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656

The HISTORY of the laft Seffion of Parliament.

or perfons whatfoever, without account, from the 10th day of October, 1752, to the 10th day of October, 1760; diftinguishing the amount in each year. Refolved, That an humble addrefs be prefented to his majefty, that he will be graciously pleafed to give directions, that there be laid before this house, an account of the monies paid, out of the arrears of his late majefty's civil lift revenues, for the ufe of his prefent majefty's civil government, and for the fupport and maintenance of his houfhold and royal family, with the application thereof to each head of expence; diftinguishing each year in which fuch application was made.

Refolved, That an humble addrefs be prefented to his majefty, that he will he graciously pleafed to give directions, that there be laid before this houfe, an account of the payments for his late majesty's civil government, and for the fupport and maintenance of his houthold and royal family, from the 5th day of July, 1752, to the 5th of July, 1760; diftinguishing each year, and the feveral heads of expence.

Refolved, That an humble addrefs be prefented to his majefty, that he will be graciously pleafed to give directions, that there be laid before this houfe, an account of the payments for his prefent majefty's civil government, and for the fupport and maintenance of his houfhold and royal family, from his acceffion to the 5th day of January, 1761; and from thence to the 5th day of January, 1769; diftinguishing each year, and the feveral heads of expence.

These addreffes were as ufual or dered to be prefented by fuch members as were of the privy council, and immediately after the following motions were made.

That an humble addrefs be prefented to his majefty, that he will be gracioufly pleafed to give directions, that there be laid before this houfe, an account of his late civil lift revenues remaining in the Exchequer on the 28th day of May, 1762, and alfo of his prefent majesty's civil lift cash remaining there at the fame time;

And the previous question being put, that that question be now put; It paffed in the negative.

App.

A motion was made, and the quef tion being propofed, that an humble addrefs be prefented to his majefty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions, that there be hid before this houfe, an account of the debt on the civil lift, as it stood on the 19th day of April, 1763, the 15th day of July, 1765, and the ad day of Auguft, 1766, together with the civil lift cafh remaining in the Exchequer & thofe feveral times;

And the previous question being put, that that queftion be now put; It paffed in the negative.

A motion was made, and the queftion being propofed, that an humble addrefs be prefented to his majefty, that he will be graciously pleated to give directions, that there be laid before this houfe, an account of all monies iffued at the receipt of his majefty's Exchequer; or by any of his majefty's receivers or collectors, or their agents, for his majefty's fecret and fpecial fervice, the 19th day of April, 1763, and from thence to the 15th day of July, 1765, and from thence to the present time;

And the previous question being put, that that question be now put; It paffed in the negative,

The demand of a fupply for deficiencies on the civil lift is at all times an unpopular circumstance, and mult furnish the enemies of government with an ample room for declamation. On the prefent occafion therefore it cannot be fuppofed, that oppofition omitted to make the most of fo favourable an opportunity to attack the miniftry. The contrary, as might be naturally expected, was the cafe.— The revenues of the crown were pointed out elaborately, as the refources of the minifter; deficiencies in the civil lift the oppofition infifted fhould be minutely accounted for, left while the people were making them good, they should be abfolutely furnithing the premier with the means of fubverting their own liberties. Ta thefe arguments the friends of govern ment replied, that though ministerial encroachments were always to be watched with the niceft circumfpection, ftill in this reign, where his majesty's first care was to strengthen the freedom of the fubject by etablishing

the

1769. The HISTORY of the laft Seffion of Parliament.

the independency of the judges, no in novation injurious to the conftitution could be reasonably apprehended. Befides a prince, who, in his private fhare of the captures taken during the late war, had given up to the nation a fum exceeding 700,000l. was intitled to a little confideration for his immediate exigencies, and the gratitude, not to say the juftice of the kingdom, the advocates for the meafure concluded, was called upon in the loudeft manner to comply with his request.Thefe debates ran high, and continued for fome time; but on the ad af March it was refolved to grant the sum of 513,511 l. to discharge the arrears and debts due on the civil lift to the 5th day of January, 1769.This done, the other public bufinefs which we have already related in the antecedent part of our history for the laft feffions, as well as a multiplicity of a private nature, kept both houfes fitting till the 9th of May, when his majefty gave the affent to feveral bills, and prorogued them with the following fpeech from the throne:

My lords and gentlemen, HAVING thought neceffary to give fo early a commencement to the prefent feffion of parliament, I am glad to find, that by your zeal and affiduity in the dispatch of the public butinefs, I am now enabled to relieve you from your attendance, before the feafon of the year is too far advanced.

I cannot put an end to the feffion, without expreffing my entire approbation of your conduct; and thanking you for that clear demonftration which your proceedings, through the whole courfe of the feffion, have afforded to all the world, of the affectionate attachment of my parliament to my perfon and government, as well as of their fteady adherence to the true intereft of their country.

It was with much fatisfaction that I obferved your particular attention to thofe great national objects, which, at the opening of the feffion, I recommended to your more immediate confideration. The refult of your deliberations refpecting the late acquifitions in the East Indies has fhewn, that you were not more attentive to the immediate benefit arifing therefrom, in point of revenue, than to the fecuring, at all events, the permanent

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commercial interefts of this country; and guarding againft every poffible difcouragement to our own manufactures, and to the industry of my fubjets. What more remains to be done for fecuring the poffeflion of thofe valuable acquifitions, you will, I doubt not, proceed to provide for with all convenient dispatch at your next meeting.

The measures which I had taken regarding fome late unhappy difturbances in North America, have been already laid before you. They have received your approbation; and you have affured me of your firm fupport in the profecution of them. Nothing in my opinion could be more likely to enable the well difpofed among my fubjects in that part of the world, effectually to difcourage, and defeat the defigns of the factious and feditious, than the concurrence of every branch of the legislature in the refolution of maintaining the execution of the laws in every part of my dominions; and there is nothing I more ardently with for, than to fee it produce that good effect.

With respect to foreign affairs, my own determination, as well as the af furances given me by the other powers of Europe, continue the fame, as I communicated to you at the beginning of this feffion. And however unfuc cefsful my attempts have proved for preventing the unfortunate rupture which has happened between Ruffia and the Porte, I shall not fail to use my good offices towards reftoring peace between thofe powers; and, I trust, that the calamities of war will not extend to any other part of Europe:

Gentlemen of the houfe of commons, My particular thanks are due to you, as well for the fupplies which you have granted me for the fervices of the current year, as for the provifion which you have made, for enabling me to discharge the debt incurred upon ac count of my civil government. Your readiness in relieving me from the difficulties increasing upon me from the continuance of that debt, I fhail ever confider as an additional motive for me to endeavour to confine the expence of my civil government within fuch bounds, as the honour of my crown can poffibly admit.

My lords and gentlemen, It gives me great concern to be obliged

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The HISTORY of the laft Seffion of Parliament. App.

ged to recommend to you, with more than ordinary earnestness, that you would all, in your feveral countries, exert your utmost efforts for the main tenance of public peace, and of good order, among my people. You must be fenfible, that whatever obftructs, in any degree, the regular execution of the laws, or weakens the authority of the magistrate, muft leffen the only fecurity which my people can have for the undisturbed enjoyment of their rights and liberties. From your endeavours in this common caufe I promife myself the most falutary effect. On my part, no countenance or fupport fhall be wanting for as I have ever made, and ever shall make, our excellent conftitution the rule of my own conduct; fo fhall I always confider it as equally my duty to exert every power with which that conftitution has intrufted me, for preferving it fafe from violence of every kind; being fully convinced, that, in fo doing, I fhall moft effectually provide for the true intereft and happiness of my people."

After which the Lord Chancellor, by his majesty's command, faid,

My lords and gentlemen, It is his majesty's royal will and pleasure, that this parliament be pro. rogued to Wednesday the 14th day of June next, to be then here held; and this parliament is accordingly prorogued to Wednesday the 14th of June

next.

Succeeding prorogations followed that of June, and the third feflion of the prefent parliament assembled on the 9th of January, 1770, the history of which fhall be faithfully given to Our readers.

[To be continued.]

To the AUTHOR of the LONDON
MAGAZINE.

SIR,

From the first hour of L-d G.'s marriage with Mifs V to the hour of their feparation, was one continued chain of generous and benevolent actions. The fmall fortune which the woman of his choice was intitled to, was prefented by him on the day of their union to her brothers and fifters, as an earnest of future attention. Nor did his fucceeding conduct in the fmalleft degree disappoint the higheftraised expectations of his kindness and munificence. But the mind of Lady G. was too volatile, unreflecting, and fashionable, to be properly touched by fuch uncommon proofs of affection.-Admiration her delight, no wonder that the liftened to the most daring compliments of gallantry with avidity; or that as her gratitude, fo her felf-regard, and even the tendereft ties fhould be of no force; for when ence the love of admiration predominates, all the finer feelings are totally extinguished.

But notwithstanding the repeated paragraphs in the public papers of a much earlier rupture, her ladyship and huf. band paffed the months of November and December in the happielt manner at their feat at Cheshire; where the former with amazing cafe and compefure read feveral anecdotes relative to herself, and frequently expreffed her wonder who the to much alluded to Lady G. could be. But this was not all her ladyship was capable of-two fweet children, the one about a couple of years, the other only seven months old, were the diffembled objects of maternal attention, nor did the experience one pang at beholding the innocents the was preparing to wound. By artifices of this fuperior kind, her agreeably though grofsly deceived lord, was induced to leave her to return to town, with the little family the appeared fo abundantly attached to, by fhort ftages, whilft he went

VARIOUS as the reports have been across the country to Newmarket, and

refpecting a late unhappy affair of gallantry in the great world, I cannot but believe that an authentic one must be highly acceptable to your readers. It is a dreadful circumftance, that vanity should fo often triumph over every noble, every valuable principle in the female heart-a vanity that leads on to guilt, to confufion, and to infamy.

other places, where he had engagements.

On the evening of her arrival at St. Albans, her behaviour for the first time became myfterious-contrary to all cuftom, her woman was ordered to fleep in the childrens apartment, inftead of the immediate attendance upon her perfon her ladyfhip had never before difpenfed with. Her bed was

warmed

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Account of a late much-talked-of Affair.

warmed early in the evening, and having practifed the pretty deception of looking under that, and into a clofet, for her fecurity, and difmiffed every impertinent intruder, fhe was fuppofed to have retired for the night; but in about an hour or two's time The thought fit to order another pan of coals, repeat all her ridiculous precautions, and again affect to fhut her1elf up for the purpofe of repose.

The illuftrious perfonage, who could defcend to play the deftroyer, had reached St. Albans the preceding morning, disguised in fo extraordinary a manner, that as there was then an eminent mad doctor in the town, it was generally concluded that he was fome unfortunate patient brought down for the benefit of his advice.

About one in the morning L-d G.'s maitre de hotel having taken care to be duly apprifed of all her ladyfhip's proceedings, by certain emiffaries who were in pay for that purpose, entered the inn with the utmost privacy, and was immediately conducted by his guide to the door of his lady's apartment, which, with fome trifling violence, he burst open, and the parties were difcovered feated very amicably on each fide the fire-place. Lady G. endeavoured to fly into a room that had a communication with the one the was then in: nor is the distress of his to be easily conceived; a few steps however impeding her paffage the fell, when the maitre de hotel, affifting her in rifing, told her he acted by his lord's orders, and that he must have witnefs to the fituation in which he found her, but that his perfon was not only fafe, but he was commanded to shew him every respect due to his rank, and that he was at liberty to go, when, and wherever he pleased.

His in his confufion, having gained the outfide of the door, cried, I am not found in her ladyship's apartment: but the people had already been called, and had recognised both the lady and his, notwithstanding

this dexterous evasion.

The maitre de hotel then proceeded to the final execution of his commiffion, and his lordthip's agent, who foon after arrived, left a hundred pounds bank note upon the table for her ladyship's ufe, at the fame moment informing her that the children

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were to be delivered up to him, and that a lodging was taken for her in New Bond Street, to which place her maid, if the herself chofe it, might attend her,

A poft-chaife being ready for her ladyfhip's conveyance, her maid very good naturedly attended her to the prepared lodgings, but then took her leave, obferving, that as the had nothing but her character to depend upon for her provifion in life, the could, by no means attach herself to a lady," who had evinced such a fatal neglect of all that ought to have been dear to her.

My lord no fooner received intelligence of these diftracting circumftances, than, determined to have all poffible fatisfaction from the author of them, he fent to engage the most eminent council; but, it is very remarkable, the most eminent council were` all previoufly engaged in her ladyship's favour, fo well was the aware of the confequences that must result from her ill conduct.

Her ladyship's mother had an immediate fupply of clothes and money conveyed to her; but bid her obferve that the mother had no concern in thofe attentions; that he was too fenfible of Ld G.'s rectitude, to doubt an inftant of his wife's guilt, after the ftep he had taken, and the only fought to fave her from being under obligations to the noble wh that had undone her.

Thus for the gratification of vice, that offspring of vanity, was the child, the mother, and the wife, funk in the most infamous of characters, and deftruction and wretchedness the only returns thofe families met with, where they had flattered themfelves their honour and their confidence were fafely depofited.

I am, fir, your humble fervant.
D. S.

From the LONDON GAZETTE.
Dublin, December 20.
His Excellency George Lord Viscount
Townshend, Lord Lieutenant Gene-
ral, and General Governor of Ire-
land, his Speech to both Houses of
Parliament, on Tuesday the 26th
Day of December 1769.

T

My lords and gentlemen,

HE attention you have fhewn to the great objects which have been particularly recommended by me

to

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The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland's Speech.

to your confideration, and the provifions which have been made for the fafety and fecurity of this kingdom, call upon me not only to exprefs my approbation of, but to thank you as I now do, for your conduct in thefe particulars.

It is with great pleasure that I thank you, in his majesty's name, for the fupplies which you have granted, and the provifion which you have made, for the prefent eftablishment, the public credit, and the fafety of the kingdom.

When I first met you in parliament, as I knew, and could rely upon it, that nothing could move from his majefty but what would be expreffive of his conftant and ardent defire to maintain and preferve every conftitutional right to his people, 1 little thought that any thing would happen, during the course of this feffion, that could poffibly affect the juft rights of his majelly, and the crown of Great Britain, fo as to afford his majesty any jaft caufe of diffatisfaction, and make it neceflary for me, fpecially, to affert and vindicate thofe rights.

It is therefore with great concern that I have feen and obferved, in the Votes and Journals of the House of Commons, printed by your order, a Jate proceeding by you, of fuch a nature, and of fuch effect, with refpect to the rights of his majefty, and the crown of Great Britain, as to make it neceffary for me, on this day, and in this place, to take notice of, and animadvert thereupon; I mean the vote and refolution of the twenty-firkt day of November last, by which you, gentiemen of the Houfe of Commons, declare that a bill, intitled, An act for granting to his majesty the feveral duties, rates, impofitions, and taxes, therein particularly expreffed, to be applied to the interelts of the fums therein provided for, and towards the difcharge of the faid principal fums, in fuch manner as is therein directed, which had been duly certified from hence to his majefty, and by his majefty had been tranfmitted in due form, under the great feal of Great Britain, and which had been read a first time by you, and which was rejected by you on that day, was fo rejected, because it did not take its rife in your house, This vote, and this refolution of yours, declaring that the faid bill was

App.

rejected because it did not take its rife in your houfe, being contrary to the acts of parliament of this kingdom of the tenth of Henry the Seventh, and the third and fourth of Philip and Mary, and the usage and practice of parliament ever fince, and intrenching upon the juft rights of his majefty, and the crown of Great Britain, to tranfmit fuch bills to be treated of and confidered in parliament here; I am now to affert his majesty's royal authority, and the rights of the crown of Great Britain in this respect, and in fuch a manner, as may be moft public and permanent; and therefore I do here, in full par liament, make my public protest against the faid vote and refolution of the House of Commons, by which, you, gentlemen of that house, declare that the faid bill was rejected by you, because it did not take its rife in your houfe, and against the entries of the faid vote and refolution, which remain in the Journals of the House of Com mons: And I do require the clerk of this houfe now to read my faid protest, and to enter it in the Journals of this house, that it may there remain, to future ages, as a vindication of the undoubted right and authority of his majefty, and of the rights of the crown of Great Britain in this particular.

In this proteft, I think myself warranted in all refpects; and if it needed, as I conceive it doth not, any other ftrength than that which it derives from the ftatutes which I have mentioned, and from the ufage and prac tice ever fince, it would be found in that precedent which appears in the Journals of this houfe of the third day of November, 1692, under the reign of that glorious and immortal prince King William the Third, the great deliverer of these kingdoms, and the conftant and magnanimous affertor and preferver of the civil and religious rights of mankind.

After which the Lord Chancellor, by his excellency's command, laid My lords and gentlemen, It is his excellency the Lord Lientenant's pleafure, that this parliament be prorogued to Tuesday the 20th day of March next, to be then bere held and this parliament is accordingly pro rogued to Tuesday the 20th day of

March next.

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