The friends of Government who represent counties will be taunted with the proposal to alter the Corn Law.
Bribery is sure to be resorted to beyond anything yet seen.
A defeat of the Ministry on a dissolution would be final and irreparable.
On the other hand, their successors in the Government would have to provide for the excess in the expenditure pledged against the best measures that could be resorted to for the purpose. It would be a difficulty of their own seeking, and their want of candour and justice to their opponents would be the cause of their own embarrassments.
The moment is a very important one, and the consequences of the vote of Friday, or probably Monday, cannot fail to be serious.
Memorandum by Mr Anson.
A MINISTERIAL CRISIS
"The Ministry in jeopardy." (Heading in the Prince Albert's hand.)
Windsor Castle, 4th May 1841.