The Freeman's Journal, Or, New Hampshire Gazette

LONDON, November 7, 1776.

His Britannick Majesty's most gracious Speech, to both Houses of his Parliament, on Thursday Oct. 31

My Lords and Gentlemen.

NOTHING could have afforded me more satisfaction than to have been able to inform you, at the opening of this session, that the troubles, which have so long distracted my Colonies in North-America, were at an end; and that my unhappy people, recovered from their delusion, had delivered themselves from the oppression of their leaders, and returned to their duty; but so daring and desperate is the spirit of those leaders, whose object has always been dominion and power, that they have now openly renounced all allegiance to the Crown; and all political connection with this country; they have rejected, with circumstances of indignity and insult, the means of conciliation held out to them under the authority of our commission. and have presumed to set up their rebellious confederacies for independent States. If their treason be suffered to take root, much mischief must grow from it to the safety of my loyal Colonies, to the commerce of my Kingdoms, and indeed to the present system of all Europe. One great advantage however, will be derived from their object of the rebels being openly avowed, and clearly understood: we shall have unanimity at Home, found in the general conviction of the justice and necessity of our measures.

I am happy to inform you, that by the blessing of divine Providence on the good conduct and valor of my officers and forces by sea and land, and on the zeal and bravery of the auxiliary troops in my Service, Canada is recovered. And altho', from unavoidable delays, the operations at New-York could not begin before the month of August, the success in that province has been so important, as to give the strongest hopes of the most decisive good consequences: But notwithstanding this fair prospect, we must, at all events prepare for another campaign. I continue to receive assurances of amity from the several courts of Europe, and am using my utmost endeavours. to conciliate unhappy difference between two neighbouring Powers. and I hope that all misunderstanding may be removed, and Europe continue to enjoy the inestimable blessing of peace; I think, nevertheless, that. in the present situation of affairs, it is expedient that we should be in a respectable State of Defence at Home.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I will order the estimate for the ensuing year to be laid before you; it is matter of real concern to me, that the important considerations. which I have stated to you must necessarily be followed with great expence; I doubt not however, but that my faithful Commons will readily and chearfully grant me such supplies, as the maintenance of the honour of my Crown. the vindication of the just rights of parliament, and the public welfare shall be found to require.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

In this arduous contest, I can have no other object but to promote the true interests of all my subjects; no people ever enjoyed more happiness, or lived under a milder government than those now revolted provinces: The improvements in every art, of which they boast, declare it; their numbers, their wealth, their strength by sea and land, which they think sufficient to enable them to make head against the whole power of the mother country, are irrefragable proofs of it. My desire is to restore to them, the blessings of law and liberty, equally enjoyed by every British Sub-ject, which they have fatally & desperately exchanged for all the calamities of War, & the arbitrary tyranny of their chiefs.