Sitting of 11 July 1821

CORONATION OF THE QUEEN.
Shortly after the Speaker had taken the chair,
Mr. Humerose to submit the motion of which he had given notice yesterday. He began by saying, that we were now within eight days of the coronation, and as yet it was not known in what situation her majesty was to be placed, with regard to that ceremony. Surely ministers would not renew the agitation of the public mind by the exclusion of her majesty; for he
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thought that nothing could so effectually quiet it as the participation by the Queen in the august ceremony which was about to take place. It was not without deep regret, though certainly without surprise, that he had heard of the decision of the privy council respecting her majesty's claim to be crowned. That claim, he thought, had been clearly established by her majesty's counsel; but it appeared that the privy council were of a different opinion, and they had so decided. He did not mean to impugn this decision, but his own opinion was, that her majesty had as good a right to be crowned as the king. The House, from respect to the royal family, were called upon to prevent, if possible, her majesty from being insulted and degraded. She was now placed in a situation in which no queen-consort of this country had ever been placed before. She was the cousin, as well as the wife, of the sovereign; and she was, independently of her character as Queen, a member of the house of Brunswick. So anxious was he for the preservation of the public peace, that he would willingly wave all question of her majesty's right to be crowned, and receive it as a matter of grace and favour of the king. If his majesty should be advised to grant this, he was satisfied that it would be received with joy and gratitude throughout the country. The hon. Member concluded by moving, "That an humble Address be presented to his Majesty, praying that he will be graciously pleased to issue his royal proclamation for the coronation of her Majesty; thereby consulting the true dignity of the Crown, the tranquility of the metropolis, and the general expectations of the people."
The hon. member had but just commenced the reading of his resolution, when the Deputy Usher of the black rod was heard knocking at the door, and as he was concluding it, he was called to order by the Speaker, who reminded him of the presence of that officer. Mr. Hume immediately took his seat, and the deputy usher informed the House, that his majesty's commissioners for giving the royal assent to several bills, and slso for the prorogation of this parliament, attended in the House of Peers, whither the attendance of the Speaker was required. The Speaker, accompanied by most of the members present, immediately repaired to the House of Peers.

THE KING'S SPEECH AT THE CLOSE OF THE SESSION.
After the royal assent had been given, by commission, to several bills, a Speech of the Lords Commissioners was delivered to both Houses by the Lord Chancellor, as follows:
"My Lords and Gentlemen;
"We have it in command from his Majesty to inform you, that the state of public business having enabled him to dispense with your attendance in Parliament, he has determined to put an end to this Session.
"His Majesty, however, cannot close it without expressing his satisfaction at the zeal and assiduity with which you have prosecuted the laborious and important inquiries in which you have been engaged.
"He has observed, with particular pleasure, the facility with which the restoration of a Metallic Currency has been effected, by the authority given to the Bank of England to commence its payments in cash at an earlier period than had been determined by the last Parliament.
"His Majesty has commanded us to acquaint you, that he continues to receive from foreign powers the strongest assurances of their friendly disposition towards this country.
"Gentlemen of the House of Commons;
"We are commanded by his Majesty to return you his thanks for the provision which you have made for the public service.
"Although the public expepditure has already undergone considerable reduction within the present year, his Majesty trusts he shall be enabled by the continuance of peace, and of internal tranquillity, to make such further reductions as may satisfy the just expectations expressed by Parliament.
"His Majesty has commanded us to assure you of the gratification which he has derived from the provision which you have made for his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence.
"My Lords, and Gentlemen;
"It is with the greatest satisfaction that his Majesty has observed the quiet and good order which continue to prevail in those parts of the country which were not long since in a state of agitation.
"His Majesty deeply laments the distress to which the agricultural interests, in many parts of the kingdom, are still subject.
"It will be his Majesty's most anxious desire, by a strict attention to public economy, to do all that depends upon him for the relief of the country from its present difficulties; but you cannot fail to be sensible that the success of all efforts for this purpose will mainly depend upon the continuance of domestic tranquillity; and his Majesty confidently relies on your utmost exertions, in your several counties, in enforcing obedience to the laws, and in promoting harmony and concord amongst all descriptions of his Majesty's subjects."
After which a Commission was read, for proroguing the Parliament until the 20th of September.