Parliament was opened yesterday in form by the Queen, and her speech was
read, a copy of which is herewith transmitted. I also have the honor to
send a copy of the London Times, containing a report of the speeches
made in both houses on the address.
The most interesting topic to us is of course that of the relations
between the two countries. On this point the remarks of Lord Russell and
of the first minister of the Crown are the most material. It is plain
that the former acquiesces in having that done through another which he
had managed to preclude any possibility of his doing with any grace
himself. Hence it may be assumed that there is now only one opinion in
Great Britain as to the propriety of bringing the whole matter to some
peaceful issue. I heartily congratulate you upon this result.
Hon. William. H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[Untitled]
Her Majesty’s most gracious speech to both
houses of Parliament on Tuesday,
February 5,
1867.
My Lords and Gentlemen: In again recurring
to your advice and assistance, I am happy to inform you that my
relations with foreign powers are on a friendly and satisfactory
footing.
I hope that the termination of the war in which Prussia, Austria, and
Italy have been engaged may lead to the establishment of a durable
peace in Europe.
I have suggested to the government of the United States a mode by
which questions pending between the two countries, arising out of
the late civil war, may receive amicable solution, and which, if
met, as I trust it will be, in a corresponding spirit, will remove
all grounds of possible misunderstanding and promote relations of
cordial friendship.
The war between Spain and the republics of Chili and Peru still
continues, the good offices of my government, in conjunction with
that of the Emperor of the French, having failed to effect a
reconciliation. If, either by agreement between the parties
themselves or by the mediation of any other friendly power, peace
shall be restored, the object which I have had in view will equally
be attained.
Discontent prevailing in some 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, I have
abstained from any interference in these internal disturbances, but
our joint efforts have been directed to bringing about improved
relations between the Porte and its Christian subjects not
inconsistent with the sovereign rights of the Sultan.
The protracted negotiations which arose out of the acceptance by
Prince Charles of Hohenzollern of the government of the Danubian
principalities have been happily terminated by an arrangement to
which the Porte has given its ready adhesion, and which has been
sanctioned by the concurrence of all the powers, signataries of the
treaty of 1856.
Resolutions in favor of a more intimate union of the provinces of
Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick have been passed by their
several legislatures, and delegates duly authorized and representing
all classes of colonial party and opinion have concurred in the
conditions 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 several provinces as members of the same empire and
animated by feelings of loyalty to the same sovereign.
I have heard with deep sorrow that the calamity of famine has pressed
heavily on my subjects in some parts of India. Instructions were
issued to my government in that country to make the utmost exertions
to mitigate the distress which prevailed during the autumn of last
year. The blessing of an abundant harvest has since that time
materially improved the condition of the suffering districts.
The pressing efforts and unscrupulous assertions of treasonable
conspirators abroad have during the last autumn excited the hopes of
some disaffected persons in Ireland, and the apprehensions of the
loyal population; but the firm yet temperate exercise of the powers
intrusted to the executive, and the hostility manifested against the
conspiracy by men of all classes and creeds, have greatly tended to
restore public confidence, and have rendered hopeless any attempt to
disturb the general tranquillity; I trust that you may consequently
be enabled to dispense with the continuance of any exceptional
legislation for that part of my dominions.
I acknowledge, with deep thankfulness to Almighty God, the great
decrease that has taken place in the cholera and in the pestilence
which has attacked our cattle; but the continued prevalence of the
latter in some foreign countries, and its occasional reappearance in
this, will still render necessary some special measures of
precaution, and I trust that the visitation of the former will lead
to increased attention to those sanitary measures which experience
has shown to be the best preventive.
Estimating as of the highest importance an adequate supply of pure
and wholesome water, I have directed the issue of a commission to
inquire into the best means of permanently securing such a supply
for the metropolis, and for the principal towns in densely peopled
districts of the kingdom.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I have directed the estimates for
the ensuing year to be laid before you. They have been prepared with
a due regard to economy and to the requirements of the public
service.
You will, I am assured, give your ready assent to a moderate
expenditure calculated to improve the condition of my soldiers, and
to lay the foundation of an efficient army of reserve.
My lords and gentlemen, your attention will again be called to the
state of the representation of the people in Parliament; and I trust
that your deliberations, conducted in a spirit of moderation and
mutual forbearance, may lead to the adoption of measures which, with
out unduly disturbing the balance of political power, shall freely
extend the elective franchise.
The frequent occurrence of disagreements between employers of labor
and their workmen, causing much private suffering and public loss,
and occasionally leading as is alleged to acts
[Page 62]
of outrage and violence, has induced me
to issue a commission to inquire into and report upon the
organization of trades unions and other associations, whether of
workmen or employers, with power to suggest any improvement of the
law for their mutual benefit. Application will be made to you for
parliamentary powers, which will be necessary to make this inquiry
effective.
I have directed bills to be laid before you for the extension of the
beneficial provisions of the factory acts to other trades specially
reported on by the royal commission on the employment of children,
and for the better regulation, according to the principle of those
acts, of workshops where women and children are largely
employed.
The condition of the mercantile marine has attracted my serious
attention. Complaints are made that the supply of seamen is
deficient, and that the provisions for their health and discipline
on board ship are imperfect. Measures will be submitted to you with
a view to increase the efficiency of this important service.
I have observed with satisfaction the relaxations recently introduced
into the navigation laws of France. I have expressed to the Emperor
of the French my readiness to submit to Parliament a proposal for
the extinction, on equitable terms, of the exemptions from local
charges on shipping which are still enjoyed by a limited number of
individuals in British ports; and his imperial Majesty has, in
anticipation of this step, already admitted British ships to the
advantage of the new law. A bill upon this subject will forthwith be
laid before you.
A bill will also be submitted to you for making better provision for
the arrangement of the affairs of railway companies which are unable
to meet their engagements.
Measures will be submitted to you for improving the management of
sick and other poor in the metropolis, and for a redistribution of
some of the charges for relief therein.
Your attention will also be called to the amendment of the law of
bankruptcy, to the consolidation of the courts of probate and
divorce and admiralty, and to the means of disposing with greater
despatch and frequency of the increasing business in the superior
courts of common law and at the assizes.
The relations between landlord and tenant in Ireland have engaged my
anxious attention, and a bill will be laid before you, which,
without interfering with the rights of property, will offer direct
encouragement to occupiers of land to improve their holdings and
provide a simple mode of obtaining compensation for permanent
improvements. I commend to your careful consideration these and
other measures which will be brought before you, and I pray that
your labors may, under the blessing of Providence, conduce to the
prosperity of the country and the happiness of my people.