Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-22
HIS MAJR8TY's SPEECH.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
THURSDAY, january 81,

4
At three O'Clock, the Archbishop OF Can
terbury, the Lord Chancellor, and Lords
Dartmouth and Aylesford, took their seats
immediately below the Throne, as commits
sioners. and the commons being soon after
in attendance, the Lord Chancellor, deli
vered the following Speech:
"My Lords and Gentlemen,
owe have received his Majesty's COM
mands to assure you, that in calling YOU TO-
gether at this important coDiuncture of af-
fairs, he entertains the most perfect con-
viction, that he shall find in yea the same
determination with which his Masiesty HIM
self is animated, to uphold the honor of his
Crown, and the just rights and interests OF
his people.
awe are commanded by his Majesty to
inform you, that no sooner had the result of
the negotiations at Tilsit, cCnfr ned the in
iuence and control Of France over the pow
ers of the continent, than his Majesty was
appraised Of tie intentions of the enemy to
combine those powers into one general con-
federacy, to be directed either to tie entire
SUI. 1gation ofthis Kindom, or to the impo-
sing upon his Majesty an insecure and ieno-
miuiops peace
"ihat tor this purpose, it was determn-
ed 70 force into hostility against his Majesty,
states which had hitherto been allowed by
France TO maintain or to purchase their neu-
trahty: and TO bring to bear against differ
ent points Of his Majesty's dnniniops. the
whole Of the naval force of Europe, and spe-
cifcaliy the fleets Of Portugal and Denmark.
"To place those fleets out OF the powe,
of such confederacy, became therefore
the indispensable duty of his Majesty.
II, the execution OF this duty, so far asre-
lated to the Danish feet, his Majesty has
commanded US to assure you, that it was
with the deepest reluctance that his Ma
jesiy found himself compelled, after his
earnest endeavOrs to open negotiation with
the Danish government had failed, to au-
thorise his commanders 10 resort TO the ex-
tremity Of fotce, ont he has the greatest
satisfaction ID congFatulating you upon the
successful execution OF this painful, but ne
ce,sary service.
eve arc further commt nded to acuuaint
you, that the course which his Majesty had
to pursue with respect to Portugal, was
happily OF nature more ccugenial to his
majesly's feelings. The timely and unre-
served communication by tie crurt of Lis
bon ct the demands and designs of France,
while it confirmed to his majesty the au
thenticity of the adriocs which he bad re-
ceived from other quarters, entitled the
court 10 his iHajcsty's confidence in the SIM
cerity oil the assurances by which that
communication was accom- anied.
'Iie feet of Portugal was destined by
France to be elnploJ cd as an Instrument cf
vengeance against Great Britain. That
feet has been secured from the grasp of
France, and is now employed in CONVEYING
to its American tiomiuions the homes and
fortunes OF ;hc Portuguese Monarchy. His
majesty inplores the protection of divine
providence upon that enterprise, rejoicing
in the preservation Of a power so lons the
friend and ally of Great Britain; and in
the prospect of its establishment in the new
world with augmented strength and splen-
dor.
"We have it in commend from his Ma.
jesty TO ialorm you, that the determinati-
on Ut the enemy 10 excite hostilities be-
tween his Majesty and his late allies, the
Emperors OF Russia and Austria, and the
King Of Prussia, has been but two success.
ful and that tho ministers from those pow
rshave demanded and received their pass
ports.
"This measure, IN the part Of Russia,
has been attempted to be justified bv a
statement Of wrongs and grievances which
have no real foundation. The Emperor
of Russia has indeed preferred his media
ton between his Majesty aad France. His
Majesty did not refuse that mediation, but
he IS confident you will feel the propriety
Of It's not having been accepted until his
Majesty should have been enabled to as.
certain that Russia was in condition to
mediate impartially, aud until the princi
pies Of the basis on which France was rea-
dy to negotiate we're made known TO his
Majesty.
No pretence Of Justification has been
alledged for the hostile conduct of the en-
pcror of Austria. or for that of his Prussian
majesty. His majesty has not given the