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THE

ANNUAL REGISTER,

FOR THE YEAR

1849.

HISTORY OF EUROPE.

CHAPTER I.

General Condition of the United Kingdom at the commencement of the Year 1849-State of Trade and Agriculture-Continued Distress and Insubordination in Ireland-Parliament is opened by the Queen in Person on the 1st of February-Her Majesty's Speech-Debates on the Address, which is moved in the House of Lords by Lord Bruce, and seconded by Lord Bateman-Speech of Lord Brougham-Lord Beaumont and the Earl of Winchelsea-Lord Stanley moves an Amendment stating the dissatisfaction of the House with the state of Foreign Relations, and alluding to the existing depression of Agriculture-The Marquis of Lansdowne vindicates the Foreign and Domestic Policy of the Government-Remarks of the Duke of Richmond, Earl of Yarborough, and Duke of Argyll-The Duke of Wellington declares himself opposed to the Amendment-On a Division the Address is carried by 52 against 50—In the House of Commons it is moved by Lord Harry Vane, and seconded by Mr. E. Bunbury-Mr. Disraeli enters at length into the Foreign and Commercial Policy of the Government, and moves an Amendment similar to that of Lord Stanley-Mr. H. Grattan also moves an Amendment relative to Irish Affairs-Speeches of Lord John Russell, Mr. Hume, Mr. J. O'Connell, Mr. Fagan, and other Members-Mr. Grattan's Amendment is rejected by a very large Majority-The Debate on Mr. Disraeli's Amendment being adjourned is resumed by Mr. Stafford, followed by Sir W. Somerville, Sir J. Walsh, Mr. Milnes, Lord Mandeville, Mr. Horsman, Mr. Bankes, and Lord Palmerston-After a Division on VOL. XCI. [B]

the Question of Adjournment the Amendment is withdrawn, and the Address agreed to-Discussion revived on bringing up the ReportAmendments again moved by Mr. Hume, but afterwards withdrawn— New Sessional Orders proposed by Lord John Russell-Alterations in the Practice of Parliament-Proposal by Mr. Gibson to limit Speeches, with certain exceptions, to One Hour-It is opposed by Lord John Russell and Sir R. Peel-Supported by Mr. Cobden-Motion rejected by 96 to 64.

TH

HERE was little in the aspect of public affairs at the commencement of the Parliamentary Session of 1849 which requires introductory remark. The condition of the country could neither be described as positively prosperous, nor as decidedly the reverse. The commercial and manufacturing interests were rallying, but had not as yet effectually revived from the prostration occasioned by the commercial crisis of 1847, and the shock of foreign revolutions in 1848. The drain of railway in vestments, to which the capital of the country was so largely pledged, continued to exercise a depressing effect, which was aggravated by a general want of confidence in the management of those vast undertakings. The landed interest was in a dissatisfied and uneasy state, from anticipations of the great change in the commercial policy of the country, which was to come into full effect at the commencement of the present year; but, as yet, the unfavourable consequences foreboded by that class of the community had not been practically felt. The circumstances of Ireland appeared still full of gloom and difficulty. The poor rate operating in particular districts with extreme pressure upon the already encumbered estates of the proprietors, while at the same time the inefficiency of the law to cope with the overwhelming amount of distress that the late calamities

was

had induced was painfully appa

rent.

The necessity for fresh legislation to effect the double object of facilitating the transfer of the land, and of rescuing the poor from starvation, could no longer be disputed. Although the insurrectionary movement which had caused the Government so much trouble in the preceding summer was now allayed, a turbulent and lawless spirit still prevailed to some extent among the population. With this exception, the internal tranquillity of the kingdom was undisturbed. These and other subjects, which at the commencement of the Session chiefly engaged the attention of the public, will be found noticed in the Speech addressed by Her Majesty to Parliament, which was opened by her in person on the 2nd of February. The Queen's Speech was as follows:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,"The period being arrived at which the business of Parliament is usually resumed, I have called you together for the discharge of your important duties.

66

It is satisfactory to me to be enabled to state that, both in the north and in the south of Europe, the contending parties have consented to a suspension of arms for the purpose of negotiating terms of peace.

The hostilities carried on in the Island of Sicily were attended

with circumstances so revolting, that the British and French Admirals were impelled by motives of humanity to interpose, and to stop the further effusion of blood.

"I have availed myself of the interval thus obtained to propose, in conjunction with France, to the King of Naples, an arrangement calculated to produce a permanent settlement of affairs in Sicily. The negotiation on these matters is still pending.

"It has been my anxious endeavour, in offering my good offices to the various contending powers, to prevent the extension of the calamities of war, and to lay the foundations for lasting and honourable peace. It is my constant desire to maintain with all Foreign States the most friendly relations.

"As soon as the interests of the public service will permit, I shall direct the papers connected with these transactions to be laid before you.

"A rebellion of a formidable character has broken out in the Punjaub, and the Governor-General of India has been compelled, for the preservation of the peace of the country, to assemble a considerable force, which is now engaged in military operations against the insurgents. But the tranquillity of British India has not been affected by these unprovoked disturbances.

"I again commend to your attention the restrictions imposed on commerce by the Navigation Laws.

"If you shall find that these laws are in whole or in part unnecessary for the maintenance of our maritime power, while they fetter trade and industry, you will

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· My Lords and Gentlemen,—

66 I observe with satisfaction that this portion of the United Kingdom has remained tranquil amidst the convulsions which have disturbed so many parts of Europe.

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The insurrection in Ireland has not been renewed, but a spirit of disaffection still exists, and I am compelled, to my great regret, to ask for a continuance, for a limited time, of those powers which in the last Session you deemed necessary for the preservation of the public tranquillity.

"I have great satisfaction in stating that commerce is reviving from those shocks which, at the commencement of last Session, I had to deplore.

"The condition of the manufacturing districts is likewise more encouraging than it has been for a considerable period.

"It is also gratifying to me to observe that the state of the revenue is one of progressive improvement.

66

I have to lament, however, that another failure in the potato crop has caused very severe distress in some parts of Ireland.

"The operation of the laws for the relief of the poor in Ireland

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The usual Address was moved in both Houses, but did not meet with the unanimity which might have been expected from the cautious generality with which it was framed. The agricultural party were not inclined to allow the implied testimony in favour of the free trade measures which the Royal Speech contained, to pass unchallenged, and amendments were proposed by them in both Houses. The Address was moved in the House of Lords by Lord Bruce. After sympathizing with the gratification expressed in Her Majesty's Speech at the state of our foreign relations, the noble Lord proceeded to congratulate the House on the prospect of an increased revenue and a decreased expenditure. Adverting to Ireland, he remarked, that while it was the duty of the Mover of the Address last year to predict a coming storm, it was now his more pleasurable task to remind their Lordships that the tempest had passed over,

though it was still necessary to continue for a time the precautionary measures called for by the state of public feeling in that island. The noble Lord then pronounced a feeling panegyric upon the late Lord George Bentinck and Lord Auckland, and concluded by moving an Address, which was, as usual, an echo of the Speech. Lord Bateman briefly seconded the address.

Lord Brougham said, that though he thought Lord Bruce had depicted the improvement in our commercial condition in rather too glowing terms, and that he had taken too rose-coloured a view of the state of the finances, he was ready to admit that so far the condition of the country was satisfactory. Her Majesty was made to speak in terms of gratulation of proposed reductions, but he thought it his duty to take his stand in the outset against the agitation which had commenced a crusade against the landed interest; and, although himself a conscientious friend to free trade, he felt bound to resist such attempts.

He went into figures to show that land has no exemption from a due share of public burdens. In the reign of William and Mary, personal property paid sixteen times as much as it did at present, and there had ever since been a steady and continuous reduction of the charges to which personal property was liable. Some gentlemen, indeed, denied that the land paid the bulk of the poor rates, because they paid poor rates upon their factories. What of that?-they paid as landowners. pose the rent of a factory to be 1000l. a year, and the profits made in that factory to be 30,000l. a year, which of the two sums formed the

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