Majesty is anxious that this object should be effected
in the manner least burdensome to her people; and it
has appeared to her Majesty, after full deliberation,
that you may, at this juncture, properly direct your
attention to the revision of duties affecting the produc-
tions of foreign countries. It will be for you to con-
sider whether some of those duties are not so trifling
in amount, as to be unproductive to the revenue, while
they are vexatious to commerce. You may further
examine whether the principle of protection upon
which others of those duties are founded, be not car-
ried to an extent injurious alike to the income of the
State and the interests of the people. Her Majesty
is desirous also that you should consider the laws
which regulate the trade in corn. It will be for you
to determine whether these laws do not aggravate the
natural fluctuations of supply; whether they do not
embarrass trade, derange the currency, and by their
operation, diminish the comfort and increase the pri-
vations of the great body of the community.'

Thus retiring with every possible advantage, the
Whigs charged Sir Robert Peel to repair their faults
and to perform their promises. He was condemned
to restore the character of the Government and to
reform the laws, to supply the deficiency in the re-
venue, and to lighten the burdens of the people.

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