Star.
London, England, 1821-07-16 00:00:00

. .
SPEECH OF THE KING OF SPAIN,
AT THE CLOSE OF THE SESSION 01 THE CORTES;
DELIVERED AT MADRID, JUNE SO.

GENTLZNIZN DEPUTIES—I have already had
once the satisfaction of presenting myself to this Con-
gress, which, full of information, of patriotism, and
virtue, has given, in the piesent Legislature, new
proofs of its constant care for the public happiness,
Its efforts to conclude and perfect our political re-
generation, have been, if possible, beyond my hopes,
and the nation will be eternally indebted to it for the
great and numerous measures which it has taken in
the short space of its sittings, of which I proposed
the prolongation for the term which our fundamen-
tal law admits, considering it, as it has been, condu-
cive to the public good.
" In effect, the new organization of the Atmy, se
well adapted to the true end of in institution, is the
work of the Congress. The Decree respecting. Public
Instruction, divided into different classes of instruc-
tion, from the first letters to the highest degree of
knowledge, will diffuse illumination and useful know•
ledge throughout all classes of the State ; that of the
reduction of tithes, by which, while the necessary en-
dowment of the Clergy is preserved, the labourer is
considerably relieved—thus encouraging agriculture,
an inexhaustible source of our wealth ; and; 'in fide;
the system of finance, which,. suppressing burthen-
some and useless imposts or means of raising money,
has fixed public revenues in contributions less heavy,
and already known to the Spanish people, and in new
contributions conformable to the principles of the
political constitution of the Monarchy, and adopted
with success by the most civilized nations—all these
objects are alike the work of the Congress.
" I offer to the Cortes the expression of all my
gratitude for the zeal and wisdom that they have
displayed in these measures of the highest importance
to the State. -The Government will not neglect any
means for their execution; as its own dignity and the
stability of the Constitutional System, which I will
cause scrupulously to be observed, requires.
" I also thank the Congress for the generosity with
which it has provided for the wants and dignity of,
my Royal Household and my Family, as well as for
the authorization granted to the Government, to have
means for covering the more urgent public expenses.
" Our relations of good understanding and friend-
ship with other Powers have experienced no change
since the opening of the Session ; and I will seek to
preserve them by all possible means which shall be
worthyef the heroic nation which I am proad of ruling.
" The Treaty with the United States, which ter-
minates our differences with that Government, and
includes the cession of the Floridas, has been ratified

by the President, and the ratifications have been ex
changed on the 22cl of February last. I flatter my
self that, in consequence of this Tieaty, and of the
settlement of our boundaries, which is to be effected
by a mixed commission, our relations with the United
States will hereafter experience no alteration.
" The firmness of my Government, and the gene-
rous and active co-operation of his Majesty the King
of the Netherlands, put, for the moment, our com-
merce in safety from all hostilities on the part of the
Regency of Algiers.
" In coasequence of the new order of things, gene-
rously and spontaneously adopted by the King of the
United Kingdom of Portugal and Brazil, his Most
Faithful Majesty has taken the resolution of return-
ing to Lisbon with his Royal Family, and leaving at
Rio Janeiro the Hereditary Prince, in the quality of
Viceroy. I will profit by the return of his Most
Faithful Majesty, to pursue the negotiations which
are in suspense, relatively to the occupation of Monte
Video and the eastern shore of the Rio de Plata.
" I have made known to the Cortes my sentiments
on the subject of the affairs of Naples and Piedmont.
Some malevolent persons have wished to give these
events, with respect to Spain, an importance which
they could in nowise have.
" The interior of the kingdom enjoys tranquillity;
the only band of factious men, which has existed in
small numbers, has been dispersed and defeated by
means of the energetic dispositions of the Govern-
ment, and the zeal of our troops. It is to be hoped
that this ill success, and the amelioration of the pub-
lic spirit, will cause enterprises so mad to be hence-
forward abandoned, impotent as ihey are to impede
the majestic progress of our system.
" Agriculture, industry, arts, and sciences, already
feel the ameliorations due to our Constitutional Sys-
tem. All these sources of public prosperity will be I
further improved as soon as they experience the effects)
of the Decrees passed for their encouragement. But
this is not the affair of a moment ; the seed which is
thrown in the earth does not produce its effect in one
day. Commerce will prosper in proportion : and
especially when the Cortes shall be able to give it
aid, and that the Spanish nation shall have, for its
protection, such a Navy as it ought to have.
" I have seen, with not less satisfaction, that the
Cortes have turned their eyes towards the adminis-
tration of justice, which-they have strengthened by
measures taken to this end. •
" I will make all efforts to obtain the re-establish-
ment of order in the provinces beyond sea; and my
Government, urged by the Cortes to take the mea-
sures which it may deem suitable for their happiness,
taking into consideration the state of those countries,
will do it without delay, and with all possible libera-
lity. The Spaniards of both hemispheres must be
convinced that I desire nothing so much as their
happiness, founded on the integrity of the Monarchy
and an observance of the Constitution.
" If, as I doubt not, the,next Cortes imitate the
noble example of the present, in their respect, their
attachment to toe Throne, and theirlove to the coun-
try, I shall promptly have the satisfaction to see con-
solidated, in all these points, the system which is the
object of my wishes."
The PRESIDENT of the Cortes replied to the King
in the following terms:
" Tlie Cortes have this day the satisfaction, for the
tl:ird time, of 'seeing your Majesty in the midst of '
them, exercising one of the most important functions
which the fundamental law attributes to the august
dignity of your Majesty. They terminate the pre-
sent Session of the Legislature, in receiving the most
flattering recompense] of their labours, by the ap-
4irobation which your Majesty has been pleased to
confer upon them.
" Sire, the ckcumstances in which the Cortes were
placed at the commencement of the Session were dif-