THE

POLITICAL LIFE

OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART.

AN ANALYTICAL BIOGRAPHY.

BY

THOMAS DOUBLEDAY,

THE TRUE LAW OF POPULATION," "FINANCIAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND,”
ESSAY ON MUNDANE MORAL GOVERNMENT," ETC.

"The People cannot see, but they can feel."

James Harrington's Political Aphorisms.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

LONDON:

SMITH, ELDER AND CO., 65 CORNHILL.

1856.

CONTENTS OF VOL. II.

CHAPTER I.

Parliament meets in 1830-National Distress-Admitted Claims of

Don Miguel-Question of Parliamentary Reform becomes promi-

nent-Party Virulence in Parliament-The Act of 1819 violently

attacked-Defence by Wellington-Lord Eldon's Want of Know-

ledge-Tory Opposition to Ministers-Amendments to the Ad-

dress-Mr Western's Attack-Mr Protheroe's-Mr Edward Daven

port's-Mr Huskisson attacks the Address-Mr Peel's Defence-

Transfer of Franchise from East Retford to Birmingham lost by

27 Votes-Marquis of Blandford's Reform Bill-Lord John Rus-

sell moves that Members be given to Birmingham, Manchester,

Leeds and other populous Towns-Mr Peel opposes it-Newark

Petition-The Duke of Newcastle's Speech-Its Effect on Public

Feeling Mr E. Davenport's Motion for Inquiry into the State of

the Nation-Mr Sadler's Speech-Opposed by Messrs Peel and

Huskisson-Death of George IV.-Changed Position of the

Cabinet-William IV. dissolves Parliament-Revolution at Paris

and Flight of the Bourbons follow-Deep Agricultural Suffering

-Alarming Consequences-Effect upon the Elections and upon

the Public Mind,

Page 1

CHAPTER II.

Results of the General Election-Reform generally anticipated-The

new Parliament meets in November 1830-The royal Speech-

Wise Conduct of Ministers as to France-Strength of the Opposi-

tion-Mr Brougham's Notice of a Motion for Reform-Earl Grey's

Speech-Its powerful Effect out of Doors-The Duke of Wellington

disclaims Reform-Consequent political Ferment-Mr Peel's

guarded Tone-He declines to entertain the Question-Royal Visit

to the City postponed by Ministers-Alarm and Irritation pro-

duced by this Event-Sir H. Parnell moves for a Committee on

the Civil List--It is carried-Resignation of Ministers-Death of

the first Sir Robert Peel-His Character-Character of the Wel-

lington and Peel Administration-Earl Grey Premier-He declares

for moderate Reform-Lord Radnor's Speech-Preston Election-

First Reform Bill, 1st March 1831-Sir Robert Peel strongly

opposes it-General Gascoygne's Motion-Ministers in a Minority

-Dissolution of Parliament-Criticisms on Sir Robert Peel's

Conduct,

CHAPTER III.

Page 53

Results of the General Election of 1831-Desperate Efforts of the

Ministerialists-Their Success-Meeting of Parliament-Angry

Discussions of the Peers-Sir Robert Peel admits a Reform to be

inevitable-His Evasions as to the Causes of Distress-Second

Reform -bill-Second Reading 4th July-Bill carried up to the

Peers-They peremptorily reject it-Riots at Nottingham-Lord

Ebrington's Motion of Confidence in Ministers carried-Cautious

Opposition of Sir Robert Peel-Parliament is prorogued-Sir

Charles Wetherell-Bristol Riots-Parliament meets in Decem-

ber-Reform-bill again brought in-Second Reading powerfully

opposed by Sir Robert Peel-The Russo-Dutch Loan Debate-

Sir Robert condemns Ministers-Reform-bill passes-Sir Robert

Peel attacks Lord Durham - His exaggerated Predictions-

The Peers read the Bill a second Time-Ministers beaten

in Committee-They resign-The Duke of Wellington assumes

the Reins of Government-Sir Robert Peel refuses to join him

-Consternation and Rage of the Ministerialists-A violent Run

for Gold-It is increased by Placards-Total Want of Confidence

-Restoration of the Whigs-The Bill becomes Law-Sir Robert

Peel's Explanation as to his Conduct-Exaggerated Views of this

Event,.

104

Frst reformed Parliament-Spread of Joint-stock Banks-Coer-

cion Bill for Ireland-Sir Robert Peel supports it-Strongly

opposed by the Radical Party-Sir Robert's Address-Terrible

Anecdote-His Defence of the Clergy and Blame of the Land-

lords-Mr Thomas Attwood moves an Inquiry into the State

of the Country-Mr Matthias Attwood renews the Attempt

-Mr Cobbett's Motion against Sir Robert-Bank of England

Notes made a legal Tender-Sir Robert Peel vainly resists-

Negro Slavery abolished-Sir Robert's Advice-Poor-law Amend-

ment Act-Cautious Conduct of Sir Robert Peel-Probable

Motives-Strong Reaction created by this Act-Division in the

Cabinet-Earl Grey retires-First Melbourne Cabinet-Proroga-

tion of Parliament-Earl Spencer dies-the King dismisses his

Ministers-Sir Robert Peel forms a Ministry-Dissolves Parlia-

ment-Is in a Minority-Appropriation Resolutions-The Peel

Ministry resigns-Improved position of Sir Robert Peel,

CHAPTER V.

Page 152

Recall of the Melbourne Cabinet-Mr O'Connell supports it-His

Position and real Designs-Growth of the Joint-stock Banks-

Municipal Reform-act-Session of 1836-Irish Municipal Reform-

bill-Sir R. Peel opposes it-Altered by the Peers, and dropped

by Ministers Commutation of Irish Tithes-Appropriation Clause

-Sir Robert Peel attacks Ministers-Bill amended by the Peers—

Amendments refused by the Commons-Violence of O'Connell-

Real views of the Irish Catholic Hierarchy-Session of 1837-

President Jackson's monetary Measures-A Panic caused in

England-Ruin of the Joint-stock Banks and American Trade-

Alarm of the Bank of England-Weakness of Ministers-Distress

-Mr Walter attacks the Poor-law-Mr Fielden's Statements-

Agitation-Sir R. Peel supports Ministers-Confiscation of the

Vixen-Mr Roebuck's Conduct-Sir Robert Peel's-Death of

William IV.-Election of 1837-Its Results-Revolt in Canada

-Lord Durham's Mission-Agitation for the People's Charter-

Its Origin-The Birmingham Petition-Session of 1839-Gloomy