THE QUEEN, being seated on the Throne, and the Commons being at the Bar, with their Speaker, HER MAJESTY was pleased to make a most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, as follows;—
§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ I AVAIL Myself with Satisfaction, in the present anxious State of Public Affairs, of the Advice of My Parliament, which I have summoned to meet with the least possible Delay.
§ I HAVE directed that Papers shall be laid before you, from which you will learn how earnest and unceasing have been My Endeavours to preserve the Peace of Europe.
§ THOSE Endeavours have unhappily failed, and War has been declared between France and Sardinia on one Side and Austria on the other. Receiving Assurances of Friendship from both the contending Parties, I intend to maintain between them a strict and impartial Neutrality; and I hope, with God's Assistance, to preserve to My People the Blessings of continued Peace.
§ CONSIDERING, however, the present State of Europe, I have deemed it necessary, for the Security of My Dominions and the Honour of My Crown, to increase My Naval Forces to an Amount exceeding that which has been sanctioned by Parliament.
§ I RELY with Confidence on your cordial Concurrence in this precautionary Measure of defensive Policy.
§ THE King of the Two Sicilies, having announced to Me the Death of The King His Father and His own Accession, I have thought fit, in concert with The Emperor of the French, to renew My diplomatic Intercourse with the Court of Naples, which had been suspended during the late Reign.
§ ALL My other Foreign Relations continue on a perfectly satisfactory Footing.
§ "Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
§ THE Estimates for the Year, for which provision has not been made by 22 the late Parliament, will be immediately laid before you, together with such supplementary Estimates as present Circumstances render indispensably necessary for the Public Service.
§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ I HAVE directed a Bill to be prepared for giving Effect, so far as the Aid of Parliament may be required, to certain Suggestions of the Commissioners whom I had appointed to inquire into the best Mode of efficiently Manning the Royal Navy, and I recommend this important Subject to your immediate Attention.
§ MEASURES of legal and social Improvement, the progress of which in the late Parliament was necessarily interrupted by the Dissolution, will again be brought under your Consideration.
§ I SHOULD with Pleasure give My Sanction to any well-considered Measure for the Amendment of the Laws which regulate the Representation of My People in Parliament; and should you be of opinion that the Necessity of giving your immediate Attention to Measures of Urgency relating to the Defence and financial Condition of the Country will not leave you sufficient Time for legislating with due Deliberation during the present Session on a Subject at once so difficult and so extensive, I trust that at the Commencement of the next Session your earnest Attention will be given to a Question of which an early and satisfactory Settlement would be greatly to the Public Advantage.
§ I FEEL assured that you will enter with Zeal and Diligence on the Discharge of your Parliamentary Duties; and I pray that the Result of your Deliberations may tend to secure to the Country the Continuance of Peace abroad and progressive Improvement at home.
§ HER MAJESTY then retired.
§ House adjourned during pleasure.
§ House resumed.