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CHAPTER XLI.

ENGLAND FROM THE ACCESSION OF SIR R. PEEL

TO POWER IN NOVEMBER, 1841, TO THE PASSING

OF THE BANK CHARTER ACT IN JUNE, 1844.

Character of Sir R. Peel, so variously represented.

-Causes of this Diversity.-Injustice of these

extreme Opinions on both sides. He did not

want political Courage. He had no original

Genius, and was not a Leader of Thought.-His

Style of Oratory.-His administrative Powers.-

Great Merit of his Opposition to Reform.-Am-

bition was not the Cause of his Versatility of

Principle.-Real Explanation of his Conduct.-

His Views on the Currency.-Explanation thus

afforded of his political Career.-His Character

in private Life.-Formation of the new Ministry.

-Immense Difficulties of the Country in foreign

Affairs. Still darker Prospect in internal. Af-

fairs.-Statistical Details proving the Distress;

Immense Difficulties in Finance, and from he

inadequate national Armaments.-Great Distress

in the manufacturing Districts.-Serious Riots

in England in Autumn, 1842.-Still more serious]

Riots in Scotland. - Measures of Repressión

adopted. Their Effects, and Results of, the

Strike. Skillful Use made of these Circum

stances.-Opposite Arguments adduced by the

Anti-Corn-Law League, and real Causes of the

Distress. - Short Session of 1841.-Opening of

the Parliament of 1842.-Sir R. Peel's Plan.-

The Ministerial Plan.-Answer of Lord John Rus-

sell and Lord Palmerston.-The Bill passes both

Houses, and various Amendments are thrown out.

-Reception of the Measure in the Country.-

Financial Difficulties of Sir R. Peel.- - Sir R.

Peel's Speech on introducing his financial Meas-

ures.-Reception of the Plan by the Opposition

and the Country. - Argument against the In-

come-tax.-The Bill passes, and its Reception by

the Country.-Reflections on the Tariff, and Rea-

sons for it. It might have been easily obviated

by an Extension of the Currency.-The Income-

tax was justifiable.-But this made the Tax on

perishable Incomes more unjust.-Reasons of

this injustice being committed.-Peel's heroic

Conduct on the Afghanistan Disaster. - Lord

Mahon's Copyright Bill.-Reflections on this Act.

-Extension of the Dangers of Literature.-The

Temperance Movement in Ireland. - Progress

and Decline of the Movement.-Commencement

of the Repeal Agitation.-Monster Meetings.— |

Character of these Meetings, and Language used

at them.-Measures of Government, and Arms

Bill. The Clontarf Meeting is stopped, and

O'Connell arrested. - Trial and Conviction of

O'Connell.-Reversal of the Sentence.-Effects

of this Decision.-His subsequent Career and

Death.-Fine Harvest of 1842, and gradual Im-

provement in the Country in 1843.-General Im-

provement in the Country.--Parliamentary Meas-

ures of 1848. Lord Ashley's Bills for Infant La-

bor.-Sir James Graham's unsuccessful Factory

and Education Bill.-New Factory Bill, and Lord

Ashley's Ten-hours' Amendment.-Reflections on

this Subject.-Rebecca Riots.-Increase of the

Riots.-Termination of the Troubles, and Bill |

-

removing their Cause.-The Chartist and Anti-

Corn-Law movements.-Differences with Ameri

ca-Question of the Right of Search.-The Ques-

tion is settled by Lord Aberdeen.-Dispute about

the Maine Boundary: Its Origin.-Proceedings

regarding the Dispute.-Terms of the Treaty,

and its Reception in Great Britain.-Reflections

on it. The Oregon Question: Its History.-

Conclusion of a Treaty.-Its Terms.-Reflections

on these Treaties.-Origin of the Otaheite Dis-

pute with France.-Interference of the French

Missionaries.-The French take Possession of

Otaheite.-Affair of Mr. Pritchard, which com-

plicates the Case.-The Matter is adjusted.-

Spanish Marriages. - Reduction of the 3) per

Cents.-Favorable financial Statement of 1844.-

Reduction of Taxes.-Reduction of Sugar Duties.

-Bank Charter Act.-Sir R. Peel's Argument in

support of his Bill.-Argument against the Bill.

-The Bill passes both Houses. Similar Bills

for Scotland and ireland.—Reflections on this

Debate What was, not foreseen.-Visit of the

King of the French to England.-Visit of the

Emperor Niarglas.-Political Objects of the Visit.

CHAPTER XLII.

ENGIANT FROM THE PASSING OF THE BANK CHAR-

TER ACT IN 1844 TO THE FALL OF SIR R. PEEL'S

MINISTRY IN JUNE, 1846.

Public Prosperity and the Railway Mania.-The

Railway Mania.-Effects of the Mania on Socie-

ty.-Effects on the public Mind.-Its immediate

Benefits to some Classes.-Great Effect of these

Speculations in the Country.-Division in the

landed Interest occasioned by the Railway Mania.

-Good Effects of the Railway Mania on the la-

boring Classes.-Effects of the Railway Systein

on Commerce and Manufactures.-Beneficial Ef-

fect of the Railway System on the working

Classes.--Din passes reducing Railway Deposits

to a half.-Its vast Effect in stimulating these

undertakings.-Flourishing State of Trade and

the Revenue. -Sir R. Peel's favorable financial

Statement.-Continuance of the Income-tax, and

repeal of more indirect Taxes.-Mr. Baring's Ob

jection to it.-The Bill is carried by a large Ma-

jority.-Reflections on this Measure.-Causes of

this great Change.-Increase in Irish agrarian

Crime.-Grant to secular Colleges.-Enlarged

Grant to Maynooth College.-Reflections on this

Measure, and its Failure.-Causes of this.-

Scotch Poor-Law Bill: History of the Subject.-

Causes of the Law being evaded.-The Evils of

this at last become intolerable.-Provisions of the

Bill.-Proof afforded by Experience of the Good

effected by the Bill.-Charge against Sir James

Graham of opening Letters.-The Alien Act.-

Progress of the Anti-Corn-Law League.-Divi-

sion on Mr. Miles's Motion.-Further Divisions

on the Corn-Laws, and close of the Session.-The

Change had become unavoidable, from the Mon-

etary and Free-trade Systems.-Advantages and

Dangers of the Potato as the Food of Man.-First

Appearance of the Potato-rot.-Increased Efforts

of the Anti-Corn-Law League.-General Alarm,

and Symptoms of Change.-Lord John Russell's

Letter.-Approach to a Repeal of the Corn-Laws,

-

and Resignation of Sir R. Peel.-Failure of Lord
John Russell to form a Government, and Res-
toration of Sir R. Peel's Cabinet.-Announcement
of the Repeal of the Corn-Laws in the Times.-
Queen's Speech.-Sir R. Peel's Argument in fa-
vor of Free Trade.-Reception of the Measure in
the Country.-Mr. Disraeli's caustic Remarks.-
Arguments against the Bill.-Result of the De-
bate.-Duke of Wellington's Speech on the Bill.
-Cause of this Inconsistency.-The Budget for
1846. Determination of the Protectionists to
drive Sir R. Peel from Power.-Increased agra-
rian Outrages in Ireland.-Coalition of Parties
against the Government.-Progress of the Bill.
-Argument in support of the Bill.-Answer of
the Coalition against the Bill.-The Bill is thrown
out by a Majority of 73.-Mr. Disraeli's Account
of the Scene.-Sir R. Peel resolves to resign.-
Sir R. Peel's concluding Address. Reflections
on his Free-trade Measures.-Was a return to the
Corn-Laws, after the Famine was over, practica-
ble?-The Danger of Scarcity had passed away
before the Bill was brought forward.-Durable
Reasons for the Repeal of the Corn-Laws.-Real
Free Trade was not introduced, but Protection
taken from Agriculture.-Strange Conduct of
the Irish Members on the Corn-Law Question.
-The Duke of Wellington's characteristic Con-
duct. This will not apply to Sir R. Peel.-What
were the alleviating circumstances of his Case.

CHAPTER XLIII.

ENGLAND FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF FREE

TRADE AND FALL OF SIR R. PEEL IN JUNE, 1846,
TO THE SUPPRESSION OF THE GHARTIST INSUR
RECTION IN APRIL, 1848..'

Vast Effects of the Introduction of Free Trade.

Both the Whigs and the Tories were destroyed
by their own Leaders.-Causes which led to these
Changes. Formation of the new Cabinet-Gpy-
ernment Plan for the Sugar DutiesArgument
of the Protectionists on the other side.Sir R.
Peel's singular Conduct, and passing of the Bill.
-Result of this Measure to the West Indies.-
Effect on the Slave-trade.-Explanation of this
given by foreign Writers.-Real Explanation of
it.-Proof of the Colonies having been disfran-
chised by the Reform Bill.-Discussion on Flog-
ging in the Army.-Motion on the subject, and
Wellington's Order.-Reflections on this subject.
-Difference in the Composition of the British
and foreign Armies.-Necessity of corporal Pun-
ishment in the Field.-Lord Palmerston's Cabinet
Minute on the Defenses of the Country.-Wel-
lington's Measure for enrolling the Pensioners.
-Arms Bill for Ireland.-Sir R. Peel's Measures
for the Relief of the Irish suffering, and those of
Lord J. Russell.-Commencement of the Irish
Famine.-Deplorable and alarming State of the
Country.-Government Plans on the subject.-
Enormous Extent of the Distress.. Woeful
Scenes in the Country.-Her Majesty's Speech
on opening Parliament.-Ministerial Plan for the
Irish Relief.-Description of the Calamity by
Lord Brougham.-Ministerial Plan for the Relief
of Ireland.-Amended Poor and Temporary Re-
lief Act, 10 and 11 Victoria, c. 7.-Immense Re-
lief afforded under this Act in Ireland.-Ratio of
indigent Persons relieved.-Great Mortality of
this Period.-Immense pecuniary Efforts made in
Great Britain.-Vast Extent of the Emigration
from Ireland. Still greater Emigration to foreign
Parts.-Effects of this Exodus on the Irish Popu-
lation. Which arose mainly from Free-trade
Measures.-Voluntary Relief in Ireland, and
Causes of its small Amount.-Reflections on the
Irish Famine.-Potato Famine in Scotland at this
Period.-Means taken in Scotland to combat it.
-Lord George Bentinck's Project for Irish Rail-
ways. His Railway Scheme.-It is opposed by
Ministers.-Sir R. Peel's Speech against the Meas-

ure.-Division on the subject, and Reflections on
it. Character of Lord George Bentinck.-His
Family, and early History.-His mental Quali-
ties. What gave him this rapid Ascendency.-
His private Character and Habits.-The Budget
of 1847.-Its Details.-Causes which led to the
approach of a monetary Crisis.-Great Effect of
the Irish Famine.-Progress of the Panic.-Dif-
ference between this and former Crises.-Lord
G. Bentinck's and Mr. Baring's Argument on the
subject of the Crisis.--Answer of the Government
and Sir R. Peel.-Nothing_followed on this De-
bate.-Reflections on it.-Debate on the Navi-
gation Laws. Mr. Fielden's Bill to limit Facto-
ry Labor.-Answer of Sir R. Peel, Sir Jan.es
Graham, and Mr. Cobden.-The Bill passes both
Houses. Reflections on this Measure-Vast Dif-
ference in the Mortality of manufacturing Towns
and the Country.-Introduction of a System of
limited Service.-Which passes into Law.-Pub-
lic Education.-New Coercion Bill for Ireland.-
Prorogation and Dissolution of Parliament.-
Commercial Embarrassments.-Increased mon-
etary Pressure in August.-Commercial Bank-
ruptcies.-Suspension of the Bank Charter Act.

Reflections on this Change.-Great and imme-
diate Effect of this Letter.-Meeting of Parlia-
ment, and Queen's Speech.-Sir R. Peel's State-
ment on the Bank Charter Act.-Answer of Lord
G. Bentinck and Mr. Thomas Baring.-Result of
the Debate.-Reflections on this Debate.-Great
Distress in the Country from the monetary Crisis.
-Details of the Railway and mercantile Losses.
-Rise in Cotton, from the Crash of 1839 in Amer-
jta Vast Variations in the Price of Provisions.

Pernicious Effect of the French Revolution of
1848.-Immense Influx of destitute Irish into
Western Britain.-Extreme Severity of the Press-
ure on the middle Classes.-Immediate Bene-
fits of the Railway Expenditure.-Magnitude and
Perfection of the Railway System in Britain.-
Fall in the Exports and Revenue. Great in-
crease of Paupers and Criminals.-Increase of
Crime, Emigration, and Decline of Population.
-Extreme Suffering in Glasgow and the manu-
facturing Districts.--Outbreak in Glasgow in
March, 1848. Further Riots, and their Suppres-
sion. Good Effects of this Success.-Commence-
ment of the Chartist Insurrection.-Preparations
of the Chartists.-Vigorous Preparations in the
Government.-Defeat of the Chartists.-Abortive
Attempt at Insurrection in Glasgow.-Detection
of the Frauds in the Chartist Petition.-Immense
Sensation this produced on the Continent.-Re-
newed Agitation by the Chartists, and its Sup-
pression, and their Trials. Preparations for a
Rebellion in Ireland.-Total Defeat of the Rebell-
ion. Trial of O'Brien, and Revealing of the De-
signs of the Conspirators.-Immense Effects of
the monetary Crisis of 1847.-Lesson which it
taught the British People.-The monetary Crisis
was owing to Free Trade and a Fettered Cur-
rency.--Dangers of Free Trade and a Fettered
Currency. Which keeps the Nation constantly
on the Verge of a monetary Crisis.-A great In-
crease in the Supply of Gold postpones, but does
not avert, this Danger.-Argument on the other
side as to the Export of Gold.-Danger of Gold
passing merely through the richer States.-Er-
roneous Argument of the Bullionists on this sub-
ject. The monetary Crisis of 1847 was owing to
Free Trade and the monetary Laws.-Sir Robert
Peel's Object in the Act of 1844.-The very op-
posite Effects have followed.-Way in which the
monetary Laws inflamed Speculation.-Ultimate
Effects of Free Trade, irrespective of the Cur-
rency.-Capital facilitates Manufactures far more
than Agriculture.-Every thing that is plentiful
becomes cheap.-Greater Mortality of Cities than
rural Districts.-Manner in which these Circum-
stances arrest Population.-Effect of these Laws
combined.-Free Trade induces at first cheap