Page:Life of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel.pdf/10

10 April, 1842, the deficit of the revenue of the United Kingdom, compared with its expenditure, was £2,570,000; of India, £2,430,000. The difference, then, against this country and its credit, is eight millions as compared with 1835!" It was soon evident that the tendency of Sir Robert Peel's policy, was towards an abolition of the taxes on food. The approaches to freedom of trade were gradual, and perhaps slow, but events occurred which compelled him to accelerate his progress. In most of the countries of Europe, the harvest of 1845 was deficient, and the failure of corn was aggravated by the mysterious disease which attacked the potato crop, and spread with alarming rapidity, particularly in Ireland, where that vegetable constitutes almost the only food of a great portion of the people. Alarmed by the prospect of famine in Ireland, and scarcity in England, Sir Robert Peel proposed that the ports should be thrown open, for the admission of provisions on the 1st of November, and that application should be made to parliament for a bill of indemnity; at the same time he intimated his intention of proposing the total abolition of the corn-laws. Finding himself opposed by a majority of his colleagues, Sir Robert Peel tendered his resignation, which her majesty reluctantly accepted. Lord John Russell was then invited to form an administration, but having failed in the attempt, Sir Robert resumed office, and again threw aside all personal motives in order to carry a measure, which circumstances had convinced him was necessary for the welfare of the country. His friend, the Duke of Wellington, expressed his determination to support him, by every means in his power; the other members concurred in the Duke's sentiments, and Sir Robert entered Parliament, bearing his corn-law repeal measures in his hand.

Sir Robert Peel said, in defending his change of opinion on the corn laws—"Power to effect great