sity of providing for themselves, would draw them off from those objects of their colonization, which are more beneficial to them—the possessing, and bringing into culture, the extensive and fertile lands of America. It is, therefore, the peaceable pursuit and enjoyment of all and every one of these advantages, for which they are beholden to his Majesty's Royal Navy for protection.

"His Majesty has likewise taken into his consideration the state of the American Colonies, with respect to their military defence by land. The glory of all the American conquests, in the late war, was accomplished by the active zeal, and strenuous efforts of the British and American united arms; in the prosecution of which, his Majesty has repeatedly had experience, that his faithful and loyal subjects of America, have contributed more than their proportion. His Majesty is, therefore, well pleased, that his American subjects should reap, upon the fortunate termination of that war, the advantages of security most peculiarly beneficialto their situation. He considers this security as more than a just and adequate recompense for the liberality, zeal, and courage of their exertions, in the conquest of all those bostile Provinces, and in the extirpation of all those foreign, European interests, which have for many years been hovering, with an evil aspect, over the British American Colonies, and circumscribing their early growth. His Majesty considers, that the establishment and confirmation of his newly-acquired Dominions, for the peace, safety, and tranquillity of his ancient and loyal Colonies, requires the same union of mind and measures between all his subjects, on each side of the Atlantic Ocean, by which they were required; and that suitable and proportionate provision's should be made, by the respective parts of his Majesty's Dominions, according to the interest or advantages to each, respectively, resulting; the sovereignty, property, and possession of the said conquered Dominions, being ceded to Great Britain on the one side, and a permanent and peaceable security, from all foreign enemies, or foreign forces, being the beneficial advantage acquired, and from the time of their conquest enjoyed, by the American Colonies on the other. His Majesty, therefore, on this subject, considers, that in reason, by much the greater part of the expenses of the establishment of the conquered Province should fall where the sovereignty, property, and possession are vested.

With respect to the military defence of his Majesty's ancient Colonies, the same plan may be adopted, which has obtained in former times of peace, as no greater standing force need be added to the Militias of each Province, than was found necessary, before the expulsion of all foreign interests from North America. Upon consideration of each of these branches requiring some Military Establishment, his Majesty, thinks it necessary, with the consent of Parliament, to keep up some standing forces in America, as well for the security of his newly acquired Dominions, as to be in readiness, in case any of his ancient Colonies should be attacked, to act in conjunction with the Militia of any such Colony, for the required defence. His Majesty, therefore, upon consideration of the premises, both with respect to the necessary Naval and Military Establishments, thinks it not unreasonable, to order Requisitions to be made to the several Assemblies of his loyal Colonies in North America, for a suitable and voluntary provision, for the purposes of defending, protecting, and securing the said Colonies.

"And to make the execution of this matter as convenient, and as satisfactory as possible, to his subjects in America, his Majesty recommends the mode to the option of the Colonies; as it will be equally satisfactory to him, if the Colonies, themselves, will undertake the performance of the services, under his Majesty's orders, by equipping, arming, and maintaining, a suitable number of Vessels, with the proper complement of Men, to be under the command of such Naval Officers, as his Majesty shall from time to time appoint: and in like manner to levy, clothe, pay and provide for, such proportion of forces upon the Military Establishment of America as shall be equitable upon the circumstances of the case, and upon consideration of the respective abilities of each Province; such forces to Act either separately, or in conjunction, with any other of his Majesty's Forces and to be under the supreme command of all such Officers as his Majesty shall think proper to appoint. His Majesty will order an account to be laid before the several Assemblies, of the Naval and Military Establishments, which his Majesty hereby requires them to furnish.

"His Majesty is not unmindful of the many restraints and prohibitions which the Colonies are under, in respect to their Commerce and Manufactures; and that many of the regulations established by the authority of the British Parliament, operate to the same effect (though indirectly) as taxes. This is the accepted condition of their emigration, to continue subordinate to the British Commerce, and instrumental to the support and extension of British Manufactures, while they are left at liberty themselves, to spread into the Continent of North America. But as many of these regulations and restraints were formed in old times, when the principles of Commerce were, perhaps, ill understood, and as it may be found that many of them are nugatory, or vexatious to the American Colonies, without being beneficial to Great Britain; his Majesty hopes, that an amicable compliance with the above-mentioned reasonable requisitions, and an ostensible contribution on the part of the Colonies, to the general Parliamentary supply, will pave the way for many relaxations in the articles of Commerce. And his Majesty gives the strongest assurances to his Colonists, that he will, at all times, recommend to his Parliament, to revise, repeal, explain, amend and relax, all such restraints and prohibitions, as shall appear to be frivolous, unjust, impolitick and oppressive to the Colonies.

"It is with great grief that his Majesty, who is the common father of his people, and views with an equal eye of affection, his subjects in every part of his Dominions, has of late years observed the very unhappy divisions, which have subsisted between his British Parliament and the Assemblies of his American subjects; and, that needless and imprudent discussions of speculative points, from mutual misapprehensions, have been converted into anger and animosities, which threaten the most fatal consequences. His Majesty is too well acquainted with the natural justice and moderation of his British Parliament, to believe that they could ever entertain the thought of any known or intended injustice or grievance to their fellow-subjects in America; and from the many recent and repeated proofs of obedience, loyalty, and affection from the Colonists, and of their liberality and disinterested zeal for the honour of his Majesty's Arms, which they have freely and cheerfully followed into distant climates, after the complete conquest of America; he is equally assured, that his American subjects are incapable of being influenced by narrow or selfish motives. His Majesty has the fullest confidence in the repeated declarations of his American Colonies, who have separately, and collectively, declared "That they do sincerely recognise their allegiance to his Crown, and all due subordination to the Parliament of Great Britain; that they shall always retain the most grateful sense of the assistance and protection which they have received; that their lives and fortunes are entirely devoted to his Majesty's service, to which, on his Royal Requisitions, they have ever been ready to contribute to the utmost of their ability." Therefore, his Majesty has the fullest dependence, "that whenever the exigencies of the state may require it, they will, as they have heretofore done, cheerfully contribute their full proportion of men and money." His Majesty entertains the most confident hope, from the upright intentions of both parties, that, upon a cool re-consideration of the original matters in dispute, which his Majesty has endeavoured to state upon the grounds of reason, with fairness and impartiality, all unhappy animosities and civil distractions will be composed upon the solid foundations of equity and justice; and that all things will be restored to that happy state of harmony and mutual affection which subsisted at the termination of the late glorious war; and that every hostile and vindictive Act, or Declaration, which has passed from the commencement of these unfortunate troubles, will be buried in everlasting oblivion.

"It would be a grievous affliction to his Majesty, to see the courage of his faithful subjects averted to civil dissensions, and the lustre of the national Arms stained with civil blood; to see the general peace and tranquillity broken, and invitations thereby thrown out to his enemies, to disturb