ent recalled the
diplomatic instrument of its intrigues, and the independence of Portugal
with its constitution was for a time preserved.

RESOLUTIONS AGAINST BRIBERY AT ELECTIONS.

By the dissolution of parliament the resolutions of Lord John Russell
for detecting bribery at elections, which had been carried on the last
day of the session, had expired. Under these circumstances they were
moved anew by Lord Althorp, in doing which he said that he hoped the
new house of commons would not now, by rejecting them, afford a singular
contrast between the last session of an old parliament and the first
session of a new one. In reply, Mr. Peel said, that if this new
jurisdiction was to be created at all, it had better be created by a
bill than by resolutions; if there were to be any interference, it would
be wiser to make that interference effective, than to adopt a measure so
imperfect and inoperative as these resolutions presented. Was it not, he
asked, a serious consideration that the committee forming the tribunal
before which this offence was to be tried, was without the power of
administering an oath? Here was an imperfection and an evil for which
the resolutions made no provision; and it was vain to hope that any
measure could be salutary or effective in its operations if deficient in
so important a point. Mr. Wynn also objected to the resolutions, deeming
them, with Mr. Peel, insufficient for the purpose designed. Mr. Scarlett
observed, that the resolutions might possibly not meet the difficulties
which it was desirable should be overcome; but at the same time he
thought the right honourable secretary had taken a partial view of the
question. The resolutions, he said, were not altogether unexceptionable;
but he was persuaded that they might be so far modified as to remedy the
evil without going the length of inflicting a penalty or imposing costs,
as Mr. Peel suggested, and which could be accomplished only by means
of a bill. He added, that he thought they might be withdrawn, and
re-introduced in an amended form; and Lord Althorp adopted, this
suggestion, and withdrew the resolutions for the present. Subsequently
Mr. Littleton again proposed the resolutions for the regulation
of committees on private bills which had been passed by the late
parliament, and they were all adopted.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

{GEORGE IV. 1827--1828}

Death of the Duke of York..... Meeting of Parliament.....
Catholic Questi