Page images
PDF
EPUB

The hon. member for Westminster had conciliatory temper, still continued secre. asked, whether it was the intention of go- tary for Ireland. Surely the continuance vernment to propose a vote of thanks to of that hon. gentleman in office ought to the gallant admiral for this victory? In to be taken as a guarantee, that every reply, he had only to say, that he was not means would be taken to calm the angry aware of the existence of any such inten- passions of that part of the kingdom, and, tion; and for this reason, that it was not as far as possible, to allay their conflicting usual to propose a vote of thanks for an animosities. Hon. gentlemen seemed to action of this nature, when not performed think, because certain individuals formed in a time of open war between the nations a part of the present government who to which the combatants belonged. As to were known to be hostile to the Catholic the papers to which the hon. member al-claims, that therefore the whole influence luded, it was not, he believed, intended of that government was to be exercised to to lay them before parliament. No cen- give effect to their opinions. Let the sure whatever was implied against sir E. House look at the confidential servants of Codrington; consequently, no production the Crown, and they would find that the of papers was necessary for the vindica- majority consisted of supporters of the Cation of a character which no one attacked. tholic claims. How, then, could the adTo produce papers where conduct was un- ministration be said to be constructed on impeached would be a novel proceeding; a principle adverse to that measure? For and publication of such documents might himself he could only say, that if he did have an injurious effect upon negotiations not think it was constructed on a princistill going on. The next question which ple of fair and honest neutrality upon that had been put to him referred to the views question, and that patronage and influence of government with respect to the Catho- were to be fairly exerted, he, for one, lic Association aet. As the administra- would not longer remain a member of that tion had only been very recently formed, government. it had not been possible to give that, as Mr. Hobhouse said, that, as it was not well as other topics, the necessary consi- the intention of government to propose a deration. With respect to the omission vote ofthanks to admiral Codrington, henow of Ireland in the Speech from the Throne, gave notice, that on the 14th of February he could assure the House it was not in- he would himself introduce such a motion. tended to set aside the strong claims of As to precedent, there was one in point, the sister-country to have her condition which it was strange the present adminisfally considered." Whether the govern- tration should have overlooked. He meant ment were for or against the Catholic that of the vote of thanks to sir Arthur Welclaims, the condition of so large and inte- lesley, the present prime minister, for his gral a portion of the kingdom must be an share in the victory at Copenhagen—a state object of serious attention. It was not which we were, at the time, in friendly usual for the King's Speech to advert par-alliance. ticularly to any portion of the empire, un- Sir M. W. Ridley said, he did not find less some remarkable change had taken fault with the use of the term “ untoward” place in its circumstances, subsequent to in the king's Speech; especially after the the preceding meeting of parliament. No- explanation which had been given. He thing had occurred in Ireland during the thought the government were justified in recess, to call for any marked observation. their application of the term. He would True it was, that there did unfortunately not, at that moment, question the policy prevail in Ireland much want of employ- which had led to the battle of Nament; true it was, that plans of emigra- varino : the time would arrive when the tion were promoted, by arrangements of principle of the treaty of London must be which be disapproved, and to which he discussed. If it were approved of, then wondered that men of property could have they ought to do the admiral justice who assented; true it was, that there prevailed had enforced it. He was most anxious to in that country an intense anxiety to have the whole conduct of that gallant know what were the views of parliament officer inquired into. There was a great with respect to the Catholic question ; but dictinction to be drawn between not centhe hon. gentlemen opposite should bear suring an officer and praising him. Cauin mind, that an hon. friend of theirs (Mr. tion with respect to the latter, might be W. Lamb), a man of great discretion and I justifiable until the treaty should be discussed. As to the present administration, measure of concession should receive his he would judge of them by their acts. support. He saw no reason to doubt their good in- Mr. M. A. Taylor perfectly agreed that tentions ; nor did he believe the condition the battle of Navarino was an untoward of Ireland would be overlooked by them. i event.” He considered it a most unforChanges might possibly take place in the tunate event for this country. He did not opinions of some persons upon the Catho-deny the talent and skill with which the lic question; and, if they should, the gallant admiral had fought the battle ; but country would, he had no doubt, have the he did question the policy of the instrucbenefit of them. They had, in the hon. tions under which he had acted. Unless member for Armagh, one of the purest in- he heard a satisfactory explanation of the stances of such a change of opinion. An grounds of the treaty, it should never have upright man would always avow such an his support. He trusted that tranquillity alteration, when it became the deliberate i would be restored with the Porte. The conviction of his mind. That great ques- consequences would otherwise be serious. tion had gained ground in public opinion. Look at the situation in which we had The more it was dispassionately canvassed, placed our old ally. Look at the situathe greater support it would obtain. tion in which we had placed Russia and

Lord Normanby said, that of all the go- France. View the long-continued policy vernments he had ever seen, the present was of the Russian government; and then let the one which held out the least chance of a the country judge whether the battle of favourable consideration of the Catholic Navarino was not an “ untoward event.” claims. A majority in the cabinet afforded He was satisfied that this was the general no security, when he recollected of what opinion. He was in London when the individuals it was composed. Of the news of the battle arrived, and he had noble lord's colleagues friendly to those heard the most anxious fears expressed claims, one of them had not long ago de- as to the probable consequences. God clared that he considered the question not grant they might not happen! Was there a to be of so much importance now as he man in his majesty's government who did had formerly attached to it: another not shudder with horror when the news noble lord in the cabinet, it was under reached him? In no point of view could stood, thought the question had better be he approve of the treaty, or of its results. deferred: while a third noble lord had quit- Lord Euston expressed his approbation ted office last year, only, as it would seem, of the conduct of the gallant admiral in because he was afraid that too many of his the battle of Navarino, and lamented that colleagues would be of his own opinion. What government did not intend to originate a was there to balance against this great ma- vote of thanks to him, for his skill and jority? The noble duke at the head of the valour on that occasion. government was decidedly adverse to any Sir F. Burdett said, that while he was further concessions to the Catholics; and ready to admit the inconvenience of going for the first time, since the days of Mr. Per- into discussions of this kind at present, ceval, the leader in the House of Commons he could not help observing, that so far from was also opposed to the Catholic claims. I thinking that the battle of Navarino ought To these facts he could not shut his eyes ; to be described as an “untoward event,” nor could he forget what that right hon. he considered it in the highest degree cregentleman had openly stated in his place ditable to the character of the country, last session ; namely, that he had quitted and that it had raised it in the estimation office because he could not retain it under of the civilized world. He had hoped, Mr. Canning, without giving his support that those who had the manliness to have to an administration too friendly to the projected the enterprise, would have had Catholic question. The right hon. gentle- the vigour to maintain their position. man's return to office was therefore, a great He was sorry to see them sink beneath obstacle to the favourable adjustment of the execution of their own conception, that question. That was his only objec- and die, as it were, of diffidence, after tion to the right hon. gentleman's return others had expressed so much satisfaction to office. There was a report, that it was at what they had done. For his own part, intended to grant a portion of the Catho- he should when the proper time came, lic claims. He should be delighted to find be prepared to defend the policy and the it true. Come from whom it might, any wisdom of every measure connected with

[ocr errors]

a

the battle of Navarino. He could not too to those who were appointed by the gomuch admire the ability displayed by the vernment which the hon. gentleman apadmiral and his fleet in the execution of proved, and of which he had been a their perilous duty. The admiral was, member, where was the necessity for inindeed, beyond the reach of the censure of troducing Ireland into the King's Speech? those who trembled for his act. He had He would not conceal from himself, that, already received the sanction of the execu- with respect to the great question of Cative government, and honours had been be- tholic emancipation, much alarm had been stowed upon him by his sovereign. It was excited in Ireland by the change in his too late, therefore now, to call in question majesty's councils; but when they recolthe merit of the achievement. He had lected the opinion which had been stated executed the provisions of the treaty in the in that House, by those who had presided spirit with which it had been originated; over succeeding administrations ; namely, and he ought to be thanked, whether there that the success of this important question was a precedent or not. If there was, could not be hastened, but might be rewell and good : if not, let the subject be tarded, by being made a cabinet question, discussed upon its own merits. With re- then those who admitted this could not spect to the omission of any allusion to fairly complain that it was not mentioned Ireland in the King's Speech, the noble lord in the Speech from the Throne. He would had informed the House, that that country not place the success of this question on was in a satisfactory state ; or at least that the balance of votes in the cabinet. It nothing had occurred, since last session, was, in his opinion, an unwise and unto call for particular notice. He hoped worthy mode of treating a great public that this would appear to be the case, question, which had marched forward by when Irish subjects should come under dis- the force of public opinion. Most of them cussion. He confessed he entertained must have seen it rise from minority and different anticipations upon that subject. defeat in that House, to success and

Mr. V. Fitzgerald deprecated discussion triumph; and, what was still more remarkat that moment upon questions which must able, they had seen it, by degrees, gaining hereafter be debated in a regular form. a victory over the public mind, and winning He would only make a passing allusion to the support of those who had long opposed the omission of Ireland in the Speech it. Therefore he contended, that it was from the Throne. If he could believe by an unworthy and an unwise way to balance this omission, that the new government its success on the votes in the cabinet. If intended to cast aside the consideration there was one characteristic which, more of the state of Ireland, he could assure his than another, distinguished the noble perhon. friend, that he had taken his seat son at the head of his majesty's councils, next him, and called for an inquiry into and which was almost as conspicuous as the state of that country. Surely when the talents that had accumulated glories his hon. friend knew that the government of imperishable lustre around him, it was of Ireland was intrusted to such hands as his firmness, his straight-forwardness, his had been alluded to, he could not doubt honesty of character.

Whatever might the desire of the administration to do be the fate of this question,—whatever justice to his country. When the govern- course might be taken with respect to itment had only been in office a few days, be had proved, that the influence of the it was too much to expect that they should Crown should not be exerted ou the occabe prepared with all those details ; unless, sion. He had evinced this feeling, by indeed, it could be shown, that their pre- retaining in the councils of the country, decessors in office had left them matured some of the most distinguished champions in their bureaus ready for use. He could of Catholic emancipation. The only two not see the necessity for introducing Ireland new members of it held, upon this subject, in the Speech from the Throne, unless the same opinions; they had both proved circumstances of a peculiar nature de-themselves to be sincere advocates of Camanded a notice of that kind. It had tholic emancipation. He must consider been done when the state of that country those individuals to be in error, who would required measures of special rigour ; but, embattle against the present government happily, such was not now the case. Be- all who supported the Catholic question, sides, when it was borne in mind, that the because that government was divided upon government of that country was confided the question. He trusted, however, that

a

a

they would pause before they determined thought the proper course was, to resume to take such a course, and that they would the subject in that shape, substantially, not retard a cause which had been ad- in which it had been left in the last session : vanced by discussion, and which, by dis- he had, however, added to the bill procussion alone, would be ultimately suc- visions calculated to obviate the tumult, cessful.

delay, and expense, which formed the The report was brought up, and agreed chief objections to the representation of to.

large towns. As to the production of

further evidence, he was fully prepared Penryn DISFRANCHISEMENT Bill.] with it, if the House should desire to have Lord John Russell rose to move for leave additional satisfaction with regard to the to bring in a bill “ to exclude the borough corrupt state of East Retford ; but as the of Penryn from sending members to serve committee upon the bill would be the in parliament, and to enable the town of proper stage for that evidence, if required, Manchester, with certain townships adjoin- as well as for any discussion with regard ing, to send two burgesses to serve in to the place to which the privilege of reparliament.” It was his intention, in the turning members to parliament should be proper stage of the bill, to move that the eventually transferred, he would not now franchise be granted to occupiers of houses detain the House by any further observaassessed at 201. a year, resident within six tions, but simply move for leave to bring miles of Manchester,

in a bill, “ to exclude the borough of East Mr. Fergusson thought, that evidence Retford from electing burgesses to serve should be produced to show clearly that in parliament, and to enable the town of the elective franchise qught to be taken Birmingham to return two representatives from the burgesses. Last session it was to parliament in lieu thereof." considered, that the evidence produced Mr. George Bankes said, that the cirwas not sufficient to substantiate a charge cumstances of this case were of a very

a of bribery.

peculiar nature. The committee which Mr. Manning hoped the noble lord would sat to consider the merits of the election give sufficient time, before the second for East Retford commenced their labours reading, to have the subject thoroughly in the month of May last, and terminated examined.

them at the end of that month; and, by Lord J. Russell was willing to give any virtue of the power of suspending the time that might be deemed necessary for writ, which the House possessed, that the defence of the burgesses. He, how- borough had since remained unrepresented. ever, would not only not bring forward It was acknowledged that the writ was any fresh evidence, but would oppose any suspended; that the gentlemen who had motion for that purpose. The former de- set up for the borough were unseated, not cision of the House was, he conceived, for bribery, but for treating; which was a sufficient.

very inferior offence. Now, if that were Leave was given to bring in the bill. the only offence against those who seated

them, and, if no charge of bribery were East RETrORD DisfraNCHISEMENT substantiated against those gentlemen, it -AND REPRESENTATION OF BIRMING- was clear that there could have been no HAM.] Mr. Tennyson rose for the purpose suspension of the writ. But the committee of re-introducing a bill which the House made a special report with respect to brihad adopted, and read a second time, at bery having been committed on former the close of the last session, for disfran- occasions, and also with reference to its chising the borough of East Retford, and having been expected on this, by those giving representation to Birmingham. He who concurred in electing the then memwas aware that some gentlemen thought bers. No bribery was either brought home evidence should be produced at the bar, to the members or to the electors. The in addition to that taken before the Ret- members were, however, unseated by the ford Election committee, on which the suspension of the writ, and the consequence House had proceeded last year. He knew was, that there was no person in the House also, that other gentlemen entertained connected with the borough, or interested different views from himself, as to the in investigating the business. He knew destination of the franchise, if it should how inefficient an advocate he should be removed from East Retford. He had prove, if he offered to take up the cause

of this party ; but, having been nominee these circumstances, he thought they ought on the election committee, and, therefore, to pause, and hear all the evidence again, better acquainted with the circumstances before they acted upon it. He entreated of the case than the members generally, his learned friend to proceed with as little he considered it his duty to call the atten. delay as possible ; because, as they were tion of the House, from time to time, to taught that persons accused were presumed the circumstances, for the purpose of de to be innocent until they were found guilty, fending the mterests of those who would it was evident that this case of the burotherwise stand alone. He had no con- gesses of East Retford was rather a hard nexion with the borough ; no knowledge one. of the parties; and no acquaintance with Mr. Batley agreed, generally, with what the gentlemen for whom he acted as nomi- had fallen from the hon. gentleman who nee: he only wished that justice should had spoken last; but he would go a point be done, and especially if the offence were further, and would say, that he did not fully proved, of the commission of which see the justice of disfranchising a borough, there was certainly fall and pregnant sus- merely because it could be proved that picion. He conceived that the House some forty or fifty of the voters had given would act with injustice, if it proceeded on their votes with an expectation of being the present evidence. What was the con- bribed for so doing. The members who clusion to which the committee had come? had been returned had been acquitted of The result clearly proved, that they did bribery, and that was a material point. not believe the evidence ; for, if they had Mr. Tennyson replied. He assured his believed it, it was impossible that they hon. friend (Mr. G. Bankes) of his anxiety should not have come to the conclusion, to bring the subject under consideration that bribery had been committed. It was to an early conclusion; not only on acdecided by a large majority of the com- count of the important interests involved, mittee, that the members were not guilty but of the desire which he felt, in common of bribery; and, when the evidence was with every gentleman who had the conduct thus, in a great measure, discredited by of a public bill, to be speedily relieved those who had the best means of judging from his labours. He would not then of it; when it did not bring home the enter upon any reply to the numerous obcharge of bribery; were they prepared to servations of his hon. friend, as a more fit say, that, because it was bad and inefficient opportunity would occur for the discusfor one purpose, it was good for another ? sions to which they would lead, but, in It was, therefore, impossible to say that consequence of what had fallen from both the present evidence formed a fit ground the hon. members who had spoken, he felt for disfranchising this borough, and de- it right to remind the House, that the priving individuals of their rights. Per- ground on which the House allowed him sons, be their situation high or low, found to proceed with this bill in the last session guilty of this offence, ought to be punish- was—not any specific bribery at the last ed; but the House ought to be slow in election for East Retford--but the syscoming to any hasty conclusion. His tematic corruption which had prevailed. learned friend himself would not, he was there for a series of elections past, and as sure, press that evidence on the House, far back as the memory of man extended, as the groundwork of condemnation. He which rendered the electors totally unfit did not speak of all the evidence. The to be further trusted with the franchise. witnesses were of different descriptions ; of this corruption he repeated, that, if but those who spoke of acts of violence the House was not satisfied already, he were very much, if not wholly, discredited. was prepared with proofs so ample and The charge, in this case, was certainly of conclusive, that he expected its unanimous a grave nature. It was, that a strong sus- concurrence with regard to the disfranpicion existed that bribes were expected chisement of East Retford. on this occasion; as, on several former Leave was given to bring in the bill, occasions, bribes had been expected, and were received. Now, the evidence that Protocol AND TREATY applied to former transactions ought to be PACIFICATION GREECE.) Lord received with great caution; because those Palmerston presented, by command, the who had been accused on former occasions following Protocol and Treatyhad no counsel to defend them. Under

a

FOR

THE

OF

« PreviousContinue »