The Sun.
London, England, 1831-01-19 00:00:00

NATIONAL CONGRESS.—SITTING or JAN. 14.

M. Leidts read a note of the petitions that had been re-
ceived ; but we c•Juld only understand that there were se-
veral for a union with France, ethers that Louis Philip
might be our Sovereign, and one from a person who an-
nounced that he had discovered the means of taking Maes-
trieht without striking a blow.
M. Deatriveaux, in the name of the Central Section,
read the report on the project of a decree proposed by AI.

Van Mienen, to declare the articled of chap. 1 of the third
book of the penal code applicable to those who shall be
guilty with respect to the Congress and the Provisional
Government of the crimes provided against by these ar-
ticles. The Central Section thinks that there is no reason
to doubt that the laws actually in force are sufficient to
protect the established Government. The nation offers a
better security for the support of the Congress and the
Government than a particular law. The Central Section
therefore proposes to proceed to the order of the day.
M. Van Mienen was astonished that he had not been
consulted before this determination was made.

The report was ordered to be printed for the use of the
members.

The President asked if the sections had examined the
new project of the budget of the expenditure, and wished
they might he expeditious, so that the budget might be
taken into consideration to-morrow at noon.

This proposal was adopted, and it was resolved that the
heads of the departments of the Administration should be
instructed to be present at the assembly.
M. Constantine Rodenbach developed the motion he
made yesterday, that the Congress shou!d fix the day on
which it will proceed to choose a Head of the State. Ile
said that the Russians and Prussians were intriguing at
London, to get a member of the excluded family named
Sovereign of Bel,,ium. The Orangeists are endeavouring
to foment troubles, nay, a member of the Assembly has
been bold enough to propose a Prince whom I will not
name ; other persons are exerting themselves to obtain
petitions to the same effect. An infamous journal excites
to civil war.—(The speaker quoted a passage from the
Message,. de Gand. )—A man must be an enemy to his
country, or have some Ilan in reserve, not to conceive
the necessity of quickly electing a Chief of Belgium._.
Here the speaker was interrupted by cries of " Order!
You insult the Assembly." The noise increased, and no-
thing could be heard.
M. Devaux, in the midst of the noise, spoke against
the call of order.

M. Duval, who had made a proposil in some measure
opposed to that of M. Rodenbach, ultimately accused M.
Rodenbach. Several Membrrs spoke. A warm discus-
sion or conversation took place.

During all this time M. Verbroek Pieters was at the
tribune.

M. Duval desired that his proposal should be discussed
at the same time as that of M. Rodenhaeu.

Al. Dclecuer—But which shall have the priority?

M. V. Pieters attempted to speak on the proposal of
M. Rodenbach ; he was interrupted. But, Gentlemen,
is not this proposal under discussion?

Some voice;—No, no.

M. V. Pieter, took up his manuscript, drank the glass
of water at his right hand, and came down from the tri-
bune amidst loud and long continued laughter.
M. Duval develepe l his proposal, which was before pro-
ceeding to the choice of the head of the State to send Com-
missioners to London, who shall acquaint the Congress with
every thing relative to our commercial interests, to our alli-
ances, to the merits of th• candidates, &c. The speaker
thought no attention should be paid to the exaggerjtions of
the journals. It is necessary to proceed with calmness, and
the chief whom we alight choose now, would not be able to
improve the state of our affairs. * He must be an
enemy to his country who would desire to precipitate mea-
sures in the circumstances in which we are placed.
The two proposals were referred to the Sections for exa-
mination.

M. Valinnes put the Assembly in mind of the proposed
law relative to the Civic Guard, as the most urgent sub.
ject. The first thing necessary is to repulse the enemy;
who is said to be near Ghent.

M. Rogier spoke to the following effect, and it was re-
solved to discuss this subject to-morrow, immediately after
the deliberation on the Budget.
The Assembly proceeded to discuss the proposed
Constitution, beginning with Article 46 of the Chapter of
Powers, and finishing with Art. 61. These articles relate
to the head of the state and his rights. 46. To convoke
an extraordinary session of the Chambers. 47. To dis-
solve them either simultaneously or separately. 48. To
adjourn them, but not more than' a month• 49. To
remit or mitigate punishments awarded by two Judges.
50. To coin money. 51. To confer titles of nobility, but
without any privileges. 52. To confer military honours.
53. The civil list is fixed for his whole reign. 54. He
has only those powers which are given him by the Con-
stitution, or by special laws enacted by virtue of the Con-
stitution. 55. The Chamber to assemble without convo-
cation, within ten days after his death. 56. He attains
his majority at eighteen. 57. If at his death his suc-
cessor is a minor, the two Chambers united proceed to
provide for the regency and guardianship. 58. If he is
under an incapacity of reigning, the ministry convoke the
Chambers, which proceed as in case of a minority. 59
and 60. The regency cannot be conferred on more than
one person, and no change shall be made in the Con-
stitution during the regency, till the meeting of two new
Chambers (which must be within twenty-one months)
which, deliberating together, shall supply the vacancy.—
Adjourned.
BRUSSELS, JAN. 15.—At length Maestricht is sur-
rounded on all sides. General Daine has, at length,
fixed his head-quarters at Hocht. The village of Sineer-
mans is fortified by the care of Colonel Pontecoulant,
and has become a formidable position. General Millinet
visited General Daine on the 12th, and, now that we are
threatened by the Prince of Saxe-Weimar, these two
Generals concerted measures to repel every attack, and to
give' a final lesson to our enemies.
Deserters say that the garrison of Maestricht is in great
distress, and anxious for the long expected arrival of the
Duke of Saxe-Weimar. _

RIO DE JANEIRO, Nov. 5. —" The arrival in this part
of 5,000 muskets fit for Yagers (of which the greater
put of our army is composed), 2,000 carbines, 2,000
pistols, 2,000 cavalry swords, and 9,000 great coats,
has caused several of our Journals, to sound an
alarm, which misrepresenting an ordinary event
which has frequently occurred, exclaim, here are arms
and equipments for 10,000 foreigners who are come here
to enslave Brazil. The business is, however, simple
enough." The article then proceeds to show that these
arms are necessary, particularly to arm the militia of
the province of Maranham, which being very distant from
the capital, ought to have a militia able to defend it on
any unforeseen emergency.
OFFICIAL ARTICLE.—DEPARTMENT OF THE