edings. He would not command the
army nor direct the ordnance, but resigned all his military offices,
because the king made Canning the chief of a ministry in which the duke
himself served. Canning and Huskisson introduced a corn-bill, which
was the first relaxation proposed by members of a government to the
corn-law. This measure had been prepared in the Liverpool cabinet, and
received the assent of the duke himself; yet such was his animosity to
the moderately liberal policy of Canning, that he proposed the rejection
of the bill in the lords, and threw it out. There was a want of honour
and good faith in this conduct, wholly at variance with the manly,
frank, straightforward character of the duke, and there is no way of
accounting for it but by supposing that he was instigated to the course
he adopted by Peel, whose tortuous and uncertain principles and policy
began to assume prominence. It was Peel's character throughout his
career to betray all who trusted in him as a leader, and to cany by
trick and treachery all the measures against which, in his public life,
he most vehemently and acrimoniously inveighed. The duke was taunted in
the house with intriguing for the premiership. He declared, in reply,
that he was "unqualified for such a situation." Nevertheless, when
offered, he accepted it. He declared that he "should be mad even to
think of it;" but he did think of it, at all events afterwards, and took
it, and also filled it better than his tory predecessors. Perhaps the
truth of the case was, that Peel originated all the intrigues against
Canning, in which the duke was unconsciously an abettor of the designs
of that artful man. Peel saw that his best hope of attaining to the
chief post in the councils of the country was by using skilfully and
patiently the influence he had acquired over the duke. He foresaw, as it
was easy to foresee, that events would soon make the duke tired of the
post, and that he would in such case certainly devolve it upon him, as
"his man of all work." One of the most harassing oppositions to which an
English premier was ever exposed was directed and led by Wellington
and Peel against Canning, chiefly on the ground of his willingness to
concede Catholic emancipation, and some relaxation of the duties upon
corn, and the restrictions upon trade. In this opposition the duke was
sincere, but there is good ground for believing that Peel, filled with
envy against Canning, was already laying his ow