Elfi Bey to his Majesty-His Majesty's Speech on opening the Second Session of the Imperial Parliament-Debates in both Houses on the Speech-Royal Academy-Death of the Marquis of Stafford-Death of Sir William Hamilton.

1803.-THE commencement of the year 1803 was very different to that of the last year. Not one commercial treaty had taken place with France: doubt hung upon all the commercial transactions of England; men suspected the credit of one another. They had hoped that peace would have opened every avenue of trade; that confidence would have returned; but on the opening of the year trade was felt fast decreasing, and discontent every where on the increase. This discontent was attributed to the late political transactions: the prisons were filled with men who were supposed to be connected with French agents, and the outlets of trade were generally blocked up.

On the 16th February, his Majesty sent down the following Message to both Houses of Parliament:

"His Majesty having taken into consideration the period which has elapsed since the adoption of those arrangements which were deemed, by the wisdom of Parliament, to be necessary for the discharge of the incumbrances of the Prince of Wales, and having adverted to the progress which has been made in carrying them into effect, recommends the present situation of the Prince to the attention of this House.

"Notwithstanding the reluctance and regret which his Majesty must feel in suggesting any addition to the burthens of his people, he is induced to resort, in this instance, to the experienced liberality and attachment of his faithful Commons, in the persuasion that they will be disposed to take such measures as may be calculated to promote the comfort and support the dignity of so distinguished a branch of his Royal Family."

It was introduced into the House of Commons by Mr. Addington. He expressed his wish that the Prince of Wales might be recognized by his splendour and dignity as heir-apparent to the greatest crown in the universe. He concluded by moving, that "it is the opinion of this Committee, that his Majesty be enabled to grant yearly, any sum or sums of money, out of the consolidated fund of Great Britain, not exceeding in the

whole 60,000l. to be computed from the 5th of January, 1803, and to continue until the 5th of July, 1806, towards providing for the better support and dignity of the Prince of Wales."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Solicitor-General, Mr. Manners Sutton, and Lord Castlereagh, supported the motion. Lord Castlereagh said it was time to restore the Prince to his proper dignity and comfort. Mr. Sheridan, in an eloquent speech, preferred the character of the Prince to his comforts. If the allowance desired was to be considered as a boon by the public, he was not prepared to support it. In the last session, the Prince had claimed his right, not on his own account, but for the sake of his creditors. A petition of right was proceeded upon, but the proceedings were suddenly stopped, and now this message came down to the House. The Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Addington) did not like the word compromise; but it was because he thought what was desired from the House, was for a fair and honourable compromise, that he supported it. He wished the House to know that the Prince of Wales considered himself bound in honour to pay his creditors 10 per cent. which the commissioners had reduced of their demands; and until that was done, his Royal Highness could not conscientiously resume his state and dignity.-Mr. Fox concurred with Mr. Sheridan, and concluded by observing, that the Prince had now shewn himself worthy of the management of a large income, and he should give his vote for the motion. After some observations from Mr. Banks, who thought that the Prince might prosecute his petition of right, the resolution moved by Mr. Addington was unanimously agreed to.

His Majesty's Message was taken into consideration in the House of Lords on the 25th of February. Lord Pelham, after a few preliminary observations, moved an address to his Majesty, similar to that moved in the House of Commons. Lord Carlisle seconded the motion for the address, but would rather the question had been decided on the petition of right. Lord Moira, in

a few words, gave his consent to the address, and it was unanimously agreed to.

The Prince of Wales sent down by Mr. Tyrwhitt, a message, expressive of his gratitude for what Parliament had in its liberality done; but that there were yet claims upon him, which in honour he felt himself bound to discharge. Mr. Calcraft then gave notice of a motion, "to enable his Royal Highness immediately to resume his state and dignity."

In consequence of the late conspiracy, addresses to his Majesty, replete with attachment, poured in from all parts of the kingdom. But first among all, the Lord Mayor, on the 2d of March, attended by the Sheriffs, the Recorder and Chamberlain, eleven Aldermen, and about one hundred Common Council, went in state to the levee, and presented the following address to the King:

"We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in CommonCouncil assembled, approach the throne with the most lively and heartfelt congratulations on the timely discovery and defeat of the late traitorous designs against your Majesty's person.

"Sensible as we are of the happiness we enjoy under your Majesty's mild and paternal Government; ruling, as we are persuaded your Majesty does, not more over the persons, than in the hearts of a free and grateful people; allied as your august Person is to the safety of our glorious constitution in Church and State, and essential as your Majesty's invaluable life is to the vital interests of the empire at large, and of every individual living under its wise, wholesome, and equal laws; we are unable in terms adequate to our feelings, to express our abhorrence at the nefarious and diabolical machinations, which were deliberately planned to whelm them all, by one fatal blow, in horror and destruction.

"Such sentiments of indignation must glow in the hearts of your Majesty's faithful subjects throughout the United Kingdom; and we entreat your Majesty to believe, that your loyal Citizens of London are sensibly alive to the mighty mischief which threatened them; and that their affectionate attachment and ardent zeal, will ever, if possible, strengthen in proportion to any danger to which your Royal Person may be exposed.

"We trust, however, that the firm, and decided execution of the laws, upon the unnatural projectors of so foul a deed, will, while it warns the traitor of his punishment, convince the loyal of the protection our revered constitution affords, and effectually secure your Majesty, and the United Kingdom, over which the goodness and mercy of

Providence have placed and preserved you, from any such guilty attempts in future, to disturb the general tranquillity.

Long may the Almighty guard the throne of this realm from the assaults of violence, and the insidious attacks of domestic treason; and long may your Majesty, in your person and family, enjoy that quiet and happiness in governing, which are so intimately interwoven with the dearest possessions of the free and happy people who obey."

To which his Majesty was pleased to make the following most gracious reply:

"I thank you for this dutiful and loyal address; and I accept, with particular satisfaction, the affectionate congratulations of my faithful City of London, on the signal protection of Divine Providence vouchsafed to me, and upon our common deliverance from a desperate and wicked attempt to destroy our invaluable constitution, and therewith the laws, liberties, and happiness of my people."

A very interesting document was signed on the 23d of April, by the French Princes in England, rejecting on their part all participation of the offers which Buonaparte had made to the King of France, who then resided at Warsaw. Its contents were as follow:

"We, the undersigned Princes, the Brothers, Nephews, and Cousins of his Majesty, Louis XVIII. King of France and of Navarre; thoroughly impressed with the same sentiments with which our Sovereign Lord and King has shown himself to be so honourably animated in his answer to the proposal made to him, of renouncing the throne of France, and of requiring all the Princes of this House in like manner to renounce all the imprescriptible claims to the succession to that same throne; declare, that as our attachment to our rights, to our duty, and to our honour, can never permit us to forego our claims, we adhere with heart and soul to the answer made by our King.

“That, in imitation of his example, we shall not lend ourselves in any manner whatever, to any step or proceeding that can imply on our part a failing, in whatever we owe to ourselves, to our ancestors, to our descendants.

"We finally declare, that being fully convinced that a large majority of the French people inwardly participate in all sentiments by which we are animated, it is in the name of our loyal countrymen, as well as in our own, that we renew upon our sword, and to our King, the solemn and sacred oath, to live and die faithful to our honour, and to our legitimate Sovereign.

"Charles Phillippe of France, Charles Ferdinand of Artois, Duke of Berri, Louis Philippe of Orleans, Duke of Orleans, Antoine Philippe of Orleans, Duke of Montpelier, Louis Charles of Orleans, Count of Beaujolois, Louis Joseph de Bourbon, Prince of Condé, Louis Henry Joseph de Bourbon, Condé, Duke of Bourbon.

"Wanstead-House, April 23, 1803,"

Lord Pelham made an important communication to the House of Lords on the 6th of May. His Majesty had given orders to Lord Whitworth, if he could not bring the negociations then pending to a close before a certain period, to quit Paris. General Andreossy, the French Ambassador, had applied for a passport to enable him to quit London, as soon as he should be informed of Lord Whitworth having left Paris. Lord Whitworth had received a new proposal, and in consequence he had resolved to continue in Paris. This proposal was of such a nature, that it could not yet be communicated to the House. It would be proper to adjourn the inquiry until the time arrived when Ministers could be explicit. The House accordingly adjourned. An adjournment took place on the same proposal in the House of Commons.

On the 8th of March a Message was sent from his Majesty to both Houses of Parliament, which caused a great sensation; it was believed to be the prelude to a declaration of war. The Message was as follows:

"His Majesty thinks it necessary to acquaint the House of Commons, that, as very considerable military preparations are carrying on in the ports of France and Holland, he has judged it expedient to adopt additional measures of precaution for the security of his dominions; though the preparations to which his Majesty refers are avowedly directed to colonial service, yet, as discussions of great importance are now subsisting between his Majesty and the French government, the result of which must, at present, be uncertain, his Majesty is induced to make this communication to his faithful Commons, in the full persuasion that, whilst they partake of his Majesty's earnest and unvarying solicitude for the continuance of peace, he may rely, with perfect confidence, on their public spirit and liberality, to enable his Majesty to adopt such measures as circumstances may appear to require, for supporting the honour of his crown and the essential interests of his people."

The question of war absorbed every thing else. The further consideration of the Prince of Wales's claims was abandoned at his own request; for "he could not think at such a time, when the designs of the common enemy were directed with energy against the country, to add to its burdens; he was perfectly satisfied with what Parliament had done."

On the 9th, in the House of Lords, Lord Hobart,