There are, indeed, fome of thefe articles of public expence, which it is to be hoped, will annually decrease during the continuance of peace, particularly the feventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth refolutions of January 24th. The fourth refolution of March 19th will certainly in a few years be totally annihilated, because those annuities must be among the firft that are to be paid off by the finking fund; and these gradual diminutions will, probably, after the next enfuing year, do more than answer all the accidental articles of expence, to which the nation can be expofed in time of peace; fo that we shall never be obliged to take above five or fix hundred thousand pounds from the finking fund, for anfwering the expence of any enfuing

year; for as to all fuch accidental articles, the nation ought certainly to be as cautious as poffible, as every fhilling of the expence muft be taken from that facred fund, which is appropriated to the payment of her debts and the redemption of her mortgaged taxes; some of which, there is reason to expect, will be redeemed and abolished in a very few years, if peace and the land-tax at 4 s. in the pound be continued; and that both may continue for a confiderable number of years we have equal reason to expect, if our foreign connections, and the monopolifing fpirit of fome of our merchants, do not provoke the powers of Europe to form another dangerous confederacy against us.

STATE

His Majesty's most gracious speech to both boufes of parliament, on Thursday the 10th day of January 1765; with the humble addreffes of both houfes upon the occafion, and his Majesty's most graci ous answer.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

TH

HE fituation of affairs, both at home and abroad, has enabled me to allow you that recefs, which has been ufual in times of public tranquillity.

I have now the fatisfaction to inform you, that I have agreed with my good brother the king of Denmark, to cement the union which has long fubfifted between the two crowns, by the marriage of the prince royal of Denmark with my fifter the princefs Caroline Matilda, which is to be folemnifed as foon as their refpective ages will permit.

I obferve with pleasure, that the events which have happened in the course of the last year, give us reafon to hope for the duration of that peace, which has been fo happily eftablished, and which it is my refolution ftrictly to maintain. The courts of France and Spain have given me fresh affurances of their good difpofitions. The future quiet of the empire has been confirmed

by the unanimous voice of a fucceffor to the imperial dignity; and the peaceable election of the king of Poland has prevented thofe fatal confequences, which, upon fimilar occafions, have fo frequently been deftructive to the repofe of Europe. I am happy, therefore, to meet my parliament at a time, when no foreign difturbances interrupt their confultations for the internal good order and prosperity of my kingdoms.

Gentlemen of the house of
Commons,

I fhall ask of you, for the current fervice of the year, no other fupplies than fuch as are neceffary for thofe eftablishments, which have already met with your approbation; and I will order the proper eftimates for this purpose to be laid before you.

I must, however, earnestly recommend to you the continuance of that attention, which you have hitherto fhewn for the improvement of the public revenue, and the diminution of the national debt. For thefe defirable and neceffary ends, I am perfuaded, that you will purfue every proper measure, which the state of my dominions, and the circumflances of the times, may require.

My

My Lords and Gentlemen,

The experience which I have had of your former conduct makes me rely on your wisdom and firmness, in promoting that obedience to the laws, and refpect to the legislative authority of this kingdom, which is effentially neceffary for the fafety of the whole; and in establishing fuch regulations, as may beft connect and ftrengthen every part of my dominions, for their mutual benefit and fupport.

The affection which I bear to my people excites my earnest wishes, that every feffion of parliament may be distinguished by fome plans for the public advantage, and for their relief from those difficulties, which an expenfive war has brought upon them. My concurrence and encouragement fhall never be wanting where their welfare is concerned; and I truft that for the attainment of that great object, you will proceed with temper, unanimity, and dispatch.

The addrefs of the house of Lords.

Moft gracious Sovereign,

permit. And we beg leave to affure your majefty of our entire fatisfaction in the choice of this alliance; which, under the bleffing of Providence, cannot fail of cementing and ftrengthening the union, which has fo long fubfifted between the crowns of Great Britain and Denmark, and thereby conducing to the fupport of the proteftant caufe.

We fincerely rejoice in thofe events of the last year, which feem to promife a continuance of the peace fo happily established ; and we receive, with gratitude, the declaration which your majefty is graciously pleased to make, of your refolution ftrictly to maintain it. We hope that the fresh affurances which the courts of France and Spain have given of their good difpofitions; the quiet of the empire, confirmed by the unanimous choice of a fucceffor to the imperial dignity; and the peaceable election of the king of Poland, will contribute to the fecurity of the general tranquillity of Europe, and that it will long remain fixed on a firm and lafting bafis. And we beg leave to affure your majefty, that, as the prefent undisturbed ftate of affairs abroad affords fo favourable an opportunity for the deliberations of your parliament on fuch objects, as may be most conducive to the internal good order and profperity of these kingdoms, nothing shall be wanting in care and attention, part, which may promote the welfare and the honour of our country.

Permit us, Sir, to offer to your majefty our humble acknowledgements, for the gracious approba

tion