Star.
London, England, 1826-10-19 00:00:00

BRUSSELS, °crime 16.

The Session of the States-Genet-4.w*, opened to-day,
in the usual form, by his Majesty in person, with the
following speech:

" Mow Attu Minors, Loaos,—l feel great satisfaction in being
able again to Infos m you that I continue to receive, from all the
Powers, marks of the kindest friendship.

" The conclusion of cqnventions for the interests of commerce
and manufactures, so universally calculated to promote reciprocal
sentiments, is the constant object of my attention, as well as every
thing that May prove to facilitate and extend the relations of my
subjects in all quarters of the globe.

" I hope that arrangements respecting the affairs of the Roman
Catholic Church may soon be concluded with the Holy See ; con-
formably to the desire manifested by both parties, a new negocia-
don is going to be opened at Rome for this purpose.
" Notwithstanding some very distressing circumstances, the in-
ternal situation of the kingdom affords grounds of satisfaction."
" The cruel scourge which has for some time desolated part of
our provinces, appears to have readied its greatest intensity : it is
to be hoped that it will henceforth abate. Nothing that humanity
and science indicate to relieve the present evil, and to limit its
future ravages, is neglected.
" A terrible catastrophe has befallen the town of Ostend. A
strict inquiry into its causes and effects is carrying on. Suitable
relief will be distributed where the nature and importance of the
losses sustained require it.
"'the great channels of internal communication are improving,
and their number constantly increasing. New and important parts of
threat will be entirely finished this year, and will afford means of
conveyance fur their important productions, to countries hitherto
destitute of easy communications ; the developement of active and
useful industry will 110011 cause hs happy effects to be felt.
" The Commission which I bad appointed to examine the means
of improving the course of the rivers, has honourably performed its
difficult task, and presented its report to me. This important re-
port will be published. and submitted to the communication and
discussion of public opinion. Some of the, measures proposed by the
Commission, the utility of which has been acknowledged to be in-
dispensable, have been immediately adopted, and means to put then
in execution prepared ; but before coming to a final determination
on the whole, I have desired to profit by the scientific investigations
which the publication of the Report will disubtless.call forth.
" The Commission SO which I assigned the care of distributing
among the victims of the late inundations, the gifts which public be-
neficence destined for the alleviation of such great misfortunes, has
worthily discharged this duty. The distribution has been made at
a rate bearing a considerable proportion to the losses, thanks tin the
generous

of our countrymen, and the spirit of

order and distributive justice; which has distinguished the labours
of the Commission.

" The last months of the year which has just elapsed, form one
of the most trying periods for all the sources of public prosperity.
The want of .confidence, more perhaps than a real want of money,
has exercised a fatal influence on the commercial relations between
different nations. Several of the principal markets of Europe have
felt the shock. This kingdom has also suffered, but the crisis has
been supported with honour, and the effects have been felt much
less among us than in other countries.
" Agriculture, manufactures, the fisheries, commerce, and navi-
gation, have been no less prosperous this year than the preceding.
" Public instruction is more and more adequate to the wants of
society; the indigent class can everywhere enjoy It gratuitously.
in some towns a beginning has been made with success, to give to
the working classes special inatructimui, with a view to increase
their practical knowledge.

.
" The measures adopted in preceding years relatively to the
treating of the ancient languages, and some particular branches of
the higher departments of education, have fully answered the expec•
rations entertained of them. They will be maintained and followed
with perseverance.

" The fundamental institution of the Commercial Guards may
be regulated in the present Session ; particular pains has been taken
to conciliate the great interest of the defence of the country with
the domestic duties and the convenience of the inhabitants.

" Our transmarine possessions engage my particular solicitude.
My Commissioner General in the East Indies is zealously engaged
in the adoption of measures which may lead to accomplish the
object of this important mission. Tranquillity is not yet entirely
restored there ; but the number of the troops which have been sent
for some time to reinforce the army in the Indies, and the sending
of which still continues, will succeed, if they are conducted with
ability and prudence In subduing the rebellion, and the developement
of so great a fortress will doubtless render still more efficacious the
spirit of moderation and persuasion, which as I am firmly resolved
shall henceforth characterise the authority of the Netherlands in
those countries.

"As for our other Colonial possessions, measures have just
been taken to augment their prosperity. The Port of Curacao
will be henceforth open to all nations. Commerce, navigation,
agriculture, and manufactures, may derive from this measure the
great advantages which the geographical position of the island
appears to offer them.
The state of public finances is favourable. The salutary effects
of the stability of the system adopted al .t felt. In all the branches
of the revenue its execution becomes more perfect, as the officers
acquire niorerexperlence, at the same time that habit renders the
observance of it more easy to the inhabitants.
a The receipt of last year offers a surplus, which tuay be applied
to meet part of the disbursements of the following year. We may
confidently expect the same favourable results for the receipt of
the current year.

" Several provinces have made complaints respecting an inequality
in the repartition of the land tax. I have paid pankular attention
to them. The operations of the Cadastre (or general survey) are
therefore carried on with increased activity and zeal, so that it will
be possible to present to you in this Session a plan for modifying the
repartition of this tax. This subject, which from its nature is diffi-
cult and complicated, still requires a profound investigation ; if the
results should be still imperfect, that will be no reason for not pro-
ceeding forthwith to a more equal repartition; its gradual introduc-
tion will afford successive opportunities to correct and improve the
imperfections inherent in such complex operations.

. _
u The modification to be made in the tariff of import and export
duties will be bid before you.

•
' **tie' fiafthe use of our Coloniesjsas been eißcted in a man•
net. but Hide' ous. On this occasion the utility of EXeirtititution
of the Syndicate has beetAgaiii evidtm.
" The third annual aceount.of thf Institution has been 'eeceotly
closed: the general meeting bias again been able to give iii entire
approbation to the operatiCont of its parliament Committee. It
has also expressed an opinioi, that during the present year the sum
destined for the redemption of the debt may be increased. I intend
to make it the subject of a proposal to your High kl ightinesses.

" The close of the accounts of 1823 has afforded means to increase
for the following year the sum which bpd been assigned at first to
cover the expenses of the current year. The favourable situation
of the finances enable me, to my great satisfaction, again to propose
to you a diminution of additional accounts on some taxes, without
taking any thing from useful expenses.
"I flatter myself with being able, during the present Session, to
present to you a project of law on the organization of the tribunals,
in drawing up which, attention has been paid to the observations
which a former plan, on the same subject, called forth. The Com-
mission of National Legislation has also finished the compilation of
the Code of Civil Proceedings, which is now undergoing a thorough
investigation, at the same time that the Commission is zealously
engaged in drawing,up the Penal Code.
" I declare the present Session of your High Mightinesses
opened.—A happy experience proves that the augmentation of
the prosperity of the country as the only object of our common
efforts.—We may be allowed to implore for them with confi-
dence the Divine protection, and continue to found our hopes on it."

•Frerch Paget: and the Etotle of Tuesday, have been
received. The Moniteur contains a long Report concerning
the propriety of assimilating the currency of the Colonies of
:Martinique and Csuadaloupe with that of the mother country,
and a Royal Ordonnance to give effect to the recommendation of
the Report. The other Papers are very barren. In the absence
of military news, the Eioile mentions a singular meeting which is
said to have taken place on board the French Admiral de RIONT'S
ship. Both the Commanders of the contending armies, KAKAIS.
KAKI and the Seraskier REDSCIIID PACHA. it appears, had determined
to visit that Officer, and happened to select the same day. ►►'ith
what countenance they met, and what courtesies they interchanged
is not on record; but it is a proud tribute to European civilisation
to see two flatbarlan'aiefs, ready to rend each other on shore'
suddenly chained by the conventional neutrality of the deck of a
foreign vessel, and turned into friendly associates within sight of
the very walls round which the day after they might renew the
deadly struggle and shed each other's blood.

We have received Dutch ers to the 18th and Ber-
lin to the 15[11 instant. It appears by the accounts which they give
from Constantinople that several fresh attempts had been made to
set fire to that capital, but had fortunately been prevented. This
proves, if additional proofs were necessary, that the original con-
flagration was the result of intentional malignity, and not of accident,
as the //Harlan Observer has repeatedly asserted.

We copied yesterday from the French Journals an
article relative to the plans pursued and the preceptors seletred, to
form the character and to cultivate the understanding of the future
Sovereign of Prance. On Sunday last the young Prince was deli-
vered from the tuition of f, males, and banded over to the care of a
Nobleman and a Prelate, with a proper Staff of Ecclesiastics. In
intrusting to the direction of the Duke de RIVIZRI and the Bishop
of STRASIURCI this precious deposit, his Majesty is said to have ex-
pressed himself as follows :—" I give you the greatest proof of my
confidence and esteem, in committing to your charge the education
of the Infant of PROVIDINCIC, who is likewise the Infant of France.
I am sure that you will bring to the execution of your important
functions a zeal and a prudence which will entitle you to my thanks,
to tinoe of my family, and to the gratitude of all Frenchmen."
His Majesty then thanked the Duchess of GosrrauT, who had been
the Prince's Governess, for the care and zeal which she had evinced
to the execution of der duties. This Lady his Majesty had previ-
ously raised from the rank of a Viscountesste that of a Duchess, as
a reward for der faithful services.

Extract from the Agent to Lloyd's at Gibraltar, dated
21st September :
" The French brig Rtnelie, from Adra to Nlarseilles, lately de-
tained and bent in here by the Republican° Colombian privateer,
was yesterday released (with her cargo, undoubtedly Spanish pros
;min), on the peremptory demand of the Commander of a French
brig of war, now lying in Algesiras Roads ; and it is reported that
the Commander of the privateer has been obliged to pay one
doubloon per day demurrage. The Republicano sailed the night
before last, and the Spanish cruivers from Algesitas next morning."

CITY, TWO O'CLOCK.

Consols, which were in the earlier part of the morning at 81 j
for the Account, at present remains steady, at 811 ID and for ,
Nlonry at gni to 81, without any speculations of consequence
having taken place.
In the Foreign Market a great deal has been doing in Colombian
Bonds and Mexicans, which are the chief speculations of the day.
A severe conflict took place in the itoyal Exchange this morning
between the Bsslls and Bears in Colombian Bonds: the former will
have it that the account published by Dr. Foxier is altogether erro-
neous and absurd ; the latter say that it is a true bill of fare, and not
inserted for Stock Jobbing purposes. At one period, a certain
friend of Mr. Himan°, a Hebrew, was on the point of drawing a
sword against a Gentleman of the saint fraternity, for saying tha
the mountain in labour would bring forth a mouse, and the whole
concern would end in smoke.

The Duke of WELLINGTON paid a ♦isit on Tuesday
to the I)uke of lonic, at the residence of the Duke of Rutwarn in
Arlington-st eet. Sir TIN ft altaT TA mos transacted business yester-
day morning, previous to holding a Levee, as Military Secretary to
the Commander-in-Chief, at his Office in the Horse Guards. Sir
/Issas Toittutos. Adjutant General, and Sir R. Jacssom, Deputy
Quartet master General, also transacted official business with the
Royal Duke yesterday.
The Chevalier de Los Rios, the Spanish Minister,
transacted business yesterday afternoon at the office of the Secretary
of State for Foreign Affairs in Downing-street;
Mr. WARING, the King's Messenger; was sent off on
Tuesday evening from the Foreign Office to Paris, with dispatches
for blr. Secretary CANNISG.

Mr. LITTLEWOOD, the King's Messenger, was sent of
on Sunday evening front the Foreign Office to Paris.

The health of Sir Jotter RICHARDSON has been so im-
proved as to enable hint to leave town for Leicester, Whence be
has returned to Clapham.

The King of FRANCK gave a private audience at
Paris, on Saturday last, to the Earl of asauowsr. _ _

. .
LIVEttPOOI., OCT. 17.—Our Cotton market has expe-
rienced a good demand, and holders are stiffi About 5,000 bags
sold, including Monday, at full prices.
The French Minister of FINANCE seems to follow us
in our commercial regulations, as fast as the circumstances of the
country will permit.--The French funds are rising : on Monday the
5 per cents. were at 98f. 80c. and the 5 per cents. at 171. 15e.
ACCIDENT AT THE POST OFFICE.—Mr. Peacock, the
Solicitor to the Post Office, has, since the late accident, been unre-
mitting in his endeavours to obtain some explanation from the indi.'
viduals who so incautiously sent the nitrate of silver enclosed in the
letter, the stamping of which united the explosion, as before detailed.
On Monday the Solicitor had an interview with the persons we
have alluded to, and it appears that the letter was sent by Mr. J.
Jones, an assistant to Mr. Morgan, chemist, of Woodford, to a Mr.
Allen, of Bennett-street, Lambeth! Mr. Allen having occasion for
some fulminating mercury, and not being able to obtain it in London,
sent to his cousin Mr. Jones, at Woodford, for it, and the letter
containing the mercury was in consequence incautiously sent by
post. Mr. Peacock wrote a letter to Mr. John, demanding an
explanation, who; accompanied by Mr. Allen and Mr. Morgan,
went on Monday to the General Post Office, and explained the
circuffistanees to Mr. Peacock and Mr. Freeling. This Gentleman
strongly censured Mr. Jones for having sent such a destructive pow-
der through the post. Westbrook is gradually, but slowly recovering.