LONGMAN AND CO.; J. M. RICHARDSON; HAMILTON AND CO.; SIMPKIN AND

CO.; J. RODWELL; HOULSTON AND STONEMAN; G. LAWFORD; J. DOW DING;
J. BUMPUS; COWIE AND CO. ; CAPES AND SON; SMITH, ELDER AND
CO.; H. WASHBOURNE; H. G. BOHN; WALLER AND SON; J. THOMAS ;
L. BOOTH; w. J. CLEAVER; G. ROUTLEDGE; G. WILLIS; J. GREEN ;
AND TEGG AND CO.

CON TE N T S.

CHAPTER I.

Re-assembling of Parliament, after the Christmas Recess, on the 3rd of Fe-

bruary—The West India Question becomes the first subject of Discussion

--Lord George Bentinck moves for a Select Committee of Inquiry-His

Speech-Speeches of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. James Wilson,

Mr. T. Baring, Mr. Bernal, Mr. Disraeli— The Motion is agreed to without

a Division-Loan of 200,0001. to some of the West Indian Colonies pro-

posed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.-Discussion thereon-Un-

favourable Intelligence received respecting the Condition of the West In-

dian Interest-Remedial Measures-Lord John Russell proposes his Plan

in the House of Commons on the 16th of June-He reviews the past

Legislation and existing Position of the Question at great length, The

Ministerial Scheme is unfavourably received—Sir John Pakington moves

an Amendment on the 18th of June, asserting the Claim of the Colonies

to more effectual Relief-Speeches of Sir E. Buxton, the Chancellor of the

Exchequer, Mr. K. Seymer, Mr. Hume, Lord George Bentinck, Mr. Hawes,

and other Members-A warm personal Discussion arises touching the

Administration of the Colonial Office—The Debate is continued by Ad-

journments at great length–Important Speech of Sir Robert Peel in

favour of the Ministerial Measure—The Amendment is rejected by 260

to 245—Several other Amendments are moved, but without success, by

Mr. Bright, Mr. Barkly, Mr. Bouverie, and other Members—Lord John

Russell's Resolutions are finally agreed to and embodied in a Bill, which

passes through the House of Commons-Debates in the House of Lords

on West Indian Affairs-Earl Grey introduces the Question discussed in

the House of Commons affecting the Colonial Office, and vindicates his

own Conduct-Speeches of Lord Stanley, Lord Brougham, the Marquis of

Lansdowne, and other Members—Debate on the Second Reading of the

Sugar Duties Bill-Speeches of Earl Grey, Lord Redesdale, and Lord

Denman-The Second Reading is agreed to, and the Bill becomes

Page [1

Law

CHAPTER II.

a

Finance Division of Public Opinion, at the commencement of the Session,

respecting the National Defences--Views of the Free-Trade Leaders on

the Subject-Lord John Russell makes a Financial Statement on the 18th

of February–His Speech-Detail of the Income and Expenditure-Pro-

position for continuing the Income Tax for Three Years at the increased

Rate of Five per Cent.-Unfavourable reception of the Ministerial State-

ment by the House—Sir Charles Wood endeavours to propitiate the Op-

position by moving that the Army, Navy, and Ordnance Estimates be re-

ferred to a Select Committee Observations of Mr. Hume, Lord George

Bentinck, and other Members—Great Agitation excited in various parts

of the Country by the proposed augmentation of the Income Tax-The

a 2

Chancellor of the Exchequer announces on the 28th that the Government

do not intend to press the Resolution for increasing the Income Tax-His

Statement of the Financial Prospects of the Country-Speeches of Mr.

Wakley, Mr. Cobden, Lord John Russell, Mr. Disraeli, and other Members

-The public feeling is turned by these discussions to the unequal pres-

sure of the Tax as then existing—Mr. Horsman proposes a Plan for gra-

duating the Tax in respect to different kinds of Property—The Chancel-

lor of the Exchequer and Lord John Russell oppose the Motion-It is re-

jected on a Division by 316 to 141-Mr. Hume moves that the Tax be

renewed for One Year only, instead of Three—Sir Charles Wood opposes

the Motion-General Discussion on the Income Tax-Sir Robert Peel de-

fends his own Measure and Policy-He is answered by Lord George Ben-

tinck-Mr. J. Wilson defends, in an elaborate Speech, the Free-Trade

Measures of Sir Robert Peel-Mr. Disraeli argues on the other side Mr.

Gladstone vindicates the recent Commercial Changes in an able Speech-

Speeches of Mr. Cobden and Lord John Russell — The Debate, after two

Adjournments, ends in the defeat of Mr. Hume's Motion by a Majority of

235—Sir B. Hall moves that the Income Tax be extended to Ireland

Summary of his Arguments—It is opposed warmly by the Irish Members,

and resisted by the Government-Majority against it 80—Unsatisfactory

position of the Finances, with an anticipated Deficit—The Chancellor of

the Exchequer promises to make a definite statement before the close of

the Session-On the 25th of August he enters fully into the state of the

Revenue, and announces his plan for supplying the Deficiency-Proposi-

tion to raise 2,031,2261. by a Loan-Dissatisfaction created by this Pro-

posal—Mr. Hume strongly objects, and again urges retrenchment of the

Expenditure—He renews his objections on the 29th, when the Bill for

giving effect to Sir Charles Wood's Plan is before the House—Speeches of

the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Henley, Mr. Drummond, Mr.

Spooner, Mr. Cobden, Mr. A. Smith, and Lord John Russell-Mr. Hume's

Motion for rejecting the Bill is negatived by 66 to 45, and the latter is

passed

[33

.

CHAPTER III.

Alteration of the Navigation Laws—Announcement respecting them in the

Queen's Speech-Mr. Labouchere, on the 15th of May, explains the Mi-

nisterial Scheme in a Committee of the whole House-His Speech-Lord

George Bentinck declares his Opposition to the Plan, which is commented

upon by various Members on either side-Mr. Herries moves a Resolution

on the 29th of May, in favour of maintaining the fundamental principles

of the Navigation Laws—The Debate is prolonged for three nights by Ad-

journment-Speeches of Mr. Herries, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Alderman

Thompson, Mr. Baillie, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Gibson, Mr. W. E. Gladstone,

Mr. Cardwell, Sir C. Wood, Lord George Bentinck, Mr. Cobden, Mr. Dis-

raeli, and Sir Robert Peel-Upon a Division, the Resolution is lost by.

294 to 177—In consequence of the delay which had occurred, Mr. Labou-

chere, on the 12th August, announces the Postponement of the Measure

till the next Session-Jewish Disabilities Removal Bill-Circumstances

which led to the Introduction of this Measure-The Second Reading

being moved on the 7th February, Mr. Augustus Stafford moves, as an

Amendment, that it be read a Second Time that day Six Months-Lord

Burghley seconds the Amendment—Speeches of Mr. W. P. Wood, Mr.

Milnes, Sir W. Molesworth, Lord Mahon, Mr. Walpole, Mr. Shiel, Mr.

Newdegate, Sir Robert Peel, and other Members—The Second Reading is

carried by a Majority of 73—Upon a subsequent stage, Mr. Goring moves

an Amendment condemnatory of the Bill - After some Discussion it is