606 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1805. 



privileges of accredited ministers, 

 and of the established principles of 

 the law of nations. Notwithstand- 

 ing these transactions, so repugnant 

 to every sentiment of moderation 

 and justice, I have recently received 

 a communication from the French 

 Government, containing professions 

 of a pacific disposition. I have, in 

 consequence, expressed my earnest 

 desire to embrace the first opportu- 

 nity of restoring the blessings of 

 peace, on such grounds as may be 

 consistent with the permanent safety 

 and interests of my dominions ; but 

 I am confident you will agree with 

 me, that those objects are closely 

 connefted with the general security 

 of Europe. I have, therefore, not 

 thought it right to enter into any 

 more particular explanation, with- 

 out previous communication with 

 fliose powers on the continent with 

 whom I am engaged in confidential 

 intercourse and connexion, with a 

 •*iew to that important objcft, and 

 especially with the Emperor of Rus- 

 sia, who has given the strongest 

 proofs of the wise and dignified sen- 

 timents by which he is animated, and 

 of the warm interests he takes in 

 the safety and independence of 

 Europe. 



Gentlemen of the house of commons. 

 I have directed the estimates for 

 the public service to be laid before 

 you. I regret the necessity of any 

 additional burthens being imposed 

 on my people, but I am sure you 

 will be sensible how much^their fu- 

 ture safety and happiness depend on 

 the vigour of our exertions, and that 

 in the mode of raising su])plies, you 

 will continue to shew your anxiety 

 for the support of public credit, and 

 for restraining as mucli as possible, 

 the accumulation of the nulionul 

 ^ebt. 



My lords and gentlemen, 

 In considering the great eflforts 

 and sacrifices which the nature of 

 the contest requires, it is a peculiar 

 satisfaction to me, to observe the 

 many proofs of the internal wealth 

 and prosperity of the country. It 

 will, I am sure, be your great ob- 

 ject to maintain and improve these 

 advantages, and at the same time to 

 tal;e all such measures, as by ena- 

 bling me to prosecute the war with 

 vigour, may aiiord the best prospect 

 of biingiug it to a safe and honoura- 

 ble termination. 



Message f/ om the King to the House 

 of Lords. 



His majesty thinks proper to ac- 

 quaint the house of lords, that the 

 communications which have taken 

 place, and are still depending, be- 

 tween his majesty and sonic of the 

 powers on the continent, have not 

 yet been brought to such a point, as 

 to enable his majesty to lay the re- 

 sult of them before the house, or to 

 enter into any further explanation 

 with the French Government, con- 

 sistently with the sentiments ex- , 

 pressed by his majesty aj the open- 

 ing of the present session. But his' 

 majesty conceives that it may be of 

 essential importance, that he should 

 have it in his power to avail himself 

 of any favourable conjunfture for 

 giving efi'ect to such a concert with 

 other powers, as may afford the best 

 means of resisting the inordinate 

 ambition of France, or may be 

 most likely to lead to a termina- 

 tion of the present contest, on 

 grounds consistent with the perma- 

 nent safety and interests of his 

 majesty's dominions, and the se- 

 curity and independence of Europe. 



His 



