funds of the savings’ banks had been tampered with; in another the Exchequer bills had been funded; and, in short, several most irregular modes has been adopted.  Then, my lords, what happened?  Besides these expenses; besides the failure of the government to make due provision by the mode of ways and means to defray the charges incurred by their naval and military operations; besides these, my lords, her majesty’s government thought proper to repeal a large amount of taxes, by which means they reduced the revenue of the country to such a degree as materially and inevitably left a most serious deficiency.

August 24, 1841.

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Hasty adoption of Free Trade by the Whigs.

My lords, it is not more than fourteen months ago since I heard the noble viscount (Melbourne) say,—­making use of the strongest language I ever heard in opposition to a motion merely for taking the corn laws into consideration,—­the noble viscount on that occasion declared before God, with reference to the abolition of the corn laws, that he believed the man must be mad who dreamed of such a thing.  Now, my lords, I do not pretend to say that the noble viscount has not a perfect right to change his opinions.  I believe he thought that he had good grounds for doing so, and I think I have myself read the report which induced him to change them.  But this I do say, that, before your lordships and the country were placed in this situation in regard to the queen, the noble viscount was bound to give parliament and the country an opportunity of obtaining that knowledge and information as to the true merits of the question, which he imagines himself to have obtained.

* * * * *

It is by such inquiries as these, my lords, calmly and patiently conducted, that men are enabled to judge respecting the consequences of great changes of this nature, and of the bearings and tendencies of each particular part of what is intended to be done.  But, instead of such a course being pursued, what has been done in the present instance?  Nothing. * * I further think, that the committee and report were ex parte ones, upon which no legislative measures ought to have been founded.  But what I chiefly complain of is this, that before the noble viscount put this speech into the mouth of her majesty, he did not give us full and fair information to guide us as to what we ought to do.  I believe, my lords, that conduct like this is sufficient to induce you to say that the noble lords opposite do not deserve your confidence.

August 24, 1841.

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Lord Melbourne’s services to the Queen.

I am willing to admit that the noble viscount has rendered the greatest possible service to her majesty.  I happen to know that it is her majesty’s opinion that the noble viscount has rendered her majesty the greatest possible service, in making her acquainted with the mode and policy of the government of this country, initiating her into the laws and spirit of the constitution, independently of the performance of his duty, as the servant of her majesty’s crown; teaching her, in short, to preside over the destinies of this great country.