The Constitutional History of England since the Accession of George the Third (1760 – 1860)
Thomas E. May, The Constitutional History of England since the accession of George the Third (1760-1860), Longmans, Green & Co., London, vol.1, 8ème ed., 1887, 459p.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF ENGLAND SINCE THE ACCESSION OF GEORGE THE THIRD (1760 – 1860)
SIR THOMAS ERSKINE MAY,
[p.v]
PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION.
The Constitutional History of England, from 1760 to 1860, having been concluded as a complete work, some years since, I have not ventured to disturb the original narrative, by any attempt to continue it to the present time. But more than ten years have since passed, which will ever be memorable in the constitutional history of our country ; and in preparing a new edition of this work, I have added a supplementary chapter, in which I have briefly reviewed the more remarkable events of this latter period, in their relations to the history of the previous hundred years, and have endeavoured to measure their influence upon the government and political destinies of England.
September 9th, 1871.
[p.vii]
ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND EDITION.
The text of the present edition has been revised, and numerous authorities have been added, chiefly from works published since the completion of the first volume.
April 29, 1863.
[p.ix]
PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION.
It is the design of this history to trace the progress and development of the British Constitution, during a period of one hundred years ; and to illustrate every material change, – whether of legislation, custom, or policy, – by which institutions have been improved, and abuses in the government corrected.
The accession of George III presents no natural boundary in constitutional history : but former reigns have already been embraced in the able survey of Mr. Hallam ; and frequent allusions are here made to events of an earlier period, connected with inquiries of the present work.
In considering the history of our mixed government, we are led to study each institution separately, to mark its changes, and observe its relations to other powers and influences in the State. With this view, I have found it necessary to deviate from a strictly chronological narrative, and to adopt a natural division of leading subjects. If this [p.x] arrangement should appear occasionally to involve an incomplete view of particular events, and repeated references to the same period, under different aspects, I trust it will be found, on the whole, the most convenient and instructive. The form of the work is not the less historical. Each inquiry is pursued throughout the entire century ; but is separated from contemporary incidents, which more properly fall under other divisions.
The present volume embraces a history of the prerogatives, influence, and revenues of the Crown ; and of the constitution, powers, functions, and political relations of both Houses of Parliament. The second volume will comprise, – among other constitutional subjects, – a history of party : of the press, and political agitation : of the Church, and of civil and religious liberty. It will conclude with a general review of our legislation, – its policy and results, – during the same period.
Continually touching upon controverted topics, I have endeavoured to avoid, as far as possible, the spirit and tone of controversy. But, impressed with an earnest conviction that the development of popular liberties has been safe and beneficial, I do not affect to disguise the interest with which I have traced it, through all the events of history. Had I viewed it with distrust, and despondency, this work would not have been written.
The policy of our laws, as determined by successive [p.xi] Parliaments, is so far accepted by statesmen of all parties, and by most unprejudiced thinkers, of the present generation, that I am at liberty to discuss it historically, without entering upon the field of party politics. Not dealing with the conduct and motives of public men, I have been under no restraint in adverting to recent measures, in order to complete the annals of a century of legislation.
London: January 12, 1861.
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CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
CHAPTER I.
INFLUENCE OF THE CROWN DURING THE REIGN OF GEORGE III.
Influence of the Crown since the Revolution
The sources of this influence
Restrictions on the personal influence of the sovereign
Ministerial power and responsibility
The accession of George III. His jealousy of ministers
His determination to exalt the kingly office
His secret counsellors
His policy and its dangers
Measures taken to break up the ministry
Lord Bute as Premier carries out the king's policy
Their efforts to coerce the Opposition
Lord Bute resigns
Mr. Grenville co-operates in the king's unconstitutional policy
The king's differences with the Grenville ministry
His reluctant admission of the Rockingham ministry, 1765
Exerts his influence in Parliament against them
The king advances his policy with the aid of Lord Chatham
They unite in breaking up parties
Development of the king's policy under Lord North, 1770
The king his own minister
Protests against the influence of the Crown, 1779-80
Intimidation of peers in opposition to the Court
Lord North driven from office by the Commons, 1782
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Result of twenty years of kingcraft
Lord Rockingham's second ministry
Measures to restrain the king's influence
The “coalition ministry”, 1783
The king’s influence employed against them
Use of the king's name in Parliament denounced
The “coalition ministry” dismissed
Mr. Pitt becomes the king's minister
Is met by violent opposition in the Commons
Attempts to prevent a dissolution
Opposition continued
Postponement of the supplies
Triumph of Mr. Pitt, 1784
Reflections on this struggle
General influence of the Crown augmented
The king prepared to exert his influence against Mr. Pitt
The king's opposition to Catholic emancipation
Mr. Pitt resigns on that question
Influence of the Crown during the Addington ministry
Mr. Pitt reinstated in office, 1804
The Grenville administration, 1806
The king's friends active against ministers
Pledge required by the king of ministers on the Catholic question
Their removal from office
The Portland administration
The dismissal of ministers discussed in Parliament
The king's appeal to the people on the Catholic question at the dissolution, 1807
The three years prior to the regency
CHAPTER II
INFLUENCE OF THE CROWN DURING THE REGENCY, THE REIGNS OF GEORGE IV, WILLIAM IV, AND HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA
Influence of the Court over the prince regent
His estrangement from the Whigs
Position of parties a proof of the paramount influence of the Crown
Negotiations on the death of Mr. Perceval, 1812
Ascendency of Tory politics under Lord Liverpool
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Proceedings against Queen Caroline
The bill of pains and penalties withdrawn
Mr. Brougham's motion on the influence of the crown
George IV's opposition to Catholic emancipation
Parliamentary reform favoured by William IV
His support of Earl Grey's ministry
He prevails upon the Lords to pass the Reform Bill
Sudden dismissal of the Melbourne ministry
Sir R. Peel called to office while abroad
Is driven from office
Diminution of the influence of the Crown shown by these events
Lord Melbourne in office on Her Majesty's accession
The “bed-chamber question”
Sir R. Peel's second administration, 1841
Relations of a secretary of state to the Crown
Lord Palmerston's removal from office in 1851
Wise use of the influence of the Crown in the present reign
Increased influence of the Crown now under due control
Continued influence of great families
CHAPTER III
PREROGATIVES OF THE CROWN DURING THE MINORITY OR INCAPACITY OF THE SOVEREIGN
Incapacity of a sovereign not recognised by law
George III's first regency scheme, 1765
Doubts concerning the term “royal family”
Attempted exclusion of the Princess of Wales from the regency
Provisions of the Regency Act, 1705
Meeting of Parliament during the king's second illness, 1783-9
The rights of a regent debated
Regent to be appointed by bill founded on resolutions
The great seal to be used under authority of Parliament
A new speaker during the king's incapacity
The commission to open Parliament
The Regency Bill stayed by the king's recovery
Comments upon these proceeding's
Ministerial embarrassments caused by the king’s third illness, 1801
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The king’s fourth illness, 1804
Questions raised as to his capacity for business
Meeting of Parliament during his last illness, 1810
The precedents of 1788 followed
The issue of public money authorised by Parliament
Act authorising George IV to sign by a stamp
Eights of an infant king considered on the accession of William IV
The Regency Act, 1830-31
The rights of a king's posthumous child
The Regency Acts of Queen Victoria
CHAPTER IV
REVENUES OF THE CROWN : THE CIVIL LIST : PENSIONS : PREROGATIVES OF THE CROWN IN RELATION TO THE ROYAL FAMILY.
Vast possessions of the Crown in early times
Alienation of Crown lands restrained
Revenues of the Crown prior to the Revolution
The Civil List from William and Mary to George III
Settlement of the Civil List on the accession of George III
Charges and debts upon the Civil List
Schemes for economic reform
The Civil List Act, 1782
Civil Lists since the regency
Revenues of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall
Private property of sovereigns
Provision for the royal family
Debts of the Prince of Wales
Mismanagement of the land revenues on behalf of the public
Improved administration of the land revenues and appropriation of the proceeds
Pensions on the Civil List and other Crown Revenues
Restrictions on the grant of pensions
Final regulation of the Pension List in 1837
Powers of the sovereign over the royal family
The Royal Marriage Act, 1772
The guardianship of Princess Charlotte
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CHAPTER V
THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND THE PEERAGE
Permanence of British institutions
Progressive increase of the peerage prior to reign of George III
The Peerage Bill of 1719
Profuse creations in the reign of George III
Representative peers of Ireland
Present state of the peerage
Representative character of the House of Lords
Rights of Scottish peers
Gradual fusion of the peerages of the three kingdoms
Hereditary descent the characteristic of the peerage
Life peerages
The Lords spiritual
Attempts to exclude them from the House of Lords
Increased number of the House of Lords, a source of strength
The peerage viewed in reference to party
Collision between the two Houses averted by the influence of the Crown
Position of the Lords in reference to the Reform Bills
Proposed creation of peers
A creation of peers equivalent to a dissolution
The independence of the Lords unimpaired by the reform crisis
Their vantage ground
Circumstances affecting their political weight
The peerage in its social relations
The baronetage and orders of knighthood
CHAPTER VI
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
Anomalies of representation prior to reform
Deflects in the electoral system
Nomination boroughs
Various and limited rights of election
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Bribery at elections
Sale of boroughs
Encouragement of bribery by the King
Attempts to restrain corruption, 1768-1786
Sale of seats restrained by act, 1809
Government influence in larger boroughs
Revenue officers disfranchised, 1782
Vexatious contests in populous cities
The Westminster election, 1784
Territorial influence in counties
Defective representation of Scotland
And of Ireland
Nominee members, the majority of the House prior to reform
Injustice in the trial of election petitions
The Grenville Act, 1770
Improved constitution of election committees
Bribery of members by places and pensions
Early measures to restrain it
Places in the reign of George III
Judicial officers disqualified
Pecuniary bribes to members
During the reign of George III
Members bribed by shares in loans and lotteries
By lucrative contracts
Various sources of corruption condemned by Parliament
State of society favourable to those practices
How popular principles were kept alive
The first schemes of parliamentary reform
Lord Chatham's scheme of reform, 1770
Mr. Pitt's motions for reform, 1782-1785
Reform advocated by Mr. Grey, 1792
Discouraged by the French Revolution
Reform motions at the beginning of this century
Lord .T. Russell's efforts for reform, 1820-1830
Catholic emancipation a plea for reform
Gross cases of bribery at elections, 1826-27
Proposal to enfranchise Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester, 1830
The Duke of Wellington's anti-reform declaration, 1830
The reform ministry
The first Reform Bill rejected by the Commons
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The second rejected by the Lords
The passing of the third Eeform Bill, 1832
The Reform Act considered
Reform Acts of Scotland and Ireland
Political results of the Reform Act
Bribery since the Reform Act
Disfranchisement and other Acts to restrain bribery
Policy of legislation concerning bribery
Efforts to shorten the duration of Parliaments
Motions in favour of vote by ballot
The Property Qualification Acts repealed, 1858
Proceedings at elections improved
Later measures of reform, 1852-1860
Obstacles to parliamentary reform