The New Hampshire Gazette

His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech, to both Houses of Parliament, June 2, 1763.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

The Public Business, for which you were assembled, being now happily concluded, the advanced Season of the Year calls upon me to put an End to this Session of Parliament; which I cannot do, without expressing the highest Approbation of the Zeal, Unanimity, and Dispatch, which have so remarkably appeared in the Course of your Proceedings.

At the Opening of this Session, I informed you, that it had been my earnest Wish to restore the Blessings of Peace to My People; but that it was My fixed Resolution, with your Concurrence and Support, to Carry on the War in the most effectual Manner, till that desirable Object could be obtained upon equitable and honourable Conditions. My Sentiments in both these respects continue invariably the same; and I have the Satisfaction to find them confirmed by the unanimous Voice of My Parliament.

The Declaration, which Motives Of Humanity have engaged the Emperor of Russia to make to all Courts in that Alliance, and the great and happy Change in the Situation of My Ally, the King of Prussia, give Us just Reason to hope, that the other Belligerent Powers may be induced to entertain the same pacific Dispositions. On the other Hand, our Rupture with Spain, notwithstanding My utmost Endeavours to prevent it, and the violent and unprovoked Attack with which the Dominions of My ancient Ally, the King of Portugal, are threatened, sufficiently evince the Wisdom and Necessity Of that Firmness and Resolution in my Parliament, which have enabled Me to continue Our Military Operations without the least Interruption or Delay; and considerably to augment My Fleets and Armies in those Parts, in which our Enemies can be most sensibly distressed.

The signal Success of my Arms in the Conquest of Martinico, and the Acquisition of many other valuable Settlements in the West Indies, have, under the Blessing of God, been the happy Consequences of these Measures. I trust in the Divine Providence that they will be attended with still-farther Advantages, until the Powers at War with Us shall be disposed to such Terms of Accommodation, as the Dignity and just Rights of my Crown, the future Security and commercial Interests of my Subjects, will permit Me to accept.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

When I consider the ample Supplies which you have granted, I cannot but lament the heavy Burdens which the Necessities of the Public Service have obliged you to impose on My People. From this Consideration, I have endeavoured, in every Instance, to restrain My Demands within as narrow Bounds, as the Difficulties, in which I found Myself involved, would allow. From the same Motive, My utmost Care shall be employed to exert the most exact Oeconomy, consistent with the Safety of My Kingdoms, and the good Faith and Honour of my Crown.

I return you my particular Thanks, for the Proof which you have given of your Regard to me and to my Family, in the ample Provision you have made for the Queen, whose Virtues and Affection to this Country, will, I am confident, be found to deserve it.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I have the fullest Persuasion, that you will continue to diffuse in your several Counties, that Spirit of Concord, which you have yourselves so steadily exerted in Parliament: And you may be assured, that I will, on my Part, return your Zeal and Affection for my Person and Government, by a constant Attention to whatever may contribute to the Ease of my Subjects, and that it is My ardent Wish, to found the Glories of my Reign on the Union of my People, and on the Welfare and Prosperity of these my Kingdoms.

When 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 Thursday the Fifteenth Day of July next, to be then here held; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the Fifteenth day of July next.