Star.
London, England, 1831-04-07 00:00:00

SECOND CHAMBER OF THE STATES-GENERAL.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs addressed the Chamber in a die.
course of which the following is the substance:—
The Minister of Finance having. in discourse of the week, stated the
sum requisite for the public expenditure, and the means of providing for
it, the Chamber has to complete information on the subject. especially
the reasons which call for such expenses for the army, and the defence
of the frontier fortresses. His Excellency had, two months ago, ex-
pressed his hopes of a favourable result of the negotiations with the
Ave Great Powers : those hopes have been fulfilled by the Protocols
Nos. 11 and likwhich regulate, in an equitable manner, the chief points
of the separation of the two divisions of the kingdom, vis.—the de-
marcation of the frontier, and the share to be borne by each in the debt.
The King intimated his assent to these terms, and reasonably expected
that every thing would soon be arranged. He observed, that farther
armaments in Belgium were now without an object, and that they should
cease, in order that the armaments on our side might also be put an
end to.

Contrary to expectation, no progress was made since the beginning
of the year: all those successively invested with power in Belgium,
even the present Regent, have shown no disposition to execute the
protocols, but the contrary. The Powers represented in the Cem.
gress of London were treated in a manner that could not be expected
in civilized Europe, even in the midst of war. Our territory is
continually violated by Belgian marauders, who make individuals
residing near the frontiers feel all the hardships of war. The
communications with Maastricht are in some degree open, but the

Belgian troops have by no means retired to the positions which
they occupied before the 21st of November, 1830 ; nay, the Belgians
have gone further, and publicly propose to renew hostilities with us.
The Regent has sworn to a constitution which is at variance with the
rights of Holland, and with the protocols of the Five Powers, and in
his installation issued a proclamation which shows a manifest disregard
to aft that has been done.

His Excellency submits to the Chambers the documents which show I
the course of affairs, and prove his Majesty's earnest wish to arrive
at some final settlement, that he may alleviate the burdens which
press so heavily on Holland. However, His Majesty had ro choice
but to provide for the security of the frontiers, and to deprive the
insurgents even of the notion that they might attack us. Half
measures would not do. It was necessary to extend the measures
of defence to all the points threatened, to the whole of the line of
our fortresses. For what would have happened had those lawless
bands penetrated into the heart of our country ? Would they not have
mused us injuries far greater than the burdens which we now have to
bear. His Majesty deeply regrets having had no other choice. The
present aspect of the citisens and inhabitants of some states bales
the calculations of politicians, and has great influence on the ques-
tion of peace or war. The dissolution of society, the overthrow of
legitimate authority, are no longer rare occurrences. Agitators
aiming at their own aggrandisement, find, in their incessant at.
tempts, shortsighted nations ready to throw away the good
which the laws ensure for a sudden change, by which they
think to obtain continual amelioration. Among those nations Belgium
has the first rank. Its dangerous neighbourhood obliges us to provide
for the defence of our southern frontiers, against a licentious populace,
as we defend our western frontier, iron] the fury of the ocean. Perhaps,
however, the hour is not distant when the Powers may think of op-
posing with vigour the unjust pretensions of the Belgians. At all
events, the Government of Holland must not cease for a moment to
take all measures required to maintain the honour, the independence,
the inviolability of our territory, and its financial interests.--Deteh
papers, April b.