The Press.
London, England, 1853-06-04 00:00:00

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THE PRESS.

108

" 3IANILIES" TO THE WHIGS.
••• The publreatt,l, of fifth and last fell^► of .audio'," to the 'nip, although in typ9,
is unarosdably postponed till uesl week.

ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION
UNDER THE NEW ACT TO INQUIRE INTO THE
PRACTICES BY WHICH HER MAJESTY'S MINISTERS
OBTAINED THEIR PRESENT SEATS.
'THE Commissioners reassembled yesterday, pursuant to notice, in
the, old Star Chamber. The room was excessively crowded, very
great interest having been excited by their proceedings. Among those
present we observed several members of the late, us well as of the
present, Administnttion. Many distinguished members of the diplo
untie corps, including his Excellency Baron Bausow, who, we arc
sorry to say, appeared to be labouring under severe indisposition, the
consequence of the long-prevalent Easterly winds ; the Marquis of
CLAN RICARDE, the Right Hon. VERNON SMITH, Mr. TE IN ELL, Mr. RICH,
and other distinguished personages, were also present.
Au unexpected and considerable delay occurred before the court
was opened. We understand that it was occasioned by Sir BIiNJAMIN
HALL having submitted a motion to his colleagues for copies of all
private and eindidential correspondence carried on between his Grace
the Duke of Brutotto and several eminent persons between the Ist of
November, 11445, and the alst of December, 1832, both dates inclusive,
and chiefly relating to proposals for fixed duties on foreign corn, no Po-
pery, and coalition on abroad bottom of negative principles. This motion
was carried, notwithstanding the opposition of Sir Ronens Lsous, and
caused considerable confusion. Notification of the resolution having
been sent to Lord JOHN ltestwais his Lordship, not having anything to
do, was enabled to give his whole attention to the circumstances, and,
being somewhat perplexed, sent, as is his custom, to the Right Hon. En-
wAan E uses; for counsel. That amiable and veteran statesman said there-
was no difficulty at all in the ease ; he had often seen the late Lord
i REY, Louis PHILIPPE, and M. TH I E ns, in worse serapes, but they had
invariably got otst of them by his intervention ; and, bidding Lord
Jolts to be of good cheer, the Right Hon. Gentleman preceeded to the
Commissioners, with whom he had a great deal of very cosy talk, cutting
up in a very pleasant and good-hearted way most of the leading men
sit' the day of all parties, but especially the young ones, and intimating,
in confidence, that, Mr. CHISHOLM ANSTEY ought to he Lord Chief
Justice ; Sir BENJAMIN, Welsh Viscount; and Sir ROBERT INGLIS, Arch-
bishop of Canterbury ; none of these suggestions leading to any con-
troversy. The Right Hon. Gentleman afterwards waited on the Duke
of Bensonn, in Belgrave square. About two o'clock Mr. ELLICE returned
from the latter place with an important document, the first of the Bed-
ford papers, which he presented with some ceremony to Sir BENJAMIN
HAT.;.. It appeared to be, an invitation to the Hon. Baronet to the
next private theatricals at Woburn. Sir BENJAM IN at first perused
the document with an air of much fierceness, but relentingly observed
that hi' would sweept it as an instalment. Upon this the Chief Com-
missioner remarked that he himself intended to summon the Duke,
to investigate, among other subjects, the circumstances of the late
election for the borough of Bedford, the Chief Commissioner being of
opinion that his own rejection on that occasion was clearly a breach of
privilege. Inning these proceedings we are informed that Sir Bonsai
Ise Lis sighed seventh times, but said nothing.
'The Commissioners now called upon Sir lasms Guano'. The
Right Honourable Gentleman was in attendance in one of the
lobbies. We aro glad to say that the Right Hon. Gentleman looked
extremely well, with NH air of great confidence, generally denoted
in the case of the Right Hon. Baronet by his hat being cocked with an
air of considerable self-complacency. Some difficulty occurred as to
where the witness should sit, but the Right Hon. Gentleman observed
that all sides were the same to him, and finally took a chair which was
politely handed to him by Sir ROBERT ING 1,1 s. The Hon. Baronet also
uncovered while the Right Hon. Gentleman wits sworn. The exa
mination was commenced by Sir BEssamix HALL. who, stating the
desire of the Commissioners definitely to leant the principles on which
the present Athninistrittion was formed end conducted. and recapitu-
lating the unsatisfactory testimony on these important heads hitherto
furnished by his colleagues, requested the Right Hon. Gentleman
to faviiur them forthwith with the required information.
Sir .1 toms tiRAIIAM reply to the Hon. Commisioner, I have to
state, that my illustrious friend, the late Lord Grey, did me
the honour in the year 153(1 to recommend me to the lute King.
as a person not altogether unworthy of the great responsibility
and the Solemn trust which devolve upon a number of his
Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Coucil. On that occasion,
in taking the appointed oath, I swore, among other grave

SATURDAY,

engagements, "to keep secret all matters committed and
revealed unto me, or that shall be treated of secretly in
council." Having well weighed and maturely considered
these words of the oath, I feel an invincible repugnance to
reply to the inquiry of the Hon. Commissioner. I look upon
the principles of the present Government as a Cabinet
secret, and I must therefore respectfully, but firmly, decline
to offer any information on the subject.
A considerable sensation was produced by this unexpected an
nouneement of the witness ; and the Chief Commissioner, after con-
sulting with his colleagues, declared, like the French Ambassador,
that they must have a categorical reply, or that, acting under the
provisions of the act, they must commit the witness to the Tower; upon
this Sir JAMES immediately observed, that, though theoretically, as a
Cabinet Minister, he declined to speak, still, practically, as a member
of Parliament, he was ready to answer any question they might put to
him. With regard to the point of inquiry already urged, he said that,
although there was no lack of opinions in the Cabinet, it was difficult
to say which was the predominating one.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER : Taking the larger questions both of foreign
and domestic policy, the maintenance of the Turkish empire,
she administration of India, the Reform of Parliament, or the
policy to be pursued towards the Roman Catholic subjects of
the Queen, would you describe the existing Cabinet as an
united Cabinet?
Sir J. GRAHAM : I should not describe it as altogether united.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER: Are there any two leading members of the
Government who agree upon either or any of these subjects?
Sir .1. GRAHAM : Well ; that is saying a good deal.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER : Is it a fact that Lord Aberdeen has given it as
his opinion that it is desirable that the Turks should evacuate
Europe?
Sir J. GRAHAM : He has given that opinion.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER : IS it a fact that Lord Palmerston has given it
as his opinion thar the maintenance of the Turkish empire
is a vital principle of our policy ?
Sir J. GRAHAM : That is also a fact.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER: Is it true that the President of the Board of
Control insists that the Court of Directors of the East India
Company shall be retained?
Sir. J. GRAHAM : I will not deny that.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER : And that you yourself, on the contrary, hold
that the double Government should altogether cease ?
Sir G. GRAHAM: I shall not contradict you.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER : You yourself are an advocate of a large measure
of Parliamentary Reform ?
The witness smiled sardonieally, but said nothing.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER : Arc your colleagues of the same opinion?
Sir J. GRAHAM : I have not had ally conversation with my colleagues
on that subject.
Sir BENJAMIN HALL : What meaning do you attach to the phrase
" large measure"?
Sir J. GRAHAM: I look upon meaning as a mere afteir of detail.
But, generally speaking, Parliamentary Reform has a variety
of significations. For instance, it would have been a large
measure of Parliamentary Reform if my illustrious friend, the
late Lord Grey, had made, which he was nearly doing, a hun-
dred new peers in one day.
Sir B. HAM. : The late Lord Grey was a true Reformer.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER: Adverting to the fourth subject which I men-
tioned, the policy to he pursued towards the Roman Catholics, I
believe you described the Durham letter as a declaration of
war against eight millions of her Majesty's Subjects?
Sir J. GRAHAM : Those words are to be found in the record.
Cuics. Comm issiosci; : What then. is your opinion of the spat+ of
Lord 3ohn Russell on, Tuesday night. delivered in the debate
on the Irish Church?
Sir .1. GRAHAM : I did not hear
CHIEF COMMISSIONER : But have you heard of it?
Sir 3. GRAHAM : 1 have heard something ; Mr. Gladstone told me the
next day that Lord John was at his old tricks.
Sir li. hums : Will the Right. Hon. Gentleman kindly inform the
Commissioners what he means by the expression, " at his old
tricks"?
Sir J. GRAHAM : Getting up a " so Popery" cry, and strengthening
the title of the Dukes of Bedford to their Church estates.
Cams CommissioxEn: 1 believe you entered Parliament in the year
1826?
Sir 3. GRAHAM : I did.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER: What then were your political views
Sir J. LiRAHAM : I entered Parliament as au independent Whig.

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