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THOMAS CURSON HANSARD, PATERNOSTER ROW.
CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF EUROPE.
CHAPTER I.
General Observations on the state of the country and position of the
Government at the commencement of the year 1842-Secession of the
Duke of Buckingham from the Cabinet-Parliament opened on the 3rd
of February by the Queen in person-Presence of the King of Prussia
on the occasion--Her Majesty's Speech from the Throne-Address
moved in the House of Lords by the Marquess of Abercorn, seconded
by the Earl of Dalhousie-Speeches of Viscount Melbourne, Duke of
Wellington, Lord Brougham, Earl Fitzwilliam, Duke of Buckingham,
and other Peers-Address carried unanimously-Debate in the House
of Commons-Address moved by the Earl of March, seconded by Mr.
Beckett-Speeches of Mr. Ewart, Lord John Russell, Sir Robert Peel,
Mr. Villiers, and Mr. Escott-General allusion to the Corn-laws-
Statement of Sir R. Peel respecting his Financial Measures-Address
carried without a division
CHAPTER II.
Introductory Debate on the Corn-laws on 9th February-Extraordinary
interest manifested in the House of Commons, and out of doors—
Attempt of the Anti-Corn-law Delegates to take possession of the
Lobby-They are prevented by the Police-Development of the Minis-
terial plan by Sir Robert Peel-He proposes a modification of the
Sliding-scale-Short Remarks on the Plan by Lord John Russell-It is
vehemently denounced by Mr. Cobden as an insult to the People—
Debate resumed on the 14th-Lord John Russell moves at great length
a Resolution condemnatory of a Graduated Scale-Summary of his
arguments-He is answered by Mr. W. E. Gladstone-The Debate
continued by Adjournment during three nights-Principal Speakers on
both sides-Debate unmarked by novelty or originality of views-Mr.
Roebuck opposes the principle of Protection in toto-Speech of Sir
Robert Peel, who is followed by Lord Palmerston-Lord John Russell's
Amendment rejected on Division by 349 to 226
CHAPTER III.
[15
Corn-laws-Debate on Mr. Villiers' Amendment-General Character of
the Discussion which occupied five nights-Speeches of Mr. Villiers,
Mr. T. B. Macaulay, Mr. J. S. Wortley, Mr. Wakley, Mr. Wykeham
Martin, Sir Robert Peel, and Mr. Cobden-Mr. B. Ferrand brings
heavy Charges against certain Manufacturers--Discussion thereon-
Reply of Mr. Villiers, whose Amendment is lost by 393 to 90-Public
Meetings on the Corn-laws-Proceedings of Anti-Corn-law Societies-
Letter of Lord Nugent on withdrawing from one of these Bodies-Sir
Robert Peel is burnt in Effigy in various manufacturing Towns→→
Meetings of Agriculturists-Their general reception of the Measure-
Proceedings of the Aylesbury Association, where the Duke of Buck-
ingham presides-The House of Commons goes into Committee on the
Resolutions on February 25th-Mr. Christopher proposes a new Scale
of Duties as a Substitute for Sir Robert Peel's-An irregular Discussion
on the Amendment terminates in its Rejection by 306 to 104—Mr.
Wodehouse's Motion respecting Duties on Barley withdrawn after some
Debate-Mr. Smith O'Brien advocates greater protection to Irish Oats
-Various other Amendments proposed, all of which are rejected or
withdrawn-On Motion for Second Reading of the Bill Lord Ebring-
ton moves that it be read that Day Six Months-Speeches of Lord
Howick, Mr. C. Buller, Sir Robert Peel, and other Members--The
Second Reading carried by 284 to 176-Rapid Progress of the Bill
through Committee-Divers Amendments defeated-Resolution pro-
posed by Mr. Cobden on Third Reading rejected by large Majority-
Bill passed in House of Commons on April 5th-In the House of
Lords the Second Reading is moved by the Earl of Ripon-Earl Stan-
hope vigorously opposes it, and censures the Government-His speech
on moving the rejection of the Bill-Speeches of the Earl of Hardwick,
Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Winchilsea, Viscount Melbourne, and
Lord Brougham, who moves another Amendment-Both motions are
rejected by great Majorities-The Bill is read a Second Time-In
Committee Viscount Melbourne moves an Amendment in favour of a
Fixed Duty-It is rejected after full Discussion by a majority of 68—
Three Resolutions condemnatory of all Duties on Foreign Corn are
proposed by Lord Brougham-They are disaffirmed by 87 to 6-Various
other Amendments are moved without success, and the Bill is read a
Third Time and passed
CHAPTER IV.
[42
Financial Measures-Embarrassing Circumstances of the Country-Sir
Robert Peel's bold and comprehensive Plans of Reform-His Speech
on introducing his Budget-Its Reception by the House-Remarks of
Lord John Russell-In the House of Lords Lord Brougham moves a
String of Resolutions respecting the Income-Tax-The Earl of Ripon
moves the previous question, which is carried-Debate in the House of
Commons on Finance-Speeches of Mr. F. T. Baring, Mr. Goulburn,
Lord Howick, and Lord John Russell-Sir Robert Peel vindicates his
Measures, and explains the Machinery of the Income-Tax Bill-Recep-
tion of the Measure by the Opposition in the House of Commons-
Notice given by Lord John Russell-First Debate on the Subject-
Objections against the Tax urged by different Members-Some of the
Liberal Party support it-Speeches of Mr. Smith O'Brien and Mr.
Roebuck-Sir Robert Peel defends his Measures against the Objections
urged-Speech of Lord John Russell-Attempt to postpone the Deci-
sion of the House by Motions of Adjournment-They are negatived,
but, ultimately, it is deferred till after the Easter Recess-The Subject
resumed-State of Public Feeling respecting it-Mr, Blewitt moves an
Amendment on Sir Robert Peel's Resolution, but afterwards withdraws
it-The First Resolution carried without a Division-Debate on the
Second Resolution-The Second and Third Resolutions carried-Lord
John Russell moves an Amendment condemnatory of the proposed Tax
-Speeches of Mr. Goulburn, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Macaulay, Lord
Stanley, Mr. Labouchere, Sir R. H. Inglis, Viscount Sandon, Mr.
O'Connell, Mr. Hawes, Sir James Graham, Mr. F. Baring, Mr. Fer-
rand, and other Members-The Debate continued for Four Nights,
after which the Amendment is rejected by 308 to 202-On the First
Reading, Lord John Russell moves the Rejection of the Bill-Speeches
of Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Raikes Currie, and Mr. Roebuck-The Amend-
ment is negatived on a Division by 286 to 188-Progress of the Bill in
Committee-Amendment of Mr. Ricardo for exempting Terminable
Annuities is rejected-Discussion on Schedule D-Mr. Roebuck moves
an Amendment to reduce the Amount payable on Profits of Trades and
Professions-It is opposed by the Government, and rejected-Rapid
Progress of the Committee with the Clauses of the Bill-Mr. F.
Baring's Proposal to exempt Foreign Fundholders, and various other
Amendments, are defeated by large Majorities, and the Bill passes
through Committee-On the Third Reading Mr. S. Crawford moves an
Amendment which is negatived-Mr. Hume and Mr. F. Baring oppose
the Measure-Speech of Mr. Goulburn-The Third Reading is carried
by 199 to 69 [71
CHAPTER V.
New Tariff-Preliminary Statement of Sir Robert Peel, before going into
Committee Speeches of Messrs. Labouchere, D'Israeli, Huine, Glad-
stone, E. B. Roche, and G. Palmer-Motion of Major Vivian, respecting
alleged Suppression of Information by Government-Debate, and Divi-
sion thereon-Motion of Lord Howick against extension of differential
Duties-It is opposed by Mr. Gladstone and other Members, and
rejected by 281 to 108-The House goes into Committee on the Bill-
Debate on Reduction of Duties on Agricultural Produce -Mr. P. Miles
moves an Amendment respecting Duty on live Cattle-He is supported
by Mr. R. Palmer, Earl of March, and Mr. G. Heathcote-Opposed by
Mr. Gladstone, Lord Norreys, Mr. Gally Knight, and others-Speeches
of Lord John Russell and Sir Robert Peel-Mr. Miles's Amendment
lost by a Majority of 267-Other Amendments moved by Major Vivian
and Mr. Villiers-Rejected-The Committee discuss the Items of the
Bill seriatim-Various Amendments relating to Butter, Potatoes, Tim-
ber, Cotton-Wool, and other Articles, withdrawn or negatived-The
Bill goes through Committee-Read a Third Time on 28th June-
Remarks of Lord John Russell on that occasion-Declarations of Sir
R. Peel respecting Commercial Measures of Foreign States-Debates
on Customs-Duties Bill in the House of Lords-It is introduced by a
Speech of Lord Ripon-Earl Stanhope moves its rejection-The Duke
of Richmond supports the Amendment-Lords Clanricarde and Mont-
eagle speak in favour of the Bill-The Second Reading carried by 59
to 4-In Committee, Amendments moved by Earl Stanhope are re-
jected; and third Reading carried by 52 to 9-Debate in the House of
Commons on Sugar Duties-The Chancellor of the Exchequer moves
to continue existing Duties for one year-Mr. Roebuck moves an
Amendment to equalise Foreign and Colonial Duties-It is defeated by
59 to 18-Another Amendment for reduction of Duties, proposed by
Mr. Labouchere-Speeches of Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Hume, Lord John
Russell, Mr. Roebuck, and Sir Robert Peel-Mr. Goulburn's Resolu-
tion is carried by 245 to 164 [103
CHAPTER VI.
Debates on the State of the Country and Public Distress--Prevailing
topics of the Session-Mr. Wallace proposes a Series of Resolutions
and Address to the Queen on the State of the Nation-Speeches of Sir
James Graham, Dr. Bowring, Mr. M. Attwood, Lord John Russell,
Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Ellice, Lord Palmerston, Lord Stanley, Mr. Roe-
buck, and other Members-The Debate is continued by Adjournment
for three nights-On a Division the Resolutions are negatived by 174
to 49-The same Subject comes under Discussion a few nights after-
wards on a Motion by Mr. Villiers for a Select Committee on the Corn-
laws-Mr. Fielden seconds the Motion-It is opposed by Mr. P.
Howard and Sir C. Napier-Sir Robert Peel complains of the Obstruc-
tion offered to Business by the Opposition-He vindicates the New
Corn-law and Financial Measures, and states his Opinions respecting
the Effects of Machinery on the Employment of the People, and his
Prospects of the Improvement of Trade-Speeches of Lord John Rus-
sell, Mr. Cobden, and Lord Howick-Mr. Villiers' Motion is rejected
by 231 to 117-Lord Brougham introduces the Subject of the National
Distress in the House of Lords in moving for a Select Committee-He
discusses at large the Principles of Commercial Policy-Speeches of
Earl of Ripon, Earl of Stanhope, Lord Kinnaird, Marquess of Clanri-
carde, Viscount Melbourne, and Earl of Radnor-Lord Brougham's
Motion is rejected by 61 to 14-The great Chartist Petition is presented
in the Houss of Commons-Its vast Bulk and Number of Signatures
-Procession of Petitioners and singular Spectacle at the Presentation
-Debate on the Petition introduced by Mr. T. Duncombe who moves
that the Petitioners be heard by Counsel at the Bar-Motion seconded
by Mr. Leader, and supported by Messrs. Roebuck, Hume, Wakley,
Villiers, O'Connell, and Muntz Opposed by Mr. Macaulay, Lord F.
Egerton, Mr. Hawes, Mr. Oswald, Lord John Russell, and Sir Robert
Peel-The Motion rejected by 287 to 49.
CHAPTER VII.
[133
Lord Ashley's bill for restraining the Employment of Women and Chil-
dren in Mines and Collieries-Extracts from the Report of the Com-
missioners of Inquiry-Impression made by Lord Ashley's statement
upon the House of Commons-Speeches of Mr. Fox Maule, Lord F.
Egerton, Sir J. Graham, and other Members-Leave given to bring in
the Bill nem. con.-Rapid progress of the measure in the House of
Commons-It is passed with slight opposition-It is introduced in an
altered form in the House of Lords. Debates on the Second Reading
-Lord Wharncliffe states the intentions of the Government respecting
it-Lord Londonderry moves, that it be read a second time that day
six months, but the Motion is not seconded. Speech of Lord Brougham
before going into Committee-Various amendments are proposed and
negatived, and the Bill passed-Debates in the House of Commons on
the Lords' Amendments-Charges against the Government made by
Lord Palmerston and Mr. C. Buller-Sir R. Peel vindicates the Minis-
ters-The Amendments agreed to-Bribery at Elections-Singular
result of proceedings before Committees-General reports respecting
compromises of Petitions-Mr. Roebuck undertakes an inquiry-He
addresses questions to the Members for Reading, Nottingham, Har-
wich, Penryn and Lewes-Their answers--Mr. Roebuck states his
charges and moves for a Select Committee-Mr. Fitzroy seconds the
motion-Adjourned debate-Speeches of Mr. Wynn, Mr. Ward, Lord
Palmerston, Sir R. Inglis, Sir R. Peel, Lord J. Russell, Lord Stanley,
and others Mr. Roebuck amends his Motion, which is then carried
without a division-Mr. T. Duncombe proposes a test for the Com-
mittee, which is rejected-Nomination of the Committee-An Act of