Berkeley And Jefferson Intelligencer

LONDON, November 22.

His Britannic Majesty's Speech to both Houses of Parliament.

About three o'clock his Majesty proceeded, in his usual state to the House of Lords, to open the Session, and being seated on the Throne, a Message was dispatched to the House of Commons, to intimate his Majesty's presence in the House of Peers, and to require their immediate attendance at the bar of that house. The Commons being come, his Majesty made the following most gracious speech:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"Since I last met you in Parliament, it has been my chief object to carry into effect those measures which your wisdom has adopted for the defence of the United Kingdoms and for the vigorous prosecution of the war. In these preparations I have been seconded by the voluntary exertions of all ranks of my people, in a manner that has, if possible, strengthened their claims to my confidence and affection: they have proved that the menaces of the enemy have only served to rouse their native and hereditary spirit; and that all other considerations are lost in a general disposition to make those efforts and sacrifices, which the honor and safety of the kingdom demanded at this important and critical juncture.

"Though my attention has principally been directed to the great object of internal security, no opportunity has been lost of making an impression on the foreign possessions of the enemy. The islands of St. Lucia, of Tobago, of St. Pierre and Miquelon, and the settlement of Demarara and Essequibo, have surrendered to the British arms. In the conduct of the operation, by which those valuable acquisitions have been made, the utmost promptitude and zeal have been displayed by the officers employed on those services, and by my forces acting under their command, by sea and land.

"In Ireland, the leaders and several inferior agents in the late traitorous and atrocious conspiracy, have been brought to justice, and the public tranquility has experienced no further interruption. I indulge the hope, that such of my deluded subjects as have swerved from their allegiance, are now convinced of their error; and that, having compared the advantages they derive from the protection of a free constitution, with the condition of those countries which are under the dominion of the French Government, they will cordially and zealously concur in resisting any attempt that may be made against the security and independence of my United Kingdoms.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I have a perfect reliance on your public spirit for making such provisions as may be necessary for the service of the year. The progressive improvement of the revenue cannot fail to encourage you to persevere in the system which has been adopted, of defraying the expenses of the war, with as little addition as possible to the public debt, and to the permanent burthens of the state.

"I lament the heavy pressure, which under the present circumstances must unavoidably be experienced by my people; but I am persuaded that they will meet it with the good sense and fortitude which so eminently distinguish their character under the conviction of the indispensable importance of upholding the dignity, and of providing effectually for the safety of the Empire.

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I have concluded a convention with the King of Sweden, for the purpose of adjusting all the differences which have arisen on the subject of the 11th article of the treaty of 1761. I have directed that a copy of this convention should be laid before you; and you will, I trust, be of opinion, that the arrangements, whilst it upholds our maritime rights, is founded on those principles of reciprocal advantage which are best calculated to maintain and improve the good understanding which happily subsists between the two countries.

"In the prosecution of the contest in which we are engaged, it shall be, as it ever has been, my first object to execute, as becomes me, the great trust committed to my charge. Embarked with my brave and loyal people in one common cause, it is my fixed determination, if the occasion should arise, to share their exertions and their dangers in the defence of Our Constitution, our Religion, our Laws, and Independence. To the activity and valour of my fleets and armies, to the zeal and unconquerable spirit of my faithful subjects, I confide the honor of my crown, and all those valuable interests which are involved in this momentous contest.

"Actuated by these sentiments, and humbly imploring the Blessings of Divine Providence, I look forward with firm conviction, that if contrary to all just expectation, the enemy should elude the vigilance of my numerous fleets and cruizers, and attempt to execute their presumptuous threat of invading our coasts, the consequence will be to them discomfiture, confusion and disgrace; and that ours will not only be the glory of surmounting present difficulties, and repelling immediate danger, but the solid and permanent advantage of fixing the safety and independence of the kingdom on the basis of acknowledged strength, the result of its own tried energy and resources."