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THE

ANNUAL REGISTER,

For the YEAR 1803.

THE

HISTORY

OF

EUROPE.

CHAP. I.

Preliminary Observations.-Meeting of Parliament.-Election of a Speaker. -Mr. Abbot proposed.-Chosen without opposition.King's Speech.Address moved by Lord Arden.-Seconded by Lord Nelson.-Speeches of the Marquis of Abercorn-Lord Carlisle-the Duke of Norfolk-Lords Grenville-Pelham-Carysfort-and Hobart.-Address carried nem. diss.— Moved the same day in the Lower House by Mr. Trench.-Seconded by Mr. Curzon.-Speeches of Mr. Cartwright-Sir John WrottesleyMr. Pytches-Fox-Canning-Lord Hawkesbury-Mr. WindhamAddington-T. Grenville-Lord Castlereagh-and Mr. Whitbread. -Address carried unanimously.

THE
HE parliament, which assem-
bled in the winter of the year
1802, was the first which had been
summoned since the union between
Great Britain and Ireland. By the
provisions of the act of union, Ire-
land returned to the imperial par-
liament thirty-two peers (includ-
ing four spiritual lords), and one
hundred commoners. The addition

Vol. XIV.

of so many members, was a circumstance which must eventually produce a most powerful influence on the state of parties in Great Britain. It was on this ground, principally, that Mr. Fox opposed the legislative union with Ireland from the beginning; he apprehended, that from the manner in which the Irish representatives were returned, they

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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 appointed 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 venera tion 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 of fice 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 situ ation 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 office, yet he put himself at the disposal of the house, and was satisfied to act as they should direct.

Mr. Abbot was then introduced into the chair, as speaker, and returning thanks for the honour that had been conferred upon him, hoped that the house would judge of his gratitude more by his future conduct, than by any words he could find to express himself.

Lord Castlereagh congratulated the speaker on his re-election, in an appropriate speech.-The house then adjourned.

On the 17th of November the house of commons attended at the bar of the house of lords, with their newly-elected speaker; who, after informing the lords commissioners of the choice of the commons having fallen upon him, expressed a hope (according to the usual form), that his majesty might allow the commons to go to a new election, in order that they might find a person worthier of that high office than himself.

The lord chancellor then expressed his majesty's entire approbation of the choice of the house of commons.

The speaker, after returning thanks, claimed, as usual, the freedom of speech and other privileges of the house of commons.

At half past two, on the 23d, his majesty came down to the house of peers. The commons being ordered to attend, he addressed his parliament in the following manner:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"It is highly gratifying to me to resort to your advice and assistance, after the opportunity which has been recently afforded of collecting the sense of my people.

"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 manifested 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 constitu

tion.

"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 permanent welfare of our people.

"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 liberality in providing for the various branches of the public service, which it is a great satisfaction to me to think may be fully accomplished, without any considerable

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addition to the burdens of my people."

"6 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 cominons by Mr. Trench (of Galway.)

Lord Arden, after stating that

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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 war we had reluctantly abandoned allies, who had neither the power or the will to make a stand for their own political existence: yet there were limits beyond which this plan of conduct could not be extended. He therefore thought the house must approve of the resolution of his majesty, to keep the vigilance of the governmentawake to the changes in the arrangement of continental power; and that they would not refuse such supplies, as the nccessary vigor of such preparation must require. His lordship concluded by moving the address, which as usual, was an echo of the speech from the throne.

The hero of the Nile (lord Nelson) seconded the address, and declared his approbation of a plán of

government, which promised to maintain the antient dignity of the country, without hastily throwing away the blessings of peace. War had not exhausted our resources; our national industry had not been slackened, nor had it been frustrated of its rewards. The condition of unexampled prosperity which the country enjoys, immediately after the late war, is such as would

render

render us inexcusable were we to sacrifice its honor. He had himself seen much of the miseries of war: he had himself seen horrors of human distress which had made an indelible impression on his heart; He was therefore, in his inmost soul, a man of peace: yet could he not consent, for any peace however fortunate, to sacrifice one jot of England's honor. Our honor was the most valuable of our interests; it was what had always procured us the respect and regard of the nations on the continent. The nation bad been satisfied with the sincere spirit of peace, in which the British government negociated the late treaty; and if now a restless and unjust ambition in those with whom we desired a sincere amity has given a new alarm; the country doubtless would rather press the government to assert its honor, than shrink from the supplies which a vigorous state of preparation would require.

The marquis of Abercorn wished to impress the house with the necessity of attending, with more than ordinary vigilance, to the awful and critical situation of the country. Upon the wisdom, policy, and resolution of Parliament for a few months, the very existence of this country appeared to him to depend. After adverting to the extraordinary aggrandizement of our ambitious and inveterate natural enemy, he declared he was ready to give his support to any ministers, who would manfully adopt that system which the exigency of the times required; but he should never give his countenance to any half measures, palliatives, or concessions. His Lordship then paid the highest

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 preserved, 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 importance 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. Ministers had hitherto appeared to view with indifference the aggrandizement of France: it was an indifference which, at the same time that it depressed the spirit of this country, inflated the pride and confidence of the French government so much, that they set no bounds to their ambition. On whatever grounds his majesty's ministers had changed their opinions, he was glad to find that they were changed; and he could not help expressing his most cordial approbation of the present address.

The duke of Norfolk also cordially approved of the tone and terms of the address: it was such as became the dignity of the house, and would doubtless have its due

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