CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

ASPECT of Public Affairs at the commencement of the year 1850-Im-

provement of Trade and Revenue, and diminution of Pauperism-Con-

tinued Depression of the Agricultural Interest-Parliament is opened by

Commission on 31st January-The Queen's Speech-Debates on the

Address-In the House of Lords, it is moved by the Earl of Essex,

seconded by Lord Methuen-The Earl of Stradbroke moves an Amend-

ment, setting forth the distressed state of the Agricultural Classes, which

is seconded by the Earl of Desart-The Amendment is supported by the

Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Winchilsea, the Duke of Beaufort and

Lord Stanley; the Earls of Carlisle, Granville, and Fitzwilliam, the

Marquess of Lansdowne, and Lord Brougham, vindicate the Address,

which is carried by a majority of 49-In the House of Commons, Mr.

C. Villiers moves, and Sir James Duke seconds, a similar Address-Sir

John Trollope moves an Amendment, embodying the complaints of the

Owners and Occupiers of Land, which is seconded by Colonel Chatterton

-The Chancellor of the Exchequer enters into statistical details, showing

the increased Trade and Revenue of the Country, and the Reduction of

Parochial Burdens-The Debate is continued for two nights by adjourn-

ment-Speeches of Mr. H. Herbert, Mr. W. Fagan, Sir John Walsh, Mr.

Grantley Berkeley, the Marquess of Granby, Mr. Christopher, Mr. Robert

Palmer, Mr. Muntz, Mr. Herries, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Disraeli, Lord John

Russell, and Mr. Cobden-On a Division, the Address is carried by 311

against 192. LOCAL BURDENS ON LAND-Mr. Disraeli moves on the 19th

Feb. for a Committee of the whole House, to consider a Revision of

Poor-Law Burdens-His Speech-He is answered at length by Sir

George Grey-The Motion is supported, during a protracted Debate of

two nights, by Mr. Seymer, Sir John Tyrrell, Lord John Manners, Mr.

Stafford, and Mr. Gladstone, and opposed by Mr. Bright, Mr. Hobhouse,

Mr. Wilson, Sir James Graham, and Sir Robert Peel-On a Division, the

Motion is negatived by a Majority of 21 votes. PARLIAMENTARy Reform

-Mr. Hume proposes, on the 28th Feb., a Resolution for the Extension

of the Franchise The Motion is seconded by Sir Joshua Walmsley, and

advocated by Mr. Feargus O'Connor, Mr. W. P. Wood, Mr. Roebuck, Mr.

B. Osborne, and Mr. Locke King-Sir George Grey, Mr. Henry Drum-

mond, and Lord John Russell address the House on the other side-Mr.

Hume's proposition is negatived by 242 to 96
Page [1

CHAPTER II.

COLONIAL AFFAIRS Constitutional Government for the Colonies-Increasing

public interest in that subject-Development of the views of Government

by Lord John Russell, in moving Resolutions in the House of Commons

on the 8th of February-His able and comprehensive Speech-Remarks

of Sir W. Molesworth, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Adderley, Mr. F. Scott, Mr.

Hume, and other Members. AUSTRALIAN COLONIES BILL-Second Reading

a 2

moved by Lord John Russell, on the 18th of February-Mr. Roebuck

criticises the Measure-After a general discussion the Second Reading is

carried-Committal of the Bill-Numerous Amendments are moved by

Sir W. Molesworth, Mr. Mowatt, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. C. Lushington, Mr. E.

Denison, and other Members-The Bill, in its main features, is success-

fully supported by the Government-Various questions of Colonial Policy

mooted in debate-On bringing up the Report Sir W. Molesworth moves

the re-committal of the Bill, explaining at some length his views of

Colonial Policy-Mr. Gladstone supports the Motion, which is resisted by

Mr. Labouchere and Sir George Grey, and is negatived on a Division by

165 against 42-Mr. Gladstone moves the addition of a Clause giving to

the Church of England in the Colonies a power of synodical action-

Interesting discussion on this Motion-Speeches in favour of the Amend-

ment are made by Mr. A. B. Hope, Mr. W. P. Wood, Mr. Roundell Palmer,

Mr. Walpole, and Mr. Adderley, and by Sir George Grey, Mr. Hume, Mr.

Roebuck, and the Attorney-General, contra-The Clause is rejected by

187 to 102-On the Third Reading being moved, Mr. Gladstone proposes

that the operation of the Bill be suspended until the opinion of the

Colonies respecting it can be ascertained-Mr. Roebuck supports the

proposition, which, after a full discussion, is negatived by 226 to 128—

Other Amendments are rejected, and the Bill is passed-In the House of

Lords the Second Reading of the Bill is carried nem. diss.-Motion made

by Lord Brougham that the Opponents may be heard by Counsel against the

Bill-Opposed by Earl Grey, and negatived by 33 to 25-The Bishop of

Oxford moves that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee-His

Speech-Earl Grey opposes the Motion, which, after some discussion and

a Speech from Lord Stanley, is rejected by 34 to 21-Various Amend-

ments proposed in Committee-Certain Clauses abandoned by Ministers—

The Amendments made in the Lords are ultimately adopted by the

House of Commons. AFFAIRS OF CEYLON-Proceedings of the Select

Committee Substance of the Report-Indignation expressed in the

House of Commons at the conduct of Lord Torrington. WEST INDIAN

ISLANDS-Resolution moved by Sir E. F. Buxton, affirming the injustice

of exposing the free-grown Sugar to competition with Slave-trading

Countries-His Speech-Mr. W. Evans seconds the Motion-Speeches of

Mr. Hume, Mr. Mangles, Mr. Grantley Berkeley, Mr. Wilson, Mr. E. H.

Stanley, Mr. Hutt, Sir John Pakington, the Chancellor of the Exchequer,

Mr. Gladstone, and Lord Palmerston-The Resolution of Sir E. F. Buxton

is negatived by 275 against 234

[25

CHAPTER III.

FOREIGN POLICY-Affairs of Greece-Measures taken by Admiral Parker in

the Piræus-Opinions in this Country on the Question-On the 4th of

February Lord Stanley requires an Explanation from Ministers-Answer

of the Marquess of Lansdowne-Observations of the Earl of Aberdeen-

In the House of Commons, Mr. M. Gibson and Mr. Disraeli address ques-

tions to the Government, which are answered by Lord Palmerston-Fur-

ther Discussions in both Houses on the subject from time to time-Lord

Stanley gives notice of a formal Motion in the House of Lords-The

French Ambassador suddenly leaves London on the 15th of May-In-

quiries and Explanations in Parliament respecting this occurrence-After

some postponements, at the request of Ministers, the Debate on Lord

Stanley's Motion on the Affairs of Greece takes place on the 18th of

June-Able and eloquent Speech of Lord Stanley-He is answered by

the Marquess of Lansdowne-Speeches of Lord Aberdeen, Lord Beaumont,

Viscount Canning, the Earl of Hardwicke, Lord Brougham, and other

Peers-On a Division, Lord Stanley's Resolution is carried against the

Government by a Majority of 37-In the House of Commons, Mr. Roe-

buck questions Lord John Russell respecting the position of Ministers-

Statement of Lord John Russell-Mr. Roebuck gives notice of a Resolu-

tion vindicating the Foreign Policy of the Government-The Debate

commences on the 24th of June, and is continued for four nights by

adjournment-Eloquent and brilliant Speeches on both sides-Powerful

defence of his Policy by Lord Palmerston, and interesting Speech of Sir

Robert Peel, being the last Speech by him before his lamented Death—

Summary of the leading Speeches for and against Ministers, including

those of Mr. Roebuck, Sir F. Thesiger, Mr. W. P. Wood, Sir James

Graham, Sir John Walsh, Mr. Sidney Herbert, Mr. Gladstone, Mr.

Cockburn, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Cobden, Lord John Russell, and Mr. Disraeli

-The Division gives a Majority of 46 in favour of Government. AFFAIRS

OF HUNGARY-Lord Dudley Stuart moves for Papers relating to the

extradition of Hungarian Refugees from Turkey-Explanation given by

Lord Palmerston-Remarks made by various Members on the subject-

African Slave-Trade Suppression-Mr. Hutt moves an Address to the

Crown in favour of discontinuing the Squadron on the Coast of Africa-

Mr. Baillie seconds the Motion, which is supported by Mr. Grantley

Berkeley, Mr. Anstey, Lord Harry Vane, Mr. Gladstone, and Lord Robert

Grosvenor, and opposed by Mr. W. Evans, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Cardwell,

Sir G. Pechell, and Lord John Russell-On a Division, the Motion is

negatived by 232 to 154
[57

CHAPTER IV.

AFFAIRS OF IRELAND-Statement of Lord John Russell respecting Irish

Distress, and the proposed mode of dealing with the distressed Unions and

repayments of Advances-After some debate, the Ministerial Resolutions

are agreed to-Bill founded thereon brought in and passed. EXTENSION

OF THE IRISH PARLIAMENTARY FRANCHISE-Origin and progress of the

Measure-Bill brought in by the Secretary for Ireland-Its general

features-Debate on the Second Reading-Remarks of Mr. Napier, Mr.

Hume, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. M. J. O'Connell, Mr. Bright, and other Members

The Bill is read a Second Time nem. con.-It encounters a good deal of

opposition in Committee-Various Amendments proposed, but, with slight

exceptions, rejected-The proposition to reduce the Standard of Franchise

according to rating from 87. to 57. is defeated by 142 to 90-On the Third

Reading being moved, an animated opposition is manifested, but it is

carried by 254 to 186-In the House of Lords the Earl of Desart proposes

to raise the Standard of Franchise from 87. to 157.-Speeches of the Bishop

of Down, Lords Stanley, Wharncliffe, Mountcashell, and Brougham, the

Earls of Shrewsbury and Carlisle, Earl Fitzwilliam, and the Marquess of

Lansdowne The Amendment is carried against Ministers by 72 to 50-

Lord Stanley then proposes and carries an Amendment affecting the

Registration Clauses, by a majority of 16-On the Amendments coming

down to the House of Commons for consideration, Lord John Russell

moves the House to accede to a 127. Franchise as a compromise, and to

reject the Registration Amendment-The House after a debate adopts

that course-The Lords eventually consent to the alteration fixing the

Franchise at 127. and to restore the Registration Clauses as before-The

Bill passed. ABOLITION OF THE LORD LIEUTENANCY OF IRELAND-Lord

John Russell moves to introduce a Bill for that purpose-His Speech-

Remarks of Mr. Grattan, Mr. Grogan, Mr. Fagan, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. B.

Osborne, and other Members-Leave given-Debate on the Second Reading

-Several Irish and other Members vehemently oppose the Bill-The

Debate is adjourned, and important Speeches are delivered by Sir Robert

Peel, Sir George Grey, Mr. Sheil, Mr. Disraeli, Sir R. Inglis, and other

leading Members-The Second Reading is carried by a majority of 225,

but the measure is ultimately thrown over to the following Session.

CONFLICT AT CASTLE WELLAN-Lord Stanley brings forward a Motion in

the House of Lords demanding an investigation into this affair, and

arraigning the Irish Policy of the Government-His Speech-The Earl of

Clarendon defends his own Administration at great length-Speeches of the

Earl of Roden, Earl of Winchilsea, Lord Brougham, and other Peers-The

Motion for Papers is acceded to without opposition .
[95

CHAPTER V.

FINANCE The Budget is introduced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on

the 15th of March-Favourable condition of the Public Revenue-Effects

of reduced Taxation on necessaries of life-Proposed reduction of the

Stamp Duties and repeal of the Brick Tax-Reception of the Budget-

Remarks of Mr. Hume, the Marquess of Granby, Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Henry

Drummond, Mr. Bankes, and other Members-Progress of the Financial

Arrangements-Difficulty found in adjusting the details of Stamp Duties-

Defeat of the Government on an Amendment moved by Sir H. Willoughby

-Two Bills withdrawn in succession-Mr. Mullings suggests alterations

which are mainly adopted-The Stamp Duties Reduction and Brick Duties

Repeal Bills are ultimately passed-Various Motions in favour of Retrench-

ment and reduction of Taxation-Mr. Henley gives notice of a Motion for

reduction of Official Salaries-Lord John Russell anticipates the Motion

by proposing the appointment of a Select Committee for the same object

-Speech of Lord John Russell on that occasion-Mr. Disraeli moves an

Amendment-Speeches of Mr. Hume, Mr. Henley, Lord H. Vane, Mr. Cock-

burn, Mr. Herries, Mr. Bright, Mr. H. Drummond, and the Chancellor of

the Exchequer-Lord J. Russell's Motion is carried by a majority of 91.-

Mr. Horsman moves that the inquiry be extended to Ecclesiastical

Incomes-The Motion is opposed by Sir George Grey, and rejected by

208 to 95. MOTIONS IN FAVOUR OF RETRENCHMENT-Mr. Cobden moves

Resolutions on the 8th of March pledging the House to reduction of

Expenditure-He is answered by Mr. Labouchere Speeches of Mr.

Spooner, Mr. Hume, Mr. Herries, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Henley, and Lord

John Russell-Majority of 183 against Mr. Cobden's Resolutions—Mr.

Henry Drummond, on the 13th
of March, brings forward another

Motion in favour of Economy-His Resolution is seconded by Mr.

Cayley, supported by Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Stafford, Lord John Manners,

Mr. Bennett, and other Agricultural Members, and opposed by

Mr. F. Maule, Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Bright, and Lord

John Russell-The Motion is negatived by 190 to 156. REPEAL OF THE

WINDOW DUTY-Moved by Lord Duncan-His Speech-Answer of the

Chancellor of the Exchequer-Speeches of Sir G. Pechell, Sir Benjamin

Hall, Lord Dudley Stuart, and Mr. Hume, in favour of the Motion, which

is rejected by a narrow majority of 80 against 77-Motion of Mr. Cayley

for Repeal of the Malt Tax-His Speech-Mr. Christopher seconds the

Motion-The Chancellor of the Exchequer opposes it-Speeches of Mr.

Henry Drummond, Mr. Bass, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. Spooner, Mr. Hodges,

Mr. J. Wilson, Mr. Disraeli, and Lord John Russell-The Motion is lost

by 247 against 123

[116

CHAPTER VI.

MISCELLANEOUS MEASURES:-ECCLESIASTICAL APPEALS BILL-Occasion of

this Measure The Bishop of London introduces a Bill for creating a new

tribunal in lieu of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council on Church