The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser

BRITISH PARLIAMENT
HOUSE OF LORDS
Tuesday, Nov. 20.

His majesty went with his usual state to the House of Lords, and being seated on the throne, summoned the House of Commons to attend the royal presence. As soon as they were arrived, His majesty opened the Parliament with the following most gracious Speech from the Throne:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

THE events which have taken place in the course of the present year, and the signal success which, by the blessing of Providence, has attended my arms, have been productive of the happiest consequences, and have essentially promoted the prosperity and glory of our country.

The unexampled series of our naval triumphs has received fresh splendor from the memorable and decisive action in which a detachment of my fleet, under the command of Rear Admiral Lord Nelson, attacked and almost totally destroyed a superior force of the enemy, strengthened by every advantage of situation. By this great and brilliant victory, an enterprize, of which the injustice, perfidy, and extravagance has fixed the attention of the world, and which was peculiarly directed against some of the most valuable interests of the British Empire, has in the first instance been turned to the confusion of its authors; and the blow thus given to the power and influence of France has afforded an opening, which, if improved by suitable exertions on the part of other powers, may lead to the general deliverance of Europe.

The wisdom and magnanimity displayed at this conjuncture by the emperor of Russia, and the decision and vigour of the Ottoman Porte, have shewn that these powers are impressed with a just sense of the present crisis; and their example, joined to the disposition manifested almost universally in the different countries struggling under the yoke of France, must be a powerful encouragement to other States, to adopt that vigorous line of conduct, which experience has proved to be alone consistent with security or honour.

The extent of our preparations at home, and the demonstrations of zeal and spirit among all ranks of my subjects, have deterred the enemy from attempting to execute their vain threat of invading the coasts of this kingdom.

In Ireland, the rebellion which they had instigated has been curbed and repressed--the troops which they landed for its support, have been compelled to surrender; and the armaments since destined for the same purpose, have, by the vigilance and activity of my squadrons, been captured or dispersed. The views and principles of those, who in concert with our inveterate enemy, have long planned the subversion of our constitution, have been fully detected and exposed, and their treason made manifest to the world,--Those whom they have misled or seduced, must now be awakened to their duty; and a just sense of the miseries and horrors which these traitorous designs have produced, must impress on the minds of all my faithful subjects, the necessity of continuing to repel with firmness every attack on the laws and established government of their country.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

Under the unavoidable pressure of protracted war, it is a great satisfaction to me to observe, that the produce of the public revenue has proved fully adequate to the increase of our permanent expenditure; that the national credit has been maintained and improved; and that the commerce and industry of my subjects have continued to flourish in a degree hitherto unknown.

The situation in which we are placed, unhappily renders the continuance of heavy expences indispensable to the public safety; but the state of our resources, and the good sense and public spirit which prevail through every part of my kingdom, will, I trust, enable you to provide the necessary supplies without essential inconvenience to my people, and with as little addition as possible to the permanent burdens of the State. The progress made towards such a system, by the measures adopted in the last session, and the aid given to public credit by the plan for the redemption of the land tax, have been attended with the most beneficial effects, which you will, I am persuaded, omit no opportunity to confirm and improve.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I rely with confidence on the continuance of your exertions, to enable me ultimately to conduct the great contest in which we are engaged to a safe and honourable conclusion.

We have surmounted many and great difficulties--our perseverance in a just cause has been rewarded with distinguished success, and our present situation, compared with that of other countries, sufficiently prove how much, in a period of general danger and calamity, the security and happiness of the British nation have depended (under the blessing of Providence) on its own constancy, its energy, and its virtue."