The Sun.
London, England, 1840-06-12 00:00:00

ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY.

Lord JOHN RUSSELL then rose and said—Sir, I
rise merely to state that the Noble Lord has rightly anti-
cipated, as the House will have anticipated, that it was
my intention to move at once an Address to her Majesty on
the late atrocious and treasonabile attempt upon her life.
But, Sir, thinking it most desirable, that as on some pre-
vious occasions there has been a joint address of both
Houses, would rather take a. course in which the two
Houses can at once agree, than propose immediately a
separate address. It is, I know, the intention of my Noble
Friend, the First Lord of the Treasury, to ask the assent
of the other House of Parliament to an address, and if
that be adopted, we can then take measures to present
to her Majesty a general address from both Houses, having
concurred in the terms and prvpricty of that address.—
( Hear, hear.)

The House, which was at the time extremely crowded,
presented a scene of unusual excitement, as soon as the
Noble Lord had concluded, mos t of the Members leaving
their seats, and conversing in grc ups on the floor. A large
number left the House immediately afterwards, and pro-
ceeded to the bar of the House c f Lords.
After a delay of upwards of twenty-five minutes, Masters
Farrar and Sir Giffin Wilson appeared at the table, and
on the part of the House of Lords, desired a present Con-
ference with the House of Commons on a subject materially
affecting the safety of her Majesty and the happiness of
her people.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL then moved that the House
should agree to the Conference desired by the House of
Lords, which having been agreed to, upon the motion of
the same Noble Lord, the following, among other Mem-
bers, were appointed to conduct the Conference:—Lord
John Russell, Sir Robert Peel, Lord Palmerston, Lord
Sandon, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Labou-
chere, Mr. Goulburn, Sir James Graham, Sir H.
Vivian, Lord Mor?eth, Sir George Grey, Mr.
Alston, Mr. Wilbraham, the Attorney-General,
Lord Granville Somerset, Lord Robert Grosvenor, Mr.
Villiers Stuart, Sir Denham Norreys, Mr. Lefroy, Sir
George Clerk, Mr. Pox Maule, and Mr. Smith O'Brien.
The Members appo'inted to conduct the Conference then
withdrew to attend the House of Lords.
After an absence of about half an hour,
Lord JOHN RUSSELL appeared at the Bar and
said,—l have to reyort that the managers appointed by
this House have met the managers appointed by
the House of Lords, at the head of whom was his
Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, and I have to
acquaint this House that the Lords have taken the
late most atrocious and treasonable attempt on the
lite of her Majesty into their consideration, and they
have agreed to :in Address to her Majesty, to which they
desire the convirrence of this House.

The Address laaving been read by the Clerk at the table,
Lord J. RUSSELL said—Sir, I expect that there
will be one unanimous feeling of indignation and horror
at the attempt alluded to—( Loud cheers)—one unani-
mous feeling of congratulation to ourselves and to her Ma-
jesty that her Majesty escaped the danger which threatened
her---( Loud cheers)—and one unanimous desire to concur
with the House of Lords, and carry our sentiments
to the foot of the Throne.—(Cheers.) Sir, I have to
state, that as her Majesty was yesterday proceeding
from the Palace—immediately after her Majesty left the
Palace, a most atrocious and treasonable attempt was made
upon her Majesty's life, by the firing of a pistol, and that
atrocious attempt was repeated immediately afterwards by
the firing of another, directed against her Majesty and
Prince Albert as they were proceeding to their usual ride.
Sir, most fortunately this attempt was not followed by any
injurious result, either to her Majesty, to Prince Albert,
or to any person whatever.—( Hear, hear, bear.)—
Her Majesty immediately afterwards proceeded, first,
to the house of her august Mother, to relieve
any fears—( Loud and general cheering)—which, from
the circulation of reports, might have arisen by giving
still more alarming picture of the occurrence that
the reality; and then proceeded to show herself in
her usual manner to her subjects—( Renewed cheering)—
and thus giving to her people at once a proof of her
safety, and the firmness and fel titude of her character.—
( Much cheering.) With respect to the individual who
has committed this most treasonable attempt, this certainly
is not the time at which it wouid be right of me to say
anything. Examinations have taken place, and these exa-
minations have resulted in a charge against one individual,
who will have to take his trial according to the known
laws of the country, which give to every person the benefit
of a fair trial, whatever his offence may have been.
I shall only proceed further to say that we cannot but
concur in the Resolution and Address of their Lordships,
and I now move that this House most heartily join in
expressing both our joy at her Majesty's happy pre-
servation from so great a danger, and our prayer to
Almighty God to preserve to us the blessings we en-
joy under her Majesty's mild and just government,
and to continue to watch a life so dear to all of us.
Sir R. PEEL instantly rose and said, this, Sir, is one
of those occasions on which it is impossible not to feel the
utter inadequacy of language to express our sentiments.
I will only, therefore, express on the part of those with
whom I have the satisfaction to act in public life, our
unanimous concurrence in the sentiments which
the Noble Lord has expressed of horror and in-
dignation at this atrocious crime—( Hear, hear, hear)___
of heartfelt congratulation at her Majesty's providential
escape, and our carnast prayer that the same protection
which has warded from her Majesty this danger may
continue to defend her from every peril.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. JAMES—WouId you allow me, Sir, to put a guys.
tion of deep importance to the Noble Lord on this dis-
tressing subject, because it will afford not only the highest
gratification to this House, but to the country gene-
rally to receive from the Noble Lord an assurance, which 1
trust he will be able to give, that her Majesty's health has
not materially suffered by the excitement and agitation
which must necessarily more or less have been created in
her Majesty's mind, and that of her Cm.sort Prince Al-
bert, by this atrocious, shocking, and diabolical attempt at
assassination. I also hope my Noble Friend will be kind
enough to inform the House whether evidence has been
adduced before the Home.offiee criminating any other
person besides this individual.—(Cries of " Oh, oh,"
and '° Order order.") If it is not the wish of
the House to have the question answered, I will not press it.
Lord J. RUSSELL—I have no hesitation in answer_
mg the first question. I had the honour of an audience of
her Majesty
two hours aeo and received from her Majesty's
own lips the assurance that her health has not suffered.
,
—( Cheers. )
sure the Hon. Gentleman must himself feel that it ought
With respect to the second question, I am
I not to be answered.—( Hear, hear.)
Mr. PL UMPTRE said if the expressions the
Noble Lord has used with regard to this occurrence,