THE Tuesday, 23d January, 1787. HE Speaker being returned from the Houfe of Lords, obferved, that he had obtained a copy of the King's Speech, which he defired permiffion to read. The House having granted leave, he read as follows: "My Lords, and Gentlemen, "I HAVE particular fatisfaction in acquainting you, "That fince I laft met you in Parliament, the tranquillity "of Europe has remained uninterrupted, and that all foreign powers continue to express their friendly difpofition to "this country. "I have concluded a treaty of Navigation and Commerce with the Moft Chriftian King, a copy of which shall be "laid before you. I must recommend it to you to take "fuch measures as you fhall judge proper for carrying it "into effect; and I truft you will find that the provisions contained in it are calculated for the encouragement of "induftry and the extenfion of lawful commerce in both countries, and by promoting a beneficial intercourse be"tween our respective subjects, appear likely to give addiVOL. XXI. " B ❝tional Viscount "tional permanence to the bleffings of peace. I fhall keep "the fame falutary objects in view in the commercial ar"rangements which I am negotiating with other powers. "I have alfo given directions for laying before you a 66 copy of a Convention agreed upon between me and the "Catholic King, for carrying into effect the fixth article of "the last treaty of peace. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I Have ordered the estimates for the prefent year to be "laid before you, and I have the fulleft reliance on your "readinefs to make the provision for the feveral branches of "the public fervice. "The ftate of the revenue will, I am perfuaded, con"tinue to engage your conftant attention, as being effen"tially connected with the national credit, and the profpe"rity and fafety of my dominions. "My Lords, and Gentlemen, "A plan has been formed, by my direction, for tranf"porting a number of convicts, in order to remove the inconvenience which arofe from the crouded ftate of the jails in different parts of the kingdom; and you will, I "doubt not, take fuch farther meafures as may be neceffary "for this purpose. "I trust you will be able this feffion to carry into effect regulations for the cafe of the merchants, and for fimplifying the public accounts in the various branches of the "revenue; and I rely upon the uniform continuance of your "exertions in pursuit of fuch objects as may tend still far"ther to improve the national refources, and to promote "and confirm the welfare and happiness of my people.' Viscount Campton now rifing, obferved, that he believed Compton that it was fcarcely neceffary to remark with what fincerely patriotic joy every member of the Houfe must have listened to an affurance from the higheft authority, that the tranquillity of Europe had remained, and was likely for years to Continue perfectly uninterrupted. He confidered it as a proof of the growing wifdom and humanity of nations, who had difcovered that it was not merely the most serviceable policy, but the most meritorious conduct, to introduce and impart permanency to the various felicities of peace. With equal pleafure would the House consider the just and liberal ideas which now prevailed throughout Europe with refpect to commerce. Commerce, could never exist under numerous and heavy reftrictions. It was owing to our pre judices judices that reflections had fo long continued between England and France; two countries which of all the European nations, were the beft fituated for commercial intercourse. It mult confequently be grateful to ever lover of his country to find that these prejudices no longer exifted, and that a treaty of navigation and commerce was concluded, which would not only promote industry, and increase our wealth, but fecure to us advantages far more interefting to our humanity, by rendering permanent the bleffings of peace. As to the transportation of convicts, it was a measure of abfolute neceflity, arifing from the crowded state of the jails; and no penitentiary houses had been built, though an act had paffed for their erection. Transportation, therefore, was the only remedy for an evil which required immediate redress. He trufted that the Houfe would certainly agree, that no plan could be more ufeful than that of fimplifying the public accounts in the various branches of the public revenue, and with equal readinefs would they admit the importance of increafing the national refources. On this occafion, they would please to carry in their recollection that two events had taken place fince their laft meeting, in which all who had any perfonal attachment to their Sovereign, were deeply interested, the attempt upon his life, and the death of the Princefs Amelia. It was therefore highly becoming in them to condole with His Majesty on the lofs of his moft excellent and illuftrious aunt, and to join their congratulations to those of a grateful people, on an event which afcertained to him. how much he was deferving of their affections. Whilst the House weighed all thefe circumftances in their minds, he felt the firmeft confidence that they would unanimoufly support him in his motion, "that an humble Addrefs be pre"fented to His Majefty, to return His Majefty the thanks "of this Houfe for his gracious fpeech from the throne: "To take the earlieft opportunity of offering in our own "name, and in that, of all the Commons of Great Britain, "our most hearty congratulations on the prefervation of a "life fo justly dear to his people; and to exprefs our sense "of the peculiar favour of providence in averting the danger "to which we were expofed, and rendering it only the oc"cafion of manifefting, in the fulleft manner, thofe fenti"ments of duty and affectionate attachment to his facred "Perfon, which are deeply rooted in the hearts of all His Majefty's fubjects: "To condole with His Majefty on the unfortunate death "of that moft illuftrious and excellent Princefs, His Ma"jefty's aunt, the Princess Amelia : "That we learn with great fatisfaction that the tranquil"lity of Europe remains uninterrupted; and, that His B 2 "Majefty |