SEVENTH SESSION

OF THE

TWELFTH PARLIAMENT

OF

GREAT BRITAIN.

The King's Speech on opening the Session.] November 24, 1767. His Majesty came to the House of Peers and opened the Session with the following Speech to both Houses:

"My Lords, and Gentlemen,

"I have chosen to call you together at

or the marquis of Rockingham, for they had refused to accept official situations separately, and could not agree on such terms as might enable them to act together. The ministry, finding that no conditions they could offer would enable them to acquire strength by a junction with their opponents, were obliged to conduct the public business unassisted.

this season of the year, that my parliament might have full deliberations upon all such branches of the public service, as may require their immediate attention; without the necessity of continuing the session beyond the time most suitable to my people, for the election of a new parliament: and I doubt not but you will be careful, from the same considerations, to avoid in your proceedings, all unnecessary delay. affairs abroad gives me reason to appre"Nothing in the present situation of hend, that you will be prevented, by any interruption of the public tranquillity, from fixing your whole attention upon such points, as concern the internal welfare and prosperity of my people.

liament, and the charm of private society. In his speeches he brought together in a short compass all that was necessary to establish, to illustrate, and to decorate that side of the question which he supported. He stated his matter skilfully and powerfully; his style of argument was neither trite and vulgar, nor subtle and abstruse. He excelled in a most luminous explanation and display of his subject. His defects arose from his lively talents and exquisite penetration: he readily perceived and decried the errors of his co-adjutors, and from the versatility of his political conduct acquired the nickname of the Weather-cock. He sat in parliament twenty years, and successively filled the places of lord of trade, and of the admiralty, sechancellor of the exchequer, in which offices he executed business with such accuracy and dispatch, as demonstrated that genius and industry are not incompatible. He was carried off in the meridian of life, at the age of fortytwo, at a time when it might be hoped his lively talents were matured by experience, and the irregular sallies of his versatile temper, subjected to the restraints of judgment.

"Lord Chatham's health was now deemed irrecoverable, and, in fact, the ministry were neither benefited by his advice nor supported by his popularity. They wanted a distinguished leader, of talents, character, and reputation, who could give efficacy to their measures, and by force of superior powers, enchain those minor pretenders, who, in the absence of such a chief, disdained submission, and embroiled the cabinet. The Chancellor of the Exche-cretary at war, pay-master of the forces, and quer had before entertained similar views, and now projected a new administration, of which he should be the leader. His talents were amply sufficient to justify the intention, and he could have united a body, more respectable, more competent, and more capable of cordial and beneficial co-operation than those who were at the helm. Under him, the ministry would have assumed, at least, a more decided character, and the public no longer would have felt that they retained their situations merely by the want of union in their adversaries, and stood only by their own weakness. He obtained for his brother, lord Townshend, the vice-royalty of Ireland, designated Mr. Yorke, son of the late lord Hardwicke, for chancellor, and probably had made other appointments, when his life was unexpectedly terminated by a putrid fever.

"Charles Townshend, from whose splendid abilities government was expected to receive a new impulse, and whose talents were employed in an attempt to rescue the administration from the feebleness of fluctuating councils, was descended from Charles viscount Townshend, the able and upright minister of the House of Brunswick. He passed through the schools with distinguished reputation, and was celebrated for that pointed and finished wit which rendered him the delight and ornament of par

This event renewed the difficulty of effecting a ministerial arrangement; the chancellorship of the exchequer was filled ad interim by lord Mansfield. It was offered to lord North, who, for some reasons which are not precisely known, declined accepting it. The offer was subsequently made to lord Barrington, who had discharged the duties of the same station with distinguished ability, under the administration of the duke of Newcastle; during a period of no inconsiderable difficulty. Lord Barrington expressed great reluctance at being placed in a situation to which he thought lord North's parliamentary talents more equal, but declared his readiness to undertake the of fice from a sense of duty to his king and country, if a renewed application to lord North should fail; a negociation was attempted with the duke of Bedford, but without effect, and at length lord North was prevailed on to accept the office.

"Among these objects of a domestic | Supplies as should be found necessary for nature, none can demand a more speedy the security, interest, and honour of the or more serious attention, than what re-nation, (and I have no other to ask of you) gards the high price of corn, which nei- renders it unnecessary for me to add any ther the salutary laws passed in the last exhortations upon this head: and I doubt session of parliament, nor the produce of the not but the same public considerations will late harvest, have yet been able so far to induce you to persevere with equal alacrity, reduce, as to give sufficient relief to the in your endeavours to diminish the nadistresses of the poorer sort of my people. tional debt: while, on my part, no care Your late residence in your several coun-shall be wanting to contribute, as far as ties must have enabled you to judge, whe-possible, to the attainment of that most ther any farther provisions can be made essential object, by a very frugal application conducive to the attainment of so desirable of such supplies as you shall grant. an end.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "I will order the proper officers to lay before you the Estimates for the service of the ensuing year.

"The experience I have had of your constant readiness to grant me all such

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

The Lords' Address of Thanks.] His Majesty having retired, the following Address, moved by the earl of Macclesfield, was agreed to:

"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 wost gracious Speech from the throne.

"The necessity of improving the present general tranquillity to the great purpose of maintaining the strength, the reputation, and the prosperity of this country, ought to be ever before your eyes, To render your deliberations for that purpose successful, endeavour to cultivate a "Lord North, eldest son of Francis earl of spirit of harmony among yourselves. My Guilford, was now in the 36th year of his age: concurrence in whatever will promote the he commenced his education at Eton, and com-happiness of my people you may always pleted it at Oxford, with considerable reputa- depend upon: and in that light I shall ever tion for his proficiency in classical literature. be desirous of encouraging union among His elegant taste as a scholar was eminent all those who wish well to their country." through a life fully occupied with the most momentous public concerns. On his travels he applied with much assiduity to the acquisition of diplomatic knowledge, and studied with great success the Germanic constitution, under the celebrated Mascove. He commenced his parliamentary career in 1754, and during Mr. Pitt's administration, in 1759, obtained a seat at the treasury board; he was removed by the Rockingham ministry in 1765, but, with lord Chatham, came again into office, as joint paymaster of the forces. His talents, erudition, and experience, eminently qualified him for the important situation he was now called upon to fill. His abilities for debate were universally acknowledged, and had been advantageously displayed in the motions against Wilkes, and in the discussions on India affairs. "Mr. Thomas Townshend succeeded lord North as paymaster, and Mr. Jenkinson was appointed a lord of the treasury; lord Northington and general Conway resigning, lord Gower was made president of the council, lord Weymouth secretary of state, and lord Sandwich joint post-master general. These promotious indicated an accommodation between the ministry and the Bedford party, and the cabinet was further strengthened by the appointment of lord Hillsborough to the office of secretary of state for America. The ministry, thus modelled, was called the duke of Grafton's Administration; for although lord Chatham still retained his place, he was incapable of transacting business; in consequence of which, the privy seal was for a short time put in commission, though it was afterward restored to him." Adolphus,

"We acknowledge with gratitude your Majesty's tender regard and concern for your people in assembling the parliament at such a season, as, whilst it provides for the convenience of your people, will allow sufficient time for our deliberations on the several branches of the public service that may require our immediate attention; and we beg leave to assure your Majesty that it shall be our hearty desire to forward your Majesty's most gracious purpose, by avoiding in our proceedings all unnecessary delay.

"We sincerely rejoice in the prospect of the continuance of the general tranquillity; and it is our firm resolution to give, at a time so favourable for such considerations, our strictest attention to all those objects, that may more immediately affect the internal welfare and happiness of your people.

"We assure your Majesty, that our

"Your Majesty may be assured, that, being fully sensible of the necessity of improving the present tranquillity, to the purpose of maintaining the strength, the reputation, and prosperity of this country, we will cheerfully contribute, on our part, to the success of such measures as shall be thought most expedient for the attain-end. ment of that great end; and that, with this view, we shall endeavour to cultivate that spirit of harmony and union which your Majesty, in your paternal care for the happiness of your people, has most graciously recommended from the throne, and on which the success of our councils, and the public welfare so essentially depend."

The King's Answer.] His Majesty re- and anxiety we reflect on the late untimeturned, this Answer:

having mentioned his talents, abilities, judgment, sagacity, &c., he said, that his dear lamented friend had engaged himself

to the great object of diminishing the National Debt; being convinced that nothing can so effectually tend to add real lustre and dignity to his Majesty's go-to prepare a plan to be submitted to parvernment, or to give solid and permanent strength to these kingdoms.

"That with these views, and in these sentiments, we will endeavour, with the utmost unanimity and dispatch, to promote the public service, and to deserve, by our sincere and unwearied labours for the general good, that confidence which it has pleased his Majesty to repose in us; not doubting of his Majesty's gracious disposition to confirm and perfect what our true zeal may suggest, for the lasting advantage and happiness of his people."

liament, for the effectual relief of the poor in the article of provisions; and he had no question that, if that great man had survived, he would have been able to perform his promise; but, unfortunately for the public, his plan was lost with him: that it was easy to find a successor to his place, but impossible to find a successor to his abilities, or one equal to the execution of his plans. The House ought not, therefore, to be surprized, that the King's surviving servants had not yet been able to devise any scheme for the relief of the poor, although a man of Mr. Townshend's superior qualifications might have been fully equal to the task.

Mr. Edmund Burke then got up, and

The House was moved, that his Majesty's Speech, to both Houses of Parliament, upon the 2d of July, in the last session of parliament, might be read. And the same being read accordingly; an Amend-spoke nearly to the following purport:* ment was proposed to be made to the question, by inserting, after the words most desirable end:" these words, "and to assure his Majesty, that sensible of his paternal and affectionate concern for the welfare and prosperity of his people, we will immediately apply ourselves to the further consideration of the most proper methods for assisting and encouraging the manufactures of his Majesty's kingdom, and for preserving, extending, and improving its foreign trade:" and the question being put, that those words be there inserted; it passed in the negative. Mr. Conway supported the proposed Address; and concluded with a panegyric on the late Mr. Charles Townshend :*

Mr. Speaker; the condition of this country, at the conclusion of the last spring, was such as gave us strong reason to expect, that not a single moment of the interval between that period and our winter meeting would be lost or misemployed. We had a right to expect, that gentlemen, who thought themselves equal to advise about the government of the nation, would,

tion, he was never more tedious, or more earnest, than the pre-conceived opinions, and present temper of his hearers required; to conformed exactly to the temper of the House; whom he was always in perfect unison. He and he seemed to guide, because he was always sure to follow it. There are many young members in the House (such of late has been "Charles Townshend was the delight and the rapid succession of public men) who never ornament of this House, and the charm of saw that prodigy Charles Townshend; nor of every private society which he honoured with course knew what a ferment he was able to his presence. Perhaps there never arose in excite in every thing, by the violent ebullition this country, nor in any country, a man of a of his mixed virtues and failings. For failings more pointed and finished wit; and (where his he had undoubtedly-many of us remember passions were not concerned) of a more refined, them; we are this day considering the effect exquisite, and penetrating judgment. If he of them. But he had no failings which were had not so great a stock, as some have had not owing to a noble cause; to an ardent, gewho flourished formerly, of knowledge long nerous, perhaps, an immoderate passion for treasured up, he knew better by far, than any fame; a passion which is the instinct of all man I ever was acquainted with, how to bring great souls. He worshipped that goddess together within a short time, all that was ne- wheresoever she appeared; but he paid his cessary to establish, to illustrate, and to deco-particular devotions to her in her favourite harate that side of the question he supported. He stated his matter skilfully and powerfully. He particularly excelled in a most luminous explanation, and display of his subject. His style of argument was neither trite and vulgar, nor subtle and abstruse. He hit the House between wind and water and not being troubled with too anxious a zeal for any matter in ques-p. 259. [VOL. XVI.]

bitation, in her chosen temple, the House of Commons." Mr. Burke's Speech on American Taxation, April 19, 1774.

*This is the first Speech of Mr. Burke's of which any report has been preserved. It is copied from the Political Register, vol. 2,

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