Mr. Adams to Mr. Seward
Sir: I have to acknowledge the reception of dispatches from the department numbered from 2129 to 2132, inclusive.
The not unexpected event of the resignation by the Earl of Derby of his place as first minister of the Crown, was announced in both houses of Parliament yesterday. It was also declared that Mr. D’Israeli had been charged by the Queen, with the duty of forming a new ministry, and Parliament, in order to give him the time requisite to complete the arrangements, adjourned until Friday.
It is thought that this result has been somewhat accelerated by the proposal of both houses to enter at once upon the consideration of the question of Ireland. On that subject the government was not understood to have been fully prepared to initiate a policy, and much less to defend it, with its chief in the upper house utterly disabled from appearing. So wide is the difference of opinion regarding the principal question involved, the treatment of the established church, that it will task all the powers of the new chief to bring his friends to harmonize in any practical measure of change. Yet he has gained so much reputation for his success in grappling with an equally difficult problem in the extension of the franchise, that it is not deemed impossible that he may succeed also in this. The opposition, although not yet reorganized, is thought to be on the way to consolidation. It is not their policy to press too hard, however, so long as the remaining measures necessary to define the franchise and representation in Scotland and Ireland are not completed. There is not much more of union of sentiment on the church question [Page 157] on one side than on the other; so that much time may be spent in the discussion before any issue shall be arrived at, and even then it may be reached in a manner which will not unsettle the ministry. The change going on in the ancient forms of this government in this respect may thus become more and more apparent. Instead of representing a party, the cabinet more nearly approximates the popular sense acting on the representatives of both sides indiscriminately. The development of this new feature in the British constitution will soon be a matter for interesting speculation.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.