THE

THE session of parliament was opened on January 7th, with the Prince Regent's speech, delivered by commission; it was to the following effect:-Commencing with the expression of deep concern for his majesty's continued indisposition, respecting which the reports of the queen's council were to be laid before the two Houses, it particularly adverted to their indis pensable duty of continuing to preserve for his majesty the facility of resuming his royal authority in the event of his recovery. The success of the measures for the defence and security of Portugal were next touched upon, with the reputation acquired by the British and Portuguese troops in their acVOL. LIV.

tions with the enemy. The surprise of a French corps in Estremadura, by lieut.-gen. Hill, was mentioned with commendation; from which a transition was made to the general merits of lord Wellington in the direction of the campaign; and the spirit shown by the Spanish nation in their peculiar system of warfare, the extension of which was placed in balance against the success of the enemy in some quarters. This part of the subject concluded with the Regent's confident hope that parliament would enable his majesty to continue the most effectual aid for supporting the contest in the Peninsula. The speech then took

notice of the success of the British [B]

arms

arms in the reduction of Java, and the capture of the isles of Bourbon and Mauritius; and of the gallant conduct of the army under sir Samuel Achmuty, and the navy by which it was seconded. His Royal Highness proceeded to recommend to parliament the consideration of proper measures for the future government of the British possessions in India; and expressed his regret, that important differences between this country and the United States of America, remained unadjusted, at the same time assuring the Houses, that all means of conciliation would be employed consistent with the honour and dignity of the crown, and the maritime and commercial rights and interests of the British empire. The usual address was then made to the House of Commons, trusting in their zeal to provide the necessary supplies, and also recommending their resumption of the consideration of the Irish finances, which were, however, declared to be improved. The whole concluded with a sentiment of the arduous duties which his Royal Highness had been called upon to fulfil, and his reliance on the experienced wisdom and public spirit of both Houses in assisting him to discharge the functions of his high trust.

In the House of Lords, the accustomed echoing address was moved by the earl of Shaftesbury, and seconded by lord Brownlow. Lord Grenville then rose, and after observing, that he should have been happy if the address proposed had been so worded as to procure unanimity, he remarked, that no outline of intended measures, no view of intended proceedings, had

been submitted to their lordships; and yet they were called upon to pledge themselves to a system which had brought the country into its present alarming situation. He said, he retained his objections to every part of the system he had so often condemned; and he particularly requested their lordships to consider the portentous way in which the state of Ireland had been alluded to in the speech; the attention of parliament was not directed to the oppressions and grievances of which the Irish complained, but solely to the revenue to be drawn from them. He concluded by giving notice, that this subject would in a short time be brought distinctly before their lordships.

The earl of Liverpool, in reply, contended, that the system thus condemned had justified itself by experience; and professed his own readiness, and that of his colleagues, to defend their conduct when the day should come for canvassing the subject. He thought there was nothing in the address which could prevent any member from concurring in the assurance given to the regent of assistance in the discharge of his arduous duties.

Earl Grey went over the same ground with lord Grenville, and denied that opposing measures of administration fraught with ruin to the country would be withholding the support to the Regent necessary for the conduct of his government.

2

Some other lords spoke on the occasion; but the address was agreed to nemine dissentiente.

The proceedings respecting the speech in the House of Commons

were