Lord George Bentinck | Page 6

agricultural
interest, but, on principle, to the entire measure, 'a great commercial
revolution, which we are of opinion that the circumstances of the
country do not by any means require.'
Noticing the observation of the Secretary at War, that the agricultural
interest, in submitting to this great change, might now accept it with

honour, instead of its being eventually extorted by force, he happily
retorted, that vicious as he thought the measure, he should feel it
deprived of half its vice if it could be carried without loss of honour,
damage to reputation, and forfeiture of public character to a vast
number of gentlemen now present. And he proceeded to show among
other testimonies, by an appeal to the distinct language of the speech
from the throne on the dissolution of 1841, that 'every member who
occupied a seat in this House was returned pledged either to oppose or
maintain the principle of protection to national industry.'
Adverting to the new position, that the experience of the last three years
justified the reversal of the system which the existing administration
had been summoned to office to uphold, he wisely remarked, that 'the
country will not be satisfied with three years' experience of any system.
Three years' experience is not sufficiently extensive to afford a proper
criterion by which we may decide the failure or success of any
description of policy whatsoever.'
Noticing that the minister had more especially founded 'his present
belief in doctrines contrary to those which he had heretofore uniformly
maintained,' by the assumption that the price of corn would not be more
reduced than the price of cattle and other commodities affected by the
tariff of 1842, and also by the results of previous experiments in the
instances of silk and wool, Lord George 'accepted his challenge' on
these grounds, and proceeded in great detail to investigate these
examples.
The House listened with great attention for full two hours, during
which he treated these subjects. This attention no doubt was generally
accorded because it was felt due to the occasion, and, under the
circumstances, to the speaker; but those who, however contrary might
be the results at which they had arrived, had themselves deeply entered
into these investigations, recognized very soon that Bentinck was
master of his subject. Sir Robert Peel looked round very often with that
expression of appreciation which it was impossible for his nature to
refuse to parliamentary success, even when the ability displayed was
hostile to his projects. The minister, with reference to the wool trade,

had dwelt on the year 1842, when prices were much depressed, while
they had greatly rallied in 1844, when the importation of foreign wool
had risen from forty-five to sixty-five millions of pounds; and he had
drawn a triumphant inference that the increase of importation and the
increase of price were in consequence of the reduction of the duty. This
instance had produced a great effect; but Lord George showed the
House, by a reference to the tables of 1836, that the importation of
foreign wool had then risen to sixty-five millions of pounds, and that
large foreign importation was consistent with high prices to the
domestic grower. Nor was he less successful about the foreign cattle.
He reminded his friends on the Treasury bench how strenuously,
previously to the introduction of the tariff of 1842, they had urged upon
their agricultural friends that no foreign cattle could enter under their
regulations, and that the whole object of the change was to strengthen
the hands of the agricultural interest, as regarded more essential
protection, by removing the odium of a nominal protection: 'Convinced
by my right honourable friends, in 1842, that their tariff would be as
inoperative as it has proved, I gave my cordial support to the measure.'
Perceiving that the House began to be wearied with the details of the
silk trade, which he had investigated with extraordinary zeal, he
postponed until the specific vote in committee his objections to the
reduction of the timber duties. The fact is, he had so thoroughly
mastered all these topics, that his observations on each of them would
have themselves formed a speech of sufficient length and interest. But
he successfully checked any interruption by what may be fairly styled
his dignified diffidence.
'I trust the House will recollect that I am fighting the battle of a party
whose leaders have deserted them; and though I cannot wield my
weapons with the skill of the right honourable gentleman on the
Treasury bench, I trust the House will remember the emergency which
has dragged me out to intrude upon their indulgence.'
And again, when he announced that he was now about to investigate
the pretext of 'famine in the land,' and some impatience was exhibited,
he drew up and said, 'I