THE

OR A VIEW OF THE

CALIFORNIK
ANNUAL REGISTER,

HISTORY
POLITICS

1848.
OF THE
UNIVERSITY

AND

OF THE YEAR

LONDON:
PRINTED FOR F. & J. RIVINGTON;

LONGMAN AND CO.; J. M. RICHARDSON; HAMILTON AND CO.; SIMPKIN AND

CO.; J. RODWELL; HOULSTON AND STONEMAN; G. LAWFORD; J. DOWDING;
J. BUMPUS; COWIE AND CO. ; CAPES AND SON; SMITH, ELDER AND
CO.; H. WASHBOURNE; H. G. BOHN; WALLER AND SON; J.

THOMAS ;
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AND TEGG AND CO.

CON TEN T S.

CHAPTER I.

Re-assembling of Parliament, after the Christmas Recess, on the 3rd of Fe-

bruary-The West India Question becomes the first subject of Discussion

-Lord George Bentinck moves for a Select Committee of Inquiry-His

Speech-Speeches of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. James Wilson,

Mr. T. Baring, Mr. Bernal, Mr. Disraeli—The Motion is agreed to without

a Division-Loan of 200,0001. to some of the West Indian Colonies pro-

posed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.-Discussion thereon-Un-

favourable Intelligence received respecting the Condition of the West In-

dian Interest~Remedial Measures-Lord John Russell proposes his Plan

in the House of Commons on the 16th of June—He reviews the past

Legislation and existing Position of the Question at great length— The

Ministerial Scheme is unfavourably received—Sir John Pakington moves

an Amendment on the 18th of June, asserting the Claim of the Colonies

to more effectual Relief-Speeches of Sir E. Buxton, the Chancellor of the

Exchequer, Mr. K. Seymer, Mr. Hume, Lord George Bentinck, Mr. Hawes,

and other Members-A warm personal Discussion arises touching the

Administration of the Colonial Office—The Debate is continued by Ad-

journments at great length–Important Speech of Sir Robert Peel in

favour of the Ministerial Measure—The Amendment is rejected by 260

to 245—Several other Amendments are moved, but without success, by

Mr. Bright, Mr. Barkly, Mr. Bouverie, and other Members—Lord John

Russell's Resolutions

are finally agreed to and embodied in a Bill, which

passes through the House of Commons-Debates in the House of Lords

on West Indian Affairs-Earl Grey introduces the Question discussed in

the House of Commons affecting the Colonial Office, and vindicates his

own Conduct

Speeches of Lord Stanley, Lord Brougham, the Marquis of

Lansdowne, and other Members—Debate on the Second Reading of the

Sugar Duties Bill—Speeches of Earl Grey, Lord Redesdale, and Lord

Denman—The Second Reading is agreed to, and the Bill becomes

Law

Page 1

CHAPTER II.

Finance Division of Public Opinion, at the commencement of the Session,

respecting the National Defences-Views of the Free-Trade Leaders on

the Subject-Lord John Russell makes a Financial Statement on the 18th

of February–His Speech-Detail of the Income and Expenditure-Pro-

position for continuing the Income Tax for Three Years at the increased

Rate of Five per Cent.-Unfavourable reception of the Ministerial State-

ment by the House—Sir Charles Wood endeavours to propitiate the Op-

position by moving that the Army, Navy, and Ordnance Estimates be re-

ferred to a Select Committee-Observations of Mr. Hume, Lord George

Bentinck, and other Members Great Agitation excited in various parts

of the Country by the proposed augmentation of the Income Tax-The

a 2