The Sun.
London, England, 1841-08-25 00:00:00

TTI K SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDA Y, AUGUST 25:, 1841.

sore number of acres of land, in addition to that now under very shortly to your Lordships. I certainly have been, on
cultivation, and that was perfectly impossible to be continued• former occasions, for putting off the agitation and discussion
The effect of the sl ding scade was to create at times a great of this question, which I know, whenever it comes on, must
deal of speculation in toreign corn, and to draw that specula- be attended with the circumstances which the Noble Lord has
tion away from home f risen corn. What was the effect of it described ; but I always knew that that discussion must come
upon, prices? At the latter stage of the sliding scale an ad- —(Cheers)—that it was not to be avoided, that it was entirely,
dition of Is. to the price of wheat reduced the duty 2s. and a question of time, and I only beg your Lordships' atten-
ultimately even that small addition led to a reduction cf 4s. tion, while I state shortly what I think upon the sub-
duty. The consequence was that the parties speculating in corn ject. This great system of the Corn-laws is capable
tampered with the averages, and artificially raised the price in of being represented and charged as having been intro-
the market. In fact a small number of great capitalists had the duced and supported for the benefit of those who
power to raise the price of food throughout the whole country. introduced and supported it. It i 3 the work of two Houses of
He well knew that that was not their object. They wanted to Legislature, one conisting entirely of landowners, arid the
reduce the duty. But the price of foed was raised in a 'canner other consisting chiefly of Isndownerseand I:tell you that it is not
that was not advantageous either to the revenue or the land. a safe state of things. lam not accustomed to speak the lan-
holder. Wheat at present was from 755. to 80s. That was guage of warning or dictation, but believe me, my Lords, in
partly owing to the bad prospects of the harvest, but also in a the judgment of your country you stand in a situation in
great degree to the speculators in foreign corn, who, by ficti- which you are capable of imputations of so plausible a nature—
tious sales, raised the price. Had many of their Lordships been ( Hear, hear)—and I do assure your Lordships that it is ab-
travelling either from Land's end or John-o'Groat's-House, solutely necessary to put these laws, some time or
they would have seen that the farmers' stack-yards were nearly other, on a more reasonable and satisfactory founda-
empty, so that the advanced price did not go into the pockets tion.—(Cheers.) I do not charge your Lordshit s
of the agriculturists, but into those of the speculators, so that, with what you are generally charged, with in-
in fact, the present laws were not beneficial to the agricultural terested feelings or motives, no man more deeply regrets, or
interest, and he doubted whether it was to the advantage of more decidedly condemns the general tone and arguments we
the landed interest, as disconnectedwith the agricultural interest. hear held on this subject. Ido not think these laws are con-
He would remind their Lordships that the land valuers had al- demned by the Christian religion, or that they are contrary to
ways taken the basis of 635. or 645., instead of 565. or 575., and morality, and ought to be extirpated and eradicated, nor do I
it was upon that higher value that the rents were valued. think that those by whom they were originated had nothing
That was the true explanation of the distress that had existed in view but their own interests and objects. But, feeling sure
in the country, and of the petitions with which that House had that they are not the products of anything base, or mean, os
been inundated, and which had induced their Lordships to ap- sordid, I entreat your Lordships to free yourselves from the
point a Committee to inquire into the causes of the distress- of imputation, to relieve yourselves from the possibility of being
the aericultural classes.—( Hear, hear.) Who was the cause su charged. There is nothing so foolish as to suffer dis-
of that ? Not the land valuer, but the Parliament, and there- credit for what we don't do.—(Cheers and laughter.)
fore it was that he was anxious Parliament should retrace its If really free from the imputation yourselves, as no doubt you
steps with as little delay as possible, It had been said by are, I earnestly entreat your Lordships to consider whether it
great authorities elsewhere that the sliding scale would remedy would not be wise to attempt to put those laws upon a more
these evils, but nobody had yet said, not even the Noble Earl satisfactory and reasonable foundation. My Lords, it is a very
opposite, where it was to begin or where it was to end.—
good argument to say that our arguments lead to a total abo-
( Hear, hear.) He admitted that the sliding scale might be so lition, and that we mean total abolition. But that is not so.
adjusted as to free the law from many of the difficulties which We know many measures founded on arguments that went
at present existed, hut upon all these matters the House had much further than the measures themselves, which measures,
been left in the most blessed ignorance by the Noble ntvertheless, are found satisfactory. It is on these grounds
Earl is ho had moved the amendment. There was no that I vote for an alteration with respect to the duty
doubt that au alteration would be made in the Corn- on corn. I conceive that a fixed duty is the right principle—
laws. He had some recollection of what was called that it would be safe and tenable, that it would insure suffi-
eint protection, and at the same time diminish much of the
the battles on the Catholic question. They were now
Nieral disco: tent aed sue i ion which at the present time
battling under somewhat similar disadvantages—for commer- g
cial freedom—and he . believed the same success would ulti- prevail,—(Cheers.) My Noble Friend brought a great num-
mately attend them.—(Hear.) How soon that result might ber of small things together, but he seemed at the end of
be he could not say, but even the Noble Earl opposite mint ad-
his speech to feel that his stilts were tottering under him.
mit that ultimately the Corn-laws must be giver' up, and he did He referred to the mcney derived from the Savings' Ranks,
ar.d said that we had done what was lega', but not what was
not doubt that the Noble Earl would himself be a party to the
constitutional. He also said that we kept too small a balance
surrender. Much, however, would depend on the courage of
the Noble Earl and his friends. It might be found out that in the Exchequer, but if no distrust is felt by the proprietors
there was a short harvest in 1841, and that it would be no- of the Savings' Banks, and no inconvenience has resulted
cessary to have a small supply of foreign corn. They might, from the state of the balances in the Exchequer, I
perhaps, venture upon an Order iu Council, but all would de- think these are hardly matters to form a ground
peed upon circumstances. He cared very little for the down- for such emotion as this.—(Cheers.) But, whatever the real
I fall of a Ministry, comparatively.--( Opposition cheers.) He meaning of the motion in plain English is, now that we have
hoped his Noble Friend would excuse him.—( Hear, hear.) a majority in the House of commons, we will turn out the
He cared little, comparatively, for the downfall of a ills • illinistry.—( Loud laughter.) We shall see. I will not judge
nistry, and he was sure his Noble Friend cared equally from what they had said on the hustings- When they come
little—( Hear, hear)--but when questions of such import- to hear arguments in a more satisfactory manner, they may en-
ance were brought by the Executive Government before the tertain other opinions.—(Cheers and laught-r. ) I must say,
country, he thought they were entitled to its warmest gra- I derive some degreee of consolation and hope from the argu•
finely.. However triumphant the Noble Earl and his friends merits by which es conclusion was supported on the hustings.
'night be that night, the time would come when the country I feel certain that such is the sense of honour and justice, that
would acknowledge with gratefulness the obligations they when their fallacy is shown to them, they will not pei se-
were under to that Ministry which had had the courage to yore in op liens based on such arguments. But,
bring these measures forward.—(Hear, hear.) He would re- es I said, this is the real meaning of this motion, which cer-
peat the word courage, because it was well known that by tainly I did not expect from the previous conduct of this House.
ishoever these subjects were mooted, they were sealing their My Noble Friend on the cross benches (Lord Lyttleton) has
own political suicide. He admitted that the landed interests given us the benefit of his support--( Laughter)—but perhaps
were always the most powerful in that country, anti it was his we should have been as well wishout his support ; but I think
wish that they should be so ; but he was anxious that they, my Noble Friend a little overstates Whig doctrines, when he
should exercise their great power with justice towards the rest said that on the last division in the House of Commons on the
of the country. They had exhibited their power, but, un- Irish Registration Bill, we ought to have resigned; and when
fortunately, it had been by placing themselves in collision he made a strong attack upon us on account of the Appropriation
with the great mass of the people, and he was satisfied that Clause. Now the resolution we came to was, that no settlement
they could not long maintain that power against the other in- ofthe tithe question should be adopted by us that did not contain
terests of the country.—( Hear, hear.) a provision for the appropriation of some part of the revenues
Lord LYTTLE lON would give his vote in favour of the of the Church to some other purpose, such as education. What
Address, in order to show his approbatio:i of the measures' of was that, but saying that we would do our utmost to mu such
commercial policy which had been brought forward by her a measure?—(Cheers and laughter.) I say no more than that
Majesty's Ministers ; but he wished to make a few remarks to lam sorry that clause was not carried. 1 believe it would have
their Lordships, for the purpose of explaining that he could clone much for the stability of the Church if the clause had been
not allow that vote to be considered a vote of general totifi- carried. We brought it forward two or three times in the
dence in the measures of the present Government. If ever a House, and, when we found it impossible to carry it, we aban-
Government was justified in appealing to the country for its cloned it. The Noble Lord says that was wrong; But what
approval of any measures, he thought the present Government does he say to the conduct of Sir Robert Walpole op the Excise
was justified in submitting the measures it had recently brought scheme, a scheme much like ours ; at least "making the
forward. He did not think, however, that they were justified same professions. He said that it was, necessary
in calling upon the country to support them as a Ministry, for the repeal of the Land-tax, and for the greater imptevee
after the signal defeats they had sustained upon the most in- merit of the commerce of the country, and that it Would gene-
portant clauses of that most debated and disputed party mea- rally facilitate trade. It was impossible to state the advantages
sures that had been brought forward in the last Parliament. of a measure higher than be stated it. " But," said he, "if
On the 25th of April they were defeated by a majority of 2:1 ; the interested clamour and prejudice of individuals prevail
and again on the 29th by a majority of 11, when they were against me. I will give up the scheme, andlnot only will I give
forced to give up the, Bill. They still retained their position up this scheme but I will never bring forward another on
as a Government ; and although they were again defeated on similar principles, and it will be long enough if I ant defeated
the Sugar Duties on the Bth of May, they retained their thus before another Minister will be yold enough to follow my
places until they were declared unworthy of the confidence example. I consider this measure beneficial and necessary,
of the House.—(Hear.) He (Lord Lyttleton) was too but if lam thus overpoweredil will give it up, and not only
much of a Whig to approve of their conduct on these occa- will I give it up, but 1 will never being forward a similar meae
sions. He could not forbear alluding also to an almost de- sure. And this is what a Minister must do. I will only
funet subject, the appropriation clause, which was passed iu a I further add that I do not think there ever was a motion of
Committee of the whole House on the 7th of April, 1815, and much magnitude founded on such weak and insuffiteietit argu-
which embodied the declaration that any surplus remaining ments.—( Cheers. )
,L.
after providing for the wants of the Church, should be applied Lordrile Duke TELTO
Y T
of N (explained
to the education of the people. Now, if there were any mean-WELLINGTON was happy to think that the
ing in those words, it was, that coming into office on the Noble Viscount had acquitted their Lordships ;of., the charges
adoption of the resolution, nothing would induce them to be a that bad been brought against them for the course they lied
party to the success of any measure which did not embody 'thought proper to pursue with respect to the Coreslaws in the
them.--( Hear, hear.) Upon that resolution they bad come course of the last Session. With respect to the amendment
into office, and yet they bad abandoned it, and in his opinion, moved by his Noble Friend, he wished to say that there were
from that moment they had given up their position, and were parts of the Address to which his Noble Friend made no objec-
standing upon ground which did not properly belong to them. non whatever. The Noble Viscount hal been rather severe
Nothing, therefore, would induce him to give his full adherence upon some parts of his Noble Friend's speech, which he
to a Government that acted in such a manner.—( Hear, thought vets totally uncalled for. What was the Bourse his
hear.) He believed that principles of liberal policy would in . Noble Friend had pursued? Why, he had commented upon
the main be fallowed by any Government that would hereafter some of the statements of the Noble Lord who had preceded
take office, and therefore he had no fear on that point ; but the him—he had observed that upon some topics no information had
question was, whether the political character of the persons I been given, and he bed commented upon the statements with
who were likely to form a Government was such as would respect to China. There was some parts of the SteeeiTh
induce them to concede these principles with honour to them- to which his Noble Friend had thought temper to
selves.—(Hear, bear.) On these grounds he should give his MOVe an amendment, -which amendment the Noble
vote in favour of the Address. Viscount had stated, was founded upon very trivial grounds.
Lord MELBOURNE then rose and said—My Lords, the The Noble Viscount had stated truly, that they had not otten
nature of this motion and the circumstances under which it is been called upon to give opinions upon abstract question% of
matte—the arguments on which it was supported, and the policy on the part of the Government. He (the Duke of Wel-
fair and candid, clear and distinct spirit—(Laughter)—in lingtoet) had himself, more than once, called upon their Lord=
which they were stated, are such as unquestionably do not I ships not to give their opinions upon questions ef:Vellete tilltill
make it necessary for me, notwithstanding its great im- brought before them in the shape of a Legislative measure;
portance, to trouble your Lordships with many observations 1 and upon other occasions he had One so far as to support the
on the subject. I listened with great attention to my noble Government upon them. But upon this occasion there came
friend who moved the amendment. I listened with great , before their Lordships questions of great importance, not dilly
deference to his ability, to his information, and with great in their principles, but likewise in their details; Ind those
respect for his candour, and I must say, considei ing the questions were brought before them in the usual Manner 'of
superstructure he was about to raise, I never knew a weaker -Speech from the Throne.--( Hear, hear.) It Vree %lateral,
or more slender basis.—( Hear, hear.) My noble friend made therefore, that his Noble Friend, who trroVed the Amend-
s sort of omnium gatherum speech.—(Laughter.) He ment, should state to their Lordships thee Krounds upon which
pressed every thing into his service. He brought to- he founded it. Those grounds were, in the first instance, the
gaiter what was done in the past year and in the neglect of the finances ef the country on the adoption of mews
present :year, and then brought that forward as sures, and earning on the war on a peace establishment, whinthe ground and foundation of a motion of such no prevision had been made for them by Parliament--
magnitude and importance—a motion, allow me to say, (Hear, hear, hear.) His Noble Friend had stated what
perfectly and entirely new in this House, and was perfectly true, that, instead of coming tortvat-tt to Par-
which came like a thunder-clap upon me—(Loud liament to propose the Ways and Mean% the government
cheers and laughter) since I was not aware of had adopted an irregular and unconstitutional mode of finding
the existence of any spirit in this House on the means to pay those changes ;in some instances resorting
which any such motion could be founded.—(Laughter.) There to the Savings' Bank, end in others to the funding of Excite%
were many factious motions in the last House of Commons— quer Bills-. Besides these expenses the Government had
those I was perfectly aware of—continued motions of a want of thought peeper to repeal a large sum of tent, by which they
confidence, but I never had the least notion that any of your reduced the revenue to such an amount as ibeehettly tai ISA'
Lordships sympathised or agreed with those motions.— a deficiency to the extent of nearly two million% and a l'i.kli,
(Laughter and cheers.) There has been nothing to lead me to besides the large debt incurred, He (the I)l.th of Welling suppose that your Lordships were not all reposing in tranquil ton) thought that all these eireennetences which had been. confidence in the wisdom of the present. Government.— stated by his Noble Friend wen surely a sufficient reason to
( Loud laughter.) And yet, on the sudden, and on such justify the vote he though' it right to come to on doe toVeent .
1
grounds as those stated by the Noble Lord, you come forward occasion. The Noble Vinount had taunted
by Noble Vriend
unexpectedly, in a manner contrary to your former conduct, for hoeing Lund faiL:i with the cottw, ia% ted by the t3'OY-ell-
belying all the manner in which yet had conducted yourselves, mem with ..espect to the Fatchli treaty. New
with tnis distinct motion of a want of confidence in her Ma- I thought
;Its ' Noble riti*ha wt., ,LiAti, flatieii to vi,,. t
jetty's Government.—(Laughter and cheers.,) Then on what Ito e„tgirgureet . - • -
oi. . , r
_ antes et showing t e Wont _ foresiget on the
grounds does the Noble Lord do this? He states a number' •.,"; part of the Noble Leeds 'lsnposi's.e. ells Noble Friend had
objections to the Speech ; he says there are certain ote.,essions stated whet he notisidercnt st. 'sufficient forthreeagunkeof
wee . .b )
the amend:- I
in it—that there is no mention of the proceedings ~n Western meet that he ha ''leeeposed. But he India and in Affghanistan. With respect to dim, grigissiens .
Must confess `hat he had other reasonsC for reetnnhiendirr :he%
I say there have been no events in that %testi-ter of the tribe Lordships to come' to this vote mantis ivhichThie Shoeld Sa. ,
which seemed to call upon her 11.1ajec:q's advieers to advise her mit to their Lordships with great pier, Vet sehi`O Ike etiiitie-
Majesty to make any observat:ans respeet??l-k them in her theless, considered it hiss dirt y_ to ealeinie tto ‘titeir ILTl.d.intips. Ir.
Speech,—(Rear, hear, beee, ) But 'Net tne Noble Lord .ire course of the in-ontht of May ,4 Tine last her Majesty's
proceeded to a condemnationcif Our whole policy in Government toned titielAsilireg under the necessi
ty of intim at-
that quarter, of all that has bee* dyne, and of the grounds on log that itintte their intention to dissolve Parliament. That
'which it has bean dome. TS:ow information has already been , andedii'ichthent was most unfortunate, considering the State to
laid before the House on this subject, and if the Nettle • which the country was broueht by ile eistetesion Which had
Lord disapproved ot that policy, he was wanting in Ire duty taken place with respect to the, CO4n-laws; and, 'emisi9lerihg
not to bring it before the consideration of .your Lordships. what bad passed upon the subject ot the Budget and the 'Udine
—(Heare hear.) And surely it was hardly fair to reserve laws in the House ot Com Mons ?ii the neankliii et May and
them tie the present moment, to fonnelen them a motion of June" he (the Duke of Well.)tgton) clod not but think that
this new and unexpected nature?--(Hear, hear. ) Then the it would have been Most Avlsable on the part of the Noble
Noble Lord said the peeeialib was in a state of great dis- Viscount to haVe tvottied recommending her Majesty to intro.
order—that we had foetteetd an alliance with Punjeet Sing .
_duce eselidsintb her Speech delivered from
the Throne in den*
that was not very Creditable to us, and that Punjeet Sing ; 'last, Calculated certainly to excite animosity in the tinintry,
had died. WI, we were not responsible for 'thee— because it was calculated to convey to the public that her Me-
ai(nnLtanou.4rgi.hribterrd!:p.rtnd it is not very unnatural en the 'death of jesty had strong feelings on the ettlejett ot these lairs. He (the rinTeheefor the country which he'governed to fall Duke of Wellington) was elittelished at the Words that had e'eil
Noble Lord then found limit with the ex- put into the speech.
Pettition to China, though he hardly 'entirely condemned it—. Viscount AllE.LBOURNEen—rix it•iit V. ''.;'e "words used by
vlif:e:twe, it was generally 'admitted on both sides George the Third in diesdlviree tee rarliament in 1784.
6tefehauttiechtlrythbbe: circumstances did certainly call upon this The Duke of WIeLkNUTON believed that the case of
enandtat'anetieed such measures as those dissolving toe Parliament by George the Third was entirely '
by her Majesty's Government. , es-iihNs ducts. It was a dispute in the House of Ccannonl
~,(rlioaukelared;beehyeoutiar.te)raltti is not fitting on the present occasion ten' of prerogative on the one hand, and privile6 Ott the (6thet '
ons on the conduct of that expedition. It —not a question in which every anon cemittfereld We hit! In 1.1
it is an highestexpnediteion degree premature to do e&; but that terest. There was another citcearnetanA fe *itilbli he must
and that it is liabalendtoofn:t-reat
.difficulty every bay will admit, advert, and which he did 'tsith W..t Concern, and that was
tudifficulties whieh the Noble Lord that the Noble Visconnt ateatild have permitted himself to
has pointed out,
ttvhbteterefrnoreay is left but to express advise her Majeteer to make the speech that,4l beeit reb:ti
an anxious hope that this reag
may be brought to a
Con-
satisfactory termination. igt that dee\ He (the. Duke of Welliogedha elietlie 11143 finds fault not only 'with my Lords, the Noble Lord sielered the Noble Viscount as leiVirke ttiO',!,.!.reil the greatest
with what would have taken
has taken place, but possible service t a leer 'Kati He had reason to
we have not concluded
if we had, it would have involveda
a treat ]'lace. place' Hes says that know, that her . litl:Cesty herself was of opinion
with Frances but float that that Nob V.;..4Vttht had rendered her the greatest pot,-
treaty was not c,onpclruodvelsta,aoufaurit
nhergret nedifficulties ; sible serei*se 1.11 making her acquainted with the laws, kW!
unnecessary for d the difficulties have int*, 'iht.t, the customs of the Government ef tkiet; co'Antty._.
ant arisen, i
but as the
nLofaiclt, nee o into any vindication Oar hear.) It is (exclaimed the Noble 13.ukt)41e riglit'of
carried into effect:-Wie her Majesty to preside over this ceutt-tele end 'God protect her
.
hofeaani;olichyiewt
ration of the state of the question, aeg
of 4164.. o the Vellside- in doing so, but he thought that the Noble Viecount'eught net
measures to have embarrassed her Mainsty, in senCtioning4ttch it Speech
which have been brought under the consitoeteeth,
lit
hi ceh N''voala Is ' i
and the country by her MajeAy's Goveseetnent. et of the House as that which was made in line, and that snitich lid been deli-
Ile finds v • • ' -
very weed by the Lords Commissierter'e Thiel day. He thought that
considerable fault with these rneiseres, although he
• • Iwith all of them. He thinks the pm • _ agrees in the most invidious term's *wee Tilde use of in the Speech.
P rince) e Principle on which He would take leave to say that the Noble Viscount had no
the alteration of the timber duties is founded was a .
. . correet right to lead 'the Country to suppose that those who were
principle, but doubts about the manner in which it is el,
reed into effect- He doubted the propriety of raising be c
the
duty
opposed 'to ate alteration of the Corn-laws were opposed to bier
Majesey—it was unjust.—(Hear.) Only 14 months ego he
on Canadian timber, but at the same time he admits the Re ty
tllected hearing the Noble Viscount use the strongest lan-
ral principle.—( Hear, hear.) It was only the principle-el. 'tete
uhaege against even the consideration of these laws—(Cheers)
was asserted.—( Cheers.) Matters of detail were stlett to _ appealed to God that a man must be mad who wished it.
alteration in Parliament. On the question of swat, also, the
r,.h -_(Loud cheers.) He granted that the Noble Viscount had a
Noble Lord says he only differs from us with resesert to time; that
a;o(t. to change his opinmn Is he pleased—he was sure he had
he thinks that measure might probable-, tit some period or
other, be adopted, but he likes of to it at the rresent whielsgrao.
junc,ls for the change—indeed he had read the Report
hes„rei ht,hesettanged the opinion of the Noble Viscount ; but
moment, became he thinks it gill encourage the slave trade,
eopposed to the Address were charged with op-
I must freely say, having as great a hatred and detestation prising the Queen—beforen. her 'Majesty was placed in the
of the slave trade as any man in the country, and hting as situation she was now in—all the information which was in
anxious to take measures to , destroy and if poss oughtible is eradi- his possession . to have been laid before Parliament. He
cate it, that it is not by means of commercial hostility, of had sten many
cutting off intercourse with slave growing countries, that the ration was mace.the
in currency, also when the China trade was
object is to be effected.—( Hear, hear.) Then the Noble thrownopen, hut those questions originated
nbotiiiie in Committees cot,-
Lord says it is unjust to India to interfere with their trade in sisting of the first Members of men capable of
the sugar of slave growing states. But my noble friend must judging on any question u o which es.—
hthey inquired. It
recol:ect that if he admits this objection now, it will was by the knowledge I)
impartedn y su sh inquiries
prevent him at any future time from ailepting this measure, be- that men could judge of the consequences of such ctianees.
cause that is an objection that will grow stronger by tine, and But what was done hatinquiry had been had?
become stronger in itself, and therefore give great weight to Why, none Whatever liegethe
. ernment A G
that objection in putting an end to any hope of ever adopting man in the House of Commons obtained a Committee, heentle-
be-
this measure. My Noble Friend then came to that great lieved, on the suggestion of the Ant' C
1- ern-lava Leagues it
question, with which your Lordships must deal, and that is , the was called. When it was moved for, a Noble Friend of
hias in
question of the trade in corn. Notwithstanding all the state- that House complained of its
comprehensive nature, and asked
gents my Noble Friend has made—notwithstanding all the de- whether the Committee were to • ' inquire, into the Corn. laws?
ductions he draws from fluctuations of the prices in a n other arts- The President of the Board- of Trade said he could scarcely
eles—l cannot but feel certain that the adoption of it fixed dutyr- answer the question, as it was would •
• ht limit
conduce to the steadiness of that trade.—( Cheers. )it the Committee might itselfhe, .
not easy to see to what points
however, imagined that
is perfectly self-evident that it must have that effect. I know there would be no inquiry into the Corn-laws, but that the
there must be fluctuations in trade, that it will h Committee -•'d 1 't the • "
c ange and te oa, c 3SSI y information obtained
as to the
fluctuate, and that there will be a great variation inprices; duties levied on commodities imported
into the United. Kir g.- , I
but that a fixed will pro„ .ace a greater steadiness in • - t t'' Committee-
price, and ...no, and tepee., ..e would be very usefeev
a snore regular and equal current of trade, it is impossible for
employed in so doing. That was the answer of the Min' I ' is. er
me to doubt. But the great argument which has always upon the subject.—( Hear, hear.) It was to be borne' • in mind
weighed with me on this subject, is one which I will t that
I It ....,a_t it Was wholly an ea-pasta Cammittee....(Cheers)—on the

He had thought that One di the sign tares was that of his
Noble Friend, the Earl of Ripen ; but after his eeprobation 6f
the principle of a fixed duty that evening, he (Lord Line-
downe) should hardly think that he could have joined in recom-
mending a fixed del in 1822.—( Cheers and laughter.) He
reillembefed h personage in a Greek tragedy, who was in-
trociticed as treeing beefl watehing ten years for the
signal which was to annotrece the end of the siege
of Troy but his Noble Friend had etcelied this person,
for he had Wit Waiting thirteen years, and had net seen the
signal yet.--(Laughtee.) The measure which they pro-
posed was one calculated to lafodutte a fixed supply and a fixed
price, which, after all, was the great desideratum of legisla-
tion, and the perfection of the law. Fluctuation Wets advan-
tageous only to the fraudulent speculator, while it was ruinotte
to the farmer and labourer. That was the conclusion to which
they were endeavou.ing to bring the public mind of this
country. With the evidence before them—with the suc-
cess of former attempts to increase our commerce—with
the utter failure of all the prophecies as to the conse-
quences of the removal of these restrictions—these were the
grounds on which her elejesty's Government had deter-
mined on proposing a fixed duty, involving as
,it would do
the removal of restrictions on the increase of our commerce
with other countries, and also the removal of those restric-
tions in such a manner as should facilitate the renewal of
treaties with them. To get rid of such a system as that of
averages was itself a great blessing. He had seen with satis-
faction what was, if not what was contained in the
amendment, yet what was omitted—he had seen no
point on which Noble Lords were content to pledge them-
selces. The Noble Duke (Wellington) had stated his opinion
of the military expenses incurred, and it was a great eatiefee-
tion to him that in the face of the most powerful opposition lii
the course of four or five years no opportunity had been af-
forded their opponent of proving that the military honour of
the country was tarnished.—(Cheers.) They were now about
to assume the reins of office with a large majority, and
be begged them to remember that of those is
whom much was given much would be required.—( Hear. )
For his own part, he could only express the wish to see the
present state of things brought to a conclusion as soon as pos-
sible ; and he indulged the hope that the Noble Lord opposite,
at no distant time, would be prepared to introduce measures cif
liberality, and for the freedom of trade ; and he was sure he
spoke not for himself alone, but for every Noble Lord near
him, that, if he did so,he would have the support and assistance,
as far as it could be given, of every one of them, for the attain-
ment of their great object, the common benefit of the country
The Earl of COVENTRY said he wished to say tt few
words on this subject. He denied that the agricultural class
was discontented. Oa the contrary, they were all contented,
and wanted no alteration in any thing. He thought the
country was in a safe state, and hoped to God that it would
soon be placed in the hands of the Duke of Wellington.—
( Cheers and laughter.)
The Marquis of NORTHAMPTON could not agree to
vote fora want of confidence, because he thought, in doing
so, they would be voting in the dark. He should vote for the
Address, as proposed by the mover and seconder, although he
could not approve of the whole of the Speech, because he
thought it went too much into detail.
Lord BROUGHAM then rose to address their Lordships.
With the opinions he entertained upon the most important
topics in the Speech, he alluded to the conduct of the Govern-
ment in bringing forward the great subject of the Corn-laws,
the timber duties, and the sugar duties, with those opinions,
and alter having so often defended them by argument, their
Lordships, he was sure, were fully aware that he should give
his vote fur the Address in the frame in which it was intro-
duced by the Noble Viscount. It was unnecessary for him to
trespass upon their Lordships patience by arguing the ques-
tion, as his opinions were well known; but he could not give
his vote for the Address without guarding himself in several
important particulars, especially against the impression tl.at
while he approved of the Address, that he approved in all
respects of the conduct of the Queen's Governmen, even with re-
spect to this question. But first upon the question that had been
much debated that night—the Corn-laws. With respect to
the important speech delivered by his Noble Friend on the
benches opposite. It really appeared to lens that his Noble
Friend at the head of the Go,errtnent gave no answer to
that speech, he seemed to consider notwithstanding the im-
pression it made on their Lordships, that he had a right to
call on the House to disregard it. Now he (Lord Brougham)
differed entirely with his Noble Friend at the head of the
Government, and he hoped and trusted that when they sat
together on the opposite benctet,
_ and if any attack should be
made on the constitution, which he hoped he should not live
to see, he should hear a more workmanelike,. and a more
eiecacious answer to the proposition from his Noble Friend
at the head of the Goverment. In the present instance it
was not from want of abilily, or a bad cause, but his Noble
Friend seemed to think that it was riot worth the trouble,
that there wag dn curd of the corn question, that the business
was all over, although he and his colleagues had been holding
themselves up es martyrs to the proposition, The carelessness
of his Noble Friend at the head of the Government, was
amply supplied by his Noble Friend the President of the Coun-
cil; but there was one thing which he had left unanswered,
with respect tv the Corn-laws, which he ( Lord Brougham)
considered of great importance, and he should therefore so-
licit the attention of their Lordships to it. He alluded to the
manner of dealing with the averages. The whole gist of the
question of the Corn-laws was which of the two scales gave
the best prospect of a fixed and not a fluctuating price, and the
Noble Duke eppoiite, who always saw things in a right
when last they argued the great question together, was con-
vinced that the present system was the best. The way in
which his Noble Friend made out his propesitem was most un-
satisfactory. He (Lord Brougham) objected to the mode in
which is Noble Friend took the averages. Suppose one month
the price of corn was 605., another month 80s., and another
100 s., and so on, all those sums might be added toge-
ther and divided by twelve, and the sum obtained
by that division might, if they chose, be called the average
price for the year ; but it was not really so.—( Hear, hear.)
"The price was one fluctuating between 605., 80s., and 100 s.,
and not the sum found by the division. Let his Noble Friend
cast his eye on the paper containing the list of averages for
the last six years-1835, 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839, and le4o.
He (Lord Brougham) was then adopting his Noble Friend's
own principles, which he knew to be false. His Noble Friend
would find, that during the first three years the average price of
corn was about 438. The average for the last three years was
635. or 645. ; thus the fluctuation, taking the two periods,
was neither more nor less than from 435. to 635. or 64s , or
no less than 50 p r cent. upon the averages themselves, through
the ministration of this perfect sliding scale, which was so cal-
culated to produce steadiness of price. lie unfeignedly re-
joiced when he found that, at length, the Government had re-
solved to grapple with that important question—the repeal of
the Corn-laws. He was not satisfied with the extent
to which they were prepared to go ; but the Government's
taking up that question appeared to him to be a prodigious
gain for it,—a gain which not only opened a prospect, but
seemed to give assurance of larger, wiser, and, in his opi-
nion, safer measures being dealt with. With respect to the
sugar duties, he had already had an opportunity of stating to
their Lordships that he had but one exception to make on that
question—the exception already made by his Noble Friend who
had spoken from the cross benches. He meant not the negotia-
tions with the slave settlements of Cuba and Brazil, but he
meant the slave-trading Powers which governed Brazil. That
,Ministers
seed have counselled the Crown to dissolve Puna-
+tine which they selected for giving
meet at the partictear .
eeet error of judgment. He
that advice, he must say was a v...
thorght that that ror was to be regrettee: with respect to the
to
Sovereign—With faspect to the country I and, it Wee doubly
e
be ftg ted, with
'hat) hie
to the questions Zeeul-
selites.— (Hear.) 'Nat his Fflenthe in Ruing
this advice, were, persuaded that tile tesitlt di_ the general
elPetifMs Would fee eliffeeent from what it heel been ; that
they entertained, he *meld itot sae meet leatieuipe
hopes (f ;r that eou'd not rite * jtestificition, of like
justificate n of th • coarse they hate.adeeted) bet
the .thee entertained the most confident expecigiens of
iavotifable /nether b Ithe returned by the country; that
they advised their Soiereign td dissolve the old Parliament,
and summon a new one, in tle almost ate lett certainty that
teteee *red he a majority returned in fafour of them and
meanree, and net a berg majority-eenot u ely that
thing in which the feet Pailiernene lingered,
rather than lived for the last tree 6i three' tutees
=nett merely a majority of one day one or ti`,, for
thgn, dud are her day as many against them—but a
aelejerity with vilech they would carry on the business of tl:e
cenintry—what wit c dminonly oiled a e (Irking n ajo ity, which
would give c nfideace to the retleisete tit the Crown, and con.
mind the respect 8F the couhtry—thug they hid the most con-
fident
assurance that such a majority must be returned upon a
dissolution marl the elections which were to succeed, he was fieit
fierinitted td entertain the shadow of a doubt.--(Hear.)
Pteuee upSin 18 tither conceivable expectations had they a
right to counsel the Cfoiell to use the highest privileges of
the Prerogative of tee Crowd. Td Mined the Crown to
have recourse to such an extreme step ref tftd fetirpese of
attaining a large majority was an advice which no British
Mittister tier dared to avow.--(Cheers.) He acquitted his
Noble Friend of any such intention, for it would be degrading
the Crown to the position of a party to a mere political fac-
tious maneeutret—(Loud cheers)—therefore it was net possi-
ble that any of his noble Mends could give such advice—
therefore it was that they must have confidently expected to
gain a large, a considerable majority. If it were said that an
appeal had been made to the people upon the policy of these
measures, and that it had failed—that the people had returned
an answer hostile to the policy, he would take leave to deny
the preptnition ; he felt himself bound to deny it by a regard
to the fads of the cage, bait above all, for the best interests of
the people he felt constrained to deny it. If he cared nothing
far the tineetiene themselves, but regarded only the party bring-
ing them tetwaed—lf he Was wholly devoted to party, and
*ante.' to make a pretext of tho,e questions f rat the
purpose of bolstering up that party, then indeed he might well
lay the &sentry had returned a verdict against—not the men—
not
the Geseeenreent—but the measures. The country have
confidence in the men, but protest against the measures.
Surly d manner of looking at the late verdict of the country
weellsi teed to do the greatest injury to the questions—to the
principles themselves, for it would be taken to be that they
were sacrificed in order to prop up a falling power. He
could not admit that that was the construction to be
put oh the verdict which the country had returned.
The verdict wag upon one issue, while the Vial was
upon another. The country bee given their opinion
pod the Men, The people had given their verdict of no con-
-.stew. upon the principles
fidence—(Cheers)—out upon toe • .
involve i jri the etiesticns they had given no
As • td! the questions they had had but scant Justice
neeto,l oat to gienv—,firliti time', then as to shape, and
Leslie, as t the eesu tee theiliselles. Had the Go-
vernment; two and a half yetis, 1,78, 441 i
(10esti4n.,-...the whole of them, were 'first eiepar ten
teeillie,reeeteed they Ott' iipened their eyes to their
real interest: ai 44.1ds theie of tiba,,fhtirifri —hid they then
opened their eyes to the exigencies an 19e Itierlezei tidy
have been brought forwaie, eke!
had allowed the meaner !(.) 4
given these ther support —for all he asked, then, was inquiry,
and he Jetted to preset every allegation he then made on oath
at the bars, they weuld tefie hate etood in a very different
easiliell. PIA Onto: illy it-elect have had a rnajoraty of their
Lordships against them ; but had the Government again
brought it forward, and given it all their weight, they might
again have been defeiteei; hitt eupptisit that the Government
had been ele.ea eel on the it sh Registration Bill, or some
other matter, had they then gone to the country, they would
have found the result exceedingly different to what it now was,
There could be no doubt but that the Government had, in
March, decided upon the measures.—(oh, oh.) That was
prose d by the fact ref the letter to the Noble Lord the Geyer-
nor-General of Canada, which feles only to the timber due
ti s but to the Corn-la ecl n
Corn-laws. There could be-no doubt as to the
feet. but undoubtedly a tery different inpressitsn obtained
in the country, and every anti-Corn-law advo: ate or candidate
was met. a' once with the taunt that the questions were merely
brought f eevard for the pure
o2e of upholding a weak, a beat,
and totterieg Ministry.—(Cheers.)
brought forward for the mere purpose of e
polarity to a damaged Ministry.( Cheerrtnli)Tntatitnehallt hellen
the prevailing opinion at the elections, and if their Lordships
wet ltl ingu.re of any one who had stood at those elections; or
perhaps still better of one of those who had witnessed the con-
tests, for standers-by generally saw more of the game than those
engaged in it, they would find that with a most extraordinary
unanimity, every one of these impartial witnesses would refer to
that as the ground oar which they Would account for the re-
sults of the contest. But that was not the only ground. The
shape in which the measures had been brotigheferWard, had
been ;mother serious nee elireerit to their rerc.:tion. 111'
meanies in themselves were good— principlesthe einciPles on which
they were founded were sound—t hey were calculated to relieve the
trala of the-country, Why had they not been brought forward as

Report of which 'no measure whatever ought to have been
founded, and what he complained of was, that before he began
the Noble Viscount put those words in. the Speech of her Ma-
jetty. Be ore he put that House in a hostile position to her
Majesty he ought to have given Parliament all the information
he possessed, and let them judge of its worth. For those
reasons he felt bound to recommend their Lordships to come to
the vote of no confidence in the leeobleViscohnt. He wished to say
a word or two on the Budget. With respect to the tiiftbei duties
he could nbt help feeling that, before the Noble Lord attempted
to renew his proposition, he ought to have considered the
situation in which the Government of North America was
placed at that moment. He ought to have inquired whether,
even since the proposition had been made, the Government in
America had not sold a large tract of land covered with Lim-
br. Then, with respect to the sugar duties, had the planters
any information that two years after they had voluntarily given
up the apprenticeship system, they were to be deprived of the
protection insured to them by Act of Parliament. He did
not know whether, in the event of the measure being carried,
they would not have a just claim for compensation. Another
class also had a right to be heard upon the question. The le-
gislation for two years had been such as to lead to the belief
that Ministers were desirous of encouraging the production of
sugar, molasses, and rum in the East Indies. With respect to
the orn-laws, he would not then enter into any arguinent, but
he would be quite ready to discuss them whenever the discus-
sion was brought forward by a Government which possesses
the confidence of her Majesty and the country.—(Laughter,
and cries of " Oh, oh.") He earnestly recommended the
amendment of his Noble Friend to their Lordships for
the sake of the people—( Continued laughter)—yes,
for the sake of even the lowest classes, let them not lend
themselves to measures which would lead to the destruction
of cultivation—(Cries of " Oh, oh")—it was most impor-
tant, and so was the encouragemi nt of it. He had passed his
life in foreign countries and in different parts of the world, arid
this was the only country where he had ever seen a poor man,
if he were only sober and industrious, would be certain of earn-
ing a competency.—(oh, oh.) Why, we had instances of it
every day. There was one no later than last week, wherein a
poor man had amassed immense riches, he had never seen any-
thing of that kind in any other country, and he warned their
Lordships never to lose the recollection of the fact. Let them
not injure the cultivation of the country, for he had seen ceun-
tries wherein the habit of cultivation had been lost, and he
had never seen misery equal to that which then prevailed. His
strenuous advice, therefore, to their Lordships was carefully to
avoid those measures which would lead to a similar result.
Viscount MELBOURNE said the Noble Duke had found
great fault with the Speech e tech had that day been delivered
as from her Majesty, and the Noble Duke had also totally min •
taken what had fallen from him, for he (Lord Melbourne) was
totally unaware of ever having said that those who opposed the
measures proposed by her Majesty's Government opposed her
Majesty. Of course the present Speech, like all previous ones,
were to be taken on the reseonsibility of the Minister, and it
!eel been framed according to the precedent set by the Speech
dehvered by George 111. in 1784—( Hear, hear)—and upon
the whole, when the Speech was drawn up, he thought
it was in a milder form than the one then recommended
by Mr. Pitt.—(Hear, hear.) The dissolution was upon
those measures. The Government went to the country with
them, believing them to be more favourable to commerce than
any others which could be proposed. He did not think, there-
fore that the Speech, because it contained allusions to those
measures, was open to the animadversion of the Noble Duke.
One statement had fallen from the Noble Duke which he must
indignantly repudiate. He had learned nothing from the Re-
port of the Committee on Import Duties. Every thing it con-
tamed was known to him befo e. He must, therefore, indig-
nantly deny that any thing it contained had caused the
change in his opinion. The Noble Duke had also
alluded to his (Lord Melbourne':) change of opinion on this
subject. Undoubtedly he had done so, but the fact was that
almost every one feel changed their opinion,. He had not
the slightest doubt that these laws were founded in error,
but although he was not in Parliament, he approved of them
at the time. Mr. Huskisson strongly approved of them,
indeed it was a subject on which there had been a greater pro-
gress of opinion, if he might use the expression, than any
other. He had reason to change his opinion, but the Noble
Duke Lae quoted him incorreetly last year when he made the
allusion to insanity, it was a reference to a total repeal
of all protection duties. He had always opposed the mo-
tions which were brought forward in that House for the total
repeal of the Corn-laws upen temporary grounds. He always
knew that the agitation of the question must come. He
knew that all agitation and violence of speech were evils, but
they were inseparable from cur constitution; they were the
priee which_ we muse necessarily pay for all great changes.
Atter a few words from the Duke of WELLINGTON in ex- ,
planation,
The Duke of RICHMONI), who was loudly called for, said
he felt, after the support he had so long given to his Noble
Friend, he ought net to come to a deliberate vote of want of
confidence, without stating to their Lordships shortly the
grounds on which he had come to that conclusion. He was
sure his Noble Friend would admit that he had tweed, as he al-
wae s would act, in an open and manly way.) He felt that
the question of the Corn-laws was one of paramount importance
to the best interests of the country, and he was astonished to
hear from his Noble Friend (Earl Spencer) who was so dis-
tinguished as a grazier—(A laugh )—that if the law was altered
the poor land would net go out of cultivation, but the better de-
ecriptiott of land, for the perpteoe of being tittered into gratin.
land.=-(Heain) lase, Whitt was the fact—it was that tire
land, liotriparatively not fertile, and which required more ex-
pense in its preparation, would go out of cultivation, and not
the fine Lincolnshire or Northamptonshire grazing lands,
where his Noble Friend reared his beautiful short horns.—
(Hear, hear, and much laughter') The poorer land would go
out of eultittition beeause the farmer could not obtain a remu-
netathig price fur his labour, and when his Noble Friend said
the farmers of that country could compete with the farmers of
the Continent, he entirely forgot the heavy burdens which
pressed upon the English farmer. His Noble Friend (Vis-
count Melbourne) had said that any man who proposed the re-
peal of diced lias Mutt be mad, and yet the Noble Earl to
*holy he applied to move the address to the Crown must be
mad in his view as he was for a total repeal of these laws. He
had a very great opinion of the Noble Earl's judgment in
most matters, but he VraS entirely wrong on the present occa-
sion:—( Hear, hear.) Unless they took off the great weight
of takatieti uttleti. they repealed the Malt-tax and the many
ether Mordent that Omit borne by the land, they could not do
without protection. Unless that were done they would bring
ruin on that great and intelligent chits, the farmers of
England: To that clefs they ail owed a deep
tlebt tat gratititcle for many years they had
devoted hutch of their capital and talent to improving the con-
elitism of the ixid they were about to now turn round
on them ain't say that they would allow the serfs of Poland to
compete with them.—(Hear, hear. 1 If such a measure-was
passed, and if the landlord was an honest man, he would be
obliged to redlite hit Fetita,—(Ministerial cheers.) If a Bill
elf that sfsft ryas brain:slit hale the House, he (the Duke of
ltichniond) would be the Min td move that every tenant do
But
(Hear, hear.) In the meantime what has the farmer to d
thhevete thatgiiittirritegbpoihl l6aft'-m( litle°eildircehecetr;alers.—
after giving up his lease? %%here Wag he to go to? Th
must send him and the niteofttinaW iabettrera W thee work
house. He felt strongly upon the qttestion of the Corn-taw:
and although it was stated there that night,that the Noble
Lehi evhie, it was supposed *Aid eilete rote of cry turn
round Upon the fart tens slid refuse them protection— Chetes
trait the Ministerial benches)—but he on the patt of the landed
interest would say, if they did so they would hakte them out of
office.—( Vehement cheering from both tirl'es br the Reese.)
If they acame forward end oleretttl eh Bs. duty, he would tell
them that the suite then Who had brbtight their' [did ilottret.
Would be the gist to thrust Aide eut.7(Cheerlio flad fib
feeling) however) that they uo any such thing. They
heiew eau hell tilt ileterests of the country to lend themselves
loch measures. He thought the HouSe should, elpieee
some opinion on the subject of, Savings Banksr tb Whitt' ,his
Noble Friend had referred-, ,He, felt the §thatett .tegfet that
fund e of ,tli4te Vallieble institutions should have been
touchedkir the temporary convenience Of the Government.
Yet at the tame time the depositors in theie bankt might teat
. assured that tile. were, perteleilY olatel9 ear, hear.) He
*be* 601,14 ti431:1 injurious to the interests of the industrous
o.assei iu :11 country than to thtew the least suspicion upou
the solvency of these banks. He begged td thauk the Hthise
for the indulgence with which it laird h'eM'd
The, of LAt:SIJOWNE was atiuus to say a few
*Need's ber4e the aeestiiiii was pot to the vete. .. tie certainly
did net think himself qualified., to ether into a, tilseetsitie On d
eeiestion PeVely atta iiis 11/4gble Fa tend near
lltrie Seleeet't) was much better able to conduct: But
'Mot regard to the allusion made by the Ndble Duke, to a re-
mark of his Noble Friend, that any mail Whd. proposed a repeal
of the Corn-laws must be i madmin,4 it the N'AbleDlike Meant
to melee riatelheee St bkiMeqlienee of arty contemplated change
in tiro Co'in:-IaWS, he feared there was scarcely a Noble Lord
*bb had takeh part in the debate, except the Noble Duke him-
eelf, who did hoe eoiittiiiplttt at sbihe tithed of atitither a
ehaiege in the oen-liate: ;eat aEd a laggH. i It
*oela appear then that they all had the proltpect of that Bede
lam before them, with the exception of the Noble Duke, only
that there was some uncertainty as to the particu!ir time.
The Duke of RtChlMkJf4D e*plahled. He had said
nothing ibelit -they beat hilt had merely repeated
itH taetserreitidir bt the Noble Viscouht's.
The Marquis of LANDSIeiO WNE *as glad the Noble
Duke did not ascribe entire aliehati'dg, of te the possi-
bility of ehkeitairillig,thit qiiestliA; With a fie* te all eltithete
*brie lit the law, He was ready to state in answer to the
hint thrown out by the Noble Duke that there could be no
doubt as to the security of one of the most valueble institutions
with which the couneke hid ever 1110341 ble§sta, and lie
consideied It the Viile of hit life to have been connected with.
The leeurity
,of these Seeing' Banks was perfect, and to it
the kith 'Of , Patliaithene aitel the ieeetitib de the eoittitq was
predgeeleee Heait ) The Goierninent had done tiothillg
leeciensistent with the security of these establishments.
However the minds of Noble Lode Might Babe been ginned,
these prieeeeditige bidet-Uteri tin alarm whatever in, this minds
ore very.Ofpiitip °Win bL ih9 eerninnuity, the saving portioil
ef !the 'Wtuclie classes.—(Hear, hear.) Now, with reference
to the speech of the Noble Duke. Although there were some
parts of it on which he should feeehie eeeffeblireeed to eohiment,
there were other portiene
leasure„ rn'ett 'esOpiMly kb kilt', ne had paid his Noble
ko.Whiel\ I\ild Osfeilett
'rte vt:VA'Alit Metberirrie) for the seri/ices hit had ten-
' tb the SoVieeigreof his
,Z!eunriy. Kirek,
little 'for het, aetteeeeteet 'k%ele ‘i(eie p—oieticeany, and by ties of
per dual itetireky Atte isoble Friend, to add his testimony
to at e' the esoble Duke ; and, whatever i.P4srit Pe the Yetult
tk,arliat
t tat night's deliberation, the I•ROgnitiGn of ,these sekvibcp
would go forth from that House stateped 'eSth the high Nat'sti
and character of the Nooo Dhlscee--aCheere.) But the Noble
Duke had accempanMe ktis 'tribete hy a ternoWient e•ehieh
involved a •denstre 'net dial y upon his '4e4ec/ale Friend;
but Mee upcitt tietk 'nu h
e oeeri a
''to the iangeige lehich had been put into her Majesty's
meth at the close of the last session and the opening of the
present one. Now, he must say that wart every Secede that had
been put into her Majesty's neonth iftt i'aflthineht of tliewhere
it had bt en the object of her eleteesty'e Minister's studiensly to
abstain from committing her Majesty to anything, in poem of
opinion. beyond that in, which every Noble teed eeeiehreed
that had spoken upon these questione, vit.s ebter importance,
and the necessity of inquiring into them —( Hear, hear.) In
the speech to which the Noble Duke alluded at the conclusion
of the last session, on referring to it he almost thought
there were words in it which had escaped his recollection ; but
he found nothing iii it relating to those important subjects but
these two opinions, which he would call on their Lordships
to say whether any of them were prepared to contradict. That
the trade and industry of the country were ofparamount im-
portance no one could doubt and further, that her Ma-
jesty felt the greatest anxiety to provide for the exigencies of
the public service in a manner which might be least burthen-
a ime to the community et large. Now that did not ineotve
an opinion as to the moth• in which these exigencies ,bould he
provieed tor. All it stated was, that Parliament was bound to
give the question its most anxious deliberation. The Noble
tiuke expressed some dissatisfaction that these measures on
which he expressed no definitive opinion, had not been
preceded by some inquiry which would enable the
House to form a correct opinion on the facts before they
invited Parliament to come to any decision. Why, they had
been recommended to their Lordships, not once or twice, in
Vie course of the last 15 or 20, or 25 years, but the had been
the subject of consideration by Committee after Committee.
Sometimes they had bad the agriculturists complaining of
the Corn-laws, at other times they had the manufacturers, and
altogether there had been not les; than five separate reports
before Parliament, to none of which the Noble Deke
had reverted. One of tiise reports was signed by Sir Ro-
bert Peel, Viscount Melbourne, Mr. Huskisson, and Mr.
Robinson.--(Loud cries of " Oh, oh," and a laugh.)