The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-06 00:00:00

PARLIAMENT.

HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
It is with great satisfaction that I have recourse
to your assistance and advice.
I have recently declared my consent to a marriage
between my daughter Princess Helena and Prince
Christian of Schleswig-Holstein Sonclerbourg-
Augustenburg. I trust this union may be prosper-
ous and happy.
The death of my beloved uncle, the King of the
Belgians, has affected me with profound grief. I
feel great confidence, however, that the wisdom
which he evinced during his reign will animate his
successor, and preserve for Belgium her indepen-
dence and prosperity.
My relations with foreign Powers are friendly and
satisfactory, and I see no cause to fear any disturb-
ance of the general peace.
The meeting of the fleets of France and England
in the ports of the respective countries has tended to
cement the amity of the two nations, and to prove
to the world their friendly concert in the promotion
of peace.

I have observed with satisfaction that the United
States, after terminating successfully the severe
struggle in which they were so long engaged, are
wisely repairing the ravages of civil war. The
abolition of slavery is an event calling forth the
cordial sympathies and congratulation of this coun-
try, which has always been foremost in showing its
abhorrence of an institution repugnant to every
feeling of justice and humanity.
I have at the same time the satisfaction to inform
you that the exertions and perseverance of my naval
squadron have reduced the Slave Trade on the West
Coast of Africa within very narrow limits.
A correspondence has taken place between my
Government and that of the United States with
respect to injuries inflicted on American commerce
by cruizers under the Confederate flag. Copies of
this correspondence will be laid before you.
The renewal of diplomatic relations with Brazil
has given me much satisfaction, and I acknowledge
with pleasure that the good offices of my ally the
King of Portugal have contributed essentially to
this happy result.
I have to regret the interruption of peace between
Spain and Chili. The good offices of my Govern-
ment, in conjunction with those of the Emperor of
the French, have been accepted by Spain ; and it is
my earnest hope that the causes of disagreement
may be removed in a manner honourable and satis-
factory to both countries.
The negotiations which have been long pending
in Japan, and which have been conducted with
great ability by my Minister in that country, in
conjunction with the representatives of my allies in
Japan, have been brought to a conclusion which
merits my entire approbation. The existing treaties
have been ratified by the Mikado ; it has been
stipulated that the tariff shall be revised in a man-
ner favourable to commerce, and that the indem-
nity due under the terms of the Convention of
October, 1864, shall be punctually discharged.
I have concluded a Treaty of Commerce with the
Emperor of Austria, which 1 trust will open to that
Empire the blessings of extended commerce, and be
productive of important benefits to both countries.
The deplorable events which have occurred in the
Island of Jamaica have induced me to provide at
once for an impartial inquiry, and for the due main-
tenance of authority during that inquiry, by appoint-
ing a distinguished military officer as Governor and
Commander of the Forces. I have given him the
assistance of two able and learned Commissioners,
who will aid him in examining into the origin, na-
ture, and circumstances of the recent outbreak, and
the measures adopted in the course of its suppres-
sion. The Legislature of Jamaica has proposed
that the present Political Constitution of the island
should be replaced by a new form of Government.
A bill upon this subject will be submitted to your
consideration.
Papers on these occurrences will be laid before
you.

Papers on the present state of New Zealand will
be laid before you.
I have given directions for the return to this
country of the greater portion of my regular forces
employed in that colony.
I watch with interest the proceedings which are
still in progress in British North America with a
view to a closer union among ithe provinces, and I
continue to attach greater importance to that object.
I have observed with great concern the extensive
prevalence, during the last few months, of a virulent
distemper among cattle in Great Britain, and it is
with deep regret, and with sincere sympathy for the
sufferers, that I have learnt the severe losses which
it has caused in many counties and districts. It is
satisfactory to know that Ireland and a consider-
able part of Scotland are as yet free from this cala-
mity, and I trust that by the precautions suggested
by experience, and by the Divine blessing on the
means which are now being employed, its further
extension may be arrested.
The orders which have been made by the Lords
of my Privy Council by virtue of the powers vested
in them by law, with a view to prevent the spread-
ing of this disease, will be laid before you, and your
attention will be called to the expediency of an
amendment of the law relating to a subject so deeply
affecting the interests of my people.
GENTLEMEN OF TIIE HOUSE OF COMMONS,
I have directed that the estimates of the en-
suing year shall be laid before you. They have
been prepared with a due regard to economy, and
are at the same time consistent with the mainten-
ance of efficiency in the public service.
The condition of trade is satisfactory.
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
A conspiracy, adverse alike to authority, pro-
perty, and religion, and disapproved and con-
demned alike by all who are interested in their
maintenance, without distinction of creed or class,
has unhappily appeared in Ireland. The consti-
tutional power of the ordinary tribunals has been
exerted for its repression, and the authority of the
law has been firmly and impartially vindicated.
A bill will be submitted to you founded on the
report of the Rcyal Commission, on the subject of
capital punishment, which I have directed to be laid
before you.
Bills will be laid before you for amending and
consolidating the laws relating to bankruptcy, and
for other improvements in the law.
Measures will also be submitted to you for ex-
tending the system of public audit to branches of
receipt and expenditure, which it has not hitherto
reached, and for amending the provisions of the
law with respect to certain classes of legal pensions.
Your attention will be called to the subject of the
oaths taken by members of Parliament, with a view
to_avoid unnecessary declarations, and to remove
invidious distinctions between members of different
religious communities in matters of legislation.
I have directed that information should be pro-
cured in reference to the rights of voting in the
election of members to serve in Parliament for
counties, cities, and boroughs.
When that information is complete, the attention
of Parliament will be called to the result thus ob-
taMed, with a view to such improvements in the
laws which regulate the rights of voting in the elec-
tion of members of the House of Commons as may
tend to strengthen our free institutions, and con-
duce to the public welfare.
In these and in all other deliberations, I fervently
pray that the blessing of Almighty God may guide
your counsels to the promotion of the happiness of
my people.

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