The Express.
London, England, 1852-12-21 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAT, Dxc. 20.
The LORD Cstaxcuema took his seat at 5 o'cloek.
The galleries appropriated to the memben of the 1144111111
of and to strangen were crowded,and the greatest
anxiety was manifested to hear the announcement which it
was expected the Prime Minister would male. There
were also several ladies is the gallery above the throne.
Lord CAMPBELL said he wee glad to find, whatever
changes might occur, that the ladies were allowed to retain
their places in their lordship' boom.
RESIGNATION OF THE MINISTRY.
The Earl of DERBY, having laid upon the table sonse
returns relative to the Irish Census, said—My Lori", it es
con-istent with the usual practice, and, I think, it is con-
ducive to public advantage, that a minister, in announcing
to roar lordships house the dissolution of the government
over which he has been called upon to presde, should
enter into memo explanations of the C/11.44 Which
have led to that eveut,—an event which cannot under
any circumstances but he productive of • more or less
disturbance to the public service. The responsibility
of lightly giving up oaks is in nay opinion not less
than that of lightly accepting it, and it is right that
your lordship., that the other house of parliament, and
that the country should be satisfied that those who era
charged with the impotent duties of otilcial realionsibility
should net throw up those duties upon any light or trivial
ground, upon any minor differences of opinion among the
membirs of the administration. least of all, upon any
ground of private pique or personal feeling. My lords,
upon the present occasion, I am relieved from the never
sity of trespassing upon your lonlships at any lyngth, be-
cause the causes which have led to the dissolution of the
present government have been upon the surface and patent
to all mankind. It is unneceesary for me, my lords, to &d-
-eem ta the eiresims.ances under which the government tie
cermet stint the di-solution of parliament, or to the decla-
rations which were mode previously to that dissolution
with regard to the course it was our intention
to pursue. My lords, a careful examination of the returns
and of the proem:Mg. at the various eiectioto rendered
the position of the government and of the several parties in
the state a matter of no uncertainty and of easy calculation.
It was clear that as the avowed supporters of the govern-
ment—not involving the question of free trade or a protec-
tive perry, but generally disposed to give their coatidence
to the eovernment —then. were about 310 gentlemen, who
were disposed to rerces confidence in the government. There
were also three oilier paniev, if indeed there were not more,
—the one including within it all the various gradations of
opinien from the high and aristocratic and ezelevive white
down to the wildest theorist and most extreme radical, that
pally in all its various ramiticatious eumprisiog somewhere
a'ont 261 members. There was another party, from the
r lee ageism. of gentlemen principally representing the
views of the Irish liuman Cathulic clergy and the extreme
doctrine.. of the ultramontene se:iool, pledged by their de-
clarations to use their utmost endeavours to overthrow the
existing or any other government which was trot prepared
to act upon their extreme opiumos. There was a third
pert!. numeriecly small, comprising within 0,4.11'6..10. from
30 to 3.i member.—gentlemen of gnat personal worth, of
great eminence and respectability, and pogo-seed of very
great °diced experience and a very large *mount of talent.
Them gentlemen professed, and I believe sincerely pro
teased, conservative principlei. 'limit talents were great—
talents which would reflect credit upon any administration;
but their numbers were, as I have already stated, compare.
tively small. My lords, it was in this state of things that
her Majesty's present government, although at the head of
by tar the largest party, nearly a meetly, of the House of
Commons was not in a position to command the support
of that body, and that consequently if any occasion
should arise when it should be the will of all these
three parties which 1 base enumerated to com-
bine together in a common movement fur the purpose of
overthrowing the government, these three parties so
.com-
Dining. whatever might ba their power for the formation of
• future government, had th, full power of destroying and •
overthrowing the existing government. My lords, it was
not long that we were left in doubt as to whether that will
existed on the part of these threw sections. Before we had
had an opportunity of bringing larward any specific mea-
. notice was given of a motion by a g utleman of ex. li
treme opinions, of whom I desire to speak with all respect,
because he has throughout consistently maintained and
steadily supported the same opinions, when they were very
unpopular in the country, which he has seen subeequently
ratified by pubic opine u, and he has therefore a perfect
right to throw himself upon the consistency of hi. conduct,
and to no man could the declaration of that polity be more
fitly CU111411411 than to that hon. gentleman. That gentle-
man, as 1 have said, was of extreme opinions; and in order
that the government might be placed in a minority upon
that question, before they bad any opportunity of bringing
forward any other measure, it was necessary that a concert
should take place between all the parties, without whose
concurrence the government would still be in a majority. I
speak here upon no doubttul grounds. tt.e have bid some
cue, tes revelations made to us by a right hou. baronet in
the other house, who has lifted up the curtain and admitted
us behind the scenes ; who has shown us the various actors
preparing fee their parts, discussing the most coevenient
phrases which could be adopted fur obtsitiiiig that universal
concurrence necessary to accomplish their puiut, and studi-
ously coureroug their 131C444r44 In such a manner as by their
united efforts, the governmeut might be placed in a mino-
rity. My lords, a little incident, possessing a somewhat
dramatic character, interfered with the execution of this
well-ceusidered and concerted measure : an amendment
was moved from another and an unexpected quarter, which
placed the matter upon a different fueling, and prevented
the general union of whigs, conservatives, and radicals in
the adoption of the motion which was prepared by Mr.Vil-
-1 er'. e government therefore escapedelefeat upon that oc-
casion by the falling asunder of tl.e different materials of
this discordant combination. We then proceeded to bring
forward and submit to parliament the financial policy upon
which we were prepared to conduct the business of the
country ; and, after a lengthoned debate in the Ileum of
Commons, upon the union seven of all these three parties,
the government were defeated in a house almost unprece-
deafly full—in a house of which, I believe, there were
only about 26 members who, in one way or another, did
net record their opinions. la a house so constituted, the
government were subjected to a defesi by a majority of
19. Ply lords, if that defeat had been upon sotneeninor
and incidental question, if it had been upon some detail. of
a measure the general principle of which was assented to
by parliament, greatly as I should feel that the position of
a government is weakened by being subjected to a defeat
even in such minor matters, and greatly as governments
have been weakened of late years by submitting to frequent
defeats and reversals of their policy inconvenient as I
should have considered that state of things to be—l ahould
not have considered myself justified upon such a defeat,
upon a minor question, to have abandoned the duty con-
fided to me by her Mainly. But, my lords, this was upon
so minor question—this was upon the basis of the whole
financial policy of the country—that is to say, it was osten-
sibly upon the basis of the financial policy of the country,
but in reality and tenth it was—it was known to be—it was
avowed to be—a vote to determine the confidence, or
want of confidence, of the House of Commons in the
government. (Hear, hear.) My lords, I need not stop
to prove, as I could, that such was the issue that really was
intended, and that such an issue having been joined, her
Majesty's government sustained an unequivocal defeat. I
felt, and my colleagues felt with me, that no option was
left us but to tender the resignation of those offices of which
we were no longer able to perform the functions with satis-
faction to °unclear, or to carry out our own views and
prospects. My lords, on the morning therefore after having
sustained this defeat, I speak now °sly of the facts of the
ease—something might, perhaps, be added with regard to
the character of the combination, and the animus which has
been displayed, for the purpose of overthrowing the go-
vtrument—(hear, bear)—but I abstain from every cemete-
ries, which by possibility, on this occasion, might raise a
controversy—having ad that distinct declaration of want
of confidence upon the part of the House of Commons—
having ascertained that my colleagues were unani-
mous in their concurrence with me upon the only course
which we ought to pursue, I proceeded at once, 43 you are
aware, to wait upon her Majesty, and tendered to her Ma
jesty, in my own name and that of my colleagues, the
humble resignation of our dins. lier Majesty was gra-
cioinly pleased to accept that rseigaation, and to express a
desire, which was complied with on the same evening, to
take 02 advice of two noblemea, both of great experience
and considerable ability -of long practice in public lite—
and of th. m-1 speak of one without any disrespect to the
ether —peculiszly distinguished is this house not only for
king .aperient, but for the well-known moderation and
temperance of his views—for that spirit of mingled &ro-
ams end courtesy with which on all occasions be has dis-
charged his daty here, and which at ooze ha. concili-
ated the friendship and diaarmed the opposition el
all. That noble marquis was prevented by illness
from attending in obedience to her Majesty's com-
mands; and the following day, is answer to a fur
thir euratounicatioa from her Majesty, the Earl of
Aberdeen, the other nobleman to whom I referred, waited
on her Majesty, and recived her Majesty's commands,
—which ho signified hs reader's@ to obey,—to undertake
the formation of a new administration. Upon what prin-
ciples that administration is to be formed—how it is to be
cemposed—of what materials—what are its views or its
principles—l Mow not. We shall, I presume, before very
long receive from the noble earl himself a full declaratioo
of his intentions and views on that subject. I remember,
and probably your lordships will remember also, that the
noble sort has on more than one °cession in this berm de
elev.] that, the question of free trade excepted, he knew of
no el.ff.ence of opinion let t eeeil himself and her Majesty'.
present government. (Hear, hear.) I presume that it is
the intention of the noble earl, and I shall believe it until I '
hear him contradict it himself, to carry on the government,
if he 1. able to firm it, upon strietly conservative principles,
and in s conservative spirit. How that principle is to
carried out at present I confers I de not know ; and I enter.
trio sonic doubt and anxiety with regard to the possibility
of carrying out such principle., with such amociations and
'lmport as I apprehend the noble earl must avail himself of
ers farm a government. Ilut of this I will say nothing ;
abstain from • single expression prejudging
Ore course which may he pursued by the nulls
e,:zl; thO., however, I any venture to say in his ab.
se, ee, *el would in his presence, th d I as. coufident he re-
sod justly, upon removing mire forbearance from the
peatemeservative party with whom I have the honour to
act tl an that conservative party hss rapirienced et the hands
of others. I will ?Mille to 0f031114, that if the government
ab, eat to be funned be conducted on conservative priuciples,
and rr-ist the onwa-d progress of the democratic power in
the constitution, in that event the noble earl may rely upon
having, if nut the cordial, at all events the sincere and con
scientism support of the peat conservative party of this
meetly; and that he shaU And, if the plat amino bo oleo-

-
getber forgotten, that pommel keiling shall teeniest no
Bunco on public affairs; and he shall lad that kg elan be
encountered on the part of myself and frier.as by no fus-
tian, opposition. and met by no unprincilded combination.
(Hear, hear) For my own part I need enmity .7 r,h,t
make no personal sacrificein quittiroi office, end that it
affords me no grounds for peesease regret. ji, widet it
would have been a deep nsoetificeekin be resigning
the trust which was reposed in my bands by my sovereign,
I left this country in a less advantageous position
than that in n'olch I found it ; but I rejoice to
think that, istort as baa been the period during
which I sad my colleagues have held *See, that period has
not been without some advantages—lt has not elapsed
without some beneficial measures having been tarried;
and that we shall leave the country in at least as great
prosperity as we found it. My lord., I have no hesitation
in saying, with reiard to the foreign relations of the coun-
try, that they arc in a much more satisfactory condition—
that—
that our foreign relations are for more friendly and sad le
factory than when my hob's: friend the Foreign Secretary
commenced his ditties in that department; and I rejoice et
baying this opportunity of bearing my testimony to one,
than whom no rue bee been more unsparingly end unjustly
maligi el-1 rejoice to say of my noble friend that from
first to last I have hail no cause for snything but self-con-
gratulation in having obtained in such • department the
services of one who, without previous political experience,
has brought to bear an amount of diligence, ability, and
good judgment on the affairs of that great department,
which hes reflected the highest credit on himself, and
which, I may venture say, without fear of contradiction,
has extorted the praise and admiration of old and expe-
rienced diplomatists, whose 'time he on more than one
occasion has had to combat, and has combatted suc-
cessfully. (Hear, hear.) If, my lords, we louk to
the department of the law, we shall find that
greater improvement and reform have taken place in that
department within the last twelve months than fur many
previous years—reforms, the magnitude acd importance of
which have been freely acknowledged on both sides of the
house ; and for which the country and the government are !
indebted to the unwearied zeal and auiduity—to the die-
tinguisked talent and thorough professional keowledge of
my noble and learned friend who tits on the woolsack, and
in whose stead, when he quits it, it will be difficult for any
government to find any successor who will not give cause
to regret his having left it. (Hear, bear.) I take no credit
to the government fur the financial state of the country ;
bat I think I cosy take credit to them (or hating dune this
—that they have, fur the first time, broken through that
apathy, that dangerous apathy, which for so many years
existed to the injury of the public service with regard to
the internal defence. of the country. And if we leave the
sneer of this country without fear of hostility from abroad,
with friendly relations subsisting with all the, great powers,
we shall leave it also in • condition of sell-defence par-
tially effected, and for further progress in which we
have already laid the greenfly, which I tru,t will not
be abandoned by those who may succeed us. (Hear,
hear.) I trust they will nut be neglectful of
these great elements of self-defence which we have suc-
cessfully called into operation, namely, the establishment
of that constitutional force, the militia of the country, and
the increase of that travel force upon which primarily, and
is the first instance, the safety and honour of this country
depend. (Mar, hear.) Mylords, we leave, then, the ad-
miuistration, with this country io a state I hope of tranquil-
lity, contentment, and prosperity—of friendship with
foreign powers; and increasing at all events, if not yet
completely accomplished, means of self-dependence. (Hear,
hear.) Under these circumstances it is no personal sacri-
fice to surrender the reins of office. 1 shall rejoice to see
the. our successor— with indeed those personal difficulties
which I cannot but think they have created for themselves
—have a comparatively easy task to accomplish. I trust
they will go on in the course of social improvement, and
place the country on that footing on which it ought to
stand. I trust that with regard to these great measures and
objects they may go oa and complete the coarse which we
have successfully commenced; and my humble and fer
vent prayer is that this great country may still continue to
enjoy security at home, tranquillity, and conlentment—
peace throe& and increasing prosperity among all classes'
of the people by whose ever band it may be the will of Pro-'
vidence that the affairs of this gnat country may be guided.
(Hear, hear.) My lords, I have only further testate to your
lordships, and it is hardly necessary for me to do so alter
what I have already stated, that I and my colleagues hold
our diem only until our successors shall have been ap-
pointed, and until the noble earl, to whom the task has been
entrusted by her Majesty, shall be able to present for her
Manure approval, and produce to this and the other house
of parliament, a government with which, in his judgment,
be may feel himself capable of conducting the affairs of the
country. I have received a communication from the noble ,
earl this morning—a communication which has occasioned
me some little surprise, because I certainly anticipated,
after all that has taken place, alter the frequent conferencis
which have occurred between the various parties, and the
very decisive step which has been adopted of putting the
government, on the earliest occasion, in a minority—l
thought that not 48, probably not 2i hours, would have
elapsed before the noble earl would be in • condition to
submit t i her Majesty's approval the programme of
the future government. But I have this day received a
communication from the noble earl, requesting that
I would move the adjournment of the honse until this day
week. Under these circumstance I em anxious to con-
ciliate his wishes; but looking at the period of the year,
and to the extreme inconvenience which will ho occasioned
to many of your lordships, by being detained in town over
Christmas-Day—of course all other considerations must
yield to the paramount one of providing for the public
service—but looking to the great inconvenience' I have
stated to the noble earl, subject to his approval, that I pro-
pose to move the adjournment of the house until Thursday
next ; and hope by that time that the noble earl may have
made such progress in his arraegementa as to take upon
himself the responsibility of undertaking the public ser-
vice; but I added, that if he should not soffit have advanced
by Thursday, I should be prepared to move the adjourn-
ment from Thursday until Monday, and your lordships I
am sure will cheerfully concur. 1 now have to thank your
lordships for the great attention with which you have lis-
tened
to me, and to move the adjournment of this house '
until Thursday nest. (Hear, hear )
The Unkc of NEWCASTLE wss mat anxious to avoid
any controversy, hut he must say, if such was also the
noble earl's object, that he deeply regretted • considerable
portion of the speech which the noble earl bad made. He
would nut stop to consider how far the course which the
noble cart had taken was in strict conformity with the
courtesy which was usual on the part of a minister leaving
office towards one who had received the royal command to
form another administration, as far as the question of the
adjournment of the home was concerned, and he would
avoid other topics which mist on some occasion be answered.
(Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") But he thought there was
one statement made by the noble earl which required con
tradietion, although the house was only to bo adjourned
until Thursday nest. It was due to the character of the
noble earl who had been referred to a, endeavouring to form
an administration, to the right hon. baronet who bad also
been alluded to, and to ethers, that the country should not
be deceived by a statement which the noble earl had made
with the (fleetest confidence, and founded upon facia, which ,
he said were patent to all the world, and which '
were explained by • right honourable friend of
his in the other House cf Parliament. He begged
to give to that part of the noble earl's statement as
to the teacart between his friends a meet iisitive sod cau-
tious contradiction. The noble earl said that • emiableation
bad been formed to prevent his government hem twinging
forward their measures • but the very ispimmita of that state-
ment wasthe truth. The part which 6e right bon. biro•
net announced as having been taken by himself and others
was that an attempt had been made by • few gentlemen,
himself included, to prepare such a resolution as should
combine the whole of the friends of free trade without in-
stituting an opposition. (Hear, hear.) It was for that
express purpose that so mach pains were bestowed on the
resolution ; and the best proof that there was no such com-
bination as the noble earl had stated was that the words
alluded to by the right hon. baronet were eventually
accepted by the goverameat, and those very words did
not receive the sanction and approval of the hon. gentle.
man who gave notice of the resolution. (Neer, hear.)
When the noble earl talked of a combination, he (the Duke
of Newcastle) thought that the noble earl had himself
given a contradiction to his statement when he informed
their lordships that his noble friend who had been sum•
mooed to Osborne by her Majesty required a week to form
an administration. He would not now enter into further
Mummies ; but he would say that they had heard before of
these who were about to become ministers being surprised,
and being called on to form an administration when they
little ezpected it. His noble friend, when he appeared in
that house, would be better able to esplain the part he had
taken in the present juncture than he could, but bemuse say,
that if the high honour end character of his noble friend
did not command from Use noble earl the abstinence of
such insinuations, he thought, even if the noble earl was
not influenced by that feeling, at least the fact that his
noble friend wee then engaged is performing his duty to
his sovereign should have prevented his making such
insinuations. Ile again must declare that the state meat of
the noble earl, that a combination had been formed to pre-
vent the government of the noble earl frem bringing for-
ward their measures, was bawler and unfounded ; and,
having given that statement a contradiction, the noble earl
must forgive him if he said that the course he had now
pursued was at least unusual, and that on the first occasion
when the question was raised it would be fairly met, and
if the noble earl had been deceived the facts should
he ezplained. He would do the noble earl the justice to
believe that he had been deceived, but he was unwilling
that from the lips of the noble lord such a statement should
be sent forth to the country, and that it should not bo de-
ceived with regard to the honour and straightforwardness
of those who were then engaged in forming an admiuistra-
tion. (Cheers.) Ile begged pardon of the house for tree-
passing upon them, and be was, perhaps, placing himself in
an improper position, but the affection ho entertained for
his noble friend, and his friends in the other house whose
characters had been brought into this discussion, induced
him to my a few words, and he would only beg the noble
earl not to think that there were not other parts of his
'reels which did not equally require an answer and a con•
tradiction as that to which he had alluded. (Cheers.)
The Earl of DERBY said that he had derived the infor-
mation un which ho had spoken from a source un which lie
geoid hardly have been deceived. He would not now enter
Into any controver.y, h'- would only add that he did not
say that a motion had been made in order to prevent the
m.avures of hi. government Gone being brought forward;
but what he did siy was, that at the commencement of
the session there had been • concert of the parties opposed
to the geeernment, and that it had been entered into before
the government had an opportunity of bringing forward I
their measures; but he did not say that the motion had
that eosin{ object. lie was sot aware that he bed made