The Lord Chancelloracquainted the House that he and their Lordships, together with the other House, had this day, pursuant to a resolution of their Lordships and the other House of Parliament, proceeded to wait upon his Majesty with the Address which they had agreed to upon the subject of the Union of the Legislatures of Great Britain and Ireland, and that his Majesty was graciously pleased to accept the same: to which he had been pleased to return the following answer:—
It is with the greatest satisfaction that I have received this solemn and united expression of the determination of both Houses of Parliament to maintain inviolate the Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland, which I entirely 368 agree with you in considering as essential to the preservation of the integrity and safety of the British empire.You may rely, therefore, upon my discharging with fidelity and fearlessness the sacred duty which I owe to my subjects, in exercising those powers which are invested in me for their protection against attempts which, if successful, must necessarily produce a separation of my dominions.In thus expressing my concurrence in the determination which you have so justly stated, I look back with satisfaction to those salutary laws which since the Union have been passed for the advantage of the interests of Ireland, and I shall at all times be most anxious to afford my best assistance in removing all just causes of complaint, and in sanctioning all well-considered measures of improvement.Earl Grey moved, that the Address of their Lordships, together with his Majesty's gracious Answer thereto, should be printed in the usual way.
§ The Motion was agreed to.