The Sun.
London, England, 1841-04-15 00:00:00

THE lONIAN ISLES.

The following is the speech of his Excellency the
Lord High Commissioner to the Legislative Assembly,
on the 16th of March :
" In addressing you et the close of this highly im-
portant and useful Session of Parliament, I have first
to express the very high gratification I have had in
giving my assent to that great Act by which the new
codes of law will speedily come into operation. I con-
gratulate you on the accomplishment of this great work,
and it is ray ardent hope and fervent wish that the
transition thus made from conflicting and ill-adapted
laws to a sound system of legislation, may be produc-
tive of every possible benefit and advantage to the
lonian people.
" With reference to the recommendation which I
made at tit, opening of this session, that you would
take into your aerial's consideration the insufficiency of
the revenue, and the necessity of adopting such mea-
sures as the exigencies of the public service render ❑e-
cessary, I may now add, that the measure which you
have adopted, of Festering the duty on grain, a duty
originally imposed in lien of tithes, but abolished in 1833,
is considered by her Majesty's Government to be the
only means of insuring an additional revenue to the
ton/an Treasury, with the least possible burden to the
people ; I conffratulate you, accordingly, on having, by
this Act, restored the finances to a condition which will
fully enable the Government to meet all its engagements.
" In proceeding now to the painful duty of closing
th lonian Parliament for the last time, I beg to ex-
press the great satisfaction which I have experienced
in all my relations %vitt: the seventh Parliament, and
my thanks for the cordial end firm support you have
always afforded me, particularly in these, the closing
acts of my administration.
" The seventh Parliament commenced its labours
under difficult circumstances, but these so speedily dis-
appeared that its first session closed under the most fa-
vourable auspices ; and the proieecting Sovereign and
her Majesty's Government derived great satisfac-
tion from learning that harmony had been so happily
re-established between the two branches of the lonian
Legislature, and I feel convinced that her Majesty's
G ivernmont will receive with increased gratification the
evidences which I shall have to offer of the happy con-
tinuation of that harmony, and the satisfactory termi-
nation of this short but important session.
On your return to your respective islands you will,
I am confident, do all in your power to inculcate what
you feel, and hats so well practised—to confirm the
lonian people in the sPit of loyalty, confidence, aff:c-
tion, and respect for the prtitetting Sovereign, which
I feel persuaded nothing can shake or undermine.
Thus, in separating from you, I have the consolation
of knowing that I leave the powers of these states
moving and co-operating in perfect unison with each
other for the public good, and ell acting in harmony
with the views and intentions of her Majesty's Go-
vernment.

" I most earnestly recommend a steady perseverance
in this laudable spirit—a prosecution of those measures
and a cherishing of those institutions, which can alone
prepare the lonian people to discharge properly the ar-
duous duties which free institutions impose—institu-
tions, however, which, if prematurely introduced, would
prove a far greater injury than a boon to the people
themselves; for becoming the sport and the prey of a
few ambitious and intriguing men, the lonian people
would never have the benefit and protection of a stable
Gav;,rnment, nor the energy and vigour of a free State.
" Those changes and modifications which the real in-
terests of the lonian people may, in future, require,
mAy safely be lett to the Sovereign of that free, State,.
and the Government of that enlightened country, under
whose exclusive protection and guidance you are placed,
and in whose hands that power is, happily for you, ex-
clusively vested by the constitutional charter.
" The cardinal measures for improving the condition
of the lonian people are those only which I have
unceasingly urged forward by all the faculties and
means in my power—namely, the diffusion of public
education—the improvement of the laws, and a vigi-
lant concern for the impartial administration of justice
—the encouragement of industry—the opening of new
communications—the advancement of morality and me-
rit—an unfeigned respect for religion, and implicit obe-
dience to the laws.

" These bring all other blessings in their train ; and
that all prosperity and happiness mny ever attend the
lonian people, collectively and individually, is my
fervent and parting prayer to that Providence, which
directs, overrules, and disposes all human affairs."

APPLICATION OF