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Fri, 21 Mar 1997 13:34:12 GMT |
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Many thanks to everyone who has responded to this enquiry.
Fran Kemmish wished to know about the success of the Bill, it failed on this
occassion. This was largely due it seems to the intervention of the same Mr.
Cockshutt who while attending the debate as a spectator actually interupted
the proceedings of Parliament. Although his actions caused outrage among
the members, it did lead to him being invited to speak privately to the
Prime Minister, and the duty on American import appears to have remained.
Ned Heite is probably right in suggesting that a lot of rhetoric and
misinformation was around in 1750 concerning the American iron industry. He
might also find it interesting to note the following; Cockshutt appears to
have been deliberately selected to lobby Parliament by the other Ironmasters.
There choice could be regarded as a little unusual, in that Cockshutt is
only known to have been fully involved in the English iron industry for
about ten years at this time (although he comes from a family of
ironmasters). However, it is known that he spent time in America during the
mid 1730's (documented reference), and could therefore presumably offer some
form of personal account of what he had seen during this time. So unless
the gentleman was deliberately lying, perhaps the argument for protectionism
could at least be partially justified in this instance?
If he had some form of involvement with the Iron Industry during his time in
America, I am quite keen to try and trace his whereabouts. I would
therefore, be grateful if list members could kindly inform me known
ironworks of the 1730's (the response to this enquiry has already provided a
few), or if during research they have ever come across the name Cockshutt
within an American ironworking context.
Concerning James Wettstaed's reference to seasonal employment, also follows
a pattern found within the manufactory trades of the Sheffield area, where
the makers of nails and other tools were also engaged in some form of
farming practice for at least part of the year. This was also the case of
many workers at waterpowered furnaces and forges, at which an adequate water
supply could not be guaranteed, especially during the summer. Would there
have been a similar problem with American ironworks during the 18th and 19th
centuries? Has this seasonality also been recognised within areas of
America in which the iron industry was not associated with slavery?
Once again many thanks to everyone,
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Jeff Morris AMInstCES PIFA Email [log in to unmask]
Wortley Top Forge Archaeological Survey
Wortley Top Forge Industrial Museum
Wortley Village
Wortley
Sheffield
England
S30 7DN
A Research Project of the South Yorkshire Industrial History
Society (formerly The Sheffield Trades Historical Society)
Registered Charity No. 506339
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