The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-10 00:00:00

BRAZIL.

His Majesty the Emperor of Brazil opened the
third session of the tenth legislature of the General
Legislative Assembly on the 10th of May, 1859,
with the following speech:—

August and most -worthy gentlemen, Represen-
tatives of the Nation,—lt is always with joy that I
greet you on this solemn occasion, when I see you
assembled around me.

Called by the fundamental law of the state to
exercise your high mission, I put, with the entire
country, all trust in the enlightenment and
patriotism by which you are distinguished.
With deep sorrow I announce to you the prema-
ture loss my family has just suffered.
On the 14th of February last, died at Naples my
much esteemed niece, the Princess Dora Maria
Isabel, the daughter of my much beloved sister, the
Princess Dora Januaria, Countess of Aguala. I feel
certain that you will share with me in the sorrow
consequent upon this sad event.
I cease not to thank Almighty Goodness for the
peace and tranquillity we have enjoyed.
Justice and moderation continue to be the cha-
racteristics of the policy which my government has
proposed to pursue.
I have cultivated friendly relations with all
foreign powers, and to maintain the same I will
spare no effort compatible with the national dignity
and interests.

I concluded on the 2d of June, 1858, a convention
with her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain with
the object of regulating the decision :upon claims
long pending between the two governments.
Under this convention a mixed Brazilian and
English commission has been formed in this capital,
and has entered upon its labours already.
My plenipotentiaries have signed, with those of
the Presidents of the Argentine Confederation and
of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, on the 2d of
January of this year, the definitive treaty alluded
to in the preliminary peace convention of the 27th
of August, 1828.
This treaty settles on solid bases the indepen-
dence of the Oriental State, and guarantees its
good relations both with the empire and the Ar-
gentine Confederation.

The attributes to be exercised by consuls in the
collection and taking care of the estates of persons
of their nations dying in the empire have been the
subject of a long discussion, upon which it has not
been possible yet to arrive at a satisfactory agree-
ment.

I call your attention to this subject, which en-
gages the particular solicitude of my government.
The dearness in the articles of food still con-
tinues to weigh upon the people, and their priva-
tions deeply affect my heart.
The rigour of the drought in some places, and
the excess of rain in others, have contributed to
aggravate the evil.

The people awaits with confidence the effect of
the measures which are to meet the crisis by which
they are afflicted, the causes of which it is impos-
sible to remove except with time and perseverance.
With a view to alleviate these sufferings, it is
expedient that the free entrance of articles of
first necessity be protected against any illicit spe-
culations.

Availing themselves of the means and resources
which you granted, my government did their best
to promote the immigration of useful and industri-
ous colonists, to supply the want of labour so much
felt in agriculture.
The prosperity of the nation depends upon the
prompt remedying of this evil, and the zeal and
encouragements from my government, with the
efficient concurrence of our agriculturists, will doubt-
lessly produce all the beneficent results expected
therefrom.

The development of the existing colonies, and
the establishing of new ones at places near to the
markets, the opening of new ways of communi-
cation, the improvement of the existing ones, have
been, and will continue to be, the object of the
constant efforts of the executive ; thus answering to
your ardent IN ishes, of rendering prosperous this
vast empire, so highly favoured by nature.
Steam navigation, aided by public monies, has
increased, and given facilities to internal commerce.
There are contracts stipulated with some con-
panics, but waiting still for your approbation.
Public health has also been an object of particu-
lar solicitude to my government; and, thanks to
divine Providence, we have not had to lament in
the last year the recurrence of the epidemics which
caused such great ravages before.

The importance of so-many and so varied objects
as appertain to the home department of the empire
points out as a measure of the greatest conveniency
that this ministry should be divided.
The protection due to agriculture calls for special
measures that should modify our hypothecarian
legislation, by encouraging the incorporation of
banks of territorial credit, from which loans of
capital may be obtained at reasonable interest.
Measures adapted to commonly diffuse knowledge
useful to agriculture are engaging the attention of
my government, and will no doubt also engage
yours.

Public morals and the future prospects of coloni-
sation require measures concerning marriages not
coming under the rule of the actual legislation.
It is required to establish and determine with
greater precision and efficacy the mutual obliga-
tions and rights between colonists and landowners.
The legislation concerning criminal process de-
mands some improvements, which, without damag-
ing the principles of order and the force of authority,
may still lend further guarantees to individual
liberty and security.
The execution of the electoral law revealed some
inconveniences and abuses, which it is urgent to
andi o one o
tli Dfloi fee
your ttoh, ii
i
inquire into and remove.
The institution of municipalities has not produced
as yet all the advantages and benefits which ought
to be expected from it. To render the action of
our capitals, cities,
these corporations more energetic and efficacious,
measures
code
ot
fh a, that
processmust
as required by the always increasing necessities of
notwithstandingn ti
on'
the
aanddminbiosrtoruagtihosn,
reerrohmemaernmdytheamndselt\h-
special attention bestowed on them b you
my government, still demand so ' y and by
me improvements.
The want of a general code en_a.dttae
more in accordance with the enlightenment of the
age, as also the want of such dispositions
as may
render recruiting less severe, without preventing
its efficacy, the want also o
ad
a law that may pre-
scribe new rules for the
felt.
undergone
of the officers of
the fleet, are above all strongly
The public revenue has in the present
experience a little d. • iminution ; the budget, how-
ever, for the following year will show a singular
difference in the
receipts.
My government have r ' •*1) p escii ed to themselves
the strictest
economy in the application of the
resources of the state.
'
The '
circumstances of the circulating medium,
and the fluctuation of the values, which render
more difficult and disturb commercial transactions,
call for your solicitude.
August and most worthy Representatives of the
Nation,—Brazil reckons upon your devotedness, in
order that we may overcome the difficulties of the
present, and constantly advance towards the grand
future designed to us by Providence; because the
progress and the glory of our mother country are
your only aim, as well as the most precious reward
which the blessing of God can bestow on any eon-
seierktious exertions for the public welfare.
Tile session is opened.
DOM PEDRO 11., ConstitiaiiOnal Emperor
and Perpetual Def.coder of Brazil.