ad formerly experienced from his parliament. He
told them it would have given his majesty the most sensible pleasure,
had he been able to assure them that his endeavours to promote a general
peace had met with more suitable returns. He observed that his majesty,
in conjunction with his good brother and ally the king of Prussia, had
chosen to give their enemies proofs of this equitable disposition, in
the midst of a series of glorious victories; an opportunity the most
proper to take such a step with dignity, and to manifest to all Europe
the purity and moderation of his views. After such a conduct, he said,
the king had the comfort to reflect that the further continuance of the
calamities of war could not be imputed to him or his allies; that he
trusted in the blessing of heaven upon the justice of his arms, and upon
those ample means which the zeal of the parliament in so good a cause
had wisely put into his hands; that his future successes in carrying on
the war would not fall short of the past; and that, in the event, the
public tranquillity would be restored on solid and durable foundations.
He acquainted them that his majesty had taken the most effectual care
to augment the combined army in Germany; and at the same time to keep
up such a force at home as might frustrate any attempts of the enemy to
invade these kingdoms; such attempts as had hitherto ended only in their
own confusion. He took notice that the royal navy was never in a more
flourishing and respectable condition; and the signal victory obtained
last winter over the French fleet on their own coast, had given lustre
to his majesty's arms, fresh spirit to his maritime forces, and
reduced the naval strength of France to a very low ebb. He gave them to
understand that his majesty had disposed his squadrons in such a manner
as might best conduce to the annoyance of his enemies; to the defence
of his own dominions, both in Europe and America; to the preserving and
pursuing his conquests, as well as to the protection of the trade of
his subjects, which he had extremely at heart. He told the commons, that
nothing could relieve his majesty's royal mind, under the anxiety he
felt for the burdens of his faithful subjects, but the public-spirited
cheerfulness with which their house had granted him such large supplies,
and his conviction that they were necessary for the security and
essential interest of his kingdoms; he therefore returned them his
hearty thanks for