Manchester's Children Factory Committee

During the campaign for the Ten Hour Day, a group of factory children in Manchester joined together to support factory legislation. This included the following statement: "We respect our masters, and are willing to work for our support, and that of our parents, but we want time for more rest, a little play, and to learn to read and write. We do not think it right that we should know nothing but work and suffering, from Monday morning to Saturday night, to make others rich. Do, good gentlemen, inquire carefully into our concern."

Primary Sources

(1) Submission from Manchester's Factory Children Committee sent to the House of Commons in 1836.

We respect our masters, and are willing to work for our support, and that of our parents, but we want time for more rest, a little play, and to learn to read and write. We do not think it right that we should know nothing but work and suffering, from Monday morning to Saturday night, to make others rich. Do, good gentlemen, inquire carefully into our concern.