HL Deb 14 February 1840 vol 52 cc244-6
Viscount Melbourne

rose to propose an Address of congratulation to her Majesty on her marriage. He was so certain that there would be an unanimous feeling upon the subject which he was about to propose to their Lordships, that he did not think it necessary to occupy their Lordships' time by making any prefatory observations. He should, therefore, proceed to move That a humble Address be presented to her Majesty to congratulate her Majesty on the auspicious occasion of her Majesty's marriage, and to assure her Majesty of the great satisfaction which this House feels at an event which is a fresh instance of her Majesty's regard for the interests of her people, and of so much importance to her Majesty's domestic happiness, and to the welfare of the country.

The Earl of Aberdeen

said, the conviction which the noble Viscount had expressed, that this motion would meet with the unanimous assent of their Lordships, rendered him unwilling to permit this occasion to pass without giving expression to the feelings of sincere satisfaction which were felt by noble Lords on his side of the House. He could not help saying that the circumstances under which this connection had been formed were most fortunate. It was very fortunate that persons in the exalted situation of her Majesty should be enabled to gratify those emotions of the heart, and to act under those influences which Providence had generally reserved for persons of inferior stations of life. Upon this occasion he could not but consider that the event had been most auspicious, and their Lordships had only to pray, that the issue might be equally prosperous. It would be unpardonable in him to enlarge upon a subject upon which there could be no difference of opinion; he therefore would content himself with declaring that he most cordially gave his support to the motion of the noble Viscount.

The Marquess of Londonderry

said, it was not his intention to trespass long on the attention of their Lordships; but whatever appellation might be given to him by noble Lords, whether that of a decided Carlist or of any other sect, he believed there was no individual subject of the realm more anxious than himself that this auspicious event should carry with it every possible happiness to their illustrious Sovereign, and be of the greatest advantage to the country. He had offered himself to their Lordships' notice, from a circumstance connected with the illustrious Prince now, happily for himself, and happily, he hoped, for the country, united with her Majesty. It was a circumstance which, if they could judge of the child from the sire, was most propitious. He had had the honour, many years ago, when ambassador at Vienna, to be intimately acquainted with the illustrious father of the Prince; and he could fairly say, that amongst the great princes assembled at that time there was not an individual of higher principles, higher character, or greater worth; and he would venture to hope that the illustrious Prince inherited all those eminent qualities which so greatly distinguished his father, whom they had the happiness to see in this country on this auspicious occasion. He hoped also the noble Viscount would give their Lordships the satisfaction on this occasion of carrying up the address to her Majesty by the whole House. On a former occasion, many of their Lordships were disappointed that they had not had notice, and were thus prevented from attending. He hoped that on the present occasion the noble Viscount would do them justice, and allow the whole body of the House to go up, and that the noble Viscount would inform them of the time of meeting. He could not forget that the last time the whole House went up to the Throne, it was on an equally important occasion, that of upholding the altar, and he did not think their Lordships would be less anxious to express their congratulations in support of the Throne.

Viscount Melbourne

believed, that on the occasion to which the noble Marquess had referred, the usual notice was given. The motion was printed in the votes, and that was all the notice that was ever given on such occasions, and all that could be required. The same course would be pursued on the present occasion.

Address agreed to nem. con.; to be presented to her Majesty by the whole House.