The Sun.
London, England, 1831-06-03 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

(From the Times Private Correspondent.)
BRUSSELS, MAY 31.
The discussion on the means of extricating the
nation from the difficulties in which it is placed, was
continued this day in ;the Congress. I was present
at the discussion, which is somewhat similar to that
of the Chamber of Deputies in Frante. The dull
Mode of reading speeches is practised here as in
Paris, the result tf which is, that there is a same.
ness and a heaviness in some of the speeches un-
Worthy of freemen. Others showed that the prin-
ciple of liberty was warm in the breasts of the ma-
jority.
Among the speeches which seemed to me most
worthy of attention were those of M. Beyts and
M. Van de Weyer : the former is an old man well
versed in the history of his country, who clearly ex-
plained the schemes of the diplomatists of London.
In the first protocol proposed by these gentlemen in
November last, in order to induce the Belgians to
stay their invasion of Holland, the boundaries, as
arranged between Holland and Belgium in 1814,
were specially pointed out, while by the protocol of
the 20th of January last, when the Belgians were in-
duced to stop a cessation of fighting, the boundaries
of 1700 were positively marked as the confines of
Belgium. This Machiavelian policy of the diplo-
matists was stated to be the source of the present
misfortunes of Belgium.
Many severe comments were made on the letter
of Lord Ponsonby to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
here; it was pronounced to be unworthy of an
English 'diplomatist; and far more fit for an agent
of the Emperor of Russia, or of the absolute despots
of the North. Its threats to have the name of
Belgium extinguished for ever, were scouted, as
deserving rather the scorn or pity of the Congress,
than its serious consideration.
The conduct of Sebastiani was also treated with
the severest censure; the tricks, the plots, and the
intrigues of that Minister were pointed out and re-
probated. His object was stated to be the mysti-
fication of the affairs of Belgium, so as to induce the
surrender of the country to France. Hints were
a:so thrown out, as if the agent of another great
nation was labouring for the restoration of the Nassau
family.
Deceived, as they are, by the conference of
London, the Belgians maintain that they ought to
look to themselves for the cutting of the Gordian
knot ; and some contended for an immediate decla.
ration of war against Holland, as the only mode of
bringing the question to an issue.
M. Van de Weyer, a young man, who spoke dis-
tinctly and in the same manner as the Members in
the English House of Commons without a written
paper before him, explained the futility of proceed-
ing to hostilities, the results of which were uncertain,
and even if favourable would require to be adjudicated
by negotiations at the clo:ie.
The Congress, after a long discussion, proceeded
to the vote by name, on the subject of to-morrow,
taking the peace or war system into consideration,
on which the numbers were—

For the peace system to he discussed first 137
For the war system 4B

Majority in favour of peace, and of the
election of Prince Leopold, an a means
of sustaining it B9

The utmost quiet has this day prevailed in the city.

BRUSSELS, MAY 30.

The sitting of the Congress this day was the ob-
ject of general attention. The galleries were filled
at an early hour, and all the avenues to the national
Palace were crowded. Nevertheless, the order of
the day merely announced the priority of the dis-
cussion of the propositions of MM. Van de Weyer,
Blargny, and Robaulx, to which were added those
of M. Nothomb and the central section. You are
aware that these propositions differ in certain shades
from that which has for its object the election of the
Chief of the State.

The sitting commenced at two o'clock by the re-
port of M. Brouckere, the Finance Minister, on three
financial laws. He concluded by announcing to the
Congress that he had resigned, and with much
emotion vindicated his administration, protesting at-
tachment to the cause of the revolution.

The retirement of M. de Brouckere may be con-
sidered as the signal of the dissolution of the Mi
nistry. It is true that the Regent wishes to main-
tain the system adopted by M. Lebeau,.and that M.
Brouckere has resigned because he believed it to be
incompatible with the triumph of the revolution
since the communications of Lord Ponsonby. It is
impossible that such a system can be maintained in
presence of the Journals, which, without excep-
tion, oppose it, and of the feeling of the country,
which is weary of expectation, and is ready to ter-
minate by arms questions of treaties which the con-
ference never can terminate by negociation.

After the Minister of Finance, MM. Seron and
Jottrand successively addressed the Congress, and
their speeches were in favour of the war opinion.
The latter was very violent, arid reprobated the con-
duct of the Ministry and the diplomatists. M.
Nothomb spoke next in support of his motion ; but
I left the house to have the opportunity of finishing
my letter before the post departs.
This morning the Belgic Association published a
protest against the principles laid down in the pro-
tocols and Lord Ponsonby's letter. This associa-
tion has not now all the popularity which it had at
its first institution, but in the present circumstances
it may with a little address become menacing.
The word " war" is electric with the masses, and in
revolution those who can move the masses will have
power.
I cannot conceal from you that whatever the final
decision of the Congress may be, I apprehend that
hostilities with Holland will take place. It will
never be possible to persuade the Belgians to cede
the limits they claim. Amidst all the causes of un-
easiness, one fact, however, is consoling, and that
is, that the choice of Prince Leopold is every where
popular. It is believed that he does not give an
affirmative answer because the Conference is not
yet disposed to give us our proper boundaries. In
my opinion, the Conference would do well to let the
war of limits take its course between the Belgians
and the Dutch. The interference of the Powers
might then be usefully exercised.