The Express.
London, England, 1849-02-01 00:00:00

K EXPRESS, THURSDAY

r...,,,,,,,.„:„......,,,„,,,, Irt 4amsehlferth Illite...m.
etwore)--anda I Mlle this
five se matt at 16h t, news
/ to) my mead ilo. Villigin who Dr edit us, I. the
• she abie,Mati emeellget speed; he be, jolt
es to, that it is of the utmost eel not
Feed
to this country, bat the "cog.
Abed world, that it shook( be undressed that these
who berm the agitation fee free-trade. soil theeserhorzelcid
it through, are um as dumb sad Ira to then pried**
as they ever were during the time of the retest. (Load
cheers.) I see all my old Mem* of dr years' standing
around me; they leek u detrained, as unwaveriag, as
Arm, sow as they did ten years ago, and I am happy to my
*et Nee el Ohm look say older. And. gentlemon,we are us
=gs
Mwo es we goer were—(bias, hear)—we are as wa-
fer as we were fir years ago—(sharers)—and if we
111111111114 in putting down monopoly—(cheers)—if we
in putting down monoroly when the nomopo-
See es the ahadel, I ask our opponents now if they
ire sesesells turfing pritection when the citadel is in the
Mee of the bee trader. ? (Cheers.) Now I don't
sr this beediblly, or in the spirit of triumph,
fr I ein sexier that there should be nothing in this night's
that should indicate for a moment that we are
=ll.{ feelings of exultatien over a fallen foe. (Cheers.)
Do win we see that another individual (the Duke of
Iliabeeeml)—(bar)—when we see a man who. however he
my mos dimmidge—,.. mover he may west talent—(hear,
hearN—breevier be may war who: we call here Pluck—(A
lamp eel dame) —whist we see a man who wears
• alielik lei is galled his grace--wham we see him sum-
=ng.ittro 11". bulks
sr
o fume,.,l
wise we sr this die tryfor to hoodwink,w --d
Cellar, and
bonhomie the peer tem who had been dupeds for ten years
we em him trying to persuade the farmers
Us
he eau Neter protection, and is trying to
MI the brews *mash the south of Ingland
Itafter this will o'-wisp—protemion— (cherre)—
then we would save the farmers from getting into
begs and mine again, by telling the duke that we in this
ball, when we beat mmopo'y before—by toting him that he
shall not restore oue shirting of provetion. (Vehement
sheers.) I see his grans meets his Mends the favors of
'Brighton, and tells them that he will go up to
London, sad present their petition to Lord John
Resell sad Lord Stanley, and talk to them about re.
storing protective to the farmer. (A laugh.) I tell his
rift that it is no use his going to men in power to talk
about restoring the oorn laws. (Cheers) Wean in power
apse the cora laws. (Load and vehement dreering. and
t= handkerohnh.) Now, I do mime that I feel
e indignant at this barefaced ate-opt to delude '
loran* seem (Chien.) I have had "relit given to me for
keeping my temper seven years in the agitation of this ques-
tion. I can't keep say temper with humbugs. (Loud cheer.)
I west it to be understood that in dissolving this league, we
We not going to revive it again to have a fresh combat about
preleMbe; we have done with that. If the Duke of Rich-
Irma bed err rough to be • leaguer he would be able to
ppesswwiw
something coming up behind the Anti-Corn-Law
Lsagu. (Loud cheers.) He would be able to see it is not
merely protective duties that are getting out of favour in
this runny. (Hear, hear.) He would be able to see there
is an opinion terming, however strong or weak it
may be at precut—it is forming,—and it is gra-
dually grow*, too, which is decidedly opposed not merely
to the duty of protection—but to all duties for revenue at
all. (Cheers.) And I venture to say you will never live
to soe nether statesman in this country who will propose
eaceinieessteens duty on any raw material, or any article
of but essemity like corn; you will never live to see molter
statuerm ha this country—certainly none who will have
say roped for his future fame in the councils of this
ruby—peeress seedier excise, tea, or customhouse duty
at en. (Her, Year.) Is this the time when any man who
bee en eye to look abroad and survey the date of the
=aisto be ring up and down the country crying out in
sands, they can get beck the corn law ?
Hew, geatimese, why I am verb anxious that no other fresh
damns timid be practised upon the country is this: is the
ism glass, I do act want to hear of the necessity of noun-
teeing the League, which we are going to bury to-night.
Cheers.) But in the next place, it is because I want to see
lit ho an now being bananoslod—l want to see
them —look about them for the difficulty which
they have to "mounter, and est rationally to work to
remove my ingoolhents they may find to the fair exercise
of their feriestry fa competition to the agriculture of the
when wank and if these impediments, if then grievances,
lido*, lon of game laws—lie is the form of the want efa
better law relating to the right of landlord and tenant—if it
re to any or general question that demands legida.
tie. at all —w y they will find this assembly, sad those
Mira this assembly represents, as willing to co-
nosed* le an act of justice to the farmers as
to any other class in the community. (Cheers )
and the only difilculty, the only queition, which can rise now
in the farmer's mind is this, "How are we to aspen) with
foreigners ?" It is no use talking of having a restriction pas
upon the supply of food ; thermust compete with foreigners
as you sower with them. Yon ask for no protection ; if
they can point out any protection in manufactures I will
vote against that protection, but I will vote for no probates
to the farmers or any other classed the community. (Chew)
Thearant as a winkles of carrying on trade, tizestell
as, prices of provisions. I tell them Dish of
pro are incompatible with the well being of esm•
inanity, and I will not foster the class of farmers at the ex
pens" of the rest of the population of this country. (Cheers )
Let them go hack, as my hots. friend lir. Villien has said,
and test the 'cedilla!' of this country in every respect
during the last ten or twenty years, and they will re that
es
the farmers have hod their way the net of the ama-
emit, hat suffered in every one of its phases, whether
moral, social, pecuniary, or in whatever form yes
can test the condition of the people. (Cheers.)
Bat I say we canoe: submit to a principle which induced
every admit/ which could fall as a curse upon the people
of a country. We therefore say, we must have food as
cheaply se it can be got upon the face of the earth. We
will allow no impediments to prevent the importation of the
AM and most necevary gifts of the Creator; and if there be
any body of men in this pantry who tell us that the state
of things which contributes to the happiness of the great mass
of the people is incompatible with their well befog, I tell
them to search oat the cause, in what it lies, if it may not
he remedied by legislation, and I will contribute to any
out the measure as ardently as any protectionist in there
ranks. (Applause.) With this declaration of our determi-
nation to maintain the free trade in corn, our willingness to
contribute to the removal of any burdens or grievances
the !antra possess, and an expression of our snare
hope that the Leman will net allow themselves
to be duped by those men who tell them they
can get pereeden, I leave the subject, for Mr. Villiers ha.
said waraphlog I had wished or intends Ito say. And now,
Wise awl gistle meet hero for the lest time
as mastlisra of dot neat and united bode which effected the
smamelpatisa eferw si chsby, I cannot help saying I feel the
deepest regret at the separation this evening, though there
is something la the tout which I am about to propose which
leaves me la bops we 'hail not separate after all. (Cheers.)
The toast I bete to repose is " Fns trade and p. ace the
best guarantso of piper rights, the b-st promoters of na-
ticaal and the most effectual means for
the reduction of satire' burdens." (Loud cheer-.)
New I esti, gandasete (continued Mr. Cobden) I don't think
welbellespere beg after all; for if fres trade and peace
be united togrber, why then I think there is something yet
to do before we have fiWsd our work, (Hear, hear.) I
think that we may esusistraly co-operate together
to any
.out the second older in this toed, an I
claret believe there is one in this vet emomfdy
that won't be as wining to co-operate for Om so I
eoraplishasat of one as the other, and wise Irenat j
agree with me that the most logical cessimirs
we can come to is this, that having secured hoe
trade we an bound as free traders to eel ifwe cannot snore
pease also. (plause.) Now, when I speak of peace, let
it be imbrsr what I mean. I have no great feu of war.
I have not had for a long time, and for this reason, that
nations throughout the world have all spent so mesh
money In ruins wars that they are too poor to go to
war again. (Hear, hear.) But what I want is, that tee
should reap the fruits of pease. We have not pace—it Is
=st
mian armed true. (Afghan) Why, our war
east us more every year now than war east
a k the middle of the last century. Yes, we speed
MOM now every year in our pow Wohlishwits they
we open fa say year derby the sena yens'
war in the mffiffie of the lest awry. I sheet 1
cell that peso at all. (Hear, boom) And why is I
it? nowt who an whesetee of pew should try sad
see if we enact wire to the county the fruits of pens.
Gentlww, I can talk to yea, ea this Wins of paw, In a
very Moen spirit, on with a very diffident ropes", to
that whin I am obliged to submit to Is the eseme-
bly to which I am going to-morrow. (Laughter.)
Why Is that assembly, se was well ohosrved by my fried
ilr. Gem, the last time he addressed you Itere,sifilt
about pew they immediately charge you with
Pow sollissaint ; if yes hope for pesos up Paw
doss gostlemon dimity who are quits oln An
your hoes are may, and that they sea dime at
war sonewlere. (Loaglater.) Have you not bred the
exultation that " Cobden wee eltegether out whoa be laid 1
we . were going to have pmee"—that the milreirol
the ectatineat were Inorfidly disposed? A
times have gentleman got up and nuningly de. '
pea.upea the Wk. An is said fa a igion of
as if times woe* gmatfothumpit tor scshody—eel
but ihr sew leftist Wires to yarn
MEr 1411111 agginese.) lbw I will tan rat keiss/M
Ws vastenprodisems Hinman up pesos
Own Wine %rm bk., la the eentry. TOD
14 te beide On inmost, ittehteee vellieoch
maimr4,,estistraisvw.mr..,;
isec.....l.=l,Tzirshxzeits
4111
at
write
; gleeto a tete es sealsh ty, and mink
sweari the nide
foe Worm
ties a large pasties of the essamitrin
ma essoloost. I want to me these maw 1
Mllebre been exerting therseres so long to awn
s spread of free trade, sunk* their interest la frame
whet they have sat yet ellected-1 011 ea a not
mei estl,, seiner romileg, all that has besa •
Oil_ 'pit est lohiset, I reiterate what I said
balm - Mot erne -me there a time whoa the
' whole oßef
ign se
yak to linen to adamest nabs
by the this Wiest Asa they ens
few. Eiclftilleso 'saintly told se that whet
,in this resin be its
t' world. Why
i:Atilitiliebibresd
givesglit: great nosing shish took Mao ia hell
faun the Fres* pow, espied by the Gammtrwidl Mks
gradmellethe limo ef deny mown fa Park
imy poor sr*.eans are se pont* =e n Paris
as y am he (Applause. Wen, bet
thisthe mast the immune lower to pub.

'VRNING, FEBB,u

1. 1549

-
k npinisla threndlipa tn. worm (
kid in in MIMI
311r_e_M—(sifat
ig)—Ttao
inaknosinitiels
ad MINN

11104•01
bate• fa fa— now. :Bee.
theughout Itoesk RO 010•011
with *Oa esiseall b eit es— vier, ie they &ROO in
Germany ; and. =OP *OA teat, r snlsolo67 try as'
tug Mary phone bat the will _ ere the inuershipin
Germany until the petstestae the sera laws again.
They are determined that Mir peens shall be hence-
forth a reed passe, and not an armed puree. (Cheers.)
At teat the Isegnerenn not astustasted to expect to have
then greet changes worked in ass session, or in one year ;
but we shall me a step taken next swim in
the eight direction, and that is • very different
thing to last year, when an attempt
_was made
to take a et) in the wrong direction (Load applause.)
It is a sign of prapaa. What I want to see is, our friends
everywhere, ell their different localities, united to-
gether fur ;he purpose of patting down this spirit of
war so spread about amongst us, and to help Um men
in the House of Commons who will be prepared to bring
forward mamma for the reduction of our expenditure for
warlike purposes. (Cheering.) And if we have the co-opera-
tion of those who are represented by this assembly it will
not take seven yeses, ma the repeal of the care laws did, to
effect a very large reduction in the expenditure of this
country. i hold that the reduction of the expenditure width'
lightening of the burdens of this country are absolutely
o essay for its well-being. I say we are very heavily
rated—l say there is too much m ney wasted, and that it
would be unbecoming in us, as a commercial, manu-
facturing, and industrious community, if we al-
lowed that waste and conversation of our property
to go on any longer as it has done. (Cheer.) I
don't ask, and I won't be mironderstood, I don't ask my
friends to put themeless in the position to be taunted
with desiring instantly to abolish all armament*,
and to abandon every means of defence. I don't
ask them to put themselves in that position—l don't
a-k if that be the position most tenable—l mean most
nimble whea referred to the highest of all standards, the
New Testament. If put to that test alone, we are wrong.
and they are right who are on the tvin.detensive principle ;
but, speaking sa a legislator, as a politician, and as a man of
the world, I stead here to advocate a large reduction of our
earl ke armaments. (Loud cheers.) I uon't think it neces-
sary that, on the 31st Jas., 1849, we should entertain ary
othi r proposition ; I don't cheese to entertain it; but I do
it'voute a loge and lung stride in the directi in of the Peace
Buitty—and en instant stride if we can make it. But when
that pmpo.ition—so rational a measure as that you should
be content with spending ton millions a year, when that is
propcsed in the House of Commone, why then instantly I
Bed myself turned round upon, with the charge that we are
wishing to disband our army and navy, and lay ourselves
open to the attacks of all nations. Why ten millions is a larger
revenue than that of the Prussian, nearly as large rs that of
the Austrian, half se much as the Russian, and twice as
much as the American ne for warlike pupates. Then,
I think, ten millions is enough of annual waste for fighting
establishments, with nobody to fight. Ant then they turn
round upon me, and call me a quaker. _ (Loud cheers and
laughter, in which the junior member for Manchester joined.)
And then they say—" this man, his head is turned with his
tree-trade MONO • he went over to the Continent, and be
c inset people feted him, he thought everybody was going to
turn free-trader, and that everybody was for pesos. ' I
never said, in public or io private, that I was sanguine that
the nations of the Cunneen would follow our example in a
year or two. I have said, both in public and in private, from
the time I went on the Continent, it would take in other
ne•hus ir.aay years of discussion before they would follow
oar example. And I defy anybody to find any proof of my
having said, either in public or in nrivate, anything cone
teary to that principle. I did not talk of revolutions—almost
every revolution that hielaken place his been justified by
circumstance.. (Loud cheers.) I heard Lord John Russell
say, in tne House of Commons, that the nations of the Con-
tinent were paying a heavy price for their liberties; but
they did not pay a higher price than they merited—not a
higher price than they were worth. (Cheers.) Bat I do
maintain this, that we are fairly, logically supporting the
progress of tree institutions abroad with the progress of pacific
rinciples; for, notwithstanding all that may be said ab3ut
the tendency of democratic principles towards war, the more
pub'ie opinion is brought to bear upon foreign polities as
well as on domestic affairs, the ,-zreiter is the chance for the
preservation of peace. (Loud cheers.) Give me the time,
gentlemen, when foreign affairs shall be taken eltorether
out o: the secret cabinet of a foreign mini& r, and shall be
made to undergo the same discussion in public assemblies
that domestic affairs do now. (Cheers.) I am against all
monopoly, end I hope to live to tee the monopoly
of the Fuer-office and the most poly of the ca-
binet so far invaded shot they shall tof engage in a
treaty to involve you and your liberties in war,
without having fleet to undergo the ordeal of a public
diecussi n. (Loud cheers.) And I am equally prepared
to maintain that free-trade principles necessarily conduce to
peace ; and I will maintain this without reference to what
has been done on the Continent. I will take free-trade as the
settled plan of England, and that it Rives us the best possible
guarantee for the preservation of the peace of England, as
it takes away the most potent argument, the most approved
reason, why we have gone to war for the last two centuries.
It has been stated very justly by Mr. Huskison in one of
his celebrated speeches that all the wars of England
fur the last two centuries c said be traced to the desire
for commercial monopoly, and I believe it may be fairly
rated that the object of these wars for the last
200 years has sprung out of a desire to obtain com-
mercial superiority on the ocean, that we might recompense
ourselves for the expenses of the war. And so it was at the
beginning of the French war. For seven years we were not
fighting the French in their own land and in their own
cities, we were only going to capture and seize their colo-
nies—(hear, hear)—and we were never easy for six months
together, unless we had the bells ringing for some fresh
island conquered, or for some fresh success of the English
arms, and at was believed by the statesmen in this country,
th-t whilst we were spending tens nod hundreds of millions
in this way, we should be reimbursed by the revenue they
expected to derive from the possessions acquired in these
wars. (Hear, hear.) Well, but gentlemen that delusion is
past i'we have put into practice by the triumphof the League,
that principle a high Adam Smith promulgated 70 years ego,
that you cannot gain even commercial advantages by con-
fining your trade to particular countries. ' He demonstrated,
70 years ego, that to take tropical countries, in order to grow
tropical produce in your own territories, is equivalent to get-
ting your own market gardener to grow your own vegetables,
rather than go to the common market to purchase them. In
short, he demonstrated—considerably in advance of his age
—that we have no prospects of success except by the free.
trade principle. Then there can be no excuse for going to
war at all. It appears to me to be a simple pounds !Shil-
lings, and pence calculation. There can be no suck belief in
future ; therefore, yen have taken a practical step for secur-
ing peace. I have full faith that other nations will
reciprocate with you, and as you Increase yone len
poreyou will be awing upon the principle laid
down by Mr. Villiers be increasing your exports.
(Loud cheers) I have a convietha that by enumerating
tl ern principles, by citrying them out logically as you have
identified those principles with those of peace, you will
gradually, but not immediately,—but gradually and cer-
tainly, circulate and spread those opinions throughout the
civilised world. It will be the bi ginning of the great world's
revolution, which will tin:ohne round the globe, and .nd
only with time itself. The germ of that important revolu-
tion has been laid in the meetings in this free-trade hall.
(Loud and prolonged chem.) The sentiment was drunk
with three times three cheers.

Col. THOMPSON, M.P., was received with loud plaudits,
and said: Mr. Chairman, ladies, and gentlemen—My
appointed service this day is to call your attention to the
organs or leading instruments through whom you have
accomplished these gnat ends. Tie true, in one sense, no
exertion has been made by which any man, woman, or child,
has been taught or led towards the truth which may not
claim, to a certain extent, a portion of the triumph thus oh-
tabled. (Hear, hear.) But, when that was done, it still was
necessary that our farce should be collected in some leading
channel, which should convey them to the auditory
nerves of those who wen to hear and obey. (Cheers.)
I need not tell you I point to the constituencies of this
country. You art a orenstitunoy, but I am specking to all
of you, and when I point Doormat& to success that is past,
I point forwards to smisses that may be obtained hereafter.
(Chan.) If it der happen that we don't be separated,
the study of whittle Vas by must be our direction for the
future. RMIIIMMI this, that as soon as it was made
maaifest Sul** organs of ialdwil power in
this country, the poplin will was de on *L=
point we are to speak of, the question was decided.
If one power would not grant your will, another was fraud
to take their plan. And so, happily, ft will be hers. I
can imagine unsay thins which, with year habits, with
your yen &dm to attain; that you wish the osier
non o sassy Wens that are prejudicial to the world, end
most ruinous Wynn own comforts. Useless expenditure—
nachos, boned exposiditen, is the evil that crops the wee
of sink man's demons happiness, and we must and will
lay the an to the root of the evil (Loud cheers.)
And within no loos time you moat mast here again to con-
gratalatneasoinssives upon a snood success, of which the first
was but the harbinger. (Cheers.) Look at the
ssymptomsj the times. Araredly your power is felt. What
do I hear at last, but the feet of your 'mon& habits is
riajgg limn* and the Lords of the Admiralty ere going to
takif stook at Christmas ? (Lend sheers, and laughter.)
Tien is hope in that. I me In it mare certainty of sower.
You have inotilythema yeenedne, end here is the tome-
quern Wimp* de she. yensesives, what is than you
will have to se, at ? semi have retrenchment. wee
mut, we will Ws pesos, Din that `
tom pest thing far
retessoimasal, in as far •as war is gnat leak and
satinet all national enpumittnre. (Applanse.) It is an old
saying—" To have ponmhe prepared fir war." Well, then,
suppose we close wft Mott wewat to be prepared fee war.
Now, I have a prinsipienet area sew, I believe—but still
of seminsovelty upon this inblost Suppose it still oar oh-
=peepers fee wet .t headlight saki the uncertainty of
nun, we de net kw* Met within our own times
=west Mom wen uses, great neessity for national
Omni that: what shall we, es modest
mon, dot Losk mound, and view the .dtion of
than neighboum, wham every men en point to,
who ban risen tom Ina *Wangs, sad have
arrived at a nealth of which, to the eyes at
sans of us, thanes= tole no end. How did they come by
it ? Not by spading
_every shilling as fortas they could gut
it. (Loud chem.) Net by borrowing of the pawnbroker.
Chests.) No man ever hoard dthin In then Minden.
Laughter ) And whet is fending, to a station, but borrow-
ed the pawnbroker ? (Cheers.) What, then, is Inn
dear, &then be- any analogy
tipulls and private
predawn, than thin the way to be ed is not to spirt
all yogi have heitrehersd, Take the am d /num
ilisseura toragsmtotLessibt• that a compost of the
p et Ass esealey. and louse the
sense asnosity for whsle his existed is former
times ; what, then, Ye the Prima about ? Why
the last thing that we hew of Wet is, that they

me going to reduce 120.000 men of their army. (Chun.)
I de eugratulate 'spell by the vision of 120,000 French
mamas* when all adieu men are home—what dancing and
=...!auw tking there will be, and what a cup of honed
for the government for thisserviee. And then, if
‘17."....5aa1gy should, require their strength, the e men veil be
' ready—Me man having two more at his side ready to come
forward to give their services to their counter. (Applause.)
Yea Emit/aye and wens which none know better how to
make me of; all I oLtat, parsimonious—all just economist*,
ineresse and multi; ly. Lay by, then, in that manner, if
yon only can, something in 'eore against future necessities, as
you do in the management of your own private concerns
I do believe something like a sense of the justice of this
principle his gone Barth to the nations of Europe. Tate
the lead, as you have done before. Don't stop to see who
wall step into the ground before you, but let it be announced
that the English people have asked the government, end the
government did not think of refusing it,—to be the first to set
en example, by being the first to learn the way to human hap-
rineas, by destroying the greatest of all the ilLwhich hitherto
have depressed it. 'ton say there is work before you. (Laugh-
ter.) There will be agitation before it is done. What are we
good for, butwhen agitation arises within us. Truly I believe,
with seine gentlemen, agitation is sometimes unjustly blamed;
for, although there may be a harmful and injurious agitation,
there is a healthful one, necessary to the existence of lift
itself. We have lived in agitation, all of us. It has
brought us no harm, and let us, then, go on hopefully, and
let us apply ourselves in oar own constituencies, in other
oonstituenues, to improve that great experiment tried
by our ancestors, in order that we may leave to posterity a
grateful memory like that we have of those who have pre-
ceded as. Gentlemen, I propose to you to drink the health
of the constituencies which have returned free-traders to par-
liament. (Laud cheers.) Drunk with great enthusiasm.
There WAS an interval of ten mtnutet after this address.
JOHN BRIGHT, Esti ,H. P., proposed the next senti-
ment " The Free-trade Struggle may the rights it
gained be secure for ever !"
The remaining sentiments were, " Our Agricultural, Corn-
:lnuits', and Minoru:twine Interests, whose welfare is bast
promoted by the removal of all legislative restrictions "
" The Anti-Corn Law League, the labours and success of
which have renderei such signal service to the country and
the world at lar."
The Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, M.P., and Mr.
Hope, having addressed the meeting, at a few minutes
to twelve o'clock, a party of singers who were
stationed in the gallery, sang Mackay's celebrated
song, " There's a good time coming, boys," and
as twelve o'clock struck the whole company rose
en spouse and cheered moat vociferously for several minutes,
hats and handkerchiefs were waving, and the cheering was
again and again renewed. At the conclusion of the cheer-
ing, Mr. George Thompson addressed a few observations to
the meeting, and the proondir gs terminated at half-put
twelve o'clock.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(THIS DAY.)

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

MT LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

The period being arrived at which the business of
parliament is usually resumed, I have called you
together for the discharge of your important duties.
It is satisfactory to me to be enabled to state that
both in the north and in the south of Europe the con-
tending parties have consented to a suspension of
arms for the purpose of negotiating terms of peace.
The hostilities carried on lathe island of Sicily were
attended with circumstances so revolting, that the
British anti French admirals were impelled by motives
of humanity to interpose, and to stop the further effu-
sion of blood.

I have availed myself of the interval thus obtained
to propose, in conjunction with France, to the King
of Naples an arrangement calculated to produce a
permanent settlement of affairs in Sicily. The nego-
tiation on these matters is st 11 pending.
It has been my anxious endeavour, in offering my
good offs, es to the various contending powers, to pre-
vent the extension of the calamities of war, and to
lay the foundations for lasting and honourable peace.
It is my constant desire to maintain with all foreign
states the most friendly relations.
As soon as the interests of the public service will
permit, I shall direct the papers connected with these
transactions to be laid before you.

A rebellion of a formidable character has broken
out in the Punjaub, and the Governor-General of
India has been compelled, for the preservation of the
peace of the country, to assemble a considerable force,
which is now engaged in military operations against
the insurgents. Bat the tranquillity of British India
has not been affected by these unprovoked dis-
turbances.

I again commend to your attention the restrictions
imposed on commerce by the Navigation Laws.
If you shall find that these laws are in whole or in
pert unnecessary for the maintenance of our maritime
power, while they fetter trade and industry, you will
no doubt deem it right to repeal or modify th it
provisions.