Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-02-26
THE QUEENS SPEECH.
Ado .ess Of queen Victoria ON Open
ing Parliament.


Helena, and Prince Christian of Sehleswig-
Holstein Sonderbourg-Augustenburg. l
trust this union may be prosperous and
happy.
The death of my beloved uncle, the
King of the Belgians, has affected me with
profound grief. l feel great confidence,
however, that the wisdom which he
evinced during his reign will animate his
successor, and preserve for Belgium her
independence and prosperity.
My relations with foreign Powers are
friendly and satisfactory, and 1 see no
cause to fear any disturbance of the gen.
eral peace.
The meeting'of the fleets of France and
England in the ports of the respective
countries has tended to cement the amity
Of the two nations, and TO prove to the
world their friendly concert in the pro-
motion of peace.
L have observed with satisfaction that
the United States, after terminating sue
cessfully the severe struggle in which they
were so long engaged, are wisely repair
ing the ravages of civil war. The aboli-
ton of slavery is an event calling forth
the cordial sympathies and congratula-
tions of this country, which has always
been foremost in showing its adherence of
an institution %repugnant to every feeling
of justice and humanity.
L have at the same time the satisfaction
to inform you that the e0ertions and per-
severance of my naval squadron have re-
duced the slave trade on the west coast of
Africa within very narrow limits.
Correspondence has taken place between
my government and that of the United
States, with respect to injuries inflicted on
American commerce, by cruisers under the
Confederate flag. Copies OF this cores
pondence will be laid before you.
The renewal of diplomatic relations
with Brazil has given me much satisfac-
ton, and 1 acknowledge with pleasure
hat the offices of my ally, the King of
Portugal, have contributed essentially to
this happy result.
l have to regret the interruption of
peace between Spain and Chill The good
offices of my government, in conjunction
with those of the Emperor of the French,
have been accepted by Spain, and it is my
earnest hope that the causes of disagree
ment may be removed in a manner hon
orable and satisfactory to both countries.
The negotiations which have long been
pending in Japan, and which have been
conducted with great ability by my Min
ister in that country, in conjunction with
the representatives Of my allies in Japan,
have been brought TO a conslusion which
merits my entire appreciation. The exist
ing treaties have been ratified by Mikadie /;
it has been stipulated that the tariff shall be
revised in amanner favorable TO commerce,
and that the indemnity due under the
terms of the Convention of October, 1864,
shall be punctually discharged.
nave concluded a treaty of commerce
with the Emperor of Austria, which L
trust will open to that empire the bless
ings of extended commerce, and be pro-
ductive of important benefits to both
countries.
The deplorable events which have oc-
| cured in the Island of Jamaica have in
duced me to provide at once for an i'm
partial inquiry, and for the due maints-
nance of authority during that inquiry,
by appointing a distinguished military
officer as Governor and Commander of the
Forces. 1 have given him the assistance
| of two able and learned Commissioners,
who will aid him in examining into the
origin, nature and circumstances of the
| itCCAG OulDlClhYu uu Nv &c aAOBb-
ed in the courts for its suppression. The
Legislature of Jamaica has proposed that
the present political constitution of he
Island should be replaced by a new form
of government. A bill upon this subject
will be submitted TO your consideration.
Papers on these occurrences will be laid
before you.
Papers on the present state of New
Zealand will be laid before you.
Ihave given directions for the return to
this country of the greater portion of my
regular forces employed in that colony.
l watch with interest the proceedings
which are still in progress in British North
America with a view to a closer union
among the Provinces, and l continue to
attach great importance to that object.
1 have observed with great concern the
extensive prevalence during the last few
months of a v~irulent distemper among the
cattle in Great Britain, and it is with deep
regret, and with sincere sympathy for the
sufferers that l have learnt the severe loss
es which it has caused in many counties
and districts. 1t is satisfactory to know
that Ireland and a considerable part of
Scotland are as yet free from this calam-
ity, and l trust that by the precautions
suggested by experience, and by the
Divine blessing on the means which are
now being employed, its further extern
sion may be arrested.
The orders which have been made by
the Lords of my Privy Council, by vir-
tue Of the powers vested in them by law,
with a view to prevent the spreading of
this disease, will be laid before you, and
,..-. A.o-.,. Ill l.. LID -. ~
pediency of an amendment of the law re-
lating to a subject so deeply affecting the
interests of my people.
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF CON-
MONS 1 have directed that the estimates
of the ensuing year shall be laid before
you. They have been prepared with a
due regard to economy, and are at the
same time consistent with the mainten-
ance of efficiency in the public service.
The condition of trade is satisfactory.
Ny Lords and Gentlemen:
4 conspiracy, adverse alike to authority,
property and religion, and dsapproved
and condemned alike by all who are in
tercsted in their maintenance, without dis
~tinction of creed or class, has unhappily
appeared in ireland. Tho constitutional
power of the ordinary tribunals has been
exerted for its repression, and the author
ity of the law has been firmly and i'm
partially indicated.
A bill will be submitted to you, founded
on the report of the Royal Commission,
on the subject of capital punishment,
which 1 have directed to be laid before
you.
Bills will be laid before you for amend
ing and consolidating the laws relating to
bankruptcy, and for other improvements
in. the law.
Measures will also be submitted to you
for extending the system of public audit
to branches of receipt and expenditure
which it has not hitherto reached, and for
amending the provisions of the law with
respect to certain classes. of legal pensions.
Your attention will be called to the
of the Oaths taken by members of
Parliament with a view to avoid unneces-
sary declarations, and to remove invidi-
Gus distinctions between members of diff
ferent religious communities in matters of
Legislation.
I'bave directed that information should
be procured in reference to the rights of
voting in the election of members to serve
in Parliament for counties, cities and
bOroughs.
When that information is complete, the
attention Of Parliament will be called to
The result thus obtained, with a view to
such improvements in the laws which
..I Il "