Under the blessing of Divine Providence, the distress which was so severely felt at this time last year, is no longer experienced, and the scarcity which then prevailed, has fortunately excited among the inhabitants of the country, a spirit of active industry in their agricultural occupations which cannot fail to be attended with the happiest effects. Commerce has been carried on more extensively than usual, during the past year, and with more activity and enterprise. The Provincial Revenue has also increased and arrangements have been made for the security of the Public Moneys, in the hands of the Receiver General, conformably to the communication made to you in the last Session. It will be gratifying to you also to learn, that elementary Schools have been very generally established throughout the Province. That great progress has been made in the improvement of internal communications—and that facilities have been afforded to all classes of His Majesty's subjects, to settle on the Waste Lands of the Crown. Measures have also been taken for the erection of new Light Houses and for promoting the various objects of public improvement, for which provision was so liberally made in the last Session. It has been my earnest endeavor to see that the bounty of the Provincial Parliament was not misapplied, and I have, with that view, established such regulations as appear to be necessary for guarding against abuses, and for insuring a faithful and judicious expenditure of the public money. Details on all the subjects will be laid before you, for your information; and you will probably be of opinion, that the acts passed in the last Session for the encouragement of Elementary Education,' and 'for erecting Light Houses in the St Lawrence,' require revision. Gentlemen of the House of Assembly: The accounts of the Provincial Revenue and Expenditure for the last year will be laid before you as soon as possible, and every information afforded you respecting them, which you may require. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, Gentlemen of the House of Assembly: It will be my duty to convey to you, by message, a communication, which I have received His Majesty's commands to make to you, upon the subject of the Financial Question, which has given rise to so much controversy in the Province; and I will now submit to your consideration such matters of public interest as I conceive will be conducive to the general welfare of the people of this loyal Colony. I would also suggest the expediency of passing a law for the qualification of the Justices of the Peace, adapted to the situation and circumstances of the Colony. The qualification being moderate, and either in real estates or in personal income. The erection of Court Houses and Gaols in some of the most populous counties in the Province, (when desired by the inhabitants) is another measure which I would recommend to your consideration; but I will communicate to you by message my wishes on this subject. Evils having been experienced by introduction of contagious diseases into the Province, it may be expedient to guard against calamities of this kind by some suitable enactment. The state of currency is a subject which demands your attention; the adoption of some measure appearing to be necessary to prevent the circulation of pistareens, and other small silver coins, at a nominal value greatly exceeding their intrinsic worth. It is also most desirable that Legislative Provision be made to insure the circulation of British silver money within the Province at its real value. His Majesty's Government having sent out a considerable quantity of such money, with a view of its circulation and to its ultimately becoming the circulating medium of the Country: I recommend the subject to your serious consideration. The unfitness of the Gaol at Montreal, as a place of confinement for so populous a District, has been frequently brought under your consideration; and I trust that the Session will not close, without provision being made, either for the erection of a new Gaol, or for a Penitentiary where criminals may be kept at hard labor, apart from prisoners who are confined previous to their trial. I suggested to you, by His Majesty's command, in the last Session, the expediency of levying a small tax upon such tracts of land, as remain in a waste and unimproved condition; and, also of establishing officers for the registration of deeds; and to these subjects it is my duty again to call your attention. The pressure of business last Session prevented your maturely considering several matters of importance that came under your consideration; and you may rely upon my cordial concurrence in all matters which have for their object the general welfare of the Province, and the happiness of His Majesty's Canadian subjects. FRANCE. King's Speech to the National Chambers, March 2, 1830. 1 and the good understanding established between my allies and GENTLEMEN: It is always with confidence that I see assembled around my throne the Peers of myself, for the happiness of the my kingdom and the Deputies of the departments. Since your last Session, important events have consolidated the peace of Europe, people. War is extinguished in the East. The moderation of the conqueror and the amicable intervention of other powers, in preserving the Ottoman empire stocks, which may, we hope, confrom the dangers which menaced ciliate the expectations of the tax it, has maintained the equilibrium payers, with the justice due to and confirmed the ancient relations those who have invested property of States. Under the protection in the public funds. The meaof the Powers which signed the sures which you will have to contreaty of 6th of July, independent sider are intended to satisfy all Greece will rise from her ruins: these interests. They may furthe choice of the Prince called to nish the means of meeting withreign over her, sufficiently pro- out new sacrifices, and in the claims the disinterested and pa- course of a few years, the expencific views of the Sovereigns. I ses imperiously required, as well am engaged now in concert with for the protection of the kingdom, my allies, in negotiations, of which as for the prosperity of the comthe object is to bring about be- merce and agriculture, by the tween the Princes of the House works on the fortifications, and of Braganza a reconciliation, ne- those of various harbors, the recessary to the repose of the Pe- pair of roads and the completion ninsula. Amidst the grave events of canals. You will also have to with which Europe was occupied, occupy yourselves with various I was fain to suspend the effect of laws relative to the judiciary ormy resentment against a Barbari- der; to several projects of puban power; but I cannot longer lic administration, and to mealeave unavenged the insults to my sures for improving the condition flag. The reparation I mean to of retired soldiers. I have been take, will, with the aid of the afflicted by the sufferings of my Most High, in satisfying the honor people caused by a long and rigof France, redound to the profit orous winter; but public benefiof Christianity. cence has been prodigal of aid, and it is with lively satisfaction I have witnessed the generous zeal evinced for the relief of indigence in every part of my kingdom, and particularly in my good city of Paris. The accounts of Receipts and Expenditures will be submitted to you together with the estimate of ways and means for 1831. I have the satisfaction to perceive, that, notwithstanding the diminution in the revenue of 1829, compared with that of the preceding year, it exceeded the estimate of the budget. A recent operation has shown at what rate of interest loans may be obtained, and the possibility thereby of relieving the burdens of the State. A law relative to a sinking fund will be submitted to you. It will be connected with a plan for redeeming or exchanging Gentlemen―The first want of my heart is to see France happy and respected, developing all the riches of her soil and ber industry, and enjoying in peace the institutions of which I have the firm purpose to consolidate the blessings. The charter has placed the public liberties under the safeguard of the rights of my crown: these rights are sacred: my duty towards my people is to transmit them intact to my suc- dissensions. Unity, inseparable from monarchy, will give her strength. cessors. Peers of France, Deputies of the Departments I do not doubt of your co-operation in the good I desire to do; you will repel with contempt the perfidious insinuations which malevolence is busy in propagating if culpable manœuvres should excite against my Government obstacles which I cannot and will not anticipate, I should find force to overcome them in my resolution to preserve the public peace, in the just confidence I have in the French, and in the love which they have always evinced for their Kings. Address of the French Chamber of Peers to the King. SIRE, -Your faithful subjects, the Peers of France, have heard with respect and gratitude the words proceeding from the Throne. They rejoice at the harmony which is established between your Majesty and your allies, and which your Majesty believes will confirm the peace of Europe. The war in the east is happily at an end; the moderation of the victor has corresponded with the wishes of Europe, the Ottoman Empire will be preserved, and the balance of power remain unimpaired. The success of the negotiations which your Majesty has undertaken in concert with your allies, to effect a reconciliation between the Princes of the House of Braganza, would insure the repose of the Peninsula, put an end to divisions which are fatal to the commerce of the Two Worlds, and what is no less desirable, would strengthen the principle of legitimate succession to the Throne. An enlightened dispenser of the treasure of France, and sparing of the blood of her sons, your Majesty has hesitated to avenge the insult which a Barbarian Prince has dared to cast upon the flag of your kingdom: feeling that impunity can no longer be extended, you meditate to render profitable to the interests of France and of Christendom, the satisfaction which you will obtain. Christian nations will applaud so generous a design, and we await with confidence the communications which your Majesty may think desirable to make on this important subject. The diminution of the Revenue of 1829, although it has surpassed the anticipations of those who prepared the budget, calls for economy and new resources. Greece will emerge from her These may result in a great deruins, thanks to the assisting gree from the law relating to the hand which you have outstretch- payment of the National Debt, ed to her. She will become inde- and from the proposed plan of pendent under the protection of reimbursement which your Majesthe Powers who signed the treaty ty is pleased to announce. The of the 6th of July. The scep- time has arrived for alleviating tre of the Prince who has been the public burdens, by reconciling called to the Throne will heal her the triple interest of the people, that which the poor can never forget-that your Majesty and your august family were the first to show a brilliant example in that great work of benevolence. of capitalists, and of the State, without detracting in that respect from the rights of each, and the principles of justice, which have established the credit of France, and which have raised it so high The first wish of your Majes in modern times. By these mea- ty's paternal heart is to contemsures skilfully combined, your plate France, in the peaceable Majesty will create the means of enjoyment of her institutions, hapspeedily meeting, without addi- py and respected. Sire, she will tional sacrifices, the expenses be so. Of what avail would mawhich are required for the pros- levolent insinuations be against perity of agriculture and of commerce, for the public works, the completion of our sea-ports, the repairs of roads, and the construction of canals. We shall give to all these objects that serious attention which is imposed upon us by that which is our duty, the seconding of the views of your Majesty, and concurrence in those great and useful operations. We shall pay equal attention to the examination of the laws relative to the judicial department, to the public administration, and for bettering the condition of retired soldiers, which your Majesty designs to lay before the Chambers. The measures which your Majesty has in contemplation for the purpose of soothing the declining years of men who have passed their lives in defending their King and their Country, will excite the gratitude of the army and of all the citizens. When your Majesty expresses the lively satisfaction you feel at the generous interposition of the humane, in behalf of the indigent in all parts of the kingdom, and especially in your good city of Paris, during a long and severe winter, we are gratified in being able to remind your Majesty of the expressed declaration of your Majesty's will, to maintain and consolidate these institutions ? The monarchy is their basis; the rights of your crown will remain immovable; they are no less dear to the nation than its liberties; placed under your protection, they strengthen the ties which bind the people to your throne and dynasty. France is no less averse from anarchy than is her king from despotism. If guilty manœuvres should raise obstacles against your Government, they would be speedily surmounted, not merely by the Peers who are the hereditary defenders of the Throne and Charter, but that of an immense majority of the nation. For it is the wish and interest of all that the sacred rights of the Crown should remain inviolate, and that in union with the public liberties, they should be transmitted to the successors of your Majesty, and to our latest posterity, who are the heirs of our confidence and of our love. The King answered this address, which was presented to him by the Chancellor, in the following words: |