The MARQUESS of CLANRICARDErose to give notice, that on a future day he would move the adoption of Resolutions similar to those which had been lately adopted, not by an unanimous vote, but by a large majority of the House of Commons. He had expected that Resolutions similar to those adopted in the other House would have been proposed to their Lordships' House; and he purposely abstained yesterday from giving the notice he was now about to give. He had hoped, al-though it was but a feeble hope after what passed a week ago, that Her Majesty's Ministers might have thought it necessary to communicate those Resolutions to their Lordships' House, to renew them there, or to take some steps to move Resolutions of a similar nature on the subject. But as it did not appear now that any step had bean taken on his (the Marquess of Clanricarde's) side of the House, he thought it was due to the House as well as to the great question to which the Resolutions of which he had spoken related, that the matter should be brought under their Lordships' deliberate opinion, and that their Lordships' judgment thereupon should be regularly, and he hoped permanently, recorded. Therefore, upon some day that might be most convenient to the House—he cared not what day it might be, for in that respect he was in the hands of the House—he should bring the subject under the consideration of their Lordships. If it was satisfactory to the House, and if it equally suited the convenience of the noble Lord opposite (the Earl of Derby), he should name Monday; if not, any other day that might be more agreeable.
§ The EARL of DERBYI certainly think —considering the noble Marquess asked me a short time since whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to propose any measure of importance, or to ask the opinion of the House on any important measure before Christmas, and that in consequence of the answer I gave to the House, which was in the negative, a very large number of noble Lords had left town—I certainly think, if the noble Marquess intends to bring forward this question, and to submit a Resolution to your Lordships' consideration, sufficient time should be given to those noble Lords who may desire to take part in that discussion to return to town, which 773 I think can hardly he before Monday week. It will be convenient for me to enter into a discussion on Monday next; and if the noble Marquess thinks it is necessary to raise a discussion, I cannot at all object to his bringing his Resolution forward on Monday next. But at the same time I must say I am quite ready, if the House thinks fit, to adopt such a Resolution as shall faithfully express the opinion of this House and the country with regard to the course of future policy; and I am not prepared to call on those noble Lords who, adhering to the present policy and determined fairly and candidly to carry it out, entertain still the opinion which they previously entertained with regard to the policy of the original measure—I am not prepared, I say, to call upon them to sanction a Resolution which shall express opinions with regard to the past not in accordance with their own views. But if the noble Marquess is satisfied with a Resolution—I am not now speaking of any particular form of words —which fairly adopts the recently established policy for the future, I am quite prepared to concur with him as to the form of words which should be introduced; and that they shall be as binding as the most cordial advocate of free trade can desire. I am quite prepared to concur with the noble Marquess and other noble Lords on the other side of the House in passing a Resolution which should be in terms something like these:—"That this House thankfully acknowledges the general prosperity of the country; and, recognising the evils of frequent changes in the financial system of the country, is prepared to accept and adhere to the commercial system recently established, with a view to its being fully maintained and carried into effect." I do not desire at this moment to bind myself or noble Lords to any particular words; but such a Resolution, I think, would entirely satisfy those who only desire to have a security for the future; and I confess I think it would be more satisfactory to your Lordships' House, and to the country generally, that such a Resolution should be come to by your Lordships, rather than have discussions, wranglings, and altercations with reference to particular terms or words, which I am bound to say I do not think reflect any very great credit on the proceedings of the Legislature. I submit to the consideration of the noble Marquess, whether, looking to the future policy of the country, 774 and the feelings which have been excited on this subject, it would not be better to conciliate rather than to aggravate those feelings by the consideration of questions bearing on the past; whether such a course would not better suit his views and those of other noble Lords acting with him; and whether it would not be more conducive to the good feeling of this House that such a Resolution should be adopted, rather than that an Amendment should be moved of a character which would lead to a long and acrimonious discussion.
The MARQUESS of CLANRICARDEsaid, he was sure the noble Earl would not expect him at once to adopt the suggestion he had made, and which rather took him by surprise. He did not think that any opposition, or rather he should say hesitation, would have been shown by the noble Earl to adopt the words which he (the Marquess of Clanricarde) certainly thought were frankly, fairly, and voluntarily adopted by the noble Earl's colleagues in another place. He saw great inconvenience in a Resolution being adopted by this House different from that of the other House. He would not, however, enter on the subject now. nor would he express any decided opinion on the subject; but this he would say, with reference; to something that fell from the noble Earl, that it should not be the fault of him (the Marquess of Clanricarde) if any wranglings, unpleasant altercations, or discussions arose in that House in discussing that question. He wished to bring forward the question wholly and solely on large principles, and in such a manner as he thought was due to this House and to so important a matter.
§ The EARL of DERBYWith regard to a Resolution in the other House of Parliament, the House will be aware that the Resolution which was adopted and sanctioned by a very large majority, was not a Resolution proposed by either side of the House, but one which was accepted as a compromise between extreme opinions, and which it was hoped would lead to a satisfactory adjustment. But as the noble Marquess wishes to take into consideration the suggestion I have thrown out, perhaps he will abstain from placing any notice on the books at present; and perhaps on Thursday he will say what course he intends to pursue. If he thinks it fit to persevere with his Motion, it will then he my duty to otter an Amendment; and he will then perhaps not have any objection 775 to give some further notice—say from Thursday to that day week. But if on Thursday he will take the course which I think desirable, then it will not be necessary to summon noble Lords who are now absent, and who will find it inconvenient to attend on Monday.