The LORD CHANCELLORthen acquainted the House that Her Majesty had been pleased to grant two several Commissions:—And The LORDS COMMISSIONERS—namely, The LORD CHANCELLOR; The LORD PRIVY SEAL (The Viscount Halifax); The EARL OF KIMISERLEY (Secretary of State for the Colonies); The MARQUESS OF NORMANBY; and The LORD CHAMBERLAIN OF THE HOUSEHOLD (The Viscount Sydney) — being in their Robes, and seated on a Form between the Throne and the Woolsack; and the COMMONS being come, with their Speaker, and the Commission to that purpose being read, the ROYAL ASSENT was given to several Bills.
§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ "THE state of public business enables me to release you from your attendance in Parliament.
§ "I continue to receive from all Foreign Powers assurances of goodwill and friendship; but I have witnessed with grief and pain, on domestic as well as public grounds, the recent outbreak of war between two powerful nations, both of them allied with this country.
§ "My best exertions had been used to avert this great calamity.
§ "I shall now direct a constant and anxious attention to the strict observance of the duties and the maintenance of the rights of neutrality.
§ "I have cheerfully assented to the measure, matured by your wisdom, to enlarge the power of the Executive, not only for the discharge of international duties, but for the prevention of acts which, in times of war, might 1766 be injurious to the interests of the country.
§ "I shall make every fitting endeavour to check the operation of causes which might lead towards enlarging the area of the present conflict, and to contribute, if opportunity shall be afforded me, to the restoration of an early and honourable peace.
§ "I have tendered to the two Belligerent Powers Treaties identical in form to give additional security to Belgium against the hazards of a war waged upon her frontiers. This Treaty has been signed by Count Bernstorff on the part of the North German Confederation, and the French Ambassador has signified that he has authority to sign the corresponding instrument as soon as his full powers arrive. Other Powers, winch were parties to the Treaty of 1839, have been invited to accede, if they should think fit, to this engagement.
§ "The shocking murders recently perpetrated in Greece produced a painful impression throughout Europe, and have drawn attention to serious evils existing in that country. My unremitting efforts will be directed to securing the complete and searching character of the inquiry which has been instituted.
§ "Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
§ "I thank you for the liberal provision which was made by you for the ordinary service of the year, and for the additional supplies of men and money which you have voted in view of the altered state of things on the Continent of Europe.
§ "The condition of the Revenue gives ground for the hope that it may be able to meet the new charge which 1767 has been created, without reversing the proper balance of income and expenditure.
§ "My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ "In regard to domestic legislation, I may fitly congratulate you on the close of a Session, marked by an assiduous devotion to labours of the utmost national importance.
§ "The temporary Act for the Repression of Agrarian Crime, and the maintenance of Order in Ireland, has, up to the present time, answered the purposes for which it was passed.
§ "From the Act for regulating the occupation and ownership of land, I anticipate the gradual establishment both of harmonious relations between owners and occupiers of land, and of general confidence in the provisions and administration of the law, and in the just and benevolent intentions of the Legislature.
§ "In consequence of the efforts which have been made in matters of capital moment, to remove from the Statute Book whatever might seem inequitable to Ireland, I trust that the discharge of the first duty of Government in providing for the security of life and property will become more easy; and I shall rely with confidence upon the loyalty and affection of my Irish subjects.
§ "It has given me pleasure to concur with you in the passage of the important law providing for National Education in England. I perceive in it a new guarantee for the moral and social well-being of the Nation, and for its prosperity and power.
§ "The Naturalization Act, and the Act for the Extradition of Criminals, 1768 will tend to confirm our friendly relations with Foreign Powers.
§ "The Act which regulates enlistment for a shortened term of service in the ranks of the Army will, I trust, tend to increase the efficiency of the force, to promote the welfare of the soldier, and to provide for the Nation a reserve of men well trained to arms, and ready in any case of emergency to return to the standards.
§ "I bid you farewell for the recess, with the earnest prayer that when you are again summoned to your duties I may be enabled to rejoice with you in the re-establishment of Peace on the Continent of Europe."
§ Then a Commission for proroguing Parliament was read.
§ After which,
§ My Lords, and Gentlemen,
§ By virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in Her Majesty's Name, and in obedience to Her Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Thursday the 27th day of October next, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Thursday the 27th day of October next.