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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
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On June 23 in London, King George III gave royal assent to the Quebec Bill amid large crowds protesting with cries of 'No Popery!' and support for Wilkes and the Duke of Gloucester. The king faced groans, hisses, and jeers during the event.
Merged-components note: Continuation of the same narrative about events in London surrounding the Quebec Bill across pages 1 and 2.
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Sunday last arrived the Lord Hyde Packet, Capt. Jefferies, in six Weeks from Falmouth, with the following Advices.
L O N D O N. June 23.
When his Majesty went to give his Assent to the Quebec Bill, the Park, Whitehall, and other Parts of Parliament Street, were thronged with Multitudes of People, much above the common Level. As the King passed they gave him a most cordial Salute of Groans and Hisses; the universal Cry was "No Popery! No Popery! No French Laws! No protestant popish King! The Duke of Gloucester forever!" His Majesty was observed several Times to change Colour, but whether from a Consciousness that he was suffering in a religious Cause, or whether from the supreme Delight he felt at passing an Act so universally odious to the factious Citizens, he bronzed it out with a tolerable Share of Firmness. When he had executed the Romish Business, by passing the Quebec Bill, the People on his Return, grew exceedingly clamorous; they groaned most hideously until the State Coach arrived opposite Mr. Churchill's House in Parliament-Street, when (Mr. Wilkes being at the Window) a loud Huzza ensued; the King bowed, but the People, too honest, to deceive his Majesty, instantly shouted, "Wilkes forever!" The State Coach had no sooner entered the Park, than the Multitude who had accompanied it to the Parliament House being joined by a prodigious Concourse of People, the Hisses, Groans and Cry of "No Popery! No French Laws! The Protestant Duke of Gloucester!" became incessant. The King once leaning his Head towards the Coach Window, which was beset with Numbers, a Fellow with great Joculariry called out, "God bless your Majesty's Head but d--n Lord Bute's!" his Majesty reddened, but soon collected his Firmness, shewed as much contempt for the Rabble as James II when he took Water to escape their Fury, (and being safely embarked) let a F--t to shew how much he despised them.
Surprised them, A Fellow returning through the Park with the Sword of State on his Shoulder. the Case which contained it being shaped exactly like a Crucifix, some of the Mob insisted upon seeing the Contents ; the Fellow stopped and opened the Case, but when they perceived it contained only a very harmless Sword, they went away, saying, "they really thought it was a Present from the Court of Rome of a popish Crucifix, for the Use of the protestant King of England !"
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
London
Event Date
June 23
Key Persons
Outcome
the quebec bill passed with royal assent amid public protests and no reported violence.
Event Details
King gave assent to the Quebec Bill in Parliament; crowds in Park, Whitehall, and Parliament Street protested with groans, hisses, and cries of 'No Popery! No French Laws!'; support shown for Wilkes and Duke of Gloucester; incident with Sword of State mistaken for crucifix.