The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-13 00:00:00

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The graeamen of Noble Lord's present imputation on him
was this, that he declined to aet with Mr. Canning in 1827
that he declined to act—to continue to act as Secretary of
State ; and Mr. Canning having beeu arpointed Prime Minis-
ter, that, in 1827, when about to propose the removal of
Catholic disabilities, he then admitted that in 1825 his
opinions were changed. Now he was going to prove to
the House that that charge was utterly unfounded—that
he made no declaration in 1825, which he did not make in
1827, in the presence of Mr. Canning, and that declaration
was not that his opinion was changed in 1827; and he did ask
the Noble Lord on what principles of fairness or justice he
now came down for the first time to the House, to make this
charge against him without having ascertained the truth ?
That which he said in 1829, upm this subject, corresponded
with that which he said in 1627, which he said in the presence
of Mr. Canning himself, and o: which Mr. Canning was cogni-
sant.—( Hear, hear.) The Right Honourable Baronet
having quoted his speech at the period in question
proceeded to say, that Mr. Canning, in 1827, assented to his
(Sir R. Peel's) conduct, and, he continued, that he had by no
means hunted and chased 'Mr. Canning to death. In January,
1828 the Duke of Wellington was called into power, and after the
explanations of 1827, on the death of. Mr. Canning, a proposal
was made by which he ( Sir R. Peel) continued in Government;
and if the Galant and Chivalrous Marquis of Anglesey, Mr.
Loni Melbourne, and others hal considered that he
had hunted and chased the Noble Lord's relative to death, he
did not think that they would have aced as they did
at that period. No such charge was preferred against
i him even by the nearest relative of that illustrious statesman.
I But with that he had no concern. He referred only to the con-
duct of those Noblemen and Gentlemen as a proof that they
Oid not_ participate in the feelings expressed the other night
by the Noblo Lord. But this h! would say, that the? charge
of the Noble Lord with respect to his change of opinion was
utterly and entirel!, destitute of foundation.—( Cheers.) He
foresaw when he undertook to propose these measures the oppo-
sition they would receive in t hat House—he foresaw the bitter
hostility to which he should be subjected in the execution of his
public duty. He had explained the motives which led him to
think that the public interest required an adjustment of the
Catholic question—he foresaw the consequences of the acts to
which they would inevitably lead—be foresaw that that ques-
tion would probably lead to the breaking up of private friend-
ship. He !night have been in error as to the course which he
Pursued on that occasion, but he utterly denied having been
actuated by impure or unworthy motives.—(Loud cheers.)
That he wished to interfere with the settlement of this question
by the Noble Lord who was absent to-night, that he wished to
fortify himself by power, that he was influenced by any desire to
court popularity—to gain distinction or advantage at any time,
he declared that the imputation of motives so base would be as
foul a calumny as vindictive spirit ever uttered.
Upon the motion of Mr. O'cONNELL the debate was
adjourned.
Sir G. CLERK then postponed the consideration of the
resolutions on the gauge question from Monday until Tuesday
next.
Lord LINCOLN brought in the three Bills which he brought
forward yesterday evening, which were read a first time.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at a quarter to one o'clock.