The Sun.
London, England, 1831-10-21 00:00:00

KING OF HOLLAND'S SPEECH.

We publish at full length, from the Dutch Papers,
the speech of the King of Holland at the opening
of the Session of the States-General. His Majesty
makes no revelation about his ulterior views with
respect to the war, and does not allude to the
treaty concluded at London on the previous
Saturday.
It may strike the English public as rather odd,
that one session should end an the 16th of October,
and the other begin on the 17th. This arises from
a regulation of the fundamental law, which fixes a
particular day for the opening of a session without
reference to the time when the previous session ter-
minates.

HAGUE, OCT. 17.
This day his Majesty opened the session of the States.

General with the following speech :
" HIGH AND MIGHTY LORDS,
" The difficult circumstances in which the country has for
more than a year been placed have prolonged your last session

until the present, which I now open.
" In the course of that year you have been informed of the
progress of the events and negotiations occasioned by the armed
insurrection of Belgium. Your High Mightinesses must have

been convinced that the constant efforts of the Government,

during the whole of that period, to terminate on advantageous
conditions the painful state of necessity, in which the faithful
Netherlands were placed, of making extraordinary efforts, have

been fruitless.

" However, to the sacrifices occasioned by this state of things
has been added an energy which opens for the nation a consola-
tory perspective. The country has given to Europe a brilliant
example of unalterable attachment to the principles of religion
and social order. She has shown a firm determination to main-
tain herself in that position, and this determination must have
an advantageous influence on her consideration among the
Powers, and on the decision of her future fate.
" The volunteers, civic guard, and militia, have in courage
and perseverance been rivals of the regular land and sea forces.
Seconded by the enthusiasm which animates all my subjects,
their efforts have sufficed, not only to protect the country, but
even to attack, on his own territory, an enemy of nearly double
our population, to conquer him, and drive him back into the
heart of his country, leaving him no other means of safety
except that of calling foreign phalanxes to his aid.
" Our mind is still deeply impressed with all the proofs of
fidelity and intrepidity given by the defenders of the state, and
of all the heroic deeds which have shone forth with so much
lustre. A grateful posterity will keep them in recollection.
" In consequence of this spirit, it has not been necessary to
have recourse to the levy en masse, prepared at the commence-
ment of your last session. On those liable to be called out,
nothing more is required than a local service, similar to that
which they already perform in several towns, conjointly with
the volunteers of all classes, to which they have devoted them-
selves with the most praiseworthy zeal
_ _ .

" Nevertheless, no pains have been spared to obtain an
honourable peace ; but we are prepared for a new war, if the
hope of a prompt and equitable arrangement should not yet be
realized.

" To this end have been ordered an extraordinary levy of
the National Militia, and the rendering disposable the first van
of the Civic Guard for the present year. Meanwhile the stu-
dents of the universities and Athenma, who hastened with so
much courage to the armies, but who have now resumed their
studies, are prepared to resume the sword, whenever the honour
and defence of the country may require their aid.
" Amidst the evils so unmerited which afflict the country,
the relations of amity with other Powers are maintained and
extended. The difficulties which for many years have pre-
vented the navigation of the Rhine from being regulated, are
removed by a convention, concluded with States bordering on
that river ; and this convention is now in force.
" It is agreeable to me, to be able to announce to your High
Mightinesses, that the state of agriculture presents this year
snore satisfactory results than it has done for several preceding
years. The harvest has been favourable beyond expectation.
" While other countries are afflicted with a prevailing and
spreading' malady, the Netherlands, thanks to Providence, has
hitherto been spared. At the end of last year, the necessary
measures were adopted for preventing the introduction of the
disease by nautical communication. Aided by the information
of men of science, the means most proper for averting this
scourge, and for diminishing its intensity if it should reach us,
are under investigation and in preparation.
" Commerce, navigation, and all branches of human industry
therewith connected, have generally suffered ; and, conse-
quently, that suffering has also been felt in this kingdom
through the obstacles which communications have experienced
from the uncertainty occasioned by political commotions and
other circumstances. This additional evil, though heavy, is,
in its nature, temporary, and cannot have a permanent influ-
ence on our relations.
" The canal cut through the island of Voorne has this year
been opened for the passage of vessels, and the undertaking
completely answers the expectations which were formed of its
success.
" The draught of a new law, and of a tariff of import, ex-
port, and transit duties, is at present the subject of serious de-
liberation, in order to its being finally submitted to your High
Mightinesses. This law, I am convinced, will best contribute
to the welfare of the old Netherlands, by being made to com-
bine an entire liberty for foreign trade with due protection to
our flag, our agriculture, and our domestic industry.
"The internal tranquillity which has fortunately been re-
stored in our East India possessions, adds a favourable influence
to the efforts constantly employed for re-establishing the finances
of those countries. Your High Mightinesses will obtain proofs
of this by communications which will be made on the subject
during the present session.
" In the West India colonies industry is still fettered, but
the means of removing its embarrassments form the object of
our particular attention.
" Notwithstanding the difficult position in which we are
placed by the Belgic insurrection, the finances of the state have
suffered no confusion. The co-operation and perseverance of
my faithful countrymen have rendered it possible to fulfil all
engagements. The interest of the public debt, and the great
expenses of the navy and army, have consequently been paid
regularly and without any delay.
" In the preparation of laws relative to the expenses of the
incoming year, and the means of meeting the same, I have en-
deavoured to cause to be observed the severest economy as to
the former, and the alleviation as far as possible of the burdens
which the expenditure mll occasion.
" The situation of the kingdom requires great sacrifices, but
I shall propose them with confidence to your High Mighti-
nesses, convinced as I am that it is the unanimous determina-
tion of my beloved people to prove by every means to our friends
and to our enemies, that whatever trials Providence may re-
serve for us, we can not only provide for the wants of the
country, but also maintain those principles on which the
honour the liberty, and existence of the people of the old Ne-
therlands repose, and thereby cause to be respected the national
credit and independence.
" I have found it necessary to submit to a revision the code
already adopted, together with the law on the judicial organi.
zation, in order that the same may be made to coincide better
with the interests of the old Netherlands. I hope to be able to
present to you during the present session a part of this impor-
tant operation.
" High and Mighty Lords,—Our future is still covered with
a veil, but with confidence in the wisdom and bounty of the
Almighty we await the decision of our lot ; for our cause is just,
and all our people religiously persevere in the unanimous reso-
lution to sacrifice their property and their blood for the main-
tenance of our beloved country."
!nt ' _