STATE PAPERS. 



425 



Though the e\ils of war have 

 been felt among you longtr than 

 we had hoped, 1 am at least con- 

 scious that I have neglected no- 

 thing to alleviate the burden. 



The peace, which has given re- 

 pose to Europe, is going to con- 

 tirm the happiness of the people 

 of Belgium and Holland: already 

 connected by the natural bond:, of 

 a common descent, of common 

 industry and virtues, you will tind 

 the pledge of your durable prospe- 

 rity in the strict conformity of your 

 administration. 



Belgium, under the government 

 of the Serene House of Orange, 

 under a system the most favour- 

 able to its commerce, and with 

 the preservation of its religion and 

 manners, will soon be restored to 

 its ancient lustre. Your fine ci- 

 ties, Ghent, Bruges, Ostend, Ant- 

 werp, &c. the monuments of your 

 national industry, which languish- 

 ed in the late unhappy times, will 

 agidn rival in industry and prospe- 

 rity the first commercial nations. 



People of Belgium ! the general 

 interest of Europe destines you an 

 enviable fate ; an indissoluble 

 union shall ensure its duration, un- 

 der the most venerable guarantee 

 that human power can give. 



Permit me, after having in these 

 difficult times struggled with you 

 against adversity, to indulge a 

 hope that you will sometimes re- 

 member me in the days of your 

 jirosperity. 



Baron de Vincent. 

 Brussels, July 31st. 



At the same time the following 

 was published in Dutch and 

 French : 



William, by the Grace of God, 

 Prince of Orange Nassau, Sove- 



reio-n Prince of the United Nether- 

 lands. 



To the People of Belgium greet- 



ms. 



Europe owes ils deliverance to 

 the magnanimity of the allied so- 

 vereigns ; soon it will owe to their 

 wisdom a political system, which 

 will ensure to agitated nations long 

 years of prosperity and repose. 



The new destination of your 

 beautiful provinces is a necessary 

 part of this system ; and the nego- 

 ciations which are going to be 

 opened at Vienna will have for 

 their object to have it recognized, 

 and consolidate the extension of 

 Belgium on a basis conformable to 

 your interests, to that of your 

 neighbours, and of all Europe. 



Called to the government of 

 your country for the short inter- 

 val which still separates us from 

 the future so long desired, I come 

 among you with the wish of being 

 useful to you — with all the senti- 

 ments of a friend, of a father. I 

 desire to be assisted by the most 

 enlightened, the most respected 

 among you, in the honourable 

 task assigned me by the confidence 

 of the allied monarchs, and of 

 which I hasten to acquit myself in 

 person. 



To put an end to the evils which 

 still bear heavy upon Belgium, 

 notwithstanding the firm, wise, 

 and liberal conduct of Baron de 

 Vincent in the difficult times in 

 which he has exercised the of- 

 fice of "overnor-treneral ; to honour 

 and protect your religion ; to give 

 the nobility the splendor due to 

 its merit; to encourage agriculture, 

 commerce, and all branches of 

 industry; these will be my most 

 delightful duties, the objects of my 

 most incessant care. 



