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

capitsI punishment, which | have directed TO be laid
. Bills will be laid before yOu for amending and
consolidating the laws relating to bankruptcy, and
for other Improvements IN the law.
Measures will also be submitted to you for extend
ing 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 re-
spect to certain classes of legal pensions.
" Your attention will be called to the SubjectO of the
oaths taken by members of Parliament with q view
to avoid unnecessary declarations, and TO remove
invidious distinctions between members of different
religious communities in matters Of legislation.
" have directed that information should he pro-
cured in reference to the rights of voting in the cleo
ton Of members to serve in Parliament for counties,
cities and bOrOughS.
"When that in Information is complete, the attention
of Parliament will bc called 10 the result thus OBJ
tanned, with 4 view 10 such improvements in the
laws which regulate the rights of voting in the cleo
ton of members of the House Of Commons as may
tend to strengthen our free institutions and cOnduce
to the public welfare.
In these and all other deliberations I f~ervently
pray that the blessing of Almighty God may guide
YOUR counsels to the promotion of the happiness of
my people. Cu
bowed his obeisance to the Queen, who slightly, but
cOuIteOusly, returned the salute. Then rising from the
Throne, the whole Of the brilliant asSemblage rising
from their seats at the same time, Her Majesty
stepped slowly down, kissed the Princess OF Wales,
who sat almost at her feet, shook hands with Prince
Christian, and, handed out by His Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales, followed by the Princess OF
Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, retired by the
door at which she had entered, with the usual
flourish and following, in which heralds and Garter
Kings of Arms delight, and which they only are
learned enough l in their art to record.
The few hours which have elapsed since its
delivery have not enabled your correspondent
to hear much common on the speech. Such
As he has heard is not at all favorable. The
taste of opening the address with the alluSion
to the marriage of the Queens daughter is
criticised, and it does seem rs if its authors
might have treated the matter as second to the
great question of reform, the Fenian con-
Spiracy, or the jamaica rebellion. The radi-
Gals are of course disappointed ut so mild an
%alluSiOn to the question of the extension
of the franchise. They had considered the
government pledged to a more decided
course, and take with poor grace such small
crumbs of comfort.
The Bagdad affair has raised considerable ex-
element in Paris, and thinking men here be-
gin to fear that there will be a collision be-
tween the United States and France before
this Mexican matter is ended. Can it be pos
sible that the destiny of such 4 set of mongrelS
as the Mexicans is to involve the friends of a
century in war 2 A single citizen Of the United
States, a subject of France is worth more, as
you say in your country, than "acow-pen full"
of MeXicans.
Should France be forced into the struggle,
AGAINST the decided manifestations made by the
Emperor of desire to avoid it, the probabili-
ties are very great of its being a united Europe
against the United States. The French troops
cannot leave Mexico under the threats of the
Government mt Washington. Such a course
would be fatal to the dynasty of she Emperor.
1t is very true that there is no man living who
acts more out of accord with what is expected
of him than the ruler of France and the man
who, in the moment of victory, could halt his
conquering legionS on the plains of Lombardy,
with the declaration that the means employed
in the solution of the questions involved had
assumed proportions of too great magnitude for
the interests at stake, may very well retire
from Mexico sooner than fight the United
States, because " the game may not be worth
the CANDLE" But his action in the Italian
matter was taken when he was in the full tide
of success. His withdrawal of his troops from
Mexico will, after what has tranSpired now, be
considered not only as influenced by the
threats, but by the acts of the government and
people of the United States. Europeans, with
their rigid army discipline and perfect organi-
cation, cannot understand the happening of
such an event us the attack Oh Bagdad, except
with the appreciation of those in authority and
such a belief as this is ~arousing the ire of the
French nation, and awakening a deep sympathy
with them on the part of Englishmen.
In the French Senate, yesterday, the draft
of the address in reply to the Empcror's speech
was presented. The paragraph relating to
Mexico reads as follows:
"Your Majesty informs us that the memorable
expedition to Mexico approaches its termination
This is announced to satisfy France that the protec-
ton of her commercial interest is assured in Il vast
and wealthy market now restored To security. As
regards the United States, il, from miScOnceptlOn,
the presence of the French flag in America appeared
to them less OppOrtune than at Il previous and most
illustrious period of their history, the firm tone oil
the communication made by your MaJesly'S Tow
eminent has demonstrated that naughty aud men
acing language will not decide us To wlthdraW.-
France is accustomed to move only at her own time,
but she nevertheless wishes to remember the ancient
friendship between herself and The United States
What your Majesty asked of the United States Is
neutrality and observance of international law"
Lengthy details are published of a great en-
tertainment given to General Clay, the Ameri-
can Minister at Russia, while travelling in the
interior, by the Corporation Of Merchants of
Moscow. General Clay and his Secretary Of
Legation, Mr.. Curtin, were received with the
greatest enthusiasm. The toaSts at the ban
ouet to the Emperor of Russia. the President
of the United States, and the guests of the
evening, evoked protracted cheering. The
speeches on both sides were most i%raternal,
and ardent wishes were interchanged for con-
tinued friendly relations and increased COM
merce between the two nations.
The London Times deyotes an editorial to
the above demonstration, and says that strange
As the sympathy in feeling between two Gov
ernmcnts so opposite may appear, there is
nothing parauONlcal Ill II. Each uoNcTllhcHl,
in it own way, entertains certain aspirations,
so like those of the other, that they are con-
tent to sink all minor differences in the iden-
tity of overruling views. Their aspirations, the
Times says, are destiny, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and
protection.
The London Times publishes a translation of
A letter from the late Admiral Parcia, written
lust before his suicide, to 4 friend in Europe.
II shows he was overwhelmed with the idea of
having inflicted the calamity of war on two
friendly nations. He says "This letter will
convey to you the new of my death. The err
rors of Judgment, and not Of will, with which
| have unfortunately misguided the Govern
ment of my Queen, cannot have any other cx-
p%iation. l have been unjust and prejudiced
against Tayera. Request him to pardon me.
He did know the Republic better than anybody
else, and his advice and proceedings were ever
safe and sound. 1t is the interest Of our coun-
try to embrace the first moment to make peace
with Chilli"
Texas-PrOceedings of State Convention.
AUSTIN, TEXAS, February l5.-The Convention is