q 
STATE PAPERS. 
by the Netherlanders ; and now, 
that in a period of danger, united 
under the banners of independ- 
ence, and by the side of our ge- 
nerous allies, they have confirmed 
their vows by deed; I flatter my- 
self that the nation and all Europe 
partake my conviction_and my 
confidence. History shall one 
day shew in the battles of Quatre 
Bras and: Waterloo two illustrious 
pillars of the new State of the 
Netherlands, and happy the Fa- 
thers are on whose sons the lot 
has fallen to raise these pillars 
with their arms, and to dye them 
with their blood. 
The plan which is to be consi- 
dered in this assembly should not 
be offered you by me, since in 
the review of the fundamental law, 
scarcely one article was laid aside 
by which the dearest rights of our 
nation was secured. But every 
care has been taken to extend 
these rights as much as possible, 
and’ to define them mote clearly; 
that the new political union may 
have the stamp of an enlightened 
eye, and of the national character. 
The inviolability of the judicial 
authority remains irrevocable,and 
liberty ofconscience is guaranteed 
to the fullest extent. No property 
can be declared confiscated, ro 
opinion’ or thought checked in its 
course. The meanest citizen is 
atliberty to make his voice heard 
even'at'the Throne. 
The people retain their repre- 
sentation; the Provincial Assem- 
blies a suitable degree of power. 
The burdens ofthe state are freely 
voted, and equally borne. The 
revenues to be accounted for, ac- 
cording to fixed rules; can be em- 
ployed in the hands of the King to 
no other ends than to the payment 
403 
of services useful to the State, to 
the public institutions, to the de- 
fence of the country; and, in ge- 
neral, the royal power is great 
enough to secure the welfare of 
the community, but insufficient 
to oppress or injure a single sub« 
ject. 
If these observations are just, 
we may, under the direction of 
the new constitution, with in- 
creased ability, and with confi- 
dence in the future, continue and 
complete what, under the Divine 
blessing, is already begun, de- 
signed, or prepared for the ho- 
nour and the welfare of the Ne- 
therlands. To your High Migh- 
tinesses is confided the solution of 
this question. Each of you knows 
the high importance of his mission, 
and each of you will strive to acquit 
himself of it with that zeal which 
we at all times, but especially in 
times like these, owe to our dear 
country. 
Convention between the British 
and Duich Governments. 
In the name of the most Holy’ 
and Undivided Trinity. 
His Majesty the King of the 
Netherlands, and his Majesty: the 
King of the United Kingdom of 
Great Britain and Ireland, being 
both highly desirous of promoting 
and confirming the harmony and 
good understanding which so hap- 
pily subsist between their states, 
by bringing into actual operation 
that part of the stipulations of the 
first of the additional articles of 
the Convention of Aug. 13, 1814, 
which imports, “ that the sub- 
“jects of his Majesty the King of - 
“the Netherlands, being landed 
“ proprietors in the colonies of 
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