disagreements and private animosities? Is it not notorious that they only subsist by creating divisions among others; that their plan is to separate party from party, friend from friend, brother from brother? Is not their very motto divide et impera? When such men advise us to unite, what opinion must we have of their sincerity? In the present instance, however, the speech is particularly farcical. When we are told that affairs abroad are perfectly quiet, and consequently that it is unnecessary for us to take any notice of them; when we are told, that there is indeed a distress at home, but beyond the reach of this House to remedy; to have unanimity recommended to us in the same breath, is, in my opinion, something lower than ridiculous. If the two first propositions be true, in the name of wonder, upon what are we to debate? upon what is it possible for us to disagree? On one point our advice is not wanted; on the other it is useless; but it seems it will be highly agreeable to the ministry to have us unite in approving of their conduct; and if we have concord enough amongst ourselves to keep in unison with them and their measures, I dare say that all the purposes of administration aimed at by the address, will be fully answered, and entirely to their satisfaction. But this is a sort of union, which I hope never will, which I am satisfied never can, prevail in a free parliament like ours. While we are freemen we may disagree; but when we unite upon the terms recommended to us by the administration, we must be slaves.

The Address moved by Lord Beauchamp was agreed to without a division.

it. It will be proportioned to th
thority, which we shall seem
when a monarch's voice "cric
riot, and rebellion make their
land? The unhappy people,
distress, deluded by vain ho
appointed of relief from th
pair, either set all law an
be enforced upon them
of a military hand.
experience of the
punishments lose
inflicted on me
to incur them
crown had

E OPENING OF

afford

which I receive from the other great powers,
believe, that my endeavours will continue to be
shall still make the general interests of Europe
attention, and while I steadily support my own
equally careful not to acknowledge the claims
3, contrary to the limitations of the late treaties

- me to recommend to the serious attention state of my government in America: I my part, by every means, to bring back ir duty, and to a due sense of lawful much concern to inform you, that the has not answered my expectations; Jonies, many persons have embarked rantable, and calculated to destroy between them and the mother

e of Commons;

estimates for the service of the you. I am persuaded that your d government, and your zeal for the

ace you to grant such supplies as are ne

may be assured that, on my part, they shall

with the strictest economy.

My Lords and Gentlemen;

"As the welfare and prosperity of my people have always been the object of my wishes and the rule of my actions, so I am persuaded, from my experience of your conduct, that you will be governed in your proceedings by the same principles : my ready concurrence and support, in every measure that may serve to promote those ends, you may always depend upon, On you it will be now more than ever incumbent, most carefully to avoid all heats and animosities amongst yourselves, and to cultivate that spirit of harmony which becomes those who may have but one common object in their view, and which most likely to give authority and efficacy to the result of your deliberations; such a conduct on your part will, above all things, contribute to maintain, in their proper lustre, the strength, the reputation, and the prosperity, of this country; to strengthen the attachment of my subjects to that excellent

be

ADDRESS ON THE KING'S SPEECH, AT THE OPENING OF THE SESSION.

THE

January 9. 1770.

HE king opened the session with the following * speech to both Houses:

"It is with much concern that I find myself obliged to open the session of parliament, with acquainting you, that the distemper among the horned cattle has lately broke out in this kingdom, notwithstanding every precaution that could be used for preventing the infection from foreign parts: upon the first notice of its actual appearance, my next attention was to endeavour to stop, if possible, its further progress; and as the success of those endeavours must, in all probability, have been entirely defeated by any the least degree of delay in the application of them, I thought it absolutely necessary, with the advice of my privy council, to give immediate directions for every step to be taken, that appeared most capable of checking the instant danger of the spreading of the infection, until I could have an opportunity of consulting my parliament upon some more permanent measures for securing us against so great a calamity; and to your immediate and serious consideration, I earnestly recommend this very important object.

"I have given my parliament repeated assurances, that it has always been my fixed purpose to preserve the general tranquillity, maintaining, at the same time, the dignity and honour of my crown, together with the just rights and interests of my people; the uncommon burthens which my subjects have borne so cheerfully, in order to bring the late war to a happy conclusion, must be an additional motive to make me vigilant to prevent the present disturbances in Europe from extending to any part where the security, honour, or interest, of this nation may make it necessary for my crown to become a party: the

* This speech was unsparingly ridiculed in the public prints, and the session was nick-named the "Horned Cattle Session."

es which I receive from the other great powers, afford .cason to believe, that my endeavours will continue to be cressful. I shall still make the general interests of Europe the object of my attention, and while I steadily support my own rights, I shall be equally careful not to acknowledge the claims of any other powers, contrary to the limitations of the late treaties of peace.

"It is needless for me to recommend to the serious attention of my parliament the state of my government in America: I have endeavoured, on my part, by every means, to bring back my subjects there to their duty, and to a due sense of lawful authority. It gives me much concern to inform you, that the success of my endeavours has not answered my expectations; and that, in some of my colonies, many persons have embarked in measures highly unwarrantable, and calculated to destroy the commercial connection between them and the mother country.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons;

"I have ordered the proper estimates for the service or the current year to be laid before you. I am persuaded that your affection for my person and government, and your zeal for the public good, will induce you to grant such supplies as are necessary; and you may be assured that, on my part, they shall be managed with the strictest economy.

"My Lords and Gentlemen;

"As the welfare and prosperity of my people have always been the object of my wishes and the rule of my actions, so I am persuaded, from my experience of your conduct, that you will be governed in your proceedings by the same principles: my ready concurrence and support, in every measure that may serve to promote those ends, you may always depend upon. On you it will be now more than ever incumbent, most carefully to avoid all heats and animosities amongst yourselves, and to cultivate that spirit of harmony which becomes those who have but one common object in their view, and which may be most likely to give authority and efficacy to the result of your deliberations; such a conduct on your part will, above all things, contribute to maintain, in their proper lustre, the strength, the reputation, and the prosperity, of this country; to strengthen the attachment of my subjects to that excellent