of that government—­is, my lords, an act, to say the least of it, that cannot be called a discreet exercise of the power which is conferred on those who have so used it.  My lords, I will say nothing—–­ I will advert to nothing that is not notorious—­that is not strictly in reference to the act of parliament.  I beg your lordships to observe, that the body which did this act—­which I must call an act of indiscretion, at least—­that body, as a body, has no knowledge whatever of the instructions sent out to the governor-general, and under which he acted.  They stated reasons for withdrawing the governor-general from India; but, as a body (except the secret committee appointed under the act of parliament), they had no knowledge whatever of the instructions under which the governor-general acted, or of the events which had taken place in that country, except that which is within the general knowledge of this and the other house of parliament, and the whole public of this country.  And yet, my lords, they take this responsibility upon themselves—­having no knowledge of the instructions which it was deemed at Waterloo.  Very possibly not, my lords.  Bear in mind what he said in respect to the augmentation of his numbers, and the means of assembling those persons.  He said on one occasion, that by the post of one night, he could collect the whole of this force in different parts of the country; and it is perfectly true,—­I have not a doubt of the fact.

July 14, 1843.

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Remedial Measures of no avail whilst Agitation continues in Ireland.

My lords, I must say, that grieved as I am that there should be so much truth in the representations made by the noble lord of the existing state of the country, and of its prospects, threatened as they are by the continuance of agitation, I must say, that no measure that could be proposed, no new measure which could be adopted, would have the smallest effect in removing any of these evils or inconveniences.  My lords, the only mode, the only course to be adopted on the part of the government, is to oppose a strong resistance to everything like a breach of the peace or public order, and to be prepared, as I hope they are prepared, to enforce measures for preserving quiet, and protecting property, in Ireland.  My lords, I know of no remedy but that for the state of affairs which exists at present; particularly as it appears that whether the peace of the country shall be disturbed or not, depends on the will of one man, and his influence over the wills and actions of some thousands, who possess influence in various parishes of the country.

July 14, 1843.

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Agitation no Relief for the Poverty of Ireland.