Lords Sitting of 17 February 1820

MESSAGE FROM THE KING.
The Earl of Liverpoolpresented a Message from his Majesty [See the proceedings of the Commons]. He said, that it being most desirable that the House should be unanimous in agreeing to an address to his majesty of condolence for the loss of the king, his father, and of congratulation on his present majesty's accession, which it was his intention to move immediately, he was anxious to avoid any question that might tend to produce a difference of opinion, and he should therefore move that that part of the message which related to the calling of a new parliament, and the-measures to be adopted in consequence, be taken into consideration tomorrow.—This being ordered, the noble earl proceeded to move an address to his majesty. He said, he was so convinced that the feelings of all who heard him were upon this subject completely in unison with his own, that he thought it would be needlessly trespassing upon their lordships patience to dilate upon topics which must suggest themselves to every person in the House, and the effect of which, by dwelling upon them, could only be weakened. He was most anxious, that upon such a subject the House should be unanimous, and the address had with that view been drawn up so as to afford no ground whatever for any difference of opinion, although in so doing he had not in any manner sa-

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crificed his feelings, either public or private. He was satisfied, however, that he only echoed the sentiments of their lordships when he spoke of their late sovereign as one whose reign, for the lengthened period of 60 years, had afforded a continued bright example of all the virtues that ought to adorn a throne, and whose conduct and character during that long reign, would for ever impress upon the people of this country a grateful remembrance of his amiable qualities, whilst the glories of his reign would form a splendid portion of our history. He was satisfied that they would be equally ready to proceed to the foot of the throne to declare their attachment to his present majesty, during the sovereignty of whose illustrious house the country had derived so many advantages. Under these impressions, and satisfied as he was, that any thing he could say would only tend to weaken the effect of what all their lordships must feel, he should at once conclude by moving the address. His lordship then moved an address similar to that moved in the House of Commons.
The Marquis of Lansdownewas convinced, that there must be a most anxious desire in their lordships to proceed in the manner which the noble earl had pointed out. The deep sense which the House entertained of the great virtues of his late majesty left no doubt of their concurrence in the expressions of condolence contained in the address. It was his hope that that good understanding which it was most desirable should subsist between the Crown and the parliament would always continue; and therefore their lordships might be expected to join in the confidence expressed by the noble earl. For his part, he readily concurred in the address, because it went no farther than the occasion required, and pledged the House to nothing but that to which all must be prepared to agree.
The Marquis of Buckinghamwas sensible, that if all the noble lords who were anxious to manifest their concurrence in the address should rise to express that disposition, it could only be voted when all had delivered their sentiments. If, however, he made any claim to their indulgence while he expressed sentiments in which all their lordships participated, he must confess that that claim was one of a selfish nature; for those with whom he was connected had been honoured with great marks of royal favour by their late
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lamented sovereign. He hoped, therefore, that he should be excused, if he took that opportunity of giving vent to the feelings of gratitude with which he was impressed. It had often been said, that the favours conferred by sovereigns were soon overlooked. This, however, had not been the case in the present instance. Our late gracious sovereign, notwithstanding the estrangement from his people, caused by the inscrutable act of Providence, continued to live in the hearts of his subjects, remembering, as they did, all those virtues by the exercise of which he had so adorned his throne. It was in this manner that our late gracious monarch had forestalled the applauses of posterity; for in the long interval that had elapsed whilst the veil was interposed between him and his people, his virtues had become the theme of their veneration, and had received the final seal of their admiration and respect.
The Earl of Darnleysaid, it was the farthest from his wish to interrupt that unanimity which he had no doubt would prevail upon this occasion; but there appeared to him to be an omission, which, if he was irregular in noticing, he should, no doubt, be told so. He alluded to the circumstance of there being no condolence included in the address, with regard to the death of the duke of Kent.
The Earl of Liverpoolsaid, it was undoubtedly his intention to move an address of condolence to his majesty on the lamented death of the duke of Kent, and also to the duchess of Kent; but he thought it better that the address he had already moved should stand as the single proceeding of this night.
The address was then agreed to nem. diss., and was ordered to be presented to his majesty by the Lords with white staves. The earl of Liverpool observed, that his majesty's state of health not allowing him to receive the whole House, was the reason for adopting the above mode of presenting the address.