I avail myself of this opportunity to renew the assurance of my high
consideration.
Hon. William H. Seward, &c., &c., &c.
[Untitled]
His Majesty’s
speech at the opening of the legislature, April 25, 1866.
Nobles and Representatives: I am happy to
meet you in this hall, where you have gathered together to consult
upon the happiness and welfare of our common country.
Relying upon your wisdom and patriotism, I trust that the results of
your deliberations will be such as to justify the confidence reposed
in you by the people as well as by myself.
Since the meeting of the last legislature the country has experienced
a sad loss in the death of my late minister of foreign affairs, R.
C. Wyllie. That faithful and devoted friend of my people and of my
dynasty has passed away, but not before it had been given to him to
behold that increasing prosperity which is the natural result of
good government.
My relations with foreign powers are on the most satisfactory
footing, and I have continued to receive from them the most
indubitable proofs of their friendship and amity.
My minister of foreign affairs will explain to you the reasons that
have induced me to discontinue the negotiation of a general
political treaty with the great maritime nations of the world. The
assurances so far received from them satisfy me that my throne and
our independence may safely rest, as they do, upon our moral rights
and the sacred obligations of our treaties.
The finances are in a most prosperous condition. A large surplus
exists in the treasury, and our income exhibits a most gratifying
increase. The report of my minister of finance will inform you of
the estimated receipts for the next biennial period, and of the
expenditures contemplated. The sums required for the internal
improvements of my kingdom are in excess of those that have been
appropriated for the preceding years; still I do not consider them
as beyond our means. A plan will be submitted that will enable my
government to achieve them, by applying the revenue accruing from
some of them to the payment of the capital and interest
disbursed.
I recommend to your earnest attention the improvements proposed for
roads, as well as for harbors and landings. An increasing commerce
requires increased facilities.
My minister of the interior will inform you of the steps taken to
arrest the spread of leprosy. The energetic measures adopted by the
board of health have been attended with good results, and I am
satisfied that the important duties of this bureau have been
discharged with efficacy and promptness.
The board of immigration have no less actively carried out the
objects intrusted to their care. The immediate wants of our planters
and farmers have been relieved, at a less cost than was anticipated.
I have every reason to expect the most favorable results from the
past and continued efforts of this board.
The fairness and impartiality with which justice has been
administered continue to give to my subjects, as well as to
foreigners resident, and visiting in my kingdom, all guarantees for
the safety of life and property.
The report of the president of the board of education will inform you
of the measures adopted during the last year, and of those they
contemplate. The results have been gratifying, and I congratulate
the country upon the improved state of our means of education.
Nobles and representatives: With heartfelt thanks to the Almighty
Ruler of the universe for his many blessings upon my people and
myself, I now intrust to your deliberate consideration the measures
to be laid before you by my government. The remarkable progress of
the last years, and your well-known zeal for the public interests,
fill me with the hope that our career of prosperity will, through
our joint efforts, continue uninterrupted.
And I do now declare the legislature of the kingdom opened.
