Sketches of Reforms and Reformers, of Great Britain and Ireland
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Corn Laws--Their Character and Policy--Origin of the Anti-Corn-Law Movement--Adam Smith--Mr. Cobden--"Anti-Corn-Law Parliament"--Mr. Villier's Motion in the House of Commons in 1839--Formation of the League--Power of the Landlords--Lord John Russell's Motion in 1841--General Election of that Year--Mr. Cobden Returned to Parliament--Peel in Power--His Modification of the Corn Laws--Great Activity and Steady Progress of the League during the Years 1842, '3, '4, and '5--Session of 1846--Sir Robert Peel and the Duke of Wellington--Repeal of the Corn Laws 271