The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-23 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Thursday, Jan. 22.
The galler of the House of Lords was opened at
twelve o'cle,ek, for the admission of strangers, as was
also the l',ody of the House, and long before one o'clock
every *,lace devoted to that purpose was filled with ele-
garAly-dressed ladies.
The number of Peers was far greater than we re-
'member for many years past. Among the great number
present we noticed Lord Monteagle, Lord Lang-
dale, the Earl of Sheffield, Lord Beaumont,
the Earl of Charlemont, the Earl of Bandon,
the Duke of Beaufort, the Earl of Zetland, Lord Mid-
dleton, Lord Campbell, the Earl of Devon, the Duke zf
Norfolk, Lord Hawarden, the Marquis of Clanrice:rd:e,
Lord Cam oys, Lord Stanley, the M arquis ofAy the
Earl of Shaftesbury, the Earl of Stradbroke, the, T;ari of
Cardigan, Lord Redesdale, the Earl of El?
Aob, and the
Earl of Selkirk.
Among the Ministry we noticed the r
_Ail of Aberdeen,
the Duke of Buccleuch, and the Earl of Haddington.
The Duke of Wellington arrired, shortly before one
o'clock. His Grace appeared bxcellent health and

spirits.
The Duke of Cambridge arrived about half-past one,
and was followed shortly afterwards by Prince George
of Cambridge.
Among the judges we observed Lord Chief
Jus'ace Tindal, the Lord Chief Baron
Pollock, Mr. Justice Erle, Mr. Justice Cresswell, Mr.
Justice Maule, Mr. Baron Parke, Mr. Baron Platt, Mr.
Justice Patteson, and Mr. Justice Coleridge.
Among the Bishops present were the Bishop of Win-
chester, Prelate of the Order of the Garter ; and the
Bishop of Oxford, Chancellor of the Order of the Gar-
ter ; the Bishop of Worcester, and the Bishop of Ely.
There was a most numerous attendance of the corps
diplomatique.
At ten minutes past two o'clock the report of_ cannon_
announced her Majesty's arrival at the House of Lord..,
and in about five minutes afterwards her Majesty, at-
tended by his Royal Highness Prince Albert ard the
great Officers of State, entered the House, 'anti took
her meat on the throne. The Duke of Wellir,gton bore
the sword of state, the Earl of Zetland the 'AP? of main-
tenanoe, and the Duke of Argyll the crown.,
Her Majesty being seated on the tlyeolle, Sir Augus-
tus Clifford, the Usher of the Black Zod, by her Majesty's
command thou summoned the MP Albers of the House of
'ads. Shortly afterwards
Commons to the House of L
the Speaker, attended by a peat number of Members,
appeared at the bar, wb:-in her Majesty, in a clear and
distinct voice, read the, following Speech :
MY LORDS AND r".4IINTLEMEN,
It gives me, great satisfaction again to meet you
in ParliamerAl and to have the opportunity of re-
curring tq your assistance and advice.
I continue to receive from my allies, and from
other foreign Powers, the strongest assurances of the
dorslce to cultivate the most friendly relations with
thiii country.
I rejoice that, in concert with the Emperor of
_Russia, and through the success of our joint media-
tion, I have been enabled to adjust the differences
which had long prevailed between the Ottoman Porte
and the King of Persia, and had seriously endan-
gered the tranquillity of the East.
For several years a desolating and sanguinary
warfare has afflicted the States of the Rio de la,
Plata. The commerce of all nations has been in-
terrupted, and acts of barbarity have 'oeen
committed, unknown to the practice of a civilised
people. In conjunction with the King of the, French,
I am endeavouring to effect the pacification of those
States.
The Convention concluded with France, in the

course of last year, for the more effectual sup-
pression of the slave trade, is 'About to be carried
into immediate execution by the active co-operation
the two Powers on the coast of Africa.
It is my desire that our present WIIOn, and the
good understanding which so hanily exists between
us, may always be ernt:Aoyed tb promote the interests
of humanity and to, secure the peace of the world.
I regret th:'at the conflicting claims of Great
Britain and United States in respect of the ter-
ritory or'.. the North-Western Coast of America,
althol:qh they have been made the subject of re-
Ksted negotiation, still remain unsettled.
You may be assured that no effort consistent
with national honour shall be wanting on my part
to bring this question to an early and peaceful
termination.
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
The Estimates for the year will be laid be-
fore you at an early period. Although I am
deeply sensible of the importance of enforcing
economy in all branches of the expenditure, yet 1
have been compelled, by a due regard to the exigen-
cies of the public service, and to the state of our
Naval and Military Establishments, to propose some
increase in the estimates which provide for their
efficiency.
ME LORDS AP D GENTLEMEN,
I have observed with deep regret, the very frequent
instances in which the crime of deliberate assassina-
tion I:Jas been of late committed in Ireland.
It will be your duty to consider whether any
measures taw bc, acTl.cd coloulatod to siva inorenaca
protection to life, and to bring to justice the perpe-
trators of so dreadful a crime.
I have to lament that, in consequence of a failure
of the potato crop in several parts of the United
Kingdom, there will be a deficient supply of an article
of food, which forms the chief subsistence of great
numbers of my people. The disease by which the
plant has been affected, has prevailed to the utmost
extent in Ireland.
I have adopted all such precautions as it was in
my power to adopt for the purpose of alleviating the
sufferings which may be caused by this calamity;
and I shall confidently rely on your co-operation in
devising such other means for effecting the same bene-
volent purpose as may require the sanction of the
Legislature.
I have had great satisfaction in giving my assent
to the measures which you have presented to me from
time to time, calculated to extend Commerce, and to
stimulate domestic skill and industry, by the repeal
of prohibitory, and the relaxation of protective,
duties.

The -prosperous state of the Revenue, the in-
creotsed demand for labour, and the general im-
provement which has taken place in the internal
londition of the country, are strong testimonies in
favour of the course you have pursued.
I recommend you to take into your early consi-
deration whether the principles on which you have
acted may not with advantage be yet more exten-
sively applied, and whether it may not be in
your power, after a careful review of the existing
duties upon many articles, the produce or manufac-
ture of other countries, to make such further reduc-
tions and remissions as may tend to insure the con-
tinuance of the great benefits to which I have ad-
verted, and, by enlarging our commercial intercourse,
to strengthen the bonds of amity with Foreign Powers.
Any measures which you may adopt for affect-
ing these great objects will, I am convinced, be accom-
panied by such precautions as shall prevent perma-
nent loss to the Revenue, or injurious results to any
of the great interests of the country.
I have full reliance on your just and dispassionate
consideration of matters so deeply affecting the
public welfare.
It is my earnest prayer that, with the blessing
of Divine Providence on your councils, you may be
enabled to promote friendly feelings between dif-
ferent classes of my subjects, provide additional
security for the continuance of peace, and to main-
tain contentment and happiness at home, by in-
creasing the comforts and bettering the condition of
the great body of my people.
The House then adjourned till five o'clock.

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool-
sack shortly after Five o'clock.
Earl Grey, Earl Pomfret, the Bishop of Oxford,
the Earl of Vernlam, and Earl Spencer, took the oaths
and their seats.