The New Hampshire Gazette

To the King's most excellent Majesty.

The humble Address of the Right Hon. the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament assembled, November 18, 1760.

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.

On this first occasion of approaching your royal person, permit us to express our unfeigned sorrow for the severe and afflicting loss, which not only this nation, but all Europe has sustained in the sudden death of our late excellent and most gracious sovereign, your Majesty's illustrious grandfather. The long experience which we had of his royal virtues, the benignity of his government, and his uniform care of our laws and liberties, not interrupted in any one instance during the course of many years, demand from us the most grateful acknowledgments; and will make his memory as dear to us as the height and splendor to which he had raised the greatness of these kingdoms will render it glorious to all posterity.

Such a loss could only be repaired by your Majesty. And at the same time that we condole with your Majesty on this melancholy event, we beg leave to offer you our most sincere congratulations on your happy accession to the throne. As your Majesty is the rightful and immediate inheritor of his crown, you are so of those virtues with which he adorned it; and which promise a continuation of the same blessings to these kingdoms.

It fills our minds with inexpressible joy, to see the pleasing hopes we had conceived from your many princely and amiable endowments, and the early demonstrations of your affection to this country, so fully verified in your first declarations to your Parliament.

We are penetrated with the condescending and endearing manner in which your Majesty has expressed your satisfaction in having received your birth and education amongst us. What a lustre doth it cast upon the name of Britain, when you, Sir, are pleased to esteem it amongst your glories!

The several paternal assurances which your Majesty has vouchsafed to give us, speak your resolution to be the common father of your people. No stronger proof can be given of it than by adopting this undeniable maxim, That their love is the best security of your throne. From this principle will naturally flow the strictest adherence to our excellent constitution in church and state, and the maintenance of that surest cement of the protestant interest in these kingdoms the Toleration: And we cannot but applaud your Majesty's wisdom and piety in making the encouragement of true religion and virtue one of the great foundations of your government.

We adore the goodness of providence in the signal success with which we have been blessed this last summer. The reduction of the extensive province of Canada, with the city of Montreal, is an event of the highest importance in every view; and it is no small addition to the glory resulting from it, to have shown, that while the British arms carry conquest, they carry protection.

We look upon the great advantages gained in the East Indies, as highly beneficial to the trade of these kingdoms. And we have the justest sense of the happy consequences derived to the operations of Great Britain in particular, as well as to the common cause in general, from the wise conduct of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick.

After what the enemy had before experienced from his abilities, we are not surprised that they should not come to a decisive engagement.

The magnanimity and perseverance of the King of Prussia will not only be the admiration of the present age, but of posterity; and the noble stand made, and the victories obtained by that Prince, must be the strongest motives to the powers engaged against him, to concur in the proper measures to restore the tranquility of Europe.

The judicious sentiments which your Majesty has declared to us concerning your royal navy, and the commerce of your subjects, are truly worthy of a British monarch, resolved to improve our natural strength, and most valuable resources. The weakening of the French force by sea, to so great a degree, and the low state to which their trade is reduced, we esteem amongst the most solid benefits accruing to this nation from the expensive efforts made this war.

Your Majesty's regard for public merit shines forth in the general notice, which you are pleased to take of the valour and intrepidity of your officers and forces by sea and land. They are equally conducive to the safety and glory of our country; and your gracious acceptance of the service of the militia, as being useful in the present arduous conjuncture, will be a great encouragement to their zeal.

At the same time that we thankfully acknowledge your Majesty's tender consideration for your people, in your wishes to have found your kingdoms in full peace,

we cannot but admire your wisdom in the comprehensive sense you have expressed of the causes and necessity of the present war. We are convinced that your Majesty's humane disposition makes you lament the calamities of it; whilst your greatness of mind has determined you to pursue it with vigour, in order to a safe and honorable peace, so desirable, not only to your own subjects, but to all Europe. Animated by that duty which we owe your Majesty, and by our zeal for the honour and interest of these kingdoms, we give your Majesty the strongest assurances, that we will cheerfully support you in prosecuting the war; aid the King of Prussia, and the rest of your allies; and heartily concur in all such measures, as shall be necessary for the defence of your Majesty & dominions, and for the other national and important ends which you have so fully laid before us.

The anxiety, which your Majesty has so early declared, for the uncommon burdens of your people, demands our sincerest thanks. Your tender concern will be an inducement to bear them the more cheerfully, and a pledge to your faithful subjects, that they shall be relieved from them as soon as the public security will, in sound policy, admit.

These many and eminent proofs of your Majesty's goodness, and of your fixed attention to our happiness, call upon us for the warmest returns of duty, gratitude, and affection, to your sacred person and government. Our loyalty and fidelity are inviolable. Our resolution to maintain your undoubted title to the Imperial crown, and the Protestant succession in your illustrious house, at the hazard of our lives and fortunes, is never to be shaken.

Happy shall we be in every instance, whereby we may be able to contribute to the glory, prosperity, and ease of your reign. Your Majesty's prudence, and the benevolence of your royal heart, have pointed out to us the most agreeable means of promoting these ends, by so strongly inculcating the continuance of that union and good harmony, which subsists amongst your people.

In doing this, your Majesty has set an inviting and powerful example to all your subjects, which we are determined to follow, by performing every thing on our part, to strengthen and improve this happy situation.

His Majesty's most gracious Answer.

My Lords,

Return you my hearty thanks, for this very loyal and dutiful Address. Nothing can be more agreeable to Me, than your unanimous concurrence in the several weighty matters which I laid before you. The assurances you give Me, of your fidelity and affection to My Person and Government, and of your Zeal for the true interest of your country, and for the support of My allies, afford Me the highest Satisfaction; and will have the best effect both at home and abroad. It shall be My constant endeavour to answer the expectations which you have formed of my reign.