sented to describe, he would have tarnished more detailed explanation from the noble
his own fame, as much as I should have Secretary of State opposite, of the motives
disgraced mine. It is much more proba- which induced him to act in concert with
ble—though I have not thought it worth noble lords to whom, in the last session of
my while to ask for any explanation on the parliament, he appeared to be directly op-
subject—that my right hon. friend stated, posed.
not that he had concluded any wholesale

It is needless for me to recall to your
bargain with me, but that the men of whom lordships' recollection the occurrences of
the government is now composed are in that session, or to recapitulate in detail,
themselves a guarantee to the public, that the grounds upon which I conclude that
their measures will be such as will be con- the coalition which has taken place could
ducive to his majesty's honour and inte- not, by possibility, have been entered into
rests, and to the happiness of the people. under ordinary circumstances. Surely, pri-
That is what the right hon. gentleman vate feelings, and respect for the memory
said, if I am not mistaken ; and not that I of an individual, to whom my noble friend
had given him any guarantee for the prin- was long personally, as well as latterly,
ciples of the government. No guarantee politically attached, would have prevented
was required, and none was given on my it; and I am bound to believe that a strong
part. But I beg to know, supposing any sense of public duty alone can have induced
guarantee had been given to any one gen- my noble friend to unite himself with the
tleman who acceded to the government, noble lords on the opposite side of the
what has been done towards others in the House.
same situation? Was there no other man I hope I shall meet with the indulgence
whom it was necessary to satisfy in the go of the House, if, in seeking these explan-
vernment but the right hon. gentleman ?ations of my noble friend, I am led, almost
Every member of an existing government unavoidably, to refer to the statements and
has a right to state his views of the duties explanations lately entered into by a right
of that government, to have his objections hon. gentleman, and which have been al-
satisfied, to state his opinions upon every ready alluded to in the course of this de-
subject proposed for the consideration of bate. I am anxious to learn whether my
government, and to have those opinions noble friend concurs in what has been
decided upon. How, then, does the mat- stated by the right hon. gentleman, upon
ter stand ? Surely, I could not have whose speech I wish to make some re-
withheld explanations from some, and marks. My right hon. friend is explicit
given guarantees to others. I appeal to and satisfactory, as far as he goes, in his
my noble friend near me, whether every account of the reconstruction of the go-
member of the present government cannot vernment in the last autumn, consequent
state his opinions as fairly and as freely upon an event, for which I will not intrude
now as under any preceding administra- the expression of any private feelings, but
tion. It is conducted on the same princi- which, I must be allowed to say, I consi-
ples as the cabinet of which I was a mem- der to have been a great national cala-
ber' for eight years, under lord Liverpool, mity: but he has omitted to take to him-
and in which all measures were fairly con- self the credit, which I think he deserves,
sidered by all the members of it. I was for having at that time made a declaration
an assenting party to the greater part of (in which I understood that the noble earl
the measures of that government, and had joined, he will set ine right if I am
therefore I hold myself responsible for them misinformed) that nothing should induce
equally with the other members of that him to take a part in an administration with
government. My opinions are perfectly those who had been so personally hostile to
well known. I have departed from none his late lamented friend.
of them; nor has my right hon. friend, I I see no reason why a declaration, which,
believe, departed from any of his. in my humble opinion, does honour to the

The Marquis of Clanricarde said :—My feelings of those who made it, should be Jords, it is with great diffidence that I in- withheld from the public. It seems we trude upon the time and attention of this are to consider no explanation as to poliHouse; but, notwithstanding what has fal- tical motives necessary; for we are told, len from the noble earl on the cross- that no differences of opinion existed bench upon the subject of explanations, I between any members of the present cannot refrain from seeking to obtain a l government and my late lamented relative,

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Upon that I can only say, that if it be has fallen into a great error, if he supposed true, I am free to confess, that I have, for that he was supporting the principles of a long time, laboured under a great mis- his lamented friend, by joining the present take-a mistake which I consider to be administration; and I hope the noble earl the more extraordinary, seeing that I know will give to the House a more explicit many persons, better able to form a correct detail of the motives which guided him. judgment upon this subject than I am, to The noble duke's speech has made my have shared it with me : I shall be glad to noble friend's conduct appear to me even hear any proofs which the noble earl can more inexplicable than it did before. adduce to settle my doubts on this head; Earl Dudley said, that in answer to the for I own that my right hon. friend's observations of the noble marquis, he rose assertion, that such impressions are without to state the two reasons which had formed foundation has not quite convinced me of the grounds of his recent conduct. And their fallacy:

first he would allude to those peculiar and But my right hon. friend, not content personal circumstances which, it was said, with stating his conviction, that there ought to have influenced his conduct as an existed no difference of opinion between individual; and then to those public and my lamented relative and the noble duke political principles which ought to have at the head of the present administration, influenced his conduct as a minister. On has insinuated, that the present arrange-, both these heads he should offer a few ment would have received the approbation words. And, first, as to the peculiar of the distinguished individual who is now i grounds arising out of personal attachment, no more. I do not hesitate to assert, that which ought, in the judgment of that noble the government, as at present constituted, marquis, to have prevented him from taking would never have received his sanction; office under the present administration. and in support of that opinion I will, with It was stated, that there were certain peryour lordships' permission, read an extract sons in the present government, who, soon of a letter addressed by him to the noble after the formation of the late cabinet, had duke, on the 5th of May, 1827. It was used angry expressions towards some of the in consequence of, indeed in answer to, a members of that cabinet, and particularly speech delivered in this House by the towards its illustrious head; and it was noble duke a few days before its date ; and therefore said, that as he had been a I hope I shall be guilty of no impropriety member of that cabinet, and had acted in now quoting from it the sentiments of under its leader, he ought to have dethe writer on the point in question : clined taking a situation in the present

“There is but one other point in your administration. Now, he would ask their grace's speech which appears to call for lordships, whether they would sanction any observation from me. Your grace the doctrine, that the use of such expresemphatically says, that your being at the sions ought never to be forgotten,head of the government was wholly out of whether they would admit such a plea as the question. I learned this opinion of the sacred duty of immortalizing hatred, your grace with sincere pleasure. The and of sacrificing public grounds of action union of the whole power, civil and military, to the claims of private friendship, in the same hands (for your grace as prime whether, looking back at the history of the minister could never have effectually di- country, and of the most distinguished vested yourself of your influence over the characters who had conducted its councils, army) would certainly, in my opinion, have they would tell the world that, in point of constituted a station too great for any sub- prudence, of duty, and of private feeling, ject, and one incompatible with the public men were bound to cherish for ever practice of a free constitution. Nothing the sentiments of political opposition would have induced me to serve under which they had once had the misfortune such a forin of government, and I was to entertain against each other? He would rejoiced to find that your grace's opinion remind their lordships, that the life of his was always against such an arrangement.” | lamented friend afforded a strong proof

Upon this subject I need say no more. in illustration of his opinion upon this I cannot impart any additional weight to particular point. Were there ever feelings such ample and unanswerable testimony of of greater bitterness ;-feelings which dismy lamented relative's opinion upon it. I played themselves not merely in the shape must say, that I think my right hon. friend of personal ill will, but of direct quarrel VOL, XVIII.

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and conflict-than those which once ex- Notwithstanding any angry discussions isted between his right hon. friend and the which might have been going on in this or noble marquis, the minister for Foreign in the other House, habits of personal inAffairs to whom he succeeded? They, tercourse were cultivated by him with his bowever, were reconciled to each other, and opponents. Having said thus much in consented to sit and to act together in the explanation of his own conduct as regardsame cabinet; and yet, with that circum- ed his right hon. friend, he would now stance notorious to all the world, what was offer a word as to the terms upon which he the lesson which the noble marquis oppo- had become a member of the present site now wished to teach the House? For administration. A good deal had been his own part, he was of opinion that it was said about stipulation. If by stipulation a matter of high praise to both the illus- was meant that sort of agreement by which trious individuals to whom he had alluded, one man consented to forego something that they had had the manliness both to which he ought to have maintained, in forget and to forgive. He had repeatedly order to keep in with any set of men--in had the happiness of seeing them, after that sense there certainly was no stipulatheir personal conflict, acting together not tion. But if by stipulation was meant any merely with all the sincerity which the communication or preliminary understandpublic situations which they respectively ing, with respect to some points of great held demanded of them, but he believed political importance--that was, whether in his conscience with all the kindness and certain impressions were not made upon frankness of private cordiality. Was it, the minds of the surviving members of the then, he would ask, from the example of late cabinet, by conferences with the noble his illustrious and lamented friend, that duke at the head of the government-sueh he was to learn the lesson of uncompro- an understanding did exist. We did not mising and unrelenting political hostility. stipulate that the government should To that great and distinguished man he incline in favour of what was generally was bound by the ties of early and long- called Catholic emancipation. We only continued friendship: he might even say understood that a strict neutrality should by the ties of gratitude ; for if the situation be observed upon it by the government, which he had then the honour to hold was as was the case with the two cabinets which an object of ambition and gratification, he preceded it. We did not stipulate that had obtained it entirely by the kindness the noble duke should not abandon the and partiality of his deceased friend. For treaties into which the late government him, therefore, to cast any imputation on had entered with foreign powers. We the conduct of the late premier--for him heard from the noble duke the footing upon to do any thing, in acceding to the present which he wished the government to stand. government, which was either unkind or We understood from him, that he was disrespectful to his departed friend's me- inclined to observe the same fair and commory, was, if he knew aught of his own plete neutrality, with respect to the heart, a matter quite impossible. He had Catholic question, which had been observasked himself the question, whether there ed under the two former governments. was any private or personal consideration With regard to another point; namely, the which ought to prevent him from acting in foreign policy of the country, the noble concert with the members of the present duke had also declared, that having found, administration, seeing that his own political by the minutes of council of his predecesopinions generally coincided with theirs; sors, that his majesty was bound by treaty and the answer which his conscience to perform certain agreements entered into dictated to that question was, that no such with other powers, he spontaneously, and consideration did exist. He sincerely as part of his duty, would maintain and believed that there was no difference of perform those agreements, from a proper opinion, which the efllux of time would regard for the honour of his master and not have dissipated; in point of fact, the the interests of the country. Stipulations, differences which existed between his right he repeated, they made none; but their hon. friend and the gentlemen now in office understanding and agreement were, upon were not of a personal nature. And that all subjects, complete ; and under such they were so regarded by Mr. Canning circumstances, he said, once and for all, himself his conduct towards those noble that he was not ashamed of retaining the lords and gentlemen sufficiently proved. situation in his majesty's present adminis

tration, which it was his fortune to have to assent to this motion, because I know of heid under the administration which im- no person who is more interested than he mediately preceded it.

is in the production of the whole of these The Marquis of Lansdowne said, that papers. No person, I say, is more inalthough he had sufficient motives in what terested than my noble friend is, as well on had already passed that evening before account of the light which they will throw their lordships to determine him upon un upon the correspondence which he has dergoing the painful task of asking their himself conducted on this subject, as on lordships' attention to circumstances purely account of the honour' which they are cerpersonal to himself, still he deemed it tain to reflect upon those who preceded him most respectful to the House, to the im- in his own immediate office, upon the portance of the question which had been policy and talents of his late right hon. moved by his noble friend, and to the friend, to whom such frequent allusion has great political considerations with which been made this night, whose services were that question was connected, to ask the unhappily lost to his country in the course attention of their lordships on that even- of last year, at a time when they were ing to a short detail of facts, which it most likely to be beneficial, and whose would have been his bounden duty, at magnificent endowments shone with the some time or other, to submit to their brightest blaze, at the very moment when lordships. He should do this the more they were about to be extinguished for ever. willingly, because, though he was under Yes, my lords, great and resplendent as the necessity of adverting to several con- the fame of that right hon. gentleman siderations personal to himself, he should already is, when these papers shall be prou certainly take no part in those views of a duced, it will derive additional lustre. I personal nature, which had been lately am the more confident of the effect which brought forward by the noble earl at the they must hereafter produce upon the head of the foreigu department, and by minds of your lordships and of the public, the noble marquis who preceded him, re-in guiding the judgment, which the noble specting the circumstances which had led earl tells you, and tells you justly, you the noble earl to leave that government of ought not to form, until after you have which he and the noble earli formed a part, seen them; I am the more confident, I say, and to join that of which the noble earl of the effect which they must produce, now was a constituent member.

from observing the effect which they have With respect to the motion which is at already produced on a noble lord opposite, present before your lordships (continued the who from his situation has been enabled to noble marquis), I must frankly confess to inspect them. If the noble lord who now my noble friend and to your lordships, that holds the privy seal (lord Ellenborough), anxious, most anxious as I feel, not only and from whom I heard the last general that the papers for which my noble friend condemnation which was passed in this has moved, but also that other papers con- House upon the foreign policy of Mr. Cannected with them, going much further back ning's administration--if that noble lord into the transactions, and most necessary on perusing these papers, has not only to their full and perfect elucidation, should been able to bring himself to join in an be produced, still, after the solemn as- unanimous vote of this House in approbaseveration of my noble friend at the head of tion of the expedition which Mr. Canning the foreign department, that he is engaged sent to Portugal-an expedition which I in negotiation respecting them at this heard him, last year, in this very House, very moment, I, notwithstanding my most loudly condemn-if he has convinced private impression, that all the papers may himself of the justice and expediency of be safely produced, must acquiesce in the the principles which actuated Mr. Canobjection which my noble friend at the ning's foreign policy, out of which, I call head of the foreign department has made upon the noble earl at the head of the to their production at this time, and must foreign department to confirm me, when I express my hope, that my noble friend who say that every act of the government originated this debate will not press his emanated for the last six months--if he motion to a division. I am the more has honestly and conscientiously—and I ready to acquiesce in the objection taken do not doubt that he has honestly and by my noble friend, and to believe in the conscientiously-brought himself to form motives which he has stated for declining I part of a government, the head of which has this evening promulgated in a manner have either written or spoken on the subthat can admit of no doubt, that there is ject. I mean, that the island near which to be no change in the foreign policy this battle was fought is part and parcel which Mr. Canning adopted-I can have of the British dominions. The island of no doubt that those who approach these Sphacteria, which lies in the bay of Navapapers without that natural bias, which rino, and off which the action with the the expression of past opinion may Turkish squadron took place, is part of naturally be supposed to create, will rise the Ionian Islands, and therefore a British from the perusal of them with the warmest fleet had a right to anchor off it, in any admiration of the genius and ability which manner and at any time it pleased. I shines forth in every line of them.

believe that there is no lawyer who, if he Although I perfectly agree with the were retained in behalf of admiral Conoble earl opposite, that it would be most drington, would not, with the help of a unwise and impolitic to consider what are map of the territory of the Ionian Islands, the real merits of this question without make out a good case for him upon this first seeing all the documents connected very ground. I believe that a very infewith it, and not merely those for which rior lawyer to the noble and learned lord my noble friend has moved, I cannot help would find no difficulty in getting up a observing, that in the meanwhile your case on it, which no argument or ingelordships and the public cannot more use- nuity could possibly overthrow. I repeat, fully employ your attention than in con- that I am not going to allude to any parsidering the grounds on which your judg- ticular circumstances contained in the ment ought to be formed when those documents which it is now thought prupapers are produced; and in the few dent not to produce; but I would ask of words which I shall say upon that subject, your lordships, while those documents are I think the noble and learned lord on the withheld from you, to make up your minds cross bench will not accuse me of antici- as to the grounds on which you will judge pating the conclusion to which the House of that event which has been termed unmay come, or of forming deductions with- fortunate, and which really was unfortuout knowing the premises from which I nate, seeing that blood was shed in it, but draw them. The noble and learned lord, which was beyond all dispute a most brilhowever, must give me leave to say, that liant and successful naval operation. We at the very time when he was accusing my all know—and I agree with the noble duke noble friend near me of anticipating con- who made the observation---that any inclusions without examining premises, he terference in the affairs of foreign states was pronouncing a most decided judgment is an exception to the general rule of upon the conduct of sir Edward Codring- policy, which ought to guide the conduct ton in entering the bay of Navarinoma of this country. It is quite clear, howjudgment which, I solemnly declare, it is ever, that occasions must sometimes arise, my opinion that no man either can or in which mediations, and armed mediaought to form, without seeing the papers tions too, are necessary to secure the peace on which that movement was made, and and repose of the world ; and when the which, when produced, I also solemnly question of our interference in the present declare will, in my opinion, justify the instance shall come to be argued, I will conduct of that gallant officer to the con- not desire to argue it on any other ground viction of all mankind, and will satisfac- than that on which the noble and learned torily explain all the circumstances under lord has this night placed it; namely, its which he ordered the British fleet to sail tendency to secure the ultimate peace and to the position of the Turkish squadron. tranquillity of Europe. I know, my lords, And here, as the noble and learned lord and your lordships know too, that it is not has spoken out so plainly, I will allude, by pusillanimously avoiding to engage in not to matters which are contained in any those transactions in which other Euroof the papers which my noble friend at pean powers are involved, that peace is the head of the Foreign Department thinks most likely to be ultimately assured; and it inconvenient to the public service to I hope that your lordships will take every produce at present, but to matters which pains to ascertain, not merely whether our are of general geographical notoriety, and mediation was made in the best manner which, by some accident, have hitherto in which it could be made, but also wheescaped the attention of all those who I ther it was not one of those mediations