r iss ] 



STATE PAPERS. 



fjis mqjesfj/'s spi-rrh from the throve 

 to both Iwuses of parliament, Jan. 

 21, l/y4. 



My Lords and Gentlemen, 

 'n^KEcircnmsiance^underwhich 

 JL you are now assembled re- 

 quire your most srrious attention. 



We are engaged in a contest, on 

 the issue of which depend i ne main- 

 tenance of oin- const itutirm, \nw%, 

 and religion ; and the security of all 

 civil society. 



You must have observed, with sa- 

 tisfaction, the advantages which 

 have been obtained by the arms of 

 the allied powers, and the change 

 ■tt'hichhas taken place in the general 

 situation of Europe since the com- 

 mencemei.t of the war. The Uni- 

 ted Provinces have been protected 

 I'rom invasion ; the Austi ian Nether- 

 lands have been recovered and 

 maintained; end puices ofconsider- 



. able importance have been acquired 

 On the frontiers of France. 1'he 

 re-capture of Mentz, and the suh- 



_ sequent successes of the allied ar- 

 mies on the Khine have, notvvith- 

 etanding the advantages recently 

 obtained by the enemy in that quar- 

 ter, proved highly beneficial to the 

 common cause. Powerful efforts 

 have been made by my allies in 

 the south of Europe ; the temporary 

 possession 6t the town and port of 



Toulon has greatly distressed the 

 op'^rations of my enemies : and in 

 thceircuiistancesattendingtheeva- 

 euati(;n of ijiat place, an important 

 and decisive blow has been given 

 to their naval power, by the distin- 

 guished conduct, abilities, and spirit 

 ct my commanders, officers, and 

 forces, both by sea and land. 



The French have been driven 

 ffom their possessions and fi hery at 

 Newfoundland, and important and 

 valuable acquis tions have been 

 made both in the East and West 

 Indies. 



At sea our supeiiority has be^n 

 undisputed, and our commerce so 

 effectually protected, that the losses 

 sustained have been inconsiderable, 

 in proportion to its extent, and to 

 the captures inadeon the contracted 

 trade of the enemy. 



The circumstances by which (he 

 farther progress of the ames has 

 therto been impeded, not only 

 prove the necessity of vigour and 

 perseverance on our part, but, at 

 th<' same time, confirm the expec- 

 tation of ultimate success. 



Our enemies have derived the 

 means of temporary exertion, from 

 a s)Stcm wliich 1ms enabled them 

 to dispose arbitrarily nf the lives 

 and property of a numerous peo- 

 ple, and which openly violates every 



restraint 



