'[1817] Parliament was opened by the prince
regent
in person. [...]
He concluded thus:--"In considering our internal situation, you will,
I doubt not, feel a just indignation at the attempts which have been
made to take advantage of the distress of the country for the purpose
of exciting a spirit of sedition and violence. I am too well convinced
of the loyalty and good sense of the great body of his majesty's
subjects, to believe them capable of being perverted by the arts which
are employed to seduce them; but I am determined to omit no
precautions for preserving the public peace, and for counteracting the
designs of the disaffected. [...]"
The prince regent had good reason to complain of the turbulent spirit
displayed by the factions: for on his way to the house he had been
assailed with tumultuous expressions of disapprobation; and on his
return from it, he was assailed by missiles of every description, and
the glass of his carriage was broken by what was supposed to be two
balls from an air-gun, aimed at his person.
This outrage was communicated to the lords by Lord Sidmouth; and a
conference was held with the house of commons, at which a joint
address, congratulating his royal highness on his escape, was agreed
upon.'