f the
definitive treaties.

EXECUTION OF TREATIES, ETC.

The greatest difficulty in the way of the settlement of the definitive
treaties arose from Holland. On the 2nd of September, however, through
the influence of France, Holland acceded to preliminaries of peace, by
which all conquests on both sides were to be restored, except the town
of Negapatam, in the East Indies, which was to remain in the possession
of Great Britain. On the next day the definitive treaties with France,
Spain, and America were signed, and that under the auspices of the men
who had condemned the articles _in toto_. Soon after Mr. Adams arrived
in London as ambassador from the United States. On his first audience
at St. James's, the king received Mr. Adams with much courtesy and
kindness. He remarked to him:--"I was the last man in the kingdom, sir,
to consent to the independence of America; but, now it is granted, I
shall be the last man in the world to sanction its violation." It
is said that Adams retired from the monarch's presence with altered
sentiments as to his real character; and when at a later period Jay
came into contact with the king, he was obliged to confess that in
his representations of George III. in the American manifestoes and
revolutionary documents, which had been chiefly written by him, he
had overcharged the picture. Instead of being an unfeeling and savage
tyrant, thirsting for the blood of his subjects, as he had set forth, he
found that his majesty possessed many virtues, and that he was beloved
by his subjects.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament reassembled on the 11th of November. The king's speech on
this occasion was brief but comprehensive. After noticing the conclusion
of peace with France, Spain, and America, he urged attention to every
possible means of recruiting the strength and resources of the nation;
of rendering the necessary revenue as little burthensome as possible
to his subjects; and of adopting new measures to prevent the numerous
frauds which had been committed in the collection of the revenue. He
particularly directed their attention to the affairs of India, remarking
that their utmost exertions would be required to maintain and improve
the valuable advantages derived from our Indian possessions, and to
promote and secure the happiness of the native inhabitants. The address
passed without opposition; Pitt himself expressing approbation of the
ends of government, and promising his s