Page:The Scourge - Volume 5.djvu/42

5O, Marquis of Stafford.

different warehouses to a large amount — but remittance* failed, and the enormous debts which have accrued, has determined the partners to stop the concern!

In this situation of things, the superior skill of my husband in the knowledge of the art of manufacturing the various articles made in the Potteries, has induced some of the leading persons in America to make him the most advantageous offers- — this was communicated to most of the workmen, who determined, should he accept the offers (and very liberal ones they are, I assure you, Sir,) to accompany him. They represent to him (for he is tardy in accepting) the folly of sacrificing to a ridiculous point of honor, his own interest, when the country for which he feels so much, has no longer bread for him nor his family they tell him that by quitting his country to find subsistence, he only will follow the advice of that great statesman^ and friend to the repose of Europe, Mr. Canning, who gave at the dinner at Manchester, when he was on his experimental tour, the following toast:

" The land we live in, and those who don't like it, let them leave it."

Now, Sir, with respect to the latter part of this truly patriotic sentiment, I have to mention to you that the workhouses are full to an overflow, that the only subsistence which thousands in our quarter can procure is a portion of soup delivered once a day, and to obtain which numbers of travel miles.

It is true that individual charity has been pushed to its extent. Among the opulent and great landlords in looking for assistance, but little success has been met with. The Marquis of Stafford gave a gratuity of twenty pounds for the relief of the suffering and starving manufacturers in the Potteries, but then how could the good Marquis do more, considering that the rental of his estates in the neighborhood does not produce him much more than one thousand pounds per day, and that he