Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1808-03-21
LONDON, JAN. 81, 1903.
THE KINGS SPEECH.

THIS day the session OF Parliament was
opened by commission, by the following
Speech -
NJ Lorls and GeHjsnlen,
" We are commanded by his Majesty to
inform you, that no sooner had the result of
the negotiations at Tilsit confirmed the il
( AUence and control OF France over the pow
crs ct the Continent, than his Majesty was
spprised OF the intentions Of the enemy to
combine those powers IN one general con
f-deracy, to be directed either to the entire
subjugation Of this kingdom, or to the i'm
posing upon his Majesty an insecure and
ignominious peace.
F Several Of the succeeding bayagy7bAs
relate 10 the rupture with Denmark me srafe
of Affairs a. Portugal The de6Dtue ofihe
Russtan, austrian, anu P5uss1an Ministers tont
England and tie faehy IF Sweden sub
5ects generally knOS,a
It remains for rs, according to his Maj
esty's command 10 state to YOU that tie
Treaty Of commerce and amity between his
Majesty and the United States of Ar1srica.
which was concluded and signed bv Com
missioncrs duly authorized Cor that ps~pose,
on the 31st OF December, 1906, has not ta-
ken effect, in consequence Of the refusal Of
the President Of the United States to Tatify
that instrument
e For an Unauthorized act Of force com
mitted against an American snip Of war, his
Majesty did not hesitate to offer immediate
and spontaneous PREPARATION Bur an attvmi 4
1as been made by the Am rican Government
10 connect with the question that has arisen
out Of this act, pretensions Inconsistent with
the maritime rights of Great BrihIiH such
professions his Majesty is determined never
TO admit. Ills Majesty, nevertheless, hopes
that the American Government will be &C
tu2ted By The same desire 10 preserve the
relations of peace and friendship between
the two countries which has ever Influenced
- Malesty's conduct, and that any difficult
ties in the discussion now pending may be
efectually removeds
" HIS Majesty has commanded rs to state
70 YOU, that in consequence Of the Decree
hy which France declared the whole Of his
Malesty's d0nmnions to be in a state of
blockade, subjected to seizure and conisca-
ton tAc produce and manufactures Of his
kingdom, his Majesty resorted5 in the first
instance; 10 q measure Of mi1ig4ted retalia-
ton and that this measure having proved
Intellectual for its object, his Majesty kas
since found it necessary to adopt others Of
greater vigor, which, lie commands US to
state To you, viii require the aid Of Parlia-
ment to give them complete and effectual
operation"
Geafle,5en eftte House # Commons;
" His Majesty has great satisfaction in in
forming you, that, notwithstanding the dis
culties which the enemy has endeavored to
impose upon the commerce Of his subjects,
and upon their intercourse with other ma
tons, the resources of The country have
continued in the las year 70 e 50 abund. n ;
Is 10 have produced, both from lie perma
nent and temporary revenue, receipt con
>iderably larger than that OF the preceding
year.
" M Lords and Genttnen,
owe are especially commanded TO say to
you, in the name Of his Majesty, that if ever
there was Just and national war, il i that
which his Majesty is now compelled to
prosecute-This war is in its principle pure
Iy defensive. His Majesty looks but to the
attainment ola secure and honorable peace
but such apeace can only be negotiated upon
4 footing Of perfect equality.
HIS speech Tor message) fills two col
umns ofthe London papers.