The Sun.
London, England, 1857-12-03 00:00:00

THE ADDRESS.

The LORD CHANCELLOR haring read her Majesty's
Speech,

Lord PORTMAN, who wore the uniform of a deputy-
lieutenant, then rose for the purpose of moving an
address to her Majesty, in answer to her most gracious
speech on the opening of Parliament. The noble lord
said he must apologise to their lordships for occupying
the present position, which was generally filled by a
younger member of Parliament. He held that position
by no voluntary act of his own, but by the express
Irish of her Majesty's Government—(hear)—who
thought the address should be moved byan older member
of their lordships' house, and in acquitting himself of
the duty, he begged their indulgence, while he for a
short time occupied the attention of the house. The first
thing which called for remark was the state of our do-
mestic polioy, which was such as to induce her Ma-
jesty's Ministers to issue a letter, which led to the sus-
pension of the Bank Charter. He thought, under the
circumstances, it was both a judicious and wise
policy, and that her Majesty's Ministers were justified
in taking that step; and it was moat fervently to be
hoped that their lordships would in this instance follow
the course that was taken in 1847, when a similar
circumstance occurred. The commercial crisis in
America had, no doubt, produced an effect in this coun-
try which rendered it necessary to issue the letter to
which he had alluded, as it became absolutely neces-
sary to adopt the most energetic and deci-
sive measures to bring the panic to a
termination, and by tbat means afford relief to the mer-
cantile community. It was satisfactory to think that
the worst of this distress had been surmounted, and that
it would not be necessary in this instance to resort to
a paper currency from which the most disastrous results
might arise, but that the currency of the country would
be established on a solid and sou❑d basis. He did
not intend to enter i❑to the circumstances that
had led to the suspension and closing of so many mer-
cantile firms, as that circumstance of itself would lead
to inquiry ; and without passing any opinion, he thought
it would be found that the panic had been the
result of overspeculation. The noble lord recommended
to their attention the consideration of bills for the sim-
plifying the transfer of real property, and like-
wise for the consolidation of the criminal laws,
which, by a paragraph in the Royal Speech, her Ma-
jesty informed them were to be laid before the house.
He believed that there was not one of their lordships
present who was not convinced of the necessity of
again taking up the subj let of Reform—(bear, hear)--
and be felt sure that the subject was of such great im-
portance that he might be excused at that moment further
alluding to it than by saying it was one worthy the most
attentive consideration. The noble lord next alluded to
India, and said that the subject was one the importance
of which nearly overwhelmed him. Many questions con-
nected with India must como before them, and be
felt confident that their lordships would adopt the wisest
steps, at whatever sacrifice, to restore tranquillity and
peace to that country and the good of the empire.
(LEFT SPEAKING.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(This Evening.)
The house resumed at a quarter to 4 o'clock.
NEW MEMBERS.
The lion. Mr. Byng (for Mithilesex), and Mr, W. J.
Fox ('or Oldham), took the oaths and their seats, having
been elected during the recess.
SESSIONAL ORDERS.
The usual sessional orders were read and agreed to.
NEW WRITS.
On the motion of Mr. Harritn, a new writ was or-
dered for the borough of Harwich in the room of Major
Warburton, deceased ; for Paisley, in the room of Mr.
A. liastie, deceased : for the eastern division of the
county of Kent, in the room of Sir E. C. Dering, who
has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
On the motion of Mr. KNIGHTLY, a new writ was
ordered for Northamptonshire, in the ropm of Mr.
O'Brien Stafford, deceased.
On the motion of Mr. T. BARING, a new writ was
ordered for Thetford, in the room of the lion. Francis
Baring, who has accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
ourLA WRY BILLS.
Oa the motion of Mr. WILSON, this bill was read a
first time.