The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

King's Speech!

From a South-Carolina Paper, we have his MAJESTY's most gracious SPEECH, to both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday the 9th Day of January, 1770.

My Lords and Gentlemen:

It is with much concern, that I find myself obliged to open this Parliament, with acquainting you, that the distemper among the horned Cattle, has lately broke out in this kingdom, notwithstanding every precaution that could be used for preventing the infection from foreign parts. Upon the first notice of its actual appearance, my next attention was to stop, if possible, its further progress, and as the success of those endeavours must, in all probability, have been entirely defeated, by any the least degree of delay in the application of them, I thought it absolutely necessary, with the advice of my Privy Council, to give immediate directions for every step to be taken, that appeared most capable of checking the instant danger of the spreading the infection, until I could have an opportunity of consulting my Parliament upon some more permanent measures, for securing us against so great a calamity: and to your immediate and most serious consideration, I earnestly recommend this very important object.

I have given my parliament repeated assurances, that it has always been my fixed purpose, to preserve the general tranquility, maintaining at the same time, the dignity and honor of my Crown, together with the just rights and interest of my people. The uncommon burthens which my subjects have borne so cheerfully, in order to bring the late War to a happy conclusion, must be an additional motive, to make me vigilant to prevent the present disturbances in Europe from extending to any part, where the security, honor, or interest, of this nation, may make it necessary for my Crown to become a party, The assurances I receive from the other great Powers, afford me reason to believe, that my endeavours will continue to be successful; I shall still make the general interest of Europe the object of my attention; and while I steadily support my own rights, I shall be equally careful, not to acknowledge the claims of any other Powers, contrary to the limitations of the late treaties of peace.

It is needless for me to recommend to the serious attention of my Parliament, the state of my Government in America; I have endeavored, on my part, by every means, to bring back my subjects there, to their duty, and to a due sense of lawful authority. It gives me much concern to inform you, that the success of my endeavours has not answered my expectations, and that in some of my Colonies, many persons have embarked in measures, highly unwarrantable, and calculated to destroy the commercial connection between them and the Mother Country.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I have ordered the proper estimates to be laid before you; I am persuaded that your affection for my person and government, & your zeal for the public good, will induce you to grant such supplies as are necessary; and you may be assured, that on my part they shall be managed with the strictest oeconomy.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

As the welfare and prosperity of my people have always been the object of my wishes and the rule of my actions, so I am persuaded, from my experience of your conduct, that you will be governed in your proceedings by the same principles; my ready concurrence and support, in every measure that may serve to promote those ends, you may always depend upon. On you it would be now, more than ever, incumbent to avoid all heats and animosities among yourselves, and to cultivate that spirit of harmony which becomes those who have but one common object in their view, and which may be most likely to give authority & efficacy to the result of your deliberations: Such a conduct, on your parts, will, above all things, contribute to maintain, in their proper lustre, the strength, the reputation, and the prosperity of this country; to strengthen the attachment of my subjects to that excellent constitution of government from which they derive such distinguished advantages; and to cause the firm reliance and confidence, which I have in the wisdom of my parliament, as well as in their zeal for the true interest of my people, to be approved both at home and abroad.