§ The DUKE of RICHMONDsaid, that he now wished to ask his noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if any thing had arisen which could be adduced as a sufficient cause why the medals which had been so long promised, had not been issued to the officers, non-commissioned officers, and private soldiers and sailors who served in the late war?
§ EARL GREYsaid, that he understood the dies were now complete, and that no time would be lost in getting the medals 566 ready for delivery. As, however, the name of each individual had to be engraved on his medal, together with the name of the action in which he had been engaged, the preparation of the medals was a work of great labour, and necessarily of great time. He believed, from communications made by Mr. Wyon, that in a very short period the delivery would commence. It was not intended that the delivery should be suspended until all the medals were ready, but it would begin as soon as a certain number were prepared.
The MARQUESS of LONDONDERRYsaid, that he thought that the introduction of this ex post facto system of rewards would be found very injurious. In fact, he must deprecate the recent prostitution of rewards which had taken place. These medals had been squeezed out of the Government, and he thought that, as an old officer, he had a right to express his opinion on the subject.
§ The DUKE of RICHMONDI will now move for a return of those officers, noncommissioned officers, and soldiers and sailors who are to receive this medal. I do this to place myself right with regard to the orders of your Lordships' House. After the attack which has been made by the noble and gallant Marquess, I trust your Lordships will permit me to answer that attack. He says that these rewards—these medals—are prostituted—that is, prostitution of these medals to the officers who were not field-officers, the sergeants, the private soldiers, who fought in those numerous battles in the Peninsula—the men who led the forlorn hope at Badajoz, at Ciudad Rodrigo, and at St. Sebastian—the men who fought in those great sea battles which we shall ever look back to with pride in the history of our country. Prostitution, forsooth! Prostitution of those medals to the soldiers who gained for the noble Marquess the medals for the actions in the Peninsula, which he wears, and with which he is decorated. I say that the noble Marquess and the other officers who commanded regiments were justly entitled to their well-earned rewards; but I claim for those who have not had the good fortune to be in the highest branch of their profession, but who dedicated their best energies and shed their best blood for their country, I claim for them this decoration. Squeezed out of the Government! It was no such thing. The war officers petitioned Her Majesty. Her Majesty referred their petition 567 to Her confidential advisers. The noble Marquess now complains that the medals should not be given at all because they were not given at the proper time. Because you have been guilty of gross injustice to these veteran soldiers and sailors, is that a reason why you should not now do right? Her Majesty ordered these medals. I have ever given the greatest credit to Her Majesty's Government for the advice which they gave to Her Majesty. The noble Marquess supposes that I shall not be popular in the Army, because I bring forward this question. I never did anything in this House for the purpose of making myself popular. I have always done my duty—and I will continue to do that according to my conscience. I will support the veteran officers and soldiers of the late war when I think them right, even if a thousand of your Lordships were to get up and say that I was seeking a prostitution. I believe that the officers, soldiers, and sailors of the late war will be proud of these medals, for they will be a proof that they were present in those battles which shed such glory on the British arms.
The MARQUESS of LONDONDERRYOne word in explanation. I must say, that if I used the word prostitution, it was in reference to recent rewards which have been bestowed, and which I referred to the other night, and not in reference to the grant of these medals. The noble Duke says, "If a thousand of your Lordships stood up against him, he would still support this cause." No one can doubt the noble Duke. I question only the policy of the measure. I am satisfied that the major part of these officers will not care much for it.
Subject at an end.