The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-22 00:00:00

MARYLEBONE VESTRY.

VOTE OF THANKS TO SIR ROBERT PEEL FOR
HIS MEASURE FOR A REPEAL OF THE

CORN-LAWS.

On Saturday one of the most numerous meetings of
the Marylebone Vestry held for a considerable period
(specially convened) took place at the Court House for
the purpose of considering the following important reso-
lution, of which notice had been given on the previous
Saturday by Mr. Joseph:—
" That this board, the representatives of nearly 15,000
rated inhabitants, hereby tenders its grateful thanks to
the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., First Lord ot
the Treasury, for the untiring zeal, ability, and industry
which he has displayed in carrying the Bill for the repeal
of the corn-laws through the Commons House of Parlia-
ment. That this board deeply laments the bitter and
factious hostility which the Right Hon. Baronet has
been met with from interested parties during the pro-
gress of the measure. The board, however, begs to
express its earnest hope that the Right Hon. Baronet,
regardless of opposition, no matter from whatever source
it may come, will continue his invaluable aid as First
Minister of the Crown to the measures for the relief of
trade now before Parliament, measures the most benefi-
cial to the nation at large that Ministers ever originated
or legislature ever passed."
The Rev. Dr. Spry presided, and Earl Manvers, Mr.
Hume, M.P., Lord Montfort, Mr. W. Williams' M.P.,
Sir James Hamilton, Sir Walter Stirling, Bart., Mr. P.
Laurie, &c. &c., were present.
Mr. JOSEPH, moving his resolution, observed that he
considered it was the duty of that vestry, as a liberal
public body, to look at measures, not men ; and when
they found a man like Sir Robert Peel stepping out of
the path he had previously followed solely for the benefit
of the country, the nation at large were bound to sup-
port him.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. POTTER seconded the resolution. Sir Robert
Peel had been abused by the Protection party in the
House of Commons by language which was a disgrace
to the lowest pot-house in St. Giles's ; but he had deter-
mined to support the rights of the people, who were,
therefore, bound to support him.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. H. C. Winsozr said it was with much regret he
felt bound to oppose this resolution, on the ground that
it made the matter a personal and private question.—
(Hear, hear.) He had not so high an opinion of the
character of Sir Robert Peel as to justify the eulogiums
which had been passed upon him, for he could not shut
his eyes to the fact that he had been returned by the
Protection party for purposes entirely opposite to those
he had carried out, and he might in the same manner
deceive those who now placed their confidence in him.
He also objected to the resolution on the ground that it
was without precedent to call upon the vestry to pass a
vote of thanks to any individual member of a Govern-
ment. Mr. Wilson concluded by moving as an amend-
ment to the effect :

" That the vestry having adopted an address to her
Majesty, praying that she would be pleased to adopt
necessary measures for repealing the corn and pro-
vision laws, desired to express its great satisfaction with
the Bill for that object which bad passed the House of
Commons, and now before the House of Lords, believ-
ing that the passing of such measure would be produc-
tive of the most important and beneficial effects on the
interests of the nation at large."
Mr. HARBERT seconded the amendment.

Earl MANYERS said he was desirous of offering a few
observations on this subject, being one of those who had
been described in the resolution as an interested party
in the opposition he had offered to the measure of Sir
Robert Peel.—(Hear, hear.) He had opposed it in
every stage, and still was determined to do so ; but
whilst he did so, he begged to say that he did not class
himself amongst those who had indulged in violent and
vituperative language in the House of Commons against
Sir Robert Peel.—(Cheers.) He was opposed both to
the resolution and the amendment, and would venture to
submit that they should leave Sir R. Peel to steer his
own ship without the assistance of a set of break pilots
like the Marylebone vestry.—(Laughter.)
Mr. HUaIE, M.P., supported the original resolution.
He had been in Parliament for thirty-five years, and
until lately had always been adverse to the policy of Sir
Robert Peel. He had always been the advocate of
measures, not men, and he would say in the case of Sir
R. Peel with regard to the corn-laws, there was no
minister who had ever stood in the high and proud
position in the eyes of the country that Sir Robert Peel
did at this moment. Notwithstanding the vituperation
which was heaped upon the Right Hon. Baronet, and
the motives which were imputed to him by the Pro-
tection party, he (Mr. Hume) believed that the Right
Hon. Baronet, in carrying out the measures he had
done, had acted on an honest conviction that they were
measures for the benefit of the country. When he
(Mr. Hume) found a man sacrificing the power he pos-
sessed in both Houses of Parliament, as well as all the
social ties of a party he 'had acted with throughout a
long political career, for the benefit of the country, he
considered he was peculiarly entitled to the thanks of
the nation at large.
Mr. W. WILLIAms, M.P., also supported the original
resolution. He considered there was never in the an-
nals of this country such an instance of a Prime Mini-
ster sacrificing his own interests for the benefit of his
country as in the case of Sir Robert Peel. He hoped,
therefore, the amendment would be withdrawn.

After some private conversation, Mr. Wilson, by per-
mission of the vestry, withdrew his amendment.
Sir W. STIRLING opposed the motion altogether, as
fraught with the greatest mischief at the present crisis of
the country.
Mr. LAURIE condemned the whole of the proceedings,
on the ground that the vestry was a parochial and not a
political body.
Sir J. HAMILTON took a similar view of the matter,
and moved as an amendment that the vestry do adjourn,
which was seconded by Sir W. STIRLING.
And a division having been demanded by Mr. W.
EYRE, there appeared—For the motion, 10 ; against it,
47 • majority against the adjOurnment, 37.
*hilst the division was being taken, Sir W. Stirling,
and one or two other Conservatives, attempted to leave
the room, but, being observed, a motion was at once
carried to station the beadles at the door, to prevent any
member coming in or going out.
The debate was resumed by Mr. Gomm, who moved
the omission of the paragraph in the resolution relating
to the bitter vituperation of the protectionist party
against Sir Robert Peel, which being accepted by the
mover and seconder, the resolution as amended, was put
from the chair, and was carried but with two dissentients
(Earl Manvers and Mr. Alfred Daniel), amidst loud
cheers.