Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-02-24
FRIDAY, December 10.

- NV psi OShl ICuuSSN, % T-oIIls
G--Omnium, ..
FRIDAY, December 10.
At four o'clock the Lord Chancellor. the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Lords Winchel-
sea and Spencer took their seats in their
robes, as his majesty's commissioners, and
the commons attending at the bar, the lord
chancellor delivered, in his maiesty's name,
the following speech to both houses of par
lament:
" ny Lords and Gentlemen,
"ilis majesty has commanded us to as
sure YOU, that in the difficult and arduou,
circumstances under which you are now as
scmblcd, it is great satisfaction to him
orecur to the hrmHess and wisdom of his
parliament, after so recent an opportunity
OF collecting the sense of his people.
ellis majesty has ordered the papers
which have been exchanged in the course
OF the late negotiations with France, to be
laid before you. His majesty has employ
ed every effort for the restoration of gene
raj tranquility, on terms consistent with
the interest and homer Of his people. and
with that inviolable good faith towards his
allies, by which the conduct of this coun-
try has always been distinguished.
"Ihc ambition and injustice of the enc
my disappointed these endeavors, and in
the same moment kindled fresh war in
Europe, the progress Of which has been at
tended with the most calamtous events.
CATER witnessing the subversion of the
ancient constitution of Germany, and the
subiugation of large proportion of its most
considerable states, Prussia found herself
still more nearly threatened BY that dan
ger, which She had vainly hoped TO avertby
so many sacrifices. She was therefore at
length compelled to adopt the resolution of
openly resisting this unremitted system of
aggrandizcment and conquest. But neither
this determination, nor the succeeding
measures, were previously concerted with
his majesty ; nor had any disposition been
shewn to offer any adequate satisfaction for
those aggressions which had placed the two
countries in astate Of mutual hostility.
g Yet III this situation his Majesty did not
hesitate to adopt without DELAY, such mea-
suTes as were best calculated to unite their
councils and interests against the common
enemy. The rapid course of the calamitics
which ensued, opposed insurmountable diff
iculties to the execution ofthis purpose.
&" In he mo5s OF these disastrous events, and
under the uloet trying circumstances, the good
faith ofhis Maissty's aliesihas remained unsha.
Ken. The conduct Of the King of Sweden has
ness. Between his majesty and the Emperor of
Russia, the happies; union subsists; it has been
cemen,cd by reciprocal proofs of good faith and
confidence and his Ma jesty doubts NOT that You
will participate in his anxiety 70 cultivate and
confirm AN alliance which affords the only re-
naming hope OF safety Tor the continent Of Eu.
rope.
" Gentlemen If tie House of Commons.
His majesty looks with confidence to your
assistance in those eXertions which the honor and
independence of our country demand. The nsees.
sity of adding to the public burthens will be pain.
full to your feelings. and is deeply distressing to
his Majesty. In considering the estimates for
the various branches Of the public service, you
win best consult his Malesty's wshes by COM
bining all practicable economy with those efforts
which 1t is necessary to make against the for.
midabe and increasing power of the enemy.
M Lo'd5 ant GeHfiemen,
A." The long series OF misfortune which has
afIii9ed the continent of Europe, could not fail
10 ehecct, IN some degree, many Important in
teresi5 OF the country. But under every success
sive difficulty. his Majesty has had the satis-
lathon OF witnessing an INCREASING energy and
hrmnes5 on the part Of his people. whose uniform
and determined resistance has been no less adj
vantage Que than honorable TO themselves, and
has exhibited the most striking example to the
surrounding nations The uncomfortable valor
and discipline Of his Majesty's Aeets and armies
Continue to be displayed wi'h undmnished lus-
tire The great sourses of our prosperity and
strength are unimpared nor has the British
nation been at any time, more united in senti-
ment and adion, or more determined TO main
tain inyolate the independence Of the empire,
and the dignity Of the national character.
With these advantages, and with an hum
bic reliance on the protection Of the Divine Pro.
violence, his Majesty is prepared TO meet the ex-
igencles OF this great crisis assured Of receiving
the fullest support from the wisdom of your deli,
bera ions. and from the tired affection, loyalty and
public spirit Of his brave people"