§ Her Majesty went in State to the House of Peers, for the purpose of proroguing Parliament. Being seated on the Throne, and the Commons having come to the Bar, the Speaker addressed her Majesty as follows:—
§ MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN,
§ Your Majesty's faithful Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland attend your Majesty with the Bill which closes the Supplies for the present year. In granting these Supplies, we have paid a strict attention to economy, at the same time, that we have amply 1006 provided for the naval and military establishment of the Empire; for however much we might desire a diminution of the public burthens, under the pressure of that severe, although, as we hope, temporary, distress which still exists in many parts of the country, we are satisfied, that we best consult the true interests of the people, as well as the honour and dignity of the Crown, by fully maintaining the efficiency of the public service. During the progress of a laborious Session, our attention has been directed to various important questions of domestic policy, to the improvement of our institutions, and to the beneficial alteration of some branches of the law. We have witnessed, with deep concern, the unhappy divisions which have occurred in the Church of Scotland, and which have led to the secession of many of her most valued ministers. We have endeavoured, we trust successfully, to heal those divisions, and to restore peace to an establishment, which is fraught with such inestimable blessings to the inhabitants of that part of the United Kingdom. Another measure which has commanded our consideration, connected with the Church of England, we believe to be most important in its consequences. By facilitating the endowment of Churches in populous districts, and by thus seconding the views of those whose piety and munificence may dispose them to supply the spiritual wants of their poorer neighbours, we have laid the foundation of a wise and valuable extension of sound religious instruction among large masses of the people, under the auspices of the Established Church. Whilst we have been thus occupied in promoting objects of domestic importance, we have not disregarded the interests of your Majesty's subjects in those more distant lands which are visited by British enterprise and commerce, and which have the advantage of your Majesty's protection. And if the Session, which by your Majesty's permission, is now about to 1007 terminate, has not been distinguished by measures of such prominent interest as that which preceded it, yet at no time have your Majesty's faithful Commons applied themselves more assiduously to the arduous duties which have devolved upon them: and their labours will be abundantly rewarded if they tend in any degree to the permanent security of our institutions, and to the contentment and happiness of the people.
§ The Royal Assent was given to several bills.
§ Her Majesty then read the following Speech, laying a marked emphasis on the passages relating to Ireland:—
§ "My Lords and Gentlemen,
§ "The state of Public Business enables me to close this protracted Session, and to release you from further attendance on your Parliamentary duties.
§ "I thank you for the Measures you have adopted for enabling me to give full effect to the several Treaties which I have concluded with Foreign Powers.
§ "I have given my Cordial Assent to the Bill which you presented to me for Increasing the Means of Spiritual Instruction in Populous Parishes, by making a Portion of the Revenues of the Church available for the Endowment of Additional Ministers.
§ "I confidently trust that the Wise and Benevolent Intentions of the Legislature will be aided by the Zeal and Liberality of my Subjects—and that better Provision will thus be made for Public Worship and for Pastoral Superintendence in many Districts of the Country.
§ "I view with Satisfaction the Passing of the Act for removing Doubts respecting the Jurisdiction of the Church of Scotland in the Admission 1008 of Ministers, and for Securing to the People and to the Courts of the Church the full Exercise of their respective rights.
§ "It is my earnest Hope that this Measure will tend to Restore Religious Peace in Scotland, and to avert the Dangers which have Threatened a Sacred Institution of the utmost Importance to the Happiness and Welfare of that part of my Dominions.
§ "I continue to receive from all Foreign Powers Assurances of their friendly Disposition, and of their earnest desire for the Maintenance of Peace.
§ "Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
§ "I thank you for the Readiness and Liberality with which you have Voted the Supplies for the current Year. It will be my constant Object to combine a strict regard to Economy with the Consideration which is due to the Exigencies of the Public Service.
§ "My Lords and Gentlemen,
§ "In some Districts of Wales the Public Peace has been Interrupted by lawless Combinations and Disturbances, unconnected with Political causes. I have adopted the Measures which I deemed best calculated for the Repression of Outrage, and for the Detection and Punishment of the Offenders.
§ "I have at the same time Directed an Inquiry to be made into the Circumstances which have led to Insubordination and Violence in a part of the Country usually distinguished for good Order and willing Obedience to the Law.
§ "I have observed with the deepest 1009 concern the persevering efforts which are made to stir up Discontent and Disaffection among my Subjects in Ireland, and to Excite them to Demand a Repeal of the Legislative Union.
§ "It has been, and ever will be, my earnest desire to Administer the Government of that Country in a spirit of strict Justice and Impartiality, and to co-operate with Parliament in effecting such Amendments in the existing Laws as may tend to Improve the social Condition and to develope the natural Resources of Ireland.
§ "From a deep Conviction that the Legislative Union is not less Essential to the attainment of these Objects than to the Strength and Stability of the Empire, it is my firm Determination, with your Support, and under the Blessing of Divine Providence, to maintain inviolate that great Bond of Connection between the Two Countries.
§ "I have forborne from requiring any additional Powers for the Counteraction of designs Hostile to the Concord and Welfare of my Dominions, as well from my unwillingness to distrust the Efficacy of the ordinary Law, as from my Reliance on the good Sense and Patriotism of my People, and on the solemn Declarations of Parliament in support of the Legislative Union.
§ "I feel assured that those of my faithful Subjects who have influence and authority in Ireland will discourage, to the utmost of their Power, a system of pernicious Agitation, which Disturbs the Industry and Retards the Improvement of that Country, and excites feelings of mutual Distrust and Animosity between different classes of my People."
1010§ At the conclusion of the Speech, the Lord Chancellor, by her Majesty's command, declared the Parliament prorogued.
§ The Speaker and the Commons retired, and the Peers separated.