On the 23rd of July, 1847, the last day of the second parliament of Queen Victoria, Lord George went down to the house of commons early, and took the opportunity of making a statement respecting the condition of our sugar producing colonies, which were now experiencing the consequences of the unjustifiable legislation of the preceding year. He said there were appearances in the political horizon which betokened that he should not be able to obtain a select committee in the present session, and therefore, if he had the honour of a seat in the next parliament, he begged to announce that he would take the earliest occasion to move for a committee to inquire into the present power of our colonies to compete with those countries which have still the advantage of the enforced labour of slaves. The returns just laid upon the table of the house could leave no doubt, he thought, on any man's mind on that point. Since the emancipation, the produce of sugar by the colonies from '31 to '46, had been reduced one half, and of rum and coffee had been reduced to one fourth. When the act of last year, which admitted slave grown sugar was introduced the allegation of the English colonies that they could not compete with the labour of slaves was denied. The proof of that allegation was that they were already overwhelmed. When one recalls all to which this speech led, the most memorable effort of that ardent, energetic, life to which it was perhaps fatal, one can scarcely observe the origin of such vast exertions without emotion. The under secretary of state replied to Lord George, making a cry of cheap sugar for the hustings which were before every body's eyes but making also this remarkable declaration, that "the Island of Mauritius was in a state of the greatest prosperity." While Lord George was speaking the cannon were heard that announced the departure of her majesty from the palace. Then followed a motion of Mr. Bankes about the sale of bread which led to some discussion. Mr. Bankes threatened a division. Lord Palmerston who on this occasion was leading the house said it would be acting like a set of schoolboys, if when the black rod appeared they should be in the lobby instead of attending the speaker to the other house. But as the members seemed very much inclined to act like schoolboys, the secretary of state had to speak against time on the subject of baking. He analysed the petition, which he said he would not read through, but the last paragraph was of great importance. At these words, the black rod knocked at the door and duly making his appearance summoned the house to attend the queen in the house of lords, and Mr. Speaker, followed by a crowd of members, duly obeyed the summons. In about a quarter of an hour, Mr. Speaker returned without the mace, and standing at the table read her majesty's speech to the members around, after which they retired, the parliament being prorogued. In the course of the afternoon, the parliament was dissolved by proclamation. CHAPTER XXIII. THE general election of 1847 did not materially alter the position of parties in the house of commons. The high prices of agricultural produce which then prevailed naturally rendered the agricultural interest apathetic, and although the rural constituencies from a feeling of esteem again returned those members who had been faithful to the protective principle, the farmers did not exert themselves to increase the number of their supporters. The necessity of doing so was earnestly impressed upon them by Lord George Bentinck, who warned them then that the pinching hour was inevitable, but the caution was disregarded, and many of those individuals, who are now the loudest in their imprecations on the memory of Sir Robert Peel, and who are the least content with the temperate course which is now recommended to them by those who have the extremely difficult office of upholding their interests in the house of commons, entirely kept aloof, or would smile when they were asked for their support with sarcastic self-complacency, saying, "Well, Sir, do you think after all that free trade has done us so much harm ?" Perhaps they think now, that if they had taken the advice of Lord George Bentinck and exerted themselves to return a majority to the house of commons, it would have profited them more than useless execrations and barren discontent. But it is observable, that no individuals now grumble so much as the farmers who voted for free traders in 1847, unless indeed it be the shipowners, every one of whom for years, both in and out of parliament, supported the repeal of the corn laws. The protectionists maintained their numbers, though they did not increase them, in the new parliament. Lord George Bentinck however gained an invaluable coadjutor by the re-appearance of Mr. Herries in public life, a gentleman whose official as well as parliamentary experience, fine judgment, and fertile resource, have been of inestimable service to the protectionist party. The political connection which gained most were the whigs; they were much more numerous and compact, but it was in a great measure at the expense of the general liberal element, and partly at the cost of the following of Sir Robert Peel. The triumphant conservative majority of 1841 |