Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-03-18
THE BRITISH MINISTERIAL CRISIS

A London correspondent OF the Philadelphia Ameri-
can, in a letter dated Friday the 29th of February,
gives the following satisfactory narrative Of Ministerial
events down to that day:
gave you in previous letter the result OF two great
divisions In the House of Cummons; but in order TO
make my synopsis complete in his letter, will ag ain
quote the figures. On Disaes resolution for An nuu.
ry respecting Agricultural Distress the members were
267 Tor the motion, and 2S against it, leaving major Nv
Tor Ministers OF only a. On Thursday, the 90, Ii inst.
Mr. Locke kln9 brought forward his motion Tor an ex-
tension OF the franchise when the members were for
the motion l00 against it, 3d. leaving majority gain
the government OF 4S, or arly two The que
ton Of budget was appointed to be brought toward
on the Dist.
The House Of Commons met Friday last
anticipating long and spirited discussion the Bud
get. Members had their speeches in their pockets or
on their lips. But Lord John Russell stopped all de-
bate by asking adjournment OF the subject till the
following Monday. The Times of Monday remarks
that few OF those who heard him comprehended at
once the full purpor OF this nmation, and fewer still
even OF his own adherents, knew that already, before
the accustomed hour at which the proceedings of Par
lament commenced, the administration dissolved
Although the Times makes this statement, and even
in its morning edition OF Saturday last it made the fol-
lowing announcement-'Lo Lord John Russell has ten
dered his resignation to her Majesty and only holds
office hl another government can be formed Yet Lord
John did not formally tender his resignation till Satnr
day noon, the 22d. From that moment exc itiEg
scene took place at Buckingham Palace where ex-
ministers and crest Politicians assembled departed and
reassembled in knots OF two or four, at the command
OF her Maesty-the same round of hasty visits was
kept on Sunday and has been continued, with slight
variations, during the last six days. The Ma quis of
Landsdowne was the first distinguished parsonage who
cal ed on the Queen on last Saturday.
Lord John Russell afterwards arrived and rema med
MI three o'clock. The Queen then wrote letter TO
Lord Stanely, commanding his immediate presence at
the Palace. His Lordship remained in close conference
with the Queen for an hour Meantime Lord John
Russell had brief interviews with Lord Palmelston and
other members of his cabinet. The Queen comman-
ded the presence of Lord Aberdeen, but that noble
man was at Blackheath he did arrive at the Palace
till after nine O'Clock, P. NJ and he remained there TIL
nearly midnight. During the afternoon, her Majesty
sent second letter to Lord Stanley, commanding his
presence and he arrived at eight DEL ock, Lord John
Russell having just concluded second conference with
the Queen, OF TWO hours duration. On the same day
a courier was despatched to Paris, for the Riqbt
hon. Mr.; Gladstone, and ministerial despatch was
forwarded to Lord Clarendon. On Sunday Lord John
RUSSELL Lord Aberdeen, and Sir James G aham confer
red together, and on the day Lord Aberdeen was
sent for by the Queen. The purpo of all these visits
VIII De apparent from the statements made in Parliament
on Monday evening
In the House OF Lords there AS an unusually large
attendance OF peers The Marquis Of Lansdowne rose
10 move that the House, at its rising, do djoun till Fri
day. the 18th. He then gave "a statement Of facts" res
pectng the ministerial crisis He stated that on Friday
last IN consequence OF division which had recently
taken place 10 the Commons, Her Majesty's servants
communicated with each other, and on that day Her
Majesty was led TO believe that her would resign
once on Inc following day. On Saturday morning mot
FRIDAY, as the Times mis-sated0 that resignation was
unanimously rendered by Her Maestys Ministers. A
proposal was then made Lord Stanley 10 construct
government but his ordship informed her Majesty that
ne was not then prepared to form government. Lord
'on Russell was then requested to construct an ad-
mnlsrallon Beyond this;,he Marquis Of Lansdowne
sag he had nothing stale. He had spoken he said
only as the organ OF government which, in fact exis-
ted only nominaily.
Lord Stanley then rose and briefly spoke, amidst
profound silence lie urged the adjournment of the
House. and stated that circuInstanced the country
was at ihat moment he did not consider it consistent
win ms duty TO make any citation OF what had oc
CURED or to offer any explanation which must neces-
ssahly be imperfect. Lord Stanley merely mentioned
further that he had lenglhed audience OF her Majesty
on Saturday, in which he fully gave his views OF the
stale OF affairs and rendered his advice and that her
Majesty exhibited "graciousness, condescension and
kindness Al the request OF the Earl of st. Germans,
Lord Lansdowne consented 10 postpone his motion,
N order that the Marriage Aflinites Bili' might be
disposed oi-eonsequenlly on Tuesday that measure
was discussed and 1t was defeated by a majority of 81
votes, and the Lords ad journed till this day.
On Monday, at $ o'clock, p M Lord John Russell