This correspondence took place some time prior to the Actual Crisis 488 of the Revolution.

but in the Actual Crisis not only would nearly all enrolled Volunteers be in the ranks, but they would be swelled by offers of service from many who have passed through the force.

Besides, it should be remembered that the Papers could not be presented until the Actual Crisis had come, for up fill the last moment His Majesty's Government hoped that the Venezuelan Government would take a reasonable view of the situation and accede to our demands; and the House will recognise that no course could be more unfortunate than to publish the causes of our quarrel with the Venezuelan Government while there was still a chance that peace might be preserved.

If there is any one strictly relevant argument pertinent to this Vote of Censure I take it to be this, that the Prime Minister is to be censured because he asked a certain kind of support from His Majesty at a certain date, before the Actual Crisis had arrived.

May I come now to the Actual Crisis itself?

It is a matter of almost common knowledge that the bankers warned the late Government, months before the Actual Crisis took place, of what would be the consequences of their policy.