It is not long since, that, in this same place, I submitted to your notice whatever was required by the interests and honour of the Country. My People's affection re-echoed their Monarch's voice to the remotest extremities of the Kingdom; it is not, therefore, I am confident, necessary for me to add, that you, as the Interpreters of the general will, have come fully determined to apply all your zeal and efforts to second my paternal cares.

But I consider it my duty, since my experience is now more matured, to repeat with greater earnestness, that it is necessary to perfect the already raised political edifice. Having adopted for your model, a Constitution which has created the mighty power and the wonderful prosperity of a great and illustrious Nation, our own structure must be raised upon solid foundations, must be proportioned to our Territory and adapted to the variety of strata upon which it will have to rest.

The Law has left several important points unsettled. In many others the remains of the ancient plan differ materially from the outlines of the new one. Many circumstances of this Kingdom have nothing in common with those Countries where the forms of a like Government have acquired all the stability requisite for rendering them powerful and flourishing.

You, therefore, must perceive the necessity of taking means to prevent the fall of this edifice, which would bury in its ruins all that age has made sacred, or modern intelligence has rendered valuable. You are also fully acquainted with the materials of which your basis should be composed :-the state of public education; the degree and the consistency of the power and authority of the Government; the due proportions of the ever fluctuating relations of dependency and of liberty among the different grades of Citizens; the influence of ancient customs and habits; and the general direction of interests, and of the other ordinary motives of the actions and opinions of Mankind. 1 confidently expect the successful accomplishment of this from your wisdom and patriotism.

Honourable Representatives of the House of Commons: forget not your obligations to support the dignity of the Nation. It would be but an ominous commencement of a new Government, to stain its honour by a violation of its faith with the Public Creditor, or to pretend that tranquillity can be enjoyed without power, and power maintained without the imposition of Taxes. I have given directions for the necessary Financial Documents to be placed before you.

You will apply yourselves with a calm discretion to the due regulation of the Public Revenue, and you will conciliate as much as possible, in this your task, individual interests with those of the Community. Examine the subject with those enlarged views and feelings which recognize in the proper administration of the Revenues of a

State, not only the means of meeting the ordinary expenses, but still more the instrument of general convenience, the increase of civil security, the encouragement of industrious activity, and of trade, that inexhaustible source of energy, riches, and glory. In the present state of Politics, no People can remain indifferent Spectators of the progress of their Neighbours. Not to advance is to recede. Not to follow the general impulse, not to keep pace with the march of improvement, is for a Nation to abandon every hope of maintaining her the People of the Earth.

rank among

But your first care will be to provide for those objects, the settlement of which cannot be deferred without compromising the honour and tranquillity of the Kingdom.

A stop has been put to the uttering of the counterfeit Copper Money which inundated the Kingdom, and which, like a deadly poison, corrupted the fountain of public security. It remains for you to heal the wound, so that the recollection of this fact may prove painful to

no one.

During the course of the late events, two Loans were contracted under the guarantee of the British Government. To give your sanction to these Loans and to provide the means for liquidating them is one of the first duties of justice, and, permit me to add, of gratitude, towards a loyal and generous Nation; to whose Alliance and disiuterested assistance we owe a great part of the good we at present enjoy, and shall be still further indebted for that additional happiness which we have well-founded hopes of soon attaining.

Lastly, I must recommend the Army to your attention. It would be unbecoming your dignity to suffer any arrears in the pay of those to whom are intrusted the honour and defence of the State, and who have, in these latter times, enhanced the reputation and glory of our Flag.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

My most anxious wish is to witness the revival of perfect concord and unanimity, as well as of reciprocal confidence, amongst you all. The greatest proof of attachment I can receive is, a cheerful and disinterested concurrence in fulfilling this ardent desire of my paternal breast.

Since the close of the last Parliament nothing has occurred of sufficient public interest for me to notice, except the immortal work which the great Powers have undertaken for the universal stability of the advantages obtained. An August Congress, the like of which history perhaps cannot present, is now engaged in rendering the possession of that good, permanent, and secure. In general the affairs of Europe tend to the full re-establishment of justice, and the balance of power and tranquillity. But our vigilance and care must be redoubled,

until these benefits be fully and completely in our power. The destinies of Sicily are established. But for this very reason, it is necessary she should be provided with powerful Garrisons. The martial spirit has often rendered Nations great and mighty, because it has united power with will. Shall we deny such an eulogium to the spirit of Peace?

The creator and witness of the permanent happiness of the Inhabitants of Sicily, I shall find in their gratitude and in their love the sweetest comfort for my remaining years; and I shall still continue, with the same ardour and the same benevolence, to devote those years to their glory and prosperity.

BRITISH Orders in Council, Notifications, &c., relative to the Cessation of Hostilities with, and the discontinuance of the Blockades of Ports and Places belonging to, Countries in Europe, which had been in Alliance with or under the Dominion of France.-August, 1812, to May, 1814.

(1.)—ORDER IN COUNCIL.-Russia.

At the Court at Carlton House, 5th August, 1812. Present, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent in Council. WHEREAS by His Majesty's Order in Council, bearing date the 18th day of December, 1807*, His Majesty was pleased to order and command, "That General Reprisals be granted against the Ships, Goods, and Subjects of the Emperor of All the Russias."

* ORDER IN COUNCIL. Russia.-At the Court at Windsor, 18th December, 1807. Present, the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

His Majesty having taken into consideration the injurious and hostile proceedings of the Emperor of All the Russias, as set forth in the Declaration of this date, issued by His Majesty's command; and being determined to take such measures as are necessary for vindicating the honour of his Crown, and procuring reparation and satisfaction, His Majesty therefore is pleased, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that General Reprisals be granted against the Ships, Goods, and Subjects of the Emperor of All the Russias, (save and except any Vessels to which His Majesty's Licence has been granted, or which have been directed to be released from the Embargo, and have not since arrived at any Foreign Port,) so that as well His Majesty's Fleets and Ships, as also all other Ships and Vessels that shall be commissionated by Letters of Marque or General Reprisals, or otherwise, by His Majesty's Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain, shall and may lawfully seize all Ships, Vessels, and Goods belonging to the Emperor of All the Russias, or his Subjects, or others inhabiting within the Territories of the Emperor of All the Russias, and bring the same to judgment in any of the Courts of Admiralty within His Majesty's Dominions; and, to that end, His Majesty's Advocate-General, with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are forthwith to prepare the Draft of a Commission, and present the same to

And whereas it is expedient that the said Order should be revoked: His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, is pleased, by and with the advice of His Majesty's Privy Council, to revoke and annul the said Order, and the same is hereby revoked and henceforth annulled.

And the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, and the Judges of the Courts of Vice Admiralty, are to give the necessary directions herein as to them may respectively appertain. CHETWYND.

(2.)-ORDER IN COUNCIL.-Mecklenburg. Oldenburg. Papenburg. Kniphausen. Prussia. Lubeck.

At the Court at Carlton House, 9th December, 1812. Present, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent in Council. WHEREAS it is expedient to prevent doubts respecting the continuance and effect of the Order in Council of the 19th August,

His Majesty at this Board, authorizing the Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral, or any Person or Persons by them empowered and appointed, to issue forth, and grant Letters of Marque and Reprisals to any of His Majesty's Subjects, or others whom the said Commissioners shall deem fitly qualified in that behalf, for the apprehending, seizing, and taking the Ships, Vessels, and Goods belonging to Russia, and the Vassals and Subjects of the Emperor of All the Russias, or any inhabiting within his Countries, Territories, or Dominions (except as aforesaid); and that such powers and clauses be inserted in the said Commission as have been usual, and are according to former precedents; and His Majesty's AdvocateGeneral, with the Advocate of the Admiralty, are also forthwith to prepare the Draft of a Commission, and present the same to His Majesty at this Board, authorizing the said Commissioners for executing the Office of Lord High Admiral, to will and require the High Court of Admiralty of Great Britain, and the Lieutenant and Judge of the said Court, his Surrogate or Surrogates, as also the several Courts of Admiralty within His Majesty's Dominions, to take cognizance of, and judicially proceed upon, all and all manner of captures, seizures, prizes, and reprisals of all Ships and Goods that are or shall be taken, and to hear and determine the same, and according to the course of Admiralty, and the Laws of Nations, to adjudge and condemn all such Ships, Vessels, and Goods, as shall belong to Russia, or the Vassals and Subjects of the Emperor of All the Russias, or to any others inhabiting within any of his Countries, Territories and Dominions (except as aforesaid); and that such Powers and Clauses be inserted in the said Commission as have been usual, and are according to former precedents; and they are likewise to prepare, and lay before His Majesty at this Board, a Draft of such Instructions as may be proper to be sent to the Courts of Admiralty in His Majesty's Foreign Governments and Plantations, for their guidance herein; as also another Draft of Instructions for such Ships as shall be commissionated for the purpose above-mentioned.

CAMDEN, P.

WESTMORLAND, C. P. S.

HAWKESBURY.

MULGRAVE.

ST. HELENS.

SP. PERCEVAL.

GEORGE CANNING,

1807 *, respecting Vessels under the Flag of Mecklenburgh, Oldenburgh, Papenburgh, and Kniphausen, and the Order in Council of the 25th November, 1807 †, respecting the Ships and Goods belonging to

* ORDER IN COUNCIL.-Mecklenburg. Oldenburg. Papenburg. Kniphausen. At the Court at the Queen's Palace, 19th August, 1807.

Present, the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

His Majesty taking into consideration the measures recently resorted to by the Enemy for distressing the commerce of the United Kingdom, is pleased, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that all Vessels under the Flag of Mecklenburgh, Oldenburgh, Papenburgh, or Kniphausen, shall be forthwith warned not to trade in future at any hostile Port, unless such Vessel shall be going from or coming to a Port of the United Kingdom; and in case any such Vessel, after having been so warned, shall be found trading or to have traded after such warning, or in case any Vessel or Goods belonging to the Inhabitants of such Countries, after the expiration of 6 weeks from the date of this Order, shall be found trading or to have traded after 6 weeks have expired, at any hostile Port, such Vessel and Goods, unless going from or coming to a Port of the United Kingdom, shall be seized and brought in for legal adjudication, and shall be condemned as lawful prize to His Majesty.

And His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, and Judges of the Courts of Vice-Admiralty, are to take the necessary measures herein as to them shall respectively appertain.

+ ORDER IN COUNCIL.-Prussia.

STEPHEN COTTRELL.

Lubeck.

At the Court at the Queen's Palace, 25th November, 1807.

Present, the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council.

His Majesty taking into consideration the circumstances under which Prussia and Lubeck have been compelled to shut their Ports against British Ships and Goods, is pleased, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that all Ships and Goods belonging to Prussia, which may have been seized subsequent to His Majesty's Order of the 19th of November, 1806, and are now detained in the Ports of this Kingdom or elsewhere, and all Ships and Goods belonging to Inhabitants of Lubeck which are so detained, shall be restored upon being pronounced by the High Court of Admiralty, or any Court of Vice-Admiralty, in which they have been or may be proceeded against, to belong to Subjects and Inhabitants of Prussia or Lubeck, and not otherwise liable to confiscation; and that such Ships and Goods shall be permitted to proceed to any Neutral Port, or to the Port to which they respectively belong: and it is further ordered, that the Ships and Goods belonging to Prussia or Lubeck shall not, until further orders, be liable to detention, provided such Ships and Goods shall be trading to or from any Port of this Kingdom, or between Neutral Port and Neutral Port, or from any Port of His Majesty's Allies, and proceeding direct to the Port specified in their respective clearances.

And the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, and the Judges of the High Court of Admiralty and Courts of Vice-Admiralty, are to take the necessary measures herein, as to them shall respectively appertain. W. FAWKENER,