The Virginia Gazette

LONDON, Nov. 27.

This Day His Majesty opened the Sessions of Parliament with the following most gracious Speech.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

It is always a great Satisfaction to me to meet you in Parliament, and it is particularly so in this Conjuncture, as the present Posture of Affairs abroad requires your most serious Consideration. The Events of the last Summer have been so various, and some Things have fallen out, during the Course of it, so much to the Disadvantage of the common Cause, the Consequences whereof remain still undecided, that great Attention must be given to them, and proper Measures taken for preventing or removing the ill Effects of them.

I have, in Pursuance of your repeated Advice, exerted my Endeavours for the Support of the House of Austria, and in the Prosecution of the just and necessary War, in which we are engaged. The Queen of Hungary, tho' attacked, and invaded by Powers, from whom she had the least Reason to expect such a Conduct; has shewn the greatest Constancy and Resolution; and the King of Poland, pursuant to his Engagements with her, hath sent a very considerable Force to her Assistance. The King of Sardinia, with a Magnanimity, and Firmness superior to the greatest Difficulties, has with the Assistance of my Fleet, resisted the Combined Forces of France and Spain, sent against him; and, at last, happily defeated an Enterprize formed for his Destruction, and for the Reduction of Italy, as well as most of the Ports in the Mediterranean, under the Power of the House of Bourbon. Though our Success has not been answerable to our Wishes, yet the vast Expectations and Designs of our Enemies, built upon new Intrigues and Alliances, and an additional Strength, have not hitherto taken Place, and will, I hope, by the Blessing of God, and the mutual united Vigour of Great Britain, and her Allies, be disappointed. In Conjunction with them, and with their effectual Assistance, and your Support, I am determined to carry on the War in such a Manner, as may be most conducive to that important End, which is my sole Aim, a safe and honourable Peace; it being my firm Resolution, never to abandon my Allies, and to procure the utmost Security to the Religion, Liberties and Commerce of my Kingdoms.

For this Purpose, I have always insisted, and am still endeavouring with my Allies, particularly my good Friends the States General of the United Provinces, to fix the certain Proportions of Forces and Expence, to be furnished by each of the Confederates, in the Prosecution of this just and necessary War.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I have ordered the Estimates for the Service of the ensuing Year to be prepared, and laid before you, and desire you to grant me such Supplies, as shall be requisite for the Security and Welfare of the Nation, and for carrying on such Measures, as it shall be necessary for Great Britain to pursue in the present extraordinary Crisis. I am deeply sensible of, and concerned for the Burthens, which lie upon my good Subjects; and you may be assured, that no Endeavours shall be wanting on my Part to ease them in every Instance, where the Consequences of doing so, may not endanger their own true Interests.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I have laid before you my Views and Intentions. Your Concurrence with me, in a steady Pursuit of them, will best manifest your Zeal for the common Cause, lay the surest Foundation for the real Support of our Allies, and for the Security and Prosperity of your Country: And nothing can add so much to the Weight and Efficacy of your Resolutions, as Unanimity and Dispatch.

Both Houses voted Addresses to His Majesty, without any Opposition.

Nov. 28. The House of Lords presented their Address, as follows, to His Majesty,

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.

Our Zeal for Your Majesty, the Love of our Country, and our anxious Regard for the Welfare and Liberties of Europe, have made us look, with the utmost Concern, on those Events which have fallen out, during the last Summer, to the Disadvantage of the common Cause: And our Surprize is no less, when we consider the Part, which has been taken by some Powers, so contrary to their own true and essential Interest.

The Necessity of taking proper Measures to prevent or remove the ill Effects of these Events, is apparent; and no Endeavours shall be wanting in us to obviate them.

We have seen, with the utmost Satisfaction, not only Your Majesty's Magnanimity and Zeal in the Prosecution of the just and necessary War, wherein we are engaged, but also the Constancy and Firmness shewn by the Queen of Hungary and the King of Sardinia, under the greatest Difficulties. The Disappointment of an Enterprize, form'd for the Destruction of the latter, as well as for reducing Italy under the Dominion of the House of Bourbon, is of great Importance to this Nation; since, if such a Design had succeeded, it must have been attended with fatal Consequences to the Trade and Navigation of Your Majesty's Subjects in the Mediterranean.

We acknowledge, with the greatest Thankfulness, Your Majesty's Wisdom and Goodness in declaring to Your Parliament, that You are determined to carry on the War, in Conjunction with Your Allies, and with their effectual Assistance, in such a Manner as may be most conducive to a safe and honourable Peace. In making this desirable End Your sole Aim, Your Majesty shews a just Sense of true Glory; and a tender Regard, not only for Your own Subjects, but extended to the rest of Europe.

As Your Majesty's Resolution; never to abandon Your Allies, must be an additional Encouragement to them, strictly to perform their Engagements with Your Majesty, so Your paternal Care to procure the utmost Security to the Religion, Liberties, and Commerce of Your Kingdoms, cannot fail to excite in the Hearts of all Your faithful Subjects, the warmest Affection and Duty to Your sacred Person, and Zeal for Your Defence and Support.

It is with real Satisfaction we receive Your Majesty's Declaration, that You are actually endeavouring with Your Allies, particularly the States General of the United Provinces, the ancient and natural Friends of this Nation, to adjust the Proportions of Forces and Expence to be borne by each of the Confederates in the War. Such a Concert will be the Basis of great Utility and Advantage to the common Cause.

We are truly sensible of Your Majesty's Goodness, in laying before us these Your salutary Views and Intentions; and we do with the greatest Zeal and Firmness, assure Your Majesty, that we are fully determined to support You in the steady Prosecution of them, and in carrying on such Measures, as it shall be necessary for Great Britain to pursue in this critical Conjunction.

May the divine Providence prosper Your Majesty's Councils and Arms with Success equal to the Justice of Your Cause. For our Part, we beg Leave to give Your Majesty the strongest Assurances, that we have the Honour and Safety of Your Majesty, the Security and true Interest of Your Kingdoms, and the happy Issue of this just and necessary War, entirely at Heart; and will, at the Hazard of our Lives and Fortunes, stand by and defend Your Majesty, Your Royal Family, and Government, against the ambitious and destructive Designs of France, and of any other Power, that shall attempt to attack or disturb them.
His Majesty's Most Gracious Answer.

My Lords,

Heartily thank you for this dutiful and affectionate Address.

The Zeal, which you have so seasonably expressed for my Person and Government, for carrying on this just and necessary War, and for the vigorous Support of my Allies, gives me the greatest Satisfaction: And your Unanimity in doing this, cannot fail to add greatly to the good Effects of it, both at home and abroad.

The Commons Address ran in the same Style, and concluded,

That His Majesty might depend on their ready and cheerful Assistance.