§ THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS, namely, the LORD CHANCELLOR, the LORD PRESIDENT OF THK COUNCIL (Earl Granville), the LORD STEWARD (Earl Spencer), Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY (President of the Board of Trade), and the DUKE of ARGYLL (Postmaster General), being in their robes, and 16 seated on a form placed between the Throne and the Woolsack, commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod to signify to the Commons "The Lords Commissioners desire their immediate attendance in this House."
§ Who being come, with their Speaker,
THE LORD CHANCELLOR, in pursuance of Her Majesty's Commands, delivered the Speech of The LORDS COMMISSIONERS to both Houses of Parliament, as follows:—
§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ "WE are commanded to inform you, that Her Majesty has availed Herself of the earliest Opportunity of having recourse to your Advice and Assistance after the Dissolution of the last Parliament; and Her Majesty trusts that there will be found sufficient Time during the present Session to enable you satisfactorily to deal with various important Matters, some of which had occupied the Attention of Parliament in the Beginning of this Year.
§ "We are commanded by Her Majesty to inform you, that the general Aspect of Affairs in Europe affords a well-grounded Confidence in the Continuance of Peace.
§ "All the main Stipulations of the Treaty of Paris have been carried into execution, and it is to be hoped that what remains to be done in regard to those Matters will be speedily accomplished.
§ "The Negotiations upon the Subject of the Differences which had arisen between The King of Prussia and the Swiss Confederation, in regard to the Affairs of Neuchâtel, are drawing to a Close, and will, Her Majesty trusts, be terminated by an Arrangement honourable and satisfactory to all Parties.
§ "The Negotiations in which Her Majesty has been engaged with the Government of the United States, and with the Government of Honduras, in 17 regard to the Affairs of Central America, have not yet been brought to a Close.
§ "We are commanded by Her Majesty to inform you, that a Treaty of Peace between Her Majesty and The Shah of Persia was signed at Paris on the Fourth of March, by Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris and by the Ambassador of The Shah; and Her Majesty will give Directions that this Treaty shall be laid before you as soon as the Ratifications thereof shall have been duly exchanged.
§ "Her Majesty commands us to express to you Her Regret that, at the Date of the latest Advices from China, the Differences which had arisen between the High Commissioner at Canton and Her Majesty's Civil and Naval Officers in China still remain unadjusted. But Her Majesty has sent to China a Plenipotentiary fully instructed to deal with all Matters of Difference, and that Plenipotentiary will be supported by an adequate Naval and Military Force, in the event of such Assistance becoming necessary.
§ "We are commanded to inform you, that Her Majesty, in conjunction with several other European Powers, has concluded a Treaty with The King of Denmark for the Redemption of the Sound Dues. This Treaty, together with a separate Convention between Her Majesty and the King of Denmark, completing the Arrangement, will be laid before you, and Her Majesty will cause the Measures necessary for fulfilling the Engagements thereby contracted to be submitted for your Consideration.
§ "Gentlemen, of the House of Commons,
§ "HER MAJESTY has directed the Es- 18 timates for the present Year to be laid before you.
§ "They have been prepared with a careful Attention to Economy, and with a due regard to the Efficiency of the Departments of the Public Service to which they severally relate.
§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ "HER MAJESTY commands us to recommend to your earnest Consideration Measures which will be proposed to you for the Consolidation and Improvement of the Law.
§ "Bills will be submitted to you for improving the Laws relating to the Testamentary and Matrimonial Jurisdiction now exercised by the Ecclesiastical Courts, and also for checking fraudulent Breaches of Trust.
§ "Her Majesty commands us to express to you Her heartfelt Gratification at witnessing the continued Well-being and Contentment of Her People, and the progressive Development of productive Industry throughout Her Dominions.
§ "Her Majesty confidently commits to your Wisdom and Care the great Interests of Her Empire, and fervently prays that the Blessing of Almighty God may be vouchsafed to your Deliberations, and may lead you to Conclusions conducive to the Objects of Her Majesty's constant Solicitude, the Welfare and Happiness of Her loyal and faithful People."
§ Then the COMMONS withdrew.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed.