THE ANNUAL REGISTER, For the Year 1821. THE HISTORY OF EUROPE. CHAP. I. Opening of the Session of Parliament-Speech from the Throne-The Address-Mr. Wetherell's Motion for the Production of Documents relative to the Omission of the Queen's Name from the Liturgy-Addresses to the Queen-Loyal Addresses-Proceedings in Hampshire, Cheshire, and the County of Dublin-The Address of the Presbytery of Langholm voted a Breach of Privilege-Lord A. Hamilton's Motion on the Inexpediency of the Omission of her Majesty's Name from the Liturgy-Mr. Wetherell's Argument on the Illegality of that Measure--The Attorney General's Reply-Message from the Queen to the Commons-Motion for the Grant of an Annuity to her -Lord Tavistock's Motion condemning the Proceedings against her -The Speeches of Sir Francis Burdett and Mr. Tierney-The Statements of Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Brougham-Mr. J. Smith's Motion for the Restoration of the Queen's Name to the Liturgy-Lord A. Hamilton's Motion on the Infringement of the Privileges of the Church of Scotland-The Lord Advocate's Explanation-The Queen's Annuity Bill, and her Majesty's Acceptance of the Grant. ON Tuesday, the 23rd of Ja nuary, his majesty proceeded in state to the House of Lords, where he opened the session of parliament by the following speech : "My Lords and Gentlemen; "I have the satisfaction of acVOL. LXIII. quainting you, that I continue to receive from foreign powers the strongest assurances of their friendly disposition towards this country. "It will be a matter of deep regret to me, if the occurrences which have lately taken place in [B] Italy should eventually lead to any interruption of tranquillity in that quarter; but it will, in such case, be my great object to seeure to my people the continuance of peace. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons; "The measures by which, in the last session of parliament, you made provision for the expenses of my civil government, and for the honour and dignity of the crown, demand my warmest acknowledgments. "I have directed, that the estimates for the current year shall be laid before you, and it is a satisfaction to me to have been enabled to make some reduction in our military establishments. "You will observe from the accounts of the public revenue, that notwithstanding the receipts in Ireland have proved materially deficient, in consequence of the unfortunate circumstances which have affected the commercial credit of that part of the United Kingdom, and although our foreign trade, during the early part of this time, was in a state of depression, the total revenue has nevertheless exceeded that of the preceding year. "A considerable part of this increase must be ascribed to the new taxes; but in some of those branches which are the surest indications of internal wealth, the augmentation has fully realized any expectation which could have been reasonably formed of it. "The separate provision which was made for the Queen, as princess of Wales, in the year 1814, terminated with the demise of his late majesty. "I have, in the mean time, directed advances, as authorized by law; and it will, under present circumstances, be for you to consider what new arrangements should be made on this subject. My Lords and Gentlemen; "I have great pleasure in being able to acquaint you, that a considerable improvement has taken place within the last half year in several of the most important branches of our commerce and manufactures; and that in many of the manufacturing districts the distresses which prevailed at the commencement of the last session of parliament have greatly abated. "It will be my most anxious desire to concur in every measure which may be considered as calculated to advance our internal prosperity. "I well know, that, notwithstanding the agitations produced by temporary circumstances, and amidst the distress, which still presses upon a large portion of my subjects, the firmest reliance may be placed on that affectionate and loyal attachment to my person and government, of which I have recently received so many testimonies from all parts of my kingdom; and which, whilst it is most grateful to the strongest feelings of my heart, I shall ever consider as the best and surest safeguard of my throne. "In the discharge of the important duties imposed upon you, you will, I am confident, be sensible of the indispensable necessity of promoting and maintaining, to the utmost of your power, a due obedience to the laws, and of instilling into all classes of my subjects, a respect for lawful authority, and for those established institutions, under which the country has been enabled to over come so many difficulties, and to which, under Providence, may be ascribed our happiness and renown as a nation." His majesty quitted the House with the same state as on entering it, and the Commons retired from the bar. The addresses in reply to this moderate speech, passed in both Houses without a division. In the Lords, the address was moved by lord Belmore, and seconded by lord Prudhoe. Lord Grey, though it was not his intention to offer any opposition, could not concur in the address, because the speech contained none of those explanations of the state of the country which were to be expected at a time like the present, and stated nothing distinctly with regard to the line which the government had taken, or meant to take, in the affairs of Italy. Lord Holland dilated on the same topics, and pressed for an answer to three questions: First, whether our diplomatic relations with Naples were changed by the recent political changes in that country? Secondly, whether the secret articles of the treaty concluded between Naples and the allies on the 12th of June, 1815, were communicated to ministers, and when? Thirdly, whether any, and what application, had been made to Austria last year respecting the re-payment of the loan? The Earl of Liverpool observed, that the present was not the moment to go into such details, but that he would be ready to meet the noble lord on the subject on any future occasion, when he should think proper to submit a motion respecting it. His lordship had previously an- ex The discussion was conducted with similar moderation in the House of Commons, where the address was moved by Mr. Banks jun., and seconded by Mr. Browne. Mr. Tierney thought the speech as moderate and correct as could be expected; and expressed his satisfaction at the assurance which it gave of the probable continuance of peace. Lord Folkestone arraigned the conduct of ministers, and spoke with disapprobation of the loyal addresses, which had been sent up to the throne from various parts of the country, and which, he alleged, were generally procured by secret and improper means, and sometimes contained tremely objectionable matter. Some of these addresses, he said, had gone the length of arraigning the conduct of individual members of both Houses of Parliament; and more especially one, purporting to come from certain clergy in Scotland, who stated that they had with much concern read the violent and unconstitutional speeches of some Opposition members in both Houses of Parliament, and particularly their conduct at the time of the late prorogation. This document, containing such a stigma upon members of parliament while in the exercise of their public duty, and which might have called down upon the writer the vengeance of a breach of privilege, was nevertheless selected by the noble lord who managed such matters for insertion in the Gazette. Lord Folkestone condemned this selection as partial and unjust, and as ill-calculated B 2 |