INCREASE OF THE YEOMANRY. (Hansard, 26 July 1843)

§ Mr. Fox Maule
moved for a return of the names of the different corps of Yeomanry Cavalry which have been or are to be re-established on permanent pay and allowances, under the estimate of the present year. The right hon. Gentleman reminded the House that under the late administration the Yeomanry corps had been reduced to the advantage of the country. The present Government had increased the yeomanry and he thought, without any necessity. At least, whatever might be the necessity in the manufacturing districts, there was none whatever for re-embodying the yeomanry of Mid Lothian, for there was no disturbance in Scotland. He considered that, under the present circumstances of the country, when economy was so desirable, and the people were in such a state of distress, that the additional expense of 25,000l. expended on the yeomanry, was uncalled for and ought to have been avoided. The right hon. Gentleman concluded by moving for the returns.

§ Sir James Graham
had been ready to enter upon the subject when he moved the estimates, had he been called on, and he had no intention of opposing the returns moved for by the right hon. Gentleman. At the same time he was bound to remind the House of the circumstances of the country when the augmentation took place. It was found necessary, on account of the disturbed state of the manufacturing districts. But he could not do better on the subject than read to the House a letter which he had received from the Duke of Wellington, and which had been written by him when he no longer required the 1355 services of those corps. The right hon. Baronet read the following letter:— Sir—I have the honour to inform you that all the corps of Yeomanry Cavalry, placed at my disposal, and which, in consequence, have been acting under the general officers of the districts where the public peace has been disturbed, have been relieved from permanent duty, and have been permitted to return to their homes. The readiness with which both officers and men turned out for the service of their country, at a period of the year when it must have been very inconvenient to most of them to quit their usual avocations and business, merits the warmest commendation; and 1 must add, as especially deserving of praise, the activity, gallantry, discipline, and forbearance, with which they have performed the duties it became necessary to submit to them, in order to support the magistrates, and enable them to restore and maintain the public peace, protect property, and preserve to every individual of the community the right to labour, as lie himself might be inclined, upon the terms to which be may have agreed with his employer. It is a great satisfaction to me to be able to report thus favourably of this most efficient body; and so sensible am I of the merits of the yeomanry, and of the value of the services they have rendered on this occasion, that I deem it my duty to request that you will lay the letter before the Queen, with my earnest recommendation that I may be honoured with her Majesty's commands to express in general orders her most gracious approbation at their conduct, and her Majesty's confident reliance on their zeal, loyalty, and devotion whenever it may be necessary to call again upon them for assistance. I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant, (Signed] WELLINGTON. The right hon. Sir J. Graham, etc. It was not necessary for him to add one word to that letter, to show the efficiency of the yeomanry corps or their utility in supporting the civil power, and restoring the public peace when that had been disturbed. With respect to the augmentation, he had the high authority of the Duke of Wellington for saying, that last year, with a view to support the civil government, his grace had recommended in the circum- stances of the country that the yeomanry should be augmented to the extent of 1,200 men; and he had advised that they should be raised in different localities. That recommendation had been carried into effect. He would not enter into further details, and he did not mean to oppose the motion.

§ Mr. Fox Maule
did not dispute the high authority of the Duke of Wellington, but his Grace had recommended that the yeo- 1356 manry should be embodied in the districts where the disturbances arose, and the right hon. Gentleman had called a body of yeomanry cavalry into existence where the country was very peaceful. He referred to the yeomanry of Mid Lothian, who had been called out when there were no disturbances whatever, either in the metro-polis or in any part of Scotland. The right hon. Gentleman had stated no ground why that corps should have been raised, nor were there any circumstances which made it necessary to revive them in order to pre-serve the public peace. The only consequence was that the right hon. Gentleman had saddled the country with the expense of that corps, which, since 1819, had never been called on to perform any public service. Under the circumstances of the case he thought the services of that body were not required.

§ Sir James Graham
begged to remind the House that the Midlothian Yeomanry were in the neighbourhood of the metropolis of Scotland, and that in general there was only one regiment of cavalry in Scotland. If any circumstances made it necessary to employ them—if any disturbance arose, more cavalry might be required. It was that circumstance which made the Duke of Wellington recommend that a body of yeomanry cavalry should be organised in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, and justified the restoration of the corps to which the right hon. Gentleman alluded.