789 26TH MARCH, 1831. to delay the decision on the most important men's minds with regard to the great topic which ever came under their consider- question that now agitates the country, will expect at my hands an account ation. you After a few words from Sir C. Wetherell, Sir R. PEEL disowned, for himself, au in- of the recent Parliamentary proceedings tention to obstruct the debate which was with regard to the Reform Bill, and expected, and observed, that he had not even heard of an intention to make such a motion you will also expect at my hands a until he entered that House, and heard that statement of my opinions with regard it was commenced. He trusted this explana to the prospects now before us relative tion would clear that side of the House from to that bill, and to the great changes the prejudice which might be raised against which it has in contemplation. them by the learned Gentleman's observations. Mr. SLANEY, amid loud cries of “ Question," contended, that the people would look on the whole proceeding as an attempt to set aside the decision on the Reform Bill. (Hear.) With regard to the proceedings in Parliament relative to this bill, on Řionday the 14th instant, leave was given to bring it in without any division. On Sir R. INGLIS thought the learned GentleTuesman (the Attorney-General) should not have Monday, the 21st instant, the second referred to the conversation he held with him reading was moved for, and on T on the subject of these papers, unless he had day, the 22d, the House divided on the question, when there appeared, accordalso repeated the nature of that conversation.o He (Sir R. Inglis) would not follow his ex-ing to the reports in the newspapers, ample by detailing the nature of that conver, sation. All she would say was, that he had seen some of the papers that day for the first time, and he was ready now to read the pas sages to which be alluded if the House thought proper. (Cries of no) The Gallery was then cleared; but we understood that the Motion was withdrawn.. On re-entering the Gallery we found Sir G. CLERK on his legs, with a petition, we believe, against the Parliamentary Reform Billy but the anxiety of the House to proceed to the discussion occasioned loud cries of "No, no," upon which the hon. Baronet postponed presenting his Petition; observing, however, that abat was the first time that he had heard any objection made to the presentation of a petition upon the subject. Is) a god the REFORM BILL. Since the date of my last, I have three hundred and two for it, and three hundred and one against it; so that the second reading was carried by a majority of only one. Every body was of opinion that, if the Ministers lost the bill, they ought instantly to dissolve the Parliament, in which case we know well that the two County members for Hampshire, for instance, and, indeed, that every county member who had opposed the bill, would not have been returned again. We also know that there are a certain number of members called Treasurymembers, and that they would not have been returned again. This would, of course, have given the Ministers a considérable majority, without which they could carry on nothing in the way of governing the country or preserving its peace. But the case is not at all altered Upon all by this majority of one. other questions there will be a majority against them, as in the case of the Timber Bill, when, as very happily explained by Mr. DENNISON at the Surrey Meeting, the question simply was this: Shall the people of England, Ireland, and Scotland, have good timber cheap; or shall they have bad timber dear, for the sole purpose of enriching colonists, who are, at any day, ready to declare their independence, or to transfer their afléance to the United States? This was the question, as, plain as any nose upon any man's face; and yet, by a 2 majority of forty-six, the House determined that the people of England, Ireland, and Scotland, should have bad wood dear. It is evident, then, that the Ministry cannot go on without a dissolution of the Parliament. Observe, too, that there are several, who have voted for the second reading of the bill, who will vote against the material clauses of it in the committee; and they have even intimated already that they shall do so. There are three hundred and one who have been bold enough to vote against the whole of the bill all taken together; and, perhaps, there are another hundred to vote against those clauses of the bill which make it valuable in the eyes of the people. These call themselves reformers; but are for a different 'sort of reform; that is to say, in effect, no reform at all! So that it is nonsense to suppose that this reform of Lord GREY'S can be carried with the present men in the House of Commons; and yet if it be not carried who is to carry on any Government at all any longer 2 the way. He must, therefore, dissolve Then we come to this; there must be a dissolution, or the Reform of Lord GREY must be abandoned. It is impossible that he can consent to remain in office without carrying the whole of this bill. That is impossible; because it is not to be done without covering himself with shame and infamy; and it is therefore declared to be impossible upon the some ground that we say it is impossible that a man should willingly jump from the top of a high house into the street. In short, the whole nation knows enough of him to know that he would scorn to remain in office an hour, having the same Parliament to deal with, after having lost this bill or any material part of it. But to retire from office would not be sufficient to the But, CAN be dissolve the Parliament ? preservation of his character and his He can, if it be true that the King honour. To get out of the way quietly, wishes that this Bill should be passed, and let others come and carry on the To dissolve the Parliament there must Government with an unreformed Par- be the consent of the King and will the liament, would be very little better than King refuse to give that consent? This remaining in office without carrying the is the question, it is indeed, the only reform. Indeed, it would be no better, question at present; and it is perhaps but rather worse it would argue a de-the most important question, a question sire to save himself by shuffling out of of the most fearful magnitude that one *" ti to mojadonqqa sua ***། 19 1 J Englishman ever put to another, in any Yet, as I have observed before, the period of the history of our country! King changed his mind, and turned out But, I may be asked, how I can doubt Lord GREY and his colleagues. Thereof the King's readiness to give his con- fore, though the Ministers have brought sent to the dissolution of the Parliament, forward the present measure in like that being so obviously necessary to the manner, with the approbation of the success of this measure. I may be asked King, you see, my friends, that that how I can doubt of this, seeing that all does not make it amount to a positive the newspapers have assured us, over certainly that the King will dissolve the and over again, that the King was full Parliament for the sake of carrying a as much in favour of the thing as his measure to which he had given his Ministers. I should rather disbelieve sanction. I do not doubt myself, I do than believe the fact, if we had no better not suspect; I do not fear; but in authority than that; but, the Ministers truth I know nothing of the matter, themselves have declared in Parliament, except, as I said before, that kings are that they have brought forward the men, and that all men are liable to measure with the entire sanction of the change their minds; and that Lord King. This is a great deal; there is GREY's twenty-four years' exile from no question of their having spoken that political power of which nature truth as to this matter; there is no formed him for always having a large question of their having had the com- share, is a striking instance of the plete sanction of the King for the bring-effects of the change in the mind of a ing forward of this measure, But, alas, King. Upon the occasion here referred kings, though kings, are still but men; to, the King was ready enough to disand men can change their minds, solve the Parliament, and did dissolve whether they be kings or shepherds. it, when it was only four months old; but, observe, he dissolved it to keep in his new minister, and to keep 4 ت It would be curious indeed, if this very LORD GREY should (which I trust will not be the case), twice in kis life-out the one that had brought in the time, have had to experience a change bill: he dissolved it, not for the purof this sort in the mind of a King. By pose of causing to be carried the meaturning to page 419 of this present vo- sure to which he had given his sanction, lume of the Register, where will be but in order to defeat the measure to found No. 3 of the History of George which he had given his sanction; he IV., the reader will find, in paragraphs dissolved it, however, when the sensefrom 74 to 82 inclusive, the whole his-less and hypocritical cry of "no-popery" tory of the change of the mind of had placed at his back the unreflecting GEORGE II. in 1807. He will there millions of England and Wales and find that EARL GREY, then LORD HO- Scotland, led on by the parsons and WICK, brought in the Catholic Bill with the corporate bodies. In this latter the King's approbation, and sanction; respect, great indeed is the différence that it was brought in and read a first in the two cases. Then it was the miltime without a division; that it was lions who wished the measure to be afterwards withdrawn by the Ministers defeated: now it is the millions who themselves without opposition; and wished the measure not to be defeated: that the ministry were turned out now it is the millions who wish the thereupon and the Parliament dis- measure to be carriedas Dissolution was solved. Upon that occasion LORD then necessary to defeat the measure; GREY declared in the House of Com-dissolution is now necessary to carry mons, that, before, he attempted to the measureuil grov od bluce arguit submit the consideration of the mea- With regard to the King having "66 sure to the House, he laid before his given his sanction to this measure, there Majesty all the particulars with re-can be no doubt that must be so ; for, "gard to it, and obtained his Majes- if that hath not been the case, it would "ty's approbation of it"! at once have been contradicted in both J Houses of Parliament; but, with regard people if they voted against this Bill, to the King still continuing in the same would they have voted against it? mind, we have no such authority to rest Would they have voted against it, if they on. And, now, let me stop here just to had believed that such vote would have indulge my vanity for a moment. PEEL'S sent them packing? Look well at the father had a presentiment, you know, matter, my friends, take time to conand why should not I? In talking, sider, and then answer that question to many times, with friends, about the way yourselves. These men are, to be that I would go to work in making sure, neither Solomons nor Solons; a parliamentary reform, if I were prime but, they are not madmen; they are so minister, I have, on such occasions, al- far from being regardless of their own ways said, that I never would accept of interests and safety, that these are obthe office, unless the king 'would first jects which always appear to be upperput into my hand, signed by himself, a most in their minds. Would they, MESSAGE to both Houses of Parlia- then, have voted thus, purely for the ment, recommending them to make a pleasure and honour attending the pubparliamentary reform, and containing lication of their names throughout the some words describing the great princi- country? They knew to a certainty ple of such reform. I always said that, that, if the King dissolved the Parlia "Put not your trust in princes" was a ment after that vote, scarcely a man of precept that never should be disobeyed them would ever enter the House again. by me; a précept implanted in my mind They could have no hope in out-voting by that which occurred to LORD GREY the ministry; because a dissolution of in 1807. How much better would it the Parliament would render their vote have been if Lord Grey had proceeded of no use. It is, therefore, CERTAIN by message in this case! Then all that these three hundred and one men would have been straightforward work: then there would have been no idle rumours, no suspicions among the people, no intrigues at court, no cabals of any sort. In short, the measure would have been carried long ago; and the nation, all the people being in perfect harmony and good humour, would have been preparing for the election of a reformed parliament. believed, that, if there were a majority: against the second reading, the King would not dissolve the Parliament.n Now, my friends, I do not say that' the thing is so, because they believed it to be so; but, at the same time, here are three hundred and one men all acting upon this one and same "belief; and there are amongst them a considerable number who know very well But to what does all this tend? Do what is passing at the court and I suspect that the King has changed his amongst all those who are likely mind? I suspect nothing; but, at the to possess influence with the King! same time, I know nothing. I can only Pray observe, too, that in 1807, the judge from appearances and circumstan- King was defended against his Minis ces; and, I cannot help putting to my-ters by an assertion, that, though! self this question: Is it possible that the they had his sanction to a bill in favour three hundred and one men, who voted of the Catholics, they had not clearly against the second reading of the Bill explained to him the full extent of that could believe that the King would dis- bill! This was a very ugly assertion solve the parliament unless this Bill were because it did not admit of disproof * carried by this parliament? This is the there was no calling upon the King to question which I put to myself; and I give evidence in the case: the Ministers,3 beg you, my friends, to put the same therefore, had no defence against this question to yourselves, in a very serious and, if the king should listen to advice and deliberate manier. If these such as would prevent his consentito ay three hundred and one men. believed dissolution of Parliament, Lord Greyla that ties prathamentodwbuldohemdis- would find himself as far as relates tou salveil, and heybrechttoi fieds the this point, just in the situation in which he found himself in 1807. Remark, I abandonment of the bill on the part of the pray you, that the opposers of the bill Ministers. And, to abandon it in this have already laid the ground for this way would be a disgrace not to be enaccusation against him. They have dured by any man with English blood repeatedly said, that the bill, in its pre-in hs veins; and certainly not to be sent shape, was not agreed upon by the endured by LORD GREY, who has passed cabinet until the eleventh hour: they a whole long life amidst this turmoil of have repeatedly insinuated that the factions, and never yet did a mean thing, King's name ought not to have been never abased himself in one single inmentioned as connected with the bill; stance. To be in place at all, he can, and you can see that they have been at his age and after all that has passed, constantly endeavouring to cause it to have no possible motive other than that be believed that the King has not been of the good of his country; he has progiven clearly to understand the extent posed the good, and in the most specific and drift of the bill. This is a very and full and clear inanner; and, if ugly circumstance; and, though I re- the King shall not permit him to peat that these men are neither Solo- do the good, the only thing left for mons nor Solons, they are not, down-him to do is, to give up his post, right fools or idiots. 1 " and at the same time to declare, These observations, my friends, would in the most full and clear manner, be useless if they pointed at no practical THE CAUSE OF HIS RESIGNA result, if they afforded no lesson to the TION OF THAT POST!. To do people to teach them how to act. The this, not in speech in Parliament, which question is not, now, whether this re- may be disfigured at the pleasure of form bill ought to be carried; but the boroughmongers, but in some whether the Parliament ought to be dis-formal document, signed with his name; solved, seeing that, without such disso- and thus prevent a repetition of the lution, the reform bill cannot be carried! tricks that were played him in 1807. This, therefore, is now the business of Then, indeed, he was not the PRIME the people, The King is legally endued MINISTER; he was merely a member with a power of dissolving Parliament of the ministry, and, in fact, he was at his pleasure,; this prerogative, under the GRENVILLES, who, however like all the rest which he possesses, provoked, had, amongst them, sinecures has been given him for the good of his to the amount of thirty thousand pounds people; the good of his people demand a year. This was the power that kept the exercise of it at this time; and it is him quiet under the load of obloquy, therefore the right as well as the duty cast on him by the transactions of that of bis people earnestly to implore him period. He is now prime-minister to exercise that power. Hitherto it has himself. He is weighed down by no been sufficient to express gratitude to Grenvilles nor by any-body else. The him for having given his sanction to people know that the bill is his, and this great measure; but, now, when it solely his; and if the King will not is found that it is impossible to carry let him use the only means by which itthis measure without a dissolution of the can be carried, it will be a duty to the Parliament, duty to themselves as well country as well as to himself to state as to the King calls, upon them to the fact, in the fullest and most authen« / petition him to dissolve the Parliament. tic manner, to the nation, quite regard. olt is nonsense to talk of waiting to less of whom it may effect. The nation see what the House will do in the Com- must be told the truth now, and the mittee. We are apprized beforehand whole truth, let the telling of it affect that there will be a great majority, as what and whom it may and then the gainst the material parts of the bill in nation will have Lord Grey, at any rate, the Committee. To go into the com-toaded.com gro bus bibang mittee at all, under such circumstances, Tam stopped short here by a sight of must be looked upon, in fact, as, and the debate in the Lords last night (it is {{} |