d property insecure in that part of
the empire. That, in consequence of the appointment of such committee by
the house of lords, it has been proposed that this house should resolve,
'That it is the opinion of this house that it is expedient to persevere
in those principles which have guided the executive government of late
years, and which have tended to the effectual administration of the
law, and the general improvement of that part of the United Kingdom.'
Resolved, that it appears to this house, that the appointment of a
committee of inquiry by the house of lords, under the circumstances,
and for the purposes above-mentioned, does not justify her majesty's
ministers in calling upon this house, without previous inquiry, or even
the production of the information which this house has required, to make
a declaration of opinion with respect to one branch of the public policy
of the executive government, still less a declaration of opinions, which
is neither explicit as to the principles which it professes to approve,
nor definite as to the period to which it refers; and that it is
not fitting that this house should adopt a proceeding which has the
appearance of calling in question the undoubted right of the house
of lords to inquire into the state of Ireland in respect to crime and
outrage, more especially when the exercise of that right by the house of
lords does not interfere with any previous proceeding or resolution of
the house of commons, nor with the progress of any legislative
measure assented to by the house of commons, or at present under its
consideration." The adroitness with which these resolutions were framed
are apparent, and needs no comment; they completely evaded all the
difficulties of the case. The situation of the ministers was also
rendered more difficult by the conduct of the radical section of the
house, whose tactics were called into play on this occasion. They felt
themselves bound, indeed, to support Lord John Russell's motion, but
then they wished him to go further. No sooner had Sir Robert Peel sat
down, indeed, than Mr. Duncombe stated that in the event of the noble
lord's resolution being-carried, it was in his contemplation to move an
addition to it in the following terms:--"And that it is expedient also
to effect such further reforms in the representation of the people in
parliament as would conduce to their contentment, and to the security
and welfare of the kingdom at large."

On the 15t