The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-04 00:00:00

SPEECH OF THE REGENT OF

SPAIN.

An express from Madrid has brought us the speech
of Espartero on the opening of the Cortes on Sunlay,
the 26th of December. . . _

On the arrival of the procession at the Palace of the
Senate her Majesty, the Regent, and her Royal Highness
the Infanta were received by the deputations of the two
Chambers. Her Majesty took her seat on the throne,
with her august sister on her left and the Regent upon
her right, but one step lower than the throne.
The Ministers and the officers of the Palace sur-
rounded the throne. The Minister for Foreign Affairs,
President of the Council, delivered the Allowing speech to
her Majesty who placed it in the hands of the Regent ; and
the latter read it in a very audible manner :
SENATORS AND DEPUTIES—It is with a sentiment of
lively satisfaction that I present myself for the second
time in the midst of you with an adored Queen, in the
august name and during 'the minority of whom I have
the high honour of exercising the Royal authority, con-
fided to me by the nation. Your patriotism and loyalty
inspire me with the confidence that the constitutional
Throne will become strengthened and fixed on solid and
indestructable bases, and that the prosperity and pros-
pects of our country will be the object of your meditation
and wisdom.

" I can acquaint you, with the utmost pleasure, that
our relations with friendly Powers continue to gather
strength by the bonds of strict harmony and good intelli-
gence, which are tightened by sincere friendship. The
other nations that have recognised an exalted Queen,
preserve those sentiments of justice which dictated that
recognition. The Governments which have not taken
that step contemplate us without hostility, make con-
tinued inquiries respecting our political situation, and as
it becomes more stable, the day is not distant, in my opi-
nion, when reason shall triumph, and the national cause
complete its victory.
"It is satisfactory to me to announce to you that the
treaty of peace, amity, and recognition with the republic
of the Equator has been concluded on bases honourable
to both Governments and useful to their interests, as you
will observe by the paper that will be laid before you.
Our agents have proceeded to represent her Majesty's
Government at Quito, and to preserve our relations with
that State.

" Similar treaties have been alse concluded with the
republics of Uruguay and Chili. When the ratifications
are verified, you will be able to judge of the zeal arid
patriotism which presided over the negotiations. With
the other republic, not yet recognised, the same conduct
will be pursued, in order to produce the same happy re-
sult, as becomes nations which have a common origin.
Another treaty is in course of negotiation with Portugal
respecting the navigation of the Tagus.
" Negotiations are pending with different States to ex-
pedite and render more free the correspondence so often
obstructed to the prejudice of our interests.
" England has given satisfaction for the disagreeable
occurrence of Carthagena last May, and the French Go-
vernment has seen with pain the violation of the territory
of the Aldudes. The Government of her Majesty, de-
siring to remove the causes which have always led to
these deplorable conflicts, is negotiating a treaty with
the King of the French, who has presented a project, met
on our part by another on a different basis. The defini-
tive settlement of this will be made known at the proper
time.

" The revolt which broke out in the month of last Oc-
tober disturbed the public tranquillity, and obliged the
Government to proceed with activity and energy to crush
it in its origin. The constitution, as well as the precious
lives of our innocent Queen and her august sister, were
menaced by an armed conspiracy. But Providence ena-
bled loyal Spaniards to save those dear objects of our
hopes. All the means at our disposal were employed to
repress this horrible attempt, and the hand of justice
chastised the principal delinquents ; their criminal at-
tempt failed against the firm attitude of the nation, and
the energy of the Government. The public vengeance
once satisfied, the Government deemed that it might
exercise clemency, and spare the lives of some of the
rebels.

" The events of Barcelona, which sprang from an abuse
of confidence, obliged the Government to declare that
rich and populous city in a state of siege. This mea-
sure, which had for its object to avoid the effusion of
blood, produced neither violence nor punishments, so that
these punishments might be executed according to the
ordinary laws, when the legal situation of these was re-
established. The tribunals are busy with the causes to
be tried, as actively as the administration of justice re-
quires.

" Since these events peace has been restored through-
out the whole monarchy by the triumph of the laws, and
every cause of new disturbances has disappeared.
" The valiant army and resolute national militia de-
fended the Constitution and the laws with loyalty, and
the country is grateful for their services.
" The roads under the care of Government were in a
bad state, in consequence of their being necessarily neg-
lected during the civil war, which concluded with so
much glory. But the persevering eftbrts of Government
have produced satisfactory results. New roads have
been constructed in great part, repairs' have been
effected, and materials have been collected for more than
600 leagues of road. Those from Valencia and Corunna
may be begun next spring. Some bridges have also
been commenced, and other works requisite for the in-
ternal traffic of the country. The remarkable develop-
ment of mining industry claims especial attention. Ef-
forts on this point have produced new works and enter-
prises. The sad state of the public stores, in conse-
quence of calamities which have afflicted the country fur
half a century, has induced the Government to encou-
rage the establishment of agricultural banks, of which
the result is highly beneficial to the agricultural classes.
The Government persists in the intention of realising-
this measure, and it hopes by this means to augment the
public wealth.

" Public instruction has received great amelioration.
A considerable number of parishes, or communes, which
were without the first elements of education, enjoy at
present this indispensable element of civilisation. In
some provinces normal schools have been opened, in
imitation of that established in the capital. This will
prove a nursery to supply schoolmasters and professors
to all the villages of the Peninsula. By the aid of pro-
vincial and municipal Corporations the Government has
other objects in preparation, which will give a great im-
pulse to public education, and remove the errors which
obstruct it. In order to improve the secondary and higher
class of education, a law is necessary, that the Cortes, in
its last Session, had not time to discuss or adopt.
" The army and provincial militia have been organised
on the most effective terms • the diminution of its num-
bers, and the suppression of the Royal Guard, have pro-
duced retrenchments which must lighten the burdens of
the people. Unfortunately, circumstances have not per-
mitted us to extend this economy as far as could be
wished, the late rebellion having required the provincial
regiments to act in concert with the regular forces to
defend the country.
" The valiant army, which has given so many glorious
days to the nation, preserves the organisation given to it
last August. It is regularly provisioned, and the Go-
vernment bestows upon it the preference that it merits.
Its morale and discipline are excellent, and its fidelity
and patriotism guarantee obedience to the Government.
" The levy (quinta) of 50,000 men took place without
obstacles in the provinces, although with the delay usual
in such operations. More than 30,000 have already en-
tered .he depots, and the regiments have begun to fill up
their deficiencies. The law voted by the Cortes has
ameliorated that passive (non-fighting) portion of the
army, and the executors of this law will console those
who have spent their best years in the service of their
country.
" Justice is administered with such regularity and
promptitude as our present Legislation permits, but
this will soon be reformed by codes now in preparation,
to be presented to the Cortes.
" The law permitting to cut off entails begins to
lighten landed property of its burdens, and these advan-
tages extend to all those interests in which nature and
civil obligations have conferred the right of claiming
their legitimate dues. The chaplaincies in the gift of
individuals and lay benefices are given by the law to the
owner of the property.
" The advantages of this law may be appreciated by
the considerable value which it puts in circulation.
" The decree of the 29th of June, by which divers mea-
sures were adopted, and the manifesto published in reply
to the impolitic allocation of the Pope, have put a stop
to the aggressions which menaced the nation and the
Government.

" Different means have been adopted for the accom-
plishment of the law of worship, and the management of
the clergy, and Government will exert all its power to
fulfil its religious obligations for the benefit of the nation
and Church, and important data have been obtained to
bring this new and necessary work to a conclusion.
" The especial tribunals of the Royal Household and
patrimony have been abolished, as incompatible with
the Constitution. The sil.uatiou of colonial functionaries
has been ameliorated by the establishment of rules which
correct the clauses introduced by time.

" The Government exerts itself with zeal to introduce
honesty and regularity in the administration of finance,
and is firmly resolved to punish frauds. The augmentation
of the public funds, and the decree of centralization,
have enabled us to fulfil our obligations with more punc-
tuality than in former years. The tariff law, voted No-
vember Ist, offers no certain basis to calculate its advan-
tages ; nut as it has been extended to all the provinces,
without excepting the Basque, I hope for many results.
" A general director of customs, tariffs, and public
revenues, has been created without augmentation and
expense, in place of the old Junta and Administration.
The laws centralising the bills of last year's contracts
are in course of execution, and the salt and stamp duty
have enabled us to procure funds to meet privileged
obligations. A strong impulse has been given to the
operations preliminary to the sale of ecclesiastical pro-
perty by measures tending to obviate fraud, and the Go-
vernment hopes that the law will soon become perfect.
The sales of national property proceeding from eccle-
siastical establishments extinct, continue with activity.
These sales continue to augment the mass of private
property, and to diminish our public debt. The wise
system pursued by the Government in all its acts has
produced the happiest results. I hope that, after the pay-
ment of the transatlantic debt, we may henceforth meet
with regularity the different expenses of the public
service. Credit merits a special attention, and the ne-
cessary funds have been prepared to pay the interests of
the capitalization at home and abroad. The national and
foreign creditor will thus learn how religiously we keep
faith; a virtue for which Spain has ever been renowned.
" The navy, which formerly was the glory and honour
of the Spanish nation, was reduced to the lowest ebb.
Government, convinced that this force gives life and
health to States, had paid it regularly, and has put
some ships in repair to cruise upon the coast. Other
vessels of various classes have been put in a state to ren-
der important service. Others are put in commission,
to repair to our colonies, should it be necessary. The
commercial navy occupies the attention of Government
as the basis of a military navy, and as the surest means

of promoting industrial and commercial prosperity.
Since the restoration of peace the mercantile movement
is reviving :To it the confidence of tranquillity is necessary.
"Thanks to these elements, thanks to the liberty in-
herent in our institutions, and to the protection of a
just and strong Government, agriculture, industry, and
commerce, will recal the highest degree of prosperity
which our fertile territory and geographical position are
capable of. To attain this end Government is decided
to protect the spirit of association that developer itself
everywhere, and by which a vigorous impulse is given
to every branch of public wealth.
" The transmarine provinces, always faithful to the
Government of the mother country, continue to give
proofs of adherence and respect. The peace which
reigns there has not been disturbed under its auspices,
and with the paternal protection of Government, have
attained a remarkable degree of prosperity.
" Actuated by the prudence required by the interests
of these rich provinces, the Government has submitted
to the Junta for the revision of special laws various plans
capable of being applied in promoting the good of the
inhabitants and the prosperity of the islands.
" The treaty of commerce concluded with the republic
of the Equador shall he laid before you. Its provisions
are advantageous to both states, and I do not doubt that
you will give it your approval.
" The Government, sincerely attached to the repre-
sentative system, is anxious to augment the guarantees
calculated to secure stability and permanency to the con-
stitution, under the sway of which we have the happi-
ness to live.

" With this view, there will be presented to you a pro-
ject of Ministerial responsibility, designed to act as a
check on men invested with power, and to secure the
po-
litical principles of the Spanish nation. The necessity
for ameliorating the public administration, and for liar-
' monizing with the constitution of the State the organic
law which is legitimately derived from it, induces the
Government to submit to the Cortez projects of laws on
the organization and functions of the municipalities, the
provincial deputations, and the political chiefs. There
will also be presented to you a project of law on the li-
berty of the press, tending to suppress the abuses and
check the license under which defamation is pursued
upon system, calumny promulgated on calculation, and
conspiracy against the Constitution instigated by sordid
interest. Desirous to establish uniformity to the admi-
nistration of all the provinces, in a manner equally con-
formable to the welfare of the nation and to the public
faith, the Government has thought it a duty to present a
project of law to modify the.fueres of the Basque pro-
vinces. The good order of the administration requires a
new division of territory that shall remedy the defects
pointed out by experience in the present one ; for this
purpose a project of law will be submitted to you, for
which the public advantage loudly calls.
" There will likewise be laid before you a project of
law for the organisation of the tribunals and of the ma-
gistracy, and another on the permanency and responsi-
bility of the Magistrates and Judges. The spirit of the
age and the progress of legislative science, the security
of person and of property, will no longer permit that
the judicial power should any longer remain in its pre-
sent state ; and it is time that laws should be established
for its organisation, in conformity with those constitu-
tional principles which ought to be religiously observed.
The Government will submit for your consideration
other laws intended to regulate the registries and nota-
rial offices of the kingdom, the scale of judicial fees, the
powers of (injusticia notoria) nullity in law, and finally,
other projects of law for the organisation of the eccle-
siastical tribunals, as well as in reference to the aposto-
lical reserves.

" The budget will also be submitted for your conside-
ration, in order that you may examine it with all the
care called for by the peremptory necessities of the public
service and by the general good. If the ordinary reve-
nues should not suffice to cover the national expenses,
the Government will offer to you the means of meeting
them. The vicissitudes that the country and the public
Administration have had to undergo in past years, have
given rise to a considerable number of retiring pensions.
Necessity requires, and propriety suggests, that the
existing arrangements should be modifie. A project of
law to this effect will he laid before you.
" Other plans of reform will be presented: to you, in
conformity with economical science and the want;3 of
the people.
" To purify, as much as possible the operations on the
Bourse, the Government has adopted certain measures
which have produced effects advantageous to credit and
to private property ; and in order to carry out this plan,
there will be presented to you a project of law that shall
go to prevent the Bourse from being the cause of ruin to
numerous families, who there compromis'e their fortunes
in imprudent speculations.
" Messieurs les Senateurs and Deputes—The eyes of
the nation are fixed upon you ; its hopes repose on your
integrity and your patriotism ; to you is confided a great
regenerating duty ; and the book of immortality re-
serves for you a golden page. Rely upon my exertions,
and upon the honest heart of a soldier, who has always
fought for the liberty and glory of his country, Do not
forget that factions, as powerless as they are criminal,
aim in their madness at attacking the. constitution and
the Throne, in the hope of bringing discredit on the
sacred cause- which we defend, and of exciting Europe
against us. Let us bind more closely the ties of sincere
union, and consolidate the Constitutional Throne of a
young Queen, whose magical name has always van-
quished the enemies of liberty.' For myself 1 have no
ambition ; my life belongs to my country ; and the glory
of having served it in good faith will form my prtrimony.
" May the existing Constitution, the Throne of the
young Isabella, the national independence, and the Go-
vernment created by the will of the people, be the ob-
jects of our fidelity, and guide us in our legislative la-
bours for the conslidation of a stront, and just Govern-
ment, whim h. avoiding the snares laid for it by ambitious
factions, shall for ever assure the prosperity and the hap-
piness of the nation !"
The Congress, or the Chamber of Deputies, was in-
stalled en the previous day. The Bureau was composed
of M. Gill Muno, President, as senior Member ; of M.
Fernandez de los Rios, as Vice-President ; MM. So-
moza, Prim, Sanchez, Silba, and Monedero, the youngest
Deputies were nominated Secretaries. The returns of
ninety-five Deputies were verified ; among those pre-
sent was remarked M. Olozaga. Lots were afterwards
drawn for the deputation charged to accompany the
Queen, and the sitting then broke up.