decrease of our population, and the means of staying it,
occupy many of my thoughts; and a subject so important cannot
fail to receive your serious consideration. Intimately
connected with the subject last alluded to, is the still
unaccomplished wish of all the true friends of the nation to
see a Hospital established, and I sincerely hope that those
who have foretold difficulties opposed to the success of such
an institution, will at last allow the experiment to be made.
Fearful, as we all must be, of the introduction of any new
diseases to decimate us again, I beg of you to consider by
what means, under Providence, such a calamity may be averted.

I sincerely trust that the Ruler of all will guide your
deliberations to a result beneficial to the nation.

MAY 24, 1856.

_Reply by His Majesty to the Congratulations offered by the House of
Representatives upon His approaching Marriage._

It is with much pleasure that I receive the congratulations of
the Representatives of my People, upon the contemplated event
of my marriage. Your voice is that of the Nation speaking
through its Representatives, and it is a great satisfaction to
me to have your approval of the important step I am about to
take.

You express the hope that the union may be the means of
perpetuating our Sovereignty and promoting the welfare of the
nation, and I sincerely unite with you in that hope.

In conclusion, I thank you, Representatives, for the kind,
prompt and unanimous manner in which you have responded to my
Message.

JUNE 11, 1856.

_His Majesty's Speech upon Proroguing the Session of the Legislature of
1856._

NOBLES AND REPRESENTATIVES:--At the close of a Session which
has been marked by so much unanimity as that about to
terminate, and during which so much that displays the wisdom
essential to success in legislation has been observable, I
cannot but feel a gratification in meeting you.

The appropriations you have made for the expenses of my
Government during the next two years, and the zeal you have
displayed to render especially efficient the Bureau of Public
Works, meet with my sincere approval.

In the matter of one appropriation only, do I entert