The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-16 00:00:00

GERMANY

AND

THE NORTHERN STATES.

PRUSSIA.

According to official returns, the exports and im-
ports of the Zollverein in 1847 in various articles
were as follows :—Raw cotton, imported, 446,849
cwt. ; exported, 114,545 cwt. ; transit, 54,298 cwt. ;
sulpher, imported, 139,199 cwt. ; exported, 5,775 cwt. ;
raw iron, imported, 2,340,247 cwt.; exported, 25,859
cwt. ; cast and other iron, rails, &c., imported,
1,106,158 cwt. ; exported, 42,852 cwt.; transit,
43,586 cwts. The population of the Zollverein, in
1847, amounted to 29,461,712 souls.

The following reply was made by the KING to a
deputation charged to deliver one of the addresses from
the rural districts, who were admitted to an audience :
" It is impossible for me to express the pleasure which
your arrival has given me. I have the pleasure, gentle-
men, of being personally acquainted with several of you,
and know the sincerity of your words. It is as you say.
The subject of Breslau is not calculated to give me
much pleasure—quite the reverse.' It gives me much
concern. And, gentlemen, believe me, .1 do not grieve
for my own sake; for, unhappily, I am accustomed to
ingratitude; but I grieve for my people. The address
from Breslau is, probably, the most wounding address
ever presented to any sovereign.
" Yet, notwithstanding the asperity of its form, and to
which I consider it right to reply with kingly dignity, I
granted its requirements; for its repulsive form did not
prevent my giving it duo deliberation. But, gentlemen,
you may well believe that an address like that which you
have this morning presented to me is very grateful to
your Monarch's heart.
" I know that in Silesia there are excellent men, but
there is a want of energy; and this it is which has
enabled a small body of crafty men, unworthy of the
name of Prussians, to get the upperhand. It has been
in Breslau as in other large cities; and oh, how gladly
would every true patriot efface the deeds of the last few
months from the page of history!
" What, with God's blessing, has supported and con-
soled me amid recent trials, is the faithful attachment of
my people of the country. Yes, gentlemen, every where
the country has put the cities to the blush; in Pome-
rania, in Prussia, in Silesia, especially in Westphalia,
and on the banks of the Rhine, in the March and Ra-
vensburg, the rural districts have displayed a spirit which
has more than indemnified me for the sorrows I have
experienced. Not only have the rural population been
proof to every bribe or throat—nay, they rose in a body
to fly to the aid of their King, and entreated that they
might be permitted to crush the enemies of their Sovereign.
" But, God be praised, we had no need of their loyal
succour; for, by the help of the Lord, my foes have been
vanquished. And these foes were not the ancient Prus-
sians; the ancient, the:true Prussians, are ready this day,
as they were in 1813, to rally round their Sovereign and
respond to his call.
" Gentlemen, I beg you to convey my heartfelt thanks
to my brave and loyal rural subjects. My recent act is
intended for the welfare of the whole country.
"By the grace of God, we shall for the future get on
better. Let us expect it, and lot us act up to this expec-
tation. Again, rest assured that your friendly conduct
towards me has filled me with the liveliest pleasure."