DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16873#0005
Pi-GE
♦
VOLUME XLVI.-JANUARY TO JUNE, 1864.
THE PALMERSTON CABINET.—1864.
First Lord of the Treasury
Lord Chancellor
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster
President of the Council
President of the Board of Trade
Lord Privy Seal
Home Office .
Foreign Office
Colonial Office . ...
War Secretary
India Secretary . . . .
Admiralty ....
Postmaster-General
Poor Law Board
Viscoont Palmerston.
Lord Westbdrt.
Eight Hon. W-. E. Gladstone.
Right Hon. E. Cardwell.
Earl Granville.
Right Hon. Thomas M. Gibson.
Duke op Argyll.
Sir George Grey, Bart.
Earl Russell.
Doke op Newcastle.
Earl De Grey and Ripon.
Sir Charles Wood, Bart.
Duke op Somerset.
Lord Stanley op Alderley.
Right Hon. Charles P. Yilliers.
POLITICAL
rr'HE Parliament of 1864 opened in February, and the
following extracts from the Queen's Speech are expla-
natory of the position of public affairs •
“ Her Majesty is confident that you will shave her feeling of gratitude
to Almighty God on account of the Princess of Wales having given birth to
a son, an event which has called forth from her faithful people renewed
demonstrations of devoted loyalty and attachment to her person and family.
“The state of affairs on the continent of Europe has been the cause of great
anxiety to Her Majesty. The death of the late King of Denmark brought
into immediate application the stipulations of the Treaty of May, 1852, con-
cluded by Her Majesty, the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of the
Erench, the King of Prussia, the Emperor of Russia, the King of
Sweden, and the Kino of Denmark, and afterwards acceded to by the King
of Hanover, the Kino of Saxony, the King of Wurtemberg, the King of
the Belgians, tbe King of the Netherlands, the Queen of Spain, the
King of Portugal, and the King of Sardinia.
“ That Treaty declared that it is conducive to the preservation of the
balance of power and of the peace of Europe that the integrity of the Danish
Monarchy should be maintained, and that the several territories which have
hitherto been under the sway of the King of Denmark should continue so to
remain ; and for this purpose it was agreed that in the event of the death of
the late King and of his uncle, Prince Frederick, without issue, his present
Majesty, King Christian IX., should he acknowledged as succeeding to all
the dominions then united under the sceptre of His Majesty the King of
Denmark.
“ Her Majesty, actuated by the same desire to preserve the peace of
Europe, which was one of the declared objects of all the Powers who were
parties to that Treaty, has been unremitting in her endeavours to bring
about a peaceful settlement of the differences which on this matter have
arisen between Germany and Denmark, and to ward off the dangers which
might follow from a beginning of warfare in the north of Europe, and Her
Majesty will continue her efforts in the interest of peace. * * *
“ Her Majesty commands us to inform you that she has concluded a
Treaty with the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of the French, the
King of Prussia, and the Emperor of Russia, by which Her Majesty con-
sents to give up the protectorate of the Ionian Islands, and also agrees to the
annexation of those islands to the kingdom of Greece. This Treaty shall be
laid before you. Her Majesty is also negotiating a Treaty with the King of
the Hellenes for regulating the arrangements connected with the union of
the Ionian Islands with the kingdom of Greece. * * *
“ Her Majesty commands us to inform you that the condition of the
sountry is, on the whole satisfactory. The revenue has fully realised its
SUMMARY.
expected amount; the commerce of the United Kingdom is increasing ; and
while the distress in tbe manufacturing districts has been in some degree
lessened, there is reason to look forward to an increased supply of cotton
from various countries which have hitherto hut scantily furnished our manu-
facturers with this matei'ial for their industry.
“ Her Majesty has directed that a Commission shall be issued for the
purpose of revising the various forms of subscription and declaration required
to be made by the clergy of the Established Church.”
The conduct of the Government in relation to foreign
affairs was, as will be seen by reference to the Essence of
Parliament, subjected to much adverse criticism by the
Opposition, and especially with regard to Denmark, in which
we were said to have done too much or too little, and certain
despatches of Lord Russell were highly disapproved of in and
out of Parliament as conveying an implied promise of assis-
tance which it was never intended to fulfil. The Ministry
were also declared not to have a policy, and Mr. Disraeli, in
a speech of much force, declared that it was not the duty of
Parliament to find one.
“ Humiliate us,” he said, “ if you like. Degrade us, if we must submit to it.
But, at any rate, do not call on us to bear responsibility. If the relation of
the House of Commons to the Government is fast approaching the relation of
the French Chambers to their master, we have a right to look to the Govern-
ment to do that which in the language of the day is known as ‘ taking the
initiative.’ No doubt, there are difficulties in the way of the Government
coming with a cut and dry policy to settle all the differences of Europe. The
condition of Europe is one of a very grave character, and upon the conduct
of the English Government and on the conduct of Parliament much depends.
But the noble Lord must feel that it is for the Government to frame
a policy which they think they ought to recommend, and no doubt when it
is brought forward, if it be a wise and fair policy, the House will unani-
mously support them; for I have always seen that whenever foreign affairs
have occupied the attention of the House there has been an absence of party
strife and feeling in dealing with matters of such high importance. If we
believe that this country is engaged in a just and fair quarrel, Parliament
will support the Government, of whomsoever it may be formed. But let us
be sure about the policy which we are pursuing. Let us he quite sure, if we
go to war, first of all that it is a necessary and just war; and secondly, if
fAt!
♦
VOLUME XLVI.-JANUARY TO JUNE, 1864.
THE PALMERSTON CABINET.—1864.
First Lord of the Treasury
Lord Chancellor
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster
President of the Council
President of the Board of Trade
Lord Privy Seal
Home Office .
Foreign Office
Colonial Office . ...
War Secretary
India Secretary . . . .
Admiralty ....
Postmaster-General
Poor Law Board
Viscoont Palmerston.
Lord Westbdrt.
Eight Hon. W-. E. Gladstone.
Right Hon. E. Cardwell.
Earl Granville.
Right Hon. Thomas M. Gibson.
Duke op Argyll.
Sir George Grey, Bart.
Earl Russell.
Doke op Newcastle.
Earl De Grey and Ripon.
Sir Charles Wood, Bart.
Duke op Somerset.
Lord Stanley op Alderley.
Right Hon. Charles P. Yilliers.
POLITICAL
rr'HE Parliament of 1864 opened in February, and the
following extracts from the Queen's Speech are expla-
natory of the position of public affairs •
“ Her Majesty is confident that you will shave her feeling of gratitude
to Almighty God on account of the Princess of Wales having given birth to
a son, an event which has called forth from her faithful people renewed
demonstrations of devoted loyalty and attachment to her person and family.
“The state of affairs on the continent of Europe has been the cause of great
anxiety to Her Majesty. The death of the late King of Denmark brought
into immediate application the stipulations of the Treaty of May, 1852, con-
cluded by Her Majesty, the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of the
Erench, the King of Prussia, the Emperor of Russia, the King of
Sweden, and the Kino of Denmark, and afterwards acceded to by the King
of Hanover, the Kino of Saxony, the King of Wurtemberg, the King of
the Belgians, tbe King of the Netherlands, the Queen of Spain, the
King of Portugal, and the King of Sardinia.
“ That Treaty declared that it is conducive to the preservation of the
balance of power and of the peace of Europe that the integrity of the Danish
Monarchy should be maintained, and that the several territories which have
hitherto been under the sway of the King of Denmark should continue so to
remain ; and for this purpose it was agreed that in the event of the death of
the late King and of his uncle, Prince Frederick, without issue, his present
Majesty, King Christian IX., should he acknowledged as succeeding to all
the dominions then united under the sceptre of His Majesty the King of
Denmark.
“ Her Majesty, actuated by the same desire to preserve the peace of
Europe, which was one of the declared objects of all the Powers who were
parties to that Treaty, has been unremitting in her endeavours to bring
about a peaceful settlement of the differences which on this matter have
arisen between Germany and Denmark, and to ward off the dangers which
might follow from a beginning of warfare in the north of Europe, and Her
Majesty will continue her efforts in the interest of peace. * * *
“ Her Majesty commands us to inform you that she has concluded a
Treaty with the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of the French, the
King of Prussia, and the Emperor of Russia, by which Her Majesty con-
sents to give up the protectorate of the Ionian Islands, and also agrees to the
annexation of those islands to the kingdom of Greece. This Treaty shall be
laid before you. Her Majesty is also negotiating a Treaty with the King of
the Hellenes for regulating the arrangements connected with the union of
the Ionian Islands with the kingdom of Greece. * * *
“ Her Majesty commands us to inform you that the condition of the
sountry is, on the whole satisfactory. The revenue has fully realised its
SUMMARY.
expected amount; the commerce of the United Kingdom is increasing ; and
while the distress in tbe manufacturing districts has been in some degree
lessened, there is reason to look forward to an increased supply of cotton
from various countries which have hitherto hut scantily furnished our manu-
facturers with this matei'ial for their industry.
“ Her Majesty has directed that a Commission shall be issued for the
purpose of revising the various forms of subscription and declaration required
to be made by the clergy of the Established Church.”
The conduct of the Government in relation to foreign
affairs was, as will be seen by reference to the Essence of
Parliament, subjected to much adverse criticism by the
Opposition, and especially with regard to Denmark, in which
we were said to have done too much or too little, and certain
despatches of Lord Russell were highly disapproved of in and
out of Parliament as conveying an implied promise of assis-
tance which it was never intended to fulfil. The Ministry
were also declared not to have a policy, and Mr. Disraeli, in
a speech of much force, declared that it was not the duty of
Parliament to find one.
“ Humiliate us,” he said, “ if you like. Degrade us, if we must submit to it.
But, at any rate, do not call on us to bear responsibility. If the relation of
the House of Commons to the Government is fast approaching the relation of
the French Chambers to their master, we have a right to look to the Govern-
ment to do that which in the language of the day is known as ‘ taking the
initiative.’ No doubt, there are difficulties in the way of the Government
coming with a cut and dry policy to settle all the differences of Europe. The
condition of Europe is one of a very grave character, and upon the conduct
of the English Government and on the conduct of Parliament much depends.
But the noble Lord must feel that it is for the Government to frame
a policy which they think they ought to recommend, and no doubt when it
is brought forward, if it be a wise and fair policy, the House will unani-
mously support them; for I have always seen that whenever foreign affairs
have occupied the attention of the House there has been an absence of party
strife and feeling in dealing with matters of such high importance. If we
believe that this country is engaged in a just and fair quarrel, Parliament
will support the Government, of whomsoever it may be formed. But let us
be sure about the policy which we are pursuing. Let us he quite sure, if we
go to war, first of all that it is a necessary and just war; and secondly, if
fAt!