Note 109 — Chapter XIX

[Such was the information we had at the time of what had occurred, but from the Memoir since published by Sir Robert Peel this turns out to be a very incorrect and imperfect statement. A Cabinet took place on Tuesday, December 2nd, at which Peel read to the Cabinet a Memorandum (p. 214), in which he said: 'I wish to reconcile the gradual approach towards sound principles with a full and cautious consideration of the relations which have been established, and the interests that have grown up under a different system;...from the principle...that protective duties are in themselves evils, I cannot withhold my assent, but the retrospect from a system long established requires caution and great consideration.... If, in order to meet an unexpected calamity, the import duties on foreign grain were suspended, it would become necessary to avow the course we intended to pursue with reference to the state of the law, when suspension would expire.... It would be quite out of my power, consistently with my recorded opinions and present convictions, to guarantee the existing amount of protection...on the termination of the suspension.... The choice in my opinion is between resistance to alteration in the existing law, and the proposal of a new law that involves...the principle of progressive reduction of protective duties.... I will undertake to propose such a law, and should hope to...to carry it, if it meets with the cordial and unanimous sanction of my colleagues.' The discussions in the Cabinet lasted from November 25th to December 5th. At length Lord Stanley and the Duke of Buccleugh declined to support such a measure, while all the other members of the Government waived their objections. On December 5th Peel resigned, and Lord John Russell was sent for the same day.]