faithful Commons any extraordinary supplies. I thank you for the readiness and dispatch with which they have been granted; and they are the more acceptable to me as you have shown, in the manner of raising them, an equal regard to the exigencies of the service, and the ease of my people; and you may be assured that the confidence you repose in me shall be used with proper frugality, and applied only to the purposes for which it was intended. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, We are engaged in a great national cause, the prosecution of which must inevitably be attended with many difficulties and much exbut when we consider that the essential pense; rights and interests of the whole empire are deeply concerned in the issue of it, and can have no safety or security but in that constitutional subordination for which we are contending, I am convinced that you will not think any price too high for the preservation of such objects. I will still entertain a hope that my rebellious subjects may be awakened to a sense of their errors, and that, by a voluntary return to their duty, they will justify me in bringing about the favourite wish of my heart, the restoration of harmony and the re-establishment of order and happiness in every part of my dominions. But, if a due submission should not be obtained from such motives and such dispositions on their part, I trust that I shall be able, under the blessing of Providence, to effectuate it by a full exertion of the great force with which you have entrusted me. GEORGE III, [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, OCT. 31, 1776.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, Nothing could have afforded me so much satisfaction as to have been able to inform you, at the opening of this Session, that the troubles which have so long distracted my colonies in North America were at an end, and that my unhappy people, recovered from their delusion, had delivered themselves from the oppression of their leaders, and returned to their duty: but so daring and desperate is the spirit of those leaders, whose object has always been dominion and power, that they have now openly renounced all allegiance to the Crown and all political connection with this country: they have rejected, with circumstances of indignity and insult, the means of conciliation held out to them under the authority of our commission; and have presumed to set up their rebellious confederacies for independent States. If their treason be suffered to take root, much mischief must grow from it to the safety of my loyal colonies, to the commerce of my kingdoms, and indeed to the present system of all Europe. One great advantage, however, will be derived from the object of the rebels being openly avowed and clearly understood; shall have unanimity at home, founded in the general conviction of the justice and necessity of our measures. we I am happy to inform you that, by the blessing of Divine Povidence on the good conduct and valour of my officers and forces by sea and land, and on the zeal and bravery of the auxiliary troops in my service, Canada is recovered; and although, from unavoidable delays, the operations at New York could not begin before the month of August, the success in that province has been so important as to give the strongest hopes of the most decisive good consequences; but, notwithstanding this fair prospect, we must, at all events, prepare for another campaign. I continue to receive assurances of amity from the several Courts of Europe; and am using my utmost endeavours to conciliate unhappy differences between two neighbouring Powers; and I still hope that all misunderstandings may be removed, and Europe continue to enjoy the inestimable blessings of peace. I think, nevertheless, that, in the present situation of affairs, it is expedient that we should be in a respectable state of defence at home. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I will order the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. It is matter of real concern to me that the important considera tions which I have stated to you must neces- In this arduous contest I can have no other GEORGE III. Powers of their pacific dispositions. My own cannot be doubted, but at this time, when the armaments in the ports of France and Spain continue, I have thought it advisable to make a considerable augmentation to my naval force, as well to keep my kingdoms in a respectable state of security, as to provide an adequate protection for the extensive commerce of my subjects; and as, on the one hand, I am determined that the peace of Europe shall not be disturbed by me, so, on the other, I will always be a faithful guardian of the honour of the Crown of Great Britain. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I have ordered the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. The various services which I have mentioned to you will unavoidably require large supplies; and nothing could relieve my mind from the concern which I feel for the heavy charges which they must bring on my faithful people but the perfect conviction that they are necessary for the welfare and the essential interests of my kingdoms. MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, JUNE 6, 1777.] I will steadily pursue the measures in which we are engaged for the re-establishment of MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, that constitutional subordination which, with The conclusion of the public business, and the blessing of God, I will maintain through the consideration of the inconvenience which, the several parts of my dominions; but I attendance, call upon me to put an end to I fear, you must have suffered by so long an shall ever be watchful for an opportunity of putting a stop to the effusion of the blood of this Session of Parliament; but I cannot let you my subjects, and the calamities which are go into your several counties without expressing inseparable from a state of war. And I still my entire approbation of your conduct, and hope that the deluded and unhappy multitude without thanking you for the unquestionable will return to their allegiance; and that the proofs you have given to me, and to all the remembrance of what they once enjoyed, the world, of the continuance of your attachment regret for what they have lost, and the feelto n.y person and Government; of your clearings of what they now suffer under the arbitrary discernment of the true interests of your country, and of your steady perseverance in maintaining the rights of the Legislature. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I trust in the Divine Providence that, by a well-concerted and vigorous exertion of the great force you have put into my hands, the operations of this campaign, by sea and land, will be blessed with such success as may most bellion in America and to the re-establishment effectually tend to the suppression of the re of that constitutional obedience which all the subjects of a free State owe to the authority of law. GEORGE III. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, Nov. 20, 1777.] attention. The tyranny of their leaders, will re-kindle in their hearts a spirit of loyalty to their Sovereign, and of attachment to their mother country; and that they will enable me, with the concurrence and support of my Parliament, to accomplish what I shall consider as the greatest happiness of my life, and the greatest glory of my reign, the restoration of peace, order, and confidence to my American colonies. GEORGE III. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, 1778.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, After so long and laborious an application to the public business, I think it proper at this season of the year to give you some reI come at the same time to return you my particular thanks for the zeal you have shown in supporting the honour of my Crown, and for your attention to the real interests of all my subjects, in the wise, just, and humane laws which have been the result of your cess. deliberations, and which, I hope, will be attended with the most salutary effects in every part of the British Empire. My desire to preserve the tranquillity of Europe has been uniform and sincere. I reflect with great satisfaction that I have made the faith of treaties and the law of nations the rule of my conduct, and that it has been my constant care to give no just cause of offence to any foreign Power; let that Power, by whom this tranquillity shall be disturbed, all the fatal consequences of war. answer to their subjects and to the world for It is a great satisfaction to me that I can have recourse to the wisdom and support of my continuance of the rebellion in North America Parliament, in this conjuncture, when the demands our most serious The vigour and firmness of my Parliament have powers which you have entrusted me with for enabled me to be prepared for such events and the suppression of this revolt have been faith-emergencies as may happen; and I trust that fully exerted; and I have a just confidence that spirit and intrepidity of my forces, both by sea the conduct and courage of my officers and the and land, will, under the blessing of Divine Providence, be attended with important success: but as I am persuaded that you will see the necessity of preparing for such further operations as the contingencies of the war, and the obstinacy of the rebels may render expedient, I am, for that purpose, pursuing the proper measures for keeping my land forces complete to their present establishment, and if I should have occasion to increase them by contracting any new engagements, I rely on your zeal and public spirit to enable me to make them good. I receive repeated assurances from foreign the experienced valour and discipline of my fleets and armies, and the loyal and united ardour of the nation, armed and animated in the defence of everything that is dear to them, will be able, under the protection of Divine Providence, to defeat all the enterprizes which the enemies of my Crown may presume to undertake, and convince them how dangerous it is to provoke the spirit and strength of Great Britain. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I thank you for the cheerfulness with which you have granted the large and ample supplies for the service of the current year, and for your care in raising them in a manner the most effectual and the least burthensome; and my warmest acknowledgments are due to you for the provision you have enabled me to make for the more honourable support of my family. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, GEORGE III. I have called you together in a conjuncture which demands your most serious attention. In the time of profound peace, without pretence of provocation or colour of complaint, the Court of France hath not forborne to disturb the public tranquillity, in violation of the faith of treaties, and the general rights of sovereigns, at first by the clandestine supply of arms and other aid to my revolted subjects in North America, after wards by avowing openly their support, and entering into formal engagements with the leaders of the rebellion, and at length by committing open hostilities and depredations on my faithful subjects, and by an actual invasion of my dominions in America and the West Indies. It is, I trust, unnecessary for me to assure you, that the same care and concern for the happiness of my people, which induced me to endeavour to prevent the calamities of war, will make me desirous to see a restoration of the blessings of peace, whenever it can be effected with perfect honour, and with security to the rights of this country. In the meantime, I have not neglected to take the proper and necessary measures for disappointing the malignant designs of our enemies, and also for making general reprisals; and although my efforts have not been attended with all the success which the justice of our cause and the vigour of our exertions seemed to promise, yet the extensive commerce of my subjects has been protected in most of its branches, and large reprisals have been made upon the injurious aggressors by the vigilance of my fleets, and by the active and enterprising spirit of my people. The great armaments of other Powers, however friendly and sincere their professions, however just and honourable their purposes, must necessarily engage our attention. It would have afforded me very great satisfaction to have informed you that the conciliatory measures, planned by the wisdom and temper of Parliament, had taken the desired effect, and brought the troubles in North America to a happy conclusion. In this situation of affairs, the national honour and security call so loudly upon us for the most active exertions, that I cannot doubt of your heartiest concurrence and support. From the vigour of your councils, and the conduct and intrepidity of my officers and forces by sea and land, I hope, under the blessing of God, to derive the means of vindicating and maintaining the honour of my Crown, and the interests of my people, against all our enemies. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF Commons, I will order the proper estimates for the service of the ensuing year to be laid before you; and when you consider the importance of the objects for which we are contending, you will, I doubt not, grant me such supplies as you shall judge necessary for the public service, and adequate to the present emergency. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I have, according to the powers vested in me for that purpose, called forth the militia to assist in the interior defence of this country; and I have, with the greatest and truest satisfaction, been myself a witness of that public spirit, that steady ardour, and that love of their country, which animate and unite all ranks of my faithful subjects, and which cannot fail of making us safe at home and respected abroad. GEORGE III. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, JULY 3, 1779.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, The many great and essential services you have rendered to me and to your country, during the course of your long attendance in Hitherto the events of war have afforded the be I have already acquainted you with the hostile step which has been lately taken by the Court of Spain. Whatever colour may be attempted to be put upon that unjust proceeding, I am conscious that I have nothing to reproach myself with it has been followed by the clearest demonstrations of the loyalty and affection of my Parliament to my person and government, for which I repeat to you my warmest thanks; and I consider it as a happy omen of the success of my arms, that the increase of difficulties serves only to augment the courage and constancy of the nation, and to animate and unite my people in the defence of their country, and of every thing that is dear to them. The advanced season of the year requires that I should afford you some recess from public business, and I do it with the less reluctance, as, by the powers vested in me by law, I can have the aid of your advice and assistance within fourteen days, should any emergency make it necessary for me to convene you before the usual time. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, The various and extensive operations of the war have unavoidably occasioned uncommon expense, and brought additional burdens on my faithful and beloved people, which I most sincerely regret. I cannot sufficiently thank you for the confidence you have reposed in me, and for the cheerfulness and public spirit with which the large supplies for the current year have been granted. MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, It is impossible to speak of the continuance of the rebellion in North America without the deepest concern; but we have given such unquestionable proofs of our sincere disposition to put an end to those troubles, that I must still hope that the malignant designs of the against the evident interests of those unhappy enemies of Great Britain cannot long prevail provinces, and that they will not blindly persist in preferring an unnatural and dangerous connection with a foreign Power to peace and reunion with their mother-country. GEORGE III. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, Nov. 25, 1779.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, menace I meet you in Parliament at a time when we are called upon by every principle of duty, and every consideration of interest, to exert our united efforts in the support and defence of our country, attacked by an unjust and unprovoked war, and contending with one of the most dangerous confederacies that ever was formed against the Crown and people of Great Britain. The designs and attempts of our enemies to invade this kingdom have, by the blessing of Providence, been hitherto frustrated and disappointed. They still us with great armaments and preparations; but we are, I trust, on our part, well prepared to meet every attack and repel every insult. I know the character of my brave people: the menaces of their enemies, and the approach of danger, have no other effect on their minds but to animate their courage, and to call forth that national spirit which has so often checked and defeated the projects of ambition and injustice, and enabled the British fleets and armies to protect their own country, to vindicate their own rights, and at the same time to uphold and preserve the liberties of Europe from the restless and encroaching power of the House of Bourbon. In the midst of my care and solicitude for the safety and welfare of this country, I have not been inattentive to the state of my loyal and faithful kingdom of Ireland. I have, in consequence of your addresses, presented to me in the last Session, ordered such papers to be collected and laid before you as may assist your deliberations on this important business; and I recommend it to you to consider what further benefits and advantages may be extended to that kingdom, by such regulations, and such methods, as may, most effectually, promote the common strength, wealth, and interests of all my dominions. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, The proper estimates shall, in due time, be laid before you. I see, with extreme concern, that the necessary establishments of my navaĺ and operations of the ensuing year, must inand military forces, and the various services expenses; but I rely on your wisdom and public evitably be attended with great and heavy spirit for such supplies, as the circumstances and exigencies of our affairs shall be found to require, MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I have great satisfaction in renewing the assurances of my entire approbation of the good conduct and discipline of the militia, and of their steady perseverance in their duty; and I return my cordial thanks to all ranks of my loyal subjects who have stood forth in this arduous conjuncture, and by their zeal, their influence, and their personal service, have given confidence as well as strength to the national defence. Trusting in the Divine Providence, and in the justice of my cause, I am firmly resolved to prosecute the war with vigour, and to make every exertion in order to compel our enemies to listen to equitable terms of peace and accommodation. GEORGE III, [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, JULY 8, 1781.] It gives me great satisfaction to find myself able to determine this long Session of Parliament, that you may be at liberty to return to your several counties, and attend to your private affairs, after so laborious a discharge of your duty in the public service; and I take this occasion to express my sincere acknowledgment for the fresh proofs you have given me of your affectionate zeal for the support of my government, and of your just estimation of the real prosecution of this just and necessary war have and permanent interests of your country. Your magnanimity and perseverance in the enabled me to make such exertions as will, I trust, by the assistance of Divine Providence, disappoint the violent and unjust designs of my enemies, and bring them to listen to equitable and honourable terms of peace. These exertions have already been attended with success by sea and land; and the late important and prosperous turn of affairs in North America affords the fairest prospect of the returning loyalty and affection of my subjects in the colonies, and of their happy reunion with their parent country. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I feel myself under particular obligations to thank you for the large and ample supplies you have so cheerfully granted, and for the confidence you repose in me. No attention shall be wanting on my part to render them effectual, and to see them faithfully applied. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, Let me earnestly recommend to you to assist me, by your influence and authority in your several counties, as you have by your unanimous support in Parliament, in guarding the peace of the kingdom from future disturbances, and watching over the preservation of the public safety. Make my people sensible of the happiness they enjoy, and the distinguished advantages they derive from our excellent constitution in Church and State. Warn them of the hazard of innovation-point out to them the fatal conse H quences of such commotions as have lately been excited; and let it be your care to impress on their minds this important truth, that rebellious insurrections to resist, or to reform the laws, must end either in the destruction of the persons who make the attempt, or in the subversion of our free and happy constitution. GEORGE III. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, Nov. 1, 1780.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, It is with more than ordinary satisfaction that I meet you in Parliament, at a time when the late elections may afford me an opportunity of receiving the most certain information of the disposition and the wishes of my people, to which I am always inclined to pay the utmost attention and regard. The present arduous situation of public affairs is well known: the whole force and faculties of the monarchies of France and Spain are drawn forth and exerted to the utmost to support the rebellion of my colonies in North America, and, without the least provocation or cause of complaint, to attack my dominions; and the undisguised object of this confederacy manifestly is to gratify boundless ambition by destroying the commerce and giving a fatal blow to the power of Great Britain. By the force which the late Parliament put into my hands and by the blessing of Divine Providence on the bravery of my fleets and armies, I have been enabled to withstand the formidable attempts of my enemies and to frustrate the great expectations they had formed; and the signal successes which have attended the progress of my arms in the province of Georgia and Carolina, gained with so much honour to the conduct and courage of my officers, and to the valour and intrepidity of my troops, which have equalled their highest character in any age, will, I trust, have important consequences in bringing the war to a happy conclu sion. It is my most earnest desire to see this great end accomplished; but I am confident you will agree with me in opinion, that we can only secure safe and honourable terms of peace by such powerful and respectable preparations as shall convince our enemies that we will not submit to receive the law from any Powers whatsoever; and that we are unitod in a firm resolution to decline no difficulty or hazard in the defence of our country, and for the preservation of our essential interests. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I have ordered the estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you. I see, and feel with great anxiety and concern, that the various services of the war must, unavoidably, be attended with great and heavy expenses; but I desire you to grant me such supplies only as your own security and lasting welfare and the exigency of affairs shall be found to require. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I repose an entire confidence in the zeal and affections of this Parliament, conscious that, during the whole course of my reign, it has been the constant object of my care, and the wish of my heart, to promote the true interests and happiness of all my subjects, and to preserve inviolate our excellent constitution in Church and State. GEORGE III. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, JULY 18, 1781.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, Although the business of this session has required a longer attendance than may have been consistent with your private convenience, yet I am persuaded that you look back with satisfaction on the time you have employed in a faithful discharge of your duty to your country, in the present arduous and critical state of public affairs. I cannot let you depart into your respective counties without assuring you of my entire approbation of your conduct, and of my perfect confidence in the loyalty and good affections of this Parliament. The zeal and ardour which you have shown for the honour of my Crown; your firm and steady support of a just cause, and the great efforts you have made to enable me to surmount all the difficulties of this extensive and complicated war, must convince the world that the ancient spirit of the British nation is not abated or diminished. In the mist of these difficulties, you have formed regulations for the better management and improvement of the revenue; you have given additional strength and stability to public credit; and your deliberations on the affairs of the East India Company have terminated in such measures as will, I trust, produce great and essential advantages to my kingdoms. I have observed, with much satisfaction, that during the course of that important business your attention was not more anxiously directed to the benefits to be derived from the territorial acquisitions than to the happiness and comfort of the inhabitants of those remote provinces. Whatever may remain to be done for securing those valuable possessions, and for restraining the abuses to which they are peculiarly liable, you will, I doubt not, proceed to provide for at your next meeting, with the same wisdom and temper that have governed your late proceedings and enquiries. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, My particular thanks are due to you for the ample provision you have made for the service of the current year. I see, with great pleasure, that you have had it in your power to apply so large a sum to the discharge of the debt of the navy, and that the supplies which you have granted have been raised in a manner the least burthensome to the property and industry of my faithful people. MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, While I lament the continuance of the present troubles, and the extension of the war, I have the conscious satisfaction to reflect that the con stant aim of all my councils has been to bring back my deluded subjects in America to the happiness and liberty they formerly enjoyed, and to see the tranquillity of Europe restored. To defend the dominions, and to maintain the rights of this country, was, on my part, the sole cause, and is the only object of the war. Peace is the earnest wish of my heart; but I have too firm a reliance on the spirit and resources of the nation, and the powerful assistance of my Parliament, and the protection of a just and all-ruling Providence, to accept it upon any terms or conditions than such as may consist with the honour and dignity of my Crown, and the permanent interest and security of my people. Then the Lord Chancellor, by his Majesty's command, said: MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, It is his Majesty's royal will and pleasure the thirteenth day of September next, to be then that this Parliament be prorogued to Thursday, here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday, the thirteenth day of September next. GEORGE III. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, Nov. 27, 1781.] manent interests upon the maintenance and preservation of which the future strength and security of this country must ever principally depend. The favourable appearance of our affairs in the East Indies, and the safe and prosperous arrival of the numerous commercial fleets of my kingdoms, must have given you satisfaction; but in the course of this year, my assiduous endeavours to guard the extensive dominions of my Crown have not been attended with success equal to the justice and uprightness of my views; and it is with great concern that I inform you that the events of war have been very unfortunate to my arms in Virginia, having ended in the loss of my forces in that province. No endeavours have been wanting on my part to extinguish that spirit of rebellion which our enemies have found means to foment and maintain in the colonies, and to restore to my deluded subjects in America that happy and prosperous condition which they formerly derived from a due obedience to the laws; but the late misfortune in that quarter calls loudly for your firm concurrence and assistance, to frustrate the designs of our enemies, equally prejudicial to the real interests of America and to those of Great Britain. In the last Session you made a considerable progress in your enquiries into the state and condition of our dominions and revenues in the East Indies. You will, I am persuaded, resume the prosecution of that important deliberation with the same spirit and temper in which it was begun, and proceed with the same attention and anxiety to consider how those remote provinces may be held and governed with the greatest security and advantage to this country, and by what means the happiness of the native inhabitants may be best promoted. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I will order the estimates for the ensuing year and public spirit for such supplies as the circumto be laid before you. I rely on your wisdom stances of our affairs shall be found to require. Among the many ill consequences which attend the continuation of the present war, I most sincerely regret the additional burthens which it must unavoidably bring upon my faithful subjects. MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, In the prosecution of this great and important contest in which we are engaged, I retain a firm confidence in the protection of Divine Providence, and a perfect conviction of the justice of my cause; and I have no doubt but that, by the concurrence and support of my Parliament, by vigorous, animated, and united exertion of the the valour of my fleets and armies, and by a faculties and resources of my people, I shall be enabled to restore the blessing of a safe and honourable peace to all my dominions. GEORGE III. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, JULY 11, 1782.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, The unwearied assiduity with which you have persevered in the discharge of your duty in parliament, during so long a session, bears the most honourable testimony to your zeal and industry in the service of the public; for which you have provided with the clearest discernment of its true interests; anxiously opening every channel for the return of peace, and furnishing with no less vigilance the means of carrying on the war, if that measure should be unavoidable. The extensive powers with which I find myself invested to treat for reconciliation and amity with the colonies which have taken arms in North America, I shall continue to employ in the manner most conducive to the attainment of those objects, and with an earnestness suitable to their importance. MY LORDS ANd Gentlemen, When I last met you in Parliament,I acquainted you with the arduous situation of public affairs at that time, and I represented to you the objects which I had in view, and the resolution with which I was determined to persevere in the defence of my dominions against the combined power of my enemies, until such a pacification could be made as might consist with the honour of my Crown, and the permanent interest and security of my people. The war is still unhappily prolonged by that restless ambition which first excited our enemies to commence it, and which still continues to disappoint my earnest desire and diligent exertion to restore the public The zeal which my subjects in Ireland have tranquillity; but I should not answer the trust expressed for the public service shows that the committed to the Sovereign of a free people, liberality of your proceedings towards them is felt nor make a suitable return to my sub-there as it ought; and has engaged their affecjects for their constant, zealous, and affections, equally with their duty and interest, in tionate attachment to my person, family, and the common cause. government, if I consented to sacrifice, either to my own desire of peace, or to their temporary ease and relief, those essential rights and per The diligence and ardour with which you have entered upon the consideration of the British interests in the East Indies are worthy of your wisdom, justice, and humanity. To protect the persons and fortunes of millions in those distant regions, and to combine our prosperity with their happiness, are objects which amply repay the utmost labour and exertion. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I return you my particular thanks for the very liberal supplies which you have granted with so much cheerfulness and zeal for the service of the current year. I reflect with extreme regret upon the heavy expense which the circumstances of public affairs unavoidably call for. It shall be my care to husband your means to the best advantage, and, as far as depends on me, to apply that economy which I have endeavoured to set on foot in my civil establishment, to those more extensive branches of public expenditure in which still more important advantages may be expected. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, The important successes which, under the favour of Divine Providence, the valour of my fleet in the West Indies hath obtained, promise a favourable issue to our operations in that quarter. The events of war in the East Indies have also been prosperous. Nothing, however, can be more repugnant to my feelings than the long continuance of so complicated a war. My ardent desire of peace has induced me to take every measure which promised the speediest accomplishment of my wishes; and I will continue to exert my best endeavours for that purpose. But if, for want of a corresponding disposition in our enemies, I should be disappointed in the hope I entertained of a speedy termination of the calamities of war, I rely on the spirit, affection, and unanimity of my Parliament and people to support the honour of my Crown and the interests of my kingdoms; not doubting that the blessing of heaven which I devoutly implore upon our arms, employed as they are in our just and necessary defence, will enable me to obtain fair and reasonable terms of pacification. The most triumphant career of victory would not excite me to aim at more; and I have the satisfaction to be able to add that I see no reason which should induce me to think of accepting less. GEORGE III. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, DEC. 5, 1782.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, Since the close of the last Session, I have employed my whole time in the care and attention which the important and critical conjuncture of public affairs required of me. I lost no time in giving the necessary orders to prohibit the further prosecution of offensive war upon the continent of North America. Adopting, as my inclination will always lead me to do, with decision and effect, whatever I collect to be the sense of my Parliament and my people; I have pointed all my views and measures, as well in Europe as in North America, to an entire and cordial reconciliation with those colonies. Finding it indispensable to the attainment of this object, I did not hesitate to go to the full length of the powers vested in me, and offered to declare them free and independent States, by an article to be inserted in the treaty of peace. Provisional articles are agreed upon, to take effect whenever terms of peace shall be finally settled with the Court of France. In thus admitting their separation from the Crown of these kingdoms, I have sacrificed every consideration of my own to the wishes and opinion of my people. I make it my humble and earnest prayer to Almighty God, that Great Britain may not feel the evils which might result from so great a dismemberment of the empire; and that America may be free from those calamities which have formerly proved in the mother country how essential monarchy is to the enjoyment of constitutional liberty. Religion, language, interest, affections, may, and I hope will yet prove a bond of permanent union between the two countries; to this end, neither attention nor disposition shall be want- While I have carefully abstained from all country. Having manifested to the whole world, by the most lasting examples, the signal spirit and bravery of my people, I conceived it a moment not unbecoming my dignity, and thought it a regard due to the lives and fortunes of such brave and gallant subjects, to show myself ready, on my part, to embrace fair and honourable terms of accommodation with all the Powers at war. negotiations to this effect are considerably adI have the satisfaction to acquaint you that vanced, the result of which, as soon as they are brought to a conclusion, shall be immediately communicated to you. I have every reason to hope and believe that I shall have it in my power in a very short time to acquaint you that they have ended in terms of pacification, which, I trust, you will see just cause to approve. I rely, however, with perfect confidence on the wisdom of my Parliament and the spirit of my people, that if any unforeseen change in the dispositions of the belligerent Powers should frustrate my confident expectations, they will approve of the preparations I have thought it advisable to make, and be ready to second the most vigorous efforts in the further prosecution of the war. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I have endeavoured by every measure in my power to diminish the burthens of my people. I lost no time in taking the most decided measures for introducing a better economy into the expenditure of the army. reductions in my civil list expenses, directed I have carried into strict execution the several by an act of the last Session. I have introduced a further reform into other departments, and suppressed several sinecure places in them. I have, by this means, so regulated my establishments that my expense shall not in future exceed my income. I have ordered the estimate of the civil list debt laid before you last sessions, to be completed. The debt proving greater than could be then correctly stated, and the proposed reduction not immediately taking place, I trust you will provide for the deficiency, securing, as before, the repayment out of my annual income. I have ordered enquiry to be made into the application of the sum voted in support of the American sufferers; and I trust that you will agree with me that a due and generous attention ought to be shown to those who have relinquished their properties or professions from motives of loyalty to me or attachment to the mother country. As it may be necessary to give stability to some regulations by Act of Parliament, I have ordered accounts of the several establishments, incidental expenses, fees and other emoluments of office, to be laid before you. Regulations have already taken place in some, which it is my intention to extend to all, and which, besides ex pediting all public business, must produce a very considerable saving, without taking from that ample encouragement, which ought to be held forth to talents, diligence, and integrity, wherever they are to be found. I have directed an enquiry to be made into whatever regards the landed revenue of myCrown as well as the management of my woods and forests, that both may be made as beneficial as possible, and that the latter may furnish a certain resource for supplying the navy, our great national bulwark, with its first material. I have directed an investigation into the department of the Mint, that the purity of the coin, of so much importance to commerce, may be always adhered to; that by rendering the difficulty of counterfeiting greater, the lives of numbers may be saved, and every needless expense in it suppressed. I must recommend to you an immediate attention to the great objects of the public receipts and expenditure, and above all, to the state of the public debt. Notwithstanding the great increase of it during the war, it is to be hoped that such regulations may be still established, ducted, as to promote the means of its gradual. such savings made, and future loans so conredemption by a fixed course of payment I must, with particular earnestness, distinguish for your serious consideration that part of the victualling bills: the enormous discount upon debt which consists of navy, ordnance, and some of these bills shows this mode of payordered the several estimates, made up as ment to be a most ruinous expedient. I have correctly as the present practice admits, to be laid before you. I hope that such further corrections as may be necessary will be made before the next year. It is my desire that you should be apprised of every expense before it is incurred, as far as the nature of each service can possibly admit. Matters of account can never be made too public. MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, The scarcity and consequent high price of corn requires your instant interposition. The great excess to which the crimes of theft and robbery, in many instances accompanied with personal violence, particularly in the neighbourhood of this metropolis, has called of late for a strict and severe execution of the law. It were much to be wished that these crimes could be prevented in their infancy, by correcting the vices become prevalent in a most alarming degree. The liberal principles adopted by you concerning the rights and the commerce of Ireland have done you the highest honour, and will, I trust, ensure that harmony which ought always to subsist between the two kingdoms. I am persuaded that a general increase of commerce throughout the empire will prove the wisdom of your measures with regard to that object. I would recommend to you a revision of our whole trading system upon the same comprehensive principles, with a view to its utmost possible extension. The regulation of a vast territory in Asia opens a large field for your wisdom, prudence, and foresight. I trust that you will be able to frame some fundamental laws which may make their connection with Great Britain a blessing to India; and that you will take therein proper measures to give all foreign nations, in matters of foreign commerce, an entire and perfect confidence in the probity, punctuality, and good order of our government. You may be assured that whatever depends upon me shall be executed with a steadiness which can alone preserve that part of my dominions, or the commerce which arises from it. It is the fixed object of my heart to make the general good, and the true spirit of the constitution, the invariable rule of my conduct, and on all occasions to advance and reward merit in every profession. To ensure the full advantage of a government conducted on such principles depends on your temper, your wisdom, your disinterestedness, collectively and individually. My people expect these qualifications of you; and I call for them. 14 GEORGE III. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, JULY 16, 1783.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, The advanced season of the year requires some remission from your long and laborious attention to the public service. The exigencies of that service may oblige me to call you together again at an early period; and I persuade myself, from my uniform experience of your affection to me, and your zeal for the public good, that you will cheerfully submit to a temporary inconvenience for the permanent advantage of your country. The consideration of the affairs of the East Indies will require to be resumed as early as possible; and to be pursued with a serious and unremitting attention. I expected to have had the satisfaction of acquainting you, before the end of the Session, that the terms of pacification were definitively settled; but the complicated state of the business in discussion has unavoidably protracted the negotiation. I have, however, every reason to believe, from the dispositions shown by the several Powers concerned, that they are perfectly well inclined to such a conclusion as may secure the blessings of peace, so much and so equally to be desired by all parties. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I thank you for the supplies you have so liberally granted for the public service; for facilitating my arrangements towards a separate establishment for the Prince of Wales; and for enabling me without any new burthen on my people, to discharge the debt which remained on my civil list. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I earnestly recommend to you an attention towards promoting among my people, in your several counties, that spirit of order, regularity, and industry, which is the true source of revenue and power in this nation; and without which all regulations for the improvement of the one, or the increase of the other will have no effect. GEORGE III. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, Nov. 11, 1783.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I have the satisfaction to inform you that definitive treaties of peace have been concluded with the Courts of France and Spain, and with the United States of America. Preliminary articles have also been ratified with the States General of the United Provinces. I have ordered these several treaties to be laid before you; and I am happy to add that I have no cause to doubt but that all those Powers agree with me in my sincere inclination to keep the calamities of war at a great distance. The objects which are to be brought under your deliberation will sufficiently explain my reasons for calling you together after so short a recess. Enquiries of the utmost importance have been long and diligently pursued, and the fruit of them will be expected. The situation of the East India Company will require the utmost exertions of your wisdom to maintain and improve the valuable advantages derived from our Indian possessions, and to promote and secure the happiness of the native inhabitants of those provinces. The season of peace will call upon you for an attention to everything which can recruit the strength of the nation, after so long and so expensive a war. The security and increase of the revenue in the manner least burthensome to my subjects will be amongst your first objects. In many essential parts it has suffered : dangerous frauds have prevailed, and alarming outrages have been committed. Exertions have not been wanting to repress this daring spirit, nor pains to enquire into its true causes. In any instances in which the powers of Government may not be equal to its utmost care and vigilance, I have no doubt that the wisdom of my Parliament will provide such remedies as may be found wanting for the accomplishment of purposes in which the material interests of this nation are so deeply concerned. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I have ordered the estimates of the expenses for the year to be laid before you. From these you will perceive the reduction which I have made in all the establishments, which appear to me to be brought as low as prudence will admit; and you will participate with me in the satisfaction which I feel in this step towards the relief of my subjects. At the end of a war some part of its weight must inevitably be borne for a time. I feel for the burthens of my people; but I rely on that fortitude which has hitherto supported this nation under many difficulties, for their bearing those which the present exigencies require, and which are so necessary for the full support of the national credit. MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, The alarming progress of frauds in the accompanied in so many instances with violence, revenue, will not fail on every account to excite your attention. I must, at the same time, recommend to your most serious consideration to frame such commercial regulations as may appear immediately necessary in the present moment. The affairs of the East India Company form an object of deliberation deeply connected with the general anxiety to provide for the good government of interests of the country. While you feel a just our possessions in that part of the world, you will, I trust, never lose sight of the effect which any measure to be adopted for that purpose may have on our own constitution, and our dearest interests at home. You will find me always desirous to concur with you in such measures as may be of lasting benefit to my people; I have no wish but to consult their prosperity, by a concern, by an uniform adherence to the true constant attention to every object of national you will preserve that temper and moderationing and maintaining, in their just balance, the principles of our free constitution, and by supportwhich the importance of their objects demand, rights and privileges of every branch of the and will, I have no doubt, produce; and I am legislature. sure that you are unanimous in your desire to direct all those deliberatons to the honour of my Crown, the safety of my dominions, and the prosperity of my people." MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, In many respects that situation; and your wisdom will give perYour counsels will provide what is called for by manence to whatever has been found beneficial by the experience of ages. In your deliberations our situation is new. GEORGE III. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, MARCH 24, 1784.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, On a full consideration of the present situation of affairs, and of the extraordinary circumstances which have produced it, I am induced to put an end to this Session of Parliament: I feel it a duty which I owe to the constitution and to the country, in such a situation, to recur as speedily as possible to the sense of my people, by calling a new Parliament. I trust that this means will tend to obviate the mischiefs arising from the unhappy divisions and distractions which have lately subsisted; and that the various important objects which will require consideration may be afterwards proceeded upon with less interruption and with happier effect. I can have no other object but to preserve the true principles of our free and happy constitution, and to employ the powers entrusted to me by law, for the only end for which they were given, to the good of my people. GEORGE III. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, MAY 17, 1784.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I have the greatest satisfaction in meeting you in Parliament at this time, after recurring, people. I have a just and confident reliance in so important a moment, to the sense of my that you are animated with the same sentiments excellent constitution, which I have had the of loyalty, and the same attachment to our happiness to see so fully manifested in every part of the kingdom. The happy effects of such a disposition will, I doubt not, appear in the temper and wisdom of your deliberations, and in the dispatch of the important objects of It will afford me peculiar pleasure to find that public business which demand your attention. the exercise of the power entrusted to me by the constitution has been productive of consequences so beneficial to my subjects, whose interest and welfare are always nearest my heart. GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I have ordered the estimates for the current year to be laid before you, and I trust to your zeal and affection to make such provisions for their further supply, and for the application of the sums granted in the last Parliament, as may appear to be necessary. I sincerely lament every addition to the burthens of my people; but they will, I am persuaded, feel the necessity, after a long and expensive war, of effectually providing for the maintenance of our national faith and our public credit, so essential to the power and prosperity of the State. GEORGE III. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, AUG. 20, 1784.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, I cannot close this Session of parliament without returning you my warmest thanks for the eminent proofs you have given of your zealous and diligent attention to the public service. The happiest effects may be expected from the provisions which you have made for the better government of India, and from the institution of a tribunal so peculiarly adapted to the trial of offences committed in that distant country. which you have passed for the preservation and I observe with great satisfaction the laws improvement of the revenue. No exertions shall effect. be wanting on my part to give them vigour and GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, The zeal and liberality with which you have provided for the exigencies of the public service, and the assistance which you have given me to prevent a growing arrear in the expenses of my civil list, demand my particular thanks. I feel in common with you for the unavoidable burthens of my people. The importance of effectually supporting our national credit, after a long and exhausting war, can alone reconcile me to so painful a necessity. I trust the same consideration will enable my faithful subjects to meet it, as they have uniformly done, with fortitude and patience. MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, with the States General of the United Provinces, The definitive treaty which has been signed and the peace concluded in India, as well as the promise the continuance of general tranquillity. assurances which I receive from foreign Powers, I trust, therefore, that after so laborious a Session, it will not be found necessary to call you again together at a very early period. Many important objects with respect to ou trade and commerce, which could not now be provided for, will naturally require your attention after the recess; and such regulations will, I trust, be framed, after a full investigation, as shall be found best calculated to promote the wealth and prosperity of all parts of the empire. GEORGE III. [OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, JAN. 26, 1785.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, After the laborious attendance of the last pleasure that the situation of public affairs has Session of Parliament, it has given me peculiar admitted of so long a recess. Among the objects which now require consideration, I must particularly recommend to your earnest attention the adjustmont of such points in the commercial intercourse between Great Britain and Ireland as are not yet finally arranged. The system which will unite both kingdoms the most closely on principles of reciprocal advantage will, I am persuaded, best ensure the general prosperity of my dominions. |