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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
On March 18, 1761, the House of Commons unanimously thanked Speaker Arthur Onslow for over 33 years of service, impartiality, and dedication. Onslow delivered an emotional farewell speech upon his retirement due to age and infirmities. The House addressed the King to request a royal favor for Onslow, and the King responded graciously, acknowledging his merits.
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From the VOTES of the HOUSE of COMMONS.
Mercurii 18 Die Martii. 1761.
Resolved, Nemine Contradicente,
That the Thanks of this House be given to Mr. Speaker, for his constant and unwearied Attendance in the Chair, during the course of above Thirty three Years, in five Parliaments; for the unshaken Integrity and steady impartiality of his Conduct there; and for the indefatigable Pains he has, with uncommon Abilities, constantly taken to promote the real Interest of his King and Country, to maintain the Honour and Dignity of Parliament, and to preserve inviolable the Rights and Privileges of the Commons of Great Britain.
Upon which the Speaker said,
I was never under so great a Difficulty in my Life to know what to say in this Place, as I am at present. I can stand against Misfortunes and Distresses: I have stood against Misfortunes and Distresses, and do again; but am not able to stand this Overflow of Good will and Honour to me. It overpowers me; and had I all the Strength of Language, I could never express the full Sentiments of my Heart upon this Occasion, of Thanks and Gratitude. If I have been happy enough to perform any Services here, that are acceptable to the House, I am sure I now receive the noblest Reward for them; the noblest that any Man can receive for any Merit, far superior, in Estimation, to all the other Emoluments in this World. I owe every Thing to this House; I not only owe to this House that I am in this Place, but that I have had their constant Support in it; and to their Good will and Assistance, their Tenderness and Indulgence towards me in my Errors, it is, that I have been able to perform my Duty here to any Degree of Approbation: Thanks therefore are not so much due to me for these Services, as to the House itself, who made them to be Services in me.
When I began my Duty here, I set out with a Resolution, and Promise to the House, to be impartial in every Thing, and to show Respect to every Body. The first I know I have done, it is the only Merit I can assume: If I have failed in the other, it was unwillingly, it was inadvertently; and I ask their Pardon most sincerely, to whomsoever it may have happened. I can truly say, the giving Satisfaction to all, has been my constant Aim, my Study, and my Pride.
And now, Sirs, I am to take my last Leave of you. It is, I confess with Regret, because the being within these Walls has ever been the chief Pleasure of my Life: But my advanced Age and Infirmities, and some other Reasons, call for Retirement and Obscurity. There I shall spend the remainder of my Days; and shall only have Power to hope and to pray, and my Hopes and Prayers, my daily Prayer, will be for the Continuance of the Constitution in general, and that the Freedom, the Dignity, and Authority of this House may be perpetual.
Resolved, Nemine Contradicente, That the Thanks of this House be given to Mr. Speaker, for what he has now said to the House, and that the same be printed in the Votes of this Day.
Resolved, Nemine Contradicente,
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, humbly to beseech His Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to confer some signal Mark of his royal Favour upon the Right Hon. Arthur Onslow, Esq; Speaker of this House, for his great and eminent Services performed to his Country, for the Space of Thirty three Years and upwards; during which time he has, with such distinguished Ability and Integrity, presided in the Chair of this House; and to assure His Majesty, that whatever Expence His Majesty shall think proper to be incurred upon that Account, this House will make good the same to His Majesty.
Jovis, 18 Die Martii. 1761.
Mr. Vice Chamberlain reported to the House, that their Address of Yesterday had been presented to His Majesty: And that His Majesty was pleased to give the following most gracious Answer.
That His Majesty has the justest Sense of the long Services and great Merits of Mr. Onslow, present Speaker of the House of Commons; and has already taken the same into his Consideration; and that he will do therein what shall appear to His Majesty to be most proper, agreeable to the Desire of his faithful Commons.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
London
Event Date
Mercurii 18 Die Martii 1761
Key Persons
Outcome
unanimous thanks from the house; address to the king for royal favor; king's gracious response acknowledging onslow's merits and promising appropriate action.
Event Details
The House of Commons passed resolutions thanking Speaker Arthur Onslow for his 33+ years of service, integrity, and impartiality. Onslow responded with a speech expressing gratitude, affirming his impartiality, apologizing for any unintentional lapses, and announcing his retirement due to age and infirmities, wishing well for the Constitution and the House. Further resolutions thanked him for his speech and ordered an address to the King beseeching a signal mark of royal favor, with the House offering to cover expenses. The next day, the King's gracious answer was reported, noting his sense of Onslow's merits and intent to act properly.