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222] ANNUAL REGISTER

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my reign must depend on my possessing the affection, and maintaining the happiness of my people.

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His Majesty's most gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament, on Thursday, the 26th of November, 1772.

 My Lords, and Gentlemen,
I Should most willingly have consulted your private convenience, by allowing you a longer recess from business, if I had not thought, that some very important parts of the public service required the immediate attention of parliament.
 It is impossible that I can look with indifference upon whatever concerns either the commerce and revenue of the kingdom at large, or the private rights and interests of considerable numbers among my people: Neither can I be insensible how materially every one of these great objects must be interested in the maintenance of the credit, and prosperity, of the East-India Company. When, therefore, I received information of the difficulties in which that company appear to be involved, I determined to give you an early opportunity of informing yourselves fully of the true state of their affairs; and of making such provisions, for the common benefit and security of all the various interests concerned, as you shall find best adapted to the exigencies of the case.
 I have the satisfaction to acquaint you, That there is reason to hope, that the war, which has so long unhappily prevailed in one part of Europe, is now drawing to a conclusion: And although there was no probability of our being involved therein, yet the discontinuance of those troubles will afford a fairer prospect of the duration of peace; which, I trust, the alterations that have happened in Europe will not, in their consequences, affect.
 I continue to receive, from foreign powers, the strongest assurances of their pacific dispositions toward this country: and it shall be my constant endeavour to preserve the general tranquillity, as far as is consistent with the honour of my crown, and the interests of my people.

  Gentleman of the House of Commons,
 It gives me much satisfaction, That the continuance of peace has enabled me to proceed in the reduction of the establishment of my naval forces; but you will, I am confident, agree with me, that a considerable strength at sea must be ever necessary for preserving the reputation, and power, of my kingdoms.
 The proper estimates for the ensuing year shall be laid before you; and whatever supplies you may grant shall, on my part, be managed with the strictest economy, and applied with the utmost fidelity.

 My Lords, and Gentlemen,
 I cannot but feel the most real concern, That the produce of the late harvest has not given us the relief which we had hoped for, in respect to the dearness of corn,. As far as human wisdom can provide for alleviating the distresses of the poor, I am persuaded, your attention will not be wanting: and you 

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For the YEAR 1772.   [223

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you cannot gratify me more, than by calling upon me for my concurrence in whatever may contribute to the true welfare, and happiness, of all my people."

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The humble Address of the Right Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in parliament assembled, Nov. 26th, 1772.

 Most Gracious Sovereign,
WE, your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, in parliament assembled, return our humble and most unfeigned thanks to your majesty, for your most gracious speech from the throne.
 We gratefully acknowledge your majesty's goodness, in the gracious assurances we have received, That your majesty would have consulted our private convenience, if some very interesting public concerns had not required the early meeting of parliament.
 Your majesty may be assured, That we will apply ourselves diligently to whatever may concern the commerce or revenue of the kingdom, or the rights and interests of any part of your majesty's subjects: that we are thoroughly convinced the affairs of the East-India company deserve and require our most serious consideration; and that we will not neglect an object of such national importance.
 Permit us, Sir, to express the happiness we feel, at having reason to hope, from the communication your majesty has been pleased to make to us, that the war, which has so long prevailed in one part of Europe, is drawing to a conclusion. A happiness that is greatly increased, by the additional prospect it affords of the duration of peace; which, we trust, the alterations that have happened in Europe will not, in their consequences, affect; being ever firmly persuaded, that your majesty's uniform endeavours to preserve the general tranquility will be directed, on all occasions, by a due regard to the honour of your crown, and the interests of your people.
 With hearts deeply affected, we learn that the produce of the late harvest has not given the relief so essentially necessary to the poorer sort of your majesty's subjects: and, conscious that we can do no act so acceptable to your majesty, as exerting our utmost efforts to contribute to the ease, and comfort, of all your people, we beg leave to assure your majesty, that this object, which your paternal care and tenderness have so particularly pointed out, shall engage our utmost attention.

His Majesty's most Gracious Answer.

 My Lords,
 I thank you for this dutiful and affectionate address. 
 The zeal you express in it for the honour of my crown, and the rights and interests of my people, gives me the highest satisfaction.
 I firmly rely, that all your deliberations will tend to such measures as shall be most conducive to the great objects you have before you. Among these, I am sure, you will not forget to provide for the distresses of the poor, as far as it is in the power of human wisdom to alleviate them. The

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