Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-08
GREAT BRITAIN.
Opening of Parliament Til,
Queens Speech.

LONDON, February 5.-The following
is the speech made by the Queen at the
reopening of the Imperial Parliamen,
to-day:
My LoRDs-Again recurring to your
advice and assistance, | am happy to
inform you that my relations with foreign
powers are on a friendly and satisfactory
footing l hope that the war in which
Prussia, Austria and Italy have been en-
gagged, may lead to the establishment OF
durable peace in Europe.
| have suggested to the Government
of the United States a mode by which
the questions pending between the two
countries. arising out of the civil war,
may receive an amicable solution, and
which met, as | trust will be, in cores
ponding spirit, will remove all grounds
of possible misunderstanding, and pro-
mote relations of cordial friendship.
The war between Spain and the repub-
lies of Chill and Peru still continues
The good officers of my government, in
conjunction with that of the Emperor of
the French, having failed to effect a
reconciliation, either by agreement with
the parties themselves or by the media
ton of other friendly powers, peace
should be restored, the objects which |
have had in view will be equally attained.
The discomfort prevailing in some of
the provinces of the Turkish empire has
broken out in actual insurrection in
Crete. In common with my allies, the
Emperor of the French and the Emperor
of Russia, | have abstained from any
active interference in these internal dis
turbances, but joint efforts have been di-
rected to bringing about improved rela-
tions between the Porte and its Christian
subjects, not inconsistent with the SOW
ereign rights of the Sultan.
The protracted negotiations which
arose out of the acceptance by Prince
Charles of Hohensohlen of the Govern
orship of the Danubian Principalities,
have been happily terminated by an
arrangement which has been sanctioned
by the concurrence of all the powers
who signed the treaties of 1856.
Resolutions in favor of a more init
mate union of the provinces Of Canada,
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, have
been passed by their several Legsla-
lures, and delegates duly authorized, rep
resenting all classes of colonial party,
and opinions have concurred in condi-
tions upon which such an union may be
best effected In accordance with their
wishes, a bill will be submitted to
you, which, by the consolidation of
colonial interests and resources, will
give strength to the Sovereign Provinces
as members of the same Empire, and
animated by feelings of loyalty to the
same Sovereign.
have heard with deep sorrow that the
calamity of famine pressed heavily on
my subjects in some parts of India. In
structions were issued to my government
in that country to make the utmost ex-
ertions to mitigate the distress which
prevailed during the autumn of last year.
The blessing of an abundant harvest has
since that time improved the condition
of the suffering districts
The persevering efforts and unscrupu-
lous assertion of reasonable conspirators
during the last autumn, have excited the
hopes of some disafected persons in
Ireland, and the apprehensions of the
loyal population; but the firm and tenn
perate exercise of the power entrusted to
the Executive, and the hostility mani
tested against the conspiracy by men OF
all classes and ereeds, have greatly
tended to restore public confidence and
have rendered hopeless any attempt to
disturb the general tranquility. | trust
that Won will consequently be enabled to
dispense with the continuance. of any
exceptional legislation of that part Of my
dominiOns.
acknowledge with deep thankfulness
to Almighty God the great decrease
which has taken plale in the cholera and
in the pest which has attacked our cattle.
But the continued prevalence of the lat
ter in some foreign countries, and its oc-
easional temperance in this, will render
necessary some especial measures OF pre-.
caution, and trust that the visitation OF
the former, will lead to increased atten-
ton TO those sanitary means and meas
ures which experience has shown 10 be
the best preventative Estimating OF the
highest Importance an adequate supply
of pure and wholesome wator, / have
directed the issue of a commission to
inquire into the best means Of perma- !
nently securing such a supply for the
metropolis, and for the principal towns
Of the densely populated districts Of the
kingdom.
Gentlemen Of the House Of Commons;
have directed the estimates Tor the
ensuing year to be laid before you They
have been prepared with, a due regard to
economy and the requirements Of the
public service You will, ! am sure,
give your ready assent 10 a moderate eX-