Author Bio: David Davies lived from 1742-1819. He was a Welsh clergyman who was highly interested in the lives of the poor. He studied their labor, wages, costs etc., and published these findings in Cases of Labourers in Husbandry Stated and Considered, which contains The Dependent Poor.
Date Context: This excerpt is a part of the book, Cases of Labourers in Husbandry Stated and Considered, which was written in 1795.
Summary: At this time, rich farmers realized that it would be most profitable to claim as many farms as they could and then combine them into one big farm. This, however, meant that those who had previously owned and worked on those farms were now unemployed. He states that "as many individuals as possible in a state should possess an interest in the soil; because this attaches them strongly to the country and its constitution, and makes them zealous and resolute in defending them," however then goes on to mention that though that is the way things should have been, it seems that quite the opposite had occurred.
Key Quote: "And the great plenty of working hands always to be had when wanted, having kept down the price of labor below its proper level, the consequence is universally felt in the increased number of dependent poor."
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