The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

From the London Gazette, March 24.

The humble Address of the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in Parliament assembled, presented to his Majesty, on Friday, the 23d of March, 1770.

Die Jovis, 22 Martii, 1770.

Most gracious Sovereign,

We your Majesty's most dutiful and faithful subjects, the Lords Spiritual & Temporal & Commons of Great-Britain, in Parliament assembled, having taken into consideration the address lately presented to your Majesty, under the title of "The humble Address, Remonstrance, and Petition, of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of the City of London, in Common Hall assembled," together with the answer which your Majesty was pleased to make to the same; think ourselves indispensably obliged, upon this occasion, to express to your Majesty the extreme concern and indignation, which we feel at finding that an application has been made to your Majesty, in terms so little corresponding with that grateful and affectionate respect which your Majesty is so justly entitled to from all your subjects; at the same time aspering and calumniating one of the branches of the legislature, and expressly denying the legality of the present Parliament, and the validity of its proceedings.

To present petitions to the throne, has at all times been the undoubted right of the subjects of this realm. The free enjoyment of that right was one of the many blessings restored by the Revolution, and continued to us, in its fullest extent, under the princes of your Majesty's illustrious House: and as we are duly sensible of its value and importance, it is with the deepest concern that we now see the exercise of it so grossly perverted, by being applied to the purpose, not of preserving, but of overturning the constitution, and of propagating doctrines, which if generally adopted, must be fatal to the peace of the kingdom, and which tend to the subversion of all lawful Authority.

Your Majesty, we acknowledge with gratitude, has ever shewn the most tender regard to the rights of your people, not only in the exercise of your own power, but in your care to preserve from every degree of infringement or violation, the powers intrusted to others.

And we beg leave to return your Majesty our unfeigned thanks for the fresh proof you have now given us, of your determination to persevere in your adherence to the principles of the constitution.

Permit us also to assure your Majesty, That it is with the highest satisfaction we see your Majesty expressing so just a confidence in your People. In whatever unjustifiable Excess some few mis-guided Persons may in this instance have been seduced to join, your Majesty's subjects in general are too sensible of what they owe both to your Majesty and to your illustrious family, ever to be capable of approaching your Majesty with any other sentiments than those of the most entire respect & affection; & they understand too well their own true interests to wish to loosen the bands of obedience to the laws, and of due subordination to lawful authority.

We are fully persuaded that your Majesty's people, as well as your Parliament, will reject with disdain every insidious suggestion of those ill-designing men who are in reality undermining the public liberty, under the specious pretence of zeal for its preservation; and that your Majesty's attention to maintain the liberties of your subjects inviolated, which you esteem your chief glory, will upon every occasion prove the sure means of strength to your Majesty, and secure to you that zealous and effectual support, which none but a free people can bestow.