d.

"I cordially approve of the acts of large and liberal bounty by which
you have assuaged the sufferings of my Irish subjects. I have also
readily given my sanction to a law to make better provision for the
permanent relief of the destitute in Ireland. I have likewise given
my assent to various bills calculated to promote the agriculture and
develop the industry of that portion of the United Kingdom. My attention
shall be directed to such further measures as may be conducive to those
salutary purposes.

"My relations with foreign powers continue to inspire me with confidence
in the maintenance of peace. It has afforded me great satisfaction to
find that the measures which, in concert with the King of the French,
the Queen of Spain, and the Queen of Portugal, I have taken for the
pacification of Portugal, have been attended with success; and that the
civil war which for many months had afflicted that country has, at last,
been brought to a bloodless termination. I indulge the hope that future
differences between political parties in that country may be settled
without an appeal to arms.

"_Gentlemen of the House of Commons_,--I thank you for your willingness
in granting me the necessary supplies; they shall be applied with due
care and economy to the public service.

"I am happy to inform you that, notwithstanding the high price of food,
the revenue has, up to the present time, been more productive than I
had reason to anticipate. The increased use of articles of general
consumption has chiefly contributed to this result. The revenue derived
from sugar, especially, has been greatly augmented by the removal of the
prohibitory duties on foreign sugar.

"The various grants which you have made for education in the United
Kingdom will, I trust, be conducive to the religious and moral
improvement of my people.

"_My Lords and Gentlemen_,--I think it proper to inform you that it is
my intention immediately to dissolve the present parliament.

"I rely with confidence on the loyalty to the throne, and attachment to
the free institutions of this country, which animate the great body of
my people. I join with them in supplications to Almighty God that the
dearth by which we have been afflicted may, by the Divine blessing, be
converted into cheapness and plenty."

An event occurred at this juncture not unimportant to the government,
and in which the Roman Catholics of Ireland felt concern. The O'Connor
Don, one of the me