THE ANNUAL REGISTER, For the YEAR 1803. THE HISTORY OF EUROPE. СНАР. І. Einary Observations.-Meeting of Parliament.-Election of a Speaker. Mr. Abbot proposed.-Chosen without opposition.-King's Speech.Address moted by Lord Arden.-Seconded by Lord Nelson.-Speeches of• the Marquis of Abercorn-Lord Carlisle-the Duke of Norfolk-Lords Greville-Pelham-Carysfort and Hobart.-Address carried nem. -Mored the same day in the Lower House by Mr.Trench.-Seconded Mr. Carton.-Speeches of Mr. Cartwright-Sir John WrottesleyMr.Patches-For-Canning-Lord Hawkesbury -Mr. Windham --Addon T. Grenville-Lord Castlereagh-and Mr. Whitbread. -Address carried unanimously. HE parliament, which assem- of so many members, was a circum 12, was the first which had been duce a most powerful influence on ed since the union between the state of parties in Great Britain. Ireland. By the It was on this ground, principally, that Mr. Fox of posed the legislative Great Britain and s of the act of union, Ire returned to the imperial par- union with Ireland from the begin. thirty-two peers (includ- ning; he apprehended, that from spinal lords), and one the manner in which the Irish re B would would be constantly found in the ranks of whoever was the minister of the day, and would give him a preponderating influence over every constitutional opposition that could be made in parliament; and, in this point of view, he thought the union between the two countries injured most materially the constitution of Great Britain. Whether those fears were well or ill founded, the history of the times we live in will best evince; if however it should prove, that the representatives of Ireland were equally independent of ministerial influence with those of Great Britain; in that case it must be allowed, that such was the alarming aspect of affairs at the opening of the first imperial parliament, that all the united talents of the empire appeared necessary, not only to secure its honour, but its very existence. If the Irish representation was so constituted, as to call the best talents of their country to assist in the grand council of the empire at this momentous crisis; in such case the union would doubtless have been of immense advantage to both countries, and to the interests of the empire at large; this however is a question that rather belongs to the page of history than to the temporary nature of a periodical work. On Tuesday the 16th of November the parliament was called 'together. The lord chancellor, in the mode usual on similar occasions, communicated to the house of lords that his majesty had ap pointed commissioners to open the business of the sessions. The lords commissioners who attended, were the archbishop of Canterbury, the lord chancellor, and the duke of Portland. The commons attended to hear the commission read, and retired to choose their speaker. The peers, who were present, then took the oaths, and the commons proceeded to the election. The members, who attended in the house of commons, being sworn by the clerk, Sir W. Scott rose, and addressed the house in a speech of uncommon neatness. He pointed out the great importance of a proper choice in the person who was to be their speaker: the various talents which should be combined in the person who was to fill that high office, the principles which he ought to have of loyalty and attachment to the sovereign, and a profound veneration for the constitution. After describing, with great eloquence, the rare assemblage of talents and virtues which were necessary to fill such a situation, he concluded by moving" that Mr. Abbot be again elected to the discharge of the office of speaker of this house." The hon. Henry Lascelles seconded the motion. He observed, that if this assemblage of virtues and talents were at all times necessary in the person who was to fill the situation of speaker of that house, they were more peculiarly necessary at a time when not only the fate of this kingdom, but of Europe, might be involved in the future deliberations of parliament. He concluded by warmly seconding the motion of sir W. Scott. Mr. Abbot then rose, and in a very handsome manner expressed his high sense of the honour that was intended to be conferred upon him. Although he declared that he felt strongly his own inability to discharge discharge the important duties of the ice, yet he put himself at the disal of the house, and was sate to act as they should direct. Mr. Abbot was then introduced te the chair, as speaker, and retaring thanks for the honour that been conferred upon him, hoped that the house would judge of his attude more by his future contart, than by any words he could End to express himself. Lord Castlereagh congratulated the speaker on his re-election, in priate speech.-The house then adjourned. On the 17th of November the ace of commons attended at the bar of the house of lords, with their -elected speaker; who, after rming the lords commissioners the choice of the commons havalien upon him, expressed a according to the usual form), at his majesty might allow the ons to go to a new election, der that they might find a on worthier of that high office than himself. The lord chancellor then expressRectoice of the house of commons. majesty's entire approbation of The speaker, after returning claimed, as usual, the freee of speech and other privileges the house of commons. At half past two, on the 23d, his came down to the house of The commons being orderto attend, he addressed his parin the following manner: My Lords and Gentlemen, "The internal prosperity of the country has realized our most sanguine hopes; we have experienced the bounty of divine providence in the produce of an abundant harvest. "The state of the manufactures, commerce, and revenue of my United Kingdom, is flourishing beyond example; and the loyalty and attachment which are inanifested to my person and government, afford the strongest indications of the just sense that is entertained of the numerous blessings enjoyed under the protection of our happy constitution. "In my intercourse with foreign powers, I have been actuated by a sincere disposition for the maintenance of peace. It is nevertheless impossible for me to lose sight of that established and wise system of policy, by which the interests of other states are connected with our own; and I cannot be therefore indifferent to any material change in their relative condition or strength. My conduct will be invariably regulated by a due consideration of the actual situation of Europe, and by a watchful solicitude for the manent welfare of our people. per "You will, I am persuaded, agree with me in thinking that it is incumbent on us to adopt those means of security which are best calculated to afford the prospect of preserving to my subjects the blessings of peace." "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I have ordered the estimates of the ensuing year to be laid before you, and I rely on your zeal and It is highly gratifying to me to liberality in providing for the varito your advice and assistance, ous branches of the public service, the opportunity which has which it is a great satisfaction to recently afforded of collecting me to think may be fully accomplished, without any considerable addition t of my people. B 2 addition to the burdens of my people." "My Lords and Gentlemen, "I contemplate, with the utmost satisfaction, the great and increasing benefits produced by that important measure which has united the interests and consolidated the resources of Great Britain and Ireland. The improvement and extension of these advantages will be objects of your unremitting care and attention. The trade and commerce of my subjects, so essential to the support of public credit, and of our maritime strength, will, I am persuaded, receive from you every possible encouragement; and you will readily lend your assistance in affording to mercantile transactions, in every part of my United Kingdom, all the facility and accommodation that may be consistent with the security of the public revenue. "To uphold the honour of the country, to encourage its industry, to improve its resources, and to maintain the true principles of the constitution in church and state, are the great and leading duties which you are called upon to discharge. In the performance of them, you may be assured of my uniform and cordial support; it being my most earnest wish to cultivate a perfect harmony between me and my parliament, and to promote to the utmost, the welfare of my faithful subjects, whose interests and happiness I shall ever consider as inseparable from my own." The same day the address was moved in the house of lords by lord Arden, and in the commons by Mr. Trench (of Galway.) Lord Arden, after stating that the prosperity of our commerce and manufactures, the abundance of the necessaries of life, and the universal spirit of loyalty and attachment to the king and constitution which now prevailed, justified completely what had fallen from his majesty in his most gracious speech, took particular notice of that part of it which referred to the situation of Europe. The order of dominion could not be there indefinitely changed, without endangering the security of this country. Although in the conclusion of the last wa we had reluctantly abandoned al lies, who had neither the power o the will to make a stand for thei own political existence: yet ther were limits beyond which this pla of conduct could not be extended He therefore thought the hous must approve of the resolution o his majesty, to keep the vigilance the government awake to the change in the arrangement of continenta power; and that they would no refuse such supplies, as the neces sary vigor of such preparatio must require. His lordship co cluded by moving the addres which as usual, was an echo of th speech from the throne. The hero of the Nile (lo Nelson) seconded the address, ar declared his approbation of a pla of W government, which promised maintain the antient dignity of t country, without hastily throwi away the blessings of peace. had not exhausted our resource our national industry had not be slackened, nor had it been frusti ted of its rewards. The conditi of unexampled prosperity whi the country enjoys, immediat after the late war, is such as wo ren er us inexcusable were we to rice its honor. He had himmuch of the miseries of War: he had himself seen horrors laman distress which had made ninelible impression on his heart; He was therefore, in his inmost al, a man of peace: yet could he Dosent, for any peace however mate, to sacrifice one jot of End's honor. Our honor was Be most valuable of our interests; As what had always procured ste respect and regard of the nas on the continent. The nation had been satisfied with the sincere of peace, in which the Brivernment negociated the late y and if now a restless and stambition in those with whom dind a sincere amity has new alarm; the country ss would rather press the ment to assert its honor, nak from the supplies which ros state of preparation require. pre compliment to the vigorous mind and unrivalled talents of Mr. Pitt, and expressed his opinion to be in favour of peace, which however he thought was most likely to be served, by being prepared with such means of defence as would enable us to repel insult and agression. He concluded by hoping, that the unanimity of the house would convince Europe, of the unanimous determination of the nation, to support and maintain their weight and im portance in the scale of nations. The earl of Carlisle congratulated the house and the country on the tone of the address, which he hoped would have the happy effect of inspiring publick confidence, which was so peculiarly necessary in the present state of the country: he never had approved of the terms of the peace, and considered the present administration as weak in its original formation, and he had not expected them to gain any fresh energy in their progress. T: marquis of Abercorn wished Ministers had hitherto appeared to press the house with the ne- view with indifference the aggranty of attending, with more than dizement of France; it was an invigilance, to the awful and difference which, at the same time Stuation of the country. that it depressed the spirit of this the wisdom, policy, and reso- country, inflated the pride and conof Parliament for a few fidence of the French government the very existence of this so much, that they set no bounds y appeared to him to depend. to their ambition. On whatever T averting to the extraordinary grounds his majesty's ministers had dizement of our ambitious changed their opinions, he was natural enemy, he glad to find that they were changed; terate and he was ready to give his and he could not help expressing or to any ministers, who his most cordial approbation of the Amanfully adopt that system present address. the exigency of the times red; but he should never give ally approved of the tone and terms The duke of Norfolk also cordi tenance to any half meapalliatives, or concessions. of the address: it was such as Lahip then paid the highest and would doubtless have its B3 due weight |