The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-17 00:00:00

titite by Which the commercial policy of a great empire shall for the
futuee t.o etYteltieted.—(l-lear, hear, and cheers.) On the first point,
the manner in which a party should be conducted, by far the
greatest part of the time teas been spent. I don't value its import-
ance; but great as it is, surety it is subordinate in the eyes of a
people Its those other two questions to Which I have already al tided
—precaution epithet a great and impending danger, and the-prin-
ciples by which their etimmercial policy should in future be carried
ouf. On the party question I admit I have little defence to make.—
(Hear, hear.) I must admit at once that it is unfortunate that the
conduct of those itiestsures—that is so far as the corn-law is CO*,
cerned—should have been committed to other hands—to such as had
been Its consistent advocates. It would have been far preferable
that they should have the credit—if any credit there be—that they
should hate the final adjustment of the question. When
consulted I said so, and I was prevented from committing it to other
hands from the conviction that a part of this empire was threatened
with a great calamity, Ido firmly believe that there is impending
over us, mitt flint it will come at no remote period, a calamity which
' all will bitterly deplere—(Hear, hear)—and I do think that while
there was a danger, arid While I had hopes of averting it, that it
would nit be consistent with my duty to my Sovereign, nor my pub-
lic honour as a titan, to evade the difficulty I saw impending.—(Loud
cheers from bath sides of the Ilouse.) While I retained a hope of
averting the coming evil, I thought there Was A prospect of bringing
this question to a successful issue, and I therefore took the earliest
opportunity that I could, consistent With a sense of duty, of tender-
ing my resignatieu to the Queen, and leaving her Majesty the full
opportunity of calling to her counsels other advisers. I offered no
opinion as to that chot o. It is the only act which is the
persocal act of the Sovereign.—(Hear, hear.) It was for
the Sovereign to determine on whets confidence Ought
to be placed. It became my duty, in conseqticnee of the commands
of her Majesty, to ascertain whether those of my colleagues who
differed from me were either prepared themselves to form a Go-
vernment, or whether they were prepared to advise her Majesty on
the formation of a Ministry.--(Hear, hear.) Those from whom I
differed, and who did not concur with me in the full extent of danger
which menaced, or the course of policy I proposed, considered that
it would not be for the public interest that they should form it
Government, nor were they prepared to advise her Majesty to call
other hands to her counsels. Her Majesty therefore determined to call
on the Noble Lord opposite to undertake the duty of forming
an Administration. (Hear, hear.) I was relieved from the
responsibilities of 'office. The Noble Lord was sent for, and I firmly
believe that lie would have been equal to the emergency, and that
he would have succeeded had he undertaken it. In a long course .
of opposition, I cannot charge myself with having ever said a word
disrespectful of the Noble Lord, nor do I recollect any-thing ever
passing between its likely to lead to a remembrance. And when be
WWI sent for it was my tirni conviction that he would have undertaken
the duties of a Government. Under the Impression that I was in the
mere capacity of a private member, and aware of the necessity of
a final adjustment of this measure, as well as the difficulties which
would surround any man who would undertake the Government, I
thought it dishonourable not to take those steps which JI
saw would diminish those embarrassments. I have not one
word of complaint to make in reference to the state-
ment made by the Noble Lord. He read one letter, of which he had
a copy, and he referred to one of which he did not receive a copy.
His general statements were perfectly correct, but this letter,
which has not been made public, is of primary importance, and I
feel it my duty to refer to it, in order to show that I deprecated
the settlement of this question by my hands.—(Hear, hear.) I
think it right to state to the House the course which I pursued. I
relinquished office on the Gth of December, 1845. I knew then that
those of my colieagu s who differed from me had declined to form a
Govermnent. I was aware that it was not done by my advice, and ois
the Bth of December I considered myself to be In a private capacity,
and having given my opinion in the:Cabinet that the question must
be adjusted, I wrote the communication to licr Majesty,
which has been mare known to the Noble Lord.
On the Bth of December I felt it my duty to make a counnanication
to her Majesty on the subject of the corn-•aws—that great question
which has been long agitating the public mind:—

" Whitehall, Des. ff..
" Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and,
influenced by no other motive than the desire to contribute if possi-
ble to the relief of your Majesty from embarrassment, and to the"
protection of the public intae,ts from injury, is induced to make
to your Majesty this confidential communication explanatory of Sir
Robert Peel's position and intentions with regard to the great ques-
tion which is how agitating Ow public mind.
" Your Majesty can, if you think fit, make this comnunication
known to the M nister who, as successor to Sir Robert Peel, may be
honoured by your Majesty's confidence.
" On the Ist of November last Sir Robert Peel advised his col-
leagues, on account of the alarming accounts from Ireland, and many
districts in this country, as to the failure of the potato crop from dis-
ease, and for the purrose of guarding against contingencies, which in
his opinion were not improbable, humbly to recommend to your Ma-
jesty that the duties on the import of foreign grain should be sus-
pended for a limited period, either by order in Council or by legisla-
tive enactment; Parliament in either case being summoned without
delay.
"Sir Robert Peel foresaw that this suspension, dally justified by the
tenor of the report to which he has referred, would compel, during
the interval of suspension, the reconsideration of the corn-laws.
"If the opinion of his colleagues had then been in concurrence
with his own, he was fully prepared to take the responsibility of bus-
pension, and of the necessary consequence of suspension, a compre-
hensive review of the laws imposing restrictions on the import of
foreign grain and other articles of food, with a view to their gradual
diminution and ultimate removal.

" He was disposed to recommend that any new laws to be enacted
should contain within themselves the principle of gradual and ulti-
mate removal.

" Sir Robert Peel is prepared to support, in a private capacity,
measures which may be in general conformity with those which he
advised as a Minister.
" It would be unbecoming in Sir Robert Peel to make any refe-
rence to the details of such measures.
" Your Majesty has been good enough to inform Sir Robert Peel
that it is your intention to propose to Lord John Russell to undertake
the formation of a Government.
" The principle on which Sir Robert Peel was prepared to recom-
mend the re-consideration of the laws affecting the import of the
main articles of food, was in general accordance with that referred
to in the concluding paragraph of Lord John Russell's letter to the
electors of the city of London.
" Sir Robert Peel wished to accompany the removal of restriction
on the admission of such articles with relief to the land from such
charges as are unduly onerous, and with such other provisions as, in
the terms of Lord John Russell's letter, ' caution and even scrupa-
ions forbearanre may suggest.'
" Sir Robert Peel will support measures founded on that general
principle, and will exercise any influence he may possess to promote
their success."
On the Ist November last I advised my colleagues, in order to guard
against approaching contingencies, that I thought it necessary that a
suspewion of the corn-laws should take place. I was then of opinion
that a new law respecting those corn-laws should contain the principles
of gradual repeal.. In a confidential letter to her Majesty, I stated
that I was prepared to propose a measure of the kind. I was, at the
same time, anxious to remove some of the restrictions .whisk
at present are imposed on land. I could not but foresee,
in adopting such a course, the difficulties that I had to
contend with in accepting office. Up to the present time we have
had a prosperous revenue. There have been for the last two or three
years a large increase, and I thought there would be less reluctance
on the part of any one who might be my successor to accept Office
when no increased expenditure had taken flace.—(Cheers.) In that
letter I informed her Majesty that I would support any measure, no
matter by whom introduced, which would have for its object a gradual
repeal of the corn-laws.—(Loud sheers from the Opposition.) These
are. matters Of such importance, that I shall read them without hest-
tation.—(ilear, hear.) " Sir Robert Peel feels it to be his ditty to
add that, should your Majesty's future advisers, after consideration of
the heavy demands made upon the army of the country for eoldnial
service, of our relations with the United States, and of the bearing
which steam navigation may have upon maritime warfare and the
defence of the country, deem it advisable to propose an addition to
the army and increased naval and military estimates, Sir Robert Peel
will support the proposal—will do all that he can to prevent it from
being considered as indicative of hostile or altered feelings towards
France, and will assume, for the increase in question, any degree of
responsibility, present or retrospective, which can fairly attach to him."
Now,sir,when it is charged upon me that I am robbing others of the credit
of this measure—when it is states that I am taking Sal undue advan-
tage and reaping a reward which belongs to others, I hope it will be
seen that I am not robbing others of the position which they hold,
for it will be seen I was as ready to give my support to the Noble Lord
(Russell) as it is boasted he and his party are now ready to give it to
me. There was another communication, in which it was proposed to
arrange this question. I thought it would look better if no appear-
ance of an understanding existed between me and the Noble Lord
opposite (Russell), and I was under the impression that he would
undertake its settlement, and if he did I am sure lie would not have
failed.—(Loud cheers from the Opposition.) I think the Noble Lord
must be satisfied that it was my intention to give to the Noble Lord.
according to his own views, the same cordial support which it is his
boast he now intends to give to me. I believe, after the communica-
tion which the Noble Lord (Russell) had with her Majesty, he un-
dertook the formation of a Government, and I am sure the Noble
Lord will admit no act of mine occasioned his failure on that occa-
sion.—(Cheers.) So much for the course I have pursued. I never
made any inquiry who would constitute the new Ministry ;
It was not my duty to do so. My belief was, on that
occasion, that there was no difficulty in forming a Ministry,
and I was determined to facilitate ,this question by my vote,
and every influence which I could use in this liouse.—(Loud
cheers.) Now, sir, with respect to the course I have pursued towards
those who so long have been my supporters. .I admit to them, that
it is very natural they thoild- feel considerably surprised. I admit
the course I am pursuing Is at variance with the established
principles of that party, Ido ask them, would I make a
sacrifice of their support, unless I was influenced by consideration
of a high and important nature ? My duty to my Sovereign, and
my duty to the country, required me to propose a measure
of this kind.—(Loud cheers from the Opposition.) Notwithstanding
the support which may be withdrawn from me, I will do that
party (the protectionists) the justice of saying, that 1 know no
persons more inclined to give a fair and generous support to
measures which they deem important to the weithre of

the country. This I will say, after having forfeited some of their
confidence, but I do not believe that they will deny that I am actuated
by honourable motives. But this I must say, that be the conse•
quences what they may, they cannot rob me of the deep-felt convic-
tion, that the advice I have given is an advice consistent with th
true ol,jects which I have always had in view.—(Cheers.) I know
what the conserinenees would be, if I took the advice of other parties ;
I know their counselling would be dangerous to the country.—
(Cheers.) In Ireland it was necessary to combine for the mainte-
nance of the existing laws. It would be necessary to do so everywhere
else if agricultural protection should be maintained in all its integrity.
But to adopt such a course which would render such proceedings
necessary would be to abandon the duty which I owe to ray Sove-
reign and to my country. I may say in the p. esent temper of the
public mind, In the state of public feeling and popular opinion
with respect to the corn-laws, independent of all other circum-
stances--Mdependent of the great and pressing calamities which I
foresee in Ireland—l could arrive at no other determination than
not to vote for the maintenance of the corn-laves. It' I was to con-
tinue the ditty of 175., it would teach the
ng surrounding landed interest what it
may have cost them.— (Cheers.) Tile Right Hon. Secretary of State
for the Home Department was responsible for presery
1 by a continuation of the present corn-laws.—(Cheers.)
millions from famine, and that responsibility would be dangerously
INvnocNreasit,`'iad a fact, that in parts of thin empire four millions of her Ma.
"
ri,s-t,, subjects are dependent for their subsistence on a certain article
0-eWod. It is difficult to say the extent of the danger—the progress
of the disease, and the amount of deficiency that will have to be sup-
plied; and surely you will make some allowance for those who are
charged with the responsibility of this great calamlt
(Hear, hear.) The famine and disease have Y.--
every pros-
pect of an increase at the distance of three or four months, and is not
the course we have adopted one of duty to the country and to our
party ? Why, therefore, should we be charged with neglect ? I believe
that my anticipations ate likely to be realised—and it is right that
you should knew it. ion have, of late, seemed to dislike any re-
ference to letters, and have filmed away from every commnnication;
but it is necessary that you should understand the present state of
Ireland.—(near, hear.) I cannot attempt to conciliate your abaft-
dence by all expression of regret for the course that I have taken—
so far from it, I declare, in the face of this House, that the day of
my political life to which I look back with the greatest satisfae ti(4
is the Ist of November, when I was ready to take upon 'myself the)
responsibility of issuing an order in Council for the opening of the
ports g he
ports for the admission of grain.—(Loud Cheers.) Thee packet
was
about to sail ; and my primary object was to increase the supply of
food in this country, and to take precaution against famine. Other
advantages, of a collateral nature, would have dewed from it
(Cries of " Hear, hear ") and, under the circumstances, it would
have been the best stop that could have been adopted. Supposing
that our anticipations had been incorrect—supposing we had formed
a false estimate—l believe that the generosity of the English people
would have borne us the from harm—and if our anticipations had
been borne out by the result, was not the measure the oialy one that
eould he adopted ?—(Loud cheering.) During the latter part of De-
cember last, and in the beginning of,Tanuary, there was a temporary
suspension of alarm. I never shared in the prevalent opinion that
there would, after all, be abundance of food—that the disease was
exaggerated—and I never put my trust in the existing supplies ; for
after the opinions I had received from the most eminent men of
science, I feared that the time would come when my apprehensions
would be realised—that they would be justified by the event. Now,
what is the fact? I read this not so much for the vindication of Go-
vernment as for the guidance of this house. It is not right that you
should live in ignorance of the real facts of this case. The proposal
here conveyed is not an absolute suspension, but it is
virtually a suspension of the corn-laws. A reduction
is proposed upon maize, rice, meal, corn, barley,
and oats—wheat only is excepted—and is not that virtually a re-
moval of the duty on corn. Before you decide on rejecting this
measure, c'nsider well the reports which even the last
day has
brought down to you. You have seemed to discredit the reports
given by official authorities. Nay, some of you have seemed to
believe that public men have been acting in concert to deceive ;;erseu.
I will not read any official reports to you, but simply the letters
which the last two mails have brought from Ireland. You lfur
pro-
bably remember the name of Sir David Roche, the Member:,cut
of
Limerick. He was one orthose who thought that
isthemii,arocepessary.
famine was exaggerated, and that pree,auttioilita
—" Nu
person w
This day's mail brought ale this letter
dtl•orthi
tile hope that that
more disposed than I was to look forztarw.d
before Christmas sass
part of the potato crop which
A that hope with
.great eon •
Lieutenant of Ireland ex!
safe from the infection,
'ressthat every day convinces me of
fldenee, but I grieve answerlc to a letter from the Lord-
t7ipsliii.,7ltl3.h., an incipient shige, and
some' torn out to have
tool' the pigs. The Catholic clergy in my neigh..
are obliged to he given
of this, and similar expressions are used by
sown with potatoes, thearyi
n the Y
diseaseerlor' paaoutra toes
bourhoad inform me
in a sound state. If the case is so bad
people who have not the
next, out of 10J,0
many other corrresoopotiT.ensts,;f
llaaddo,niontatilatiliyik that by the 12th of M
ewoiitihvennieence of substantial buildings and other adjuncts to a large
hiatth intistsi IttlubcCC With the poor
will belo:tei,w.
farming-establishment at their command. In short, when I ride.
through the country, the rotten potatoes are to be seen throw.te by the
road-side; and near them a small portion of more sound ones, which
there is every reason to fear will share in the general, decay. I pray
you to look to it at once." Well, I did loot: to it,—(lmmense cheering
from all parts of the House.) • That is the account from the county
of Litherick. You alai' now hear the account from .the Queen's
County. It is Written by an • inspector of .naliati and
Mr. Emerson, the 'clergyman •of a pariah . there :—" We
have examined at first the houSes of two, families resident
on the ptoperty of Mr. Cavanagh, and we afterwards eatendod taur