I inclose a copy of the Queen’s speech. It contains nothing of very
particular interest. The session has been productive of no great legislative
results. * * * * * * *
The only clause in the speech having reference to American affairs is that
relating to the negotiations for a reciprocity treaty between the United
States and Canada, which are stated to have been temporarily suspended by
the adjournment of our Senate. You will remark how, in connection with this
subject, the imperial government is withdrawn wholly into the background,
and these negotiations are represented as having been “commenced at the
desire and in the interest of the Dominion.”
You will observe that nothing is said about the three rules in the treaty of
Washington, although there is a paragraph in relation to the international
conference at Brussels.
Your attention will be attracted by the distinct intimation that Great
Britain is to maintain “a rigid abstinence from interference in the internal
affairs” of Spain.
[Inclosure.]
Her Majesty’s speech.
My Lords and Gentlemen: The time has arrived
when I am enabled to release you from your attendance in Parliament.
In so doing, my first wish is to thank you for the readiness with which
you have made provision for my son Prince Leopold on his attaining his
majority.
My relations with all foreign powers continue to be friendly, and the
influence arising from those cordial relations will be employed, as
heretofore, in maintaining the
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obligations imposed by treaties, and in promoting and consolidating the
peace of Europe.
The Emperor of Russia having made proposals for a conference to be held
at Brussels, the object of which is to lessen, by judicious regulations,
the severities of war, I have, in common with other powers, authorized a
delegate to attend that conference; but, before doing so, I have thought
it right to obtain assurances from all the powers thus represented that
no proposal shall be brought forward calculated either to alter the
recognized rules of international law, or to place restrictions on the
conduct of naval operations. The recommendations which may issue from
the conference will have my careful consideration, but I have reserved
to myself full freedom of action in regard to their acceptance or
rejection.
Negotiations have been undertaken for the renewal of the reciprocity
treaty formerly in force between the Dominion of Canada and the United
States of America. These negotiations, commenced at the desire and in
the interest of the Dominion, have been temporarily suspended by the
adjournment of the American Senate. They will be revived at an early
date, and it is my hope that they may lead to an increase of commercial
intercourse between my colonial subjects and the citizens of the United
States.
I deeply lament the continuance in Spain of disturbances which form a
single exception to the general tranquillity of Europe; but, while
earnestly desiring the restoration of peace and civil order in that
country, I believe that this result will be most surely brought about by
a rigid abstinence from interference in the internal affairs of an
independent and friendly state.
The treaty recently concluded with the Sultan of Zanzibar, having for its
object the suppression of East African slave-trade, has been faithfully
observed, and has already done much to put an end to that traffic as
carried on by sea. The exertions of my naval and consular servants, in
that part of the world, will not be relaxed until complete success has
been obtained.
I am thankful to say that the famine in India has, as yet, been attended
with little mortality, a result mainly attributable, under Providence,
to the precautions taken by my Indian government. The strenuous
exertions of my Viceroy, and of the officers serving under him, merit my
high approbation.
Since the close of hostilities on the Gold Coast, steady progress has
been made in the task of pacifying the country and of organizing its
administration. Treaties of peace have been concluded with important
tribes, and the King of Ashantee has persevered in the discharge of his
obligations to this country.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I
acknowledge the liberality with which you have provided for the charges
of the state.
My Lords and Gentlemen, I have seen with
pleasure the considerable reductions which you have been able to make in
taxation. The total abolition of the sugar duties will not only confer a
benefit on the consumers of an article in universal demand, but will
also prove of much commercial advantage to the nation. The removal of
the duty on horses is another measure well calculated to encourage the
trade and industry of the country. Concurrently with these remissions,
and with a further reduction of the income tax to a rate which is little
more than nominal, you have been enabled to make important grants from
the general revenue toward services which, though of imperial concern,
have hitherto been defrayed, either exclusively or in an undue
proportion, out of local rates. I trust that these measures, when their
full effect shall have been felt, will conduce to the general prosperity
of the country, and will impart increased elasticity to the revenue.
Although your session has been unavoidably curtailed of a third of its
usual duration, I observe with satisfaction that you have been able to
carry measures of general interest and importance.
I have cordially given my assent to the act “for improving the health of
women, young persons, and children employed in manufactures.” By this
measure I anticipate that not only will the health and education of the
classes affected by it be promoted, but that the relations between the
employers and employed in those important branches of industry will be
maintained on a footing of enduring harmony and mutual good-will.
I have readily sanctioned the act for the reform of the system of
patronage in the church of Scotland. I trust that the removal of this
ancient cause of controversy may both strengthen the church and conduce
to the religious welfare of a large number of my subjects.
The act for the better regulation of public worship in the church of
England will, I hope, tend to prevent or allay the unhappy controversies
which sometimes arise from the difficulty experienced in obtaining an
early decision on doubtful points of law and a definitive interpretation
of the authorized form of public worship. Such controversies, even when
they occur between persons loyally desirous to conform to the doctrine
and discipline of the established church, beget serious evils, and their
speedy
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termination by
competent authority is a matter of grave importance to the interests of
religion.
The legal measures which you have passed with reference to the limitation
of actions for real property, the law of vendors and purchasers, and
land rights and conveyancing in Scotland, as well as the acts for
regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors, and for carrying forward
sanitary legislation in the United Kingdom, may be expected to be
productive of public advantage and satisfaction.
The commission issued by me for inquiring into the state and working of
the law as to offenses connected with trade has been unable to complete
its labors in time to admit of legislation during the session now about
to terminate; and I regret that the pressure of business in the House of
Commons has made it necessary to suspend the consideration of the
measures for facilitating the transfer of land in England, for
rearranging the judicature of England and Ireland, and for establishing
an imperial court of appeal. These subjects will naturally claim your
earliest attention in a future session.
In returning to your counties and constituencies, you will have the
opportunity of beneficially exercising that influence which is the happy
result of our local institutions, and I pray that the blessing of the
Almighty may accompany you in the discharge of all your duties.
Then a commission for proroguing the Parliament was read. After which the
lord chancellor said:
My Lords and Gentlemen: By virtue of Her
Majesty’s commission, under the great seal, to us and other lords
directed and now read, we do, in Her Majesty’s name, and in obedience to
her commands, prorogue this Parliament to Friday, the 23d day of October
next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly
prorogued to Friday the 23d day of October next.
