Corn Laws, and whatever might happen elsewhere, that their Lordships would not consent to such alteration until they first appealed to the constituency to test whether they had changed their opinions on this subject. He still would wish to keep inviolate the compact entered into with the agriculturists in 1842, and he hoped that their Lordships would not permit themselves to be intimidated by the Anti-Corn Law League or their emissaries.

LORD DEVON presented similar petitions from the county of Devon.

The DUKE OF RICHMOND wished to ask the Noble Duke (the Duke of Wellington) if he had received her Majesty's permission to state to the House the reasons for her Majesty's Ministers' resignation, and for their again accepting office?

The DUKE OF WELLINGTON begged to inquire whether the Noble Duke intended to ask any further questions (laughter)?

The DUKE OF RICHMOND replied that he thought it would be more convenient to the House, if, instead of making a speech, he contented himself by asking a question, as he was sure the House would be anxious to know the grounds that led to the resignation of the Ministry, and also to know the grounds upon which a Government which declared itself one day unable to go on, undertook the government of the country in ten days afterwards.

The DUKE OF WELLINGTON-I beg to state, in answer to my Noble Friend's question, that in making the statement I am about to do, I can only answer positively for myself and for my own motives. I shall, however, state to the House what generally passed in her Majesty's Councils. In doing so, I may have to detain your Lordships for a few moments, but you may rely upon it I shall keep you for the shortest possible time. My Lords, when accounts were received from Ireland, and from different parts of Great Britain, of the state of the potato crop, in the course of the last autumn, and of the consequences likely to result from this failure in different parts of the country, my Right Honourable Friend at the head of the Government considered it his duty to call together his colleagues, in order to take into consideration the various reports that had been received. My Right Hon. Friend called his colleagues together, and having laid before them the reports I have alluded to, made to them a certain proposition for the adoption of measures which he considered necessary her Majesty's Government should adopt, in order to avoid or remedy the evils likely to occur, in his opinion, in consequence of this misfortune. One of the measures suggested to my Right Hon. Friend was, that her Majesty's Ministers should recommend, by an Order in Council, to suspend the operation of the existing Corn Laws, so as to open the ports for the admission of corn duty free. My Lords, it is not necessary that I should discuss the motives stated, or the grounds on which that recommendation was founded. I was one of those who considered that it was unnecessary to adopt that measure. I considered that a misfortune had undoubtedly occurred, which had the effect of depriving millions, I may say, of a large portion of provisions upon which they relied for food. But still there was a fair supply of food in the country. It was my opinion, arrangements should be made similar to those made in

former years, for finding employment for the people, and for finding means of rewarding them for that employment. And, my Lords, beside that, it appeared to me that the existing Corn Laws made provision for throwing open the ports, should that measure be deemed necessary (hear, hear). That law enacted, that when the price of wheat or grain should reach such an amount as that there should appear to be a deficiency or want, then the law provided that grain should be admitted at a nominal duty (hear, hear). Under these circumstances, I judged it unnecessary to suspend those laws, and upon that ground it was that I objected to that proposition. At the same time, I was most anxious that the Government should adopt measures immediately to form a commission in Ireland, and instruct that commission as to the measures to be adopted for giving employment to the people, and for procuring food for them, and for rewarding them in payment of that employment, and all those measures which, on former occasions, have been found to be beneficial and effectual. My Lords, I believe that all these measures have been adopted on former occasions. They are not new to the public servants in this country, they have been effectually adopted. My Lords, in the course of the discussion on this measure, it was intimated that a suspension of the Corn Laws might endanger a renewal of that measure, or that it might be necessary to make a very essential alteration of it. My Right Hon. Friend intimated his opinion of the necessity of making an essential alteration in the Corn Laws. I believe every one thinks now that some alteration is necessary; an alteration in certain points was necessary, and was now admitted by all (hear, hear). It was necessary to make an essential alteration in the existing laws. Many Members expressed a strong difference of opinion on the subject. As for my part, I was certainly of opinion that it was necessary to make an alteration in the Corn Laws. But, my Lords, I confess, that, in my opposition, I consid. ered that a division in the Cabinet might endanger the safety of the Government itself, and having served in England for more than fifty years in high places, I considered it my duty to endeavour to do all in my power to reconcile the difference of opinion amongst my colleagues, to preserve a Government which enjoyed the confidence of the Sovereign, of the people, and to a great extent, the confidence of both Houses of Parliament. I considered it my duty to make every effort to reconcile the differences of opinion, as the best service I could render to my Sovereign (hear). In this attempt I did not succeed. The result was, that I advised my colleague to tender to her Majesty his resignation, and to recommend her to form a new Cabinet. My Lords, it was necessary after his again taking office, to come down to this House, and advise Parliament to make some alteration in the Corn Laws. But previous to his informing her Majesty of the difference of opinion in the Cabinet, I strongly advised my Hon. colleague to tender his resignation, after first asking her whether he would be allowed to make any alteration in those laws. The great difference, however, among my colleagues made me of opinion that it would be better for him to resign his office under the circumstances. All the Members of the Cabinet were of the same opinion. I know I was. My Hon. Friend fol

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lowed the advice of the members of the Government, and he tendered his resignation to her Majesty, and advised her to form a new Cabinet. Her Majesty asked a Noble Lord to form a new Administration, but that Noble Lord did not succeed, and the consequence was, that her Majesty asked his Hon. Friend, at the head of the Cabinet, to remain in office. My colleague wrote to me informing me of her Majesty's wishes, and then it became necessary for us to act under the circumstances; and my Hon. colleague having been of opinion that an alteration of the Corn Laws was necessary, several members of the Cabinet agreed with him in that opinion. I do not say that all were of the same opinion, but this I do know, ch that a great number of them were, and myself among them. I came will to the resolution that, let what would happen, I should support him most cordially, and I am of the same resolution still.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-JANUARY 24.

SATURDAY.

The House met to day at half past one o'clock.

The Speaker came in his state robes; but out of a House of more than forty members the only gentlemen who wore uniforms were the mover and seconder of the Address, who wore the uniform of deputy-lieutenants; and Mr. Cradwell, one of the Secretaries of the Treasury, who wore the Windsor uniform.

As soon as the Speaker had taken the chair,

COLONEL D. DAMER appeared at the bar and informed the House . that her Majesty had been graciously pleased to signify her desire to receive the Address at half-past two that day.

At two o'clock the House (on the motion of Lord Jocelyn) adjourned to Monday, and the Speaker, accompanied by a couple of dozen members, proceeded with the Address to the Palace.

MONDAY.

The SPEAKER-I have to inform this House that the House waited upon her Majesty on Saturday last, when she was pleased to return the following gracious reply:

"I receive with satisfaction your loyal and dutiful Address, and I rely with confidence on your support in carrying out the measures about to be proposed to promote the welfare of my people."

TUESDAY.

The intense interest excited by the expected statement of Sir R. Peel on the subject of the Corn Laws was this afternoon manifested in no slight degree in the vicinity of the House of Commons, as well as in the House itself. From the hour of one in the afternoon, strangers who had the good fortune to procure tickets of admission to the galieries were to be seen making their way with much haste to the scene of the all important announcement-respecting the fate of the Corn Laws,-and by half an hour after the time mentioned there were more candidates for admission to the strangers' galleries than the whole House itself could conveniently hold. Every passage leading to the interior of the House was crowded

prohibitory and reducing prot (who attended in considerable numpraising that policy, about ty in keeping a passage clear for the any course that has beene opened a little before the usual hour, tioned by the House of every seat was thronged to such an extent lic good, ought with re-one unoccupied, to the great disappointment hear). Sir, I am atsome hundreds, who, having tickets, calculated cation of these prin certainty.

dations contained rom the end of Parliament-street to the south end of good principleAbbey-the footways on both sides were densely lic credit, or of or the greater part, well-dressed persons, who concountry. Neves with inquiring of their neighbours the names of tion, members as they passed, or pointing out to others those whom ney themselves happened to know. Many Hon. Members who are opposed to the Corn Laws as they now stand were cheered as they passed, and amongst those none received louder or more hearty cheers than the Duke of Wellington.

The attendance of members in the House was very numerous. We should say that there were not less than 400 members present at four. The seats below the bar, usually reserved for strangers, were filled with Peers and other distinguished visiters, and most prominent of those in the front seat were his Royal Highness Prince Albert, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, and the Earl of Jersey. This, we believe, was the first visit made by the Prince to the Honse while sitting.

Petitions, numerously signed, were presented from the inhabitants of Tring, Coventry, Walsall, Salford, and Kettering, for the total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws.

MR. HUME presented a petition from the townspeople of Arbroath and Dundee for the immediate repeal of the Corn Laws.

At half-past four o'clock his Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by the Earl of Jersey, entered the House, and took his seat on the cross benches immediately behind the Sergeant-atArms.

On the motion being put that the Speaker do leave the chair, MR. MILES rose, and said he wished to ask the Right Honourable Baronet at the head of the Government a question before they resolved themselves into a Committee of the whole House, and he was sure from the well-known courtesy of the Right Hon. Baronet, that he would answer his question if it was in his power to do so. He understood that the Hon. Baronet was now about to make his financial statement, and he wished to know whether it was his intention to take any vote that evening upon the question? And if it was, he should be glad to know if the Right Hon. Baronet was prepared to press for the decision of the House upon his financial proposition before the country had had time to express its opinion upon it. He hoped that previous to their coming to any decision upon the question, time would be allowed for duly and properly considering it in all its branches; but, at all events, whether the Right Honourable Baronet answered the question in the affirmative or the negative, he would afford ample time to the counties to state what their opinions might be upon it (hear).

SIR R. PEEL-The statement which I shall make to-night will be

more a commercial than a financial she Government, and he tennot intend to take any money vote in d advised her to form a new House (hear). It is not my intention terd to form a new Adminisan opinion to-night upon any part of the stad, and the consequence earnest wish that the proposal I shall make and, at the head of the deliberately considered by the House before thote to me informing sion upon it (cheers). For this there are su necessary for us to believe that the task which is imposed upon mague having been House will be content to take a candid and indulgs was necessary, a of the position which I hold, and whatever may be that opinion. Itertained, I have no doubt in my own mind as to the is I do know h we shall arrive; but I trust in the mean time that the ma. I camill be discussed in a candid and impartial spirit.

The SPEAKER-The subject for consideration is the alteration to be made in the Corn Laws, and the alterations which have lately taken place. The question now is that I leave the chair.

The House then resolved itself into a general Committee, and MR. GREENE took the chair.

SIR R. PEEL-Whatever may be the opinion entertained of the course intended to be pursued by her Majesty's Government, or of the proposal which, on their behalf, I have to submit, no one will entertain a doubt that their objects are of the highest order, and that the purpose of the Minister is one perfectly coincident with their views of the advantage to be derived from a full consideration of the interests of those several portions of the community; and I think that none will disagree with me in the certainty, that the public interests can be better served by candid dealing than by mere party endeavour. It may suffice to say that in this discussion I calculate on the impartial consideration of the House. I am aware that in so important a discussion as that which may possibly take place, her Majesty's Government, whatever may be the result, are determined to fulfil the duties of their several offices, and, whatever may be the character of the Ministry, on this they are agreed that the relief of the duties on commerce, whatever that may be, and the relaxation of the duties on commerce which I had the honour last session to propose, should be continued this year, and enlarged for the relief of the people. I am about to proceed on the assumption that protective duties ought to be abolished, and are in principle open to objection, and that the policy of maintaining them may be defended, but that there must be special considerations, either of public policy or of justice, to vindicate their maintenance. I am about to act upon this assumption. During the period of the last three years there has been in this country an increased production of revenue, notwithstanding that there has been a remission of many heavy taxes there has been an increased demand for labour-that there has been an increase of commerce, and that there has been increased comfort, happiness, and contentment in this country (hear, hear, hear, and loud cheers). I do not say that these blessings have necessarily been caused by any particular policy you have adopted, but this I say, the enjoyment of them has been confirmed by your measures-that these blessings have accompanied the measures sanctioned by the House of Commons-the policy of repealing