Lord George Bentinck's death and its political significance; the extinction of Peel and the subversion of Peel's influence were the motives of all his exertions; Bentinck's removal from the fray will facilitate a new combination of parties; confusion exists abroad, and a reduction in expenditure is necessary to avoid confusion in this country; trials in Ireland.
Ireland will be the ruin of Great Britain, and the whole scheme of Irish policy must be remolten, if she is not really united to us; the absence of a Law of Settlement in Ireland prevents the Irish peasantry from becoming serfs; the Unions should be halved in size but doubled in numbers; the workhouse test is necessary in administering relief to the able-bodied; the virtues of the people of Newton Ards, Co. Down; Macaulay's great work, the deaths of Charles Buller and Auckland; variable British policy in Italy; the Short Time Act applied to ten hours becomes intolerable.
Charles Villiers will deliver a parliamentary speech on Protection; his qualities; the landowners are rabid at this moment; all wise and good men wish to soften the bitter feelings; the Edinburgh Review articles; anxiety about the Estimates.
Recipient's Herefordshire defeat was caused by the strong pressure of the landlord interest; the Government will abuse its power; a successful contest in Cumberland; a suspicion that this Parliament will be short-lived; recipient's presence is needed in Parliament, and his great service to the good cause; other interesting contests.
Lord Derby offers a sop to the Tractarians and a bribe to Gladstone and his adherents; even a Jew in the Councils of a British Queen can hardly play such tricks with impunity; Sydney Herbert has been staying with Palmerston, so all things are possible.
Reunion of the Liberal party is necessary at Peterborough as the Carlton have a candidate confident of success; alarm as to Belgium; writer suspects that French influence overactive in Turkey.
Letters from Graham, Sir James,
For content see individual letters.
A plot against writer at Carlisle might have succeeded if his 'Radical Constituency' had not been most honest; there was an alliance between Lord Ranelagh and a Chartist barrister; writer sees a most marked improvement in the new generation, and it may be safely trusted with the franchise; Gladstone ought to look for a new constituency; the basis of a common interest in keeping down the common enemy.
Recipient is advised to reject an article for the Edinburgh Review.
Writer's paper on privateers and on the rights of neutrals.
Writer's consent for the preparation of an article for publication on a political subject, [probably privateering.].
Livy's application to present-day problems; fears for the future of civil government; recipient's place on the Crimea Committee.
Writer's illness and membership of the Bank Committee; bank notes must be made a legal tender throughout the United Kingdom; the assumption of the exclusive power of issue by the Government; in India the Mutiny must be extinguished and military possession of the country regained before the government is revised; fear that distress during the winter will be widespread so that tenderness and skill will be necessary in the management of Poor Law.
Sir Henry Moncreiff could safely be entrusted with an office under the Scotch Bible Board; this would lead to an angry onslaught by the Established Church, but would rally Dissent to the Liberal banner; China is a sad affair.
From Grant, W., Berkeley ?Street,
GCL's Irish enquiry. Forwarding: C/1263, Statement of the amount of the educational and other charities in the counties of Gloucester and Southampton.
From Granville, Earl, Carlsbad,
Writer doubts the policy of declaring war on China immediately,. Although it is impossible for us to retreat.
Writer is known to recipient as a litterateur, but he wishes to be considered for Mr Tufnell's post as assistant Poor Law commissioner.
Recipient's influence is sought in favour of the appointment of the Reverend Benjamin Hill to the living of Morton.
Mr Hill will be a great blessing to the locality; the difficulty regarding the naval cadetship would be overcome by a fresh nomination.
Figures relating to the Poor law are still required; Ney's capitulation.