A PAMPHLET having been put forth, bearing the title of a "Voice from the Coal Mines," and professing to be a faithful detail of the numerous grievances of the Colliers on the Tyne and Wear, the following summary remarks are meant to place a few of the stipulations contained in the Pitmen's Bond, which are deemed so grievous, in a more correct point of view: but with no unfriendly feeling towards the colliers; who, from having in late years, during the ferment of public opinion, and the more recent mischievous combinations amongst the workmen in the manufacturing districts, conducted themselves so peaceably and creditably, it is the more to be lamented that they should have permitted the "Voice" to issue under their sanction ; as, from its exaggerated and inflammatory statements, it is only calculated to irritate the coal-owners, whom it somewhat insidiously endeavours to conciliate, at the expence of the agents, placed in more immediate contact with the workmen.

The "Voice" details, under 12 divisions, and numerous sub-divisions, a variety of complaints, which may be presumed as meant to apply to that number of collieries ; but as these are not specified, it is quite impossible to discuss the divisions individually ; which, however, is the less material, they being merely repetitions, and revolve themselves into the following heads :-

The peck is stated to contain 18 instead of 16 quarts : now it is well known that pecks and quarts are not the proper mode of estimating this measure, the datum for which is the standard chaldron, stated in all coal contracts and leases to contain 24 bolls of 36 gallons each ; and as 8 pecks are a coal boll, the peck must consequently thus contain 18 quarts. Upon this principle, it is perfectly well known to all conversant in the trade, that the coal measure tub has always been regulated, and stamped, by the proper authorities in Newcastle. The hewing price per score for this measure, must of course depend on the particular circumstances of each colliery, and the settling this amount properly constitutes the principal subject for treaty between master and man at each yearly colliery binding.

Previous to the collieries being wrought on the separation system, corves needed only to be laid out for stones ; but now that large coals are in such request, in both the London and coast markets, a great advance in the hewing price (about 2-5ths) is given for obtaining this description of coal, and, owing to the anxiety of the agents to send their respective coals to market in the best possible state, forfeits have arisen to prevent an admixture of small. The amount of these fines is generally from 6d. to 1s. per corf; and while it is in candour admitted, that 6d. and 1s. forfeits seem excessive, it may be doubted whether it would not be quite as well for the coal-owner's interest, if they were reduced, even only to the forfeiture of the corf, as it is a well-known fact that the poor abused "keekers" are, in their indulgence to the men, in the habit of allowing many corves to pass, which in strictness ought to be condemned — only "laying out" the shamefully foul, and small corves. As to the ludicrous proposition of each hewer running from the board face to pick the stones out of his own corf, which are not seen until turned over into the waggon or heap, the men themselves would laugh at the idea, if seriously proposed to them — the coals being frequently shipped ere the hewer comes to hank, If, however, the integrity of the owner's "keeker" is so doubted, perhaps the masters might be induced to allow the pitmen the privilege of appointing and paying a "keeker" of their own, and the two inspectors might, by given rules, decide the matter, and the like in respect to

Regarding which it is quite impossible the masters can ever consent that the forfeit shall only extend to the quantity actually found deficient, as every corf might thus have to be measured, which, besides the expence and loss of time, would seriously injure the coal.

The fine for heating the boys can only be objected to by some ill-natured fellow having no children of his own. Ask the mothers whether they would wish this to be rescinded ?

The fine of 2s. 6d. for not working, is seldom exacted, except from the decidedly idle and disorderly, — and if a man wish for a day to himself, on proper occasions, on application to the office for this purpose, he is not refused. But how does this correspond with the more substantial complaint of a dearth of work during three fourths of the year, and which has this season been certainly more than usually the case, owing to the general deficiency of vend ? The masters might, indeed, have permitted the coals to be wrought, but for what purpose, except encumbering the surface of the country ? Besides, it is well known that the coals deteriorate so much by exposure to the weather as to become nearly unsaleable.

That the coal-trade is so irregular, is to be regretted but the masters have unluckily no control over the seasons, and cannot compel their customers to store their cellars at the convenience of the coal-owners, who suffer quite as much from the fluctuation in the demand as the hewers. Indeed, to the latter, in an enlarged view, its being disadvantageous may be questioned ; for, as a general principle, it will be admitted, that wherever work is inconstant, wages are higher. To men with families this is perhaps less applicable.

To sum up the subject of the fines, it may be with confidence stated, that the average deductions of the leading collieries will not amount to 2s. per man per fortnight, or 52 shillings per annum, even including in this sum the stoppages for house-rent and firing, which two latter only, if provided by the pitmen themselves, would cost them considerably more than the whole amount above stated ; and yet this system is described as being more tyrannical than afforded by the annals of "Tunis or Algiers !"

The complaints of imperfect ventilation can scarcely in any instance be correct. Generally it must be allowed, that in no part of the kingdom is the system so well understood, or such pains taken, and expence incurred, in effectually airing the mines.

It was intended to remark upon a few more of what, it is now hoped, may not improperly be termed misstatements of the "Voice ;" but the fear of being too diffuse induces the writer to conclude with a few general observations.

The motive of the "Voice," in its distorted statements, is evidently to induce a belief that the prices for pit-work are insufficient for the labour, and inadequate to the maintenance of the workmen and their families. Now to shew the fallacy of this, it may be sufficient to refer to the 6th Rule of their own Union, which prohibits any member thereof earning more than 4s. 6d. per day, coupled with the fact, that this said sum can be earned in the leading collieries by 6 hours actual labour! And yet, though they can and have frequently made 7s. or 8s. per day by stopping in the pit 10 or 12 hours, (and men unshackled by the Union are now actually making this sum,) the Union Men refuse to earn more than 4s. 6d. per day, though ever so essential to their master's interest; which certainly seems the more unaccountable and unfeeling to their own families, described as being in "rags," "poverty," and "starvation." And on the subject of earnings, it may be further affirmed, that industrious hewers have, upon an average of the last 10 years, received from their masters not less than £50 a year each, clear of all deductions whatever ; and that many families, who have young men and boys, have been in the receipt of two hundred, and even two hundred and fifty pounds per annum. Compare these earnings with those of the robust agriculturist, or sedentary weaver, and enquire of the hewer whether he will change "Kavels?"

It would, perhaps, have been more becoming and consistent with the spirit of christianity, so irreverently assumed by the "Voice," if the pitmen, instead of treating their masters in such disrespectful terms, by attributing to them "Tyrannical, fraudulent, inhuman, and unjust conduct," had allowed themselves a few moments of sober reflection, for the purpose of taking a retrospective view of their situation for the last 30 years, and comparing the past with the present, in which case it would be a libel upon their character, as men and Englishmen, not to believe that gratitude and respect would have been the prominent feelings of their breasts, instead of the opprobrious epithets which they have been seduced to bestow upon their masters.

The "Voice," though affecting to joke about the coal mines being more properly denominated gold ones, does not appear, however, to entertain any very exalted idea of the profits arising from their produce; and it is to be regretted, that this should be the only point where the Coal-owners and the "Voice" can at all approximate, — the fact being, that the large property embarked by the coal-owners, yields, perhaps, taken as a whole, the least return of any business in the kingdom employing a similar amount of capital, though coal-mining is confessedly the most precarious of speculations.

The writer, in conclusion, requests to offer what is really meant as a friendly admonition to the pitmen generally, to pause before they attempt an open rupture with their employers, who, it may be relied upon, are at least wise and courageous enough not to be intimidated or controlled by any Union or combination amongst their workmen, or suffer any single colliery to be injured by the strike of the Union Men employed thereon ; and should a general strike take place, whatever temporary difficulty might be felt by the coal-owners here, inconvenience by the consumers in the Metropolis, or embarrassment by the stagnation of trade in the Counties of Northumberland and Durham, it does not require the gift of prophecy to foresee that the consequences must prove most distressing and disastrous to the misled colliers and their families.