November, 1816, the secretary stated, that two-thirds of them were without employment, and without the means of support; "that some had deserted their houses in despair, unable to endure the sight of their starving families; and many pined under languishing diseases brought on by the want of food and clothing." And Mr. Fowell Buxton, M. P., stated, at the same meeting, that the distress among the silk manufacturers was so intense, that “it partook of the nature of a pestilence, which spreads its contagion around, and devastates an entire district." Such was the state of the workmen under that monopoly system that has been the worthless theme of so much recent eulogy. But such, we are glad to say, is not their state at present. The trade, being now mostly diverted into those branches in which we have a superiority, is comparatively secure against revulsions; and it would be an absurdity to imagine, that measures that have about doubled the manufacture, should have reduced the rate of wages, or been otherwise than advantageous to the workmen.

We

We have already noticed the smuggling of foreign silks carried on in the early part and towards the middle of last century. The evil was not afterwards abated. The vigilance of the Custom-house officer was no match for the ingenuity of the smuggler; and at the very moment when the most strenuous efforts were made to exclude them, the silks of France and Hindostan were openly displayed in the drawing-rooms of St. James's, and in the House of Commons, in mockery of the impotent legislation which sought to exclude them. doubt, indeed, whether the substitution of the ad valorem duty of 30 per cent., in place of the old system of prohibition, has been productive of any materially increased importation of foreign silks. "I have lately," said Mr. Huskisson, in his famous speech in vindication of his policy as to the silk trade, "taken some pains to ascertain the quantity of smuggled silks that has been seized inland throughout the kingdom during the last 10 years: and I find that the whole does not exceed 5,000l. a year. I have endeavoured, on the other hand, to get an account of the quantity of silk goods actually smuggled into this country. Any estimate

of this quantity must be very vague; but I have been given to understand that the value of such goods as are regularly entered at the Custom-houses of France, for exportation to this country, is from 100,000l. to 150,000l. a year; and this, of course, is exclusive of the far greater supply which is poured in throughout all the channels of smuggling, without being subjected to any entry. In fact, to such an extent is this illicit trade carried, that there is scarcely a haberdasher's shop in the smallest village of the United Kingdom, in which prohibited silks are not sold; and that in the face of day, and to a very considerable extent.

"The honourable member for Coventry (Mr. Ellice) has mentioned the silk goods from India as those against which any thing but prohibition would prove an unavailing protection. Now, in my opinion, it is scarcely possible to conceive a stronger case than those very silks furnish against the honourable member's <wn argument. I believe it is universally known that a large quantity of Bandana handkerchiefs are sold every year, for exportation, by the East India Company. But does any gentleman suppose that these Bandanas are sent to the continent for the purpose of remaining there? No such thing! They are sold at the Company's sales, to the number of about 800,000 or 1,000,000 a year, at about 4s. each; they are immediately shipped off for Hamburgh, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Ostend, or Guernsey, and from thence they nearly all illicitly find their way back to this country.

[ocr errors]

Mark, then, the effect of this beautiful system.-These Bandanas, which had previously been sold for exportation at 4s., are finally distributed in retail to the people of England at about 88. each; and the result of this prohibition is to levy upon the consumer a tax, and to give those who live by evading your law a bounty of 4s., upon each handkerchief sold in this country!"-(Speeches, vol. ii. p. 510.)

Indeed, one of the principal objections to the present Juty of 30 per cent. on foreign silks is, that it is high enough to enable a considerable smuggling trade to be still carried on; the facility for smuggling being increased by means of the legalised importation. A duty of 12 or 15 per cent. would not, however, be so high as to balance the risks run in smuggling; and would, therefore, really afford the manufacturer a more efficient protection than he derives from the existing duty, at the same time that it would place all classes of dealers on the same footing; whereas the advantage is at present on the side of those who engage in fraudulent schemes.

Regulations as to the Importation of Silks.-Silk manufactures are not to be imported in any vessel under 70 tons burden, except by licence from the commissioners of the customs to vessels belonging to Dover, to import such manufactures direct from Calais, though such vessels may not exceed 60 tons burden. Silk goods, the manufacture of Europe, not to be imported except into the port of London or the port of Dublin direct from Bordeaux, or the port of Dover direct from Calais.-(3 & 4 Will. 4. c. 52.58; antè, p. 11.)

When the shoot or the warp only is of silk, the article is to be considered as composed of not more than one half part of silk, and subject to the ad valorem duty of 30 per cent.; but if the shoot or the warp be entirely of silk, and a portion of the other be of silk also, the article is to be considered to be composed of more than one half part of silk, and subject to the rated duties at per lb., or to the ad valorem duties, at the option of the officers.-(Min. Com. Cus. 14th of August, 1829.) But in all cases where the duties charged by weight upon mixed articles would manifestly exceed 30 per cent., by reason of the weight of the wool, or other ingredient thereof besides silk, the article is to be admitted to entry at value.-(Min. Com. Cus. 19th of December, 1831.)

For the regulations as to the smuggling of silks, see SMUGGLING.

I. Account, illustrative of the Progress of the Silk Manufacture, showing the Quantities of Raw, Waste, and Thrown Silk imported at different Periods.-(Report of 1832 on Silk Trade, p. 10., and Parl. Paper, No. 9. Sess. 1834.)

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

II. Account of the Quantities of Raw, Waste, and Thrown Silk entered for Consumption in each Year from 1814, with the total Amount of Duty received on the same in each Year from 1820.-(From the Parl. Papers, No. 678. p. 10. Sess. 1832, No. 9. Sess. 1834; and Papers published by the Board of Trade.)

[blocks in formation]

Rates of Duty.

Rate of Duty, Raw.-From India 4s. per lb., from other places 58. 6d. per lb., to the 25th of March, 1824; 3d. per lb. from all places, to the 5th of July, 1826; Id. per lb. from all places, from the 5th of July, 1826. Rate of Duty, Waste.--From India, 3s. 9d. per lb., from other places 4s. per lb. to the 25th of March, 1824; 3d. per lb. from all places, to the 5th of July, 1826; Id. per lb. to the 5th of July, 1829; 1s. per cwt. from all places, after the 5th of July, 1829.

Rate of Duty, Thrown.-On all kinds, dyed, 21. 5s. 6d., and undyed, 14s. 8d. per lb., to the 25th of March, 1524; dyed and undyed, 7s. 6d. per lb., to the 5th of November, 1825; then 5s. per lb. on undyed, to the 5th of July, 1826; thereafter, 6s. 8d. on organzine and crape, and 48. on tram and singles dyed, and 38. on tram and singles not dyed, to the 5th of July, 1829; and then 5s. 2d. on organzine and crape, and 3s. on tram and singles dyed; 3s. 6d. on organzine and crapes, 25. on tram, and is. td. on singles not dyed.

VOL. II.-2 T

III. An Account of all Silks and Ribands (separately) imported from July, 1826, to the present Time.(Report from Select Committee of Silk Trade, p. 13. For Rates of Duty, see TARIFF.) Silk Manufactures imported into the United Kingdom for Hon:e Consumption.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

Note. The distinction in the rates of duty between silks and ribands having ceased to exist in 1829, on the passing of the act 10 Geo. 4. c. 23., both articles have since been entered at the Custom house under the general denominations of silk or satin, gauze and velvet, and are necessarily stated in the same manner in the above return.

IV. Account of the Official and of the Declared or Real Value of British Manufactured Silks exported from the United Kingdom since 1820, with the Bounty or Drawback paid thereon.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

The United States is our best customer for silk goods. Of the total quantity exported in 1831, they took nearly 1-2, or to the amount of 237,9857. of real value. During the same year, the exports to the British North American colonies, were 93,0131.; to the British Wes Indies, 27,5081.; to France, 43,4621.; to Spain, 24,8531., &c.

Sources of the Supply of Silk.-The following Table shows the sources whence we directly derive our supplies of raw and of foreign thrown silk, and the quantities brought from each in 1831 and 1832.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

It is necessary, however, to observe that this account does not exhibit the countries which really furnish us with silk, and the quantities we import from them. It merely exhibits the sources whence we immediately derive our supplies, without tracing them to their source. Hence it makes the imports of silk from China and Italy appear very much less than they really are, and those from India and France much larger. With respect to China, it would appear from this account that only 8,374 lbs. were imported from it in 1831; whereas it appears from another parliamentary paper, that the imports of Chinese silk in that year really amounted to 466,692 lbs.; and even this last is, we believe, underrated (see vol. i. p. 304.). The reason is, that by far the largest portion of the Chinese silk imported into England is carried, in the first instance, to Singapore, or to some port in India, and is thence imported under the name of Indian silk. During the year 1831-32, there were exported from Canton, in British ships, 8.451 piculs, or 1,126,800 lbs., of silk, costing at the port of shipment (Canton) 2,654,688 dollars; and of this, by far the largest portion came to England.-(See vol. i. p. 301.) The silk exported from Canton consists of two leading varieties, known in commerce by the names of Canton and Nanking. The first which is raised principally in the province of Canton, is divided into 5 sorts. At an average, the picul of Canton silk brought at Canton, in 1831-32, 158 dollars. The Nanking silk, produced in the province of Kiangnan, is divided into 2 sorts, known in commerce by the names of Tsatlee and Taysaam. It is very superior to the other, and usually fetches more than double its price. It cost at Canton, in 1831--32, 368 dollars a picul. We have no doubt, now that the trade to China is thrown

« AnteriorContinuar »