The queen in her speech, declared that she had summoned them to assist her in carrying on the just and necessary war in which the nation was engaged.

She desired the commons would inspect the accounts of the public receipts and payments, that if any abuses had crept into the management of the finances, they might be detected and the offenders punished.

She told them that the funds assigned in the last parliament had not produced the sums granted; and that the deficiency was not supplied even by the one hundred thousand pounds which she had paid from her own revenue for the public service.

She expressed her concern for the disappointment at Cadiz, as well as for the abuses committed at Port St.Mary's, which had obliged her to give directions for the strictest examination of the particulars.
She hoped they would find time to consider of some better and more effectual method to prevent the exportation of wool, and improve that manufacture, which she was determined to encourage.

She professed a firm persuasion, that the affection of her subjects was the surest pledge of their duty and obedience.