Curiosities of Glasgow citizenship

Short biographical notices of the principal merchants, manufacturers etc of Glasgow in 1783

WILLIAM FRENCH

WILLIAM FRENCH. - Mr. French is believed to have begun life in Glasgow as a clerk with Mr. Cuninghame of Lainshaw, and was afterwards his partner. The warehouse and stores were situated in that old-fashioned land still standing on the south-west corner of Virginia Street - built by Deacon John Robertson - and now a clothing establishment. Subsequently Mr. French entered into partnership with George Crawford, under the firm of French, Crawford & Co. He was also a partner with Alexander Speirs & Co. Like his former partner, Mr. French appears to have passed through the severe crisis of 1777 without ruinous loss, for in 1778 and 1779 before the first effect of the general stagnation had time to expend itself, he was elected Lord Provost of the city. Two notable events occurred in the last year of his provostship, which must have added much to the onerous duties of the office. These were the Bagnal riot - where the house of a Roman Catholic was sacked by the populace - and the turmoil known as the Cambric riot - the latter an event which places in a curious light the popular opinions of that time with respect to freedom of trade. A heavy duty was then imposed upon all cambrics of French manufacture imported into Britain. This was some time before the invention of cotton spinning, and the weaving of cambrics from French and Flemish yarns constituted a large proportion of the manufacturing industry of the city.

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In 1779 a bill was introduced into Parliament for the abolition of the duty on French cambrics. When the news of this movement reached Glasgow the weavers became alarmed. The measure was represented as having for its object the destruction of an important native industry for the benefit of the French, our natural enemies. A violent tumult was raised, the mob marching in procession through the town with an effigy on horseback of the minister who had introduced the bill, carrying in one hand a copy of the document, and in the other a piece of French cambric. This image was carried to the place of execution, and, with loud execrations, publicly hanged, and afterwards blown to pieces. Mr. French was successful in keeping the rioters under control, and the obnoxious measure was afterwards withdrawn. Provost French was one of the most active promoters of the Chamber of Commerce, and his name stands third in the list of its first directors. One of his daughters was married to Mr. Robert M'Nair, grandson of the eccentric Robert M'Nair of Janefield, the most successful shopkeeper ever Glasgow produced. Another daughter was married to Mr. Glen, merchant, who bought the house which stood at the foot of Queen Street, commonly called M'Call's blackhouse. Mr. French built that range of houses still standing on the south-side of Ingram Street, between the Union Bank and Glassford Street. He died in 1802.