The Miller's Dance Read Free Page B

was now in trouble with the United States as well. Because of her naval blockade of Europe - preventing the raw materials of war reaching Napoleon—England had claimed the right to intercept and search any ship she found on the high seas. This the Americans both resented and rejected; so, in retaliation, and smarting under old grievances, the Government of the United States had issued a decree forbidding any commercial trade with England at all. This was a killing blow to what was left of Lancashire's trade, for it deprived the mills of their raw cotton; and George Warleggan was glad he had liquidated his unwise investments in the North, even at so cruel a sacrifice. With food double the price it had been twenty years ago, the wages of the weavers of Glasgow was now a quarter of what they had been then.
    So would not the Whigs, if allowed to take over now, still see the only realistic way of ending the war in a compromise peace? There had been feelers from Paris not so long ago. Now with a little more with which to bargain ... France. might have Java back in return for guaranteeing the independence of Spain and Portugal. England would recognize France's inalienable rights in the Mediterranean in return for a reopening of the Baltic ports. And so on. It was Ross's recurring nightmare. And not only Ross's ... In the letter received recently from George Canning: We miss you [it had said], and need you, Ross. Not just for your vote - though that also - but for some Starch you provide. And military knowledge. You would think the Government inundated with military Information - and so it is. But you speak and argue from a kind of experience - and you have no Axe to grind. You are listened to - if not in the House then outside it , in private meetings where decisions of Policy are made. And that is where it is most Important.
    Do you read the News sheets? How long do you suppose we may be able to sustain the War, with Revolution pending in . the North? Only six of Manchester's thirty-eight mills are left working. The situation is similar throughout urban Lancashire; and these riots in Nottinghamshire where they call themselves Luddites - where will it lead? They gather together openly, these rioters, in towns and villages and ignorantl y proceed to destroy the machines they believe have robbed them of work. Of course they must be stopped; but there are already over twelve thousand frame— workers on Poor relief in Nottinghamshire alone; how can we truly blame them? From what I gather, Perceval and his ministers are bent only on Repression. They are sending a whole brigade of Dragoons up there to bring the county to book, out how shall we fight Napoleon if our troops are needed to fight at home? We must give some sort of Help to these starving men and women while yet maintaining a respect for the Law and punishment for those who break it. I intend to press for this, and have my usual support in the House; but an added vote, an added voice, is of the greatest importance.' We need you, Ross.
    Demelza said dismally: 'Shall you go?'
    'Of course not. Certainly not yet. I cannot in fairness leave the opening and management of Wheal Leisure en tirely to Jeremy. I've been too often away, so that my own affairs have been neglected. I shall not easily forget the situation I found at Wheal Grace when I came back - was it nine years ago? God, the time has passed! All that organized theft...'
    'It was chiefly Bragg and Nancarrow. It couldn't happ en again.' -'Also,' said Ross. ‘ Also?'
    'Conditions are bad enough here. There won't be enough grain to go round. By next month people will be starving in Cornwall too. It's not a pretty prospect.'
    'But Mr Canning is very - persuasive. I know how much you feel for him.'
    'Oh yes. Oh yes. He would not be so great a man if he were not persuasive. You should hear him in the House-, that bearpit! - how, in two minutes after he stands up, all the noise goes and they listen! But this time my duty lies