806


FOREIGN RELATIONS.


   The great body of the people, of all classes. naturally deprecate the
 success of Don Carlos in Spain or the restoration of the elder Bourbon
 dynasty in France, as either event would be a signal for agitation in
 behalf of the deposed dynasty in Portugal.
        With respect, &c.,
                                                            CH. 111. LE WIS.


                               [Inclosure.--Translation. I
  5)Jeech from the throve at the opening of the Cortes of Portugal on the
2d January, 1874.
  HONORABLE PEERS OF THE KINGDOM, AND GENTLEMEN DEPUTIES or THE PORTU-
  GUESE NATION: On this solemn occasion, in which I am here to open the legislative
  session of the present year, I am happy to have around me the representatives
of the
  nation.
  Our diplomatic relations with foreign powers continue to be most satisfactory.
  The public tranquillity has been preserved without the least interrup ion
throughout
the kingdom and our ultramarine provinces-. In pursuance of the authority
vested
in my government by the acts of the Cortes of the 2d July, 1867, and 5th
March, 1358,1
public national subscriptions were opened for the emission of the first series
of bonds
of the Minho Railroad to the amount of 1,535,670 milreis and for the sum
of 38,000,000
milreis, to be applied to the extinction of the floating debt. In both cases
the result
was most satisfactory, and the subscriptions were in excess of the sum asked
for by
the government.
  My minister of the treasury will submit to you a report of the affairs
of his depart-
mernt, which exhibits the vitality of the'country, its patriotism, and the
relative pros-
perity which we enjoy. In the prosecution of our aims to improve the armament
and
equipment of our army, on a peace footing, my government is indebted to the
govern-
ment of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and of His Majesty the Emperor
of
Germany for a supply of modern carbines for infantry and cavalry, and of
cannon
t)f the Krupp system, which were obtained directly from  the arsenals of
Great
Britain and Prussia.
  To meet the expense consequent upon the purchase of these arms and rhe
munitions
of war which it was indispensable that we shoauld purchase or manufacture,
mygov-
ernment will present to you the necessary estima.tes, to which you will give
that con-
sideration required by the importance of the subject to which they refer.
  The construction of the Minho Railroad is being successfully prosecuted.
The work
on the Regoa Railroad has been commenced, and the section of the Southeastern
Rail-
road as far as Extremoz has been completed and is now openi for the transportation
of
passengers and freight. The works on the ordinary roads have been prosecuted
with
all the resources placed by law at the disposal of my government. As every
day's ex-
perience tends to show palpably and incontestibly how greatly increased facilities
for
travel and transportation of produce contribute to the wealth of the nation,
the time
has arrived for the extension of the railway to the two districts of Beira,
ivhich will
not only prove a great benefit to these important provinces, but will greatly
facilitate
our international communications. My governn~ent will present to you the
estimates
necessary for thbese improvements, subordinating them, however, to the determination
that the financial condition of the country shall not be disturbed.
  In addition to the subjects which remained pending, and which await your
enlight-
ened consideration, there are others of general 'interest that will be shortly
laid before
you by my ministers. I trust to your well-known zeal and patriotism, and
am well
assured that everything which may tend to the improvement of the administration
itself, to the prompt administration of justice, to the diffusion of knowledge,
and to
the improvement of all branches of the military and naval service, and of
our ultra-
marine provinces, will receive your enlightened tand devoted attention. In
obedience
to the requirements of the constitution, my ministei of the treasury will
lay before you
the estimates for the expenses of the fiscal year 1874-'75, and from it and
the docu-
ments which accompany it you will see that the condition of the treasury
is most sat-
isfactory, and, thanks to the foresight you have exhibited, the endeavors
of all our peo-
ple, and the happy continuance of public peace, our credit has been strengthened,
and
we shall be able to equalize the receipts and expenses without increasing
the taxes.
Calling your enlightened attention to the duties which are so nearly connected
with
the highest interest of the country, I confide fully in your wisdom, and
am confident
that with the blessing of Providence you will, as far as you are able, co-operate
with
my ministers as far as proper regard to economy will permit, in improving
our finances
and addressing ourselves to the task of availing ourselves of the progress
of civiliza-
tion to advance the greatness and prosperity of our country.
  The session is opened.
                       * Evidently a misprint for 1868.--C. H. L.