I trust that the increased demand for labour has relieved, in a corresponding degree, many classes of my faithful subjects from sufferings and privations, which at former periods I have had occasion to deplore.

For several successive years the annual produce of the revenue fell short of the public expenditure. I confidently trust that in the present year the public income will be amply sufficient to defray the charges upon it.

I feel assured that, in considering all matters connected with the financial concerns of the country, you will bear in mind the evil consequences of accumulating debt during the time of peace, and that you will firmly resolve to uphold that public credit the maintenance of which concerns equally the permanent interests and the honour and reputation of a great country.

In the course of the present year the opportunity will occur of giving notice to the Bank of England on the subject of the revision of its charter.

It may be advisable that, during this session of Parliament, and previously to the arrival of the period assigned for the giving of such notice, the state of the law with regard to the privileges of the Bank of England, and to other banking establishments, should be brought under your consideration.

At the close of the last session of Parliament I declared to you my firm determination to maintain inviolate the legislative union between Great Britain and Ireland.

I expressed, at the same time, my earnest desire to co-operate with Parliament in the adoption of all such measures as might tend to improve the social condition of Ireland, and to develope the natural resources of that part of the United Kingdom.

I am resolved to act in strict conformity with this declaration.

I forbear from observation on events in Ireland, in respect to which proceedings are pending before the proper legal tribunal.

My attention has been directed to the state of the law and practice with regard to the occupation of land in Ireland.

I have deemed it advisable to institute extensive local inquiries into a subject of so much importance, and have appointed a Commission, with ample authority, to conduct the requisite investigation.

I recommend to your early consideration the enactments at present in force in Ireland, concerning the registration of voters for Members of Parliament.

You will probably find that a revision of the law of registration, taken in conjunction with other causes at present in operation, would produce a material diminution of the number of county voters, and that it may be advisable on that account to consider the state of the law with a view to an extension of the county franchise in Ireland.

I commit to your deliberate consideration the various important questions of public policy which will necessarily come under your review, with full confidence in your loyalty and wisdom, and with an earnest prayer to Almighty. God to direct and favour your efforts to promote the welfare of all classes of my people.

At the Court at Buckingham-Palace, the 31st day of January 1844,

PRESENT,

The QUEEN's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

HER Majesty having been pleased to appoint the Right Honourable John Edward Cornwallis Earl of Stradbroke to be Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the county of Suffolk, his Lordship this day took the oaths appointed to be taken thereupon, instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy.

Her Majesty in Council was this day pleased, upon the representation of the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council on Education, to appoint the Reverend Henry Moseley, A. M. Professor of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, and the Reverend Frederick Charles Cook, A. M. to be two of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools.

The Prince of Wales Council-Chambers, SomersetHouse, February 2, 1844.

Henry Lewis Stephens, of Tregenna-Castle, in the parish of St. Ives, has been this day appointed Sheriff of the county of Cornwall for the present year.

Whitehall, January 30, 1844.

The Queen has been pleased to present the Reverend David Ross, Master of Arts, to the church at Tobermory, in the island of Mull, in the parishes of Kilninian and Kilmore, in the presbytery of Mull and shire of Argyll, vacant by the transportation of the Reverend Donald Stewart, late Minister thereof, to the parish of Fortingall, in the presbytery of Weem.

Whitehall, February 2, 1844.

The Queen has been pleased to present the Reverend Angus Logan to the church at Berriedale, in the parish of Latheron, in the presbytery of Caithness and shire of Caithness, vacant in consequence of the Reverend Samuel Campbell, late Minister thereof, having ceased to be a Minister of the Church of Scotland.

The Queen has also been pleased to present the Reverend Donald M'Donald to the church at Kilmenny, in the united parishes of Bowmore and Kilmenny, in the presbytery of Isla and Jura and shire of Argyll, vacant in consequence of the Reverend James Pearson, late Minister thereof, having ceased to be a Minister of the Church of Scotland.

St. James's-Palace, January 31, 1844.

The Queen has been pleased, on the nomination of Lord Forester, to appoint George Denne, Esq. as one of Her Majesty's Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, vice Talman, who retires.

Whitehall, January 17, 1844.

The Right Honourable Sir Nicholas Conyngham Tindal, Knt. Lord Chief Justice of Her Majesty's Court of Common Pleas, has appointed Robert Wheatley Lumley, of Carey-street, in the county of Middlesex, Gentleman, to be one of the Perpetual Commissioners for taking the acknowledgements of deeds to be executed by married women, under the Act passed for the abolition of fines and recoveries, and for the substitution of more simple modes of assurance, in and for the city of London, also in and for the city and liberties of Westminster, and also in and for the counties of Middlesex, Essex, Kent, and Surrey.