The most noticeable feature of the discourse, when taken in connexion
with the King’s answer to the invitation of the Emperor Napoleon III to
a European congress, is an evident leaning toward a French alliance,
which, however, is subject to those transitions that seem to be a part
of all sudden affections which have no higher impulse than capricious
change.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c.,
&c.
[Untitled]
Worthy Peers of the realm and Messieurs Deputies of
the Portuguese Nation:
In the constitutional existence of nations there is not a more solemn
meeting than that of their legitimate representatives, when the
fundamental code calls them to the exercise of those high duties
committed to their care by public confidence and the law of the
state. In commending thus the legislative task of the session about
to be opened, I affectionately salute the representatives of the
nation, and cordially associate my wishes to the developments of
their serious duties.
During the six months which have elapsed since the closing of the
previous session it hath pleased Divine Providence to fill up the
measure of my domestic happiness, and at the same time to offer to
my country and its institutions a hope and an assurance of
stability. The rejoicings which the birth of the prince royal, Don
Carlos, occasioned in my household and in the country, in my
[Page 285]
family as a man, and in my
family as a king, were much enhanced by the agreeable surprise and
unexpected visit of the august Empress of the French, as well as by
the presence of the most serene princes of the royal house of Italy,
their highnesses the Prince de Carignan and the Duke de Aosta.
During my recent visit to a part of the northern provinces the
expressive and enduring proofs of love manifested everywhere by the
people towards me and my much loved spouse, whilst overflowing my
soul with the purest satisfaction, made me feel that it is my duty
to reciprocate such loyal sentiments by constant care and
solicitude. To this end I pray to God, and for this I hope that the
supreme wisdom will inspire me, and the supreme strength will uphold
me, within the sphere of my duties as constitutional king.
I continue to receive from the sovereigns, my allies, evident proofs
of a good understanding and friendship, thus drawing closer together
the relations between Portugal and the respective powers.
From his Majesty the Emperor of the French an invitation was sent, to
the effect that Portugal take a part in a European congress destined
to prevent war— a new and most noble principle, which, whatever may
now be the result, unquestionably inaugurates a marked progress in
international policy.
It being my duty to reply to the gracious and flattering letter of
the Emperor, and having previously consulted the council of state in
scrupulous observance of the constitution, I accepted, without
hesitation, under the conviction that if the right of power belongs
to all predominating nations, the force of right and law alone
belongs to all nations which possess a lesser predominating
power.
The necessary works for following up the railway lines undertaken in
the north and south have been carried on with activity and
perseverance, and the conclusion thereof will be effected very
soon.
In order to realize these works, to carry on the ordinary roads, to
increase naval constructions, to accelerate other works of undoubted
public utility, to comply, in fine, with so many although so very
useful undertakings, a loan of £2,500,000 sterling, nominal, was
raised in the London market under more advantageous conditions than
any other previous operation of a like nature, and these conditions,
together with the ready concurrence of capital thereto, fully show
the marked improvement in public credit.
The general accounts of the state have been organized and regulated,
an essential step towards effecting the auditing of the financial
operations of the government, and this will, no doubt, tend to
consolidate public credit.
All the legislation relating to the sale of national property,
remission, and sales of land, rent, and capitalization, has been
collected into a code.
The organizing of the army has been decreed, as well as the military
administration, and all schools dependent on the war department.
On the 30th December last the works for the fortifications of Lisbon
were inaugurated at the hill of Monsanto.
The criminal registry has been organized in all the colonies; the
parochial registry was established, and in Angola a reform was
introduced in the administration of the property of deceased and
absentees.
The committee named to revise the project of a general regulation of
the law of mortgage continues its task in an assiduous manner, and
to complete its important investigations and studies much time and
attention will necessarily be required.
My government will present to you the budget of receipts and
expenditure of the state, including all innovations suggested by
experience, and with a division of the income and expenses into
ordinary and extraordinary, thus allowing a more clear and better
appreciation of the same, without introducing any indefinite
authority or power to raise funds and submitting to parliamentary
vote the fixing of the receipts and expenses of all kinds. By this
budget you
[Page 286]
will observe
that, notwithstanding the diminution of 10 per cent. in the
deduction on the pay of public employés, the ordinary income fully
covers the ordinary expenses, thus attesting a marked improvement in
the financial conditions of the country.
The budget for the colonial provinces, made up as much as possible
under the same system and principles, will be ready in a short time,
it now only awaiting the work of the local juntas, which has been
delayed by the great distances from the kingdom.
Besides the several important subjects which remained pending since
the last session, especially such as refer to public instruction,
administration, and police, all which will no doubt receive the
benefit of your enlightened zeal and cooperation, the ministers of
the respective departments will submit to you, among other measures,
the proposals for the abolition and substitution of the pain of
death, and the corresponding modification in the penal code; the
reform in the commercial code with regard to the form of process;
for the abolition of the tobacco monopoly, establishing a free
manufacture and sale in the kingdom and its culture in the Azores
and Madeira islands; for improvement in sanitary laws; for a reform
in sundry branches of public instruction; for the reorganization of
public charities’; for the remodelling of the consulates of the
empire of Brazil; for a reform in the law of mines; for a reduction
of the tariff of telegraphs; for a reform in the police service of
the ports and on the coasts; for modifying the naval recruiting; for
the approval of a national colonial bank; to regulate the pensioning
of colonial employés; to improve the condition of the same whilst in
actual service; for sundry reforms concerning the better application
of public instruction in those provissions; for the attorney
generalship at Macao, and sundry other special measures in the
colonial provinces.
The government will likewise render you an account of the use made of
the several authorizations confided to it, and will submit, for your
approval, the decrees relating to the colonies, which were published
in virtue of the additional act of the charter.
I trust that with the Divine help you will accord all your care and
patriotic attention to the public requirements, and to the
examination of the grave questions of economy and administration
which require to be enlightened and decided upon, for the honor of
the nation, for the credit of our institutions, for the improvement
and aggrandizement of our country, and for the glory and prosperity
of this nation so worthy of all solicitude.
The session is hereby opened.
