August 8, 1776
While the Continental Congress debated and declared independence, news of the king’s speech to both houses of Parliament on May 23, 1776, was on its way across the Atlantic. George III said that he still entertained hope that his “rebellious subjects” might “be awakened to a sense of their duty,” and reconcile with Great Britain. He said “the restoration of harmony and the re-establishment of order and happiness” across the empire was the “favourite wish” of his heart. The king’s speech described the conflict with the colonists as “a great national cause,” concerning “the essential rights and interests of the whole empire.” He believed that there could be “no safety or security but in that constitutional subordination” which the British forces were working toward.
The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne
By the Lord Hyde Packet, which left Falmouth the third of June, and arrived at Staten-Island the 29th of July, we have received HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’s SPEECH to both Houses of Parliament, on Tuesday the 23d of May, 1776.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
THE conclusion of public business, and the advanced season of the year, make it proper for me to give you some recess, but I cannot put an end to this session without assuring you, that the fresh instances of your attachment to me, and your steady attention and adherence to the true interest of your country, which you have shewn in the whole course of your important deliberations, afford the highest satisfaction.
No alteration has happened in the state of foreign affairs since your meeting, and it is with pleasure I inform you, that the assurances I have received of the dispositions of the several powers in Europe promise a continuance of the general tranquillity.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
It was with real regret and concern that I found myself under the necessity of asking of my faithful Commons any extraordinary supplies. I thank you for the readiness and despatch with which they have been granted, and they are the more acceptable to me, as you have shewn in the manner of raising them, an equal regard to the exigencies of the service, and the ease of my people. And you may be assured that the confidence you repose in me shall be used with proper frugality, and applied only to the purposes for which it was intended.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
We are engaged in a great national cause, the prosecution of which must inevitably be attended with many difficulties, and much expense; but when we consider that the essential rights and interests of the whole empire are deeply concerned in the issue of it, and can have no safety or security but in that constitutional subordination for which we are contending, I am convinced that you will not think any price too high for the preservation of such objects.
I will still entertain a hope that my rebellious subjects may be awakened to a sense of their duty, they will justify me in bringing about the favourite wish of my heart, the restoration of harmony and the re-establishment of order and happiness in every part of my dominions. But if a due submission should not be obtained, from such motives, and such a disposition on their part, I trust I shall be able, under the blessing of Providence, to effectuate it by a full exertion of the great force with which you have entrusted me.
