Nation. The completion of this Establishment is demanded by the plainest policy. In this Country the services of our Seamen are voluntary; no impressment or other mode of compulsion is, or ought to be applied, to force them to perform the duties of Peace, or fight the battles of the Country in War. But in proportion to the voluntary character of the Service, ought to be the effort to render that Service pleasant, and to create every inducement to join it. And when it is perfectly understood by all who are acquainted with the character of the Seaman, that his foresight is seldom directed to any other object than a place of refuge, when disease and misfortune overtake him, surely that place of refuge ought not to be wanting. In this view, it is hoped, the Payment of the Debt before mentioned will be made; and if something were added to it, it would be justified by the consideration, that the Nation has not yet given one dollar to so desirable an object. Respectfully submitted. Navy Department, 1st December, 1827. SAMUEL L. SOUTHARD. DISCOURS prononcé par Sa Majesté le Roi de Wurtemberg, à l'Ouverture des Etats, le 15 Janvier, 1828. (Traduction.) MESSIEURS, CHERS ET FIDELES SUJETS, L'IMPORTANCE de différens Articles de Législation qui vous ont été soumis lors de votre dernière réunion, et qui n'ont pu être discutés à cette époque, m'a engagé à convoquer une Session Extraordinaire pour s'occuper de leur délibération. Cette Session n'ayant point d'autre objet, et une Commission Spéciale s'étant occupée pendant long temps, et avec un zèle digne d'éloges de l'examen préparatoire de ces divers Projets, j'ai lieu d'espérer que vos opérations, dirigées par cet esprit de confiance réciproque, qui a protegé jusqu'aujourd'hui notre Constitution, et l'a développé d'une manière si heureuse, atteindront bientôt leur but, et que le Pays n'aura qu'à s'en réjouir. Les Projets de Loi sur lesquels vous êtes appelés à délibérer en vertu de la Constitution, comprennent des objets d'une importance évidente pour le bien être du Wurtemberg. D'après les changemens qui ont été proposés dans la Loi sur le Recrutement, tous les Individus qui en sont reconnus capables, doivent prendre part à une mesure qui a pour but la protection de tous, sans cependant qu'on en exclue les adoucissemens qui peuvent être reconnu admissibles. Le Projet de Loi sur le Droit de Bourgeoisie à accorder dans les Communes, est destiné à régler une des branches les plus importantes de notre Administration intérieure, d'après des principes qui, tout en conservant aux Communes les droits que leur assurent les Lois, ont pour but d'écarter les obstacles qui pourraient s'opposer au bien général, et particulièrement au développement toujours croissant de l'industrie. Encourager de plus en plus cette industrie dans des circonstances qui continuent d'être si peu favorables à l'économie rurale, tel a été l'objet constant de mes soins. Ce sont ces motifs qui ont dicté les Propositions qui vous ont été faites relativement à une nouvelle Ordonnance sur les Corporations Industrielles; et vous pourrez remarquer qu'on y a eu égard au principe reçu chez nous, que les changemens à faire dans la Législation pour pouvoir être durables, doivent être introduits petit à petit et pour ainsi dire par la main de l'expérience. Plus est grande l'influence que les rapports commerciaux avec les Etats voisins produisent sur le libre et actif exercice de l'industrie, plus il m'est agréable de vous annoncer que les Négociations qui ont eu lieu sous ce rapport avec la Bavière, garantissent l'espoir fondé d'un résultat prochain et satisfaisant. Conformément au vou que vous avez exprimé, quelques dispositions destinées à étendre le nouveau Projet de Loi sur les hypothèques vous seront soumises, ainsi qu'une Loi pour la répression du vol. J'ai appris avec plaisir que les craintes qui s'étaient manifestées lors de l'établissement de la Législation sur les hypothèques ne se sont pas réalisées, et qu'au contraire elle obtient de plus en plus la confiance publique. J'aime à me persuader que lorsque vous vous occuperez des changemens à faire à la Loi concernant la Famille Royale (haus-gesetze) vous aurez toujours devant les yeux les droits des Membres de ma Maison, et sa dignité extérieure. De mon côté, mes sentimens paternels doivent vous donner l'assurance que j'aurai égard à toutes les circonstances. Je m'abandonne donc avec confiance à l'espoir que cette 4me Session, comme celles qui l'ont précédés, sera l'image du bon accord qui unit le Souverain et ses fidèles Etats, et que ce lien, se resserrant chaque jour davantage, résistera à tous les évènemens que l'avenir cache dans son sein. SPEECH of the Minister of the Interior, on the Closing of the (Translation.) MOST NOBLE AND WORTHY GENTLEMEN, I FEEL myself particularly fortunate, at the moment at which I have received the command of His Majesty to announce to you the termination of the Extraordinary Session of the States, to be enabled to inform you of the recovery of our beloved King and Queen. We have witnessed the impression which their illness has made on every Class of their Subjects, and also the continued anxiety and incessant attention with which our Sovereign, in spite of bodily suffering, has regarded the progress of our deliberations. His Majesty offers to you His thanks for the zeal with which you deliberated upon the Projects of Law laid before you, and for the impartial manner in which you attended to the interests both of the general and particular parts thereof, and also for your acknowledgment of the well-meaning intentions of the Government. His Majesty is gratified by the readiness which you evinced to satisfy the just claims of His Royal House, in a manner suitable to its dignity, and to the resources of the Nation. He was not insensible of the difficulties which, in the arrangement of these matters, were opposed to the fulfilment of the general wish. The wants of the High School, and the personal interests of its Masters and of its Directors, have been settled in such manner as to be consistent with the age and with the object of the Institution. In consequence of this arrangement, the former will the more readily attend to their vocation, and the latter fulfil the duties incumbent upon them. By the completion of the new Law of Mortgage a great step has been made towards the reformation of the rights of the Burgher Citizens, and the explaining and simplifying points so important in the daily administration of justice. The improvements respecting the survey of land will also serve as well to assure private credit, as the equal distribution of publick duties. The Laws of Administration which have just been decided upon, will attest our advancement in civilization, agriculture, and industry. The arts and sciences will find in these Laws their developement, their support, and their encouragement. May a glorious success crown our united endeavours, and may the important arrangements concluded with the neighbouring States, which delighted us so much at the commencement of this Session, become of mutual advantage to the Contracting Parties. Another event, not less gratifying, has marked the period of this Session our Negotiations with the Court of Rome, after having been prolonged for so many Years, are now terminated in a manner : equally satisfactory to the Catholick Church and to the Constitutional Rights of our Government. The newly-appointed Bishop, and the Chapter to be nominated by him, will, in the course of this month, enter upon their functions. Thus do we separate, with a beneficial feeling of mutual confidence, and of the most sincere concord, which cannot but strengthen more firmly the union between the Government and the States. Happy the People who have such a hold upon the affections of their Sovereign! DECREE of the Emperor of Brazil, completing his Act of Abdication of the Crown of Portugal.—3d March, 1828. (Translation.) THE period having arrived which I in my high wisdom had appointed to complete my Abdication of the Crown of Portugal, conformably to my Royal Decree of the 3d of May, 1826, and it being most fitting to give to the Portuguese Nation, always jealous of its Independence, an indubitable proof of my desire to see it for ever separated from the Brazilian Nation, (of which I have the distinguished glory and honour to be the Sovereign) in a manner which should render even the idea of their reunion impracticable; I think it right, of my most free and spontaneous will, after having weighed the importance of this matter, to ordain, as I do ordain, by this my Royal Decree, that the Kingdom of Portugal be governed in the name of my beloved and dear Daughter, Donna Maria II., already Queen thereof, according to the form of the Constitutional Charter, by me decreed, given, ordered to be sworn, and sworn to; and I, moreover, most expressly declare, that I have henceforth no claim or right whatsoever to the Crown of Portugal and its Dominions. The Infant Don Miguel, my very beloved and esteemed Brother, Regent of the Kingdoms of Portugal and Algarves, and my Lieutenant thereof, is so to understand this, and to cause it to be published and executed. Palace of Boa Vista, this 3d day of March, 1828. With the Signature of His Majesty, THE KING. SPEECH of the Emperor of Brazil, on the Opening of the Legislative Assembly.-3d May, 1828. (Translation.) AUGUST AND MOST WORTHY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE Brazilian NATION, I OPEN this Assembly with the satisfaction of informing you that our relations of friendship with the European Powers continue, and become daily more intimate. The Emperor of Russia and the King of Saxony have recognized this Empire. This is not the case with the Court of Madrid, that being the only Government of Europe which has failed to do so. Treaties of Commerce and Navigation with the Kings of Great Britain and Prussia have been concluded and ratified. I have also to inform you that I have completed the Act of my Abdication of the Portuguese Crown, which I announced on the Opening of the Session of 1826. Reciprocal relations of friendship and good intelligence exist between this Empire and the principal States of the American Continent. The Government of The United States has nominated a Chargé d'Affaires to this Court, instead of the one who has quitted, as I announced to you on the Opening of the last Session. Negotiations are, at this moment, pending with the Government of the Republick of Buenos Ayres, in order to establish the basis of a just and equitable Convention, such as the national honour and the dignity of my Imperial Crown demand. Should that Republick refuse to acquiesce in the highly liberal and generous propositions, which will proclaim to the World the good faith and Moderation of the Imperial Government, whatever may be the regret of my Imperial heart, it will be necessary to continue hostilities, and to carry them on with redoubled energy. This is my immutable resolution; and I rely upon the General Assembly for its most firm and loyal co-operation in sustaining the national honour and glory. With respect to our internal affairs, I congratulate myself and this Assembly upon the order and tranquillity which reign in all the Provinces of this Empire, and which convinces me in the highest degree that the monarchical constitutional Regime is rapidly gaining strength. I again call the attention of the Chambers to the Administrations of Finance and Justice, which I so much recommended to their care in the last Session. The Finances and Publick Credit will receive a beneficial impulse from the Law for funding the Publick Debt; but very prompt and effectual Legislative measures are necessary to harmonize the different branches of the Administration. The Judicial Power has not yet received the least improvement, and it is urgently necessary that, in the course of this Session, it should be regulated according to the principles of the Constitution of the Empire, in order that justice may be awarded on Constitutional principles, which, whilst it ensures to my Subjects the security of property, which the Constitution guarantees to them, will cause them to bless the system under which they live, and to assist me in maintaining it. The Ministers and Secretaries of State will present to the Chambers, with the accuracy compatible with existing circumstances, the state of the various branches of the Publick Administration. I expect from the loyalty and wisdom of this Assembly, as well as of every Individual who composes it, that the most perfect harmony and |