But the most complete evidence in regard to the slavery in the factories was that given to the Parliamentary Committee, by a man named Peter Smart, whose experience and observation as a slave and a slave-driver in the factories of Scotland, enabled him to substantiate all the charges made against the system. His history possesses the deepest interest, and should be attentively perused:—
"'Where do you reside?' 'At Dundee.'
"'What age are you?' 'Twenty-seven.'
"'What is your business?' 'An overseer of a flax-mill.'
"'Have you worked in a mill from your youth?' 'Yes, since I was five years of age.'
"'Had you a father and mother in the country at that time?' 'My mother stopped in Perth, about eleven miles from the mill, and my father was in the army.'
"'Were you hired for any length of time when you went?' 'Yes, my mother got 15s. for six years, I having my meat and clothes.'
"'At whose mill?' 'Mr. Andrew Smith's, at Gateside.'
"'Is that in Fifeshire?' 'Yes.'
"'What were your hours of labour, do you recollect, in that mill?' 'In the summer season we were very scarce of water.'