Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-01
BELGIUM.

The National Congress assembled Oh the 9Th
May. The sitting Oh the 18th oP'ned at one o.
clock, ls0 members being present After some
preliminary business, Nj. de Gerache was re-
elected President. and Messrs. Raikem and Des-
townelles Vice Presidents. and Messrs. Villain
XIII, Leidles, Nothomb, H. de Brouckere, Sc
cretaries.
| The resignation of Nj. de Steenhuyze, Minis
ter of War, was announced, and Nj. de Gerlache,
the President, in open sitting, took occasion to al
lude to the crisis in which the country IS placed;
and Nj. Lcbeau, the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
opened the relations of Belgium with other coun-
tries. No notice having been taken IN the Report
of the negotiations with the Prince of Coburg,
the Minister said the assembly would be inform
ed on the subject on the Goth. Lord PonsOhbv
was expected on that day In Brussels.
The Minister stated that the only diplomatic
actwhich he had received was the assent of France
Ito the protocol of 3Oth of January. which adjudg-
ed to Holland the Grand Duchy Of Luxembourg.
and part of Limberg. Two notes from LIE Hon
to NJ. Sebastiani advised Belgium to yield, and
! to accept the protocol as benefit, its neutrality
being acknowledged.
In the report OF the proceedings on this day,
and on the 18th. find little which is calculated
to throw much light on the probable destnles OF
Belgium. The Commissioners at London had
not been officially treated with, and the conhden-
tia conversations were to be communicated, If
at all, to 4 secret committee OF The Assembly
! The determination of Prince Leopold, it was sup
posed, would be communicated by Lord POnson-
! by, as above mentioned. But his arrival at Brus-
sells is not announced at the latest date from that
place, which is the 21st. The Morning Herald
has the following article on the affairs OF Bel
GUM.
Something is now said Of change for the bet
! ter IN the probable fortune Of Beg jun. With
in month the Protocols have followed each 9TH
er rapidly, and two OF them merit attention.
The first laws down the principle, that every
try may regulate its interior administration as it
peases, but that the limits Of its territory is a Eu
ropean matter, to he regulated by treaty. With
respect to the frontiers, the Protocol Of January
Goth is preserved with some considerable modi-
fcation. Besides Dutch Flanders. which is to be
united with Belgium. which will also probably
obtain Luxembourg for pecunlary consideration;
and, perhaps even the whole Of Limburg, en-
cept Maestrlct. All the arran cments are the re-
suit of voluntary treaties made by the parties IN
tereSted, and If the other governments have con-
tributed, it is not officially. The second proto-
col has not yet been communicated to MIR. Sur
let de ChOkier, but we believe we know lis ma
ture, which is an intimaton of Congress, in the
name of the Great Powers, to accept the limits
determined by them, and give the country de-
finite settlement before the first of June, failing
which, the Governments represented at London
will cease all political relations with the new
State, and will recall their Representatives. AS
the people, then,are now less hasty than diploma
CIV, we may expect speedy denouement. The
indemnity fixed by the King of Holland for Lux
enburg is,stated at a capital yielding 100000
forms; and Belgium, notwithstanding this exor-
bitant demand, is disposed to acquleSce. For
Limburg, half the sum is required. making to-
gether yearly income of 100000 francs -
There is question Of paying the whole capital at
once. Ii would be large sum for small coun-
try like Belgium, but country cannot buy its
independence too dearly. AS our neighbors are
not yet recognized, we not surprised that they
do not haggle at this offer.
p. S. The revenue of Prince Leopold con-
sists in an annual pension of ,200,0 francs,
with power Of converting it into a capital when
he pleases. If he is called to the throne of Begi
um, we suppose he will use this power. Our
neig hbors undoubtedly will not permit that their
king should be the pensioner OF foreigners
The Protocol of the 18th is published, but is
too long for insertion
The difficulties at Antwerp between the Bel
gians and Dutch, had been amlcaby adjusted
Uen. ChasSe, the tDutcn) commander vi Tue CT
tade, had stated, in letter to Gen. Beliard that
he occupied the Fort of st. Laurent, merely as I
a measure of defence. without any hostile inten-
ton whatever, and that if the Begians would |
cease the works they had been engaged in raising,
and withdraw the preparations for attack before
the said fort, he, on his part would Immediate
~ stop all works to repair or enlarge it, leaving
every thing in its present state. In consequence
of this overture, the Regent Of Belgium had CIV
en- orders accordingly.
The arrival of Lord Ponsonby is awaited at
Brussels, with intense anxiety. Should he be
the bearer of Prince Leopold's acceptance. &C.
companed with reasonable terms, not shadow
of doubt remains of his Royal Highness being
elected, by almost universal reclamation.
The opposition, that Is to say, the Republicans
and ultra Catholics, tried their strength at the
election of the officers of Congress. BY stu.
gular coincidence the numbers on the five differ
ent individuals varied from SO to 81. This is
considered as a criterion their Iorce.
Rotterdam papers of the 2lst, state that no
H. ho,l kr,i Al, /