The Sun.
London, England, 1837-01-31 00:00:00

THE KING'S SPEECH.

The SPEAKER then proceeded to read his Majesty's
Speech, for which see another part of our paper.
The Clerk read the speech.
Mr. SANFORD then rose and stated that as he was suf-
fering under very severe indisposition, he trusted that the
House would grant him that indulgence which he had so
often seen extended to others in the same situation, and in order
to merit that indulgence he would endeavour to be as brief
as possible in fulfilling that duty which fell upon him—
the
endeavouring to induce the House to agree to that Address
which he would have the honour to move, and which, as
usual, was pretty much in accordance with the speech
of his Majesty. It must be a matter of great congratulation,
and one for which the country would be grateful to an over-
ruling Providence, that the country had been, for a period of
22 years, enjoying the great blessing of peace. Having seen
misfortunes which overwhelmed Europe for many years by the
war which desolated many countries, the people of this country
now knew the great blessing which they enjoyed by having
profound peace. It was also a sentiment in which every one
who had heard the Speech read must agree, that every suc-
ceeding year would add to and cement those bonds which
happily now existed between this and foreign countries.—
(Cries of " Hear, hear, hear.") The people now with
their increased intelligence before them, were aware that
the real happiness of the great multitude was to be obtained
only by the blessings of peace.—(Great cheering.) What-
ever despotic monarchs or crafty ministers might wish to
plunge countries into war, they would find that the people
would say that they would better consult their interests and
the interests of all countries, by:studyine and applying their
minds to the system of commerce which now pervaded the
world ; they would find it impossible now to plunge any
country into war.--( Hear, hear, hear.) That was a subject
of congratulation. But the next paragraph of the Speech
must be the subject of regret to all those who wished well to
that country, with which England had been so long and
so intimately connected. It was more particularly the sub-
ject of regret that Spain should be plunged into such a
state of anarchy and confusion, considering the fine climate
which it enjoyed, the productive soil which it possessed, and
the natural facilities for commerce which belonged to it.
Upon looking to these things, they would at once see that
they proceeded from a system of despotic government ; a sys-
tem which led to the anarchy and confusion now com-
plained of. To it might be added the mischiefs which
resulted from a religious bigotry, keeping the people in a state
of subjection t. 9 a religious superstition. lie trusted that a
new era had arisen, and that by the effective co-operation af-
forded by his Majesty's forces, peace would soon be established.
The next subject to which the Speech directed their attention
was the state of Portugal. In the case of Spain it was neces-
sary to send forward troops to the assistance of the Queen;
but in Portugal there was no departure from the principle
of non-intervention, and no necessity to interfere between the
contending parties. The condition of Canada was next
adverted to. Until the Report of the Commissioners
was placed before them, it would be quite impossible
to say what measure of Legislation should be introduced ; but
he hoped that they would be such as to preserve to Eng-
land those colonies which were so important to the mother
country, particularly in the vices of encouraging emigration.
Many of these questions had been already brought forward,
and they must be again introduced ; and he trusted they would
meet a different fate in the present session, from what they did
in the last. A recommendation had been made by his Ma-
jesty, that an alteration should be made in the law of impri-
sonment for debt, and one for the establishment of local
courts throughout the country. Nothing could be more im-
portant than such measures, because he ( Mr. Sandford) had
had opportunity to see the distress arising from the difficulty
of collecting small debts throughout the country. The credi-
tors were unable to obtain their just demands under the present
(
system, and some alteration should be made, either by giving
a greater power to the Magistrates at Quarter Sessions, or by
the introduction of local Courts.—( Hear.) He trusted
that the report of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners would be
carried into effect before the termination of the present ses-
sion, which would have the effect in his ( Mr. Sandford's)
opinion of confirming one expression in his Majesty's Speech,
wherein his Majesty expresses a hope " that such
further measures may be introduced as may give increased
stability to the Established Church and promote concord and
good will," which he, Mr. Sandford, was satisfied
it would do among all clavea of his Majesty's sub-
jects, Nothing would tend more to promote this object
than the settlement of the Church Rate, and hetrusted that
a measure upon that subject, would be speedily prepared.
It must be granted that the revenues of the country had greatly
ine,•eased, notwithstanding the great diminution that had taken
place in taxation of late years. This was the strongest proof
of the general prosperity of the country.---( Hear, hear.) He
must say that the commercial and manufacturing interests
were in a state of prosperity at the present moment.—
(Cheers.) lie wished he could at the same time say this of
all the other classes of the community. He regretted to be
obliged to say that, comparatively speaking, the agricultural
interest was in a state of embarrassment. This he was bound
t 3 4ay for that class to which he bad the honour to belong,
that they had borne their distresses with patience ; and he was
happy to say that he believed that that honest and industrious '
class was at this moment in a fair way of improvement. It was
most satisfactory to him to know that such was the case, and the
more particularly when he considered the state of pressure from
which they were, as he hoped, recovering.—( Cheers.) At
the same time he was bound to say, and he thought
it only fair to those who entertained certain opinions with
regard to the agricultural interest, that he did not think
it was in the power of the Legislature to grant relief,
and that their prosperity, which he hoped they would soon
enjoy, could not be derived from legislative interference. This,
he tl,ougEt, was satisfactorily proved by the examinations that
had taken place in the Committee of which his lion. Friend
(Mr. S Lefevre) was Chairman. Ile ( Mr. S. Lefevre) then
stated it wits impossible for the Legislature to give relief, and
he (Mr. Sandford) cordially concurred in that opinion, viz.,
that the agricultural interest had more to expect fi ism the
absence of legislation than from legislative interference. They
were indebted to his Hon. friend, the Member for Northampton,
for having brought that subject before the House. With regard
to the subjects mentioned in His Majesty's Speech, connected
with the Sister Country, knowing by whom he should have the
honour of being followed, be should leave that to him who was
more familiar with the matter. But there was one subject,
which of all others he believed to be one which would afford
the Grcatct, satisfaction in that country—he meant the este-
.