The Speaker' s Address to the King

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Thursday, May 23, 1776.

The King came to the House of Peers. Before his Majesty passed the Bills,

The Speaker addressed him to the following purport: —

"May it please your Majesty:

"Your Majesty' s faithful Commons have, in the present session, passed several wise, salutary, and necessary laws; particularly the law for prohibiting all trade and commerce with America; the law for the more speedy and effectual manning your Majesty' s Navy; and the law for establishing a National Militia. Your Majesty' s faithful Commons, with equal assiduity and attention, have performed every duty, through a long and severe session. The business of America has engrossed the greatest part of their attention. Nothing has been wanting on their part to strengthen the hands of Government. They have voted the most full and ample supplies. Convinced of the justice and necessity of securing the subordinate dependance of America, they have cheerfully co-operated in every proposition for securing the duty of your Majesty' s subjects in that country, and their obedience to the legislative power of Great Britain. Your Majesty' s faithful Commons, whatever measures may have been taken for the security of both, by a proper exertion of the strength of this country, do not wish for conquest, but for peace and conciliation. And trusting to your Majesty' s parental attention to the interests of every part of the empire, they have a full reliance on your Majesty' s wisdom and goodness, that the present disputes with America will be happily terminated, and peace established on so firm a basis as to prevent a return of the same evil in times to come."