The debate last night in the Commons is considered very favourable. Dawson's amendment was adopted—and Planta and Holmes say the temper of the country gentlemen is much improved. They are quite in spirits again.
A hint of Peel's, but a hint that the Government did not fear an appeal to the country, seems to have had a good effect.
February 14.
Cabinet. On Thursday Peel, in opening the Compensation Bill, will detail the various legal reforms.
He is disposed to diminish gradually the number of crimes for which the punishment of death is awarded. The Duke seemed reluctant and so did others. However, the Chancellor did not object.
My father considered that where a man could not protect his own property the law ought to protect it for him by higher penalties. However, now it seems a man must protect his own property, and punishments are to be proportioned more to the extent of the moral offence than to the necessity for preventing crime.
Then we considered Leopold's answer. The man accepts provided—
1. There is a guarantee of the new State.
2. That the frontier is slightly altered.
3. That the three powers protect the present insurgents in Samos and Candia.