The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-25

| either being summoned without delay.
"Sr Robert Peel foresaw that this suspension
fully justified by the tenor OF the report TO wheel
he has referred, would compel, during the interya
Of suspension, the reconsideration Of the corn laws
"lf the opinions Of his colleagues had then beer
in concurrence with his own, he was fully prepared
TO take the responsibility Of suspension; and Of the
necessary consequences OF suspension--a compTe
hsnsive review Of the laws imposing restrictions or
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 10 be enacted should contain within themselves
the principle Of gradual and ultimate removal.
"Sir Robert Peel is prepared to support, in pri
yate capacity measures which may be in genera
conformity with those which he advised minis
ter.
alt would be unbecomhg in Sir Robert Peel "a
make any reference TO the details OF such
"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 oil
government,
'Ths principle on which Sir Robert Peel was
prepared to recommend the reconsideration Of the
laws affecting the import OF the main articles OF
food in general accordance with that referred 10
in the concluding paragraph Of Lord John Russel'a
letter To the electors Of the city OF London.
"Sir Robert Peel wished to accompany the re-
moval Of restriction on the admission Of such arti.
ces with relief to the land from such charges az
unduly onerous, and with such other provisions as,
in the terms Of Lord John Russers letter, caution
and even scrupulous forbearanee may suggest
"Sir Robert Peel will support measures founded
on that general principle, and will exercise any IN
auence he may possess TO promote their success"
Anticipating that a difficulty might be felt by
Lord John Russe on being called upon to under
take Office when an increased expenditure would be
required thus exposing his financial position 10
uniavorable contrast with that Of his predecessor
Sir Robert added the following assurance:
"Sr Robert Peel feels It to be his duty to add,
that, should your Mnesy's future advisers, after
consideration Of the heavy demands made upon tho
army of the country for colonial service, Of our
lations with the United States, and Of the bearing
which steam navigation may have upon maritime
warfare and the defence OF the country deem it ad.
visabe to propose an addition 10 the army and in
creased naval and military estimates, Sir Robert
Peel will support the proposal; will do all that he
can to prevent It from being considered indicative
of hostile or altered feelings towards France; and
will assume for the increase in question any degree
Of responsibility, present or prospective, which can
fairly attach TO him"
"Now," continued Sir Robert "whsn it il charged
on me that am robbing Others Of tho credit which
is Justly due TO them, hope that the explanation
which have now given, of the course | pursued
when | was acting under the hrmest persuasion that
the adjustment Of this question would be committed
to others, may tend TO prove that was not desir-
Of robbing Others Of the credit Of settling this
question, or Of trying to embarrsss their course"
Much cheering Other communications had passed
during the ministerial negotiations; and il was pro-
TO the mode intended by Lord John Russell TO ar.
range the question; but Sir Robert thought il better
that he should not be made acquainted with such
particulars. 81 thought that my knowledge OF
them, or any appearance of concert between the
noble lord and myself, would have the tendency
rather to prejudice than promote the adjustment OF
this question. | therefore declined to receive the
communication Of those details; but think that the
noble lord must have been satisfied, that though
declined TO concert the measures with him. vet il was
my intention 10 give to the noble lord in the adjust
ment of this question, according to his views Of pub
lie policy, that same cordial support which it is
his boast, he now intends to give me. believe that
must have been the impression of the noble lord
[ 'Hear, hear!' from Lord Joha Russell l-becanse
after communications with me, the noble lord UNDER
took the formation Of government; and | am sure
that the noble lord will admit that no act of mine
caused the failure Of the noble lords attempt, and
that | was in no way concerned in the reasons
which induced the noble lord hna ly to abandon that
attempt. So much, therefore, for the course which
have pursued with respect TO those who had been
hitherto opposed to me. | never made any inquiry
to who should constitute the new government;
had no personal objections Of any kind My belief
was that this question ought to be adjusted | WINS
prepared to facilitate its adjustment by my vote, and
by the exercise Of whatever influence | could COM
mand." AS to the party who had so long given
him their support, it was natural that they should
withdraw their confidence, acting as he had done at
variance with the established principles on which
party is usually conducted But he would ask
them, was i, probable he would have sacrificed their
favorable opinion and support unless influenced by
the highest considerations Of public dnty' He ought
to know the motives Of his party; and he believed
there never existed party influenced by more hon
orabe and disiaterested feelings. This testimony
was due to them. But for himself he must saw, let
the consequences be what they may, they could not
rob him of the conviction that the advice which he
had given was consistent with all the due obliga-
tons which party could impose ~ know what
would have conciliated temporary confidence 1t
would have been to underrae the danger in Ireland
TO invite united combination for the maintenance of
the existing law-to talk about hosting the flag of
protection for native industry-[cheers and laugh
ter Ito insist that agricultural protection should be
maintained in all its integrity. BY such a course
should have been sure to concate temporary con-
fdence; but the month of May would not arrive
without demonstrating that ] had thereby abandoned
my duty TO my country, to my sovereign, and even
to party. Loud cheers had, and have, the firm
persuasion that in the present temper of the public
mind the state public feeling and ofpublic opinion
with respect to the corn-laws, independently of all
adventurous circumstances, makes the defence Of
those corn-laws difficult enough Yet have the
foresee in Ireland should arrive, and If the bat
tie had to be fought for maintaining untouched
the present cornlaw, and for permitting state of
law to exist whereby duty of It's. attaches to the
impor, Of foreign wheat such degree Of odium
would have attached to the landed interest, il that
battle had been fought, as would have done them
the greatest injury" What were the facts which
under the cognirance OF the Secretary ofState
for the Home Dedartmen4 Why, that in one part
Of the empire four millions Of the queens subjects
were dependent on certain article of food for sub
sisence, and that disease had seized that article
The government snw, at the distance OF three or
four months, the ghunt forms Of famine and disease
following in the train of famine. III will refer to
some documents, if tn. subject is not dstatefu as
il seemed TO he when | Last mentioned it; for you
appeared TO dis ike reference to letters, and turn
ed away from communications. But it is absolute
y necessary, before you come to final decision on
this gu stirn, that you should understand this
Irish case. EChcers You must do so tRenew-
ed cheers.l cannot conciiate your confidence by
any expression Of regret for the course have Ia.
ken So far from it, declare in the face Of this
House, that that day in my public life which look
back on with the greatest satisfaction and pride il
that lst Of November last, when was ready to
lake the responsibility Of issuing order in coun-