The Sun.
London, England, 1831-08-08 00:00:00

EXPRESS FROM BRUSSELS.

(From the Times.)
ANTWERP, AUG. 5, ruibmr
The position of this celebrated city b-ing critical at
this moment, and the reports in cirettlation so confused
end contradictory, 1 determind to make use of an oppor-
tunity in order to visit it, and on the spot to make obser-
vations. On the road from Brusee's to M diners, I saw
but a few soldiers belonging to different regiments, who
were hastening on towards the theatre of battles. At
Malines great bustle existed, and anxiety prevailed te-
speuting the state of this city. His Majesty Leopold I. bad
arrived from Antwerp, in Malines, at half past ten o'clock.
The appearance of the road from Melints was calcu-
lated to excite the most painful feelings. Thousands of
women and children, of all ages) mingled with old and
decrepid then, werb btirryilig away from their homes and
destruction. Vehicles of every description, even the heavy
low brewer's drays, were loaded with the unfortunate
people. 'Mothers were there soothing and carrying children
of five and six years old) who cried out from weariness
end pain, end many stnall mils were dr:twn by boy's and
girls, in tehich the feeble and infants tere huddled together,
some of them asleep. Alarm and consternation were evi-
dent in every group of the long chain of those beings ; at
one period there was a break, which I found was occa-
sioned by a heavy shower, for the mass of the poor
creeteree hat! no uOtward dtesa to piaiseeee them from its
effects, and were obliged to shelter for a time in the houses
or under the trees by the road side.
At the Malines gate into Antwerp the same crowd was
to be seen issuing; there was some difficulty to procure
admission. The cannon was heard hand, for there was
a conetict between the citadel and the outward forts erected
to awe it by the Belgians. The Dutch troops, to the
number of about 200, had about eleven o clock made a
sortie on the Belgian line of forts, and having driven their
opponents out of Nos. 4 and 5, spiked six or eight guns,
and then retired into the citadel, leaving behind them se-
veral killed and wounded, and having taken prisoners
the best artillery officers in the Belgian service. The sol-
diers who were present at this affair state, that having wit-
nessed the barbarity of the Dutch, who massacred in cold
blood an officer tcho became their prisoner, they fired no
less than twelve balls Into the head of a Dutch officer who
fell iftto their power. An attempt was made to carry into
town the wounded, among whom were some Dutch sol-
diers ; but the cries of the people were, " Put them to
death." They were, however, conveyed to the hospital.
On entering into the city, I found the miserable rem-
nant of its inhabitants chiefly outside their doors, looking
in doubt and (I, spair. There tee, re many women, net one
of whom exhibited the usual wish for works of female in-
dustry. The shops were closed. Crowds of soldiers and
of the Civic Guard were scattered through the streets.
General Belliard, whom I met on his return about a
league from Brussels, arrived yesterday in this city, and
had an interview with General Chasse, and has since
stated to several persons that Antwerp cannot now be in-
jured. The lower classes of the inhabitants believe that
he told the Commandant of the citadel that he was not to
bombard Antwerp, for the English fleet would fire as
many bombs into Rotterdatn. They are anxiously look-
ing out for the English fleet, which, as they expect, is to
remove from them the horrors of their Dutch enemy. One
of them told me near the basin that the Dutch tleet had
stopped two English vessels which were yesterday leaving
the Scheldt.
King Leopold, although ill, arrived here yesterday from
Brussels at half-past four o'clock. His presence contributed
very much to rouse the desponding people. They followed
his carriage, and cheered hint loudly as he entered the

Palace.
It was but this day week I saw this city decorated with
splendour and rejoicing, because Leopold had come to it as
a bridegroom King; now it was in wretchedness and afflic-
tion, and Leopold came to aid and console it. His Majesty
has frequently declared his sympathy with the people, and
his hopes that England and her Allies will succour them
in the hour of danger.
Shortly after his arrival, his Majesty commissioned Air.
Ellerman, the Hanoverian Consul, a genfeman liked and
respected in this city, to proceed to the citadel, and to
have a communication with the Commandant. M. Eller-
, man, who on former occasions was well acquainted with
Baron Chasse, undertook the commission, and obtained an
interview about seven o'clock, when lie explained to the
General the decision of the Conference to take Antwerp
wholly under its protection.
General Chasse said that from old acquaintance with the
merchants of Antwerp, he deplored the fatal necessity
which should impose on him as a duty the destruction of
so fine a city, but obedience to his Sovereign's orders would
require him to his duty. Of the fact of the city being
under the protection of the Conference he was not aware,
but would instantly despatch a steam-boat to Rotterdam to
learn the decision of his master.
Mr. Ellerrnan begged the General to pledge his honour
not to bombard the town until the decision as to that fact
was kno.a n.
General Chasse, after considerable hesitation, said that
hp would not pledge himself to any course other than that
of obedience to his orders, but he would nevertheless as•
sure his friend, Mr. Ellerman, that he would not fire on
the town within twenty-four hours, or perhaps forty-eight
hours unless provoked thereto by an attack from the city,
and that (luring that interval lie would not throw bombs
into it, unless they were thrown first into the citadel.
The information of this tacit convention was conveyed
to Leopold, who expressed his satisfaction, and issued the
strictest orders to prevent any aggression on the part of the
citizens. A steam-boat was, as I understand, despatched
from the city to Rotterdam, in order to obtain instructions
• from the Hague. This voyage will, it has been calculated
require at least twenty-tight hours to and fro, so that the