1846. 1849. Protection. Free Trade. Mechanics, £1 5 0 £0 18 0 Overlookers, 1 0 0 0 14 0 Thread-polishers, 0 12 0 0 8 0 Boys, 0 8 0 0 6 0 Female reelers, 0 6 0 0 4 8 “Messrs Marshal are among the most extensive manufacturers in the kingdom, and this may be taken as a fair specimen of what has been generally done. I should be sorry to make one comment on these facts, but leave it to the judgment of the public to decide whether the operatives of this country, or the manufacturers who employ them, have reaped the benefit of that cheap bread which they promised to the labouring population; and whether what they gave with one hand in the shape of bread, they do not more than take with the other by so large a reduction of wages.—I am, Sir, your obedient Servant, JOHN PHILLIPS. “Winsley, near Shrewsbury, Jan 22.” As to the condition of the agricultural labourers, it would really appear to be needless to enter upon that point. The cry of suffering and distress is universal throughout the length and breadth of the land. How can it be otherwise, when every cargo of foreign grain sent to our shores is in effect so much untaxed foreign labour introduced to beat down the wages of the working man? Mr Bonnar Maurice, at a late meeting at Welshpool, thus described the present condition of the agricultural labourers of England:—