Lords Sitting of 31 May 1826

THE KING'S SPEECH AT THE CLOSE OF THE SESSION.
After the royal assent had been given to sundry bills, the Session was put an end to by Commission. Upon which occasion, the Lord Chancellor delivered the following Speech:—
"My Lords, and Gentlemen,
"His Majesty commands us to inform you that the state of the public business enabling his Majesty to close the Session at a period of the year the most convenient for a general election, it is his Majesty's intention to dissolve, without delay, the present Parliament, and to direct the issue of writs for the calling of a new one.
"His Majesty cannot take leave of you without commanding us to express his Majesty's deep sense of the zeal and public spirit which you have constantly displayed in the discharge of your several important functions.
"His Majesty particularly acknowledges the promptitude and discretion with which you have applied yourselves to the objects specially recommended to you by his Majesty at the commencement of this session; and his Majesty confidently hopes that the good effect of your deliberations will be manifested in the improved stability of public and private credit.
"His Majesty has the satisfaction to inform you, that the distinguished skill, bravery, and success, with which the operations of the British arms, in the dominions of the king of Ava, have been carried on, have led to the signature, upon highly honourable terms, of a preliminary treaty with that sovereign, which his Majesty has every reason to expect will be the foundation of a secure and permanent peace.
"His Majesty further commands us to repeat to you, that his Majesty's earnest endeavours have continued to be unremittingly exerted to prevent the breaking out of hostilities among nations, and to put an end to those which still unhappily exist, as well in America as in Europe.
"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
"His Majesty commands us to thank you for the provision which you have made for the service of the year.
"His Majesty's attention will be constantly directed to the reduction of the public expenditure in every degree that may be consistent with the due maintenance of the security, honour, and interests of his kingdom.
"My Lords, and Gentlemen,
"We are specially commanded to assure you, that his Majesty's paternal feelings have been deeply affected by the distresses which have prevailed among the manufacturing classes of his Majesty's subjects,
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and by the exemplary patience with which those distresses have been generally borne.
"His Majesty trusts that the causes out of which the partial stagnation of employment has arisen are, under the blessing of Providence, in a course of gradual abatement.
"His Majesty is confident that your presence and example in your several counties will contribute to maintain and encourage the loyal and orderly spirit which pervades the great body of his people; and his Majesty relies upon your disposition to inculcate that harmony and mutual good-will among the several great interests of the country, upon which the common prosperity of them all essentially depends."
After which, the lord Chancellor prorogued the parliament to the 14th of June. Thus ended the Seventh parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.