CHAPTER XLI.

ENGLAND FROM THE ACCESSION OF SIR R. PEEL

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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 thrus

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 Äf-

fairs.--Statistical Details proving the Distress.-

Immense Difficulties in Finance, and from the

inadequate national Armaments.-Great Distress

in the manufacturing Districts.-Serious Riots

in England in Autumn, 1842.-Still more serious

Riots in Scotland. - Measures of Repression

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

tais 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 1843. 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 Nicholas.-Political Objects of the Visit.

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CHAPTER XLII.

ENGLAND 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 System

on Commerce and Manufactures.-Beneficial Ef-

fect of the Railway System on the working

Classes.-Bill 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,

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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 CHARTIST 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.-Gov-
ernment Plan for the Sugar Duties.-Argument
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 tho
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 James
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-
ica. 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

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