§ Lord John RussellI rise, Sir, in pursuance of a notice which stands upon the votes of the House, to move an address to her Majesty, on the occasion of her Majesty's marriage with Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg and Gotha. It will not require any arguments from me, I am persuaded, to induce the House to consent, most willingly, to this address, for I am sure that the House will feel as anxious as I do, to render its congratulations, upon an occasion not only interesting to Parliament, and conducive to the comfort and happiness of her Majesty, but of great importance to the welfare of the State. And allow me, with regard to this subject to observe, that it must be a source of the greatest satisfaction to the country, to think that her Majesty has been more fortunate, with respect to her 249 Majesty's marriage, than many of those who have been placed in such an exalted station, because it has been too often the case that the necessity for political alliances has made it requisite to contract marriages entirely based on political considerations, and in which the affections of the heart, have been in no wise concerned. It must be a matter of great satisfaction to the people of this country to know, that they have not demanded any such sacrifice on the part of her Majesty, and that while the political interests of the country are consulted, this country has not been obliged to ask her Majesty to contract marriage with any person other than one whom her own affections would have led her to select. With these few words, I shall at once propose the address to her Majesty, expressing my most sincere prayer, that the union so lately formed may last for many years, and that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon it. The noble Lord then proposed,—
That an 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 cordial joy and 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.
§ Sir R. Peelsaid, I trust I may be permitted to perform the satisfactory duty of seconding the motion proposed by the noble Lord. I feel that the ordinary phrases of congratulation are so trifling and so exhausted by repetition, that it is perfectly consistent with good taste and with my own sentiments to express my feelings in a very few words. I beg, therefore, on my own part, and on that of the great party with which I have the honour to be connected, to express our most cordial congratulations to her Majesty, and the sense of great satisfaction which we entertain, that her Majesty has been able to perform a public duty in such a manner as to render it grateful to her own feelings; and to join in the prayer offered by the noble Lord, that not only the public happiness of the country, but the personal happiness and comfort of our Sovereign may be ensured by this union.
§ Motion carried nem. con.; and address ordered to be presented by the whole House.