Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-16

"
OF its provisions.
Anxiously as his majesty deprecated the com
inencement of the war in Spain, he is every dav
more satisfied that in the strict neutrality which
he determined to observe In that contest (and
which you SO cordially approved,) he best CON
suited the true interests vi his people.
With respect to the provinces of America
which have declared their separation from Spain,
ms maJcsty's conduct has been open and con-
sistent, and his opinions have been at all times
frankly arowed 10 Spain aud to other Powers.
His majesty has appointed Consus to reside
AT the principal ports and places OF those pro-
yinces for the protection of the trade oi his sub
jccts.
As to any further measures, his majesty has
reserved to himself an untcttercd discretion, TO
be exercised as the circumstances ofthosc coun-
tries, and the interests OF his own people, may
appear 10 his majesty TO require.
Gentlemen IF the House Of Commons,
His majesty has directed us to inform YOU that
the estimates for the year are prepared, and
shall be forthwith laid before you.
The numerous points at which, nuder present
circumstances, his majcsty's naval force is ne
ccssarily distributed, and the occasion which has
arisen torstrcngthening his garrisons in the West
Indies, has rendered unavoidable some auginen-
tatiOn OF his establishments by sea and land.
believing, that notwithstanding the increase of
expense incident to these aug1nentations, it will
still be III your power, after providing for the
services OF the year, to make arrangements, in
some parts ot our system of taxation, which may
afford relic to certain important branches of the
national industry.
my Lords and Gentlemen,
His majesty has commanded us to acquaint
you, that he has not been inattentve to the desire
expressed by the House of Commons in the last
Session of Parliament, that means should be de-
vised for ameliorating the condition of the Negro
slaves in the West Indies.
His majesty has directed the necessary in
formation relating to this subject to be laid be-
fore you.
His ma csty is confident that YOU will afford
your best attention and assistance to any propo-
sltlon which may be submitted to you, for pro-
noting the moral improvement of the Negroes,
by an extended plan of religious instructions,
and by such other measures as may gradually
conduce to the same end.
But his majesty earnestly recommends to YOU
to treat this whole subject with the camncss and
discretion which it demands.
1t IS subject perplexed with difficulties,
which no sudden effort can disengage.
To excite exaggerated expectations in those
who are the objects of your benevolence, would
be as fatal to their welfare to that of their en-
ployers.
And his Majesty assures himself you will bear
IN mind, that IN the correction of a long standing
and complicated system, in which the fortunes
and the safety of large classes of his Majesty's
subjects arc involved, that course of proceeding
IS alone likely to attain practical good, and to
avoid aggravation of evil, i'll which due regard
shall be paid to considerations of Justice, and in
which caution shall temper zeal
After the Speech was concluded, the Com
mons withdrew from the bar.
Baron Clifford, of st. Lconard's the Chief JUS
tce cfthe Common Pleas, was then introduced,
and took the oaths, and his scat.
Lord Somers, in congratulatory speech OF
some length, then moved the Address, which
was merely an echo of his Maiesty's Speech,
Lord Lorton, in scconding the motion, confin-
ed himself to the subject of Irish affairs.
The Marquis of Lansdown regretted that the
Speech, as itdeprecated the conduct of France
IN the invasion of SPAN, had not expressed some
regret at the termination of that unconstitutional
contest. NO country was now possessed of in
dependence upon any other ground than force,
the force which enabled it to resist injury and
oppression. The policy of this country had ever
been to protect the weak against the strong
bottoHing its authority on the law of nations
and those who still maintained a regard for that
ancient principle, could not fail to look with an
eye Of apprehension and disgust on the condition
OF Europe at the present moment. He con-
graduated the friends of rational liberty on the
exhilirating prospect which South America pre-
scented. He was glad to see that his Maiesty,s
ministers had taken what might be considered
the first step towards conciliating those powers.
upon whom the future benefit of the world an
pcared to depend, by the appointment of consuIs
within their territories. He thought thew ourht
to have gone further, but was glad they had
gone even far. He also reioiced TO find. that
the United States of America had taken that
part IN the same question, which became both its
character and interests.
The Earl OF Liverpool rose to answer the OBJ
ections which had been urged by the noble mar
quls to his Majesty's speech. On the subject of
the late invasion OF Spain, he congratulated the
house and the country on the neutrality which
had been religiously observed by the British ro-
Yernment. Had we been pressed into that war.
suppose we had at once engaged in support of
inc constitutional Spanards, what must our feel
ing have been when we perceived the manner
In which the great mass, the immense majority
OF the spanish people treated the constitution p
w hat must be our feelings when we found them
from town to town hailing the French as their
deliverers, and uttering every denunciation
against the constitution and its supporters p
" For myself, said the noble lord,) [ could no
more think of employing British bayonets to
thrust down the threats of the Spanish people
constitution which they detested, than l could
employ them for the purpose of involving them
IN the most AFFECT slavery" He next came to a
question of the very greatest importance-he
meant our intercourse with South America. We
were under no obligation to SPAN, or to any
other power on the subject. Our hands were
perfectly free. We were wholly unfettered
We were at liberty to dowhatevcr the interests
Of Great Britain AMI the circumstances in which