I decline all attempts to state your Grace's eminent merits in your military character; to represent those brilliant actions, those illustrious achievements, which have attached immortality to the name of Wellington, and which have given to this country a degree of glory unexampled in the annals of this kingdom.

In thus acting, I believe I best consult the feelings which evince your Grace's title to the character of a truly great and illustrious man.

My duty to this House cannot but make 'me most anxious not to fall short of the expectation which the House may have formed as to the execution of what may have been committed to me on this great occasion; but the most anxious consideration which I have given to that duty, has convinced me that I cannot more effectually do justice to the judgment of the House, than by referring your Grace to the terms and language in which the House has repeatedly expressed its own sense of

the distinguished and consuminate wisdom and skill, the skill and ability, the prompt energy, the indefatigable exertion, the perseverance, the fortitude, and the valour, by which the victories of Vimiera, Talavera, Salamanca, and Vittoria, were achieved; by which the sieges of Cuidad Rodrigo and Badajoz were gloriously terminated; by which the deliverance of Portugal was effectuated; by which the ever-memorable establishment of the allied armies, on the frontiers of France, was accomplished; armies pushing forward, in the glory of victory at: Orthes, to the occupation of Bourdeaux.

These achievements, in their immediate consequence infinitely beneficial to the common cause, have, in the final results, secured the peace, prosperity, and glory of this country; whilst your Grace's example has animated, to great exertions, the other nations of Europe; exertions rescuing them from tyranny, and restoring them to independence; by which there has been ultimately established, among all the nations

of Europe, that balance of power, which, giving sufficient strength to every nation, provides that no nation shall be too strong.

I presume not to trespass upon the House by representing the personal satisfaction which I have derived from being the honored instrument of conveying to your Grace the acknowledgments and thanks of this House, upon every occasion upon which they have been offered to your Grace, or by endeavouring to represent the infinite gratification which I enjoy in thus offering, on the behalf of this House, on this day, to your Grace in person, those acknowledgments and those thanks. Your Grace is now called upon to aid hereafter by your wisdom and judgment, the great council of that nation, to the peace, prosperity, and glory of which your Grace has already so materially contributed; and I tender your Grace, now taking your seat in this House, in obedience to its commands, the thanks of the House in the words of its resolution-" That the thanks

of this House be given to Field Marshal the Duke of Wellington, on his return from his command abroad, for his eminent and unremitting service to his Majesty and to the public."

The Duke of Wellington replied

I have to perform a duty to which I feel myself very inadequate, to return your Lordships my thanks for this fresh mark of your approbation of my conduct and of your favor.

I assure your Lordships that I am entirely overcome by the honors which have been conferred upon me, and by the favor with which I have been received in this country by the Prince Regent, by your Lordships, and by the public.

In truth, my Lords, when I reflect upon the advantages which I enjoyed in the confidence reposed in me, and the support afforded by the government and by his Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief; in the cordial assistance I invariably re

ceived upon all occasions from my gallant friends, the general officers of the army, who are an honor to their country; the gallantry and discipline of the troops; and the manner in which I was encouraged and excited to exertion, by the protection and gracious favor of the Prince; I cannot but consider, that however great the difficulties with which I had to contend, these were equal to overcome them, and I am apprehensive that I shall not be found so deserving of your favor as I wish.

If, however, my merit is not great, my gratitude is unbounded; and I can only assure your Lordships, that you will always find me ready to serve his Majesty, to the utmost of my ability, in any capacity in which my services can be at all useful to this great country.

On the 1st of July, the Duke of Wellington appeared before the House of Com

mons.