52 APPENDIX TO BRITISH COUNTER CASE. 



.... He concluded, by moving the following Resolution: "That 

 it is the opinion of this House, that the further prosecution of offen- 

 sive war on the continent of North America, for the purpose of 

 reducing the revolted colonies to obedience by force, will be the means 

 of weakening the efforts of this country against her European 

 enemies; tends, under the present circumstances, dangerously to in- 

 crease the mutual enmity, so fatal to the interests both of Great 

 Britain and America; and, by preventing an happy reconciliation 

 with that country, to frustrate the earnest desire graciously expressed 

 by his Majesty to restore the blessings of public tranquillity." 

 ******* 



Mr. Attorney General Wallace [moved] "That the debate be ad- 

 journed till this day fortnight." 



******* 



At half past one o'clock the House divided on the Attorney Gen- 

 eral's motion for adjournment: 



Yeas 215 



Noes 234 



Majority against Ministers 19. The original question was then 

 put, and carried without a division. 



The minister being thus left in a minority, general Conway fol- 

 lowed up his first motion with another : " That an humble Address 

 be presented to his Majesty, most humbly to represent to his Majesty, 

 that the farther prosecution of offensive war on the continent of North 

 America, for the purpose of reducing the revolted colonies to obedi- 

 ence by force, will be the means of weakening the efforts of this coun- 

 try against h-?r European enemies, tends, under the present circum- 

 stances, dangerously to increase the mutual enmity so fatal to the 

 interests both of Great Britain and America; and, by preventing an 

 happy reconciliation with that country ,'to frustrate the earnest desire 

 graciously expressed by his Majesty to restore the blessings of public 

 tranquillity." This motion was agreed to without a division. 



Resolved, That the said Address be presented to his Majesty by 

 the whole House. 



March 4' The Speaker reported to the House, that the House had 

 attended his Majesty with their Address, to which he had been pleased 

 to return the following Answer: 



" Gentlemen of the House of Commons; 



" There are no objects nearer to my heart than the ease, happiness, 

 and prosperity of my people. You may be assured, that, in pursu- 

 ance of your advice, I shall take such measures as shall appear to me 

 to be most conducive to the restoration of harmony between Great 

 Britain and the revolted colonies, so essential to the prosperity of 

 both ; and that my efforts shall be directed in the most effectual man- 

 ner against our European enemies, until such a peace can be obtained 

 as shall consist with the interests and permanent welfare of my 

 kingdoms." 



