§ Lord Henry Pettyacquainted the house, that he had a message from his majesty to this house, signed by his majesty; and he presented the same to the house; and it was read by the Speaker, and is as followeth, viz.
"George R. —His Majesty having, by his message of the 8th day of April,1778, recommended to his faithful commons to make competent provision for the honourable support and maintenance of the younger branches of the Royal Family, and in consequence thereof, an act having passed, charging certain annuities, for such purpose, upon the aggregate fund of Great Britain; but no provision having afterwards been made in the act, by which 876 the serveral revenues composing the said aggregate fund were transferred to the consolidated fund of G. Britain,for securing the said annuities, by reason whereof the provision so recommended by his maj. and carried into effect by act of parliament, has failed and become ineffectual; his maj. recommends to the house of commons to consider of such measures as may be necessary for securing the said annuities upon the consolidated fund, and his maj. cannot forbear taking this occasion to express his desire, that his faithful commons will take into consideration the propriety of such increase of the said allowances, as the change of circumstances that has since taken place shall appear to have rendered just and reasonable; and that they will make such further provision, in consequence thereof, as the nature of the case shall be found to require."—The message was referred to the committee of supplies.