Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-07

universal sympathy shown by my royal peo-
pie during that period of anxiety and trial I
purpose that on Tuesday, the 9th inst, con-
formable to the good and becoming usages of
former days, that the blessing thus received
shall be acknowledged on behalf of the ma
ton, by Thanksgiving in the Metropolitan
Cathedral. At this celebration it is my de-
sire and hope to be present. Direction has
been given to provide the necessary accommo-
dations for the members of Parliament.
The assurances of friendship that | receive
from foreign powers continue in all respects
| satisfactory, and l need hardly assure YOU
that my endeavors will at all times be stead
NY directed towards the maintenance of these
friendly relations. The slave trade, and
practices scarcely to be distinguished from
slave trade, are still pursued in more than
one quarter of the world, and continue to at
tract the attention of the government in the
South Sea Islands. The name of British
Empire is even now dishonored by the con-
nection of some of my subjects with these
nefarious subjects, and in one of them the
murder of an exemplary prelate has cast a
fresh light upon some of the baneful conse-
quences. bill will be presented to you for
facilitating the trial of offences of this class
in Australia, and endeavors will be made to
increase in other forms the means for the
counteraction of the evil. Various commun.
ications have passed between my government
and that of France the subject of the
commercial treaty concluded in 1860, from
the divergence i'll the views respectively en-
tertained in relation to the value of protec-
ton laws. This correspondence has not
brought about any agreement to modify that
important convention. Both sides, however,
have uniformly declared their earnest desire
that nothing shall occur to impair the cor
dality which has so long prevailed between
the nations. The papers relating to these
subjects will be laid before you. The arbi-
traitors appointed pursuant to the Treaty of
Washington. for the purpose of amicably
settling the Alabama claims, held their first
meeting In Geneva. Cases were laid before
the arhltrators on behalf of each part of the
treaty. In the cases subjected by the United
States large claims are included, which are
understood on my part not to be within the
province of the arbitrators On this subject
have caused friendly communication to
be made to the government of the United
States. The Emperor of Germany has I'M
dertaken to arbitrate on the San Juan water
bot rdary, and the cases of the two govern
ments have been presented to His Imperial
Majesty. The commission to sit at Wash
lngton has been appointed and is in session.
The provisions of the treaty which require
the consent of the Parliament of the Dominion
Turning to domestic affairs, | am glad to
apprise you that it'll very few exceptions,
| ireland has been free from serious crimes
Trade in that part of the kingdom has been
| active, and the advance in agricultural indus
try remarkable. | am also able to congratu-
late you, SO far as present experience allows
judgement to be passed upon the perceptable
diminutlon in the number of both graver
crimes and hablual criminals in Great
| Britain.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons -
The principal estimates for the coming year
have been prepared and they will at once be
laid before you. l trust that you will find
them suitable to the circumstances of the
country. The state of the revenue affords
favorable indications of the demand for en-
ployment and of the general condition of the
people, indications which are corroborated
by decline of pauperism not inconsiderable.
My Lords and Gentlemen Your attention
Is invited to several measures of acknowledge
ed national interest. Among these are bills
for the improvement of public education in
Scotland, for the regulation of the mines, for
the amendment of the licensing system, and
for fixing the relations of the supreme courts
of justice and appeal IN particular. A bill
having for its main object the establishment
of secret voting, together with measure re-
lating to the corrupt practices at Parliament
tary elections, will be Immediately presented.
| Several measures of administrative improve
ment in Ireland will be laid before you, like
wise legislative provisions founded on the
report Of the sanitary commission. You my
Lords and gentlemen, WILL | am confident
again apply your well knowa assiduity to the
work of legislation, which from the increas-
ing exigencies of modern society, still seems
to grow upon your hands, and shall con-
tinue to rely under Providence, alike on the
loyalty of my people and your energy and
wisdom, to sustain the constant efforts of the
Crown, to discharge the duties, uphold the
rights and defend the honor of the Empire