The Sun.
London, England, 1840-01-13 00:00:00

SPEECH.

Scoots,— With pleasure I witness this reassembling
of the representatives of the nation.
" The necessity of adopting various legislative measures
increases daily ; and, without sour effectual and enlight-
ened co-operation, it will be difficult for the conntry to
place itself upon a sound footing, and enjoy the benefits
guaranteed to it by the representative system..
" No interruption has taken place in the friendly rrla-
tions which my Govermnent has maintained with the ye-
rious nations of both hemispheres.
" Nevertheless, I am sorry I cannot announce to you,
as I much wished, the conclusion of a treaty with Great
Britain for the suppression of the inhuman traffic in slaves.
" Her Britannic Majesty's 'Government obtained from
Parliament a Legislative Act to enable its cruizers to
capture and to carry before its own tribunal.: for adjudier-
tion, all 'vessels under the Portuguese flag that might be
met with south of the equator suspected of carrying oil
the slave trade.

" This act was followed by a protest on the part of my.
Government, a convention which in the meantime was
effected between the Governor-General of Angola and a
commander of the British naval force, for the abolition of
that traffic, was not ratified by ber Britannic Majesty's
Government.
" The more than hostile conduct of a British naval
officer with respect to some Portuguese vessels in the
waters of Angola, during the month of September last—
conduct which could not arise out of the before-mentioned
legislative act—compelled my Government to address an
immediate and energetic remonstrance against such an act
of violence ; and I confidently expect that her Britannic
Majesty's Government will make due reparation.
" Other important demands have been brought forward,
causing a delay of the principal business; notwithstanding
which, I trust these obstacles will be promptly removed,
and in a manner satisfactory to both crowns, the national
dignity and interests, which, above all things, I have at
heart, being maintained.
" Another question has arisen between my Government
and that of Spain, respecting the right of either of the
Powers to a small island situated in the mouth of the
Guadiana. A topographical plan is ordered to be pre-
pared, and the most correct information to be obtained
bearing upon this subject, in order that the whole may be
laid before a commission which the two Governments have
agreed to nominate to decide thereon.
" Our relations with the empire of Brazil continue un-
interrupted. The Government has nominated a new di-
plomatic agent to that empire, with a view of obtaining
:.he greatest commercial advantages for our produce in that
market. Tne reciprocal interests of both nations dictate the
necessity of an undertaking upon this most important object.
" I announce to you with satisfaction that my Government
has just concluded a convention with that of his Majesty
the King of the French, in which the outstanding claims
pending between the two Governments, founded upon
former treaties and conventions, have been attended to.
I have ordered my Ministers, in due time, to lay the coil-
vention before you.
" The diplomatic relations between my Government and
the Court of the Hague are happily re-established. Ne-
zociations arc going: or. with the Holy See, and I hope
•hortly to see the best harmony re•estahlhzhed, and the head
of the Church and the religious schism with which some
adherents of the usurpation have endeavoured to mask their
really political views, thus completely eradicated. The
internal state of public security and tranquillity has not
deteriorated since the last session.

" The bands which have infested the Algarve and Alcon..
tejo have graduilly diminished. When they do appe tr
they arc either defeated or dispersed; and dissifection has
weakened their numbers since the mortal blow given to the
Pretender's party in the neighbouring kingdom. For
these reasons I trust, that within a short time, by means of
force, combined and tempered with clemency, they
will be subdued.

regards the pmuebtlriiccaal.
uniformityristratienw,
iethx experience has
~...shas
administration,
,ho"wll As
that the s
organized, attaching all the importance of superior courts,
even to the most trivial territorial divisious, render a good
;overnrnent of the kingdom impossible.
" The variety and short duration of the elective fran-
chise has rendered the exercise of political right, extremely
burdensome
to the people, and the electoral urn has on
many occasions been completely abandoned. On the
Aber hand, the want of a fixed and solid basis for the qua-
lification I.
th electors, and those to be elected, has given
rise to the most reprehensible' fraids, disputes, and de-
ceptions.
- -

. _
..
I" ample and unlimited authority granted to the
municipal Chambers in the levying of taxes, and the exe-
cution of their statutes and regulations, have produced se•
rious conflicts and
repeated complaints.
" The actual admiuistiators of districts do not possess
the essent al qualities
proper for administrative magic
trates, nor cal the direct agents of the Government in
corporate towns, or Ministers, be resporrible for the effi-
cacy of authorities which the Government only constitutes,
but does not nominate.
" The uncer ainty of the jurisdiction in the Courts cf.
litigation has not been less prejudicial. The acts done
under this head can only be du.y appreciated by the ad-
ministration itself.
" It also becomes indispensable to establish a superior
tribunal which shall be the true and legal council of the
Queen in all important questions of the administration,
which may assist the Government in the preparation of all
projects of law and executive regulations, and to take
cognizance of, and give final judgment in, cases proceeding
from the Courts of litigation.
4. Tne administration of just ce equally demands your
attention, clearness, independence, and responsibility-
-qualifications with which society cannot dispense in the
functionaries charged to watch over and maintain the
liberty, property, and private and public security. The
fiscal laws, the orpanological administration, demand im-
portant modifications.
‘ 1 have commanded my Ministers to lay before you
various projects of law to serve as a remedy for the incon-
veniences alluded to.
n'
'"Experience has shown that the regimen of our coll..
f1',23 require serious attention and a special legislatior.
The Government will occupy itself in providing a remedy
for these necessities, and the cessation of the slave trade
renders many efficacious measures more urgent, in order
to derive benefit from the natural richness and fertility of
those places, the monuments of our national glory.
" Agreeably to the spirit of the constitution of the
monarchy will be presented to you the budget of the ex-