The Alexandria Gazette

Gibraltar, March 8.

Speech delivered by his Catholic Majesty at the opening of the Cortes Extraordinary, for the year 1822.

"The solemn opening of this new legislature is an act highly gratifying to me, and I believe it will be equally so to the whole nation which you worthily represent. It affords an additional proof of the stability of the Constitutional system, and of the security and confidence with which we proceed in the path which we intended to follow.

Political revolutions when first carried into effect, are always attended with difficulties arising from the unavoidable change which takes place in the fortunes, hopes and opinions of the members of the State. In the two years which have elapsed since the Constitutional restoration, order and tranquility have occasionally been threatened by the rash attempts of imprudent men who are not aware of the powerful influence of time and events--but the Spaniards, so conspicuous for their good sense and constancy, may justly boast of having defeated those foolish attempts, thus offering an example but seldom met with in the annals of Nations.

Our relations with other powers held out the prospect of lasting peace, without fear of its being disturbed; and if ever rumours have been spread to the contrary, I am happy to inform the Cortes, that they are utterly void of foundation, and circulated by malevolence which aims at surprizing the unwary, intimidating the pusillanimous, and opening by this means a door for mistrust and disunion.

The internal state of the country cannot yet exhibit considerable improvements as there has not been time to effect them since the commencement of the new period, and on the other hand, ameliorations have been materially retarded by the great and notorious obstacles thrown in their way. As far however, as time and the means at the disposal of government have allowed it, agriculture has been encouraged, industry promoted, commerce freed from shackles, and all the sources of public prosperity left unobstructed. The statements which my Secretaries of State will immediately lay before the Cortes, will give an idea of the state the several branches of the Administration are in, and make the Cortes acquainted with whatever has been done for the due execution of the beneficent laws and decrees issued by former legislatures.

It only remains for me to express to the Cortes my confident hope, that their wisdom and zeal will consolidate the work of the public happiness, draw closer and closer the bonds of union between the several classes of the state, and by all means establish tranquility and confidence upon immoveable bases.

In order to obtain such important ends Government will, for its part, exert whatever power it has received from the Constitution; and the effectual co-operation of the Cortes, together with the fortitude and prudence which characterize the Spanish nation, will ultimately crown their unremitted efforts, ensuring for ever the liberty and glory of the country."

Answer of the President of the Cortes (Gen. Riego).

Sire--On hearing from your Majesty's mouth the state in which the sources of the public wealth are, the internal order of the country, and the external relations, it seems that we ought all to indulge the most flattering hopes of future happiness.

And yet the difficulties with which we are beset, the incessant machinations of the enemies of freedom: and the resistance opposed to every change, even by those who are not averse from reform, point out the necessity of great resolution and energy to consolidate the existing system. In order to effect the improvements already adopted, the obstacles thrown in their way must be removed with a strong hand.

The Cortes, Sire, without exceeding their powers, will unremittingly labor to overcome all these difficulties, and will besides, take into consideration whatever your majesty may propose to them.

Intimately united with your majesty, they trust, that they will secure forever the possession of the liberties of the Spanish people. Raising the nation by this means to the degree of prosperity which she deserves to attain, they will at the same time endeavor to add fresh lustre to your majesty's constitutional throne, and will show to the whole world, that a monarch's real power and greatness exclusively consist in the punctual execution of the laws.