his would not be governing, but
handing over the Government to their opponents. If Peel really
was of opinion that this Bill was so unwise and inexpedient, that
no considerations of a general nature would justify him in
consenting to it, or in not opposing it, he was right to take the
course he has done; but not otherwise; for, as the Bill can only
be carried, if at all, by a small majority, it will go out to
Jamaica with diminished moral effect, and it was above all things
desirable that an Act so penal should be invested with all the
authority derivable from unanimity, or at least the concurrence
of an overwhelming majority. Now this is the consideration of
which the importance is admitted by both sides, and it might have
afforded Peel a good reason for giving way to the Government,
when he found they would not give way to him. As it is, the Bill
will go up to the Lords with the usual majority, and the Lords
will have to determine upon a course full of important
consequences. If they throw it out, it seems to me that Ministers
must resign, and no question could be devised on which they could
resign so advantageously for their own interests as a party, none
of which would be less popular for their opponents, and which
would afford so good an occasion and such great facilities for
keeping together the Whigs and Radicals in a firm and consentient
opposition. The great object of Peel's policy appears to have
been to avoid returning to office until he could do so in such
strength as to be able to carry on the Government with security,
and it was my belief that he never would return until he had some
sort of guarantee that this would be in his power. The great
desideratum, therefore, of all moderate men, was the dissolution
of the connexion between the Whigs and Radicals, and the ultimate
establishment of a Government upon the anti-movement principle,
and it was with reference to this paramount object that I was so
desirous of getting Peel's course shaped so as to harmonise with
John Russell's sentiments and conduct. But if the Government
resign upon this Jamaica question, all this fine plan will be
defeated. Great are the effects of party rancour, and if the
battle is fought on merely party grounds, and the Lords are to be
the instruments of achieving the victory, the Whigs and Radicals
will forget their present bickerings and mutual topics of
grievance and discontent, and bury their animosities in a common
determination