Beginning of the end ?

[RichardB]

May 5th 1812

Mr. John Bailey, merchant, of Sheffield.

The manufactures of Sheffield, for the supply of the market of the United States, employ 6,000 persons,

besides others dependent on that .trade. The export to America is about one-third of the whole manufactures of Sheffield.

About one-tenth of the usual spring shipment was made in 1811, and non since. Stock of goods has been increasing in

Sheffield to a considerable extent; .- but there are orders for shipment to America, immediately on the rescinding of the

orders in council.

Information from a large manufacturer, that he now pays one-sixth part of the wages which he did when the American trade

was open: and that-one-half of what he has manufactured for the last fifteen months, is now dead stock.

Another of the principal manufacturers informed him, that he now employs only half of his usual number of men,

whom he employs only four- days in a week; that he retains them from a principle of humanity, as they have grown old

in his service,-and that he still holds in stock all his goods made in the last eighteen months. Believes this to be a fair specimen of the general state of manufactures in Sheffield. His orders for shipment, on the removal of the orders in council, amount to the whole

twelve months' shipments. The amount of Sheffield goods ready for shipment to America 400,000 and orders on hand to the same amount.

Poor rates of Sheffield, year ending 1807, £11,000; now £18;000.

Workmens wages not reduced, but they are now only employed about three days in the week. Every man fully employed before

the loss of the American- trade. Lower classes never so much distressed as at present. Some articles which were formerly

exported from Sheffield, are now manufactured in America.