forts with which we may have to contend.

You will feel this peculiarly neceffary at a moment when the enemy has openly manifefted the intention of attempting a defcent on thefe kingdoms. It cannot be doubted what would be the iffue of fuch an enterprize; but it befits your wisdom to neglect no precautions that may either preclude the attempt, or fecure the fpeediest means of turning it to the confufion and ruin of the enemy.

In reviewing the events of the year, you will have obferved that, by the fkill and exertions of my navy, our extensive and increafing commerce has been protected to a degree almoft beyond example, and the fleets of the enemy have, for the greatest part of the year, been blocked up in their own ports.

The operations in the Eaft and Weft Indies have been highly honourable to the British arms, and productive of great national advantage; and the valour and good conduct of my forces, both by fea and land, have been eminently confpicuous.

The fortune of war on the continent has been more various; and the progrefs of the French armies threatened, at one period, the utmost danger to all Europe; but from the honourable and dignified perfeverance of my ally the emperor, and from the intrepidity, difcipline, and invincible fpirit of the Auftrian forces, under the aufpicious conduct of the archduke Charles, fuch a turn has lately been given to the courfe of the war, as may infpire a well-grounded confidence that the final refult of the campaign will prove more difaftrous to the enemy than its commencement and progrefs for a time were favourable to their hopes.

The apparently hoftile difpofitions and conduct of the court of Madrid have led to difcuffions, of which I am not yet enabled to acquaint you with the final refult; but I am confident, that whatever may be their iffue, I fhall have given to Europe a further proof of my moderation and forbearance; and I can have no doubt of your determination to defend against every aggreflion the dignity, rights, and interefts, of the British empire.

Gentlemen of the houfe of

commons,

1 rely on your zeal and public fpirit for fuch fupplies as you may think neceffary for the fervice of the year. It is a great fatisfa&tion to me to obfervé, that, notwithftanding the temporary embarraffments which have been experienced, the state of the commerce, manufactures, and revenue of the country, proves the real extent and folidity of our refources, and furnithes you with fuch means as must be equal to any exertions which the prefent crifis may require.

My lords and gentlemen,

The diftreffes, which were in the laft year experienced from the fcarcity of corn, are now, by the bleffing of God, happily removed, and an abundant harvest affords the pleafing profpect of relief in that important article to the labouring claffes of the community. Our internal tranquillity has alfo continued undisturbed; the general attachment of my people to the Britifh conftitution has appeared on every occafion; and the endeavours of those who wished to introduce anarchy and confufion into this country, have been repreffed by the energy and wifdom of the laws.

To defeat all the defigns of our enemies, to restore to my people the bleflings of a fecure and honour

able

pidity, difcipline, and invincible Spirit of the Auftrian forces, under the aufpicious conduct of the archduke Charles; and we entertain the moft fanguine hope that, from the turn lately given to the course of the war, the final refult of the campaign may prove more difaftrous to the enemy than its commencement and progrefs for a time were favourable to their hopes.

While we regret the hoftile difpofitions and conduct on the part of the court of Madrid, which have led to the difcuffions now depending, we entertain a juft confidence, that, whenever your majefty fhall be enabled to acquaint us with the final refuit, a farther proof will be given to Europe of the temper and prudence which govern your majefty's proceedings; and we cannot too ftrongly exprefs to your majefty our fixed determination to fupport your majefty with our lives and fortunes, in defending against every aggreffion the dignity, rights, and interefts, of the British empire.

We beg to affure your majefty, that you may at all times rely on the zeal and affection of your faithful commons for fuch fupplies as may be neceffary for the fervice of the year; and that it must afford us the most cordial fatisfaction to find, that, notwithstanding the temporary embarrassments which have been experienced, the state of the commerce, manufactures, and revenue of the country, proves the real extent and folidity of the public refources, and will furnish fuch means as may be equal to the great and vigorous exertions which the prefent crifis peculiarly requires.

We acknowledge, with the ut moft thankfulness and fatisfaction, that the diftreffes, which were in the last year experienced from the fcarcity of corn, are now, by the

bleffing of God, happily removed, and that an abundant harvet af fords the pleasing prospect of relief in that important article to the labouring claffes of the community; and with equal fatisfaction we reflect on the uninterrupted continuance of our internal tranquillity, on the general attachment of your majefty's faithful fubjects to the British conftitution, and on the happy effects produced by the energy and wifdom of the laws, in repreffing the endeavours of those who wished to introduce anarchy and confufion into the country.

We beseech your majefty to be lieve that we are deeply impreffed with the gracious and paternal expreffions of your majefty's conftant folicitude for the glory and happinefs of your kingdoms; and we are perfuaded that your majefty may at all times rely on the firm, zealous, and affectionate fupport of your parliament in thofe exertions which are directed to the great object of defeating all the defigns of our enemies, of restoring to the people the bleffings of a fecure and honourable peace, and of delivering down unimpaired to the latest pofterity thofe civil and religious bleflings, by which thefe kingdoms have been fo eminently diftin guifhed, under the protection of your majefty's juft and aufpicious.

majefty's most gracious fpeech from

the throne.

We acknowledge with gratitude your majefty's gracious condefcenfion in acquainting us that you have omitted no endeavours for fetting on foot negotiations to reftore peace to Europe, and to fecure for the future the general tranquillity; and that the fteps which you have taken for the purpofe have at length opened the way to an immediate and direct negotiation, the issue of which muit produce the defirable end of a juft, honourable, and folid peace, for us and for our allies, or must prove, beyond difpute, to what caufe alone the prolongation of the calamities of war must be afcribed.

We entirely concur in the anxious with expreffed by your majefty, that the step which your majefty propofes to take of fending a perfon to Paris, with full power to treat for the restoration of a general peace, may lead to the accomplishment of that object. But we are fully fenfible that nothing can fo much contribute to give effect to this defire, as our manifefting that we poffefs both the determination and the refources to oppofe, with increased activity and energy, the further efforts with which we may have to contend.

We feel this peculiarly neceffary at a moment when the enemy has openly manifefted the intention of attempting a defcent on thefe kingdoms. We are fully fenfible that it cannot be doubted what would be the iffue of fuch an enterprize; but we fhall, nevertheless, think it our duty to take every precaution that may either elude the attempt, or fecure the fpeedieft means of turning it to the confufion and ruin of the enemy.

In reviewing the events of the

year, we have great pleafure in ob ferving, that, by the fkill and exer: tions of your majesty's navy, the extenfive and increafing commerce of the country has been protected to a degree almoft beyond example, and that the fleets of the enemy have, for the greateft part of the year, been blocked up in their own ports; that the operations in the Eaft and West Indies have been highly honourable to the British arms, and productive of great national advantage; and that the valour and good conduct of your ma jefty's forces, both by fea and land, have been eminently confpicuous.

We have also observed, with the utmoft fatisfaction, that although the fortune of war on the continent has been more various, and although the progrefs of the French armies threatened the utmost danger to all Europe, yet, from the honourable and dignified perfeverance of your majefty's ally the emperor, and from the intrepidity, difcipline, and invincible spirit of the Auftrian forces, under the au fpicious conduct of his royal highnefs the archduke Charles, fuch a turn has lately been given to the courfe of the war, as may inspire a well-grounded confidence that the final refult of the campaign will prove more difaftrous to the enemy than its commencement was for a time favourable to their hopes.

We rely with the utmost confidence on your majesty's gracious affurances, that whenever your majefty fhall be enabled to acquaint us with the final refult of the difcuffions to which the apparently hoftile difpofition and conduct of the court of Madrid has given rise, they will afford to Europe a further proof of your majesty's moderation and forbearance; and we entreat your majefty to be affured that

we

we are firmly determined to defend against every aggreffion the dignity, rights, and intereft of the British empire.

It has given us infinite pleasure to find that the diftreffes, which were in the last year experienced from the scarcity of corn, are now, by the bleffings of God, happily removed, and an abundant harveft affords the pleafing profpect of relief in that important article to the labouring claffes of the community; that our internal tranquillity has alfo continued undisturbed; that the general attachment of the people to the British conftitution has appeared on every occafion; and that the endeavours of those who wifhed to introduce anarchy and confufion into this country have been repreffed by the energy and wifdom of the laws.

to

Perfuaded as we cannot but be, from long experience of your majefty's virtues, that to defeat all the defigns of your enemies,-to reflore to your people the bleffings of fecure and honourable peace, maintain inviolate their religion, laws, and liberty, and to deliver down unimpaired to the latest pofterity the glory and happinefs of thefe kingdoms, is the conftant with of your majefty's heart, and the uniform end of all your majefty's actions; permit us moft humbly to affure your majefty, that in every meafure that can conduce to thefe objects, your majetty may rely upon our firm, zealous, and affectionate fupport, which we confider as a duty which we owe to your majefty and to our country.

Amendment to the above Addrefs, moved by Earl Fitzwilliam, and negatived without a Divifion.

That this houfe, ftrongly im

preffed with the juftice and neceffity of the prefent war, carried on for the maintenance of civil and moral order in the world, and for fecuring the balance of power in Europe, and the independence of all states, will continue to give his majesty a vigorous fupport in afferting, the general caufe of his majefty and his allies, and for preferving the good faith, dignity, and honour of the crown, in full affurance that no fteps fhall be taken inconfiftent with those principles, or with the future fafety and profperity of these kingdoms: and fhould the apparently hoftile difpofition of the court of Madrid, inftigated by the intrigues and menaces of the common enemy, put his majesty under the neceffity of repelling force by force, his majefty may rely on the determination of this houfe to give his majesty the most ample fupport in defending against every aggreffion the dignity, rights, and interefts, of the British empire.

Proteft of Earl Fitzwilliam against the Addrefs of the House of Lords to the Throne, on his Majefty's Speech, announcing the opening of a Negotiation for Peace with the French Republic.

DISSENTIENT,

ift, Becaufe, by this addrefs, unamended as it ftands, the fanction of the lords is given to a series of measures, as ill-judged with regard to their object, as they are derogatory from the dignity of his majefty's crown, and from the honour of this kingdom. The reiteration of folicitations for peace to a fpeexiftence all fair and equitable ac cies of power, with whofe very commodation is incompatible, can have no other effect than that which it is notorious all our folicitations