nd silver was
necessarily exported to the continent, for the support of the allies and
armies in the pay of Great Britain. The legislature, however, would do
well to consider this eternal maxim in computation, that when a greater
quantity of bullion is exported, in waste, than can be replaced by
commerce, the nation must be hastening to a state of insolvency. Over
and above these proceedings in this session of parliament, it may not be
unnecessary to mention several messages which were sent by the king
to the house of commons. That relating to the vote of credit we have
already specified in our account of the supply. On the twenty-sixth day
of April, the chancellor of the exchequer presented to the house two
messages signed by his majesty, one in favour of his subjects in North
America, and the other in behalf of the East India company: the former
recommending to their consideration the zeal and vigour with which his
faithful subjects in North America had exerted themselves in defence of
his just rights and possessions; desiring he might be enabled to give
them a proper compensation for the expenses incurred by the respective
provinces in levying, clothing, and paying the troops raised in that
country, according as the active vigour and strenuous efforts of the
several colonies should appear to merit: in the latter, he desired the
house would empower him to assist the East India company in defraying
the expense of a military force in the East Indies, to be maintained by
them, in lieu of a battalion of regular troops withdrawn from thence,
and returned to Ireland. Both these messages were referred to the
committee of supply, and produced the resolutions upon each subject
which we have already explained. The message relating to a projected
invasion by the enemies of Great Britain, we shall particularize in its
proper place, when we come to record the circumstances and miscarriage
of that design. In the meantime, it may not be improper to observe,
that the thanks of the house of commons were voted and given to admiral
Boscawen and major-general Amherst, for the services they had done their
king and country in North America; and the same compliment was paid to
admiral Osborne, for the success of his cruise in the Mediterranean.

The session was closed on the second day of June, with a speech to both
houses from the commissioners appointed by his majesty for that purpose.
In this harangue the parliament was given to understan