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The differences with the Northern Powers have been adjusted by a convention with the Emperor of Ruffia, to which the Kings of Denmark and Sweden have expreffed their readiness to accede. The effential rights for which we contended are thereby fecured, and provifion is made that the exercise of them shall be attended with as little moleftation as poffible to the subjects of the contracting parties.

Preliminaries of peace have also been ratified between me and the French republic; and I truft that this important arrangement, whilft it manifefts the juftice and moderation of my views, will also be found conducive to the fubftantial interests of this country, and honourable to the British character:-Copies of thefe papers fhall forthwith be laid before you; and I earnestly hope that the transactions to which they refer will meet with the approbation of my Parliament.

Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,

I have directed fuch estimates to be prepared of the various demands for the public fervice as appear to me to be the best adapted to the fituation in which we are now placed. It is painful to me to reflect that provifion cannot be made for defraying the expenses which muft unavoidably be continued, for a time, in different parts of the world, and for maintaining an adequate peace establishment, without large additional fupplies. You may, however, be affured that all poffible attention fhall be paid to fuch economical arrangements as may not be inconfiftent with the great ●bject of effectually providing for the fecurity of all my dominions. My Lords and Gentlemen,

I cannot fufficiently defcribe the gratification and comfort I derive from the relief, which the bounty of Divine Providence has afforded to my people, by the abundant produce of the late harvest in contemplating the fituation of the country at this important conjuncture, it is impoffible for me to refrain from expreffing the deep fenfe I entertain of the temper and fortitude which have been manifefted by all defcriptions of my faithful fubjects, under the various and complicated difficulties with which they have had to contend.

The diftinguished valour and eminent fervices of my forces by fea and land, which, at no period, have been furpalled; the unprecedented exertions of the militia and fencibles, and the zeal and perfeverance of the yeomanry and volunteer corps of cavalry and infantry, are entitled to my warmeft acknowledgments; and I am perfuaded, that you will join with me in reflecting, with peculiar fatisfaction, on the naval and military operations of the laft campaign; and on the fuccessful and glorious issue of the expedition to Egypt, which has been marked throughout by achieve

ments,

ments, tending, in their confequences, and by their example, to produce lafting advantages and honour to this country.

It is my firft with, and moft fervent prayer, that my people may experience the reward they have fo well merited, in a full enjoyment of the bleffings of peace, in a progreffive increase of the national commerce, credit, and refources; and, above all, in the undisturbed poffeffion of their religion, laws, and liberties, under the fafeguard and protection of that conftitution, which it has been the great object of all our efforts to preserve, and which it is our moft facred duty to transmit, unimpaired, to our descendants.

Same Day, in the House of Lords, Lord Bolton moved the following Addrefs of Thanks to his Majefty, for his Majesty's most gracious Speech.

THAT an humble address be presented to his Majesty, to re

turn to his Majesty the thanks of this Houfe for his most gracious speech from the throne; to affure his Majefty, that we learn with great fatisfaction that the differences with the Northern Powers have been adjusted by a convention with the Emperor of Ruffia, to which the Kings of Denmark and Sweden have expreffed their readinefs to accede; and that preliminaries of peace have been ratified between his Majesty and the French republic.

That we acknowledge his Majefty's goodness in having condefcended to direct copies of thefe treaties to be laid before us; and to affure his Majesty that we shall not fail to apply our immediate attention to the important tranfactions to which they relate.

That we are fully fenfible of the paternal folicitude which leads his Majefty to regret the neceffity of large additional fupplies: but that, while we fincerely participate in that sentiment, we feel the indispensable duty of providing for the expenfes which must for a time be unavoidable in different parts of the world, and of maintaining an adequate establishment on the final adjustment of peace.

That we shall be anxious for the adoption of all such economical arrangements as may not be inconfiftent with the great object which his Majefty has fo juftly at heart, of effectually providing for the fecurity of all his Majefty's dominions,

That we truly participate in the gratification which his Majesty has fo graciously been pleafed to exprefs at the relief which the bounty of Divine Providence has afforded to his people by the abundance of the late harveft; and we acknowledge with the utmoft gratitude his Majesty's most gracious acceptance and approbation of the proofs of that temper and fortitude which have been manifested by all defcriptions of his Majefty's fubjects under the various and complicated difficulties with which they have had to contend,

We

We reflect with fentiments of juft exultation on the diftinguished valour and eminent services of his Majesty's forces by fea and land, which at no period have been furpaffed; and that we have contemplated with the utmost fatisfaction the unprecedented exertions of the militia and fencibles, and the zeal and perfeverance of the yeomanry and volunteer corps of cavalry and infantry.

That we moft heartily congratulate his Majefty on the naval and military operations of the last campaign, and on the glorious and fuccefsful iffue of the expedition to Egypt, marked as it has been throughout by achievements which in their confequences and by their example cannot but conduce to the lafting advantage and honour of his country. That we cordially fhare in his Majefty's earnest wishes, that his fubjects may enjoy in their full extent the returning bleffings of peace, in the progreffive increase of the national commerce, credit, and revenues: and above all, in the undisturbed poffeffion of their religion, laws, and liberties, under the safeguard and protection of that conftitution, which it has been the great object of all our efforts to preferve, and which it is our fixed determination, as it is our most facred duty, to tranfmit, unimpaired, to our defcendants.

[The motion for the addrefs was feconded by Lord Lilford, and carried nem. dif.]

Same Day, in the House of Commons,

A SIMILAR addrefs was moved by Lord Loraine, feconded by the Hon. Mr. Wodehouse, and agreed to nem. con.

On Friday, the 30th October, in the House of Lords, LORD Pelham laid before the House the papers containing the preliminary articles of peace.

Same Day, in the House of Lords, Lord Grenville moved, THAT an humble addrefs be prefented to his Majesty, requesting his Majefty would be graciously pleafed to give orders, that there be laid before this Houfe, copies of all fuch treaties entered into between the Porte, Naples, Portugal, and other powers, as have been made public, and officially communicated to his Majefty's fervants.

[The motion was withdrawn.]

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Same

Same Day, Earl St. Vincent moved,

THAT the thanks of this House should be voted to Rear-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. and K. B. for the alacrity and zeal with which he purfued, and the able and gallant manner in which he conducted the attack on the combined fleets of France and Spain, in the Straits of Gibraltar, on the 12th and 13th of July laft. Alfo, the thanks of the Houfe to the captains and other officers, for their gallant conduct on that occafion; and that Sir James Saumarez fhould be requested to fignify the fame to them. Also, that this House do highly approve and acknowledge the fervices of the feamen and marines engaged in that glorious enterprise and that the captains of the feveral ships should be defired to communicate the fame."

[These motions were agreed to nem. dif.]

Same Day, in the Houfe of Commons,

A SIMILAR vote of thanks to Sir James Saumarez, &c. was moved by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.-Agreed to nem. con.

On Tuesday, the 3d of November, in the Houfe of Lords, the Order of the Day being moved for taking into Confideration the preliminary Articles of Peace with France, Lord Romney moved,

THAT an humble addrefs be prefented to his Majefty, humbly

thanking him for his gracious condefcenfion, in ordering the preliminary articles of peace to be laid before their Lordships; and to affure his Majefty, that their Lordships would give them that full and mature deliberation due to their magnitude and importance; and that their Lordships would be happy to give every co-operation to his Majesty's efforts, to carry the fame into full and complete effect.

[Lord Limerick feconded the motion. After a long debate the Houfe divided-Contents 114.-Non-contents 10.]

Same Day, in the House of Commons,

A SIMILAR address was moved by Sir Edmund Hartopp, and feconded by Mr. Lee.-After a long debate, the motion was agreed to without a division.

VOL. XI.

3 X

On

On Friday, the 6th November, the House of Lords proceeded to St. James's with their Addrefs, of which the following is a Copy, with his Majefty's Answer.

Moft Gracious Sovereign,

WE, your Majefty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords fpiritual and temporal, in Parliament affembled, beg leave to return your Majefty our most fincere thanks for your gracious condefcenfion in directing the preliminary articles of peace, which have been ratified by your Majefty and the French republic, to be laid before this House.

We can affure your Majefty, that we have bestowed on them that forious confideration which the important objects they embrace fo justly demand; and we beg leave to exprefs to your Majesty, with the most heartfelt gratitude, the fatisfaction we derive from this important arrangement, which, while it manifefts your Majefty's juftice and moderation, and the regard and attention to good faith which have governed your Majefty's conduct towards your allies, will, we are perfuaded, be productive of important national advantages, and promote the fubftantial intereft of this county.

My Lords,

His Majefty's most gracious Answer.

I THANK you for this dutiful and loyal addrefs.

The fatisfaction you exprefs at the foundation which has been laid by the preliminary articles, for the final restoration of peace, is highly acceptable to me; and you may reft affured that I fhall, on my part, ufe my utmost endeavours to bring this important tranfaction to a conclufion, in such a manner as may most effectually tend to promote and fecure the public interefts, and the welfare of my people.

On Thursday, 12th November, in the Houfe of Lords, Lord Hobart moved,

THAT the thanks of this House be given to the Honourable Lieutenant-general Sir John Hely Hutchinfon, knight of the moft honourable Order of the Bath, for the zeal, activity, and energy, which he difplayed in the command of the army in Egypt, which had contributed fo greatly to promote the honour and interefts of his country, and had fhed fuperior luftre upon the British arms.

[The motion was feconded by Lord Nelfon, and agreed to nem. dif.

Lord Hobart then moved a fimilar addrefs to the generals and officers under Sir John Hutchinson, and alfo to the non-commiffioned officers and privates, which were alfo agreed to nem. dif.

Same

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