The Sun.
London, England, 1837-03-18 00:00:00

SWEDEN.

REPLY OF THE KING OF SWEDEN TO THE
ADDRESS OF THE STORTHING OF THE 24.rn
OF JANUARY, 1837.
His Majesty having heard the Address of the Storthing of
the 24th of January, 1837, read in his Council of Norway,
dictated the following reply :
The King Charles XIII. convoked on the 7th of March,
1815, a mixed Council of Sweden and Norway. The third
section of the Constitution of the 4th of November, 1814, was
examined by the two Councils. _

The portion of that of Norway adopted the colours and
dimensions of which the national flag was composed, and
of which it is still composed. It has been observed, that
the colours proposed were those of Denmark ; but, upon
the assurance of the members of the Norwegian Council
that these colours were also those of Norway, the King
acceded to their adoption. The Riga Act intervened. It was
accepted by the Storthing of Norway on the 31st of July, and
by the Srates General of Swcdcn on the 6th of August 1815.
The ordinary Storthing of this period was made fully cogni-
zant of the formation of the Union Flag, not only by the pro-
tocol of the Council, but also by the exhibition and use of the
same ; and no observation was then made. _

If the Council of Norway think the colours of the Union
Flag are not those of Norway, the King desires that they will
point out the colours which do belong to that kingdom, and if
His Majesty deems it of utility, he will make a communica-
tion of the same to the States General of Sweden, and to the
Storthing of Norway.
His Majesty could have desired that the observations of the
Storthing had been made before the signature of the Riga Act.
The currency die is taken from the Royal seal. This sub..
ject has already excited the attention of the King, and his Ma-
jesty proposes to take it specially into consideration. The
S-vedish authorities who make use of the Royal seal only con-
tinue to exercise an ancient custom ; and moreover the Kings
of Sweden, from Adolphus Frederick down to the Union, have,
as heirs to the throne of Norway, borne the Norwegian lion as
a part of their arms.
The union between Sweden and Norway, concluded the 20th
Oct., 1814, forms the base of the first section of the Constitu-
tion decreed the 4th of November, and Sanctioned on the 10th
of the same month. The article may be regarded as a sum-
mary of the rights of Sweden acquired by various treaties to
the kingdom of Norway.

The history of the States, to which the Storthing appeals,
shows that Norway was 'a province of Denmark in the year
1336, and that she has nottince possessed any legislative right
until the treaty of Kiel—namely, on the 10th of November,
1814, the period at which the King swore to the Constitution,
and Norway was recognised as a kingdom united with Sweden
under one King ; and that this kingdom enjoyed rights gua-
ranteed to it by the King of Sweden in the name of that
kingdom. Besides, history states, and the events of our own
days prove, that treaties, wars, and conquests augment the
powers of a state, or diminish the extent of its territory.
With regard to diplomatic affairs, the Storthing refers to
nithing which has not been effected; and with regard to other
matters, la hen equal rights have been acknowledged, those
who enjoy them will participate in all rightful changes. This
is not only just, but a moral obligation required by the reci-
procity of the guarantees acquired and acceded by treaty.

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