§ His majesty arrived in the usual state at the House of Peers, and having taken his seat on the throne, the gentleman usher of the Black Rod was ordered to desire the attendance of the Commons.
The Speakerof the House of Commons, accompanied by a considerable number of members, appeared at the bar, and delivered the following speech:
"May it please your Majesty—We, your Majesty's faithful Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in Parliament assembled, attend your majesty with the last bill of supply of 1867 a session most unusual in its duration, and in which subjects of the highest importance to the country, and I may add, too, of the greatest difficulty and delicacy, have engrossed our anxious and unwearied attention.
"Your Majesty was graciously pleased, at the commencement of the session, to suggest for our early consideration, the distress under which the agricultural districts in this country were labouring, and the disorders and outrages which were prevailing through large districts in Ireland.
"Sire,—In considering the distress of the agricultural districts—a subject over which Parliament alone could have but a very partial and imperfect control—it was obvious that the only efficient relief within our reach was such a reduction of taxation as could be effected consistent with an adequate provision for the services of the state, and with a due regard to the maintenance of public credit.
"After a detailed and scrutinizing examination of the estimates for the current year, a remission of taxation, large in its amount, and we hope as considerable in its relief, has been effected by a new apportionment of the burthen arising from the payment of the military and naval pensions and civil superannuations, and by a reduction of the five per cent. annuities, one of the greatest financial measures that the history of this country can afford, and carried into execution with less of difficulty, delay, or embarrassment than could have been anticipated by the most sanguine expectations. And further, we have made such new regulations with respect to the introduction of foreign corn into the home market, as we hope may relieve the British grower from those inconveniences and losses, to which, under the former law, he might have been subject.
"In considering, Sire, the state of Ireland, we lost no time in passing such measures as seemed best calculated to restore peace and tranquillity to the disturbed districts. These measures, severe as they were, from the emergency that called for them, were enacted but for a very limited period; and when the time arrived for their, re-consideration, though compelled to renew the Insurrection act, it was matter of great consolation to us, that no necessity existed for further continuing the Habeas Corpus act.
"Scarcely, however, had we concluded 1868 these painful deliberations, when a louder and more lamentable call was made on our attention.
"Famine, with its usual attendant, deadly disease, were raging in large and populous districts in Ireland, and were extending their ravages with a speed and malignity that threatened death and destruction to all around.
"This was no time, Sire, to discuss the difficulty and delicacy (as under more ordinary circumstances) of the interference of parliament with the food of the people.
"There was but one course consistent either with the feelings or with the duty of a British House of Commons—liberally and promptly to advance every supply that your majesty's confidential advisers in Ireland could conceive necessary to arrest the progress of so grievous a visitation.
"Sire, we performed this duty most promptly and most cheerfully; and we trust most sincerely that the object may be accomplished.
"It would ill become me to detail at greater length the various other subjects of great importance with which we have been occupied; but I may be permitted, in conclusion, to express a perfect conviction, that your Majesty's faithful Commons, by their unwearied assiduity of deliberation through this long and laborious session, and by their sincere and zealous exertions to effect whatever might be most conducive to the present relief, and to the permanent interests of the empire at large, have entitled themselves to your Majesty's most gracious approbation, and to the full and entire confidence of the public.
"The Bill which I have now humbly to present to your Majesty is entitled, 'An Act for applying certain Monies therein mentioned for the service of the year 1822, and for further appropriating the supplies granted in this session of parliament,' to which, with all humility, we pray your Majesty's royal assent.'"