hrunk from the idea of recognizing the independence of
America, and hence, when the house divided the motion was rejected by
one hundred and seventy-two against ninety-nine.

PARLIAMENT PROROGUED.

This session terminated on the 18th of July. In his speech the king
thanked the members for their long attendance, their loyalty, and their
affection. At this time a prospect of brilliant successes had opened in
India, and that the British would build up an empire more vast in its
extent than that for which they were contending in the West. His majesty
dwelt at some length upon this subject, and warmly applauded measures
adopted, or in progress, for checking abuses in these possessions,
and for making our conquests mutually advantageous to the natives and
ourselves. On the subject of America he remarked:--"While I lament the
continuance of the present troubles, and the extension of the war, I
have the conscious satisfaction to reflect, that the constant aim of my
councils has been to bring back my deluded subjects in America to the
happiness and liberty they formerly enjoyed, and see the tranquillity
of Europe restored. To defend the dominion and to maintain the rights of
this country was on my part the sole cause, and was the only object of
the war. Peace is the earnest wish of my heart; but I have too firm a
reliance on the spirit and resources of the nation, and the powerful
assistance of my parliament, and the protection of a just and all-ruling
Providence, to accept it upon any other terms than such as may consist
with the honour and dignity of my crown, and the permanent interests
and security of my people." At the time when his majesty delivered this
speech there was indeed no prospect of peace: war raged on every hand.

{GEORGE III. 1781-1782}

ATTACK ON JERSEY.

Early in this year the French, under the Baron de Rullecourt, made
another attempt upon the island of Jersey. Its little capital was
captured by night, and Major Corbet, the lieutenant-governor, signed
a capitulation for the surrender of the whole island. Major Pierson,
however, was not so pusillanimous. Collecting all the force he could, he
fell upon the French invaders in the market-place of St. Heliers, and,
being-assisted by the towns-people, killed a great many of them, and
captured the rest. But unfortunately Pierson was himself killed by
almost the last shot fired by the French. At the commencement of the
action the Baron de Rullecourt