and to express the satisfaction which his Majesty derives from your having been enabled to provide for those services without any great and immediate addition to the burthens upon his people.

His Majesty particularly commands us to acknowledge your prompt attention to his wishes, respecting an increased provision for the poorer clergy; an object in the highest degree interesting to his Majesty's feelings, and deserving the favourable consideration of Parliament.

MY LORDS AND Gentlemen,

The atrocious and unparalleled act of violence and treachery by which the Ruler of France attempted to surprise and to enslave the Spanish nation, while it has excited in Spain a determined and unconquerable resistance against the usurpation and tyranny of the French Government, has, at the same time, awakened in other nations of Europe a determination to resist, by a new effort, the continued and increasing encroachments on their safety and independence.

Although the uncertainty of all human events, and the vicissitudes attendant upon war, forbid too confident an expectation of a satisfactory issue to the present struggle against the common enemy of Europe, his Majesty commands us to congratulate you upon the splendid and important success which has recently crowned the arms of the Emperor of Austria, under the able and distinguished conduct of his Imperial Highness the Archduke Charles.

GEORGE III. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, JUNE 21, 1810.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, His Majesty has commanded us to acquaint you that, as the public business is now concluded, he thinks it proper to put an end to the pre

sent Session of Parliament.

We are commanded by his Majesty to express the satisfaction he derives from the reduction of the island of Guadaloupe by his Majesty's arms; an event which for the first time in the history of the wars of Great Britain has wrested from France all her possessions in that quarter of the world; and which, together with the subsequent capture of the only colonies in the West Indies which remained in the possession of the Dutch, has deprived his Majesty's enemies of every port in those seas from which the interest of his Majesty or the commerce of his subjects,

can be molested.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, His Majesty has commanded us to thank you for the liberal and ample supplies which you. have granted for the services of the present year His Majesty deeply regrets the necessary extent of the demands which those services have created; but we are commanded to express to you the consolation which he has derived from observing that the resources of the country, manifesting themselves by every mark of pros

his Majesty has directed us to assure you that he is determined to continue his most strenuous

assistance and support, convinced that you will agree with him in considering that every exertion for the re-establishment of the independence and security of other nations is no less conducive to the true interests, than it is becoming the

character and honour of Great Britain.

GEORGE III.

[OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, JAN. 23, 1810.] MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

His Majesty commands us to express to you his deep regret that the exertions of the Emperor of Austria against the ambition and violence of France have proved unavailing, and that his Imperial Majesty has been compelled to abandon the contest, and to conclude a disadvantageous peace. Although the war was undertaken by that monarch without encouragement on the part of his Majesty, every effort was made for the assistance of Austria which his Majesty deemed consistent with the due support of his allies, and with the welfare and interest of his own dominions. An attack upon the naval armaments and establishments in the Scheldt afforded at once the prospect of destroying a growing force, which was daily becoming more formidable to the security of this country, and of diverting the exertions of France from the important objects of reinforcing her armies on the Danube, and of controlling the spirit of resistance in the north of Germany. These considerations We are commanded by his Majesty to express his determined his Majesty to employ his forces in hopes that you will resume the consideration of an expedition to the Scheldt. Although the the state of the inferior clergy, and adopt such principal ends of this expedition have not been further measures upon this interesting subject attained, his Majesty confidently hopes that as may appear to you to be proper. We have advantages, materially affecting the security of it further in command to state to you that the His Majesty's dominions in the further prosecu- accounts which will be laid before you of the tion of the war, will be found to result from the trade and revenue of the country will be found demolition of the docks and arsenals at Flush- highly satisfactory. Whatever temporary and ing. This important object his Majesty was partial inconvenience may have resulted from enabled to accomplish, in consequence of the the measures which were directed by France reduction of the island of Walcheren, by the against those great sources of our prosperity valour of his fleets and armies. His Majesty and strength, those measures have wholly failed has given directions that such documents and of producing any permanent or general effect. papers should be laid before you as he trusts The inveterate hostility of our enemy continues will afford satisfactory information upon the sub- to be directed against this country with unabaject of this expedition. We have it in com- ted animosity and violence. To guard the semand to state to you that his Majesty had uni-curity of his Majesty's dominions, and to defeat formly notified to Sweden his Majesty's decided wish that in determining upon the question of peace or war with France, and other Continental Powers, she should be guided by considerations resulting from her own situation and interests. While his Majesty therefore laments that Sweden should have found it necessary to purchase peace by considerable sacrifices, his Majesty cannot complain that she has con

the designs which are meditated against us and our allies, will require the utmost efforts of vigilance, fortitude, and perseverance. In every difficulty and danger, his Majesty confidently

trusts that he shall derive the most effectual support, under the continued blessing of Divine Providence, from the wisdom of his Parliament, the valour of his forces, and the spirit and determination of his people.

its branches, and by a commerce extending itself in new channels, and with an increased vigour in proportion as the enemy has in vain attempted to destroy it, have enabled you to provide for the expenses of the year without imposing the burden of any new taxation on Great Britain; and that while the taxes which have been necessarily resorted to for Ireland have been imposed upon articles which will not interfere with the growing prosperity of that country, you have found it consistent with a due regard to its finances to diminish some of those burdens, and relax some of those regulations of revenue, which have been felt the most inconvenient in that part of the United Kingdom.

His Majesty further commands us to return you his thanks for the provision which you have enabled him to make for the establishment of his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

His Majesty has directed us to acquaint you that Portugal, rescued from the oppression of the enemy, by the powerful assistance of his Majesty's arms, has exerted herself with vigour and energy in making every preparation for repelling, with the continued aid of his Majesty's forces, any renewed attack on the part of the enemy; and that in Spain, notwithstanding the reverses which have been experienced, the spirit of resistance against France still continues unsubdued and unabated; and his Majesty commands us to assure you of his firm and unaltered conviction that not only the honour of his throne, but the best interests of his dominions require his most strenuous and persevering assistance to the glorious efforts of those loyal nations.

His Majesty has commanded us to recommend to you, upon your return to your respective counties, to use your best exertions to promote that spirit of order and obedience to the laws, and that general concord amongst all classes of his Majesty's subjects, which can alone give full effect to his Majesty's paternal care for the welfare and happiness of his people. His Majesty has the fullest reliance upon the affections of his subjects, whose loyalty and attachment have hitherto supported him through that long and eventful period during which it has pleased Divine Providence to commit the interests of those dominions to his charge. His Majesty feels that the preservation of domestic peace and tranquillity, under the protection of the law, and obedience to its authority, is amongst the most important duties he owes to his people.

His Majesty commands us to assure you that he will not be wanting in the discharge of that duty, and his Majesty will always reply with confidence on the continued support of his loyal subjects, to enable him to resist with success the designs of foreign enemies, and to transmit unimpaired to posterity the blessings of the British Constitution.

GEORGE III.

[OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, FEB. 12, 1811.]

Speech by the Prince Regent. MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, Acting by virtue of the authority given to us in his Majesty's Commission which has been now read, amongst other things, to open and declare the causes of your meeting, we have only, in the present discharge of our duty, to call your attention to the afflicting circumstance of his Majesty's indisposition, and to the necessity of making due and suitable provision for the care of his Majesty's sacred person, the maintenance of his royal dignity, and the exercise of his royal authority, in such manner, and to such extent, as the exigency of the case appears to require.

In execution of the Commission which has now been read to you, we are commanded by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent to express in the strongest manner how deeply he laments, not only in common with all his Majesty's loyal subjects, but with a personal and filial affliction, the great national calamity which has been the occasion of imposing upon his Royal Highness the duty of exercising, in his Majesty's name, the royal authority of this kingdom.

In conveying to you the sense which his Royal Highness entertains of the great difficulties attending the important trust which is reposed in him, his Royal Highness commands us to assure you that he looks with the most perfect confidence to the wisdom and zeal of Parliament, and to the attachment of a loyal and affectionate people for the most effectual assistance and support; and his Royal Highness will, on his part, exert his utmost endeavours to direct the powers with which he is invested to the advancement of the prosperity, welfare, and security of his Majesty's dominions.

We are directed to inform you that his Royal Highness has great satisfaction in being enabled to state that fresh opportunities have been afforded, during the late campaign for distinguishing the valour and skill of his Majesty's forces, both by sea and land.

The capture of the islands of Bourbon and Amboyna have still further reduced the colonial dependencies of the enemy.

The attack upon the island of Sicily, which was announced to the world with a presumptuous

anticipation of success, has been repulsed by the persevering exertions and valour of his Majesty's

land and sea forces.

The judicious arrangement adopted by the officers commanding on that station, derived material support from the zeal and ardour which were manifested during this contest by the inhabitants of Sicily, and from the co-operation of the naval means which were directed by his Sicilian Majesty to this object.

In Portugal, and at Cadiz, the defence of which constituted the principal objects of his Majesty's exertions in the last campaign, the designs of the enemy have been hitherto frustrated. The consummate skill, prudence, and perseverance of Lieutenant-General Lord Viscount Wellington, and the discipline and determined bravery of the officers and men under his command, have been conspicuously displayed throughout the whole of the campaign. The effect of those distinguished qualities, in inspiring confidence and energy into the troops of his Majesty's allies, has been happily evinced by their general good conduct, and particularly by the brilliant part which they bore in the repulse of the enemy at Buzaco. And his Royal Highness commands us further to state that he trusts you will enable him to continue the most effectual assistance to the brave nations of the Peninsula, in the support of a contest which they manifest a determination to maintain with unabated perseverance; and his Royal Highness is persuaded that you will feel that the best interests of the British Empire must be deeply affected in the issue of this contest, on which the liberties and independence of the Spanish and Portuguese nations entirely depend.

We have it likewise in command to acquaint you that discussions are now pending between this country and the United States of America, and that it is the earnest wish of his Royal Highness that he may find himself enabled to bring these discussions to an amicable termina

tion, consistent with the honour of his Majesty's Crown, and the maritime rights and interests of the United Kingdom.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, We are directed to acquaint you that his Royal Highness the Prince Regent has given his commands that the estimates for the expenditure of the current year should be laid before you; and his Royal Highness has great satisfaction in acquainting you that although the difficulties under which the commerce of this kingdom has laboured have in some degree affected a part of his Majesty's revenue, particularly in Ireland, yet that the revenue of Great Britain in the last year, though unaided by any new taxation, is greater than was ever known in any preceding year. And his Royal Highness trusts to your zeal and liberality to afford his Majesty adequate supplies for the support of the great contest in which he is necessarily engaged.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

We are commanded by his Royal Highness to declare to you that it is the most anxious wish of his heart that he may be enabled to restore unimpaired into the hands of his Majesty the government of his kingdom; and that his Royal Highness earnestly prays that the Almighty may be pleased in His mercy to accelerate the termination of a calamity so deeply lamented by the whole nation, and so peculiarly afflicting to his Royal Highness himself.

GEORGE III. [CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, JULY 14, 1811.] Speech by the Prince Regent.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN.

His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, has commanded us to signify to you the satisfaction with which he finds himself enabled to relieve you from your attendance in Parliament, after the long and laborious duties of the Session. We are particularly directed to express his approbation of the wisdom and firmness which you have manifested in enabling his Royal Highness to continue the exertions of this country in the cause of our allies, and to prosecute the war with increased activity and vigour Your determined perseverance in a system of liberal aid to the brave and loyal nations of the

Peninsula has progressively augmented their

humane attention which you have paid to the means and spirit of resistance, while the sufferings of the inhabitants of Portugal, under the unexampled cruelty of the enemy, has confirmed the alliance by new ties of affection, and cannot fail to inspire additional zeal and animation in the maintenance of the common cause. His Royal Highness especially commands us to declare his cordial concurrence in the measures which have adopted for improving the inyou

ternal security and military resources of the

United Kingdom.

which may be derived from the attention of Parliament having been given to this important object.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN.

His Royal Highness commands us to congratulate you upon the reduction of the island of Mauritius. This last and most important colony of France has been obtained with inconsiderable loss, and its acquisition must materially contribute to the security of the British commerce and possessions in that quarter of the world.

The successes which have crowned his Majesty's arms during the present campaign, under the distinguished command of Lieutenant-General Lord Viscount Wellington, are most important to the interests and glorious to the character of the country. His Royal Highness warmly participates in all the sentiments which have been excited by those successes, and concurs in the just applause which you have bestowed upon the skill, prudence, and intrepidity so conspicuously displayed in obtaining them.

It affords the greatest satisfaction to his Royal Highness to reflect that, should it please Divine Providence to restore his Majesty to the ardent prayers and wishes of his Royal Highness and of his Majesty's people, his Royal Highness will be enabled to lay before his Majesty, in the history of these great achievements of the British arms throughout a series of systematic operations, so satisfactory a proof that the national interests and the glory of the British name have been successfully maintained while his Royal Highness has conducted the government of the United Kingdom.

GEORGE III.

[OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, JAN. 7, 1812.] Speech by the Prince Regent.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, We are commanded by his Royal Highness the which he feels in announcing to you the conPrince Regent to express to you the deep sorrow and the unhappy disappointment of those hopes tinuance of his Majesty's lamented indisposition, of his Majesty's early recovery which had been and the loyal attachment of his people. cherished by the dutiful affection of his family

The Prince Regent has directed copies of the

last reports of Her Majesty the Queen's council you will adopt such measures as the present to be laid before you, and he is satisfied that melancholy exigency may appear to require.

In securing a suitable and ample provision for the support of his Majesty's royal dignity, and for the attendance upon his Majesty's sacred person during his illness, the Prince Regent rests assured that you will also bear in mind the indispensable duty of continuing to preserve for his Majesty the facility of resuming the personal exercise of his royal authority in the happy event of his recovery, so earnestly desired by the wishes and the prayers of his family and subjects.

The Prince Regent directs us to signify to you the satisfaction with which his Royal Highness has observed that the measures which have been pursued for the defence and security of effectual; and that on the several occasions in the Kingdom of Portugal have proved completely which the British or Portuguese troops had been engaged with the enemy, the reputation already acquired by them has been fully main

tained.

the advantages which result from the operations of the allied armies on the frontier, and from the countenance and assistance of his Majesty's navy on the coast. Although the great exertions of the enemy have in some quarters been attended with success, his Royal Highness is persuaded that you will admire the perseverance and gallantry manifested by the Spanish armies. Even in those provinces principally occupied by the French forces, new energy has arisen among the people; and the increase of difficulty and danger has produced more connected efforts of general resistance.

The Prince Regent, in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, commands us to express his confident hope that you will enable him to continue to afford the most effectual aid and assistance in the support of the contest which the brave nations of the Peninsula still maintain with such unabated zeal and resolution.

His Royal Highness commands us to express his congratulations on the success of the British arms in the island of Java.

The Prince Regent trusts that you will concur with his Royal Highness in approving the wisdom and ability with which this enterprise, as well as the capture of the islands of Bourbon and Mauritius has been conducted under the immediate direc

tion of the Governor General of India, and that you will applaud the decision, gallantry, and spirit conspicuously displayed in the late operations of the brave army under the command of that distinguished officer, Lieut. General Sir Samuel Auchmuty, so powerfully and ably supported by his Majesty's naval forces.

By the completion of this system of operations, great additional security will have been given to the British commerce and possessions in the East Indies, and the colonial power of France will have been entirely extinguished.

His Royal Highness thinks it expedient to recommend to your attention the propriety of providing such measures for the future government of the British possessions in India as shall appear from experience and upon mature deliberation, to be calculated to secure their internal prosperity, and to derive from those flourishing dominions the utmost degree of advantage to the commerce and revenue of the United King

dom.

reliance on your experienced wisdom, loyalty, and public spirit; to which in every difficulty he will resort with a firm confidence that, through your assistance and support, he shall be enabled, under the blessing of Divine Providence, successfully to discharge the important functions of the high trust reposed in him; and in the name and on the behalf of his beloved father and revered sovereign, to maintain, unimpaired, the prosperity and honour of the nation.

GEORGE III.

[CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, SEPT. 29, 1812.] Speech by the Prince Regent.

MY LORDS AND Gentlemen,

In terminating the present Session of Parliament, his Royal Highness the Prince Regent has commanded us to express to You the deep concern and sorrow which he feels at the continuance of his Majesty's lamented indisposition. His Royal Highness regrets the interruptions which have occurred in the progress of public business during this long and laborious Session, in consequence of an event which his Royal Highness must ever deplore. The zeal and unwearied assiduity with which you have persevered in the discharge of the arduous duties imposed upon you by the situation of the country and the state of public affairs, demands his Royal Highness's warmest acknowledgments.

The assistance which you have enabled his Royal Highness to continue to the brave and loyal nations of the Peninsula is calculated to produce the most beneficial effects.

His Royal Highness most warmly participates in those sentiments of approbation which you have bestowed on the consummate skill and intrepidity displayed in the operations which led to the capture of the important fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, during the present campaign; and his Royal Highness confidently trusts that the tried valour of the allied forces, under the distinguished command of General the Earl of Wellington, combined with the unabated spirit and steady perseverance of the Spanish and Portuguese nations, will finally bring the contest in that quarter to an issue, by which the independence of the Peninsula will be effectually secured.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, His Royal Highness has directed the estimates for the service of the current year to be laid before you. He trusts that you will furnish him with such supplies as may be necessary to enable him to continue the contest in which his Majesty is engaged with that spirit and exertion which will afford the best prospect of its successful termination.

His Royal Highness commands us to recommend that you should resume the consideration of the state of the finances of Ireland, which you had commenced in the last Session of Parliament. He has the satisfaction to inform you that the improved receipt of the revenue of Ireland in the last, as compared with the preceding year confirms the belief that the depression which that revenue had experienced is to be attributed to accidental and temporary

causes.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

The Prince Regent is satisfied that you entertain a just sense of the arduous duties which his Royal Highness has been called upon to fulfil, in consequence of his Majesty's continued indisposition.

Under this severe calamity, his Royal Highness derives the greatest consolation from his

dominions.

His Royal Highness has commanded us to assure you that he views with most sincere regret the hostile measures which have been

recently adopted by the Government of the United States of America towards this country. His Royal Highness is nevertheless willing to hope that the accustomed relations of peace and amity between the two countries may yet be restored: but if his expectations in this respect should be disappointed by the conduct of the Government of the United States or by their perseverance in any unwarrantable pretensions, he will most fully rely on the support of every class of his Majesty's subjects in a contest in which the honour of his Majesty's Crown and the best interests of his dominions must be involved.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, We have it in command from his Royal Highness to thank you for the liberal provision which you have made for the services of the present year. His Royal Highness deeply regrets the burthens which you have found it necessary to impose upon his Majesty's people; but he applauds the wisdom which has induced you so largely to provide for the exigencies of the public service as affording the best prospect of bringing the contest in which the country is engaged to a successful and honourable conclusion.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

His Royal Highness has observed with the utmost concern the spirit of insubordination and outrage which has appeared in some parts of the country, and which has been manifested by acts, not only destructive of the property and perjects in those districts, but disgraceful to the sonal safety of many of his Majesty's loyal subBritish character. His Royal Highness feels it incumbent upon him to acknowledge your diligence in the investigation of the causes which have led to these outrages; and he has commanded us to thank you for the wise and salutary measures which you have adopted on this occasion. It will be a principal object of his Royal Highness's attention to make an effectual and prudent use of the powers vested in him for the protection of his Majesty's people, and he confidently trusts that on your return into your respective counties he may rely on your exertions for the preservation of the public peace, and for bringing the disturbers of it to justice. His Royal Highness most earnestly recommends to you the importance of inculcating, by every means in your power, a spirit of obedience to those laws, and of attachment to that constitution, which provide equally for the welfare and happiness of all classes of his Majesty's subjects, and on which have hitherto depended the glory and prosperity of this kingdom.

GEORGE III.

[OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, Nov. 30, 1812.]
Speech by the Prince Regent.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

It is with the deepest concern that I am obliged to announce to you at the opening of this Parliament the continuance of his Majesty's lamented indisposition and the diminution of the hopes which I have most anxiously entertained of his recovery.

The situation of public affairs has induced me to take the earliest opportunity of meeting you after the late elections. I am persuaded you will cordially participate in the satisfaction which I derive from the improvement of our prospects during the course of the present year.

The valour and intrepidity displayed by his Majesty's forces and those of his allies in the Peninsula on so many occasions during this campaign, and the consummate skill and judgment with which the operations have been conducted by General the Marquis of Wellington, have led to consequences of the utmost importance to the common cause.

By transferring the war into the interior of Spain, and by the glorious and ever-memorable victory obtained at Salamanca, he has compelled the enemy to raise the siege of Cadiz; and the southern provinces of that kingdom have been delivered from the power and arms of France.

Although I cannot but regret that the efforts of the enemy, combined with a view to one great operation, have rendered it necessary to withdraw from the siege of Burgos, and to evacuate Madrid, for the purpose of concentraing the main body of the allied forces, these efforts of the enemy have, nevertheless, been attended with important sacrifices on their part, which must materially contribute to impair their resources, and facilitate the exertions of the Spanish nation.

I am confident I may rely on your determination to continue to afford every aid in support of a contest which has first given to the Continent of Europe the example of persevering and successful resistance to the power of France, and on which not only the independence of the nations of the Peninsula, but the best interests of His Majesty's dominions, essentially depend.

I have great pleasure in communicating to you that the relations of peace and friendship have been restored between his Majesty and the Courts of St. Petersburg and Stockholm.

I have directed copies of the treaties to be laid before you.

In a contest for his own sovereign rights, and for the independence of his dominions, the Emperor of Russia has had to oppose a large proportion of the military power of the French Government, assisted by its allies and by the tributary States dependent upon it.

The resistance which he has opposed to so formidable a combination cannot fail to excite sentiments of lasting admiration.

In considering the variety of interests which are connected with this important subject, I rely on your wisdom for making such an arrangement as may best promote the prosperity of the British possessions in that quarter, and at the same time secure the greatest advantages to the commerce and revenue of his Majesty's

By his own magnanimity and perseverance, by the zeal and disinterestedness of all ranks of his subjects, and by the gallantry, firmness, and intrepidity of his forces, the presumptuous expectations of the enemy have been signally dis-dominions. appointed.

The enthusiasm of the Russian nation has increased with the difficulties of the contest and with the dangers with which they were surrounded. They have submitted to sacrifices of which there are few examples in the history of the world; and I indulge the confident hope that the determined perseverance of his Imperial Majesty will be crowned with ultimate success, and that this contest, in its result, will have the effect of establishing, upon a foundation never to be shaken, the security and independence of the Russian Empire.

The proof of confidence which I have received from his Imperial Majesty, in the measure which he has adopted of sending his fleets to the ports of this country, is in the highest degree gratifying to me; and his Imperial Majesty may most fully rely on my fixed determination to afford him the most cordial support in the great contest in which he is engaged.

I have the satisfaction further to acquaint

you that I have concluded a treaty with his Sicilian Majesty, supplementary to the treaties of 1808 and 1809.

As soon as the ratification shall have been

exchanged, I will direct a copy of this treaty to be laid before you.

My object has been to provide for the more extensive application of the military force of the Sicilian Government to offensive operations; a measure which, combined with the liberal and enlightened principles which happily prevail in the councils of his Sicilian Majesty, is calculated, I trust, to augment his power and resources, and, at the same time, to render them essentially serviceable to the common cause.

The declaration of war by the Government of the United States of America was made under circumstances which might have afforded a reasonable expectation that the amicable relations between the two nations would not be long interrupted. It is with sincere regret that I am obliged to acquaint you that the conduct and pretensions of that Government have hitherto prevented the conclusion of any specific arrange

ment.

Their measures of hostility have been principally directed against the adjoining British provinces, and every effort has been made to seduce the inhabitants of them from their allegiance to his Majesty.

The proofs, however, which I have received of loyalty and attachment from his Majesty's subjects in North America are highly satisfactory. The attempts of the enemy to invade Upper Canada have not only proved abortive, but by the judicious arrangements of the GovernorGeneral, and by the skill and decision with which the military operations have been conducted, the forces of the enemy assembled for that purpose in one quarter have been compelled to capitulate, and in another have been completely

defeated.

My best efforts are not wanting for the restoration of the relations of peace and amity between the two countries; but until this object can be obtained without sacrificing the maritime rights of Great Britain, I shall rely upon your cordial support in a vigorous prosecution of the war.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I have directed the estimates for the services of the ensuing year to be laid before you, and I entertain no doubt of your readiness to furnish such supplies as may enable me to provide for the great interests committed to my charge, and afford the best prospect of bringing the contest in which his Majesty is engaged to a successful termination.

MY LORDS AND Gentlemen,

The approaching expiration of the charter of the East India Company renders it necessary that I should call your early attention to the propriety of providing effectually for the future government of the provinces of India.

I have derived great satisfaction from the success of the measures which have been adopted for suppressing the spirit of outrage and insubordination which had appeared in some parts of the country, and from the disposition which has been manifested to take advantage of the indemnity held out to the deluded by the wisdom and benevolence of Parliament.

I trust I shall never have occasion to lament the recurrence of atrocities so repugnant to the British character; and that all his Majesty's subjects will be impressed with the conviction that the happiness of individuals and the welfare of the State equally depend upon a strict obedience to the laws and an attachment to our excellent constitution.

In the loyalty of his Majesty's people, and in the wisdom of Parliament, I have reason to place the fullest confidence. The same firmness and perseverance which have been manifested on so many and such trying occasions, will not, I am persuaded, be wanting at a time when

the eyes of all Europe, and of the world, are fixed upon you. I can assure you, that in the exercise of the great trust reposed in me, I have no sentiment so near my heart as the desire to prosperity and lasting happiness of his Majesty's promote, by every means in my power, the real subjects.

GEORGE III.

[CLOSING OF PARLIAMENT, JULY 22, 1813.]
Speech by the Prince Regent.
MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

I cannot release you from your attendance in Parliament without repeating the expression of my deep regret at the continuance of his Majesty's lamented indisposition.

The attention which you have paid to the public interests in the course of this Session demands my warmest acknowledgments.

The splendid and signa! success which has attended the commencement of the campaign in the Peninsula,—the consummate skill and ability displayed by Field Marshal the Marquis of Wellington in the progress of those operations which have led to the great and decisive victory obtained near Vittoria,-and the valour and intrepidity by which his Majesty's forces and those of his allies have been distinguished, are as highly gratifying to my feelings as they have been to those of the whole nation. Whilst these

operations have added new lustre to the British deliverance of the Peninsula from the tyranny arms, they afford the best prospect of the and oppression of France; and they furnish the most decisive proof of the wisdom of that policy which has induced you, under every vicissitude of fortune, to persevere in the support of this glorious contest.

The entire failure of the French ruler in his designs against the Russian empire, and the destruction of the French army employed on that service, were followed by the advance of the Russian forces, since joined by those of Prussia, to the banks of the Elbe; and though upon the renewal of the contest the allied armies have found themselves obliged to retreat before the superior numbers collected by the enemy, their conduct during a series of severe and sanguinary conflicts has nobly upheld their military character, and commanded the admiration of Europe.

I have great satisfaction in acquainting you that there exists between me and the Courts of St. Petersburg, Berlin, and Stockholm, the most cordial union and concert: and I trust that I shall be enabled, by the aids which you have so liberally afforded, to render this union effectual for the accomplishment of the great purpose for which it has been established.

I regret the continuance of the war with the United States of America.

My desire to re-establish between the two countries those friendly relations so important to their mutual interests continues unabated;

but I cannot consent to purchase the restoration of peace by any sacrifice of the maritime rights of the British empire.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, I thank you for the liberal provision you have made for the services of the present year.

It is a great satisfaction to me to reflect that by the regulations you have adopted for the redemption of the National Debt, you have established a system which will not retard its ultimate liquidation, whilst at the same time it provides for the vigorous prosecution of the war, with the least practicable addition to the public burthens.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

I entirely approve of the arrangements which you have made for the government of the British territories in India, and for the regulation of the British commerce in that part of the world. They appear to have been wisely framed, with a view to the circumstances which have occurred since this subject was last under the consideration of Parliament. By these arrangements you have preserved in its essential parts that system of government which experience has proved to be not less calculated to provide for the happiness of the inhabitants of India, than to promote the interests of Great Britain; jects of the United Kingdom in general a parand you have judiciously extended to the subticipation in the commerce of countries within the limits of the East India Company's charter, which will, I doubt not, have the effect of augand improving the trade and navigation of his menting the resources of India, and of increasing Majesty's dominions.

The tried and affectionate loyalty of his Majesty's people, the constancy which they have displayed during this long and arduous war, and the patience with which they have sustained the burthens necessarily imposed upon them, have made an indelible impression on my mind. Such continued and persevering exertions under so severe a pressure afford the strongest proof of their attachment to that constitution which it is the first object of my life to maintain.

Majesty's arms, I acknowledge with devout In the success which has recently attended his gratitude the hand of Divine Providence. The use I desire to make of these and of all other advantages is, to promote and secure the welfare of his Majesty's people; and I cannot more decidedly evince this disposition than by employing the powerful means you have placed in my hands reduce the extravagant pretensions of the enemy. in such a manner as may be best calculated to conjunction with my allies, of a secure and and thereby to facilitate the attainment, in honourable peace.

GEORGE III.

[OPENING OF PARLIAMENT, Nov. 4, 1813.] Speech by the Prince Regent. MY LORDS AND Gentlemen, It is with the deepest regret that I am again obliged to announce to you the continuance of his Majesty's lamented indisposition.

has pleased Divine Providence to bless his The great and splendid success with which it Majesty's arms, and those of his allies, in the course of the present campaign, has been proEurope. ductive of the most important consequences to

In Spain, the glorious and decisive victory obtained near Vittoria has been followed by the advance of the allied forces to the Pyrenees, by the repulse of the enemy in every attempt to regain the ground he had been compelled to abandon, by the reduction of the fortress of Saint Sebastian, and, finally, by the establishment of the allied army on the frontier of

France.

In this series of brilliant operations, you will have observed, with the highest satisfaction, the consummate skill and ability of the great commander, Field Marshal the Marquis of Wellington, and the steadiness and unconquerable spirit which has been equally displayed by the troops of the three nations, united under his command.

The termination of the armistice in the North of Europe, and the declaration of war by the Emperor of Austria against France, have