Major general George Ansonbeing come to the House, Mr. Speaker acquainted him with the Resolutions of the House of the 3d day of December, 1812, and of the 7th day of July last, respecting his services in the battles of Salamanca and Vittoria; and Mr. Speaker gave him the Thanks of the House accordingly, as followeth:
"Major-general Anson; When last I had the honour of addressing you from this place, you came to receive our Thanks for your share in the glorious battle of Talavera.
"Pursuing the same career, under the same illustrious commander, it is more gratifying than surprizing to see, that in succeeding campaigns you have reaped new laurels.
"The badge of honour which commemorates your services at Salamanca, brings to our recollection those skilful operations in which you were engaged upon the Douro previous to that memorable day, and the destruction which your cavalry poured down upon the rear guard of the enemy in their flight.
"In the battle of Vittoria the British cavalry also took their part; and, acting with the left wing of the allied army, under the immediate command of lieutenant general sir Thomas Graham, a name never to be mentioned in our military annals without the strongest expressions of respect and admiration, your squadrons contributed to cut off the enemy from their direct retreat into France; and all Europe has heard of their consequent rout and dispersion.
"To you, Sir, I am therefore commanded to express the gratitude of this House; and, in the name of the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in parliament assembled, I do now deliver to you their unanimous Thanks for your distinguished exertions in the battle of Salamanca, upon the 22d July, 1812, which terminated in a glorious and decisive victory over the enemy's army;
"And also for your great exertions upon the 21st of June last, when the French army was completely defeated by the allied forces near Vittoria, under the marquis of Wellington's command."
§ Upon which Major General Anson said;
§ "Sir; This is the second time I have had the honour of rising in this distinguished assembly to receive through you, 81 Sir, the thanks of my country; to which, and to this honourable House, I return my warmest acknowledgments.
§ "I should not do justice to the illustrious and noble commander with whom I have had the happiness of serving, or to those brave troops under his command (whose gallantry and discipline I have had such frequent opportunities of witnessing), did I not assure you, that it is to them I consider myself indebted for being placed in this highly honourable situation; I should be greatly deficient also in what is due to myself were I to omit expressing my sincere and most heartfelt thanks to you, Sir, for the very gratifying manner in which you have conveyed to me the sentiments of my country on this, and on a former occasion; thus conferring upon me an additional mark of distinction which it will ever be my pride to acknowledge."
§ Ordered, nem. con. that what has been now said by Mr. Speaker, in giving the Thanks of this House to major general Anson together with his Answer thereto, be prufted in the votes of this day.