Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/205

 1827.] Death of Castlereagh to Cannings Premiership. 191 government of Spain. When opponents of the reform in Portugal itself took up arms and were defeated they retired into Spain, where, instead of being interned, they were organized, rearmed, and sent back to continue the civil war in their own country. This course was continued so long and so systematically as to form a virtual invasion of Portugal, with the object of changing by external force its form of government. Against such attacks England was bound by treaties to protect her ancient ally, and although Canning had been averse to interfere by arms when the French invaded Spain, he did not shrink from the undoubted responsibility which now devolved upon him. After repeated remonstrances to the court of Madrid, it was decided to send an expedition to the Tagus, and this form of protest was at once effectual. The Spanish Government withdrew from its indefensible position, and Portugal was left free to conduct her own internal policy. One effect of these proceedings was to strengthen Canning's position, both in Parliament and in the country. This made it more than ever impracticable that a Ministry could be formed without him, and thus rendered more unavoidable a disruption in the Tory party which could not but serve the cause of Liberalism. The ministeral defence of the Portugal policy was made in both Houses on the I2th of December, and on the following day an adjournment was made till the 8th of February. The year 1827 opened amidst a political calm which did not at all presage the violent events which marked its course. The commercial storm was subsiding, a good harvest had removed the danger of scarcity of food, and the Ministry had agreed and had pledged itself so to deal with the corn laws as to reduce their stringency and to increase the freedom of trade to which they formed so serious an impediment. With regard to the question of Catholic emancipation, there was to be expected the usual contest between parties, if not between the two Houses. The death of the Duke of York, which took place on the 5th of January, removed one element of difficulty even in this matter, since it was no longer