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

BELGIUM.

~

The following is the Protocol of the Conference
held on the 17thult. at the Foreign-office, London :

" Present, the Plenipotentiaries of Austria, France,
Great Britain, Prussia, and Russia.—Upon the opening
of the conference the Plenipotentiary of France declared,
by the express command of his Sovereign, that France ac-
ceded to the Protocol of Jan. 20, 1831 ; thatshe approved
of the boundaries fixed in that act for Belgium ; that she
recognized the neutrality as well as the inviolability of the
Belgi in territory ; that she would acknowledge the So-
vereign of Belgium only when that Sovereign should have
acceded to all the provisions and clauses of the Protocol
of January 30, 1831 ; and that, according to the prin-
ciples laid down in that Protocol, the French Government
considered the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg as com-
pletely separated from Belgium, so that the said Grand
Duchy should continue under the Sovereignty and in the
relations which were assigned to it by the treaties of 1815.
To this declaration the French Plenipotentiary added se-
veral observations on the nature of the exchanges of ter-
ritory, which, in conformity with Article 4 of the Pro-
tocol of the 20th of January, are to be effected under
the mediation of the five Courts between Belgium and
Holland, in order to afford the mutual advantage of
a complete contiguity of possessions ; on the con-
stitutional regime ensured to the Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg by the treaties of 1815 ; on the measures
that might be adopted with regard to the latter country;
on the peculiar situation of the Duchy of Bouil-
lon, and, generally, on the means for the execution of
the Protocol of January 20, 1831. The French Pleni-
potentiary, filially, again expressed the ardent and inva-
riable desire which his Government has constantly mani-
fested to act in harmony with its allies, and to concur
with them in the maintenance of" general pace, and the
treaties which form the basis of it. This communication,
received by the Plenipotentiaries of the four Courts with
unanimous and sincere satisfaction, gave them occasion on
their part to declare that they knew how to appreciate
duly the spirit and aid of the same. They consider it as
Pro-
tocol of March 17, in consequence of the first observations
the happy result of the principles laid down in the
to which the Protocol of February 19 had given rise on
the part of France. Greatly as they regretted even a
momentary difference of opinion bettveen them and the
French Government, they now congratulate themselves
upon finding that France, by the declaration of her Am-
bassador, continues in the position which she has taken
with so much utility iu the midst of her allies at the
London Conferences, as she declares her adherence to the
principles on which the 19th Protocol is founded, and
which are all deduced from the Protocol of January 20;
and as she thereby consolidates the union of the Great
Powers, which union presents the best guarantee of a ge-
neral peace. With regard to the further observations with
which the French Plenipotentiary accompanied the above
declaration, the Conference, after consideration, have unani-
mously agreed, Ist, That the discussion on the exchange
of territory which might take place between Holland and
Belgium was only to be assumed now as a project, but that
it can only be opened with advantage when the parties
immediately interested therein shall have acceded to the
arrangements which must follow the separation of Belgium
from Holland, and when the labours of the Commissions
for the demarcation shall have completely cleared up the
question relative to the exchanges of territory, and, conse-
quently, have facilitated the solution of it to the five
Powers. 2dly, That, as the main principle of the five
Powers is to respect treaties, it is evident that the stipu-
lations of the treaties relative to the Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg must be executed. 3t11y,. That in conse-
quence of the same
oe
yby of
theß o
Plenipotentiary int otti•adrry principle, the Plenipotentiaries of the
five Courts at the London Conference shall proceed to an
examination of the treaties in existence relative to the
Du
ot of
France,s at e u
whaton the
m observationsay
he
pecu-
liar
madec h
in the situation of that Duchy, so that a due regard
for this situation may be observed in the measures, the
application of which may be required towards the Duchy
of Luxembourg
'

(Signed) '''ESTEREIAZY, WESSENBERG, TALLEYRANI),
PALMERSTON, BULOW, LIEVEN, MATUZEWICZ.'

AFFAIR OF HONOUR.—We understand
that an intimation was sent, through Colonel PATRICK-
SON, from LUKE WHITE, Esq., to Lord FORBES, that he
was quite ready to proceed to France, if the Noble
Viscount were disposed to follow him there, to determine
the quarrel which they were prevented from settling here
by the heavy recognizanees in which both were bound to
keep the peace. The proposition of Mr. WHITE was de-
clined by the Noble Lord....Dubtin Register,

I

PARIS, MAY 21.

(From the Times Private Correspondence.)
This city has been, during the last two days, the seat of
every kind of rumour. The health of the King of Eng-
__

land—various versions of the French King's reception in
the provinces—the anarchy of Belgium—negociations re-
specting Poland—fresh disturbances in Italy—change of
the French Ministry—rebellion in La Vendee—these, and
a hundred other statements, chiefly the fabrications of
Stock Exchange jobbers, have been in full operation to
agitate and disturb the public mind.
As to the state of your King's health, all foreigners who
plain and manly dealing—who admire the open and
simplicity of your national character—feel an interest
lforavieil,
in the well-being of a Sovereign who wishes to sustain his
throne by cultivating the affections of a free people. The
French King's reception in the provinces has never varied ;
in every town and village it was popular amongst all classes,
and his Majesty has received with his own band petitions
and representations from several classes of manufacturers
who complain of grievous commercial distress. Some of the
Paris papers have criticised passages in the King's answers to
local addresses, in which phrases were employed describing,
in terms bordering upon indignation, the partial attempts
which agitators were and are making to disturb the public
peace ; but these criticisms are not adopted by the pro-
vincial press; the journals of Normandy are as adulatory
of the Citizen King, as your Tory press was wont to be
of a Tory Sovereign. The anarchy of Belgium is truly
rumoured; the accounts which I receive from travellers
who have recently passed through that distracted land,
make it a perfect pandemonium. Industry and commerce
are utterly paralyzed ; and so furious has become the
hatred between Belgium and Holland that even large num-
bers of the cold and phlegmatic Dutch are quite ready to
decide the controversy by the sword. As if the national
prejudice and religious hatred between the two countries
were not strong enough to embarrass all mediation be-
tween them, emissaries from every volcanic sect which
bubbles in the boiling cauldron of European politics,
at this moment have an entrepot at Brussels and Ant-

werp. The incessant and inflammatory meddling of
foreigners, particularly nenchmen, in Belgic affairs,
is described to me as a serious addition to the
complication of perplexing difficulties, which the
lovers of peace have to encounter in the adjustment
of this deplorable question. Itinerant adventurers, who
now wander about the Continent gathering fuel to kindle
a flame, have of late domiciled themselves in Belgium, to
stimulate local passions already too much inflamed ; and I
lament to add, that many of these individuals have been
armed (too confidingly, I have no doubt) with letters of
recommendation from some good and virtuous men in
France, who thought they were aiding the general cause of
liberty, when they were merely setting in motion gangs of
swindlers and desperadoes. I believe the French Govern-
ment have lately employed agents to keep a steady eye
upon some of these persons, as well as to disabuse the
minds of some of the well-meaning men who were likely
to he compromised by their acts. France has given the
Belgic leaders the most positive assurance, and it has been
reiterated within the last three days, that the protocols
must be adhered to ; and that if war is determined upon,
' the principal Powers will leave the belligerents to fight
their own battle out.

I have already informed you that Russia has declined

all negociations at present upon Polish affairs. The Em-
peror
of Russia has replied to the last solicitation of St.
Petershurgh, " that the Poles had made their demand
with drawn swords, and with the same weapon his honour
required they should be answered." France has made a
last effort, by a special courier on Thursday, and likewise
a demi-official appeal, through Baron Humboldt, for the
co-operation of the Court of Berlin, while arranging a
medical council to proceed to the Polish frontier, to act
with eminent Prussian professional men, in stopping the
descent front the north of the cholera morbus contagion.
cTollioe
urrei
n ports from
to
thero dtehs
ce r Ip'trnieonc h
of
this
disorder give a
in higher Poland
than the Polish authorities are iu the habit of doing. Ac-
cording to the former, it is extending rapidly ; but
nothing is more frightful than the accounts which
I have read in private letters from the seat of war
within the last day or two of the condition of several of
the Russian detached posts : a prey to disease and star-
vation, their sufferings have been most appalling. The
main army and its principal detachments are tolerably
supplied ; but the smaller branches of Diebitsch's corps
were mostly left to help themselves ; and now that the
country has been so entirely devastated on the line of
march, subsistence has become impossible ; the peasantry
have every where fled towards the towns, and left their
fields desolate.
The insurrection in La Venil6e is not so serious as has
been reported. Bands of fellows, led by old Chouans,
now be made of them. They have, however, strong holds,
links of the old feudal attachment, and the entire devotion
of the local priesthood. It will require a resident military
establishment effectually to suppress the tumults which are
fostered under such auspices; and this the Government
are now about to supply with the cession of extraordinay
powers to the commandant, who is Lieut.-General Bon-
net, an active and determined officer. His measures will
be in full activity during the ensuing week
The relations between France and Austria are at length
becoming a source of uneasiness to the French Govern-
ment. Cabinet councils have been here daily sitting
during the week, principally, I am informed, upon the
fresh Austrian armaments. M. Casimir Perrier, in the
first act of his Administration, remonstrated strongly
against the Austrian military occupation of the Roman
fortresses. Prince Metternich gave a courteous answer,
that General Frimont had orders to withdraw the Austrian
corps with the utmost despatch, and the main body to halt
till further instructions. Yet how stands the fact?
Frimont's army has been reinforced by 4,000 men ; and
in addition to the towns of Bologna, Ferrara, and Ancona,
they have since occupied Conucchio and Ravenna. This
is done, according to the explanations given to Marshal
Mrison in Vienna, at the urgent solicitation of the Pope,
and this information, instead of coming to the Court of
France through its Minister at the Holy See, arrives from
the Austrian Cabinet.
Prince Metternich, not content with putting his finger
upon the fortresses in the map of Italy, has now raised the
old Savoy question, and not only insists upon occupying
Novara, but has actually sent on, according to accounts
received yesterday front Vienna, the heads of a roving
Commissariat to mark depots. You are aware that
Novara is a part of Piedmont, which has been called
the key of France, as well as the key of Italy, to which
Austria founds a claim in virtue of an old treaty, conced-
ing rights of reversibility, in consequence of a wrong mar-
riage, upon the extinction of the elder branch of the House
of Savoy. This branch, I believe, expired with the late
King of Sardinia. The possession of Novara, placed as
that territory is, between Milan and Turin, will give Aus-
tria a predominating power in Piedmont, and it can easily
be imagined what sort of constitution the Carignan family
will give the Piedmontese under the influence of such
neighbours. A new loan, too, is on the tapis at Vienna, I
am informed ; but Prince Metternich has informed Marshal
Maison, that this is only wanted "in case of need." No-
thing, I understand, can be more courteous than the per-
sonal demeanour of the wily Austrian at this moment (for
it was not so at first) to the French Envoy, or more
smooth than the penmanship of his explanations through
Count Appony to the French, Court; but all the while his
acts are decisive of the intention of the Cabinet of Vienna
to command supremacy in Italy.
He takes care to make himself well acquainted with the
views of other Courts. Couriers and special messengers
are incessantly travelling from Vienna to London and
Paris. The Prince Schwartzenburg, of intriguing fame
in London, has gone on a mission to Vienna some days
ago. His cousin of the same name, and who is likewise
attached to the Austrian Embassy at the French Court,
will set out for the same destination to-morrow.
There is no truth in the rumoured change of the
French Ministry. I believe it originated among the stock-
jobbers. The Chamber of Deputies will be dissolved on
the 25th instsnt ; and the Ministers are actively engaged
at this moment in all the preliminary arrangement for the
new elections. The opposition, or men of " the move-
ment," are also zealously employed in supporting their
interest. Upon the temper of the new Chamber, will
mainly depend the stability of the present Administration.
Although the French Government have not officially in-
terfered with Prince Leopold upon the Belgic question, I
have reason to believe that, individually, the members of
the Royal Family have been anxious to hear of the Prince's
acceptance of the proffered throne. lie will have with
him nearly 4-sths of the thinking portion of the Belgic
population.
I received
e tfrs
ot annl d
Belgiumth at
btye telegraphic pp,riecncchrGmovuenrincamtieonnt,, just
rec
an-
nounces the return of Lord Ponsonby yesterday at Brus-
sels, and that the acceptance of the throne, upondtihe
terms sanctioned by the Allies, was favourably receive
the Belgians: in fact, that the moderate party were ac-
quiring fresh strength.
I do not give you this
it last piece of news as from
authority, but
comes to me from such a quarter, and is
so important at this
anarchymoment, hasas
tesnodinlogngtowreaigrdnseda,tt•ehtauttnl
to right views, where
am inclined to believe it, and anxious to give it to you
forthwith. Y.
P.S. There has been, late this day, a meeting of the

Spanish bondholders in Paris, at which resolutions similar
to those lately adopted by the same class of persons in Lon-
don, were agreed to, as well as a petition to the King
for interference with the Court of Spain, to have justice
done to their claims. They wish to have Aguado's new
scrip struck out of the Bourse quotations ; but old Baron
Louis, the Minister of Finance, wishes to leave the parties
to their own remedy.