Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-02-23
LoNnoN. February /. lS6l

Upon reaching the terminus of the Great
Western Railway, at Paddington, and as the
Queen passed from the train to her carriage,
the spectators cheered her repeatedly and
most enthusiastically. The royal cortege soon
swept from the station, escorted by a squadron
of the Carabineers, on its way to Buckingham
Palace. Her Majesty, the Princesses and
Prince Christian, all wore mourning for the
late King of the Belgians, but the royal pclisse
was relieved by a deep border of miniver.
All London, that could find standing room
on the route from Buckingham Palace to the
royal procession, the length of time which has
elapsed since the Queen has shown herself in
public adding much to the desire of her sub
iects to see her. She rode to Westminster in
a coach drawn by six cream-colored horses
but not the - glass coach and with many
and decided reforms in the matters of show
usually prevailing on similar occasions in years
gone by.
What followed, upon the arrival ofHer Males
ty at the House OF Lords, l allow to be recited
to you by a pen more practised than mine in
descriptions orroyal proceedings, especially as
was not so fortunate as to hold a card OF adj
mission. L copy from the Times of this morn
ing:
" The door to the right of the throne was flung
open, and, preceded by a long train OF halberdieIs,
buffetierS, and other officials, entered the Majesty of
England-the monarch of an empire in which, to
use the eloquent words Of Daniel Webster, There Is
no hour OF the twenty -four which, IN one or other
of the two hemisphereS, does not see her ancient ban
ner flung to the morning breeze, or hear the drum
beat or the bugle-call OF her soldiers sounding the
~reveille." Her Majesty was attired ia half mourning,
and walked with slow steps TO the throne, followed
by the great officers of State-TheM Marquis of Lands
dOwne, bearing the crown upon u cushion; the
Duke of Argyll, holding the Sword OF State the
Maruuis Of Winchester, supporting the Cup Of Main
tenance, and several other notables performing their
appointed functions. Her Majesty stopped for an
instant at the foot Of the steps 10 shake hands with
the Princess of Wales, who, in common with the
whole assemblage, had risen on her entrance. The
Queen wore q backbone said a deep purple velvet
~rObe-which, whether it were purple or black, looked
intensely black in the dim light of the chamber,
trimmed with white miniver, and a white
lace cap a la Marie Stuart, TO the portraits of which
unfortunate lady she bore in this attire a remarka-
bic Similitude. Around her neck she wore a collar
of brilliauts, and over her breast the blue riband Of
the Order of the Garter. Other ornaments she had
none, and looked in this simple and highly becoming
COaLuult GNElN lAN - IutNhf dhu la ~ llN-
turesque and regal than If she had worn the royal
robes that had become so distateful to her. Her
Majesty was accompanied by their Royal Hignesses
the Processes Helena and Louisa, and by His Royal
highness the Prince Christian of Denmark, who
stood ut the right of the throne; the two P~rincesses
attired in half-mourning, like their illustrious mother.
To the left of the throne were the Duchess of Wei
lingtOn, Mistress OF the Robes, the Duchess of AthOe,
aud other ladies'. The Prince of Wales occupied the
chair to the right of the throne, behind his royal
sisters and his future brother-in-laW, and was
scarcely visible amid the blaze of beauty around
him.
1.-The Lord Chancellor having notified the Queens
desire that the company should resume their seats,
a message was sent by the Usher of the Black Rod,
desiring the attendance of the Speaker and the House
of Commons at the bar of the Lords. During the
interval that elapsed between the summons of the
Commons and the reply, the Queen sat silent and
mOtiOnleSs, with her eyes fixed upon the ground
She seemed to take no heed of the brilliant assem-
blage around her, but TO be wholly absorbed in
melancholy meditation. Even when the Commons
rushed helter-skelter, like a mob of school boys, to
the bar, with pushings and strivings unseemly to
witness among gentlemen, but which seemed to be
an essential part Of the days performances, Her Ma
iesty took no notice of the interruption, and never
once took her eyes from the ground. When silence
had been restOred-when the real Parliament of the
British people, the governing power that holds the
purse, and with the purse the sword-the rough and
noisy COmmOns-neve rough and noisy except on
this occasion, when bad arrangements compel them,
in spite of their better nature, to display bad man
ners-had adjusted themselves as well as they could
TO the scanty accommodation afforded them, the
Lord Chancellor standing TO the right. on the second
step from the Throne, announced that Her Majesty
had been graciOusly pleased to command him to
read the Royal Speech, which he should proceed to
do in Her Maiesty's own words. His Lordship then
read the speech as follows, amid the all but breath
less silence of the assembly:
My LORDS AND GENTLEMEN 1t is with great
satisfaction that l have recourse to your assistance
and advice.
Il have recently declared my consent to a mar
rage between my daughter, Princess Helena, and
Prince Christian of Schleswig- Holstein Sender
bourg- 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. |
feel great confidence, however, that the wisdom
which he eyinced during his reign will animate his
successor, and preserve for Belgium her i%ndepend-
ence and prosperity.
MY relations with foreign Powers are friendly and
satisfactory, and | see no cause to fear any disturb
ance OF the general peace.
1.-The meeting of the fleets of France and England
in the ports of the respective countries has tended to
cement the unity OF the two nations, and TO prove
to the world their friendly concert in the promotion
of peace.
81 have observed with satisfaction that the United
States, after terminating successfully the severe
struggle in which they were so long engaged, are
wisely repairing the ravages of civil war. The abO-
| ltiOn of slavery is an event calling forth the cordial
sympathies and congratulations of this country,
which has always been foremost in showing its alb
hOrrence of an institution repugnant to every feel
ing of justice and humanity.
IL have at the same time the satisfaction TO inform
YOU that the ~eXertiOns and perseverance Of my naval
squadron have reduced the slave trade on the West
Coast Of Africa within very narrow limits.
A correspondence has taken place between my
Government and that of the United States with re-
spect to injuries inflicted ON American commerce by
cruisers under the Confederate flag. Copies of this
correspondence will be laid before you.
The renewal Of diplomatic relations with Brazil
has given me much satitactiOn, and | acknowledge
with pleasure that the good offices of my ally, the
King of Portugal, have contributed essentially TO
this happy result,
IL have To regret the interruption of peace between
Spain and Chilli. The good Offices of my Govern
ment, 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 disagreement
may be removed in a manner honorable and s~atisfac.
tory 10 both countries.
''The negotiations which have long been pending
in Japan, and which have been conducted with
great ability by my Minister in that country, in
conjunction with the representatives of my allies in
Japan, have been brought to a conclusion which
merits my entire APPRECIATION. The existing trea.
ties have been ratified by the Mikadle it has been
stipulated that the tariff shall be revised in a man.
ner favorable to INNER and that the indemnity
due under the terms of the Convention of October,
1864, shall be punctually discharged.
II nave touCluuCu u treaty u COulllcICt VIII the
Emperor of Austria, which trust will open TO that
empire the blessings Of extended commerce, and
be productive of important benefits to both coun-
tries.
IThe deplorable events which have occurred in the
Island of Jamaica have induced me 10 provide at
once for an impartial inquiry, and for the due main.
tenance of authority during thatinquiry, by appoint
ing a distinguished military officer as Governor aud
Commander of the Forces. have given him the assist
ance of two able and learned Commissioners, who
will aid him in examining into the origin, nature
and circumstances Of the recent outbreak, and the
measures adopted in the course Of its suppression
The Legislature of Jamaica has proposed that the
present political constitution of the island should
be replaced by = new form Of government. A bill
upon this subject will be submitted for your eonsid-
Grafton.
Papers on these occurrences will be laid before
you.
Papers on the present state of New Zealand will
be laid before you.
"lhaye given directions for the return to this coun-
ny oil the greater portion of my regular forces en-
ployed in that colony.
"ateh with interest the proceedings which are
sun IN progress IN British North America, with a
view 70 d closer union among the Provinces, and |
jeet.
~ have 0bservedlWith great concern tho avtensive