Year: 1871

mons were summoned to the House of Lords,
where they listened to the Queens speech ;


but six peers were in attendance and only a
few ladies present.


The speech was read by the Lord Chan
cellor, as one of the members of the royal
commission. The following is a verbatim
copy:


My Lords and Gentlemen-The time has
now arrived when am enabled orelease you
from your attendance in parliament, and to
commend your unwearied labors for the
public good. | acknowledge, with satisfac-
tion, the loyal readiness with which you
have made provisions for my beloved child
rem, the Princess Louise and Prince Arthur.


The great events and important changes,
which have recently occurred on the CONT
nent of Europe, will not compromise the
friendly relations existing between the
crown of the United Kingdom and foreign
powers. Whatever part may take in those
international questions, which from time to
time may arise. will continue to be taken
with no other view than the maintenance
OF general concord and public rights.


The conference, which was sitting in
London at the commencement of the
session. was Joined during its deliberations


by the French plenipotentiary, and it con-
sldered and agreed upon the revision of
those stipulations of the treaty of 1856,
which concerned the Black Sea and Bos-
phorus. trust the unanimous decision
left the powers, which has been recorded in
the new treaty. may. assist in securing the
tranquility and welfare of the East


With special satisfaction | refer on the
present occasion to our relations with the
United States, by the treaty of Washington
The modes of settlement have been fixed for
several questions which have long remained
in dispute, my communication with the
American government not being without
the promised advantage to other countries


The President has concurred with me in
the application of that principle of amicable
reference which is proclaimed by the
treaty of Paris, which | rejoice te
have the opportunity of recommending by
example; and we have also agreed on the
adoption of certain rules for guiding the
maritime conduct of neutrals, which may, l
trust, ere long, obtain general recognition,
and form valuable addition to the code of
international law.


place full reliance upon the disposition
of the Americans to carry forward with cor
diality, and see that the subsidiary arrange
ments which have been determined on for
the EXECUTION of the treaty shall be faith
fully carried out.


shall apprize the Parliament of CaRada
that the provisions which require its consent
are, in my view, highly conducive to the in
terests of the dominion. On these pro-





independent and final judgment.


The government of France has signifed a
desire TO alter some of the provisions of the
commercial treaty of 1860, which are now
terminable upon a notice of twelve months
by either of the contracting States. am
anxious to meet the wishes of friendly
power, and to give scope for any measures
calculated to meet the fiscal exigencies but
should witness with concern any change
of fn Stpiat oIaI into
course between the two countries, which
has done so much for their closer union.


Gentlemen of the House of Commons: |
thank you for the liberal supplies which,
under the circumstances of the year, /
directed my government to ask from you;
and for the sum of money you have voted
in order to meet the charge and compensa-
tions required by the abolition of the system
of purchase in the army.


Ny Lords and Gentlemen, observe, with
concern, that you have not been able to
bring to definite issue the treatment of
some of the subjects which / recommended
to you in my speech from the throne at the
opening of the session; but several impor-
tant laws have been added to the statute
book.


By the army regulation bill you have
made liberal provision for those officers
who, on retirement, will no longer be per-
mitted to sell their commissions to their
successors, and by transferring to the ex-
ecutive government the powers in respect
to the auxiliary forces, which hitherto have
been vested in the lord heutenants of coun-
tries. you have laid the foundation for
measures calculated to effect closer union
among the various land forces of the
kingdom.


The act by which, after full examination
1f the facts, you conferred extraordinary
powers on the Viceroy of Ireland for the
repression of the agrarian outrages in West-
meath, has thus far answered its purpose.
There is every likelihood that for long
lime to come the great and varied interest
Of the united kingdoms of the empire at
arge, together with the extending demand
,f modern society, may prevent any tighten
ing of the honorable legislation.


The condition of the revenue, the revived
activity in trade, and the prospects of the
harvest, are subjects for congratulation.
trust these, and all the other bounties of
will ever meet with fitting ac-
on the part of a grateful
people.


At the conclusion of the Queens speech.
he Lord Chancellor declared the adjourn
nent of the session of Parliament until No
'ember T. and the members soon after de-