The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Wednesday Dec. 31.

About half past three o'clock his majesty came to the house in his usual state and in his royal robes, being seated on the throne, gave the royal assent to the bills lately passed, and then put a period to the session, after delivering the following most gracious speech from the throne:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"I cannot suffer this session to close without returning you my particular acknowledgments for the distinguished industry and zeal with which you have applied yourselves to the interesting object, which, at the commencement of this session, I most especially recommended to your attention.

"It has been my earnest wish that nothing should be omitted, which could tend to relieve the pressure occasioned by the present dearth of provisions, and to insure a sufficient supply till the produce of the next harvest can be brought into use.

"The diligence with which your enquiries have been conducted, has afforded you the best means of ascertaining the true circumstances of our present situation: and the extensive measures which you have wisely adopted in consequence, for diminishing the consumption of grain, and procuring an increased supply, will, I doubt not, be found productive of the most salutary effect.

"Much, however, must depend on the disposition which will, I am confident, be manifested by all those who have the means of carrying into execution my solemn recommendation and injunction, issued at your desire, for the adoption of all practicable oeconomy in the use of those articles which are necessary to the subsistence of the poorer classes of my subjects.

"The time fixed for the commencement of the union of Great Britain and Ireland will necessarily terminate your proceedings on this important subject; but I am persuaded that the consideration of it will be resumed with the same zeal and temper, on the first meeting of the parliament of the united kingdom.

"The early period which I have appointed for that meeting, will afford a speedy opportunity of completing whatever you may have necessarily left unfinished and of considering what measures may tend further to alleviate the pressure on my people, or to prevent the danger of its recurring.

"Gentlemen of the house of commons,

"I thank you for the readiness with which you have granted the supplies necessary, under the present circumstances, for the public service.

"My lords and gentlemen,

"The detention of the property of my subjects in the ports of Russia, contrary to the most solemn treaties, and the imprisonment of British sailors in that country, have excited in me sentiments, in which you and all my subjects will, I am sure, participate.

"I have already taken such steps as this occasion indispensibly required; and it will afford me great satisfaction, if they prove effectual; but if it shall become necessary to maintain, against any combination, the honor and independence of the British empire, and those maritime rights and interests on which both our prosperity and our security must always essentially depend, I entertain no doubt either of the success of those means which in such an event, I shall be enabled to exert, or of the determination of my parliament and my people to afford me a support adequate to the occasion, more proportioned to the importance of the interests which we have to maintain."

Then the lord chancellor by his majesty's command, said:

"My Lords and Gentlemen.

"It is his majesty's command, that the proclamation declaring his majesty's most gracious intention that the members of parliament composing this parliament should be the members of the parliament of the united kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, on the part of Great Britain, and that the said parliament should be assembled on the 22d day of January next, be delivered in full parliament and now read, which closes the present session."

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