(Have you ever wondered what King George III said after the Declaration of Independence was signed?)
King George III by Johann Zoffany c.1771 |
King George's response to the Declaration of Independence
His Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech to Both
Houses of Parliament
on Thursday, October 31, 1776
My
Lords, and Gentlemen,
Nothing could have afforded Me so much
Satisfaction as to have been able to inform you, at the Opening of this
Session, that the Troubles, which have so long distracted My Colonies in North America, were at an End; and that
My unhappy People, recovered from their Delusion, had delivered themselves from
the Oppression of their Leaders, and returned to their Duty. But so daring and
desperate is the Spirit of those Leaders, whose Object has always been Dominion
and Power, that they have now openly renounced all Allegiance to the Crown,
and all political Connection with this Country. They have rejected, with Circumstances of Indignity and Insult, the Means of Conciliation held out to them under the Authority of Our Commission: and have presumed to set up their rebellious Confederacies for Independent States. If their Treason be suffered to take Root, much Mischief must grow from it, to the Safety of My loyal Colonies, to the Commerce
of My Kingdoms, and indeed to the present System of all Europe.
One great Advantage, however, will be derived from the Object of
the Rebels being openly avowed, and clearly understood. We shall have Unanimity at Home, founded in the general Conviction of the Justice and Necessity of Our Measures.
and all political Connection with this Country. They have rejected, with Circumstances of Indignity and Insult, the Means of Conciliation held out to them under the Authority of Our Commission: and have presumed to set up their rebellious Confederacies for Independent States. If their Treason be suffered to take Root, much Mischief must grow from it, to the Safety of My loyal Colonies, to the Commerce
of My Kingdoms, and indeed to the present System of all Europe.
One great Advantage, however, will be derived from the Object of
the Rebels being openly avowed, and clearly understood. We shall have Unanimity at Home, founded in the general Conviction of the Justice and Necessity of Our Measures.
I am happy to Inform you, that, by the Blessing
of Divine Providence on the good Conduct and Valour of My Officers and Forces
by Sea and Land, and on the Zeal and Bravery of the Auxiliary Troops in
My Service, Canada is recovered; and although, from unavoidable Delays, the Operations at New York could not begin before the Month of August, the Success in that Province has been so important as to give the strongest Hopes of the most decisive good Consequences. But, notwithstanding this fair Prospect, We must, at all Events, prepare for another Campaign.
My Service, Canada is recovered; and although, from unavoidable Delays, the Operations at New York could not begin before the Month of August, the Success in that Province has been so important as to give the strongest Hopes of the most decisive good Consequences. But, notwithstanding this fair Prospect, We must, at all Events, prepare for another Campaign.
Gentlemen
of the House of Commons, I will order the Estimates for the
ensuing Year to be laid before you. It is [a] Matter of real Concern to Me,
that the important Considerations which I have stated to you must necessarily
be followed by great Expence: I doubt not, however, but that My faithful
Commons will readily and chearfully grant Me such Supplies, as the Maintenance
of the Honour of my Crown, the Vindication of the just Rights of Parliament,
and the Publick Welfare shall be found to require.
My
Lords, and Gentlemen, in this arduous Contest I can have no
other Object but to promote the true Interests of all My Subjects. No people
ever enjoyed more Happiness, or lived under a milder Government, than those now
revolted Provinces: the Improvements in every Art,
of which they boast, declare it: their Numbers, their Wealth, their Strength by Sea and Land, which they think sufficient to enable them to make Head against the whole Power of the Mother Country, are irrefragable Proofs of it. My Desire is to restore to them the Blessings of Law and Liberty, equally enjoyed by every British Subject, which they have fatally and desperately exchanged for all the Calamities of War, and the arbitrary Tyranny of their Chiefs.
of which they boast, declare it: their Numbers, their Wealth, their Strength by Sea and Land, which they think sufficient to enable them to make Head against the whole Power of the Mother Country, are irrefragable Proofs of it. My Desire is to restore to them the Blessings of Law and Liberty, equally enjoyed by every British Subject, which they have fatally and desperately exchanged for all the Calamities of War, and the arbitrary Tyranny of their Chiefs.
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