“I glory in the Name of Briton,” George III said to Parliament three weeks after ascending the throne, establishing from the beginning of his reign that he would be different than the two Georges before him, both of whom were born and educated in Hanover. Many of the concerns that shaped his reign are suggested in this speech, including his determination to be a patriarchal leader for the British people, encourage religion and virtue, and support the expansion of British commerce. The European war dominates the speech, but the king alluded happily to the conquest of Canada.
This is one of several broadside versions of the king’s speech sold in Britain immediately after the event. The printer named on this one, as on the others, is Thomas Baskett, who together with his brother Robert Baskett had inherited the exclusive right of their father, John Baskett, as printer to the king. The Basketts licensed other printer to produced broadsides of this and other royal speeches. Broadsides like these were sold for about six pence each, and were the primary means for literate Britons to read the king’s first words to the nation.
The king’s speech reached the American colonies, probably in broadside form, in January 1761. It was reprinted in its entirety in the Boston News-Letter on January 15. John Adams read the speech and noted in his diary on February 9: “His Majesty has declared him self, by his Speech to his Parliament to be a Man of Piety, and Candor in Religion, a friend of Liberty, and Property in Government, and a Patron of Merit. ‘The Blessing of Heaven, I devoutly emplore’—’as the surest Foundation of the whole, (i.e. the Loyalty and affection of his People, his Resolution to strengthen the Constitution, the civil &c. Rights of his subjects and the Prerogatives of his Crown &c.) and the best Means to draw down the divine favour on my Reign, it is my fixed Purpose to countenance and encourage true Religion and Virtue.’— These are Proofs of his Piety. He promises to patronize Religion, Virtue, the british Name and Constitution, in Church and state, the subjects Rights, Liberty, Commerce, military Merit.—These are sentiments worthy of a King—a Patriot King.”
HIS MAJESTY’s
Most Gracious SPEECH to both Houses of Parliament
On Tuesday the Eighteenth Day of November, 1760
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
The just Concern, which I have felt in My own Breast, on the sudden Death of the late King, My Royal Grandfather, makes Me not doubt, but you must all have been deeply affected with so severe a Loss. The present critical and difficult Conjuncture has made this Loss the more sensible, as He was the great Support of that System, by which alone the Liberties of Europe, and the Weight of these Kingdoms, can be preserved; and gave Life to the Measures conducive to those important Ends.
I need not tell you the Addition of Weight which immediately falls upon Me, in being called to the Government of this free and powerful Country at such a Time, and under such Circumstances. My Consolation is in the Uprightness of My own Intentions, your faithful and united Assistance, and the Blessings of Heaven upon Our joint Endeavours, which I devoutly implore.
Born and educated in this Country, I glory in the Name of Briton; and the peculiar Happiness of My Life will ever consist in promoting the Welfare of a People, whose Loyalty and warm Affection to Me I consider as the greatest and most permanent Security of My Throne; and I doubt not, but their Steadiness in those Principles will equal the Firmness of My invariable Resolution to adhere to, and strengthen, this excellent Constitution in Church and State; and to maintain the Toleration inviolable. The Civil and Religious Rights of My loving Subjects are equally dear to Me with the most valuable Prerogatives of My Crown: And, as the surest Foundation of the Whole, and the best Means to draw down the Divine Favor on My Reign, it is My fixed Purpose to countenance and encourage the Practice of true Religion and Virtue.
I reflect, with Pleasure, on the Successes with which the British Arms have been prospered this last Summer. The total Reduction of the vast Province of Canada, with the City of Montreal, is of the most interesting Consequence, and must be as heavy a Blow to My Enemies, as it is a Conquest glorious to Us; the more glorious, because effected almost without Effusion of Blood, and with that Humanity, which makes an amiable Part of the Character of this Nation.
Our Advantages gained in the East Indies have been signal; and must greatly diminished the Strength and Trade of France in those Parts, as well as procure the most solid Benefits to the Commerce and Wealth of My Subjects.
In Germany, where the whole French Force has been employed, the Combined Army, under the wise and able Conduct of My General Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, has not only stopt their Progress, but has gained Advantages over them, notwithstanding their boasted Superiority, and their not having hitherto come to a general Engagement. My good Brother and Ally, the King of Prussia, although surrounded with numerous Armies of Enemies, has, with a Magnaminity and Perseverance almost beyond Example, not only withstood their various Attacks, but has obtained very considerable Victories over them.
Of these Event I shall say no more at this Time, because the Nature of the War in those Parts has kept the Campaign there still depending.
As My Navy is the principal Article of Our natural Strength, it gives Me much Satisfaction to receive it in such good Condition; whilst the Fleet of France is weakened to such a Degree, that the small Remains of it have continued blocked up by My Ships in their own Ports; at the same Time the French Trade is reduced to the lowest Ebb; and with Joy of Heart I see the Commerce of My Kingdoms, that great Source of our Riches, and fixed Object of My never failing Care and Protection, flourishing to an Extent unknown in any former War.
The Valour and Intrepidity of My Officers and Forces, both at Sea and Land, have been distinguished so much to the Glory of this Nation, that I should be wanting in Justice to them, if I did not acknowledge it. This is a Merit which I shall constantly encourage and reward; and I take this Occasion to declare, that the zealous and useful Service of the Militia, in the present arduous Conjuncture, is very acceptable to Me.
In this State I have found Things at My Accession to the Throne of My Ancestors; Happy, in viewing the prosperous Part of it; Happier still should I have been, had I found My Kingdoms, whose true Interest I have entirely at Heart, in full Peace: But, since the Ambition, injurious Encroachments, and dangerous Designs of My Enemies, rendered the War both just and necessary, and the generous Overture, made last Winter, towards a Congress for a Pacification, has not yet produced a suitable Return, I am determined, with your chearful and powerful Assistance, to prosecute the War with Vigour, in order to that desirable Object, a safe and honourable Peace. For this Purpose, it is absolutely incumbent upon Us to be early prepared; and I rely upon your Zeal and hearty Concurrence to support the King of Prussia, and the rest of My Allies, and to make ample Provision for carrying on the War, as the only Means to bring Our Enemies to equitable Terms of Accommodation.
Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
The greatest Uneasiness which I feel at this Time, is in considering the uncommon Burdens, necessarily brought upon My faithful Subjects. I desire only such Supplies as shall be requisite to prosecute the War with Advantage; be adequate to the necessary Services; and that they may be provided for in the most sure and effectual Manner. You may depend upon the faithful and punctual Application of what shall be granted. I have ordered the proper Estimates for the ensuing Year to be laid before you; and also an Account of the extraordinary Expences, which from the Nature of the different and remote Operations, have been unavoidably incurred.
It is with peculiar Reluctance, that I am obliged, at such a Time, to mention any Thing which personally regards Myself: But, as the Grant of the greatest Part of the Civil List Revenues is now determined, I trust in your Duty and Affection to Me, to make the proper Provision for supporting My Civil Government with Honour and Dignity. On My Part, you may be assured of a regular and become Oeconomy.
My Lords, and Gentlemen,
The Eyes of all Europe are upon you. From your Resolutions the Protestant Interest hopes for Protection, as well as all Our Friends for the Preservation of their Independency; and Our Enemies feat the final Disappoint of their ambitious and destructive Views. Let these Hopes and Fears be confirmed and augmented by the Vigour, Unanimity, and Dispatch of your Proceedings.
In this Expectation I am more encouraged by a pleasing Circumstance, which I look upon as one of the most auspicious Omens of My Reign. That happy Extinction of Divisions, and that Union and good Harmony which continue to prevail amongst My Subjects, afford Me the most agreeable Prospect. The natural Disposition and Wish of My Heart are, to cement and promote them; and I promise Myself, that nothing will arise on your Part, to interrupt or disturb the Situation, so essential to the true and lasting Felicity of this Great People.
LONDON: Printed for Thomas Baskett, Printer to the King’s most Excellent Majesty; and by the Assigns of Robert Baskett: And Sold by Thomas Kitchen, at the Star, Holborn Hill. 1760.