Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-02-04 00:00:00

GENTLEMEN OF TILE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

I have directed that the estimates for the ensuing
year shall be submitted to you. They have been
framed with a due regard to economy, and to the
efficiency of the public service. The universal intro-
duction of steam-power into naval warfare will
render necessary a temporary increase of expendi-
ture, in providing for the re-construction of the
British navy ; but I am persuaded that you will
cheerfully vote whatever sums you may find to be
requisite for an object of such vital importance as
the maintenance of the maritime power of the
country.
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

Your labours have, in recent sessions, been
usefully directed to various measures of legal and
social improvement. In the belief that further
measures of a similar character may be wisely and
beneficially introduced, I have desired that Bills
may be submitted to you without delay for
assimilating and amending the laws relating
to Bankruptcy and Insolvency ; for bringing
together into one set of statutes, in a classified
form, and with such modifications as experience
will suggest to you, the laws relating to crimes
and offences in England and Ireland ; for enabling
the owners of land in England to obtain for
themselves an indefeasible title to their estates
and interests, and for registering such titles with
simplicity and security.
Your attention will be called to the state
of the laws which regulate the representation
of the people in Parliament, and I cannot doubt
but that you will give to this gpeat subject a degree
of calm and impartial consideration proportionate to
the magnitude of the interests involved in the
result of your discussions. - These and other
propositions, for the amendment of the laws,
which will be brought under your notice
as the progress of public business may permit,
I commend to the exercise of your deliberate
judgment, and I earnestly pray that your counsels
may be so guided as to ensure the stability of the
throne, the maintenance and improvement of our
institutions, and the general welfare and happiness
of my people.

HOUSE OF LORDS-THURSDAY

The House assembled at two o'clock to hear the Royal
Speech. After the usual ceremony, and the delivery of
the Speech, the House suspended its sitting till a quarter
after four, at which hour
Lords Charleston and Kingsdown took the oaths and
their seats. _ _ . .

The V attendance was very full, both of the Ministers
being present, as well as the leading members of the

Opposition.
The Earl of Derby moved formally the first reading of
a Bill for the better regulation of Select Vestries.
The Royal Speech having again been read,
The Earl of Speech having again been read,
The Earl of Winchelsea moved the address in reply.
He commented upon the satisfactory state of the
country, and the suppression of the rebellion in
India, and upon the advantages which would accrue
from the treaties with Japan and China ; he augured well
from the promise, proposed in the speech, of amelioration
of the law, and believed that the promised measure of
Reform would enfranchise a_large body of the people.

Lord Ravensworth seconded the address. - -
The Earl of Granville observed the absence of all
allusion in the speech to colonial affairs, though he did
not expect that anything woald be said after the unfor-
tanate lonian affair. He reprobated the course by
Austria in Italian affairs. He said that he should not
move any amendment to the speech, and observed that a
fair measure of Reform would meet with the support of
the country.
The Earl of Derby congratulated the house on the
unanimity which appeared to prevail, at a time when
so much unanimity was required. He dwelt on the
general prospects of the country, as evidenced by the
decrease of pauperism. He explained the absence of any
reference to the affair of the Charles and George, by
observing that the Government abstained till the papers
were ready to be laid before Parliament.

Lord Brougham said that the feeling, both in France
and Germany, was unanimous against war.

After some observations from the Earl of Carlisle, the
address was agreed to.
The house then adjourned at fifty minutes past eight
o'clock.