pends on me, to apply that economy which I have endeavoured to fet on foot in my civil eftablishment, to thofe more extenfive

branches of public expenditure, in which still more important advantages may be expected.

My Lords and Gentlemen, The important fucceffes, which, under the favour of Divine Provi

dence, the valour of my fleet in

the West Indies hath obtained, promifé a favourable iffue to our operations in that quarter. The events of war in the East Indies have also been profperous. Nothing however can be more repugnant to my feelings, than the long continuance of fo complicated a

war.

My ardent defire of peace has induced me to take every meafure which promised the speedieft accomplishment of my wishes; and I will continue to exert my beft endeavours for that purpose. But if, for want of a correfponding difpofition in our enemies, I fhould be difappointed in the hope I entertained of a fpeedy termination of the calamities of war, I rely on the fpirit, affection, and unanimity of my parliament and people to fupport the honour of my crown, and the interests of my kingdoms; not doubting that the bleffing of heaven, which I devoutly implore upon our arms, employed as they are in our juft and neceflary defence, will enable me to obtain fair and reasonable terms of pacification. The moft triumphant career of victory would not excite me to aim at more; and I have the fatisfaction to be able to add, that I fee no reafon which

fhould induce me to think of accepting lefs.

His Majesty's most gracious Speech

to both Houses of Parliament, on the opening of the Seffion, December 5, 1782.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

Sons, I have employed my

INCE the clofe of the laft fef

whole time in the care and attention which the important and critical conjuncture of public affairs required of me.

Í loft no time in giving the neceffary orders to prohibit the further profecution of offenfive war

upon

the continent of North America. Adopting, as my inclination will always lead me to do, with decifion and effect, whatever I collect to be the fenfe of my.. parliament and my people; I have pointed all my views and meafures, as well in Europe as in North America, to an entire and cordial reconciliation with those colonies.

Finding it indifpenfible to the attainment of this object, I did not hesitate to go the full length of the powers vefted in me, and offered to declare them free and independent ftates, by an article to be inferted in the treaty of peace. Provifional articles are agreed upon, to take effect whenever terms of peace fhall be finally fettled with the court of France.

In thus admitting their feparation from the crown of these kingdoms, I have facrificed every confideration of my own to the [U] 4

wishes

wishes and opinion of my people. I make it my humble and carneft prayer to Almighty God, that Great Britain may not feel the evils which might refult from fo great a difmemberment of the empire; and, that America may be free from thofe calamities which, have formerly proved in the mother country how effential monarchy is to the enjoyment of conftitutional liberty. Religion language-intereft--affections, may, and I hope will yet prove a bond of permanent union between the two countries: to this end, neither attention nor difpofition fhall be wanting on my part.

--

While I have carefully abftained from all offenfive operations against America, I have directed my whole force by land and fea against the other powers at war, with as much vigour, as the fituation of that force, at the commencement of the campaign, would permit. I truft that you feel the advantages refulting from the fafety of the great branches of our trade. You must have feen with pride and fatisfaction the gallant defence of the governor and the garrison of Gibraltar; and my fleet, after having effected the object of their deftination, offering battle to the combined force of France and Spain on their own coafts; thofe of my kingdoms have remained at the fame time perfectly fecure, and your domeftic tranquility uninterrupted, This refpectable ftate, under the bleffing of God, I attribute to the entire confidence which fubfifts between me and my people, and to the readinefs which has been fhewn by my fubjects in my city of London, and in other parts of

my kingdoms, to ftand forth in the general defence. Some proofs have lately been given of public fpirit in private men, which would do honour to any age, and any country.

Having manifefted to the whole world, by the most lafting examples, the fignal fpirit and bravery of my people, I conceived it a moment not unbecoming my dignity, and thought it a regard due to the lives and fortunes of fuch brave and gallant fubjects, to fhew myfelf ready on my part, to embrace fair and honourable terms of accommodation with all the powers at war.

I have the fatisfaction to acquaint you, that negociations to this effect are confiderably advanced, the refult of which, foon as they are brought to a conclufion, fhall be immediately communicated to you.

as

I have every reafon to hope and believe, that I shall have it in my power in a very short time to acquaint you, that they have ended in terms of pacification, which, I truft, you will fee juft caufe to approve. I rely however with perfect confidence on the wisdom of my parliament, and the fpirit of my people, that if any unforefeen change in the difpofitions of the belligerent powers fhould fruftrate my confident expectations, they will approve of the preparations I have thought it advifeable to make, and be ready to fecond the moft vigorous efforts in the further profecution of the war.

Gentlemen of the House of
Commons,

I have endeavoured, by every measure in my power, to diminish the

més, lord of the Tenance and honour of Alcalatém, the valley of Rodélla, the caftles and towns of Maella, Mefones, Tiurana, and Villa Plana, Taradel and Viladrau, &c. Rico-Hombre in Arragon by defcent, grandee of Spain of the first clafs, knight of the order of the Golden Fleece, and of that of the Holy Ghoft, gentleman of the king's chamber in employment, captain general of his forces, and his ambaffador to the moft Chriftian king; who, after having exchanged their refpective full powers, have agreed upon the following articles.

Art. I. There fhall be a chriftian, univerfal and perpetual peace, as well by fea as by land, and a fincere and conftant friendfhip fhall be re-established, between their Britannic and Catholic majefties, and between their heirs and fucceffors, kingdoms, dominions, provinces, countries, fubjects, and vaffals, of what quality or condition foever they be, without exception either of places or perfons; fo that the high contracting parties fhall give the greatest attention to the maintaining between themfelves, and their faid dominions and subjects, that reciprocal friendship and intercourfe, without permitting here. after, on either part, any kind of hoftilities to be committed, either by fea or by land, for any caufe or under any pretence whatfoever and they fhall carefully avoid, for the future, every thing which might prejudice the union happily re-established, and endeavouring, on the contrary, to procure reciprocally for each other, on every occafion, whatever may contribute to their mutual glory,

interefts, and advantage, without giving any affiftance or protection, directly or indirectly, to those who would do any injury to either of the high contracting parties. There fhall be a general oblivion and amnefty of every thing which may have been done or committed, before or fince the commencement of the war which is just ended.

Art. II. The treaties of Westphalia of 1648; thofe of Madrid of 1667, and of 1670; thofe of peace and of commerce of Utrecht, of 1713; that of Baden of 1714; of Madrid of 1715; of Seville of 1729; the definitive treaty of Aixla-Chapelle of 1748; the treaty of Madrid of 1750; and the definitive treaty of Paris of 1763, ferve as a bafis and foundation to the peace, and to the prefent treaty; and for this purpofe they are all renewed and confirmed in the best form, as well as all the treaties in general which fubfifted between the high contracting parties before the war, and particularly all those which are specified and renewed in the aforefaid definitive treaty of Paris, in the best form, and as if they were herein inferted word for word: fo that they are to be exactly obferved for the future in their full tenor, and religiously executed, by both parties, in all the points which fhall not be derogated from by the prefent treaty of peace.

Art. III. All the prisoners taken on either fide, as well by land as by fea, and the hostages carried away or given, during the war, and to this day, fhall be restored, without ranfom, in fix weeks at lateft, to be computed from the day of the exchange of the pre

prefent practice admits, to be laid before you. I hope that fuch further corrections as may be necef fary, will be made before the next year. It is my defire, that you fhould be apprifed of every expence before it is incurred, as far as the nature of each fervice can poffibly admit. Matters of account can never be made too public.

My Lords and Gentlemen, The fcarcity, and confequent high price of corn, requires your inftant interpofitión.

The great excefs to which the crimes of theft and robbery, in many inftances accompanied with perfonal violence, particularly in the neighbourhood of this metropolis, has called of late for a ftrict and fevere execution of the law. It were much to be wifhed that thefe crimes could be prevented in their infancy, by correcting the vices become prevalent in a moft alarming degree.

The liberal principles adopted by you, concerning the rights and the commerce of Ireland, have done you the highest honour, and will, I truft, enfure that harmony, which ought always to fubfift between the two kingdoms. I am perfuaded, that a general increase of commerce throughout the empire, will prove the wisdom of your measures with regard to that object. I would recommend to you a revifion of our whole trading fyftem upon the fame comprehenfive principles, with a view to its utmolt poffible extenfion.

The regulation of a vaft territory in Alia, opens a large field for your wifdom, prudence, and forelight. I trust that you will be

able to frame fome fundamental laws, which may make their connection with Great Britain a blesfing to India; and that you will take therein proper measures to give all foreign nations, in matters of foreign commerce, an entire and perfect confidence in the probity, punctuality, and good order of our government. You may be affured that whatever depends upon me, fhall be executed with a fleadiness, which can alone preferve that part of my dominions, or the commerce which arifes from it.

It is the fixed object of my heart to make the general good, and the true fpirit of the conftitution, the invariable rule of my conduct, and on all occafions to advance and reward merit in every profeffion.

To enfure the full advantage of a government conducted on fuch principles, depends on your temper, your wisdom, your difinterestedness, collectively and individually.

My people expect these qualifications of you; and I call for them.

The humble Address of the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in Parliament affembled.

Die Jovis 5° Decembris, 1782.
Moft gracious Sovereign,

WE, your majefty's most du

tiful and loyal fubjects, the lords fpiritual and temporal, in parliament affembled, beg leave to return your majefty our humble thanks for your most gracious fpeech from the throne.