a discussion, Earl Grey expressing his deep regret at the necessity for passing it, and stating that the Court-Martial clause, which had never been acted on, was withdrawn,

July 8.-Earl Grey moved the postponement of the report on the Irish Disturbances' Suppression Bill till Wednesday. His Lordship thought that a delay of twenty-four hours was of no great moment; but, short as the delay was, he would not have moved it without sufficient reasons. The Noble Earl also moved the postponement of the Poor-Law Bill.

July 9.-On the Order of the Day being called for to bring up the Report of the Irish Coercion Bill, Earl Grey rose to make his expected statement on the subject of the Ministerial resignations. His Lordship was so much affected on proceeding to announce the fact of his retirement, that he was obliged to sit down, after an unavailing struggle with his feelings. In a few moments, however, he again rose, and after expressing his astonishment that despatches, not of a public, but of a private and confidential nature, from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland should be required, he proceeded to observe,-" I must say again that such a communication, so made, ought not to have been divulged; but the Minister being charged with a breach of faith, in addition to a charge of vacillation as respected the measure itself, and the discussion which took place in the other House of Parliament on the subject, these things placed us in different circumstances; and the consequence was, that my Noble Friend (the Chancellor of the Exchequer), feeling the ground thus slipping from under his feetfeeling the difficult situation in which he was placed in the House of Commons, concluded that he could not, with satisfaction to himself and advantage to the country, continue in his present situation. The being deprived of the assistance of my Noble Friend, the leading Minister in the House of Commons, in whom the strength of Ministers in that House lay as a leader, and in losing whom I lost my right arm, placed me in such a situation, that I felt I could not continue longer in office with satisfaction to myself-with advantage to my Sovereign and my country. Therefore, upon receiving the resignation of my Noble Friend, I felt an unavoidable necessity to tender my own resignation, and they have both been accepted; and I have only to discharge the duty of my office till such time as his Majesty shall be able to appoint a successor."—The Duke of Wellington admitted that the Noble Earl had explained with great clearness the cause of his own resignation; but he had not explained the cause of the resignations which had led to his own. That part had been left short of any explanation, at which he was the more surprised, because, if ever there were a set of Ministers who, more than all others that had ever gone before them, were placed under the strongest necessity of continuing to serve their Sovereign as long as it was possible for them to do so, the Noble Earl and his colleagues were those Ministers. After taking a review of the acts of the Noble Earl's administration, his Grace concluded by disclaiming all personal hostility, and declaring that he never had opposed the measures of the Noble Earl except with great pain to himself.-The Lord Chancellor entered into a review of measures of Ministers, and showed the difficulties they had to contend with. The conclusion of his Lordship's speech was an eulogium upon the intellectual and moral qualities of the late Premier.

July 10.-The Marquess of Londonderry wished to know whether there existed an Administration in this country at present, or whether any steps had been taken for the construction of a new one?-if not, he should feel himself justified in moving an adjournment of the House. The Lord Chancellor said he knew of no resignation up to that moment in the Administration, except that of his Noble Friend, who had yesterday entered upon an explanation of the matter, and his Noble Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, His Lordship declined answering the question whether any

steps had been taken to form a new Administration; and the subject was aliowed to drop.

July 11.-The Marquess of Londonderry said that as so important a measure as the Poor Law Bill was to be brought forward this evening, he thought their Lordships ought to be informed who were the responsible advisers of the Crown.-Earl Grey replied that the Bill certainly involved great consideration; but he thought it his duty, circumstanced as he was, to bring it before their Lordships. If their Lordships considered that the incomplete state of the Administration rendered it unadvisable to bring it before the House, he would bow to that decision.-After some further discussion, it was agreed that the Bill be read a second time this day se'nnight. July 14.-The Earl of Haddington inquired whether there was any Government formed, or whether any Noble Lord had been authorised to form one?-Lord Melbourne stated that, in obedience to his Majesty's com mands, he had undertaken to lay before his Majesty the plan of an Administration; observing, that he should not have accepted such a situation, if he had not had the assistance of his Noble Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and also the authority of his Noble Friend, the Noble Lord at the head of the late Administration. His Lordship pledged himself to communicate the result of his endeavours at the earliest possible moment.

July 16.-Lord Ellenborough asked whether it was the intention of Ministers to move the third reading of the Irish Coercion Bill on Monday? -The Lord Chancellor observed that, as the Government was now formed, his Noble Friend (Lord Melbourne) would be in his place on Thursday, and ready to answer the question.-The Marquess of Londonderry wished to know whether the "right-hand" of the Administration had returned to the body, notwithstanding the head was changed?-The Lord Chancellor had no hesitation in stating that his Noble Friend was still Chancellor of the Exchequer, and might well be considered the right-hand of any Administration to which he belonged.

July 17.-Lord Ellenborough repeated his question as to whether it was the intention of Ministers to move the third reading of the Irish Coercion Bill?-Lord Melbourne answered in the negative; but added, that another Bill would be immediately introduced into the House of Commons, which would not contain the three first clauses of the present Bill.

July 18.-Lord Wharncliffe called upon Ministers to show the House and the country that there were good grounds for omitting the clauses in the Coercion Bill which they had formerly considered necessary; and moved an Address to his Majesty for an order to produce a copy of the letter from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, in which he stated his grounds for having altered his views from those contained in his letter of the 18th of April.-Lord Melbourne opposed the motion. The letter was a private one, and therefore ought not to be produced; and the Noble Baron had not adduced one admissible reason for its production.-The motion was withdrawn.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

June 23.-Mr. Littleton, on moving that the House resolve into Committee on the Tithes' (Ireland) Bill, entered into some general explanations as to its provisions, but wished to have the amendments printed and the blanks filled up before he asked for the concurrence of the House.-Mr. O'Connell said that the Tithe Bill offered no advantage to the people. It promised something to the landlords after five years, but five years was a century in the history of Ireland. After a variety of observations, to show the ill effects that would follow from the practical adoption of the Bill, and the necessity of recognising the principle of appropriation, the Honourable

Member moved a resolution to the effect, that any sums raised in lieu of tithes should, after providing for vested interests, be applied to objects of general utility and charity.-A long debate ensued, and, on a division, Mr. O'Connell's motion was negatived by a majority of 360 to 99.

June 24.-Colonel Williams complained of a breach of privilege, in having, on his way to the House, been interrupted by the troops and police, and moved an address to the Crown on the subject.-Mr. H. Bulwer seconded the motion, which, however, was eventually withdrawn.----In answer to Mr. O'Dwyer, respecting Kilmainham hospital, Mr. Ellice stated, that it was not the intention of Government to abolish that establishment.-Mr. Ewart moved a resolution respecting the duties on the produce of our eastern possessions, which was not discussed, in consequence of there not being forty Members present.

June 26.-The Game Law Amendment Bill was thrown out upon the second reading by a majority of 55 to 24.-Mr. Langdale brought in his Bill to authorize Roman Catholics in England and Wales to be married by clergymen of their own religion. It was read a first time, and ordered for a second reading on Wednesday. In reply to the Marquess of Chandos, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said he should bring forward his budget soon after quarter-day.-Mr. Wallace's motion for an address to his Majesty for the appointment of a commission to inquire into the management of the post-office and packet service, was negatived without a division.—Mr. Ewart's motion for a select committee to inquire into the state of the Royal Academy was withdrawn.

June 27.-Mr. O'Reilly asked if the laws of the treaty between Don Miguel and Don Pedro, as stated in the papers, were authentic. He understood that the religious members of convents were excluded from the general amnesty.-Lord Palmerston was not able to say when he could lay the treaty on the table of the House, but the moment he had received the authentic copy, he should feel it his duty to do so. He thought that the latter part of the question had reference to domestic policy, which the Government was not called upon to answer, although the Government would do their best to have the terms of the treaty fairly acted upon.-The further consideration of the report of the committee on the Poor Laws' Amendment Bill was then proceeded with.

June 30.-The committal of the Irish Tithe Bill was deferred.-The second reading of the Church-rates Bill was postponed. The report of the committee on the Postage of Newspaper Acts was brought up and agreed to.-Mr. F. Baring brought in a Bill to regulate the conveyance of newspapers by post, which was read a first time.

July 1.-Lord Althorp moved the third reading of the Poor Law Amendment Bill, which was met by Mr. Hodges with an amendment, "that the Bill be read a third time this day six months."-Sir H. Willoughby seconded the amendment, which, after a debate, was negatived, and the Bill read a third time by a majority of 187 to 50.

July 2.-The House went into committee on the Universities' Admission Bill. Sir G. Murray made some observations, and objected to its principle as a source of schism.-The Speaker also objected to the measure, as likely to overturn the discipline of the Universities.-The Bill then went through the committee.-Mr. P. Thomson, on the House being formed into a committee on the Customs Acts, moved several resolution which are to be embodied in a Bill. The committee approved of the resolutions which suggest reductions of duty on a variety of articles.

July 3.-A long conversation took place between Mr. Littleton and Mr. O'Connell on the subject of certain communications which had taken place between them previous to the bringing in of the Irish Coercion Bill, which

terminated in Mr. O'Connell making a motion for an address to his Majesty, praying that he would be pleased to order that a copy of all the correspondence which had passed between the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and his Majesty's Government, respecting the renewal of the Coercion Bill, be laid before the House.-Mr. Littleton said that, in bringing in the measure in question, he would lay before the House all the correspondence between the Lord Lieutenant and his Majesty's Government, which was necessary to justify the measure.-After some discussion, Mr. O'Connell said he would not press his motion to a division, but would content himself with its being recorded on the Journals.

July 4.-Mr. H. Grattan gave notice of a motion to the effect that the Minister of the Crown who should introduce the Coercion Bill in the House without inquiry, was unfit for the office of Adviser of the Crown, and unworthy of a seat in that House. The Hon. Member also gave notice of a call of the House on the occasion.-The House having resolved itself into committee on the Church Temporalities (Ireland) Act, Mr. Littleton moved, preparatory to the committal of the Irish Tithe Bill, a resolution to the effect," That it was the opinion of the Committee that for any deficit that might arise in the sums accruing to the Commissioners of his Majesty's Woods and Forests out of the land-tax or rent-charges payable for the composition of ecclesiastical tithes in Ireland, for the payment of which the consolidated fund was rendered liable, the consolidated fund should be indemnified by the revenues at the disposal of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in Ireland, and out of the perpetuity purchase fund placed at their disposal by the Act of last Session, entitled the Irish Church Temporalities Bill."-After a lengthened debate, the House divided, and the resolution was agreed to.

July 7.-Lord Althorp, in presenting papers respecting the state of Ireland, and moving that they be printed, stated that, in consequence of what had taken place on Thursday in that House, Mr. Littleton had tendered his resignation, but he had been induced to retain office at the request of Earl Grey and the rest of the Cabinet.-Mr. O'Connell moved, by way of amendment, that the papers be referred to a Select Committee, with instructions that they should report their opinion thereon to the House.After a long discussion, the House divided, when there appeared, for the original motion, 157; against it, 73; majority, 84.-Lord Chandos brought on his motion on the subject of agricultural distress. After a long debate, the House divided, when there appeared, for the motion, 174; against it, 190; majority, 16.-The resolutions in Committee for a grant out of the consolidated fund to the Irish Church were carried by a majority of 181 against 106.

July 8.-Mr. Ward brought forward his motion for carrying into effect the report of the Committee, which recommended that a correct plan should be adopted for ascertaining the divisions of the House; which after some discussion was carried, on a division, by a majority of 76 to 32.

July 9.-Lord Althorp addressed the House, and said, " In the peculiar situation in which I now stand, I find it necessary to make a statement to this House. Sir, when the decision of the Cabinet was required as to whether the Coercion Act should be renewed, I concurred in the necessity for its renewal, with the omission only of the clauses relating to court martials. I hope I need not say that I did so with the greatest reluctance. Private and confidential communications, however, from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, brought the subject again under the consideration of the Cabinet in the week before last. It was at this time that my Right Hon. Friend, the Secretary for Ireland, suggested to me the propriety of telling the Hon. and Learned Gentlemen opposite that the Bill was still under consideration. I saw no harm in this, but I begged him to use extreme

caution, and by no means to commit himself. From the nature of the Lord Lieutenant's communications, I was led to believe that the three first clauses of the Act, those I mean which refer to meetings in the parts of Ireland not proclaimed, were not essentially necessary. Under this impression, I objected to the renewal of these clauses. In this opposition my Right Hon. Friends the Members for Inverness, for Cambridge, for Edinburgh, and for Coventry, concurred. The Cabinet, however, decided against us, and we were left in a minority. We decided that it was our duty to acquiesce. Upon the most careful consideration I am convinced that we were right in so doing. I felt, however, that I might be placed in great difficulty and embarrassment during the progress of this measure through this House. But when, on Thursday, I heard the statement of my Right Hon. Friend, the Secretary for Ireland, and then for the first time was made aware of the nature and extent of the communication which he had made, I thought it most probable that those difficulties and embarrassments would prove to be insuperable. The debate on Monday night, on the motion of the Hon. and Learned Gentleman, proved to me that they were so, and convinced me that I could no longer conduct this Bill, or indeed the public business, with credit to myself, or with advantage to the public. I accordingly wrote that night, when I returned home, to Lord Grey, and requested him to tender my resignation to his Majesty, which his Majesty has been graciously pleased to accept. I am authorised by my Right Hon. Friends to say that they approve of, and concur in, the step which I have taken. This is the state of the case as it respects myself, and indeed as it respects my Right Hon. Friends. I shall be extremely sorry, if the course which I have pursued on this occasion should be disapproved by my fellow-countrymen; but I should be still more grieved, if it should not be approved of by that large body of gentlemen in this House, who have hitherto honoured me by so much of their confidence. I have only further to say, that I continue only to hold my office till my successor shall be appointed, but that of course I shall feel it to be my duty to continue the ordinary business of government in this House."-Mr. Littleton then expressed his regret for the serious consequence of his error, but he was actuated by no other desire than to promote the peace of the country.Mr. O'Connell was convinced that the Right Hon. Gentleman had acted with good faith towards him. He was as anxious as any for a liberal Administration, such as that of the four Cabinet Ministers named. They had his confidence, and, he believed, the confidence of the country.-Mr. Hume rose to move the order of the day, and in doing so, would take an opportunity of expressing how seriously sorry he was to hear what he had just heard. Although, on some occasions, he had taken an adverse position to the Ministry of Earl Grey, he must say that he still had some confidence in that Ministry. It was with extreme regret, therefore, that he had heard his Lordship had been placed in a situation in which he was compelled to resign.-Lord Althorp then rose and said, "I wish to confine myself to my own case; but I ought to have stated in my first address, that in consequence of myself and my Right Hon. Friend retiring from office, Lord Grey will, by this time, have stated in another place, that the Administration is at an end."—Mr. Hume rose immediately and said, “ Can any one state that any Administration could be formed on any other principles than those of that liberal character professed by the Noble Lord and his colleagues? Attempts may be made, but I mistake the feeling of the House and country if it is not utterly impossible to saddle upon the country a Tory Government. I therefore express my regret again at what has occurred."-The orders of the day were then proceeded with, but soon abandoned.

July 10.-The House met, and adjourned to the 14th.

July 14.-Lord Althorp made a communication relative to the formation of a new Ministry, to the same effect as that made by Lord Melbourne in Aug.-VOL. XLI. NO. CLXIV.

20