made out of the hodge-podge of both jumbled together, he left to the House to consider, and to events to prove.

The House divided. The yeas went forth:

So it passed in the negative.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

Thursday, May 23, 1776.

Mr. Hartley said that there was not any occasion for many words to explain the motives for recommending such an Address as he proposed to the House, as the terms in which it was drawn up were, when read, sufficiently explanatory of the intent; that he wished to leave upon record a testimony for himself and for his friends, of their anxiety and apprehensions for the important events of this year, and of their readiness to sacrifice the personal considerations of rural amusements and relaxations, to the momentous concerns of this country and America. He thought that the unlimited confidence, which the House had put in Ministers, who were known to be adverse to America, without any materials of information laid before them, together with the neglectful manner of turning our back upon their cause, would alienate the Americans from the hopes of reconciliation. He therefore wished to show them that they still had some friends left, who thought no anxiety or labour too much to take the least chance of improving any favourable event that might happen, towards the restoration of peace, and to prevent the effusion of blood.

He moved—

“That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, setting forth, that his faithful Commons, in compliance with the sentiments and recommendations of his Majesty’s most gracious Speech at the opening of the present session, have been induced to support his Majesty with very great and expensive armaments, both by sea and land, together with many powers of coercion and punishment of such of his Majesty’s subjects in America as are in a state of resistance to his authority; that his faithful Commons, reposing themselves implicitly upon the wisdom and moderation of his Majesty’s counsels, and without any communication of the detail of matters and transactions in America, either from the Governours of the several Provinces, or the Commanders of his Majesty’s forces, or any communication of authentick papers from any of the publick offices corresponding with the Plantations, which might be explanatory of the views, tempers, forces, connections, publick proceedings, number and disposition of the persons discontented and in arms, have adopted measures, in general confidence of the recommendations of his Majesty’s most gracious speech from the throne, without specifick materials of information, his Majesty not having thought proper to refer any such to this House; that his faithful Commons, having reposed a boundless trust in the wisdom of his Majesty’s counsels, think themselves so much the more bound to their constituents, and to their country, to watch that the powers which they have so entrusted to his Majesty may not be ignorantly or destructively applied by his Ministers. And as the events of this anxious and important year may probably be decisive to the future union and well-being of all his Majesty’s dominions; and as the advice of Parliament at the shortest notice may be of the utmost importance to the salvation of these kingdoms; and as a continued series of unsuccessful and un-promised events have attended the execution of his Majesty’s counsels for many months past, from the loss of Ticonde-roga to the retreat of his Majesty’s forces from Boston, which seem to betray either ignorance or concealment of the operating causes which have produced such unexpected events, and which have occasioned a general disquietude and alarm; that his faithful Commons humbly entreat that his Majesty will be graciously pleased not to prorogue the Parliament, but that he will suffer them to continue sitting, by adjournments, during the summer, that they may be ready to receive from time to time such information of the transactions in America as his Majesty shall think proper to lay before them, to watch and to provide for every important event at the earliest moment.”

It passed in the negative.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

Thursday, May 23, 1776.

The King came to the House of Peers. Before his Majesty passed the Bills,

The Speaker addressed him to the following purport:—

“May it please your Majesty :

“Your Majesty’s faithful Commons have, in the present session, passed several wise, salutary, and necessary laws; particularly the law for prohibiting all trade and commerce with America the law for the more speedy and effectual manning your Majesty’s Navy; and the law for establishing a National Militia. Your Majesty’s faithful Commons, with equal assiduity and attention, have performed every duly, through a long and severe session. The business of America has engrossed the greatest part of their attention. Nothing has been wanting on their part to strengthen the hands of Government. They have voted the most full and ample supplies. Convinced of the justice and necessity of securing the subordinate dependance of America, they have cheerfully co-operated in every proposition for securing the duty of your Majesty’s subjects in that country, and their obedience to the legislative power of Great Britain. Your Majesty’s faithful Commons, whatever measures may have been taken for the security of both, by a proper exertion of the strength of this country, do not wish for conquest, but for peace and conciliation. And trusting to your Majesty’s parental attention to the interests of every part of the empire, they have a full reliance on your Majesty’s wisdom and goodness, that the present disputes with America will be happily terminated, and peace established on so firm a basis as to prevent a return of the same evil in times to come.”

His Majesty put an end to the Session with the following Speech:—

“My Lords and Gentlemen:

“The conclusion of the publick business, and the advanced season of the year, make it proper for me to give you some recess; but I cannot put an end to this session without assuring you that the fresh instances of your affectionate attachment to me, and of your steady attention and adherence to the true interests of your country, which you have shown throughout the whole course of your important deliberations, afford me the highest satisfaction.

“No alteration has happened in the state of foreign affairs since your meeting; and it is with pleasure I inform you that the assurances which I have received of the dispositions of the several Powers in Europe promise a continuance of the general tranquillity.

“Gentlemen of the House of Commons:

“It was with real regret and concern that I found myself under the necessity of asking of my faithful Commons any extraordinary supplies. I thank you for the readiness and despatch with which they have been granted; and they are the more acceptable to me, as you have shown, in the manner of raising them, an equal regard to the exigencies of the service and the ease of my people; and you may be assured, that the confidence you repose in me shall be used with proper frugality, and applied only to the purposes for which it was intended.

“My Lords and Gentlemen:

“We are engaged in a great national cause, the prosecution of which must inevitably be attended with many difficulties, and much expense; but when we consider that the essential rights and interests of the whole empire are deeply concerned in the issue of it, and can have no safety or security but in that constitutional subordination for which we are contending, I am convinced that you will not think any price too high for the preservation of such objects.

“I will still entertain a hope that my rebellious subjects may be awakened to a sense of their errors, and that, by a voluntary return to their duty, they will justify me in bringing about the favourite wish of my heart, the restoration of harmony and the re-establishment of order and happiness in every part of my dominions. But if a due submission should not be obtained from such motives and such dispositions on their part, I trust that I shall be able, under the blessings of Providence, to effectuate it by a full exertion of the great force, with which you have entrusted me.”

The Parliament was then prorogued to the 1st of August.