“GENERAL HISTORY. 
neral, on December 13, in a mes- 
sage from the King. This was, 
a contract of marriage between 
the Prince of Orange, heir appa- 
rent to the crown, and the Grand 
Duchess Anna Pawlowna, sister 
of the Emperor of Russia. His 
. Majesty, among the desirable con- 
sequences of such an union, men- 
tioned the new support which it 
offered to the interests of the com- 
mercial part of the nation in the 
north of Europe; and the gua- 
ranty itafforded to the wholeking- 
dom of the durable kindness of a 
court, which had so powerfully 
contributed toitsfoundation. The 
[101 
plan of a law was annexed, ex- 
pressing the consent of the States 
to the marriage, as required by 
the constitution. This was una- 
nimously given, and the union 
took place. The extent of its 
political consequences time alone 
can determine ; but it is obvious 
that the crown of the Nether 
lands will obtain a strong addi- 
tional security by its connexion 
with a court apparently destined 
henceforth to take the lead among 
the continental powers of Europe, 
whilst Russia will acquire an 
augmented weight in the general 
balance of political influence. 
