SInce I last met you, I have used My best Endeavours to Reduce Ireland into such a Condition this Year, as that it might be no longer a Charge to England. And it has pleased God to bless My Endea­vours with such Success, that I doubt not, but I should have been fully possest of that Kingdom by this time, had I been Enabled to have gone into the Field as soon as I should have done, and as is more especially Necessary in Ireland, where the Rains are so great, and begin so early.

I think My Self obliged to take Notice, how well the Army there have behaved themselves on all Occasions, and born great Hard­ships with little Pay, and with so much Patience and Willing­ness, as could not proceed but from an Affectionate Duty to My Service, and a Zeal for the Protestant Religion.

I have already made it evident, how much I have preferred the Satisfaction of My Subjects before the most solid Advantages of the Crown, by parting with so considerable a Branch of its Inheri­tance; And it is no less apparent, that I have asked no Revenue for My Self, but what I have readily subjected to be Charged to the Uses of the War.

I did at My Departure give Order for all the Publick Accompts to be made ready for Me against My Return, and I have Com­manded them to be laid before the House of Commons; by which they will see, that the real Want of what was necessary beyond the Fonds given, and the not getting in due time that for [Page 4] which Fonds were Assigned, have been the principal Causes why the Army is in so much Arrear of their Pay, and the Stores both for the Navy and the Ordnance not supplied as they ought to be.

Now, as I have neither spared My Person, nor My Pains, to do you all the Good I could; so I doubt not, but, if you will as cheer­fully do your Parts, it is in your Power to make both Me and your selves Happy, and the Nation Great: And on the other hand, it is too plain, by what the French have let you see so lately, that if the present War be not prosecuted with Vigour, no Nation in the World is exposed to greater Danger.

I hope therefore, there will need no more upon that Subject, than to Lay before you, Gentlemen of the House of Commons, the State of what will be Necessary for the Support of the Fleet and Armys; which cannot possibly admit of being Lessen'd in the Year ensuing; and to Recommend to your Care the Clearing of My Revenue, so as to Enable Me to Subsist, and to Maintain the Charge of the Civil List; the Revenue being so Engaged, that it must be wholly Apply'd, after the First of November next, to Pay off the Debts already Charged upon it: And therefore a present Consi­deration must be had of the Arrears of the Army, which shall likewise be laid before you, and for all which I must desire a suffi­cient and timely Supply.

It is farther Necessary to inform you, That the whole Support of the Confederacy abroad, will absolutely depend upon the Speed and Vigour of your Proceedings in this Session.

And here I must take Notice, with great Satisfaction, of the Rea­diness which My Subjects of all Degrees have shewn both in this City, and in their several Countries, by giving their Assistances so cheerfully as they did in My Absence, while the French Fleet was upon Our Coasts. And besides this so convincing Mark of the good Inclinations of My People, I have found through all the Coun­tries where I passed, both at My Going into Ireland, and in my Re­turn from thence, such Demonstrations of their Affection, that I have not the least Doubt, but I shall find the same from their Re­presentatives in Parliament.

I cannot conclude, without taking Notice also, how much the Honour of the Nation has been exposed by the ill Conduct of My Fleet, in the last Summers Engagement against the French; And I think My Self so much concern'd to see it Vindicated, that I cannot rest satisfied, till an Example has been made of such as shall be found faulty upon their Examination and Trial, which was not practi­cable while the whole Fleet was abroad, but is now put into the proper Way of being done as soon as may be.

My Lords and Gentlemen,
I look upon the future Well-being of this Kingdom, to depend upon the Result of your Counsels and Determinations at this time: And the Benefit will be double by the Speed of your Resolutions, in­somuch, that I hope you will agree with Me in this Conclusion, That whoever goes about to obstruct or divert your Applications to these Mat­ters, preferably to all others, can neither be My Friend nor the Kingdoms.