The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

LONDON. July 12.

Yesterday at half past two o'clock, his Majesty, attended by the Duke of Montague, and Lord Onslow, went in State to the House of Peers, and, after giving the Royal Assent to several bills, closed the session by the following most gracious speech from the throne.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

The unwearied assiduity with which you have persevered in the discharge of your duty in parliament, during so long a Session, bears the most honorable testimony to your zeal and industry in the service of the public; for which you have provided with the clearest discernment of its true interests; anxiously opening every channel for the return of peace; and furnishing with no less vigilance the means of carrying on the war, if that measure should be unavoidable.

The extensive powers with which I find myself invested to treat for reconciliation and amity with the colonies which have taken arms in North America I shall continue to employ in the manner most conducive to the attainment of those objects, and with an earnestness suitable to their importance.

The zeal which my subjects in Ireland have expressed for the public service, shows that the liberality of your proceeding toward them is felt there as it ought; and has engaged their affections, equally with their duty and interest in the common cause.

The diligence and ardour, with which you have entered upon the consideration of the British interests in the East-Indies, are worthy of your wisdom, justice and humanity-- To protect the persons and fortunes of millions in those distant regions, and to combine our prosperity with their happiness, are objects which amply repay the utmost labor and exertion.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I return you my particular thanks for the very liberal supplies which you have granted with so much cheerfulness and zeal for the service of the current year. I reflect with extreme regret upon the heavy expense which the circumstances of public affairs unavoidably calls for. It shall be my care to husband your means to the best advantage; and, as far as it depends on me, to apply that economy which I have endeavoured to set on foot in my civil establishment, to those branches of public expenditure, in which still more important advantages may be expected.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

The important success, which, under the favor of Divine Providence, the valour of my Fleet in the West-Indies hath obtained, promise a favourable issue to our operations in that quarter. The events of war in the East-Indies have also been prosperous.

Nothing however can be more repugnant to my feelings than the long continuance of so complicated a war.

My ardent desire of peace has induced me to take every measure which promised the speediest accomplishment of my wishes; and I will continue to exert my best endeavours for that purpose. But if, for want of a corresponding disposition in our enemies, I should be disappointed in the hope I entertain of a speedy termination of the calamities of war, I rely on the spirit, affection, and unanimity of my parliament and people to support the honor of my crown, and the interests of my kingdom; not doubting but the blessings of heaven, which I devoutly implore upon our arms, employed as they are in our just and necessary defence, will enable me to obtain fair and reasonable terms of pacification. The most triumphant career of victory would not excite me to aim at more; and I have the satisfaction to be able to add, that I see no reason which should induce me to think of accepting less.

Then the Lord Chancellor by his Majesty's command said--My Lords and Gentlemen,

It is his Majesty's royal will and pleasure, that this parliament be prorogued to Tuesday the 3d day of September next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to the third of Sept. next.