The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-21 00:00:00

HOLLAND.

The session of tho States-General was opened
by the King in person, at the Hague, on the 20th
inst. His Majesty was accompanied by the Prince
of Orange.
His Majesty spoke as follows :

" Giontleinen,

"This solemnity has to-day a higher signification for me
than usual. Beholding my beloved son at my side while open-
ing the States-General, my heart overflows with gratitude
towards God, who has deigned to preserve his days, doveloPe
his faculties, and bless his youth in so many respects.
" The nation, represented by you, gentlemen, celebrated
with enthusiasm the day upon which a new Prince of Orange
enterefl on his political career.

" The expressions of attachment to my house which were
manifested on that occasion increased my endeavours to de-
vote all my energies to the welfare of the country, for the
happiness of which my ancestors lived, and for which many
shed their blood.

" The constant mission of my government haS been the
development of the free enjoyment of the benefits-.of chili-
sation and of peace. My relations with all foreign Powers
are of a most amicable nature.

" At the same time that the exchange of intellectual pro-
duce with a neighbouring State has been settled by a recent
convention, my Government continues its efforts to remove
gradually the barriers to commerce in our Indian posses-
sions, and the Empire of Japan has been rendered accessi-
ble to general commerce.
" Nevertheless the safety of the •country renders neces-
sary the maintenance of a sufficient military force for its
defence.

" I can give you the assurance that my army and navy
continue to show themselves deserving of my solicitude.
The- public revenue flourishes under the blessing of
Heaven and the tranquillity of peace. Theitnancial crisis,
which a few months since threatened commerce and indus-
try, was happily of short duration. The harvest promises
to be more abundant even than was expected. The state-
ments that will be laid before you when the Budget is pre-
sented will show the favourable condition of the finances of
the State. The cultivation of art and science is the con-
stant object of my care. _ _

" Order and prosperity also reign in our colonial posses-
sions. My Government, by a just administration, which
favours material and intellectual development and respects
the institutions of the native population, strengthens the
confidence and attachment to the Dutch authorities.
Nevertheless, should our authority be disrespected, there are
sea and land forces on the spot sufficient to maintain it.
"The enjoyment of all these blessings, gentlemen, ought
to make us persevere in our efforts to improve and com-
plete the institutions 'of the State. Some new or modified
bills will shortly be laid before you. Before the examina-
tion of the budget is terminated a proposition will be pre-
sented to you for the settlement of the colonial finances.
‘,‘ Although the bills which will immediately be brought
before you in favour of the construction of railways and the
assistance of the State in favour of some districts where the
finances are in an embarrassed state will render a call upon
the Treasury necessary, nevertheless the state of the
general finances will allow me to propose a reduction of
some taxes. Various bills on this subject will be submitted
to you. The sinking of the debt will continue all the same.
" It has always been painful to me to speak of a slave
population under Dutch dominion, and I hope you will re-
ceive favourably the measures concerted to put an end to
such a condition. '

" Another attempt will be made for reforming our courts
of law and the administration of justice. It is not the less
necessary, and the fundamental law exacts it, that a penal
code should be established. Your co-operation will be re-
quired to fix the principles upon which it is to be based,
and it can be discussed simultaneously with the proposed
law reforms.

"Various other 'Bills will be presented to you; among
others, one to determine the power of the Council of State,
one for a revision of the electoral lists, another concerning
the transport of emigrants, one on general safety and on
railways, another respecting the organisation of the militia,
and one on the police.
" Gentlemen,--The importande of your labours adds to
the feelings of my heart on this solemn occasion. You will
share those feelings when you have accomplished the task
before you, and when you will be conscious of having largely
contributed to the welfare of our beloved country.
" May the blessing of the Almighty be upon us.
I declare the Session of the States-General to be open."

FRANCE.

PARIS, TUESDAY.

The Alimiteur contains the following notice :
Different journals have announced that the Go-
♦ernment contemplates introducing material modi-
fications in the commercial regime of Algeria.
These pretended projects and the discussions to
which they have given rise have excited a certain
degree of uneasiness in the manufacturing districts.
To put an end to such a state of doubt, it suffices to
say that the Government has no idea of changing
the customs laws of Algeria now regulating the
relations of that colony with France."
A Paris letter, in the Nord, sap :--" The text of
the French treaty with China cannot be officially
published until after the exchange of ratifications,
which will be necessarily some months distnt, on
account of the distance bttween the two countries.
The French official journal will, however, give in
a few days an analysis containing the 'principal
clauses of the treaty. This document is expected
every moment from Biarritz. As the treaty is
particularly favourable to the propagation of the
Roman Catholic religion, the Emperor felt desirous,
it is said, to pay the compliment to the Pope of
sending him one of the, first copies. A p,:rsoa at-
tached .to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to be
-charged with this friendly mission, and convey at
the same time an autograph letter from the Em-

peror."

Accounts from Martinique and Guadeloupe
to the 28th ultimo state that the commercial
situation of the two countries was satisfactory,
though specie was so scarce that 1Q or 11 per cent.
was paid for it. Owing to the scarcity of coin, a
number of planters of Martinique had brought an
action against the bank of that island to compel it
to pay its notes in specie ; but the action was
rejected, the bank having shown that it has been
authorised by the Government to offer in exchange
paper having a forced circulation. In the course
of a fortnight Guadaloupe had roceived 1,500 im-
migrants—half coolies, the other half Africans.
The French squadron was about to leave for
Vemeuela, where serious complications had arisen.
BOURSE, September 20.—The market has been
flat, but prices of Rents without much change.
Shares have been in good request, and several lines
have advanced. Threes have been done from 73f.
sc. to 73f. 15e. ; Mobilier, 962 f. 50c. to 975 f. ; Or-
leans, 1,440 f. to 1,445 f. ; Lyons, 882 f. 50c. to 887 f.
50e. ; Eastern, 757 f. 50c. to 760 f. ; Southern, 615 f.
to 620 f. ; and Northern, 1,005 f. to I,olof. The mar-
ket became heavy before the close, when the follow-
ing were the last quotations :

per Cents. .. 95 75'
Do. end month 9G
3 per Cents 72 75
Do. end month 72 85
Bank Shares
Credit Mobilier
Do. Account

Credit Fonder.— . 680
Belgian 41
Piedmontese (5)
Roman 921
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Homo Debt 4ot -

RAILWAYS.

Cash. Account.
Orleans
Northern
New ditto. 8371 .. 842 f
Lyons and Mediterranean 8771 -- .. 885
New ditto .

Gcneva
Midi ....
Western .

6471 - 662}
611+ - .. 610 -
652 650

Eastern
Grand Central
Sardinian
Aastrimi

755-

7561 -

460 -
680 -

4621 -
6821- -

AUSTRIA.

" It is again in contemplation," says a letter
from Vienna, "to reduce the Austrian army,
which is considered too large for the financial re-
sources of the country. It is even affirmed that the
Emperor has acquiesced in this measure, which
would lead to a saving of 10 million or 11 million
florins in the budget. Adding thereto the 65 mil-
lion florins which, it is said, is to be paid by MM.
de Rothschild for the purchase of the Southern
Railway, an equilibrium between the receipts and
expenses of the State could be soon effected."

Another letter from Vienna says :—" Some sur-
prise has been occasioned here by reading in
Vienna letters addressed to foreign journals that
Austria has thought right to nuke serious objec-

t ions to the cession by Piedmont of the port of Vil-
lafranca to Russia. I think I can assure yOu that
the Imperial Government, being better informed
than the writers of the said letters as to the real
signification of the, maritime establishment of
Villafranca, attaches only secondary importance to
it, and will not make it the subject of any diplo-
matic notes."