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The Founders of Canterbury

Reigate, 12th June, 1849

Reigate, 12th June, 1849.

My Dear Rintoul,

—As respects policy, I dare say you are right; but my conviction remains, that Lincoln put the words "principles of commercial freedom" into his notice on purpose to repel Stanleyite support. Stafford had no objection to words condemning the particular trading monopoly of the Company (which is the real question as regards commerce in this case), but objected to the general words "principles of commercial freedom," which no doubt do convey approval of free trade in general. The sting to the Stanleyites is in the word "principles," which there is no sort of necessity for using. And all this (as I am told) was explained to Lincoln. However, the Lincolnite game is not a winning one: and sooner or later they will find out—what has been impressed on me for more than a year—that their only way to office, as it is the only way to a better state of parties and affairs, is through breaking up the Stanleyites by giving them a year of office. Till the latter prove their incompetency by trying and failing to govern, their party will hold together, and the Whigs be able to keep power, such as it is, independently of the Grahamites.