"'How many had you at the mill?' 'Fifteen.' "'At what ages?' 'From 12 to 15.' "'Were they treated in a similar manner to yourself?' 'Yes, we were all treated alike; there was one treatment for all, from the oldest to the youngest.' "'Did not some of you attempt, not merely to get out of the mill, but out of the country?' 'Yes; I have known some go down to the boat at Dundee, in order to escape by that means, and the overseer has caught them there, and brought them back again.' "'Is there not a ferry there?' 'Yes.' "'When persons disembark there, they may embark on the ferry?' 'Yes.' "'Did your parents live in Dundee at this time?' 'No.' "'Had you any friends at Dundee?' 'No.' "'The fact is, that you had nobody that could protect you?' 'No, I had no protection; the first three years I was at the mill I never saw my mother at all; and when I got this accident with my hand she never knew of it.' "'Where did she reside at that time?' 'At Perth.' "'You say that your master himself was in the habit of treating you in the way you have mentioned?' 'Yes.' "'Describe what the treatment was?' 'The treatment was very bad; perhaps a box on the ear, or very frequently a kick with his foot.' "'Were you punished for falling asleep in that mill?' 'Yes, I have got my licks for it, and been punished very severely for it.' "'Where did you go to then?' 'I went to a mill in Argyleshire.' "'How many years were you in this mill of Mr. Andrew Smith's, of Gateside?' 'Eleven years.' "'What age were you, when you went to this mill in Argyleshire?' 'About 16.' "'You stated that you were bound to stay with Mr. Smith for six years; how came you then to continue with him the remaining five years?' 'At the end of those six years I got 3_l._ a year from my master, and found my own clothes out of that.' "'Were you then contented with your situation?' 'No, I cannot say that I was; but I did not know any thing of any other business.' "'You had not been instructed in any other business, and you did not know where you could apply for a maintenance?' 'No.' "'To whose mill did you then remove?' 'To Messrs. Duff, Taylor & Co., at Ruthven, Forfarshire.' "'What were your hours of labour there?' 'Fourteen hours.' "'Exclusive of the time for meals and refreshment?' 'Yes.' "'Was that a flax mill?' 'Yes.' "'Did you work for that number of hours both winter and summer?' 'Yes, both winter and summer.' "'How old were you at this time?' 'Sixteen.' "'Are you aware whether any increase was made in the number of hours of work, in the year 1819, by an agreement between the masters and the workmen?' 'No, I cannot say as to that.'