Speech of King William IV., on dissolving Parliament, on Friday, April 24th, 1831

King William W.,
On dissolving Parliament^ on FllItiJlY,
April 24tth, 1831.
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MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,
1 have come to meet you for tho^ purpose of Proroguing
this Parliament with a view to its immediate dissolution. ”
1 have been induced to resOrt to this measure for the
purpose of assertaining the sense ot* my People, in the only
way in which it can be most conveniently and anthenticaU|r
expressed, for the express purpose of making such changes ill
the representation as circumstances may appear to require, and
j whichf founded upon the acknowledged principles of the c;ow>
stifution, may tend at once to uphold the just rights and pre¬
rogatives ol’t lie Crown, and to give security to the liberties of
the People.
“ Gentlemen of the House of Commons,
“I thank you for the provision you have made for the
maintenance of the honour and dignily of the Crown, and 1 of*
ter my special acknowledgments for tlie arrangement you have
^ made for the state and comfort of my Royal Consort. 1 have
also to thank you for the supplies you have furnished for the
public service. 1 have observed with satisfaction your en¬
deavours to introduce a strict economy into every branch of that
service, and I trust that the early attention of a new parlia-
tpent, which 1 shall forthwith direct to be called, will be ap¬
plied to the prosectuion of that important subject.
M My Lords and Gentlemen,
I am happy to inform you that the friendly intercourse
which exists between myself and foreign powers, affords the best
hopes of a continuation of peace, to the preservation of which my
most anxious endeavours shall be continually directed.
“ My Lords and Gentlemen,
In resolving to recur to the sense of my people on the
piresent circumstances of the country, l have been influenced only
by a desire, and personal anxiety, for the contentment and happt-
ness of my subjects, to promote which 1 rely with confidence on
ybur continued and zealous assistance.”
His Majesty then turned round to the Lord Chancellor*
mid said*——
,M My pleasure is, that the Parliament shall be prorogued* and
fbtthwith, to Tuesday the 10th day of May next/’
The Lord Chancellor immediately said.
My Lords and Gentlemen, it is bis Majesty’s royal will and
pleasure, that this Parliament be prorogued to Tuesday, the l@tlr
of May next, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is ac¬
cordingly prorogued till Tuesday, the 10th day of May next;*
As soon as his Majesty had concluded* be
descended from his chair, and returned into hi&
room, from whence his Majesty immediately
proceeded to the Palace.
His Majesty bore the uniform of an Admi¬
ral ; and, after putting on his dresses, read the
above Speech in the most fine, distinct, and au¬
dible manner, so as to be heard with more ease
and accuracy, than probably any speaker who
ever uttured a word in that House.
W. Ford yet*. Printer-