convinced of the loyalty and good sense of the
great body of his majesty's subjects, to believe them capable of being
perverted by the arts which are employed to seduce them; but I am
determined to omit no precautions for preserving the public peace, and
for counteracting the designs of the disaffected. I rely with the
utmost confidence, also, on your cordial support, and co-operation,
in upholding a system of law and government from which we have
derived inestimable advantages; which has enabled us to conclude, with
unexampled glory, a contest whereon depended the best interests of
mankind, and which has been hitherto felt by ourselves, as it is
acknowledged by other nations, to be the most perfect that had fallen to
the lot of any people."

The prince regent had good reason to complain of the turbulent spirit
displayed by the factions: for on his way to the house he had been
assailed with tumultuous expressions of disapprobation; and on his
return from it, he was assailed by missiles of every description, and
the glass of his carriage was broken by what was supposed to be
two balls from an air-gun, aimed at his person. This outrage was
communicated to the lords by Lord Sidmouth; and a conference was held
with the house of commons, at which a joint address, congratulating his
royal highness on his escape, was agreed upon. The consideration of the
usual address in answer to the speech was postponed till the following
day, when Earl Grey moved in the lords an amendment, chiefly for the
purpose of expressing an opinion that the prince regent was under a
delusion respecting the degree and probable duration of the pressure on
the resources of the country. He declared this to be much more extensive
in its operations, more severe in its effects, more deep and general
in its causes, and more difficult to be removed, than that which had
prevailed at the termination of former wars. Added to this declaration
in the amendment, was a profession of regret that the prince regent
should not have been sooner advised to adopt measures of rigid
economy and retrenchment, especially with respect to our military
establishments; and a resolution that the house should go immediately
into a committee on the state of the nation. This amendment, however,
was negatived without a division; and a similar one moved in the commons
was rejected by two hundred and sixty-four against one hundred and
twelve.

{GEORGE III. 1814-1818}

MEASURES