My lords; His Majesty's faithful Commons (in obedience to the commands of his royal highness the Prince Regent, acting in the name and behalf of his Majesty) have proceeded to exercise their antient and unquestionable right of electing a Speaker; and it is now my duty to acquaint your lordships that their Choice has fallen upon me. access to the royal presence as occasion may require; and the most favourable construction of all their proceedings. "For myself, I have also to crave his Majesty's gracious indulgence, and that no imperfections of mine in the discharge of my duties, may be laid to the account of his Majesty's faithful Commons." The Lord Chancellor replied: "Mr. Speaker; his royal highness the Prince Regent hath commanded us to assure you, that acting in the name, and on the behalf of his Majesty, he doth most willingly grant to the House of Commons all the privileges which have ever been granted or allowed to the House of Commons by his Majesty or any of his royal predecessors. "Whatever considerations may have weighed with the House of Commons in forming this determination, they well know, that their choice must nevertheless "With respect to what regards yourself, await the royal pleasure:And I now, Mr. Speaker, we are required to assure you with all humbleness, do on their behalf that the most favourable construction will present myself in this place, in order that always be put upon your words and achis Majesty's faithful Commons may learn, tions, if it can be necessary that such an whether it be his Majesty's royal will assurance should be given to a person, so that they shall proceed to a reconsidera-eminently distinguished for his knowledge tion of the Choice which they have thus made." The Lord Chancellor then said: "Mr. Abbot; we have it in command from his royal highness the Prince Regent, acting on behalf of his Majesty, to inform you, that after the eminent proofs which you have given of your ability and integrity in the execution of this important office of Speaker of the House of Commons, to which you have been so repeatedly called, his Royal Highness in the name of his Majesty doth fully approve the Choice which the Commons have made, and that his Royal Highness therefore, in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, doth approve and confirm you to be their Speaker." The Speaker then said: "My lords; since his Royal Highness has been graciously pleased to approve the Choice made by his Majesty's faithful Commons, I most humbly submit myself to his royal will and pleasure: "And I do now in the name and behalf of the Commons of the United Kingdom in Parliament assembled, lay claim (by humble petition) to all their antient and undoubted rights and privileges; more especially, Freedom of Speech in debate; freedom from arrest and molestation for themselves, their servants, and estates; free of the rules and usages of parliament." The Commons then withdrew, and the Lords Commissioners retired to unrobe. After which the Clerk proceeded to swear in the Peers. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Wednesday, November 25. The Usher of the Black Rod, at twelve o'clock, summoned the House to the Peers, in order that they might inform the Lords Commissioners on whom the choice of Speaker of the House of Commons had fallen. Mr. Abbot, followed by all the members present, accordingly proceeded to the House of Peers. The Speaker having been confirmed in his office by the Lords Commissioners, addressed the House at his return from the House of Lords: "I have to acquaint the House, that this House has been in the House of Peers, where the Lords authorised by his Majesty's Commission have declared, That his royal highness the Prince Regent, acting in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, has been pleased to approve of the Choice which this House has made in electing me to be their Speaker. "And I have thereupon in the name and on behalf of the Commons of the United Kingdom in parliament assembled, laid claim to all their antient and undoubt ed rights and privileges: Freedom of Speech in debate, Freedom from arrest and molestation for themselves, their servants, and estates; free access to the royal presence as occasion may require, and the most favourable construction of all their proceedings; all which have been granted and allowed in as ample a manner as ever they were granted and allowed by any of his Majesty's royal predecessors. For the high honour conferred upon me by this House, and confirmed by his Majesty's royal approbation, I have again to tender my best acknowledgments, and to repeat the assurances of my fixed purpose to serve this House with diligence, fidelity and impartiality. "At present, I must call to their remembrance that the first proceeding is for each member to take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy at the table, to make and subscribe the Declaration; and also to take and subscribe the Oaths of Abjuration and Qualification, as by law required." A general cry of hear! hear! followed this speech, and the Speaker proceeded, as the first Commoner, to take the oaths. He afterwards placed himself in his Chair. The other members were then called up to the table in alphabetical order, according to the counties they represented, and took the oaths: Generally speaking only one or two appeared from each county, until the name of Cornwall was pronounced, when more than twenty members left the ministerial benches, and advanced to receive the oaths. This remarkable disproportion excited not a little mirth in the House. HOUSE OF LORDS. Monday, November 30. THE PRINCE REGENT'S SPEECH ON OPENING THE SESSION.] Their lordships began to assemble about twelve o'clock. Peeresses and ladies, with peers orders, were admitted into the body of the House; who, together with a numerous attendance of peers, in their robes, made an appearance seldom, if ever, equalled for its elegance and splendour. At two his royal highness the Prince Regent entered the House, and took his seat on the throne. A Message was immediately conveyed, by the Usher of the Black Rod, to the House of Commons, requiring their attendance, to receive his Royal Highness's communication. Accordingly, the Speaker, accompanied by a great number of members, appeared at their lordships' bar. His Royal Highness then delivered the following most gracious Speech: My Lords and Gentlemen, "It is with the deepest concern that I am obliged to announce to you, at the opening of this parliament, the continuance of his Majesty's lamented indisposition, and the diminution of the hopes which I have most anxiously entertained of his recovery. "The situation of Public Affairs has induced me to take the earliest opportunity of meeting you after the late Elections. I am persuaded you will cordially participate in the satisfaction which I de rive from the improvement of our prospects during the course of the present Although I cannot but regret that the efforts of the enemy, combined with a view to one great operation, have rendered it necessary to withdraw from the Siege of Burgos, and to evacuate Madrid, for the purpose of concentrating the main body of the allied forces; these efforts of the enemy have nevertheless, been attended with important sacrifices on their part, which must materially contribute to extend the resources and facilitate the exertions of the Spanish nation. "I am confident I may rely on your determination to continue to afford every aid in support of a contest which bas first given to the continent of Europe the example of persevering and successful resistance to the power of France, and on which not only the independence of the nations of the peninsula, but the best interests of his Majesty's dominions essentially depend. "I have great pleasure in communica ting to you, that the relations of peace and friendship have been restored between his Majesty and the Courts of St. Petersburgh and Stockholm. "I have directed copies of the Treaties to be laid before you. In a contest for his own Sovereign Rights, and for the independence of his dominions, the emperor of Russia has had to oppose a large proportion of the military power of the French government, assisted by its allies, and by the tributary states dependent upon it. "The resistance which he has opposed to so formidable a combination, cannot fail to excite sentiments of lasting admiration. "By his own magnanimity and perseverance, by the zeal and disinterestedness of all ranks of his subjects, and by the gallantry, firmness, and intrepidity of his forces, the presumptuous expectations of the enemy have been signally disappoint ed. "The enthusiasm of the Russian nation has increased with the difficulties of the contest, and with the dangers with which they were surrounded. They have submitted to sacrifices of which there are few examples in the history of the world; and I indulge the confident hope, that the determined perseverance of his Imperial Majesty will be crowned with ultimate success; and that this contest, in its result, will have the effect of establishing, upon a foundation never to be shaken, the security and independence of the Russian empire. "The proof of confidence which I have received from his Imperial Majesty, in the measure which he has adopted of sending his Fleets to the ports of this country, is in the highest degree gratifying to me; and his Imperial Majesty may most fully rely on my fixed determination to afford him the most cordial support in the great contest in which he is engaged. "I have the satisfaction further to acquaint you, that I have concluded a Treaty with his Sicilian Majesty, supplementary to the Treaties of 1808 and 1809. "As soon as the ratifications shall have been exchanged, I will direct a copy of this Treaty to be laid before you "My object has been to provide for the more extensive application of the military force of the Sicilian government to offensive operations; a measure which, combined with the liberal and enlightened principles which happily prevail in the councils of his Sicilian Majesty, is caicalated, I trust, to augment his power and resources, and, at the same time, to render them essentially serviceable to the common cause. "The Declaration of War by the government of the United States of America, was made under circumstances which might have afforded a reasonable expectation that the amicable relations between the two nations would not long be interrupted. It is with sincere regret that I am obliged to acquaint you, that the conduct and pretensions of that government have hitherto prevented the conclusion of any pacific arrangement. "Their measures of hostility have been principally directed against the adjoining British Provinces, and every effort has been made to seduce the inhabitants of them from their allegiance to his Majesty. "The proofs, however, which I have received of loyalty and attachment from his Majesty's subjects in North America. are highly satisfactory. "The attempts of the enemy to invade Upper Canada have not only proved abortive, but, by the judicious arrangements of the Governor-General, and by the skill and decision with which the military operations have been conducted, the forces of the enemy assembled for that purpose in one quarter, have been compelled to capitulate, and in another have been completely defeated. My best efforts are not wanting for the restoration of the relations of peace and amity between the two countries; but until this object can be attained, without sacrificing the maritime rights of Great Britain, I shall rely upon your cordial support in a vigorous prosecution of the war. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I have directed the Estimates for the services of the ensuing year to be laid before you, and I entertain no doubt of your readiness to furnish such supplies as may enable me to provide for the great interests committed to my charge, and afford the best prospect of bringing the contest in which his Majesty is engaged to a suc cessful termination. "My Lords and Gentlemen, "The approaching expiration of the Charter of the East India Company renders it necessary that I should call your early attention to the propriety of providing effectually for the future government of the provinces of India. "I have derived great satisfaction from the success of the measures which have been adopted for suppressing the spirit of outrage and insubordination which had appeared in some parts of the country, and from the disposition which has been manifested to take advantage of the indemnity held out to the deluded by the wisdom and benevolence of parliament. "I trust I shall never have occasion to lament the recurrence of atrocities so repugnant to the British character; and that all his Majesty's subjects will be impressed with the conviction, that the happiness of individuals, and the welfare of the state, equally depend upon a strict obedience to the laws, and an attachment to our excellent constitution. "In the loyalty of his Majesty's people, and in the wisdom of parliament, I have reason to place the fullest confidence. The same firmness and perseverance which have been manifested on so many and such trying occasions, will not, I am persuaded, be wanting at a time when the eyes of all Europe, and of the world, are fixed upon you. I can assure you, that in the exercise of the great trust reposed in me, I have no sentiment so near my heart as the desire to promote, by every means in my power, the real prosperity and lasting happiness of his Majesty's subjects." The Commons having withdrawn from the bar, his Royal Highness presently rose, and departed from the House. After his Royal Highness's departure, their lordships adjourned for the purpose of unrobing. About five o'clock the Lord Chancellor took his seat on the woolsack, and the House was resumed. The earl of Liverpool, according to custom, previously to the commencement of public business, presented a Bill for the better regulation of Select Vestries, which was ordered to be read the first time. His Royal Highness's Speech having been read by the Lord Chancellor, and afterwards by the clerk, The Earl of Longford said, that in rising to claim the attention of their lordships, it might be expected that he should apo.. logise for the course he was about to pursue; but, he thought, he could not do better than to pourtray the leading features of the Speech, just delivered from the throne, and then to make those observations which he might deem appropriate and just in support of the Address, with moving which it was his intention to conclude. Such a course would be correspondent with the usual mode on such occasions; and, in his estimation, it would be wrong to depart from so good a precedent. As to the Speech, it must have been most grateful to all who heard it; for it dwelt on those events which had been materially advantageous to the country, and were calculated to be much more so; inasmuch as they were of a nature to increase those great difficulties with which the common enemy had now to contend. But, however prosperous might have been our efforts, however glorious might have been our struggles, and however splendid might have been the results, it became us rather to increase than to relax in our exertions, not for the mere advantage of England only, but for the salvation of Europe. Past successes were pledges for the future; the triumphs that had attended our arms, were assurances that perseverance would avail. There were those who had foreboded a dismal issue to our contest in the peninsula; and though those forebodings had been disappointed by events, yet they would say, there still remained much to be done. Their lordships could not forget so manifest a truth, and that remembrance would now stimulate them to greater and nobler exertions. To carry on such a war as the one in which this country was now engaged, great sacrifices must be made; and no one could more sensibly deplore than he did the burdens under which the country at present laboured. But they must bear much more before it could be hoped that final success would crown our efforts. When it was seen that the ruler of France deemed no sacrifices too great to promote the dearest object of his ambition-the ruin of this country, could any privation be considered too much to avert and counteract that object? Our sacrifices, he knew, were great; but could any sacrifices be too great that had for their object the salvation of the country? The sacrifices of other countries were great, even were they visited only by a friendly army; but how much greater Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, or Salamancawould be their woe, how much heavier successes that had demonstrated the vitheir afflictions, when an enemy's arms gilance, the skill, the rapidity, and the prevailed? From such visitations this decision which had produced such admicountry had hitherto been free; and no rable results. They were results that had price could be too high to enable it to raised the military character of the councontinue unvisited by such accumulated try. The skill which had planned miseries. To describe those miseries, the those successes was seen in a variety of miseries that other countries had been, and forms; but in no instance was it more still were, subjected to-would be a task remarkable than in having compelled the too painful for him, even were it necessary enemy to raise the siege of Cadiz, before to enable their lordships to judge properly which they had been for two years. That of our present situation. But, he could glorious event had only failed in bringing not avoid saying, how light must any bur- about the probable result by an actual dens be, that could avert that ruin which and direct disobedience of orders-a diswas levelled against us! That it would be obedience that had since been punished averted, he could not for an instant doubt; by the prompt proceeding of the governand, even if any one were inclined to ment of Spain. That was an unfortunate entertain any thing like doubt, the recent event: and, at this moment, it was imand noble exertions of our brave coun- possible to see of what advantages it had trymen in arms could not but dispel it. deprived us. That it had materially proIn speaking of their glorious exertions, he moted the failure before Burgos, he had could not proceed without noticing that little reason to doubt; but, however morglorious individual who bad so nobly led tifying that event might be, still they had them on to repeated successes. There no reason to despond. The effects of such could scarcely be an individual in the a disappointment, and of such a failure, country who did not feel warmed and might soon be retrieved by that comelated by the laurels that bound that noble manding genius which had already done general's brow; and how much more so much for Spain. Even the present elated must they feel, who were related to condition of the enemy afforded much him by the ties of blood! He had the ground for exultation. He had been comhappiness of being amongst those who pelled to collect his forces, and, when it were related to that gallant lord. If there was recollected with what difficulty they were any thing like difference of opinion had been before supplied, how much respecting that brave general's merits, re- greater must those difficulties be now that lated as he was, he would not trust him- they formed one collected mass. There self to speak where friendship and partia- was no occasion for him to recapitulate lity might overstep the bounds of justice. the circumstances that had attended the If he thought it possible even for the af- raising of the siege of Cadiz, the capture fection of the dearest friends to overrate of Ciudad Rodrigo, of Badajoz, and of his merits, in the fondness and zeal of Salamanca; but no one would deny that their partiality, he would have remained they were highly advantageous to the gesilent. But years of painful labour in neral cause. But fortunately the influthe field had earned for the name of Wel-ence of this brilliant campaign was not lington, that glory and renown which were now attached to it. In the field he had triumphed over and over again, beating the most consummate generals of the enemy's army, and driving them from their strong holds. Such were the feats he had achieved, besides overcoming all those difficulties attendant upon a warfare like the one in which he was engaged but that great and valuable man was rewarded. The public voice united in expressing admiration of the man and of the warrior, and he could not refrain from mingling his with the general voice. In tracing the course of his successful career, no one could fail to call to mind ( VOL. XXIV.) confined to the peninsula: it had been felt in the remotest corners of the world: In Russia they had seen what might be done by constancy and perseverance; for in Spain this country had evinced, by an actual and successful course, what might be done by perseverance; and the lesson had not been lost on the emperor of Russia. In Russia too was already seen what might be achieved by a determined resistance to the presumptuous pretensions of an unprincipled and ambitious foe. The emperor of Russia had given great hopes to enslaved Europe. In the field he had given proofs of firmness and decision; and by entrusting this country with (C) |