The Express.
London, England, 1865-08-24 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUS 1' 24, 1865.

OPENING OF THE CANADIAN
PARLIAMENT.

QUEBEC, Avotrer 8.

This day, at three o'clock p.m., his Excellency the
Governor-General proceeded in state to the Cham-
ber of the Legislative Council in the Parliament-
buildings. The members of the Legislative Council
being assembled, his Excellency was pleased to com-
mend the attendance of the Legislative Assembly,
and that house being present, his Excellency was
pleased to open the fourth session of the eighth par-
liament of the province of Canada, with the follow-
ing speech from the throne :
Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council—Gen-
Heide of the Legislative Assembly,—lce conformity with
the announcement which I made to you at the end of the
list session of parliament, a deputation from the Cana-
dian ministry proceeded to London to confer
with her Majesty's (detained on questiosa of im-
portance to the province. I hare now called you together
at the earliest convesierit monied after, the return of the
deputation, in order that you may receive the report of their
mission, and complete the important business which at the
commencement of the last session was left unfinished. I
have directed that the correspondence :Merrier( to the mu-
sics to England shall be maimed to you for.your
eauldaillneogillno lam of the civil war
which has for the lest four rears prevailed in the United
States of AMODIa cannot fail to exercise • immedoial
ie-
ttueaw in the commercial and industrial id:meta of the
provide, and we may trust that the reestablishment of
pease will lead to • mutant!, increasing development
of friendly relations between our people and the
citizens of the great Republic. The circumstances which
rendered it secemary to place • portion of the volunteer
militia of the province on permaneet duty having ceased
to arid, the force has been recalled ; and I have to express
my feeling of satisfaction at the readiness with which the
me* responded to the cell of duty, and the general good
conduct which they exhibited during the period of their
service.

Oast/emu of the Legislative Assembly,—l hays directed
that the estimates for the current year and the statement
of the expenditure which has been iocurred, chargeable
against the vote of credit of last union, shall be laid be-
fore you. You will fled with reference to both that eco-
nomy has been combined with a due regard to efficiency.
Hosonrable Gentlemenand Gentlemen,—l have not failed
to transmit to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, for
presentation to her Majesty, the addressee to which you
'greed during the last session is favour of a Federal Union
of the colonies of British North America. I have desired
that the reply of the Secretary of State shall be oommuni-
Gated to you, and I trust that m►ture examination of the
project will, are long, lodge. the legislatures of the other
provinces to concur with you in (ivies their sandiest to •
measure which has been adopted as a great feature of impe-
rial policy, and has been twice noticed with approbation he
her Majesty's speeches from the throne.

NAVAL AND MILITARY.

CHATHAM. AUGUST 23.

A naval court-martial assembled this morning on
board the Formidable, 84, flagship of Vioe•Admiral Sir
C. Talbot. 1C.C.8., Naval Commander.io-Chief, for the
trial of Private Henry Shepherd, Royal Marines. serving on
board the Trafalgar, 72, oo a charge of throwing hie rifle
and accoatremeote overboard, and stating that he would
not again " aoldier "in that ship. Tha ooart was presided
over by Captain Fulford, of the Formidable, and Mr.
Ruight, of Rochester, officiated us Deputy Judge-Advocate.
The court found the prisoser guilty, sod he was seotecced
to receive 36 lashes, to be impriaoued for twain, months
with hard labour, and to forfeit out of hia pay the sum of
41. 7a. 6d., being the value of his rifle and accoutrements
thrown overboard. _ . .

Orders have been received from the Horse Guards direct-
ing the following troops to proceed from this gsrrison to
Portsmouth to-morrow morning, there to embark oa board
her Majesty's screw steamer Urgent, 4, 500-horse power,
for Halifax and Bermuda :-38 men of the Royal Artillery ;
3 offioers and 135 men of the Royal Roemer' ; 2 officer.
and 142 moo of the 2sd battalion of the god Queen's
Royal.; sod 2 officers and tit melt of all ranks of the Ist
benefice 15th Regiment.

THE VISIT OF THE FRENCH FLEET TO
PORTSMOUTH.

Great preparations are being made in anticipa•
Ora of the visit of the French "quadrat next week, and the
civic authorities are making every effort to give our allies a
cordial reception. Up to the present time upwards of
1,200/. has been subscribed towards the entertainment to be
offered by the mayor and corro ration of Portsmouth, and
considerably Firger sum will, it is expected, be
realised. The musical arrangements will be under
the direction of M. Julien, whose own band will
soloist of twenty-live performors, including some
of the principal soloists of Her Majesty's Theatre, and to
these will be added about 90 performers picked from the
bands of regiments in Portsmouth garrison and the bands
of the Royal Marine Artillery and Royal Marines Light
Infantry. The el6eilser will take place at three o'clock in
the afternoon of the 31st ; the concert will begin about six,
and the ball at half-past nine or tea o'clock. There civic
entertainments will be preceded by a review of the troops on
3outhaet•commoo, and a luncheon provided for the prin.
clad officers of the French squadron, so that it is rather to
be feared that our guests will have to complain of too
much rather than too little hospitality, on this day at least.