war with vigour, will have a good effect both upon our friends and enemies, and strengthen my hands to pursue such measures as may be most conducive to the true interests of my kingdoms." "Your Majesty's sentiments cannot fail to have the greatest weight with us, because we are sure that they proceed upon wise principles, founded in the love of your people. It is, therefore, from conviction that we declare our humble concurrence in your opinion, that it is necessary steadily to exert our most vigorous efforts in every part where the enemy may still be attacked with advantage. "We beg your Majesty to accept the strongest and most affectionate assurances, that we will, with the greatest zeal and ardour, and at the hazard of every thing that is dear to us, stand by and support your Majesty, in prosecuting the war in the most effectual manner for the interest of your kingdoms, an in performing, to the utmost of your power, your engagements to your aliies; nothing being more evident than that this is the only method to procure such equitable and honourable conditions of peace as may with reason be expected from our successes. Message of Congratulation from the Lords to the Queen.] The Lords also ordered, that a Message be sent from this House to the Queen," Humbly to present to her Majesty our most sincere and joyful congratulations on the auspicious occasion of her royal Nuptials; and to assure her Majesty of the dutiful and cordial part which this House takes, in this completion of his Majesty's happiness, the additional felicity which it brings to his kingdoms, and of our high satisfaction and exultation in seeing so illustrious and amiable a Queen amongst us." The Queen's Answer.] Her Majesty returned this Answer: "My Lords; "We should be greatly wanting to our- "I return you my hearty thanks, for selves, as well as to your Majesty, if we these most affectionate congratulations. did not testify our particular thanks for Nothing will add more to my own happiyour paternal goodness, in having so ex-ness, than the having it in my power to pressly declared, that, both in carrying on contribute in the smallest degree to the the war and in making peace, no consider- welfare and prosperity of this great king. tion whatsoever shall make you depart dom." from the true interests of these your kingdoms and the honour of your erown. "This resolution, so truly worthy of a British monarch, and so engaging to all your loyal subjects, calls for adequate returns on our part. Penetrated with the liveliest sense of your unbounded tenderness and concern for our welfare, we do, from the bottom of our hearts, assure your Majesty, that we will, with the utmost duty and zeal, correspond to that confidence which your Majesty reposes in us; being fully persuaded of the necessity of unanimity, firmness, and dispatch, in the present critical situation, and animated thereto by the gracious admonition of the best of kings." The Commons' Address of Thanks.] November 13. The King's Speech was taken into consideration, when the following Address, moved by lord Midleton, was agreed to: "Most Gracious Sovereign; "We your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Commons of Great Britain in parliament assembled, beg leave to return your Majesty the most humble and hearty thanks of this House, for your most gracious Speech from the throne. "Permit us, at the same time, to offer to your Majesty our warmest congratulations on the joyful and auspicious event of your royal Nuptials, with a Princess descended from an illustrious Protestant The King's Answer.] His Majesty re- line, distinguished by the most eminent turned this Answer: "My Lords, "I thank you for this very dutiful and loyal Address. The joy which you express upon my Marriage, and your affectionate regard for the Queen, give me the highest satisfaction. I make no doubt but your ready concurrence in my sentiments, and the becoming zeal which you have so unanimously declared for carrying on the graces and endowments, and worthy to be the royal partner of your throne by possessing every virtue that can adorn it. "We beg leave also to express our just sense of that affectionate regard, which your Majesty has shewn for your people by consulting, on this important and interesting occasion, as on every other, their happiness and that of their posterity. And we assure your Majesty, that with hearts full of gratitude for this signal instance of your royal attention to the welfare of your subjects, and thoroughly sensible of the exalted merit of your illustrious consort, your faithful Commons will not fail to make such honourable and ample provision, as may enable her to support her royal dignity with proper lustre, in case she shall survive your Majesty; for the long continuance of whose life we shall never cease to offer up to Divine Providence our most ardent vows. "Allow us, Sir, to return our sincere and humble thanks to your Majesty, for your tender concern for the prosperity of your people, in wishing to restore to them the blessings of peace; and to declare that we cannot too much admire that humanity, so becoming your royal breast, which, amidst the successes of your own kingdoms, feels for the calamities of other nations. "We are fully persuaded, that these beneficent dispositions, which induced your Majesty to consent to the appointment of a congress for a general pacification, and to enter into a negociation with France for a particular peace, could not have failed of the desired effect, if the enemy, influenced by the same motives, had shewn the same good intentions, and would have complied with such conditions as were requisite for the accomplishment of that salutary work. "We do most gratefully acknowledge your Majesty's vigilance and firmness, in not suffering the hopes or expectations of peace to produce the least suspence or relaxation in the exertion of your arms; and we congratulate your Majesty on those happy successes, which, under the good Providence of God, we must ascribe to the wisdom and vigour of your Majesty's measures, to which we owe the reduction of Dominica, the conquest of Belleisle, achieved with so much reputation to the British arms, and the destruction of the enemy's power in the East Indies, by the acquisition of Pondicherry, their last remaining settlement of any strength in those countries. "The wise and able conduct of his serene highness prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, whereby he hath successively defeated the projects of the enemy, and hath prevented their making that progress, which, from their superior numbers, they expected, together with that gracious approbation which your Majesty hath been pleased to express, of the valour of your troops, cannot but give the highest satisfaction to your faithful Commons; and they see, with just admiration, the repeated proofs in every campaign, of that unshaken resolution, and of those astonishing efforts, which alone could have enabled your Majesty's great ally, the king of Prussia, to resist the numerous forces of his enemies. "We beg leave to assure your Majesty of our entire concurrence and support in the most effectual prosecution of the war, for the interest and advantage of these kingdoms, and in maintaining, to the utmost of our power, the good faith and honour of your Majesty's crown, and the engagements entered into with your allies; and that we are truly sensible, that the constant care and attention of your Majesty to pursue the most vigorous measures in every part, where any successful impression can still be made upon the enemy, are the only means to attain that desirable object, an honourable and a lasting peace. "We receive, with the deepest gratitude, that most endearing expression of your Majesty's unbounded goodness and affection towards this your native country, in the solemn declaration which your Majesty has been pleased to make, that, as well in the prosecution of the war as in the conclusion of the peace, no consideration whatever shall induce you to depart from the true interests of these your kingdoms, and from the honour and dignity of your crown. "Your Majesty may be assured, that your faithful Commons will cheerfully grant such supplies, as the nature and extent of the several services shall be found to require; firmly relying on your Majesty's wisdom and justice, that they will be applied with the strictest economy, and in such a manner as may most effectually answer the great ends for which they shall be granted. We do with great truth assure your Majesty, that it is our most earnest desire, that this first parliament, convened by your royal authority, may, by their conduct, give your Majesty a happy proof of the zeal, the loyalty, and the affection of your people. "Sensible of the difficult crisis in which we are assembled, we are determined to concur with the greatest firmness and unanimity, in whatever may contribute to the public welfare, may tend to defeat the views and expectations of our enemies, and may convince the world, that there are no difficulties which your Majesty's wisdom and perseverance, with the assistance of your parliament, cannot surmount." The King's Answer.] His Majesty returned the following Answer: "Gentlemen, be made for the Queen, in case she shall survive his Majesty, of 100,000l. per annum, during her life, to support her royal dignity, together with his Majesty's palace of Somerset-house, and the Lodge and lands at Richmond Old Park. 2. That his Majesty be enabled to charge the said "I return you my hearty thanks for this 100,000l. per annum, upon all or any part very affectionate and dutiful Address. The of such of the revenues, which, by an Act early proofs of your most cordial attach made in the last session of parliament, inment to me and to my family, upon the tituled, An Act for the support of his occasion of my Marriage; and the parti- Majesty's houshold, and of the honour cular regard and attention which you ex- and dignity of the crown of Great Britain, press for the Queen, in a matter that so were directed to be, during his Majesty's nearly concerns her, cannot but give me life, carried to, and made part of the agthe most sensible satisfaction. The assur-gregate fund, as shall be subsisting after ances of your steady and vigorous support must add the greatest weight to my endeavours for the public good, and will be the surest means of bringing the war, in which we are engaged, to such a conclusion, as is the constant object of my wishes, and will most effectually provide for the honour, happiness, and security of my kingdoms." Message of Congratulation from the Commons to the Queen.] As soon as the Commons had agreed to the Address to the King, it was resolved, nem. con. "That a Message be sent to her Majesty, to congratulate her Majesty upon her royal nuptials; to express the unfeigned joy and satisfaction which this House feels upon seeing the most ardent wishes of a faithful people, (anxious not only for the present and future welfare of these kingdoms, but also for the immediate and domestic happiness of their excellent sovereign) so completely crowned by his Majesty's wise and happy choice of the royal partner of his throne; and to assure her Majesty of the most dutiful and zealous attachment of this House." The Queen's Answer.] To which Address her Majesty gave this Answer: "Gentlemen, his Majesty's demise; and to charge all, or any part of the aggregate fund, as a collateral security for making good the said annuity." A Bill pursuant to the above Resolutions was ordered to be brought in, which passed the Commons on the 26th, and was ordered to the Lords. "Most Gracious Sovereign, "It has been the first care of your faithful Commons, to take into their consideration what your Majesty most affectionately recommended to them from the throne, namely, the enabling your Majesty to make that provision for the Queen, in case she shall survive you, to which her royal dignity, and her own merit, give her the justest claim. "On such an occasion, I should ill discharge the trust which has lately been reposed in me by the Commons, and most "I return you my hearty thanks for graciously confirmed by your Majesty, if your affectionate congratulations; and II omitted to assure you, that they feel the assure you, the happiness and prosperity of this kingdom will ever be the darling objects of my life." warmest sentiments of gratitude to your Majesty, who have made their happiness, and that of their posterity, your principal object of this your Majesty has given abundant proof, by your royal nuptials with a princess, whose illustrious ancestors were early assertors of the civil and religious liberties of mankind; and, in consequence, closely attached to your Majesty's family; a princess, whom, the most dis [4C] tinguished virtues, and amiable ments, pointed out to your Majesty's choice, and made the partner of the brightest crown in Europe. endow-rials delivered by the said embassador of Spain to his Majesty's ministers, relating to the destruction and evacuation of any establishments made by British subjects on the coasts of Honduras, and relating to the right of cutting logwood there; and also copies of all Memorials delivered by count de Fuentes to his Majesty's mi nisters, demanding restitution of the prizes taken during this war on the sub. jects of Spain, together with copies of the Answers given by the court of Great Britain to the court of Spain on the three "I cannot but esteem it a very singular honour and happiness to myself, that the first Bill, which, by command of the Commons, I present to your Majesty, is a Bill, in which they have, with the greatest zeal and unanimity, endeavoured to testify their duty to your Majesty and your royal consort; and that it is no less acceptable to your Majesty than to your Commons, and all whom they represent. "But, Sir, though they have passed it with the utmost expedition which their forms allow, yet it is matter of real satisfaction to them, that they can entertain the most pleasing and well-founded hope, that it will be a long course of years before it can have any effect; and the domestic happiness of the Queen is so inseparably connected with the public interests of your people, that, on the behalf of her Majesty, as well as of every subject of your realm, your faithful Commons will never cease to implore the Almighty, that he will be pleased to distinguish this nation by his divine favour and protection, in prolonging your Majesty's happy reign beyond an ordinary date; and that, if ever the provision of this Bill shall become effectual, it may be lamented only by their posterity. "The Bill, Sir, which I have in my hand, is intituled, An Act for enabling his Majesty to make provision for supporting the royal dignity of the Queen, in case she shall survive his Majesty. To which your Commons, with all humility, beseech your Majesty's royal assent." His Majesty then gave the royal assent to the Bill.* above demands." Mr. Pitt supported this motion. He did not wish to have any part of his conduct covered or concealed from the public. On the contrary, he wished to lay open and reveal both the motives and actions of every part of his administration. He pressed with honest zeal the laying before the House every paper relative to what he called a six years negociation with Spain, that the justice and candour of the crown of England on the one hand, and the chicanery, insolence, and perfidy of Spain, on the other, might be apparent. Much stress, he added, had been laid without doors, on his refusing the memorial offered by M. Bussy, relative to the concerns of Spain. In refusing that memorial, he said, he had followed the precedent of the court of Spain, which had returned as inadmissible a memorial of the King of Great Britain. He thought it was of consequence to the House to know both the matter and the expressions of that memorial, as it related to one of the three points in negociation. But upon calling for the question, a negative was put upon the motion. The debate being over, Mr. For stood up, and said, That if any particular paper necessary to the vindication of certain persons was specifically moved for, it would be given.' Motion in the Commons for Papers relative to Spain.] December 11. Mr. Mr. Pitt treated this as a captious offer: Cooke moved, "That an humble Address he saw through its fallacy, and refused to be presented to his Majesty, that he will accept it. What he earnestly wished for, be graciously pleased.to give directions, was, all the papers relative to the six years that there be laid before this House, co- negociation, which having been refused, pies of all Memorials delivered by count he said, The gentleman who made the de Fuentes to his Majesty's ministers, re- offer, very well knew, that he (Mr. Pitt) lating to the demand of liberty to the Spa- could not mark out, nor call in a parlia nish nation to fish on the banks of New-mentary way, for a specific paper, with foundland; and also copies of all Memo- the contents of which he had been entrusted before, by the King, under the seal of secrecy.* When the Bill received the royal assent, the Queen was in the House of Lords, and testified her satisfaction and gratitude by a graceful obeisance to the King. "Motions to the same effect were made in the House of Lords after the recess : 1762. The King's Speech concerning a War with Spain.] January 19, 1762. The King came to the House of Peers, and delivered the following Speech to both Houses: "My Lords, and Gentlemen, "I have so often assured you of my sincere disposition to put an end to the calamities of war, and to restore the public tranquillity on solid and lasting foundations, that no impartial person, either at home or abroad, can suspect me of unnecessarily kindling a new war in Europe. But it is with concern I acquaint you, that, since your recess, I have found myself indispensably obliged to delare war against Spain. The causes are set forth in my public declaration on this occasion; and therefore I shall not detain you with a repetition of them. My own conduct since my accession to the throne, as well as that of the late king my royal grandfather, towards Spain, has been so full of good-will and friendship, so averse to the laying hold of several just grounds of complaint, which might have been alleged, and so attentive to the advantages of the Catholic king and his family, that it was matter of the greatest surprize to me, to find that engagements had, in this conjuncture, been entered into between that crown and France, and a treaty made to unite all the branches of the House of Bourbon in the most ambitious and dangerous designs, against the commerce and independency of the rest of Europe, and particularly of my kingdoms. though I have left nothing untried, that could have prevented this rupture, I have thought it necessary to prepare against every event. "I therefore rely on the Divine blessing, on the justice of my cause, the zealous and powerful assistance of my faithful subjects, and the concurrence of my alles, who must find themselves involved in the pernicious and extensive projects of my enemies. "I leave these considerations with you; full of the justest confidence, that the hơnour of my crown, and the interests of my kingdoms, are safe in your hands." The Lords' Address of Thanks thereon.] His Majesty having retired, their lordships agreed upon the following Address: Most Gracious Sovereign, "We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords spiritual and temporal, in parliament assembled, beg leave to return your Majesty our humble thanks, for your most gracious Speech from the throne. "We have had so many proofs of your Majesty's paternal love of your people, and of the goodness and true greatness which inspire your royal breast, that we are fully convinced of your Majesty's sincere desire to put an end to the calamities of war; and that your Majesty has left nothing untried, in order to avoid, if possible, the necessity of extending it: we cannot, therefore, but express the utmost surprise and indignation at the injurious and unprovoked proceedings of the court of Spain, which have rendered ineffectual your Ma"Whatever colours may be endea- jesty's salutary endeavours; and particuvoured to be put upon these injurious pro-larly at the late engagements entered into ceedings of the court of Madrid, I have nothing to reproach myself with; and lord Temple vindicated the conduct of himself and Mr. Pitt in resigning, and intimated that a knowledge of the existence of the Family Compact, was the foundation of their advice. Lord Bute positively asserting that there was no intelligence of such a fact, so constituted, at that time, as to be depended on; challenged him to produce it, and required to know where it might be found, that he might request the King to order it to be laid before the House. Lord Temple quitting his seat, said, he was not at liberty to publish that inte!ligence, but would refresh his lordship's memory in private. A short whispering took place between the two peers. It is averred, on the one hand, that lord Bute was perfectly satis fred of the correctness of lord Temple's assertion; on the other, and with more appearance between that crown and France, so incon- of probability, that the result of their conversa- Adol |