§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONSir, I have to state to the House that which I think is pretty well known already, that three Members of Her Majesty's Government have intimated their intention to resign the offices they have hitherto held—I mean the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the First Lord of the Admiralty, and the Secretary of State for the Colonial Department. Those officers hold their offices at present only until their successors shall be appointed. Under these circumstances, and considering that those officers are three Members of the Government in this House, I trust the House will not think I am unduly pressing upon their indulgence if I propose that we should not enter into any public business to-day; but only to carry through those Orders of the day which may stand on the paper, to which no objections are made, and that this House should adjourn till to-morrow. To-morrow my right hon. Friends will attend in their places, and will state to the House the grounds upon which they have taken the decision to resign, which I have announced; and I therefore propose that the House at its rising adjourn till to-morrow.
§ MR. DISRAELII merely, Sir, wish 1734 to state that I have heard with deep regret from the noble Lord that, before ten days have elapsed, the Government, which we with pleasure heard was formed, and which it was hoped would prove a strong Government, was virtually dissolved. We hoped it would be a strong Government, since the presence of the noble Lord, who was generally considered to have been the obstacle to the formation of such a Government, was a difficulty which had ceased to exist. But after the statement of the noble Lord, and in the absence of the right hon. Gentlemen, whose conduct must be canvassed on the proper occasion, as well as that of the noble Lord, I think it would be improper on this occasion for me to make any remarks. I only wish the noble Lord to understand that I express a very general feeling in this House and the country when I say that they have heard the official and authentic announcement of the noble Lord, that the Government recently formed is already partially and considerably dissolved, that they have heard that announcement with deep regret and some consternation.