enterprise of his majesty's officers and seamen; and the destruction of so large a proportion of the naval strength of the enemy, has not only confirmed, in the most signal manner, the maritime superiority of this country, but has essentially contributed to the security of his majesty's dominions. review of the steps which he has taken, you will be of opinion, that he has left nothing undone on his part to sustain the efforts of his allies; and that he has acted in strict conformity to the principles declared by him, and recognised by parliament as essential to the interest and security of his own dominions, as well as to the general safety of the continent. "His majesty most deeply regrets that the day of that memorable triumph should have been un- "It is a great consolation to his happily clouded by the fall of the majesty, and one in which he is heroic commander under whom persuaded you will participate, that it was achieved: and he is per- although the emperor of Germany suaded that you will feel that this has felt himself compelled to with.. lamented but glorious termination draw from the contest, his majesof a series of transcendant exploits ty continues to receive from his claims a distinguished expression of august ally the emperor of Russia, the lasting gratitude of the coun- the strongest assurances of untry; and that you will therefore shaken adherence to that generous cheerfully concur in enabling his and enlightened policy by which majesty to annex to those honours he has hitherto been actuated; and which he has conferred on the fa- his majesty has no doubt that you mily of the late lord viscount Nel- will be fully sensible of the imporson, such a mark of national mutant advantages to be derived from nificence, as may preserve to the preserving at all times the closest latest posterity the memory of his and most intimate connection with name and services, and the bene- that sovereign. fit of his great example. "His majesty has commanded us further to inform you, that, whilst the superiority of his arms at sea has been thus uniformly as serted and maintained, he has not been wanting in his endeavours to apply the means, which were so liberally placed at his disposal, in aid of such of the powers of the continent as evinced a determination to resist the formidable and growing encroachments of France. He has directed the several treaties entered into for this purpose to be laid before you; and though he cannot but deeply lament that the events of the war in Germany have disappointed his hopes, and led to an unfavourable issue, yet his majesty feels confident, that, upon a "Gentlemen of the house of com mons, "His majesty has directed the estimates for the year to be laid before you, and he has commanded us to assure you that they are framed upon that scale of exertion which the present situation of the country renders indispensable. His majesty fully relies upon your granting him such supplies as, upon due deliberation, the public exigencies may appear to require. It is his earnest wish to contribute, by every means in his power, to alleviate the additional burthens which must necessarily be imposed upon his people; and with this view he has directed the sum of one million sterling, part of the (K 4) proceeds such prizes made on the powers with which he is at war, as are by law vested in the crown, to be ap. plied to the public service of the year. proceeds arising from the sale officult and arduous circumstances> under which you are now as senibled, it is a great satisfaction to him to recur to the firmness and wisdom of his parliament, after so recent an opportunity of collecting the sense of his people. van "My lords, and gentlemen, "His majesty is most fally persuaded, that whatever pride and confidence you may feel in comes mon with him, in the success which has distinguished the British arms, in the course of the present con test, you will be sensible how much the events of the war on the continent, by which the predominant power and influence of France have been so unhappily extended, require the continuance of all pos sible vigilance and exertion. Under this impression, his majesty trusts that your attention will be invariably directed to the improvement of those means which are to be found in the bravery and discipline of his forces, in the zeal and loyalty of every class of his subjects, and in the unexhausted resources of his dominions, for rendering the British empire invincible at home, as well as formidable abroad; satisfied that by such efforts alone, the contest can be brought to a conclusion consistent with the safety and independence of the country, and with its rank amongst the nations of the world." HIS MAJESTY'S MESSAGE. After some peers had taken the oaths, the commons were ordered to attend, when the following speech was delivered by the lord chancellor in his majesty's name My lords, 'and gentlemen," His majesty has commanded us to assure you, that, in the dif "His majesty has ordered the papers which have been exchanged in the course of the late negotiation with France to be laid before you, His majesty has employed everyeffort for the restoration of gene ral tranquillity on terms consistent with the interests and honour of his people, and with that inviolable. good faith towards his allies, by which the conduct of this country has always been distinguished. The ambition and injustice of the enemy disappointed these endeavours, and in the same moment kindled a fresh war in Eu, rope, the progress of which has been attended with the most calamitous events. After witnessing the subversion of the antient con stitution of Germany, and the subjugation of a large proportion of its most considerable states, Prus sia found herself still more nearly threatened by that danger, which she had vainly hoped to avert by, so many sacrifices. She was, therefore, at length compelled to adopt the resolution of openly resisting this unremitted system, of aggrandizement and conquest. But nei ther this determination, nor the succeeding measures, were previ ously concerted with his majesty ; nor had any disposition been shown to offer any adequate satisfaction for those aggressions which had placed the two countries in a state of mutual hostility Yet, in this situation, 'his ma jesty did not hesitate to adopt, without delay, such measures as were best calculated to unite their councils councils and interests against the common enemy. The rapid course of the calamities which ensued, opposed insurmountable dificulties to the execution of this purpose. In the midst of these disastrous, events, and under the most trying, circumstances, the good faith of, his ma jesty's allies has remained une shaken. The conduct of the king of Sweden has been distinguished by the most honourable firmness. Between his majesty and the emperor of Russia the happiest union subsists it has been cemented by reciprocal proofs of good faith and confidence; and his majesty doubts not that you will participate in his anxiety to cultivate and confirm an alliance which affords the best remaining hope of safety for the cou tinent of Europe.... "Gentlemen of the house of com "My lords, and gentlemen, "The long series of misfortune which has afflicted the continent of Europe could not fail to affect in some degree many important in terests of this country. But, un, der every successive difficulty, his majesty has had the satisfaction of witnessing an increasing energy and firmness on the part of his people, whose uniform and determined resistance has been no less advantageous than honourable to themselves, and has exhibited the most striking example to the surrounding nations. "The unconquerable valour and discipline of his majesty's fleets and armies continue to be displayed with undiminished lustre; the great sources of our prosperity and strength are unimpaired; nor has the British nation been at any time more united in sentiment and ac tion, or more determined to main tain inviolate the independence of the empire, and the dignity of the national character. "With these advantages, and with an humble reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, his majesty is prepared to meet the exigencies of this great fullest support from the wisdom of crisis, assured of receiving the your deliberations, and from the tried affection, loyalty, and public spirit of his brave people." At the court at the Queen's palace, the 5th of Feb. 1806, present the king's most excellent majesty in council. to deliver the custody of the privy His majesty having been pleased seal to Henry viscount Sidmouth, the oath of keeper of the privy seal was this day administered to him, and his lordship took his place at the board accordingly. This day the right hon. Francis earl of Moira; the right hon. Richard Chandos earl Temple; the right hon. Henry Petty, (commonly called lord Henry Petty,) chancellor and under treasurer of his majesty's exchequer; the right hon. Charles Grey; and the right hon. Charles James Fox, were, by his majesty's majesty's command, sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy council, and took their respective places at the board accordingly. His majesty having been pleased to appoint the right hon. George John earl Spencer, K. G. and the right hon. William Windham to be two of his majesty's principal secretaries of state, they were this day, by his majesty's command, sworn two of his majesty's principal secretaries of state accordingly. His majesty, in council, was this day pleased to appoint the right hon. William lord Auckland, and, in his lordship's absence, the right hon. Richard Chandos earl Temple, president of the committee of council appointed for the considera, tion of all matters relating to trade and foreign plantations. At the court at the Queen's palace, the 7th of February, 1806, pre sent, the king's most excellent majesty in council. This day the right hon. George viscount Morpeth; the right hon. John Townshend, (commonly called lord John Townshend); the right hon. Thomas lord Erskine; and the right hon. Richard Brinsley Sheridan, were, by his majesty's command, sworn of his majesty's most honourable privy council, and took their respective places at the board accordingly. His majesty, in council, was this day graciously pleased to deliver the great seal to the right hon. Thomas lord Erskine; whereupon the oath of lord high chancellor of Great Britain was, by his majesty's command, administered to his lordship, and his lordship took his place at the board accordingly. His majesty having been pleased to appoint the right hon. Charles James Fox to be one of his majes ty's principal secretaries of state, he was this day, by his majesty's command, sworn one of his majes ty's principal secretaries of state accordingly. April 5. At the court at the Queen's palace, present, the king's most excellent majesty in council. Whereas his majesty has received advice that his majesty the king of Prussia has taken possession of various parts of the electorate of Hanover, and other dominions be longing to his majesty, in a forci ble and hostile niarner; and has also notified that all British ships shall be excluded from the ports of the Prussian dominions, and from certain other ports in the to enter or trade therewith, in vionorth of Europe, and not suffered lation of the just rights and interests of his majesty and his dominions, and contrary to the established law and practice of nations in amity with each other; his majesty, with the advice of his privý council, is thereupon pleased to order, as it is hereby ordered, that no ships or vessels belonging to any of his majesty's subjects be permitted to enter and clear out for any of the ports of Prussia until further order: and his majesty is further pleased to order, that a general embargo or stop be made of all Prussian ships and vessels whatsoever, now within, or which hereafter shall come into any of the ports, harbours, or roads within the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, together with all persons and effects on board the said ships and vessels; but that the utmost care be taken for the preservation of all and every part of of the cargoes on board any of the said ships and vessels, so that no damage or embezzlement whatever be sustained :-and the right hon. the lords commissioners of his majesty's treasury, the lords commissioners of the admiralty, and the lord warden of the Cinque ports, are to give the necessary directions herein, as to them may respectively appertain. STEPHEN COTTRELL. At the court at the Queen's palace, the 16th of April 1806, present the king's most excellent majesty in council. Whereas his majesty has received advice, that his majesty the king of Prussia has taken possession of his majesty's electoral dominions in a forcible and hostile manner; and has caused it to be notified to his majesty's minister at the court of Berlin, that all British ships were thenceforth to be excluded from the ports of the Prussian dominions, and from certain other ports in the north of Europe, under the forcible control of Prussia, in violation of the just rights and interests of his majesty and his dominions, and contrary to the law and practice of nations in amity with each other: and whereas his majesty, by and with the advice of his privy council, has been pleased to cause an embargo to be laid upon vessels belonging to the subjects of Prussia now within, or which hereafter shall come into any of the ports of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, together with all persons and effects on board the said vessels: and whereas there is just reason to apprehend that the neutrality of the rivers Elbe, Weser, and Ems, and the free navigation thereof, will not, under these circumstances, be duly respected by his majesty's enemies, but will be rendered subject to the hostile measures above described; his majesty, by and with the advice of his privy council, is pleased to order, and it is hereby ordered, that a general embargo or stop be made in like manner, umtil further order from this board, of all ships and vessels belonging to persons residing in any ports or places situate upon the said rivers Elbe, Weser, and Ems, save and except vessels under the Danish, flag, and also save and except that in respect to the goods and effects on board such ships and vessels which shall have been laden in, or are coming consigned to, any ports of the united kingdom, the same shall be forthwith liberated and delivered up to the said laders and consignees respectively; and it is hereby further ordered, that no property or freight money appearing to belong to any subject of Prussia, or to any persons residing as aforesaid, respecting which proceedings are now depending, or shall hereafter depend, in any of his majesty's courts of prize, shall be decreed to be restored, nor shall the proceeds of any property or freight money belonging as aforesaid, which hath already been decreed to be restored, be paid to or on behalf of the claimants, but the same shall be kept in safe custody until his majesty's further orders herein: and it is further ordered, that no person residing within his majesty's dominions do presume to pay any freight money due or payable to or on behalf of any person or persons, being subjects, or residing within the dominions of the king of Prussia, or in the ports or places aforesaid, for the freight of mer |