JB_128_298.xml

Title: [1818 April 23 + Parl. Reform Bill]

Description: 1818 April 23 +

Parl. Reform Bill

Concluding Resolutions

of Detail

4

4

10. That for the more effectually securing the unity of will and

opinion as between the people and their Representatives, in such sort that all such

measures of government, as shall from time to time be presented by the

Representatives of the people to the throne, shall, at all times, for the continual

accomplishment of the purpose so graciously and repeatedly declared by his present

Majesty as well as his royal progenitors and predecessors, be in strict conformity to

the sence – the real sence – of the people for the time being, and accordingly in

pursuance of that same end, for the enabling the people in each Election District, in

the most prompt and effectual manner to repair the misfortune of any improper choice,

a fresh Election of the Members of this House ought to take place once a year at the

best: saving to the Crown its prerogative of dissolving Parliament at any time, and

thereupon, after the interval necessary for sufficient notice, summoning a fresh

Parliament.

JB_128_321.xml

Title: [nd [wm 1816] 2 13 13]

Description: nd [wm 1816]

2

13

13

21. Resolved {That} /that/, notwithstanding this deplorable dereliction of one of

the most uncontrovertibly established Constitutional principles, such as has been the

force of duty and reason in the consciences of succeeding Monarchs, that the truth of

the proposition, by which it is affirmed, that the sense of the people, considered as

the standard, to which the conduct of their rulers ought to keep itself conformable,

is not the sense entertained by the people, in this or that past period of time, and

since then varied and departed from, but, on the contrary is, at all times, the sense

of the people, taken in its very freshest state, viz the sense of the people, in that

state in which, on the occasion of any fresh measure of government, it has place and

manifests itself, - has, in the most express terms, in various speeches from the

throne, as well in the reign of his present Majesty, as in the reign of his late

Majesty, been repeatedly recognized.

22. That, in particular, in a speech bearing date the 21 st of

April 1741, his said late Majesty, after saying – “I will accordingly give the

necessary orders for a new Parliament,” was pleased to add – “There is not any thing

I set so high a value upon as the love and affection of my people; in which I have so

entire a confidence, that it is with great satisfaction I see this opportunity put

into their hands of giving me fresh proofs of it in the

choice of their Representatives.”

2. And again, in a Speech bearing date the 12 th of November

1747, “One of my principal views, in calling this Parliament, was that I might

receive the most clear and certain information of the sense of my people.” –

3. And, in like manner, in a Speech bearing date the 6 th of

Nov r. 1761, his Majesty, that now is, was pleased to say – “I

am glad to have an opportunity of receiving the truest

information of the sense of my people by a new choice of their Representatives”.

JB_128_322.xml

Title: [nd [wm 1816] 3 14 14]

Description: nd [wm 1816]

3

14

14

4. And again, in a speech, bearing date the 8 th of November

1768, - “The opportunity which the late general Election

gives me, of knowing from the Representatives in Parliament the more immediate sense of my people, has made me desirous,

&c.”

5. And again, in a Speech, bearing date the 1 st of November

1780, “It is with more than ordinary satisfaction that I meet you in Parliament, at

a time when the late Elections

may afford me an opportunity of receiving the most certain

information, of the disposition, and the wishes of my people, to which I am always inclined to pay

the utmost attention and regard.” –

6. And again, in a Speech, bearing date the 24 th of March 1784,

after mention made of the then situation of the Country + his

Majesty was pleased to say – “I feel it a duty I owe to the constitution and the

Country in such a situation to recurr as speedily as

possible to the sense of my people, by calling in a new Parliament.” –

{+ Turn to the Speech to see whether any more particular mention is necessary – 30

April 1818. Not necessary. It was the continuance of a Whig majority against the

Minority - }