The Virginia Gazette

His Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, on Tuesday the 21st of June, 1737.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

I am come to put an End to this Session of Parliament, that you may be at Liberty to retire into your several Counties, and in your proper Stations, to promote the Peace and Welfare of the Kingdom.

I return you my Thanks for the particular Proofs you have given me of your Affection and Regard to my Person and Honour; and hope the Wisdom and Justice, which you have shewn upon some extraordinary Incidents, will prevent all Thoughts of the like Attempts for the future. The Conduct of this Parliament has been so uniform in all your Deliberations upon publick Affairs, that it would be as unjust not to acknowledge it, as it is unnecessary to enumerate the several Particulars.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

Your Care, as well in raising the Supplies necessary for the Service of the current Year, as in doing it in the best Manner, the least grievous and burthensome to my People, is a fresh Instance of your equal Concern for the Support of my Government, and for the true Interest of your Country.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

You cannot be insensible what just Scandal and Offence the Licentiousness of the present Times, under the Colour and Disguise of Liberty, gives to all honest and sober Men, and how absolutely necessary it is to restrain this excessive Abuse, by a due and vigorous Execution of the Laws: Defiance of all Authority, Contempt of Magistracy, and even Resistance of the Laws, are become too general, although equally prejudicial to the Prerogative of the Crown, and the Liberties of the People, the Support of the One being inseparable from the Protection of the Other. I have made the Laws of the Land the constant Rule of my Actions; and I do, with Reason, expect in Return, all that Submission to my Authority and Government, which the same Laws have made the Duty, and shall always be the Interest of my Subjects.

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 Thursday the Fourth Day of August next, to be then here held; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the Fourth Day of August next.