ABSTRACT
TIlE ADMINI~TRATION O]·~ SIR CIIARLE~ GREY AS GO'VERNOR OF It\RDADOS FROl\f IH42 TO 1846.
SIR CUAltI.ES GllEY arrived in the royal mail steamer '~Iedway,' in the evening of the 20th of February IH4.2, and landed the next morning under a salute frorn the Engineer's wharf, the yards of the several men-of-war in Carlisle IJay being manned, and the merchant-vessels and signal-staffs throughout the island displaying their flags. His Excellency was sworn in Govcrnor·in-chicf of the island and its dependencies on the 22nd of }'ehruary. Sir Charles Grey met the Legislature for the first time on the 8th of l\Iareh, when he delivered the following speech :-
With respect to your Franchise Bill, I see that the different yir\\"s which ha,-e been taken of it by two eminent men, standing in the foremost rank of British statesmen, have been published in the island, and that the royal assent J1 ay now be expected to be given to the Bill. I myself was never asked to pronounce my opinion upon it, and as the main question whether it \\'ould in rease the constituency turned so much upon local facts, which I thought WO\ d be better ascertained upon the spot, I really ne'·er had formed one. If, as .1 now expect, the royal assent be given to the Bill, you may rest assured that nothing shall be wanting on my part to secure for it the most perfect fair play, and to fonn as speedily as possible, and in the best manner, the register which is to be the basis of election. There is one point in it which is of so much, and such immediate importance with reference to yourselves, that it ought to be noticed. There seems to have been an expectation that upon the Bill being returned with the royal assent, the Legislature ought to be dissolved, and this impression may have indisposed you for the preparation and consideration of the usual business of the Session; but I beg to draw your attention to the 23rd clause of the Bill, which appears to me to make it doubtful, to say the least of it, whether any election under the new law could take place before the 1st of December. Unless this doubt, if indeed it be a doubt, should be removed, I need hardly say that I should not feel justified in putting the legislative power into abeyance for so long a period. It would seem to me, therefore, that there is little likelihood at present of your being relieved from your usual duties, and I venture to suggest that you should proceed to the business of the Session without delay, and with your wonted ability and energy.
