Star.
London, England, 1831-08-09 00:00:00

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE.

We give place to the following speech as tending
to illustrate the present policy of Holland :
ftnetA of !11. Verstolk to the States General of Holland,
et• Friday last, August b.
Gentlemen—The country ha' seldom found itself in en.
• tnstancee similar to those of the present moment. At
• mete. mrteelle unanimous and disposed to make every m.
• fe• for t' r maintenance of the national honour--ohroad.
• • ••nrn warfare with the people that a year ego belonged,
• h as..o the same countly„ and enjoyed the benefits of a
t I • re' Government, hut which now, proclaiming the moat
err Awful hostility. turns against us our own means of de-
newt : and in the midst of this conflict, agitated Europe,
P,' • itting no other principle than the preservation of the
meal r ace. and deeming no conditions too hard to be
roomed to us in emnneration with that principle.
It. sech a clash of views and interests I come to explain
x nu the further course of the affairs of the country. to
;woo:lint ynu with the King's intentions, to point out to you
the true position in which we stand, and to convince you that
not niers of conquest. nor desire to disturb the peace of
Furope, but solely the security of our own political ex-
;...i,ce, has, after en lone a trial of our patience, mused
the sword to he unsheathed.
Since 1 last appeared in this Assembly I have taken care
to inform VO.ll of all the efforts made at the Conference of
Loudon during these critical circumstances of the country.
To that end communication has been made to you of the
h tier of the Conference of 27th June last, accompanying 18
articles of Preliminaries of Peace between Holland and
Belgium. of these 18 Articles themselves, and of the reply
forwarded to the Conference under date of the 12th July.—
The King. who, at the approaching development of events,
feels doubly anxious to act in unison with the national re.
ermentation, and to keep it constantly acquainted with his
incessant efforts to arrive, with the concurrence of his al.
lies, at the desired result of the negociation, has now audio.
rind me to communicate to you a second despatch of the
Conference of the 25th July, and the answer to It, conveyed
to London by the second Plenipotentiary on the Ist inst. and
and also of a circular letter written by me on the occasion to
his Majesty's Envoys at Berlin, Paris, Petersburgh, and
Vienna.
During nine months Holland has given the most convinc-
ing proofs of her disposition to settle the differences with
Belgium without having recourse to the sword. The con-
stant assembling of the flower of the nation on the frontiers,
the expendi ure of millions, the concession of the navigation
ct' the Scheldt during the suspension of hostilities, the un-
avenged attacks on the territory of North Brabant and Zea-
land, the permitting for many weeks the blockade of Mace.
tricht, the forbearance towards Antwerp, in -spite of the
most insufferable provocations, and the construction of works
under the cannon of the citadel and of the squadron—these
sacrifices, which, with many others. Holland has made for
'he continuation of the ell:Tension of arms, have put to severe
. proof the national feeling and the zeal of the fleet and army,
watching with impatience for the signal to maintain the glory
of their ancestors ; and more than once government has had
re ask itself whether these sacrifices were not carried too far,
end ought longer to be persevered in.
The hone is arrived which imposes upon the Government
the duty of coming to a decision.
Tie State parer of 12th July explains the grounds which
re-vented the Government from accepting the eighteen pre.
hminary articles, which would have infringed upon the
:t• chnt territory of the United Netherlands, and burdened
114 with an intob table weight of public debt. These grounds
have not been refuted. Nevertheless the King has caused
Lis Plenipotentiary to be furnished with the necessary in.
e.ructinns to neenciate, conclude, and sign with the London
( 'onferenre itself a " definitive treaty ; but the difference
between this appellation and that of 4. the bases of separa-
pen." or of preliminary articles," resolves no difficulty,
I • cause Holland. having accepted the clause A of the 12th
Protocol, and Belgium the 18 Articles, which are wholly
e' variance with the former, the parties are now, as before,
diametrically opposed to each other; and what hopes could
the Government entertain (especially after the oath taken
I y the elected Prince, confirming the usurpation of our ter-
ritory) of witnessing the success of a negociation which
since last autumn afforded no result, and which during the
last few weeks has taken an undeniable bias in favour of
Peleium.
The King has not ceased to receive, on every occasion,
the most unequivocal assurances of the sincere interest and
friendship felt fur Holland by the Five Powers represented
at the London Conference. but with regard to the affairs of
the Netherlands, those powers are placed in a situation ma-
terially different from that of Holland. Their first object is
the preservation of the general pace; the second only the
vacating of our just pretensions. In Helland,on the contrary,
the first ohjeat ought to be self-preservation—the maintenance
of peace the second. The consequence of the view taken by
the powers has shown itself' in the course of the two last
months in their yielding to the Belgic pretensions, and in
their removing those of Holland to the back-ground. From
the beginning of the disturbance Belgium has all along
threatene(l way if her most extravagant pretensions were not
edmitted,and to effect this has ably availed herself of the corn.
bu sable elements of the insurrection, of the fermentations sup-
nosed to exist among all classes of her inhabitants, and of
the complication to which her geographical position, with
ti enect to several powerful States, must give rise. On the
other hand the means of the King, resting on the regular and
constitutional action of our public laws, on the attachment
of the inhabitants to the maintenance of social order, and on
the courage of a considerable and well-organised military
std naval force, exceeded by far those of Belgium; but as
long as the principle was adhered to. that it was not allowed
to make use of them, they descended into mere representation
nr show. Whereas the phantom of the Belgic revolution
extended itself every (lay in the same proportion, and it so
happened that real strength was obliged to yield to an ima-
ginary being; that the importance of Holland began rapidly
to declire. and the influence of Belgium was seen unex-
pecteelly to Ilse.
Neither the nature of the evil nor the proper remedy
i.capeil the King's penetration ; but his Majesty, well
a Ware :hat extreme measures can only be justified by extreme
ret,ssity, long hesitated before he adopted that remedy. It
coesiste in putting into the scale the weight of the Nether-
Lual fleet and army in order to restore the equilibrium be.
..seen Hellarti anti Belgium, and in removing, with a firm
hard, the mask bellied which the Belgic policy was concealed.
I lien this the King has at length resolved, and has
ordt red his forces to support with their antis the course
rat the negociatiens. To secure just conditions of sepa-
reinn is the exclusive object of this measure ; but in
oter :o he attained, Europe must be convinced that
her the preservation of peace Holland is no lees indie-
yens:dile than Belgium. and that the moderate and quiet
irmrse of the Netherland Government deserves as much
re.oird es the Belgian principle of insurrection.
If this resolution of the Dutch Goverment had been
taken earber it would have been, perhaps, considered pre.
it:Nit:re; if further postponed, the opportunity would have
tine he ever lost: for how could hurthens which the Dutch
have been able temporarily to bear only by unexampled
( xertions have been borne for a longer period ?
The King haft not concealed from himself that the result
of the measures just taken does not admit of an infallible
calculation ; but similar to individual members of seemly,
nations n.ay he placed in circumstances in which the whole'
is risked where nothing is risked. By a submission to the
pretension. of Belgium bankruptcy would have been certain,
and Holland deprived of her indispensable frontier atquind
by the noble hicod of our forefather; the national glory
would have been tarnished, the ruin of the State consume
netted. and in fact the Netherlands erased from the list of
reteecndent nations. If chances are in some respects pre-
renew( the King awaits their result with a firm reliance
upon Providence.
However. the consequences of this support given to nego-
elation% by military means confine themselves to a very
limited circle. if you consider that this pleasure has no con-
nt (lion whatever with the European side of the Belgic gun-
ner. To that consideration the King has sacrificed the se-
paraeon of Holland and Belgium, although 1w would in no
case relinquish his rights on Belgium without stipulating
writable conditions for the Netherlanders who remained
faithful to him. How glorious however, the annals of our
history may be, and how extensive the influence of our small
population has been on the civilisation and fate of the world,
our homed means, when estimated according co the actual
stale of Europe, would not warrant us to icterfere in the
general politics if even we should be so inclined. The political
,Butt in of the King. domestic as our manner, rests upon the
principle of sincere friendship towards all powers, and of bene.
volent contemplation of the manner in which they think fit to
regulate their ewe interests. But the Dutch politics ought
to he different with regard to that part of the question be-
t se en us and Belgium. which is exclusively our own : this
concerti. only Holland Belgium ; for an equitable division
of the debt and the censetvation of our territory constitute
the essence of oft national existence. Whereas to the other
powers of Europe it 411 matter of indiffetence whither Hol.
land or Belgium will hare to bear the greater or lesser part

of the debt, and in what way the limits between each wan-
try ere drawn.
" With a view to the settlement of thee:objects thong
has accepted with gratitude the co-operation of mediation
his five powerful allies and friends ; but his Majesty may
not allow himself to be dictated to in that respect, for, wick
nations as with individuals. self-preservation is the
first law of nature, and that self preservation would be en-
dangered if we suffered inadmissible principles of limitation
and of the division of debt to be forced upon us. In every
question relating to our domestic interests—the settlement of
limits with our neighbours—in abort, the honour, rights.
and welfare of Holland herself, our Government stands on
its own ground ; and when all what we have most valuable
is at stake, the exercise of the right of peace and war, inse-
parable from every independent State. cannot be contested.
This, then, gentlemen, is the position in which we find
ourselves placed, and should the blood of oar brave warriors
be spilt in vain, and throne and country tremble on their
foundations, the consciousness of having lowered our sum-
dud only to superior fora would make us appear in the
eyes of Europe and of a just posterity as a nation unanimous
with her King, obedient to the laws, faithful to the soil of
her inheritance, and dignified even in her fall.
AN TWIRIO, Ana. 5, 3 P.M.—General Billiard,
on his arrival here, opened a correspondence with
General Chasse, which ended ultimately in a satis-
factory assurance that no immediate danger to the
town was to be feared. In the mean time the
King arrived front Brussels. This noble act of
self devotion, at a moment so pregnant with dan-
ger, not only produced the best effects on the
minds of the inhabitants, but, if possible, has in-
creased his popularity. Admiral Gobibs landed
working parties to cut the dikes, by which a con-
siderable tract of land round Liefkenshock, Calico,
&c. has been laid under water, and ruined for
many years. Considerable skirmishing took place
this morning on the left bank, and upon this
occasion the system of burning the farms and
cottages has been pursued with unrelenting severity.
—The Dutch army is divided in four divisions, viz.
Lieut.-General Meyer, with 7,000 or 8,000 men,
threatens Venloo and Limburg. The Prince of
Orange, with the Duke of Saxe Weimar's corps,
was this morning at Herenthals, his outposts to-
wards Lists and Westerloo. Prince Frederick is
moving on Breda and Bergen-op-Zoom, by Capone
and Eckeren. The Dutch reserve occupies Turn-
hout ; in all, the army is composed of 48,000.
The wanton acts of plunder and incendiarism com-
mitted by the Dutch troops are quite disgraceful.
The King (Leopold) has removed his head-
quarters to Malines, from whence he can readily
visit the divisions.

ANTWERP, Auo. s.—Two Dutch steamers
commenced an attack upon a Belgic fort, about
four miles up the river, and dismounted their
guns ; they then proceeded up to Boom, and have
just returned, bringing with them four vessel, in
tow, two of which are said to be new-constructed
Belgic brigantines, and the other Belgic trading
vessels. Preparations are making here to sink a
large ship called the James Scott, in the narrow
channel opposite the Ford du Nord, to prevent
large ships of war manoeuvring. Captain Roop-
man, who commands the Dutch navy here, gave
notice yesterday to all foreign Consuls, that hos-
tilities were to commence last night, and recom-
mended that all neutral vessels should leave the
basin before half-past nine o'clock p.m. Almost
all of them have attended to this order.

ANTWERP, Aug. 6, 7 p.m.—" The armistice
for an additional 24 hours, has been effected
through the prompt and judicious proceedings of
Mr. Ellerman, whereby the destruction of this fine
city has been arrested for the present, and I have
no doubt altogether. I met about 100 wounded
Belgians two hours since, from the sally from the
citadel last night and early this morning. The
spirit of the Belgians appears determined. I saw
about 2,000 volunteers this morning march from
Brussels, put to this, and part in the direction of
Louvain. The same feeling pervades the whole
country about Namur and Liege, from whence I
returned las: night."
POLAND AND RUSSIA. _

WAR.IAW, J c L x 25.—The Russians push their
advanced posts from Niessawa to the vicinity of
Kowin. The Landsturm is continually engaged
with them. Great enthusiasm is every where dis-
played. It is said that the Grand Duke Michael
has left the army to return to Petersburg. General
Jaraczewski and Lieutenant-Colonel Zabielaki,
who were with the Polish troops in the province of
Plozk, have died of the cholera. The Russian
prisoners have been brought into the capital in the
last too days. Our State Gazette says, on the
9th of July Captain Rogowski, of the Russian
army, arrived at Lemberg to purchase 80 pontoons
of different kinds, 2,000 cwt. of ropes, and 201)
anchors, each weighing two cwt. On the 11th be
went to Jaroslaw, and thence to Ulanow, where
there is a great trade in pontoons.
Benito, Avu. 4.—Letters from Warsaw, of
the 26th July, say that the Landsturm, under Ge-
neral Zaluski, is constantly engaged with the Rus-
sians, and not without advantage, and that Kalisch
is still occupied by the Landsturm. .1 he ravages
of the cholera in the Russian army are dreadful.
His Majesty the King of Prussia bas appointed
Privy Counsellor Ancillor Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs.
POLISII FRONTIERS, JULY 20.—A Russian
corps advanced yesterday to Peisen ; the coffers of
the Government were, therefore, removed with all
haste to Czenstochaw ; a great pa. t of she inhabi-
tants fled on the road from Cracow to Sieradz ; all
the shops were shut, and great consternation pre-
vailed. The burgomaster was ping to retire to
Czenstochaw with the coffers of the city, but the
citizens opposed it, and after having ill-treated him
in different ways, put him in prison. Several of
the citizens were then chosen as a deputation to
receive the Russians in case of their arrival.

A letter of the 29th of July, from Konigsberg,
states that a serious disturbance broke out there
on the 28th, among the labouring classes. The
soldiers and police were attacked and ill-treated
until reinforcements arrived. Firing took place
during the whole night with small arms and can-
non, so that more than 30 lives were lost and above
100 wounded. All the respectable inhabitants were
obliged to arm themselves for the protection of their
property, for plunder and disorder were the seem-
ing object of the rioters.
In Konigsberg, on the 28th ult. some riots took
place originating, as we are told by the Berlin
papers, in a notion prevailing among the lower
classes, that the medical men were killing instead
of curing their cholera patients. Several doctors
and police-officers were ill-treated by the mob, and
the house of the president of police was stormed.
The troops were then called upon to act, and eight
(according to other accounts 15) iadividuals are
represented to have been killed. On the follow-
ing evening the riots commenced. About 150
Ipersons had been arrested, and sent to Pillau.