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objectionable an appointment. What was fied, that there would be no unconstitu

. rumoured out of doors, as to the future tional attack on the liberties of the people. disposal of patronage, might be true-per- These were not the times for such an haps it was true ; but the House would attempt. There had been periods when not consider that to be a compensation, the country heard with dismay that “the the country would not consider it to be a soldier was abroad.” That was not the compensation, for this appointment. He case now. Let the soldier be ever so much could not see why individuals of rank abroad, in the present age he could do should not recommend persons to high nothing.

There was offices in the army, the navy, or the abroad,-a less important person,-in the church. It was the duty of the minister eyes of some an insignificant person,to judge of their fitness, and on him lay whose labours had tended to produce this the responsibility of the appointment; but, state of things. The schoolmaster was that any one individual, of exalted rank, abroad (cheers]! and he trusted more to of great connexions, of extensive and the schoolmaster, armed with his primer, commanding influence, should alone have than he did to the soldier in full military the power of nominating to situations in array, for upholding and extending the the army, the navy, and the church, was liberties of his country. He thought the

, what he did not understand. Why the appointment of the duke of Wellington court, as it was called—the nobility and was bad, in a constitutional point of view; gentry-should be excluded from recom- but as to any violence being, in consemending to situations, he could not con- quence, directed against the liberties of ceive. Why the nobility in general, or the country, the fear of such an event he why wealthy commoners, possessing per- looked upon as futile and groundless.-He haps two or three boroughs, should be felt it incumbent upon him to say, that in bound hand and foot, and prevented from giving his consent to the Address, he did recommending to situations, he could not so with a reservation as to the manner in discover. This was not his reading of the which the battle of Navarino was spoken constitution. He was not aware, on con- of. He protested against that portion of stitutional grounds, why their recom- it on the part of the late government; he mendations should not be received. The protested against it on the part of Mr. patronage was in the minister, and he was Huskisson and Mr. Grant, who were not responsible for the manner in which he now present; and he protested against it disposed of it; and, be the person who on the part of the country, by whom he came forward with a recommendation a thought the terms in which that great peer or a boroughholder, he cared not : victory were noticed would be received if an improper nomination was made, he with astonishment and disgust [hear]. had a responsible minister to answer for it. Sir Joseph Yorke said, he hoped that There was, therefore, in this new arrange- the noble Secretary at War would not ment, no security or compensation to the suffer the House to separate without giving House or to the country for this union of the House some explanation' with respect power; and, therefore, in his view of the to the change of ministry, and the course matter, it was utterly unconstitutional.— which the new administration meant to Let it not be supposed, however, that he pursue. He had hoped that the principles was inclined to exaggerate. He had no fear advocated by the great man now no more of slavery being introduced into this coun- would have continued to be the principles try, by the power of the sword. It would of the government. He should like to take a stronger, it would demand a more know how these changes had been brought powerful, man, even than the duke of Wel- about, how the union of Whig and Tory lington, to effect such an object. The noble had been put an end to by the appointduke might take the army, he might take ment of the duke of Wellington, which the navy, he might take the mitre, he had filled the country with astonishment. might take the great seal—he would make Was it in Great Britain that such diffithe noble duke a present of them all. Let culty could be found in forming a minishim come on with his whole force, sword try? Could not individuals be found of in hand, against the constitution, and the sufficient talents and integrity to govern energies of the people of this country the country? Could not individuals be would not only beat him, but laugh at his discovered who would agree with each efforts. Therefore he was perfectly satis-1 other in carrying on the business of the

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country with a sole view only to its wel- | cessary for England, the greatest naval fare? Were they become so degenerate, country under the sun, to call to her asthat ministers could not be found to consistance two other powers, to check and duct the public affairs, unless it was stipu- put down a system of piracy? Was it lated that they should be placed in a necessary that a fleet of sixteen sail of the situation to command one job or another ? | line should be employed in such a busiHe could not agree with the hon. seconder ness? was ridiculous to make such an in what he had said relative to the dispute assertion. Could any one imagine it neat Navarino. The Greeks were by no cessary to equip such a force for the purmeans exempt from faults. For his part, pose of putting down the piratical attempts he was inclined to consider the Turks as of either or both of the hostile powers ? very honest fellows; although they had a No such thing. It was apparent, on the

; way of governing people by taking off face of the matter, that the force was entheir heads. He thanked the learned tirely directed against the power which gentleman opposite for his able speech. was in amity with this country, and that, He had opened the thunder of his artillery too, without any sufficing cause. In his with great effect, upon the Treasury-bench. view of the case, the entire subject, the Indeed, he had almost made him tremble treaty and every thing connected with it, on his seat. In his opinion, the noble should be referred to a secret committee : Secretary at War could not get out of the for it would not, perhaps, be proper that business any more than the duke of Wels such an inquiry should be public. He lington, unless he stated what had given should be glad to know in what situation rise to the extraordinary change that had this country stood at present; and whebeen effected in the government of the ther we were at war or peace with Turkey, country.

As to the gallant officer who had behaved Mr. Bankes said, he felt it impossible so honourably at Navarino, he had nothing not to notice some of the topics that were to say against him. He had only to lament, mentioned in the Speech from the Throne. that that meritorious individual had been It appeared to him that there was an al- engaged in an attack on an ancient ally. most unqualified regret, throughout the It would, however, be right that the House country, at the disastrous affair of Nava- should know, hereafter, what instructions rino-an affair which had created dismay were given to him on that disastrous occaand astonishment. Those who had agreed sion. As there must be various discussions to the treaty were placed in a dilemma on this business, he should not detain the from which they could not extricate them- House longer; but he deemed it necesselves; seeing that the necessary conse- sary, thus early, to throw out these hints, quence of that treaty, which he considered because he thought that there ought to be to be impolitic and unjust, was the de- an expression of the opinion of the House plorable event to which he had alluded. on this part of the Speech. As to PorThere would, he knew, arrive other oppor- tugal, he was glad to learn that the troops tunities for arguing this point; but as it sent there were on the eve of returning. formed so prominent a part of his majesty's That measure, also, was not in the spirit Speech, and as that Speech seemed, 'in of British policy, inasmuch as it interfered some manner, to countenance that trans- with the government of foreign nations, action, he could not suffer the topic to be an interference not justified by circumpassed by in silence. The hon. and learned stances, nor demanded by our own intergentleman had spoken of the foreign policy est or safety. He deprecated, in the which this government ought to adopt. strongest terms, every thing connected Was it, then, British policy to interfere with the treaty. If it should be attended in the internal affairs of other states. Was with a happy result, he should ascribe it it not contrary to the law of nations to do to good fortune rather than to wise counso? And had they not, by the treaty into sels. which they had entered, violated that law? Lord Althorp said, he agreed with his The hon. and learned gentleman main-hon. and learned friend, as far as he was tained that this was a contest for religion informed of the circumstances, that the

It was no such thing. The battle of Navarino was a necessary consetreaty was founded on a false pretence ; quence of the treaty of London. He and they were next told that the intention agreed, also, most fully, in the protest of was to put down piracy. But, was it ne- his hon. and learned friend against those

and liberty.

expressions in the Speech from the Throne, were one or two points which had fallen which seemed to cast a censure upon the from hon. gentlemen on the other side, gallant admiral who commanded at Nava- which his sense of duty to the House rino. It would be hard, indeed, upon would not allow him to pass unnoticed. naval officers, if they were to be employed Therefore he would not accept the invitain highly delicate and important duties, tion of the gallant member, to go at once and were liable afterwards to have blame into a relation of the circumstances which insinuated against them, without the clear- had led to the recent change in his majesty's est proof that cause for such blame ex- councils. Because, even if he were to isted. With respect to the treaty of Lon- succeed in satisfying the gallant member don, undoubtedly he felt considerable upon the subject, he should incur, and doubts both as to its policy and justice. deservedly incur, the censure of the House. But, nevertheless, he could not bring him- But, postponing that question as the noble self to give so decided an opinion as his lord opposite was disposed to do, until the hon. friend who spoke last had done. He parties concerned were present, he would would hear the explanations of those who merely call the attention of the House to were responsible for the treaty, and not, a few accusations, proceeding from other in their absence, prejudge the question ; quarters, which he considered to be groundand therefore he wished that the subject, less and unfounded. The hon. and learned for the present, had been avoided. As to member, seemed to think the Address the affairs of Portugal, he felt the same objectionable, because it contained certain satisfaction which the hon. member ex- expressions, amounting to disapprobation, pressed; but his satisfaction arose from a of a late important occurrence. Now, he very different cause. He was glad to hear could not but think that it would have been that the British troops were about to leave a great fault on the part of administration, that country; but he was so, because they if they had omitted to touch, in the royal had been entirely successful in the object Speech, upon a topic of so much public for which they were sent out. England interest: and he was ready to admit, that was bound by treaty to prevent the inter- it would have been improper in the mover ference of foreign powers with Portugal. or seconder, to have called upon the House A demonstration of interference on the to sanction any address, which would have part of Spain induced Portugal to ask for committed the House upon a question of our assistance ; and it was as impossible great national importance.

But surely a in faith and honour, as it was in sound very little of that critical examination policy, to refuse it. In giving that assis- which no man was more capable than the tance, we had given it without any desire hon. and learned gentleman of employing, to support one party in the country more would convince him, that there was nothing than another. Portugal no longer re- in the present address which committed quired it; and the troops were, therefore, the House to any particular line of policy. withdrawn ; the object of their occupation The address only thanked his majesty for being accomplished. He abstained, for the communication he had been pleased to the present, from entering into the ques- make, and did not commit the parties who tion of the composition of the present ad-supported it upon any point whatever. The ministration. In that administration he hon. and learned gentleman had a peculiar had no confidence; but he felt bound not pleasantry and humour in his attacks, to state the reasons for that want of con- which made them amusing, even to those fidence until those members of the go- at whom they were most especially pointed ; vernment to whose conduct he objected but he certainly had not displayed good were present in that House, and had an taste in the manner in which he had been opportunity of explaining the course they pleased to advert to the military character had pursued. He concluded, therefore, of the duke of Wellington. The claims by renewing, in conjunction with his hon. which that noble and gallant duke had and learned friend, his protest against that established to the gratitude of this coun. part of the Speech which alluded to the try, stood upon a basis too firm to be battle of Navarino.

shaken by any taunts or sneers that might Lord Palmerston agreed, that it would be thrown out against them. He was perbe inexpedient to enter at present into suaded that the noble duke felt perfectly many

bjects which had been referred to indifferent to the remarks of the hon, and in the course of the evening; but there I learned gentleman, and that he might

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safely leave their answer to the good taste The hon. and learned member said, that and intelligence of the House. There was the Speech pronounced a condemnation one topic however upon which he was glad upon the battle of Navarino. He asserted to be able to relieve the alarms of the hon. that it did not do so; that it censured, or and learned gentleman. The military condemned nothing. It contained office formerly held by the noble duke censure upon the treaty which had prowould not be united to the political. The duced the battle, nor any blame of the noble duke had tendered to the king his gallant admiral who had commanded in resignation of the office of commander-in- it. The Speech said, that the conflict was chief, on the same day that he had accepted unexpected ; and, certainly, there could that of first lord of the treasury; and be no doubt that it had been so. Because, although no successor to the post had as although some collision might have been yet been appointed, the House might con- expected, yet the affair of Navarino took sider the resignation as virtually made: place in a way which could not be expected. from the present time, the duke of Wel- | It had arisen out of a combination of cirlington would cease to be commander-in- cumstances which could not be foreseen ; chief. Therefore it was to be hoped that and therefore it must have been a collision the fears of the hon. and learned gentle- entirely unexpected by the government. man, and his apprehensions of the danger. He thought it impossible that his majesty ous consequences of the military, civil, and could be advised to allude to a battle church patronage, being united in one taking place under such circumstances, individual, would cease also. Whatever without an expression of regret, battle, danger there might be in such an event, speaking without the smallest condemnathe House might be assured it was not tion of it, which had taken place between about to occur. —Another objection taken his fleets, and the fleets of a country with by the hon. and learned gentleman to the which we were not only not at war, but present prime minister was, that the poble with which we were absolutely on terms of duke's habits and experience had been alliance. The expressions used, did not military, and not civil. But the hon. and mean any reflection upon the conduct of learned gentleman himself had admitted, the gallant admiral commanding, and could that, in the speech in which the noble not fairly be so construed. The honours duke, with an honourable modesty, had sent out to the gallant admiral were a disclaimed the possession of talents which sufficient proof of this. Those testimonies qualified him for the first situation in the proved that his skill and gallantry were country--the very terms and manner in duly appreciated. The gallant officer still which that disclaimer was made, showed continued in his situation of high and that the modesty of the speaker far under- important trust.

Would this be the case, rated his own capacities. And surely the if the government considered that any personal knowledge of the hon. and censure ought to be passed upon him? No learned gentleman must sufficiently in.. censure was meant, nor was any expressed ; struct him, that the whole of the duke of and therefore the dilemma in which the Wellington's experience had not been hon. and learned member proposed to confined to the arıny. The House at least involve the government, was without existwould know, that there had been scarcely ence. But the hon, and learned member's an important transaction in Europe for the apprehensions were not confined to the last thirteen years in which the noble duke, treatment of the victors in the late engageat home or abroad, had not directly borne ment, or to the combination of power in a part. The hon. and learned member the person of the duke of Wellington. He could not surely recollect what had was alarmed for the general welfare of the actually been the case, when he spoke of state, and trusted that the new ministry the experience of the duke of Wellington were not returning to that system of as having been entirely military. The hon. foreign and domestic policy, which had and learned gentleman, had been pleased proved so adverse to the best interests of to state, that he, for once, should prove a the country. Nothing would be more better tactician than the noble duke; and improper than to declare beforehand what that he had got him into a dilemma, out were the intentions of any administration ; of which it would not be easy for him to but when the House found the noble earl escape. Now, he denied the existence of at the head of Foreign Affairs who had any dilemma ; there was no dilemma at all. I held that situation in the ministry of Mr,

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Canning, the right hon. member for Liver- ' not bear an entirely opposite construction? pool continuing to be minister for the colonial | He entirely agreed with the noble lord, department, and the same President of the that what he said could not matter to the Board of Trade charged with the direction duke of Wellington. All Europe was of our commercial system, surely there was aware of the noble duke's talents and no reason to anticipate that those persons deserts; but it would matter considerably would depart from the principles upon to him, if he should be supposed so foolish which they had hitherto acted, and which as to have uttered any sentiments but had met, almost universally, with approba- those of respect and gratitude to the duke tion and support. All he would say was for his military services. He had himself -judge of the new government by its in that House, over and over again, when measures, not by the notions that any those with whom he was connected by individuals

may form of what those mea- party had been disposed to hang back, sures were to be. The hon. member for absolutely urged the government to place Corfe Castle had asked, whether we were larger means at the disposal of the noble at war or at peace with Turkey ? Certainly, duke. What he had said on the present not at war. Our ambassador had quitted evening was in order to draw the line beConstantinople; but no change had taken tween the position of a finance minister place in our policy. Therefore, we were and a commander-in-chief. If saying that still at peace. With respect to Greece, he the duke was not the best qualified to be would merely say, that the treaty and a finance minister was attacking his protocol would be laid before the House, military reputation, those who took it to be but it was not intended at present to found so gave a meaning to words which, in the any motion upon them. The negotiations ordinary usage of society, they did not connected with the treaty were not yet bear. ended. There was no reason to believe Lord John Russell said, he would take that they would be ended, otherwise than that opportunity of entering his protest to the advantage of the country; but it against the kind of declamation in which was possible that present discussion might the noble Secretary at War had indulged operate prejudicially. If, under these cir- when speaking of the duke of Wellington. cumstances, it should be thought advisable He remembered very well when that noble to bring forward any motion, ministers i duke last year proposed a clause in the would be prepared to meet it; though they Corn-bill, which was considered highly inwould not, at present, originate any them- jurious to the commercial interests of the selves. The hon. member for Corfe Castle, country, it was said, “how can gentlehad formerly stated, and now repeated, men possibly make an objection to this that the expedition to Portugal had been clause, when they consider that this very sent out in order to interfere with the day is the 18th of June, the anniversary internal arrangements of that country. He of the battle of Waterloo ?” Now, he felt denied this. The expedition had been great thanks were due to the duke for havsent out to fulfil the treaty we had entered ing gained that battle, but, nevertheless, the into to defend Portugal from external clause in the Corn-bill was a very injurious attack. He did not mean to say that he one to the country; and he protested was not gratified by the course which against the practice hereafter, that, whenaffairs had taken in Portugal. It was ever the duke should propose any very obsatisfactory to see that country with some- jectionable measure, or make any financial thing like a liberal form of government, blunder, as a prime minister, that the satisfactory, because he believed that our House should be met with a reference to relations with every state were made more his military services. The duke of Wellingfirm and safe by the admission of the ton having placed himself in a civil capeople generally to some share in the pacity, must submit to be judged of in government, or at least by giving the that capacity. It was hardly necessary for public voice the power of expression. him to say, that in all that the duke of

Mr. Brougham said, in explanation, that Wellington might hereafter do, his past the noble lord had endeavoured to make it services, if not openly referred to, would appear that he had spoken lightly of the not be the less remembered. But he could military reputation of the duke of Welling- not help thinking, that those very habits ton.

Now, he asked every member, of command which had been most befitting whether the words which he had used, did the noble duke in his military station, and VOL. XVIII.

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