The feffion was closed on the 22d day of June, by the King, with the following Speech:

I

My LORDS and GENTLEMEN,

HAVE obferved with the utmost fatisfaction, the many eminent proofs you have given of your zealous and prudent attention to the publick fervice, during the course of this very interefting feffion of

Parliament.

The neceffity of providing some effectual remedy for the great and manifold mifchiefs, both publick and private, arifing from the impaired fate of the Gold Coin, induced me, at the opening of the feffion, to recommend that important object to your confideration: in the feveral measures you have taken for the redress of thofe evils, you have fufficiently manifefted as well your regard to the general credit and commercial interefts of the kingdom, as to the immediate eafe and accommodation of my people.

The very peculiar circumstances of embarrassment in which the province of Quebec was involved, had rendered the proper adjustment, and regulation of the government thereof, a matter of no fmall difficulty. The bill which you prepared for that purpose, and to which I have now given my affent, is founded on the clearest principles of juftice and humanity; and will, I doubt not, have the best effects in quieting the minds, and promoting the happiness, of my Canadian Jubjects.

I have long feen, with concern, a dangerous fpirit of refiftance to my government, and to the execution of the laws, prevailing in the province of Maffachufet's Bay, in New England. It proceeded at length to fuch an extremity, as to render your immediate interpofition indifpenfably neceffary; and you have accordingly made provifion, as well for the fuppreffion of the prefent diforders, as for the prevention of the like in future. The temper and firmness with which you have conducted yourfelves in this important bufinefs, and the general concurrence with which the refolution of maintaining the authority of the laws in every part of my dominions hath been adopted and fupported, cannot fail of giving the greatest weight to the meafures which have been the refult of your deliberations. Nothing that depends on me shall be wanting to render them effectual. It is my most anxious defire to fee my deluded fubjects, in that part of the world, returning to a fenfe of their duty, acquiefcing in that juft fubordination to the autho rity, and maintaining that due regard to the commercial interefts of this country, which must ever be infeparably connected with their own real profperity and advantage.

Nothing material has happened, fince your meeting, with respect to the war between Ruffia and the Porte; and it is with pleasure I can inform you, that the very friendly affurances which I continue to reive from the neighbouring powers, give me the ftrongest reafon to

believe

believe that they have the fame good difpofitions as myself, to preserve the tranquillity of the rest of Europe.

GENTLEMEN of the HOUSE of COMMONS,

I thank you for the fupplies which you have fo cheerfully given ; and I fee with great fatisfaction, that, notwithstanding the ample grants you have made for the feveral eftablishments, and the compen-. fation which has been so properly provided for the holders of the defici ent Gold Coin, you have been able to make a further progress in the reduction of the National Debt.

and

My LORDS and GENTLEMEN,

I have nothing to recommend to you, but that you would carry inte your refpective counties the fame affectionate attachment to my perfon government, and the fame zeal for the maintenance of the publick welfare, which have diftinguished all your proceedings in this feffion of Parliament.

The following Lifts were handed about at this time.

PEERS who Vote in Support of the present Court Measures.

From the preceding lift it appears, that upwards of SIXTY Lords have PLACES; the falaries of which may be fuppofed, upon an average, to be two thousand five hundred pounds per annum each; which is certainly under their real value; that is above one hundred and fifty thousand pounds per annum for the whole. To them must be added, the other Scotch Lords, and the Bishops; feveral who have penfions, &c. fome who have douceurs privately; and several who are under obligations for favours conferred on their relations, &c. all which are, without doubt, very much under-rated at eighty thousand pounds per annum more. This sketch is fufficient to fhew, that at least two hundred and thirty thousand pounds of the nation's money is, every year, given among the Members of the House of Lords.

: VOL. VII.

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PEERS

PEERS who do not attend, are abroad, under age, or

PEERS who Vote in oppofition to the prefent Court Measures,

THE

HISTORY AND PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

WITH THE

DEBATES THEREIN,

DURING THE

SEVENTH SESSION of the THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT

OF

GREAT BRITA I N.

ON the 13th of January 1774, the King opened the feffion with a Speech, which the Reader will find at the beginning of the Lords Debates of this feffion.

An Address was moved by Lord Guernsey, and feconded by the Honorable Mr. St. John. There was no debate. The Addrefs was as follows:

"MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN,

"WE, your Majefty's most dutiful and loyal fubjects, the Commons of Great Britain, in Parliament affembled, return your Majefty our most humble thanks for your Majesty's most gracious Speech from the throne.

"Permit us, Sir, to affure your Majefty, that we fincerely regret that the peace to long expected, and fo much defired, is not yet effected between Ruffia and the Porte; but, at the fame time, we beg leave to express the fatisfaction we feel, in

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learning