received the requisite protection. Tranquillity also prevails in our possessions beyond sea. A more economical adininistration, which we have established in the East Indies, and the great extension given there to agriculture, the salutary influence of which is already felt, inspire us with a hope that our possessions in the East Indies will soon supply our commerce with a new element tend. ing to the prosperity of the country. Our commerce and our navigation, have experienced an increase rather than a diminution, thanks to the activity and intelligence of the mercantile classes, and ship owners. If the force of circumstances has diverted them from their primitive directions, new openings for enterprise have been made, and they have considerably extended.

Thus your high mightinesses will perceive that we still occupy among commercial nations the rank that belongs to us, and which I hope to preserve to my beloved and loyal subjects, in spite of all violent and treacherous attempts. (Here the king mentioned the flourishing state of agriculture, the order now prevailing in every branch of the administration, the excellent state of the canals and dykes, the improvement of literature and the sciences, and the appearance of the cholera in Holland.)

Several important laws will be presented to you. Several questions for modifying the civil code are ready to be laid before you. I even entertain a hope that during the present session, you will be able to revise the whole of the civil code.

Following up the measures already adopted, I shall submit to your high mightinesses a statement

of the increase in the wants of the state for next year, and the means that have been thought most efficacious to supply them.

As to the extraordinary expenses which may result from a prolongation of existing circumstances, I wish to continue the use of the means which you have found eligible for some time past, and which the persons interested have adopted without hesitation. Thus the necessity of forced contributions is removed; public credit is improving, and the treasury, managed with order and economy, remains in a state to answer every demand.

Nevertheless the burthens which the nation has to support continually are heavy, and the prospect of the future is still gloomy; but the Neth. erlanders, animated with a sense of honour and a spirit of patriotism, bear them with resignation, and gladly bring their gifts for the de. fence of their fellow citizens.

These sentiments are tranquiliz. ing for us. A nation who call to mind the glory of their ancestors, and who, in the present day, distinguish themselves by their love of order and submission to the laws, has a right to the respect of other na tions.

It is in the approbation of the na tion and in the sentiment of our just rights, that we find the most powerful support for the consolidation of the interests of the kingdom, as well as the well-grounded hope that, strengthened by measured confidence in the decrees of the Almighty, we shall enable our compatriots, when the time shall come, to gather the fruit of the most noble persever

ance.

HOLLAND

Embargo on Dutch vessels taken off.

At the court of St. James's, the 20th day of May, 1833, present the king's most excellent majesty in council-It is this day ordered by his majesty in council, that his majesty's order in council of the 6th of November last, directing that no ships or vessels belonging to any of his majesty's subjects be permitted to clear out for any of the ports within the dominions of the king of the Netherlands until further orders; and that an embargo be laid upon all ships and vessels belonging to the subjects of the king of the Netherlands which then were, or which should thereafter come into any of the ports, harbours or roads within any part of his majesty's dominions; and that the commanders of his majesty's ships of war should detain and bring into port all merchant ships and vessels bearing the flag of the Netherlands, be revoked, and the same is hereby revoked accord. ingly; and it is hereby further or dered, that the said embargo be taken off, and that all such ships and vessels be permitted to depart with their cargoes to their respective ports of destination; and the right hon. the lords commissioners of his majesty's treasury, the lords commissioners of the admiralty, and the lord warden of the Cinque Ports, are to give the necessary directions therein, as to them may respectively appertain.

W. L. BATHURST.

Convention between his majesty and the king of the French on the one part, and the king of the Netherlands on the other part; together

with an explanatory article there. unto annexed. Signed at Lon. don, May 21, 1833.

[TRANSLATION.]

Their majesties the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the king of the French, and the king of the Netherlands, grand duke of Luxemburg, being desirous of re-establishing the rela tions between them as they existed before the month of November, 1832, have for that purpose resolved to conclude a convention, and have named as their plenipotentiaries, viz.

[Here are recited the names and titles of the plenipotentiaries—who having exchanged their full powers, &c.]

Art. 1. Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of the present convention, their majesties the king of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the king of the French, will take off the embargo which they have placed upon the ships, vessels and goods belonging to the subjects of his majesty the king of the Netherlands; and all the vessels detained, together with their cargoes, shall be imme. diately released, and restored to their respective owners.

In like manner, his majesty the king of the Netherlands will revoke the measures taken in his states with respect to the English and French flags.

Art. 2. At the same period the Netherland troops, both of the royal navy and army, at present detained in France, shall return to the states of his majesty the king of the Ne. therlands with their arms, baggage,

carriages, horses and other effects belonging either to the corps or to individuals.

Art. 3. So long as the relations between Holland and Belgium shall not be settled by a definite treaty, his Netherland majesty engages not to recommence hostilities against Belgium, and to leave the navigation of the Scheldt entirely free.

Art. 4. Immediately after the exchange of ratifications of the present convention, the navigation of the Meuse shall be open to commerce; and until the definite arrangement shall be made in this respect, it shall be subject to the provisions of the convention signed at Mentz the 31st of March, 1831, for the navigation of the Rhine, so far as those provisions may be applicable to the said river.

The communications between the fortress of Mæstricht and the frontier of North Brabant, and between the said fortress and Germany, shall be free and without impediment.

Art. 5. The high contracting parties engage to occupy themselves, without delay, about the definitive treaty which is to fix the relations between the states of his majesty the king of the Netherlands, grand duke of Luxemburg, and Belgium. They will invite the courts of Austria, Prussia, and Russia, to become parties thereto.

Art. 6. The present convention shall be ratified, and the ratifi. cations shall be exchanged at London in ten days, or sooner if possible.

In witness thereof, the respective plenipotentiaries have signed their

Explanatory Article.

It is agreed between the high contracting parties, that the stipulation relative to the complete cessation of hostilities, contained in article 3 of the convention of this day, comprehends the grand duchy of Luxemburg, and that part of Limburg which is provisionally occupied by the Belgium troops. It is moreover understood that until the conclusion of the definitive treaty, of which mention is made in the said article 3 of the convention of this day, the navigation of the Scheldt shall take place on the same footing as before the first of November, 1832.

The present explanatory article shall have the same force and validity as if it were inserted word for word in the convention of this day. It shall be ratified, and the ratification exchanged at the same time as those of the said convention.

In witness thereof, the respective plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have affixed thereto the seals of their arms.

Done at London, the 21st day of May, in the year of our Lord 1833.

(L. S.) PALMERSTON, (L. S.) TALLEYRAND, (L. S.) DEDEl.

Reply of Don Carlos to the King's invitation to swear allegiance to his daughter at the approaching Cortes.

My well-beloved brother, &c.

This morning, at ten o'clock, Plazaola came to me to say that your minister at this court, Cordova, had requested to know when it would be convenient for me to receive a communication of a royal order. He was answered that twelve would be a fitting time for such a purpose. He returned a few minutes before one, and I immediately saw him. He presented me with an official paper, which I read, and having done so, I said that my dig. nity and my character would not permit me to delay in stating that you were my king and my lord, and besides my brother, and always my much loved brother, further endeared by having shared in all your misfortunes.

You wish to know whether I intend, yes or no, to swear to your daughter, as princess of Asturias. Now, as far as wishes go, you will believe me, because you know me, when I say, that with all my heart would I take that oath, and that nothing would give me greater plea. sure than to be the first to recognise your daughter, and to spare you any offence or possible inconvenience which my declining to do so might occasion. But my conscience and my honour do not permit it; I possess rights so legitimate, that I could not divest myself of them—

rights which God gave me when it was his pleasure that I entered upon existence, and which God alone can take away, by transferring them to a male child of yours, which I desire so much, it may be even more than yourself do. More. over, in this I am defending the justice of the rights of all those who are called after me, and therefore I feel myself called upon to transmit to you the subjoined declaration, which I have made with the greatest formality, and addressed to all the sovereigns, to whom I hope you will communicate it.

Adieu, my well-beloved brother, and be assured that your welfare will always be the first object of the prayers of your affectionate brother, CARLOS.

"Declaration.

"I, Carlos Marias Isidoro de Borbon y Borbon, Infante of Spain, convinced of the legitimate rights which I possess to the crown of Spain, and assured that your ma. jesty has no heir male to the same, do say, that neither my conscience nor my honour permit me to swear to, or recognise, any other than those rights, and this I solemnly declare. To the senor our king, his affectionate brother and faithful vassal,

"THE INFANTE DON CARLOS DE BORBON Y BORBON.

"In the palace of Ramaha, the 20th of April, 1833."