The Sun.
London, England, 1854-09-18 00:00:00

HOLLAND.

OPENING OF THE STATES-GENERAL.
(By International and Electric Telegraph. )
THE HAGUE, MONDAY.

The States-General was opened to-day by the
King, when his Majesty delivered the following
speech :

" Gentlemen,--I continue to receive from all
foreign powers marks of amity and friendship.
" This fact, considering the present political
position of Europe, is extremely satisfactory to me.
The neutrality which we adopted has been strictly
maintained ; and as we have scrupulously observed
our obligations towards foreign states, we may on
our side expect to see our rights respected. I have
every reason to be satisfied with the army and
navy, both services having distinguished them-
selves by great zeal and discipline in the fulfilment
of their duties. The resistance to our authority
which we have experienced from the Chinese in the
Island of Borneo has, I am happy to say, been
overcome by the valour of our troops. I trust this
victory may have durable and beneficial results.

" The general situation of our colonies is satis-
factory, although the sanitary state of our Indian
possessions has left much to be desired. The latest
accounts from these colonies permit us to hope that
the evil will be subdued by the prompt and effica-
cious measures adopted by the authorities.
" The harvest in these colonies promises to be
abundant, and, according to the reports received
up to this time from the various provinces, the
crops in our own country promise to be equally
favourable.

"I rejoice at the prospect of this abundance. It
will contribute greatly to the reduction of the price
of all alimentary substances, which I consider to be
of the first importance.
"We continue to improve the state of our
rivers, and we are also actively engaged with the
amelioration of all water ways of importance.
" During the past year the Netherlands has been
brought into communication at t wo different points
with the railroads of the neighbouring States, and
there is every reason to hope that a third junction
will soon be made. I pay particular attention to
the development of this means of communication,
which is so necessary to the trade and industry of
the country.
" Active measures are being taken for the aug-
mentation of the telegraphic lines in the interior.
These lines will be placed in communication with
those of foreign States.
"Notwithstanding the impediments caused by
the present war to our commercial relations, our
trade, navigation, and naval organisation remain
in as prosperous a condition as present unfavour-
able circumstances will permit. The financial posi-
tion of the country continues to be satisfactory.
" The results of the past year's accounts have
not disappointed our expectations, and the accounts
for the present year promise to be equally favour-
able.
" After a careful examination of financial matters
you will be able to convince yourselves whether a
diminution in the bUrthens of the country is prac-
ticable, in accordance with a wise policy.
" The National Debt should also undergo a
similar investigation, with a view to its reduction.
" Surrounded by the material prosperity which our
native country doubtless possesses, the public in-
struction in arts and sciences should not be lost
sight of. I continue to give this subject my most
earnest solicitude. A project of law upon the first
and second class instruction will be laid before you
in a short time.

" The law relating to the superior classes of in-
struction will also undergo amelioration, and finally
you will have ample opportunities of sho ing your
zeal and interest in the different scientific institu-
tions of our country.
" Although our position is not wholly satisfac-
tory, there are happily many circumstances which
ought to encourage us. Let us acknowledge with
gratitude the numerous blessings with which we
are favoured. It depends mostly on our-
selves as to how we enjoy them and the
length of their duration, and in furtherance of this
object we must first of all entertain mutual confidence
in each other, and preserve that union which will
contribute to the welfare of our common country.
"May God Almighty give us the necessary
strength and wisdom to carry out this laudable
object.
" I declare the present Session of the States
General to be opened."

His Majestey returned to the Palace at half-past
one o'clock.

LATEST NEWS.

THE WAR.

EXPEDITION TO THE CRIMEA

The Journal de Constantinople says that' the
troops of the expedition to the Crimea will probably
land between the Bth and the 10th,

Another account, also from Constantinople, and
purporting to be official, states that the landing
was expected to take place between the 10th and
the 12th.

The Lloyd has an interesting letter of the 4th
from Varna. Only two or three steamers have
remained, which will keep up the postal commu-
nication between Varna and the- fleets. Just be-
fore their departure officers and men were half
beside themselves with joy. The French officers
embraced each other before the front, and the pri-
vates gave vent to their joy by tossing, their caps
into the air.

'The Lloyd informs us that Seba3topol "isto be
razed, and the Russian fleet now sneaking behind
its walls annihilated," and adds, " that the same
fate awaits all the towns on the coasts of the
Crimea." It is not doubted that the fortifications
of Odessa will also be destroyed.
From Vienna we learn that a portion of the
expedition was off the Isle of Serpents on the 9th
instant.

The Grand Duke Constantine is on his way to
the Crimea.

Said Pacha has offered to the Sultan another
contingent of 10,000 men.
The following telegraphic message has been re-
ceived from Marseilles
BALTCHIK, SEPT. 6.
We are just weighing anchor for the Island of
Serpents, where the fleet is to rendezvous.

All goes on well.
According to advices from Constantinople of the
10th, the English portion of the fleet had been
seen on the Bth steering for the north.
MALTA, Sept. 13.—Yesterday afternoon arrived
the French mail steamer Egyptus from the Levant.
Most anxiously has she been expected—for the
desire of information respecting the movement of
the ships and troops on the one hand, and the pro-
gress of cholera on the other, have served to keep
our public in a fever excitement that it is impos-
sible to describe. _ _

On the two events public anxiety is relieved, for
the cholera has now disappeared, and the troops in
the fullest health and spirits set sail on the morn-
ing of the 2d inst. for the scene of the future ope-
rations of the allied fleets and armies of England,
France, and Turkey.
The following is an extract from a letter, dated—
" Constantin,)ple, Sept. 5.
" Our harbour is without a British or French man-of-
war. Three days ago the Arethusa frigate anchored
behind the Seraglio point, and on the next day was
taken in tow of the Retribution, destined for day
was
Sea.
"On the 2d inst. the allied fleets, English, French,
and Turkish, left Varna for Sebastopol, baying all the
transports in tow. The expedition was magnificent to
behold, no less than 600 ships having been counted.
(Another letter mentions the number of all sail, includ-
ing gunboats, pontoons, &c., at 1,200.) On the follow-
ing day this immense fleet put into BAhljik. The troops,
who have been living for so long a pe hid in activity
are in th. ureat:.st spirits, turward with the
grLater, atiXiety to the coinni.ne..,tylent ni operations.
" We have at present a knowledge of that which serves
to keep alive the anxiety which has prevailed, and look
forward with more than common interest to the neat ;Lc.