The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-07
THE QUEENS SPEECH.

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Thanks 70 God for the Recovery Of the Priuce |
Of WaIes and Iuvitatiou to tho General
Neutrality-suspicious. md Promises Of Re-
forus-The Position tho Alabama Claiaas-
Ireland,s situation and Prospects.
The following special despatch to the
HERALD has been received from our corre-
spondent in the capital of Great Britain: =
LONDON, Feb. 6, 1879.
There was no Parliamentary pageant in the
streets or within doors in the House of Lords
on the occasion of the opening of the session
to-day, the royal speech having been read by
commission in the absence of Her Majesty the
Queen. The attendance of members was
unusually full, while the customary crowd Of
spectators, male aud female, was to be seen
in the galleries and upon the floor Of the
House of Lords.
The announcement that Her Majesty, the
Queen, would not be present in person, but
would be represented by Lords Commission
ers, chilled the loyal ardor of English men
and women, who otherwise would have
thronged all the avenues leading to the
Parliament House in order to obtain sight
of royalty when going to pay homage to
the sovereignty of the people.
The House Of Commons had hardly been
called to order, shortly after noon, when the
Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod appeared,
summoning the members Of the popular body
to the bar of the House of Lords. Hither they
FASTENED in their own tumultuous fashion, so
indecorous in the sight of strangers. They
quieted at the bar of the PEERS and listened
with some degree of order to the royal
speech, which was read by Lord Chancellor
Hatherly.
The following is verbatim report Of
THE QUEENS sPKEoH:-
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN
avail myself OF the opportunity Afforded by your
reassembling for the discharge OF your momentous
duties to renew the expression OF my thankfulness
to the Almighty for the deiverance OF my son from
most imminent danger, and my Lively recollection
OF the profound universal sympathy shown by my
loyal people during that period Of anxiety and trial.
purpose that Tuesday, the 9th inst, conform
ably to the good and becoming usages OF former
DAYS, that the blessing thus received shall be
acknowledged on behalf of the nation in thanks.
70 Notn A. no
bration 1t Is my desire ana hope to be present.
Direction has been given to provide the necessary
accommodations for the members OF Parliament
THE FOREIGN RELATIONS FRIENDLY.
The assurance of friendship that receive from
foreign Powers continue al respects satisfactory,
and l need hardly assure you that my endeav0rs
will at all times be steadily directed toward the
maintenance OF these friendly relations.
AGAINST THE SLAVE TRADE AND FOR HUMAN FREE
The slave trade and practices scarcely to be dis.
tingushed from slave trading are still pursued In
more than one quarter OF the world. and continue
to attract the attention OF my government.
In the South Sea Islands the name OF the British
empire Is even dishonored by the connection OF
some of my subjects with these nefarious practces
and in one OF them the murder OF an exemplary pre-
late fresh light upon some OF the baneu conse.
| auences bill will be presented you for facllitat-
| tralla.
| Endeavors will be made to increase in other
forms the means for the counteracrion OF the evn
THE COMMERCIAL CONVENTION WITH FRANCE.
Various communications have passed between
my government and that OF France on the subject
| OF the commercial treaty concluded In $780, From
the divergence OF the views respectively entertained
IN relation to the value OF protective laws this cor
respondence has not brought about any agreement
nDsr.,
however, have uniformly declared their earnest
desire that nothing shall occur to impair the cor
duality which has so long prevailed between the
nations.
The papers relating to these subjects Will be laid
before you.
TIE ALABAMA CLAIMS
The arbitrators appointed pursuant TO the Treaty
OF washington for the purpose OF amicably setting
the Alabama claims held their first meeting IN
Genoa. Cases were LAID before the arbitrators on
behalf OF each party to the treaty. In The 80
submitted by the United States large claims are In.
cluded which are understood on my part not to be
within the province OF the arbitrators.
On this subject have caused friendly commu-
uicaton to be made to the OF the United
| states.
THE SAN JUAN BOUNDARY QUESTION.
| The Emperor Of Germany has undertaken to
arbitrate on the San Juan water boundary. and the
cases OF the two governments have been presented
| to His Imperial Majesty. The Commission to sit at
washington has been appointed, ana Is IN session.
the provisions Of the treaty which require the
sent Of the Parliament Of the Dominion Of Canada
/ await its assembling.
THE SITUATION IN IRELAND.
Turning TO domestic affairs am glad to apprise
you that with very few exceptions In Ireland the
| kingdom has been free from serious crime. Trade
in that part OF the kingdom has been active and the
advance in agricultural industry remarkable.
TIE SOCIAL CONDITION IN BRITAIN.
Fam also able to congratulate you, solar as pres
snt expsr,snes allows ludemsnt 70 be passed. upou