HC Deb 22 February 1869 vol 194 cc164-5
MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, some days ago this House determined to avail itself of an opportunity of testifying its loyalty and affection to the Throne by unanimously passing a Motion that the Address in answer to the gracious Speech from the Throne should be presented to the Sovereign by the Whole House. But on Friday evening I received a communication from Her Majesty at Osborne, in which Her Majesty expressed her deep concern—in truth, she used a stronger expression—that the serious—indeed, the alarming—illness of His Royal Highness Prince Leopold rendered it impossible for her to quit him, and placed it out of her power to name any period when she could receive the Addresses of this and the other House of Parliament. I, at the same time, received a communication from Sir William Jenner, that the complaint under which His Royal Highness was labouring was the same as that which, on one or two former occasions, had placed the life of His Royal Highness in extreme jeopardy. This illness, Dr. Jenner explained, was such, that it was impossible to predict what course it would take; and, as the medical adviser of Her Majesty, he could not recommend that any plans could be then formed for Her Majesty's quitting Osborne, nor could he name a time when such plans could, with confidence, be entertained. Sir, under these circumstances, I felt it my duty to make a communication to the House, and I came down for the purpose; but, unfortunately, I believe the House had within five minutes before closed its Business and adjourned. These communications were followed on Saturday by others to the same purport, stating that, though all things were going on favourably, yet the matter being a critical one, and circumstances remaining the same, it was impossible for Her Majesty to name a day for the purpose of receiving the Address, and in consequence she was obliged to abandon the hope she had entertained of receiving it in person. Under these circumstances, it is my duty to move that the Order which was made by this House on a former day be discharged, with a view to the Address being presented in the manner which is usual in reply to a Speech delivered by Commission.

Motion agreed to.