King' s Speech to both Houses, Parliament prorogued

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His Majesty put an end to the Session with the following Speech: —

"My Lords and Gentlemen:

"The conclusion of the publick business, and the advanced season of the year, make it proper for me to give you some recess; but I cannot put an end to this session without assuring you that the fresh instances of your affectionate attachment to me, and of your steady attention and adherence to the true interests of your country, which you have shown throughout the whole course of your important deliberations, afford me the highest satisfaction.

"No alteration has happened in the state of foreign affairs since your meeting; and it is with pleasure I inform you that the assurances which I have received of the dispositions of the several Powers in Europe promise a continuance of the general tranquillity.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons:

"It was with real regret and concern that I found myself under the necessity of asking of my faithful Commons any extraordinary supplies. I thank you for the readiness and despatch with which they have been granted; and they are the more acceptable to me, as you have shown, in the manner of raising them, an equal regard to the exigencies of the service and the ease of my people; and you may be assured, that the confidence you repose in me shall be used with proper frugality, and applied only to the purposes for which it was intended.

"My Lords and Gentlemen:

"We are engaged in a great national cause, the prosecution of which must inevitably be attended with many difficulties, and much expense; but when we consider that the essential rights and interests of the whole empire are deeply concerned in the issue of it, and can have no safety or security but in that constitutional subordination for which we are contending, I am convinced that you will not think any price too high for the preservation of such objects.

"I will still entertain a hope that my rebellious subjects may be awakened to a sense of their errors, and that, by a voluntary return to their duty, they will justify me in bringing about the favourite wish of my heart, the restoration of harmony and the re-establishment of order and happiness in every part of my dominions. But if a due submission should not be obtained from such motives and such dispositions on their part, I trust that I shall be able, under the blessings of Providence, to effectuate it by a full exertion of the great force with which you have entrusted me."

The Parliament was then prorogued to the 1st of August.