violation of the law for the public good, to be fubfequently approved and juftified on that ground by a public indemnity, but contents itself with the abatements of fuits and actions.

And fecondly and chiefly, with refpect to the conftitution of the kingdom, to which it offers no fatisfaction for the violation of the law; as it acknowledges only by conftruction and reference to dates, that it has been violated; as it attempts to confound the juft ideas of profpective legiflation by authorizing a meafure from a day which has already long elapfed; and as it totally omits to ftate not only that the effect has been adequate to the measure, and that therefore the measure is falutary, and that it has had any effect what

dered to me and to your country, during the course of your long at tendance in parliament, demand my most cordial thanks.

my people makes me fincerely anxious for the happiness and profperity of every part of my dominions.

Hitherto the events of war have afforded the court of France no reafon to triumph on the confequences of their injuftice and breach of public faith; and I trust that, by a fpirited and profperous exertion of the force you have put into my hands, that ambitious power may be brought to wish that they had not, without provocation or cause of complaint, infulted the honour and invaded the rights of my crown.

I have already acquainted you with the hoftile ftep which has been lately taken by the court of Spain. Whatever colour may be attempted to be put upon that unjuft proceeding, I am confcious that I have nothing to reproach myself with: it has been followed by the clearest demonstrations of the loyalty and affection of my parliament to my perfon and government, for which I repeat to you my warmeft thanks; and I confider it as a happy omen of the fuccefs of my arms, that the increase of difficulties ferves only to augment the courage and conmate and unite my people in the ftancy of the nation, and to ani

defence of their country, and of every thing that is dear to them.

Gentlemen

Gentlemen of the Houfe of Commons,

The various and extenfive operations of the war have unavoidably occafioned uncommon expence, and brought additional burdens on my faithful and beloved people, which I moft fincerely regret: I cannot fufficiently thank you for the confidence you have repofed in me, and for the chearfulness and public fpirit with which the large fupplies for the current year have been granted.

My Lords and Gentlemen,

It is impoffible to speak of the continuance of the rebellion in North America without the deepest concern; but we have given fuch unquestionable proofs of our fincere difpofition to put an end to thofe troubles, that I muft ftill hope that the malignant defigns of the enemies of Great Britain cannot long prevail against the evident interefts of thofe unhappy provinces, and that they will not blindly perfift in preferring an unnatural and dangerous connection with a foreign power to peace and re-union with their mothercountry.

Then the Lord Chancellor, by his Majefty's command, said,

My Lords and Gentlemen, It is his Majefty's royal will and pleafure, that this parliament be prorogued to Thursday, the 5th of Auguft next, to be then here holden: and this parliament is prorogued to Thursday, the 5th of Auguft next.

My Lords and Gentlemen, At a time when the trade and commerce of this kingdom are, in a more particular manner, the objects of public attention, it were to be wifhed that the general tranquillity, ever defirable, had been restored, fo as to have left you entirely at leisure to deliberate on thofe great and important fubjects. But I am perfuaded you will not permit any interests, however dear to you, to impede your efforts, or difturb your unanimity at this moft important period: and I have it exprefsly in command from his Majefty to affure you, that the cares and folicitudes infeparable from a state of hoftility have not prevented him from turning his royal mind to the interefts and diftreffes of this kingdom with the most affectionate concern; of which the money remitted to this country for its defence, when England had every reafon to apprehend a most formidable and immediate attack, affords a convincing proof. Anxious for the happiness of his people, his Majefty will most chearfully co-operate with his parlia ment in fuch meafures as may promote the common interests of all his fubjects.

I have the pleasure to inform you of an acceffion to his Majefty's family fince the laft feflion of par

liament,

Excellency our fincere thanks for your most excellent fpeech from the throne.

We feel ourselves happy in being again affembled in Parliament under your Fxcellency's adminiftration, of which we have had fuch experience, as fills us with the beft grounded hopes and confidence, that, affifted by your Excellency's,knowledge of, and earneft defire to promote the true in tereft of this country, fuch things may be accomplished, as may eminently diftinguish the prefent fef fion of parliament, by the wife provifion and ufcful regulations which fhall be made in it, for reftoring and establishing the national profperity.

We cannot doubt of your Excellency's faithful reprefentations of this country, when we hear from the throne, as we have done, that his Majefty hath gracioufly condefcended to affure us, that the cares and folicitudes, infeparable from a fiate of hoftility, have not been able to prevent him from turning his thoughts to the intereft and diftreffes of this kingdom, and to afford us fuch a proof as he has done of his affectionate concern, by the remittance made to this country for its support.

We rejoice, with your Excellency, on the happy acceffion to his Majesty's royal family by the birth of another Prince.

We congratulate with your Excellency, that, notwithstanding the united efforts of his Majefty's enemies, there is that display of courage, and manifeftation of zeal, for the fupport of his Majefty's facred perfon and government, through all orders and ranks of the people in this kingdom, as fhews,

that his Majefty's loyal fubjects here are fo far from being caft down and difmayed by any hoftile efforts or threats, that they are animated to a degree that roufes the brave and military spirit of this country, that hath fo eminently diftinguished itself at all times.

We beg leave to affure your Excellency, that we will not fuffer any dangers with which we may be threatened from abroad to draw off our attention from wife and domeftic regulations; and that, among the great objects worthy of our confideration, the Proteftant charter schools and linen manufacture will continue to have a just fhare of our attention.

We cannot but offer to your Excellency our moft grateful thanks, for the kind affurance that you have given us of your cooperating with us in promoting fuch measures as may tend to increafe the profperity, or improve the true intereft of this kingdom;

and, relying upon the proofs which your Excellency hath given us, in your paft conduct, of your good wishes, we trust, that your Excellency's beft endeavours will never be wanting to forward and promote the welfare of Ireland.

Tranflation of the King of France's Declaration of War at Martinico.

Τ

HE infult offered to my flag

Tby a frigate belonging to his Britannic Majesty, in her treatment of my frigate the Belle Poule; the capture by an English fquadron of my frigates the Licorne and Pallas, and of my cutter, the Coureur, contrary to the law of nations; the capture at fea and confifcation of fhips belonging to my fubjects by the English, contrary to the faith of treaties; the continual interruption and injury occafioned to the maritime commerce of my kingdom, and of my colonies in America, as well by fhips of war as by privateers, authorized by his Britannic Majefty; the depredations committed and encouraged by which thefe injurious proceedings, but chiefly the infult offered to my flag, have forced me to lay afide that moderation which I propofed to ob. ferve, and will not allow me any longer to fufpend the effects of my refentment.

The dignity of my crown, and the protection which I owe to my fubjects, oblige me to make res prifals, and to act in a hoftile manner against the English nation. I therefore authorize my fhips to attack, and endeavour to take and

destroy, all hips, frigates, and other veffels they may meet with, belonging to the King of England, and alfo to feize and detain all English mercantile. veffels which they may encounter; and I likewise authorize my troops to attack, feize, and occupy, the pof. feffions of his Britannic Majefty.

I therefore write this letter to inform you, that it is my defire,

that you employ all the land and fea forces under your direction, in attacking and feizing the poffeffions of the King of England, his fhips, frigates, and other veffels, alfo the merchant fhips belonging to his fubjects; and for that purpose you may exercife, and caufe to be exercifed, all manner of hoftilities authorized by the laws of war; I am affured in finding in the juftnef of my cause, in the courage and skill of my land and fea forces, in the bravery and attachment of my foldiers and failors, and in the love of my fubjects in general, the refources which I have always experienced from them, my prefent conduct having no other tendency than to promote their happiness.

I pray God, Monfieur le Marquis de Bouille, that he may take you under his protection. (Signed)

LOUIS.

DE SARTINE. Versailles, 28th June, 1778.