sent him there, for his majesty's appro- | united parliament. The abilities of that bation, on the following day.

gentleman were too well known to require his panegyric; but he could not avoid observing, that in an age like the present, when the vanity of every man made him think himself adequate to the highest offices, it was most fortunate for the pub. lic that such a man as Mr. Addington, whose eminent qualities presented the fairest claims to the chief dignities of the state, should have confined his attention, undistracted by more ambitious pursuits, to those studies, which, in so superior a degree, had qualified him to represent the collective wisdom of the people at large. He flattered himself he should not only have the unanimous concurrence of the members of the British parliament, but of those who, for the benefit of the whole empire, had been incorporated with it. Their support on this occasion would be no inconsiderable pledge of the unanimity which would in future prevail with respect to whatever concerned the dignity and independence of parliament, the stability of the government, and the welfare and happiness of the country. He concluded by moving, "That the right hon. Henry Addington be called to the chair of the House."

Mr. Addington chosen Speaker.] The Commons having returned to their House, Mr. Pelham rose, and, addressing himself to Mr. Ley, the deputy clerk, said, that the House had been at the House of Peers, where his majesty, through the medium of the lord chancellor, had recommended to his Commons immediately to proceed to the election of a Speaker. In making choice of a member to fill that important situation, it had been customary to take into consideration those qualities which were indispensably requisite to enable the person invested with it to support the dignity of the House. It was unnecessary to say, that he should be a man of transcendant abilities, of equal and steady perseverance, of extensive know. ledge, and of approved experience in whatever related to the laws and customs of parliament. That he should likewise be a man of a firm and vigorous mind, capable of supporting by his authority the privileges of the House; that he should possess a disposition no less characterised by its energy on the one hand, than tempered by its moderation on the other. | If such had been considered essential qua- Mr. Yorke rose to second the proposition. lifications in those who were selected to He was fully persuaded how unnecessary preside over the deliberations of the it would be to add many words to what people's representatives in common times, had already been so ably enforced. He surely they were more peculiarly required was convinced it would be a waste of time at a period like the present, when an to endeavour to persuade the House to do event had taken place, which must neces- that which he was sure every gentleman sarily give rise to discussions of the most present must wish to do. He was aware important nature, upon subjects of internal also how unpleasant it must be to the regulation; an event, which, while it right hon. gentleman who was the object. called into action the united wisdom of of their choice, to hear his own praises the empire, would, he trusted, tend to resounded, however conscious he must consolidate and establish the constitution be of having well deserved them. Much and government, an event which would as he was interested in the elevation of a embrace an infinite variety of new objects, person with whom he had the honour of and consequently demand exertions sur- being on terms of the strictest friendship, passing those of ordinary periods. In he was less actuated by motives of persaying this, he wished it by no means to sonal friendship, than a persuasion that be supposed that there was any difficulty he was, by so doing, promoting the pubin making choice of a person fully ade- lic good. In times like the present, when quate to the performance of the important the situation of Europe was so peculiarly duties of the chair-far from it. His mind alarming, when the envy, the pusillawas impressed with no such difficulty, nor nimity, and ingratitude of some courts, could the House hesitate a moment with and the perfidy and malevolence of others, regard to the person it should call upon were exerting every means of increasing to perform them. He was actuated by the inveterate malice of the enemy against the strongest reasons to propose that Mr. this country, it was necessary that all the Addington, who had already filled with talents and experience the empire could so much credit the chair of the British, produce should be brought forward. It should be appointed to fill that of the was necessary, that in the cabinet, the

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senate, and above all, among the people, | trust, he was still less disposed to enumeevery energy of which the soul was capable rate; the enumeration, he feared, would should be brought into action. He would constitute the strongest objections to the ask, where the greater qualities of wisdom choice the House had adopted. What and experience could be more required the right hon. gentleman, who had prothan in the chair of that House, the center posed his nomination to the chair, had on which every thing that animated and been pleased to say of him, and the mangave vigour to the country turned, the ner in which the House had received the master-mover and spring of all its opera- nomination, had not so much inspired him tion, and more especially at a time when with a confidence that he was adequate to the Commons of the united nation were the duties, as it had heightened those now, for the first time, assembled, and sentiments by which he had before been when many difficult points of internal ar- inspired. He felt strongly what was the rangement must of necessity arise? With situation of the country at the present this view it was that he thought it neces- period, and he was ready to sacrifice ease, sary there should be placed in the chair, or even health itself, to considerations of a person, whose knowledge of the laws the public welfare; but those consideraand customs of parliament, whose steadi- tions had induced him to look into himness, and equanimity of temper and dis- self, and compare the faculties he posposition, whose urbanity of manners, and sessed with those which were expected whose rectitude of conduct, were univer- from one in the situation he was called sally admitted. When the name of upon to fill. Upon making the compaAddington was proposed, his mind imme- rison, he had felt a disposition to decline diately suggested to him, that it was that the honour; but, from the manner in of a gentleman, of all others most emi- which it had been proposed and received, nently qualified to fill the chair of the he was disposed to forego that repugHouse of Commons; and, under that im- nance he experienced from a consciouspression, it was with no inconsiderable ness of his own inability. It was far from degree of self-satisfaction, that he se- his wish to subject himself to the imputaconded the motion [Cries of Hear, hear!] tion of affectation; but he trusted he was Mr. Addington said:-The House must as much attached as any man to the be aware that such a motion, so support- blessings of our free constitution; he ed, and so received, must have made a trusted that he respected those constitustrong impression on the person to whom tional privileges of the subject, and those it applied. He trusted, that what had forms of justice, the result of the accumupassed that day, and the remembrance of lated experience of ages, which unhappily those marks of approbation with which he it had been found necessary to suspend, had before been honoured, had excited but which he hoped would be renewed in his breast those sentiments which he by the united parliament. He trusted he ought to entertain, but which he was felt every anxiety for the preservation of wholly unable to express. He concurred the liberties of the country; and he should in the opinion, that for the convenience be ashamed to look his countrymen in the of the proceedings of the House, it was face, if, in accepting the Chair, he had necessary a person should be selected to any other object in view than that of fill the chair, who was acquainted with entitling himself to their approbation, by the privileges, and accustomed to the a faithful performance of its duties, as far usages of parliament. The House was as his abilities would enable him; to about to confer a great and important accept it from any other motive, he should trust-a trust superior to any that can be deem not only reprehensible, but criminal. conferred by parliament, without the in- That he had before filled the chair with tervention of the other House. Its nature success, was to be attributed to the asand importance it was unnecessary for sistance he had experienced from the him to point out; it was perfectly House. He could truly say, that during known to the whole House; but by no the course of twelve years, under cirpart better understood than by those cumstances which had rendered the diswho, convinced of the intentions of the charge of his duties more peculiarly British empire, now, for the first time, arduous, he had experienced nothing but formed a part of the united parliament. kindness from those who composed the The qualifications required on the part of parliament; he was fully aware of the resthe person called upon to execute such a ponsibility attached to the situation; but

"In this situation, I could not hesitate as to the conduct which it became me to pursue. I have taken the earliest measures to repel the aggressions of this "It will afford me the truest and most hostile confederacy, and to support those heartfelt satisfaction whenever the dispoprinciples which are essential to the main-sition of our enemies shall enable me thus tenance of our naval strength, and which are grounded on the system of public law, so long established and recognized in Europe.

"I have, at the same time, given such assurances, as manifest my disposition to renew my ancient relations with those powers, whenever it can be done consistently with the honour of my crown, and with a just regard to the safety of my subjects. You will, I am persuaded, Debate in the Lords on the Address of omit nothing on your part, that can Thanks. His majesty having retired, afford me the most vigorous and effectual the king's speech was read by the lord support in my firm determination to main-chancellor, and again by the clerk at the tain to the utmost, against every attack, table. After which, the naval rights and the interests of my empire.

lenee of new enemies, and to resist the | land-tax, and bad sacredly held her enpretensions and designs of France. He gagement, although the land in Scotland had no doubt of the strength of each daily rose in value beyond her proportion country being increased by the great of those taxes. England might have measure of the Union, and of the happi- broken her engagements, for she had the ness as well as power of both being more power. But her faith and inclination were firm and secure. Ireland, however, would, on the side of Scotland; and both counhe believed, be the greater gainer. The tries had now reason to rejoice at the ennatural resources of that country wanted larged policy of England; for even the capital and activity to make them benefi- latter was stronger and more secure in cial in the highest degree; and there time of war for the Union; and Scotland being now no distinction between the was raised to partake of the wealth and countries, but Ireland being an integral power of a greater and more cultivated part of the empire, there could be no nation than herself. All this was evidence doubt that the capital, which had made to Ireland, that she had nothing to appreEngland the envy of the world, would hend from this country exercising supe spread to that country, and include her rior power to her detriment; but, on the in the benefit. Ireland had reason to ex- contrary, that every thing for her peculiar pect this, and on every question might advantage would be conceded, and that calculate on the most liberal policy from there would be a vigour acquired by her England, whose generosity was charac- incorporation with a kingdom of such teristic. The benefit resulting to two in- capital, skill, and industry as Great Bridependent nations, from an entire incor- tain. The fertility of the soil of Ireland; poration, by such an union as the present, its natural resources; and aptitude for was not at this day a mere speculation. commerce, could not be truly ascertained, The benefit of union had been tasted and until they should be developed by the catried in the case of Scotland, and he re- pital and skill of England. They would joiced in saying, that though both coun- now all receive such an impulse as would tries had reaped essential advantages from demonstrate their value; and he was bold the Union, yet Scotland had reaped the to say, that the most sanguine imagination most. All the valuable consequences to could not anticipate the extent of riches Scotland, that had been suggested as and power, to which, under these auspices, motives to that country, at the time of she would speedily rise. He was the agitating the question of an union with more eager to speak in this tone, because England, were fulfilled, and many more in him the sentiment was hereditary. His added to them that were never promised, family had, on the occasion of the Union, nor even foreseen in all their extent. She taken a zealous part in promoting the had united with a kingdom of greater ex- measure, at a time when it was highly tent of dominion, capital, skill, and com- unpopular in their country to do so; but merce, than her own. Fears had been every prediction of his ancestor had been entertained at the time, that she would fulfilled, and Scotland had now to bless suffer under the superior influence of her the authors and advocates of that mea more powerful neighbour-from the majo- sure. In like manner he had no doubt rity of representatives, and other circum- but that Ireland would experience equal, if stances; but all those apprehensions had not greater advantages-while this counbeen found to be chimerical, since, by the try would glory in a connection with a liberality of England to Scotland, she had people so brave and manly in their genius not, in any one instance, felt the inferi--so peculiarly endowed with every sentiority of her numbers in the legislature. On the contrary, there had been an uniform attention paid to the weaker powers. The conduct of England had not only been sincere, but great and generous. It was in vain to attempt to notice every instance in which Scotland was improved and enriched since that period by the Union. The fisheries were supported and extended, the land cultivated, trade increased, and capital enlarged. England had stipulated to spare Scotland in the

ment that ennobles and dignifies the hu man character.-He next adverted to the necessity that existed for all the advantage of combined strength in the British empire, to meet the late events on the continent. He spoke of the aggression of Russia in terms of the strongest reproba tion. The ministers of the emperor of Russia, he said, had resolved to go to war with England, yet that was no easy matter to accomplish. This country and Russia had the same commercial interests; they were