LIBRARY 
 
 University of 
 
 California 
 
 Irvine 
 
STUDIES IN ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE 
 
 EDITED BY W. A. S. HEWINS, M.A. 
 
 I. THE TAILORING TRADE 
 
THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE 
 
 9 JOHN STREET, ADELPHI, LONDON, W.C. 
 
 The special aim of THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS 
 AND POLITICAL SCIENCE is the study and investigation of 
 Economic and Political Institutions as they exist, or have existed, in 
 the United Kingdom and in foreign countries. The School provides 
 training in methods of investigation, and affords facilities for original 
 work in Economics and Political Science. Many of the Lectures and 
 Classes are designed to promote a wider knowledge of modern com- 
 mercial conditions, and to meet the needs of those engaged in the Civil 
 Service, municipal employment, journalism, teaching, and public work. 
 
 PUBLIC LECTURES AND CLASSES are held on Economics, 
 Statistics, Commercial History and Geography, Commercial and 
 Industrial Law, Banking and Currency, Finance and Taxation, 
 and Political Science. 
 
 SPECIAL CLASSES, arranged as a Three Years' Course of Study, 
 are held twice a week in each subject. Students also carry on 
 their studies under the DIRKCT PERSONAL SUPERVISION of the 
 Lecturer. 
 
 THE LECTURES are usually given between 6 and 9 P.M. THK 
 CLASSES are held both in the evening, between 6 and 9 P.M., 
 and during the daytime. 
 
 THE ADVANTAGES OF THE SCHOOL ARE OPEN TO 
 MEN AND WOMEN. 
 
 THE SCHOOL YEAR commences in October. There are THREE 
 TERMS, each about ten weeks in duration, viz., (i) October to 
 December ; (2) January to March ; (3) April to July. STUDENTS 
 
 MAT JOIN THE SCHOOL AT ANY TIME. 
 
 THE FEES FOR FULL STUDENTS ARE 3 A YEAR, OR 
 i A TERM. Students may also be admitted to one or more 
 Courses of Lectures and the classes in connection with them, on 
 the payment of fees varying with the length of the course. 
 
 SCHOLARSHIPS are awarded to students of ability to enable 
 them to pursue their studies at the School, and two RESEARCH 
 STUDENTSHIPS (i) of 100 a year for two years, and (2) of ^50 
 a year for two years for women students only will be awarded 
 in July 1896. 
 
 STUDIES IN ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE 
 are in course of publication under the editorship of the Director 
 of the School. 
 
 All communications should be addressed to the Director, W. A. S. 
 HEWINS, M.A., The London School of Economics and Political Science, 
 9 John Street, Adelphi, London, W.C. 
 
SELECT DOCUMENTS 
 
 ILLUSTRATING THE HISTORY OF 
 TRADE UNIONISM 
 
 I. THE TAILORING TRADE 
 
 EDITED WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 
 
 F. W. GALTON 
 
 WITH A PREFACE BY 
 
 SIDNEY WEBB, LL.B. 
 
 LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. 
 
 LONDON, NEW YOKE, AND BOMBAY 
 1896 
 
STUDIES IN ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE 
 
 EDITED BY W. A. S. HEWINS, M.A. 
 
 Arrangements have been made for the publication of a serifs of 
 books containing the results of researches in economic and 
 political subjects conducted by the teachers of the London 
 School of Economics and Political Science, or under their 
 direction. The following volumes are in preparation : 
 
 1. THE HISTORY OF LOCAL RATES IN ENG- 
 
 LAND. By EDWIN CANNAN, M.A., Balliol College, 
 Oxford. Crown 8vo, 2s. 6d. 
 
 "An interesting summary of the development of one element of 
 taxation. It is still more interesting as the first publication of the 
 newly-established London School of Economies and Political Science, 
 which is attempting to do, though on different lines, a work analogous 
 to that which has been for some years carried on by M. Boutmy's well- 
 known Ecole des Sciences Politique in Paris." Times. 
 
 2. SELECT DOCUMENTS ILLUSTRATING THE 
 
 HISTORY OF TRADE UNIONISM, i. THE TAILOR- 
 ING TRADE. Edited by F. W. GALTON. With a Preface 
 by SIDNEY WEBB, LL.B. 
 
 3. THE REFERENDUM IN SWITZERLAND. By 
 
 SIMON DEPLOIGE, University of Louvain. Translated, 
 with Introduction and Notes, by C. P. TREVKLYAN, M.A., 
 Trinity College, Cambridge. 
 
 4. SELECT DOCUMENTS ILLUSTRATING THE 
 
 STATE REGULATION OF WAGES. Edited, with 
 Introduction and Notes, by W. A. S. HEWINS, M.A. , 
 Pembroke College, Oxford ; Director of the London School 
 of Economics and Political Science. 
 
 5. HUNGARIAN GILD RECORDS. Edited by Dr. 
 
 JULIUS MANDELLO, of Budapest. 
 
 6. THE RELATIONS BETWEEN ENGLAND AND 
 
 THE HANSEATIC LEAGUE. By Miss E. A. MAC 
 ARTHUR, Vice-Mistress of Girton College, Cambridge. 
 
 7. GERMAN SOCIAL DEMOCRACY. By the Hon. 
 
 BERTRAND RUSSELL, B.A., Fellow of Trinity College, 
 Cambridge. 
 
PEEFACE 
 
 THIS volume has for its basis a remarkable series 
 of documents relating to the London tailoring trade, 
 which have been, until lately, practically unknown 
 to economic students. They begin in 1721 with a 
 graphic description by the " Master Taylors residing 
 within the Cities of London and Westminster " of the 
 Trade Union formed by the 15,000 journeymen tailors 
 of the Metropolis, and of their strike for better condi- 
 tions of employment. With the possible exception 
 of the clubs of the woollen workers of the West of 
 England, whose tumultuous strikes occurred about 
 the same time, this organisation of the London tailors 
 is the earliest recorded Trade Union of the modern 
 type. In the subsequent documents and contem- 
 porary references, unearthed by Mr. Gallon's ingenious 
 industry, we are able to keep the trade constantly 
 under our eye. We see the tailor, at that time always 
 working on his employer's premises and paid by the 
 day, kept close to his toil from six in the morning 
 until nine at night. We follow to the very end his 
 long struggle against the uniform legal rate of wages 
 imposed upon him by the employers. We watch him 
 at one moment succumbing to the law, at another 
 profiting by the perennial anomalies of London govern- 
 ment ; playing off now the City against the rest of the 
 
vi Preface 
 
 Metropolis, now Westminster against the City. We 
 are able to trace his gradual increase of wages and 
 diminution of hours, a progress constantly interrupted 
 by the pressure of "the unemployed," and by the 
 enormous fluctuations in the trade caused by the 
 periods of " Court mourning." We watch the working 
 of the curious system of the " House of Call," and we 
 see the coming hi of piecework, now universal in the 
 trade. We may even, towards the close of the history, 
 trace the beginnings of the pernicious system of giving 
 out work to be done in the men's own homes, which 
 has been, for the last fifty years, the special bane of 
 the industry. We have, in fact, in this unique series 
 of contemporary pictures of the tailoring trade, extend- 
 ing over a century and a quarter, most interesting 
 materials, both for the story of the industry itself, and 
 for that economic history of the eighteenth century 
 of which we are all so much in need. 
 
 The fact that these interesting documents are now 
 collected and published for the first time indicates 
 how little has yet been done in England in the way 
 of historical research into the development of parti- 
 cular trades during the past two centuries. It might 
 have been supposed that Professor Brentano's brilliant 
 essay in 1870, breaking, as it did, absolutely new 
 ground, would have attracted attention to this fertile 
 field. Unfortunately, very little has been done to 
 follow up his valuable work, and although we have 
 now important treatises on older economic history 
 and the general industrial development of the country, 
 the student who would devote his attention to the 
 annals of particular trades would still find quarries of 
 the most valuable economic material as yet almost 
 
Preface vii 
 
 wholly imworked. And it may be some encourage- 
 ment to the adventurer in these regions to be re- 
 minded that, notwithstanding his extensive and most 
 successful researches into eighteenth century trades, 
 Professor Brentano found none of the documents 
 which Mr. Galton has collected, and was driven to 
 declare that, " in the Tailors' trade also combinations 
 must have existed early in the eighteenth century, as 
 the /th Geo. I. c. 13 forbade them. I could, however, 
 find nothing as to the cause of these combinations hi 
 the Journals of the House of Commons. ... In any 
 case, however, the combinations of the tailors seem 
 to have been but transitory, and not to have led to 
 the formation of lasting Trade Unions. At least, 
 during the entire eighteenth century we hear no more 
 of combinations of journeymen, and not even the 8th 
 Geo. III. c. 17 makes mention of them." 1 
 
 If one trade can be made to yield so much, it is 
 unlikely that others would be quite barren. 
 
 How faithfully and diligently Mr. Galton has done 
 his work the student wiU easily determine. The 
 ingenuity and perseverance with which he has inves- 
 tigated every accessible source of information about 
 the tailoring trade since the year 1 700 may be inferred 
 both from the number and diversity of his references, 
 and from his success in discovering documents and 
 materials hitherto unknown. In his introduction he 
 has put together this matter in a connected form, thus 
 giving us practically the annals of the English tailoring 
 trade during the last two hundred years. I cannot 
 
 i " On the History and Development of Gilds and the Origin of 
 Trade Unions," by L. Brentano, pp. clxxviii. and clxxix. Prefixed 
 to the volume of the Early English Text Society on " English Gilds," 
 edited by Toulmin Smith. 
 
viii Preface 
 
 refrain from adding a word of personal reference, which 
 should make this work of special interest to those who 
 watch the new drifts and influences of a nation's life. 
 It is the outcome, not of the Universities and of the 
 subsidised leisure from which our historical research 
 has, in the past, almost exclusively sprung, but of the 
 Board School and the artisan's bench. When more 
 of our skilled craftsmen take to historical researches, 
 and more of our business men and public officials to 
 economic studies, we may perhaps anticipate, if not a 
 new history and a new economics, at any rate a new 
 focussing of the mental telescope. And I venture to 
 think that the London School of Economics and 
 Political Science will render good service if it pro- 
 motes this end. 
 
 SIDNEY WEBB. 
 
 May 1896. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 PREFACE . . v-viii 
 
 INTRODUCTION xiii-xcviii 
 
 The Case of the Master Taylors of London, &c., 1721 1-4 
 
 Report of the House of Commons' Committee on 
 
 the Master Taylors' Petition, 1721 . . 5-6 
 
 An Abstract of the Master Taylors' Bill, with the 
 
 Journeymen's Observations, &c., 1721 . 7-12 
 
 The Case of the Journeymen Taylors of London, 
 
 &c., 1721 13-15 
 
 An Act for Regulating the Journeymen Taylors 
 within the Weekly Bills of Mortality (7 Geo. I. 
 s. i, c. 13), 1721 16-22 
 
 Report of the Case of R. v. the Journeymen Tay- 
 lors of Cambridge, 1721. . . . . 23-26 
 
 A New Poem on the Ancient and Loyal Society of 
 
 Journeymen Taylors [of Dublin], 1725 . . 27-29 
 
 The Case of the Journeymen Taylors of London, 
 
 &c., 1745 30-35 
 
 A Letter to a Member of Parliament, &c., 1745 . 36-44 
 
 The Petition of the Master Taylors and Stay- 
 makers of Westminster, &c., 1752 . . 45-48 
 
 The Case of the Journeymen Taylors and Stay- 
 makers of London, &c., 1752 .... 49-56 
 
x Contents 
 
 PAGE 
 
 The Petition of the Master Taylors of London, &c., 
 
 176? ..... 57 
 
 Report of the Committee of the House of Com- 
 mons on the Master Taylors' Petition, 1768 . 58-59 
 
 Preamble and Abstract of the Act 8 Geo. III. 
 
 c. 17, 1718 . . . . . . 60-63 
 
 The Petition of the Journeymen Taylors of Lon- 
 don, &c., 1768 64-65 
 
 The Petition of the Master Taylors of Dublin, 
 
 1772 66-67 
 
 Report of the Committee of the Irish House of 
 Commons on the Petition of the Master Tay- 
 lors of Dublin, 1772 68 
 
 Preamble and Abstract of the Irish Act n & 12 
 
 Geo. III. c. 33, 1771-2 69-70 
 
 An Account of the Strike of the Taylors of Bir- 
 mingham, 1777 71-74 
 
 The Petition of the Master Taylors of London, 
 
 1778 75-76 
 
 Report of the Committee of the House of Com- 
 mons upon the Petition of the Master Taylors 
 of London, &c., 1778 77-78 
 
 The Petition of the Master Taylors of London, 
 
 &c., 1778 79-8o 
 
 Report of the Case of R. v. Eccles, 1783 . . 81-85 
 
 The Petition of the Master Taylors of London, &c., 
 
 1800 "... 86-87 
 
 Report submitted by the Master Tailors' Com- 
 mittee to the Trade at large, &c., 1810 . . 88-95 
 
 Propositions submitted by the Master Tailors to 
 
 their Journeymen, 1810 96-98 
 
Contents xi 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Address from the Committee of Master Tailors, 
 
 &c., 1810 99-107 
 
 An Address to the Legislature of Great Britain, 
 
 &c., 1811 108-114 
 
 Observations on the Bill lately brought into' the 
 House of Commons by the Master Tailors, 
 &c., 1811 ' . 115-121 
 
 Suggestions to a Friendly Member of the Select 
 
 Committee on Tailors, 1811, by F. Place . 122-128 
 
 Extract from the Narrative of Proceedings for the 
 
 Repeal of the combination Laws, by F. Place 129-131 
 
 Articles of Agreement made and confirmed by a 
 
 Society of Taylors [London], June 1812 . 132-145 
 
 The Journeymen Tailors, Articles reprinted from 
 
 the Gorgon, 1818 146-160 
 
 Half- Yearly Reports of the Old George Associated 
 
 Taylors' Benefit Society, 1818-20 . . . 161-163 
 
 An Account of the Strike of the Tailors of Edin- 
 burgh, 1823 164-166 
 
 Prospectus of a Plan to Raise a Fund for the 
 
 Relief of Aged Taylors, 1824 . . . . 167-170 
 
 An Account of the Strike of the Tailors of Bir- 
 mingham, 1825 171-174 
 
 Extracts from an Account of the Edinburgh and 
 
 Leith Reform Jubilee, 1832 .... 175-178 
 
 Report of' a Meeting of the Journeymen Tailors 
 
 of London, 1833 179-182 
 
 Report of Meetings of the Master Tailors of Lon- 
 don, 1834 183-187 
 
 The Address of the Journeymen Tailors of the 
 
 Metropolis. 1834 188-195 
 
xii Contents 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Report of a Meeting of the Journeymen Tailors 
 
 of London, 1834 196-198 
 
 Circular of the Master Tailors' Committee, 1834 . 199-200 
 Report of a Meeting of the Operative Master 
 
 Tailors of London, 1834 .... 201-202 
 Report of a Meeting of the Master Tailors of 
 
 London, 1834 203-210 
 
 Rules of the Amalgamated Society of Journeymen 
 
 Tailors, 1866 . . . . . . . 211-223 
 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY 224-237 
 
 INDEX . 238-242 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 TRADE UNIONISM among journeymen tailors appears 
 to have first arisen in the early years of the eighteenth 
 century. 1 There is evidence that various trade clubs 
 of journeymen tailors were formed between the years 
 1710 and 1730, and that they began actively to in- 
 terest themselves in the affairs of the trade hi many 
 of the larger towns. In London, Dublin, and Cam- 
 bridge there is actual proof of their existence in the 
 years 1720-25, and we are not without some grounds 
 for the inference that a similar movement among 
 these workmen in other towns was taking place 
 
 1 It is not proposed in this volume to attempt to describe any 
 forms of organisation in the tailors' trade other than Trade Unions 
 in the modern sense ; that is to say, durable associations of 
 journeymen workmen in the trade. The merchant and craft 
 gilds are therefore not referred to, as they did not in any case 
 consist exclusively of journeymen, nor does there appear to be 
 any connection between them and the Trade Unions described in 
 this volume. Nor, on the other hand, has it been thought neces- 
 sary to describe the attempts of the tailors' "serving men and 
 journeymen " in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries to form 
 assemblies and associations. Very little evidence exists in regard 
 to these conspiracies, but, so far as can be judged, they do not 
 appear to have amounted in any case to more than very temporary 
 revolts against particular acts of tyranny upon the part either of 
 the employers or of the gilds. For a full discussion of this point 
 with reference to the tailors, as well as to other trades, see the 
 " History of Trade Unionism," by S. &. B. Webb, chap. i. 
 
 xiii 
 
xiv Introduction 
 
 about the same time. 1 The earliest trustworthy 
 contemporary reference to the existence of such 
 an organisation occurs in 1721. when the master 
 tailors of London presented a petition to the House 
 of Commons complaining of the combination and 
 strike of their journeymen. It is clear from a 
 perusal of this document that it referred to a 
 
 1 The Tailors' Society of Sheffield is said to have been established 
 originally in 1720. In an article descriptive of the Society which 
 appeared in the Sheffield Iris of August 8, 1820, it is stated that 
 "the Tailors' Society is the oldest sick club in the town," and it 
 is alleged that "it was formed on the 2Oth September 1720, by 
 a combination of tailors not to work for an unreasonable length 
 of time for their employers." It is added that "the original deed 
 was seen by the Editor, wherein it was stated that from 6 A.M. to 
 8 P.M. were the usual hours, which they considered too long, and 
 in future resolved to work no longer than six in the evening for 
 any man, any one doing so to be fined 5/-." On the other hand, the 
 issue of the Sheffield Iris of August 5, 1823, announces that on that 
 day the Sheffield Tailors' Club held its one hundredth anniversary 
 celebration. 
 
 In Newcastle-on-Tyne, also, where trade friendly clubs flourished 
 very early, the tailors appear to have been among the first thus 
 organised. There is preserved in the British Museum a copy of 
 the "Rules, Orders, and Regulations of the Friendly Society of 
 Tailors, held at the house of Mr. Edward Burn, sign of the Two 
 Bulls' Heads, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Established on the i2th day 
 of August 1723 ;" Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1825, 12 pp. I2mo. I have 
 not reprinted these articles, because at the time of their issue in 
 1825 the club no longer consisted exclusively of tailors, if it had 
 ever done so. For the preamble states that, " We, the several 
 persons signing these presents, and whose respective places of 
 abode and trades . . . are set down and written immediately after 
 our respective names," &c. ; and there is nothing in the Rules of 
 a trade character, or which would in any way confine the mem- 
 bership to those who were tailors. It is possible that this was 
 originally formed as a tailors' club, and afterwards turned into a 
 general sick club, such as these Rules portray. At any rate, there 
 is no satisfactory evidence of its existence as a trade combination 
 at the time when it is alleged to have been established. 
 
Introduction 
 
 xv 
 
 definite combination of journeymen wage -workers, 
 striking for higher day -wages and shorter hours 
 of work, against their capitalist employers. It is 
 asserted in this petition that the men's combina- 
 tion was of recent origin, and a diligent search has 
 failed to reveal any evidence of its previous existence. 
 Nevertheless we may, I think, infer from the subse- 
 quent events that the origin of the organisation was 
 not so recent as the employers supposed. Whatever 
 may have been the origin of the "house of call" 
 system of conducting the industry, it is probable that 
 the men frequenting these taverns had quickly been 
 led to form some kind of organisation among them- 
 selves. This would probably have taken the form, at 
 first, of a friendly society to provide for the burial of 
 deceased members, any trade action being confined to 
 regulating and equalising the turns or shares'of work 
 amongst all the " callers " at the house. And it was 
 perhaps owing to the pressure of some powerful 
 economic force that these clubs were led in 1721 to 
 commence an active interference in trade affairs. 1 
 The size and importance which these combinations 
 had assumed in that year may well lead us to infer 
 that they had already been in existence for at any 
 rate some years. It is difficult to believe that a new 
 organisation could suddenly have become powerful 
 enough to withstand the opposition of the employers, 
 and the prosecution and imprisonment of its leaders, 
 as this combination did, and at the same time rich 
 enough to provide the large sums of money necessary 
 
 1 We shall see presently a somewhat similar evolution of the 
 trade friendly club into the Trade Union in the case of the 
 journeymen tailors of Dublin. 
 
xvi Introduction 
 
 to support the strike and to employ counsel to plead 
 its cause before both Houses of Parliament. 
 
 Although, therefore, we have no direct knowledge 
 of the existence of these clubs before the outbreak of 
 1721, it seems probable that they may then have 
 been in existence for some years. It is, however, 
 unlikely that they had existed for a longer period, 
 or that they had ever before become involved in an 
 active trade movement. No positive evidence can 
 be adduced in support of this inference, but there is 
 good reason for believing that the existence of such 
 combinations was unknown, and that their rise was 
 unlikely, or indeed impossible, much before this time. 
 In the first place, it may be assumed that without 
 the existence of a class of lifelong journeymen wage- 
 workers no durable combination was possible. There 
 is some evidence to show that the rise of such a 
 class in this trade occurred about the middle of the 
 seventeenth century. Before that tune the wealthy 
 classes appear to have bought their cloth direct from 
 the wholesale clothiers, and to have either taken it to 
 a master working-tailor to make up, or to have kept 
 a tailor in their own household to do such work; 
 while the poor either made their garments them- 
 selves or bought second-hand ones. But during the 
 first half of the seventeenth century there began to 
 grow up in London, and probably in other large towns, 
 a class of shopkeeping master tailors who were a source 
 of continual trouble and complaint to the rest of the 
 trade. It is to this period, and to the rise of this class 
 of capitalist entrepreneurs, that the growth of a large 
 body of journeymen wage- workers in this trade must, 
 I think, be attributed. Writing upon the question in 
 
Introduction xvii 
 
 1 68 1, the anonymous author .of "The Trade of Eng- 
 land revived," says : " Concerning taylers and others 
 being salesmen. This is another thing that doth add 
 to the great number of shopkeepers, which was never 
 wont to be formerly ; for although a iner chant- tayler 
 is a very ancient trade, yet it is suppos'd that either 
 they themselves did transport those garments that 
 they made, for which reason they were called Mer- 
 chants as well as Taylers ; or else they sold many 
 garments together by wholesale to them that did 
 transport them ; but not one single garment at a time, 
 as now our salemen do ; for if so, then there would 
 have been many of this Trade in London, long before 
 the memory of any man now living ; but it's other- 
 wise, for many remember when there were no new 
 garments sold in London as now there are, only old 
 garments at second hand ; " and he goes on to urge 
 that these recent intruders upon an old and honour- 
 able trade should be forthwith suppressed outright. 1 
 The truth of this complaint of the recent rise of the 
 class of shopkeeping tailors is borne out by other con- 
 temporary evidence. In 1687 the " Master working 
 Taylers, Freemen of the City," presented a lengthy 
 petition to the Lord Mayor of London in reference to 
 the growth of the same abuse. After reciting the 
 various charters and Acts constituting the Company 
 of Merchant Tailors, they complain in warm language 
 of the " great numbers of foreigners and other unlaw- 
 ful workers of divers kinds who pay no duties to the 
 City nor Company (and) have for many years eaten 
 
 1 " The Trade of England revived and the Abuses thereof rectified, 
 &c. ; Humbly offered to the present Parliament;" London, 1681, 
 62 pp. 4to. The italics are mine. 
 
 I 
 
xviii Introduction 
 
 out the bowels of our trade, making us their scorn 
 and derision, and for want of opposition have alwayes 
 mightily increased to the ruin of many of our brethren, 
 their wives and children, and the great impoverishing 
 of many others of them, and to the hurt and damage 
 of us all in the loss of 6ur trades and employments." 
 They add that the Company now refuses to take any 
 steps to redress this grievance, and that unless the 
 Lord Mayor will interfere on their behalf, they will be 
 constrained to petition His Most Gracious Majesty for 
 redress. 1 About twenty years later, having failed to 
 obtain any alleviation of their distresses by these means, 
 they put their threat of an appeal to the monarch into 
 operation. A petition was presented to Queen Anne, 
 in which this grievance, and the inability of the peti- 
 tioners to obtain redress either from their Company 
 or from the Corporation, are reiterated. They com- 
 plain once more of the "vast swarms of unlawful 
 workers and other unqualify'd persons who never 
 served any apprenticeship; and . . . have of late 
 years clandestinely broken in upon the taylory trade, 
 and continue unskilfully to work at the same," and 
 they pray for a speedy redress, by charter or other- 
 wise, of their wrongs. 2 
 
 1 " A true account of the case between the Worshipful the Master, 
 Wardens and Court of Assistants of the Company of Merchant- 
 Taylors of the City of London, and the Master Working Taylors, 
 Freemen of this City, and members also of the said Company." 
 Guildhall Lib., S. Sh. Fol., 1687 ; catalogued under Merchant Taylors. 
 
 2 "The case of the Master Cutting Taylors, and all other master 
 workers, duly qualified in the Taylory trade within the Cities of 
 London and Westminster, and the Borough of Southwark, and 
 Weekly Bills of Mortality, &c." Guildhall Lib., S. Sh. Fol., 
 N.D. ; catalogued under Tailors. The petition is not dated, but 
 mentions the injury done to Her Majesty's subjects by the abuses 
 complained of. Queen Anne reigned from 1702 to 1714. 
 
Introduction xix 
 
 But further evidence of the absence of combinations 
 among the journeymen before those of which we hear 
 in 1721 is to be found in the fact that on no occasion 
 before that year had the master tailors made any 
 complaint of the conduct of their workmen. The 
 Journals of both Houses of Parliament contain notices 
 of frequent appeals from the master tailors between 
 the years 1680 and 1720, but in no one of them, so 
 far as I can discover, was any mention whatever 
 made of the journeymen. There are also preserved, 
 in addition to the two cases already quoted, no fewer 
 than five separate petitions of the master tailors of 
 London presented to Parliament at different times 
 between the years 1702 and 1720. They appear, 
 indeed, to have been constantly running to the House 
 of Commons upon every possible occasion for the 
 redress of their real or fancied grievances, and for 
 the amendment or repeal of various Acts to which 
 they objected. The entire absence from all these 
 documents of any reference to the conduct of their 
 journeymen cannot be taken as other than very 
 strong evidence that no cause of complaint had yet 
 been given by the men. 1 The evidence seems almost 
 irresistibly to show that the combinations of jour-' 
 
 1 Sec "Reasons humbly offer'd by the woollen-drapers, Taylors, 
 &c. ; " also "Reasons humbly offered by the Taylors, Button-sellers, 
 &c. ;" and " Reasons humbly offered for the making, by a new Bill, 
 several Acts of Parliament more effectual, c. ; " and " Reasons for 
 suppressing the wearing of all cloth, stuff, and other wove buttons, 
 &c. ; " and also " Reasons humbly offered for bringing in a Bill for 
 prohibiting the importation of foreign buttons, &c." S. Sh. Fol. 
 None of these are dated ; but three of them appear to have been 
 issued during the reign of Queen Anne (1702-14), and two shortly 
 after her death, to which they refer. The master tailors are 
 among the appellants in each case. 
 
xx Introduction 
 
 neymcn tailors were begun some time during the 
 first twenty years of the eighteenth century; that 
 they at first confined themselves exclusively to their 
 lawful and benevolent objects ; and that it was only 
 the influence of some powerful outside force which 
 caused them to burst into open trade revolt in 1721. 
 What exactly the causes were which led to that out- 
 burst of strikes it is for the economic historian to 
 determine. 1 
 
 It was on the 7th of February 1721 that the case 
 of the "Master Taylors residing within the Cities 
 of London and Westminster," to which reference has 
 already been made, was presented and read to the 
 House of Commons. A copy of the petition thus 
 referred to has been preserved. 2 It asserts that the 
 London journeymen tailors, to the number of 15,000, 
 were now entered into a combination, and engaged in 
 
 1 One further item of evidence as to the absence of trade com- 
 binations among the journeymen tailors before this period exists. 
 During the latter half of the seventeenth century there began to be 
 published a number of books of advice and instruction to workmen, 
 labourers, &c. Although most of these deal with the tailors' trade, 
 and describe at length many of the evils and temptations which 
 beset the path of the workmen or apprentices to that craft, no 
 reference is made in any case to the existence of clubs or com- 
 binations. It seems reasonable to suppose that, had such bodies 
 existed, the young workman would have been warned by his 
 monitors against their wickedness, in common with the other evils 
 dilated upon. See, for instance, " Instructions for Masters, Traders, 
 Labourers, Apprentices and Servants, Youth and Children ; " London, 
 1699, 121110, anon. Another edition, London, 1718. A number 
 of others of a similar character were published about this time, 
 and subsequently throughout the whole of the eighteenth century. 
 Many of the later books of this kind describe at length the work- 
 men's combinations and the evils of the houses of call, &c. See, 
 for instance, "The London Tradesman, &c.," by R. Campbell; 
 Ixnidon, 1747, 8vo. 
 
 2 Reprinted pp. 1-4. 
 
Introduction- xxi 
 
 a, strike for alterations in their conditions of employ- 
 ment ; and the petitioners prayed that Parliament 
 would consider their grievances, and proceed to enact 
 such legislation as would enable them to cope success- 
 fully with this rising of their journeymen. The House 
 of Commons immediately referred the petition to a 
 Committee, charged to examine the matter and report 
 the same, with their opinions thereon. 1 Nine days 
 later the report of this Committee was presented and 
 read to the House, and entered upon the Journals. 2 
 It shows that the Committee had been fully con- 
 vinced of the justice of the employers' complaints, and 
 concludes with the Committee's resolution that, in 
 their opinion, the petitioners had fully proved the alle- 
 gations contained in their petition. 3 In consequence 
 of this favourable report, leave was at once given by 
 the House for a Bill to be brought in to regulate the 
 journeymen tailors " within the Weekly Bills of Mor- 
 tality," and three members of the Committee were 
 ordered to prepare and bring in a Bill for that purpose. 4 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, yth February 1720(1721), vol. 
 xix. p. 416. The date 1720 here stands for 1721, as the parliamen- 
 tary year ends in March, and until 1752 all official documents were 
 dated accordingly. 
 
 2 Reprinted pp. 5-6. 
 
 3 It is interesting to note that, according to this report, the men 
 had already ' ' entered into articles " for their own government, or, in 
 other words, they had already a code of rules, thus completing the 
 idea of a formal organisation. 
 
 4 Journals of the House of Commons, i6th February 1720 (1721), 
 vol. xix. p. 424-5. The three members were Mr. Godfrey, the Lord 
 William Powlett, and Mr. Bracebridge. The Bills of Mortality were 
 begun in the Plague year of 1592, when a record of the births 
 and deaths within their respective parishes was compiled by the 
 parish clerks in the City and Southwark. In 1604 St. Bartholomew 
 the Great, Bridewell Precinct, and Trinity in Minories, which were 
 
xxii Introduction 
 
 Meanwhile the masters endeavoured to advance 
 their case by drawing up and presenting a Bill of 
 their own for the consideration of the Committee. 
 No complete copy of this Bill is preserved, but we are 
 able to fonn a very good notion of its contents from 
 the Abstract, with their observations thereon, which 
 the journeymen published in their own defence. 1 The 
 men's remarks are very shrewd, and directed forcibly 
 against the weak points of the Bill, and they were 
 probably written, or at any rate put into form, by the 
 legal advisers they afterwards employed. We are 
 thus enabled to form some picture of the life of the 
 working tailor at that time. The men's chief com- 
 plaints are of the long hours spent daily in poring 
 over their work, often by the faint light of candles, 
 and the consequent injury to their health and eye- 
 sight, and of the insufficiency of their means, reduced 
 by rising prices and by the very considerable periods 
 of unemployment which were thus early a marked 
 feature of this trade. It is interesting to observe, 
 too, that at this time it is the men who are asking 
 that " each may be rewarded according to his merit," 
 and protesting against a fixed rate of wages for all 
 alike, an attitude which, we shall see, was not adopted 
 by their employers until a century later. 
 
 all partly within the City liberties ; and St. Clement Danes, St. 
 Giles in the Fields, St. James Clerkenwell, St. Catherine Tower, 
 St. Leonard Shoreditch, St. Mary in Whitechapel, St. Martin in 
 the Fields, and St. Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, were added. St. 
 Mary at the Savoy was added in 1606, and Westminster in 1626. 
 The parishes of Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, Newington, Rother- 
 hithe, and Stepney were added in 1636. Marylebone, St. Pancras, 
 Paddington, Kensington, and Chelsea were never included in the 
 Weekly Bills. 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 7-12. 
 
Introduction xxiii 
 
 It was not until a month after the House of Com- 
 mons had ordered the Bill for their regulation to be 
 prepared that the journeymen tailors presented their 
 case or petition against such a measure. This occurred 
 on March 15, and at the same time they prayed the 
 House that they might be heard by their counsel 
 against the said Bill. Their petition was at once re- 
 ferred by the House of Commons to the Committee 
 on the Bill, and it was ordered that they should be 
 heard by counsel before the said Committee if they 
 so desired. 1 The petition thus presented is also pre- 
 served. 2 It reiterates the men's demands for shorter 
 hours and more wages, and for the redress of their 
 other grievances, and differs very little from their 
 observations upon the Abstract of the masters' Bill. 
 The result of this petition, and of the presentation of 
 their case to the Committee by their counsel, appears 
 to have been to secure the journeymen some amend- 
 ments in the Bill. On March 28th it was reported to 
 the House of Commons that the Committee upon the 
 tailors' Bill had heard the journeymen by their counsel 
 upon their petition, " and that the Committee had 
 made several amendments on the Bill," which were 
 read to the House, and ordered to be taken into con- 
 sideration the next day. 3 On the following day, how- 
 ever, it was again postponed for a day, 4 and the report 
 of the Committee thus came before the House on 
 March 30, when the amendments made to the Bill 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 15th March 1720 (1721), 
 vol. xix. p. 481. 
 
 2 Reprinted pp. 13-15. 
 
 3 Journals of the House of Commons, 28th March 1721, vol. xix. 
 
 PP- 499-500. 
 
 4 Ibid., 29th March 1721, vol. xix. p. 500. 
 
xxiv Introduction 
 
 were read, and, we are told, " some of them were dis- 
 agreed with, and the residue with amendments to 
 some of them were agreed unto by the House," and 
 the Bill was ordered to be engrossed. 1 On April 19, 
 the Bill was sent up to the House of Lords, and was 
 there read a first time the same day. 2 
 
 The opposition of the journeymen to this measure 
 was not, however, allayed. On April 27 they pre- 
 sented a petition to the House of Lords against it, 
 and prayed to be heard, either by themselves or by 
 counsel, at the Bar of the House in opposition to the 
 Bill. It was thereupon ordered that the Bill should 
 be read a second time on the following Tuesday, and 
 that the petitioners should then be heard by their 
 counsel if they still so wished. 3 The Bill was not 
 read on the Tuesday, however, but postponed until 
 Thursday, May 4, when it was read a second time 
 and the journeymen were heard by their counsel 
 against it, the masters being at the same time heard 
 in favour of the BiU. Several witnesses were also 
 examined on oath in relation to the Bill, which was 
 finally ordered to be committed to a Committee of 
 the whole House on the following Tuesday. 4 On that 
 day, therefore, the House of Lords went into Com- 
 mittee upon the Bill, 5 and on May 18 it was read a 
 third time and passed, a message being sent to the 
 Commons to acquaint them that the Lords had 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, soth March 1721 vol xix 
 p. 501. 
 
 '- 1 Journals of the House of Lords, igth April 1721, vol. xxi. pp. 
 498-500. 
 1 Ibid., 27th April 1721, vol. xxi. p. 505. 
 
 4 Ibid., 4th May 1721, vol. xxi. p. 513. 
 
 5 Ibid., Qth May 1721, vol. xxi. p. 518. 
 
Introduction x x v 
 
 agreed to the said Bill "without any amendment." 1 
 The Bill received the royal assent on June 7, I72I. 2 
 
 The Act thus passed into law seems of so much 
 interest, both for the light it throws on the conditions 
 of the tailors' trade at that period, and as being one 
 of the earliest statutes directed definitely against 
 combinations of journeymen wage- workers, that it is 
 worth reprinting in full. 3 How far any effective effort 
 was made to enforce its provisions it is now difficult 
 to judge. Its chief use lay, no doubt, in the power 
 which it placed in the employers' hands to coerce 
 their workmen into obedience, by threats of imprison- 
 ment or impressment. We shall see, however, that 
 while it injured temporarily the combinations of the 
 workmen, it certainly did not permanently destroy 
 them, and that, in regard to the hours and wages 
 of the tailors, variations occurred at different times 
 owing to the pressure of the men's organisations, 
 and not in accordance with the law, as well as some 
 which were legally authorised. 
 
 The immediate effect of the Act upon the London 
 journeymen appears to have been considerable. It 
 succeeded in frightening them for a time into sub- 
 mission, and in destroying the trade activity of their 
 clubs, which, so far as they still existed, must have 
 been carried on as secret and illegal conspiracies. 
 At any rate for the next twenty years no reference 
 to combinations among the London tailors can be 
 discovered. It is reasonable to assume that this 
 sudden and complete collapse of the well organised 
 
 i Journals of the House of Lords, i8th May 1721, vol. xxi. p. 525. 
 ' 2 Ibid., 7th June 1721, vol. xxi. p. 535. 
 3 Reprinted pp. 16-22. 
 
xxvi Introduction 
 
 and conducted outburst of 1721, and the subsequent 
 quiescence of the journeymen, were not wholly un- 
 connected with the enactment of this measure. 
 
 The sudden rise of combinations among the journey- 
 men tailors thus described was not, however, confined 
 to those hi London alone. In the same year that the 
 London journeymen were thus engaged in active 
 trade revolt, their fellow-craftsmen in Cambridge 
 were similarly engaged, as we learn from the report 
 of the case, R. v. the Journeymen Tailors of Cam- 
 bridge. 1 This is interesting as being the first reported 
 case in which workmen were prosecuted for a con- 
 spiracy to raise their wages, and it ended in their 
 conviction. 2 This case also reveals the existence of 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 23-26. 
 
 2 See "An Inquiry into the Law of Strikes," by F. D. Longe, 
 p. 31 ; London 1860, 8vo. The case is also referred to in " The 
 Law of Criminal Conspiracies and Agreements," by R. S. (now 
 Mr. Justice) Wright, pp. 52-3 ; London, 1873, 8vo ; who observes, 
 however, that the report is untrustworthy, as it makes the argu- 
 ments in the case turn on the Act 7 Geo. I. c. 13, which applied 
 only to the Metropolis. There is a much earlier case, described 
 as "The Case of the Tailors, &c., of Ipswich" ("Coke's Reports," 
 vol. vi. p. 101, Part xi. 530, u Jac. I. (1578)), which is some- 
 times referred to as "The Case of the Journeymen Tailors of 
 Ipswich." But a perusal of the case reveals that it was not really 
 one of a combination of journeymen. It was an action brought by 
 the Master, Wardens, and Commonalty of the " Scissorum et opera- 
 torum pannorum " (cutters and workers of cloth) of Ipswich, estab- 
 lished under royal charter, against one William Sheninge for using 
 the trade of a tailor in that town before presenting himself to the 
 said Master, &c. , or making proof that he had served a seven years' 
 apprenticeship, or having been admitted by the said Master, &c., 
 to be a sufficient workman. A by-law of the Master, Wardens, 
 &c., of the Company had declared these steps necessary. It was 
 shown, however, that Sheninge had served a seven years' apprentice- 
 ship somewhere, and coming to Ipswich to domestic service, his 
 master had set him to make clothes for the family, and it was for 
 BO doing that he was prosecuted by the Company of the trade. 
 
Introduction xxvii 
 
 a combination consisting definitely of journeymen 
 tailors, who were striking for an advance of wages 
 above the rates fixed for them by the Justices under 
 the statute of Elizabeth. 
 
 In Dublin also, where combinations of workmen in 
 many trades were very early established, the journey- 
 men tailors appear to have been among the first so 
 organised. They were about this time formed into 
 a Friendly Society, based upon a "House of Call" 
 system, as appears from a collection of quaint and 
 curious documents preserved in the British Museum. 
 From 1725 to 1729 there was published annually in 
 Dublin a poem in honour of the " Ancient and loyal 
 Society of Journeymen Taylors " of that city. These 
 poems were published with the consent, and indeed 
 under the direct authority of the Society, a list of the 
 officers being generally appended thereto. The pub- 
 licity thus given to this organisation must have been 
 considerable, as is shown by the numerous squibs and 
 satires which were issued in reply, one of them being 
 written and printed in London. The poems them- 
 selves are occupied chiefly with praises of the charity 
 and benevolence of the Society, which appears to 
 have been a club for the support of the sick, the aged, 
 and the orphans of its members, and for the burial of 
 its dead. Between the poems and the satires, how- 
 
 The prosecution was not successful, the judge apparently ruling 
 that although the Company could, by by-laws made under their 
 charter, prevent any one from setting up shop or working for hire 
 as a tailor, yet it could not prevent persons making their own 
 clothes or the clothes of those in whose service they were ; and 
 the by-laws of the Company, so far as they appeared to prohibit 
 this, were declared illegal at common law, as being in restraint of 
 trade and not sanctioned by any Act of Parliament. 
 
xx v i i i Introduction 
 
 ever, we can discover a little about the conditions of 
 the trade. The first of these poeins, dated I725, 1 
 refers to the men as being " wrapt in close Union by 
 the laws they've made," an instance of the way in 
 which the word "Union" first began to be applied to 
 such societies, and which indicates also that a proper 
 code of articles or rules for the government of the 
 Society existed. From the satire written in reply to 
 the poem in the following year, we gather that the 
 Dublin tailors were also subject to those periods of 
 unemployment of which their London brethren had 
 earlier complained ; 2 while another undated satire 
 shows us that the House of Call was a well-known 
 institution in the trade in Dublin as well as in 
 London. 3 
 
 The publicity sought by this Society, both by the 
 publication of these poems and in its annual pro- 
 cessions and dinners, seems to show that at this time 
 it was really, as its name implied, nothing more than 
 a Friendly Society. But in spite of this, and the 
 complete absence of any evidence of interference in 
 trade affairs by the Society at this period, it seems 
 probable that it did not long maintain its exclusively 
 friendly objects. It is significant that the first anti- 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 27-29. 
 
 2 " The Triumphant Taylors, or, the Vanquished Lice. A Satyr 
 on the Taylors' Procession, July 25th, 1726 ;" Dublin, 1726 ; S. Sh. 
 Fol. The lines are : 
 
 " The louse bites- us, 'tis not deny'd 
 We bite our masters, when we are employ 'd, 
 And they bite all the world beside." 
 
 " A Satyrical Poem on the Society of Journeymen Taylors " 
 Dublin, N.U. ; S. Sh. Fol. the first two lines of which are 
 " You sorry lousy taylors all 
 That do resort this house of call." 
 
Introduction xxix 
 
 combination law passed by the Irish Parliament was 
 enacted just at this time, 1 and that it was a measure 
 distinctly aimed, as its wording shows, at combina- 
 tions of journeymen wage- workers. And although 
 this Act did not apply specifically to tailors, whom it 
 does not mention, it is certainly no less significant 
 that the latest of the batch of poems published by 
 the Tailors' Society of Dublin, and preserved in the 
 British Museum, is dated 1729, the year in which the 
 measure was passed. The conclusion seems irre- 
 sistible, that one of the effects of this drastic anti- 
 combination law was, if not to dissolve, at any rate to 
 force into secrecy and quiescence, the early organisa- 
 tion of the Dublin tailors. 
 
 1 3rd Geo. II. c. 14, 1729-30. The statutes at large passed in the 
 Parliaments held in Ireland. Throughout the whole of the pro- 
 ceedings in connection with the enactment of this measure by 
 the Irish Parliament there is a complete absence of any indi- 
 cation of the causes which led to its introduction, or of the 
 particular body or bodies of men against whom it was directed. 
 The first notice of the Bill occurs on 2Qth October 1729, when, 
 without any previous complaint or mention of the subject, leave 
 was given to bring in the Bill. On December 9 the heads of the 
 Bill were read and amended, and it was ordered to be presented 
 to the Lord Lieutenant for transmission to Great Britain in due 
 form. On 8th April 1730 the Bill was read a first time, and on 
 1 3th April it was read a third time and passed, receiving the royal 
 assent from Lord Carteret, the Lord Lieutenant, on I5th April 
 1730. Throughout there were no petitions or other steps taken 
 either in favour of or against the Bill. It seems most probable, 
 in the absence of other evidence, that it was against the trade 
 clubs of Dublin that the measure was aimed. We know that 
 already, in addition to the tailors there, the smiths, the shoemakers, 
 and the bricklayers and builders were organised in trade Friendly 
 Societies, and it was most likely in response to some outburst of 
 trade activity among one or more of these that the enactment of 
 this law was due. See Journals of the Irish House of Commons, 
 October 1729 and April 1730. 
 
XXX 
 
 Introduction 
 
 The drastic legislation thus passed in both countries 
 in the years 1720-1730 stopped the trade activity of 
 the tailors' clubs for some twenty years, though it 
 seems probable that those organisations were never 
 actually dissolved. But it is not until 1744 that we 
 again hear of the combinations of the journeymen 
 tailors, and it is then the London workmen whose 
 agitation is recorded. We learn, from a contemporary 
 publication, that on Tuesday, 2 5th September 1744, 
 " The Master Taylors and staymakers, having repre- 
 sented to His Majesty in Council, that great numbers 
 of journeymen (about 15,000) had enter'd into a com- 
 bination, refusing to work for the wages established 
 by law, and were supported in it by the keepers of the 
 ale-houses where they resort, that they threatened to 
 fire the masters' houses, and abused those who in 
 obedience to the laws continue to work, the Privy 
 Council, by His Majesty's command, sent a letter to 
 the Duke of Newcastle, Gustos Rotulorum of Middle- 
 sex, requiring His Grace to recommend to the Justices 
 of the Peace to carry into execution the Act of the 
 7th of George I., to use their endeavours to prevent 
 all unlawful assemblies and combinations, to revoke 
 the licences of such victuallers, and give the strictest 
 orders to the high constables for apprehending all 
 pei-sons offending herein. Letters to the same purpose 
 were likewise sent to Lord Cornwallis, Constable of the 
 Tower, and to the Lord Mayor of London, who gave 
 directions accordingly." The following day the Jus- 
 tices met and considered the matter, and resolved in 
 reference thereto, " That if any journeyman should 
 refuse to work for the wages settled by Act of Parlia- 
 ment, he should be committed to hard labour for two 
 
Introduction xxxi 
 
 months ; and the master that paid more than the Act 
 allowed, should forfeit .5." 1 Hughson gives a similar 
 account of the matter, adding that the action of the 
 Lord Mayor and Common Council of the City of 
 London, who in that year reduced Bartholomew Fair 
 to three days only, and forbade any plays to be per- 
 formed there, was partly due to the riotous assemblies 
 of this combination of the tailors. 2 Nine months later 
 we learn that this prompt action of the authorities 
 bore fruit in a most practical manner. On Thursday, 
 1 3th June 1745, we are told that, "At the Sessions of 
 the Peace for the City of London the Court suppressed 
 the licences of five victuallers for presuming to har- 
 bour in their houses the journeymen tailors concerned 
 in the combination for raising their wages, contrary to 
 the Act of Parliament, and in defiance of the King's 
 proclamation, and several constables were fin'd for 
 neglect in not impressing men into His Majesty's 
 service." 3 
 
 1 The Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Chronicle, vol. xiv. p. 505, 
 1744. 
 
 " London, being an Accurate History and Description of the 
 British Metropolis and its Neighbourhood to thirty Miles extent," 
 &c., by David Hughson, vol. i. pp. 392-3 ; London, 1805, 6 vols. 8vo. 
 A similar account is given in " A New and Accurate History and 
 Survey of London, Westminster, and Southwark, and Places 
 adjacent," &c., by the Rev. John Entick, vol. ii. p. 507 ; London 
 1766, 4 vols. 8vo. These are also supplemented by another writer, 
 who, however, makes the mistake of adding, on what authority I am 
 unable to discover, that "these resolutions were no sooner published 
 than they produced the desired effect ; the combination ceased, 
 nnd the journeymen returned quietly to their respective employ- 
 ments." See " The History and Antiquities of London, West- 
 minster, Southwark, and Places adjacent," &c., by Thomas Allen, 
 vol. ii. p. 40 ; London, 1828, 4 vols. 8vo. As we shall see, this state- 
 ment is entirely innacurate. 
 
 3 The Gentleman's Magazine, &c., vol. xv. p. 330, 1745. 
 
xxxii Introduction 
 
 Meanwhile, however, the journeymen had appealed, 
 early in 1745, to the House of Commons for the 
 redress of their numerous grievances. On Tuesday, 
 22nd January 1745, we are informed that " a great 
 number of journeymen taylors attended at the House 
 of Commons to deliver their cases to the several 
 members, setting forth their hardships relating to 
 wages, and humbly begging relief." l The case thus 
 presented has been preserved 2 to us in the voluminous 
 collection of documents made by Francis Place about 
 a century later, and acquired by the British Museum. 
 It is a moderate and well- written appeal, showing that 
 the journeymen were generally receiving about ten- 
 pence per day more wages than the rate fixed by the 
 Justices under the Act, and that the troubles now 
 occurring in the trade arose from an attempt on the 
 part of the employers, or some of them, to reduce the 
 wages to the bare statutory sum. The men, in reply 
 to the employers' attack, now made an effort to get 
 the Act repealed, and appealed to the public for con- 
 tributions and support towards that object. A week 
 after the men had distributed their petition to the 
 members, it was formally presented to the House of 
 Commons and read. A long abstract of the case is 
 entered in the Journals of the House, but the tearful 
 pleading of the men was in vain. A motion made to 
 refer the petition to the consideration of a Committee for 
 examination and report was rejected, and the petition 
 was merely ordered to lie upon the table of the House. 3 
 
 Here, so far as Parliament was concerned, the whole 
 
 1 The Gentleman's Magazine, &c., vol. xv. p. 51, 1745. 
 
 2 Reprinted pp. 30-35. 
 
 3 Journals of the House of Commons, ist February 1744 (1745) 
 vol. xxiv. p. 733. 
 
Introduction xxxiii 
 
 matter was allowed to drop. The employers were not 
 aroused to defend themselves from the attacks con- 
 tained in the case presented by their workmen, or, 
 at any rate, if they were so aroused, they abandoned 
 their efforts immediately upon the rejection of 'the 
 men's petition. But although no further parliamentary 
 action was taken, there is not wanting evidence that 
 a good deal of public interest was created by the 
 publication of the men's case, and that, for the first 
 time, they received a share of public sympathy. This 
 we gather from the appearance at this time of two 
 letters, both dealing with the hardships and miseries 
 endured by the journeymen tailors. Of one of these 
 little more than a mention is necessary. The letter, 
 which is a very lengthy one, appeared in the Daily 
 Advertiser, and was reprinted and published as a 
 broadside, probably by the journeymen themselves, 
 as evidence of sympathy with their complaints. The 
 author, who is anonymous, reflects at great length 
 and in pompous style upon the injustice of enacting 
 penal laws of any kind which do not equally affect 
 every subject under like circumstances, and con- 
 cludes : " I was led the other day into this sort of 
 reflection, by a printed paper, accidentally put into 
 my hands, call'd ' The Case of the Journeymen 
 Taylors in and about the Cities of London and West- 
 minster,' which appears to me to be conceived in such 
 strong, tho' modest terms, as must irresistibly draw 
 the attention of every judicious and impartial man, 
 who has the preservation of that most happy consti- 
 tution of government, which has subsisted so many 
 ages in this island, at heart." l 
 
 1 From the Daily Advertiser, i6th January 1745, S. Sh. Fol. 
 
 C 
 
xxxiv Introduction 
 
 The other pamphlet, which was published at about 
 the same time, is one of the most interesting of all 
 the documents, and a very large portion of it is now 
 reprinted. 1 It is an extremely well-written and states- 
 man-like appeal to a member of Parliament to take 
 up the case of the journeymen tailors. The author 
 was sufficiently interested to send for some of the 
 journeymen and question them in regard to the 
 customs and conditions of their trade and the griev- 
 ances of which they complained. He speaks very 
 highly of the modesty and courtesy of the men, and 
 repeats much of what they said, including a long 
 account of the origin of the curious " House of Call " 
 system in the trade, which cannot fail to provoke 
 interest, even though it may not command assent. 
 Reference is also made to some prosecutions of jour- 
 neymen tailors said to be then proceeding in the 
 Court of King's Bench, but of which I have been 
 unable to find any report. Finally, the copy of a 
 tailor's bill is valuable as showing the class of work 
 performed and the rank of those for whom it was 
 done, and, together with the postscript suggesting 
 that gentlemen should keep one or two tailors in 
 their retinue, shows how completely that form of the 
 industry, which was evidently not uncommon at the 
 time of the Ipswich case, 2 had now disappeared. 
 
 For a few years after this movement of 1744-5 
 nothing further is heard of the combinations of the 
 London tailors. Meanwhile, however, there is increas- 
 ing evidence that the journeymen tailors in other 
 towns were uniting themselves in trade organisations. 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 36-44. 
 
 2 Quoted at footnote, ante, p. xxvi. 
 
Introduction xxxv 
 
 In September 1 748 twenty-one tailors of Edinburgh 
 were indicted for striking for an advance of wages. 
 The action against them appears to have been taken 
 by the Incorporation of Tailors in that town, and this 
 is not the only instance in which we shall see these 
 incorporations acting the part of employers' associa- 
 tions. The following account of the matter was given 
 in the Gentleman's Magazine : " September 1 748, 
 EDINBURGH. At a late process before the baillie 
 court, upon the instance of the incorporation of taylors 
 of this city, against their journeymen of that craft, 
 who refused to work without an augmentation of the 
 current wages, twenty-one of them were ordained to 
 be imprisoned in the Tolbooth for forty-eight hours, 
 and (thereafter till payment of 6, 6s. sterling, in the 
 name of damages and as the expense of the process, 
 and till they severally enact themselves not to be 
 guilty of such practices in time coming, on pain of 
 being confined to the house of correction for three 
 months, and afterwards banished the city for ever. 
 But next day they judged it proper to enact them- 
 selves in terms of the sentence ; whereupon they were 
 set at liberty." x This action resulted in the collapse 
 of the journeymen's combination, and nothing more 
 is heard of the Edinburgh tailors for nearly a century. 
 In July 1751 the London tailors secured an advance 
 of wages from the Court of General Quarter Sessions 
 of the Peace of the County of Middlesex. The order 
 published by the Court, under the Act 7 Geo. I. c. 13, 
 1721, fixed the wages at 2s. 6d. per day from Lady- 
 day to Michaelmas, and 2s. per day from Michaelmas 
 to Lady-day, in addition to the usual allowance of 
 
 1 The Gentleman's Magazine, &c., vol. xviii. p. 427, 1748. 
 
xxxvi Introduction 
 
 three-halfpence for breakfast. The hours of work, 
 however, were not altered, and continued to be from 
 6 A.M. to 8 P.M., with one hour off for dinner. We 
 are informed that "this order was very accept- 
 able to the journeymen taylors, who returned their 
 hearty acknowledgments in the public papers." 1 Two 
 months later, however, the men are again dissatisfied, 
 and refuse to work without a further advance of wages. 
 It is alleged that during this agitation they committed 
 many outrages, and sent threatening letters to many 
 of the master tailors, who were again compelled to 
 appeal to the King in Privy Council for assistance. 
 On Wednesday, i6th September 1751, a number of 
 the most substantial master tailors waited upon the 
 Duke of Newcastle to complain of the refractory con- 
 duct of their journeymen. The same day an order 
 was issued from the Privy Council censuring the 
 tailors for refusing to work at the wages fixed by 
 Quarter Sessions, and instructing the magistrates 
 rigorously to enforce the laws against them. A 
 reward of ,50 was also offered for the discovery of 
 persons sending threatening letters to the master 
 tailors. 2 I do not know what success, if any, attended 
 the publication of this order, but it seems clear that, 
 notwithstanding its censure of the men, they had at 
 this time a genuine grievance. Within ten days of 
 the issue of the order the tailors within the city of 
 London secured from the City Sessions at the Guild- 
 hall, after a hearing lasting several hours, a reduction 
 of one hour a day off their working time. By the 
 
 The Gentleman's Magazine, &c., vol. xxi. p. 329, i;th July 1751. 
 2 Ibid., voL xxi. pp. 473-4, 1751. Hughson's " London " contains 
 a similar account, vol. i. p. 425. 
 
Introduction xxxvii 
 
 same decree the rate of wages for those in the City 
 was raised to that fixed just before by the Middlesex 
 Sessions for those working outside the City limits. 1 
 
 It seems probable that the chief grievance of the 
 men at this time was the excessive length of their 
 working day. This, it will be remembered, had been 
 one of their chief complaints both in 1721 and in 
 1744; but until this time they had been unable to 
 obtain any amendment of their condition in this 
 respect, either by their combinations or through the 
 operation of the law. The advance of wages and 
 the reduction in working hours now obtained seem 
 to have satisfied the journeymen in the City, and to 
 have encouraged those of the other parts of the 
 Metropolis to appeal again to the Middlesex Sessions 
 for similar privileges. 2 But the masters were now 
 thoroughly alarmed at the improvements the journey- 
 men were securing through their continual agitations. 
 They appear, therefore, to have spent the next few 
 months in organising themselves with a view to 
 
 1 The Gentleman's Magazine, vol. xxi. pp. 473-4, 25th September 
 
 I75I- 
 
 - This reveals one of the defects in the Act of 1721, which left 
 the wages and hours of the tailors to be fixed by two separate 
 authorities one for the City, and one for the other parts of Lon- 
 don. The advance of wages given by the Middlesex Sessions to the 
 tailors outside the City radius in July of this year must have created 
 great discontent among those within the City boundaries. Indeed, 
 it is very probable that the whole of the outburst of agitation 
 which immediately followed upon the decision of the Middlesex 
 magistrates was due to the City workmen, who did not share the 
 advantages which their neighbours had received. Now the posi- 
 tions were reversed, and the City journeymen, while getting their 
 wages raised to the level of those outside, received also a reduction 
 in their hours of work, and this led inevitably to further agitation 
 amongst those outside the City limits. 
 
xxxviii Introduction 
 
 securing some amendment in the law which would 
 enable them to attack more effectually the men's 
 combinations. 
 
 Early in January 1752 the masters presented to the 
 House of Commons a petition setting forth their mani- 
 fold grievances. They alleged that the existing law 
 was insufficient for their protection, and prayed for 
 its amendment. No copy of this petition appears, to 
 have been preserved, but a lengthy abstract of it 
 is given in the House of Commons Journals. 1 The 
 petition was read to the House, and immediately 
 referred to a Committee for consideration and report. 
 A Committee of forty-eight members, including the 
 Lord Advocate of Scotland, and, in addition, all the 
 members for Middlesex, Surrey, Essex, and Lon- 
 don, was appointed, and ordered to meet the same 
 day. 2 On the 28th January the journeymen pre- 
 sented a counter petition, 3 praying that they might 
 be heard by counsel before the Committee to whom, 
 the master tailors' case had been referred. This 
 petition was also read to the House, and by them 
 referred to the Committee, who were instructed to 
 hear counsel upon both sides if the parties desired 
 to be heard. 4 
 
 On the 4th of March Sir Peter Warren delivered 
 to the House of Commons the report of the Com- 
 mittee appointed to consider these petitions. The 
 Committee had examined into the subject of the 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 45-48. 
 
 2 Journals of the House of Commons, I7th January 1752 vol 
 xxvi. p. 377. 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 49-56. 
 
 4 Journals of the House of Commons, 28th January 1752 vol 
 xxvi. p. 407. 
 
Introduction xxxix 
 
 petitions, and had heard several witnesses, as well 
 as counsel on behalf of both the masters and the 
 journeymen, and they had agreed to certain resolu- 
 tions, which were also read to the House, but were 
 unfortunately not entered upon the Journals. It was 
 thereupon ordered that the report should be considered 
 by the House upon the following Saturday. 1 Accord- 
 ing to this order, the report was brought forward on 
 the Saturday, and then ordered to stand over until 
 the following Monday. 2 But on Monday the House 
 was again unable to consider the report, which was 
 therefore adjourned to the following Thursday, 3 and 
 nothing more is heard of it. The whole affair seems 
 to have disappeared entirely from the minds and in- 
 terests of the House for some reason which I have 
 failed to discover, and no further mention of it occurs. 
 It is most likely that, as happened in subsequent years, 
 the divergence of opinion among the employers them- 
 . selves as to the best means of remedying their griev- 
 ances caused them to abandon their agitation, and 
 thus led to the collapse of the inquiry. 
 
 No result of any kind followed the failure of this 
 effort of the masters to obtain further repressive legis- 
 lation, and it is not until nearly a year later that we 
 again hear of the journeymen tailors. On Friday, 2nd 
 February 1753, they again applied to the Quarter 
 Sessions of the City of London to alter their wages 
 and hours of work. After a patient hearing it was 
 ordered that they should work from 6 A.M. to 7 P.M., 
 allowing one hour for dinner, and that from March 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 4th March 1752, vol. xxvi. 
 p. 476. 
 
 2 Ibid., 7th March 1752, vol. xxvi. p. 482. 
 
 3 Ibid., gth March 1752, vol. xxvi. p. 485. 
 
xl Introduction 
 
 25th to June 24th they should be paid 2s. 6cl. per 
 day, and for the rest of the year 2s. per day, in 
 addition to the three -halfpence allowed them for 
 breakfast. 1 This order appears to have given satis- 
 faction to both parties for some ten years, during 
 which time peace and quietness reigned in the trade. 
 We next hear of the tailors in November 1763, 
 when the journeymen again appealed to the Quarter 
 Sessions at Guildhall for a revision of their wages. 
 They were strenuously opposed by the masters, but 
 eventually the Court ordered their wages to be in- 
 creased to 2S. 2d. per day from Midsummer Day to 
 Lady-Day, and 2s. 6d. per day for the other quarter 
 of the year. 2 This order succeeded in maintaining 
 peace for a short time only. Several years of almost 
 constant trouble and disorder in the trade followed, 
 and led in 1768 to a revision of the law. Strikes and 
 riots seem to have been of frequent occurrence during 
 these years, and so much was public attention attracted 
 to these disputes that, in 1767, Foote produced at the 
 Theatre Royal in the Haymarket a humorous play 
 founded entirely upon these dissensions in the tailor- 
 ing trade. 3 The play is a farce written in tragic style, 
 minutely describing a strike of the journeymen tailors. 
 We are introduced to the meetings at their " Houses 
 
 1 The Gentleman's Magazine, &c., vol. xxiii. p. 97, 1753. 
 
 2 Ibid., vol. xxxiii. p. 561, 1763. 
 
 3 " The Tailors ; a Tragedy for Warm Weather. In three Acts, 
 as it is performed at the Theatre Royal in the Haymarket ; " London, 
 1778, 48 pp. 8vo. This is the earliest printed copy extant. The 
 year of its production is given as 1767 by two authorities. See 
 " London ; or, Interesting Memorials of its Rise, Progress, and 
 present State," by Sholto and Reuben Percy, vol. iii. pp. 138-9; 
 London, 1823, 3 vols. i2mo; and Notes and Queries, 2yd. January 
 1869, No. 56, p. 85. 
 
Introduction xli 
 
 of Call," and to those of the employers at the " Five 
 Bells" tavern. There are riots and a pitched battle 
 between the strikers and the non-strikers, whom we here 
 first meet under the titles of " Flints " and " Dungs," 
 terms still in use among the men to describe the 
 unionists and non-unionists in the trade. Finally the 
 men's leaders are arrested and imprisoned, and the 
 whole dispute collapses in a victory for the employers. 
 There is much in the play that is worth quoting, and 
 there can be no doubt that it was written by one who 
 knew a good deal of what was occurring in the trade. 
 The cause of the strike is correctly stated, and there 
 is other evidence that the taverns named as " Houses 
 of Call" of the journeymen were all at that time 
 so used. But the whole play appears too long and 
 involved to be worth reprinting, and a few quotations 
 must suffice. Thus at the men's meeting, the leaders 
 addressing them are made to say : 
 
 "... 'Tis well known to all 
 Some timid Dungs (unworthy of the name 
 Alike of tailor or of man ; from whom 
 Opprobrious proverbs rise to hurt our fame) 
 Meanly descend to work for half-a-crown." 1 
 
 And again : 
 
 " The Dungs are numerous. . . . 
 It is well known, before these fatal broils, 
 The Flints and Dungs in friendly intercourse 
 Together worked, together friendly drank ; 
 Hence all are known, his name, his habitation, 
 His house of haunt and each particular." 2 
 
 In the next scene, when the wife of one of the 
 
 1 Act ii. scene 3. 2 Act ii. scene 3. 
 
Introduction 
 
 leaders is imploring him to desist, lest he be sent to 
 jail and she and her family starve, he replies 
 
 " Each Friendly Box will yield a weekly aid. 
 
 What would you have me do ? 
 
 If I comply, 
 
 The Flints will strait molest, 
 
 Nor wife nor child, 
 
 Nor e'en myself were safe." l 
 
 In the battle scene the " Dungs " are described as 
 assembling in Lincoln's Inn, while the " Flints " march 
 down from " The Goose and Gridiron," Paul's Church- 
 yard, "The Bell" in Doctor's Commons, and "The 
 Hog in Armour," in Chick Lane, and a pitched battle 
 between the two parties takes place in the Strand. 2 
 
 However much of exaggeration and absurdity there 
 may be in this play, there can be no doubt that the 
 year 1767 was one of great trouble and tumult in the 
 trade. On the 7th December ha that year the masters 
 once more applied to Parliament for assistance to cope 
 with the risings of the journeymen. No copy of their 
 petition is now to be found, but the abstract given in 
 the House of Commons Journals probably conveys 
 the gist of it. 3 The petition, having been read to the 
 House, was at once referred to a Committee for con- 
 sideration and report. A Committee of thirty- six 
 
 1 Act ii. scene 4. 
 
 * Act ii. scene 5. Two other of the men's " Houses of Call " are 
 named, " The Orange Tree," in White Hart Yard, and the " Bedford 
 Arms," Bedfordbury. We shall see later that both of these houses 
 were undoubtedly used as club-houses by the journeymen tailors at 
 this time, and that the former was, as the play describes, their head- 
 quarters. The author of this play is unknown, and it is variously 
 ascribed to Foote himself and to T. Wilkinson. 
 
 1 Reprinted p. 57. 
 
Introduction xliii 
 
 members, and in addition all the members for the 
 City of London and the counties of Middlesex, Surrey, 
 Essex, Kent, and Hertford, was appointed and em- 
 powered to send for persons and papers, and ordered 
 to meet the same afternoon. 1 
 
 It was not until the 22nd January 1768 that this 
 Committee presented, through Sir Robert Ladbroke, 
 its report to the House. 2 The report discloses yet 
 another of the defects of the Act of 1721, and the 
 means by which the employers had, in times of 
 pressure of business, succeeded in evading the law. 
 It will be remembered that the Act applied only to 
 the districts within the " Weekly Bills of Mortality," 3 
 and in spite of frequent extensions of the area com- 
 prised in these Weekly Bills, the rapid growth of 
 London left at all times some parts of the Metropolis 
 outside their radius. Marylebone, St. Pancras, Pad- 
 dington, Kensington, and Chelsea were not included 
 in the Weekly Bills, and the result was that employers 
 anxious to secure the best workmen, and to attract 
 large numbers of them in times of pressure, removed 
 their workshops to one of these growing suburbs. Here 
 they could pay what wages and observe what hours 
 they chose, and so secure the pick of the workmen. 
 The other employers had apparently endeavoured to 
 prevent these evasions of the law by prosecutions of the 
 offenders, only to find, however, that the justices de- 
 clined to convict them under the Act, which clearly 
 did not apply to the localities chosen. The Com- 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 7th December 1767, vol. 
 xxxi. p. 483. 
 
 2 Ibid., 22nd January 1768, vol. xxxi. p. 535. 
 :t See ante, footnote, p. xxi. 
 
xliv Introduction 
 
 mittee, therefore, reported that the Act was insufficient 
 to prevent such grievances, besides being ineffectual 
 in other ways to answer the purposes for which it 
 was intended. 1 Immediately upon the receipt of this 
 report by the House, leave was at once given for a 
 Bill to be brought hi to amend the Act 7 Geo. I. c. 1 3, 
 and Sir Robert Ladbroke and a Mr. Upton were 
 ordered to prepare and bring in the said Bill. 2 No 
 other entry relating to this Bill is to be found in the 
 Journals of the House, but it was evidently hurried 
 rapidly through ah 1 its stages. On 23rd February 
 the Bill was taken by Sir Robert Ladbroke to the 
 House of Lords, where it was immediately read a first 
 time. 3 The following day it was ordered to go before 
 Committee of the whole House on the next day. 4 
 On 25th February the House went into Committee 
 upon the Bill, which was agreed to and read a second 
 time, 5 and the following day it was read a third time, 
 and a message was sent to acquaint the Commons 
 that the Bill was passed "without amendment." 6 On 
 8th March 1768 it received the royal assent by 
 commission. 7 
 
 Thus in the short space of about six weeks the Bill 
 passed through all its stages and became law. So 
 quickly and so quietly was it done, indeed, that the 
 
 1 See report, reprinted pp. 58-59. 
 
 * Journals of the House of Commons, 22nd January 1768, vol. 
 xxxi. p. 535. 
 
 3 Journals of the House of Lords, 23rd February 1768, vol. xxxii. 
 p. 97. 
 
 * Ibid., 24th February 1768, vol. xxxii. p. 102. 
 s Ibid., 25th February 1768, vol. xxxii. p. 106. 
 
 * //,//., 26th February 1768, vol. xxxii. pp. 108-9. 
 
 7 ibid., 8th March 1768, vol. xxxii. p. 137. See the abstract of 
 this Act printed at pp. 60-63. 
 
Introduction xlv 
 
 journeymen appear to have been in entire ignorance of 
 the matter, and it was not until some months later that 
 they presented a petition against the Act to the House 
 of Commons. But that body was in no mood to reopen 
 a question which it considered closed, and the men's 
 petition was merely ordered to lie upon the table of 
 the House, and nothing more was heard of it. 1 I 
 have been unable to discover any record of the 
 petition here referred to, beyond the abstract entered 
 in the House of Commons Journals. 2 ' The men 
 appear to have reiterated their complaint of the hard- 
 ships inflicted upon them by this special legislation. 
 They complained again of their low wages and con- 
 ditions of employment, and again expressed their 
 objections to a system which gave to all the same 
 rate of pay, regardless of differences in ability or 
 energy. 
 
 For a few years after the enactment of this measure 
 nothing more is heard of disputes in the trade in 
 London. Nevertheless the Act does not appear to 
 have been any more successful in fixing the rate of 
 wages than the previous one had been. The more 
 skilful of the men, if not, indeed, the whole body of 
 them, soon commanded a higher rate of wages than 
 the law allowed, and the only effect of the measure in 
 this direction was to prevent the extra remuneration 
 from being formally paid, and to compel both masters 
 and men to resort to various subterfuges to evade the 
 law. We learn from several sources that three shil- 
 lings per day, or sixpence more than the statutory 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, i8th May 1768, vol. xxxii. 
 p. 14. 
 
 2 Keprinted pp. 64-65. 
 
x i v i Int reduction 
 
 rate, soon became the usual wages of the trade, and 
 one of the means by which the law was evaded is 
 described in a pamphlet of this date. " The Justices 
 at the Quarter Sessions within the Bills of Mortality," 
 says the anonymous author of this pamphlet, "are 
 empowered by law to settle the wages of journeymen 
 taylors, which at present is fixed at 2s. 6d. a day, 
 exclusive of their pint of beer ; yet how many master 
 taylors give some of their men 35. per day. And the 
 way that they evade the law is, that after they have 
 paid the journeyman for his week's work, according 
 to the order of Sessions, there is three shillings laid 
 in some place where he knows where to find it ; and 
 if this money is not laid for him on the Saturday 
 night, the master may be certain not to see his face 
 on the Monday morning." l And we shall see later 
 that this practice was the cause of considerable 
 embarrassment to the employers, who, when they 
 tried to obtain convictions against the journeymen 
 for combinations, were threatened with proceedings 
 for their own infringement of the law. Thus it would 
 seem that the Acts of Parliament were equally ineffec- 
 tual either to suppress the men's combinations or to 
 prescribe the conditions under which they should 
 work. The London clubs appear, indeed, to have 
 been compelled to desist for a time from their 
 aggressive trade action after the passing of this 
 measure, just as they had after the enactment 
 of the law of 1721. But this temporary quiescence 
 did not mean, as we shall see, that they had ceased 
 to exist. 
 
 "A Letter to the Members in Parliament on the present State 
 of the Coinage, 4c. ;" London, 1771, 8vo. 
 
Introduction xlvii 
 
 For the next few years, however, the .scene of the 
 activity of the combinations of tailors was shifted 
 to other towns. Early in 1768 the tailors of Aber- 
 deen came out on strike for an advance of wages and 
 a reduction in their hours of labour. According to 
 Bain, 1 the tailors in that town had already had many 
 disputes with their employers in regard to hours and 
 wages. As early as 1720 the rate of wages had been 
 fixed at four shillings Scots (fourpence sterling) per 
 day, and the working hours from 7 A.M. to 9 P.M. In 
 August 1734 those hours had been altered to six in 
 the morning to ten at night, and had so continued 
 for over thirty years. By the end of that period the 
 wages had risen to eightpence per day, and the men, 
 long discontented, now asked for a further advance 
 to tenpence. The masters met in their Gild, and 
 resolved that none of them should employ any man 
 at more than eightpence per day, and that " any 
 journeyman presuming to work for himself within 
 the limits of the City should not be employed by 
 any master until he had been brought to trial and 
 punished therefor;" and, further, that any master 
 employing men in opposition to these resolutions 
 should pay a fine of ten pounds Scots to the Gild 
 Boxmaster. This is the second occasion upon which 
 we have seen a Gild thus acting as an employers' 
 association, and it provides also a very early instance 
 of the use of a " black list " by the masters. There is 
 no evidence as to how the dispute ended. 
 
 In 1772 we hear again of the combination of the 
 
 1 " Merchant and Craft Gilds : a History of the Aberdeen 
 Incorporated Trades," by Ebenezer Bain, pp. 260-1 ; Aberdeen, 
 1887, 4to. 
 
xlviii Introduction 
 
 journeymen tailors of Dublin. Their trade Friendly 
 Club of 1725-29, which has already been described, 
 appears to have been repressed by the Anti-Combina- 
 tion Law of 1729. That Act had been revived and 
 practically re-enacted in I743, 1 but there is no evi- 
 dence to show in either case that tailors were especially 
 aimed at by the legislation. From 1743 to 1772 the 
 Irish Parliaments were quite free from any further 
 complaint of, or legislation against, combinations. 
 Early in 1772, however, clubs among the artisans 
 employed in several of the Dublin trades sprang into 
 great activity, the first among them being the tailors. 
 On February 18, 1772, the " Master Taylors and Stay- 
 makers " of Dublin presented a petition to the Irish 
 House of Commons complaining that their work- 
 men were on strike, and refusing to work for the 
 usual wages and hours. 2 No copy of this petition can 
 now be found ; but the abstract of it printed in the 
 Journals of the House seems very complete. 3 The 
 petition was immediately referred to a Committee for 
 consideration and report, and seven days later the 
 Committee presented their report, 4 stating that in 
 their opinion the petitioners had fully proved the 
 allegations of their petition. 5 No motion was then 
 made upon this report; but on March 18 in the 
 same year leave was given for a Bill to be brought in 
 
 1 17 Geo. II. c. 8, 1743. The Statutes at large passed in the 
 Parliaments held in Ireland. 
 
 Journals of the House of Commons for the Kingdom of Ireland, 
 i8th February 1772, vol. viii., Part i. 
 
 :f Reprinted pp. 66-67. 
 
 4 Reprinted p. 68. 
 
 5 Journals of the House of Commons (Ireland), 2$th February 
 1772, vol. viii., Part i. 
 
Introduction xlix 
 
 to regulate the journeymen tailors of Dublin. 1 Mean- 
 while the master shipwrights of Dublin had presented 
 a petition, almost identical with that of the master 
 tailors, in regard to their journeymen, and in conse- 
 quence the Committee on the tailors' Bill was directed 
 to insert a clause to regulate also the shipwrights of 
 Dublin. 2 On March 24 the heads of the Bill were 
 read and agreed to, and it was sent to the Lord Lieu- 
 tenant for transmission to Great Britain in due course. 3 
 It was returned from London, and was read a third 
 time, and passed by the Commons of Ireland on May 18, 
 and sent at once to the House of Lords for their 
 concurrence. 4 The Lords agreed to the Bill without 
 amendment, and it was read a third time on June 4, 
 and received the royal assent on June 7, 1 772.5 
 Throughout the whole of the proceedings upon this 
 measure no effort to oppose its enactment was made 
 by the workmen in either of the trades concerned. 
 Unlike their London brethren, the Dublin tailors do 
 not appear to have been active in petitioning their 
 Parliament upon their own behalf. 
 
 The Act thu passed by the Irish Parliament fol- 
 lows very closely the lines of the Act of 1768 for 
 regulating the London tailors. The hours and wages 
 are fixed, combination is forbidden, and severe punish- 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons (Ireland), i8th March 1772, 
 vol. viii., Part i. 
 
 2 Ibid., aoth March 1772, vol. viii., Part i. The master ship- 
 wrights presented their petition on 28th February 1772. 
 
 3 Ibid. , 24th March 1772, vol. viii., Part i. 
 
 4 Ibid., i8th May 1772, vol. viii., Part i. 
 
 5 Ibid., Appendix, vol. viii., Part ii. 
 
 6 Act ii and 12 Geo. III. c. 33, 1771-2. The Statutes at Large 
 passed in the Parliaments held in Ireland, vol. x. p. 323. See 
 preamble and abstract, printed pp. 69-70. 
 
 d 
 
1 Introduction 
 
 inent is prescribed for any one letting the use of 
 a room for the meetings of a tailors' club. Heavy 
 penalties are also laid upon journeymen convicted 
 of entering into oaths and covenants. I have been 
 unable to discover any further evidence of the exist- 
 ence or continuance of the Dublin tailors' clubs than 
 is provided by the enactment of this law. Neverthe- 
 less, there is no reason to suppose that the Irish Act 
 was more successful in destroying the combinations 
 of the Dublin tailors than the English Acts had been 
 in London. It is possible that a diligent search 
 through the files of old Dublin newspapers would 
 reveal some further information upon this subject. 
 
 Our attention is now again turned to the London 
 tailors, who early in 1772 renewed their agitation for 
 improvements in their working conditions. On April 
 27, 1772, we learn that, " At the sessions of the peace 
 for the City of London, the journeymen taylors 
 preferred a petition to the magistrates, praying an 
 augmentation of their wages, on account of the dear- 
 ness of provisions, which petition was taken into con- 
 sideration, and the prayer of it granted ; and, at the 
 same time, they received the applause of the court 
 for the propriety of their behaviour, in seeking redress 
 in a legal manner, without having recourse to violent 
 methods, by which they could only hope to bring 
 ruin upon themselves, and distress upon their em- 
 ployers; then- wages were ordered to be advanced 
 sixpence a day at ordinary times, and one shilling a 
 day in times of general mourning." 1 This successful 
 appeal of the men brought up the legal rate of wages 
 to that which was already customary in the trade. 
 
 1 The Gentleman's Magazine, vol. xlii. p. 241, 1772. 
 

 Introduction li 
 
 Peace was thereby restored, and for some six years 
 no further movement took place among the London 
 tailors. 
 
 The next we hear of combination among the 
 journeymen of this trade is at Birmingham, where 
 early in 1777 the tailors maintained a prolonged 
 strike against an attempt on the part of their em- 
 ployers to introduce a system of piecework into the 
 trade. Langford says 1 that this is the first trade 
 dispute in Birmingham of which he knows. He 
 reprints a number of advertisements which appeared 
 in the contemporary local press, and which show the 
 course of the dispute. The men endeavoured to gain 
 their cause by starting a 'co-operative workshop and 
 undertaking to supply clothes direct to their em- 
 ployers' customers. Incidentally, too, we learn that 
 the " House of Call " was an old-established institution 
 in the trade in that town as elsewhere. 2 But no 
 information is given as to the result of the strike, 
 though it seems probable that the men were not 
 entirely successful. 3 
 
 In the year following this interesting dispute in 
 
 1 " A Century of Birmingham Life," &c., by John Alfred Langford, 
 vol. i. p. 225, 2 vols. 8vo, 1868. 
 
 2 See the advertisements, with Langford's notes, reprinted 
 pp. 71-74. 
 
 3 Thirty years later piecework was a well-established and recog- 
 nised method of payment in the trade in Birmingham. In the 
 municipal library there are preserved two lists of prices, as follows : 
 "A List of the Prices of Journeymen Tailors, April and, 1806," 
 and "A List of the Prices of Journeymen Tailors, May 22nd, 1807." 
 There is no evidence to show by whom these lists were drawn up, 
 and they are not in either case formally signed by employers or 
 men. A note is added to both that "Jobbing" i.e., work not 
 capable of classification in the list is to be "paid 3^d. per 
 hour." 
 
lii Introduction 
 
 Birmingham the London tailors once more claim our 
 attention. On February 3, 1778, some of the master 
 tailors of London presented a petition to the House 
 of Commons praying that the two Acts of Parliament 
 which compelled them to pay the same rate of wages 
 to all their journeymen might be so amended as to 
 remove this compulsion. They assert that experience 
 had shown that this regulation was inconvenient in 
 practice, and they charge it also with being the cause 
 of the continued combinations in the trade, as the 
 best and most diligent workmen were forced to 
 combine in order to secure more wages than the law 
 allowed. 1 I have been unable to discover any com- 
 plete copy of this petition, but the abstract in the 
 House of Commons Journals is lengthy and clear. 2 
 
 The House of Commons, having heard the petition, 
 immediately referred it to a Committee for examina- 
 tion and report. On February 23 the Committee 
 reported, through Sir Herbert Mackworth, that they 
 had examined the matter and heard several witnesses, 
 who fully corroborated the complaints of the peti- 
 tioners. 3 Leave was thereupon at once given for a 
 Bill to be brought in to amend the two previous Acts, 
 and Sir Herbert Mackworth and Sir Charles Whit- 
 worth were ordered to prepare and bring in such a 
 Bill. 4 Five weeks later Sir Charles Whitworth pre- 
 sented to the House the Bill which had been drawn 
 up to amend the laws regulating the journeymen 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 3rd February 1778, vol. 
 xxxvi. p. 669. 
 
 2 Reprinted pp. 75-76. 
 
 3 See report, reprinted pp. 77-78. 
 
 4 Journals of the House of Commons, 23rd February 1778, vol. 
 xxxvi. p. 727. 
 
Introduction liii 
 
 tailors, and it was read a first time the same day. 1 
 So far no opposition of any kind appears to have been 
 made to this proposed fresh legislation. The journey 
 men, who had from the first opposed those provisions 
 of the Act which were now being assailed by a section 
 of the masters, were not likely to place any obstacles 
 in the way of their repeal. But it would appear that 
 the masters who had thus combined to attack the 
 traditional position of their class in regard to this 
 legislation were only a section, and the weakest 
 section, of the employers ; for on the 3rd April 
 another petition of several master tailors was pre- 
 sented to the House of Commons protesting against 
 the proposed amendment of the law, and praying to 
 be heard by counsel against it. 2 The bewildered 
 House ordered that the petition should lie upon the 
 table, and that the petitioners should be heard by 
 themselves or by counsel against the Bill if they 
 thought fit. 3 We are not officially informed whether 
 these petitioners appeared before the House or not, 
 but apparently they did so, and the result of their 
 evidence was so conflicting that the House concluded 
 it would be best to do nothing. At any rate nothing 
 further is heard of the matter, and the Bill was not 
 proceeded with. It is fair to assume, therefore, that 
 while a portion of the employers had thus changed 
 their views in regard to a legally fixed rate of wages, 
 and had come to adopt the attitude assumed by the 
 journeymen from 1721 onwards towards that pro- 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 3oth March 1778, vol. xxxvi. 
 p. 870. 
 
 2 See abstract of petition, reprinted pp. 79-80. 
 
 3 Journals of the House of Commons, 3rd April 1778, vol. xxxvi. 
 p. 881. 
 
liv Introduction 
 
 posal, the bulk of the employers were not yet so con- 
 verted ; and, further, the absence of any opposition 
 from the side of the journeymen to the proposed new 
 law seems to show that they had not abandoned their 
 opposition to the principle of a fixed rate of wages for 
 all alike. 
 
 For some years after this episode we hear but little 
 of tailors' combinations in any part of the kingdom. 
 There was, indeed, in 1783 a prosecution of seven 
 journeymen tailors of Liverpool for combination, and 
 it appears that the men had there conducted a strike 
 for an advance of wages. But the information con- 
 tained in the report of the case is very meagre. 1 Ten 
 years later we meet with some evidence that even 
 in the rural districts of England the tailors were now 
 beginning to organise themselves. In June 1794 the 
 following advertisement appeared in the Nottingham 
 Journal: "We, the tailors of the parishes of Greas- 
 ley, Bulwell, Popplewick, Blidworth, Calverton, Oxton, 
 Woodborough, Farnsfield, Hucknell Torkard, &c., &c., 
 desire that all such of the trade as think proper will 
 attend at the house of Mr. Morris, the sign of the 
 Three Crowns, Red Hill, on Tuesday the 24th day of 
 June, at 10 o'clock in the morning, on particular busi- 
 ness." 2 We do not now know exactly what was the 
 "particular business" to be transacted at this meeting, 
 but we shall probably not be far wrong in assuming 
 that it was in some way connected with questions of 
 wages and prices. The meeting appears to have been 
 successful, for a few months later a somewhat similar 
 
 1 See i Leach Reports, p. 274. Case reprinted pp. 81-85. I* is 
 also referred to by F. D. Longe in his " Inquiry into the Law of 
 Strikes," p. 42. 
 
 2 Nottingham Journal, nth June 1794. 
 
Introduction Iv 
 
 invitation appears in the same journal. It was signed, 
 however, with the name of one who was probably the 
 chairman or secretary of the association which had 
 been formed, and it is noticeable that the invitation 
 is now to all master and journeymen tailors, and it 
 was as follows : " This is to request all master tailors 
 and journeymen in the neighbouring parishes within 
 ten miles of Bolsover, to meet at Mrs. Hind's, known by 
 the sign of the Anchor, in Bolsover, at 2 o'clock in the 
 afternoon on Saturday 2Oth of September, to consider 
 of matters relative to the trade. SAMUEL HuNT." 1 
 We have no further information about these meetings, 
 nor is there any evidence that their consideration of 
 matters " relative to the trade " resulted in any im- 
 portant action. It seems probable that the 'tailors of 
 these villages, fired by the example of the stocking- 
 frame knitters, who were at the time strongly organised, 
 were intent on forming a society of their own for the 
 protection of their trade interests. 
 
 In the spring of 1797 the journeymen tailors of 
 Aberdeen are once more on strike for an advance of 
 wages. We have already seen, in 1768, these unfor- 
 tunate workmen goaded by excessive hours of work 
 and low wages into a trade revolt, and the drastic 
 steps taken by their employers to reduce them to 
 submission. Much the same thing now occurred 
 again. The Gild or Incorporation of Tailors of the 
 town resolved not to concede any additional wages 
 to their workmen, on the ground that their pay had 
 been twice raised within a few years. They also in- 
 structed their Clerk to prosecute the delinquents for 
 their unlawful combination. This was successfully 
 
 1 Nottingham Journal, 8th September 1794. 
 
Ivi Introduction 
 
 done, and an entry in the minute-book of the Gild, 
 dated the 5th July 1797, records that twelve of the 
 journeymen had been tried and convicted of illegal 
 combination, at the instance of the Deacon of the 
 Gild, and with the consent of the Procurator-Fiscal. 
 The prisoners had been fined the sum of ten shillings 
 sterling each, and condemned to imprisonment in the 
 Tolbooth for eight days. They were also ordered to 
 find sureties that they would, immediately upon the 
 expiration of their sentences, return to their former 
 masters, and continue to serve them for seven shillings 
 and sixpence per week, and not leave their service 
 again without giving at least one month's notice of 
 their intention to do so. Failing the payment of the 
 fine and the production of these sureties, they were 
 to be confined in jail until both those demands were 
 complied with. 1 No further information about the 
 conclusion of the strike is given, but it is probable 
 that the men were again defeated, and that this 
 harsh sentepce succeeded in checking, at any rate for 
 a time, their attempts at combination. 
 
 Two years later there appears to have been another 
 prosecution of journeymen tailors for combination. 
 In a list of all such prosecutions before 1800 which 
 was drawn up and appended to the documents issued 
 by the Select Committee of the House of Commons 
 on Artisans and Machinery in 1824, mention is made 
 of the case of " R. v. Marshall and others, journeymen 
 tailors, i6th December I799/' 2 I have been, how- 
 
 1 See th<* long account of this affair given in "Merchant and 
 Craft Gilds," by Ebenezer Bain, pp. 261-2. 
 
 "Minutes of Evidence before the Select Committee (of the 
 House of Commons) on Artisans and Machinery, 1824," Appendix 
 B., p. 521. 
 
Introduction \ vii 
 
 ever, unable to discover any report of the case, or 
 indeed any other reference to it. 
 
 From the close of the eighteenth century we are 
 in possession of what is practically a complete his- 
 tory of the London tailors' combinations until their 
 destruction in the abortive strike of 1834. Francis 
 Place, who began life as a journeyman leather-breeches 
 maker, and afterwards became a master tailor, collected 
 a large number of documents relating to the various 
 movements in the trade during his own connection 
 with it. By means of these documents, and of the 
 numerous references to the trade in his autobiogra- 
 phical notes, and a few other sources of information, 
 we are enabled to reconstruct the whole history of 
 the London journeymen's unions during this period, 
 and of the attempts of the employers to crush them. 
 Of the provincial towns, however, our information is 
 scarcely so complete. But the accounts we shall give 
 of the tailors in several places may probably be taken 
 as typical of the action and organisation of these 
 journeymen in most of the larger towns, and we shall 
 endeavour to show how widespread their organisation 
 had become. 
 
 In the closing month of the old century the master 
 tailors of London once more presented a petition to 
 the House of Commons, describing their grievances. 1 
 This document sets forth that some five-and-twenty 
 years earlier the men had applied to Quarter Sessions 
 for an advance of wages, which had then been fixed 
 at 1 8s. Qd. per week. From that time forth no appeal 
 had been made to a legal tribunal, but the men had 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 22nd December 1800, 
 vol. Iv. p. 922. 
 
Iviii Introduction 
 
 by means of strikes and combinations advanced their 
 wages to 253. per week, and they were now again on 
 strike for a further advance to 303. per week. The 
 employers had unanimously determined not to con- 
 cede this further advance, and had resolved to prose- 
 cute the journeymen for conspiracy ; but were met by 
 counter threats from their men of prosecutions for 
 paying more than the legal rate of wages. It is alleged 
 that no fewer than 15,000 tailors in the Metropolis 
 were now united in this combination, and the peti- 
 tioners ask Parliament to pass an Act to indemnify 
 them against any proceedings on account of their own 
 illegal action in paying more wages than the law 
 ah 1 owed. 1 This petition having been read to the 
 House of Commons, it was simply ordered to He upon 
 the table of the House, and nothing further is heard 
 of it. But the publicity thus given to the employers' 
 complaints seems to have been sufficient to force the 
 journeymen to endeavour to secure legal recognition 
 of their claims. Early in 1801, therefore, the men, 
 without abandoning their strike, appealed to the 
 Quarter Sessions to advance their wages. We learn 
 that on Monday, January 26, " The case of the jour- 
 neymen taylors who have stood out so long for an 
 increase of their wages from 255. to 303. a week, came 
 on to be heard before Alderman Brook Watson (as 
 locum tenens for the Lord Mayor), the Recorder, Sir 
 William Anderson, and three other Aldermen. 
 
 " Mr. Gurney, on behalf of the journeymen, called 
 several master-taylors, who stated, that in consequence 
 of a general strike in 1795, the wages were raised to 
 255. a week, which has been the general rate since ; 
 
 1 Abstract of petition, reprinted pp. 86-87. 
 
Introduction lix 
 
 but that, owing to the present pressure, that sum was 
 not enough now. 
 
 " The Common Serjeant, on behalf of the masters, 
 replied to the evidence without calling witnesses ; but 
 the court, conceiving the evidence incomplete, pro- 
 ceeded to examine three of the principal taylors on 
 behalf of the masters, and three of the principal work- 
 men on behalf of the journeymen. The masters all 
 swore that they considered 258. a week a fair, just, and 
 reasonable allowance, considering all the circumstances 
 of the times. They were also of opinion that the 
 trade had increased since 1795, as also the number of 
 workmen. 
 
 " The three workmen, on the contrary, deposed that 
 they could not live in comfort and support their 
 families decently under 308. a week; they also gave 
 a very satisfactory account of their houses of call, and 
 their general system of proceeding. Every house of 
 call had three books, on which the workmen were 
 rated, according to the length of their residence in 
 London ; and those who were on the last or third book 
 could not procure employment until all those on the 
 preceding books were served. Each member paid 2d. 
 a week at his particular house of call for this privi- 
 lege, which sum went to create a fund for the support 
 of the sick and infirm, and no others. Those who 
 struck, and would not work under 308., were called 
 'Flints;' they were also called the 'Honourable 
 Men,' and would not work on the same board with 
 those who should take less than 308., and who were 
 called ' Dungs.' * 
 
 1 Compare this account of their organisations with that given in 
 the Gorgon in 1818 by Francis Place, which is reprinted pp. 150-153. 
 
Ix Introduction 
 
 "The court having consulted for some time, the 
 Recorder proceeded to give judgment. He then 
 ordered that the journeymen should be allowed 2/s. 
 a week, which is a rise of 2s., and double that sum, or 
 545., in case of a general mourning." l 
 
 The advance of wages thus secured brought the 
 strike to a close, and appears to have contented the 
 journeymen for some six years, during which no 
 more is heard of their agitations. In 1805, however, 
 an incident occurred which is worth recording. Mr. 
 Dowton, at that time lessee of the Haymarket Theatre, 
 announced as one of the pieces for his benefit night 
 the revival of the farce " The Tailors : a Tragedy for 
 Warm Weather," to which reference has already been 
 made. The tailors of the Metropolis resented strongly 
 what they thought an attack upon their dignity, and 
 many threatening letters were sent to Dowton, some 
 of which were signed by the secretaries of the tailors' 
 clubs. He persisted, however, in his intention to 
 produce the play, and the result was a serious riot, 
 which had to be quelled by the police. 2 In 1807 
 the journeymen of London are once more on strike 
 for an advance of their wages to 308. per week. 
 Very little information about this strike exists, 
 but it was apparently not a long or serious affair, 
 and it ended in a complete victory for the men, 
 whose wages were generally advanced to the sum 
 claimed. 
 
 The years 1810-11 witnessed the most determined 
 attempt that had yet been made by the London 
 
 1 The Gentleman's Magazine, vol. Ixxi. p. So, 1801. 
 
 See " London ; or, Interesting Memorials of its Rise, Progress, 
 and Present State," by Sholto and Reuben Percy, vol. iii. pp. 138-9. 
 
Introduction Ixi 
 
 master tailors to stamp out the combinations of their 
 workmen, an attempt which nothing but the energy 
 and resource of Francis Place prevented from achiev- 
 ing success. Early in 1810 the employers formed an 
 association for the defence of their trade interests. 
 A strong Committee was appointed to organise the 
 whole trade, and to devise means for attacking the 
 men's organisation. On ist August 1810 this Com- 
 mittee summoned, by public advertisement, a meeting 
 of all the master tailors at the Highbury Tavern, where 
 they presented their report and detailed the steps 
 which they proposed should be taken. A copy of 
 this voluminous and interesting report has been pre- 
 served by Francis Place. 1 It sets forth that the rise 
 in the price of cloth and other necessaries of the 
 trade, combined with the further advance of 38. per 
 week in wages obtained by the men in 1807, had 
 greatly diminished the profits of the trade, and com- 
 pelled the employers to unite to seek a remedy for 
 this loss. They complain that the men not only got 
 more wages, but insisted upon taking more time to 
 make each garment, and also that their regulations 
 were very stringent, and enforced in all sorts of arbi- 
 trary and vexatious ways. If an employer failed to 
 comply with these rules he was punished by being 
 deprived of his workpeople for a month for the first 
 offence, two months for the second offence, and com- 
 pelled to retire from the business altogether if he was 
 hardy enough to defy the men a third time, as the 
 united " Houses of Call " then refused absolutely to 
 allow him any supply of labour at all. Among the 
 rules thus enforced by the men, it is interesting to note 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 88-95. 
 
Ixii Introduction 
 
 that one of the most drastic was that which strictly 
 forbade men to take work home, and compelled the 
 employers to provide workshops for their accommo- 
 dation. The Committee's report refers to the failures 
 of past attempts of the employers to resist the men's 
 combinations, and ascribes these defeats to absence 
 of proper organisation, adding "that a combination 
 existing for nearly a century and ripened by experi- 
 ence, is not to be overturned by a sudden, irregular 
 and ill-concerted attack." It concluded, therefore, by 
 recommending the formation of a permanent associa- 
 tion with regular subscriptions, and the establishment 
 by the employers of a fund for providing old age 
 pensions for such of their aged workmen as they 
 thought deserving, hoping thus to succeed in detach- 
 ing many of them from their own organisations. 
 Finally, the Committee reports that a Bill has been 
 drafted which they believe will give them relief from 
 their burdens, and that they propose shortly to pre- 
 sent it to the Legislature, together with a petition 
 setting forth the grievances of the trade. The meet- 
 ing appears to have been largely attended and highly 
 successful. The report of the Committee was adopted, 
 their work approved, and a permanent Committee 
 elected to receive subscriptions and carry on the busi- 
 ness of the association. 
 
 A fortnight later the Committee of the new Master 
 Tailors' Association issued an appeal to the journey- 
 men offering certain proposals for their consideration, 
 and promising that if these were adopted they would 
 do everything in then- power to study the welfare and 
 comfort of then- workmen, and take immediate steps 
 to establish a sick and old age pension fund for the 
 
Introduction Ixiii 
 
 men's benefit. 1 These propositions, which demanded 
 the removal of several of the most important of the 
 trade regulations of the journeymen, were sent to 
 eight of their " Houses of Call ; " but the journeymen 
 treated them with contempt, and a postscript to the 
 document states that, an answer having been re- 
 quested before the i7th October, the Committee met 
 on that day to receive the replies, and found that 
 none were forthcoming. They therefore appealed for 
 increased subscriptions and help, with a view to a 
 more vigorous attack being made upon the men. 
 The response to this appeal was prompt and effec- 
 tive, and the Committee was thereby encouraged to 
 further action. On 3 ist January 1811 a petition "of 
 several master taylors in the city of London and with- 
 in five miles thereof" was presented to the House of 
 Commons and read. It recited the two Acts in force 
 for regulating the journeymen tailors, and complained 
 that some of the provisions of those Acts had been 
 found inadequate for the purposes intended, and there- 
 fore prayed that leave might be given to bring in 
 a Bill to amend the said Acts accordingly. 2 This 
 petition was at once referred to a Committee, of which 
 Sir James Shaw and Mr. Shaw-Lefevre were the most 
 prominent members, and which was ordered to meet 
 the next day. 3 On ist March 1811 Sir James Shaw 
 reported from this Committee that they had examined 
 into the matter of the petition, and it is evident that 
 
 1 See the document reprinted pp. 96-98. 
 
 ' J No copy of this petition has been preserved, and the abstract 
 in the House of Commons Journals is very brief, and is practically 
 reproduced here. 
 
 3 Journals of the House of Commons, 3ist January 181 1, vol. Ixvi. 
 p. 56. 
 
)xiv Introduction 
 
 the Committee were impressed in favour of its prayer. 
 The report was read, but not entered upon the Journals, 
 and leave was at once given for a Bill to be brought 
 in to amend the Act of Geo. III. for regulating the 
 tailors of London, and it was ordered that " Sir James 
 Shaw, Mr. Alderman Combe, Sir William Curtis, and 
 Sir Charles Price do prepare and bring in the said 
 Bill." l Three days later the Bill was brought in by 
 Sir James Shaw and read a first time, and the date 
 for the second reading fixed. 2 
 
 No further progress was made with the Bill for 
 some time, the second reading meeting with several 
 adjournments. Meanwhile, on 4th April 1811 the 
 Master Tailors' Committee issued a voluminous ad- 
 dress to the trade at large. 3 In this document they 
 reiterated their complaints of the evils to which they 
 were subjected by the combination of their workmen ; 
 they again detailed the various restrictions and regu- 
 lations which the men had enacted, and the methods 
 by which they were forced upon the unwilling em- 
 ployers; and, finally, they explained once more the 
 various steps they had taken to avoid contention in 
 the trade, and the overtures they had made to the 
 men with that object. These devices having failed, 
 they had then appealed to the Quarter Sessions to 
 fix the rate of their workmen's wages. The case had 
 been heard, and an order issued by the Justices, which, 
 however, the men had treated with the same contempt 
 that they had shown for all the other proposals. All 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, ist March 1811, vol. Ixvi. 
 p. 132. 
 
 2 Ibid., 4th March 1811, vol. Ixvi. p. 141. 
 
 3 Reprinted pp. 99-107. 
 
Introduction Ixv 
 
 other steps having thus proved abortive, the Com- 
 mittee had now appealed to the Legislature for assist- 
 ance, and had submitted a Bill which they considered 
 well calculated to restore the relations of the employers 
 and their workmen to a proper condition. For all 
 these steps, and especially for the measure now before 
 the House of Commons, the Committee solicited the 
 full support and assistance of the general body of 
 employers, and they concluded their lengthy address 
 by again urging the necessity for the immediate estab- 
 lishment of a fund to relieve the deserving workmen 
 in times of affliction and distress. 
 
 Up to this period of their proceedings all the em- 
 ployers appear to have been in complete agreement 
 with the action of this Committee. But at this stage 
 an opposition party, which, as we shall see, was care- 
 fully marshalled and voiced by Francis Place, arose 
 among them, and an outcry was raised against this 
 fresh attempt to prescribe by legislation the conditions 
 of employment in the trade. On 24th April 1 8 1 1 two 
 petitions were presented to the House of Commons 
 against the Bill for regulating the journeymen tailors 
 which was then under consideration. The first of 
 these was from " several master tailors residing in the 
 city of London, or within a few miles thereof ; " and 
 the other was a petition of several journeymen tailors. 
 In both cases the petitioners prayed that they might 
 be heard either by themselves or counsel against the 
 Bill. The two petitions were immediately referred to 
 the Committee on the Bill, and it was ordered that 
 the petitioners should be heard by themselves, their 
 counsel, or agents if they thought fit, and also that 
 counsel in favour of the Bill should be admitted. 
 
]xvi Introduction 
 
 The Committee was also made an open one, it being 
 ordered " that all who come to the Committee shall 
 have voices." l Of the two petitions thus referred to, 
 only that of the master tailors has been preserved. 2 
 It is an able and temperately written document, pro- 
 fessing to emanate from the wealthy employers who 
 make the best work. They assert that the Bill before 
 the House has been drawn up solely by the small 
 employers and those making the common work ; that 
 the workmen who make the best work always have 
 been, and must be, paid a higher rate of wages than 
 the others ; and that it is, therefore, unjust and absurd 
 to attempt to fix one scale of pay for men of all de- 
 grees of skill and ability. The whole case in favour 
 of free and unfettered competition, as opposed to 
 legislative interference with the conditions of employ- 
 ment, is stated with great ability and lucidity, and 
 the petition ends by urging that all restrictive legis- 
 lation, whether of the men's combinations or of their 
 working conditions, should be speedily removed. 3 A 
 few weeks later this petition was followed by a lengthy 
 pamphlet setting forth in more detail the arguments 
 against restrictive legislation, and further urging the 
 repeal of the existing laws. 4 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 24th April 1811, vol. Ixvi. 
 pp. 262-3. 
 
 2 Reprinted pp. 108-114. 
 
 3 This petition bears throughout the impress of the style and 
 arguments of Francis Place, by whom it was probably written. 
 Notice especially the argument at pp. 111-113, that the men's com- 
 bination would quickly disappear if the laws regulating the trade 
 were repealed, and compare the similar argument used by Place 
 in his letter to Sir F. Burdett, quoted at pp. 97, 98, of the 
 " History of Trade Unionism," by Sidney and Beatrice Webb. 
 
 * Reprinted pp. 115-121. This pamphlet is avowedly the work 
 of Francis Place. 
 
Introduction Ixvii 
 
 This fierce onslaught from a section of the em- 
 ployers themselves upon the position adopted by the 
 body of the trade appears to have plunged the House 
 of Commons Committee on the Tailors' Bill into the 
 direst perplexity. They continued their inquiry for a 
 whole month after this date, obtaining an extension 
 of the time for the presentation of their report on 
 no fewer than five separate occasions. 1 Finally they 
 seem to have abandoned the whole matter in dis- 
 gust, for no report of any kind was presented, and 
 the whole matter was allowed for the time to drop 
 quietly out of existence by the Committee ceasing to 
 meet. 
 
 The truce thus secured through the careful wire- 
 pulling of Francis Place proved of very brief duration. 
 The defeated body of employers did not abandon their 
 efforts to secure further repressive legislation, and they 
 soon found a friendly member willing to voice their 
 complaints. On I2th June 1811 Mr. Lockhart, M.P., 
 gave notice of his intention to call the attention of 
 the House at an early date to the need of some regu- 
 lation of the London tailors. He gave a brief history 
 of combination in the tailors' trade, and added that 
 at the present time, " out of 24,000 tailors " in the 
 Metropolis, " 4000 had been proved to be in a regular 
 combination, provided not only with Council but 
 with a fund of money. They were not content 
 with aiding their own combination, but even com- 
 binations of other trades, particularly the calico 
 weavers ; " and he concluded " by moving for the 
 appointment of a Select Committee to take into con- 
 sideration the regulation of the wages of the tailors' 
 
 i Journals of the House of Commons, 2gth April ; 3rd, gth, i/jth, 
 and aoth May 1811 ; vol. Ixvi., pp. 278, 296, 314, 327, and 347. 
 
Ixviii Introduction 
 
 trade." 1 This proposal was favourably received by 
 the House, and it was at once ordered " that a Select 
 Committee be appointed to take into consideration 
 the laws regulating the wages of journeymen in the 
 tailors' trade within the Bills of Mortality, the state of 
 the said trade generally, the combinations entered into 
 by the journeymen therein, and the effects thereof on 
 other branches of industry." A Committee of twenty 
 members, including Sir Francis Burdett and Mr. 
 Peter Moore, and in addition all the members for the 
 counties of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Berks, Bucks, Oxford, 
 and Bedford, was appointed, and ordered to meet the 
 next day, and to have the usual power to send for 
 persons, papers, and records. Five members were to 
 form a quorum, and the Committee was given leave 
 to continue its sittings notwithstanding any adjourn- 
 ment of the House. 2 The Committee thus appointed 
 appears to have been presided over by a Mr. Barton, 
 who had been a Welsh judge, and to have met a great 
 many times. No notices of its meetings are to be 
 discovered hi the Journals of the House, but we soon 
 find evidence that Place set to work with indefatigable 
 energy to oppose the efforts of the employers. His 
 first step was to discover a friendly member of the 
 Committee, to whom he sent a lengthy letter of sug- 
 gestions as to the points upon which to examine 
 hostile witnesses. This document gives us a good 
 idea of the nature of the proposals made by the em- 
 ployers to the Committee, and admirably reveals the 
 
 _ l Newspaper report, i3th June 1811. Cutting preserved in the 
 Place MSS., Brit. Mns., vol. xxvii. 799 (i). The title of the news- 
 paper from which it was taken is not preserved, but it was probably 
 the Mvmiivj Advertiser. 
 
 2 Journals of the House of Commons, iath June 1811, vol. Ixvi. 
 p. 421. 
 
Introduction Ixix 
 
 weakness of their case. It concludes with a letter 
 written by Place, the day after his examination before 
 the Committee, to the same friendly member, giving 
 further details of the points upon which he was not 
 himself examined. Some twenty years later Place 
 wrote a " Narrative of the Proceedings for the Repeal 
 of the Combination Laws," which is still preserved hi 
 the original manuscript in the British Museum, and 
 from which I have extracted his account of the pro- 
 ceedings of the master tailors in 1810-11, and of his 
 own share in their discomfiture. 1 So effective was his 
 evidence and his management of the opposition to the 
 proposed legislation, that the Select Committee, like 
 its predecessor, was too perplexed to come to any con- 
 clusion. No report was presented by it, and the whole 
 matter was again allowed to pass quietly out of mind, 
 the Committee never being formally dissolved. 2 
 
 We are thus brought to the end of this long 
 period of legislative regulation of the conditions of 
 the London tailors' industrial life. The Acts of Parlia- 
 ment already existing were not, indeed, immediately 
 repealed, and they were not finally erased from the 
 statute book until 1875. But from this tune forth 
 no attempt to secure further legislation appears to 
 have been made by either party, and the existing 
 laws were rendered practically inoperative by the 
 absence of any effort to enforce their provisions. Both 
 parties, in fact, following the general trend of opinion 
 
 1 The letter and suggestions are reprinted pp. 122-128. The 
 extract from the "Narrative," &c., is reprinted pp. 129-131. The 
 friendly member to whom the letter was written is not named, 
 but was probably Sir Francis Burdett. 
 
 2 Journals of the House of Commons. Index to years 1801-1820, 
 vols. Ivi.-lxxv. p. 364, states that the Select Committee on Tailors, 
 181 1, issued no report. 
 
Ixx Introduction 
 
 in the country, seem now to have embraced the idea 
 of freedom of contract, restricted only by the existence 
 of voluntary combinations on one or both sides. We 
 shall see that for over twenty years from this date 
 the journeymen succeeded in maintaining intact that 
 control over the conditions of their working life 
 which a century of combination had enabled them 
 to secure. 
 
 It is somewhat singular to discover that, although 
 for almost a hundred years the journeymen tailors of 
 London had now been organised in their numerous 
 trade clubs, no copy of the rules of any of these 
 organisations up to this period appears to have been 
 preserved. There can be no doubt that such docu- 
 ments had existed for many years before this date, 
 but they were most likely kept in concealment owing 
 to the fear of prosecution which continually beset the 
 men. But in 1812 the tailors' club which met at the 
 " Scotch Arms " in Bedfordbury, off St. Martin's Lane, 
 a "House of Call" to which we have already found 
 reference as early as 1768, revised and reprinted its 
 rules, and a copy of these has been preserved. 1 This 
 document sets forth that the Society was established 
 hi 1760, and it opens with the elaborate and interest- 
 ing preamble often met with in such old books. The 
 rules consist of an elaborate code of eighteen articles, 
 together with the usual forms of declaration on and off 
 the various benefits of the Society, which were pro- 
 bably copied from those model forms to be found in 
 the rules of various friendly societies at this time. 
 The meetings of the Society were held every six 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 132-145. See the reference to this club at ante, 
 p. xlii. n. 
 
Introduction Ixxi 
 
 weeks. The entrance fee was 5s. Sd., and the contri- 
 bution 35. 6d. every half-quarter " that is to say, 3/4 
 to the stock and 2d. to be spent for the benefit of the 
 house." The benefits provided were sick pay of i6s. 
 per week for fifty-two weeks in two years ; super- 
 annuation of 2s. 6d. per week for life ; and a funeral 
 .benefit of 13, which could be drawn in one sum at a 
 member's death, or of which 4. could be drawn at the 
 death of a member's wife, and the remaining 9 at his 
 own decease. The rules contain many provisions still 
 to be found in the constitutions of most trade unions 
 and friendly societies, such as those forbidding sick 
 pay to members who bring disease upon themselves, 
 and fixing the hours during which members in receipt 
 of sick benefit may be allowed out of their homes; 
 together with one valuable provision, not yet inserted 
 in the rules of all such societies, " that the disagree- 
 able necessity of shutting up the box may be avoided, 
 and which happens when many members are sick at 
 one time," the funds of the Society are never to be 
 allowed to fall below .500 in the Three Per Cent. 
 Consols. 
 
 These rules may probably be taken as a fair speci- 
 men of those in force in the other London tailors' 
 clubs existing at that time. They contain, it will be 
 observed, absolutely no mention of trade purposes or 
 regulations, and there is not even any provision for 
 the relief of unemployed members. One curious pro- 
 vision, however, exists, which is obviously a survival 
 from an older set of rules. Rule 12 provides that 
 members " impressed into His Majesty's sea or land 
 forces" may retain their membership and claim the 
 benefits of the Society upon their return to the trade ; 
 
Ixxii Introduction 
 
 but by the same rule members joining the army or 
 navy of their own choice are to be immediately ex- 
 cluded from the Society. This special provision for 
 the victims of impressment is probably a remnant 
 from the time when, as we have seen, the men's 
 leaders were subject to that cruel form of punishment 
 for their activity in the affairs of the trade. We are 
 compelled to notice, too, the complete absence from 
 these rules of any provision for federal or joint action 
 of any kind with the numerous other tailors' clubs in 
 London. That such joint action, in trade affairs, had 
 long been taken by the men is beyond doubt, and the 
 absence of any rules dealing either with this matter 
 or the general trade regulations of the men suggests 
 that the trade union side of the organisation was 
 kept separate and distinct from the friendly society. 1 
 We are, however, quite unable now to form any idea 
 of the lines upon which the trade organisation and 
 federal relations of that day were based. It is pro- 
 bable that the federation was of a very informal 
 character, and it may even have amounted to little 
 more than a tacit agreement among the clubs to assist 
 each other in times of need. 
 
 We arrive now at what is one of the most im- 
 portant and most interesting of all the documents 
 we have seen. In 1818-19 Francis Place, who had 
 then already begun his campaign against the anti- 
 
 1 This was by no means an uncommon form of early trade or- 
 ganisation. There are many cases, such as those of the Liverpool 
 coopers and the London sailmakers, in which, in the early part 
 of this century, two societies closely related to each other existed, 
 the one a strictly trade society, the other a society providing various 
 friendly benefits. Membership of the latter was rigidly confined 
 to those who were also members of the former. 
 
Introduction Ixxiii 
 
 combination laws, secured the aid of a small weekly 
 newspaper entitled The Gorgon, which was conducted 
 by one John Wade. To this little periodical Place 
 contributed many articles, of which a lengthy de- 
 scription of the London tailors and their clubs is 
 exceedingly valuable, 1 both from the quantity of in- 
 formation it contains and from the fact that, coining 
 as it does from Place, himself a master and formerly 
 a journeyman tailor, the information is entirely trust- 
 worthy. This article, or rather series of articles, for 
 it ran through three of the weekly issues of the paper, 
 supplements in many ways the information we have 
 derived from other sources. Its description of the 
 men's clubs is well borne out by that furnished to the 
 Quarter Sessions by the men in 1801, and previously 
 quoted; 2 while the table of all the changes in the wages 
 of tailors since 1777, and the alterations in the price 
 of bread during the same period, is exceedingly valu- 
 able. This, indeed, supplies the key, as Place recog- 
 nised, to much of the agitation of the men, who found 
 that during the years 1794-1814 their standard of 
 comfort was being continually encroached upon by 
 the steadily rising prices of commodities. The extra- 
 ordinary activity and strength of their combinations 
 during these years suggest, indeed, that possibly a 
 similar table of the course of wages and prices during 
 the years immediately preceding 1720 might reveal 
 the principal cause of the first rise of trade combina- 
 tions among this body of men at that period. 
 
 The system of combination here described by Place 
 is one with which the course of this study has made us 
 familiar. The numerous " Houses of Call," with their 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 146-160. 2 See ante, p. lix. 
 
Ixxiv Introduction 
 
 rigid regulation of the "turns" of work; the rules 
 and subscriptions of a friendly club for the relief of 
 the sick and the burial of the dead, supplemented by 
 a small separate weekly contribution for the mainte- 
 nance of the trade organisation and a heavy levy on 
 those in work to provide relief for the unemployed. 
 We have here, too, the first description of the con- 
 stitution of the Central or Federal Council. One 
 delegate from each of the clubs, selected by the tacit 
 assent and unknown even by name to the majority 
 of the members whom he represented, met together 
 and formed this all-powerful central committee. This 
 elaborate system was well devised to secure that 
 secrecy which was so essential at a time when severe 
 punishment awaited any of the leaders who might be 
 discovered. It illustrates admirably, too, the effect 
 which drastic repressive legislation has always had 
 upon such organisations as these. Of the trade regu- 
 lations of these organisations, which are here described 
 in considerable detail by Place, we can only say that 
 they do not appear to differ widely from those still 
 enforced by various Trade Unions. They are, indeed, 
 very similar to those which the Tailors' Unions to-day 
 endeavour to enforce, though it appears that in 1 8 1 8 
 the " Flints," in contrast with the " Dungs," still re- 
 fused to work by the piece a method of remuneration 
 which is now almost generally accepted throughout 
 the trade. 
 
 We cannot help regretting that Place did not give 
 us some account of the origin of the separate organi- 
 sation of the two classes of " Flints " and " Dungs " in 
 the trade. But in the absence of any such account 
 two suggestions may be offered. It is possible that 
 
Introduction Ixxv 
 
 at first the tailors' clubs strictly confined their mem- 
 bership to those who had served a legal apprentice- 
 ship to the trade, and thus compelled the " Colts," or 
 illegal men, to form separate organisations. There 
 are many instances of this kind of occurrence in the 
 history of the unions of such old handicraftsmen as the 
 brushmakers, the sailmakers, and others, and there 
 seems no reason why the tailors should not have 
 met with the same difficulties. On the other hand, 
 it may be, as Place seems to suggest, that the 
 " Dungs " were simply the inferior workmen, who 
 were unable to secure similar conditions to those 
 insisted upon by the " Flints," and had accepted work 
 during times of strike, and were therefore excluded 
 by the " Flints " from membership in their societies. 
 But whatever may have been the origin of this dual 
 system of organisation, it is clear that the antagonism 
 between the two sections was now rapidly breaking 
 down, and that they were making common cause in 
 all their disputes with the employers. 
 
 In the same year that these articles were appearing 
 in The Gorgon, we have preserved to us copies of 
 the half-yearly reports and balance sheets of one 
 of these clubs. It is described as " The Old George 
 Associated Taylors' Benefit Society," held at " The 
 Pewter Platter, Charles Street, Hatton Garden," which 
 was probably the one from which Place obtained his 
 information, as the documents are preserved in his 
 collection. Portions of these reports are here re- 
 printed, 1 and from them we learn that the club 
 consisted at this time of two divisions, the first con- 
 taining 322 members, and the second 277. This was 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 161-163. 
 
Ixxvi Introduction 
 
 most likely an arrangement made merely for con- 
 venience, 600 members having been found more than 
 could easily meet on one night, and possibly more 
 than could be managed by one clerk or secretary at 
 an annual salary of 7, iys. 6d. The benefits pro- 
 vided by this club were sick pay, superannuation, and 
 funeral, and in each case the amounts were the same as 
 those given by the club at the " Scotch Arms," whose 
 rules are reprinted here. There was also a very heavy 
 half-yearly expenditure for beer, which was no doubt 
 the result of the expenditure of twopence per member 
 " for the good of the house," and which was consumed 
 at the general meetings of the members. The receipts 
 from contributions amounted to about ^480 per half- 
 year, and the balance in hand at this time amounted to 
 no less than 1750. In 1819 the two divisions were 
 amalgamated for some reason, and the clerk's salary is 
 consequently doubled. In these accounts, also, we find an 
 entire absence of any reference to or expenditure upon 
 trade affairs, which were evidently kept quite apart from 
 the friendly society side of the club. For a few years 
 after this we hear no more of the London tailors' clubs 
 which did not actively interest themselves in Place's 
 efforts to secure the repeal of the combination laws. 
 
 In 1823 the tailors of Edinburgh were out on strike, 
 as appears from the meagre information before us, for 
 some improvement in their list of piecework prices. 
 Here also the tailors are said to have been organised 
 in benefit clubs, based upon a " House of Call " system, 
 which was an ancient institution, and the men's ad- 
 vertisement is dated from one of these taverns. 1 We 
 
 1 Reprinted pp. 164-166. The existence of the "House of Call" 
 system among the tailors in Edinburgh long before this time seems 
 
Introduction Ixxvii 
 
 are not, however, informed of the termination of this 
 strike, or which party achieved success in it. 
 
 In the following year we hear again of the London 
 tailors. In June 1824 one of their numerous clubs 
 made an attempt to form a federation of all the clubs 
 for the purpose of raising a general fund for the sup- 
 port of aged and decayed members. We have already 
 seen the great drain on the funds of one of these 
 clubs which the provision of superannuation benefit 
 entailed. 1 Some of the others do not appear to have 
 provided this benefit, and it was partly to the desire 
 of all the men to share the same advantages, and 
 partly from the anxiety of those who already sub- 
 scribed for superannuation to see its supporters in- 
 creased, that this attempt was made. The Society 
 which now took action drew up a set of rules for the 
 formation and administration of a general fund to meet 
 these needs. These rules, a copy of which has been 
 preserved, 2 are of great interest. They provide that 
 membership of the proposed fund should be confined 
 to those " who had belonged to the honourable part of 
 the trade " (i.e., the " Flints ") " for at least ten years." 
 
 indisputable. In that very amusing autobiography, " The Life of 
 Mansie Waugh, Tailor in Dalkeith," we are told that the author, as 
 soon as he had finished his apprenticeship in Dalkeith, went to 
 Edinburgh, as was the custom of the trade, to get a job as a journey- 
 man there, and to improve his workmanship by working for the 
 fashionable folk of that city. He succeeded in getting a not very 
 good place, but adds that when he remembered " how many have 
 been out of bread month after month, making vain applications at 
 the House of Call," he was very grateful for having got something 
 to do. See " The Life of Mansie Waugh, &c., written by Himself" 
 (D. M. Moir), pp. 43, 44 ; Edinburgh and London, 1828. 
 
 1 See the Reports of the Old George Associated Taylors' Benefit 
 Society, reprinted pp. 161-163. 
 
 2 Reprinted pp. 167-170. 
 
Ixxviii Introduction 
 
 The funds were to be raised by a levy on all the clubs 
 uniting to form the scheme, and the benefits were to 
 be given to aged members elected from and by the 
 clubs in rotation. The scheme appears to have been 
 an attempt to add a permanent superannuation benefit 
 to the Trade Union organisation, but it was apparently 
 not received with general favour, and does not seem 
 to have been adopted generally. 
 
 The same year that saw this attempt to link the 
 tailors' clubs in London together in a general federa- 
 tion saw also the appointment, largely through the 
 influence of Francis Place, of the Select Committee of 
 the House of Commons on Artisans and Machinery. 
 Place himself gave voluminous evidence before this 
 Committee, in which, among other things, he repeated 
 the facts stated in his articles in The Gorgon}- It is 
 somewhat significant, however, that of all the organised 
 trades the journeymen tailors were the least disposed 
 to make any efforts towards the repeal of the anti- 
 combination laws. Their lethargy in this matter 
 chagrined Place, who had done much for them in the 
 past, and he very justly complained of it in later 
 years. 2 
 
 In 1825 the tailors of Birmingham were again 
 engaged in a bitter dispute with their employers, in 
 reference to an amended list of prices for their work. 
 Advertisements and counter-advertisements 3 of the 
 
 1 See his evidence, contained in the " First Report of the Select 
 Committee on Artisans and Machinery, 1824," pp. 44, 45. 
 
 2 See the "Narrative of Proceedings for Repeal of the Combina- 
 tion Laws," a portion of which is reprinted pp. 129-131. Only one 
 of the tailors' clubs took any step at all, and it merely allowed its 
 officers to sign one of the ordinary petitions which Place had drawn 
 up against the laws. 
 
 5 Reprinted pp. 171-174. 
 
Introduction Ixxix 
 
 disputants were inserted in the Birmingham news- 
 papers for many weeks ; but the affair ceased suddenly, 
 and we do not now know how it concluded. Three years 
 later, in the spring of 1 828, the Sheffield tailors were out 
 on strike for an advance of wages and the abolition of a 
 custom prevailing in that town of stoppages of pay for 
 spoiled work. The strike, of which very little informa- 
 tion can be discovered, did not last long, and the men 
 appear to have been successful in their demands. 1 
 
 In the years 1831-32 the organised workmen in 
 every trade throughout the kingdom took an active 
 part in the agitation for political reforms which dis- 
 tinguished those years. Many great demonstrations 
 in favour of the Reform Bill were organised and suc- 
 cessfully carried out entirely by the workmen them- 
 selves. The tailors were not behind their fellow- 
 craftsmen in this movement, and in almost every 
 town of importance throughout the kingdom their 
 clubs seem to have played a prominent part in the 
 agitation. The London and Dublin clubs were still 
 in vigorous existence, and entered actively into the 
 movement; while those of Ashton-under-Lyne and 
 Leicester were liberal contributors to the funds of the 
 National Association which conducted the Reform 
 movement. 2 Similar clubs of tailors in Birmingham, 
 Sheffield, Brighton, Rochester, Greenock, and other 
 towns are all mentioned in the pages of the work- 
 ing-class newspapers of the day as giving active 
 support to this movement. 3 After the passing of the 
 
 1 See The Sheffield Iris, 1828. 
 
 2 See "On Combinations of Trades," Anonymous, pp. 12, 13, 
 83-94 ; London, 1831, 8vo. 
 
 3 See The Poor Man's Guardian, 1831-4 ; The Crisis, 1831-5 ; The 
 Pioneer, 1833-4; and The Man, 1834, all in the British Museum. 
 
Ixxx Introduction 
 
 Reform Act in 1832 further demonstrations of joy 
 at the victory were held in most of the large towns 
 throughout the kingdom, in which again the various 
 trade societies were very prominent. In Scotland 
 especially there seems to have been a very great 
 display of public rejoicing over this event on the 
 part of the trade organisations. A large collection of 
 documents relating to these demonstrations in Edin- 
 burgh and Leith is preserved in the British Museum. 
 I have reprinted portions of one showing that both 
 the old Incorporations of Tailors which still existed 
 hi Scotland and the journeymen's trade clubs took 
 an active part in these parades. 1 And, again, in the 
 General Election which soon followed immediately 
 upon the passage of the Reform Act the success of 
 the popular candidates was made the occasion for 
 trades demonstrations, especially in Scotland, in which 
 the tailors were again vigorously in evidence. 2 
 
 Between the years 1818-19, when we saw the 
 London tailors' clubs in active and vigorous control 
 of the trade, and the period at which we have now 
 arrived, a rapid process of decay and disintegration 
 appears to have set in among them. After an exist- 
 ence of over a hundred years, during the greater part 
 of which they exercised a controlling influence over 
 the conditions of their industrial life, they were now 
 
 i Reprinted pp. 175-178. 
 
 - See " Chairing of the Lord Advocate and the Honourable Mr. 
 Abercromby," S. Sh. Fol., Edinburgh, 1832 ; also "The Chairing of 
 the City Members," S. Sh. FoL, Edinburgh, 1832 ; and the whole of 
 the collection of these documents contained in this volume. They 
 mention, among other trades taking part in the processions, " The 
 St. Andrews Society of Tailors " and " Incorporation of Easter and 
 Wester Portsburgh Tailors." 
 
Introduction Ixxxi 
 
 finally broken up and disbanded by the collapse of 
 the great strike of 1834. It is impossible now to 
 understand clearly what were the causes to which 
 their weakness and defeat must be attributed. It 
 was partly no doubt due to - the decay and disappear- 
 ance of the " House of Call" system of conducting the 
 industry, which had always necessitated a vigorous 
 organisation of the men in order to secure a fair 
 sharing of the work among them ; and perhaps even 
 more largely to the introduction and rapid increase, 
 about this time, of the production of cheap "slop 
 clothing," with its consequences of women's labour 
 and home work. But to whatever cause we may 
 attribute their fall, it is certain that already in 1830 
 the London clubs no longer exercised that complete 
 control over the trade which they had formerly en- 
 joyed. Only the production of the best class of 
 " bespoke " goods in the large West End shops seems 
 to have been still carried on subject to their regula- 
 tions. With this diminution of their power the clubs 
 seem to have largely abandoned their active trade 
 policy, and to have shrivelled up into little more than 
 trade friendly societies. 
 
 Early in 1833, under the inspiration of Robert 
 Owen, the London tailors had allied themselves 
 actively with schemes of co-operative production and 
 exchange. Weekly meetings of delegates from all 
 the organised and interested trades were held at 
 Owen's Institution in Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, 
 at which reports were given of the progress of the 
 movement. 1 In September 1833, at one of these 
 weekly meetings, we find the tailors' delegates report- 
 
 1 See the reports of these meetings in The Crisis, 1833-34. 
 
Ixxxii Introduction 
 
 ing that their workshops were a success, the receipts 
 from July 17 to August 28 having been .143, and 
 their expenditure 133, and they had recently opened 
 a new branch in the City for the convenience of those 
 residing there. 1 Early in October the Congress of dele- 
 gates from Trade Unions and Co-operative Societies 
 was held, and after a most inspiring address from 
 Robert Owen, decided to form the "National and 
 Moral Union of the Productive and Useful Classes," 
 a movement in which the London tailors' delegates 
 took a prominent part.* In the following week there 
 appeared in The Man a long leader dwelling upon 
 the lengthy periods of unemployment to which tailors 
 were subject, and urging as a remedy the immediate 
 shortening of their daily hours of labour; 8 and three 
 weeks later a further leader appeared in the same 
 journal urging the immediate formation of a " Grand 
 National Union " of the tailors' trade, with lodges in 
 every parish in the kingdom. It was suggested that 
 these lodges should be governed by district councils 
 and these in turn by a Grand National Council, and 
 that the objects of the Union should be to strangle 
 the present ruinous competition in the trade, to raise 
 wages, and to shorten the hours of labour. 4 
 
 The ideal thus held out before the men, and the 
 appeals to their public spirit to redress the grievances 
 under which they laboured, were not ineffectual A 
 few days before the appearance of the second of these 
 articles, a meeting of the men was held at the " Black 
 
 1 Tkt Crisis, i4th September 1833. 
 
 * Tke Mem, i2th October 1883. 
 
 * Ibid. , aoth October 1833. Leader signed " Agrarian" 
 4 Ptid., loth November 1833. Leader by "Agrarins." 
 
Introduction Ixxxiii 
 
 Horse " in Rathbone Place to consider the condition 
 of the trade. At this meeting a Committee was 
 appointed to consider and report on the steps best 
 calculated to improve the position of the body of the 
 workmen. This Committee held several meetings, 
 and having drawn up a report, called a general meet- 
 ing of the whole trade by public advertisement. The 
 meeting was held at the Circus in Great Windmill 
 Street on i8th November, and it was very largely 
 attended. The report of the Committee was read and 
 unanimously adopted, and resolutions were passed in 
 favour of the immediate formation of a great Union 
 of the trade, to be afterwards united with all other 
 trades, and so form a grand national Union of the 
 whole working class. 1 The report and resolutions 
 are full of that bombastic sentimentalism which was 
 the bane of all the working-class movements of the 
 time, and which was due to the influence which 
 Robert Owen, with his huge schemes, had secured 
 over the minds of the men's leaders. At this meet- 
 ing the first Lodge of the Grand National Union of 
 Tailors was formed, as we are told with much rhetori- 
 cal flourish, though, as the subscription was fixed at 
 only one penny per week, the Union can scarcely be 
 said to have started with a sound financial basis. 2 
 Without waiting to perfect their organisation, or to 
 amass a fund to meet possible contingencies, a second 
 great meeting of the trade was called early in Decem- 
 ber. At this mass meeting, after much complaint 
 of the overwork of some and the unemployment of 
 others, it was unanimously agreed to make a simul- 
 
 1 See the report, reprinted pp. 179-182. 
 
 2 The Man, ist December 1833. 
 
Ixxxiv Introduction 
 
 taneous demand upon all the London employers early 
 in the new year for a reduction of the hours of labour 
 to eight per day, and an advance of wages to nine- 
 pence per hour, to come into operation on ist March 
 1834. It was at this meeting that Robert Owen was 
 refused a hearing by the great body of the workmen, 
 on the ground that he was " so wound up with plans 
 and projects" that there was nothing practicable 
 about him. 1 It seems to us now a great pity that the 
 men's leaders did not profit by the sturdy common 
 sense of their followers, and refuse to be drawn 
 into Owen's high-sounding schemes, to their own ruin 
 and the complete and disastrous wreck of all their 
 hopes. 
 
 We hear nothing more of this new Union of the 
 tailors for a few months, but apparently wiser counsels 
 for a time prevailed, and the demands for improved 
 working conditions were not made so soon as was 
 expected. Meanwhile the Union had allied itself with 
 the Grand National Consolidated Trades Union, that 
 ill-organised body of workers of all kinds and both 
 sexes which for a whole year struck terror and 
 dismay into the minds of the rulers of the nation and 
 the leader-writers of the Times. The tailors appear 
 to have taken an active part in this organisation, and 
 their chief secretary one J. Browne was also a co- 
 secretary of the Grand National Consolidated Trades 
 Union. 2 Suddenly, and without warning of any kind, 
 
 1 The Man, 8th December 1833. 
 
 - The chief secretary of this Federation was one E. C. Douglas, 
 apparently a pseudonym for some person who is not now known. 
 But some of the circulars of the Executive Council were signed by 
 J. Browne as secretary. See, for instance, the circular in The Crisis, 
 I gth April 1834. 
 
Introduction Ixxxv 
 
 the Tailors' Union took steps to obtain the recognition 
 of their demands. On 25th April 1834 a circular 
 was issued to all the London master tailors demand- 
 ing an advance of wages and a reduction of working 
 hours,, to take place on the following Monday, and 
 threatening a general strike and the opening of co- 
 operative workshops if these demands were not con- 
 ceded. 1 The suddenness and secrecy with which this 
 step was taken created intense surprise in the ranks 
 of the Unions, and to the conductors of their press. 
 The leader in The Crisis the following week declared 
 that " we had never heard of it until the resolution 
 was passed," and that had the news come earlier the 
 tailors would have been urged to put off their move- 
 ment and wait for the great general strike of all 
 trades then being actively advocated. 2 It appears 
 that one of the reasons for the haste in which the 
 strike was undertaken was the jealousy existing 
 between the numerous trades enrolled in the Grand 
 National Consolidated Trades Union. Disputes were 
 rife among them as to which trade should be first 
 supported in a strike for new privileges. From letters 
 which appeared subsequently in the Union press, it 
 seems that the London shoemakers were also anxious 
 to strike in the spring of 1834 for improved condi- 
 tions, and it is complained that they were forestalled 
 by "the ill-advised and premature strike of the 
 tailors." The shoemakers thereupon withdrew from 
 the Grand National Union in disgust at their be- 
 
 1 See the copy of their circular reproduced in the report of the 
 master tailors' meeting of April 28, reprinted at pp. 183-185. It 
 appeared also in The Crisis, 3rd May 1834, and The Poor Mans 
 Guardicm, 3rd May 1834. 
 
 2 The Crisis, 3rd May 1834. 
 
Ixxxvi Introduction 
 
 trayal. 1 It is probable that the position of influence 
 in the councils of the Grand National held by the 
 tailors' secretary enabled him to secure permission for 
 his trade to act before its proper time had arrived, 
 and even before it was ready to take advantage of the 
 opportunity. But if the other Unions were surprised 
 and dismayed by this premature action, such was not 
 the case with the master tailors, who acted promptly, 
 vigorously, and ably. On 28th April, the day on which 
 the strike began, and three days after the receipt of 
 the formal notice from the men, the employers held 
 a great meeting at the " Thatched House " Tavern in 
 St. James's Street. 2 The meeting was very large, and 
 was continued, by adjournment, at Willis's Rooms on 
 the following day. Resolutions were unanimously 
 carried to offer the sternest resistance to the men's 
 demands, and a strong Committee was appointed to 
 carry out these resolves. The whole proceedings of 
 these, meetings appeared as an advertisement in the 
 Times, together with a list of some 450 employers who 
 had signed the resolutions carried. 3 The number of 
 signatures was subsequently announced to have in- 
 creased to about 6oo. 4 It is interesting to notice that 
 in this list occurs the name of "F. Place, Charing 
 Cross," the son of the old supporter of the workmen's 
 cause, who had himself not lost all sympathy with 
 the men. 
 
 The Times now took up the case of the employers 
 
 1 The Pioneer, 24th May 1834 and 28th June 1834. The latter 
 contains a letter signed by the Grand Master of the Cordwainers' 
 Order, announcing their withdrawal from the Grand National. 
 
 - The Times leader, Tuesday, agth April 1834. 
 
 3 The Times, 3oth April 1834. Seethe report reprinted pp. 183-187. 
 
 * Ibid., ist and 3rd May 1834. 
 
Introduction Ixxxvii 
 
 with great vigour. Leader after leader appeared urging 
 the utmost resistance to the men, and vilifying their 
 cause in every way. In this it was supported by all 
 the other regular newspapers, and the subject of the 
 tailors' strike, having been raised by interested mem- 
 bers in both Houses of Parliament, called forth almost 
 unanimous expressions from the assembled legislators 
 of opposition to the men, and wishes for the success 
 of the masters. 1 On ist May, however, a letter ap- 
 peared in favour of the men, the writer urging in 
 their defence that they were extremely peaceable, and 
 that none of them had been prosecuted for attacking 
 non-unionists, as some trades had been when on 
 strike. 2 On the following day it was announced that 
 many of the masters were now employing women, who 
 had long made trousers and waistcoats, but were now 
 being employed to make the coats also. 3 The Union 
 seems to have taken advantage of the unemployment 
 of its members to send them into provincial cities to 
 endeavour to organise the tailors there. Two such 
 delegates went to Lewes and formed a Union, an action 
 which the employers immediately met by a lock-out, 
 ending after ten days in the complete defeat of the 
 men, who returned to work, and signed a " Document " 
 renouncing all connection with any Union. 4 A similar 
 experience befell an attempt to organise the tailors 
 in Cambridge, who were also defeated by the prompt 
 
 1 The Times, May 1834 passim. 
 
 2 See the letter in the Times, ist May 1834. It is signed by " G. 
 Batson, on behalf and by the direction of Lodge No. 25 of the 
 United Operative Tailors," who met in Porter Street, Soho. The 
 Union had evidently made considerable progress in numbers for 
 the lodges to have reached already to twenty-five or more. 
 
 3 The Times, 2nd May 1834. 
 
 4 Ibid., 3rd May and I3th May 1834. 
 
Ixxxviii Introduction 
 
 action of the employers. 1 In Hull, however, the 
 attempt was more successful. Two delegates from 
 the tailors went down, and, after a mass meeting, 
 enrolled no fewer than a thousand members of the 
 Grand National Union in one evening. 2 
 
 On loth May the Committee of the master tailors 
 republished the resolutions passed by the meetings of 
 28th and 29th April, together with a list of the Com- 
 mittee, now consisting of thirty-six of the largest em- 
 ployers, and the names of 630 firms who had by this 
 tune announced their adherence to the resolutions. 
 They announce also that they have received very large 
 subscriptions to the common cause, and that they are 
 convinced of success, not a single employer who had 
 signed the resolutions having yet given way. 3 The 
 Committee had two days earlier recorded a vote of 
 thanks to the editor of the Times for his help to the 
 employers' cause. 4 In reply to this there appeared in 
 The Pioneer a long address from the Committee of the 
 journeymen. This document, which is couched in 
 the grandiloquent language of all the Owenite mani- 
 festoes, announces that they have started their co- 
 operative workshops, and advertises for customers 
 for their goods. 6 The following week another great 
 meeting of the men was held, at which it was resolved 
 to continue the strike, and appeals were made to the 
 other trades and to the public for support and sub- 
 scriptions. 6 At this time there were some 15,000 or 
 20,000 tailors in London out on strike, and to pay so 
 
 1 The Times, isth May 1834. 2 Ibul., 5th May 1834. 
 
 3 Ibid., loth May 1834. * Ibid., 8th May 1834. 
 
 ' See address, reprinted pp. 188-195. 
 6 See report of meeting, reprinted pp. 196-198. 
 
Introduction Ixxxix 
 
 large a number even the small sum of one shilling 
 per day each, which appears to have been the sum 
 granted, must have entailed a very heavy dram on 
 the resources of the Unions. 1 
 
 A few days later the master tailors' Committee 
 issued to the employers a circular containing a re- 
 solution passed by the Committee that no employer 
 should henceforth accept any man into his employ- 
 ment until he had signed a declaration renouncing 
 all connection with the Union. 2 This effort to insist 
 upon the signature of the hated "Document," and 
 the institution of a " Black List " of workmen which 
 necessarily accompanied it, revived for a time the 
 now flickering strike. On 24th May the " Operative 
 Master Tailors," apparently the small masters who 
 worked in their own shops or homes, met and passed 
 resolutions in favour of the men ; 3 and the Executive 
 Council of the Grand National Consolidated Trades 
 Union issued an eloquent appeal to all the trades 
 to sink their differences and unite in giving uni- 
 
 1 The Times, I2th May 1834, said 20,000 were on strike. But, 
 Robert Owen, in a speech reported in The Crisis, loth May 1834, 
 said there were fifteen or sixteen thousand. Another contem- 
 porary publication, however, states that at this time there were 
 only 14,000 men tailors in London altogether, of whom only about 
 one-half were out on strike. The anonymous author also adds that 
 the employers in this dispute for the first time used a weapon later 
 in the century much used by employers under similar circumstances. 
 They endeavoured, he says, to bring over large numbers of French 
 and German workmen to fill the places vacated by the London 
 tailors, and were to some extent successful in their efforts. " See 
 Trades Unions and Strikes," Anonymous, pp. 13-17 ; London, 
 1834, i2mo. 
 
 '-' See circular, reprinted pp. 199-200. 
 
 3 See report of meeting, reprinted pp. 201-202. The great mas- 
 ters declared, however, that this meeting was got up by the men 
 themselves. 
 
xc Introduction 
 
 versal support to the tailors in their resistance to the 
 " accursed Document." l But the funds of the various 
 societies were now exhausted by the continual drain 
 of great strikes upon them. An attempt was made 
 by the Council of the Grand National to raise funds 
 by a levy of is. 6d. per member upon the consolidated 
 trades. But it does not appear to have succeeded, 
 and was apparently abandoned after having caused 
 the disruption or withdrawal of a number of the 
 lodges of the Union. 2 
 
 The strike, indeed, was now rapidly flickering to its 
 close. Already, on 2ist May, the Times had announced 
 that the strike was collapsing, that the men were 
 short of funds, and that over two thousand of them 
 had then signed the " Document." 3 On 5th June 
 the employers held their last meeting. A long 
 report was submitted by the Committee, hi which 
 they stated that they were assured of the truth of 
 the statement that the men's funds were nearly ex- 
 hausted, and doled out to them in the most miser- 
 able pittances. They added that at that date some 
 four thousand of the journeymen had signed the 
 declaration and returned to work on the old condi- 
 tions. 4 At this meeting Francis Place once more 
 evinced his goodwill to the men by endeavouring to 
 raise some opposition to the issue of the " Document " 
 
 1 The Pioneer, 3ist May 1834. 
 
 2 The Times, 26th May 1834, announces the breaking up of all 
 the lodges of weavers in Banbury, owing to the attempt to impose 
 the levy upon their members. 
 
 3 The Times, 2ist May 1834, states that only 33. per week to 
 the single men, and 45. to the married men, could be given by the 
 Union this week. 
 
 4 See report, reprinted pp. 203-210. 
 
Introduction xci 
 
 by the Committee. He is reported to have said that 
 " he considered that it was very impolitic to ask the 
 foremen or workmen to sign the declaration, and he 
 should therefore move, as an amendment, that that 
 part of the report be expunged, as in his opinion it 
 would only serve to keep alive vindictive feelings." 
 But, notwithstanding this generous appeal, the recom- 
 mendations of the Committee were carried, on a vote, 
 by 532 to 8 votes, and Place's last effort to help the 
 men thus failed. 1 The defeat of the men now turned 
 rapidly into a complete rout. On Qth June the Grand 
 National Consolidated Trades Union held a meeting 
 to consider the position in which it was placed by the 
 attitude of the London master tailors. After much 
 fiery invective nothing was done, and the meeting 
 broke up, having agreed that Robert Owen should 
 call a further meeting at his discretion later on. On 
 1 4th June The Pioneer in a leading article described 
 the complete collapse of the strike, and ascribed it 
 to the absence of proper support from other trades, 
 urging also that the only remedy for the grievances 
 of the working classes was a general strike of all the 
 producers. 2 Meanwhile the tailors themselves held 
 a large and excited meeting during the same week 
 to discuss the prospects of their strike. They were, 
 however, entirely unable to agree on the best way out 
 of " their present awkward predicament," as it was 
 described. Some speakers were in favour of signing 
 the " Document " and returning to work to disobey it 
 on the ground that it was extorted from them by force. 
 Others urged further resistance, and the result was 
 
 1 The Times, loth June 1834. 
 
 2 The Pioneer, i4th June 1834. 
 
xcii Introduction 
 
 that, amid heated language, and. charges and counter- 
 charges, the meeting broke up in disorder. 1 Two 
 weeks later the strike was entirely at an end, and the 
 unfortunate journeymen had made the best terms 
 they could get from their victorious employers. Both 
 The Crisis and The Pioneer admit that the whole 
 .affair was a sorry fiasco. " They have not only been 
 discomfited," says The Pioneer, " but have been driven 
 from the field, and their ranks are entirely broken." 2 
 Thus ended the attempt of the working tailors to 
 resume that control over the conditions of their employ- 
 ment which they had enjoyed almost uninterruptedly 
 for over a century. Their old-established clubs, weak- 
 ened by the changes in the methods of production 
 in the trade, which they had been unwilling to control 
 and unable to resist, were practically swept out of exist- 
 ence in this disaster. With them went also the newly 
 organised and feeble lodges of the recently established 
 " United Operative Tailors," which was to have been 
 the nucleus of their Grand National Union. For some 
 years after this date the London tailors were left in an 
 entirely unorganised condition. The Grand National 
 Consolidated Trades Union, which was introduced with 
 such a flourish of trumpets and took so prominent a 
 part in leading the tailors to their defeat, did not long 
 survive. The levies put on the members throughout 
 the kingdom to support the great lock-out at Derby, 
 and the tailors' strike in London, as well as many other 
 smaller disputes, aroused the violent antagonism of 
 the other sections who seceded in large bodies. Early 
 in July the rapid breaking up of the organisation was 
 
 1 The Crisis, I4th June 1834. 
 
 2 The Pioneer, 28th June 1834 ; see also The Crisis, 28th June 1834. 
 
Introduction xciii 
 
 announced, 1 and on 2Oth August 1834 it was finally 
 dissolved, and its remnants re-formed into the " British 
 and Foreign Consolidated Association of Industry, 
 Humanity, and Knowledge," which was yet another 
 of Robert Owen's high-sounding but abortive asso- 
 ciations. 2 
 
 Little more remains to be told of the history of the 
 tailors' unions before we reach the period of the estab- 
 lishment of the existing organisations, with which we 
 do not propose to deal. Later on, in 1 834, the Man- 
 chester tailors had a great " turn-out," which lasted 
 eighteen weeks, and ended in a complete defeat of the 
 men, and their return to work after signing the now 
 general "Document." 3 Both in England and in 
 Scotland we find that their organisations participated 
 in the general contraction of Trade Unionism which 
 followed the great outburst of 1832-34. This is evi- 
 denced by the fact that, when in 1 837 the leaders of 
 the Glasgow Cotton-Spinners, who had maintained a 
 long and bitter strike for many months, were put on 
 their trial for murder and conspiracy, no contribution 
 towards the funds which were raised for their defence 
 was made by any society of tailors. It is even stated 
 in the report of their proceedings that the tailors' 
 societies of Edinburgh and Greenock had " refused to 
 subscribe" to this fund. 4 In 1838, however, we find 
 the Manchester tailors, somewhat recovered from 
 their disastrous defeat of 1834, taking an active part 
 in the great demonstration of the Manchester Poli- 
 
 1 The Crisis, 1 2th July 1834. z Ibid., 23rd August 1834. 
 
 3 The Times, 28th October 1834. 
 
 4 See the " Report of the Trial of T. Hunter, P. Hackett, R. 
 M'Neil, J. Gibb, and W. M'Lean, &c.," by A. Swinton, Edinburgh, 
 1838, 8vo. 
 
xciv Introduction 
 
 tical Union, which was held at Horsal Moor in Sep- 
 tember of that year. 1 A few years later the London 
 tailors made an attempt at a general reorganisation 
 of their trade. In June 1843 two meetings of the 
 journeymen were held at the South wark Literary 
 Institution to endeavour to form a general trade pro- 
 tection society for the London workmen. The trade 
 is described as being now in a worse condition than 
 ever before. Home work, women's labour, and the 
 increase of cheap " slop " clothing, combined with 
 the absence of union among the men, had reduced 
 them to a condition of great and real distress. At 
 these meetings a Committee was appointed to draw 
 up a constitution and rules for the new organisation. 2 
 A month later the draft rules were submitted to an- 
 other meeting and approved, and a vigorous agitation 
 for better conditions was determined upon. 3 The 
 following week an advertisement was inserted in 
 Lloyd's Weekly News by the Central Committee of 
 the new Society, announcing its formation, and urging 
 the necessity of combination in the trade. 4 Through- 
 out the next six months there are notices of constant 
 meetings held in all parts of London to form branches 
 of the new organisation. One or two of the old " House 
 of Call " clubs appear to have thrown in their lot with 
 this new effort, but the majority of the ten or twelve 
 such clubs which were still apparently in existence 
 are described as being merely benefit societies, and 
 
 1 See the MS. account of this demonstration preserved in the 
 Place MSS., Brit. Mus., vol. 27,820, Appendix I. 
 
 2 See Lloyd's Weekly News, nth and i8th June 1843. Articles by 
 " Censorious." 
 
 1 Ibid., 23rd July 1843. 
 4 Ibid., 3oth July 1843. 
 
Introduction xcv 
 
 they declined to take any part in the movement. 1 
 This attempt to reorganise the London tailors was 
 not, however, immediately successful, and for many 
 years nothing further is to be heard of it. 
 
 Meanwhile we find that the tailors in other towns 
 began also to feel the need for some means of coping 
 with the growing evils in the trade. In 1853 the 
 journeymen in Liverpool were engaged in a vigorous 
 effort to reorganise their old-established Society, in 
 order, as they said, " to remedy the evils of the slop 
 system," and their efforts were ultimately successful. 2 
 In 1859-60 occurred the great strike and lock-out of 
 the London building trades, owing to the men's demand 
 for a nine hours' working day. Very large sums of 
 money were raised to support the men in this conflict, 
 and among others we find no less than twelve societies 
 of tailors contributing in all some 90 to this cause. 
 Among these there was at least one of the old London 
 " House of Call " clubs, that at the " White Hart," and 
 also the new general union of the London journey- 
 men described as the " United Society of Tailors, 
 London." 3 A year later the then newly established 
 London Trades Council published its first Directory 
 of all the known Trade Unions and their branches 
 in the United 'Kingdom. This fairly exhaustive list 
 gave the titles and meeting-places of no fewer than 
 
 1 Lloyd's Weekly News, 3Oth July 1843. 
 
 2 See "Master and Man: a Dialogue," &c., by Henry Booth; 
 London, 1853, i2mo. 
 
 3 See " Balance Sheet of the Strike and Lock-out in the London 
 Building Trades, from 24th July 1859 to 1st May 1860." London, 
 1860, 8vo. The other societies were those at Brighton, Bristol, 
 Dublin, Maynooth, Glasgow, Guildford, Leeds, Norwich, Sunderland, 
 and Worcester. 
 
xcvi Introduction 
 
 forty-eight separate societies of tailors, distributed 
 throughout forty-four principal towns of the king- 
 dom. They include three societies in London, two 
 of which appear to have been branches of the new 
 United Operative Tailors' Society. The other was 
 the last of the old "House of Call" clubs, which 
 still met at the "White Hart," in Little Windmill 
 Street, as it had done so long ago as 1768, and 
 of the existence of which this is the last evidence 
 obtainable. 1 It probably ceased to exist very shortly 
 after this date. 
 
 This practically ended the efforts of the journey- 
 men tailors to secure control over the conditions 
 of their employment by means of local trade clubs, 
 some of which had existed uninterruptedly over a 
 century and a half. We have now only to record 
 the formation of the organisations which still exist 
 and flourish in the trade. In 1865 the Manchester 
 Society of Tailors, inspired by the example of such 
 other trades as the engineers and the carpenters, 
 resolved to make an effort to form a national amalga- 
 mation of all the existing tailors' societies. Acting 
 under the advice and influence of their very able 
 
 1 See the " United Kingdom First Annual Trades Union Direc- 
 tory," London, 1861, 8vo. The other towns were Ashton-under- 
 Lyne, Bristol, Blackburn, Bolton, Bury, Burnley, Brighton, Belfast, 
 Bradford (two societies), Birmingham, Cork, Chester, Carlisle, 
 Cambridge, Cheltenham, Dublin, Derby, Darlington, Exeter, Eton, 
 Glasgow, Hamilton, Halifax, Leeds, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, 
 Manchester, Norwich, Newcastle - on - Tyne, Nottingham, North 
 Shields, Oldham, Preston, Rochdale, Rotherham. Sheffield (two 
 societies), Stockport, Staley bridge, Wolverhampton, Wigan, War- 
 rington, and York. No further issues of this Directory were made, 
 owing to the expense, and the only existing copy of this now known 
 is that in the possession of Mr. Sidney Webb. 
 
Introduction xcvii 
 
 secretary and leader, Mr. Peter Shorrocks, they issued 
 invitations to all the known societies to meet them 
 in a National Conference with this object. The Con- 
 ference assembled in Manchester in March 1866, and 
 consisted of seventy delegates, representing sixty-seven 
 societies, with a total membership of about 6000 men, 
 scattered throughout the whole of England. Letters 
 were read from thirty-one other societies in existence 
 in England and Ireland, expressing sympathy with 
 the object of the meeting. The Conference sat for 
 six days, and drew up a code of rules for the consti- 
 tution and government of an " Amalgamated Society 
 of Journeymen Tailors," and the Society was there- 
 upon formally established. 1 At the end of the first 
 quarter of its existence the Society showed a total 
 of 7272 members, distributed throughout 1 18 societies 
 in England only, the Irish and the London societies 
 at first holding aloof. 2 The rules, as agreed to by the 
 Conference, established, as will be seen, a loose kind 
 of federation only. All the constituent societies pre- 
 served their entire local autonomy, and merely sub- 
 scribed a small contribution per member per quarter 
 to the general fund, which was to be devoted to trade 
 defence. 3 But the subsequent annual Conferences dis- 
 
 1 " Report of the Conference of Deputies of the Tailors' Societies 
 throughout England, assembled in ... Manchester on the I2th of 
 March 1866," &c. ; Manchester, 1866, 8vo. Only one copy of this 
 document exists, and that is the one preserved in the archives of 
 the Society. I am indebted to the courtesy of the general secre- 
 tary, Mr. T. Flynn, for its loan, and the permission to use it in this 
 work. 
 
 3 "First Quarterly Report of the Amalgamated Society of Journey- 
 men Tailors," ist June 1866; Manchester, 1866, 8vo. Preserved in 
 the archives of the Society. 
 
 3 See the rules, reprinted pp. 211-223. 
 
 9 
 
xcviii Introduction 
 
 played a continually growing desire for closer cen- 
 tralisation ; and the constitution of the Society, after 
 undergoing many amendments in that direction, was 
 finally altered so as to provide a completely amalga- 
 mated and centralised organisation. Within a few 
 years of the establishment of the Society, the London 
 Union and most of the Irish societies threw their 
 lot in with it. Meanwhile the numerous societies of 
 tailors in Scotland, fired by the example of their 
 English brethren, and recognising the value of a 
 National Union, united, later in the year 1866, to 
 form a Society similar to the English Union for 
 their own country. From that time both Societies 
 have gone on steadily increasing in strength and 
 influence, and perfecting the organisation in the 
 light of acquired experience. At the end of 1894 
 the English Association consisted of 15,540 members 
 in 340 branches, distributed throughout towns in 
 England and Ireland ; while the Scottish Associa- 
 tion had 4478 members in 71 branches in its own 
 country. Between them they probably include the 
 whole of the organisations of journeymen tailors 
 existing within the United Kingdom. 
 
 FKANK W. GALTOK 
 
 UNIVERSITY HALL, GORDON SQUARE, 
 LONDON, W.C., May 1896. 
 
SELECT DOCUMENTS 
 
SELECT DOCUMENTS 
 
 "THE CASE OF THE MASTER TAYLORS RE- 
 SIDING WITHIN THE CITIES OF LONDON AND 
 
 WESTMINSTER, IN RELATION TO THE GREAT 
 ABUSES COMMITTED BY THEIR JOURNEYMEN. 
 HUMBLY OFFER'D TO THE CONSIDERATION OF 
 PARLIAMENT. 1 
 
 " THE Journeymen Taylors in and about the cities 
 of London and Westminster, to the number of seven 
 thousand and upwards, have lately entered into a 
 combination to raise their wages, and leave off work- 
 ing an hour sooner than they used to do ; and for 
 the better carrying on their design, have subscribed 
 their respective names in books prepared for that 
 purpose, at the several houses of call or resort, (being 
 publick-houses in and about London and West- 
 minster) where they use ; and collect several con- 
 siderable sums of money to defend any prosecutions 
 against them. 
 
 " At this time, there are but few of them come to 
 work at all, and most of those that do, insist upon, 
 and have, twelve shillings and ninepence per week 
 
 1 Brit. Mus. 816, M. 14 (2), S. Sh. Fol. 1720 [1721]. Another copy 
 is preserved in the Guildhall Library ; see catalogue under Merchant 
 Tailors. 
 
 A 
 
2 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 (instead of ten shillings and ninepence per week, the 
 usual wages), and leave off work at eight of the clock 
 at night (instead of nine, their usual hour, time out 
 of mind), and very great numbers of them go loitering 
 about the town, and seduce and corrupt all they can 
 meet : to the great hindrance and prejudice of trade. 
 
 " Upon complaint made to some of His Majesty's 
 Justices of the Peace, they have issued out their 
 warrants against these offenders, as loiterers ; by 
 virtue whereof some of them have been bound over 
 to the Sessions, and others have been taken up, and 
 bound over to appear in His Majesty's Court of King's 
 Bench at Westminster, 1 and the subscription books 
 seized by virtue of the Secretary of State's warrant : 
 Yet they still continue obstinate, and persist not 
 only in putting the abovesaid difficulties upon their 
 masters, to the great prejudice of trade in general ; 
 but also in collecting great sums of moneys to support 
 their unlawful combinations and confederacies. 
 
 " This combination of the Journeymen Taylors is 
 and may be attended with many very ill conse- 
 quences : inasmuch as the publick is deprived of 
 the benefit of the labour of a considerable number 
 of the subjects of this kingdom, and the families of 
 several of these journeymen thereby impoverished, 
 and likely to become a charge and burthen to the 
 publick : And the very persons themselves who are 
 under this unlawful combination, choosing rather to 
 live in idleness, than to work at their usual rates 
 and hours, will not only become useless and burthen- 
 some, but also very dangerous to the publick ; and 
 are of very ill example to journeymen in all other 
 
 1 1 have been unable to discover any report of this case. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 3 
 
 trades ; as is sufficiently seen in the Journeymen 
 Curriers, Smiths, Farriers, Sail-makers, Coach-makers, 
 and artificers of divers other arts and mysteries, 
 who have actually entred into confederacies of the 
 like nature ; and the Journeymen Carpenters, Brick- 
 layers, and Joyners have taken some steps for that 
 purpose, and only wait to see the event of others. 
 
 " These Journeymen Taylors, when there is a 
 hurry of business against the King's Birth-day, or 
 for making of mourning or wedding garments (as 
 often happens), or other holidays, and always the 
 summer seasons ; are not content with the unreason- 
 able rates they at present insist upon ; but have de- 
 manded, and have had, three and four shillings a day, 
 and sometimes more ; otherwise they will not work ; 
 and at such times some will not work at all ; which 
 is a great disappointment to gentlemen, and an im- 
 position to the masters ; and, if suffer'd to go on, must 
 increase the charge of making cloaths considerably. 
 
 " As to the said houses of call, or publick-houses, 
 there are a great number of them in London and 
 the suburbs, where these journeymen taylors fre- 
 quently meet and use, and spend all or the greatest 
 part of the moneys they receive for their wages ; 
 and the masters of these houses of call support, 
 incourage and abet these journeymen, in their un- 
 lawful combinations for raising their wages, and 
 lessening their hours. 1 
 
 1 This does not appear to have been any exaggeration of the 
 relations between the journeymen tailors and the keepers of the 
 houses of call where they resorted. The following extract shows 
 that even thirty years later the conditions were the same. The 
 writer, after describing the art required in the trade, continues : 
 
 'In a taylor's shop there are always two sorts of workmen ; first 
 
4 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " The Laws now in being for regulating of artificers, 
 labourers, and servants, were made in the fifth of 
 Queen Elizabeth, and might be well adapted for those 
 times ; but not altogether so proper for the trade of 
 London and Westminster, &c., as it is now carry'd on. 
 
 " Therefore, the masters humbly hope this honour- 
 able house will take such measures, by passing of a 
 law for redress of the publick grievances aforesaid, 
 or grant such other relief, as in their great wisdom 
 shall seem meet." 
 
 the foreman, who takes measure when the master is out of the way, 
 cuts and finishes all the work, and carries it home to the customer : 
 This is the best workman in the shop, and his place the most profit- 
 able ; for besides his cabbage, he has generally a guinea a week, 
 and the drink-money given by the gentlemen on whom he waits 
 to fit on their cloaths. The next class is the mere working taylor ; 
 not one in ten of them know how to cut out a pair of breeches ; 
 they are employ'd only to sew the seams, to cast the button-holes, 
 and prepare the work for the finisher. Their wages, by Act of 
 Parliament, is twenty pence in one season of the year, and half a 
 crown the other ; however, a good hand has a half a crown or three 
 shillings : They are as numerous as locusts, are out of business 
 about three or four months in the year, and generally as poor as 
 rats : The house of call runs away with all their earnings, and 
 keeps them constantly in debt and want. The house of call is an 
 ale-house, where they generally use, the landlord knows where 
 to find them, and masters go there to enquire when they want 
 hands. Custom has established it into a kind of law, that the 
 house of call gives them credit for victuals and drink, while they 
 are unemploy'd ; this obliges the journeymen, on the other hand, 
 to spend all the money they earn at this house alone. The land- 
 lord, when once he has got them in his debt, is sure to keep them 
 so, and by that means binds the poor wretch to his house, who 
 slaves only to enrich the publican." (From " The London Trades- 
 man," &c., &c., third edition, by R. Campbell, Esq., London, 1747, 8vo, 
 Chap, xxxvii. pp. 190-194. Brit. Mus. 787, B. 2.) 
 
 In 1745 the London magistrates revoked the licences of five 
 innkeepers for harbouring the tailors' clubs in their houses in spite 
 of the orders of the Privy Council to the contrary. See ante, 
 pp. xxxi. Of. also the statements at p. 38. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 
 
 "REPORT OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS' 
 COMMITTEE ON THE MASTER TAYLORS' 
 
 PETITION. 1 
 
 " MR. GODFREY reported from the Committee, to 
 whom the petition of the master taylors residing 
 within the Cities of London and Westminster was 
 referred, the matter, as it appeared to them ; which 
 they had directed him to report to the House ; and 
 he read the same in his place ; and afterwards de- 
 livered the Report in at the Clerk's table ; where the 
 same was read ; and is as follows, viz. : 
 
 " That the said Committee, upon examination of 
 several witnesses, do find the same to be as fol- 
 loweth ; 
 
 " That great numbers of Journeymen Taylors, in 
 and about the Cities of London and Westminster, 
 have of late, in order to procure themselves greater 
 wages than they used to have, combined together, 
 and entered into Articles, compelling one another to 
 insist upon unreasonable wages, and to work fewer 
 hours in the day than usually they used to do ; and 
 very often, when there is a hurry of work, insist 
 upon seven or eight shillings a day : 
 
 " That complaint having been made thereof to 
 His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, several of the 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, i6th February 1720 [1721], 
 vol. xix. pp. 424, 425. 
 
6 Select Document* illustrating the 
 
 journeymen taylors have been bound over to the 
 Quarter Sessions of the Peace ; and informations are 
 ordered to be brought against them next Term ; yet 
 they continue their unlawful meetings, and obstinate 
 behaviour, to the great impoverishment of them- 
 selves and families, and may bring a great burthen 
 on the publick : 
 
 " That, by reason of these unwarrantable proceed- 
 ings, the trade in general will be very much preju- 
 diced ; and will set bad examples to other Artificers 
 and Labourers. The Committee came to the follow- 
 ing resolution : '' Resolved, That it is the opinion of 
 this Committee that the petitioners have fully proved 
 the allegations of then* said petition.' " 
 
History of Trade Unionism 
 
 AN ABSTRACT OF THE MASTER TAYLORS' 
 BILL BEFORE THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF 
 COMMONS; WITH THE JOURNEYMEN'S OBSERVA- 
 TIONS ON EACH CLAUSE OF THE SAID BiLL. 1 
 
 "THE ABSTRACT. 
 
 " BE it enacted, that all con- 
 tracts in, or not in writing 
 already, or hereafter to be 
 made, between any persons 
 brought up in, or exercising 
 the art of a taylor, within the 
 weekly Bills of Mortality, for 
 advancing their wages, or less- 
 ening their usual hours, shall 
 be void." 
 
 "And if any such person, 
 (as aforesaid) within the limits 
 
 aforesaid, shall after day, 
 
 keep up, continue, act in, make, 
 enter into, sign, seal, or be 
 knowingly interested or con- 
 cerned in any contract contrary 
 to the intent of this Act, every 
 person so offending being law- 
 fully convicted thereof by 
 
 witnesses, before any Jus- 
 
 "THE OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 "!T would be well if the 
 masters were under the same 
 restrictions and penalties, in 
 case they shall combine to lessen 
 the men's wages, or lengthen the 
 hours ; For the masters are now 
 subscribing, and make purses 
 of money to persecute the jour- 
 neymen, as much as the jour- 
 neymen are to defend them- 
 selves." 
 
 " If the Justices have it abso- 
 lutely in their power to punish 
 according to the Statute, and 
 the offender be committed with- 
 out bail or mainprise, and 
 there shall be no appeal from 
 them, the masters and journey- 
 men will always be together by 
 the ears ; and there will never 
 be wanting of Petty-foggers, 
 and little solicitors, to spirit 
 
 1 Brit. Mus. 816, M. 14 (i), 1720 [1721], Fol. 4 pp. Another copy 
 is preserved in the Guildhall Library ; see catalogue under Merchant 
 Tailors. 
 
Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 tices of the Peace, in their 
 Jurisdiction, within the limits 
 aforesaid, upon any informa- 
 tion exhibited, or prosecution, 
 within three months after the 
 offence committed, every such 
 
 offender shall, by order of 
 
 Justices, at their discretion, be 
 
 committed either to , there 
 
 to remain, and be kept to hard 
 labour, for any time not ex- 
 ceeding , or to as they 
 
 shall see cause, there to remain 
 without bail or mainprise, for 
 
 any time not exceeding ." 
 
 "And for limiting the hours 
 of work and wages of such 
 journeymen, Be it enacted, 
 
 That from the day of 
 
 1720, the hours of work shall 
 
 be from in the morning, 
 
 until at night, allowing 
 
 half an hour for breakfast, and 
 an hour for dinner." 
 
 " And the wages from the 
 
 the masters and men into mul- 
 titudes of strifes and conten- 
 tions, to make business at Quar- 
 ter-Sessions, and the liberties 
 and properties of the subject be 
 destroyed : And for fear the 
 masters may have a better in- 
 terest with the Justices than 
 the men may have, the men 
 desire, that they may have the 
 liberty of the Habeas Corpus 
 Act, and appeal to the Court of 
 King's Bench, as all free-born 
 subjects in all other cases have." 
 
 "'Tis certain, that to work 
 fifteen hours per day is de- 
 structive to the men's healths, 
 and especially their sight, so 
 that at forty years old a man 
 is not capable by his work to 
 get his bread : Therefore the 
 journeymen are willing to work 
 from six in the morning until 
 eight at night, allowing half 
 an hour for breakfast, and an 
 hour for dinner, which is longer 
 by two hours than labourers 
 and artificers are obliged by 
 any statute extant to work, and 
 longer than most other labour- 
 ers and artificers now do. And 
 by the Statute of the 5th of 
 Elizabeth, they had an hour 
 in the afternoon to drink and 
 sleep in ; and from September 
 to March they were to work 
 but from the morning to the 
 evening." 
 
 " The men think, that they 
 
History of Trade Unionism 
 
 day of 
 
 to the 
 
 day of , not to exceed 
 
 per day, and from the 
 
 day of , until the day 
 
 of , per day, which 
 
 wages the masters shall be 
 obliged to pay the men ; or 
 according to such rates for the 
 time they shall employ them." 
 
 " And in regard it may be 
 necessary to alter the wages 
 and hours of work aforesaid : 
 Be it enacted, That the Justices 
 at Quarter-Sessions shall alter 
 the wages and hours at their 
 discretion, and to publish such 
 order in such manner as they 
 shall think fit ; and that all 
 taylors and their journeymen 
 shall observe the same, or be 
 
 reasonably deserve for fourteen 
 hours' labour, three shillings 
 per day from the loth of March 
 to the 2gth of June, and all the 
 other part of the year two shil- 
 lings and sixpence per day : 
 And that even such wages (con- 
 sidering the time they are un- 
 employ'd) is not sufficient to 
 support them the year round ; 
 and the masters ought to be 
 confined to employ them for 
 some certain time, for they 
 commonly turn them off in the 
 middle of the day. And by the 
 Statute of the 5th of Elizabeth, 
 the masters were obliged to em- 
 ploy them a year certain, and 
 give a quarter's warning, under 
 a penalty on both sides ; which 
 was some incouragement for 
 men to work at a smaller rate : 
 Tho' eighteenpence per day, 
 which we suppose was then 
 given (considering the scarcity 
 of money, and the low prices 
 of all commodities), was more 
 than three shillings per day at 
 this time." 
 
 " If the Justices shall settle 
 the men's wages, how is it 
 possible that each man shall 
 be rewarded according to his 
 merit 1 For some men can 
 merit three shillings per day, 
 when another cannot merit 
 two, which the masters will 
 allow ; so that every man 
 will be paid alike, and there 
 will be no incouragement for 
 
i o Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 punished at the discretion of 
 the Justices, being lawfully 
 convicted of such offence, after 
 knowledge of any such rates 
 or alterations thereof to be 
 made, as aforesaid, upon any 
 prosecution to be commenced 
 
 within after the offence 
 
 committed." 
 
 "And, be it enacted, That 
 if any journeyman retained or 
 employed as a taylor, shall de- 
 part from such service before 
 the end or term for which he 
 was hired, or until the work 
 for which he was hired to do 
 shall be finished, (if the person 
 so retaining so long will have 
 him and pay him his wages ;) 
 or not being hired, shall refuse 
 to work at the request of any 
 master, for the usual wages and 
 hours limited (unless for some 
 reasonable cause, to be allowed 
 by the Justices,) for every such 
 
 merit ; and such a settlement 
 of wages will be a very great 
 oppression both to the masters 
 and the men, and a disappoint- 
 ment to gentlemen, by reason, 
 that the most ingenious will 
 thereby be obliged to leave 
 the town, and then gentlemen 
 can't be supplied with such 
 cloaths as are required at a 
 coronation, or birth-days of 
 the Eoyal Family ; and such 
 men that are but indifferent 
 workmen will never be im- 
 ployed, by reason, that the 
 masters are obliged to give 
 them certain wages, which 
 may possibly be more than 
 such a man can deserve. But if 
 the wages must be settled, the 
 men desire that the Court of 
 King's Bench may do it, from 
 whence we may expect more 
 justice, and less partiality." 
 
 " It would be very reason- 
 able, that the masters should 
 be constrained to employ the 
 men for a certain time ; for 
 here it is in the power of the 
 master to make a man work 
 for such time as he shall hire 
 him, and that the man shall be 
 punished if he refuses to work 
 at any master's request, not- 
 withstanding the journeyman 
 may have a prospect of being 
 a master himself, which con- 
 sequently his master will en- 
 deavour to prevent : And the 
 master, notwithstanding he 
 
History of Trade Unionism. 
 
 1 1 
 
 offence to be punished , 
 
 being first lawfully convicted, 
 as aforesaid." 
 
 " And to prevent the masters 
 from seducing another's jour- 
 neymen from the work he is 
 employed about : Be it enacted, 
 that if any person, using the 
 art of a taylor, shall pay, or 
 allow any greater wages than 
 limited by this Act, every such 
 person, being lawfully con- 
 victed, upon any prosecution 
 commenced within after 
 
 .shall hire the man for a week, 
 if he thinks fit, he shall turn 
 him off at any time sooner, 
 and the poor fellow seek for 
 himself ; so that the masters 
 will be at a certainty, and the 
 men at none ; which we take 
 to be very unreasonable. And 
 if any master shall command 
 a man to work, a poor insol- 
 vent master may command the 
 service of as many men as he 
 pleases, and when they have 
 done their work may never get 
 their wages ; for the poor man 
 that has not a penny to buy 
 him bread without his wages 
 be paid him, shall have no 
 other recourse but the law to 
 get his money : Wherefore 
 the journeymen desire, that a 
 Judge of the King's Bench may 
 punish the master at discre- 
 tion, for not paying the wages ; 
 or that upon affidavit made 
 that the master refuses to pay, 
 the Judge may commit him 
 to prison until such time he 
 doth pay." 
 
 "There are very few jour- 
 neymen that are skilled in 
 laced, and other rich cloaths, 
 and if such journeymen are 
 debarr'd going from one mas- 
 ter to another, some masters 
 could supply gentlemen, when 
 others could not ; and some 
 gentlemen would (especially 
 at the Birth-days) be very 
 much disappointed : Neither 
 
12 
 
 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 the offence committed, shall be 
 punished , and every jour- 
 neyman for taking such wages 
 shall be punished ; and all such 
 contracts, promises, &c., to be 
 void." 
 
 "Nevertheless, it shall not 
 extend to destroy any con- 
 tracts, or promises made for 
 wages, for working before or 
 after the hours limited." 
 
 can the King's Liveries, Guard 
 Cloaths, and Trumpeters' be 
 made, by the reason, that mas- 
 ter-taylors do inquire where 
 such men are that are qualify'd 
 to perform such work ; and 
 are obliged to have such men, 
 altho' they are imploy'd with 
 other masters. And the men 
 humbly conceive, that to be 
 obliged to work with any mas- 
 ter, is contrary to the liberties 
 and properties of the subjects 
 of England, and may be at- 
 tended with innumerable in- 
 conveniences." 
 
 " Wherefore the journeymen 
 desire, that the masters may be 
 obliged to employ them for 
 some certain time, and be 
 under the same penalties for 
 non-performance ; or, at least, 
 pay them the wages for the 
 time they hire them for ; and 
 that they may have an imme- 
 diate relief for their wages, and 
 not be put to the tedious and 
 expensive way of getting it by 
 law. We don't find by this Bill, 
 that the masters are under any 
 confinements or penalties, tho' 
 the journeymen are subject to 
 all the hardships imaginable." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 3 
 
 "THE CASE OF THE JOURNEYMEN-TAYLORS 
 
 RESIDING IN THE ClTIES OF LONDON AND WEST- 
 MINSTER, MOST HUMBLY OFFERED TO THE CON- 
 SIDERATION OF BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT. 1 
 
 " THE difference between the journeymen and 
 masters is this, viz., The masters expect the men 
 to work from six in the morning till nine at night, 
 which is fifteen hours, and at the rate of twenty 
 pence per day, and seem by their published case 
 to plead custom for it. 
 
 " The Journeymen alledge, that to work for so 
 many hours is destructive to their healths, and 
 makes them incapable to get their bread after forty 
 years of age, which the masters are very sensible of : 
 And that twenty pence per day is not sufficient to 
 support them and their families. 
 
 " They likewise humbly conceive, that they are 
 not by any law in being obliged to work such 
 intolerable hours for such mean wages, which are 
 much less than any other journeymen receive, 
 especially the Curriers, Smiths, Farriers, Coach- 
 makers, and all other Artificers, which are taken 
 notice of in the master taylors' case. 
 
 " And as there are no statute laws to confine them 
 
 1 Brit. Mus. 816, M. 14 (3), 1720 [1721], S. Sh. Fol. Another copy is 
 preserved in the Guildhall Library ; see catalogue under Merchant 
 Tailors. 
 
1 4 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 to such hours and wages, they are very certain 
 there is no custom, as the masters insinuate; for 
 the men do not know at any time how long they 
 are hired ; for it being usual for the masters to 
 discharge the men at twelve a clock in the middle 
 of the day, and pay them but for half a day's 
 work; and so for the journeymen to leave their 
 work at the like hour, as occasion shall require 
 on either side. 1 
 
 " And as for their wages, it has always been un- 
 certain ; for each master, at his own discretion, and 
 according to the seasons of the year, and as his 
 business requires, employs such men as he thinks 
 most useful to him, and for so long or short a time 
 as he thinks there will be occasion ; and doth adapt 
 each man's wages according to the difference of his 
 capacity ; so that sometimes one man hath three 
 shillings per day, when another hath but two ; and 
 each master has it in his choice, to employ what 
 men, and for what time, and for what wages he 
 
 1 The wretched picture of ill-health, unemployment, early old 
 age, and misery of the journeymen here depicted does not appear 
 to have been very much overdrawn. There seems little doubt 
 that at this time the unfortunate journeymen tailors of London 
 were reduced to a very miserable condition. A contemporary 
 author, writing in 1728, a few years after this petition, in giving 
 a description of the sights and places of interest in London, makes 
 the following extraordinary comment upon these workmen : 
 
 "Valetudinary people I would advise to take the air three or 
 four times a week, or oftener, if their business will permit them, 
 in Black-Fryers, soon after twelve at noon, where I am fully 
 persuaded that a true view of those wretched emblems of death 
 and hunger, the Journeymen Taylors, will recover the most deprav'd 
 appetite, sooner than the best devised stomatick." (See "A Trip 
 through London ; containing Observations on Men and Things," by 
 a Berkshire Gentleman, p. 47 ; London, 1728, 62 pp. 8vo. ; Guildhall 
 Library.) 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 5 
 
 thinks fit ; and the men (like free-born subjects, 
 under so happy a constitution as this) have it in 
 their choice to work accordingly. 
 
 " But should the masters or the men be confined 
 to certain wages, there would be no encouragement 
 for merit, and the idle and ignorant would be as 
 well rewarded as the industrious and ingenious. 
 
 " If the masters were confined to employ men for 
 a certain time, there would be some colour for the 
 men to work at twenty pence per day ; but such is 
 the misfortune of the Taylors' Trade, that they are 
 not employed much above half the year ; and the 
 large wages they get in the height of work (which 
 are given them voluntarily by the masters, and not 
 extorted by the men) is not sufficient to support 
 them that part of the year they are unemploy'd. 
 
 " If the masters would extort less from their cus- 
 tomers in the prices of the goods they sell, and 
 charge more for the making the cloaths, they might 
 afford to give the journeymen better wages, and do 
 justice both to their customers and the journeymen : 
 But the masters finding their profits more in the 
 extravagant prices they set on their goods, than in 
 the labouring parts (which they have no share in), 
 don't value if the journeymen starve." 
 
1 6 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 "Anno Septimo Georgii I. Stat. I. C. 13. 
 
 "AN ACT FOR REGULATING THE JOURNEY- 
 MEN TAYLORS WITHIN THE WEEKLY BlLLS 
 OF MORTALITY. 1 
 
 " WHEREAS great numbers of journeymen taylors, in 
 and about the Cities of London and Westminster, 
 and others, who have served apprenticeships, or been 
 brought up hi the art and mystery of a taylor, have 
 lately departed from their services without just cause, 
 and have entred into combinations to advance their 
 wages to unreasonable prices, and lessen their usual 
 hours of work, which is of evil example, and mani- 
 festly tends to the prejudice of trade, to the en- 
 couragement of idleness, and to the great increase of 
 the poor : for remedy thereof, may it please your most 
 excellent Majesty, that it may be enacted ; and be it 
 enacted by the King's most excellent majesty, by 
 and with the advice and consent of the Lords spiri- 
 tual and temporal and Commons, in this present 
 Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the 
 same, That all contracts, covenants or agreements 
 in writing, or not in writing, heretofore made or 
 entred into, or hereafter to be made or entred into, 
 by or between any persons brought up in, or pro- 
 
 1 The Statutes at Large, vol. xiv., 1718-1722. Public Acts. See 
 ante, p. xxi. n., for an account of the " Weekly Bills of Mortality." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 7 
 
 fessing, using or exercising the art or mystery of 
 a taylor, or journeyman taylor, in making up men's 
 or women's work, in the Cities of London and West- 
 minster, or either of them, or within the weekly bills 
 of mortality, for advancing their wages, or for lessen- 
 ing their usual hours of work, shall be, and are 
 hereby declared to be illegal, null and void to all 
 intents and purposes ; and further, that if any taylor, 
 journeyman taylor, or other person brought up in, or 
 professing, using or exercising the art or mystery 
 of a taylor, or journeyman taylor, within the limits 
 aforesaid, shall at any time or times after the first 
 day of May one thousand seven hundred and twenty 
 one, keep up, continue, act in, make, enter into, sign, 
 seal, or be knowingly interested or concerned in any 
 contract, covenant or agreement, by this act declared 
 to be illegal, null and void, every person or persons 
 so offending, being lawfully convicted thereof upon 
 the oath or oaths of one or more credible witness or 
 witnesses before any two justices of the peace in 
 their jurisdictions within the limits aforesaid, upon 
 any information exhibited, or prosecution, within 
 three months after the offence committed, (which 
 oaths the said justices are hereby impowered and 
 required to administer) every such offender shall, by 
 order of such justices, at their discretion be com- 
 mitted, either to the house of correction, there to 
 remain and be kept to hard labour for any time not 
 exceeding two months, or to the common gaol, as 
 they shall see cause, there to remain without bail or 
 mainprize for any time not exceeding two months. 
 
 " II. And for declaring, limiting and appointing 
 the hours of work, and wages for journeymen taylors, 
 
1 8 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 servants, and apprentices to taylors, within the limits 
 aforesaid ; be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That from and after the first day of May One thou- 
 sand seven hundred and twenty one, the hours of work 
 for all journeyman taylors, servants and apprentices to 
 taylors, and other persons imployed, or to be imployed, 
 or retained as taylors, in making up men's or women's 
 work, or such servants or apprentices within the 
 cities of London and Westminster, or either of them, 
 or within the weekly bills of mortality, shall be from 
 six of the clock in the morning until eight of the 
 clock at night ; excepting only that there shall be 
 allowed by the master one penny halfpenny a day 
 for breakfast, and one hour for dinner, in the time 
 aforesaid ; and for the said time, or hours of work 
 aforesaid, there shall be paid unto every journeyman 
 taylor, or other person imployed, or to be imployed 
 or retained as a journeyman taylor, for his work 
 during the hours aforesaid, the wages and sums fol- 
 lowing, (that is to say) from the five and twentieth 
 day of March to the four and twentieth day of June, 
 any sum not exceeding two shillings per diem, and 
 for the rest of the year one shilling and eight pence 
 per diem. 
 
 " III. And be it further enacted by the authority 
 aforesaid, That in case any taylor or taylors, or other 
 person or persons acting as such, or carrying on, 
 using or exercising the art or mystery of a taylor 
 within the limits aforesaid, shall hire, retain or im- 
 ploy any journeyman or other person, not being an 
 apprentice, he, she or they so hiring, retaining or im- 
 ploying any such journeyman or other person afore- 
 said (apprentices excepted) shall, and are hereby 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 9 
 
 obliged and required to pay them after the rate 
 aforesaid, for the full time for which he, she or they 
 so hire, retain or imploy them, or agree so to do. 
 
 " IV. And for more easy recovering the said wages, 
 it shall be lawful for any two justices of the peace 
 within the limits aforesaid, and they are hereby 
 authorized and required, upon complaint made for 
 that purpose, to summon before them the party or 
 parties oifending, and for nonpayment of such wages, 
 or sufficient satisfaction given for the same to the 
 party or parties aggrieved, to issue their warrant or 
 warrants for levying such wages due, as aforesaid, 
 by distress and sale of the offender's goods, rendring 
 the overplus to the owner ; and for want of sufficient 
 distress to commit the party or parties offending 
 to the common gaol, there to remain without bail 
 or mainprise, until he, she or they shall pay or give 
 satisfaction to the party for the same. 
 
 " V. And in regard it may be reasonable upon 
 some occasions to alter the wages and hours of work 
 aforesaid, be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That it shall and may be lawful to and for the jus- 
 tices of the peace in their respective jurisdictions 
 within the limits aforesaid, at their general quarter- 
 sessions, and they are hereby authorized and re- 
 quired, upon application to be made to them for 
 that purpose, to take into their consideration the 
 plenty or scarcity of the time, and other circum- 
 stances necessarily to be considered, and to alter 
 the wages and hours of work aforesaid, and to order 
 and appoint what wages and allowances shall be 
 paid or made to journeyman taylors, or servants, 
 retained or imployed, or to be retained or imployed, 
 
20 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 in the art or mystery of a taylor, as aforesaid, within 
 the limits aforesaid, and what hours they shall work, 
 and shall make such alterations therein, from time 
 to time, as such justices at any such general sessions 
 shall think fit, upon application to be made to them 
 for that purpose, and such justices shall, within the 
 space of fourteen days next after such general ses- 
 sions, cause such rates and alterations, from time to 
 time, to be printed, published, and made known, in 
 such manner as to them shall seem meet, at the 
 reasonable expence of any person or persons desiring 
 the same ; and from and after publication thereof, 
 all taylors, and their journeymen, and servants, 
 within the limits aforesaid, are hereby strictly re- 
 quired to observe the same, upon pain of imprison- 
 ment by such justices, for any time not exceeding 
 two months, being lawfully convicted of such offence, 
 after knowledge or information of any such rates or 
 alterations thereof to be made, as aforesaid, upon 
 any prosecution to be commenced within six days 
 after the offence committed. 
 
 " VI. And be it further enacted by the authority 
 aforesaid, That if any person actually retained or 
 imployed as a journeyman taylor, or servant, in the 
 art or mystery of a taylor, as aforesaid, within the 
 limits aforesaid, shall at any time or times, after the 
 first day of May one thousand seven hundred and 
 twenty one, depart from his service before the end 
 of the term or time for which he is or shall be 
 hired or retained, or until the work, for which he 
 was hired or retained, shall be finished, or not being 
 retained or imployed, shall refuse to enter into work 
 or imployment (after request made for that pur- 
 
History of Trade Unionism 2 I 
 
 pose by any master taylor, for the wages and hours 
 limited, or to be limited and appointed, as aforesaid) 
 unless it be for some reasonable or sufficient cause, 
 to be allowed by two justices of the peace within 
 the limits aforesaid ; then in every such case every 
 person so offending, being thereof lawfully convicted, 
 as aforesaid, shall be sent to the house of correction, 
 there to be kept to hard labour for any time not 
 exceeding two months. 
 
 " VII. And for more effectual preventing the mis- 
 chiefs and inconveniences which may happen by 
 non-observance of this act, or by seducing or inticing 
 any of the journeyman taylors, or servants aforesaid, 
 from one master to another ; be it enacted by the 
 authority aforesaid, That if any taylor or other person 
 professing, using or exercising the art or mystery of 
 a taylor, as aforesaid, within the limits aforesaid, or 
 any other person aforesaid, shall at any time after the 
 first day of May one thousand seven hundred and 
 twenty one, give, allow or pay any more or greater 
 wages than as aforesaid, for the hours of work 
 aforesaid, to any servant or journeyman, in money, 
 or otherwise, contrary to the intent of this act, every 
 person so offending, being thereof lawfully convicted 
 upon any prosecution commenced within three 
 months after the offence committed, shall forfeit 
 and pay the sum of five pounds, one moiety whereof 
 shall be to the informer or prosecutor, and the other 
 moiety to the poor of the parish or place where the 
 offence shall be committed ; and every such servant 
 or journeyman taking more or greater wages than 
 as aforesaid, for the hours of work aforesaid, being 
 thereof convicted as aforesaid, shall be sent to the 
 
22 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 house of correction, there to be kept to hard labour 
 for any time not exceeding two months ; and all re- 
 tainers, promises, obligations or securities, for any 
 wages, pay or allowances, contrary to this act, shall 
 be null and void. 
 
 "VIII. Provided, That this act or any thing 
 therein contained, shall not extend to hinder the 
 paying or receiving any more or other wages or 
 allowances, which shall be agreed upon, for working 
 before or after the hours of work limited or appointed, 
 or to be limited or appointed, as aforesaid. 
 
 " IX. Provided also, That it shall and may be 
 lawful for any person aggrieved by any order or 
 orders to be made by any two or more justices of 
 the peace, as aforesaid, to appeal to the justices of 
 the peace assembled at the next general quarter- 
 sessions, to be holden for the city, division, parish or 
 place where such order shall be made, giving six 
 days notice of such appeal ; and such justices in 
 such general quarter-sessions shall finally hear and 
 determine the matter, and shall have power to award 
 reasonable costs to either party, as to them shall 
 seem just. 
 
 ' X. Provided also, That any person convicted of 
 any offence against this act, and who shall suffer for 
 the same accordingly, shall not be otherwise punished, 
 or suffer for such offence by authority of any law now 
 in force." 
 
V 
 
 History of Trade Unionism 2 3 
 
 "THE KING AGAINST JOURNEYMEN- 
 TAYLORS OF CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 "Monday, 6 November 172 1. 1 
 
 " ONE Wise, and several other journeymen-taylors, 
 of or in the town of Cambridge, were indicted for a 
 conspiracy amongst themselves to raise their wages ; 
 and were found guilty. 
 
 " It was moved in arrest of judgment, upon several 
 errors in the record, 
 
 " First, that the defendants, having the addition of 
 'yeomen,' are, notwithstanding, charged with a con- 
 spiracy not to work as 'journeymen-taylors,' which 
 is a repugnancy. 
 
 " It was answered that ' yeoman ' is a good addi- 
 tion, for a yeoman may be a taylor. 
 
 " The Court held, that there was no inconsistency 
 between the addition of ' yeoman ' and the addition 
 of ' taylor.' 
 
 " Secondly, the caption is not good, being ' ad 
 general quartial Sess: pads, &c.' omitting ' domini regis ' 
 after 'pads! This exception has been several times 
 held fatal, and is very different from the cases where 
 they are omitted after the words ' Just, diet, domini 
 regis ad pac. in com. prced. conservand. assign.' In 
 Hilary Term in the first year of Queen Anne, and 
 
 1 Modern Eeports, Case 7, vol. viii. p. 1 1 ; fifth edition. London, 
 1795, 8vo. 
 

 24 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 in Hilary Term in the eleventh year of Queen Anne, 
 two indictments were quashed for this exception. 
 
 "It was answered that this objection has been 
 often over-ruled, for it must be intended the King's 
 peace, and that the case in Ventris has been denied 
 for law. 
 
 "The Court was of the same opinion, and said, 
 that of late years this objection had never prevailed. 
 
 " Thirdly, no crime appears upon the face of this 
 indictment, for it only charges them with a con- 
 spiracy and refusal to work at so much per diem, 
 whereas they are not obliged to work at all by the 
 day, but by the year, by 5 Eliz. C. 4. 
 
 "It was answered, that the refusal to work was 
 not the crime, but the conspiracy to raise the wages. 
 
 " THE COURT : The indictment, it is true, sets forth 
 that the defendants refused to work under the wages 
 which they demanded ; but although these might be 
 more than is directed by the statute, yet it is not 
 for the refusing to work, but for conspiring, that they 
 are indicted, and a conspiracy of any kind is illegal, 
 although the matter about which they conspired 
 might have been lawful for them, or any of them, to 
 do, if they had not conspired to do it, as appears in 
 the case of ' The Tubwomen v. the Brewers of London.' 
 
 " Fourthly, that this fact being laid in the town 
 of Cambridge, it did not appear by the record in 
 what county Cambridge was, which it ought to do, 
 because there are other towns of that name in Eng- 
 land, viz., in Gloucestershire ; and so it is a mis- 
 trial : for there is no more reason to award the 
 venire to the sheriff of Cambridge than of any 
 other county. The venire facias is awarded to the 
 
History of Trade Unionism 2 5 
 
 sheriff of the county of Cambridge, commanding 
 him to summon a jury, de vicineto vilice Cant. In 
 the margin of the indictment it is villa de C. ; in 
 the indictment the venue is alledged only apud 
 villam de G. ; and though the certiorari to remove 
 it is directed Just domini regis de villa C. in com. 
 nostro G., this error is not helped by naming the 
 county in the certiorari to remove the indictment, 
 because that writ is only an order of this court. 
 Neither shall it be intended that Cambridge is in 
 the county of Cambridge, because this is a criminal 
 case, and intendrnents are never allowed in pro- 
 secutions of this nature. 
 
 " It was answered, that the fact being laid in the 
 town of Cambridge, it shall be intended that the 
 town is within the county of Cambridge, for which 
 Long's case is an authority in point. 
 
 " THE COURT : If a venire facias be directed to 
 the sheriff of Cambridge to return a jury, and he 
 returns one de vicineto Gantabrigim, it is good ; for 
 Cambridge being mentioned in several Acts of Par- 
 liament, the court must take notice of such acts, 
 and upon such a return will intend that Cambridge 
 is in the county of Cambridge. In the case of 
 Withers v. Warner, in Hilary Term, in the sixth 
 year of George the first, we took judicial notice 
 that ' London ' and ' the city of London ' are all 
 one. The certiorari is directed, ' To the justices 
 of our lord the king of the town of Cambridge, 
 in our County of Cambridge,' and returned by the 
 justices of the vill in the county of Cambridge ; so 
 that it will be a very foreign intendment to suppose 
 the vill to be out of the county. 
 
26 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " Fifthly, this indictment ought to conclude 'contra 
 formam statuti ;' for by the late statute 7 Geo. I. 
 C. 1 3., journeymen- taylors are prohibited to enter 
 into any contract or agreement for advancing their 
 wages, &C. 1 And the statute of 2 & 3 Edw. 6. C. 
 15., makes such persons criminal. 
 
 " It was answered, that the omission in not 
 concluding this indictment contra formam statuti is 
 not material, because it is for a conspiracy, which 
 is an offence at common law. It is true, the indict- 
 ment sets forth, that the defendants refused to work 
 under such rates, which were more than enjoined 
 by the statute, for that is only two shillings a day ; 
 but yet these words will not bring the offence, for 
 which the defendants are indicted, to be within 
 that statute, because it is not the denial to work 
 except for more wages than is allowed by the 
 statute, but it is for a conspiracy to raise their 
 wages, for which these defendants are indicted. It 
 is true, it does not appear by the record that the 
 wages demanded were excessive ; but that is not 
 material, because it may be given in evidence. 
 
 " THE COURT : This indictment need not conclude 
 contra formam statuti, because it is for a conspiracy, 
 which is an offence at common law. 
 
 " So the judgment was confirmed by the whole 
 court quod capiantur" 
 
 1 See ante, footnote, p. xxvi. n. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 27 
 
 THE JOURNEYMEN TAILORS OF DUBLIN, 
 1725-1729. 
 
 " A new poem on the ancient and loyal Society 
 of Journey-men Taylors, who are to dine 
 at the King's-Inn's-Hall, this present Mon- 
 day, being the 26th of this instant, July, 
 1725. By H[enry] N[elson], Bricklayer, 
 one of the Brethren. 1 
 
 " ASSIST my sacred muse, my pen inspire ; 
 And fill my breast with soft poetick fire, 
 That I may write, and the just merits raise 
 Of Taylor's journeymen deserving praise ; 
 Nay, help me more that I may higher climb, 
 And make my thoughts transparent and sublime, 
 To shew their worth in every flowing line. 
 A task so noble suits the brightest pen 
 To write the merits of these journeymen ; 
 Wrapt in close Union by the Laws they've made, 
 Superior be to any other trade ; 
 For in conjunction altogether they, 
 In grandeur meet upon St James's day : 
 Where every man most decently appear, 
 Then all to church a sermon for to hear. 
 
 1 Brit. Mus. 839, M. 23 (42) ; another copy, 1890, E. 5 (164); Dublin, 
 1725, S. Sh. Fol. Henry Nelson, a bricklayer by trade, was elected a 
 member of the Society of Journeymen Tailors on account of his poetic 
 gifts. He wrote similar poems about this time for the Builders' 
 Society in Dublin, of which he was also a member. This poem of 
 1725 called forth the following satire, containing nothing of interest, 
 entitled, "A New London Poem ; on the procession of the Journey- 
 
28 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 When that is done, in state they walk along 
 
 And causes wonder in the crowding throng ; 
 
 Thus in great order all to dine they go 
 
 Where meats are plenty, and where liquors flow, 
 
 The world ne'er saw so much variety, 
 
 As is produced from this Society, 
 
 Let time their actions write in Books of fame, 
 
 Who Age supports and orphans young maintain, 
 
 Their sick relieve, likewise their dead interr, 
 
 What action greater can the world prefer ; 
 
 men taylors of the City of Dublin, on St. James's day, and their 
 behaviour at dinner ; or, an answer to a poem published by their 
 authority. Written by a British Author" (Brit. Mus. 839, M. 23 (39), 
 S. Sh. Fol ; London printed, and reprinted Dublin, 1725). In 1726 
 was published " A poem in honour of the antient and loyal Society 
 of the Journeymen taylors, who are to dine at the King's Inns, on 
 Monday the 25th inst., July 1726. Written by H. N., Bricklayer, 
 one of the Brethren. Signed by order of William Butt, Master " 
 (Brit. Mus. 1890, E. 5 (168), S. Sh. Fol. ; Dublin, 1726). This was im- 
 mediately followed by a satire entitled " The triumphant Taylors ; 
 or the vanquished lice. A satyr on the Taylors' procession, July 
 the 25th, 1726" (Brit. Mus. 1890, E. 5. (173), S. Sh. Fol.; Dublin, 
 1726). In 1727 appeared " A new poem on the procession of jour- 
 neymen taylors ; who are to dine at the King's Inns on Tuesday 
 the 25th of this instant, July 1727 Written by H. Nelson, Brick- 
 layer, a member of the Society. Delivered to the printer hereof 
 by Thomas Daily, Master of the said Society " (Brit. Mus. 1890, E. 5 
 (166), S. Sh. Fol. ; Dublin, 1727). The usual satire appeared as fol- 
 lows : '' A satyrical poem on the Society of journeymen taylors" 
 (Brit. Mus. 1890; E. 5 (169), S. Sh. Fol., N.D., but appears to have 
 been written in reply to the previous poem). There is neither a 
 poem nor a satire dated 1728, though of the several undated some 
 may have belonged to that year. There are, however, two poems 
 dated 1729, both by the same writer, and giving different masters 
 and assistants, which seems to imply a misprint in one of the cases. 
 They are : " Poem on the procession of Journeymen Taylors, July 
 the 28th, 1729. Written by Henry Nelson, Bricklayer. Francis 
 Amiges, Master. Edward Kelly, John Martin, Edward Walsh, 
 Edward Walsh, Assistants" (Brit. Mus. 1890, E. 5 (170), S. Sh. Fol. ; 
 Dublin, 1729). And also, " A poem in praise of the loyal and chari- 
 table Society of journeymen taylors, who are to dine at the King's 
 Inns, this present Monday, being the 28th of July 1 729. Written 
 
History of Trade Unionism 29 
 
 Fly swift report, all this our nation o'er, 
 And waft these tydings to the British shoar, 
 And there proclaim with lowdest acclamation 
 The Taylors' praise throughout the British nation, 
 Whose art's as ancient as since the creation. 
 Adam himself 'twas he begun the trade, 
 And for himself and Eve both aprons made. 
 
 EICHARD NEWGEN, present master. 
 EGBERT BGUCHER, late master." 
 
 by Henry Nelson. Thomas Heater, Master. Bartly Cusack, Charles 
 Farrel, Thomas Daly, Francis Erines, Stewards " (Brit. Mus. 1890, E. 
 5 (167), S. Sh. Fol. ; 1729). It may well have been, however, that the 
 men had now formed themselves into two clubs, meeting at different 
 houses of call, but dining together once a year, just as the London 
 tailors had numerous clubs at their many houses of call. 
 
 There remain four other of these curious documents, two poems 
 and two satires. They are as follows : "A new poem in honour of 
 the journeymen taylors. Written by J. M." (Brit. Mus. 1890, E. 5 
 (165), S. Sh. Fol. ; Dublin, N.D.). Also, "A poem in praise of the 
 journeymen taylors " (Brit. Mus. 839, M. 23 (139), S. Sh. Fol. ; Dub- 
 lin, N.D.). And, "A Satyr on the journeymen taylors. Written 
 by R. A., Shoemaker " (Brit. Mus. 1890, E. 5 (171), S. Sh. Fol ; Dublin, 
 N.D.). Lastly, " The Tailor's exercise, grace, psalms, and catechism " 
 (Brit. Mus. 1890, E. 5 (172), S. Sh. Fol. ; Dublin, N.D. A very coarse 
 production). 
 
30 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 THE CASE OF THE JOURNEYMEN TAYLORS 
 
 IN AND ABOUT THE ClTIES OF LONDON AND 
 WESTMINSTER. 1 
 
 " A JOURNEYMAN to any sort of trade or Handicraft, 
 is understood to be one, who has by apprenticeship 
 or other contract, served such a portion of his time 
 to that particular business which he professes to 
 occupy, as renders him capable to execute every 
 branch or part of the trade ; whereby he is at full 
 liberty, if his ability and condition of life will per- 
 mit, to set up in the world as a master of his pro- 
 fession ; and is only call'd Journeyman, while he 
 continues to serve under the direction of others, at 
 certain wages, such as he can agree for from day to 
 day ; but as there appears to be an immense variety 
 in the genius of men for arts and sciences, the true 
 value of every man's work and labour, must be pro- 
 portion'd to his capacity and industry, which makes 
 it impracticable, or at least very inequitable, by 
 any positive law, to put an equal value on every 
 man's labour ; and more especially to put such a 
 restriction on one particular business, and no other 
 whatsoever. This however being the state into 
 which the Journeymen Taylors in and about the 
 Cities of London and Westminster are most un- 
 
 1 Brit. Mus., Place MSS. 27,799, January 7, 1744 [1745], with MSS. 
 marginal notes by Francis Place. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 3 1 
 
 happily reduced, by some very particular and severe 
 clauses in an Act of Parliament, which by the arts 
 of a few, was obtained in the reign of his late 
 Majesty King George the First, these poor innocent 
 sufferers humbly beg leave to lay their case open to 
 the publick, appealing thereby to every man's con- 
 science, who has a just regard to the ancient free- 
 dom of an English government, and the liberties of 
 his country. 
 
 " It is well known that the before-mentioned Act of 
 Parliament was, at a considerable expence, sollicited 
 for and at length obtain'd, by the assiduous applica- 
 tion of a few rich tradesmen, who pretended to act 
 for, and under the name of, the Master- Taylors of 
 London : Notwithstanding, that, by far the honestest 
 and wisest part of that body of men, greatly dis- 
 approved in their own minds, and in their private 
 conduct, the ambitious views of those busy managers ; 
 and this sufficiently appears by the good correspon- 
 dence which has all along subsisted between great 
 numbers of the most creditable masters and journey- 
 men. But to set this matter in this truest light, it 
 will be proper that the wages of 2/7^ per diem, 
 now expected, and which for the most part has been 
 constantly received by the journeymen from the 
 Master Taylors, be compared with the profits which 
 these masters daily make of their journeymen's 
 labour ; from whence it will evidently appear who 
 receives in proportion, the most immoderate and 
 exorbitant gain, and to what a miserable condition 
 the journeymen must be reduced, if they are obliged 
 to work for statute wages, which is only 1/9^ per 
 diem. 
 
3 2 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " Yet, lest it should be thought too invidious in 
 the journeymen here to set down the profits which 
 the Master Taylors daily make in every minute 
 article of their bills, it shall suffice in gross, to set 
 forth the very lowest that is commonly charged in a 
 Master Taylor's bill to his customer, for the whole of 
 a suit of mll-trimm'd superfine cloth, which amounts 
 to 7. i 3. 2., 1 whereas the prime cost, out of the 
 master's pocket, for all materials and Journeymen's 
 wages, at 2/7 1 per diem, is but ^6. 6. 1 1., so that 
 out of every such suit of cloths, without any trouble 
 to themselves, the masters gain i. 6. 3.; and 
 in velvets, silks, gold and silver-laced cloaths and 
 liveries, the profits in the whole arising to the 
 masters, is double of what is gain'd in the others, 
 besides the advantages of those who buy their 
 goods hi a wholesale way; all which, if required 
 to descend to particulars, can be clearly proved 
 upon oath by the journeymen. And thus if it be 
 found on a medium of all sorts of work, that from 
 every journeyman's labour by the week, the master 
 receives in all about 4O/- profit to himself, what 
 fine estates may be acquired by such masters as 
 frequently employ from ten or fifteen to twenty or 
 thirty journeymen. On the other hand, the poor 
 laborious journeymen are confined to sit double on 
 the board, from six in the morning until eight at 
 night, without any other gain or perquisite what- 
 soever than their wages, and are never call'd for 
 or employ'd by the masters above one-half, or at 
 most two-thirds of the year ; whereas it is evident 
 
 1 Compare this with statements in the following documents at 
 pp. 40-41. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 33 
 
 to all impartial judges that such of them as happen 
 to have wives and children cannot possibly subsist 
 the year round, upon the wages they so precariously 
 receive ; which, for the whole year, very rarely 
 amounts to above fifteen or . sixteen pence a day. 
 And they humbly appeal to the publick, whether 
 in such circumstances, it be not very hard that a 
 poor journeyman taylor, however engaged or employ'd 
 at home to maintain his family, shall be dragg'd 
 from thence like a slave at the will of any master, 
 and sent to the House of Correction, or press'd for 
 a recruit, and perhaps transported to the plantations, 
 to the utter ruin of himself and all that belongs to 
 him. Were these masters obliged to employ their 
 journeymen all the year round, or in some sort to 
 aid and assist them when they could no otherwise 
 help themselves, there would be some colour of 
 reason for claiming such authority over them ; but 
 as matters stand it is a most notorious breach on 
 the rights and liberties of the subject, and a plain 
 infringement of Magna Charta, which in Section 46, 
 says, No freeman shall be taken or imprison d, distress' d, 
 outlaw d, or banish'd, or any ways destroy d, but by the 
 legal judgment of his peers. That the journeymen 
 taylors should at this time be pick'd out as the 
 only class of men amongst His Majesty's Subjects 
 on whom such extraordinary and singular hardships 
 are to be laid, will appear in a very odd light, if 
 the poor men's conduct amongst themselves and in 
 society is but examined and enquired into ; for, in 
 the first place, it cannot be alledged that any of 
 them was ever yet charged with being concern'd 
 in the street robberies, and other disorders so much 
 
 c 
 
34 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 complain'd of in and about this great city of late ; 
 and then, if we will but condescend to look into 
 their monthly clubs, and observe their private Orders 
 or Rules that are strictly kept up amongst them, 
 of all the innumerable societies in London of this 
 nature, few or none will be found to exceed them in 
 decorum, either with respect to Religion, Loyalty, or 
 Humanity, and true Christian Charity. Neverthe- 
 less these poor inoffensive and innocent men, have 
 been so harass'd and cruelly treated within these 
 few months past, that, to avoid such intolerable 
 oppression, some have betaken themselves to sea, by 
 entering voluntarily on board the ships of war and 
 privateers, and great numbers have quite abandon'd 
 all business in town, and retired into different parts 
 of the country, to prevent the prevailing tho' in- 
 human practice of late, in impressing such poor men 
 for recruits, or putting them arbitrarily to hard labour 
 in a gaol, for no other assignable reason but to sooth 
 the capricious humours of a few purse-proud arti- 
 ficers, who assume to themselves the haughty title 
 of masters. 
 
 " Under these heavy misfortunes, and next to 
 inconceivable distress, the remaining part of these 
 poor industrious tradesmen have no manner of re- 
 source but to make their humble application, this 
 next ensuing Sessions, to a British Parliament for 
 protection and redress ; for, notwithstanding the 
 many malicious insinuations, and downright false 
 reports wherewith a few of the master taylors have 
 very lately most impudently attempted to impose 
 upon the town, and to mislead their superiors, the 
 poor inoffensive journeymen are not only willing, 
 
History of Trade Unionism 3 5 
 
 but earnestly desire it may be strictly enquired into 
 and put to any test, whether in all their meetings of 
 any kind together, as well as in private life and con- 
 versation, they have not always strictly maintain'd 
 and profess'd unshaken loyalty and fidelity to his 
 most sacred Majesty King George, and the Protes- 
 tant succession, as by law established, in his Royal 
 Family ; shewing at the same time, with humility, a 
 most dutiful respect and submission to their superiors, 
 and a just regard to moral honesty in opposition to 
 vice, and whatever is inconsistent or destructive of 
 Christian society. Wherefore it is most humbly 
 hoped and pray'd that all good people of circum- 
 stances and condition, as in consideration of this 
 their deplorable case, find it to be a matter that 
 truly concerns publick liberty and the just rights of 
 a free people, will be pleased out of charity to the 
 poor men, and a gracious good will to mankind, to 
 contribute a small matter towards the charges and 
 needful expence of a proper application for the re- 
 dress of this National grievance, by sending any 
 thing, whatever they please, to be left with Mr. John 
 Pearson, at the Seven Stars, in Henrietta Street, 
 Covent Garden ; where all receipts shall be carefully 
 accounted for." 
 
36 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 "A LETTER TO A MEMBER OF PARLIA- 
 MENT, ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LIBERTY ; 
 TOWARDS ENJOYING THE NATIONAL BENEFIT 
 OF ANY USEFUL BRANCH OF MANUFACTURES, 
 &C. 
 
 London, Printed for the Author, I/45- 1 
 
 " SIR, There is no incident whatever, can inspire one 
 more with the love of virtue, than that irresistible 
 deference and respect we must always have to those 
 who naturally chuse to walk in that path, without 
 any unbecoming self-interest or affectation. 
 
 " The humanity and good-nature wherewith you 
 was pleased to express yourself, on the subject of the 
 poor Journeymen taylors' humble petition and complaint, 
 gave rise to the above reflection ; and that instant 
 led me to consult two or three books, on the subject 
 of commerce, and the due care which in all well- 
 regulated societies ought to be taken, in order to 
 prevent giving the rich too great opportunities of 
 oppressing the poor. 
 
 " From this kind of study, I had occasion to ob- 
 serve, that in all countries whose riches chiefly 
 depend on the plentiful manufactury of their own 
 
 1 London, 1745, 3 1 PP- 8vo. I am indebted for permission to 
 reprint this letter to Professor H. S. Foxwell, who possesses, so far 
 as I know, the only copy extant. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 3 7 
 
 plentiful product, the laws must have an especial 
 regard to the increase of people ; and consequently 
 to the protection and maintenance of the poor and 
 meaner sort, on whom chiefly these manufacturies 
 must depend. 
 
 " For if we take an impartial view of the course 
 of national trade, and penetrate into the true causes 
 of the rise and fall of the price of the several manu- 
 facturies whereof it is composed, it will plainly ap- 
 pear, that in the Woollen Trade, for example, it is the 
 clothier, and the labouring poor employ'd by him, 
 and not the woollen draper, taylor, or intermediate 
 dealer in cloth, on whom the market price, or value 
 of that commodity depends ; the profit gain'd by the 
 retailer, or intermediate dealer, being rather a bur- 
 then upon the sale of that manufactury, which is 
 taken from the sheep's back, raised and brought to 
 perfection, in every shape, by the poor labourers, 
 under the clothiers' direction. 1 
 
 " These examples, Sir, I must own, made so great 
 an impression on me, that I could not resist sending 
 for some of the most intelligent amongst the jour- 
 neymen taylors, from whom I might be particularly 
 inform'd of all the circumstances of their case ; and 
 on a very strict enquiry, I found it plainly to stand 
 as follows, viz. : 
 
 " That the business of a master taylor being very 
 
 1 Here follow some twelve pages to prove that various countries 
 have lost important branches of manufacture owing to the oppres- 
 sion of the labourers, which caused them to flee to other countries, 
 &c., &c. 
 
38 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 precarious ; sometimes very full of work, at others 
 nothing at all to do ; the master taylors, in order to 
 be secure of having a sufficient number of journey- 
 men always ready to answer their occasions, did 
 long ago, amongst themselves, contrive to encourage 
 the journeymen to assemble daily at certain publick 
 houses of call, from whence they could, at a minute's 
 warning, be supply'd by the master of the house, 
 with any number of journeymen they wanted ; but 
 then, as great numbers of these poor men were so 
 employ'd, perhaps only two days in a week, and very 
 rarely above the half of their whole time ; yet never- 
 theless were necessarily obliged to be at a continual 
 expence of eating and drinking at their respective 
 houses of call, it was impracticable for them, espe- 
 cially such as had wives and children, to subsist on 
 such small wages as the master taylors wanted them 
 to be reduced to, unless we could suppose they were 
 constantly to be employ'd throughout the year ; in 
 which case it is allow'd, that what is commonly 
 call'd the Statute wages would, with respect to a bare 
 maintenance, not only go as far, but further than 
 what the journeymen themselves propose, on the 
 precarious foot of being but accidentally, or rarely 
 employ'd as above. 
 
 " From this matter of fact it evidently appears, 
 that the wages of thirty-pence per day, expected by 
 the journeymen, and for the most part allow'd by 
 the generality of the best master taylors, was not 
 demanded, as it has been pretended, in a mutinous 
 manner, or with any view to raise the price of that 
 sort of work, but on the contrary, from a simple and 
 absolute necessity of providing a bare maintenance 
 
History of Trade Unionism 39 
 
 for these poor labourers, and very hard-working 
 men, whose eye-sight is thereby so greatly impair'd, 
 as to fail by the time they attain the age of forty 
 years. 
 
 " And with respect to what the master taylors 
 alledge, that they cannot afford 'out of their small 
 profits, to allow thirty pence per day to their jour- 
 neymen, pretending that such wages must necessarily 
 raise the price of their work, I find the poor journey- 
 men very modestly only desire that gentlemen will 
 be pleased to satisfy themselves in that point, by 
 examining the following articles in a master taylor's 
 bill, as they stand commonly charged to the nobility 
 and gentry of this kingdom ; distinguishing the clear 
 profit arising to the master taylor, even on supposi- 
 tion he is permitted to allow his journeymen thirty- 
 pence per day. 
 
4O Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 
 g o o o 
 
 -* 
 
 t>* ro 
 
 1' 
 
 
 ^ CO O 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 p 
 * S? O O r^ 
 
 CO "1 
 
 CO 
 
 PI 
 
 
 H 'O O 
 00 . "" 
 
 
 
 
 *#;-- 
 
 
 
 
 
 S3 td 6S "" 
 
 
 
 
 ' & " ^ 
 
 
 
 
 ** jl " ,zf ' 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 <s . js . s 
 
 O ''C > -f, 
 ^^ ^ c3 S 
 
 >.t 
 
 
 1 I 
 
 eS S 2 
 
 
 g 
 
 pq 
 
 a ! fc "3 
 
 
 ^r 
 
 02 
 
 o * * f ** 
 
 
 H 
 
 '- ~ 
 O a 
 
 $ li.lt| 
 
 
 
 S g 
 
 c -; 
 02 s-> *< 
 
 
 
 H 2 
 
 HN 
 
 
 -Cl 
 
 P3 EH 
 
 ^ O O O - O 
 
 O co O O O O O 
 
 
 
 ~ '- 
 
 gg O CO ""> CO M 
 
 O O **"* ^" ^^ ^"^ co 
 
 o 
 
 02 
 
 N? rj- pj o O 
 
 PI O O O O O 
 
 CO 
 
 2 
 
 ^* 
 
 
 PI 
 
 <J 
 
 "111- 
 
 ' 'I ' 
 
 
 
 
 ' ' ' 1 1 " 1 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 . cS g 2 'O . 
 
 % 
 
 
 
 
 *J " CO 
 
 
 
 -, SH t^ >> 00 
 
 a ^ s/s r > 
 
 s .2 
 
 . -J . . . r^ 00 
 
 
 
 C3 - fr^ Cg 
 
 
 
 
 Jfllgll, 
 
 ^_ _^ ~u ./. 
 
 a 
 
 
 * fi)* 8 I ^ ^ 
 
 3 J^^ 5; ,_ ._ 
 
 ' ' = E. i 
 
 = /. ~ -r = 
 
 ^ - > = i a 
 
 o 
 
 
 oo -w TS fe 3 "3 
 
 
 
 
 ^ z ^ T 5 ^ 
 
 32 '> 5 r ?. 
 
 
 
 " "^ S "*" cS 
 
 C? ^^ ? o ' -C 
 ^? -*J t> fl " 
 
 
 
 "SJ ? o r 
 
 ~ * i> ^ ^ *E 
 
 
 
 ? ' '"^ **- o " *-* 
 
 r ^ - ^ft 3 ^ & 
 
 
 
 *<*-?; c c 
 
 - S 2 5 ^- 
 
 rplijii 
 
 I;:-:'- 1- 
 
 ~" - ~ = "^ "i S 
 
 
History of Trade Unionism 4 1 
 
 " I likewise found there were some other con- 
 siderable articles of profit accruing to the master 
 taylors, not inserted in the above bill ; but the jour- 
 neymen then with me, very earnestly begg'd, in 
 behalf of their poor brethren, that they might not 
 be made the instruments of any envious accusation ; 
 for that they only desired to be put into a bare 
 capacity of living with common freedom, and did 
 not at all take upon them to judge of their mas- 
 ters' profits ; yet in justice to the public, I cannot 
 omit taking notice of one very intolerable abuse, I 
 had then occasion to be inform'd of; and that is, 
 the frequent most scandalous and clandestine im- 
 portation of gold and silver thread buttons, laces 
 and brocades from France, charged by the master 
 taylors to their customers, at a most exorbitant 
 profit on the prime cost. 
 
 " But we come now to the second and last part 
 of these poor freemen's complaint, which is still 
 more material than all that has yet been said, be- 
 cause it immediately affects the liberty of all the 
 commons of Britain, tending to destroy the ancient 
 Gothick constitution of this Realm ; for when it 
 comes to appear in the course of those malicious 
 prosecutions now depending before the Court of 
 King's Bench, 1 and which have been too wantonly 
 carried on at the prodigal expence of the master 
 taylors, against numbers of their poor journeymen, 
 that even some of the Magistrates or Justices of 
 the Peace, as well as constables of the night, have 
 been largely bribed with money, paid by the master 
 taylors, purely for taking into custody all the jour- 
 1 No report of any such cases appears to have been preserved. 
 
42 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 neymen taylors they could find, in order to have 
 them impress'd for recruits, or sent to Houses of 
 Correction ; and if enquired into, when it conies like- 
 wise to appear, that of late it has been the common 
 practice of several master taylors, supported by the 
 authority of two or more Justices of the Peace, to 
 come with a constable at their backs into the habi- 
 tation of a poor journeyman taylor, while he was 
 employed at home for the needful support of his 
 family, and on his, the journeyman's, refusal to leave 
 his work and his home immediately, and go along 
 with the master taylor into his service, tho' perhaps 
 it was only for one day, he shall be forthwith 
 dragged to a House of Correction, there to remain 
 for the space of two months. 
 
 " When these things, I say, on a proper enquiry, 
 come to appear before a House of Parliament, may 
 we not humbly presume it will be adjudged, that the 
 Law, under colour of which such things have been 
 done, is certainly misconstructed and grossly mis- 
 applied ; and if so, will not every member who has 
 any feeling at his heart, for the ancient constitution 
 and liberties of his country, be alarmed lest the 
 same unaccountable severities which have been so 
 lately practised on this particular set of poor labo- 
 rious manufacturers, should by the like means be 
 gradually extended to others, since it is impossible 
 to assign any reasons for supporting such a conduct 
 in this case, but what will be equally applicable to 
 every other species of manufacture that depends on 
 the labouring poor. 
 
 " The very first appearance of exercising such 
 acts of inhumanity and cruelty on the innocent poor 
 
History of Trade Unionism 4 3 
 
 laborious subject in a free country, is really shock- 
 ing ; but the unhappy consequences on a supposition 
 that they are to be multiplied and continued, are 
 dreadful ; wherefore I could not resist laying the 
 whole matter plainly before a gentleman of your 
 impartial and generous way of thinking ; being well 
 assured, from the indefatigable pains you daily bestow 
 with pleasure in your country's service, that nothing 
 in your power will be wanting, either to rectify any 
 material grievance wherewith the poor labouring 
 subject is oppressed, or in any shape to promote 
 the trading interest and public good of the nation ; 
 a conduct which naturally and irresistibly draws 
 from every honest and good man, the esteem and 
 respect that will always be due to such merit. I 
 have the honour to be, Sir, yours, &c. 
 
 " FINIS. 
 
 " POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 " It may be observed in life, that we often neglect 
 to consider or reflect on the consequences of many 
 things custom has made familiar to us ; such as, 
 for example, the common practice of sending for a 
 master taylor, not only to take measure in order to 
 fit you with a suit of cloaths, but you at the same 
 time give him unlimited commission to purchase a 
 great variety of materials wanting, and to charge for 
 every article besides the fashion, what he thinks fit, 
 unto which account seldom or never any scrutiny or 
 objection is made, especially by men of rank and 
 fortune : And to this sort of indolence or neglect is 
 owing, in a great measure, those exorbitant imposi- 
 
44 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 tions daily put on mankind, by even the richest and 
 most turbulent of these masters, many of whom, and 
 particularly the proudest, would, I am very confident 
 on trial, be found to have very small pretensions to 
 the capacity of good hands for any fine work them- 
 selves; all the elegancy of that kind, depending 
 wholly on the genius and careful industry of the 
 journeymen, together with the skill and address of 
 the finisher or foreman. 
 
 "But supposing that any discreet and prudent 
 nobleman, or gentleman, should take the resolution 
 of adding to the number of his servants, only one 
 sufficient journeyman taylor, to perform all the work 
 of that kind wanted hi the family, at the same time 
 directing his steward to furnish all the materials 
 for this workman at the first hand, it would soon 
 evidently appear how considerably he must save in 
 expence, and also how much better he would be 
 served in every respect ; for it is in fact the journey- 
 men, and not the masters, who are the artificers as 
 well as labourers in that trade or calling ; and there- 
 fore to permit such a multitude of poor labourious 
 men, to be starved, and grievously oppressed by only 
 a few purse-proud idle pretenders either to ingenuity 
 or labour, is far from being consistent with reason 
 or good sense ; and this will still appear in a stronger 
 light, if it be considered simply that to give these 
 poor journeymen their natural freedom to serve any 
 nobleman or gentleman who desires to employ them, 
 without incurring the severe penalty of being im- 
 pressed or sent to a prison, is all that they most 
 humbly pray for and expect. I am, Sir, yours, 
 &c." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 45 
 
 THE PETITION OF THE MASTER TAYLORS 
 AND STAY-MAKERS, RESIDING WITHIN THE 
 CITY AND LIBERTY OF WESTMINSTER, JANUARY, 
 
 I75 2 - 1 
 
 " A PETITION of the master taylors and stay-makers, 
 residing within the city and liberty of Westminster, 
 liberties thereof, and vicinages of the same, com- 
 monly called the Bills of Mortality, whose names 
 are thereunto subscribed, for and on behalf of them- 
 selves, and other the master taylors and stay-makers 
 within the same, was presented to the House and 
 read ; setting forth, That by an act made in the 7th 
 year of his late Majesty King George (intituled, an 
 act for regulating the journeymen taylors, within 
 the Weekly Bills of Mortality) it is, amongst other 
 things, enacted, That all contracts, &c., between 
 taylors for advancing their wages, or lessening the 
 usual hours of work, are illegal, null, and void ; and 
 that journeymen taylors, offending against the same 
 Act, shall be committed to the workhouse or com- 
 mon gaol, for any time not exceeding two months ; 
 that the time limited for journeymen taylors to work, 
 is from six in the morning till eight at night, the 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, January 17, 1752, vol. xxvi. 
 PP- 376, 377- From December 1751 the House of Commons adopted 
 the new style of dating its year from January to December. The 
 year 1752, therefore, is here correct. 
 
46 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 master allowing i|d. a day for breakfast, and one 
 hour for dinner, and every journeyman to be paid 
 2 1 per diem, from the 25th of March to the 24th 
 of June, and 1/8 per diem, for the rest of the 
 year ; and it is further enacted, for the reasons in 
 the said act contained, that the Justices for London 
 and Westminster, at their Quarter Sessions, upon 
 application, may alter the wages and hours of 
 work ; and persons paying more than the wages 
 aforesaid, shall forfeit $ ; and further, setting forth, 
 That the petitioners have been always willing to 
 comply with the said Act, and conform themselves 
 in every particular to the contents thereof; but are 
 now, and have been for some years past, at times, 
 threatened and terrified, and abused, by the journey- 
 men taylors, for such their compliance, in a riotous 
 and tumultuous manner, in open and contemptuous 
 violation of the said law, and the authority of the 
 same, and have been obliged, at different times, 
 to apply to His Majesty in Council, and to the 
 subordinate civil power, at very great expence, for 
 protection and redress ; and that, particularly last 
 summer, the petitioners appealed to the Quarter 
 Sessions of the County of Middlesex, to ascertain 
 and settle the wages of their journeymen; where- 
 upon, after consideration and hearing of counsel, 
 an order was made to allow the journeymen 2/ 
 per day, during the winter half-year, and 2/6 
 per day, during the summer half-year ; with which 
 order the journeymen seemed to be satisfied till 
 the Michaelmas following, when they rose in great 
 numbers, and, in a riotous manner, demanded 2/6 
 per day, contrary to the said order; and that, 
 
History of Trade Unionism 47 
 
 upon this, the journeymen of the City of London, 
 seeing what advantage their brethren at Westmin- 
 ster had obtained under the said order, whereby 
 they were to be paid advanced wages for one half 
 of the year, contrary to all practice, and to the 
 directions of the said Act of Parliament, were en- 
 couraged to apply to the general Quarter Sessions 
 in the City of London, held after Michaelmas last, 
 to have their wages advanced, and the hours of 
 their work lessened ; whereupon the court ordered 
 their wages to be settled at 2/ a day for three 
 quarters of the year, and 2/6 for the remaining 
 quarter, and at the same time took off one hour 
 in every day from the time of working ; and that 
 upon this, the journeymen of Westminster, observing 
 the variance between the said orders, have now 
 this last Christmas presumed to apply again to 
 the Quarter Sessions for the County of Middlesex, 
 to advance their wages still higher, and to lessen 
 the hours of work; which petition is now depend- 
 ing ; and that the petitioners, vexed with the pro- 
 ceedings of the said journeymen, and seeing no end 
 of these disturbances and litigations, have found it 
 necessary to resort to the House for redress ; and 
 alledging, that the petitioners have, for many reasons, 
 found the said Act of Parliament insufficient for 
 their relief; and that, notwithstanding the aid of 
 that law, they have not been able to curb the in- 
 solence, or suppress the riots, of the said journey- 
 men taylors, or prevent them from extorting larger 
 wages than their labour deserveth, to the disquiet 
 of the publick peace, and the evil example of all 
 journeymen and labourers in other branches of trade 
 
48 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 and business : And therefore praying, that the House 
 would take the premises under their consideration, 
 that the said Act may be amended, that the wages 
 and hours of work may be ascertained ; and that 
 some one court may be appointed finally to deter- 
 mine any difference which may arise in both cities ; 
 and grant the petitioners such other relief in the 
 premises, as to the House shall seem meet." 
 
of Trade Unionism 49 
 
 "'THE CASE OF THE JOURNEYMEN TAYLORS 
 AND JOURNEYMEN STAYMAKERS, RE- 
 SIDING WITHIN THE ClTIES OF LONDON AND 
 WESTMINSTER, AND WEEKLY BILLS OF MOR- 
 
 TALITY. 1 
 
 " BY an Act of Parliament made in the Seventh 
 Year of his late Majesty's Reign, intituled, An Act 
 for Regulating the Journeymen Taylors within the 
 Weekly Bills of Mortality, it is enacted, that from 
 and after the first day of May, One Thousand Seven 
 Hundred and Twenty-one, the hours of work for 
 all journeymen taylors, servants and apprentices to 
 taylors, shall be, from six in the morning until eight 
 at night, excepting only, that there shall be allowed 
 one peny halfpeny a day for breakfast, and one hour 
 for dinner ; and for the said hours of work there 
 shall be paid unto every journeyman taylor, from 
 the twenty-fifth of March to the twenty-fourth of 
 June, any sum not exceeding two shillings per diem, 
 and for the rest of the year one shilling and eight- 
 pence per diem. 
 
 " And, by the said Act, the Justices of the Peace 
 within the limits aforesaid, at their Quarter-Sessions, 
 
 1 London, 4 pp. fol., N.D. Presented to the House of Com- 
 mons 28th January 1752 ; see ante, pp. xxxviii. I am indebted for 
 permission to reprint this petition to Professor H. S. Foxwell, who 
 possesses the only copy of which I am aware. 
 
 D 
 
5o Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 are authorized to take into consideration the plenty 
 or scarcity of the time, and other circumstances, 
 and alter the wages and hours of work aforesaid ; 
 and all taylors, and their journeymen, are to observe 
 the same under pain of imprisonment, not exceeding 
 two months, being lawfully convicted of such offence, 
 before the Justices of the Peace, after knowledge or 
 information of such alterations, upon any prosecution 
 to be commenced within six days after the offence 
 committed. 
 
 " The said Act of Parliament was obtained upon 
 application of the Master Taylors in London and 
 Middlesex ; and the Legislature, foreseeing it would 
 be necessary thereafter to alter the journeymen's 
 wages and hours of work, therefore vested a power 
 in the said Justices for that purpose. 
 
 " Since the making the said Act, the price of 
 labour, and wages, in most trades and businesses, 
 are much increased, occasioned by the dearness of 
 provisions and other accidents ; whereof the Master 
 Taylors were so sensible, that the greatest part and 
 most eminent among them for several years last past, 
 have paid their journeymen two shillings and six- 
 pence a day all the year. 
 
 " The Justices of the Peace in London and Middle- 
 sex, at their respective general Quarter-Sessions of 
 the Peace, have, upon the application as well of the 
 said Master-Taylors, as of their journeymen, made 
 several alterations as to the said journeymen's wages, 
 and their hours of work. 
 
 " From Midsummer, until some time after Michael- 
 mas, in every year, the journeymen taylors in general 
 have little or no work, and are not employed hi the 
 
History of Trade Unionism 5 i 
 
 whole, above thirty-two weeks in the year ; which, at 
 2/6 a day, doth,, not exceed, one week with another, 
 9/ a week : Which any gentleman may be convinced 
 of, who will be pleased to consider, that master- 
 taylors who employ at some times in the year 
 twenty or thirty men, at other times have but eight 
 or ten, and sometimes none : And as for the num- 
 ber of men in the said business, any gentleman may 
 be satisfied thereof, who will but consider that the 
 mourning occasioned by the melancholy death of 
 His Royal Highness the late Prince of Wales was 
 completed, both as to town and country orders, in 
 three weeks' time ; and even tradesmen were served 
 in one month. 
 
 " Many Master Taylors, in order to have their 
 work done cheap, get a great number of young, raw, 
 and unexperienced lads out of the country, who, for 
 better instructions, are glad to work at low prices ; 
 and, by such means, great numbers of the best and 
 most experienced journeymen taylors are forced to 
 go into all parts of the kingdom, to the great pre- 
 judice of themselves, their wives and children ; 
 whereby the business is not so well done as for- 
 merly in London and Westminster ; and the trade 
 every year declines through the avarice of some 
 Master-Taylors, who, the more effectually to facilitate 
 their encroachments on the journeymen's labour, 
 most fallaciously insinuate that they only want to 
 be relieved from being obliged to pay 2/6 a day to 
 every journeyman, if ever so bad a workman ; a 
 necessity they never laboured under : And the jour- 
 neymen humbly submit it to the consideration of 
 every impartial person, whether (considering the 
 
52 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 great variety in the genius of men) it is not imprac- 
 ticable, or at least very inequitable, by any positive 
 law to put an equal value on every man's labour ; 
 and more especially to put such a restriction on one 
 particular business only. But, even supposing a 
 necessity for it, the rate must be proportioned accord- 
 ing to the merits of that part of the trade called 
 workmen ; otherwise there would be no room for 
 improvement, no encouragement for emulation, no 
 need for endeavours to excel ; under which disad- 
 vantages the trade must unavoidably droop and 
 decay, to its utter ruin. Indeed, it may be said, 
 what must they do that are not workmen ? To 
 that we may justly answer, that there is no law to 
 hinder such from agreeing with masters according 
 to their merit : And it would be a greater danger 
 and injury to the trade, to cramp it by depriving 
 workmen of their deserts. 
 
 "The hours of work, in most handicraft trades, 
 are from six in the morning till six at night : But 
 the journeymen taylors and staymakers hours of 
 work exceed that time by two hours ; and in the 
 winter-time they work for many hours by candle- 
 light ; which is from six till after eight in the morn- 
 ing, which is above two hours, and from four till 
 eight in the afternoon, which is four hours more ; 
 which is, in the whole, above six hours in a day ; 
 and oftentimes on black work, and also on gold and 
 silver holes, which very much strains the strongest 
 eyes ; and, by sitting so many hours in such a posi- 
 tion, almost double on the shopboard, with their legs 
 under them, and poring so long over their work by 
 candlelight, their spirits are exhausted, nature is 
 
History of Trade Unionism 5 3 
 
 wearied out, and their health and sight are soon 
 impaired ; insomuch that many, in the prime of 
 their years, are become despised by their masters, by 
 reason their sight is decayed, and they cannot see to 
 work so well as others : Which is occasioned by their 
 sitting in such a position, and working so long by 
 candlelight, as is done by them, and by no other 
 trade whatever that requires the sight of the eyes, 
 as the poor journeymen taylors do : And, in order 
 to get bread for themselves and families, the poor 
 miserable wretches are obliged to work for masters 
 at an under price ; and, as there is a great uncer- 
 tainty of work, a poor journeyman often changes his 
 master, and frequently has a mile, or a mile and a 
 half or more to go to work ; therefore must rise at 
 five in the morning to be at his work by six ; and at 
 night cannot get home much before nine : So that a 
 poor married man can have little comfort with his 
 wife and children. 
 
 " And it is humbly hoped, by the said poor dis- 
 tressed journeymen, that the wages of 2/6 a day, 
 which they have received these seven or eight years, 
 will not be now thought too much, considering they 
 do not work above thirty-two weeks in the year ; 
 which doth not amount to more than g/ a week 
 throughout the year : And if the same is not settled 
 at that rate, their families must starve, or go to the 
 parish, as can be plainly made appear by the follow- 
 ing estimate of a journeyman taylor's expences, for 
 himself only, for one week, besides cloaths for him- 
 self and family, and sickness, and other incident 
 charges. 
 
54 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " For breakfast, more than the master's allowance o o oi 
 
 For meat, drink and bread for dinner . . 006 
 
 On the shopboard, in the afternoon, a pint of beer o o ii 
 
 Bread, cheese and beer for supper . . . 003 
 
 One day's expences . . . o o 1 1 
 
 Sunday's expence o i o 
 
 The other five days' expence . . . . 047 
 
 Lodging for a week . . . . o i o 
 
 Washing for a week 008 
 
 Shaving for a week . . . . . 004 
 
 086 
 
 " The profits of the trade are very considerable ; 
 for a master taylor, by forty men working six days, 
 gams (at a moderate calculation) fifty pounds ; and 
 so more or less, in proportion to the number of men 
 they employ : And several of them, who have begun 
 the world with little or nothing, have become rich 
 in a few years, as may appear by their opulent way 
 of living, their country-houses, their chariots, chaises, 
 saddle-horses and footmen : Their pleasures are such 
 as persons of fortune enjoy : l And all these raised 
 and supported by the industry of the poor journey- 
 men : Yet such masters will not pay the poor men 
 what they justly deserve for the labour by which 
 
 1 This does not appear to have been an exaggeration, for in the 
 curious old play of " The Tailors ; a tragedy for warm weather " 
 (see ante, pp. xl.-xli.), we find in Act ii., Scene i, a description of 
 one of the master tailors who is made to possess 
 
 " A Country house at Lambeth Marsh, genteely f urnish'd." 
 Later in the same scene his wife is said to enjoy 
 " A country house and town, and one horse chaise, 
 
 White conduit house, and every joy beside ; " 
 
 and not to envy the wives of those other masters who drive two 
 horses, and are attended by liveried servants. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 5 5 
 
 they themselves are supported in the most plentiful 
 enjoyment of the blessings of life. 
 
 " Altho' the master taylors may insinuate great 
 losses by bad debts in their business ; if that is true, 
 they must have a wonderful and mysterious way of 
 growing rich : For it is well known, that any one of 
 them very seldom fails, or becomes a bankrupt (as 
 too often happens hi other trades) ; unless it be some 
 unthinking young beginner, that neglects his busi- 
 ness to pursue his pleasures. 
 
 "At a moderate computation, there are 1,000 
 master taylors, and master staymakers in London, 
 Westminster, and Middlesex, within the Weekly 
 Bills of Mortality ; x and the greatest part of them, 
 for seven years past, until Michaelmas last, have 
 given 2/6 a day to their journeymen all the year ; 
 which they did not grudge to pay them : For it is 
 but reasonable that they should pay the same wajres 
 in the dead seasons of the year, as at other times ; 
 their customers paying the same price for cloaths 
 at all times. 
 
 "Amongst such a large body of men as the 
 journeymen taylors, some of them may have been 
 guilty of misbehaviour ; but without the knowledge 
 or consent of the generality of them, who have been 
 
 1 This seems a very large number, but there is some evidence that 
 it was not an exaggeration. In " The universal director ; or, the 
 nobleman's and gentleman's true guide to the masters and pro- 
 fessors of the liberal and polite arts and sciences ; and of the 
 mechanic arts, manufactures and trades," &c., &c. by T. Mortimer, 
 London, 1743, 8vo, only sixteen names of tailors are given, the 
 author adding that, "Out of an almost incredible list, I have 
 selected the following, being the principal masters in the different 
 parts of the town." Ed. 1743 (Guildhall Lib.). Ed. 1763 (Brit. Mus., 
 10,349, c. 3). 
 
56 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 so far from assembling in a tumultuous manner, that 
 they always were and are desirous to have such 
 offenders punished. 
 
 " The oppression of masters, in fixing the price of 
 labour too low, and forcing the poor labouring men 
 to work at certain wages, has, in many instances, 
 obliged them to fly to other countries ; and, by that 
 means, Spain lost the manufacture of making cloths, 
 and the same was transferred to England, to the 
 great and inestimable advantage thereof. 
 
 " And it is universally known, that most master 
 taylors in London and Middlesex are more beholden 
 to their men (in several material branches of their 
 business) than to their own genius : Therefore it is 
 humbly hoped, that their wages will be fixed at 2/6 a 
 day, and the hours of work from six in the morning 
 till six at night ; which will make the half-day more 
 equal : For the masters often take an advantage of 
 the poor journeymen, as it now stands, by letting 
 them play in the morning, and calling them to work 
 hi the afternoon ; whereby the master gams an hour 
 more in labour in the afternoon, than he would by 
 the morning's work, besides saving one peny half- 
 peny for breakfast, which the masters allow ; which 
 makes an advantage of four-pence in the half-day 
 in the afternoon on the master's side : For which 
 reasons, it is hoped, that the wages and hours of 
 work will be fixed as above ; which will enliven the 
 trade, enable the poor journeymen to support them- 
 selves and families, and be conducive to the welfare, 
 benefit and advantage of all persons concerned 
 therein." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 5 7 
 
 THE PETITION OF THE MASTER TAYLORS 
 OF LONDON AND ITS VICINITY. 
 
 December 1767. l 
 
 " A PETITION of the several persons, whose names are 
 thereunto subscribed, being a Committee appointed 
 by the whole body of Master Taylors, residing within 
 the City of London, and some miles round the same, 
 in behalf of themselves and the rest of the said 
 body, was presented to the House, and read ; Setting 
 forth, that an Act, made in the 7th year of the reign 
 of King George the First, for regulating the journey- 
 men taylors within the weekly Bills of Mortality, is 
 found to be in several respects defective, and has not 
 answered the good purposes thereby intended ; and 
 that the petitioners apprehend, that proper provision 
 should be made for regulating the master taylors, 
 and their journeymen, within the City of London, 
 and five miles round the same, wherein the interests 
 of both should be considered ; by which means the 
 differences and disputes, which so frequently happen 
 between them, to the great detriment and interrup- 
 tion of the trade, and to the impoverishment of 
 many, might be prevented : And therefore praying, 
 That leave may be given to bring in a Bill for those 
 purposes, under such Rules, Directions, and Restric- 
 tions, as the House shall think proper." 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 7th December 1767, vol. 
 xxxi. p. 483. 
 
58 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE 
 OF COMMONS UPON THE PETITION OF THE 
 MASTER TAYLORS OF LONDON, &C. 1 
 January 1768. 
 
 " SIR ROBERT LADBROKE reported from the Com- 
 mittee, to whom the petition of the several persons, 
 whose names are thereunto subscribed, being a 
 Committee appointed by the whole body of Master 
 Taylors residing within the City of London, and 
 some miles round the same, in behalf of themselves, 
 and the rest of the said body, was referred, That the 
 Committee had examined the matter of the said 
 petition ; and had directed him to report the same, 
 as it appeared to them, to the House ; and he read 
 the Report in his place ; and afterwards delivered it 
 in at the clerk's table : Where the same was read ; 
 and is as followeth ; viz. 
 
 " To prove the allegations of the said petition, an 
 Act, made in the Seventh Year of the reign of King 
 George the First, for regulating the journeymen 
 taylors within the Weekly Bills of Mortality, was 
 read, whereby it appeared, that prosecutions for 
 offences were to be commenced within six days 
 after the offence committed, and all prosecutions to 
 be heard before the Session. And, 
 
 " Mr. John Morgan, being examined, said, that he 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 22nd January 1768, vol. 
 xxxi. p. 535. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 5 9 
 
 had applied to five Justices at one and the same 
 time, on complaint against the master taylors for 
 not complying with the Act ; and, upon examining 
 into the Act, they unanimously resolved that the Act 
 was insufficient so as to give relief; and refused to 
 act under it ; and that the witness had made several 
 applications of the same nature, but could get no 
 relief. 
 
 " Mr. William Davis, and Mr. Thomas Racket, being 
 severally examined, said, that several master taylors 
 have evaded the Act by taking houses at Mary le 
 lone, and other places out of the Bills of Mortality, 
 out of the limits prescribed by the Act. 
 
 " And both the said witnesses further said, that 
 they have, in conversation, heard master taylors say, 
 that they have carried their work and workmen out 
 of the Bills of Mortality, by which means neither 
 the Justices nor the King's Bench could touch them ; 
 by that means they give larger wages, and, in times 
 of hurry can get journeymen from other masters, 
 which gives those masters advantage in trade, and 
 have got customers from them : And that the Act 
 is insufficient to prevent the above grievances, and 
 in several other respects ineffectual to answer the 
 purposes thereby intended." 
 
60 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT TO AMEND AN ACT 
 
 MADE IN THE SEVENTH YEAR OF KlNG GEORGE 
 THE FIRST, INTITULED, ' AN ACT FOR REGULAT- 
 ING THE JOURNEYMEN TAYLORS WITHIN THE 
 WEEKLY BILLS OF MORTALITY.' 1 
 
 "WHEREAS, by an Act made in the seventh year 
 of the reign of his late majesty King George the 
 First, intituled, An Act for regulating the journey- 
 men taylors within the weekly Bills of Mortality ; 
 power is given to the justices of the peace, at 
 their general quarter sessions, within the limits 
 the said Act mentioned, from time to time, upon 
 application being made to them for that purpose, 
 to take into consideration the plenty or scarcity of 
 the times, and other circumstances, and thereupon 
 to alter and regulate the wages, and other allow- 
 ances, directed by the said Act to be paid and made 
 to, and the hours of work of journeymen taylors 
 and servants retained or employed in the art or 
 mystery of a taylor, within their respective juris- 
 dictions ; and also to punish all persons not com- 
 plying with the terms of the said Act, or of such 
 rules and regulations, in manner the said Act 
 mentioned : And whereas, by virtue of the power 
 aforesaid, the justices of the peace, at their general 
 
 1 8 Gco. III. c. 17, 1768. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 6 1 
 
 quarter sessions, within the City of London and 
 County of Middlesex, respectively, have, from time 
 to time, made orders, rules, and regulations, with 
 respect to the hours of working, and the wages and 
 allowances to be paid and made to journeymen 
 taylors, and others, as aforesaid ; but doubts and 
 difficulties having arisen, touching the prosecution 
 of persons offending against the said Act, or against 
 the said rules, orders, and regulations, the due execu- 
 tion of the said Act hath been greatly obstructed : 
 And whereas, it is necessary that the said Act 
 should in some other respects be explained and 
 amended : May it therefore please Your Majesty, 
 &c." l 
 
 1 It is unnecessary to reprint the whole of this lengthy Act of 
 Parliament. The following is a brief analysis of its provisions. 
 
 Clause i declares that from and after March 25, 1768, the hours 
 of labour of servants or journeymen taylors in the City of London, 
 or within five miles thereof, shall be from 6 A.M. to 7 P.M., with one 
 hour only for refreshment ; and that the wages should be any sum not 
 exceeding 2s. 7^d. per day, except during one calendar month from 
 the publication in the London Gazette of an order for general mourn- 
 ing, when the wages should be any sum not exceeding 53. i^d. per 
 day. 
 
 Clause 2 provides that if any master shall give, or any journey- 
 man receive more than the sum stated, upon conviction before two 
 justices, either by confession of the party or upon the oath of a 
 credible witness, in a prosecution commenced not more than three 
 months after the offence was committed, shall be liable to im- 
 prisonment in the common gaol, with hard labour, for any time 
 not less than fourteen days nor more than two months. 
 
 Clause 3 empowers the justices to issue summonses, and require 
 the attendance of any clerk or other person whom they think likely 
 to be able to give evidence in any case under this Act, and to issue 
 warrants for the arrest, and to commit to prison any witness so 
 summoned who fails to appear, &c. 
 
 Clause 4 explains that under the Act 7 Geo. I. c. 13, it has not 
 been impossible for different rates of wages to be fixed by the 
 
62 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 justices within the City of London, and those of Westminster and 
 the Weekly Bills of Mortality, a course which would be highly 
 inconvenient and prejudicial to the public. In order, therefore, 
 that one just and reasonable rate of wages may in future prevail 
 throughout London and five miles round, it is provided that the 
 Mayor, Aldermen, and Recorder of the City of London shall be 
 empowered to alter and regulate from time to time the hours and 
 wages of journeymen tailors throughout the City of London and 
 five miles round. 
 
 Clause 5 provides that any alteration or regulation so made shall 
 be advertised at least three times in two daily papers in London or 
 Westminster before it shall be deemed that due notice of the altera- 
 tion has been given. 
 
 Clause 6 provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to 
 apply to tailors who are bonnf.de employed as foremen ; nor to pre- 
 vent the payment of extra wages not exceeding 6d. per hour in 
 times of general mourning, and 3d. per hour in ordinary times for 
 over work beyond the hours fixed by the Act or the justices. 
 
 Clause 7 provides that if any master tailor residing or inhabiting 
 within the limits aforesaid shall employ any workpeople out of or 
 beyond the limits aforesaid with intent to evade this Act, and shall 
 give such servants more wages than allowed by the Act, he shall for 
 such offence be liable to a fine of ^"500 for every such offence. 
 
 Clause 8 provides that any person convicted by two justices, as 
 provided in Clause 2, shall have power to appeal to the Court of 
 Quarter Sessions. 
 
 It will be seen that the chief amendments made to the Act of 
 1721 are (i) the reduction of the working day by one hour ; (2) 
 the raising of the wages from is. 9^d. per day for nine months, 
 and 2s. i^d. per day for three months of the year, to 2s. 7^d. per 
 day all the year round ; (3) the extension of the area to which the 
 Act applied from that included in the Weekly Bills of Mortality 
 to the City of London and five miles round ; (4) the removal of 
 conflicting areas of jurisdiction for the administration of the Act, 
 and provision that the City of London Court should in future be 
 the sole authority to make regulations for the whole trade ; (5) 
 equalisation of the punishment to either party for breaking the 
 law by giving or receiving greater wages than allowed. In the 
 old Act the employer was liable to be fined ^5, and the journey- 
 man was liable to two months' imprisonment with hard labour. The 
 latter punishment is now prescribed for either party convicted of 
 this offence. (6) The special exemption of foremen from the opera- 
 tions of the Act in regard to hours and wages ; (7) and lastly, the 
 provision of a special and severe punishment for employers who 
 
History of Trade Unionism 63 
 
 employ persons outside the area included in the Act, in order to 
 evade its provisions. 
 
 It does not appear from this that the law was strengthened 
 against the workmen, but rather the contrary. They did not, 
 indeed, petition against this Bill until after it had become law, and 
 then their chief objection to it was that the wages and hours thus 
 fixed were worse for them than those which were already prevailing 
 in the trade generally. 
 
 The two Acts remained in force until the repeal of the Combina- 
 tion Laws in 1825, when that of 1768 was repealed entirely, and 
 that of 1721 was repealed, excepting only " so much as'related to the 
 recovery of wasres, or to journeymen tailors departing from their 
 service or refusing to enter into work or employment." These 
 portions of the Act remained in force until 1867, when the Master 
 and Servant Act of that year was substituted for them. They were 
 finally repealed by the Trade Union Act of 1875. 
 
64 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 THE PETITION OF THE JOURNEYMEN 
 TAYLORS OF LONDON, &C. 1 
 
 May 1768. 
 
 "A PETITION of several journeymen taylors, in the 
 cities of London and Westminster, and County of 
 Middlesex, was presented to the House, and read ; Set- 
 ting forth, That, by an Act, passed in the last session 
 of Parliament, to amend an Act made in the 7th 
 year of King George the First, for regulating the 
 journeymen taylors within the Weekly Bills of Mor- 
 tality, the petitioners, as well as the masters by 
 whom they are employed, are laid under many hard- 
 ships and difficulties ; and that the petitioners appre- 
 hend that, upon enquiry, it will be found that all of 
 them are out of employment for a great part of the 
 year ; and that the wages stipulated by the said Act 
 are insufficient for the maintenance of them and their 
 families, more especially considering the present high 
 price of provisions, and almost every necessary of life ; 
 and representing to the House that, by the said Act, 
 the master taylors are confined to give tne same 
 wages to all journeymen without distinction, which 
 is a great discouragement to such of the petitioners 
 as by their art or industry excel the rest of their 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, i8th May 1768, vol. xxxii. 
 P- 14- 
 
History of Trade, Unionism 6 5 
 
 brethren in their business, and is equally a hardship 
 upon the masters and the petitioners ; and that the 
 petitioners apprehend that, as well by the said Act, 
 as by the Act of the Seventh of George the First, 
 the petitioners are subjected to many inconveniences 
 and hardships unknown to the rest of their fellow 
 subjects : And therefore praying the House to take 
 the premises into consideration ; and to grant them 
 such relief as to the House shall seem requisite. 
 
 " Ordered, That the said petition do lie upon the 
 table." 
 
66 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 THE PETITION OF THE MASTER TAYLORS 
 AND STAYMAKERS OF DUBLIN. 1 
 
 February 1772. 
 
 " A PETITION of the Master Taylors and Staymakers 
 of the City of Dublin, was presented to the House, 
 and read, setting forth, That great numbers of 
 journeymen taylors and staymakers, in and about 
 the said city, and others who have served appren- 
 ticeships, or have been brought up in the art or 
 mystery of a taylor, have lately departed from their 
 services, without just cause, and have entered into 
 combinations to advance their wages to unreasonable 
 prices, and lessen their usual hours of work, which 
 manifestly tends to the prejudice of trade, to the 
 encouragement of idleness, and to the great increase 
 of the poor of this metropolis. That the source of 
 these disorders principally arises from Clubs and 
 Societies, formed and held in different parts of the 
 said city, where Associations are entered into, Oaths 
 administered, and other illegal acts committed, which 
 if not timely prevented may be productive of very 
 ill consequences. That by such Associations the 
 petitioners are compelled to submit to such arbitrary 
 regulations as the said journeymen shall think proper 
 to impose, insomuch that the petitioners are obliged 
 
 1 The Journals of the House of Commons for the Kingdom of 
 Ireland, i8th February 1772, vol. viii. part i. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 67 
 
 to pay the same wages to the most skilful and to 
 the most ignorant, without any regard being had to 
 the merit, ingenuity, or industry of such journeymen : 
 That the present uncertain rates of wages to be paid 
 to journeymen of the said trade, as well as the diffi- 
 culty of executing some parts of the several Laws 
 heretofore passed in this Kingdom for preventing 
 unlawful combinations, are (among others) the causes 
 of the many difficulties the petitioners labour under : 
 And praying leave to lay their grievances before the 
 House, in hopes they will be pleased to take them 
 under consideration, and to remedy the same, as to 
 the House shall seem most proper. 
 
 " Ordered, That the said petition be referred to 
 the consideration of a Committee, and that they do 
 examine the matter thereof, and report the same, 
 with their opinion thereupon, to the House. 
 
 " And a committee was appointed of the Marquis 
 of Kildare, Doctor Clement, and others, or any three 
 or more of them, and they are to meet to morrow 
 morning, nine of the clock, in the Speaker's Chamber, 
 and they have power to adjourn from time to time, 
 and place to place, and to send for persons and 
 papers, and all members who come are to have 
 voices." 
 
68 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE 
 IRISH HOUSE OF COMMONS UPON THE 
 PETITION OF THE MASTER TAYLORS AND 
 STAYMAKERS OF DUBLIN/ 
 
 February 1772. 
 
 " THE Marquis of Kildare reported from the Com- 
 mittee to whom the petition of the Master Taylors 
 and Staymakers of the City of Dublin was referred, 
 the Resolutions of the Committee thereupon, which 
 he read in his place, and after delivered in at the 
 table, where the same were read, and agreed to by 
 the House, and are as follow : 
 
 " Resolved, That it appears to this Committee, that 
 a great number of journeymen taylors have entered 
 into unlawful combinations, and established Rules 
 to be observed, under severe penalties, by all the 
 members combining, in order to raise their wages, 
 and established every month a watch word in the 
 military form. 
 
 Resolved, That all such combinations, as set forth 
 in the petition, are prejudicial to the trade of this 
 city, and tend to the encouragement of idleness, and 
 to the great increase of the poor of this Kingdom. 
 
 " Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, 
 that the petitioners have fully proved the allegations 
 of their petition, and that they deserve the aid of 
 Parliament." 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons for the Kingdom of Ireland, 
 25th February 1772, vol. viii. Part r. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 69 
 
 " AN ACT FOR REGULATING THE JOURNEY- 
 MEN TAYLORS AND JOURNEYMEN SHIP- 
 WRIGHTS OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN, AND THE 
 LIBERTIES THEREOF, AND OF THE COUNTY OF 
 
 DUBLIN. 1 
 
 " PREAMBLE. 
 
 " WHEREAS great numbers of journeymen taylors in 
 and about the city of Dublin and liberties thereof, 
 and in and about the County of Dublin, who have 
 served apprenticeships, or have been brought up in 
 the art or mystery of a taylor, have lately departed 
 from their services without just cause, and have 
 entered into combinations to advance their wages 
 to unreasonable prices, and lessen their usual hours 
 of work, which manifestly tends to the prejudice of 
 trade, to the encouragement of idleness, and to the 
 great increase of the poor of this metropolis : and 
 whereas these disorders principally arise from clubs 
 and societies formed and held in different parts of 
 the said city and county of Dublin, where Associations 
 are entered into, Oaths administered, and other illegal 
 acts committed, which if not timely prevented may 
 
 1 The statutes at large passed in the Parliaments held in Ireland, 
 ii & 12 Geo. III. c. 33, 1771-72, vol. x p. 323. 
 
7O Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 be productive of very ill consequences : for remedy 
 wherefore be it enacted," &C. 1 
 
 1 It is unnecessary to reprint the whole of this very lengthy Act, 
 but some brief analysis of its provisions may be given. In the first 
 place it provided a fine of 20, or in default three months' imprison- 
 ment in the common gaol, without bail or mainprise, for any one 
 convicted of knowingly permitting such illegal clubs or societies to 
 be held on their premises. Tailors entering into oaths or covenants 
 were to be fined ^10, or sent to gaol for three months with hard 
 labour, upon summary conviction before two Justices of the Peace. 
 The hours of labour for tailors in Dublin were fixed, from and after 
 June ist, 1772, from 6 A.M. to 8 P.M., with an hour off for dinner 
 and half an hour for breakfast. The wages were to be not less 
 than is. 4d. nor more than is. 8d. per day, according to the skill and 
 ability of the workman. But for three weeks after the publication 
 of orders for general mourning, the wages were to be 2s. 6d. per day. 
 Journeymen working overtime beyond the hours fixed by the Act, 
 or altered by the justices, were to be paid 2d. per hour extra in 
 ordinary times, and 3d. per hour extra in times of general mourn- 
 ing, and the Justices of the Peace in general Quarter Sessions were 
 empowered to alter and amend the hours and rates of wages thus 
 fixed. 
 
 It will be seen that this Act bore a very close resemblance to 
 that passed in England for regulating the London tailors some five 
 years earlier, and indeed the Irish Act was probably drafted upon 
 the model of the earlier London one. The Act, together with the 
 general anti-combination law passed by the Irish Parliament in 
 1729, was repealed by the Combination Act of 1825. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 7 1 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE STRIKE OF THE 
 TAILORS OF BIRMINGHAM, 1777.* 
 
 [February i ^th, 1777.] " Wanted immediately. One 
 hundred journeymen taylors, to work piece-work in 
 the town of Birmingham, in the county of Warwick. 
 The wages will be such as to enable a man to get 
 1 6 j per week, and upwards upon an average. Apply 
 to William Moystin, No. 130, Moor-Street, Birming- 
 ham." 2 
 
 "February \jth, 1777. To all Journeymen Taylors. 
 Whereas the master taylors of this town of Birming- 
 ham, have inserted an advertisement in last Thurs- 
 day's Paper, for one hundred men to come to work 
 piecework at such prices as, they say, a man can get 
 sixteen shillings per week ; which we the journeymen 
 declare to be false, as we know the prices are stipu- 
 lated so, that he must be an extraordinary hand 
 that can get twelve shillings per week ; and as our 
 wages have for some time been to some men Fourteen 
 shillings, and to others fifteen and sixteen shillings 
 per week, and that of the masters' own raising in 
 opposition to each other, and we are at this present 
 
 1 " A Century of Birmingham Life ; or, a Chronicle of Local 
 Events from 1741 to 1841." Compiled and edited by John Alfred 
 Langford. Vol. i. pp. 225-227. 2 vols., 8vo. Birmingham and 
 London, 1868. Brit. Mus. 2368, e. 
 
 2 This advertisement and the following documents originally 
 appeared in Swinney's Chronicle. 
 
72 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 time all out of work on the occasion ; we hope there 
 are no persons, who know what trade is, that would 
 comply to such arbitrary power, nor come to this 
 town to work under us ; as we can assure the public, 
 that the masters of this town can very well afford 
 to give the above wages : But they want to gain 
 fortunes out of poor men's labour, being not con- 
 tented with cent, per cent., as will be made known 
 to the public very soon. GEORGE HANLEY." 
 
 "February 24th, 1777. 
 
 " EPIGRAM TO THE MASTER TAYLORS. 
 
 " Your proceedings refrain, 
 'Twill be labour in vain, 
 For hands round the country to hunt ! 
 Then pray be content 
 With a clear cent, per cent. 
 And pocket the present affront." 
 
 " Wanted immediately, in the Town of Birming- 
 ham, 40 or 50 Journeymen Taylors to work piece- 
 work ; the wages are such that a good hand can 
 earn i6/ or i8/ per week, and not work more than 
 common hours, and by applying to the under- written 
 masters, may article for constant employ for any 
 time they chuse. The men will not be subject to 
 a House of Call, as none will be employed but such 
 as call at the Masters' Houses, and are free from all 
 combinations. 
 
 " N.B. The above-mentioned masters think it 
 their duty to return their sincere thanks to their 
 customers for their indulgence during the present 
 
History of Trade Unionism 7 3 
 
 dispute ; and now inform them they have such a 
 supply of men as to be able to supply their friends 
 on the shortest notice." 
 
 "March ^rd, 1777. To all journeymen taylors. 
 Whereas the master taylors of the town of Birming- 
 ham have advertised for fifty or sixty men to come 
 to work at piece-work with them at eight shillings 
 per suit : Be it known to all men, that it is not for 
 want of men to work for them ; but the reason is, 
 that the present men do not chuse to work piece- 
 work at all, on account of their late sufferings by it, 
 for instance, a master in this town will keep twelve 
 or fourteen men, when seven or eight could do all 
 his work and have time to spare, so that they do 
 not keep their men, but starve them ; we the present 
 journeymen, are willing to serve our masters on the 
 same terms as before, which was at day wages, and 
 that of their own raising ; but they have bound 
 themselves in a bond as they say. We therefore 
 hope that no man will act contrary to the present 
 men, as they are all well-wishers to the community, 
 and can assure them the masters can well afford to 
 give the same wages they have done for some time 
 past ; and they also say that the men shall not be 
 subject to a House of Call, but it is well known that 
 a House of Call has been an ancient custom, both in 
 London and in all other capital towns in this King- 
 dom, for our trade, and that it is more to the master's 
 advantage than a man's ; but our masters want to 
 impoverish us by an arbitrary power, so that we 
 cannot support our families, and we the journeymen 
 do not chuse to submit to it, which is the cause 
 of the present dispute. We are, gentlemen, Your 
 
74 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 humble servants, the journeymen taylors of the Town 
 of Birmingham. HENRY EVANS," &c. 
 
 "March 24th, 1777. To the public of the Town 
 of Birmingham and the country adjacent. Whereas 
 the master taylors of this town have advertised for 
 a number of hands to come to work piece-work for 
 them at such prices as they may chuse to give ; 
 and their late men have suffered so much by it for 
 many years past, that they do not chuse to work 
 piece-work at all. And as many of the capital 
 masters have chose to employ unexperienced country 
 lads, rather than good workmen which they were 
 supplied with, (and that in justice they cannot deny) 
 for which reason, We, the under-mentioned men, late 
 servants to those masters, desirous that the public 
 may not be imposed on, have taken this method 
 to inform their friends and the public, that they 
 intend carrying on the above trade in all its various 
 branches. Those ladies and gentlemen who please 
 to favour us with their commands, may depend 
 on having their orders completed in the newest 
 fashion, at the shortest notice, and on the most 
 reasonable terms, by their most humble servants, 
 the under-mentioned persons." 
 
 " N.B.- All journeymen who come to this town, 
 are desired to apply to the House of Call, at the 
 Coach and Horses, in Bell Street, where they will 
 meet with good encouragement. None but good 
 workmen need apply." * 
 
 " The advertisements both of masters and men are repeated for 
 six weeks, and then without a word as to the results of the dispute 
 the subject drops. No reference was made to it in the paper other 
 than the advertisements mentioned " (Langford). 
 
History of Trade Unionism 75 
 
 THE PETITION OF THE MASTER TAYLORS 
 OF LONDON AND ITS VICINITY. 1 
 
 February 1778. 
 
 "A PETITION of the several persons, whose names are 
 thereunto subscribed, being master taylors within 
 the City of London, and within five miles thereof, 
 on behalf of themselves, and other master taylors 
 within the limits aforesaid, was presented to the 
 House, and read ; Setting forth, That by two Acts, 
 one made in the 7th year of the reign of King 
 George I., and the other in the 8th year of the 
 reign of his present majesty, several penalties and 
 punishments are inflicted upon master taylors, and 
 other persons exercising the business of a taylor, 
 within the limits of the said Acts, for giving, and 
 upon servants or journeymen in the said business 
 for receiving, any greater wages than by the said 
 Acts are directed ; and that it hath been found by 
 experience, that the compelling the petitioners to 
 give the same wages to all the said journeymen 
 indiscriminately is attended with many inconveni- 
 ences, and tends to prevent emulation amongst the 
 journeymen taylors, and is a great discouragement 
 to all those of superior diligence and abilities in 
 their trade, who, on that account, are frequently 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 3rd February 1778, vol. 
 xxxvi. p. 669. 
 
76 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 induced to enter into combinations, and to leave 
 their work, to the great detriment of the petitioners, 
 and disappointment of their customers : And there- 
 fore praying the House to take the matter into con- 
 sideration ; and that leave may be given to bring 
 in a Bill for altering and amending the provisions 
 contained in the said Acts, relative to ascertaining 
 and fixing the wages of journeymen taylors, within 
 the city of London, and within five miles thereof, 
 and which inflict penalties and punishments for 
 offences touching the same ; or that the petitioners 
 may have such other relief in the premises as to 
 the House shall seem meet. 
 
 " Ordered, That the said petition be referred to 
 the consideration of a Committee : And that they 
 do examine the matter thereof; and report the 
 same, as it shall appear to them, to the House. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 7 7 
 
 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE 
 HOUSE OF COMMONS UPON THE 
 PETITION OF THE MASTER TAYLORS OF 
 LONDON, &C. 1 
 
 February 1778. 
 
 " SIR HERBERT MACKWORTH reported from the Com- 
 mittee to whom the petition of the Master Taylors 
 within the City of London and within five miles 
 thereof, was referred." 
 
 The Committee had examined the two Acts 7 
 Geo. I., and 8 Geo. III., &c., and 
 
 " Mr. George Johnstone, a master taylor, being 
 examined, said, that in pursuance of the said Act of 
 the eighth Year of his present Majesty, the Justices 
 of the Peace at the Quarter Sessions for the City 
 of London, have fixed the wages of journeymen 
 taylors indiscriminately upon all sorts, from whence 
 great inconveniences have arisen to the masters ; for 
 those men, being very unequal in their capacities, it 
 has prevented that emulation which ought to be 
 encouraged amongst them, and also prevents the 
 masters from rewarding men of merit according to 
 their deserts ; that, on this account great combina- 
 tions have been formed, amongst the journeymen, to 
 fix their own wages ; and if their demands are not 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 23rd February 1778, vol. 
 xxxvi. p. 727. 
 
78 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 immediately complied with, to leave their work, 
 which prevents the masters from executing their 
 orders, and occasions disappointment to their cus- 
 tomers. 
 
 "And the witness added, That the powers and 
 regulations authorized by the last mentioned Act, 
 are found to be ineffectual, and are attended with 
 great inconveniences." 
 
 " Mr. James Pearce and Mr. John Snell confirmed 
 the above evidence." 
 
 " Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to 
 explain and amend, and reduce into one Act of 
 Parliament, the laws now in being for regulating 
 master and journeymen taylors, within the Bills of 
 Mortality, and within the distance of five miles 
 thereof ; And that Sir Herbert Mackworth, and Sir 
 Charles Whitworth do prepare, and bring in the 
 same." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 79 
 
 THE PETITION OF THE MASTER TAYLORS 
 OF LONDON AND WESTMINSTER, ftc. 1 
 
 April 1778. 
 
 " A PETITION of several master taylors, residing 
 within the Cities of London and Westminster, or 
 within five miles thereof, was presented to the House, 
 and read ; taking notice of the Bill to explain and 
 amend, and reduce into one Act of Parliament, the 
 laws now in being for regulating master and journey- 
 men taylors within the Bills of Mortality, and within 
 the distance of five miles thereof ; and setting forth, 
 That the petitioners conceive that the said Bill, so 
 far from answering the good purposes pretended 
 thereby, will be very mischievous, and subject the 
 masters to extortions, misbehaviours, and other in- 
 conveniences from the journeymen, will promote 
 combinations amongst the journeymen to demand 
 exorbitant wages, and prevent masters from distin- 
 guishing and encouraging merit ; and that the peti- 
 tioners apprehend the Laws now in being are, and 
 will be, very sufficient for regulating both masters 
 and journeymen, with the following amendments, 
 viz. To allow and compel the party, giving or receiv- 
 ing unlawful wages, to give evidence against the 
 party receiving or giving such wages, and to acquit 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 3rd April 1778, vol. xxxvi. 
 p. 881. 
 
8o Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 the party giving such evidence of the fact, so far as 
 relates to himself ; And therefore praying, That they 
 may be heard, by themselves or counsel, against the 
 said Bill, and that the same may not pass into a 
 law, but that the amendment aforesaid may be made 
 to the Acts now in being, for regulating journeymen 
 taylors. 
 
 " Ordered, That the said petition do lie upon the 
 table, until the said Bill be read a second time ; and 
 that the petitioners be then heard, by themselves or 
 counsel, against the said Bill, upon their petition, if 
 they think fit. 
 
 " Ordered, That Counsel be admitted to be heard, 
 at the same time, in favour of the said Bill, against 
 the said petition." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 8 1 
 
 "THE KING AGAINST ECCLES. 1 
 
 Michaelmas, 1783. 
 
 " THE defendant and six other persons were con- 
 victed at the Summer Assizes for Lancaster in the 
 Year 178 3, on an indictment, containing two counts, 
 for conspiring to impoverish one H. Booth, a taylor, 
 and to prevent him by indirect means, from carrying 
 on his trade. The indictment had been found at 
 the Quarter Session for the town of Lancaster, and 
 removed by certiorari into the King's Bench. 
 
 " The first count stated, ' that the defendants to- 
 gether with divers other persons to the jurors un- 
 known, being persons of ill name and fame, and of 
 dishonest conversation, and wickedly devising and 
 intending unjustly, unlawfully and by indirect means, 
 to impoverish one H. Booth, and to deprive and 
 hinder him from using and exercising the trade 
 and business of a taylor, which he used and exer- 
 cised, on the 28th day of November in the 23rd 
 Year &c., at Liverpool, within the jurisdiction of the 
 Court of Quarter Sessions there, fraudulently, mali- 
 ciously and unlawfully did confederate, conspire, 
 combine and agree among themselves, by wrongful 
 and indirect means to impoverish the said H. Booth, 
 and to deprive and hinder him from following and 
 
 1 Leach Reports, vol. i. p. 274, c. 136. 
 
82 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 exercising his aforesaid business of a taylor in Liver- 
 pool aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction aforesaid ; 
 and that the said defendants, together with the said 
 other persons to the jurors unknown, in pursuance 
 of and according to the unlawful conspiracy, com- 
 bination and agreement aforesaid, on the said 28th 
 day of November, at Liverpool aforesaid and within 
 the jurisdiction aforesaid, indirectly, unlawfully, 
 maliciously and unjustly did prevent and hinder 
 the said H. Booth from following his said trade or 
 business at Liverpool aforesaid, and within the juris- 
 diction aforesaid ; and thereby did, then and there, 
 greatly impoverish the said H. Booth ; to the great 
 damage of the said H. Booth ; to the evil example 
 &c., and against the peace,' &c. The Second Count 
 stated, ' That the said defendants, together with 
 divers other persons to the jurors unknown, on the 
 said 28th day of November in the 23rd Year 
 aforesaid, at Liverpool aforesaid, and within the 
 jurisdiction aforesaid, wickedly, wrongfully, unlaw- 
 fully, and maliciously did confederate together, and 
 conspire and agree by indirect means, to prejudice 
 and impoverish the said H. Booth, and to prevent 
 and hinder him the said H. Booth, from using and 
 exercising his aforesaid trade or business of a taylor 
 in Liverpool aforesaid, and within the jurisdiction 
 aforesaid, to the great damage &c., in contempt &c., 
 to the evil &c., and against the peace ' &c. 
 
 " In the Michaelmas Term following, the defen- 
 dants were brought up to receive the judgment of 
 the Court ; but 
 
 " Chambre and Topping moved that it might bo 
 arrested. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 8 3 
 
 " First. The indictment only contains a general 
 charge of conspiracy. It ought to have stated the 
 acts that were committed to impoverish Booth, and 
 prevent him from carrying on his trade, in order 
 that the defendants might thereby have had notice 
 of the particular charges, they were called upon to 
 answer, and that the Court might see that the alleged 
 conspiracy really existed. In the Case of Rex v. How, 
 it was determined that an indictment for obstructing 
 a magistrate in the execution of his office, without 
 setting out some act or other, is bad : So in Rex v. 
 Munoz, an indictment for procuring a promissory 
 note by false tokens, under pretence of giving the 
 prosecutor the money for it, is held bad for not 
 specifying what the false tokens were. The offence 
 of Barratry is the only exception to this rule requir- 
 ing particular acts to be set out, and there it is only 
 from the necessity of the thing, because of the 
 multiplicity of acts of which that offence consists, 
 and because the words Communis Barraclor is a term 
 of art, appropriated by the law to this purpose, and 
 even in this case it is said to be a settled practise, 
 not to suffer the prosecutor to go on in the trial of 
 an indictment of this kind, without giving the 
 defendant a note of the particular matters which 
 he intends to prove against him. 
 
 " Secondly, that the issue was misjoined, for it is, 
 ' That the said Eccles and others,' and only four out 
 of the seven defendants appeared ; but this record, 
 in its present form, has the effect of a conviction 
 against them all. 
 
 " Lord Mansfield (without hearing the other side). 
 The conspiracy, and the object of it are both stated 
 
84 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 in the indictment, but it is contended that the means 
 by which the intended mischief was effected, ought 
 also to have been particularly set forth as in the case 
 of Bex v. Sterling and others, but this is certainly not 
 necessary, for the offence does not consist in doing 
 the acts by which the mischief is effected, for they 
 may be perfectly indifferent, but in conspiring with 
 a view to effect the intended mischief by any means. 
 The illegal combination is the gist of the offence, 
 persons in possession of any articles of trade may sell 
 them at such prices as they individually may please, 
 but if they confederate and agree not to sell them 
 under certain prices, it is conspiracy ; so every man 
 may work at what price he pleases, but a combina- 
 tion not to work under certain prices is an indictable 
 offence. As to the second objection, the defendants 
 all appeared ; for upon this record it is added ' and 
 they each and all of them severally say,' &c. 
 
 " Willes, Justice. All the cases upon this subject 
 were fully considered in the case of Rex v. Kinner- 
 sley, in which it was decided, that in an indictment 
 for a conspiracy it is not necessary to state the means 
 by which the mischief was effected. 
 
 " Buller, Justice. The indictment states, ' That 
 the defendants intending unlawfully and by indirect 
 means to impoverish the prosecutor, unlawfully did 
 conspire,' &c. ; but nothing need have been stated 
 about the means, for the means are matter of evi- 
 dence to prove the charge, and not the crime itself. 
 The indictment therefore rather states too much 
 than too little. As to the second objection, if in 
 fact the defendants did not all appear, it is a blame- 
 able negligence in the clerks of the office, in making 
 
History of Trade Unionism 8 5 
 
 this careless entry, and the remedy must be against 
 them. 
 
 " The defendants received judgment of six months' 
 imprisonment in the gaol of Liverpool." l 
 
 1 " An indictment for conspiring to convict another of a Capital 
 Crime, and that in pursuit of such conspiracy they did afterwards 
 indict him, is good although it do not charge it to be a conspiracy 
 to indict falsdy." Rex v. Spragge and others, 2 Burr. Rep. 993. But 
 an indictment will not lie for conspiracy to commit a civil trespass. 
 Rex v. Turner and others, 13 East's Term Reports 228, in which 
 case Lord Ellenborough, C. J., said, that the case of Rex v. Eccles, 
 was considered as a conspiracy in restraint of trade, and so far 
 a conspiracy to do an unlawful act affecting the public. But where 
 two conspire and one dies, the other may still be indicted for the 
 conspiracy. Rex v. Nicholls, Mich. 17 Geo. II., cited 13 East's Term 
 Reports, 412-414. 
 
86 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 THE PETITION OF THE MASTER TAYLORS 
 OF LONDON AND ITS ViciNiTY. 1 
 
 December 1800. 
 
 " A PETITION of several master taylors, on behalf of 
 themselves and the rest of the master taylors re- 
 siding within the City of London and five miles 
 thereof, was presented to the House and read : 
 Setting forth that the Acts 7 Geo. i. and 8 Geo 3. 
 fixed a rate of wages which neither party should 
 exceed, and gave Quarter sessions power to alter and 
 revise the said rate etc. etc. 
 
 " And that an application was, about 2 5 Years 
 since, made to the Quarter Sessions, in the manner 
 by the said act directed, to settle the wages and 
 allowances to be paid and given to journeymen 
 taylors, and which were accordingly settled at the 
 rate of 18/9 per week, and that no alteration, or 
 Order of Sessions, has been made since, in respect 
 of the said wages and allowances ; And that the 
 journeymen taylors have, at several times since the 
 wages were settled as aforesaid, entered into com- 
 binations, and struck for an increase of wages, which 
 the petitioners were under the absolute necessity to 
 comply with ; and that the wages the journeymen 
 now receive is 25/ per week, and which were ob- 
 tained in the manner above-stated, and without any 
 
 1 Journals of the House of Commons, 22nd December 1800, vol. Iv. 
 p. 922. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 87 
 
 order of Sessions ; and that the petitioners, at the 
 several times when the journeymen struck for an 
 increase of wages as aforesaid, gave it them without 
 knowing or conceiving they were thereby incurring 
 the severe punishment inflicted by law, or the peti- 
 tioners would not have complied therewith, but on 
 the contrary, would have proceeded in the manner 
 directed by law ; and that the journeymen taylors 
 in this metropolis, to the number of 1 5,000 and 
 upwards, have at this time entered into a combina- 
 tion to an alarming degree, and have refused to 
 work unless their respective masters will raise the 
 wages they now receive to 3O/ per week ; and that 
 the petitioners, being sensible of the illegality of 
 the demand of the journeymen, have unanimously 
 determined not to comply with the same, but intend 
 to compel the journeymen, by a prosecution for a 
 conspiracy ; or in such other legal mode as shall be 
 deemed advisable, to return to their work upon re- 
 ceiving such wages, as shall be settled by the Lord 
 Mayor and Court of Aldermen, but are threatened 
 with prosecutions by the said journeymen for having 
 given them greater wages than are allowed by law, 
 in case they do not comply with their present 
 demands ; And therefore praying, that leave may 
 be given to bring in a Bill, for indemnifying the 
 petitioners of, from and against, all penalties, for- 
 feitures, and punishments, to which they are now 
 by law liable, or to grant the petitioners such other 
 relief as to the House shall appear proper and 
 expedient. 
 
 " Ordered, That the said petition do lie upon the 
 table." 
 
88 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 REPORT, SUBMITTED BY THE MASTER 
 TAILORS' COMMITTEE, TO THE TRADE AT 
 
 LARGE, &C. 1 
 
 August 1810. 
 
 " SIR, The following report of the Committee was 
 read at Highbury Tavern on Wednesday, i st August, 
 1 8 1 o, to a large meeting of the trade, convened by 
 public advertisement, and is submitted by them for 
 Your consideration. 
 
 "GENTLEMEN, It will be recollected by many 
 present, that a Committee was appointed on the 
 25th April last, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, 
 Strand, to carry certain resolutions, which were then 
 agreed upon, into effect. 
 
 " The Committee having pledged themselves by 
 public advertisement, to state to this meeting what 
 has been done by them, and what they, with sub- 
 mission, think ought to be done by the trade in 
 general, beg leave to make a few preliminary obser- 
 vations, on the state of the trade, before they pro- 
 ceed to the more immediate business of the day. 
 
 " In consequence of the unprecedented rise of 
 cloth, and of other articles connected with the busi- 
 ness, many masters, to retain their customers, were 
 under the necessity of charging a smaller profit on 
 
 1 Fol. 4 pp. Preserved in the Collection of Place MSS., Brit. Mus. 
 27,799(io). 
 
History of Trade Unionism 89 
 
 the work done by them, than they ought, and other- 
 wise would have done ; nor can any candid man, em- 
 ployed by the higher ranks of society, blame them for 
 so doing. In addition to this came the rise of 3/ per 
 week, on the part of the journeymen. This advance 
 was not accompanied, as formerly, with additional 
 exertions, but, on the contrary, they take more time 
 to every garment than before ; thus operating doubly 
 on the masters, by the advance of wages, and in- 
 crease of time. Work done by the piece is equally 
 imposing and vexatious. 
 
 " This addition to the time was, no doubt, designed 
 to compel the masters to solicit them to work over- 
 hours, or, in other words, to charge more time for 
 every garment, than they really took to do them in, 
 and that too, at a farther advance, at once outrag- 
 ing the feelings, and injuring the property of their 
 employers. 
 
 " The Committee recognise, in the fullest sense, 
 that, ' The labourer is worthy of his hire,' nor would 
 they lend themselves in any way to counteract it. 
 To be governed however, and dictated to, (not in the 
 mildest manner) by the men they employ, is the 
 most degrading situation in which men in Society 
 can possibly be placed. How much that is the case, 
 a few of the regulations of the journeymen will fully 
 prove, which, for the sake of elucidation, they beg 
 leave to notice: 
 
 " 1st. That no master, however it may be conducive 
 to his good, is allowed to change his men from the 
 day to the piece, or vice versd, without giving one 
 month's notice of such his intention ; which is tanta- 
 mount to his not being supplied for that month, or 
 
9O Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 at least, being subject to a very bad supply, and to 
 every other vexation, which the men well know how 
 to inflict. 
 
 " 2ndly. If a master, in the busy time of the year, 
 cannot be supplied with additional men, he dare not, 
 however he may offend his customers by their work 
 not being done to the time he has pledged himself, 
 give out a single garment to be made without incur- 
 ring the threat, (which in many instances has been 
 put into execution) of not being supplied for one 
 calendar month for the first, offence, two months for 
 the second, and the Committee are informed, that 
 for the third, if hardy enough to offend a third time, 
 he must retire from business altogether, as no supply 
 is allowed him from the combined Houses of Call. 
 Thus they convert their Union into an engine of 
 oppression, which ruins the man on whom it lights. 
 The same law, if it deserves the name, operates in a 
 similar manner against any master who gives, even 
 to his own sister, the lightest garment to make, 
 though she and her family may be starving for 
 bread. 
 
 "The Committee would here observe, that this 
 oppressive mandate operates very severely on the 
 industrious married man with a family, since it pre- 
 cludes his wife or children from earning, towards 
 then* better maintenance, one shilling in that way in 
 which the husband and father could most readily be 
 of service by his instruction. Such, however, is their 
 imperious law, that he is prohibited from working in 
 his own house, even though his health may be un- 
 able to bear up against working in a crowded shop. 
 Thus, neither the health of himself, the maintenance 
 
History of Trade Unionism, 9 1 
 
 of his family, nor the fitting his children for useful 
 members of Society, weigh with the combined societies 
 of journeymen. The children, especially if boys are 
 thus driven to the most menial occupations of life, 
 exposed to immoral habits, and not unfrequently 
 become the pests of society, which must, in a great 
 measure, be fairly attributed to an arbitrary regula- 
 tion, at once oppressive to the masters, and very 
 hurtful to the industrious married man and family. 
 
 " The Committee particularly press this arbitrary 
 and oppressive law to the serious consideration of 
 this meeting, and hope that the gentlemen present 
 will unite in their endeavours, by all legal means, to 
 unfetter themselves, and to let industry among the 
 journeymen have full scope. The liberty that ought 
 to exist among all ranks of society pleads for it ; 
 humanity, the dignified boast of Britons, raises aloud 
 her voice ! Let not the one plead in vain, nor the 
 other be unheard ! 
 
 "The Committee now proceed to inform this 
 meeting what they have done, in conformity with 
 the trust reposed in them : 
 
 " First, they have had several of the first legal 
 opinions, all of which concur in maintaining that 
 redress ought to be obtained, and would be obtained, 
 if applied for in a proper and legal manner. 
 
 " Secondly, They have, with the assistance of a 
 gentleman of the law, framed the outlines of an Act, 
 to be submitted to the legislature for relief, with 
 a petition stating the grievances which the trade 
 labours under, by the unlawful combinations of their 
 journeymen. 
 
 " Thirdly, they have themselves subscribed in 
 
92 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 support of the cause, and some of their members, 
 much to their credit, have gone round to several 
 masters for subscriptions for the same purpose. This 
 however, they would observe, is a very laborious task, 
 and they think every master should come forward 
 in support of a cause in which all are interested. 
 
 " Fourthly, the Committee, have limited their ex- 
 penditure, when met to transact the public business, 
 to 1/6 for each member present, by which they 
 preclude the complaints formerly made, though not 
 altogether well founded, of the monies contributed 
 being applied to feasting instead of the purposes for 
 which it was designed by the subscribers. 
 
 " The Committee here beg leave to observe, that 
 a principal reason of past failures, has arisen from 
 the masters attempting to do, what cannot in the 
 nature of things be done ; viz., resisting the men 
 at a time of the year, when the pressure of business 
 will not admit of it, and then tamely to lay down 
 their arms when foiled ; for it will readily occur, 
 to every considerate mind, that a combination, 
 subsisting for nearly a century and ripened by ex- 
 perience, is not to be over-turned by a sudden, 
 irregular, and ill-concerted attack. 
 
 " Another reason has occurred to the Committee, 
 that there has never been any fund for rewarding 
 the industrious, for assisting them when in sick- 
 ness, for their support in old age, or for the support 
 of their widows or orphan children. 
 
 "The Committee have refrained from anything 
 like exaggeration in the short statement of the 
 grievances, which they, with the trade in general, 
 labour under ; nor have they thought proper to 
 
History of Trade Unionism 93 
 
 bring forward the particular cases which have come 
 to their knowledge, and is more or less experienced 
 by all. It is not at all likely that the evils com- 
 plained of will stop where they are ; for when men 
 once throw off the restraints of law and reason, they 
 proceed from evil to worse. This remark they are 
 emboldened to make, from having been informed, 
 that it required all the exertions of the more mode- 
 rate of the journeymen, to prevent the advance 
 being 6/ per week last Spring. This, it may be 
 easily foreseen, will not be long ere it be enforced. 
 
 " The Committee now beg leave to state, what in 
 their opinion ought to be done, for the general good 
 of the trade, ever keeping in view that the most 
 distant design of oppressing the men is abhorrent 
 to their feelings, and they trust, to the feelings of 
 this meeting and the masters in general. 
 
 " ist. That every master here who has not sub- 
 scribed should do it now ; for which purpose the 
 Secretary is sitting with the books, accompanied 
 by a deputation of the Committee, to insert such 
 subscription. 
 
 " 2dly. That a permanent and increasing fund 
 should be established, which might easily be done 
 by every master paying a certain sum annually to 
 it. This will entitle him to get relief out of it, for 
 such men as he knows may require it, in proportion 
 to the sums that he has paid, and yearly pays. The 
 fund will operate, at the same time, as a check 
 upon unjust demands made by the Journeymen, 
 and enable the Committee to obtain and enforce 
 any legislative enactment that may be granted for 
 their relief. 
 
94 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " 3dly. That such sums as are paid into the 
 hands of the Treasurer, shall be lodged with a 
 banker, and, as soon as the sums so paid will 
 warrant such a step, Trustees shall be appointed 
 by the general body, who shall be accountable for 
 its due application. 
 
 " 4thly. That the Committee shall meet at least 
 once a month, at the Constitution, Bedford Street, 
 Covent Garden, where any information in writing, 
 directed to the Chairman, will be thankfully re- 
 ceived, and every complaint on either side duly 
 attended to. 
 
 " Sthly. That the Committee shall, on a requisi- 
 tion in writing signed by at least twelve masters, 
 members of the Society, for a general meeting 
 of the trade, call such meeting together by public 
 advertisement, where a majority of the meeting 
 will decide on any proposition then brought forward. 
 
 " Lastly, That the Society will meet and dine 
 together, once a year at least, when the books shall 
 be audited, and a fair statement laid before the 
 meeting what sums have been received, what has 
 been paid out of the funds, and for what purpose ; 
 and that such farther regulations be entered into 
 as shall then be approved of by a majority of the 
 masters present. 
 
 " The Committee are thankful for the plans that 
 have been laid before them by individuals, highly 
 creditable to them as men ; and will most cheer- 
 fully lend their time in ripening and bringing to 
 bear such as have for their object the union and 
 good of the masters, the support and encouragement 
 of the industrious journeyman whilst in vigour, his 
 
History of Trade Unionism 9 5 
 
 protection in old age, and the support of his widow 
 and orphan children when left destitute. 
 
 "The Committee look forward with confidence 
 to the liberal support of the trade in general, the 
 following sums have been already subscribed, viz. 
 
 (Here follows list of names of 136 employers or 
 firms subscribing sums varying from i to 20, and 
 amounting in all to 4.72, Ss. Francis Place did 
 not subscribe, but his old partner Wild, of Charing 
 Cross, had given $.) 
 
 " DAVID OWEN, Chairman. 
 "D. MORRICE, Secretary. 
 
 " N.B. Subscriptions are received at the following 
 places : 
 
 "Mr. RILEY, 52 Blackman Street, Borough. 
 Messrs. DOBBINS & GREAVES, woollen drapers, Royal 
 
 Exchange. 
 
 Mr. OWEN, 7 Norfolk Street, Strand. 
 THE CONSTITUTION, Bedford Street, Covent Garden. 
 Mr. HOOD, 27 Cork Street, Bond Street. 
 Mr. PEACOCK, woollen draper, 152 Bond Street. 
 Mr. GODWIN, Paul's Chain. 
 Mr. SCOTT, Brounlow Street, Bedford Row." 
 
96 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 PROPOSITIONS SUBMITTED BY THE MASTER 
 TAILORS TO THEIR JOURNEYMEN. 1 
 
 August 1810. 
 
 " THE Master Tailors feeling themselves aggrieved 
 by the late proceedings of the journeymen, have 
 authorized their Committee to offer to their con- 
 sideration the following propositions. 
 
 " First, That every master shall be served with 
 men on paying the regular wages, without any 
 restriction whatever. 
 
 " Secondly, That no restraint shall be imposed by 
 the Houses of Call on any journeyman exerting 
 himself for the good of his employer. 
 
 " Thirdly, That the journeymen shall, without 
 delay, apply to the Lord Mayor and aldermen at 
 the Quarter Sessions, to affix such rate of wages- as 
 they in their wisdom may deem proper, and in 
 future when they think a further advance of wages 
 necessary, they shall apply to the same authority 
 for that purpose. 
 
 " If these propositions are agreed to, the masters 
 on their part engage to study the welfare and 
 comfort of the journeymen by every means in their 
 power, and will, with as little delay as possible, 
 establish a fund for their relief in sickness, their 
 
 1 S. Sh. Fol. 1810. Preserved in the collection of Place MSS., 
 Brit. Mus. 27,799 (15). 
 
History of Trade Unionism, 97 
 
 support in old age, and that of their widows and 
 orphan children. 
 
 " An answer in writing to these propositions, ad- 
 dressed to the Chairman of the Committee of Master 
 Tailors at the Constitution, Bedford Street, Covent 
 Garden, will be expected on or before the third 
 Wednesday in October next. 
 
 "DAVID OWEN, Chairman. 
 "D. J. MORRICE, Sec. 
 
 "COMMITTEE ROOM, CONSTITUTION, 
 August 24, 1810." 
 
 " SIR, The above propositions were sent to 
 the following Houses of Call, the Robin Hood, 
 Windmill Street ; Bell, Cecil Court, St. Martins 
 Lane ; Scotch Arms, Bedfordbury ; Alphabet, 
 Stanhope Street, Clare Market ; Sun, Long Acre ; 
 Mitre, Aldgate ; Black Lion, Bishopsgate Street ; 
 and White Hart, Butcher Hall lane, Newgate 
 Street. 
 
 " The sub-Committee met on the third Wed- 
 nesday, Oct. 17, for the purpose of receiving the 
 journeymen's answer. No answer to propositions 
 so reasonable being sent, the masters will easily 
 perceive the necessity of enabling the Committee 
 to take such other steps for their protection as 
 may be deemed expedient, against a combination at 
 once oppressive and apparently incorrigible. Such 
 masters as have not subscribed to the cause, it is 
 hoped will do so without delay, as more vigourous 
 measures are in contemplation, as soon as the 
 
 o 
 
98 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 sums subscribed will justify the Committee in so 
 doing. 
 
 "DAVID OWEN, Chairman. 
 
 "D. J. MORRICE, Sec. 
 
 "COMMITTEE BOOMS, CONSTITUTION, 
 24 October, 1810. 
 
 " Subscriptions received at the following houses." 
 (Same list as before.) "N.B. Mr. Morrice, secretary 
 to the Committee, is authorized by them to obtain 
 subscriptions and to collect the same." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 99 
 
 ADDRESS FROM THE COMMITTEE OF MAS- 
 TER TAILORS, SUBMITTED TO THE TRADE AT 
 LARGE, &C. 1 
 
 April 1811. 
 
 " ADDRESS 
 
 " FROM the Committee of Master Tailors, associated 
 for the purposes of resisting the illegal proceedings 
 of their journeymen of removing the injurious and 
 disgraceful controul which the men exercise over 
 their masters of preventing their combination 
 and terminating the mischiefs they occasion to them- 
 selves, to the masters, and to the Community, 
 submitted to the trade at large, at a general meeting 
 held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, in the Strand, 
 on Thursday the 4th April, 1811. 
 
 " It must be needless to use arguments or adduce 
 facts, in proof of the positive necessity to take some 
 steps for the better ordering the relative situations 
 of the master and Journeymen tailors. 
 
 " If the contempt in which the master tailors are 
 held by their journeymen if the disgrace and insult 
 to which they are repeatedly subjected if vexations 
 insupportable, and loss almost incalculable if the 
 
 1 Fol. 4 pp. Preserved in the collection of the Place MSS., Brit. 
 Mus. 27,799 (18). 
 
ioo Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 unnatural system of husbands and fathers prevent- 
 ing their families from earning an honest and 
 comfortable livelihood if that respect, which an 
 important and most useful class of men should 
 command, be worth regard if the interest of the 
 public at large be worth attention nay, if the sub- 
 version of all order in society be worth preventing 
 if these, or any one of these considerations, have 
 weight, then the object of the above Association is 
 most meritorious and imperative. 
 
 " The Committee have unfortunately been too 
 much accustomed to attempts to obscure their views 
 and confound their objects, not to be on their guard 
 on the present occasion ; and to take care that 
 neither their motives or their conduct shall be mis- 
 understoodthey therefore, in the first place, call 
 upon every master tailor to declare, whether the 
 above evils da or do not exist, ere a statement be 
 made of the steps taken to redress them. 
 
 " Should any one deny the existence of those 
 evils, the Committee earnestly intreat an opportunity 
 to lay before him a series of established facts, such 
 as will convince him that every one of these mis- 
 chiefs do prevail, in so great a degree, that without 
 immediate check they will swell to a torrent, too 
 lato hereafter to be withstood but the Committee 
 feel satisfied that no individual can be found who 
 will deny the above statements. 
 
 " Fairly assuming therefore that the trade at large 
 must admit that such is the case ; the Committee 
 next desire to state that they by no means claim 
 any merit in their endeavours to apply a remedy, 
 beyond that of indefatigably devoting their time, and 
 
History of Trade Unionism i o i 
 
 zealously exercising their best judgment to adopt it. 
 In the first place, anxious to avoid contention, the 
 Committee made the most liberal and friendly over- 
 tures to the journeymen themselves these overtures 
 the men treated with insult, and rejected with con- 
 tempt, altho' some of the sober and well-disposed 
 of them at that time expressed their regret that 
 the terms were not complied with ; defeated in this 
 endeavour the Committee in the next place sought 
 all sources of information repeatedly discussed every 
 plan, whether offered by others or suggested among 
 themselves, that appeared serviceable to the pursuit 
 in which they were engaged more than once by 
 Public Advertisement they convened meetings of the 
 trade at large on the subject when they have been 
 informed a difference of opinion existed between 
 them and any one member of the trade, they have 
 both collectively and individually requested the 
 assistance of such member at their meetings ; and 
 if they failed in procuring his attendance, the 
 Committee have then uniformly urged his com- 
 munication by writing, engaging to give it serious 
 and candid attention could they do more ? 
 
 " Thus acting in the face of their brethren and of 
 the Community using their most strenuous exer- 
 tions courting every investigation, and conscious 
 of having had in view the real welfare of the jour- 
 neymen, as well as of the masters, the best interest 
 of the trade, and the benefit of the public ; the 
 Committee proceeded to appeal to the existing Laws 
 for regulating journeymen, by making application to 
 the Sessions the Sessions heard that application, 
 and made their order ; but the order of Sessions was 
 
iO2 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 treated by the journeymen with the same scorn as 
 the friendly overtures of the Committee, and the 
 existing Acts of Parliament being found inadequate 
 to enforce it, the Committee presented such a Bill 
 to the legislature, as, assisted by all the advice, in- 
 formation and experience they could obtain, they 
 conceived would effect the object of the Association : 
 and now by this their last appeal, the Committee 
 call upon each individual of the trade to state any 
 objection he may have to the provisions of the pro- 
 posed Bill, or to give his aid in any modification of 
 its enactments. 
 
 " It would evidently be a waste of time to detail 
 to the trade the particular grievances which they 
 sustain, which every master tailor almost daily ex- 
 periences, and the redress of which gave rise to the 
 labours of the Committee, and the project of the 
 present Bill of Parliament. 
 
 " The several advances of wages were amongst the 
 least causes of the Association the mode of obtain- 
 ing those advances by an extensive, organized and 
 alarming conspiracy, was certainly in itself matter 
 of serious import ; but the augmented and syste- 
 matic imposition practised by the journeymen, after 
 these advances, by their taking more time to every 
 garment than they did before, rendered these steps 
 at once extortionate, insulting and fraudulent. 
 
 " Even these, however, are trivial grievances com- 
 pared to other that the trade endures ; for paradoxi- 
 cal and incredible as it must seem to all other orders 
 of society every individual to whom this is ad- 
 dressed, knows that his servant is his master that 
 ho is regulated by his servants' rules compelled to 
 
History of Trade Unionism 103 
 
 conform to his servants' caprice dictated to, not in 
 the mildest terms insulted menaced, and perhaps 
 ruined, if he dares resist his servants' law ; assume 
 the fit deportment of a master, or the independence 
 of a man Is such a state to be longer tolerated 
 will a master be found so cringing and contemptible 
 as longer to submit to so degraded a situation ? 
 impossible ! 
 
 " But, perhaps, some may affect to dispute those 
 truths of such the Committee will ask ; Can you, 
 or rather dare you, change your men from day work 
 to piece work, or vice versa, without leave of your 
 servants dare you, when pressed in time, give out 
 a garment to be made, altho' you may lose your best 
 customer by disappointing him dare you employ a 
 single man without leave of your servants dare you 
 give to a deserving and industrious female, even to 
 your own sister, the slightest garment to make, altho' 
 she and her family want bread You know you dare 
 not And yet you call yourselves masters ! masters ! 
 a name once respected let it be so again. 
 
 " The public, however, may possibly consider that 
 altho' the masters are thus reduced to degradation, 
 the men may have more comfort and independance 
 
 lamentable mistake ! the Journeymen's Rules act 
 upon each other also with like mischief and severity 
 
 frequently keep them out of employ force them 
 to the wretched fraud of wasting hours every day 
 whilst appearing to work absorb their wages by 
 fines and subscriptions to support their combinations 
 
 preclude the wife and children from earning one 
 shilling in that way in which the husband and father 
 can best instruct them prohibit them from working 
 
104 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 at home when illness prevents their going abroad 
 And thus the health of the journeyman, honesty 
 hi his deportment, his advance in life, the mainten- 
 ance of his family, and the fitting his children for 
 useful members of society, are all proscribed by his 
 own Laws ! ! ! Laws subversive of society itself ; 
 repugnant to every principle ; insupportable to the 
 master, and destructive to the servant such are the 
 Laws which the Committee seek to abolish such 
 are the evils they trust to remedy should they fail, 
 they still think their endeavours will have the appro- 
 bation of every candid person, of every good subject, 
 of every honest man. 
 
 " As it was evidently impracticable in an address 
 of this kind, to set forth a list of all the Rules of 
 the journeymen, and to give a description of all the 
 grievances they inflict on the masters ; in like man- 
 ner, the Committee are precluded from here detail- 
 ing the remedies they propose ; but the latter will be 
 stated at large to the present meeting from the pro- 
 posed Act itself the leading point in them is, to 
 obtain from the Legislature effective powers to con- 
 fine both masters and men to the quantum of wages 
 fixed by the authorities enabled to regulate them 
 for, if illegal advance be rigidly restrained, there is 
 an end to the great inducement to ' striking ; ' and 
 the Combination Act will then, in the opinion of the 
 Committee, be sufficient to cure all minor evils. 
 
 " But the Committee must not be supposed to have 
 regarded lightly a point of such magnitude as fixing 
 a price on labour it has occupied their frequent and 
 serious discussion it has engaged their deep and 
 attentive consideration they have viewed it on its 
 
History of Trade Unionism i o 5 
 
 broad basis, as applicable to labour in general they 
 have weighed its effects as operating on this trade 
 in particular the result has been, that although a 
 free and unfettered exertion be pleasing in thought, 
 and specious in theory ; yet like other positions 
 which the corruption of the times and of human 
 nature have rendered visionary ; the Committee be- 
 lieve, that labour without regulation will be found 
 in practice pernicious, hi effect destructive on the 
 point as applicable to this particular trade ; had the 
 Committee wavered in their opinion, they submit 
 that they would have done well to resort to the 
 wisdom of their ancestors they did so they were 
 amply recompensed for their research they there 
 learnt not only what was considered proper to be 
 done, but what was necessary to be done when the 
 price of labour had no limit they found, and it is 
 distinctly stated, in the Act of 7th George I., that, 
 when the price of labour had no limit, the combina- 
 tions of journeymen tailors to advance their wages, 
 forced the legislature to fix the amount ; and com- 
 pelled the Parliament of those days to enact that, 
 which it is the present object of the Committee to 
 carry into effect no mode more eligible than that 
 now proposed, for correcting the combinations of the 
 journeymen, suggested itself to the judgment of our 
 ancestors no plan more preferable has occurred to 
 the minds of the Committee or been offered by 
 any one member of the trade the decision of the 
 Committee therefore, was not only founded in expe- 
 rience, but they had no alternative. 
 
 " The Committee are aware they may be asked 
 has experience proved that the Act of 7th Geo. I., 
 
io6 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 cured the evil ? they answer frankly, Certainly not : 
 it has not cured the evil ; and thence arises the 
 necessity for the present application to Parliament ; 
 for the trade must never forget that the wholesome 
 provisions of that Act were never questioned, but 
 the obstructions to its execution were so numerous, 
 that a second Act was passed in the 8th Geo. III., 
 to enforce the former, expressly because, as the Act 
 itself states, many subtle devices were practised to 
 evade its regulations ! You all know, you feelingly 
 know, to what a tremendous extent those devices 
 and evasions have increased since passing the last 
 Act to guard against those devices in future ; to 
 prevent those evasions, and to remove those obstruc- 
 tions therefore, are the prominent objects of the 
 proposed Bill. On those grounds the Committee, 
 with confidence, submit its different provisions to 
 the decision of the trade at large, convened this day ; 
 and trust to receive their approbation, and directions 
 to carry it into full effect. 
 
 " The Committee cannot, however, close this ad- 
 dress without urging to the immediate consideration 
 of the trade, a topic that although last, is not least 
 nearest to their hearts they wish to prove to the 
 journeymen, and to the world ; that so far from a 
 design to oppress the former, their most earnest 
 desire is to ameliorate their condition, by giving their 
 industry full scope when in health, and relieving 
 them when in age, in sickness, or distress for this 
 purpose, the Committee propose that a permanent 
 and increasing fund should be established by annual 
 subscription of the masters, which shall entitle them, 
 under due regulations, to grant relief out of it to 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 07 
 
 aged, sick, or distressed journeymen, and probably to 
 extend their succour, in certain instances, to their 
 widows and orphans. The Committee feel it useless 
 to enforce the utility of a measure, calculated at once 
 to influence the conduct even of the refractory jour- 
 neyman, and to gratify the feelings of the compas- 
 sionate master. They will only add, they hope this 
 day to see such a plan adopted." 
 
io8 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 AN ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATURE OF 
 GREAT BRITAIN FROM THE MASTER 
 TAILORS OF LONDON, &C. 1 
 
 April 1811. 
 
 "AN ADDRESS to the legislature of Great Britain, 
 from that part of the Master Tailors, of 
 London and its environs, who consider 
 themselves as peculiarly aggrieved by the 
 provisions of a Bill now passing through 
 the House of Commons, entitled, ' A Bill 
 for amending an Act of his present 
 Majesty for regulating the journeymen 
 tailors within the City of London and 
 five miles thereof.' 
 
 " THE intended regulations of this Bill being such 
 as are no less subversive of general equity than of 
 private interest, we have judged it both prudent 
 and just to endeavour to oppose its progress, by 
 showing its impolicy and its injustice. This we 
 hope to do hi language somewhat more temperate 
 than has always been employed by the framers of 
 the said Bill, and our confidence in the equity and 
 wisdom of Parliament leaves us nothing to doubt 
 from its final decision. 
 
 1 London, 1811, 4 pp. 8vo. Preserved in the collection of Place 
 MSS., Brit. Mus., 27,799 (16). 
 
History of Trade Unionism 109 
 
 "Before we proceed, however, to show the errors 
 inseparable from the adoption, it may be proper to 
 glance at the origin of this Bill, and the preceding 
 Acts of Parliament upon which it is founded. There 
 always have been, and there always must be, in 
 this metropolis, two very different classes of master 
 tailors, and the journeymen who can perform the 
 work of the one class, are totally unable to execute 
 that of the other. While it is obvious, therefore, 
 that those master tailors whose line demands a 
 superiority of work will be both able and willing 
 to pay a higher price to their men ; it is no less 
 apparent that the others, whose circle of employ- 
 ment describes an humbler sphere, will be, to a 
 certain degree, unable and unwilling to pay the 
 same rate of wages ; as their profits are diminished 
 their remuneration to the men must be less. To 
 prevent, therefore, the possibility of any such general 
 increase of the price of labour, among the journey- 
 men, as may affect their interest, they have devised 
 the present Bill ; in which, not content with seeking 
 their own advantage, unrestrained by any sentiments 
 of moderation and justice, they aim also to shackle 
 the hands of those other masters whose interests 
 are quite distinct. They are extremely anxious to 
 impose penalties and pains for transgressions which 
 they know they shall never have any temptations 
 to commit, and are reckless of what may be the 
 injury sustained by the higher branch of the trade, 
 which will hardly be able to exist at all without a 
 violation of the enactments of this most prepos- 
 terous Bill, whose origin is thus deduced. 
 
 "But, waiving all considerations of personal in- 
 
1 10 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 terest, it may be confidently anticipated that a 
 measure, which has originated in private selfishness, 
 whose basis is injustice, and whose operation must 
 be impolitic, will never receive the sanction of a 
 British House of Commons. 
 
 " That it is unjust admits of proof by an appeal 
 to the simplest notions of right and wrong, and 
 to the established customs of society, immutably 
 founded upon those notions. Unless it can be 
 proved that only one scale of excellence in work- 
 men is required by their masters ; unless it can be 
 proved that the nobleman wishes his coat to be no 
 better made than his tradesman'(s) ; that to sew up 
 a waggoner's frock and to make up a fashionable 
 and tasteful garment are the produce of equal de- 
 grees of ingenuity and skill ; unless all this and 
 much more can be proved,- it is an insult to the 
 common sense of mankind to talk about a fixed 
 price of reward. Such a measure is oppressive 
 in the highest degree ; it removes the stimulus to 
 exertion, and destroys within a man that neces- 
 sary confidence of his own talent which always 
 rises or sinks in the proportion of its reward ; 
 and it would be difficult to shew why this rigour 
 should be exercised towards the journeymen tailors 
 alone. Have they not an equal right with every 
 man in the kingdom, to expect a reward in propor- 
 tion to their individual talents ? Is it not most 
 certain that while one man among them may 
 scarcely have deserved one shilling a day (we speak 
 in reference to the reign of George I., the time of 
 the Act being passed) another may justly have 
 merited, and ought honestly to have obtained two 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 1 1 
 
 or three. And where does that right exist which 
 would endeavour to bring down the man of talent 
 and industry to a level with the bungler and the 
 sluggard in the rate of their reward ? What would 
 a master tailor say, for the case is strictly analogous, 
 if the legislature were to fix the absolute price of 
 a coat, without any reference to the quality of the 
 cloth, the nature of its decorations, or the size of 
 the wearer, and impose heavy penalties upon any 
 master tailor who should dare to ask, or dare to take 
 a shilling more ? Would he not appeal, from the 
 tyranny of such a law, to the common voice of 
 human nature, and justify his complaint by enforc- 
 ing the undeniable truth, that a fixed reward for a 
 fluctuating commodity, is a contradiction in politics 
 and in morals ? But let him remember that by 
 whatever argument he might seek to arraign the 
 injustice of such a measure ; by the same argu- 
 ments every journeyman may arraign the injustice 
 and cruelty of the measure which it is now en- 
 deavouring to carry against them. 
 
 " To these positions it may, perhaps, be replied, 
 that the inconvenience which master tailors suB'er 
 from the combination of their journeymen, renders 
 it highly necessary that some measures should be 
 adopted for their relief. To this we would answer 
 that the ' Combination Act ' of 4Oth Geo. III., is fully 
 competent to redress such evils ; yet we would exhort 
 them not to overlook a powerful auxiliary, that of 
 holding out a free market for the exchange of human 
 industry. The combinations of the men are but 
 defensive measures resorted to for the purpose of 
 counteracting the offensive ones of their masters. 
 
1 1 2 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 And here begins the impolicy of the proposed Bill. 
 The fate of two successive attempts on the part of 
 the legislature, to fix the rate of labour, might surely 
 teach us wisdom. The several Acts which were 
 passed, for that purpose, never produced that opera- 
 tion in behalf of the masters, which was weakly 
 anticipated; but they produced something which 
 was not anticipated, though it required no powers of 
 prophecy to be foreseen. They produced a vigorous 
 co-operation of the journeymen to vindicate their own 
 rights; a co-operation which has held the masters, 
 more or less, in thraldom ever since. 1 Could it, 
 indeed, be otherwise ? Could it be expected that 
 men would contentedly act under a system which 
 the meanest among them must instinctively feel and 
 know to be unjust ? Still, however, their opponents 
 are not satisfied, but are striving to draw the bow 
 yet tighter. But, in all discussions upon the sub- 
 ject, let it never be forgotten that every attempt to 
 equalize the efforts of human industry and skill ; 
 every attempt to level various degrees of talent and 
 ingenuity, of integrity and worth, to one common 
 ratio of remuneration, is a violation of the most 
 obvious principles of justice and fair dealing, be- 
 tween man and man. 
 
 " It is our unanimous and unbiassed opinion, that 
 the interest of masters, of journeymen, and of the 
 community at large, would be essentially advanced, 
 by throwing open the market of industry, which 
 
 1 "Not only has this co-operation injured the masters; it has 
 essentially injured, in many respects, the journeymen themselves, 
 as will be clearly illustrated in the work announced at the end of 
 this address." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 1 3 
 
 will soon find its level. If the price of labour be 
 left to the mutual agreement of the master and the 
 workman, as in all other cases, the mutual benefit 
 of both parties would be so nicely balanced, that 
 they would operate infallibly as a check upon the 
 extortion of either, while skill and industry would 
 be rewarded in just proportion to their deserts. The 
 effect of a free competition would be, not to raise the 
 average price of labour, for though a few individuals, 
 who may have attained to great proficiency in their 
 business, would obtain from those masters who had 
 a demand for such extraordinary proficiency, a higher 
 rate of wages, there would still be a community of 
 talent, whose price would be regulated by the de- 
 mand for it, and that demand would seldom be so 
 great as to leave no choice to the master, nor com- 
 petition | to the workman : And when every man 
 knew that he could carry his labour to the highest 
 bidder, there would be less motive for those com- 
 binations! which now exist, and which exist because 
 such combinations are the only means of redress that 
 they have. 
 
 " These are the arguments which the obvious 
 impolicy and injustice of this intended Bill have 
 suggested to us ; and we are not without hope that 
 they will, and must have their due weight with 
 every candid, with every unprejudiced mind. May 
 they also lead to such an issue, as may give to the 
 workmen the fair reward of their skill and in- 
 dustry, and secure the trade in general, especially 
 its higher branches, from all those evils which now 
 threaten it. 
 
 "LONDON, April igth, 1811. 
 
1 14 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 u * 
 
 * # * The preceding remarks are but a brief 
 summary of those arguments, which it is intended 
 shortly to lay before the public and the trade, in 
 a separate publication. The present paper was 
 deemed necessary, meanwhile, to counteract the 
 rapidity with which it is endeavoured to carry the 
 measure in contemplation." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 1 5 
 
 OBSERVATIONS ON THE BILL LATELY BROUGHT 
 
 INTO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS BY THE MASTER 
 
 TAILORS, &c., 1 8 1 1 .* 
 
 " OBSERVATIONS on the Bill lately brought into 
 the House of Commons by the Master 
 Tailors, intituled, ' A Bill for amending an 
 Act of his Present Majesty for regulating 
 journeymen tailors within the City of Lon- 
 don, and five miles thereof.' 
 
 " THE Bill recites, that the Orders and Regulations 
 made by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Recorder of 
 London, by virtue of the 8th of Geo. III. c. 1 7, have 
 not been complied with, and that the powers con- 
 tained in that Act, have been found, insufficient to 
 enforce such compliance. 
 
 " In answer to this, it is to be observed, that on 
 perusing the Act, the powers of inforcing it appear 
 quite sufficient, two months imprisonment being the 
 penalty both on masters and journeymen for non- 
 compliance with the Orders and Regulations of the 
 Mayor and aldermen, &c. The statement that the 
 powers have been FOUND insufficient, is certainly not 
 correct, as they never have been in any one instance 
 attempted to be enforced. If it be true that the 
 
 1 London, N.D. (but evidently 1811), 6 pp. 4to. Preserved in the 
 collection of Place MSS., Brit. Mus., 27,799 ( I2 )> 
 
i 1 6 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 Regulations have not been complied with, the state- 
 ment of such non-compliance amounts merely to an 
 acknowledgment on the part of the Master Tailors 
 that they have broken the law. 
 
 " By the first clause (fo. 2 and 3) of the Bill, two 
 new points are introduced ; first, a power is given to 
 the Mayor, &c., to settle the wages to be paid for 
 working over hours ; secondly, the additional wages 
 during a general mourning are to be confined to 
 articles of mourning only. 
 
 " It is conceived that as no authority can be exer- 
 cised to compel a journeyman to work over hours, 
 this point ought to remain open, as a matter of free 
 contract between the parties ; particularly as there 
 never has been any disagreement between the mas- 
 ters and journeymen on the subject ; the masters 
 generally paying a halfpenny an hour more than the 
 regular pay for working over hours. On this head 
 the Act of the 8th George III., allowing only three- 
 pence an hour for over hours is of course now become 
 virtually inoperative. 
 
 " With regard to an extra allowance for mourning 
 only, during a general mourning, if such were to 
 become the law, it would be a most extraordinary 
 hardship. At first sight it seems a great hardship 
 on the public, and an unreasonable advantage to the 
 journeyman, that double wages should on such occa- 
 sions be paid ; but the truth is, that a general mourn- 
 ing is a most distressing thing for the journeyman. 
 Fifty years ago, none but professional men were in 
 the habit of continually having a black suit in their 
 wardrobe, now there is hardly any man (especially 
 about the metropolis) who has not always a suit of 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 1 7 
 
 black ; so that the demand for black, at the time of 
 a general mourning, is very much reduced, and when 
 from particular circumstances, the mourning is for 
 a considerable time anticipated, the demand for black 
 is reduced almost to nothing. The last mourning, for 
 these reasons, produced much distress in the trade ; 
 and at all times after the first demands for mourn- 
 ing have been supplied, which has been generally in 
 a week or ten days, a total stagnation of business has 
 ensued for two months. Instead, therefore, of the 
 double wages being confined to mourning only, they 
 should be extended to all clothes made during the 
 whole of the time of the general mourning. 
 
 " The clause in fo. 3 and 4, inflicting a penalty 
 on both master and journeyman for giving or taking, 
 for work done by the piece, more than ' a fair pro- 
 portion' to the settled wages by the day, is very 
 objectionable. 
 
 " It will be observed that, by the Bill, no list of 
 prices is ordered to be fixed or settled by the Lord 
 Mayor, &c., for piecework, and yet, if a person gives 
 or takes more than ' A FAIR PROPORTION ' he is to 
 be punished by a penalty. If the prices of piece- 
 work are in their nature correctly ascertainable, they 
 ought to be settled in the same way as the other 
 wages ; if they are not correctly ascertainable it is 
 unreasonable that any person should be punished 
 for taking more than what a Justice (who on such a 
 subject can be no judge) may think, or rather guess 
 to be ' a fair proportion.' The trade have a printed 
 list of prices for work done by the piece, consisting 
 of about 150 different items, but labour when so 
 divided, is from the very nature of it, so incapable 
 
ii8 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 of correct appreciation, that neither masters or jour- 
 neymen are quite satisfied with the list of prices, 
 although they have done their best to settle it satis- 
 factorily. If neither the master tailors nor journey- 
 men can agree, even between themselves, as to what 
 is exactly a 'fair proportion' to be allowed for 
 piece work, how can a gentleman who knows 
 nothing of the subject, be expected to form so 
 decided an opinion as ought to induce him to inflict 
 a penalty ? 
 
 "In fo. 7 of the Act is a proviso that operates 
 as much against the masters as the journeymen, 
 that is, a proviso ' that no master shall have a foreman 
 [Captain] except in a certain proportion to the number 
 of journeymen which he employs! " 
 
 " The first objection to this clause is, that it does 
 not limit the time during which the master is to 
 employ the proportionate number of journeymen. 
 In the months of February, March, August, Sep- 
 tember and October, the number of journeymen 
 employed in London is considerably less than in 
 the other months. In addition to this, it is to be 
 observed that "many persons follow the trade of a 
 master tailor who have other occupations (perhaps 
 in the Custom House or Excise) and who keep 
 only one or two men, but in consequence of the 
 master's frequent absence from home, it is necessary 
 that one of these men, or perJiaps the only one, whom 
 the master employs, should have the wages of a 
 foreman in consequence of his extraordinary atten- 
 tion. In large concerns it is very common for the 
 master to send to a house for a 'Squad' of 10 men 
 and a captain, and to another for 6 men and a captain, 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 1 9 
 
 and so on. The ' captain ' is a man known to be a 
 good workman, and he alone receives the job from 
 the master or the foreman of the concern. The 
 captain, knowing the competency of the different 
 men of his squad, distributes the job amongst them, 
 and takes care that it is properly done and in due 
 time. He alone is answerable to the master, as 
 he alone receives the instructions and undertakes 
 the management of the job, and for this extra 
 trouble and responsibility he receives at the rate 
 of 3/- per week extra, which is generally the wages 
 of a foreman. As the calls for these squads and 
 captains wholly depends on accident, it is perfectly 
 clear that any positive legislative provision on the 
 subject of captains and foremen must be impolitic 
 and unjust, and unavailing. All men bond fide em- 
 ployed as foremen or captains ought to be allowed 
 to take a proportionate additional compensation. 
 
 " At the end of the proviso in question in fo. 7 
 is tacked another proviso still more objectionable, 
 viz. ' That it shall be at the optio-n and will of the 
 master to PAY his journeymen either by day work or 
 Piece work as lie thinks proper.' 
 
 "Upon what principle the masters can require 
 the introduction of a clause so unjust and partial 
 as this, it is difficult to conceive. It is presumed 
 that it is meant that the master should ' employ ' 
 (not 'pay') the journeymen as he thinks proper, 
 but justice requires that the right to settle the 
 terms of employment should be reciprocal. If an Act 
 were to pass with such a clause as that attempted 
 to be now introduced, it would have the effect of 
 paralyzing all exertions on the part of the jour- 
 
1 20 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 neymen, it would be tantamount to enacting that 
 no journeyman shall do one stitch more than the 
 number absolutely necessary to Jill up the day's work; 
 for what man will work for the benefit of his master 
 only, without receiving some compensation himself? 
 If the option is to be on one side only, it ought to 
 be on the side of the journeyman. He does the thing 
 which is to be paid for, and is entitled to be paid 
 for what he actually does on the highest terms which 
 the law allows. To support the clause introduced by 
 the masters, it must be insisted upon as a principle, 
 that the labour expended is not to be considered 
 as the criterion of compensation for work done, but 
 that work being done, the masters interest is to be 
 the criterion of compensation to the person who 
 does the work ! 
 
 " The Act 8 Geo. III. c. 17, having given the 
 power of regulating the wages to the same persons 
 to whom it is to be given under the present Bill, 
 and a competent power to punish any breach of 
 the regulations being also given by that Act ; no 
 new powers to inflict penalties being given in the 
 present Bill, but merely a substitution of Fine in 
 the first instance, for imprisonment (which is so far 
 rendering the breach of the regulations less penal) 
 it is submitted on the part of the journeymen tailors 
 that no good purpose either to the public, or to the 
 masters, can be answered by passing the present 
 Bill into a law. 
 
 " The new regulations attempted to be introduced, 
 that journeymen should be paid double wages for 
 mourning only during a general mourning, and that 
 they shall be paid either by the piece or by the day, 
 
History of Trade Unionism 121 
 
 at the option of the master, are, it is submitted, 
 (the one from the injustice of the principle of it, 
 and the other from its increasing the distress of 
 circumstances in themselves distressing) neither of 
 them entitled to the sanction of the legislature." 
 
i 22 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 SUGGESTIONS TO A FEIENDLY MEMBER OF THE 
 SELECT COMMITTEE ON TAILORS, 1 8 1 1 , BY 
 FRANCIS PLACE. 1 
 
 SUGGESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION. 
 
 " OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 "Every person has black 
 cloaths now, the men at gene- 
 ral mournings suffer much from 
 want of employment. It has 
 been said, and is believed, that 
 on the last occasion, 10,000 men 
 in London were kept out of 
 employment for two months. 
 
 " This would cause endless 
 disputes, and would enable a 
 bad master to oppress his men, 
 who would have no redress. 
 
 " C. This cannot be put into 
 practice. The master will al- 
 ways find some way to compen- 
 sate the man. It often hap- 
 pens that a man who is capable 
 has a garment to make in busy 
 times which he makes in much 
 l e ss time than is actually al- 
 
 " EXTRACTS. 
 
 "Fol. 2. Clause to regulate 
 the price of labour and work- 
 ing hours, the former act for 
 this purpose having been 
 evaded. 
 
 " Mayor &c. of London, to 
 set the price and hours of work- 
 ing and the price for over 
 hours and at times of general 
 mourning only for a month. 
 
 " Fol. 3. The master may pay 
 the men at his own option, 
 either by the day or piece 
 
 " Fol. 4, 5. No more wages 
 to be given than the sum 
 ordered by the Sessions by the 
 day, or in proportion by the 
 piece. 
 
 " Penalty on the masters, ,50 
 workmen, i o 
 
 Half to the informer. 
 
 1 MSS. preserved in the Place Collection of MSS., Brit. Mus., 
 27,799 (20). 
 
History of Trade Unionism 
 
 123 
 
 lowed, for which he receives 
 the full price, reckoning by the 
 hour. It would be impossible 
 at times to have the business 
 done were this not allowed. 
 
 " This will be evaded by par- 
 tial strikes and by gradually 
 withdrawing the men from cer- 
 tain shops. 
 
 "After some time the mas- 
 ters will consent to violate this, 
 as they have all former laws, 
 and raise the wages above the 
 sum settled at Sessions. 
 
 Penalty to be levied by dis- 
 tress. If no effects, 2 months 
 imprisonment by order of 2 
 Justices." 
 
 " General striking or leaving 
 work to be evidence of a com- 
 bination. Attempting to lessen 
 the quantity of work usually 
 done in any shop, do. 
 
 "This clause will be nuga- 
 tory for the reasons above (C.). 
 
 It is calculated to do nothing 
 but mischief by producing dis- 
 cord in families, especially in 
 those where there are appren- 
 tices. 
 
 " Fol. 6. Justices may, upon 
 suspicion, summon clerks, fore- 
 men, apprentices and servants 
 and examine them on oath as 
 to the breaking or evading the 
 law. If the party does not 
 attend he may be apprehended 
 and brought before the Justices, 
 and may be committed until he 
 
 " This would be found very 
 oppressive, in many cases very 
 injurious to small masters. It 
 is absurd to attempt thus to 
 interfere in the management of 
 a man's business. 
 
 " The utmost latitude is here 
 given to, and a large reward 
 held out for perjuring. Two 
 Justices are to have power on a 
 summary hearing to fine a man 
 
 ^5o- 
 
 "The evidence may have 
 
 "Fol. 7. No master to em- 
 ploy more than one captain 
 or overseer, unless he generally 
 employs more than 6 men, and 
 so in proportion for every 6 
 men. 
 
 "S penalty on any mas- 
 ter employing persons out of 
 the limits of this Act (5 miles 
 round London) to do his work 
 or any part of it. 
 
 " Half of the penalty to the 
 informer, who, in clause 5, is 
 
1 24 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 violated the law by a contri- made a competent witness, not- 
 
 vance to rob his employer. No withstanding he has himself 
 
 jury to be allowed in the first violated the Law. The penalty 
 
 instance. to be inflicted by two Justices 
 
 " The Game Laws are less of the Peace ! ! ! 
 
 "Fol. 8. Appeal allowed to 
 Quarter Sessions. Not to be 
 removed by Certiorari. Distress 
 not to be unlawful from want 
 of form, nor the plaintiff to 
 recover without notice or after 
 tender of amends." 
 
 " Upon the whole, if this Bill were to become Law, 
 it would be pernicious to trade, and tend greatly to 
 demoralise a very large number of persons by pro- 
 moting perjury and creating distrust and suspicion, 
 deceit in the never ceasing contrivances to evade it, 
 an increase of hatred between masters and men, and 
 be a bad example to other trades. 
 
 "It would tend to bring all law into contempt, 
 inasmuch as it could not be observed, and breaking 
 it would be considered meritorious. 
 
 "If the justices are to say more than a certain 
 sum shall not be paid, would it not be equally wise, 
 or absurd, that they should also say, less than a 
 certain sum shall not be paid ? If this be not so 
 will not the Act, be an Act to authorize combina- 
 tions among the masters, and forbidding them among 
 the men ? 
 
 "The business destroys the men with great 
 rapidity, as the following accurate account, taken by 
 the Clerk of the House of Call, shews : 
 
History of Trade Unionism 125 
 
 " There are men from 1 8 to 24 . . . 79 
 24 , 28 . . 106 
 
 28 
 
 S^ 
 40 
 46 
 
 32 ... 102 
 
 4 . . .75 
 
 , 46 .27 
 
 , 56 . . .16 
 
 Total . . .405 
 
 " Very few men can work constantly, doing so 
 affects their health. As a body they are much im- 
 proved within my recollection, they are more decent 
 in appearance and more civil in their deportment 
 than they were formerly. 
 
 " Combinations are generally in practice unjust to 
 some persons. Yet that of the journeymen tailors 
 affords facilities to the masters to a much greater 
 extent than any other trade does, and more than 
 compensates for any evil arising from the perpetual 
 combination. 
 
 " The present wages are by no means too high 
 they cannot average 26 / a week, and for those men 
 who are constantly employed not more [than] 3O/ 
 a week," 
 
 [Place was examined before this Committee, and 
 afterwards wrote the following to his friend who sat 
 upon it : ] 
 
 " My examination yesterday was not what I had 
 anticipated it would be. It might have been carried 
 much further and made much more to the purpose. 
 It was partly my own fault, and partly yours. We 
 should have understood one another respecting the 
 points to be elucidated, much better than we did. 
 The following facts and statements in addition to 
 
i 26 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 what I said are at your service, and if it should be 
 thought likely that they may be made useful, I shall 
 be ready to verify them in any proper way. 
 
 " I have found by repeated trials that the ther- 
 mometer in the workshop when the usual number of 
 men, in the months of May and June, say from 2 5 
 to 30 are in it, is as high in the afternoon as it is 
 in the open-air with the sun shining upon it. Some- 
 times it indicates a greater degree of heat in the 
 shop in the shade than it does in the open-air in 
 the sun. 
 
 "On the 1 2th June 1808, with 31 men in the 
 shop, the thermometer at 2 P.M. 97 at 1 1 A.M. it 
 was 90 and at 7 P.M. it was also 90. In the 
 open air in the shade its highest was 84 in the 
 sun it was 90. 
 
 " In the winter months there are many hours 
 when the men work by candlelight. The heat of 
 the shop increases gradually from the time the 
 men come to work in the morning until they leave 
 it at 7 o'clock in the evening. I have usually had 
 about 24 men at work during the months of January 
 and February, and consequently there have been 
 1 8 large candles burning at the same time in the 
 shop, and as the men at such times close up every 
 aperture they can, from fear of taking cold from 
 being blown upon by the cold air, the air in the 
 shop becomes so far vitiated by the combustion of the 
 candles, respiration and perspiration of the men, and 
 the singeing of woollen cloth by the hot irons very 
 often made much hotter than they should be, that 
 a visible effect may be observed on the flames of the 
 candles. This has been remarked by the men, and 
 
History of Trade Unionism i 2 7 
 
 attributed to the bad quality of the candles. The 
 heat of the shop at these times has been so great, 
 that the candles, which when given out were very 
 hard, have become so soft that when removed the 
 fingers have sunk into them. 
 
 " The atmosphere within the shop is at these 
 times particularly offensive, several persons whom I 
 have taken into it to witness this circumstance have 
 retired from it with precipitation as if escaping from 
 a pest house. On leaving this unwholesome place 
 the men are at once exposed to the effects of a 
 frosty atmosphere which must produce very bad 
 effects upon their healths. 
 
 "Dr. Buchan in his Domestic Medicine says 
 journeymen tailors generally die of consumption. 
 Mr. Oliphant, a very observing gentleman in an 
 extensive practice, and Dr. Reid, physician to the 
 Finsbury Dispensary, entertain the same opinion. 
 The cadaverous appearance of the men indicates 
 very plainly the unhealthy nature of their employ- 
 ment, of whom the men who crowd the Committee 
 room are fair samples. 
 
 " My observation leads me to conclude that men 
 who work in the master's shop will be more moral 
 and more generally respectable in their appearance 
 and manners, than they who work by the piece at 
 their own rooms. These pieceworkers, who are not 
 undertakers, being often without work between job 
 and job, a kind of employment which produces an 
 indisposition to employment, destroys regularity, in- 
 duces idleness, and destroys to some extent a man's 
 good opinion of himself. 
 
 " I should anticipate some inconvenience from the 
 
1 28 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 employment of men by the piece in my own house 
 which does not at present exist. It frequently 
 happens that several men have to lay aside the 
 work they are doing to take up other work which 
 it is necessary should be done in as short time as 
 possible. I have many times employed as many 
 as 6 men at the same time on one coat ; this could 
 not be done if the men were not kept at work in 
 my own workshop, and I should hardly know how 
 to pay them equitably if they were employed by 
 the piece." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 129 
 
 - NARRATIVE OF PROCEEDINGS FOR REPEAL 
 OF THE COMBINATION LAWS. BY FRANCIS 
 
 PLACE. 1 
 
 " IN the same year, 1 8 1 o, that the Times prose- 
 cuted the printers, the Master Tailors of London 
 made an attempt to subdue their journeymen and 
 make them conform to their wishes. They knew 
 that this could only be done by an Act of Parlia- 
 ment, and a sum of money was therefore raised by 
 subscriptions to procure an Act. I was applied to 
 subscribe, but I refused ; yet, notwithstanding this, 
 I was appointed a member of their Committee. I 
 attended once, and explained to them very calmly 
 and deliberately the reasons why I did not and could 
 not concur with them, and why I thought it advis- 
 able for them to desist, and make an attempt to pro- 
 cure the repeal of all the Laws against combinations 
 of workmen. I shewed them that their present pro- 
 ceedings could cause nothing but mischief, that they 
 would not succeed in procuring an Act of Parliament, 
 and that if they could it would be evaded, no matter 
 how it was worded. I shewed them how it hap- 
 pened that they (their particular trade) had never 
 
 1 MSS. preserved in the Place Collection of MSS., Brit. Mus., 
 2 7>798, PP- 9-1 1. I have extracted from this lengthy and interest- 
 ing account of the means by which the repeal of the Anti-Combi- 
 nation Laws was obtained in 1824, only that part relating to the 
 tailors and their unions. 
 
 I 
 
130 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 been* able to make use of the law as it stood, and 
 explained to them that so long as the men con- 
 tinued to repose confidence in those they appointed 
 to manage their concerns, no law could reach them, 
 and that a more severe law would, as they very well 
 knew, increase that confidence. I gave no offence, 
 but they proceeded, and a Committee x was appointed 
 to take evidence. When the Committee had sat two 
 or three days I went down to the House, and after 
 hearing some witnesses examined, requested that I 
 might be examined. I had given a sketch of what 
 I wished to depose to the Parliamentary agent for 
 the journeymen, who mismanaged the business sadly, 
 but still my evidence was sufficient to destroy the 
 Bill. I was well known by name in the trade, and 
 pretty well known personally, though I knew scarcely 
 half a dozen of the masters ; there were many in the 
 room, yet in no instance was the person of any one 
 of them known to me. My evidence produced a 
 strong ebullition among those who took a different 
 view of the matter. Mr. Barton (?) was Chairman of 
 the Committee ; he was a Welsh judge, and at this 
 time was totally blind. When my evidence was 
 concluded some of the spectators hissed, upon which 
 Mr. Barton, in the name of the Committee, thanked 
 me for coming forward as I had done and giving the 
 evidence I had given. Two of the principal master 
 tailors then told the Chairman that they concurred 
 completely in all I had said, and wished my evidence 
 should stand as theirs also. It was explained to the 
 
 1 "A Select Committee of the House of Commons, but an open 
 Committee that is, a Committee which anybody who chose might 
 attend." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 3 i 
 
 Committee, that I was entirely unknown to these 
 gentlemen, and had had no communication with 
 either ot them. This put an end to the proceedings 
 in Parliament. Several master tailors called on me 
 afterwards and thanked me, but not a single journey- 
 man, nor any one for them, came near me, nor at 
 any subsequent time did they do anything to pro- 
 mote the repeal of the Combination Laws^except 
 a small number at one house of call signing a peti- 
 tion for that purpose at my request when I had pre- 
 pared it for them." l 
 
 1 This petition is preserved in vol. 27,800. It is quite a general 
 matter, relating in no way specifically to tailors, and was probably 
 a common form drawn up by Place, and used generally by all kinds 
 of trades. 
 
132 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 "ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT, MADE AND CON- 
 FIRMED BY A SOCIETY OF TAYLORS, AT A 
 GENERAL MEETING, HELD AND TO BE CON- 
 TINUED AT THE HOUSE OF MR. BARGEWELL, 
 THE SCOTCH ARMS, BEDFORD BURY, IN THE 
 PARISH OF ST. MARTIN'S IN THE FIELDS. 
 BEGUN MARCH 25, 1760. RE-PRINTED WITH 
 ALTERATIONS, BY ORDER OF A GENERAL MEETING 
 OF THE SOCIETY, ON MONDAY, JUNE 22, I8I2. 1 
 
 " WHEREAS it has been an ancient custom in the 
 Kingdom of Gt. Britain, for divers artists, to meet 
 together and unite themselves in Societies (but more 
 especially those who profess the art and mystery of 
 a Taylor) to promote amity and true Christian 
 charity, and upon all occasions to assist each other ; 
 it is therefore agreed by us, who have entered our 
 names into the book hereunto affixed. Alexander 
 Braid, Clerk ; Alexander M'Crea, Joseph Hinsley, 
 John Robertson, Robert Stonehouse, Stewards. 
 
 " RULES, ORDERS, AND REGULATIONS. 
 " Article I. 
 
 " That there shall be a meeting of all the mem- 
 bers of this Society, the first Monday after every 
 
 1 London, 1812, 8vo, 16 pp., Brit. Mus. 8275, BB. 2 (i). 
 
History of Trade Unionism 133 
 
 quarter-day, and the sixth Monday following, at 
 eight o'clock in the evening ; the books to be kept 
 open till ten, and that a box be provided with four 
 locks and keys, whereof the four senior stewards to 
 keep one each. 
 
 " Article II. 
 
 " That every person wishing to become a member 
 of this Society, must be recommended by a free 
 member thereof, who shall be answerable that the 
 person he so recommends, doth not exceed the age 
 of thirty-four years, and also that he is a native of 
 Great Britain, and by trade a Taylor, and actually 
 gets his living at the said trade, at the time of his 
 admission, and that he is likewise to the best of 
 his knowledge free from all bodily complaints ; but 
 should it afterwards be proved that any person so 
 recommended was above the age of thirty-four years 
 at the time of his admission, or not a native of 
 Great Britain, or not a taylor by trade, or not in 
 good health at the time he was admitted, such 
 person so recommended shall be immediately ex- 
 pelled this Society ; and if it is clearly proved that 
 the member who recommended such person knew 
 that he was not eligible to become a member hereof, 
 agreeably to this article, he shall also be expelled 
 this Society ; and when any new member is recom- 
 mended and presented before the Society, the clerk 
 shall order such to withdraw from the room until 
 the opinion of the Society is taken, and if no ob- 
 jections are then made, he shall have his name im- 
 mediately placed on the books, but if an objection 
 
1 34 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 is then made against the admission of any member, 
 his name cannot then be entered, but [if on enquiry 
 before the next club-night such objections appear 
 unfounded, he shall be admitted as from the night 
 whereon he was first proposed. Each member when 
 admitted shall pay to the stock of this Society the 
 sum of five shillings and eightpence for his entrance, 
 and on every club-night afterwards the sum of three 
 shillings and sixpence, that is to say, three shillings 
 and fourpence to the stock, and twopence to be 
 spent for the benefit of the house. 
 
 " Article III. 
 
 " The members of this Society shall serve the 
 Office of Stewards, which will be six in number, 
 according to their seniority on the books, and who- 
 soever shall refuse to comply with the same, shall 
 forfeit five shillings to the stock, which is to be 
 paid the third half quarter. Should any member 
 accept the office of steward, either by marking his 
 name on the list, or being present, and not relin- 
 quish the same in time, so as another may be 
 chosen in his place, he shall forfeit ten shillings 
 to the stock. A list for the stewards shall be 
 made out at the third half quarter, in order that 
 every member may have time to consider whether 
 or not he will stand ; and upon the grace-night of 
 the half-year, the books are to be called at ten 
 o'clock precisely ; the members not marking their 
 names, or being present if it come to their names, 
 must pay a fine of five shillings. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 3 5 
 
 " Article IV. 
 
 "No person shall receive any benefit from this 
 Society, until he has belonged to the same six 
 months ; and after such time if he should fall sick 
 and be incapable of working, he shall, seven days 
 after notice has been given to the landlord, receive 
 sixteen shillings per week, provided whether sick 
 or well he pays his dues according to these articles ; 
 but should his illness require going into the country 
 for regaining his health, the stewards are to make 
 provision accordingly, not exceeding four weeks' pay ; 
 but should the stewards have any suspicion of the 
 person's health requiring his going into the country, 
 they shall at the expense of the Society go to a 
 doctor, and after being satisfied with his opinion 
 of the necessity in that case, they are to make 
 provision as before specified, and the sick member 
 shall send a certificate every four weeks signed by 
 the parson and churchwardens of the parish, or if 
 in Scotland, by the ministers and elders of the 
 parish ; any member on recovery, neglecting to 
 send a declaration off, to be fined five shillings. 
 
 "Article F. 
 
 " If a member demands money on pretence of 
 illness, and be found at work, or taking orders in 
 his business during the course of his being upon 
 the Club, or if he shall be found intoxicated with 
 liquor, or out of his lodgings after the hour of nine 
 o'clock in the evening, from Lady-day to Michael- 
 mas-day, and from Michaelmas-day to Lady-day at 
 
136 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 eight o'clock in the evening, or found playing at 
 cards, or any other .mode of gambling, he shall be 
 excluded. If a member goes out from his lodgings, 
 he shall leave word in writing where he is gone, 
 so that the stewards may find him, if they require 
 it ; on neglect of the above, they shall be fined two 
 shillings and sixpence. 
 
 "Article VI. 
 
 " No person shall have any benefit from this Society 
 who hath a disorder on him, wherewith he hath been 
 afflicted from his infancy, or any distemper he hath 
 brought on by a loose wicked life, such as the venereal 
 disease ; but after the decease of such member, his 
 heirs or executors shall receive nine pounds sterling 
 as legacy, and four pounds sterling for funeral charges. 
 A member having drawn three pounds for his wife's 
 funeral, prior to these articles, in such case then to 
 receive ten pounds, and the legacy to be paid the 
 first half quarterly-night after, if they have the 
 money in the box. 
 
 "Article VII. 
 
 " If the stewards and clerk do not attend on the 
 quarterly and half quarterly meetings, also the two 
 grace-nights following, namely, the grace-night the 
 half quarter before midsummer, the grace-night the 
 half quarter before Christmas, and the grace-nights 
 at midsummer and Christmas, unless prevented by 
 sickness, and in that case their key must be sent to 
 the landlord, or one of the stewards, before the hour 
 of eight o'clock in the evening, on either of these 
 
History of Trade Unionism i 3 7 
 
 club-nights, they are to forfeit two shillings and six- 
 pence ; the stewards are to attend the House every 
 Monday night before the hour of nine o'clock, in 
 order to hear complaints respecting the sick, and 
 also to settle among themselves with respect to new 
 declarations, under the penalty of five-pence to be 
 spent by those stewards who meet, the stewards shall 
 receive and pay all money, and take proper receipts 
 for what they pay, and at the end of every half-year 
 they are to give in a just account thereof to the Society 
 and succeeding stewards ; on grace-nights every half- 
 year there shall be made out in writing by the clerk, 
 the amount of all cash received and expended, that 
 every member may be satisfied of the augmenting 
 or diminishing of the stock ; the stewards on their 
 admission are to give their place of abode in writing 
 to the landlord, that he may know where to send 
 for them when wanted, and should any of the Society- 
 money be embezzled by the stewards, they are to be 
 excluded, and sued at law for the same ; and all 
 declarations must be given in writing, the day of the 
 month and the hour of the day on which the same 
 is made to the landlord, and the landlord to give the 
 same to one of the stewards in twelve hours after, or 
 forfeit two shillings and sixpence to the stock : the 
 stewards to visit the sick member in twenty-four 
 hours after the said declaration is given, under the 
 penalty of two shillings and sixpence to the stock, 
 and after the first Monday night's meeting, the 
 stewards to visit the sick member or members every 
 other day, Sunday excepted, if within three miles of 
 the club-house, and within six miles once a week ; 
 the stewards so neglecting shall forfeit one shilling 
 
138 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 for each offence to the stock : And should the 
 steward or stewards in seven days after the date of 
 the said declaration, fail to pay the said sick mem- 
 ber his money, or any future pay, he shall forfeit 
 five shillings to the stock. 
 
 "Article VIII. 
 
 " If a member lays wagers, or challenges another 
 in his working, so as to undervalue or lessen him in 
 any manner as to the understanding of his employ- 
 ment, he shall forfeit sixpence to the stock ; if a 
 member swear or cause any quarrel in the club- 
 room, he shall forfeit sixpence, and for each oath 
 shall forfeit sixpence more ; and if a member pro- 
 motes gaming he shall forfeit sixpence, and for gaming 
 two shillings. Should a member come disguised in 
 liquor, and make a disturbance, he shall forfeit six- 
 pence, and if desired by the stewards to leave the 
 room and does not immediately comply, he shall 
 forfeit one shilling to the stock ; the stewards shall 
 command silence, and whoever refuses to be silent 
 when three times demanded by any of the stewards, 
 shall forfeit sixpence to the stock ; all fines to be 
 booked and to be paid on the clearance night, that 
 the members should spend their tickets in the club- 
 room ; the landlord to be under the fine of two 
 shillings and sixpence for taking them anywhere else. 
 
 " Article IX. 
 
 " If a member absent himself, and does not send 
 his quarterly money or hah quarterly, or exceed 
 three half quarters in arrears, he shall be expelled, 
 
History of Trade Unionism 139 
 
 but the third half quarter after midsummer, and 
 third half quarter after Christmas, he shall have a 
 week's grace, the clerk to write to them, to have 
 sixpence for his trouble, and two shillings to the 
 stock, and the clerk and stewards to attend on Mon- 
 day, and the stewards are to see such members 
 excluded in the book at ten o'clock at night, or forfeit 
 five shillings to the stock ; the grace-nights after mid- 
 summer and Christmas the books shall be cleared, 
 paying one shilling every half year for clearance. 
 Any member who shall have a fine owing on the 
 books on these two clearance nights, and omits pay- 
 ing them, shall be wrote to by the clerk, and for 
 which he shall receive sixpence for his trouble, and 
 two shillings to the stock ; the clerk and stewards 
 shall attend the Monday following to receive such 
 money, and if they do not appear that night by ten 
 o'clock, their name or names shall be erased from 
 the books. Country members in such cases shall be 
 allowed until the next club-night. Every member 
 shall have his name and place of abode entered on 
 the Society's books, and as often as he removes from 
 one place to another, he shall acquaint the clerk in 
 writing the first club-night after, or forfeit sixpence. 
 
 " Article X. 
 
 "No member shall receive more than fifty-two 
 weeks' pay in the space of two years, after which 
 time he shall be deemed a pensioner ; a member 
 declaring off to evade this article to be expelled, but 
 if such member's health should be restored, so as to 
 enable him to follow his employment, he to be con- 
 
1 40 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 sidered as any other member, and shall pay his dues 
 the same, or be expelled ; the stewards are obliged 
 to visit such members once every quarter, if within 
 the limits of visitation, and make their report to the 
 Society every quarterly-night, or forfeit two shillings 
 and sixpence for each neglect, but if a member 
 resides hi the country, he is to send a certificate 
 signed as mentioned in the articles, once every quar- 
 ter, or his pay shall be stopped, but if a member 
 through age, or by any accident, become blind or 
 lame, and by that means rendered incapable of work- 
 ing, he shall receive from the Society two shillings 
 and sixpence per week ; no patient to receive pay 
 from the land-lord, but from the hands of one of the 
 stewards, superannuated members excepted ; when a 
 steward receives money from the landlord he shall 
 be obliged to sign his name in the book, and the 
 day of the month, or forfeit one shilling for each 
 neglect. 
 
 "Article XI. 
 
 " If any member shall privately design or promote 
 breaking up the Society to another member, and 
 he discovers it to the rest of the Society, the said 
 member who first proposed it shall be expelled, but 
 should the other conceal it for six months, and it 
 be afterwards found out, they shall both be expelled. 
 
 "Article XII. 
 
 " That if any member of this Society shall be 
 impressed into the sea or land service, and shall 
 appoint a person to pay the dues of the club, he 
 
History of Trade Unionism 141 
 
 shall be deemed a good member, and if maimed 
 and rendered incapable of working, he shall receive 
 two shillings and sixpence per week, but if a mem- 
 ber of this Society shall enter voluntarily into His 
 Majesty's service by sea or land, he shall be immedi- 
 ately expelled ; but any member may belong to any 
 parish volunteer corps, and even receive pay, and 
 still bo deemed a good member. 
 
 " Article XIII. 
 
 " If a member shall die within the bills of mor- 
 tality, two stewards shall see him decently buried, 
 and if the stewards do not attend, they shall forfeit 
 two shillings and sixpence each to the stock ; they 
 shall be allowed two shillings and sixpence each for 
 their attending the funeral, to be paid out of the 
 stock, the two senior stewards to attend the first 
 funeral, and so on in rotation, or otherwise as may 
 be agreed by the stewards themselves ; if any of the 
 stewards are prevented by illness from attending, 
 they shall be obliged to send in proper time to the 
 landlord, informing him of the same, that the other 
 stewards may provide another person, in order that 
 the corpse of their brother member may be properly 
 attended by that number appointed by the Society ; 
 the executors or assignees of the deceased shall give 
 notice three days before the funeral to the stewards, 
 so as they might see their brother member decently 
 buried ; the stewards conducting the funeral and no 
 other friend, they shall be allowed the sum of five 
 pounds, ten shillings, if deemed necessary, and the 
 one pound ten shillings to be deducted from the 
 
142 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 money of his legacy ; a man notwithstanding the 
 aforesaid article, by making his will, may leave his 
 legacy to whom he pleases. 
 
 "Article XIV. 
 
 " Should a member of this Society bring an accu- 
 sation against his brother member, with a view to 
 have him expelled, and it should be afterwards proved 
 to the satisfaction of this Society, that such accusa- 
 tion was made through malice or revenge, the accuser 
 to be fined five shillings, but on sufficient proof being 
 given to the satisfaction of the Society, he who shall 
 be accused must be present at the next meeting 
 night, and if found guilty he shall be expelled. 
 
 "Article XV. 
 
 " That at the death of a free member's lawful 
 married wife, he may receive four pounds for her 
 funeral, provided he produces the certificate of their 
 marriage, then the stewards shall draw it and pay 
 on demand, but if he does not produce the certificate 
 of their marriage, it shall be left for the next club- 
 night to settle ; but as thirteen pounds is the full 
 legacy and funeral expenses, when a member receives 
 the said sum for his wife's funeral, the said four 
 pounds must be deducted out of his legacy at his 
 own decease ; a member suffering himself to be 
 expelled after receiving the four pounds for his 
 wife's funeral, and is afterwards re-entered into this 
 Society, the four pounds which he received for his 
 wife's funeral will also be deducted out of his legacy. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 143 
 
 "Article XVI. 
 
 "If any dispute happens relating to the affairs 
 of the Society they shall be settled by a majority of 
 the members present, but if there should not be 
 twenty-five members present, the business to be 
 postponed until a full meeting ; but if it should so 
 happen that the affairs of the Society should require 
 a meeting sooner than the regular meeting-night, 
 the stewards shall be empowered to direct the clerk 
 to summons the Society by letters, to be delivered 
 at his place of residence, as registered on the book, 
 three days, before the meeting takes place, to be 
 delivered free of postage if within the limits of 
 visitation, or forfeit two shillings and sixpence to 
 the stock, for which he shall receive threepence 
 from each member ; members shall pay a fine of 
 one shilling if they do not attend by nine o'clock, 
 when the books are to be called ; stewards, sick, and 
 country members excepted. 
 
 "Article XVII. 
 
 " That the disagreeable necessity of shutting up 
 the box may be avoided, and which happens when 
 many members are sick at one time, it is resolved 
 that the stock of this Society shall never be lower 
 than ^500 in the three per cent, consols, and in 
 case of a deficiency to support the sick, the money 
 borrowed for that purpose to be inserted in the books 
 to every member, in proportion as the sum wanted, 
 and to be paid as a fine in three half quarters after 
 booking. 
 
144 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 "Article XVIII. 
 
 " If any member after he becomes superannuated 
 should desire to sell out he must give notice to the 
 stewards, and on the next club-night it shall be sub- 
 mitted to the members present, what compensation 
 they shall think proper, not to exceed thirty pounds, 
 according to the age and health of the member ; and 
 if the member does not agree to their proposals, to 
 be continued as before. 
 
 " N.B. All letters must come to this Society free 
 of expence to the Club. 
 
 " FINIS." 
 
 " Form, of declaration on the Fund. 
 
 " I., A. B., being a free member of the Taylors' 
 Society, and residing at , being afflicted with 
 
 , do declare on the Fund of the said Society, 
 this day 1 8 , as witness my hand. 
 
 " To the Stewards of the Taylors' Society, 
 " The Scotch Arms, Bedford Bury." 
 
 " Form of declaration off the Fund. 
 
 " L, A. B., being a free member of the Taylors' 
 Society, and lately afflicted with - , do hereby 
 declare off the Fund of the said Society, this 
 day of 1 8 , as witness my hand. 
 
 " To the Landlord of the Taylors' Society, 
 " Scotch Arms, Bedford Bury." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 145 
 
 " Form of notice of Removal. 
 
 " I., A. B., have removed from to this 
 
 day of 1 8 
 
 " To the Secretary of the Taylors' Society, 
 " Scotch Arms, Bedford Bury." 
 
 Page 16 INDEX. 
 " (Nichols, printer, Earl's Court, Newport Street.) " 
 
146 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 THE JOURNEYMEN TAILORS. ARTICLES RE- 
 PRINTED FROM THE GORGON, SEPTEMBER AND 
 OCTOBER iSiS. 1 
 
 " JOURNEYMEN TAILORS. 2 
 
 " WE shall now proceed to fulfil our promise re- 
 specting the state of the journeymen tradesmen in 
 London, and shall begin with the tailors. The pre- 
 sent is a favourable moment for the working classes, 
 and they ought to endeavour to recover that rela- 
 tive situation in society, which they held before the 
 late war. From the table it appears, that tailors 
 have, on an average, sustained a weekly loss of more 
 than 7 quartern loaves since 1794; and even now, 
 taking the quartern loaf at I3]d., they are suffering 
 a weekly loss of 3.^.1 quartern loaves, and would re- 
 quire an advance of 3/9 a week to place them in 
 the same comfortable circumstances they were in, 
 prior to the above period. 
 
 1 Extracted from The Goryon : A Weekly Political Publication. 
 London, 1818-1819, price id., and afterwards i|d. weekly (Brit. 
 Mus. P. P., London, 3557, tc. Svo.). 
 
 2 Reprinted from The Gorgon, &c., September 26, 1818, pp. 148-151. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 
 
 " A TABLE shewing the amount of the wages of a journeyman 
 tailor from 1777 to 1814; the quantity of bread it 
 would purchase, and. the sum he ought to have received 
 in each year since 1794, to make his wages equal to 
 what they were from 1777 to 1795, being a period of 
 eighteen years : 
 
 
 
 h 
 
 2s 
 
 9 
 
 * 
 
 "o 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 % 
 
 <o 
 
 >! 
 
 
 J 
 e 
 
 g,-* 
 
 fe 
 
 ^ s 
 
 ^ 5? 
 
 Ii 
 
 Years. 
 
 j% 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ s 
 
 *" 6 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 "o 
 
 t>> QJ 
 
 (T 
 
 5*>M 
 
 t*^^ 1 
 
 5 ^ 
 
 
 
 4? *H 
 
 CO <O 
 
 ^ ff 
 
 s 
 
 0^ ^ 
 
 
 S 
 
 i 
 
 .1"" 
 
 |SP 
 
 ! 
 
 1 
 
 s m 
 
 1 
 
 
 d. 
 
 , s. d. 
 
 
 
 ^ s. d. 
 
 ^ s. d. 
 
 Average from 1777 to 1795 . 
 
 7\ 
 
 1 9 
 
 36 
 
 
 
 i i 9 
 
 Jim. i to Dec. 31, 1795 . . 
 
 12! 
 
 
 242 
 
 ij i 
 
 o ii 9 
 
 i 16 9 
 
 6 . . 
 
 8* 
 
 5 
 
 3S| 
 
 i 
 
 006 
 
 i 5 6 
 
 ,, 7 
 
 9i 
 
 S ^ 
 
 3I f 
 
 4| 
 
 036 
 
 i 8 6 
 
 Nov. 9 1797, to Nov. 9, 1798 
 
 8 ? 
 
 5 o 
 
 
 
 006 
 
 i 5 6 
 
 9 
 
 9i 
 
 S 
 
 3 1 ! 
 
 4 
 
 036 
 
 i 8 6 
 
 1800 
 
 16 
 
 S 
 
 i8| 
 
 I 7i 
 
 130 
 
 280 
 
 1801 
 
 X 7i 
 
 7 o 
 
 i8| 
 
 17! 
 
 i 6 6 
 
 2 13 6 
 
 2 
 
 IO 2 
 
 7 
 
 31 
 
 5 
 
 045 
 
 i " 5 
 
 3 
 
 9i 
 
 7 
 
 34 
 
 2 
 
 o i 6 
 
 i 8 6 
 
 4 
 
 9i 
 
 7 o 
 
 34 
 
 2 
 
 o i 6 
 
 i 8 6 
 
 S 
 
 14^ 
 
 7 o 
 
 22^ 
 
 *3i 
 
 o 16 5 
 
 235 
 
 6 
 
 12} 
 
 7 o 
 
 26 
 
 IO 
 
 o 10 6 
 
 i 17 6 
 
 7 
 
 12 
 
 IO 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 060 
 
 i 16 o 
 
 8 
 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 30 
 
 6 
 
 060 
 
 i 16 o 
 
 9 
 
 I 45 
 
 IO 
 
 
 lx i 
 
 o 13 6 
 
 236 
 
 1810 
 
 16 
 
 13 o 
 
 245 
 
 Il| 
 
 o 15 o 
 
 280 
 
 1811 
 
 I4 I 
 
 13 o 
 
 27 
 
 9 
 
 o ii 3 
 
 243 
 
 2 
 
 
 13 o 
 
 2l4 
 
 
 126 
 
 2 15 6 
 
 3 
 
 17! 
 
 16 o 
 
 24? 
 
 II- 
 
 o 17 3 
 
 2 13 3 
 
 4 
 
 I2 2 
 
 16 o 
 
 35s 
 
 1 
 
 009 
 
 i 16 9 
 
 5 
 
 
 16 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 
 16 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 16 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 " N.R No advance in the price of bread having 
 taken place from 1777 to 1795, a period of 18 
 years, no increase was made in the wages of the 
 
148 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 journeymen, there was no dispute between the 
 workmen and their employers, and of course no 
 striking for wages. 
 
 " The price of butcher's meat, fuel, and lodging, 
 has increased with the price of bread ; and inquiry 
 proves that these articles were equal in price to 
 the loaf at 1 6d. for several years preceding 1815; 
 the price of meat has since fallen a trifle, but the 
 price of fuel and lodging remains as it was. 
 
 "REMARKS ON THE ABOVE TABLE. 
 
 "In the year 1801, although the wages were 
 advanced from 25/ to 27/ , they would purchase 
 1 8 loaves only, instead of 36, as they ought to 
 have done. 
 
 " t ln the next year, 1802, they would purchase 
 32, nearly. 
 
 " Difference per week, of the necessaries the 
 workman would receive, as valued in loaves 
 in two successive years . . . Loaves . 12^ 
 
 Difference in ..... Money . i 2 i 
 Difference in the whole year, . . Loaves . 750 
 
 Difference ditto in .... Money . 57 8 3 
 
 " Thus it is demonstrated, that his weekly earn- 
 ings hi 1 80 1 would produce him not much more 
 than half the quantities of necessaries they procured 
 him from 1777 to 1795, and that in two succes- 
 sive years he was mulcted of full two-thirds of 
 the quantity of necesaries he enjoyed from 1777 
 to 1795. 
 
 " Mr. Ricardo has proved that labour in all old 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 49 
 
 countries is never paid more for than will serve to 
 maintain the workman hi a condition to perform 
 his work, according to the mode of living of the 
 labourer in the country in which he resides. What 
 then must be the consequences "of these violent 
 fluctuations? As the workman is seldom in a 
 condition to save much from his earnings, starva- 
 tion even while fully employed, is the consequence ; 
 say he has saved, then he must expend his savings, 
 and they will be expended very soon, and then he 
 must starve.* But whoever will take the trouble 
 carefully to compare the results the foregoing table 
 exhibits, will be convinced that saving must at any 
 time be almost totally impossible. 
 
 " This will be rendered still more apparent, if 
 it be considered that the business of a tailor is 
 much governed by fashion, and that the quantity 
 of employment is twice as much in the months 
 of April, May, and June, as it is in the months 
 of August, September and October ; and from this 
 cause, and from ill-health occasioned by the nature 
 of the business, the whole body of the journeymen 
 may, in good times even, be unemployed about 5 
 months in the year, and thus their actual wages 
 are reduced one-fourth below the sum which from 
 the table it might be supposed they received, or 
 2// instead of 36/-." l 
 
 1 A portion of the article is here omitted, as it does not relate 
 especially to tailors, but is a discussion of wages in general. 
 
5o Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 "MORTALITY OF DIFFERENT TRADESMEN IN THE 
 METROPOLIS. 1 
 
 "First, Tailors. -An account of the ages of 405 
 journeymen tailors frequenting one house of call : 
 
 ' Class i from 1 8 to 24 years of age 
 
 28 
 32 
 40 
 46 
 56 
 
 Total 
 
 79 
 106 
 1 02 
 
 75 
 27 
 
 10 
 
 405 
 
 " Note, not one of the men upwards of 46 years 
 of age had regularly followed his business as a sewing 
 tailor, and the oldest man was in his 5 6th year. 
 
 " Of the 40 5 rather more than half of them were 
 married." 2 
 
 " COMBINATION AMONG THE TAILORS. 
 
 " The system of combination of the journeymen 
 tailors, is by far the most perfect of any ; and what- 
 ever may be said to the contrary it is by no means 
 pernicious in its consequences, under the existing 
 laws against combinations of workmen; but it is 
 actually necessary and highly useful. Shut out as 
 these men in common with all other workmen are, 
 
 1 Reprinted from The Gorgon, &c., October 3, 1818, pp. 154-160. 
 Portions of the article are here omitted as being devoted to a 
 consideration of the causes of the poverty of the working classes 
 generally. 
 
 2 Several pages, here omitted, follow showing that the chief 
 cause of the early deaths is consumption. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 5 1 
 
 from all legal remedy, no other means than those 
 of combination, in order to prevent the utmost 
 degradation, remain, and the more perfect the com- 
 bination the less the degradation ; this we intend to 
 prove in an essay on the laws respecting combina- 
 tions, in which it will also be made manifest, that 
 those tradesmen among whom combination is the 
 least perfect, are the most degraded and most 
 wretched. 
 
 " The organization of the tailors is nearly as 
 follows : They are divided into two classes, called 
 Flints and Dungs, the Flints have upwards of 30 
 houses of call, and the Dungs about 9 or I o ; the 
 Flints work by the day, the Dungs by the day or 
 piece. Great animosity formerly existed between 
 them, the Dungs generally working for less wages, but 
 of late years there has not been much difference in 
 the wages, the material difference being the working 
 by the piece or day, instead of the day only ; and at 
 some of the latest strikes both parties have usually 
 made common cause. 
 
 " It is of the Flints principally we mean to speak, 
 not only because they are the largest body, but be- 
 cause they always take the lead. 
 
 " Each house of call has a book or books in which 
 the men out of work have their names set down, 
 and with some exceptions, they go to work when 
 sent for, in the order in which their names stand. 
 No man is allowed to ask for employment, but the 
 master who wants men, sends for the number he 
 wants ; the hours of call are 9 in the morning, i at 
 noon, and 9 in the evening ; a master may send for 
 as many as he chooses, and if there are as many 
 
i 5 2 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 unemployed as he requires, they are compelled to 
 go by a heavy fine rigorously exacted. If the 
 master calls the men at 9 o'clock, he may discharge 
 them, or any of them at 1 2 o'clock ; if he calls them 
 at noon, he may discharge them at 4 o'clock ; if at 
 night, he may discharge them at 9 o'clock in the 
 morning. Every man is obliged to do a day's work 
 for a day's pay, and the day's work is regulated by 
 the quantity an ordinary hand can do in 1 2 hours. 
 He must also do his work in a workmanlike manner, 
 or he will be dismissed the house on complaint being 
 thrice made against him. No man is allowed to do 
 more than a day's work in 12 hours, or to work 
 more than i 2 hours in a day, while any man remains 
 unemployed, but when there are no men unemployed 
 he may work over-hours ; he may also at those times 
 receive more than a day's pay for a day's work, which 
 at other times he must not do. They have several 
 other regulations for preserving order and decorum, 
 and preventing injustice either to one another or 
 to their employers ; and also for preventing their 
 employers doing injustice to them. 
 
 " They have a double subscription, one for a 
 benefit club to maintain them in sickness and when 
 superannuated, the other a mere trifle for supporting 
 the combination. 
 
 " They have also occasionally a much larger sub- 
 scription for the purpose of maintaining their own 
 members, who cannot be employed when trade is 
 dull, and to these they usually allow about 8/ or 
 9/- a week. The money for this purpose is raised 
 by a rate of payment, levied on those who have 
 employment, according to the number of days in 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 5 3 
 
 the week they are employed ; thus, if a man is 
 employed but one day, he receives as much from 
 the subscription as makes his earnings 8/ or gj ; 
 if he be employed two days he neither pays nor 
 receives ; if his employment continues for three days, 
 he pays a small sum which is increased day by day, 
 for as many days as he works in the week. 
 
 " During the three last years, including this, the 
 whole number of men have been but seldom em- 
 ployed, and that only for very short periods, and 
 the quantity of employment is still diminishing. 
 At the house of call before-mentioned, notwithstand- 
 ing the number has been considerably diminished, 
 such was the distress occasioned by want of employ- 
 ment, that those in work could only afford to those 
 out of work, at one period, 6/ a week ; and more 
 than 40 a week is at the present moment raised 
 by the men in work, and distributed to those who 
 have no work, at this one house of call. 
 
 " And here we cannot help interrupting the nar- 
 rative to call the attention of the reader to the ad- 
 mirable and equitable conduct of these industrious 
 men, who thus cheerfully sacrifice a portion of their 
 own scanty earnings to assist their fellows, to provide 
 for their own poor by means the most salutary and 
 efficient, which neither degrades the receiver nor 
 exalts the contributor ; means totally void of all 
 ostentation, and wholly unknown to anyone but 
 themselves : We shall, however, have occasion to 
 return to this part of our subject when we come to 
 speak more particularly of the moral considerations 
 which relate to the working people. 
 
 "Each house of call assembles its members on 
 
1 5 4 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 the Friday evening in each week, when the contri- 
 butions are collected. 
 
 " Each house of call has a deputy, who on parti- 
 cular occasions is chosen by a kind of tacit consent, 
 frequently without its being known to a very large 
 majority who is chosen. 
 
 " The deputies form a Committee, and they again 
 chuse in a somewhat similar way, a very small Com- 
 mittee in whom, on very particular occasions, all 
 power resides, from whom all orders proceed, and 
 whose commands are implicitly obeyed ; and on no 
 occasion has it ever been known that their commands 
 have exceeded the necessity of the occasion, or that 
 they have wandered in the least from the purpose 
 for which it was understood they were appointed. 
 
 " So perfect indeed is the organization, and so well 
 has it been carried into effect, that no complaint has 
 ever been heard ; with so much simplicity, and with 
 so much certainty, does the whole business appear 
 to be conducted, that the great body of the journey- 
 men rather acquiesce than assist in any way in it. 
 
 " It will be apparent to every one that this com- 
 bination, the least known of any, is by far the most 
 important for its purposes ; and it must convince 
 every reflecting mind that it cannot be used for any 
 really injurious purposes, while those who are so 
 prejudiced as to see nothing but evil consequences 
 in any thing which demonstrates the knowledge and 
 virtue of the working people, may thank themselves 
 and the stupid laws intermeddling with trade for 
 compelling the workmen to combine in their own 
 defence. It will be our business to shew, that as 
 the law stands they can make no legal appeal against 
 
History of Trade Unionism i 5 5 
 
 oppression the very act of attempting an appeal to 
 the laws, being declared by the law to be a combi- 
 nation to which it has attached the most savage 
 punishments. 
 
 " But says the learned, upright, wise and humane 
 judge be firm ye employers, resist every request of 
 the workmen ; if you once give way, there will be 
 no end to the exorbitant demands of those work- 
 men. Such is the opinion of Judge Best ; but in 
 our next number we will show, that though the 
 tailors are more firmly and better united than any 
 other class of journeymen, they never once availed 
 themselves of that circumstance for the purpose of 
 extortion, or any other improper and unreasonable 
 object." 
 
1 56 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " JOURNEYMEN TAILORS. 
 
 " [Concluded from our last.] l 
 
 " LET us look for a moment at what the tailors have 
 really done ; let us consult the table, and we shall 
 find that so far from their demands being exorbitant, 
 they have been very moderate, much more moderate 
 than circumstances seemed to have required. It 
 seems then, that for 18 years previous to 1795, a 
 week's wages of i. i. 9 would purchase 36 quar- 
 tern loaves, and that in 1 795, it would have required 
 1. 1 6. 9 to purchase the same quantity. Well, 
 what did the men do ? Did they make an exorbi- 
 tant demand when they requested their wages might 
 be advanced to \. 5. o, which still only purchased 
 24! loaves? In 1801 when to purchase 36 loaves 
 required 2. 13. 6 did they make an exorbitant 
 demand in striking for i. 7. o, which still only 
 procured them 1 8 J loaves ? 
 
 "Again in 1807, after two preceding years, in one 
 of which it required 2. 3. 5, and in the other 
 ;i. 17. 6, to purchase 36 loaves, did they make 
 an exorbitant demand in striking for i . i o. o ? 
 In 1810 when 36 loaves could not be purchased for 
 less than 2. 8. o, was their demand for ^i. 13. o 
 
 1 Reprinted from The Gorgon, &c., October 10, 1818, pp. 161-165. 
 The opening portion, which is a general argument in favour of 
 combinations of workmen, is here omitted. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 5 7 
 
 exorbitant ? Or when* in 1813, the price of the loaf 
 had risen so high that ^2. 13. 3 would only pur- 
 chase 36 of them, was their demand for i. 16. o 
 exorbitant ? All their demands have been reason- 
 able, all their proceedings have been conducted with 
 good sense and moderation. No one need be haunted 
 by the bugbear, with the formidable name exorbi- 
 tant ; this terrible fiend has no real existence, there 
 is no such animal with dreadful fangs to devour 
 them, whatsoever the old woman of Chester may 
 say to the contrary." l 
 
 " But this part of our subject we will treat more 
 at large hereafter ; in the meantime let us see what 
 reason there is to conclude the master tailors would 
 have consented to an advance at any period from 
 1795 to 1813. Not a single shilling was obtained 
 at any one of those periods but by compulsion ; at 
 every period as much resistance was made as the 
 masters were capable of making, and had it been 
 left to negociation, the wages would still have re- 
 mained at i. i. 9. In 1795 the resistance was 
 indeed feeble, trade being then in a very flourishing 
 condition, and so much time had elapsed since there 
 had been a dispute that the combination among the 
 masters had ceased to exist. 
 
 "In 1 80 1 a more determinate resistance was 
 made. 
 
 "In 1807 the resistance was still firmer. 
 
 "That in 1810 produced an abortive attempt to 
 put down combinations, and to leave the workmen 
 to the mercy of their employers ; by means of an 
 
 1 Several pages describing the horrors of strikes and the anxiety 
 of workmen in general to avoid them are here omitted. 
 
158 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 Act of Parliament, the history of which shall be 
 given when we come to speak of the Laws. 
 
 " The defeat of the masters* in their legislative 
 attempt in 1 8 1 o, and the difficulty they experienced 
 in raising the money to pay their own expences, 
 caused but little resistance to be made in 1813, 
 but, all along, every means to prevent an increase 
 of wages, and to bring back wages to the old price, 
 was used ; various plans were laid, and among others, 
 that of employing women, who were paid about half 
 as much as the men ; this scheme was greatly ap- 
 plauded ; at one time the newspapers and canting 
 Methodistical publications preaching the saving doc- 
 trine of employing women, from which the happiest 
 results were to follow ; they did not see that for every 
 woman employed at wages on which she must be 
 all but starved, she deprived a man of his employ- 
 ment, and of the means of maintaining his family ; 
 and thus by barely providing for one, they took 
 from at least two others the means of subsistence ; 
 that what they gained in the morals of the woman, 
 they destroyed in the man and his family ; thus 
 extending poverty, and its concomitants, vice, crime 
 and misery ; the workmen, however, were better 
 judges than the newspapers and the canters, and 
 they soon found the means to prevent the meditated 
 degradation and its pernicious consequences. This 
 must for the present suffice, as a reply to those who 
 think the masters would of themselves, on the simple 
 request of the men, ever consent to an advance of 
 wages ; whenever such an attempt has been made 
 it has always failed, except iu some few instances, 
 and under peculiar circumstances, accompanied 
 
History of Trade Unionism 159 
 
 by the knowledge that a strike would follow a 
 refusal. 
 
 " Notwithstanding what has been here said of the 
 Master Tailors, they are quite as just to their men 
 as any other class of employers, and there is, per- 
 haps, as much respect and kindness, and certainly 
 less enmity than exists between the men and their 
 employers in any other trade. 
 
 " With these observations we conclude our article 
 for the present, on the journeymen tailors. We have 
 been induced to enter particularly into their history, 
 because they are a very numerous, and as we believe, 
 a very worthy, industrious and humane class of 
 workmen, as any in the kingdom. Moreover, there 
 prevails among them a more perfect and better 
 organized system of combination than is to be 
 found among any other class of journeymen ; and 
 its history affords a good practical illustration of 
 some important and disputed principles in political 
 economy, as to the tendency of such associations. 
 We have seen, that though the tailors are united in 
 such an ingenious and admirable manner, as to defy 
 the law, and every power on earth to dissolve them, 
 they never once availed themselves of that circum- 
 stance, for the purpose of extortion, or to demand 
 unreasonable and exorbitant wages. Nay more, on 
 every occasion, from 1795 to 1813, during which 
 period there were no less than 5 strikes for an 
 advance, they always demanded less less than they 
 ought to have demanded less than they ought to 
 have received, according to the price of bread, to 
 preserve themselves from degradation, and to main- 
 tain that relative rank in society, which it was their 
 
160 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 duty, as it is the duty of every class of journeymen, 
 anxiously to maintain. 
 
 " But what can the Morning Chronicle, who asserts 
 that ' combinations can do no good, that masters 
 will always give what they can afford,' say i! to this 
 statement ? Let him look at our table, and he 
 will see that the tailors procured an advance of 
 wages in 1795, 1801, 1807, 1810, 1813, always by 
 a strike, always in opposition to their employers, 
 always in opposition to the Laws, always in opposi- 
 tion to the Magistrates ; and nothing but a deter- 
 mined opposition to this formidable phalanx, could 
 have procured the advance ; but for this they might 
 all along have been starving at two or three and 
 twenty shillings a week; sick one-fifth of their time, 
 and unemployed another one-fifth. Neither argu- 
 ments nor force were wanting at all these periods, 
 arguments to shew how unreasonable they were in 
 their demands, and force to compel them to work 
 for then* old wages. But let any one look at our 
 table, and compare the price of bread with the 
 wages they demanded, and say whether the priva- 
 tions they suffered, were not more than sufficient 
 to justify them in striking ; and observe too, at the 
 different periods they obtained an advance, they 
 never were, except hi 1798 (nor indeed are they at 
 this present time) placed in as good circumstances 
 as they had been in for 18 years previous to the 
 late abominable war against human knowledge and 
 happiness." * 
 
 1 The article concludes with an appeal to men in other trades 
 to furnish similar information concerning them, which is here 
 omitted. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 6 \ 
 
 HALF YEARLY REPORTS OF THE OLD GEORGE, 
 ASSOCIATED TAYLORS, BENEFIT SOCIETY, 
 I8I8-I820. 1 
 
 " REPORT of the Second half year's inspection, 
 1 8 1 8, of the Books of the Old George, Associated 
 Taylors, Benefit Society, held at the Pewter Platter, 
 Charles Street, Hatton Garden : 
 
 " FIRST DIVISION RECEIPTS. 
 
 " Old Stewards left in the box . . . . 85 7 4 
 
 Half Quarterly collection 16 10 7 
 
 Quarterly ditto . 18177 
 
 Third Half quarter's ditto 20 1 1 3 
 
 Ditto grace collection 32 2 2^ 
 
 Half yearly ditto . . . _, ~. 34 8 o 
 
 Ditto grace collection '. . . . . . 94 10 2 
 
 Member admitted, during this half year, in 
 
 this division, Simon Ayre . . . . o 10 6 
 From John Giles, Ford, .1. Bell, Walsall, and 
 
 Davis, their deficiency o 10 5 
 
 Return'd, that was by J. Walsall overdrawn . 030 
 From Mr. Winstone, the interest of ^1450, 5 
 
 per cent., stock 36 5 o 
 
 From Mr. Glover, the interest of .500, 5 per 
 
 cent., stock . 12 10 o 
 
 From Mr. Glover, the produce of ^100, 5 per 
 
 cent., sold at 105^ 105 12 6 
 
 Carryforward . . . . ^457 8 7 
 
 1 Preserved in the Place MSS. (Brit. Mus. 27,799, S. Sh. Fol. 
 1818, 1819, 1820). 
 
 L 
 
1 62 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 Brought forward .... ,457 8 7 
 From Mr. Glover, the produce of ^100, 5 per 
 
 cent., sold at io8 108 7 6 
 
 For stamps, from Jones and Sharland . . 008 
 
 Ditto, for Davis and Matthews . . . . 006 
 
 From Joseph Giles for an Article . . . 004 
 
 William Bevan for ditto .... 004 
 
 Simmons 0180 
 
 " Total receipts of this division . . ^567 5 1 1 
 
 " DISBURSEMENTS. 
 "SiCK MEMBERS." 
 
 [Here follows list of names 0/35 members who have drawn each 
 
 from I to 26 weeks' sick pay during the half-year, at i8s. each per 
 week.'] 
 
 "Total . . . .214 4 o 
 
 " PENSIONERS." 
 
 [List of 1 8 members who have drawn from 7 to 29 weeks' pension 
 during the half-year, at 6s. per week."] 
 
 "Total . . . ^135 6 o 
 
 " FUNERALS." 
 
 " John Sharland's Funeral and Legacy . . ^15 o o 
 
 John Jones' ditto 1500 
 
 Richard Matthews' ditto, and one week's pay . 15 18 o 
 
 Richard Davis's wife 500 
 
 John Wheatley's wife 500 
 
 "Total . . . 55 18 o 
 
 " MISCELLANEOUS." 
 
 [Chiefly management, pens, paper, postage for letters, payment to 
 trustees for time lost, receiving interest, <L-c., and selling out stock, 
 includes ] 
 
 " 322 men's beer money at 1/2 each . . . iB 15 8 
 For the extra price of Beer . . . . i 6 10 
 
 The Clerk's salary 3189" 
 
History of Trade Unionism 163 
 
 NOTE. On the back of the foregoing is printed a similar account 
 of the " Second Division" and then the following summary of the 
 whole : 
 
 " Keceipts of the First Division . . . ,567 5 1 1 
 Receipts Second ditto .... 330 7 1 1 \ 
 
 " Total receipts . . . ^897 13 io| 
 
 " Expences of the First Division ^438 6 ii| 
 Ditto Second ditto 299 6 6 
 
 " Total expenditure . . ^737 13 5! 
 
 " Balance of Receipts . . .^1600 
 
 " Former Stewards of ist division left . 
 
 Ditto 2nd do, left . . 
 
 Sold out 200 stock, for . . . 
 
 " Not actually collected in this half year . .417 i 2^ 
 
 " Balance of receipts . . . 160 o 4! 
 
 " Leaves a reall LOSS to Society of . ^257 o 9! 
 
 "Bank Stock, 5 per cent, 1750. 
 
 " Number of members in the first division . 322 
 
 Ditto second ditto . 277 
 
 "Total , --.- . 599 
 
 1 Two other of these half-yearly reports are preserved, namely, 
 the "Report of the Second half year's inspection, 1819," and the 
 "Report of the First half year's inspection, 1820." Both are very 
 similar to the foregoing, except that in both cases the two divisions 
 are now amalgamated into one and the clerk's salary raised to 
 "j, 173. 6d. per half-year. Among the new miscellaneous payments 
 in 1819 are several to members for attending the funerals of de- 
 ceased brethren ; and in 1820 there is an entry of expenses for 
 getting the rules enrolled, and going to Clerkenwell (the Sessions 
 House presumably) to do it, and also a charge of 6s. for "making 
 the Landlord's Bond." 
 
164 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 THE STRIKE OF THE TAILORS OF 
 EDINBURGH, I823. 1 
 
 "To THE PUBLIC. 
 
 "THE journeymen tailors of Edinburgh, confident 
 that the public (in general) participate but little in 
 the differences they at present have with some of 
 their employers, feel most reluctant again to address 
 them, were they not, from the repeated notices of 
 the masters (some containing the grossest misrepre- 
 sentations) drawn into the imperative necessity of 
 doing so. 
 
 " To again go over the grounds of dispute between 
 the masters and their journeymen would but too 
 much encroach on the public indulgence, by troub- 
 ling them with details already sufficiently known. 
 They shall only, as briefly as possible, advert to the 
 masters' notice in the Edinburgh Star of yesterday 
 (Friday). The masters (those 6f them whose long 
 list of names subscribed to the notice to the journey- 
 men many of them the most obscure, seldom or 
 never employing more than a single workman) they 
 say, the masters, at least that proportion of them, assert 
 that the number of masters who have sent ' their 
 letters of submission to the journeymen does not 
 exceed six,' this is false ! and that ' these are in- 
 
 1 Newspaper cutting, N.D. or title. Preserved in the collection 
 of Place MSS., Brit. Mns. 27.799 (28). 
 
History of Trade Unionism 165 
 
 terested members of the Benefit Society of the same 
 House of Call,' is in many instances equally so. The 
 masters would do well for their own interest were 
 they to refrain from making assertions to varnish 
 then* story which can so easily be confuted. With 
 regard to the second part of that Notice respecting 
 their readiness to compare the prices charged by 
 them with those paid to their journeymen requires 
 but a single comment to show how artfully they try 
 to gull the public ; it is an undeniable fact, that the 
 workmen employed by the majority of these masters, 
 have almost uniformly wrought at the rate of from 
 i 2 to 15 hours per day, and, consequently, with the 
 sweat of their brow they have dearly earned the 
 wages alluded to, and which, no doubt, on this 
 account, would appear considerable. They only re- 
 quest the public, if they are induced to make such 
 a comparison, to hold in view this fact, to prevent 
 them from coming to an erroneous conclusion. 
 
 " The masters having resolved that, ' on no account 
 they will condescend to take notice of any other 
 letters or addresses upon this subject,' the journey- 
 men thank them for their past compliant condescen- 
 sion ! They have come to the same determination 
 they leave their case to the same public. 
 
 " They cannot, however, allow themselves to con- 
 clude, without noticing a ' Card ' in the same paper, 
 addressed ' to the Nobility, Clergy, Gentry, and the 
 Public in general,' where they say ' that the better 
 disposed part of the journeymen will not long refuse 
 the fair and liberal list of prices, this day offered to 
 them.' There are not two classes of them no 
 better or worse they are the same, and unani- 
 
1 66 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 mously declare, that unless the masters meant to 
 insult them, they cannot conceive how they could 
 have the effrontery to lay such an offer before them. 
 With this remark, they add, that they are still as 
 ready to work to those masters who have done this, 
 as to the others of the most respectable masters, 
 whom the public will perceive, have not their names 
 in the list above alluded to have always paid the 
 just demand of the workmen, and have never been 
 under the disagreeable necessity of disappointing 
 their customers in the execution of their orders. 
 
 "EDINBURGH, PHCENIX CALL HOUSE, 
 " 24th May 1823." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 167 
 
 "PROSPECTUS OF A PLAN TO RAISE A FUND 
 FOR THE RELIEF AND SUPPORT OF AGED AND 
 DECAYED JOURNEYMEN TAYLORS, I824. 1 
 
 " I. THAT it is indispensably necessary to begin this 
 great work, by recommending a general voluntary 
 subscription through the trade, to be regulated as 
 in individual cases, namely, to run three nights in 
 each Society ; and the secretary of each Society to 
 send to the Committee, when the subscription is 
 complete, a regular list of the subscribers' names, 
 and the sums so subscribed to be annexed. 
 
 " II. That the monies so collected shall be sent 
 to the Committee, and be by them invested in the 
 hands of capitalists, namely Brewers, or others trust- 
 worthy, for such interest as can be obtained ; and if 
 the said subscription should amount to 200, the 
 Committee shall call the first four houses in rota- 
 tion. And the said subscription shall be funded 
 in 50 shares to each Society as they stand in 
 rotation on the books, beginning with the Bell, and 
 continue through the list of Houses. 
 
 "III. Nature of investment. That when the 
 money is sent to the Committee, each represen- 
 tative shall inform his Society on the ensuing 
 Tuesday night, what is the whole amount sub- 
 scribed ; and the four or more houses shall appoint 
 one confidential person from each Society to attend 
 the Committee at any convenient place they may 
 
 1 Place MSS., Brit. Mus., vol. 27,799, S. Sh. Fol. 
 
1 68 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 appoint, the Committee to appoint two of their 
 number to attend the same, and see the monies 
 so collected safely deposited, in the names of the 
 Stewards for the time being, and their successors 
 in office ; the Society to be at all times responsible 
 for whatever money is entrusted to them for the 
 Benefit of this Institution. 
 
 " IV. That it is expedient that each man, in the 
 honourable part of the trade, after the subscription 
 is complete, should further contribute to the said 
 fund at the rate of |d. per week, to be paid into 
 the Committee monthly ; and the said sums so 
 collected shall be funded in like manner, as ex- 
 plained in the preceding resolutions, without any 
 deduction or expense whatever, and a true and 
 faithful account given to the trade by the Town 
 Clerk of all such contributions, with the interest 
 thereof, in each succeeding Quarterly Report. 
 
 " V. That in further aid of this Institution, it 
 is recommended that Philanthropic Societies will be 
 adopted where convenient, but more particularly at 
 Houses of Call, the donations from which shall be 
 separately mentioned in the reports as sent to the 
 Committee, with the names of the Chairman on 
 those occasions, and the sums to be disposed of the 
 same as the monthly subscriptions, and the name 
 of the Chairman to be made as public as possible. 
 
 " VI. That it appears to the Committee, to estab- 
 lish this fund and render it permanently secure, it 
 will be advisable that principal and interest shall be 
 inviolably sacred for at least the term of 5 years 
 from the present date, except the sums received 
 should exceed 4,000. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 69 
 
 " VII. That subscriptions from whatever quarter 
 be received ; but no one to be deemed eligible to 
 vote for an applicant, but such as belonged to the 
 Honourable part of the trade for 3 years, or entitled 
 to be a pensioner on the said fund ; but a decayed 
 journeyman tailor, or those who by calamity or mis- 
 fortune are rendered incapable of getting their living, 
 (and those must satisfy their Society that they have 
 belonged to the Honourable part of the trade at 
 least 10 years.) 
 
 " VIII. That all who are to be considered fit 
 and proper persons to become pensioners on this 
 fund, shall be voted in by the trade by a call of 
 the books, and the exact number sent to the 
 Committee, on fine of one guinea. 
 
 " IX. That due notice shall be given to each 
 Society, one month previous to the election of 
 candidates, together with the qualifications, such 
 as their length of time honourable age whether 
 they are afflicted with any disease, the nature of 
 their complaint, how long endured such affliction, 
 &c. All to be specified by letter to each Society, 
 agreeable to the time above-mentioned, or such 
 application to be rejected for that year ; the trade 
 to be summoned on that occasion, and the election 
 to take place annually, and to be inspected by the 
 Committee previous to the case being approved of 
 by the trade, subject to the regulation of the 2 ist [?] 
 article. 
 
 " X. That any attempt to impose on this fund, 
 by false statements, or any endeavours made by 
 an applicant to bribe, or influence, or mislead his 
 Society, for the purpose of unworthily promoting 
 
170 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 his claim, such person or persons so doing, shall for 
 ever be excluded the benefits of the said fund. 
 
 " XI. That any man leaving the Society, on his 
 return to the Honourable part of the trade, shall 
 pay as private debts due to the Society whatever 
 money is due from them to this institution into 
 the Committee, to be by them added to the general 
 stock of this Institution ; and that all fines incurred 
 by the Society, as stated in the 8th resolution, shall 
 go to the regular fund. 
 
 " XII. That the establishing this fund is intended 
 as much to relieve the trade from the unexampled 
 burthens they at present labour under, as to secure 
 to the meritorious and deserving a pension for life. 
 The first to be considered as most eligible are the 
 present annual claimants, at the expiration of the 
 term expressed in the 7th Resolution. 
 
 "XIII. That the Committee, in strongly recom- 
 mending to the trade the adoption of the foregoing 
 Resolutions, have been actuated by no other but 
 humane motives, giving their time, trouble, and ex- 
 pense gratuitously, for the benefit of those who are 
 or may be dependent on the trade for protection 
 and succour. 
 
 " Leaving them in your hands, we implore you 
 to become Patrons and Founders of an Institution 
 worthy of yourselves ; and the rising generation 
 in the trade will respect the memory of those of 
 the present day, for having secured to them that 
 gratifying assurance of being, when in the vale of 
 life, secure from indigence and all its attendant 
 consequences. 
 
 ' June 14, 1824." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 7 1 
 
 THE STRIKE OF THE TAILORS OF BIRMING- 
 HAM, SEPTEMBER I825. 1 
 
 "To JOURNEYMEN TAILORS. 
 
 "September igth, 1825: Wanted immediately, a 
 number of Journeyman Tailors. Good steady work- 
 men will meet with constant employment, at 2//- 
 per week day or piece-work, by applying to Cats- 
 tree, New Street ; Dabbs, Snow Hill ; Bate, New 
 Street ; Cadby, Aston Road ; Gresley & M'Bryd, 
 Union Street ; Forster, Newhall Street ; English, 
 Cherry Street ; Herbert, Colmore Row ; Allport, 
 ditto ; Minshull, Ann Street ; Hatton, ditto ; Waring, 
 ditto ; Johnson, Summer Lane ; Pigg, Suffolk Street ; 
 Henshaw, St. Paul's Square ; Sabel, ditto ; Bull, 
 Livery Street ; Wilson, King Street. 
 
 " N.B. Gentlemen are particularly solicited to 
 allow as much time as possible with their orders, to 
 admit of their being sent to town to be executed. 
 
 " The Master Tailors would not trouble the public 
 with a recital of any of their grievances, but from 
 the untrue statements of their journeymen in their 
 Advertisement in the Chronicle of Thursday last. 
 
 " We now beg leave respectfully to state, that we 
 never took any part in regulating or agreeing to 
 their list of prices in April last, but were obliged to 
 
 1 Extracted from "A Century of Birmingham Life," by J. A. 
 Langford, vol. ii. pp. 465, 466 ; and from the local press. 
 
172 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 submit to the imposition of paying them upwards 
 of 3O/- per week, under the mask of what they are 
 now pleased to call twenty-seven shillings. 
 
 "We have since offered them 27 j per week day- 
 work (the nominal value of their demand) and would 
 willingly have given good coat hands 28 / or 2gj- 
 according to merit. To our requisition at that time, 
 for them to appoint a deputation to meet a similar 
 deputation of masters, to simplify their list into day- 
 work, or make such alteration as would tend to the 
 interest of both parties, we need only add their reply 
 hi order to convince a discerning public how unwill- 
 ing the men were to come to any terms of amicable 
 adjustment. 
 
 " Copy of the Journeymen's reply above referred 
 to, addressed to the Secretary, Mr. Bate, New 
 Street : 
 
 " ' Sir, in answer to yours I have to inform you, 
 it is our determination to stand or fall by the list 
 you have been presented with, and not to rob masters 
 who have promised to support us. 
 
 " ' N.B. We are ready to serve you or any other 
 master on the same terms. 
 
 " ' Yours obediently, 
 
 '"JoHN TAYLOR, Secretary. 
 
 " 'April 12th, 1825.' 
 
 " The public will at once see by the above letter, 
 the combination we have to cope with ; and it is 
 chiefly by a reliance on their indulgence for a short 
 period, in the way pointed out as above, that we 
 hope to ensure complete success. The failure of 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 7 3 
 
 their funds will at once take from them the power 
 of unlawfully bribing and enlisting those men who 
 are willing to work by the new list. Their threats 
 deter steady workmen from returning to their duty ; 
 and offers are held out by the Society to induce 
 them to leave their employers. 
 
 " It is now our determination to prosecute those 
 misguided individuals who may in future be detected 
 in the above practices ; nor will we take any of them 
 into our employment so long as they are members 
 of the original House of Call the Three Crowns, 
 Worcester Street. 
 
 "September i6th, 1825." 
 
 "To JOURNEYMEN TAILORS/ 
 
 " Thursday, September 15, 1825. A number of good 
 workmen will meet with constant employment at 
 once at 27 / per week, day or piece work. Apply 
 at the under-mentioned." 2 
 
 " To MASTER TAiLOKS. 3 
 
 "September i $th, 1825. The journeymen most 
 respectfully inform them that they may be supplied 
 with good workmen, at their original house of call, 
 the Three Crowns, Worcester Street, at the average 
 wages of 2//- per week as regulated and agreed to 
 
 1 Advertisement from the Birmingham Chronicle and General 
 Advertiser of the Midland Counties, I5th September 1825 (Birming- 
 ham Library). 
 
 2 A list of the names and addresses of eighteen employers fol- 
 lowed, which is here omitted. 
 
 3 Advertisement printed immediately under the employers'. 
 
174 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 by masters and men in April last ; but they cannot 
 agree to submit to the masters' new list dated August 
 22nd, 1 825, for it would be a reduction of our wages 
 3/ per week, and in some articles more. 
 
 " N.B. The journeymen beg leave to inform the 
 public that it is only a minor part of the masters 
 that wish to reduce their prices, which a more full 
 explanation will convince gentlemen that they need 
 not wait for their clothes being sent to other towns 
 to be made, for there is a number of good workmen 
 now out of employ who are willing to work at the 
 prices agreed last April. When gentlemen consider 
 the many privations of the journeymen they will not 
 deem 27 /- per week exorbitant at the very high 
 prices of the necessaries of life." 
 
History of Trade Unionism i ^ 5 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM "AN ACCOUNT OF THE EDIN- 
 BURGH REFORM JUBILEE, CELEBRATED IOTH 
 AUGUST 1832 ; ALSO THE LEITH REFORM 
 JUBILEE, CELEBRATED SAME DAY," 1 &c., &c. 
 EDITED BY W. MILLAR. 
 
 " 49. St. Andrew's Society of Tailors. 
 
 " THE trades flag of green silk ; arms, a royal tent 
 in chief, and lion passant, gardent, in gold ; crest, a 
 tree and serpent ; supporters, Adam and Eve as large 
 as life ; motto, ' Nudus et amicivistis me.' A natural 
 design of Rose, Thistle and Shamrock underneath. A 
 large banner of Blue silk, with a shield in the centre. 
 A pair of gilded sheers ; motto above, ' Knowledge is 
 Power ; ' Below, two hands joined, and underneath the 
 words, ' A man's a man for a' that.' Banner of green 
 silk with the name and age of the Society. Two 
 groups dressed in fancy costume, illustrative of the 
 dresses worn in Spain, Poland and Turkey. The 
 first as Don Juan ; second as Captain of Light Horse 
 in the Polish army ; and the third as grand Turk, 
 worn by a man of colour, who was supported on 
 either side by the two former characters. There 
 were also two Highland costumes, one a court dress 
 worn by a boy nine years old ; the other as approved 
 
 1 Brit. Mus. 808 M. 16 (69), pp. 40 and 47 ; Edinburgh, 1832, 
 60 pp. 8vo. 
 
1 76 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 of by the Highland Society of Scotland. The whole 
 body wore silver medals, suspended by a green ribbon, 
 and decorated with tricolours, surmounted by a figure 
 of St. Andrew in silver also. The office bearers carried 
 rods of green and gold, and wore green sashes with 
 silver thistles, the names of the offices held by each 
 emblazoned thereon." 
 
 " 68. Phoenix Society. 
 
 " The number '68,' with a representation of the 
 mast of a ship rigged, and pennant flying from the 
 top, supported by two marshals with batons. The 
 staff of the Society, of carved oak, supported by two 
 marshals with batons. Amongst the members of 
 the Committee was an old member wearing a cap of 
 liberty, with a large grey feather. The flags of the 
 Incorporation of Tailors of Easter and Wester Ports- 
 burgh, supported on each side by a member of the 
 Society in full Highland costume, with broadswords ; 
 also by two members in the dress of the Society, 
 carrying two very ancient real match-lock muskets. 
 A very splendid new green flag ; design in the 
 centre a gilt shield resting upon a Phcenix ; the 
 shield surrounded with thistles, and surmounted 
 with a helmet, over which is a tree with a serpent, 
 and inscription, ' The Phcenix Society of Tailors ; ' 
 supporters of the shield, Adam and Eve ; motto, 
 ' Nudus et amicivistis me.' Flags of the Incorpora- 
 tion of Tailors, Musselburgh. Banner of the Society ; 
 motto, ' Knowledge is Power.' A very beautiful laurel 
 banner, with mottos in the centre ; one side, Grey, 
 Brougham, Russell, Althorp ; reverse, ' The House of 
 
History of Trade Unionism 177 
 
 Commons have done their duty, let the People do 
 theirs.' Next came the apprentices, with their 
 banner, &c. At the head of the boys was carried 
 a rich carved Phoenix in burnished gold. A banner 
 with a bust of Earl Grey ; supporters, two boys 
 crowning him with laurel ; motto at the top, ' An 
 honest man is the noblest work of God ; ' Scroll, 
 under the feet of the boys, ' We will defend the 
 rights our fathers have secured.' A very neat carved 
 crown of burnished gold. A banner representing 
 Britannia, with the inscription at the top, ' The 
 Mother of Liberty ; ' motto, ' Ye Patriots guard her 
 with a miser's care.' A Banner ; in the centre, the 
 word ' Grey ; ' from which is radiating a golden glory 
 filling the whole banner. A Banner ; in the centre 
 a pair of large sheers ; motto, ' By these we live, 
 and by these we have shaped our freedom.' The 
 national banner of St. Andrew, under his feet, 
 Union Hands ; motto, ' Union is Strength.' " 
 
 REFORM JUBILEE. 1 
 
 " Incorporation of Tailors. 
 
 " A green silk flag with the arms of the Incor- 
 poration ; a yellow silk flag with a Lion Rampant, 
 encircled with the Rose, Thistle, and Shamrock : 
 motto; 'The Revolution of 1688, the United 
 People of 1 8 3 2/ 
 
 " 13. Tailors. 
 
 " Gilt shears. First Banner ; motto, ' May our future 
 conduct never stain the victory so nobly gained.' 
 1 Pp. 49-60. 
 
 M 
 
178 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 Second Banner ; motto, ' Liberty the Joy of every 
 man.' The first and second banner supported by 
 baton men. Third banner ; motto, ' May the bless- 
 ing of freedom descend to our children's children ; ' 
 supported by boys carrying thistles. The Committee 
 carried wands and wore sashes. 1 
 
 1 I have reprinted only these portions of one of the numerous 
 documents relating to this subject. The volume 808 M. 16, Brit. Mus., 
 contains no fewer than eleven different documents giving an account 
 of this procession, &c. ; while there are others in the volumes 808 
 M. 17 and 1882 D. 2. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 79 
 
 REPORT OF A MEETING OF THE JOUR- 
 NEYMEN TAILORS OF LONDON, ISTH 
 NOVEMBER I833. 1 
 
 " AT a public meeting of the Society, held at the 
 Black Horse, on Thursday evening, the 7th of 
 November 1833, a Committee was appointed to 
 meet during the week, to frame resolutions to be 
 submitted to a public meeting. The Committee 
 having met accordingly and drawn up the necessary 
 resolutions, a public meeting was appointed to be 
 held on Monday evening, the i8th. 
 
 " Pursuant to the above, the Circus, Great Wind- 
 mill Street, Haymarket, was engaged for holding a 
 public meeting, which being duly announced (in the 
 Morning Advertiser, and evening True Sun of Satur- 
 day, November i6th), was held on Monday the i8th, 
 when the resolutions, as drawn up by the Committee, 
 were submitted to a numerous assembly and approved 
 of, as follows : 
 
 "Public meeting, Novr. i8th, 1833, held at the 
 Circus, Great Windmill Street, Mr. Brown in the 
 chair. The following Report of Committee was 
 brought up and read : 
 
 "Your Committee having met according to ap- 
 pointment at the Black Horse, Rathbone Place, on 
 Monday evening the 1 1 th, and following days, to 
 
 1 Reprinted from The Crisis, vol. iii., No. 14, 3oth November 1833. 
 
i8o Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 take into consideration the best means of assisting 
 the general body of the trade in the present period 
 of difficulty and distress, first proceeded to discuss 
 those modes which severally appeared to them the 
 most eligible to that end. 
 
 " But from considerable experience and mature 
 reflection, they consider, that in the present state of 
 Society, it would be premature to recommend any 
 definite plan, believing that subsequent experience alone 
 can develop such plan or plans as will be found the 
 most practicable and efficient for the general good. 
 Nevertheless, they consider the first step necessary 
 to be the formation of a Union, to consolidate, under 
 one interest, the whole body of the trade ; to con- 
 centrate the intelligence and experience of every 
 individual therein, and from such source be enabled 
 to deduce such measures as shall prove in their 
 operations the most beneficial and lasting. And 
 after having formed one solid and compact Union 
 in our own trade, to unite the same with all other 
 trades, thereby to embody the whole of the working 
 classes in one grand and glorious Union. Your 
 Committee also took into their consideration the 
 present scarcity of employment, so generally and so 
 justly complained of, seeing that the supply has so 
 greatly exceeded the demand, whereby the quantity 
 of labour required has unequally and unjustly fallen 
 into the hands of the few, while the many are left 
 too partially employed, if not altogether in a state 
 of indigence and idleness. 
 
 " To remedy this evil, they recommend that a 
 considerable reduction in the hours of labour take 
 place, in order that the labour now required, may be 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 8 1 
 
 equally distributed to every member in the trade, 
 without abridging the amount of wages now paid to 
 each individual for such full time. They recommend 
 this to be as speedily as prudent attended to, being 
 convinced that the full wages now paid are but 
 barely sufficient for individual necessities. They 
 consider it necessary also to state, that this Union 
 should be formed upon principles of the strictest 
 equality, that no man shall be before or after his 
 fellow-men in point of precedence or power, but that 
 every member shall possess his individual right to 
 all privileges in this Union in equal degree with the 
 whole body, by the payment of one penny weekly, 
 to raise a fund for any purpose approved of by the 
 majority. 
 
 "And lastly, they recommend this meeting to 
 form themselves into Union, upon the plan of a 
 lodge, to be called the First Lodge of United Tailors, 
 to be under the direction of officers, appropriate to 
 the same, and elected by this meeting. In con- 
 clusion, therefore, they now lay before you certain 
 resolutions, embodying the substance of this Report, 
 submitting the same to your general consideration. 
 
 " The Report being received, the resolutions were 
 then submitted, in the following order : 
 
 " Resolved. i st. That this Committee deem it 
 necessary to endeavour immediately to unite the 
 whole body of this trade, and to take such steps as 
 experience may from time to time dictate, in order 
 to raise every individual from their present degraded 
 state in Society, and ultimately to incorporate them- 
 selves with other trades who may act in concert with 
 them for the same object. 
 
1 8 2 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " 2nd. That the supplies having greatly exceeded 
 the demand, many of our brethren are in conse- 
 quence destitute of employment. It is necessary, 
 therefore, that a considerable reduction in the hours 
 of labour be, as speedily as prudent, adopted, to 
 make the demand equal to if not above the supply, 
 thereby to give to each an equal and a due portion 
 of employment, without any reduction in the remu- 
 neration of such labour. 
 
 " 3rd. That in order to place this Union upon the 
 broad basis of equality, every individual joining the 
 same shall become a member without difference or 
 distinction. 
 
 " 4th. That in order to carry out the object of 
 this Union, it is necessary that each member sub- 
 scribe one penny weekly, to be applied to such 
 purpose as shall be deemed expedient by a majority 
 of members. 
 
 " 5th. That a lodge be formed, and officers ap- 
 pointed, &c. 
 
 " After this follows the names of officers, which 
 we omit mentioning for what were deemed prudent 
 reasons." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 183 
 
 REPORT OF MEETINGS OF THE MASTER 
 TAILORS OF LONDON, 2 8TH AND 29x11 
 APRIL I834. 1 
 
 " AT a very numerous meeting of the master tailors 
 of the Metropolis, held at the Thatched House, 
 Tavern, St James's Street, on Monday, April 28th, 
 and by adjournment to Willis's Rooms, King Street, 
 St. James's, on the following day ; Mr. Leslie in the 
 chair ; the following Circular Letter and Regulation 
 from the journeymen tailors having been read : 
 
 "25 LITTLE QUEEN STREET, 
 April 25, 1834. 
 
 " SIR, By direction of the Friendly Society of 
 Operative Tailors, I have to acquaint you, that in 
 order to stay the ruinous effects which a destructive 
 commercial competition has so long been inflicting 
 upon them, they have resolved to introduce certain 
 new regulations of labour into the trade, which regu- 
 lations they intend should commence from Monday 
 next ; and I beg herewith to enclose you a copy of 
 them : 
 
 " REGULATION. 
 
 " No brother shall be allowed to work more than 
 ten hours per day from the third Monday hi the 
 
 1 Advertisement in the Times, soth April 1834. 
 
1 84 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 month of April to the last Saturday in the month of 
 July ; nor more than eight hours per day the remain- 
 ing eight months of the year ; and for such labour 
 the remuneration shall be 6/ per day for the ten 
 hours labour, which is to be performed between the 
 hours of 7 in the morning and 6 in the evening ; 
 and 5/ per day for the eight hours labour, to be 
 performed between the hours of 8 in the morning 
 and 5 in the evening, out of which time, in either 
 case, he shall leave his employer's premises one hour 
 for refreshment. Nor shall any brother work for an 
 employer anywhere but on his (the employer's) pre- 
 mises, which shall be healthy and convenient, or on 
 any other terms than by the day or hour. And no 
 person shall be allowed to solicit employment, or to 
 work for less than the regular wages within four 
 miles of Covent-Garden. 
 
 " As the demands there specified are of so reason- 
 able a nature ; and as, moreover, they are unques- 
 tionably calculated for the ultimate benefit of the 
 employers, as well as the employed, the Society con- 
 fidently hopes that you will accede to them, and that 
 henceforward a mutual confidence may be sustained 
 between masters and men, and that their interests 
 may be no longer separated and opposed to each 
 other. 
 
 " It only remains for me to add, that your work- 
 men, members of this Society, will cease to be em- 
 ployed by you, should you decline to act upon the 
 new regulations ; and further, I think it right to 
 apprize you that, in that case, they will no longer 
 consider it necessary to support your interest, but 
 will immediately enter the arrangements prepared by 
 
History of Trade Unionism 185 
 
 the Society for the employment of such members 
 for the benefit of the Society. I am, Sir, your most 
 obedient, humble servant, 
 
 "JoHN BROWNE, 
 
 " Secretary to the Grand Lodge of 
 Operative Tailors." 
 
 " The first Resolution was moved by Mr. Stulz, 
 seconded by Mr. Housley, and carried unanimously ; 
 
 " That the above regulations would (if acceded to 
 by the master tailors) be both in principle and effect 
 injurious to the employers and employed, because, 
 firstly, an increased demand of nearly 25 per cent, 
 on the present rate of wages (6/ per diem) is neither 
 called for by the circumstances of the times, nor the 
 actual condition of the trade, the present scale of 
 wages having been fixed in the year 1813 by the 
 workmen themselves ; and secondly the 4 Ib. loaf 
 then cost ijd. (the same sum at this time would 
 purchase one of 8| Ibs.). Meat also is reduced about 
 30 per cent., and coals are about half the price as 
 compared with the prices in 1813. 
 
 "The second Resolution was moved by Mr. 
 Nugee, seconded by Mr. Willis, and also carried 
 unanimously ; 
 
 " That this meeting is of opinion that the regula- 
 tions proposed to the master tailors are founded 
 on gross injustice to the working men, inasmuch as 
 they fix the maximum which an industrious man 
 may earn, and make no distinction between the 
 industrious and talented, and the incompetent and 
 idle. 
 
 " The third Resolution was moved by Mr. David- 
 
1 86 Select Documents illustrating the. 
 
 son, seconded by Mr. Burghart, and also carried 
 unanimously ; 
 
 " That this meeting consisting of the under-men- 
 tioned master tailors, do individually and collectively 
 resolve and pledge themselves not to comply with 
 the present exorbitant demands of the workmen. 
 
 " The fourth Resolution was moved by Mr. John 
 Meyer, seconded by Mr. Story, and also carried 
 unanimously ; 
 
 " That the greatest publicity be given to the pro- 
 ceedings of this meeting, and that the nobility, gentry 
 and public be respectfully requested to co-operate 
 with the master tailors, by suspending or delaying 
 the orders they may already have given, or intend to 
 give, until the workmen resume their employment at 
 the prices hitherto paid by the trade. 
 
 " The fifth Resolution was proposed by Mr. Har- 
 rison, seconded by Mr. Cartwright, and also unani- 
 mously agreed to ; 
 
 " That in order to encourage those men who are 
 dissatisfied with the imperious mandate of the Trades' 
 Union., the Committee elected on the previous even- 
 ing be empowered to appoint houses of call for the 
 reception of all workmen willing to secede from the 
 Unionists, and to be employed at the wages hitherto 
 paid, and that this meeting pledge themselves to 
 give exclusive support and encouragement to such 
 men. 
 
 " The sixth Resolution was proposed by Mr. Field, 
 seconded by Mr. Meyer, and carried unanimously ; 
 
 " That this meeting gratefully acknowledges the 
 kindness with which the nobility, gentry and the 
 public have already met the wishes of the master 
 
History of Trade Unionism 187 
 
 tailors of the Metropolis, and respectfully request a 
 continuance of their support. 
 
 " The seventh Resolution was moved by Mr. 
 Hudson, seconded by Mr. Robinson, and carried 
 unanimously ; 
 
 " That the Committee appointed at the previous 
 meeting be requested to carry into effect the intent 
 and object of the foregoing resolutions, such Com- 
 mittee to consist of the following gentlemen, with 
 power to add to their number : 
 
 Mr. Leslie, Chairman. Mr. D. Stewart. 
 
 Mr. Stulz. Mr. Jones. 
 
 Mr. Housley. Mr. Stock. 
 
 Mr. Nugee. Mr. Wylie. 
 
 Mr. John Meyer. Mr. Holt. 
 
 Mr. Willis. Mr. Stewart. 
 
 Mr. Story. Mr. M'Allan. 
 
 Mr. Burghart. Mr. T. Davidson. 
 
 Mr. Hudson. Mr. Adeny. 
 
 Mr. Cartwright. Mr. Gurney. 
 
 Mr. Cook. Mr. Pulford. 
 
 Mr. Wm. Simpson. Mr. Hamson. 
 Mr. Edward Simpson. 
 
 " The thanks of the meeting having been unani- 
 mously voted to the Chairman for his able and im- 
 partial conduct in chair, the meeting was adjourned." 
 
 [A column and a half of names and addresses of 
 firms follow in all, 435 names.] 
 
1 88 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 "THE ADDRESS OF THE JOURNEYMEN 
 TAILORS OF THE METROPOLIS, MAY 
 
 I834. 1 
 
 " THE Committee of management of the Friendly 
 Society of Operative Tailors in London, in conse- 
 quence of the gross misstatements put forth by the 
 master tailors in the public papers with reference to 
 the new Regulations which the Society has proposed 
 to them, in order to make a stand against the enor- 
 mous oppression of capital, and even labour, in their 
 trade, feel called upon to make an honest appeal to 
 the public and their friends in vindication of the 
 measures they have adopted, and to expose and 
 refute some of the gross errors, falsehoods and 
 prejudices which the masters and that infamous 
 tool of a pampered aristocracy, the Times, have so 
 unjustly, cruelly and maliciously attempted to foist 
 upon the public mind respecting these subjects. 
 
 "Does that idle and useless part of Society, the 
 aristocracy, know from whence they spring ? Do 
 they know whom they threaten with starvation ? 
 
 " To whom do they owe all the necessaries, com- 
 forts and luxuries of life they so ungratefully enjoy, 
 but to those whom they unite against ? Does the 
 poor, mercenary, time-serving tool of tyranny and 
 oppression, the editor of the Times, think the Unions, 
 
 1 Reprinted from The Pioneer, loth May 1834. 
 
 
History of Trade Unionism 189 
 
 or any branch of them, regard the names or silly 
 epithets with which he is pleased to assail the 
 honest industrious artizan, with his usual fraudulent 
 meanness ? In order to justify a barbarous conclu- 
 sion, he has been compelled to advance a villainously 
 false position. 
 
 "The masters refuse to accede to the new regula- 
 tions, calling them unjust ; because, say they, the 
 men have six shillings per day, which wages, by the 
 new regulation, would be increased twenty-five per 
 cent., an advance they contend to be uncalled for, 
 on account of the decreased price of provisions, &c. ; 
 now, conceding to them, that if six shillings were 
 amply sufficient to supply the labourer with all the 
 necessaries and comforts of life he is entitled to, 
 which it is not, the Committee most solemnly assert 
 and maintain that few, very few, journeymen are 
 able, in the trade, by almost unceasing application, 
 to earn any such sum in fact, six shillings per day, 
 according to the old system of the trade, is a merely 
 nominal price of wages, which rarely indeed even 
 approach that sum in reality. The public, by the 
 declaration of the masters, are led to suppose that 
 those workmen who are employed in the shops of 
 their masters are allowed 6/- per day for whatever 
 garment they make, or whatever part of it they may 
 be employed upon ; for indeed, it not unfrequently 
 occurs that four men, nay six men, are compelled 
 to assist in making the same garment, and never, 
 except in very inferior shops, are there less than 
 three, to execute what, in all other countries, is but 
 one man's work. The masters fix a sum varying 
 from i 5/- to i8/-, as the price of a coat, which, if 
 
190 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 executed at the first price in 30 hours, or at the 
 latter in three days, would certainly yield sixpence 
 per hour. But mark ! when is the garment finished 
 in the time allotted ? I answer, never : and when 
 finished, except hi one month of the year, when do 
 they get another ? perhaps wait for 4, 6, 8 hours, or 
 a day, and then be -told by their insolent employer, 
 or his more insolent foreman, ' they must wait.' No 
 man knows one day whether he may have bread for 
 himself or family the next nine months in the year ; 
 men are kept in the fear of poverty, insulted and 
 oppressed, ever and anon threatened with immediate 
 dismissal for the most trifling, the most trivial mis- 
 take or mishap ; loitering and crippling away then- 
 valuable time one part of the day or week about 
 the workshops are hurried, oppressed or desponding 
 the other : this, with a few exceptions, is the lot of 
 the favoured part of the trade, the fortunate few ; 
 what is the lot of the many ? Let the man of 
 feeling, in whose breast the milk of human kindness 
 has not been curdled or dried up by the wretched 
 circumstances hi which a great portion of society 
 has been placed ; let him visit the branch lodges, 
 and see the pale haggard countenances of the 
 starving many ; let him follow the married man 
 home to his almost unfurnished garret, and see 
 the deplorable condition in which is the famished 
 partner of his misery, with him in the like deplor- 
 able condition, and then let him say, with the 
 dastardly Times, that the proposed regulation is 
 uncalled for. 
 
 " Contrast these sufferings and misery with the 
 stately mansions, the splendid halls, the costly 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 9 1 
 
 furniture, and the princely fortunes of the masters, 
 and with your hand on your heart, say whether the 
 regulation is, or is not called for. Again, have not 
 women been unfairly driven from their proper sphere 
 in the social scale, unfeelingly torn from the maternal 
 duties of a parent, and unjustly encouraged to com- 
 pete with men in ruining the money value of labour ? 
 
 " The Times lies when it says that the tailors 
 of the Metropolis have struck against these poor 
 creatures. With those sufferings and privations the 
 Committee deeply sympathize, and the terms under 
 which they obtain employment are of a nature too 
 gross for the public ear. 
 
 "The crafty time-serving slave would fain turn 
 our mothers and sisters against us, to assist his 
 masters, the aristocracy, in their ignorant opposition 
 to our class, ungratefully forgetting how much they 
 owe to the tailor for their personal dignity ; in 
 fact, in very many cases, the workmanship of the 
 tailor is the only difference between the aristocrat 
 and the artisan, with this slight exception, that 
 there is a dignity hi the warm passions of the 
 latter which is never to be found in the cold 
 malice of the former, whose canine venom knows 
 no relief but revenge. Could our affections forgive, 
 or humanity forget the wounds of our injured 
 countrymen, or the sufferings of the widows and 
 orphans of injustice, we might under the influence 
 of a momentary oblivion, stand still and laugh ; 
 but they are engraven where no amusement can 
 conceal them, and of a kind for which there is 
 no recompense. Know, ye tyrants, that union is the 
 foundation stone of liberty and independence the 
 
192 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 rock on which it is built. Tamper not then with 
 our feelings by insidious contrivance or falsehood, 
 nor suffocate our humanity by seducing us to 
 
 dishonour, for 
 
 " Now, to the exorbitant, unjust and tyrannical re- 
 gulations proposed by these knights of the thimble 
 to say nothing of the bodkin and shears. Friends, 
 fellow countrymen, and brothers : I have, without 
 colouring or exaggeration, given you some slight 
 idea of how men are served out who work in shops. 
 There has been a large portion of the trade, for 
 various reasons, under different circumstances, com- 
 pelled to work at their homes, if so they may be 
 called the price of whose labour is necessarily 
 reduced by the cost of extra firing for the irons, 
 for extra candles, and also by the loss of time 
 which they experience in going to and from their 
 employers, for their work ; moreover, they in general 
 have to find their sewing trimmings, which are 
 always supplied to men when they work in the 
 shops of their masters ; and the men working at 
 home are scarcely ever able to earn more than 3/6 
 or 4/- per day, with the assistance often of their 
 wives and children, and then, as I have before stated, 
 only when they can get work to do. Even these 
 men, working in this manner at this great reduc- 
 tion, are very frequently days, nay months, without 
 employment, and consequently without pay. If, 
 however, an order comes in to be executed imme- 
 diately, the journeyman must labour night and day 
 to accommodate the customer and master, and make 
 every sacrifice of health, and the only remaining 
 domestic comfort on such occasions, or risk the 
 
History of Trade Unionism 193 
 
 chance of being discharged from his shop altogether. 
 In the spring he is repeatedly called upon to make 
 these sacrifices ; but all the other parts of the year 
 he is never certain of one week's constant employ- 
 ment, by which the pawnbroker's shop becomes the 
 only daily refuge of the unfortunate man, t ever 
 needy, always wretched, always in debt, always in 
 fear, and if he has the courage to remonstrate (for 
 many of these masters are as haughty as they are 
 the mean, crawling, bowing slaves of their customers 
 of the aristocracy), the poor man is discharged with 
 all the horrors of want, without a shadow of hope, 
 to do as he can. Yet any attempt to avert these 
 grievances, or to remedy these evils, is pronounced 
 by the masters as being the very height of exor- 
 bitance, injustice and tyranny ; and, not satisfied 
 with the direct opposition they themselves have the 
 power of making to the new regulations, they call 
 upon their customers, the aristocracy, and the public 
 at large, to assist in starving the men into subjec- 
 tion, by withholding their orders ; and the nobility 
 and gentry, ever ready to lend their aid in suppress- 
 ing the rising germ of liberty, exult in the cry, and 
 are unsparing in their promises of support to the 
 masters. One nobleman (according to the Times) 
 tells him to get a coat made by women ; another says 
 he would rather walk through the streets in kilts, 
 than give any encouragement to the journeymen's 
 combination ; another says, he would rather go to a 
 funeral in a yellow coat and blue plush breeches, 
 than support the workmen against their masters ; 
 then let it be so, we did not expect any sympathy 
 from that quarter the Dorchester affair to wit. 
 
 N 
 
194 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " To conclude, for the present. The masters call 
 for the support of the public against the workmen. 
 The workmen now repeat to their friends, to every 
 lover of his country, to every man who has a spark 
 of liberality or humanity, for support against the 
 hostilities of the masters ; for it is not now shall 
 the tailors, or shall they not, be successful ? But 
 the question is shall idle annoyance, despotism, 
 cruelty and tyranny prevail over industry, honour 
 and integrity. 
 
 " Fellow-countrymen and Brothers ! The Com- 
 mittee trust that you will fairly weigh the statements 
 here made, and compare them with those already put 
 forward by the masters, through the medium of the 
 Press. All that the men require is the just rights 
 of industry ; and even should they fail in the pre- 
 sent attempt to gain those rights, they will assuredly 
 persevere in their object until they do succeed. 
 
 " The Committee have now the pleasure to an- 
 nounce that, having made large purchases of the very 
 best materials in cloths, cassimeres, waistcoats, &c., 
 they have taken large premises, and are about to 
 open shops with all the articles in the trade at prices 
 considerably lower than those now charged by the 
 masters ; and also that, should the masters continue 
 their blind opposition to their workmen, the Com- 
 mittee will take especial care that the public shall 
 be made acquainted with the enormous profits they 
 are receiving by the impositions on the public. 
 
 " One word more. The Committee would wish 
 to advise those masters who have not already made 
 fortunes who are content with a fair profit, to pause 
 ere they ruin themselves by listening to the seducing 
 
History of Trade Unionism 195 
 
 promises of those whose capital has always militated 
 against their interests. It is easy for men who have 
 unusually large fortunes to determine upon any 
 measures which malice or caprice might dictate ; 
 but not so with the industrious man, actuated by 
 the purest motives, who has, for the purpose of 
 fairly distributing the labour among their brethren, 
 sacrificed, during eight months of the year, one shil- 
 ling per day. 
 
 " In conclusion, the Committee, so far from grasp- 
 ing at anything like monopoly, would not have come 
 before the public at all, were they not, in justice to 
 themselves and their posterity, bound to repel the 
 cruel aspersions of their blind opponents. Our 
 objects are honourable, the means we use for their 
 attainment are fair ; we have used no intimidation, 
 and anything of the sort which may happen among 
 men goaded on to madness by cruel oppression and 
 injustice, who have been, by bad laws and the gross 
 neglect of the Legislature, left destitute of the means 
 of acquiring that knowledge which would have 
 guarded them against any ill-feeling for those who 
 are opposed to them, is disclaimed by us. 
 
 " Our wish has been to keep and preserve the 
 peace, under all circumstances our object, the 
 proper division and distribution of labour, and a 
 fair remuneration. 
 
 " All orders will for the present be taken at the 
 office, No. 25, Little Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. 
 
 " By order of the Committee, 
 
 "JOHN BROWNE, 
 
 " Secretary to the Grand Lodge of 
 Operative Tailors" 
 
196 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 REPORT OF A MEETING OF THE JOUR- 
 NEYMEN TAILORS OF LONDON, ISTH 
 MAY I834. 1 
 
 "AT a very large meeting of the journeymen, held 
 on Tuesday at the Institution of the Industrious 
 Classes, Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square, the follow- 
 ing Resolutions were passed : 
 
 " i. That it is the opinion of this meeting that 
 the principles on which the journeymen tailors of 
 the Metropolis are acting have been grossly mis- 
 represented, and that it is our incumbent duty, by 
 every means hi our power, to disabuse the public 
 mind. 
 
 " 2. That this meeting has been called together 
 for the purpose of removing certain wrong impres- 
 sions from the minds of our brothers generally, 
 which have been occasioned by the mis-statements 
 which have gone abroad, relating to our resources 
 and other topics. 
 
 " 3. That whereas interested parties have stated, 
 that our object is to force the employer to pay 
 the same rate of wages to every man, whatever his 
 abilities as a workman may be, we here publicly 
 declare that such is not, nor ever was, our inten- 
 tion, but that our object is to gain a fair remunerat- 
 
 1 Reprinted from Tlic Pioneer, I7th May 1834. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 97 
 
 ing price for our labour, upon just and equitable 
 principles. 
 
 "4. That the friendly feelings and hearty deter- 
 mination of the Trades generally, to support us in 
 this struggle, are duly appreciated by this meeting, 
 and it hereby pledges itself to act worthy of such 
 support. 
 
 " 5. That as our oppressors have advertised for 
 subscriptions, it will not be derogatory in us to 
 follow their example ; we therefore resolve to open 
 books to receive donations or loans, at the follow- 
 ing places: True Sun Office, Strand; at 25, Little 
 Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Square ; and at the 
 Institution, Charlotte Street, Fitzroy Square. 
 
 "It having been represented to the Committee 
 that a report is current, tending to make it appear 
 that the new regulations proposed would increase 
 the price of articles in the trade in an exorbitant 
 degree, they take this opportunity of refuting such 
 statement, assuring the public that the advance re- 
 quired will only amount to : On a coat, from 2/6 
 to 3/ ; on a waistcoat, from pd. to I/-; on a pair 
 of trowsers, i/ . 
 
 " In reference to the third resolution above stated, 
 the Committee again distinctly aver that the wages 
 demanded by the new regulations were never meant 
 to apply to any but to fully competent workmen ; 
 and that no undue claims upon employers of those 
 men who are inferior hands, or who are not really 
 industrious, will be sanctioned or supported by them 
 in any way whatever. 
 
 " In accordance with the last of the above resolu- 
 tions, the Committee beg to inform their friends 
 
198 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 and the public, that books are lying at the above- 
 mentioned places, to receive subscriptions or loans 
 from those parties who are able and desirous of 
 aiding the workmen in their endeavours to secure 
 the just reward of labour, and the rights of 
 industry." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 1 99 
 
 CIRCULAR OF THE MASTER TAILORS' 
 COMMITTEE, 23RD MAY 1834.1 
 
 "THE TAILOES' STRIKE. 
 
 " THE Committee of Master Tailors issued the fol- 
 lowing circular from the Thatched House Tavern on 
 the 23rd inst. : 
 
 " The Committee of Master Tailors beg to inform 
 the trade that they have this day received reports 
 from all quarters of the metropolis of the most grati- 
 fying description. They feel it to be an imperative 
 duty which they owe to themselves, the trade, and 
 the public, to strongly impress on the mind of every 
 master tailor the absolute necessity of requiring 
 every person now in their respective employments, 
 and every one who may be hereafter received into 
 their employment, to sign the following declaration, 
 which has this day been unanimously agreed to by 
 this Committee : 
 
 " We, the undersigned foremen, journeymen tailors, 
 
 and others, in the employment of do declare 
 
 that we are not members of the trades' union, that 
 it is not our intention to become members of any 
 such association, nor do we now, nor will we in any 
 way, directly or indirectly, contribute towards the 
 support of any such associations ; in attestation of 
 
 1 Reprinted from The Times, a6th May 1834. 
 
2oo Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 which we hereunto subscribe our names, this - 
 day of 
 
 "And this Committee unanimously recommend 
 to the trade to afford the utmost protection, kind- 
 ness, and consideration, to those men who have been 
 in their employment during the strike. 
 
 " JOHN LESLIE, Chairman." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 201 
 
 REPORT OF A MEETING OF THE OPERATIVE 
 MASTER TAILORS OF LONDON, MAY 
 
 I834- 1 
 
 "OPERATIVE MASTER TAILORS' MEETING. 
 
 " LAST week a meeting of the Operative Master 
 Tailors took place at Saville House, Leicester Square, 
 at which the following resolutions were passed : 
 
 " i . That, in consequence of the unequivocal denial 
 given by the body of journeymen to the envious im- 
 pression and assertion, that they, the journeymen, were 
 virtually a body of political agitators, combined for 
 the express purpose of dictating to the members and 
 public at large, the united body of operative masters 
 have taken the present opportunity of setting the 
 intentions of the men fairly before the trade at 
 large, with the view of explaining away the above 
 erroneous expression. 
 
 " 2. That this meeting consider the difference 
 made in the price of clothes, by complying with the 
 demands of the men, will be so trifling, compared 
 with the advantage to the public and themselves, 
 that this meeting think it expedient to concede to 
 their demands for efficient workmen, and for every 
 other workman in proportion to his ability, provided 
 
 1 Reprinted from The Pioneer, 24th May 1834. 
 
2O2 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 no time be consumed for refreshment on the master's 
 premises. 
 
 " 3. That it is a well-known fact, admitted by the 
 faculty, that the number of hours the men work in 
 confined, unhealthy workshops, engenders innumer- 
 able diseases, especially the life - destroying fistula 
 and consumption, withering hundreds before the 
 age of thirty years, and creating premature old age 
 in the prime of manhood ; while, from the great 
 inequality of the trade, one part of the men are 
 working from fourteen to eighteen hours per day, 
 the other part are idle, reducing the wages to an 
 average of 1 6/ per week ; thereby exposing men 
 to great privations and vices, consequently leaving 
 numbers of widows and orphans to burden their 
 parishes and other charitable institutions. 
 
 " In opposition to this, a meeting of the great 
 masters was held, at the Thatched House, St. James's 
 Street, which made a declaration that the above 
 meeting was got up by the journeymen themselves, 
 and that they, the masters, were still determined 
 to abide by their first resolutions, passed at Willis's 
 Rooms, and to resist the confederacy of the work- 
 men to the last." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 203 
 
 "REPORT OF A MEETING OF THE MASTER 
 TAILORS OF LONDON, 27 MAY I834. 1 
 
 "THATCHED HOUSE TAVERN, June 5</t, 1834. 
 
 " THE Committee of Master Tailors state, that at a 
 public meeting of the trade held at Willis's Rooms, 
 King Street, St. James's, on the 2;th of May, the 
 following report was read : 
 
 " REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF MASTER TAILORS. 
 
 "Your Committee report that, since they have 
 had the honour to be appointed to carry into effect 
 the resolutions unanimously agreed to by the public 
 meeting of the trade on the 2 9th of April, they 
 have, with the best of their ability, endeavoured 
 faithfully and diligently to perform the arduous and 
 onerous duties intrusted to them, and they hope 
 their exertions will be approved of by the trade 
 which they represent. 
 
 " Having already reported, from time to time, by 
 public advertisement and by circular letters, they 
 will confine themselves at present to the declaration 
 issued by the Committee, and show : 
 
 " i. That the declaration is in strict conformity 
 with the resolutions which were unanimously ap- 
 
 1 Reprinted from The Times, 7th June 1834. 
 
2O4 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 proved of by 700 master tailors, and which they 
 were represented to carry into effect. 
 
 "To do so they need only call the attention of 
 the trade to the following extract from the resolu- 
 tions of the 29th of April : 
 
 " ' That in order to encourage those men who are 
 dissatisfied with the imperious mandate of the Trades' 
 Union, the Committee elected on the previous even- 
 ing be empowered to appoint houses of call for the 
 reception of all workmen willing to secede from the 
 unionists, and to be employed at the wages hitherto 
 paid, and that this meeting pledge themselves to give 
 exclusive support and encouragement to such men.' 
 
 " By this resolution the Committee feel that their 
 duty was clearly prescribed to them by the unani- 
 mous opinion thereby expressed. And they will 
 now show: 
 
 " Secondly. That the declaration they have issued 
 was absolutely called for by the circumstances which 
 have come to the knowledge of the Committee since 
 their appointment. And they call the attention of 
 the trade to a document emanating from the trades' 
 union, being the abstract of the proceedings of a 
 special meeting of the trades' union delegates held 
 hi London on the I3th, I4th, I5th, i/th, i8th, and 
 1 9th of February, 1834. It commences in these 
 words : 
 
 "'The Committee of Management of the Grand 
 Lodge of United Operative Tailors of London, having 
 convened this special meeting of the delegates from 
 various trades' unions throughout the kingdom,' 
 &c., &c. 
 
History of Trade Unionism 205 
 
 " But this long document being so important, the 
 Committee will immediately cause it to be reprinted, 
 and a copy delivered to each master tailor. It con- 
 tains eight propositions, a series of resolutions, and 
 the ten preliminary articles for establishing the 
 Consolidated Union. It then declares that the 
 Executive Council should act as trustees for all 
 funds provided by the Consolidated Union for the 
 adjustment of strikes. It then levies i/- from each 
 member of all the lodges in the Consolidated Union 
 for raising a fund to employ the men of Derby, and 
 other places. It then orders a new universal sign, 
 and the document concludes in these words : 
 
 " ' Thanks were severally voted to brother J. 
 M'Donald, the Chairman of the meeting, and to 
 other members of the Council of the Grand Lodge 
 of Operative Tailors, for their zealous services during 
 the meeting. 
 
 ' By order of the Executive Council, 
 
 ' (Signed) J. BROWNE.' 
 
 " The subject for the deep and serious considera- 
 tion of every master tailor is, that the journeymen 
 tailors in London are, by their own document, proved 
 to be the great moving power of the trades' unions, 
 they having summoned delegates from various trades' 
 unions throughout the kingdom to meet them. 
 
 " The same authority, signed John Browne, ordered 
 the strike on the part of the journeymen tailors. 
 
 " The Committee most deeply lament the suffer- 
 ings and privations the journeymen have undergone 
 during the strike, as much so as any persons can do ; 
 
206 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 but as they have lent their aid to paralyse commerce, 
 to throw out of employment thousands who are un- 
 connected with them, in the privations they are 
 undergoing they only reap the fruits of their own 
 conduct. 
 
 " It is well known to your Committee that the 
 funds to support the strike have signally failed ; that 
 no one inducement held out to the men to strike 
 has been realised ; and that the funds were doled 
 out to them in the merest pittance, and under cir- 
 cumstances of the most signal failure of a great com- 
 bination founded on injustice to all parties. The 
 masters are in a position to demand, if not indem- 
 nity for the past, at least security for the future, 
 and in ^the opinion of your Committee, they seek 
 this security by the declaration they have issued, 
 and which they have required all those in their 
 employment to sign. 
 
 " On the 1 7th May, last Saturday week, an official 
 notice from the Grand National Consolidated Union 
 was agreed upon by the Executive Council, which 
 states ' That the best probable mode for the opera- 
 tives in towns to adopt to improve their immediate 
 condition, until the full and perfect plans of united 
 labour can be carried into execution, is : 
 
 " ' i . To continue to subscribe a fixed sum weekly, 
 to form a fund to become the foundation of a general 
 bank for the working classes, which fund shall be 
 sacred, and not applied to any other purpose what- 
 ever. 
 
 " ' 6. All the operatives shall keep in constant 
 employment, upon the best terms they can obtain, 
 until such terms can be made by the Consolidated 
 
History of Trade Unionism 207 
 
 Union with the non-producers of wealth and know- 
 ledge, as shall liberate all the producing classes from 
 the slavery and degradation in which they have 
 hitherto been and now are. 
 
 ' On behalf of the Executive, 
 
 '(Signed) E. C. DOUGLAS.' 
 
 " A brief recapitulation of the facts will make the 
 subject more familiar. 
 
 " i. The journeymen tailors are the moving power 
 of the trades' union. 
 
 " 2. The Executive Council of the Union ordered 
 the tailors to strike. 
 
 " 3. When the funds fail, the Executive of the 
 trades' union order the operatives into employment 
 upon the best terms they can obtain, and require 
 them to subscribe a fixed sum weekly to form a 
 fund for future purposes. 
 
 " The Committee of the master tailors put forth 
 the following declaration as a test to try the person 
 who applies for work, whether he has belonged or 
 has ceded from the Trades' Union or not : 
 
 " We, the undersigned, foremen, journeymen tailors 
 
 and others in the employment of do declare 
 
 that we are not members of the trades' union, that 
 it is not our intention to become members of any 
 such association, nor do we now, nor will we in any 
 way, directly or indirectly, contribute towards the 
 support of any such associations ; in attestation of 
 
 which we hereunto subscribe our names, this 
 
 day of , 1834. 
 
 " And in reply to this declaration the Executive 
 
208 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 of the trades' union published a manifesto in the 
 Weekly True Sun, in which it said : 
 
 " Brothers, you must immediately arouse yourselves 
 to understand what you have to do. Reflect well 
 before you resolve ; be calm, and be firm and deter- 
 mined in carrying your resolutions into execution. 
 Let no man or woman, from one end of the kingdom 
 to the other, sign this document. It would be far 
 better to resolve to die, rather than thus be com- 
 pelled to be the lowest of such slaves to ignorance 
 and presumption. 
 
 " Here then, your Committee have traced, and 
 clearly proved, from official documents of the trades' 
 union, that the present is not a conflict between the 
 master tailors and the journeymen, but the first con- 
 test between the master tradesmen and the Grand 
 National Consolidated Trades' Union. 
 
 " The Committee, therefore, call upon every master 
 tailor, every well-wisher to the best interests of the 
 country, to co-operate with them in an earnest and 
 resolute determination to put an end to this unwise, 
 impolitic, and dangerous combination, convinced, as 
 they are, that the continuance of such an association 
 is fraught with the most dangerous consequences to 
 the men, their employers, and to society ; and to 
 the termination of which associations, so far as the 
 master tailors are concerned, they are individually 
 and collectively pledged in the face of the whole 
 country. JOHN LESLIE, Chairman. 
 
 " It was then moved that this Report be received 
 and adopted. An amendment was proposed ' That 
 
History of Trade Unionism 209 
 
 the Declaration be omitted ; ' a division took 
 place : 
 
 *' " For the Report 532 
 
 For the Amendment .... 8 
 
 " The Committee on the 2pth of May issued the 
 following circular : 
 
 " It being the duty of the Committee to carry into 
 effect the spirit and the letter of the resolutions of 
 the public meetings of the trade, they have resolved 
 to republish the names of all the master tailors who 
 subscribed to the resolutions of the 2pth of April 
 and the 2/th of May ; and as the utmost publicity 
 will be given to this statement, it is highly desirable 
 that the most correct information be obtained. The 
 Committee therefore request you will favour them 
 with an answer to the following questions, to enable 
 them to classify the names for publication : 
 
 " i. Have you required the persons in your em- 
 ployment to sign the Declaration ? 
 
 " 2. Have you discharged those persons who have 
 refused to sign the Declaration ? 
 
 " 3. Have you any persons in your employment 
 who have not signed the Declaration ? 
 
 " 4. Do you decline to afford the Committee the 
 required information ? If so your name will be pub- 
 lished as refusing it. 
 
 " The written answers to these questions enable 
 the Committee to state, that the following master 
 tailors have no person in their employment who has 
 not signed the Declaration." l 
 
 1 Here follows a list, which is here omitted, of 36 Committee-men 
 and officers, and 420 other employers. They appear to have in- 
 cluded practically all the good West End firms. 
 
 O 
 
2io Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " The Committee have also the very pleasing duty 
 to inform the trade and the public, that, according 
 to the latest returns made to them, the number of 
 journeymen tailors who have seceded from the trades' 
 union, and signed the above Declaration, is about 
 4000, and the Committee hope that they will very 
 shortly have added to the number, every indus- 
 trious, respectable and well - disposed journeyman 
 tailor in the metropolis. 
 
 " JOHN LESLIE, Chairman." 
 
History of Trade Unionism 
 
 211 
 
 'RULES OF THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY 
 OF JOURNEYMEN TAILORS, 
 
 " AS AGREED TO BY THE CONFERENCE OF DEPUTIES 
 OF THE TAILORS' SOCIETIES THROUGHOUT ENG- 
 LAND, ASSEMBLED IN THE MECHANICS' INSTITU- 
 TION, DAVID STREET, MANCHESTER, ON THE 
 I2TH OF MARCH 1866, AND FIVE FOLLOWING 
 DAYS. CALLED TOGETHER BY CIRCULAR OF 
 THE MANCHESTER SOCIETY, DATED JANUARY 
 29TH, I866. 1 
 
 " PREAMBLE. 2 
 
 " MUCH good has been accomplished by Trade 
 Unions in times past, and still greater results remain 
 
 1 The rules as reprinted here are not exactly in the form in 
 which they were issued to the Society. At the close of the Con- 
 ference a Committee was appointed to draft a preface, and to 
 draw up in proper form the rules agreed to. No copy of the rules 
 as issued by this Committee now exists, and I have therefore been 
 compelled to reprint the resolutions exactly as passed by the Con- 
 ference. A few other resolutions, chiefly in the form of suggestions 
 to the local societies, were passed, as well as some appointing a 
 secretary, officers, and council for the ensuing year, but they do 
 not call for reproduction. In regard to those trade resolutions 
 marked with a + , the Executive Council, at its subsequent meetings, 
 declared that they were not rules of the Amalgamation, "but 
 recommendations of the Conference with a view to reform." See 
 Quarterly Reports of the Society, June to December 1866. 
 
 2 Taken from a copy of the Rules as reprinted after revision in 
 1875, which appears to be the earliest copy now in existence. 
 
212 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 to be achieved in the future. For many years our 
 trade has been a shame to ourselves and a by- word 
 to others. The Rules herein contained have proved 
 to be the beginning of a better state of things, and 
 a new era in our trade, for by a strict adherence to 
 rule and discipline we may acquire a knowledge of 
 business, qualifying us for positions of responsibility 
 and trust. 
 
 " The Rules of the Amalgamated Society of Tailors, 
 as now submitted, are constituted to mutually relieve 
 each other in distress, disease and death. It is well 
 known that Societies whose funds are available for 
 trade protection, aid to members seeking employ- 
 ment, support of their sick, infirm and superannuated 
 members, and for affording assistance to families 
 bereaved by death, have long been the pride of all 
 intelligent men ; and on all hands it is admitted 
 that those who by forethought and self-denial make 
 such provision for themselves and families, contri- 
 bute to their social, moral, and intellectual advance- 
 ment. To carry these principles into full effect, it is 
 necessary that certain rules and regulations should 
 be laid down to insure certainty to our endeavours, 
 and a spirit of unity to our actions. 
 
 " Rules are an implied contract between man and 
 man a bond entered into by mutual agreement for 
 the benefit of all. It is imperative, therefore, that 
 they should be formed on the strictest principles of 
 equity and justice, affording equal protection to all, 
 and acknowledging no difference hi their application. 
 Being convinced by experience that true unity can 
 only be achieved by combining trade protection and 
 benevolent objects in the benefits of our association, 
 
History of Trade Unionism 2 1 3 
 
 it has been endeavoured to frame the Rules of the 
 Amalgamated Society of Tailors so that individual 
 right might be respected as well as the general weal 
 secured. 
 
 " Unhappily, in a fluctuating trade, many who 
 depend for the necessaries of life on their daily toil, 
 are often deprived of employment in the most in- 
 clement season ; they wander through the country 
 from city to town, and from town to village, seeking 
 employment, but alas ! in vain ; this continues until 
 (upon the mind of an honest man) the thought rests 
 like an incubus, When and how shall I relieve my- 
 self of this degradation ? Devoid of humanity must 
 be the man who is not willing to relieve those dis- 
 tresses by uniting to support his fellow-men travelling 
 hi search of employment ; and wretched must be 
 the character who voluntarily avails himself of such 
 benevolence as a means of existence in preference to 
 honest and respectable employment. 
 
 " The Amalgamation offers the widest possible basis 
 of unity. We know that without a union of all, our 
 efforts would, to some extent, be crippled. If any 
 were left out our motives might be suspected and 
 our actions misunderstood. Let, therefore, no one 
 mistake our position. Ours is no partial movement 
 calculated to benefit a few ; we embrace all, act for 
 all. Let all then join with us, and help to win and 
 keep the reforms we propose to accomplish. 
 
 "Health is precarious, and accident or disease 
 may in a moment put an end to the efforts of the 
 most active and expert individual. Illness of a few 
 weeks or months might reduce him to a state of 
 want and misery. 
 
2 1 4 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " The tailor who has used the precaution to become 
 a member of an Institution, has, to some extent, a 
 comfortable and permanent provision against the exi- 
 gencies of disease, accident and death. He must 
 feel that he is reaping the fruit of his own industry 
 and forethought ; that he has secured by his prudent 
 care an honourable independence against the most 
 common misfortunes of life ; and even when in- 
 capacitated from earning an adequate livelihood, 
 an honest pride of independence remains to elevate 
 and ennoble his character. 
 
 "It has been proved that isolation is the worst 
 position in which a working man can be placed, 
 more particularly with those whose interests are 
 closely identical. It is obvious that any single indi- 
 vidual who would trust to his own unassisted efforts 
 for support, would be placed in a very different situa- 
 tion from those who are members of this Society, 
 for however industrious and parsimonious, he might 
 not be able to accomplish his object, inasmuch as 
 any unforeseen difficulty might arise, either in his 
 trade or by accident, or an obstinate attack of sick- 
 ness, by throwing him out of employment and forcing 
 him to consume the savings he had accumulated 
 against old age, reduce him to a state of indigence, 
 and oblige him to become dependent on the bounty 
 of others. ' Woe to him who is alone when he 
 falleth, for he has no one to help him up.' 
 
 " Justice requires that those who are called 'upon 
 to obey rules should have a voice in their enact- 
 ment. An extended system of representation is also 
 the surest guarantee against the encroachments of 
 power ; therefore the right of representation as at 
 
History of Trade Unionism 2 1 5 
 
 present secured is calculated to give equal justice 
 to all. 
 
 " We contend that no Society, Association or in- 
 surance is so well calculated to achieve success, and 
 give more general benefits to their members, than a 
 trade society. Whilst it not only secures to them 
 all the benefits held forth by a friendly society, by 
 its unity and usefulness it enhances the position of 
 its members as workmen, who are in a position by 
 thorough organisation to resist encroachments on 
 their interests, but is an indispensable means of 
 effecting whatever changes may be discovered as 
 desirable between the relative position of employer 
 and employed. 
 
 " These are some of the reasons for forming our 
 present Society, which by one code of rules will be 
 bound together, one interest keeping us united and 
 strong. With concentrated efforts we may patiently 
 wait for results. Let this safeguard of our interests 
 engage our earnest attention, and let us promote its 
 advancement with energy, and take opportunities of 
 making it known and valued by those whose duty 
 and interest it is to unite with us. Doing this, we 
 leave to future generations the means to promote 
 their well-being, trusting that posterity may see the 
 universal establishment of the principles enunciated, 
 to the end that they may derive greater benefits 
 arising out of their unity, industry and forethought. 
 
 " RULES. 
 
 " i. That the Society shall be called the Amal- 
 gamated Society of Journeymen Tailors, for the 
 
2 1 6 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 protection and furtherance of the general interests 
 of the trade, and the moral and social elevation of 
 its members. 
 
 " 2. That a Conference shall be held annually, in 
 such city or town as the previous Conference may 
 determine, to decide all questions of importance to 
 the trade, as well as to enact new laws, amend exist- 
 ing ones, and transact any business to the interest 
 of the Amalgamation. Every Society can send one 
 representative, and those of more than a hundred 
 members an additional representative for every ad- 
 ditional hundred or fractional part of a hundred of 
 their numbers. 
 
 " 3. That this Amalgamation shall be governed 
 by a Council consisting of nine membors, including 
 President, Vice-President and Secretary. Five to 
 form a quorum. 
 
 " 4. That the duty of the President shall be to 
 convene all special meetings, preside at all meetings, 
 sign all minutes and all cheques upon the Treasurer. 
 The duty of the Vice-President shall be to act as 
 President in his absence. 
 
 " 5. That the duty of the Secretary shall be to 
 keep all books belonging to his office in a clear and 
 legible manner, attend all meetings, read and enter 
 all minutes, transact all written correspondence on 
 behalf of the Amalgamation, and sign all cheques 
 upon the Treasurer. He shall conduct all correspon- 
 dence through the local secretaries. He shall give 
 security for all property entrusted to his care, and 
 his salary shall be fixed by the Annual Conference. 
 
 " 6. That the duty of the Treasurer shall be to 
 receive all moneys on behalf of the Amalgamation, 
 
History of Trade Unionism 2 1 7 
 
 and pay all accounts when properly vouched by the 
 Chairman and Secretary ; he shall keep a correct 
 account of all moneys received and paid by him ; 
 he shall give security for all moneys entrusted to 
 him. 
 
 " 7. The Council shall meet on the first Monday in 
 every month for the transaction of business. 
 
 " 8. That all Societies belonging to the Amalgama- 
 tion pay from their funds the sum of threepence per 
 member quarterly, ha advance, to the management 
 fund. 
 
 " 9. That the fund of the Amalgamation shall be 
 for the maintenance of premises, payment of officers, 
 printing, and for the general purposes of the Amalga- 
 mation. 
 
 " 10. That for the purpose of meeting any extra- 
 ordinary expenditure, the Council shall propose a 
 levy, subject to the decision of a majority of the 
 Societies comprising the Amalgamation. All such 
 levies to be paid weekly. 
 
 "n. That any Society being three months in arrears 
 of subscription, and one week in arrears of levies, shall 
 forfeit all claim to the protection of the Amalgama- 
 tion, but the Council may, upon a promise to pay 
 arrears due by a stated time, grant protection ; pro- 
 vided always that for a second offence in twelve 
 months no claim for protection will be allowed until 
 all arrears are fully paid. 
 
 " 1 2. It is to be distinctly understood that all towns 
 labouring under any grievance will use all legitimate 
 means in their power to bring the matter to an ami- 
 cable adjustment before requesting the aid of the 
 Executive Council. In the event of such means 
 
2 1 8 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 failing, it will be the duty of the Secretary in any of 
 the said towns where a grievance exists, to forward, 
 in clear and lucid terms, the matter in dispute to the 
 Executive Council, who shall take immediate steps to 
 consider the case and recommend a course of action, 
 subject to the approval of a majority of the members 
 in the Amalgamation; pending whose decision the 
 aggrieved parties may continue to work. Towns not 
 to vote upon their own questions. 
 
 "13. The decision of all towns to be lodged with 
 the General Secretary within ten days. Should such 
 decision stamp the case as a valid grievance, it will be 
 the duty of the Executive Council to withdraw the 
 men and declare the town or towns on strike, intimate 
 the same to all towns in the Amalgamation, and re- 
 commend that no men apply for work in any of the 
 towns during the dispute. 
 
 " 14. That in all cases the strike aliment shall be 
 twelve shillings per week. 
 
 "15. That in no case shall any town strike without 
 the sanction of the Executive Council ; and no town 
 will be eligible to come upon the Amalgamation before 
 the first Monday in April, 1867. No Society will be 
 eligible to come on the Amalgamation before it has 
 been three clear months a branch thereof, and con- 
 formed to all its laws. 
 
 " 1 6. That the General Secretary shall forward to 
 each Society a quarterly report setting forth the busi- 
 ness that has been gone through by the Council, and 
 an account of the receipts and disbursements for the 
 quarter. Any Society wishing to propose new laws or 
 amend existing ones, must send notice of the same to 
 the General Secretary at least ten clear days before 
 
History of Trade Unionism 219 
 
 the Christmas quarter, so that it m?. ;/ appear in the 
 circular for that quarter, and be properly circulated 
 throughout the Amalgamation previous to being dis- 
 cussed at the Conference ; and nothing can be enter- 
 tained by such Conference unless this rule is complied 
 with, except in case of a trade dispute or strike, they 
 shall be entertained at any time. 
 
 " 1 7. That Societies shall have the management of 
 their own funds, and the regulation of their own local 
 affairs ; the Amalgamation being for the sole purposes 
 of trade. 
 
 " 1 8. That local secretaries shall furnish to the 
 General Secretary a quarterly return containing the 
 number of their members, stating increase or decrease, 
 state of trade, and an account of all cases of delin- 
 quency on the part of members or non- members. 
 The report to be sent ten days before the quarter day. 
 
 " 19. That any secretary neglecting to send such 
 report, his Society shall be fined the sum of 2/6 ; and 
 any secretary sending a false report, his Society shall 
 be fined the sum of 5/-. 
 
 " + 20. That this Conference thinks that 57 hours 
 per week should be the standard time to work ; and 
 that the hours of labour should be from six o'clock in 
 the morning, to six o'clock in the evening, and giving 
 over at two o'clock on Saturdays, leaving the different 
 Societies to settle the question of meal hours. And 
 any time worked beyond these hours should be paid 
 time and a quarter ; but it is desirable this should be 
 a spontaneous effort on the part of the men. Secre- 
 taries to send reports of its agitation, as it progresses, 
 to the General Secretary. 
 
 " + 21. That one uniform number of hours be paid 
 
22O Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 per garment throughout the Amalgamation, and that 
 the price per hour be left to each town in the Amal- 
 gamation. That the Executive Council take means 
 to procure the drawing up of a general log. 
 
 " + 22. That we do not recognise day wage men. 
 
 "23. That the subject of apprentices be referred to 
 the Executive Council with a view to the possibility 
 of adopting some system with reference thereto, and 
 report to the next Conference. 
 
 " 24. That for the next twelve months the Execu- 
 tive Council sit in Manchester. 
 
 "25. That the President and Secretary reside in 
 Manchester for the next twelve months. 
 
 " 26. That the Secretary's salary shall be 78 per 
 year, or 3<D/- per week. 
 
 "27. That the pay of the Executive Council, 
 when on business of the Amalgamation, shall be as 
 follows: For those who reside in Manchester, 5/- 
 per day; for those who reside beyond Manchester, 
 io/-; and second class fare to and from the city or 
 town where they may reside. 
 
 "28. That the next Conference shall be held in 
 London, on the second Monday in March, 1 867. 
 
 " + 29. That this Amalgamation will use its best 
 endeavours to limit, as much as possible, out-door 
 working; and, where it cannot be avoided, will en- 
 deavour to procure a higher price to outworkers to 
 counterbalance their extra expenses, so as to some 
 extent do away with the necessity of working longer 
 hours than those who work in shops. 
 
 " + 30. That the workman ought to get one-half 
 of all work done by the machine. 
 
 "31. That this Conference is of opinion that re- 
 
History of Trade, Unionism, 221 
 
 course to a strike should only be an extreme measure, 
 and most cordially approve of the present efforts to 
 prevent strikes by establishing Councils of Arbitration. 
 
 " 32. That in the event of any Society being dis- 
 solved, the members wishing to remain in the Amal- 
 gamation shall (upon giving proof of membership) be 
 received by, and shall pay and conform to the rules 
 of the nearest Society in the Amalgamation. 
 
 " 33. Any officer being discharged from his em- 
 ployment for holding office, or any member being 
 delegated on the business of the Amalgamation, and 
 losing his employment in consequence, shall be 
 allowed the wages of his town until he find employ- 
 ment satisfactory to the members of his Society, and 
 shall be paid the expense of removing himself and 
 family to where he may obtain employment. 
 
 " 34. That any member of the Amalgamation re- 
 moving from one place to another, shall be admitted 
 a member of the nearest Society in the Amalgama- 
 tion in the locality to which he removes, upon pro- 
 ducing a clear card from the Society of which he was 
 last a member. 
 
 "35. That whilst admitting the justice of a mini- 
 mum rate of entrance, we do not think it advisable 
 to alter the present rates, but refer the subject to the 
 next Conference. 
 
 " 36. That one uniform card be issued by the Exe- 
 cutive to the different Societies at such a price as will 
 pay for printing, and to prevent fraud the different 
 Societies shall have a stamp, so as to indicate from 
 whence the card was issued, cleared, or relieved, and 
 no fresh superannuated cards to be issued after the 
 ist of September 1866. 
 
222 Select Documents illustrating the 
 
 " 37. That any member travelling in search of 
 employment shall be entitled to Sunday's rest, in 
 any town he may be in. 
 
 " 38. Any member bringing disgrace upon himself or 
 the Amalgamation, his travelling card to be stopped, 
 until he shall go before the Committee of the town he 
 may be in, and if he has done wrong they shall have 
 the power of stopping his card, or inflicting such 
 penalty as may meet the justice of the case. 
 
 " 39. Members travelling in search of employment 
 to be charged contribution from date of last relief. 
 
 " 40. That any Society being in arrears of subscrip- 
 tion or levies, according to the 1 1 th Rule, the cards 
 issued by them after that date shall not be relieved in 
 any town over which the Amalgamation shall have 
 control. 
 
 "41. That a form be issued by the General Secre- 
 tary for local secretaries to fill up stating the number 
 of cards issued, and any information useful to the 
 Executive. 
 
 "42. That the first subscription be sent to the 
 Secretary not later than the i6th of April 1866. 
 
 "43. The financial year to commence on the ist 
 of March, and terminate on the last day in February. 
 
 " 44. That the Executive Council appoint auditors 
 previous to the next Conference. 
 
 " +45. That this Conference recommend to em- 
 ployers the necessity of providing proper workshops for 
 their workmen ; and we consider that a good workshop 
 should allow of 1000 cubic feet of breathing space to 
 each man should have side lights lime - washed 
 walls proper ventilation, and should also be provided 
 with proper sanitary conveniences, and a supply of 
 
History of Trade Unionism 223 
 
 water; and should in no case be below the level of 
 the ground on any side. 
 
 " 46. That Societies wishing to join this Amalgama- 
 tion, shall agree to and sign the following form : 
 
 " We, the undersigned, hereby agree to conform to 
 the foregoing Rules, and pledge ourselves to use all 
 legitimate means for the consolidation of the Amalga- 
 mation, as also to advance the general interest and 
 well-being of the trade ; in proof of which we hereunto 
 attach our signatures as Chairman and Secretary." 
 
BIBLIOGRAPHY 
 
 THIS list is not offered as an exhaustive one of all the 
 books and pamphlets dealing with the tailoring trade, but 
 is confined to a collection of those which throw some light 
 on the combinations of the journeymen or the industrial 
 organisation of the trade. In all cases where I have been 
 able to trace a work in the British Museum I have added 
 "Brit. Mus." and the reference number. A few are only 
 to be found in other libraries, which are mentioned. Those 
 marked " Foxwell Collection " are in the possession of Pro- 
 fessor H. S. Foxwell, Cambridge ; while those marked 
 " Webb Collection " are in the collection of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Sidney Webb : 
 
 ALLEN, THOMAS. " The History and Antiquities of London, 
 Westminster, South wark, and Parts adjacent." London, 
 1827-29. 4 vols., 8vo. Brit. Mus., 2065 a. 
 
 ARUNDELL, T. " Historical Reminiscences of the City of 
 London and its Livery Companies." London, 1869. 
 8vo. Brit. Mus., 2366 d. 
 
 BAIN, E. " Merchant and Craft Guilds : a History of the 
 Aberdeen Incorporated Trades." Aberdeen, 1887. 8vo. 
 Brit. Mus., 8248, f. 1 6. 
 
 BIRMINGHAM. " A List of the Prices of Journeymen Tailors, 
 April 2, 1806." Birmingham, 1806. 8vo. Birming- 
 ham Lib. 
 
 . "A List of the Prices of Journeymen Tailors, May 
 
 22, 1807." Birmingham, 1807. Birmingham Lib. 
 
 . The Birmingham Labour Exchange Gazette, Nos. 
 
 1-4. Birmingham, 1833. 8vo. Birmingham Lib. 
 234 
 
Bibliography 225 
 
 " Book of English Trades, The, and Library of the Useful 
 Arts." London, i2th ed., 1824. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 
 7945, aaa. 40. 
 
 "Book of Trades, The, or Library of the Useful Arts." 
 London, 6th ed., 1815. 3 vols., i6mo. Brit. Mus., 
 a - 3- 
 
 BOOTH, H. " Master and Man : a Dialogue in which are 
 discussed some of the Important Questions affecting 
 the Social Conditions of the Industrious Classes." 
 London, 1853. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 8276, a. 64. 
 
 BRENTANO, L. " English Gilds, edited by Toulmin Smith. 
 . . . With ... a Preliminary Essay ... on the His- 
 tory and Development of Gilds, by L. B." Early 
 English Text Society. London, 1870. 8vo. Brit. 
 Mus., Ac. 2322. 
 
 " Brief State, A, of the Inland or Home Trade of England ; 
 and of the Oppressions it Suffers, and the Dangers 
 which threaten it from the Invasion of Hawkers, 
 Pedlars, and Clandestine Traders of all Sorts." London, 
 1730. 8vo. Guildhall Lib. Catalogued under Trade. 
 
 "Building Trades, London, Balance-Sheet of the Strike and 
 Lock-Out in the, from July 24, 1859, to May i, 1860." 
 London, 1860. 8vo. Webb Collection. 
 
 CAMPBELL, R. " The London Tradesman : Being an His- 
 torical Account of all Trades, Professions, Arts, both 
 Liberal and Mechanic, now practised in the Cities of 
 London and Westminster." London, 1747. 8vo. Brit. 
 Mus., 1029, a. 9. 
 
 - . The Third Edition. London, 1757. 8vo. Brit. 
 Mus., 787, b. 2. 
 
 CARTER, T. "The Guide to Trade." 10 Parts. London, 
 1838-42. i2mo. Brit. Mus., 787, b. 15, 16. 
 
 CHITTY, J. "A Practical Treatise on the Law relative to 
 Apprentices and Journeymen, and to exercising Trades." 
 London, 1812. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 6325, aaa. 15. 
 
 P 
 
226 Bibliography 
 
 CLODE, C. M. " The Early History of the Guild of Mer- 
 chant Taylors." London, 1888. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 
 8248, f. 1 8. 
 
 "Memorials of the Guild of Merchant Taylors." 
 
 London, 1875. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 2366 f. 
 
 COLLYER, JOSEPH. " The Parent's and Guardian's Directory, 
 and the Youth's Guide in the Choice of a Profession 
 or Trade." London, 1761. i6mo. Brit. Mus., 8410, 
 ccc. 40. 
 
 "Combinations of Trades, On." London, 1831. 8vo. Brit. 
 Mus., T. 1372, 8. 
 
 COOK, M. "A Sure Guide against Waste in Dress ; or, 
 The Woollen Draper's, Man's Mercer's, and Tailor's 
 Assistant." London, 1787. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 1029, 
 h. 4 . (5). 
 
 Crisis, The. 4 vols. London, 1832-34. 4to. Brit. Mus., 
 PP. 3390. 
 
 CUNNINGHAM, W. " The Growth of English Industry and 
 Commerce." Cambridge, 1890-92. 2 vols, 8vo. Brit. 
 Mus., 2020 d. 
 
 DERBY. " Rules of the Tailors' Benevolent Society, held 
 at the Saracen's Head Inn, &c., amended 1859." 
 Derby, 1859. 8vo. Webb Collection. 
 
 DUBLIN. "Upon the Fringes [Franchises], commonly so 
 called by the Vulgar." Dublin, 1722. S. Sh. Fol. 
 Brit. Mus., 839, m. 23 (21). 
 
 . "Vulcan's Speech, spoken on the i2th of August 
 
 1725 to his Excellency the Lord Carteret, on Occasion 
 of the Contest between the Smiths and Taylors about 
 Precedency in their March." Dublin [1725]. S. Sh. 
 Fol. Brit. Mus., 839, m. 23 (70). Another copy, 
 1890, e. 5 (200). 
 
 . " The Taylors' Answer to Vulcan's Speech, ad- 
 dressed to the Right Honourable the Lady Carteret." 
 Dublin [1725]. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 839, m. 23 
 
Bibliography 227 
 
 DUBLIN. "The Butchers' Answer to the Taylors' Poem; 
 or, their whole Profession Unmasked." Dublin, N.D. 
 [1725]. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 839, m. 23 (91). 
 
 . " A New Poem on the Ancient and Loyal Society 
 
 of Journeymen Taylors, &c. By H[enry] N[elson], 
 Bricklayer." Dublin, 1725. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 
 839, m. 23 (42). Another copy, 1890, e. 5 (164). 
 
 . "A New London Poem; on the Procession of the 
 
 Journeymen Taylors of the City of Dublin, &c." 
 
 London [printed] and Dublin, 1725. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. 
 Mus. 839, m. 23 (39). 
 
 . " A Poem in Honour of the Antient and Loyal 
 
 Society of Journeymen Taylors, &c. By H[enry] 
 N[elson], Bricklayer." Dublin, 1726. S. Sh. Fol. 
 Brit. Mus., 1890, e. 5 (168). 
 
 . "The Triumphant Taylors; or, The Vanquished 
 
 Lice. A Satyr on the Taylors' Procession. . . . 1726." 
 Dublin, 1726. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 1890, e. 5 (173). 
 
 . " A New Poem on the Procession of Journeymen 
 
 Taylors. . . . 1727. By H. Nelson, Bricklayer/' 
 Dublin, 1727. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 1890, e. 5 
 (166). 
 
 . " Poem on the Procession of Journeymen Taylors, 
 
 July the 28th, 1729. By Henry Nelson, Bricklayer." 
 Dublin, 1729. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus. 1890, e. 5 (170). 
 
 . "A Poem in Praise of the Loyal and Charitable 
 
 Society of Journeymen Taylors, &c. By Henry 
 Nelson." Dublin, 1729. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 
 1890, e. 5 (167). 
 
 . " A Satyrical Poem on the Society of Journeymen 
 
 Taylors." Dublin, N.D. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 1890, 
 e. 5 (169). 
 
 . "A New Poem in Honour of the Journeymen 
 
 Taylors. By J. M." Dublin, N.D. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. 
 Mus., 1890, e. 5 (165). 
 
228 Bibliography 
 
 DUBLIN. "A Poem in Praise of the Journeymen Taylors." 
 Dublin, N.D. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 839, m. 23 (139). 
 
 . " A Satyr on the Journeymen Tailors. By R. A., 
 
 Shoemaker." Dublin, N.D. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 
 1890, e. 5 (171). 
 
 . " The Tailors' Exercise, Grace, Psalms, and Cate- 
 chism." Dublin, N.D. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 1890, 
 e. 5 (i73)- 
 
 EDINBURGH. " An Account of the Edinburgh Reform 
 Jubilee, . . . 1832; also the Leith Reform Jubilee." 
 Edinburgh, 1832. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 808, m. 16 (69). 
 
 . "Public Reform Meeting: a Droll and Laughable 
 
 Account of," &c. Edinburgh, 1832. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. 
 Mus., 808, m. 1 6 (7). 
 
 . " Procession : a Full, True, and Particular Account 
 
 of the Rout [sic] of the Grand Trades' Procession 
 which is to take place in this City on the Day of the 
 National Jubilee, as settled by the Meeting of Dele- 
 gates which was held last Night," &c. Edinburgh, 
 1832. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 808, m. 16. (39). 
 
 . "Procession: a Full, True, and Particular Account 
 
 of the Rout [sic] of the Grand Jubilee Procession," 
 &c. Edinburgh, 1832. S. Sh. FoL Brit. Mus., 808, 
 m. 1 6 (59). 
 
 . " Programme of the Grand Jubilee Procession to take 
 
 place in Edinburgh on Friday, loth August 1832, in 
 Honour of the Passing of the Reform Bills." Edin- 
 burgh, 1832. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 808, m. 16 (60). 
 
 . " Procession, Order of the. ... A Correct List of the 
 
 Trades and other Public Bodies who are to join the 
 Grand Procession," &c. Edinburgh, 1832. S. Sh. Fol. 
 Brit. Mus., 808, m. 16 (58). 
 
 . " Procession, the only True and Correct Copy of the 
 
 Order of," &c. Edinburgh, 1832. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. 
 Mus., 808, m. 1 6 (57). 
 
Bibliography 229 
 
 EDINBURGH. " Chairing of the City Members ; Chairing of 
 the Lord Advocate and Mr. Abercromby as Members 
 of Parliament for the City of Edinburgh." Edinburgh, 
 1832. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 808, m. 16 (97). 
 
 . " Chairing of the Lord Advocate and the Honourable 
 Mr. Abercromby," &c. Edinburgh, 1832. S. Sh. Fol. 
 Brit. Mus., 808, m. 16 (96). 
 
 ENTICK, JOHN. "A New and Accurate History and Survey 
 of London, Westminster, and Southwark, and Places 
 Adjacent," &c. London, 1766. 4 vols., 8vo. Brit. 
 Mus., 290, f. 22-25. 
 
 Fox, F. F. " Some Account of the Ancient Fraternity of 
 Merchant Taylors of Bristol." Bristol, 1880. 4to. 
 Brit. Mus., 10,352, 1. 17. 
 
 FRETTON, W. G. "Ancient Guilds and Modern Friendly 
 Societies." Coventry, 1870. Svo. Brit. Mus., 8277, 
 bb. 56 (7). 
 
 " General Description of all Trades, A, digested in Alpha- 
 betical Order. By which Parents, Guardians, and 
 Trustees may, with greater ease and certainty, make 
 Choice of Trades agreeable to the Capacity, Education, 
 Inclination, Strength, and Fortune of the Youth under 
 their Care." London, 1747. 12 mo. Guildhall Lib., 
 A 5, i. Another copy, Patent Office Lib., London. 
 
 " Glasgow, Statement of Prices of Work agreed upon by 
 
 the Masters and Operative Tailors of, October 1855." 
 
 Glasgow, 1855. Svo. Another edition, 1860. Webb 
 
 Collection. 
 Gorgon, The. A Weekly Political Publication. London, 
 
 1818-19. 8vo - Brit. Mus - PP - 3557 tc - 
 GROSS, C. "The Gild Merchant." London, 1890. 2 
 
 vols., Svo. Brit. Mus., 8248, e. 25. 
 "Guide to Trade, The. The Tailor." London, 1845. 
 
 i2mo. Webb Collection. 
 HERBERT, WM. "The History of the Twelve Great Livery 
 
 Companies of London." London, 1836-37. 2 vols., 
 
 Svo. Brit. Mus., 2065 b. 
 
230 Bibliography 
 
 HICKS, FRANCES. " Dressmakers and Tailoresses." In Gal- 
 ton, F. W., "Workers on their Industries." London, 
 1895. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 08275, e - 2 ^- 
 
 HUGHSON, D. " London : Being an Accurate History and 
 Description of the British Metropolis and its Neigh- 
 bourhood to Thirty Miles Extent." London, 1805-9. 
 6 vols., 8vo. Brit. Mus., 289, h. 13-18. 
 
 HUTTON, W. "An History of Birmingham." London 
 [printed] and Birmingham, 1835. 6th ed. 8vo. 
 Brit. Mus., 578, c. 15. 
 
 "Instructions for Masters, Traders, Labourers, &c." [Lon- 
 don], 1699. i2mo. Brit Mus., 8410, b. 38. 
 
 " Instructions for Masters, Traders, Labourers, &c. ; also 
 for Servants, Apprentices, and Youth." London, 1718. 
 2 Parts. i2mo. Brit. Mus., 8410, aa. 33. 
 
 JONES, ERNEST. "Notes to the People." London, 1850. 
 8vo. Manchester Lib. 
 
 KEARSLEY, G. " Kearsley's Table of Trades, for the 
 Assistance of Parents and Guardians, and for the 
 Benefit of those Young Men who wish to prosper in the 
 World, and become Respectable Members of Society." 
 London, 1786. Obi. i2mo. Brit. Mus., 712, a. 15. 
 
 LAMBERT, J. M. "Two Thousand Years of Gild Life." 
 Hull, 1891. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 8245, gg. 18. 
 
 LANGFORD, JOHN ALFRED. "A Century of Birmingham 
 Life." Birmingham, 1868. 2 vols., 8vo. Brit. Mus., 
 2368 e. 
 
 " Letter, A, from the Daily Advertiser, i6th January 1745." 
 London, 1745. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., Place MSS., 
 vol. 27,799 (7). 
 
 " Letter, A, to a Member of Parliament on the Importance 
 of Liberty ; towards enjoying the National Benefit of 
 any useful Branch of Manufactures," &c. London, 
 1745. 8vo. Foxwell Collection. 
 
 " Letter, A, to the Members in Parliament on the Present 
 State of the Coinage, with Proposals," &c. London, 
 1771. 8vo. Brit. Mus., T. 933 (15). 
 
Bibliography 2 3 1 
 
 LONDON. "A True Account of the Case between the 
 Worshipful the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assis- 
 tants of the Company of Merchant-Taylors of the City 
 of London, and the Master- Working Taylors, Freemen 
 of this City, and Members also of the said Company." 
 London, 1687. S. Sh. Fol. Guildhall Lib., catalogued 
 under Merchant Taylors. 
 
 . " The Case of the Master Cutting Taylors, and all 
 
 other Master Workers duly qualified in the Taylory 
 Trade within the Cities of London and Westminster, 
 and the Borough of Southwark, and Weekly Bills of 
 Mortality," &c. London, N.D. [1702-14]. S. Sh. Fol. 
 Guildhall Lib., catalogued under Tailors. 
 
 . " The Case of the Master Taylors residing within 
 
 the Cities of London and Westminster, in relation to 
 tiie Great Abuses committed by their Journeymen." 
 London, 1720 [1721]. S. Sh. FoL Brit. Mus., 816. 
 m. 14 (2). Another Copy, Guildhall Lib., catalogued 
 under Merchant Taylors. 
 
 . " An Abstract of the Master Taylors' Bill before the 
 
 Honourable House of Commons ; with the Journey- 
 men's Observations on each Clause of the said Bill." 
 .London, 1720 [1721], S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 816, 
 m. 14 (i). Another Copy, Guildhall Lib., catalogued 
 under Merchant Taylors. 
 
 . "The Case of the Journeymen Taylors residing 
 
 in the Cities of London and Westminster," &c. Lon- 
 don, 1720 [1721]. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 816, m. 14 
 (3). Another Copy, Guildhall Lib., catalogued under 
 Merchant Taylors. 
 
 . " The Case of the Journeymen Taylors in and about 
 
 the Cities of London and Westminster." London, 1744 
 [1745], 4 pp., fol. Brit. Mus., Place MSS. 27,799 (5). 
 
 . " The Privileges of the Free Artificers of the City 
 
 of London defended ; in an Appeal to the Committee 
 appointed to receive the Complaints of the Masters 
 of the several Manufactures in the City against their 
 Journeymen." London, N.D. [1750?]. 8vo. Guild- 
 hall Lib., catalogued under Free. 
 
232 Bibliography 
 
 LONDON. "Common Council. An Act to explain and 
 amend two several Acts of Common Council . . . con- 
 cerning Foreigners." London, 1750. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. 
 Mus., 8 1 6, 1. 5 (n). 
 
 . " The Case of the Journeymen Taylors and Journey- 
 men Staymakers residing within the Cities of London 
 and "Westminster, and Weekly Bills of Mortality." 
 London, N.D. [1752]. 4 pp., fol. Foxwell Collection. 
 
 . " Report submitted by the Master Tailors' Com- 
 mittee to the Trade at Large," &c. London, 1810. 
 4 pp., fol. Brit. Mus., Place MSS. 27,799 ( IO )- 
 
 . " Propositions submitted by the Master Tailors to 
 
 their Journeymen." London, 1810. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. 
 Mus., Place MSS. 27,799 ( I 5)- 
 
 . "Address from the Committee of Master Tailors, 
 
 submitted to the Trade at Large," &c. London, 1811. 
 4 pp., fol. Brit Mus., Place MSS. 27,799 (18). 
 
 . " An Address to the Legislature of Great Britain 
 
 from the Master Tailors of London," &c. London, 
 1811. 8vo. Brit. Mus., Place MSS. 27,799 ( l6 )- 
 
 . " Observations on the Bill lately brought into the 
 
 House of Commons by the Master Tailors," &c. Lon- 
 don, N.D. [1811]. Brit. Mus., Place MSS. 27,799 ( I2 )- 
 
 . "Articles of Agreement, made and confirmed by a 
 
 Society of Taylors, held ... at ... the Scotch 
 Arms, Bedfordbury, &c. Begun March 12, 1760." 
 London, 1812. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 8275, bb. 2(1). 
 
 . " Half- Yearly Reports of the Old George Associated 
 
 Taylors' Benefit Society." London, 1818-20. S. Sh. 
 Fol. Brit. Mus., Place MSS. 27,799. 
 
 . "Prospectus for a Plan to Raise a Fund for the 
 
 Relief and Support of Aged and Decayed Journeymen 
 Taylors." London, 1824. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 
 Place MSS. 27,799. 
 
 . " London Tradesman, The. A Familiar Treatise on 
 
 the Rationale of Trade and Commerce as carried on in 
 the Metropolis of the British Empire, &c. By Several 
 Tradesmen." London, 1819. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 8247, dd. 5. 
 
Bibliography 233 
 
 LONGE, F. D. "An Inquiry into the Law of Strikes." 
 London, 1860. 8vo. Webb Collection. 
 
 Man, The; a Rational Advocate for Universal Liberty. 
 London, 1833. 4to. Brit. Mus., P.P. 3375. 
 
 MANCHESTER. "An Account of the Meeting held at the 
 Merchant Tailors' Hall in ... to take Measures for 
 preventing Persons commencing as Master Tailors who 
 have not served a Regular Apprenticeship to the Trade." 
 Manchester, 1830. 8vo. Manchester Lib. 
 
 " A Collection of Police Documents relating to." 
 
 Brit. Mus., 1856, c. 5. Fol. 
 
 "Master and Servant Law. Report of Conference on the 
 Law of Masters and "Workmen under their Contract of 
 Service. Held in London . . . 1864." Glasgow, 1864. 
 8vo. Webb Collection. 
 
 MAYHEW, H. "Labour and the Poor. Report of ... 
 Speech ... at a Meeting of the Tailors of London, 
 on the Sweating or Domestic System." London, 1850. 
 8vo. Manchester Lib. 
 
 MERCHANT, K H. "The Compleat Tradesman; or, The 
 Exact Dealer's Daily Companion." London, 1720. 
 i6mo. Guildhall Lib. 
 
 MORTIMER, THOMAS. "The Universal Director; or, The 
 Nobleman's and Gentleman's True Guide to the Masters 
 and Professors of the Liberal and Polite Arts and 
 Sciences ; and of the Mechanic Arts, Manufactures, and 
 Trades established in London and Westminster and their 
 Environs." London, edition 1743. 8vo. Guildhall 
 Lib. Another edition. 1763. Brit. Mus., 10,349, c. 3. 
 
 MOSES, E., & SON. " The Growth of an Important Branch of 
 British Industry the Ready-Made Clothing System." 
 London, 1860. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 8244, b. 29. 
 
 NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. " Rules, Orders, and Regulations of 
 the Friendly Society of Tailors. Held at the House 
 of Mr. Edward Burn, Sign of the Two Bulls' Heads, 
 Kewcastle-upon-Tyne. Established on the i2th day 
 of August 1723." Newcastle-upon-Tyne, 1825. Brit. 
 Mus., 8275, bb. 4 (7). 
 
234 Bibliography 
 
 NOTTINGHAM. "Laws of the Tailors' Society. Amended 
 August 1840." Nottingham, 1842. 8vo. Other 
 editions, 1846 and 1853. "Webb Collection. 
 
 PERCY, SHOLTO and KEUBEN. "London; or, Interesting 
 Memorials of its Rise, Progress, and Present State." 
 London, 1823. 3 vols., 12 mo. Brit. Mus., 578, a. 18. 
 
 Pioneer, The, or Grand National Consolidated Trades 1 Union 
 Magazine. Vol. i. London, 1834. Brit. Mus., PP. 
 3766. 
 
 Place MSS. in British Museum. Additional MSS. 27,789- 
 27,859. 
 
 Poor Man's Guardian, The, a Weekly Newspaper for the 
 People. London, 1831-35. 4to. Brit. Mus., PP. 3754. 
 
 " Reasons humbly Offered by the Woollen-Drapers, Taylors, 
 &c., for the Repealing an Act made in the Eighth Year 
 of Her late Majesty Queen Anne, entitled An Act for 
 Employing the Manufacturers by Encouraging the Con- 
 sumption of Raw Silk and Mohair Yarn." London, 
 N.D. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 816, m. 14 (4). 
 
 "Reasons humbly Offered by the Taylors, Button-Sellers, 
 Button-Makers, Throwsters, Twisters, Dyers, Spinners, 
 and Winders, &c., for Explaining and Amending an 
 Act made in the Eighth Year of Her late Majesty," 
 &c. London, N.D. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 816, 
 m. 14 (5). 
 
 " Reasons humbly Offered for the making (by a new Bill) 
 Several Acts of Parliament more Effectual, for the 
 Encouraging of Making Needle-Wrought Buttons and 
 Buttonholes." London, N.D. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 
 8 1 6, m. 14 (6). 
 
 " Reasons for Suppressing the Wearing of all Cloth, Stuff, 
 and other Wove Buttons." London, N.D. S. Sh. Fol. 
 Brit. Mus., 8 1 6, m. 14 (7). 
 
 " Reasons humbly Offered for bringing in a Bill for Pro- 
 hibiting the Importation of Foreign Buttons made 
 of Hair, and all other Foreign Buttons whatsoever." 
 London, N.D. S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 816, m. (14) 8. 
 
Bibliography 235 
 
 ROGERS, J. E. T. "History of Agriculture and Prices in 
 England from 1259 to ... 1793." Oxford, 1866. 
 6 vols., 8vo. Brit. Mus., 2020 e. 
 
 KOLLE, JOHN. "The Trader's Safeguard and Counting- 
 House Guide," &c. London, 3rd ed., 1822. i2mo. 
 Brit. Mus., 515, b. 28. 
 
 SHARP, T. "The Pageant of the Company of Sheremen 
 and Taylors in Coventry, as performed by them on 
 the Festival of Corpus Christi; together with other 
 Pageants." Coventry, 1817. 4to. Brit. Mus., 604, 
 h. 34. 
 
 SHAW, W. "An Affectionate Pleading for England's 
 Oppressed Female Workers." London, 1850. 8vo. 
 Brit. Mus., 8275, b. 26 (6). 
 
 . "Letters on the Contract System." London, 1861. 
 
 8vo. Brit. Mus., 8276, e. 32. 
 
 SHORROCKS, P. " How Contagion and Infection are Spread 
 through the Sweating System in the Tailoring Trade," 
 &c. Manchester, 1877. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 8275, 
 ee - 3 (5)- 
 
 " Sweating System. Verbatim Report of the Trades' Union 
 Conference for the Abolition of the Middleman Sweater. 
 Held in London, 1891." London, 1891. 8vo. Webb 
 Collection. 
 
 SWINTON, A. "Report of the Trial of T. Hunter, P. 
 Hackett, R. M'Neil, J. Gibb, and W. M'Lean, Operative 
 Cotton-Spinners in Glasgow ... for Illegal Conspiracy 
 and Murder." Edinburgh, 1838. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 
 1132, h. 53. 
 
 SYMONS, J. C. " Arts and Artisans at Home and Abroad,' 7 
 &c. Edinburgh, 1839. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 787, e. 24. 
 
 "Tailor, The. The Guide to Trade." London, 1845. 
 1 2 mo. Webb Collection. 
 
 Tailor, The, a Weekly Trades' Journal and Advertiser. 
 London, 1866, &c. 8vo. Brit. Mus., PP. 1423, cf. 
 
236 Bibliography 
 
 " Tailors, Amalgamated Society of Journeymen, Eules of the. 
 as agreed to by the Conference of Deputies of the 
 Tailors' Societies throughout England, assembled in ... 
 Manchester, 1866." 8vo. Report of Conference of 
 Deputies in the Archives of the Society. 
 
 " , Amalgamated Society of, First-Class Statement, 
 
 March, 1866. By order of the National Executive 
 Committee." Manchester, 1866. 8vo. Webb Col- 
 lection. 
 
 " , Amalgamated Society of, General Time List. 
 
 Revised Edition, 1886. "With Supplement giving De- 
 tails of the various Classes of Garments, with the View 
 of Facilitating the Reckoning of Machine- Work." Man- 
 chester, 1886. 8vo. Webb Collection. 
 
 " , The : A Tragedy for Warm Weather ; in Three 
 
 Acts. As it is performed at the Theatre Royal in the 
 Haymarket." London, 1778. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 643, 
 e. 8 (2). 
 
 . " The National Time-Log ; compiled by the Log 
 
 Committee of the Master Tailors' Association." Bolton, 
 1893. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 7743, b. 28. 
 
 . "The Taylors Vindication," &c. London, 1670. 
 
 S. Sh. Fol. Brit. Mus., 1871, e. 9 (30). 
 
 " Trade, The, of England Revived, and the Abuses thereof 
 Rectified in relation to Wool and Woollen Cloth," &c. 
 London, 1681. 4to. Brit. Mus., 712, g. 16 (20). 
 
 " Trade Societies and Lock-Outs : Report of the Conference 
 of Trades' Delegates of the United Kingdom ... at 
 Sheffield, 1866." Sheffield, 1866. 8vo. Webb Col- 
 lection. 
 
 " Trades' Societies and Strikes, Report of the Committee on, 
 of the National Association for the Promotion of Social 
 Science." London, 1860. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 8276, d. 53. 
 
 "Trades' Unions and Strikes." Anon. London, 1834. 
 i2mo. Webb Collection. 
 
 " Trades' Union Directory, United Kingdom, First Annual, 
 published by the London Trades Council." London, 
 1 86 1. 8vo. Webb Collection. 
 
Bibliography 237 
 
 " Trip through London, A ; containing Observations on Men 
 and Things. By a Berkshire Gentleman." London, 
 1728. 8vo. Guildhall Lib. 
 
 VALENS, WILLIAM. " The Honourable Prentice ; or, This 
 Taylor is a Man ; containing the Life and Actions of 
 Sir John Hawkewood, who, from a Taylor's Prentice, 
 became a renowned Commander in the Wars of France 
 and Italy," &c. London, 1743. 4to. Guildhall Lib. 
 
 VANDERVELDE, E. DE. "Enquete sur les Associations 
 Professionales d' Artisans et Ouvriers en Belgique." 
 Brussels, 1891. 2 vols., 8vo. 
 
 WADE, JOHN. " History of the Middle and Working 
 Classes," &c. 3rd ed. London, 1835. 12 mo. Brit. 
 Mus., 8206, a. 34. 
 
 " Waugh, Mansie, Tailor in Dalkeith, The Life of ; written 
 by Himself." [By D. M. Moir.] Edinburgh, 1828. 
 I2mo. Brit. Mus., 1ST. 550. 
 
 WEBB, SIDNEY and BEATRICE. "The History of Trade 
 Unionism." London, 1894. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 08276, 
 g. 68. 
 
 WINSTANLEY, WILLIAM. ' ' The Honour of Merchant-Taylors , 
 wherein is set forth the Noble Acts, Valliant Deeds, 
 and Heroick Performances of Merchant - Taylors in 
 Former Ages. . . . Together with their Pious Acts and 
 large Benevolences, especially that of Blackwell Hall, to 
 be a Market Place for the selling of Woollen Cloaths." 
 London, 1668. 4to. Brit. Mus., 12410, bb. 12. 
 
 " Working Classes, A Glimpse at the Social Condition of 
 the, during the Early Part of the Present Century," &c. 
 London, 1868. i2mo. Brit. Mus., 8282, aa. 39. 
 
 WRIGHT, E. S. "The Law of Criminal Conspiracies and 
 Agreements." London, 1873. 8vo. Brit. Mus., 6495, 
 bb. 45. 
 
INDEX 
 
 ABERDEEN, strike of tailors at, 
 in 1768, xlvii. ; in 1797, lv. ; 
 action of the Gild at, in 1768, 
 xlvii. ; in 1797, lv. 
 
 Accounts of a tailors' club, Lon- 
 don, Ixxv., Ixxvi., 161-163 
 
 Act of Parliament regulating 
 tailors, London, 1721, xxv., 16 ; 
 effects of, xx vi. ; defects in, 
 xxxvii. n., xliii., xlv., xlvi., 58, 
 59 ; London, 1768, xliv., 60 ; 
 effects of, xlv., xlvi., 105-107, 
 in, 112, 115 ; abandoned, 
 Ixix., Ixx. ; when repealed, 63 ; 
 Ireland, forbidding combina- 
 tions, 1729, xxviii., xxix. ; re- 
 vived in 1743, xlviii. ; Dublin, 
 regulating tailors, 1772, xlix., 
 69 ; when repealed, 70 
 
 Amalgamated Society of Journey- 
 men tailors, xcvii., xcviii., 211- 
 223 
 
 Arbitration, 221 
 
 Ashton-under-Lyne, Ixxix. ,xcvi.n. 
 
 BALANCE - SHEETS of a London 
 tailors' club, Ixxv., Ixxvi., 161- 
 
 163 
 
 Banbury, xc. n. 
 
 Bartholomew Fair, xxxi. 
 
 Barton, Mr., M.P., Ixviii. 
 
 Batson, G., Ixxxvii. n. 
 
 Beer, tailors' club expenditure on, 
 Ixxi., Ixxvi., 162 
 
 Belfast, xcvi. n. 
 
 Bills of Mortality, see WeeTdy. 
 
 Birmingham, strike of the tailors 
 at, 1777, li., 71-74; strike of 
 the tailors at, 1825, Ixxviii., 
 171 ; Tailors' Union at, and 
 political reform, Ixxix., xcvi. n. 
 
 Blackburn, xcvi. n. 
 
 Bolton, xcvi. n. 
 
 Boycott by master tailors, xlvii., 
 Ixxxvii., Ixxxix., 199, 203, 204, 
 208, 209; by the Tailors' Union, 
 lix., 1x5., 90 
 
 Bracebridge, Mr., M.P., xxi. n. 
 
 Bradford, xcvi. n. 
 
 Bread, prices of, from 1775 to 
 1815, 147 
 
 Brentano, Professor L., vi., vii. 
 
 Bricklayers' and Builders' Union, 
 Dublin, 1725, xxix. .; in Lon- 
 don, 3 
 
 Brighton, Ixxix., xcv. n., xcvi. n. 
 
 Bristol, xcv. n., xcvi. n. 
 
 British and Foreign Consolidated 
 Association of Industry, Hu- 
 manity, and Knowledge, 
 xciii. 
 
 Browne, J., Ixxiv., Ixxiv. n., r i79, 
 185, 195, 205 
 
 Builders' and Bricklayers' Union, 
 Dublin, 1725, xxix. n. 
 
 Building trades, London, strike 
 in the, 1859, xcv. 
 
 Burdett, Sir F., Ixvi. n., Ixviii., 
 Ixix. n. 
 
 Burnley, xcvi. n. 
 
 Bury, xcvi. n. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE, Tailors' Union at, 
 1721, xiii., xxvi., 23; in 1834 
 Ixxxvii. ; in 1860, xcvi. n. 
 
 Captain, see Foreman 
 
 Carlisle, xcvi. n. 
 
 Carpenters, London, 3 
 
 Carteret, Lord, xxix. n. 
 
 Case of the tailors of Ipswich 
 xxvi. n., xxxiv. ; of the tailors 
 at Cambridge, xiii., xxvi., 23 ; 
 
 238 
 
Index 
 
 239 
 
 of R. v. Eccles, Liverpool, liv., 
 8 1 ; of R. v. Marshall, Ivi. 
 
 Cheltenham, xcvi. n. 
 
 Chester, xcvi. n. 
 
 Clement, Doctor, 67. 
 
 Coachmakers, London, 3 
 
 Colts, Ixxv. 
 
 Combe, Alderman, M.P., Ixiv. 
 
 Co-operative production, Tailors' 
 Unions and, li., Ixxxi., Ixxxviii., 
 
 73, 74, 194 
 
 Coopers, Liverpool, Ixxii. n. 
 Cordwaiuers, see Shoemakers 
 Cork, xcvi. n. 
 Cornwallis, Lord, xxx. 
 Cotton-spinners, Glasgow, xcii. 
 Curriers, London, 3 
 Curtis, Sir William, M.P., Ixiv. 
 
 DALKEITH, IxxvL n. 
 
 Darlington, xcvi. n. 
 
 Derby, xcii., xcvi. n, 
 
 Document, The, Ixxxvii., Ixxxix., 
 xc., xci., xciii., 199, 203, 207, 
 209 
 
 Douglas, E. C., Ixxxi v. n., 207 
 
 Dowton, Mr., Ix. 
 
 Dublin, Tailors' Unions at, xiii., 
 xv. n., xxvii.-xxix., Iviii. Ixxix., 
 xcv. n., xcvi. n., 27-29, 66, 68, 
 69 ; master tailors' combination 
 at, xlviii. ; Smiths' Union at, 
 xxix. n. ; Shoemakers' Union 
 at, xxix. n. ; Bricklayers' and 
 Builders' Union at, xxix. n. ; 
 Shipwrights' Union at, xlix., 69 
 
 Dungs, xli., xlii., lix., Ixxiv., Ixxv., 
 
 EDINBURGH, Tailors' Unions at, 
 xxxv., Ixxvi., Ixxx., xciii., 164, 
 175; House of Call at, Ixxvi. n. 
 
 Eight hours' day, tailors and the, 
 Ixxxi v., 184 
 
 Eton, xcvi. n. 
 
 Exeter, xcvi. n. 
 
 FARRIERS, London, 3 
 Federation of tailors' clubs, Ixxii., 
 
 Ixxiv., Ixxvii., Ixxviii., xcvii., 
 
 xcviii., 154, 167 
 
 Flints, xli., xlii., lix., Ixxiv., Ixxv., 
 
 Ixxvii., 151 
 
 Flynn, Mr. T., xcvii. n. 
 Foote, Samuel, xl., xlii. n. 
 Foreign labour imported in 
 
 tailors' strike, 1834, Ixxxix. n. 
 Foremen, 62, 118, 119 
 Foxwell, Prof. H. S., 36 n., 49 n. 
 
 GILD of Master Tailors, Ipswich, 
 xxvi. n. ; Edinburgh, xxxv., 
 Ixxx.n., 176; Aberdeen, xlvii., 
 Iv. ; Musselburgh, 176 ; and 
 Leith, 177 
 
 Gilds and Trade Unions, xiii. n. 
 
 Glasgow, xciii., xcv. n., xcvi. n. 
 
 Godfrey, Mr., M.P., xxi. n., 5 
 
 Grand National Consolidated 
 Trades Union, The, Ixxxiii.- 
 Ixxxv., xcii., xciii., 204-207 
 
 Greenock, Ixxix., xciii. 
 
 Guildford, xcv. n. 
 
 HALIFAX, xcvi. n. 
 
 Hamilton [Scotland], xcvi. n. 
 
 Haymarket Theatre, xl., Ix. 
 
 Home-work, vi., Ixii., xciv., 103, 
 184, 192, 220, 222 
 
 Hours of labour of tailors, Lon- 
 don, 1721, 2, 8, 13, 18, 19; in 
 1752, xxxvi., xxxvii., xxxix., 
 52 ; in 1767, 61, 62 ; in 1834, 
 Ixxxii., Ixxxiv., 184; in 1866, 
 219 ; at Aberdeen, 1720-1768, 
 xlvii. ; at Sheffield, 1721, xiv. 
 n. ; at Dublin, 1772, 70 
 
 Houses of Call, xv., xxvii., xxviii., 
 xxxiv., xxxix., xl., xli., xlii., li., 
 lix., Ixi., Ixx., Ixxiii., Ixxvi. ., 
 Ixxxi., xciv., xcv., xcvi., 3, 38, 
 
 72, 73, 97:."8, 15 , 173 
 Hull, Ixxxviii. 
 
 IMPRESSMENT, xxv., xxxi., Ixxi., 
 
 33, 34, 4.2, 140 
 Incorporations, see Gilds 
 Institution of the Industrious 
 
 Classes, Ixxxi., 196, 197 
 Ipswich, xxvi. n., xxxiv. 
 Ireland, see Belfast, Dublin, and 
 
 A ct of Parliament 
 
240 
 
 Index 
 
 JOINERS, London, 3 
 
 Journeyman, description of a, 
 30 
 
 Journeymen tailors, rise of the 
 class of, xvi.-xx. ; condition of 
 the,xxii., xxxiii., xxxiv., 3 ., 13, 
 14, 14 n., 190 ; cost of living of, 
 54 ; unhealthiness of the trade 
 of, 124-128, 150 
 
 Justices of the Peace, 8, 10, 41 
 
 KILDARE, Marquis of, 67, 68 
 
 LADBROKE, Sir Robert, M.P., 
 xliii., xliv., 58 
 
 Leeds, xcv. n., xcvi. n. 
 
 Legal regulation of wages opposed 
 by the journeymen, xxii., xlv., 
 liv., 75-78, 110-113, 115, Ii6, 
 122, 123 ; supported by the 
 masters, liii., 79, 80, 105, 1 06 ; 
 opposed by some masters, lii., 
 Ixvi., Ixx. 
 
 Legislation, see Act of Parliament 
 
 Leicester, Ixxix., xcvi. n. 
 
 Leith, Ixxx., 177 
 
 Leslie, Mr. John, 200, 208, 210 
 
 Lewes, Ixxxvii. 
 
 Lincoln, xcvi. n. 
 
 Liverpool, Tailors' Unions at, 
 liv., xcv. n., xcvi. n., 8l ; 
 Coopers' Union at, Ixxii. n. 
 
 Lockhart, Mr., M.P., Ixvii. 
 
 London, v., xvi.-xx., xxi. n., xliii. 
 Unions of tailors in, xiii., xiv. 
 xx., xxiv., xxx.-xxxii., xxxv. 
 xxxvi., xxxix., xl., 1., Iviii., Ix. 
 Ixi., Ixvii., Ixx., Ixxiii., Ixxiv. 
 Ixxvii. , Ixxix., Ixxxi., Ixxxv. 
 Ixxxix., xc.-xcvi., i, 2, 13, 14 
 16, 18, 46, 47, 87, 131, 150- 
 153, 179, 1967198, 204, 205; 
 master tailors in, xix., xxxvii.- 
 xxxix., xlii.,lii., liii., Iviii., lx.- 
 Ixvi., Ixxxvi., 7, 31, 32, 40, 54, 
 5S 86, 93. 99, 129, 183, 203 ; 
 Sailmakers' Union in, Ixxii., 
 3 ; curriers in, 3 ; smiths in, 
 3 ; farriers in, 3 ; coachmakers 
 in, 3 ; carpenters in, 3 ; brick- 
 layers in, 3 ; joiners in, 3 
 
 MACHINE-WORK, Tailors' Union 
 
 and, 220 
 Mackworth, Sir Herbert, M.P., 
 
 lii., 77, 78 
 Manchester, xciii., xcvi., xcvi. n., 
 
 211 
 
 Marshall, case of R. v., Ivi. 
 Master tailors, xix., Iviii., lx.- 
 
 Ixiii., Ixxxvi., 7, 40, 86, 88, 93, 
 
 99, 129, 183, 203 ; wealth of 
 
 the, in London, 31, 32, 54 ; 
 
 number of the, in London, 55 
 Maynooth, xcv. n. 
 Moore, Mr. Peter, M.P., Ixviii. 
 Morrice, Mr. D., 95, 97, 98 
 Mourning, extra wages to tailors 
 
 in times of, vi., 1., Ix., 3, 5, 116, 
 
 122 
 
 NELSON, HENRY, 27 n. 
 Newcastle, Duke of, xxx., xxxvi. 
 Newcastle - on - Tyne, xiv. n., 
 
 xcvi. n. 
 
 North Shields, xcvi. n. 
 Norwich, xcv. n., xcvi. n. 
 Nottingham, xcvi. n. 
 Nottinghamshire, Tailors' Union 
 
 in, liv., Iv. 
 
 OLD George Associated Taylors' 
 Society, Ixxv., Ixxvi., 161-163 
 
 Oldham, xcvi. n. 
 
 Operative Master Tailors, 201 
 
 Owen, Robert, Ixxxi., Ixxxii., 
 Ixxxiii., Ixxxiv., Ixxxix. n., 
 xci., xciii. 
 
 Owen, Mr. David, 95, 97, 98 
 
 PARLIAMENT, see Acts of Parlia- 
 ment 
 
 Phoenix Society of Tailors, Edin- 
 burgh, 176 
 
 Piece-work, vi., li. n., Ixxvi., 117 ; 
 objected to by Tailors' Unions, 
 li., Ixxiv., 73, 103 ; preferred by 
 Tailors' Union, 220 
 
 Place, Francis, xxxii., Ivii., Ixi., 
 Ixv., Ixvi. n., Ixvii., Ixviii., Ixix., 
 Ixxii., Ixxiii., Ixxv., IxxviiL 
 Ixxxvi., xc., xci., 95, 125, 129 
 
 Place, F., jun., Ixxxvi. 
 
Index 
 
 Politics, Tailors' Unions and, 
 
 Ixxix., xciii., 175-178 
 Powlett, Lord William, M.P., 
 
 xxi. n. 
 
 Preston, xcvi. n. 
 Price, Sir Charles, M.P., Ixiv. 
 Prosecutions of tailors, xxvi., 
 
 xxxi., xxxiv., xxxv., xlvii., liv., 
 
 Ivi., 23-26, 41, 81-85 
 
 QUEEN ANNE, xviii., xviii. n., 
 xix. n, 
 
 REFORM ACT, 1832, Ixxix., Ixxx. 
 Riots of tailors, xxxi., xl., Ix. 
 Rochdale, xcvi. n. 
 Rochester, Ixxix. 
 Rotherham, xcvi. n. 
 
 SAILMAKERS, London, Ixxii., 3 
 St. Andrew's Society of Tailors, 
 
 Edinburgh, 175 
 Scotland, see under Aberdeen, 
 
 Edinburgh, &c., &c. 
 Scottish National Operative 
 
 Tailors' Trade Protection and 
 
 Benefit Society, xcviii. 
 Shaw, Sir James, M.P. , Ixiii., 
 
 Ixiv. 
 
 Shaw-Lefevre, Mr., M.P., Ixiii. 
 Sheffield, xiv. n., Ixxix., xcvi. n. 
 Sheninge, William, xxvi. n. 
 Shields, North, xcvi., n. 
 Shipwrights, Union of, at Dublin, 
 
 xlix., 69 
 Shoemakers, Union of, at Dublin, 
 
 xxix. n. ; in London, Ixxxv., 
 
 Ixxxvi. n. 
 Shopkeeping master tailors, rise 
 
 of the class of, xvi.-xx. 
 Shorrocks, Mr. P., xcvii. 
 Smiths, Union of, at Dublin, 
 
 xxix. n. ; in London, 3 
 Staleybridge, xcvi. n. 
 Stocking-frame knitters, Iv. 
 Stockport, xcvi. n. 
 Strikes of tailors, in London 
 
 1721, xx., xxi., i, 5 ; in 1744, 
 
 xxx., xxxi. ; in 1767, xl. ; in 
 
 1795-1815, Iviii., 157, 158; in 
 
 1800, Iviii., 87 ; in 1807, Ix. ; 
 
 241 
 
 in 1834, Ixxxv., xc., xci., 196- 
 198 ; at Sheffield, 1720, xiv. n. ; 
 in 1828, Ixxix. ; at Cambridge 
 in 1721, xxvi., xxvii., 23; at 
 Edinburgh, 1748, xxxv. ; in 
 1823, Ixxvi., 164; at Aber- 
 deen, 1768, xlvii. ; in 1797, Iv. ; 
 at Dublin 1772, 66 ; at Bir- 
 mingham, 1777, li., 71 ; in 
 1825, Ixxviii., 171 ; at Liver- 
 pool, 1783, liv., 8 1 
 
 Sunderland, xcv. n. 
 
 Superannuation, provision of, for 
 aged tailors, Ixii., Ixv., Ixxvii., 
 Ixxviii., 92, 93, 139, 140, 162, 
 167 
 
 TAVERNS used as Houses of Call 
 by journeymen tailors, xlii., 
 xlii. n., Ixx., Ixxv., Ixxxii., xcv.. 
 xcvi., 35, 74, 88, 89, 97, 132, 
 144, 161, 166, 173, 179; used 
 by the employers, Ixxxvi., 88, 
 95, 97, 98, 183, 199, 203 
 
 Trade regulations of Tailors' 
 Unions, Ixi., Ixxiv., 89, 96, 102, 
 103, 183, 219-223. See also 
 Home-work, Hours, Wages, Wo- 
 men's Labour, &c. 
 
 Trades Council, the London, xcv. 
 
 UNEMPLOYMENT in tailors' trade, 
 vi., xxii., xxviii., Ixxxii., Ixxxiii., 
 
 9, 14, 15, 32, 33, 38, 50, 51, 56, 
 149, 152, 153, 180, 182, 190, 193, 
 
 2O2, 221, 222 
 
 Unhealthy nature of tailors'trade, 
 
 124-128, 150, 202 
 Uniform rate of wages opposed by 
 
 tailors, v., xxii., xlv., liv., 9, 
 
 10, 14, 15, 30, 52, 64, 65 ; em- 
 ployers in favour of a, lii., liii., 
 9 ; opposed by F. Place, Ixvi., 
 Ixvii., 108-114, 115-128; op- 
 posed by employers, 67 
 
 Upton, Mr., M.P., xliv. 
 
 VICTUALLERS' licenses suppressed, 
 xxxi. 
 
 WADE, JOHN, Ixxiii. 
 
242 
 
 Index 
 
 Wages of tailors, London, in 1721, 
 r, 2,9, 13, 18, 19; in 1745, 31, 
 38 ; in 1751, xxxv.; in 1752, 46, 
 53; in i?53> xl -5 in J 763> xl. ; 
 in 1767, 6 1, 63 ; in 1770, xlv., 
 xlvi. ; in 1775, Ivii. ; in 1795, 
 Iviii.; in 1800, lviii.-lx., 86, 87; 
 in 1801, 148; in 1807, Ix. ; 
 table of, from 1771 to 1815, 
 146, 147, 156, 157 ; in 1834, 
 185 ; at Aberdeen, 1720-1768, 
 xlvii. ; at Dublin, 1772, 70; 
 at Birmingham, 1777, 71 ; in 
 1806-7, li. n. ; in 1825, 172 
 
 Warren, Sir Peter, M.P., xxxviii. 
 
 Warrington, xcvi. n. 
 
 Waugh, Mansie, Ixxvi. n. 
 Webb, Mr. Sidney, xcvi. n. 
 Weekly Bills of Mortality, xxi. n., 
 
 xliii., 57-59, 61, 62 
 Whitworth, Sir Charles, M.P.. 
 
 lii., 78 
 
 Wigan, xcvi. n. 
 Wild, Mr., 95 
 Wilkinson, T., xlii. n. 
 Wolverhampton, xcvi. n. 
 Women's work, Ixxxi., Ixxxvii.. 
 
 xciv., 103, 191 
 Woollen-workers, v. 
 Worcester, xcv. n. 
 
 YORK, xcvi. n. 
 
 THE END 
 
 Printed by BAI.LANTYNE, HANSON & Co. 
 Edinburgh and London 
 
DATE DUE 
 
 CCT 31-C6 
 
 PRINTEOIN U.S.A. 
 
UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 A 000 541 890 o