The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-02-24
ADDITIONAL BY THE AFRICA.


ADDITIONAL BY The AFRICA.
which sailed from Liverpool at about eleven o'clock
on the morning of the 5th instant, arrived off the
Battery this morning at $40. She has experienced
constant succession of heavy westerly and north
westerly gales, with heavy seas.
The United States frigate Macedonian was at AL
exandria January q.
GREAT BRITAIN.
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.-Thursday, February g.
The fourth session of the fifth Parliament of the
existing reign was opened by her Majesty in per-
son, circumstances combining to render the event
one Of extraordinary interest During protracted
recess, politics, both foreign and domestic have ta-
ken an exciting turn, and probably at former pc
rod of her Majesty's reign has the speech from the
throne, at the opening of Parliament, been looked
for with such eagerness and anxiety. The magnii-
cent chamber, within which the ceremony took
place, become full long before the cannon announ-
ced the arrival of the Queen. Peers and peeresses
thronged the floor and body of the House, while
scarcely vacant seat to be found in the gale
ries The Prince Consort sat, as usual to the left
OF her Majesty; the seat the right being appro-
prated to the Prince of Wales remained of course,
unoccupied.
Her Majesty having expressed her pleasure that
the assembly should be seated, Sir Augustus Cliff
ford, the usher, of the black rod, was directed to
summon the Commo ms to the bar. After an inter-
val of a few minutes the Speaker, in his state
robes, with the usher of the black rod on his right
and the serjeant-at-arms his left appeared at the
bar, attended by the leading members of the gov
ernment and the oppostion and silence being pre-
sently restored, the Lord Chancellor advanced to
the foot of the throne and, kneeling presented the
document to her Majesty, who proceeded, amidst
the most profound attention, to read the follow
lug:
THE QUEENS SPEECH
My Lords and Gentlemen: In recurring at the
usual season to the advice of my Parliament, am
hntN 60 h,,1- tho4s. Al
country there is nothing to excite disquietude and
much to call for satisfaction and thankfuness.-
Pauperism and crime have considerably diminished
during the past year, and spirit of general con-
tentment prevails.
The blessing of the Almighty on the valor of nv
troops in India, and the skill of their cammand-
ers, has enabled me to infict signal chastisement
upon those who are still in against my au-
thority whenever they have ventured to encounter
my forces; and trust that at no distant period I
may be able to announce to you the complete paci-
hcatlon OF that great empire, and to devote my at
tenton to the improvement Of its condition and to
the ooteratlon OF all traces of the present unhappy
conflict
On assuming, by your advice, the direct govern
ment of that portion of my dominions, l deemed
1t proper to make known by proclamation the prip-
clples by which it was my intention to be guided
in the cemency which was disposed to show to-
wards those who might have been seduced into re-
volt, and who might be willing to return to their
allegiance. have directed that a copy of that
|
receive from all foreign powers assurances of
their friendly feelings. To cultivate and confirm
those feelings, to maintain inviolate the faith of
public treaties, and to contribute far my inlu-
ence can extend to the preservation of the general
peace, the objects of my unceasing solicitude
have concluded with the governments who were
iarties to the Treaty of Paris 1856 convention
relative to the organization of the Principaities of
Moldavia and Wallachia. The Roumain provinces
are now proceeding to establish under its proyis-
ions their new form of government.
treaty of commerce which | have concluded
with the Emperor of Russia, and which will be laid
before you, is n satisfactory indication of the com
plete re-estabishment of those amicable relations
which, until their late unfortunate Interruption had
long subsisted between us to the mutual advantage
four respective dominions.
The measures which, in concert with nv ally, the
Emperor of the French, I thought it necessary to
take upon the coast of China, have resulted in a
treaty by which further etfuson of blood has been
prevented, and which holds ont the prospect of
greatly increased intercourse with that extensive
and densely populated empire.
Another treaty into which | have entered with
the Emperor of Japan opens fresh field for COM
mercial enterprise in popuous and highly civil
| lied country which has hitherto been iealously
guarded against the intrusion of foreigners.
As soon as the ratifcatons of these treaties shall
have been exchanged, they will be laid before you.
have great satisfaction in announcing to you
| that the Emperor of the French has abolished a
system of negro emigration from the east coast of
! Africa, against which, unavoidaby tending,
however guarded, to the encouragement of the
slave trade, my government has ceased to ad-
dress to his Imperial Majesty its most earnest but
| friendly representations.
| This wise act on the part of his Imperial Majesty
! induces me to hope that negotiations now in pro-
| gress at Paris may tend to the total aban-
| donment of the system, and to the substitution
of duly regulated supply of substantially free
| labor.
The state of the republic of Mexico, distracted
by civil wars, has induced to carry forbearance
30, 1.,a,S
dgnities to which British residents have been sub
ected at the hands of the two contending parties.
| They have at length been carried to such an ex-
| tent that have been compelled to give instruc-
tions to the commander of my naval forces in those
seas to demand, and, if necessary, to enforce due
| reparation.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons l have
| directed that the estimates for the ensuing year
shall be submitted to you. They have been framed
with due regard to economy and to the efficiency
| of the public service.
The universal introduction of steam power into
naval warfare will render necessary a temporary
increase OF expenditure in providing for the recon
construction of the British navy; but am persua-
ded that you will cheerfully vote whatever sums
you may find to be requisite for object of such
vital Importance as the maintenance of the mari.
! time power of the country.
| Ny Lords and Gentlemen: Your labors have in
recent sessions been usefully directed to various
measures of legal and social improvement. In the
belief that further measures of similar character
| L
desired that bills may be submitted to you without
delay for assimilating aid amending the laws re.
lating to bankruptcy and insolvency; for bringing
together in set OF statutes, in classified form
and with such notifications as experience may sug
gest to you, the laws relating to crimes and offence:
in England and Ireland; for enabling the owners
of land in England to obtain for themselves an in
defeasble title to their estates and interests, and
for registering such titles with simplicity and Sc
| curity
Your attention will be called to the state of the
laws which regulate the representation of the peo-
Pile in Parliament: and cannot doubt it will give
to this great subject degree of calm and impair :
| tial consideration propOrtioned to the magnitude
of the interests involved in the result of your dis
cussions.
These and other propositions for the amendment
| of the laws, which will be brought under your no
tce the progress of public business may permit,
| commend to the exercise of your deliberate judg
ment; and earnestly pray that your counsels NAV
be guided to insure the stability of the throne
the maintenance and Improvement of our institu-
tons and the general welfare and happiness of the
people
In the House of Lords the Earl of Winchelsea
moved, and Lord Ravensworth seconded, the ad
dress in reply to the speech from the throne.
| Lord Glanville regretted that mention was
made of the affair of the 1onan Islands, the recent
difficulties with the United States and the position
| OF France and Sardinia towards Italy. He trusted
that upon the latter question government hao
| entered into no negotiations which would bind
| quired by the interests of Europe generally. HI
assured the government of impartial consideration
of any measure of parliamentary reform that NIGH
! be introduced. .
The Earl of Derby commented at length upor
the position of Italy. He referred to the friendly
advice that the government had rendered to Sar.
dinia, and stated that Austria had given an assu
rance that she had no intention of interfering il
the internal concerns of any of the Italian States
and that they had also an assurance from thu
Emperor of the French that he would give no as
sistance whatever to Sardinia in an aggressive war
Under these circumstances he thought there wer
trong grounds for believing that the recent appre
tensions of rupture would prove groundless, bu
that if war should arise, England would feel her
self perfectly unfettered, and free to take tina
course which she considered best for the interests
herself and Europe in general.
After short speeches from sundry other members
! the address was agreed to.
j In the House of Commons the mover of th
address was Mr.. Trefusis, and the seconder Mr
Beecroft.
Lord Palmerston enlarged upon the Italian ques
tion and the prospects of war, and hoped that not