MR. BURKE'S REPRESENTATION TO THE KING RESPECTING THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE AT THE OPENING OF THE SESSION, AND THE ADDRESS OF THE HOUSE THEREON. THE June 14. 1784. "HE new parliament assembled on the 18th of May 1784, and on the next day, his majesty opened the session with the following Speech to both Houses: *The above Representation, together with the Notes, was pub lished by Mr. Burke, in the shape of a pamphlet, to which was prefixed the following PREFACE: "The Representation now given to the public relates to some of the most essential privileges of the House of Commons. It would appear of little importance, if it were to be judged by its reception in the place where it was proposed. There it was rejected without debate. The subject matter may, perhaps, hereafter appear to merit a more serious consideration. Thinking men will scarcely regard the penal dissolution of a parliament as a very trifling concern. Such a dissolution must operate forcibly as an example; and it much imports the people of this kingdom to consider what lesson that example is to teach. that by possibility such an abuse may Commons has been punished for its inde- in so important a moment, to the sense of my people. I have a just and confident reliance, that you are animated with the same sentiments of loyalty, and the same attachment to our excellent constitution, which I have had the happiness to see so fully manifested in every part of the kingdom. The happy effects of such a disposition will, I doubt not, appear in the temper and wisdom of your deliberations, and in the dispatch of the important objects of public business which demand your attention. It will afford me peculiar pleasure to find, that the exercise of the power entrusted to me by the constitution, has been productive of consequences so beneficial to my subjests, whose interests and welfare are always nearest my heart. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; I have ordered the estimates for the current year to be laid before you; and I trust to your zeal and affection to make such provisions for their farther supply, and for the application of the sums granted in the last parliament, as may appear to be necessary. I sincerely lament every addition to the burthens of my invalid is qualified to hoist a white flag, or to deliver up the keys of the fortress on his knees. "The gentlemen chosen into this parliament, for the purpose of this surrender, were bred to better things; and are no doubt qualified for other service. But for this strenuous exertion of inactivity, for the vigorous task of submission and passive obedience, all their learning and ability are rather a matter of personal ornament to themselves, than of the least use in the performance of their duty. "The present surrender, therefore, of rights and privileges, without examination, and the resolution to support any minister given by the secret advisers of the crown, determines not only on all the power and authority of the House, but it settles the character and description of the men who are to compose it; and perpetuates that character as long as it may be thought expedient to keep up a phantom of popular representation. "It is for the chance of some amendment before this new settle ment takes a permanent form, and while the matter is yet soft and ductile, that the editor has republished this piece, and added some notes and explanations to it. His intentions, he hopes, will excuse him to the original mover, and to the world. He acts from a strong sense of the incurable ill effects of holding out the conduct of the late House of Commons as an example to be shunned by future representatives of the people." CONTENTS June 14. Mr. Burke's Speech on moving a Represen- tation to the King, respecting the Speech from the Throne at the Opening of the Session, and the Address of the House The Representation to the King..... 16. Reform of the Representation of the Com- mons in Parliament................................................. Mr. Pitt's Bill for reforming the Public Offices Lancashire Petition against the Cotton tax... 183 |