addition to your royal family by the birth of a Princess Royal; ever mindful of that Divine blessing to which we owe the preservation of our religion and constitution, by the succession of your illustrious House to the throne of these kingdoms, and of the happiness we, together with all your Majesty's subjects, have enjoyed under their most auspicious government. "Permit us also, Sir, to congratulate your Majesty on the solemnization of the marriage of your Majesty's sister the princess Caroline Matilda with the king of Denmark. by which the natural alliance between the two crowns receives such an additional strength and support.

"We acknowledge, with the truest gratitude, the paternal affection and tender concern which your Majesty has shewn for your people, by laying an Embargo on wheat and wheat flour, until the sense of parliament could be taken thereon; preventing by this measure the immediate and dangerous consequences which would have arisen to the public welfare, and more particularly to the ease and comfort of the poorer sort of your subjects, from a scarcity of that grain.

"The sense you express of the measures which the safety of my people put me under the necessity of taking during the recess of my parliament, affords me the highest satisfaction. I rely on your assurances, that you will consider with attention the proper means of preventing the evils of scarcity, and the necessary measures for enforcing that obedience and reverence which are due to laws and government.

"Your approbation of the Treaty of Commerce which I have concluded with my good sister the empress of Russia, is extremely agreeable to me: and I receive with particular pleasure your congratulations on the birth of my daughter the Princess Royal, and on the marriage of my sister the princess Caroline Matilda with my good brother the king of Denmark."

"We shall give, on our part, the most The Commons' Address of Thanks.] earnest attention to the consideration of The Commons being returned to their every means by which the evils of scarcity House, Mr. Hervey moved, "That an may be effectually prevented; anxious to humble Address be presented to his Maforward the gracious and salutary pur-jesty, to return his Majesty the thanks of poses which your Majesty constantly ma- this House for his most gracious Speech nifests for the welfare of every rank of from the throne. your subjects. Truly sensible of your Majesty's royal wisdom, in having given the necessary orders for bringing the offenders against the public peace to condign punishment and speedy justice, we beg leave to assure your Majesty of our resolution to pursue and maintain measures so indispensably necessary for the suppression of riot and licentiousness, and for enforcing that respect and obedience which are due to government.

"We gratefully acknowledge the communication it has pleased your Majesty to make to us of a Treaty of Commerce being concluded with the empress of Russia. The security given thereby to so considerable a branch of trade, by fixing it on a just and satisfactory footing, is a fresh instance of your Majesty's constant care and concern for the commercial interests of these kingdoms.

"Animated with the truest sentiments of duty, zcal, and affection, we thankfully receive the just and wise declaration of your Majesty's intentions to maintain the

"To express the grateful sense we entertain of the paternal care and tender regard his Majesty has shewn for the welfare of his people, by laying an Embargo on wheat and wheat flour going out of the kingdom, until his Majesty should have the advice of parliament on that important subject.

"To assure his Majesty, that his faithful Commons will not fail, agreeably to his Majesty's recommendation, to take this weighty matter into their most serious consideration, in order, by timely and ef fectual measures, to pursue the two great ends, which his Majesty's wisdom has pointed cut, of providing against the many evils attending a dearness or scarcity of provisions, especially to the poorer sort of his Majesty's subjects; and, at the same time, of suppressing that daring and dangerous spirit of riot, which has of late too generally shewn itself in many parts of this kingdom.

"To assure his Majesty of our unfeigned joy, on the safe and happy delivery of

of a precedent, which, in times of less urgent necessity, may be perverted to justify a wanton violation of the most sacred laws, and a dangerous infringement of the constitution."

The House was moved, that part of an act, passed in the 15th of Charles the 2d, intituled, An Act for the encouragement of trade,' might be read. And the same was read accordingly.

The House was also moved, that part of an act, passed in the 22d of Charles the 2d, intituled, An Act for improvement of tillage and the breed of cattle,' might be read. And the same was read accordingly.

The House was also moved, that part of an act passed in the 1st of William and Mary, intituled, An Act declaring the rights and liberties of the subject, and settling the succession of the crown,' might be read. And the same was read ac

And then the question being put, That the words proposed as an Amendment to the said question, be there inserted ;—it passed in the negative.

"To assure his Majesty, that his faith-cordingly. ful Commons will cheerfully grant such supplies, as shall be necessary for the service of the year; having the utmost confidence in the assurance his Majesty is pleased to give, that they will be punctually applied to those purposes for which they shall be granted.

To express our highest satisfaction in the present happy establishment of the public tranquillity; and the well grounded hopes we entertain, from the wisdom of his Majesty's councils, and the influence of his example, that, while he wisely unites with the resolution to support the dignity of his crown and the rights of his people, a true zeal for the general peace and happiness of mankind, the same spirit of equity and moderation, which animates his Majesty's conduct, will direct the councils of the other great powers of Europe to the like pacific and salutary views."

Another Amendment was proposed to be made to the question, by inserting, in the same place, these words, "But, that we cannot observe without the highest concern, that, when it appeared by the proclamation of the 10th of September, against forestallers, regrators, and ingrossers, that the prices of corn were very much already increased, and likely to grow much dearer, to the great oppres sion of the poor, his Majesty should, on the same 10th of September, have been advised to prorogue the parliament for 62 days, instead of assembling it on this great emergency as soon as possible, which has been done upon many occasions of far less moment; and particularly in a very recent instance, on twelve days notice only; by which long prorogation it became impossible for his Majesty, in a time of dearth and tumult, to give his subjects that relief and security which their calamitous situation required, and which the authority of the legislature alone could effectually and legally provide."

And an Amendment being proposed to be made to the question, by inserting, after the words, "that important subject," these words," To assure his Majesty, that we will immediately proceed to prepare a Bill for indemnifying those, who, because his Majesty was deprived of the opportunity of taking the advice of parliament, in consequence of its having been prorogued to so distant a day as the 11th of November, advised his Majesty by proclamation to prohibit the exportation of wheat and Then another Amendment was prowheat-flour, and for the relief of all such posed to be made to the question, by inpersons as by means thereof are involved serting, in the same place, these words, in law suits and difficulties; and in order," To assure his Majesty, that we will by such Bill, to prevent the future abuse enable him to give effectual assistance to [VOL. XVI.] [R]

And the question being put, That those words be there inserted; it passed in the negative.

the poorest part of our fellow subjects, to be applied either in the purchase of corn, or in bounties on such corn as shall be brought by farmers to market, or in such other manner as his Majesty in his great humanity and compassion shall think fit; and that we will make good, out of the next aids which shall be granted by parliament, such expences as shall be incurred by his Majesty, in relieving their wants, under the present unusual high price of all kinds of provision."

And the question being put, that those words be there inserted; it passed in the negative.

And then another Amendment was proposed to be made to the question, by inserting, in the same place, these words, "To assure his Majesty, that we will apply ourselves with all diligence, to diminish the public expence, and to lessen the most burthensome taxes, from which the present distresses of his Majesty's subjects in Great Britain, have in a great measure arisen; and in consequence of which, if a timely and effectual remedy be not applied, there is too much reason to fear, that those distresses will not only continue, but increase."

ing a dearness or scarcity of corn, especially to the poorer sort of your Majesty's subjects; and, at the same time, of suppressing that daring and dangerous spirit of riot, which has of late too generally shewn itself in many parts of this kingdom.

"It is with the greatest satisfaction, that we assure your Majesty of our unfeigned joy on the safe and happy delivery of her Majesty, and on the birth of a princess; every increase of your Majesty's royal family being a fresh pledge of the future liberty and happiness of your people.

"And, animated with the same zeal, we most heartily congratulate your Majesty on the solemnization of the marriage of your Majesty's sister, the princess Caroline Matilda, with the king of Denmark; by which the union with that ancient and natural ally of your Majesty's crown is strengthened, by a fresh tye of the most endearing kind.

"We return your Majesty our very sincere thanks, for your gracious communication, that a Treaty of Commerce has been lately concluded with the empress of Russia; which, whilst it gives us hopes of seeing that important branch of our trade continued hereafter on a solid and advantageous footing, is a new proof of Then the Address was agreed to as true interest of this commercial nation. your Majesty's constant regard for the follows:

And the question being put, that those words be there inserted ;-it passed in the negative.

"It is with the utmost cheerfulness "Most Gracious Sovereign, that your Majesty's faithful Commons "We, your Majesty's most dutiful and will grant such supplies, as shall be neloyal subjects, the Commons of Great cessary for the service of the year; havBritain, in parliament assembled, returning the utmost confidence in the assur your Majesty our most humble thanks for your most gracious Speech from the throne.

"We desire your Majesty will believe, that we entertain the most grateful sense of the paternal and tender regard your Majesty has shewn for the welfare of your people, by laying an Embargo on wheat and wheat-flour going out of the kingdom, until your Majesty should have the advice of your parliament on that important subject.

"And we beg leave to assure your Majesty, that your faithful Commons will not fail, agrecably to your Majesty's recommendation, to take this weighty matter into our most serious consideration, in order, by timely and effectual measures, to pursue the two great ends, which your Majesty's wisdom has pointed out, of providing against the many evils attend

ance your Majesty is pleased to give, that they will be punctually applied to those purposes for which they shall be granted.

"We beg your Majesty will permit us to express our highest satisfaction on the present happy establishment of the public tranquillity; and the well grounded hopes we entertain, from the wisdom of your Majesty's councils, and the influence of your example, that, while your Majesty wisely unites, with the resolution to support the dignity of your crown, and the rights of your people, a true zeal for the general peace and happiness of mankind, the same spirit of equity and moderation, which animates your Majesty's conduct, will direct the councils of the other great powers of Europe to the like just and salutary views."

The King's Answer]. His Majesty returned this Answer:

"Gentlemen,

"I return you my most hearty thanks for your loyal and affectionate Address. The part you take in the late happy events in my family, completes the satisfaction I receive from them. I see with pleasure the continuance of that zeal and true public spirit, which I have always experienced in my faithful Commons, by your early attention to the several great objects recommended to your consideration, and particularly to the means of providing against the evils attending a scarcity of corn, and for securing the tranquillity of the country. You may depend on my invariable attention to the happiness and prosperity of my kingdom."

Mr. Alderman Beckford's Words taken down.] November 18. A Motion was made, that leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better protection and security of all persons, who have acted in pursuance of, or obedience to, the late order of council, laying an Embargo on wheat and wheat-flour.

In the debate thereupon, Mr. Alderman Beckford having used some words in his speech, to which exception was taken, they were, by direction of the House, taken down by the clerk; as follows: "Whenever the public is in danger, King has a dispensing power.'

Conway presented to the House of Commons a Bill for the better protection and security of all persons, who have acted in

uninterrupted succession of rain, the harvest failed in all parts of England; the price of bread was considerably advanced; and as a similar scarcity prevailed on the continent, great alarms were entertained, lest by combinations of monopolists, forestallers, and regraters, and by an unlimited exportation for profit, the In consequence of these apprehensions, tumults country should suffer the miseries of famine.

which were not repressed without the aid of were excited in many parts of the kingdom, the military. A proclamation was issued against forestallers and regraters, but that measure not being deemed sufficiently strong, and the city of London having represented to the throne that orders were received for the exportation of large quantities of wheat, while the company of bakers had applied to the city magistrates to prevent a diminution of the small stock of old corn left in the kingdom, the privy council prohibited the export, and laid an emof grain. Lord Chatham was prevented by illbargo on ships preparing to sail with cargoes ness from attending the council, but, in writing, recommended the measure.

"The scarcity formed the principal topic of the King's speech, and was assigned as a reason for convening the parliament early, to deliberate on a matter so important, and particularly affecting the poor. The urgency of the necessity,' the King observed, "called upon theme, in the mean time, to exert my authority for the preservation of the public safety, against a growing calamity, which could not admit of delay. I have therefore, by the advice of my privy council, laid an embargo on wheat and wheat-flour going out of the kingdom, until the advice of parliament could be taken.' The King then recommended to make further provisions, if necessary, with respect to the dearness of corn, and mentioned, with regret, the spirit of insurrection displayed in many parts of the kingdom.

Whereupon he was admitted to explain himself; and thereupon declared that he meant to have added, "with the advice of council, whenever the salus populi requires it."

And exception being also taken to those words, they were likewise, by direction of the House, taken down by the clerk.

Mr. Alderman Beckford was then admitted further to explain himself; and he declared, that he only meant to have said, "That on great and urgent occasions, where the safety of the people called for an exertion of a power contrary to the written law of these kingdoms, such exertion of power is excusable only by necessity, and justifiable by act of parliament." Upon which the House were satisfied, and proceeded no further.

Debates in both Houses on the Bill of Indemnity for those concerned in the late Embargo. Nov. 24. Mr. Secretary

"Lord Chatham's ministry commenced under inauspicious circumstances. From an

"The Address was opposed in both Houses, and amendments moved, importing an intention to bring in a bill for indemnifying those who had advised the embargo. The amendments were rejected; but the ministry having introduced a bill of indemnity in favour of the officers who had acted under the orders of council, several animated debates ensued, in which their conduct was severely arraigned. The assumption of a prerogative to dispense with an exist ing law, under any circumstances, or for any motive, was decried as unconstitutional and unqualified and unlimited tyranny. dangerous, and tending directly to establish an Those who advised the measure were no less open to censure than the officers who carried it into execution; and therefore an amendment was moved, including the ministers in the operation of the bill." Adolphus.