admiration. Some of our allies had already made peace; some had been invaded by the enemy, and the integrity of Europe could no longer be preserved. The manner in which former negotiations had been carried on, and the demands made by the enemy on those occasions furnished another argument in favour of the present peace, by showing the difference between what had been at one time demanded, and since acceded to. His lordship concluded with moving the following Address:

"Most Gracious Sovereign;-We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in parliament assembled, return your majesty our humble thanks for your majesty's most gracious speech from the throne.

"We acknowledge with gratitude your majesty's goodness in acquainting us that the important negotiation in which your majesty was engaged at the close of the last session, have been brought to a favourable conclusion; and we beg leave to express to your majesty our satisfaction that the difficulties with the northern powers have been adjusted by a convention with the Emperor of Russia, to which the kings of Denmark and Sweden have expressed their readiness to accede; and that preliminaries of peace have also been ratified between your majesty and the French republic.

"We return your majesty our sincere thanks for the communications which your majesty has been pleased to direct to be laid before us; and we beg leave to assure your majesty, that we will, with the utmost diligence, take them into our most serious consideration.

"While we most cordially rejoice with your majesty in the relief which the bounty of Divine Providence has afforded to your majesty's people by the abundant produce of the late harvest; we at the same time beg leave to testify our most cordial concurrence in the sentiments which your majesty has been pleased to express, of the temper and fortitude which have been manifested by all descriptions your majesty's subjects, under the various and complicated difficulties with which they have had to contend.

"We reflect with the greatest pride and exultation, on the distinguished valour and eminent services of your majesty's forces by sea and land, which at no period have been surpassed; we have witnessed, with most heartfelt satisfaction,

the unprecedented exertions of the militia and fencibles, and the zeal and perseverance of the yeomanry and volunteer corps of cavalry and infantry; and we most cordially join with your majesty in the sentiments so justly due to the naval and military operations of the last campaign, and to the successful and_glorious issue of the expedition to Egypt, which has been marked throughout by achievements which, in their quences, and by their example, tend to produce lasting advantage and honour to this country.

conse

"We beg leave to testify to your ma jesty our most grateful sense of your majesty's uniform concern and regard for the welfare of your people; and to declare the unfeigned earnestness with which we join with your majesty in most fervent prayer that your majesty's people may experience the reward they have so well merited, in a full enjoyment of the blessings of peace, in a progressive increase of the national commerce, credit, and resources, and, above all, in the undisturbed possession of their religion, laws, and liberties, under the safeguard and protection of that constitution, which it has been the great object of all our efforts to preserve, and which it is our most sacred duty and determined resolution to transmit unimpaired to our descendants."

Lord Lilford rose to second the address. He congratulated their lordships on the happy tidings that peace had been concluded with the French republic, an event which had diffused universal joy throughout the kingdom, and must impress their lordships with the same sentiments of exultation and pride; the more so as the event was not purchased by the humiliation of Great Britain, the sacrifice of any of her important interests, or the least danger to our happy constitution. The blessings that peace would necessarily bring with it must present themselves to the observation of every man. To prove the full extent of this, it was only necessary to look back to the melancholy situation in which we stood when parliament was last called together, and compare it with the alteration of circumstances that had since taken place. At the time to which he referred, every member cast his eyes around him with apprehension and alarm, and saw no prospect of an early cessation of hostilities. On the contrary, the war assumed an aspect of new terror, in consequence of the menaced interference of

in

the northern powers; while we had the gigantic force of France to contend with nearer home, and the fate of Egypt hung suspense. Our domestic situation was, if possible, still more melancholy. Our beloved sovereign, afflicted with severe indisposition, and administration divided among themselves; government for some time in a state of inefficiency; the people threatened with all the horrors of an immediate famine, and reduced to the utmost distress, in consequence of the high price of provisions; and the country menaced with invasion. Let their lordships hold those well-grounded causes of alarm in their consideration, and looking at the present posture of our affairs both at home and abroad, ask themselves, if they had not reason to prostrate themselves before the God of Mercies with all humility, and pour forth songs of praise and thanksgiving? Owing to the vigilance of administration, supported by the vigorous exertions of our gallant officers by sea and land, we had been again put in possession of our maritime rights, and security had been obtained for our holding them, free from question or infringement, for the future. While every other country which had opposed the principles inseparable from revolutions, had either had its government subverted, or its rights more or less invaded and injured, this happy empire had safely stood the shock; the fabric of her constitution remained unimpaired, her religion unviolated, and her laws and liberties preserved. From abroad we had little to dread, and at home we could have nothing to fear from domestic enemies; since the few who might continue to act under the influence of the pernicious principles, that had so much endangered other countries, would find that they had nolonger any to aid and encourage their mischievous designs. Impressed with these sentiments, he cordially supported the Address.

The Duke of Bedford said, that the Address had his hearty concurrence. Indeed, if he could enter into any difference on the present occasion, it would have been with the noble lord who moved the Address, as to that part of his argument in which he laid so much stress on the fitness of the present time for the conclusion of peace; his own opinion being, that a fit time might have been found much earlier. He hoped that, as speedily as possible, the constitution, of which the people had been so long deprived, would be restored to them.

The Address was agreed to, nem. diss.

The King's Answer to the Lords' Address.] To the Address of the Lords his Majesty returned this Answer:

"My lords; I thank you for this dutiful and loyal Address: your conduct on this occasion, and your assurances of the attention you will give to those objects I have directed to be laid before you, are such as I expected from the wisdom and anxious zeal for the public interest, which have always guided your proceedings: nothing can be more grateful to my feelings than the sense you express of my desire to promote the welfare and happiness of my people."

Debate in the Commons on the Address of Thanks.] His majesty's Speech having been read from the Chair,

Lord Lovaine rose to move an Address of thanks. He was convinced, he said, that every member would concur with him in offering their acknowledgments to his majesty for his most gracious speech, and in expressing their exultation and gratitude for the happy consummation of that event which had restored tranquillity to Europe; an event which, as it was viewed by the great majority of the kingdom with satisfaction, would, he hoped, give rise to the expression of but one sentiment on the part of its representatives -a sentiment of joy at the restoration of the blessings of peace, by a treaty highly beneficial to the nation. When the preliminaries should be laid before the House, he was persuaded it would appear that the terms were no way derogatory to British faith, or the expectations which British valour entitled us to form. Who could look, without exultation, at the state of the country, after a series of military and naval achievements which had never been exceeded? Every quarter of the globe had been the theatre of British valour. The successes that we had obtained during the war, and particularly during the last year, would remain eternal monuments to future ages, that we had attempted no achievement, by the accomplishment of which we had not added to the character of the country. The restoration of Egypt to its ancient possessors was a circumstance which reflected the highest lustre on the individuals who had effected it, and the wisdom of the councils by which it had been planned. To his majesty's ministers were due the ap

plause and gratitude of the country, for the prudence with which they had carried on the negotiations, and the unexampled secrecy with which they had concluded them. He was persuaded that the House would concur in the satisfaction expressed by his majesty at the convention concluded with the Powers of the North. The termination of the difficulties which had unhappily subsisted had been effected, by providing against the recurrence of the abuses which had taken place in the exercise of those rights which constituted the basis of our maritime greatness. The luxuriant harvest with which the country had been last year blessed, would, he trusted, not prevent the House from being actuated by the conviction, that economy in the consumption of its produce was the only mode of guarding against the danger of scarcity in future. When he looked forward to the blessings of peace, he could not help attributing the praise of it to those ministers who, during a period fraught with every danger, had, by the vigour of their measures, protected the country, not only from the avowed attempt of its foreign enemies, but from the secret machinations of its internal foes. He should conclude by moving, "That an humble Address be presented to his majesty, to return his majesty the thanks of this House, for his most gracious speech from the throne:-To assure his majesty that we learn with great satisfaction that the differences with the Northern Powers have been adjusted by a conven tion with the emperor of Russia, to which the kings of Denmark and Sweden have expressed their readiness to accede, and that preliminaries of peace have been ratified between his majesty and the French republic:-That we acknowledge his majesty's goodness in having been pleased to direct copies of these treaties to be laid before us, and to assure his majesty that we shall not fail to apply our immediate attention to the important transactions to which they relate:That we are fully sensible of the paternal solicitude which leads his majesty to regret the necessity of large additional supplies. But that while we sincerely participate in that sentiment, we feel the indispensable duty of providing for the expenses which must for a time be unavoidable in different parts of the world, and of maintaining an adequate establishment on the final restoration of peace:That we shall be anxious for the adoption of all such economical arrangements as

may not be inconsistent with the great object which his majesty has so justly at heart, of effectually providing for the se curity of all his majesty's dominions:That we truly participate in the gratification which his majesty has so graciously been pleased to express at the relief which the bounty of Divine Providence bas afforded to his people by the abundance of the late harvest; and we acknowledge with the utmost gratitude, his majesty's gracious acceptance and approbation of the proofs of that temper and fortitude which have been manifested by all descriptions of his subjects, under the various and complicated difficulties with which they have had to contend:-That we reflect with sentiments of just exultation on the distinguished valour and eminent services of his majesty's forces by sea and land, which at no period have been surpassed; and that we have contemplated with the utmost satisfaction the unprecedented exertions of the militia and fencibles, and the zeal and perseverance of the yeomanry and volunteer corps of cavalry and infantry:-That we most heartily congratulate his majesty on the naval and military operations of the last campaign, and in the glorious and suc cessful issue of the expedition to Egypt, marked as it has been throughout by achievements which, in their consequences, and by their example, cannot fail to conduce to the lasting advantage and honour of this country :-That we cordially share in his majesty's earnest wishes that his subjects may enjoy in their full extent the returning blessings of peace, in the progressive increase of the national commerce, credit, and resources; and, above all, in the undisturbed possession of their religion, laws, and liberties, under the safeguard and protection of that constitution, which it has been the great object of all our efforts to preserve, and which it is our fixed determination, as it is our most sacred duty, to transmit unimpaired to our descendants."

Mr. Wodehouse said, he joined in the general joy expressed upon the subject of a treaty of peace with France, in which the security of the country was amply provided for, and its interests firmly maintained. He rejoiced at the convention with the Northern Powers, in which the rights of Britons were maintained with undeviating firmness. Every one must feel elated at the glorious termination of a war, which was not begun for

the purpose of gratifying the ambition, or extending the territories of Britain; but which she was compelled to commence for the purpose of preserving her dearest rights. He was convinced of the necessity of a considerable supply, which he had no doubt would be cheerfully voted. Gentlemen must be aware, that a much larger peace establishment would be necessary than had hitherto been known in this country, from the alteration which had taken place in the face of Europe. He was convinced, however, that nothing would be asked for by ministers, which was not absolutely necessary to the security of the kingdom. To our brilliant successes by sea and land, he must pay his tribute of admiration: they had been most glorious and unexampled. To one man, however, he more particularly yielded the palm of admiration: he alluded to the gallant Abercromby; to whose bravery, judgment, and skill, must peculiarly be ascribed those successes which immediately led to that happy termination of the war which we were now called upon to celebrate. The achieve ments of the British arms had immediately led to the happy event of peace, and ought to be regarded with every testimony of applause and approbation. Peculiar praise was also due to those who had seized the happy moment for negotiation, and who, without being elated by success, had founded upon it claims that at once united a proper dignity and a happy moderation. The advantages which would accrue to the people of England from the measures which had been pursued, were obvious. Their commerce would be enlarged, their interests benefited, and their prosperity and happiness materially increased.

Mr. Fox said, he wished it distinctly to be understood upon what ground he should that night give his vote. Whatever difference of opinion there might take place relative to the terms of the peace, or its general tenor, or the manner of concluding it, he most cordially and unequivocally joined in the general joy and exultation to which the conclusion of peace had given rise. He congratulated that House, and the country, on the happy event which had taken place, and which had called forth a general sentiment of applause. He only wished to add, that he should give his decided approbation of the address by his vote.

Mr. Pitt said, he rose to deliver, in a

few words, his opinion in concurrence with what had already been delivered on the important subject now before the House, and upon which he was glad to have the prospect of unanimity, a thing which was not common even on the first day of a session. He said he would not enter at large into the transactions now before the House, and which his majesty had announced from the throne, either as to the pacification which had been concluded with the Northern Powers, or the signature of the preliminaries with France: when either of these topics, and particularly the latter, should be brought forward for discussion, he hoped he should be found to agree with the hon. gentleman who had just preceded him, and that they should both express their approbation of that measure, although it was an approbation which would proceed, perhaps, from different reasons. This was not the season for the regular discussion of either, and yet he was anxious to declare the outline of his sentiments on both these measures, which he saw, upon the whole, with great satisfaction; and he would add, that whatever criticism might be applied to inferior parts of these great transactions, or to whatever criticisms they might be liable, they were, on the whole, such as afforded matter of great joy to the country, and entitled the government which concluded them to esteem and thanks. There was another topic on which he would slightly touch-the termination of the war had been accompanied with honour to us; for it had given proofs of vigour and energy beyond any former war, and of achievements more splendid, if possible, than any which adorned our history before this period.

Mr. Windham said: Sir, it is a very painful task to me to declare my sentiments in opposition to those with whom I have long agreed. But as the address proposed to the House does not go to pledge us to any specific approbation of the measure of peace, it is not now my intention to enter into a consideration of the question of the terms; especially, as future opportunity will be presented, when I may state to the House those reasons upon which I found my disapprobation of them. It is not, therefore, my intention this day to give my negative to the proposed address, but to wait for the day of discussion, when I shall go more fully into the subject; at the same time wishing to be understood, that, in agreeing