N. B. The number of houfes oppofite the towns in the firft column of this account, contains only the number of inhabited houses, in each, chargeable to the window duties. The laft column contains the total number of houfes and cottages in each county. VOL. XVIII. Sf To To the Hon. the Knights, Citizens, and Burgeffes, in Parliament affembled. Account of uninhabited Houfes chargeable to the Duties on Houfes and Windows, in the Cities of London and Westminster, County of Middlesex, and Borough of Southwark, at Lady-Day, 1777, and Lady-Day, 1780. London Westminster Middlesex Empty Houses Empty Houfes Increase of Empty Houses. Office for Taxes, 23 January, 1781. Lord North. C. RIGBY, January 5. Lord North acquainted the Houfe, that he had a meffage from his Majefty to this House, figned by his Majefty; and he prefented the fame to the Houfe; and it was read by Mr. Speaker, and is as followeth, viz. GEORGE R. "His Majefty has judged it proper to acquaint the House of Commons, that, during the recefs of Parliament, he has been indifpenfably obliged to direct letters of marque and general reprifals to be iffued against the States General of the United Provinces and their fubjects. The causes and motives of his Majefty's conduct on this occafion are set forth in his public declaration, which he has ordered to be laid before the House. "His Majefty has, with the utmost reluctance, been induced to take any hoftile measures against a ftate whofe alliance with his kingdoms ftood not only on the faith of ancient treaties, but on the foundest principles of good policy. He has used every endeavour to prevail on the States General to return to a line of conduct conformable to thofe principles, to the tenor of their engagements, and to the common and natural interefts of both countries; and has left nothing untried to prevent, if poffible, the present rupture. |