16 AUGUST 1845, Page 2

Debates an Vroceebings in Vadiameut.

CLOSE OF THE SESSION.

[In a great part of our impression last Saturday, we reported the Pro-. rogation and gave the Queen's Speech; but some of our readers had nothing except the anticipative announcement, and to all it remains to give a more complete account.]

The House of Commons met at half-past one o'clock; when the report of the Select Committee on the charges against the London and York Rail- way Company was presented, but not read: it was ordered to be printed.

Sir JAMES GE ATI (IL mentioned, that he had made inquiries relative to Mr. Thomas Duncombe's recent statement that persons receiving tem- porary relief in a Hampshire union had been engaged in turning a mill which was employed for no useful purpose; and he found that the state- ment was not without foundation. He had expressed a strong opinion as to the impropriety of that course, and with that view he had sent instruc- tions to the Poor Law Commissioners through England and Wales to use their efforts for the discontinuance of the practice. Sir James went on to -make some observations on a statement by Mr. Wakley that paupers em- ployed in grinding bones had gnawed the meat and eaten the marrow: he was understood to say, that he had issued instructions for the bone-grind- ing practice to be discontinued.

. Mr. Boarnwieit said, that Sir James had given him a lesson in Par- liamentary tactics, of which he should not fail to avail himself whenever occasion should serve. [This was presumed to apply to Sir James Graham's having extended his remarks so as to fill up the time.] He therefore, in alluding to the necessity of appointing some kind of Regency during the Queen's visit to Germany; confined himself to the statement that there is no instance in our history of the Sovereign's being abroad and yet continuing to exercise all the prerogatives of a Sovereign in respect to the internal government of the country; and he therefore called on Sir Itobert Peel to give assurance that the present instance should not be drawn into a precedent.

, Sir ROBERT PEEL hoped that Mr. Borthwick would excuse him if his answer were as brief as the observations that called it forth. The honour- able gentleman was wrong in every point that he had put, and equally

• wrong in his allegations of fact—

Here Sir Robert was interrupted by the arrival of the Usher of the Mack Rod, who summoned the House to hear the Queen's Speech.

The House of Lords was thrown open at twelve o'clock, and at once began to fill with spectators. It was fitted up as usual, with a carpeted platform, on which were the three chairs of state, for the Queen, for the 'Prince of Wales on the right, and for Prince Albert on the left. The as- semblage of ladies, splendidly dressed, was at least as numerous as usual; many Peers were in uniform; and several diplomatic gentlemen were also present in full dross. Of the Peers, who arrived slowly, Lord Glenelg was one of the first to enter the House. About half-past twelve o'clock, the Earl of Shaftesbury, as Deputy-Speaker of the Lords, took his seat on the woolsack; and the Bishop of Ely read prayers. After a pause, the Duke of Wellington entered, in a Field-Marshal's uniform; then Lord Wharncliffe, towarkanantli Tajore, with a son and nephew, as visiters ; the Lord Chan- cellor, the Duke of Cambridge, accompanied by Prince George, the Earl of St. Germains, and other Peers in more rapid succession. The only busi- loess transacted before the arrival of the Queen was the presentation of Some papers.

About ten minutes to two o'clock, martial musk and the boom of era- lety innounced the Sovereign's approach; and presently her Majesty en- tered, leaning on Prince Albert's arm, and surrounded by the Offioers of State and personal attendants. Beneath the state robes, the Queen wore a Oen& dress of white satin, with bracelets, stomacher, necklace, and tiara of diamonds. Her Majesty and the Prince took their allotted seats; the Queen desired the Peers to be seated,; and the Usher of the Black Rod was sent to summon the Commons.

The Cominena soon appeased at the bat, to the number of about a hun- dred. The &wen &dimmed the following address, recapitulating the deeds of the session—

"Most Sorereign-e-We, your Majeety's loyal subjects, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, at- tend your Majesty with the concluding bill of Supply for the present year. " The session we are about to close has been rendered unusually laborious, by the rapid development of private enterprise, in extending the railway communi- cations of the kingdom. We anticipate the most beneficial results from the fa- cilities thus afforded to the internal trade of the country; and we have devoted much time and labour to the legislation requisite for the construction and regu- lation of these important works, notwithstanding the various measures of great public interest which demanded our attentive consideration.

" Your Majesty was graciously pleased to intimate to us at the commencement of the session, that your Majesty had carried into effect, in the spirit in which it was conceived, the Act for the more effectual application of Charitable Donations and Bequests. In the same spirit we have continued to legislate for Ireland; and in making a further grant for the endowment of Maynooth and in providing the means of academical instruction, we have shown due regard to the peculiar cir- cumstances of that part of the United Kingdom and the religious feelings of the majority of its inhabitants; and we believe that the encouragement afforded by- this and former Parliaments to the education of the people has placed the future improvement and prosperity of Ireland on a sure and lasting foundation.

Our attention has been no less anxiously directed to the condition of the destitute Poor of Scotland; and, assisted by the information which your Majafty has directed to be laid before us we have made such amendments m the law as will provide for the more effectual relief of the poor, and for a better system of parochial management under the control of a general board of supervision. "We have endeavoured, by facilitating the drainage of lands and the enclosure of commons, to encourage agricultural improvement and the beneficial employ- ment of labour in the rural districts. And we advert with peculiar satisfaction to the measures which have been adopted for the farther security and extension of the trade and commerce of the country. "The laws passed in a former session for regulating the banking establishments of England have been applied with certain requisite modifications to Scotland and Ireland. The operations of trade have been simplified and rendered more secure by the abolition of the duties on many articles of import, and by the consolidation of the Customs-laws.

"The duties on sugar have been so far modified and reduced as materially to affect its price and increase its consumption; and the important staple manu- facture of glass has been relieved altogether from fiscal charge and the incon- venience and expense of Excise-regulations. "To meet the deficiency in the revenue caused by these alterations of the Tarlf, we have deemed it indispensably necessary to continue fora further period the tax upon income- and we have been thereby enabled, in accordance with your Ma- jesty's suggestion, to add to the efficiency of the Naval service, and to afford ade- quate protection to our commerce.

"It has been my duty thin briefly to lay before your Majesty some of the most prominent measures of the session. We believe them to be well calculated, under theblessing of Providence,to increase the prosperity of the country, and to promote the welfare and happiness of all classes of your Majesty's subjects: and, if we have felt ourselves reluctantly compelled to renew a tax usually resorted to under the pressure •of an expensive war, we have at least the satisfaction of reflecting that we have reimposed it for no purpose of iaggrandisement or of conquest; but that we might be enabled, without endangering public credit, to relax those re- strictions which press upon our domestic industry, to extend our commercial relations, and to share the blessings of peace with all the nations of the world?'

A few Money-bills, the Silk-weavers Bill, the Small Debts Bill, and some private bills, were presented, and received the Royal assent. The Lord Chancellor, kneeling, handed to the Queen a copy of the Royal Speech; which her Majesty read, as follows- ' My Lords and Gentlemen, I rejoice that the state of public business enables me to release you from farther attendance in Parliament. "In closing this laborious session, I must express to you my warm acknow- ledgments for the zeal and assiduity with which you have applied yourselves to the consideration of many subjects deeply affecting the public welfare. "I have given my cordial assent to the bills which you presented to me for remitting the duties on many articles of import, and for removing restrictions oa- ths free application of capital and skill to certain branches of our manufaciaireti. "The ruction of taxation will necessarily cause an immediate loss of revenue; but I trust that its effect in stimulating commercial enterprise, and enlarging the means of consumption, will ultimately provide an ample compensation for any temporary sacrifice.

"I have witnesaed with peculiar satisfaction the unremitting attention which you have bestowed on the measures recommended by me to your consideration, at the commencement of the session, for improving and extending the means of aca- demical education in Ireland. You may rely upon my determination to carry those measures into execution in the manner best calculated to inspire confidenee in the institutions which have received your sanction, and to give effect to yoar earnest desire to promote the welfare of that part of my dominions. "From all Foreign Powers I continue to receive assurances of their friendly &- position towards this country. "The convention which I have recently concluded with the King of the French for the more effectual suppression of the Slave-trade, will, I trust, by etea- Wishing a cordial and active cooperation between the two Powers, afford a better prospect than has hitherto existed of complete success in the attainment of an object for which this country has made so many sacrifices.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons, I thank you for the liberality with which you have voted the Supplies for the service of the current year.

'My Lords and Gentlemen—On your return to your several counties duties will devolve upon you scarcely less important than those from the performance if which I now relieve you. I feel assured that you will promote and confirm, ty: your influence and example, that spirit of loyalty and contentment which you will find generally prevalent throughout the country. "In the discharge of all the functions intrusted to you for the public welfare, you may confidently rely on my cordial support: and I implore the blessing of Divine Providence on our united efforts to encourage the industry and increare the comforts of my people, and to inculcate those religions and moral principles which are the surest foundation of our security and happiness." The Royal elocution excited the usual admiration; and it was reinarkek that her Majesty read the last three paragraphs of the Speech more slow* than the other parts, and -with much greater emphasis. In the customary terms, the Lord Chancellor declared Parliament prorogued ontil the 2d day of October. The Queen retired in the same order as before; and Parliament broke up.