The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-11-08 00:00:00

t.

FRENCH CHAMBERS.

linitai or Louts xvm. ON OPENING THE SESSION.

fleortestro—lt is always with confidence, and, on
the present occasion, under favourable auspices, that I
Come to open this Session.
In preceding years I was compelled to participate my
griefs with you.
More happy now, I have only to return thanks to the
Mt:Powerful for the constant protection which he has
vouchsafed to France. The son, with which Heaven
has soothed my sorrows, grows with the public prnspe
rite, and continues to be to me a source of consolation
and hope. This child, my heart feels confident, will be
worthy of us; be will merit the love with which my
subjects surround his cradle.
My relations with foreign powers hive never ceased
to be amicable, and I have a firm confidence that they
will continue to he so.
Great calamities afflict the east. Let us hope that they
approach their termination, and that the prudence and
cordiality of all the Powers will foul the means of eatis-
fying what religion, policy and humanity may justly
demand.
The naval force, which, under these circumstances, I
have stationed in the seas of the Levant, has accomplish-
ed the object which I contemplated. Our ships have
always effectually protected my subjects; and often they
have afforded to misfortune a timely aid.
A destructive scourge desolates a petition of Spain: I
have prescribed, and I will maintain, the rigourous pre-
cautions which protect our coasts and frontiers from the
contagion.
If we take a view of our domestic state, what motives
-bare we not to bless Providence! The sensible progress
of industry, agriculture, and the arts, attests that of
commerce; and very soon new channels, by multiplying
the means of communication and of traffic, will extend
the general good to all parts of the kingdom.
The prosperity of the finances, the intelligible expo-
sition of the public accounts, and fidelity in engage-
ments, have consolidated public credit, and increased
ti.e resources of the State.
The period at which I have convoked you, and the
orders which I have given that the finaecial laws should
he first submitted to von, sufficiently manifest my desire
to put an end to provisional grants ; the Chambers will,
doubtless, be eager to second my intentions.
• Our anspicioussituation, and the return of internal
and external tranquillity, have already admitted of a di-
ed notion in one of the most onerous of the taxes,that which
attacks reproduction in its source, by overwhelming
landed property. Next year, those so assessed will
wi,olly enjoy this reduction. I desire that successively,
IA as soon as the exigencies of the State and the dig-
nity of France will permit, the various taxes which con-
stitute the public revenue shall be investigated, and, if it
be Practicable, diminished, or better assessed.
The laws are respected, and the depositaries of my
power become every day more and more imbued with
their spirit. Order anti discipline reign in the army.
Every where passions are subsiding, and suspicions
we. ring away ; and it gives me pleasure to ackuow-
ledge, Gentlemen, that by your loyal cooperation, you
have powerfully contributed to all this good.
Let us persevere in the wise measures: to which such
prosperous results must he attributed. Let us persevere
in that unity of views, which has so efficaciously de-
feated the vigilance, and restrained (the last efforts of
the spirit of trouble and disorder.
In this the repose of Europe is not less interested than
ours. It is taus that all the generous sentiments will
be developed with which I know your hearts abound
and that you will establieh, upon the gratitude, the love,
and the respect of my subjects, the Throne, which pro-
• tests the liberties of all.
When his Majesty had concluded his speech. the
Chancellor having received the King's orders, in-
fotnied the new elected Deputies who were present,
tv at his Majesty would permit them to take the oath
before himself. He then read the formula, and the
Minister of the Interior, calling over the names, each
Member stood up in his place, and replied by the words.
1. I swear."
The following was the form of the oath :
I swear to be faithful to the King, to obey the Consti-
tutional Charter, and the Laws of the Kingdom, and to
conduct myself iu respects, as befits a good and loyal
Deputy.
The Deputies having thus taken the oath, the Chan-
cellor announced, in the name of the King, that the
Session for the year 1821 was opened, and all of them
were invited to assemble on the following day, in their
respective Chambers, to commence their labours.
His Majesty descended from the Throne amid the
liveliest acclamations of rive le Rui! which were pro-
loc ged for a considerable length of time.
Salvos of artillery announced the return of his Ma-
jesty to the Tuileries.