HC Deb 17 February 1820 vol 41 cc1596-9
Lord Castlereagh

presented the following Message from the King:

"GEORGE R.

"The King is persuaded that the House of Commons deeply participates in the grief and affliction of his Majesty for the loss which his Majesty and the nation have sustained by the lamented death of the late King his father.

"This melancholy event imposing upon his Majesty the necessity of summoning, within a limited period, a new Parliament, the King has taken into consideration the present state of public business, and is of opinion, that it will be in all respects most conducive to the public interests and convenience to call the new Parliament without delay.

"The King, therefore, recommends to the House of Commons to adopt such measures as may be found indispensably necessary to provide for the exigencies of the public service during the interval which must elapse between the termination of the present session and the opening of a new Parliament. G. R."

Lord Castlereagh

said, he should move that it be taken into consideration tomorrow. He thought it necessary that members should have a day to consider one part of it, but he hoped the House would feel that there ought to be no delay in replying to another part—he meant that which referred to the death of his late majesty. In rising to propose an address of condolence to his majesty, the House would feel that it was not necessary or desirable for him to go into lengthened details; and he hoped that, from the few observations which he had to make nothing would arise to prevent their coming to an unanimous decision on the present melancholy occasion. They would, he was persuaded, all join in the same sentiments of affliction and reverence for the loss of their late beloved monarch. Whatever might be the opinions respecting the events of the late reign, and of the administration of government under his present majesty, there could, he was certain, be no difference as to this point—that under the illustrious House of Brunswick this country had enjoyed a greater share of happiness and glory than had fallen to the lot of any other nation on the face of the globe. The House, he was sure, were anxious to testify their deep affliction at the loss of a monarch, who, in the course of a long reign, during periods of great trial, had, by his mild and amiable qualities, secured the love and esteem of the nation. Indeed, the veneration in which our late beloved monarch was held, and the general attachment to him by all ranks and classes, were visible at every period of his glorious reign, but more particularly on those melancholy occasions when he was prevented from superintending in person the interests of his people. In the unusually long period of his reign, this country had grown up to rank, power, and commercial splendor, unequalled among the nations of the earth. With these feelings as to the character of the late reign, there would not, he was certain, be any differences as to the address of condolence which he meant to propose. There was another subject to which he should also call the attention of the House, it was the accession of his present majesty. To his reign he looked forward with the most sanguine hopes for the prosperity of the nation; and when he looked to the past, he had the best guarantee to hope from, the future. Indeed, after the declaration made by his majesty on his accession, that he would make the example of his royal father the basis of his conduct, the country had to hope for a prosperous reign. In conclusion, his lordship trusted, that his majesty's reign would be long, and happy for himself and the country; and that though he might not have to achieve any additional glories in war, he would add the only remaining laurel to his brow, by looking, in peace, to policy, justice, and moderation in the administration of his government. His lordship then moved, "That an humble address be presented to his majesty, to convey to his majesty the expression of the deep affliction in which we have been involved by the death of the late king; a monarch, whose virtues had so long afforded the brightest example, and who had so long reigned in the hearts of his faithful people: To assure his majesty we shall never cease to cherish in our memories the recollection of the many blessings which we have enjoyed under the mild and paternal government of his royal father; during whose long and eventful reign the country has made so great advances in arts and industry, in commercial opulence and national power, and has derived so large an accession of glory from the splendid achievements of his majesty's fleets and armies: To add to these expressions of regret and condolence, on this common calamity, our most sincere congratulations upon his majesty's accession to the throne of his ancestors: To convey to his majesty the dutiful assurance of our loyal and affectionate attach- ment to his sacred person, and to entreat him to believe that we derive from the experience of the past, as well as from cur confidence in his majesty's character and virtues, the firm conviction that his reign will be marked by a constant endeavour to promote the general prosperity and happiness of his people."

Mr. Tierney

said, that no man could be more sensible than himself of the virtues of their late revered and lamented sovereign—virtues too numerous to be then detailed Nor could any man be more sincere than himself in congratulating his present majesty on his accession. No man could feel a greater personal respect for his majesty than himself. No man could be more earnest in his hopes that his majesty's reign might be long and prosperous. No man could exceed him in zealous wishes that that reign might be productive of equal honour and advantage to his majesty and to the country. Undoubtedly there was one expression in the address which he thought had better have been omitted. He adverted to that passage which spoke of "the experience of the past." On all the past he wished to turn his back. He wished to bury it in oblivion. A new reign was commencing, and he most anxiously hoped that his majesty would adopt such measures—that his ministers would advise such measures, as would conduce to his majesty's own character, honour, and dignity, and to the general benefit of the country.

The address was agreed to, nem. con. and it was ordered, that in consideration of his majesty's indisposition, the said address be presented by such members of the House as were of the privy council. It was then resolved, nem. con. I. "That an humble address be presented to his majesty, to condole with his majesty on the loss which his majesty has sustained by the calamitous and untimely death of his royal brother the late duke of Kent. 2. That this House do condole with her royal highness the duchess of Kent, on the calamitous and untimely death of his late royal highness the duke of Kent."—Similar addresses were, on the following day, agreed to in the House of Lords.