Since the Provincial Diet of Transylvania has been convoked by the Imperial Rescript of the 21st of April last, there is now no longer any one amongst the kingdoms and countries united under the Austrian sceptre to which the means of participation in the discussion of the common affairs of the Empire, reserved to the Representatives of the Empire by the diploma of the 20th October, 1860, and the patent of February 26, 1861, is not afforded.

Let us hope that those convictions regarding the ways and means of attaining the object so ardently desired by all, whose loyal expression has lately reached the steps of the throne from the distant limits of the Empire, will spread with victorious power further and further, and redound to our universal prosperity.

If we review the position of the Empire we find ourselves encouraged to continue the work we have begun, and to look forward with confidence to the future.

In the enjoyment of the blessings of uninterrupted peace the Reichsrath closed its first session; these blessings greet us at the commencement of the second, and it will be the wish and the object of the most eager endeavours of His Imperial Majesty's Government to maintain them undisturbed.

Insured and protected by free institutions, we see, in all branches of intellectual and material life greater activity displayed, the resources of the Empire more swiftly developed, and its authority and influence more and more acknowledged.

On looking to the position of the finances, satisfactory progress is apparent in that course which has been entered upon for their definitive regulation. The credit of the State and the national currency show a decided improvement, and the favourable financial statement for the current year renders it unnecessary to have recourse to the extraordinary credit of 12,000,000 of florins, which was voted in order to cover the estimated deficit of the year.

A new form, better adapted to the purposes of inspection and more exact control, as well as to the wishes expressed last session, has been given to the budget, which will be submitted to your examination and decision. It comprises a financial period of fourteen months, it having been acknowledged that computation according to the solar year is more advantageous than the system hitherto followed.

In drawing up the budget, due regard has been paid to economy. The state of transition, nevertheless, in which we now are, and the necessity of restoring, as speedily as possible, a perfect balance in the State finances and in the national currency, still render considerable sacrifices necessary.

In order for the future to lessen the burden caused by these, and in order to accommodate the national and financial requirements to

one another, you already, in the session of last year, recognised the necessity of regulating the direct taxation, in accordance with the altered state of the times.

The Government of His Majesty will, therefore, submit to you a comprehensive plan of the system of direct taxation, which will be recommended to your enlightened and deliberate consideration.

His Imperial Majesty wishes and expects that the financial proposals, as soon as they have been laid before the House of Deputies, should be provisionally examined and discussed, as by the time at which it may be possible to pass them in the course of the session, the participation of the Deputies of the Principality of Transylvania in the deliberations of the Reichsrath may be expected. Several other projects of law to which you will grant serious attention, are designed for carrying out those reforms which have been considered necessary in several branches of the administration of justice.

The universal wish to bring these reforms quickly into execution could not but draw the attention of the Government to the technicalities to be observed in the deliberations to which the projects of law above referred to will be submitted.

From the experience derived from the practice of other States of the usefulness of diverging from the usual order of business in discussing measures of a very comprehensive nature, and from the fact of the question of such a mode of dealing with the business of the House having been raised in the Reichsrath itself during the past session, the Government of His Majesty has seen the necessity of bringing forward in this session a project for regulating such modes of Parliamentary proceeding. Amongst the measures to be treated in this way, the project of a new penal code must be specially mentioned as claiming your most earnest consideration.

Adhering to the established principles of the penal code of 1850, this project lays great stress on the proceedings being verbal and public, and upon the principle of bills of indictment, insists anew that judicial decisions should be based on free conviction, unfettered by rules of evidence, and affords in those countries in which the necessary preliminary conditions for the establishment of juries appear to be fulfilled the possibility of submitting all the more important cases to their verdict.

You will at the same time find in that code as much simplicity and brevity of procedure as is compatible with a due regard to the protection of personal liberty and security. The necessity for reforms in civil procedure becomes also more and more urgent.

The negotiations of the Committee of the Diet appointed for the establishment of a civil code for the whole of Germany have made gratifying progress, and meet that necessity in a desirable

manner.

As the reforms referred to cannot take place without corresponding changes in the organization of the authority of the courts, and, as these involve a new organization of the political administration, projects of law upon the principles to be adopted in carrying out such alterations will be laid before you.

The defects in the existing laws relating to bankruptcy and commercial partnership, which daily make themselves more felt have imposed upon the Government the unavoidable necessity of submitting without delay, for your deliberation and decision, the plan of a new law, in which increased attention is paid to legal security in general, and especially to real credit, whilst the forms of procedure are made as simple and expeditious as possible.

As supplementary to the communal law, a plan of a domiciliary law will be laid before you, to meet the expressed wishes of several Diets. The questions which, both in respect to the rights of individuals and to those of the communal districts, have been much disputed, and have given rise to many doubts, will find their legal decision in that law.

Honoured Members of the Reichsrath, you will, with that selfdenying attention which you had occasion to manifest in the first session, examine the important questions which are placed before

you.

The favour of the Monarch accompanies you, the people, to whose wishes and wants you give expression, follow your steps with justifiable interest,-the Government meets you in frank confidence. His Majesty cherishes the confident expectation that he can reckon upon your patriotic support.

May the protection of the Almighty rest upon your labours, that they may ever produce prosperity, power, and honour for the Empire.

SPEECH of the King of Italy, on the Opening of the Parliament.-Turin, May 25, 1863.

(Translation.)

SENATORS AND DEPUTIES,

IN opening this new session as King of Italy, I am glad to be able to congratulate you on what you have done during the long period of more than two years.

You have strengthened the rights of the nation in its complete unity these rights I will preserve in their integrity.

Scarcely had your parliamentary labours begun, when Providence took from us that illustrious man who gave me such great assistance

in the arduous task of our regeneration. I was the chief mourner; and all Italy shared in my grief.

Most of the Powers have recognized the new Kingdom. Amongst them our voice will always be heard on the side of justice, and in support of the principles of liberty and nationality.

The marriage of my daughter to the young King of Portugal, while forming a useful alliance between two free States, gave me a fresh proof that the joys of my house are shared by the nation.

Treaties of Commerce have been concluded with France, Belgium, Sweden, and Turkey; and are on the point of being concluded with England and Holland. Thus relations of goodwill between the Governments are increased by a community of interest between the peoples.

Two years ago the soldiers of the new provinces took their places in the glorious ranks of the Subalpine army. We now can boast of an Italian army of equal value and discipline. The navy, rich in many good elements, and about which you were so eager, will not certainly fall short of the army in its progress. My most ardent wish is that the nation may be able to trust with safety to the force of its own arms; and that Europe may so judge it.

Liberty is everywhere producing its natural results of order and prosperity. If in some provinces measures need to be taken for the public safety, my Government will not fail in this most important duty. The National Guards, who have already deserved so well of their country, will contribute with their zeal. France admits the desirableness of taking joint military measures to that effect, and is prepared to discuss them with us.

In every part of the Kingdom the public works are carried on with activity. Now that the Tronto is spanned by a railway, it will not be long before every part of Italy will be linked by ties of neighbourhood, as now by those of affection.

Your most arduous and urgent task is now to assimilate the laws of the Kingdom, without neglecting at the same time the development of local resources.

I especially recommend to the care of Parliament the measures taken with respect to the reorganization of our finances. If the capitalists of Europe have answered our appeal, out of confidence in the new order of things, we are bound in honour to meet them with unhesitating sacrifices.

Senators! Deputies!

To consolidate liberty on the basis of the Constitution, and to gain along with liberty the complete independence and unity of our country, such is the end to which we have devoted our life.

To obtain it concord, sense, and energy are needed. Italy has proved herself to possess these gifts in the highest degree. Let us

presevere in the same path, and no human power will be able to destroy what we have built up; and I fearlessly and with confidence press forward with full faith to the fulfilment of the destinies of Italy.

CONVENTION between Spain and Equator, for the Apprehension and mutual delivery of Seamen Deserters from Vessels of both Nations.-Signed at Quito, October 29, 1860. (Translation.)

THE Government of Her Majesty the Queen of Spain and the Government of Equator, being desirous to solve by mutual agreement, the questions relative to the apprehension and delivery of seamen deserters from the vessels of their respective nations, have agreed to adopt the following measures.

The Consuls-General, Consuls, and Vice-Consuls of Spain, in the Republic of Equator, and the Consuls-General, Consuls, and Vice-Consuls of the Republic of Equator, in Spain and her possessions, may arrest and return, either on board, or to their respective countries, the seamen and all other persons who, forming regularly part of the crews of the vessels of their respective nations, and not coming under the designation of passengers, shall have deserted from the said vessels.

For this purpose they shall address themselves to the proper local authorities, and shall prove by the ship's register, and the ship's articles, or if the vessel shall have sailed, by a copy of the said papers duly attested by themselves, that the men they claim made part of the crew of the said vessel. In consequence of this demand, supported as stated, the men shall be given up.

Every aid and assistance shall be given to the Consuls, for the discovery and arrest of the said deserters, and they shall be arrested and placed in custody in the prisons of the country, on the demand and at the expense of the said Consuls, until those agents shall have found an opportunity of sending them away. It shall be well understood that if this opportunity does not present itself within the space of 3 months, from the day of the arrest of the deserters, they shall be set at liberty, without their being subject to be apprehended again for the same cause.

Nevertheless, if the deserter shall besides have committed some offence on shore, his extradition may be deferred by the local authorities, until the proper tribunal shall have sentenced him for the second offence, and until such sentence shall have been executed.

It is also understood that when the seamen or others of the crew are subjects of the country in which they have deserted, they will not come under the stipulations of the present Convention.