Smyrna times., 1856-05-14
George III. acknowledging American
.., Independence.


At an early hour OH the 9Th of December
| 1882, in conformity with previous arrangement,
| was conducted by the Earl of Ferrers TO tbe
very entrance of the House of Lords. AT The
door he whispered, " Get as near the throne as
you can--fear nothing" | did so, and found
myself exactly in front of it, elbow to elbow
with the celebrated Admiral Lord Howe. The
lords were promiscuously standing as entered.
II was dark and foggy day, and the window:
being elevated and constructed in the ANTIGUA
ted style, with leaden bars TO contain the dia-
mond cut panes of glass, augmented the gloom.
The walls were hung with dark tapestry. re-
presenting the defeat of the Spanish Arnada.
lshad the pleasure of recognising in the crowd
of spectators, Copley. and West, the painters.
with some American ladies'. | also noticed
some detected American royalists in the group.
| Alter waiting nearly two hours; the approach
OF The king was announced by a tremendous
roar OF artillery. He entered by small door
on the left OF the throne, and Immediately seat.
ed himself upon the chair of state, in grace
fulattltude, with his right foot resting upon a
stool. lie was clothed IN royal robes. Appa-
rently agltated, he drew from his pocket the
scroll containing his speech. The Commons
were summoned, and after the hustle of their
entrance-had subsidized, he proceeded to read his
speech. .- 4 .-... ...z. -...t-.-a. ......-.
was near the king, and watched, with in
tense interest," every tone of his voice, and every
motion of his countenance. 1t was to me a
moment OF thrilling aud 7dignifed exultation.
After some general and usual remarks, he con.
tinned - ~ .e " Gle ----'e-. .s7utS,'f ~
81 lost no time in giving the necessary orders
to prohibit the further prosecution of offensive
war upon the continent of North America -
Adopting, as my inclination will always lead
me to do, with decision and etfecs, whatever I
collect to be the sense of my Parliament and
my people, have pointed all my views and
measures. in Europe az in North America, to a n
entire and cordial reconciliation with the colo
nifs. Finding 1t indispensable to the attain
meat of this object, Idid not hesitate to 90 10
the full lengtirof the power vested in me, and
offer to declare them "--here he paused in evi.
dent agitation; either embarrassed, in reading
his speech, by the darkness of the poem, or af.
! tected by very natural emotion. In a mo-
fulent be resumed: sand offer to declare them
| free and independent States. In thusadmitting
their separation from the crown of these king
doms, have sacrificed every consideration OF
my ownto the wishes and opinions of my peo-
pie. | make il my humble and ardent PRAYER
| to Almighty God, that Great Britain NAV not
feel the evlls-which result from so great a dis
! euC OtupiICS Lhdt ftul6flCd
may be free from the caamities which have
formerly proved, in the mother country, how
essential monarchy is to tile enjoyment of con.
stitutonal liberty. Religion, language. inter.
ests and affection may, and l hope will, YET
prove a bond of permanent union between tile
4 two cOun ,riesp - rsa-f7.o.r >Sts- s5a "a. avs.
1t is remarked that George III. is celebrated
for reading his speeches in a distinct, free anC
Impressive manner. On this occasion, he wa.
Ievidently embarrassed I; he hesitated, clicked
and executed the painful duties of the occasion
with an i'll grace that does not belong TO him
| cannot adequately portray my sensations, il
j, the progress Of this address; every artery bea
j high, and sweiled with my proud Americat
/ blood. L. was impossible not to revert 10 tn,
opposite shores of the Atlantic, aud to review
in my minds eye, the misery and woe hat
myself witnessed, in several stages of the con
test, and the widespread desolation result
ing from the stnbborness of this very king
, now so PROSTATE, but who had turned a fea
; ear to our humble aud approximate pc itions fb
t relief Yet believe that George Ill acte
under what he felt 10 be the high and solem
!, claims Of constitutional duty. Memoirs 0
EikdRah Watson. ts4. skAs ga