Star.
London, England, 1830-11-22 00:00:00

BRUSSELS PAPERS.

BRUSSELS, Nov. 16.
NATIONAL CONGRESS.

A letter from M. Van de Weyer was read, announcing that he per-
fatly agreed in the declaration of the members of the Provisional Go-
vernment resigning their authority, which he could not sign because he
was gone on a mission to London, an account of which he then desired
permission to give, which he did nearly in the following terms :
•• lixxxxxtasx,—lf I could have expected that I should have to-day
the honour of laying before you the result of my mission, I should have
made a circumstantial report. I hope you will hear me with indul-
gence. Arriving on the 4th of this month in England, I became ac-
quainted with the speech from the throne, which :made me abstain
from all proceedings for 48 hours, till the manifestation of public opinion
:a England.
" 1 gave to several members of parliament an exact account of all
tint had passed in Belgium from the commencement of the revolution,
and soon perceived thut all the facts of it that were known in Eng-
land bad been misrepresented. Public opinion manifested itself after '
my arrival. Mr. Hobliouse, a member of the opposition, who had
spoken with warmth against some passages in the King's Speech, re-
l.:veil me from the ordinary fomialities, and I was able to speak to
Lord Aberdeen. After having laid before that Minister an accurate
:eport of the situation of Belgium, I positively asked him If there
would be any intervention' in our affairs? He replied, that no reso-
lution had been taken on the subject ; that the treaties would be re-
spected ; that the stability of Europe would be maintained ; and he
declared on his honour that there would be no intervention unless
that stability was in danger.
" I observed to Lord Aberdeen, that to declare that the stability of
Europe would be maintained, was declaring that there would be an in-
tervention ; and I intimated to him, according to my instructions, that
any intervention whatever, whether armed or diplomatic, would be re-
jected by Belgium; that it was resolved to defend its independence
against every hostile attempt of any Power whatever. lie then spoke
to me of the mission of M. Gendebien to Paris. I thought it necessary
to speak to him with that frankness which is the principal feature of our
national character. I told him plainly that my secret instructions were
the same as those of M. Gendebien. lie replied that we contradicted
,ach other ; that M. Gendebien was gone to offer the crown of Belgium
to the Doke of Nemours. I observed to him that this could not be the
real object of the mission of M. Gendebien, because it was not yet de.
&led what form of government would be adopted in Belgium • that
the Provisional Govenament, anticipating all hypotheses, had thought
it reecssary to ascertain the opinions of France on this subject, and I
formally denied the intention which he ascribed to us. This conference
la.ted above three hours.

“Nly secret mission was accomplished, and 1 thought of returning,
when ore of my countrymen, who was in London, called upon me, and
told me that the Prince of Orange, who had arrived 24 hours before,
desired to see me. I answered that, as Charge d'Affaires of the Pro.
visional:Government, I could not accede to his request ; but, as a mere
citizen of Belgium, I was received the next day. I had a long con-
versation with him on the internal situation of Belgium from the day
111 I•hich he made his entry into Brussels. He justified all that he had
done. I told him all that was thought of his conduct. On his asking
me if he had any chance of obtaining the crown of Belgium, I answered
that, in my opinion, he had none remaining. He asked me if our con-
ference would be made public. I answered, that my character of charge
d'affaires obliged me to be silent in England, but that I was inclined to
acquaint my fellow-citizens with it. That if my proceeding had need
of justification, it would be sufficient, in my opinion, to allege that dil.
licacy commanded me to take it—first, because he had been Prince in
Belgium, and that I ought not to refuse his request in his painful si.
tuation. This was the only conference I had with the Prince.
I made no further application to the English Ministry ; it would
have been contrary to the dignity of the Provisional Government, and
of the nation, to solicit favours; but the day after my conference
midi the Prince of Orange, the same person who had aeked me to
Walt on him, came to inform me that the Duke of Wellington de.
sired to consult me on the affairs of our country. I wrote to the
minister that I would accede to his invitation. I received an answer
in the most flattering terms. I roceived from him more precise and
more categorical information respecting the question of intervention,
than I had obtained from Lord Aberdeen. It is to be observed that
since my interview with Lord Aberdeen, five days had elapsed, du-
ring which the English people had manifested their opinion, and Mr.
liobhouse had promised to bring forward, the following week, a motion
to obtain the intention of the Government respecting Belgium.
” The Duke of Wellington declared upon his honour that it had
never been the intention of England to intervene in any manner in the
affairs of a pacific nation ; that it would not in any manner influence
Belgium in the choice of any government whatever; that it hoped, not.
withstanding, that which would be adopted would be calculated to
maintain peace and tranquillity. He concluded by sa&gretslout,t he
highly approved the choice of several members of the who
induced him to hope moderation and wisdom.
" I then waited en Mr. Hobhouse to induce him not to withdraw
his motion. Notwithstanding the asaurance which the Minister had
given me, I desired to obtain a public declaration from him. The
several explanations which I had with members of Parliament, the
sympathy with which they listened to my detailed statement of our
grievances, have proved to me that we have ardent defenders in Eng-
land, and that our revolution is no longer calumniated there.
This report was received with loud applause.
M. Constantine Rodenhack proposed a vote of thanks to M. Van de
Weyer, which was passed by acclamation.
M. Werbroek Peeters.—Nothing has been said of the port of Ant-
werp, or the navigation of the Scheldt.
M. Van de Weyer.—Agents from different cabinets had already gone
to Brussels, to consider of measures relative to the port of Antwerp. I
am certain they would also consider the navigation of the Scheldt; the
tree navigation of the Scheldt cannot now be called Into question. I ex-
pressed this opinion as an individual to the ministers of England. who
appeared to me not to consider the matter in another point of view. I
forgot to mention, in the report I have just made to you, that a
hint was given to me to know whether I would attend the diplo-
matic confennces, and that I resolved not to attend them, because
:t would have been conceding to foreign powers a right to sanction
proceedings against which I should have the right of protesting in the
sequel. (Applause.)
M. Jottrand asked M. Van de Weyer to state the grounds on which
the Prince of Orange rested his justification 1
M. do Stassart—As we have nothing to do here with the justification
1 the Prince of Orange, I propose the order of the day.
M. Van de Weyer—To justify, means to attempt to justify his eon-
,iitet ; the situation of the Prince with respect to me made it a matter of
!cheacy, on my part, not to go at length into his justification.
1. Jottrand—This explanation is satisfactory. I only wanted to
k:-..av, whether the allegations of the Prince were conclusive in the opi-
: a,:, of M. Van de Weyer.
tl. Nothomb, as deputy of the province of Luxemburg, desired to
show of M. Van de Weyer' whether Lord Aberdeen and Lord Wel- I
thigton knew that the Grant Duchy had been taken possession of in the
Nine of the Provisional Government ; and what opinion those ministers
expressed on the subject ?
M. Van tie Weyer—They, doubtless, knew of it, but I could not
i at any questions to them on the subject ' • but Lord Aberdeen having
';token incidentally of the province of Luxemburg, I observed that it
! sd been taken possession of under the responsibility of the treaties.
..t.,i•R bich he replied by shaking his head.
NI. de Robaux—M. Van de Weyer, in his report, says nothing of
the armistice by which Antwerp and Alaestricht were to be evacuated.
Antwerp is still under the gnns of the enemy, who keep that position
to awe the National Congress.
Al. Van de Weyer....l could not mention this subject, which was
toreign to my mission. Knowing that the Powers had sent agents to
brussels I supposed that the Provincial Government would confer with
viol : besides, as I had resolved not to be present at the conferences,
I could not speak of the armistice. I suppose the hon. member knows
!nom about it than I do, as he has been in a situation to know what
hmk passed.
M. Destouvilles desired that the report should be drawn up and
!lintel
M. de Weyer said he would submit a report to the Congress. (Ap-
I'ause.)
'Die President announced that the order of the day was the motion
A' NI. Werbrook Peeters, respecting the inviolability of the deputies;
but that gentleman declared, that on considering the opinions of the
sections, he thought his proposal would be rejected, and therefore with-
drew it.
A motion of NI. de lilies was reed, to the effect that the Congress
declares the independence of the Belgian nation, and will not separate
till it shall have consolidated it by liberal institutions.
M. the Cell( s—The independence of Belgium is a fact, but I think
.t not useless to declare it. 1 conceive this independence, with regard
to the dependence in which we seem to be on the great Powers of Eu-
'ilk% When lielgiuni was secured to Holland in 1814, it was said that
Rolland received an increase of territory ; we have derived nothing.
'file Autocrat of Russia, while invoking liberty did not invite us to
tail ourselves of it; nor was it for the interest of Holland and the
1
D tch, but front apprehensions of danger, from France, that this
anion took place. My principal object in making m_Y proposal is to
'aye it declared that we will not be a province of France, or of any
ether country. Before the French revolution, we had enjoyed, fromt.rnt immemorial, the independence of our rights, though subject to
it erem dynasties. We were afterwards dazzled by the glory of the
/tench armies. We have not since found a second Buoimparte. It
kould be strange if it should he attenipted again to subject us to a
nester, If Europe should again league for this purpose, it would be
!Made to see that if the last argument of kings is the cannon, the last
gument of the people is the barricades......( Bravo.)
`'3, proposal of M. Constantine Rodenbach, in the following terms,
h.
el read :—" I desire that the Congress shall declare King William I.
• 3:1 his descendants, excluded from all power in Belgium."

Another was read of M. Pirson, or which the following is the sub-
stance :—" The National Congress, considering the oath of King Wil-
liam to the fundamental law, that his reign ever since his accession is •
deception of that law—(the mover enumerates all the infractions of the
fundamental law)—considering that by the message of the I Ith of De-
cember, he attempted to establish despotism; considering the horrors
committed by his troops during the revolution; declares the exclusion
(dichitance) of all the members of the house of Nassau."
The mover wished to have this resolution placed at the head of the
fundamental law : he added, that if the accusation was not just, a de-
fence would be permitted.
The proposal was seconded and sent to the sections.
A debate then arose on the question whether the motion as to the ex-
clusion of the house of Nassau, or that relative to the form of govern-
ment, should have the priority.
Al. de Stassart was very desirous that the proposal to exclude the'
house of Nassau should be first discussed, but several members thought,
that the agitation of this question, while the citadels of Blaestricht and
Antwerp were in the hands of the Dutch, might be productive of great
disasters to the inhabitants of those cities. It was resolved by 98 to 77
that the question of the exclusion of the house of Nassau should be dis-
cussed after that of the form of government.