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The House being returned;

MR. SPEAKER said: I have to report to the House that, in the House of Peers, Her Majesty, by Her Commissioners, was pleased to approve the choice made of myself for your Speaker; and that I have, in your name and on your behalf, made claim and humble petition to Her Majesty for all your ancient and undoubted rights and privileges, particularly freedom from arrest. of your persons and servants, freedom of speech in debate, free access to Her Majesty whenever occasion should require, and that the most favourable construction

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

Saturday, February 3, 1866.

Several other Members took and subscribed the Oath; and several Members professing the Roman Catholic Religion took and subscribed the Roman Catholic Oath; and several Members, being of the People called Quakers, made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law.

House adjourned at Four o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS,
Monday, February 5, 1866.

Several Lords-Took the Oath.

Several Lords-Took the Oath prescribed by the Act 10th Geo. IV. to be taken by Peers professing the Roman Catholic Religion.

The Earl of Bradford-Sat first in Par

liament after the Death of his Father.

His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge-Singly took the Oath.

Parliament after the Death of his Father.
The Marquess of Bristol-Sat first in

The Right Honourable Sir John Romilly,
Knight, Master or Keeper of Her Majesty's
Rolls, having been created Baron Romilly
-was (in the usual manner) introduced.
Baring, Baronet, having been created
The Right Honourable Sir Francis
Baron Northbrook-was (in the usual

manner) introduced.

The Duke of Newcastle-Sat first in

Parliament after the Death of his Father.
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales

The Lord Walsingham-Sat first in
Parliament after the Death of his Father.

House adjourned at Five o'clock, till To-morrow, half past One o'clock.

should be placed on all your proceedings.Singly took the Oath.
All these Her Majesty, by her Commis-
sioners, has been pleased to grant and
accede in as ample a manner as they have
been granted and acceded to your prede-
cessors on every former occasion. I have
now to remind the House that it is
their duty to take the oaths required by
law.

MR. SPEAKER then took and subscribed the Oath, first alone; and after him several other Members took and subscribed the Oath; and several Members professing the Roman Catholic Religion took and subscribed the Roman Catholic Oath; and several Members professing the Jewish Religion took and subscribed the Jewish Oath.

House adjourned at half after
Four o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,
Monday, February 5, 1866.

Several other Members took and subscribed the Oath; and several Members professing the Roman Catholic Religion took and subscribed the Roman Catholic Oath; and several Members, being of the People called Quakers, made and subscribed the Affirmation required by Law; and one Member professing the Jewish Religion took and subscribed the Jewish Oath.

House adjourned at Four o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS,

Tuesday, February 6, 1866.

Several Lords-Took the Oath.

The Session was opened by THE QUEEN in Person.

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

HER MAJESTY, being seated on the Throne, adorned with Her Crown and Regal Adornments, and attended by Her Officers of State :-The PRINCE OF WALES (in his Robes) sitting in his chair on Her Majesty's right hand-(the Lords being in their Robes)-commanded the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, through the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain, to let the Commons know "It is Her Majesty's Pleasure they attend Her immediately in this House."

Who being come, with their Speaker; The LORD CHANCELLOR, taking direction from HER MAJESTY, said;

My Lords, and Gentlemen, "Ir is with great Satisfaction that I have recourse to your Assistance and Advice.

cement the Amity of the Two Nations, and to prove to the World their friendly Concert in the Promotion of Peace.

"I HAVE observed with Satisfaction that the United States, after terminating successfully the severe Struggle in which they were so long engaged, are wisely repairing the Ravages of Civil War. The Abolition of Slavery is an Event calling forth the cordial Sympathies and Congratulations of this Country, which has always been foremost in showing its Abhorrence of an Institution repugnant to every Feeling of Justice and Humanity.

"I HAVE at the same Time the Satisfaction to inform you that the Exertions and Perseverance of My Naval Squadron have reduced the Slave Trade on the West Coast of Africa within very narrow Limits.

"A CORRESPONDENCE has taken

"I HAVE recently declared My place between My Government and Consent to a Marriage between My that of the United States with respect Daughter Princess Helena and Prince to Injuries inflicted on American ComChristian of Schleswig-Holstein Son-merce by Cruisers under the Confedederbourg-Augustenburg. I trust this rate Flag. Copies of this CorresponUnion may be prosperous and happy. dence will be laid before you.

"THE Death of My Beloved Uncle The King of the Belgians has affected Me with profound Grief. I feel great Confidence, however, that the Wisdom which He evinced during His Reign will animate His Successor, and preserve for Belgium her Independence and Prosperity.

"My Relations with Foreign Powers are friendly and satisfactory, and I see no Cause to fear any Disturbance of the general Peace.

"THE Meeting of the Fleets of France and England in the Ports of the respective Countries has tended to

"THE Renewal of Diplomatic Relations with Brazil has given Me much Satisfaction; and I acknowledge with Pleasure that the good Offices of My Ally The King of Portugal have contributed essentially to this happy Result.

"I HAVE to regret the Interruption of Peace between Spain and Chili. The good Offices of My Government, in conjunction with those of the Government of The Emperor of the French, have been accepted by Spain, and it is My earnest Hope that the Causes of Disagreement may be re

moved in a Manner honourable and satisfactory to both Countries.

"THE Negotiations which have been long pending in Japan, and which have been conducted with great Ability by My Minister in that Country, in conjunction with the Representatives of My Allies in Japan, have been brought to a Conclusion which merits My entire Approbation. The existing Treaties have been ratified by the Mikado; it has been stipulated that the Tariff shall be revised in a Manner favourable to Commerce, and that the Indemnity due under the Terms of the Convention of October 1864 shall be punctually discharged.

"I HAVE Concluded a Treaty of Commerce with The Emperor of Austria, which I trust will open to that Empire the Blessings of extended Commerce, and be productive of important Benefits to both Countries.

"THE deplorable Events which have occurred in the Island of Jamaica have induced Me to provide at once for an impartial Inquiry, and for the due Maintenance of Authority during that Inquiry, by appointing a distinguished Military Officer as Governor and Commander of the Forces. I have given him the Assistance of Two able and learned Commissioners, who will aid him in examining into the Origin, Nature, and Circumstances of the recent Outbreak, and the Measures adopted in the course of its Suppression. The Legislature of Jamaica has proposed that the present Political Constitution of the Island should be replaced by a new Form of Government. A Bill upon this subject will be submitted for your Consideration. "PAPERS on these Occurrences will be laid before you.

"PAPERS on the present state of New Zealand will be laid before you.

"I HAVE given Directions for the Return to this Country of the greater Portion of My Regular Forces employed in that Colony.

"I WATCH with Interest the Proceedings which are still in progress in British North America with a view to a closer Union among the Provinces, and I continue to attach great importance to that Object.

"I HAVE observed with great Concern the extensive Prevalence, during the last few Months, of a virulent Distemper among Cattle in Great Britain, and it is with deep Regret, and with sincere Sympathy for the Sufferers, that I have learnt the severe Losses which it has caused in many Counties and Districts. It is satisfactory to know that Ireland and a considerable Part of Scotland are as yet free from this Calamity, and I trust that by the Precautions suggested by Experience, and by the Divine Blessing on the Means which are now being employed, its further Extension may

be arrested.

"THE Orders which have been made by the Lords of My Privy Council by virtue of the Powers vested in them by Law, with a view to prevent the spreading of this Disease, will be laid before you; and your Attention will be called to the Expediency of an Amendment of the Law relating to a Subject so deeply affecting the Interests of My People.

Gentlemen of the House of
Commons,

"I HAVE directed that the Estimates of the ensuing Year shall be laid

before you. They have been prepared with a due Regard to Economy, and are at the same Time consistent with the Maintenance of Efficiency in the Public Service.

"THE Condition of Trade is satisfactory.

My Lords, and Gentlemen,

"I HAVE directed that Information should be procured in reference to the Rights of Voting in the Election of Members to serve in Parliament for Counties, Cities, and Boroughs.

"WHEN that Information is complete, the Attention of Parliament will be called to the Result thus obtained, with a view to such Improvements in "A CONSPIRACY, adverse alike to the Laws which regulate the Rights Authority, Property, and Religion, of Voting in the Election of Members and disapproved and condemned alike of the House of Commons as may tend by all who are interested in their to strengthen our free Institutions, Maintenance, without Distinction of and conduce to the Public Welfare. Creed or Class, has unhappily appeared in Ireland. The Constitutional Power of the ordinary Tribunals has rations I fervently pray that the Blessbeen exerted for its Repression, and ing of Almighty God may guide your the Authority of the Law has been firmly and impartially vindicated.

"A BILL will be submitted to you, founded on the Report of the Royal Commission, on the Subject of Capital Punishment, which I have directed to be laid before you.

"BILLS will be laid before you for amending and consolidating the Laws relating to Bankruptcy, and for other Improvements in the Law.

"MEASURES will also be submitted to you for extending the System of Public Audit to Branches of Receipt and Expenditure which it has not hitherto reached, and for amending the Provisions of the Law with respect to certain Classes of Legal Pensions.

"IN these and in all other Delibe

Counsels to the Promotion of the
Happiness of My People."

Then HER MAJESTY was pleased to retire:

And the Commons withdrew.
House adjourned during pleasure.
House resumed.

Several Lords-Took the Oath.

SELECT VESTRIES.

Bill, pro formá, read 1a.

ABYSSINIA-IMPRISONMENT OF
BRITISH SUBJECTS.

QUESTION.

LORD CHELMSFORD said, that during the last Session of Parliament he had often called the attention of their Lordships to the condition of the British Consul and the British subjects imprisoned in Abyssinia, in the hope that he might obtain some definite information upon the subject. He had not, however, fully succeeded in his object, and he now asked

"YOUR Attention will be called to the Subject of the Oaths taken by Members of Parliament, with a view toavoid unnecessary Declarations, and the noble Earl the Secretary of State for to remove invidious Distinctions be- Foreign Affairs, Whether he had any intween Members of different Religious telligence to communicate respecting the Communities in Matters of Legisla-formed as to the last account that had matter? He particularly desired to be in

tion.

been received of the condition in which

the prisoners were; whether Mr. Rassam | of the approaching marriage of the Prinhad advanced at all in the mission which cess Helena. Such an event, calculated was intrusted to him, and which had been as it is to secure the happiness of the so long in hand; and whether any further Princess will, I am sure, find a ready efforts had been made during the long in- response at the hands of your Lordships. terval which had elapsed since Mr. Rassam Nor, I am sure, is that pleasure likely to set out to secure the liberation of those be diminished by the fact that we are not, prisoners. As he had not given notice of in all probability, to be deprived by that his intention to ask the Question, but marriage of the example and presence of merely mentioned the matter to the noble Her Royal Highness in this country. It Earl a few minutes before, he should not is a fortunate circumstance in the present press for a definite answer at present. day that dynastic or political consideraTHE EARL OF CLARENDON said, he tions are no longer the ruling motives would prefer postponing his answer. in the selection of Royal alliances. We view rather with pleasure the prospects of domestic happiness which they may hold out; and, in this instance, I trust the choice of Her Majesty has fallen upon one who is well calculated to promote the happiness of the Princess Helena. I feel certain, too, that your Lordships' satisfaction will be increased by the knowledge that Her Majesty, while thus consulting the happiness of her daughter, is not likely to be deprived of the society of one whose presence must ever brighten her home and mitigate that solitude which we all so much deplore.

THE QUEEN'S SPEECH having been reported by The LORD CHANCELLOR ;—

ADDRESS TO HER MAJESTY ON HER

MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH.

THE MARQUESS OF NORMANBY: My Lords, I rise for the purpose of moving the presentation of a humble Address to Her Majesty in reply to the gracious Speech with which it has pleased Her Majesty to open the present Parliament. I do so, I can assure your Lordships, with My Lords, I am sure that your Lordships the utmost diffidence in my own power, will also sympathize with the grief expressand, if I had simply consulted my inclina- ed by Her Majesty at the death of her iltion, I would have readily conceded the lustrious relative the King of the Belgians, task to some other Member of your Lord- whose decease, bound as he was to this ships' House, who from greater experience country by no common ties, cannot fail to and talent would have been better able be a source of universal regret. He was a to do justice to the numerous and impor- wise and constitutional Prince, called upon tant topics contained in Her Majesty's under circumstances of an extraordinary Speech. I must, therefore, beg your Lord-kind to reign over a new kingdom, where ships to extend to me as fully as possible that forbearance and consideration which I know your Lordships always accord to those who address your Lordships for the first time.

My Lords, before entering upon the topics which are alluded to in Her Majesty's Speech, I must congratulate your Lordships upon the happy circumstance that it has pleased Her Majesty once again to open Parliament in person. I feel assured that this event will be viewed by your Lordships with the utmost satisfaction, and I am confident that it will be hailed with joy by the people of this country, who are at all times anxious to avail themselves of every opportunity to display their loyalty and affection towards Her Majesty.

Your Lordships have, I feel convinced, heard with pleasure the announcement which Her Majesty has graciously made Lord Chelmsford

he gained for himself the affection and
esteem of his people during a reign pro-
longed beyond the ordinary term. In this
new and difficult position the late King of
the Belgians commanded the respect of
every European kingdom, and died be-
loved and revered at home.
His son,
with so bright an example before him,
will, we may confidently hope, seek to
emulate it, and may well look forward to
a brilliant future.

My Lords, I should be consulting neither my own feelings nor those of your Lordships, did I not here pay a tribute to the memory of one whose death has deprived this country of an eminent statesman and of a faithful servant, and the House of Commons of one of its oldest and most valued Members. My Lords, there were few in this country who heard of the death of Lord Palmerston without feeling that no ordinary man had passed

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