Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-02-26

= dress IN answer to the royal speech. Sir RoBERT
PEEL then rose for the purpose of explaining the
grounds which had led him, and those with whom
ne had acted, first to tender their resignation to her
Majesty, and then to rc.nppear in the house min
listers of the crown. The immediate cause of this
resignation was, he said, that great and mysterious
calamity which had beiallen Europc-thc future Of
, The potato crop He did not attach exclusive inn
portanco TO that particular cause. 1t had gained,
however, additional weight by its forcing an immc
dlato decision upon the laws which governed the
importation of grain His own opinions on the
SUBJECT of protection had undergone great change
, that change had been forced upon him by the
experience of the last three years. lie did not
now think that protection of native industry was in
Iserght and advantageous nor did he believe that
u was impossible for England to compete with for
cigners, because the country labored under heavy
dcbt and severe taxation. He proved from statsti-
cal returns that the result upon trade Of removing
protective duties had been great increase in the
foreign exports of the country, and that the result
upon the revenue, though a reduction had been
made IN the customs and excise duties TO the n
mount Of five millions and upwards had been
+ equally satisfactory. Eo conendcd that he was
Justlhed IN proceeding with the farther removal of
protecting duties by these gratifying results. lie
ilcn referred to the calamity that had visited the
hingdom and said that there a scarcity of food
ana 1t was the duty of government to provide Il
supply for the people. lie then described the cir
cumsanccs which induced him in November last
Il
inc importation Of foreign produce
Ills colleagues differed from him as 10 the cx-
tent OF the measures to be adopted. Sir Robert
Peel then went into heightened statement rela-
i've to the resignation of the Ministry, and their
reinstatement in Office
Il The Premier then stated that it was his intention
to submit to the house a measure of the greatest
Importance, relative to the commercial policy of
the country. After expressing a hope that his
motives were honest, he proceeded to defend him
self against the charge that he had been guilty of
treason to the agricultural interest. 1t had been
stated that the power which had elevated could also
dsplacc him; he said, that he valued not power for
It's patronage-he had served four sovercgns. lie
dd not wish TO be Prime Minister of England, but
while he was so he would hold office by 10 serve
tenure. lie concluded very long speech by say
ing that he had done his utmost to put an end to
the murmurs Of disaiicction, aud to reconcile the
action Of an ancient monarchy and proud ars-
tocracy with that OF reformed House Of Commons.
The OREGON QUESTION. House Of Commons,
jan. 23d. 1t was agreed that the House should sit
on Wednesday, from ~ to o'clock. In answer to
a question relative to the payment Of railway depo.
: SITS the Chancellor of the EXchequcr SAID that it
had been suggested to him that parties should be
allowed TO make dcposites of bank or India stock,
EXchequer bills, or approved Bills of Exchange, in
lieu of cash, TO the Attorney General. lie could
not, however, propose any change in the law. At
ter an address from Mr. Colquhoun against Sir II.
IcelS lrcc-uade measures ana speech from Mr.
hume IN ther favor, SIR Robert reel arose and re-
fcred to President Folks message, and his remarks
upon the Oregon question. The Premier, in refer
GhcG TO me language mat had been made use OF by
Tue ircsiuch' OF the Ohted STATES Whch ne SIN
GeFcy IGgreueu' expressed lne determination OF
hnS'u"u py every 'IcuiiS III us power 10 maintain
peace ana gooq unuerstauuihg between Nreat
I Britain and the United States. He thought it
wonu DC inc greatest misfortune TO pom countries
49, ,' L ''1 sI,uuiu
ton If irrthcr ro'noyol of Tho ros,ric,ions nnn,
tho co,,ocrcn Of ,Lot conn,rv WINS in his oniuin
Ior too much ;nnoronco IN no r,odn tho subject ~
norsono rocrin1ination lie shouid therefore notice
but little the speech ortbe hon. me,nborJr Colon.
hounA who had avoided all reference to tbe oror-
ments which he (Sir r. PeeN had used on tho mo
ous evening in support of his views. He reminded
Mr. Coluuhoun that in 1883 he had voted with Mr..
Viliers for n committee TO inquire into the opera
ton Of the corn laws the object avowedv beinu 70
carry their repeal. He was resolved that none of
these accusations, which he expected to meet from
many quarters, should divert him from the objects
he had IN view.
Lord John Russell begged to ask the right hon.
baronet, whether, as was stated by the President
Of the United States, proposition for a comprom-
isc respecting the Oregon had been made 10 the
British minister ut Washington and whether nero
tons were now going on upon the subject lie
also wlsked to know what grounds the armed
intervention OF England in the case of the river
Plata had been resorted TO.
Sir Il. Peel said, Mr.. Pakenham had taken upon
himself to reject the compromise of the American
government without comforting with the govern
ment at home, which he (Sir Il. Poen regretted:
but proposition had now been made by Great
! Britain to submit the matter to arbitration, and no
answer had yet been returned to that proposition.
With regard to the territory of Plata he would law
all the papers connected with the subject on the Ia
bic with as little delay as possible.
Tur DIXIE or Wrt1Ivorox,s Exn,,v.u,o..
-House of Lords Jam o5L Her l1nins,,,H rari',
TO the address of The House in renlv ~ tbo so
! from the throne, was received and read when the
Duke of Wellington rose, and, in answer to the
Undergraduates of the Duke of Richmond, gave an
explanation of the circumstances connected with
The ministerial changes at the close of the last year.