Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-06-11
George III. Acknowledging American Inde-
pendence.

George III. Acknowledging American Inde.
pendence.
At an early hour on the 9th of December, IT.
80, in conformity with previous arrangements,
l was conducted by the Earl of Ferrers to the
very entrance of the House Of Lords. At the
door he whispered, "Get as near the throne as
you can-fear nothing" I 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.
1t was dark and foggy day, and the windows
being elevated and constructed in the anti quat-
ed style, with leaden bars to contain the diamond
cut panes of glass, augmented the gloom. The
walls were hung with dark tapestry, represent
ing the defeat of the Spanish Armada. l had
the pleasure of recognizing in the crowd of spec
tators Copley and West the painter with some
American ladies. I also noticed some detected
American royalists in the group.
After waiting nearly two hours, the approach
of the King was announced by tremendous
roar of artillery. He entered by a small door
on the throne, and immediately seated himself
upon the chair of state, in graceful attitude,
with his right foot resting upon STOOL He
was clothed in royal robes. Apparently agitated,
he drew from his pocket the scroll containing
his speech The Commons were summoned, and
after the hustle of their entrance had subsided,
he proceeded to read his speech.
Twas near the King,an watched with intense
interest every tone of his voice and every mo-
ton of his countenance. 1t was to me mo-
ment of thrilling and dignifed exultation. AT
ter some general and usual remarks, he con-
tinued:
81 lost no time in giving the necessary orders
to prohibit the further prosecution OF offensive
war upon the continent of North America. A
dopting, as my inclination will always lead me
to do, with decision and effect whatever col
lect to be the sense of my Parliament and peo-
pie, have pointed all my views and measures.
in Europe as in North America, to On entire
and cordial reconciliation with the colonies
Finding it indispensable to the attainment OF
this object l did not hesitate to go to the
full length of the power vested in me, and offer
to declare them"-(here he paused in evident
agitation, either embarrassed in reading his
speech by the darkness of the room, or affected
by very natural emotion; in moment he re-
sumedE E"and offer to declare them free and in
dependent States In thus admitting their Sc
paration from the crown of these kingdoms,
have sacrificed every consideration of my OWE
to the wishes and opinions of my people.
make it my humble and ardent prayer to AL
mighty God that Great Britain may not feel the
evils which might result from SO great dis
memberment of the empire, and that Amerios
may be free from the calamities which have
formerly proved in the mother country, how
essential monarchy is to the enjoyment of con
stitutional liberty. Religion, language, interests
and affection may, and hope will, yet prove {
bond Of permanent union between the two
countries" f.l
1t is remarked, that George III. is celebrated
for reading his speeches in distinct, free ant
impressive manner. On this occasion, he wa
evidently embarrassed he hesitated, ,choked ant
executed the painful duties Of the occasion witt
an i'll grace that does not belong to him. can
not adequately portray my sensations in tn
progress of this address every artery beat high
and swelled with my proud American blood. /
was impossible not to revert to the opposit
shores of the Atlantic, and to review, in M
minds eye, the misery and woe had mysel
witnessed, in several stages of the contest, an
the wide spread desolation resulting from tn
stubbornness of this very king, now so PROSTATE
but who had turned deaf ear to our humbl
and importunate petitions for relief. Yet be
lieve that George III. acted under what he fel
to be the high and solemn claims OF constitr
tional duty.-Memoirs Of Elkanah Watson.