The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-31 00:00:00

BELGIUM.

BRUSSELS, DEC. 28.—The Hollando-Belgian treaty
which has caused so much discussion out of doors,
and which was voted a few days since by the
Netherlands Chamber, was under debate in our
Chamber of Representatives for four days. Mr.
Hoffschmidt contended that the treaty should be sanc-
tioned, because it was essentially connected with the
convention concluded between England and Belgium,
and with the negotiations already commenced for
introducing modifications into the system of differen-
tial duties. The Minister for Foreign Affairs forcibly
supported the changes introduced, on the ground of
the general prevalence of the free-trade system.
They were indispensable by the customs and mari-
time legislation of other countries ; and the conclusion
of a treaty with England or Holland was quite im-
possible unless those circumstances were taken into
consideration.

On being put to the vote, it was found that
eighty-nine members were present—the ayes, 59 ;
and ❑oes, 30. Two members were absent.

ITALY.

The Official Gazette of the Duchy of Savoy, of the
26th, has a leader on the vote of 20th December, from
which we extract the following passage :
" What has been done in the course of the last
three years induces us to believe that nothing mill be
changed in the international policy of France. The
bases of existing treaties will be maintained. The
chart of Europe drawn up in 1815, and which La-
martine wanted to destroy, will remain untouched.
There will be but one man more with sovereign
power over a great nation, less agitation in the
masses of all countries, more order and commerce.
Such will, probably, be the remits of the popular
inauguration which the repeated oui of the French
people has consecrated. This event will save Savoy,
for many years at least, from the illusions in which
the Separatist party lately attempted to involve it.
Nothing now exists of this party but the name. The
direction of its ideas cannot but have changed with
the facts, which have proved how imprudent its ma-
nifestations were, and upon what ill-calculated
chances it staked our secular existence, without con-
ditions, as if Savoy had no right of prescribing con-
ditions to those to whom it was intended to deliver
her up. Montesquieu, the general of the army of the
Alps, wrote as follows in 1792 I believe it is
neither the interest of France nor that of Savoy to
unite themselves. It is not that of France, since she
must not excite the jealousy of Europe by aggran-
disement; nor that of Savoy, as her taxes, if raised
to the proportion of the French debt, would be beyond
her means. Besides, is she sure that the French
Constitution, which does not exist yet, will be to her
taste ?' These reasons, given by the very general
who was appointed to conquor Savoy, are of great
weight, which is still enhanced by the late events.
Let us stay where we are. Let us aid the Executive
by our union, in giving us the best organic laws pos-
sible, and the greatest measure of general comfort.
That will be much more certain, and better also.

THE PRISONERS AT HAM.
The Pays gives the following details relative to the
prisoners at Ham :
" What was at first stated as to their being com-
pletely apart is perfectly true. Not only were they
prevented from having any communication with
persons without, but they had no intercourse with
each other, and their keepers observed the most com-
plete discretion towards them. Each of them was
ignorant as to who was his companion in captivity,
and particularly of what events had taken place in
Paris and the departments from the moment of his
arrest. The utmost attention was paid to them, and
in this respect they have all rendered full justice
to the manner in which they have been treated.
It was only at the end of a week that they were al-
lowed to communicate with each other, and from
that time their families and friends were permitted
to visit them and alleviate the ennui of their con-
finement. There now remain at Ham MM. Chan-
gamier, Bedeau, Lamoriciere, Charras, Baze, and
Leflo. They all dine together, and are served by
sub-officers, who pay them the greatest attention.
Mesdames Lamoriciere, Leflo, and Baze share the
captivity of their husbands, the first in particular, by
the affability of her manners, beguiling the tedious
hours of imprisonment. Mine. Leflo is unfortunately
labouring under great depression of spirits, having
since she has been at Ham lost one of her children. Ge-
neral Changarnier, whose cold stoicism presents such a
contrast with the vivacity of Colonel Char-
ras and the energetic ardour of General
Lamoriciere, has again resumed the immo
bilite which has distinguished him during his poli-
tical life. He seldom keeps up a regular conversa-
tion, and it is difficult to know the secret thoughts
which agitate his grave and serious mind. He oc-
cupies the same apartment as General Lamoriciere.
As to the latter, with the rapidity of intelligence
for which he is distinguished, he soon understood
the bearing and character of the act of December 2,
and he easily resigned himself to a fact which
adverse opinions may well criticise, but the power
and authority of which it is no longer permitted to
misunderstand. He loudly protests against any idea
on his part of conspiring; and, although he may
conceive the necessity of his arrest at the first mo-
ment, he does not imagine that any more rigorous
measures can ever be' adopted against him. Colonel
Charras, while sharing in the same convictions, ad
mits the serious fault which the Republican party has
committed by linking itself with Socialism, the de-
feat of which might, by a movement of irresistible
reaction, lead to the fall of the Republic itself. None
of the prisoners appear so crestfallen as M. Baze.
He fears that the documents seized at his house may
compromise him more seriously than his companions
in captivity, and the idea of exile inspires him with
great sorrow. He has no fortune, and the impossi-
bility of exercising his profession of avocet in a
foreign country makes him foresee serious embarrass-
ment and great privations. It is, however, posi-
tively stated that General Bedeau takes on himself
all the responsibility of the documents found at the
residence of the ex-questor. It is he who, as Vice-
President of the Assembly, is said to have had them
drawn up and printed. These papers, however, do
not show any conspiracy against the President of
the Republic, and the General expresses his astonish-
ment that his military honour could be suspected
of plotting against the chief of the Executive
Power. The conduct of General Bedeau is distin-
guished by a piety which is not usual. He is a
fervent Christian, who takes refuge in meditation
and prayer against the instability of human affairs.
It is not now for the first time that these religious
sentiments are manifested by the General. Our
soldiers remember having frequently seen him in
Africa at the moment of combat alight from his
horse and invoke in silent prayer the protection and
support of the god of battles. It is in conversations
where each prisoner expresses his personal impres-
sions that tha days which successively bring their
captivity nearer to its termination are passed."