his friends, and the firm support of a large
portion of those who followed Sir Robert Peel to surmount. Those who
have served your majesty and your royal predecessor in cabinet-offices
during the administration of Lord Grey and Lord Melbourne, who were now
in political connexion with Lord John Russell were consulted by him.
They agreed on the principles by which they would be guided in framing
a measure for the repeal of the corn-laws. Thus one great difficulty was
surmounted. But, as the party which acts with Lord John Russell is in a
minority in both houses of parliament, it was necessary to ascertain
how far they were likely to obtain the support of Sir Robert Peel. Your
majesty is acquainted with all that has passed on this subject. Lord
John Russell is quite ready to admit that Sir Robert Peel has been
willing, from the commencement to the end, to diminish the difficulties
in the course of a new government prepared to attempt the settlement
of the corn-laws. But Sir Robert Peel could not, of course, rely on the
support of his political friends should the proposed measure be in their
eyes dangerous and unwise. In this uncertainty of obtaining a majority
in the house of commons it was absolutely necessary that all those who
were prominent in the political party to which Lord John Russell is
attached should give their zealous aid, and act in concert in the new
administration. Lord John Russell has, in one instance, been unable to
obtain this concert; and he must now consider this task as hopeless,
which has been from the beginning hazardous. Lord John Russell is deeply
sensible of the embarrassment caused by the present state of public
affairs. He will be ready, therefore, to do all in his power, as a
member of parliament, to promote the settlement of that question which,
in present circumstances, is the source of so much danger, especially
to the welfare and peace of Ireland. Lord John Russell would have
formed his ministry on the basis of a complete free trade in corn, to
be established at once, without gradation or delay. He would have
accompanied that proposal with measures of relief to a considerable
extent of the occupiers of land from the burdens to which they are
subjected. But he will be little disposed to insist, as a member of
parliament, on what may seem to your majesty's advisers an impracticable
course. The country requires, above all things, an early and peaceable
settlement of a question, which, if not s