The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

His Majesty's most gracious SPEECH to both Houses of Parliament.

Tuesday, November 27, 1781.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

When I last met you in parliament I acquainted you with the arduous situation of public affairs at that time, and I represented to you the objects which I had in view, and the resolution with which I was determined to persevere in the defence of my dominions, against the combined power of my enemies, until such a pacification could be made as might consist with the honor of my crown, and the permanent interest and security of my people. The war is still unhappily prolonged by that restless ambition which first excited our enemies to commence it & which still continues to disappoint my earnest desire and diligent exertions to restore the public tranquility. But I should not answer the trust committed to the sovereign of a free people, nor make a just return to my subjects, for their constant, zealous, and affectionate attachment to my person, family and government, if I consented to sacrifice, either my own desire of peace, or to their temporary ease and relief, those essential rights and permanent interests, upon the maintenance and preservation of which the future strength and security of this country, must principally depend.

The favourable appearance of our affairs in the East Indies, and the safe and prosperous arrival of the numerous commercial fleets of my kingdom, must have given you satisfaction; but in the course of this year, my assiduous endeavours to guard the extensive dominions of my crown have not been attended with success equal to the justice and uprightness of my views: and it is with concern that I inform you, that the events of war have been very unfortunate to my arms in Virginia, having ended in the loss of my forces in that province.

No endeavours have been wanting on my part to extinguish that spirit of rebellion which our enemies have found means to foment and maintain in the colonies, and to retain to my deluded subjects in America that happy and prosperous condition which they formerly derived from a due obedience to the laws: but the late misfortunes in that quarter call loudly for your firm concurrence and assistance to frustrate the designs of our enemies, equally prejudicial to the real interests of America, and to those of Great Britain:

In the last session you made considerable progress in your enquiries into the state and condition of our dominions and revenues in the East Indies: You will, I am persuaded, resume the prosecution of that important deliberation, with the same spirit & temper in which it was begun, and proceed with the same attention and anxiety to consider how those remote provinces can best be governed, so as to render them most conducive to the strength and commerce of my kingdom.
Provinces may be held and governed with the
greatest security and advantage to this country, and by what means the happiness of
the native inhabitants may be best promoted.

Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

I will order the estimates for the ensuing
year to be laid before you. I rely on your
wisdom and public spirit for such supplies as
the circumstances of our affairs shall be
found to require; among the many ill con-
sequences which attend the continuation of
the present war, I most sincerely regret the
additional burthens which it must unavoid-
ably bring upon my faithful subjects.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

For the prosecution of this great and
important contest in which we are engaged,
I retain a firm confidence in the protection
of divine providence, and a perfect convic-
tion of the justice of my cause; and I have
no doubt but that, by the concurrence and
support of my Parliament, by the valor of
my fleets and armies, and by a vigorous,
animated, and united exertion of the faculties
and resources of my people, I shall be ena-
bled to restore the blessings of a safe and
honorable peace to all my dominions.