774 LIFE OF OOBDEN, fost
1860. the Treaty is likely to be (for it cannot be known even #0
Zn» 56. myself until the French tariff is ready for publication)s
but that a widespread suspicion has been created thab the
French Government is playing an uncandid part in the
negotiations. Should the Treaty prove as unsatisfactory 1%
its details as is predicted by those who are urging us to 8%
increase of our warlike preparations, I shall have nothing
say in opposition to such a policy. But if, as I expect, the
French Government should take but a single step from thelr
prohibition system to a tariff more liberal than that of tho
Zollverein or the United States, then I think the publi
mind in England will undergo a considerable change a8 Bo
the prospects of peace with our great neighbour; and it 1#
doubtful whether the country would, on the very eve of such
a change, subject itself to increased burdens in anticipatio?
of a rupture with its new customer. All I desire is that ib
should be allowed a choice when in possession of a full
knowledge of these circumstances.
“There is another reason why I am induced to press this
subject on your attention. It has been evident to me from
the first that political considerations entered more largely
than those of an economical kind into the motives which
induced the Emperor to embark at this time on the career
of Commercial Reform. Doubtless he was satisfied that this
new policy would be ultimately advantageous to his people;
but there was no necessity for immediate action, and, con”
sidering the great derangement of powerful interests, and
the large amount of opposition and unpopularity involved
in the change, there was nothing which invited one even 50
bold as himself to enter prematurely upon the task. His
immediate objects were to strengthen the friendly relation®
of the French and English peoples, and to give the world 8%
assurance that he did not contemplate a career of war and
conguest. And I did not hesitate to sssore him and B®