The Express.
London, England, 1846-11-11 00:00:00

BY EXTRAORDLNARY EXPRESS.

Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), the two Chambers
of the Belgian legislature were opened by the King
in person, with the usual solemnities. The following
is the tronslation of his Majesty's speech :
GENTLEMEN,—III opening this session, I can congratulate
myself on the pacifical and friendly nature of my rela-
tions with foreign powers. The treaties concluded with
the United States, France, and the Netherlands,
have had in view the conaolidation and extension of our
commereia/ intercourse. The discussion of those trea-
ties, and of the laws relating to general finance, to
the entrepots, and to sugar, formed the main topics
of discussion during the last session. The ssughr-
trade and commerce are resuming their former im-
portance, and the treasury is 'realiiing
.the profits which
you thought fit to make over to it. Amongst the pro-
positions remaining for discussion, I shall point, in
an especial manner, to the law relating to secon-
dary instruction. This plan, which has been further deve-
loped, will complete our system of public instruction. 7dy
government recommends this grand moral question to your
enlightened solicitude, and confidently looks forward
for a solution of it, during the present session.
The prosperity of the principal branches of com-
mercial and manufacturing industry has been gene-
rally maintained and extended. Tho forthcoming notarial
exhibition will afford the opportunity of appreciating the
success of the trading portion of our community. Unfortu-
nately, whilst on one side there are proofs of progress, and
hopes for the future, there are other interests in some
parts of the country, which are undirgoing a crisis, too
serious to be overlooked. To those interests, I have devoted
all my sympathy. The condition of those who arc
engaged in linen maaufactur• s requires the adoption
of immediate measures of relief. To encourage and
improve labour with a view to the increase of wages, to
extend the export trade, and to organize industry, in
such a way as to make its productions more fully
harmonize with the necessities of commerce, are the
principal objects of the attention of my govern-
ment. The means for effecting an active co-opera-
tion on the part of the Stata, will be proposed to you.
The arrangements to procure a sufficient supply of food fur
the country, the numerous works of public utility which have
been undertaken, and the sums erising from public and pri-
vate contributions have greatly assisted the n ?eily classes during
the privations resulting from the failure of the potato
crop in ISIS. Tile potato crops this year are satisfac-
tory; but the high price of provisions, and, above all,
the failure of the rye harvest claim the serious attention
of the chamber, and of the government. The renewal
of the law relating to provisions and pecuniary
grants for carrying on public works, and affording relief in
special cases will, no doubt, produce happy results.
The canalisation of the Campine is very successfully
porgressing. The formation of roads, and the employ-
ment of certain measures which will be laid before li
you, will enable tr in a few years to reclaim that part of our
territory. The projects of law relating to agricultural and
veterinary instruction will be shortly submitted to your
discussion. .

The census continues to be conducted with regularity.
The details already collected, although still incomplete, prove
that there a marked increase in the population. As the
political aspect of the country is tranquil, I may,
at the present moment, announce that a project of law
will be laid before you for increasing the numbers of the
members of the two Chambers.

In conformity with the spirit of the constitution, the plans
for revising certain portions of the laws continue to form
the subject of examination. Bills relating to the tribunals of
commerce, to personal arrest, and to cases of bankruptcy,
have been submitted to the opinion of the judicial
corps, and of the universities. I trust that
they will be laid before you during the present
session. The projected modifications of the criminal
code as well as the new law of discipline for the merchant
nary will be placed before you without delay.
The government has devoted its attention to the manage-
ment of establishments for the insane ; to pawnbroking
institutions (Monts-de-piat) and to the formation
of agricultural colonies. Propositions for realizing the
ameliorations which humanity and the state of so-
ciety demand will also be submitted to you. I request
that you will, as soon as possible, discuss the bill relating to
' the penetentiary system.
The traffic on the national railway during the year 1846
has been again remarkably increased. The completion of the
double lines already commenced, and of new railway., the
works of which have been begun on various points, will add
to the existing prosperity.
The adoption of a body of laws for the management
of the above grand national enterprise is now practicable.
You will have to discuss various propositions for fixing the
tariff of prices and determining the general management of
the railway.
In order to increase the resources of the working classes,
my government will greatly encourage the formation of the
roads already devised, and seize every opportunity to hasten
the execution of the numerous works already guaranteed.
The army, one of the firmest supports of the independence
of the country, and of its institutions, continues to render
itself worthy of all my confidence, and of the interest
which you display for it. The efforts of my government will
always tend to maintain a useful spirit of emulation in its
ranks and the feeling of its duty to the country.
All the measures which may direct it in the way of progress,
and ensure its welfare, will, no doubt, meet with
your kind co-operation. The modifications of the militia
law, and of the system of fines, as well of the one
relating to the public health will powerfully contribute to
attain that object. Notwithstanding the effect pro-
duced on certain sources of public revenue by
extraordinary circumstances the equilibrium of the
expenditure and receipt of the state may be maintained
without imposing new sacrifices on tax-payers. The majority
of the budgets for 1847 have already been laid before
you. In the course of the session you will have to
examine the budgets of the ways and means fur 1848.
Gentlemen,—ln the midst of peace, Belgium has de-
veloped the germs of a fertile activity. Whilst looking
back with satisfaction to the results already obtained, we
may also regard the future with confidence. The harmony
existing among the great powers of the state,and the support
which you have given, and which I trust you will continue to
give, to my government will enable us to preserve and con-
solidate our institutions. The ardent desire which during
many centuries was expressed by our country for the enjoy-
ment of a national existence and for the employment of its
numerous resources has been realized in our day. Th re-
flection that my efforts have contributed to secure the ines-
timable advantages of a free and independent existence
for Belgium will always be a source of great happiness to me.
At the conclusion of this speech his Majesty was greeted
with loud cries of " Vice le Bei."