I Hope you will not think I have called you out of your Countreys too soon , if you consider that Our Common Securitie requires a farther Provision should be made for the Safety of the Kingdom by Sea and Land , before We are at the end of what 〈◊〉 Granted for that Purpose the last Session . And when you enter upon this Business I believe you will think it Necessary to take Care of the Repairs of the Ships , and of the Fortifications , without which Our Fleet cannot be Safe when it is in Harbour .

I cannot Omit to put you in mind of another Matter , in which so great a Number of My Subjects is concerned and wherein the Honour of the Kingdom and the Faith of Parliaments is so far Engaged , that Our future Security seems to Depend upon it ; I Mean , the making good the Deficiencies of the Fonds , and the Discharging the Debts contracted by reason of the War . And till We may be so happy to see the publick Debts paid , I shall Hope , that no Session will end without something done towards Lessening them . While I am speaking to you on this Head , I think My Self oblidged to Mention , with a very particular Concern , a Debt which is Owing to the Prince of Denmark , the State whereof I have Ordered to be laid before you .

Gentlemen of the House of Commons ,

These things are of such Importance , that I must earnestly Recommend them to your Consideration , and Desire you to Provide the Necessary Supplies .

My Lords and Gentlemen ,

There is nothing I should more Rejoyce in , than that I were not under the Necessity of so often Asking Aids of My People ; but as the reason of it is evident , because the Fonds formerly applyed to Defray the publick Expense , are now anticipated for Payment of the Debts of the Kingdom ; so it is my Satisfaction that you all see , that nothing of what is Demanded is for any Personal Use of Mine . And I do faithfully Assure you , that no Part of what is given shall be diverted from any Purpose for which it is designed .

I believe the Nation is already sensible of the good Effects of Peace , by the manifest Increase of Trade , which I shall make it My Business to Incourage by all means in My Power . Probably it might receive an Advantage , if some good Bill were prepared for the more effectual Preventing and Punishing Unlawfull and Clandestine Trading ; which does not only tend to Defraud the Publick , but Prejudices the fair Merchant , and Discourages Our Manufactures

The Increase of the Poor is become a Burden to the Kingdom , and their loose and idle Life does in some measure contribute to the Depravation of Manners , which is complained of , ( I fear with too much Reason ) whether the Ground of this Evil be from Defects in the Laws already made , or in the Execution of them , deserves your Consideration . Is it is an indispensable Duty , that the Poor , who are not able to help themselves , should be maintain'd , so I cannot but think it extremly Desirable , that such as are able and willing should not want Imployment , and such as are obstinate and unwilling should be compell'd to Labour .

My Lords and Gentlemen ,

I have a full Assurance of the Good Affections of My People , which I shall endeavour to Preserve by a constant Care of their just Rights and Liberties ; by Maintaining the Established Religion ; by seing the Course of Justice kept steady and equal ; the Countenancing Virtue and Discouraging Vice ; and by Declining no Difficulties or Dangers where their Welfare and Prosperity may be concerned .

These are my Resolutions , and I am perswaded that you are come together with Purposes on your Part suitable to these on Mine . Since then our Aims are only for the General Good , let Us Act with Confidence in one another , which will not fail , by Gods Blessing , to make Me a Happy King , and you a Great and Flourishing People .