The Sun.
London, England, 1831-05-23 00:00:00

BRUSSELS PAPERS.

We received last night Brussels Papers to the
21st of May. They contain an account of the pro-
ceedings at the opening of Congress. A long report
was read by M. Lebeau on the foreign relations. It
would seem that the Belgians calculate confidently
on obtaining Prince Leopold for Sovereign. The
following are extracts:—

BRUSSELS-NATIONAL CONGRESS.
SITTING OF 18T1I MAY.

The Sitting opened at one o'clock, 120 Members
being present. After some preliminary business,
M. de Gerlache was re-elected President, and
Messrs. Raikem and Destownelles, Vice-Presidents,
and Messrs. Vilain XIII., Leidles, Nothomb, and
H. de Brouckere, Secretaries.
M. de Gerlache thanked the Assembly for the
honour it had done him in raising him, for the third
time, to the President's Chair. He acknowledged
that the crisis in which the country was placed ap-
peared to become more serious ; but if they should
be so happy as to establish finally and speedily the
institutions of the country, none of them will regret
the sacrifices they have made ; and should the hopes
they Jiaye hitherto cherished be dispelled, they will
which the honour, the dignity, and the interest of
the nation demands. " Yes," said he, " all desire
to be free, but not in the manner of some of our
neighbours, among whom there is neither liberty,
nor toleration, nor justice, except for the party of
those who arc in power. I consider that Belgium
cannot become the accessary to another country
without a dreadful suicide.
But to attain our object it is not sufficient to be
already free ; the law must also be respected, and
the Government strong. You will therefore second,
to the utmost of your power, the Government,
which owes its existence to you, and which cannot
carry on the affairs of the country unless it is sup-
ported. The President concluded with forcibly
impressing on the assembly the necessity of union.
A letter from M. l'Hon de Steenbuyle was read,
announcing his resignation of the office of Minister
of War, at the same time stating, that to justify his
conduct, he has printed a report of what he has
done, and is ready to give in writing any information
that the Congress may desire.
M. Lebeau, Minister for Foreign Affairs, as.
tended the tribune. He announces the Report on
the relations of Belgium. He reminds the Assembly
that he entered on his office at the end of Match ;
that on the 4th of April he stated his political prin-
ciples; that he has ever acted in strict conformity
to them, and if the majority had been opposed to
him, he would have retired. On the 4th of April,
he observed, that two things were to be attended
to at the same time—the negotiations, and the pre-
parations for war. The character of the Congress
of London was deferred; at its commencement it
was to confine itself to mediation, and could never
be recognized as having a right to interfere with our
independence, or the integrity of the territory. The
only diplomatic act which lie has received, is the
assent of France to the protocol of 20th of January,
which adjudges to Holland the Grand Duchy of
Luxemburg, and part of Limberg.
Two notes from M. le Hon to M. Sebastiani, and
the answer of the latter, were here read : M. Sebas-
tiani advises Belgium to yield, and to accept the
protocols as a benefit, its neutrality being acknow-
ledged.
The Minister then enumerated the means em-
ployed to defend Luxemburg, the violation of the
armistice by the Dutch, who seized Fort St. Marie,
but were now induced to abandon it by the interfe-
rence of Lord Ponsonby, who, however, failed in
his endeavours to make the Dutch allow the free
navigation of the Meuse; General Dibbets declaring
that the citadel of Maestricht being in a state of
siege, the enemy's boats could not be allowed to pass
through the city.
As there were no official communications, except
with Paris, when M. Lebeau became Minister, it
was necessary to attempt to enter into some inter-
course with London, and the Count d'Aerschot was
sent thither, but recalled, as the English Cabinet
would not receive him. M. Michaels was sent to
France to treat about Luxemburg, but though not
officially received, he has not received any affront,
and remains at Frankfort. The President of the
Diet, in his letter (which was read), merely sayings
that as the conditions of the political existence of
Belgium were now under consideration at Lend"'
the Diet would not enter into any relations with us,
till the decision of the Congress should be made. )\l.
Michaels is also commissioned to direct his attention
to the navigation of the Rhine.
An Envoy has been sent to one of the Great
Powers of Germany, with which the interest of our
manufactures and commerce render it absolutely ne-
cessary to enter into some arrangement.
M. Lebeau mentions the letter which he had ad-
dressed to the Dutch Ministry in order to open a
negotiation, and regretted that circumstances did
not permit him to have the letter delivered by a
diplomatic agent ; but, in adopting an unusual course
he had by no means any intention of failing in re-
spect of the Dutch nation or its Government. M•
Lebeau requested the Assembly to observe, that in all
these cases there was no mission.emanating from the

Regent, the persons sent being merely agents of the
Minister. With respect to the negotiations
the Prince of Saxe Coburg, M. Lebeau said it re-
lated rattler to our own internal political organiza-
tion than to our relations with foreign countries.—
En endeavouring to learn the sentiments of the
Prince he followed the same plan as M. Van de
Weyer. His Royal Highness has been always ap-
plied to in the name of the Minister, and not of the
Regent, nor has there been any negotiation with
the British Cabinet. Our Commissioners at Landon
were not treated with. The Congress, invariable
with respect to the national honour, have thought
that, not to be accused of desiring to disturb the
tranquillity of Europe, the question of territory
might be resolved at a future time.
There have been only mere offers and confidential
conversations, which may be communicated in a
Secret Committee of the Assembly. The denoue-
ment daily becomes more favourable. The nation
cannot submit to bear the French name ; it desires
to remain Belgian; whatever be the result, the Mi•
nistry will do nothing contrary to its duties.
Some Members expressing their surprise that the
account of the negotiations with the Prince of.
Saxe Coburg had not been included in the Report,
M. Lebeau said it could not be included, being
wholly confidential and not official ; but that he could
give the Assembly all information in the Committee,
which was fixed for the day after to-morrow.