The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-17 00:00:00

PRUSSIA.

The following is a translation of the King's
speech on the opening of the Chambers. A tele-
graphic stunnisq has already appeared :
Illustrious and hoble Lords end Honourable Gentlemen—
I greet you with profound emotion. By the impenetrable
will of God the hopes and wishes that I expressed to go
from this place have not been somanpliahed. Together
with me and my house you lament We King who has been
taken from us after long suffering. What my brother's
reign was for Prussia, what the country owes to his gene-
roes guidance, I have no need to recall to the represents-
thus of the Prussian people, created by the late monarch,
Bing Frederic William has left at a very grave time.
A difficult mission has devolved on me, bat, with the aid
of God, I hope to accomplish it successfully. You will
to y assist me in this work. The country has need of
• toned counsels and absolute devotion. After having
in presence of eminent sovereigns of the Germanic
Coefederation that the tiro. duty of my German policy, of
my European policy, is to guard the integrity of the Gee-
man territory, I thought proper to organise the augmenta-
tion of our army, for which purpose you have unammotudy
granted the necessary credit, not only for in-
messing the number of the troops but for se-
miring the consistency, duration and 'solidity of the
new organisation. The steps taken for this object are in-
cluded in the legal limits of our military organisation.
You will see by the plans that will be submitted to you,
that reductions have been effected for the coming year,
which will ensure your being only asked for what is indis-
pensable for ensuring the reicieucy of the army. Prussia
hasresources for maintaining her army on a respectable
footing. In presence of the actual situation of Germany,
' and Europe generally, the representatives of the country
will not abandon the duty of preserving and developing
what has been already created, and will not refuse to sup-
port measures on which the security of Germany and
Prussia depend.
In spite of the pressure of political affairs we can regard
the state of our finances with satisfaction. It is to be
hoped that the expenses standing over from the preceding
budget will be completely covered by the current receipt..
Funds preserved with care, as well as the excess of receipt'
over expenditure for the year 1859, will be at the disposal
of the Treasury.
The budget has been drawn up with a prudent regard to
a correct estimate of receipts, and a careful reduction of the
government expenditure. It shows a fresh increase of pro-
duction, sod the means of responding to all legitimate re-
quirements, seconding useful enterprises and institutions,
satisfying new wants, and reducing the extraordinary
additional grants necessitated by the augmentation of the
army. Although for the execution of that great measure it
will be necessary to recur still, for the present, to addi-
tional grants and imposts, we need not fear anemia de-
' nagement ; we may even hope, that in consequence ef the
natural increase of the sour e& of revenue, and of reforms
in the land-tax, we shall be able, at no distant date, to dis-
pense with extraordinary measures for meeting the ex-
pauses of the state.
I rely upon your approval of the bills drawn up for a final
settlement of the question of the land-tax. The crown and
the country will not be able to dispense for a long time
with one of the chief revenues of the land-tax, and the
increase of our army will not be ensured till all climes and
all territories, as they are all equally subject to military ser-
vice, contribute iu a degree fair and proportionate to their
means to the expenses necessitated by the arm.
The commercial relations of the country, although they
have not yet regained the activity which marked them be-
fore the political and financial crises of the last few.years,
exhibit increasing animation. My government has not
ceased to devote special solicitude to favour them in all their
branches. A measure for extending our system of ?railways
is prepared. The abolition of toll-dues and a great reduc-
tion of those on the Rhino have been planned with the go.
verninenta interested. . . _

My government is on the point of entering into negotia-
tions with the government of Franoe for the arrangement
of the commercial relations between France and the Zoll-
vereia.
. .

Retuema in the marriage law, as I announced to von at
the close of lan session, will form part of your labour s ;
' and I await with confidence the final settlement which you
will give to that question.
My government will make communications to you respect-
ing other important propositions.
In the course of last year I succeeded in giving en in-
creasingly favourable character to the relations between the
great Powers, by personal interviews with the monarchs
and these are guarantees for the maintenance of the peace
of Europe.
Impressed by the seriousness of the general situation of
Europe, my government is rushing incessant efforts to Wag
about a revision of the military constitution of the con-
federation, in accordance with the constantly increasing
military requirements of the present time. I confidently
expect that these efforts will succeed, provided all the
Garman governments and all the German peoples unani-
mously recognise the chief need of the moment.
In Electoral Hewn a difference exists which my mode-
rate and well-intentioned counsels have not suns:sled in
removing. The efforts of my government have been coo-
,: stantly directed towanla the re-establishment of the coasta-
-1 tutional state of things.
I regret that the steps which Prussia, in concert with the
other States of the Confederation, has taken for some years
past, to secure to the German Duchies united under the
sceptre of the King of Deuniark • constitution both regu-
lar and in accordance with the existing treaties, remain up
to the present time without result. Prussia, together with
her German allies, recognises it as a national duty to obtain
now • befitting solution of that question.
My government has commenced at a troubled epoch ; but
whatever may happen, I will maintain the principles I pro-
faned on accepting the regency. The experience I have gained
in applying them has only served to give me a higher ides
of their value. Resolved to maintain and increase the
efficiency of our institutions, and to promote energetically
the national interests of Prussia and Germany, I find an
unswerving adherence to this path the surest guarantee
against the subversive spirit which at present prevails in
E rou.
I sin confident that under my sceptre Prussia will prove,
both io the councils of her representatives and the acts of
her people, that she does not intend to fall short of the
union, strength and glory of her ancestors.
I am confident of the loyalty of the country towards me
in evil as well ea in goad days.
' On assuming the reins of government I swore to exercise
the power whwli God lin entrusted to me in accordance
with the constitution and the laws. On moiling that oath
I ask you to take towards me the oath of fidelity which
you swore and kept to my brother.
In presence of God Almighty you will take, then, the
solemn oath that you will be my faithful subjects,
and
you sill it...kt me with your property and your blood in the
exercise of my rights and the fulfilment of my duties.

The sth corps of the province of Posen, says the
:trio Prussian flmette, is about to be transferred to
Pomerania, while the corps of Pomerania and
the 2nd corps aro to occupy the garrinona of the
Duchy of Posen. Thin measure has been canned
by the dinconteuted fueling which has manifested
itself in this last-named province.

The Duke of Brunswick Wm sent General von
Erlangen to Berlin to compliment the King of
Prussia on bin accession to the throne.