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folved by the regent with confent of the council; but if there thall be no parliament then in being, which thall have met and fat, the preceding parliament fhall convene and fit for three years; except as before excepted.

That the fucceffor to the crown being a minor, fhall not be married during fuch minority, without confent of the regent and council, on pain of the marriage being void, and the perfons concerned therein incurring the penalty of high treafon.

That in cafe of an equality of voices in the council, the regent thall decide.

That where the confent of a majority, or one half part of the council is made neceffary to the validity of any act, the members confenting thereto fhall fign the fame in the council-books; the clerk of the council to be appointed by the regent, and take an oath of office.

zeal and wifdom, to the public bufinefs, enables me now to put a period to this feflion of parliament.

No alteration in the state of foreign affairs has happened fince your meeting, to difturb the general peace; and it is with pleasure that I inform you, that the prefent difpofitions of the feveral powers of Europe promife the continuance of this bleffing.

I have feen, with the most perfect approbation, that you have employed this feafon of tranquillity in promoting thofe objects, which I had recommended to your attention; and in framing fuch regulations, as may best enforce the just authority of the legislature, and at the fame time fecure and extend the commerce, and unite the interefts, of every part of my dominions.

Gentlemen of the house of
Commons,

The chearfulness and prudence which you have fhewn, in providing for the neceffary expences of the prefent year, deferve my particular acknowledgments. The many bills which you have formed for the improvement and augmen

That all commiffions, letters patent, orders, &c. to let afide, or change, the orders of government fettled by this act, during the minority of the fucceffor, fhall be void; the perfons concerned there in to incur the penalties of premutation of the revenue in its feveral nire, inflicted by the ftatute of premunire.

branches, and the early care which you have taken to difcharge a part of the national debt, are the moft effectual methods to eftablith the public credit upon the furent foundations, and to alleviate by degrees the burthens of my people.

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My Lords and Gentlemen, The provifions which have been made for the administration of the government, in cafe the crown fhould defcend to any of my children under the age of eighteen years, whilft they add ftrength and fecurity to our prefent eftablish ment, give me the kindest and moft convincing proof of your confidence. The fenfe which I have of the important truft repofed in me, and my defire to repay this mark of your affection by discharging my part, agreeable to your intentions, in the manner moft beneficial to my people, have concurred to make me execute without delay the powers with which you have entrufted me. This is already done; and you may be affured, that as far as it depends upon me, thofe falutary provifions fhall never be ineffectual. It is my ardent with, and fhall be my conftant en deavour, on this and every other decafion, to perpetuate the happinefs of my fubjects, and to tranf mit to pofterity the bleflings of our invaluable constitution.

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chifes, liberties, and fea ports to the fame belonging, and all other the hereditaments and premises granted by the feveral letters patent to the family of Derby, &c. fhall be unalienably vefted in his majefty and fucceffors, excepting and referving to the duke of Athol and his heirs the patronage of the bishoprick of the island of Man, or of the bishopricks of Sodor and Man, the temporalities of the fame when vacant, and all other patronages and ecclefiaftical benefices, within the ifland: alfo referving the landed property, with all rights in or over the foil, as lords of the manor, with all courts baron, rents, fervices, and other incidents to fuch courts belonging; waftes, commons, and other lands; inland waters, fifhings, mills, mines and minerals; and alfo referving the honorary fervice of rendering to his majefty's heirs and fucceffors, kings and queens of England, two falcons on the days of their refpective coronations.

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lations on the fafe delivery of the queen, and the auspicious birth of another prince.

1

The joyful event of an increase in your majefty's illuftrious family will always be gratefully confidered by us as a further fubftantial fecurity to the civil and religious liberties of this your majefty's free and native country.

His majesty's most gracious speech to both boufes of parliament, on Tuej. day the 17th of Dec. 1765; with the humble addrefs of the boufe of Commons on the occafion, and his majefty's most gracious anjower.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

Every addition to your majefty's THE prefent general state of

domestic happiness fills our hearts with the highest pleasure and fatisfaction; and fully confiding, that your majefty's royal fentiments ever coincide with the united withes of your faithful people, we gladly embrace every opportunity of testifying our joy, and lay. ing our congratulations at your majefty's feet.

Permit us, therefore, royal fir, to affure your majefty that your faithful citizens of London, from their zealous attachment to your royal house, and the true honour and dignity of your crown, when ever a happy eftablishment of public measures fhal prefent a favourable occafion, will be ready to exert their utmost abilities in fupport of fuch wife councils, as apparently tend to render your majefty's reign happy and glorious.

His majesty's moft gracious anfaver. . I thank you for this dutiful addrefs. Your congratulations on the further increafe of my family, and your affurances of zealous attachment to it, cannot but be very agreeable to me.-I have nothing fo much at heart as the welfare and

happiness of my people; and have the greatest fatisfaction in every event that may be an additional fecurity to those civil and religious liberties, upon which the profpeity of thefe kingdoms depends.

tranquillity in Europe, gave me hopes, that it would not have been neceffary to affemble my par-, liament fooner than is ufual in times of peace.

But, as matters of importance: have lately occurred in fome of my co'onies in America, which will demand the most ferious attention of parliament; and as further informations are daily expected from different parts of that country, of which I hall order the fulleft accounts to be prepared for your confideration; I have thought fit to call you now together, in order that the opportunity may thereby. be given, to iffue the neceffary waits on the many vacancies that have happened in the house of commons, fince the last feffion; fo. that the parliament may be full, to proceed immediately after the ufual recefs, on the confideration. of fuch weighty matters as will then come before you.

The humble address of the house of

Commens.

Moft gracious Sovereign,
your majefty's molt duti

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ful and loyal fubjects, the commons of Great Britain in par liament affembled, beg leave to return your majefty the thanks of this houfe, for your moft gracious speech from the throne; and to

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affure your majefty, that we will not fail, when this house shall be fupplied with its members, to apply ourselves with the utmost diligence and attention to thofe important occurrences in America, which your majefty recommends to our confideration; and to exert our moft zealous endeavours for the honour of your majefty's government, and the true intereft of your people, in all parts of your extended empire.

Permit us, at the fame time, to congratulate your majefty on the late increase of your royal family, by the birth of a prince. Your majefty's happiness and that of your people are one; and every increase of your majefty's illuftrious family is confidered by your faithful commons, as a further fecurity to that religion, and those liberties we enjoy under your majefty's aufpicious government.

We alfo beg leave to offer to your majesty our fincere condolence on the great lofs, which your majefty and this kingdom have fuftained by the death of his late royal highness the duke of Cumberland; whofe private and public virtues, whofe duty and affection to your majelly, and whofe diftinguished merits and fervices to this country, as they made his perion dear to this nation while he lived, fo they cannot fail to render his memory facred to the latest pofterity.

His majesty's most gracious answer.

Gentlemen,

I return you thanks for this loyal and dutiful address.

The fatisfaction you exprefs in the increase of my family, and the affectionate share you take in the great lofs I have fuftained by the

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honourable fentiments of your zeal and affection for his majefty's fervice, and of your serious attention to the welfare of your country; and confcious that thefe will be the fole objects of my conduct, I reft affured that this feffion of parliament will be eminently diftinguished by your laudable emulation, how beft to be informed of the means, and most effectually to carry them into execution. This will prove the moft acceptable fervice to his majefty, and unanimity in your proceedings beft exprefs your fenfe of happiness enjoyed under the government you are fupporting, and your gratitude for his majefty's paternal care and protection of his people.

In this light his majefty has moft graciously accepted and highly ap proved of your pafi conduct; and by your perfeverance in thefe prindiples the future felicity of this kingdom will be established.

Interested as we are in the do meftic happiness of our most amiable fovereign, and the ftability of his moft illuftrious houfe, you will receive with pleasure information of the increase of his royal family by the aufpicious birth of another prince defce ded from him...

Gentlemen of the house of
Commons,

I have ordered the proper officers to prepare the feveral accounts and eftimates to be laid before you; and doubt not but you will find that your fupplies have been properly applied to the public fervices. His majefty is well pleased, that thofe fervices have been anfwered without making ufe of the confi. dential credit, which his majefty confidered as your wife precaution against cafes of neceffity.

As I have nothing in command to afk, but the usual supplies, I am confident you will efteem it your duty and intereft, that his majesty's establishments be fupported with honour.

My Lords and Gentlemen, Times of peace are the feafons to deliberate on the means to render the natural advantages of this country most beneficial to the inhabitants, and to increase natural wealth, by the employment of the people. Policy directs, where the country admits of it, the choice of fome principal object of industry. as the ftaple commerce. The linen manufacture in its feveral branches is evidently that object in Ireland. The produce fhews itsconfequence: your care will be to affift the progrefs, and by prudent laws to guard against private frauds, which prevent the confumption, and will de ftroy the credit of this commodity at foreign markets. It would be highly pleafing to me, were my adminiftration marked by any useful fervice to this moft valuable trade.

When our thoughts are turned to promote induftry in the people, we should remember how neceffary religious principle and virtuous education are to obtain that end. The charter schools were first in, ftituted for thofe purposes. You have repeatedly given them parliamentary affiftance; your experience therefore of their utility will continue them under your protection; other particulars must be left to your wifdom, with this affurance, that duty and the warmest zeal will ever engage my vigilant attention to prevent what may tend to the prejudice, and to forward every measure for the peace, fafety, and profperity of Ireland.

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