The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-15 00:00:00

£18,346 5 2

HOLLAND.

The following report of the Speech delivered by the
King of Holland, at the Hague, yesterday, afternoon,
possesses peculiar interest, from the fact of its being the
first express transmitted through the submarine wire
lately laid down between Schieveneingen and Orford-
ness, effecting a direct telegraphic communication from
the Hague to London. The length of the submarine
wire is 119 miles.

THE HAGUE, June 14.
To-day the session of the States-General was opened
by the King, who deliverel the following speech :
" Gentlemen,—l was much affected some time since
when thousands of my beloved subjects, fearing for their
national interests, came to me and desired me to take
measures to provideagainst the evils which they dreaded.
Being deeply impressed with my obligations to protect
all their interests and rights, I thought it better not to
follow the counsel given me by the advisers of the
Crown. I felt that by following it, I could not re-
move the great anxiety, and could not calm the
excited feelings of my people. When the ministers
offered me their resignations, I accepted some of them,
and replaced them by men who possessed my entire con-
fidence. I consequently felt myself bound to dissolve
the chambers, and to give the electors an opportunity of
expressing their feelings on the subject. It is with gra-
tification I now see myself surrounded by both Cham-
bers of the States-General. I was anxious, gentlemen,
to open your assembly in person, and I am glad I can
do this with satisfaction. We are on good terms with
foreign powers. The development and welfare of the
country is increasing. These are the favourable auspices
under which the legislative body recommences its labours.
" The difficulty to which, however, I adverted in the
first instance, lam sorry to say is not yet removed. I
have tried to arrange it both by inviting explanations
from those parties who have originated the dissension, I
suppose involuntary, and by taking measures to be
carried out by ourselves. The Government are convinced
that many of the difficulties can only be disposed of by a
law. The sixth clause of the charter assures equal rights
to all religious associations, but it imposes also duties on
Government which cannot be fulfilled without the power
of the law. It is my intention to request your co-opera-
tion in this matter. I shall do it with greater confidence,
as I am sure that the spirit of moderation and quiet in-
vestigation so natural to our country will preside at your
deliberations, and that it will be your serious desire, as
it is mine, forcibly to maintain the principle of religious
tolerance which has belonged to our nation, and to avoid
all that could cause discord and schism between the sons
of the same country. Acting on these principles, it will
he possible to arrange the difficulty in such a manner
that the Government can give equal protection to all
religious associations by which they can obtain security
for their liberties and their permanent duration under
the same reasonable and impartial law.
" I intend to bring before you in this session only
those projects of law for your deliberation that require
a speedy decision.
" I now declare the Assembly to be opened, and I
conclude with wishing that Heaven's wisdom may ac-
tuate and govern us, so that our, efforts for the benefit
of our beloved country may be characterised by order,
peacefulness, and justice."