AN ADDRESS
Of the FRAMEWORK-KNITTERS in HOVERINGHAM,
AND ITS VICINITY.
TO THE GENTLEMAN HOSIERS.
GENTLEMEN—To your humane Feelings we address ourselves, because the little ray of Hope we had left is somewhat revived, on hearing of a Demand for our Labour: we say our Hopes are revived, because you, Gentlemen, have often cheered us by promising an Advancement of Wages when there came a Demand. Then what shall we say, Gentlemen, to excite your Compassion; shall we picture the particular Circumstances of our Family Distresses, which you will find, buy a strict Investigation, to be without a Parallel! No! a Reflection on our present Miseries, would not only hurt your humanity, but give us increased sorrow. Gentleman, we beg leave to submit to your Consideration an average Statement of our scanty Earnings. You know, Gentlemen, we cannot average at the most more than Nine Shillings per Week, at the first Hand, and when the Deductions are taken off, such as Frame Rent, &c. there cannot remain more than Six Shillings and Sixpence, and when House Rent, Coals, Candles, &c. there cannot remain more than Two Shillings; and if we average the married Man's Family at Two Children, there remains only Sixpence per Head, for a Man, his Wife, and Two Children for the Week!
We feel no pleasure, Gentlemen, in drawing up such a Statement, only we remember with what pleasure you came forward on former Occasions, and advanced our Wages, when our Wants were not half so pressing, as they are at the present time. Gentlemen, we rely upon your goodness, and humbly hope you will lift us up (at least) one Step towards the Comforts of Life.
On the behalf of the Trade, and our Fellow (suffering) Workmen, we are, Gentlemen, sincerely and respectfully, your obedient and humble Servants,
JOSEPH HALLAM,
THOMAS KITCHIN,
WILLIAM FOSTER,
THOMAS DODD,
THOMAS PARKINS,
WILLIAM HALLEWAY,
THOMAS MARTIN.
Hoveringham, 30th March, 1817.
This was published in the Nottingham Review of 4th April 1817.
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