The southern aegis, and Harford County intelligencer. (Bel Air, Md.) 1862-1864, 1862-12-20
ABDICATIoN OF CHARLES v.

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juncture for executing the scheme he had
long meditated, Charles resolved to resign,
his kingdom to his son, with a solemnity
suitable to the importance of the transac-
ton. = x X
Having assembled the states of the Low
Countries at Brussels, on the 25th Of Oc-
tober, (l555,D Charles seated himself for
the last time i'll the chair of state, on one
side of which was placed his son, and on
the other his sister, the Queen of Hungary,
Regent of the Netherlands, with splen-
did retinue of the princes of the empire
and grandees Of Spain, standing behind
him. The president of the Council of
Flanders, by his command, explained in
u few words his intention in calling this
extraordinary meeting of the states. lie
then read the instrument of resignation
by which Charles surrendered to his son
Philip all his territories, jurisdiction and
authority in the Low Countries, and alb
solving all his subjects from the oath of
allegiance to him, which he requested
them to transfer to Philip, his lawful heir,
and to serve him, with the same loyalty
and zeal which they had manifested dur
ing So long course of years in behalf of
his Government.
Charles then rose from his seat, and
leaning on the shoulder of the Prince of
Orange, because he was unable to stand
without support, he addressed himself to
the audience, and from paper which he
/ hall IN, L.
recountcd, with dignity, but without os-
tentation, all the great things which he had
undertaken and performed since the CON-
mencement of his administration. *
That from his seventeenth year he had de-
dicated all his thong hts and attention to
pnbhc objects, reserving no portion of his
time for the indulgence of his ease, and
very little for the enjoyment of private
| pleasure; that either in a pacific or hostile
manner he had visited Germany nine
times, Spain six times, France four times,
Italy seven times, the Low Countries ten
times, England twice, Africa as often; had
made eleven voyages by sea that, while
his health permitted him to discharge his
duty, and the vigor Of his constitution was
equal in any degree to the arduous Office
of governing such extensive dominions, he
had never stunned labor, nor repined un-
der fatigue; that now, when his health
was broken and his vigor exhausted by
the rage of an incurable distemper, his
growing infrmities admonished him to re-
tire; nor was he so fond of reiguing as to
retain the sceptre in an impotent hand,
which was no longer able to protect his
subjects, or to secure to them the happ-
ness which he wished they should enjoy;
that instead of a sovereign worn out with
diseases, and scarcely half alive, he gave
them one in the prime of life, accustomed
already to govern. and who added to the
vigor Of youth all the attention and saga
city Of maturer years; that if during the
course of long administration he had
committed any material error in govern
mept, or if, under the pressure of so many
SID so great affairs, and amidst the atten.
ton he had been obliged to give them, he
had either neglected or injured any of his
subjects, he now implored their forvive-
ness; u he would ever retain grateful
sense of their fidelity and attachment, aud
would carry the remembrance of it to his
place OF retreat, as his sweetest consola-
ton, as well as the best reward for all his
services, and in his last prayers to AL
mighty God would pour forth his most
earnest petition for their welfare.
Then turning toward Philip, who fell
on his knees and kissed his fathers hand:
eff says he, Il had left you by my
death this rich Inheritance, to which [
l have made such large additions, some
regard would have been Justly due to my
memory on that account, but now, when [
voluntarily resign to you what [ might
still have retained, may we'll expect the
warmest expression of thanks on your
part. With these however, | dispense,
and shall consider your concern for the
welfare of your subjects, aud your love
Of them, as the best and most accept,
1 able testimony of your gratitude to
me- 1t is in your power, by wise
and virtuous administration, TO justify the
extraordinary proof which !, this day, give
of my paternal affection, and to demon
strate that you are worthy of the conf
dence which | repose in you. Preserve
an inviolable regard for religion; main
tain the Catholic faith in its purity; let
the laws of your co .ntry be sacred in
your eyes; encroach not on the rights
aud privileges of your people; and if