1836 LETTER G.JEFFERSON to FIELDEN MP FREE HALIFAX P.P BLUE FACTORY BILL INFANTS

Cover with entire clearly written letter from George Jefferson in Wellington Street, Blackfriars London 26th May 1836, re Social Reform, Factory Bill, to John Fielden MP in London; HALIFAX MY 29 1836 town datestamp + Halifax Penny Post both in light blue; crown FREE 27 MY 1836 circular in orange; 31 MY 1836 circular receiver in orange.  

Letter: London. 10 Wellington Terrace Wellington Street BlackFriars Road 26th of May 1836. Sir, Observing in the Standard newspaper of Tuesday the 24th instant an article upon the Factory Bill which ran thus - “the late debate upon the factory bill (Mr Poulett Thompson's attempt to rob the infant slaves of the Mill of what Mr Sadler and Lord Ashley had won for them) was distinguished by the remarkable and most honourable appearance of two extensive Mill owners who came forward against their party, and against their personal interest, to protect the interests and redress the wrongs of suffering infancy- These two gentlemen, all know, are Mr Fielden member for Oldham Mr Brotherton member for Salford.  Their exertions in the Debate of the 9th deserve that their names be forever held in grateful Remembrance by all who admire generous disinterested magnanimity and feel for the miseries of the most guiltless and the most oppressed of the human race. Both Mr Fielden and Mr Brotherton are the uncompromising political opponents of the party which it is our pride to follow and as far as we can to serve ! Mr Fielden has not permitted his services to the factory children to close with his speech in the Debate upon Mr Thompson's Bill.. he has since published a very able pamphlet, full of information.. of the Factory System, derived from his own experience which extends 40 years back.  I had a great desire to possess one of these pamphlets knowing and admiring your character, and the character also of that truly great and good man( now no more) your late colleague William Cobbett.  My desire to possess your Pamphlet became greater because I saw, or thought I saw, a grand and Powerful means to a great and good end, namely the rescue from oppression of the labouring population of whatever sort of professing Christian England. Being in at Bolt Court and seeing one of the pamphlets being sent out for a friend of real independence I enquired of Mr Oldfield, with whom I have a personal acquaintance, the price; the reply was 18 pence.  This I told Mr Oldfield, in my present circumstances I not only cannot but ought not to afford (uncontrollable circumstances have deprived me of the means of procuring sustenation for my wife and three infant children ..being now on the bounty of such who know and feel disposed to assist me peculiarity until I procure some situation or employment which may supply the means of maintenance of myself and family. I hesitate not to say that I ought not to expend that for the food even of the mind which was given me, expressly, for the support of the bodies of those of my family under these even afflicting circumstances I respectfully apply to you for the gift of one of those pamphlets. The probability is that you might be from home when I might call therefore I have taken this method of soliciting your favour. I have the honour to remain venerable sir your obedient servant  George Jefferson. PS if you think well of the application and to give you no further trouble on its account if you will please cause a Pamphlet to be given me on application I will call for it at your residence on Saturday 28th instant.