Star.
London, England, 1805-05-24 00:00:00

HOLLAND.

SPEECH OP M. SCHIMMELPENNINCE AT THE OPENING
OF THE EFESION OF THE STATES GLNE&AL•

4, High and Mighty Lords !
4, For a long time have our countrymen felt the ne-
talky of preventing, by the introduction of a new
order of things, the downfall of the tottering edifice
of the State. This neceffity was fo generally felt,
and in fo lively a manner, that I deem it luperfluons
and unfit to enlarge upona truth univerfally acknow-
ledged ; but it is this general conviaion which holds
npto us the rule by which we are to meafure the hope
which the nation has again recovered, and the ex.
peaation which it grounds upon our exertions. The
burden which we take upon outfaces' and the moft
troublefome and painful part of which is to fail upon
me, is heavy. The difficulties in which the (late is
involved are manifold and great ; the firft proof of
our courage will be, to dare to contemplate thofe
difficulties, fuch as they actually cliff ; the fecond
not to defpair of conquering them, that is to fay, of
the falvation of our country. In my opinion, it
would be little continent with that calm impartiality
and unfbaken integrity which muff be efteemed in a
Government, to afcend, in any manner, either to the
nearer or to the more remote caufes to which we have
to impute the prefent fituation of our country. I
deem this the more repugnant to wifdom and equity,
becaufe, whatever partial inconveniences may have
arifen from individual mifapprehenfions, prejudices,
or aeliens, yet the main fource of our difatters is by
no means to be looked for in our bofom, but in
caufes entirely without us, and quite independent of
us. Our country could not fail, by its fituation and
relations, deeply to partake of the great events which
have changed the whole face of Europe; and the
powerful impulfes which have fhaken the great bodies
fituated around us, mitt naturally caufe a fenlible
agitation in our eontraaed territory. And ought we
then to continue fearehing into our entrails, or render-
ing the wounds of our State more ;ncurable, by feek-
ing after their caufes in our own botom, a &arch, the
relult of which would always be expofed to different
judgments, always lead to danrrous reproaches, and
would be always molt adverfe to a concl,:ation No,
High and Mislay Lord s,let esicave the castles, and
let us 4suly view tiw wounds dearly. fold, with in-

tenti.v. to heal them ; and permit me, w'no Om now
piaced at the head of the G rvernment, to print tut
the means, and on this folemn occafiun, to (late to
your High Mightineffes the principlei by which
(hall regulate my adminitirition, and which I deem
the moll proper lot l'ecitti.,g our politiCal ezitience
abroad, and our tranquillity at h 3me.
" Among the great aas which I imagine a wife
nation expeets of us, I principally .have the following
before my mind:—ln the fit It place, the putting an
end to that Rate of uncertainty with refpeet to our
ir:ternal government, which has ling tince tried and
fatigued the people, and which would have termi-
nated in def Pair and dill:Au:ion. In the fecond place,
the improvement of the finances of the country,
broulzht to the brink of abfolute ruin, by the contr.
tierces of internal troubles, and of ruinous wars.—s
And laßiy, the embracing and maintaining a firm
political fyltem, calculated according to the lituation
of Europe, and fit to in fpire our allies with confi-
dence, and our friends with good will, and our ene-
mies with awe.

" When we Mall have attained the two former
oprnoevvideendtswoeutoonflyoutar power),
ketllwbe edify attainable,
ohjeds, the latter (as far as depends on us, and not
care that will
tha
in mind the great changes which have taken place in
Europe, and in our relations with our neighbours), do
convince all nations which furl-mind us, that our wel-
fare and our profperity can never be detrimental to'
theirs,and that they may fully depend upon our good,
faith in fulfilling our engagements. In order to reftore
the folidity and energy of our internal Government,
I deem nothing more fit than sth unchangeable at-
tachm-nt to the facred principles of juffice; the doing
equal justice to all, without difference of rank or opi-
nions; the reftoring the neceffary vigour to the laws,
and the regulate authority and the ancient refped to
all the lawful authorities; homage to talents, bra-
very, and met it ; every poffible indulgence to mifap-
prchention ; inexorable rigour to mifileeds.
" The refloration of the finances of the country
will be our mat laborious branch. Can you deem
it necerrary, High and Mighty Lords, that a melan•
choly picture thereof Ihould be exhibivd to you on
this occafion ? or is that fad truth 'not fufficiently
known, that ail the prefent ordinary revenue of the
State is hardly fufficient to pay the intereft of our
debts ? and can it after this be required to add any
thing, to make you feel the grievous Rate of our
finances? Without efficacious remedies, there is no
poffible titivation from fo great an evil; and all the
authority granted hy the Conftitution to the Execu-
tive Power, is abfolutely neccffary to arrive at thefe
great meafures, which, fence the origin of the Re-
public, at various periods, have always been defined
by great ftatefmen, and recommended by Tome ; but
constantly fruftrated by the cleating of the powers,
and the eternal oppofition either of prejudice, or of
mean fellintereft, oftentimes badly underftood. By
thofe efficacious remedies, High and Mighty Lords,
I do not by any means aim at a violation of our en-
gagements. As little do I aim at an order for new
and extraordinary imports. There would, in my
judgment, either be politically impradicable, or end
in a general emigration of all who can emigrate, and
in a total corruption of thofe remaining behind. And
therefore they (hall never make a part of the mea-
fures which will be propofed to your High Mighti-
nelfes in the courfe of my Adminitiration.
" The meafures I aim at. High and Mighty Lords.
confift, on the one hand, in the introducing a much
greater fimplicity in the branches of Adminiftration,
and in making very considerable favings ; and on the
other hand and principally, in introducing a new fyf-
tem cf general taxation. This fyftem operating uni-
formly according to the relative abilities of the inha-
bitants in the different diftrids, will be able very con-
fiderably to increafe the refources of the country, as
well by its finiplicity as by the certainty of the re-
ceipts. This increafe, united with the Caving of the
expenditure. will enable the public Treafury regu-
larly to anfwer all ordinary demands; and when war,
or other evils, require any extraordinary expences,
they will be railed by fuch means as will be found the
leaf preffing upon the public. It is towards thefe im-
portant objects that I with to draw the attention of
your High Mightineries, and in the completion of
which I expel the moft earnelt affiftance from your
wifdom and patriotifin ; and in the accompli(hment
of which, I cannot but think the people will, in a
great meafure, re-etlablifh the former Rate of affairs.
" I think what I have advanced is fufficient for the
prefent : but perhaps your High Mightineffes, per.
haps the nation, have a right to examine and confider
upon the meafures I intend to adopt for the redrefs
of their grievances, and the renewing of their prof-
perity. It is needlefs to fay a tingle word refpeding
my inclination and refolution to facrifice what is molt
dear to me, in order to accompliffi fo defirable an ob-
jed. This very Hall, Paris, Amiens, and London, can
teflify my love and zeal for my country. I have no
doubt of fucceeding in thefe undertakings. My hopes
are founded on Peovinssicr, whom! adore, and whore
care and protection we have lo often experienced.—
On the calm realon and found judgment of the na.
Lion ; on that valour which ever diftinguiftsed them ;
oil their good faith, honour, and inward convilion,
depends this laft attempt to re-eftablifh their hap-
pilfers.
" It likewife depends on the affillance, and concord
in opinion, of your High Mightineffes ; on the wif-
dom of your refolutions ; on the power of your ex-
ample ; and on the firmnels of your courage ; objects
in which I cannot be difappointed if I have acquired
any knowledge of mankind. Finally, it depends on
our love for our country, and the great promifes
have of the affittance of the great NA POLION, that
extraordinary genius, who is admired both by friends
and foes, who, after having caufed a change in the
affairs of France, which will
_be a fubjed of wonder
and Armament. to future ages, has obtained the
greatelt influence over us, as well as over (event' other
nations, of whole friendlhip I have the greater rea-
fon to Waft, becaufc it was obtained by never Avers..
ingfrom truth cr rectitude in all my words, my actions,
or even in my thoughts, which his penetrating eye
read in the deepen receffes of my heart. Notwith-
(landing thele hopes, I am not cw.taiu of attaining
my end. The book of futurity is 'hut to yourfelves
as well as to me. As for tnyfelf. I fh all never gait
my object, till I have aced every poffib le effort in my
power to attain it ; I than never quit it dilbonourably.
May tigAV Ell avert all difappointmer t, may its biers
rings crown our labours with thee& , and re-edablit
tit: minis its for mer Eloolflhin g liar a and !sapping&