for some principalities in Germany, which are to form one of the States of the German confederation. The King of the Netherlands also renounces for himself and his successors, in favour of the King of Prussia, the sovereign possessions of the House of Nassau Orange in Germany.

The Session of the States-general at the Hague, was opened on October the 16th by a speech from the King, the principal object of which was, to prepare the public mind for those great financial sacrifices which the unforeseen events of the year had rendered necessary, and which darkened the favourable prospects of the former year. In a short space of time it had been requisite to arm whole lines of fortresses, to double the national army, and to maintain the still more numerous armies of the allies. It was intimated, that the means of providing for all these expenses would be the most serious subject for the assembly's deliberations; and a hope was expressed, that an introduction of taxes of the same kind throughout the kingdom, would put an end to the difficulties at present experienced. Some conIsolation was derived from the revival of various branches of industry in consequence of the return of peace, and the renewed connection with the colonies; and hope for the future was suggested, as a result of the new guarantees for general tranquillity, to be expected from the treaty of the associated Sovereigns. The address in answer to the speech, drawn up by the Second Chamber, and approved by the First, expressed entire satisfaction with all

the measures suggested by his Majesty to recover the nation from its difficulties, and promised their cordial co-operation in bringing his plans to effect. At a sitting of the Second Chamber, a report was made by the Minister of Finance, in which the deficit was stated at forty millions of guilders, for which it was proposed to provide by an issue of exchequer bills, to be liquidated during the course of ten years by an additional 15 per cent. upon a number of existing taxes. the sitting on October 24, a communication was made to the Chamber of a convention concluded between the Kings of Great Britain and of the Netherlands, relative to the ceded Dutch colonies in the West Indies, in which various advantages were stipulated for the trade of the Netherlands. The Belgians were at this time highly gratified with the recovery of their valuable works of art from the museum of the Louvre.

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On the discussion in the Second Chamber of the proposed war tax, those differences appeared which are always to be expected in a representative assembly amidst opposing interests. The Members of the southern provinces particularly declared against it, as highly unjust with respect to those districts which had suffered so much from the war; and a voluntary loan, and the sale of national domains, were proposed in its stead. When, however, the question was put to the vote, the tax law was carried by 77 to 27.

A very important event to the new kingdom of the Netherlands was announced to the States-general, on December 13, in a mes

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sage from the King. This was, a contract of marriage between the Prince of Orange, heir apparent to the crown, and the Grand Duchess Anna Pawlowna, sister of the Emperor of Russia. His Majesty, among the desirable consequences of such an union, mentioned the new support which it offered to the interests of the commercial part of the nation in the north of Europe; and the guaranty it afforded to the whole kingdom, of the durable kindness of a court, which had so powerfully contributed to its foundation. The plan of a law was annexed, ex

pressing the consent of the States to the marriage, as required by the constitution. This was unanimously 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 Netherlands will obtain a strong additional security by its connection 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.

CHAPTER

As

S the final settlement of the affairs of Germany depended on the resolutions of the congress of Vienna, which had not concluded its deliberations till nearly the close of the year, the political condition of that country for the most part remained in an indeterminate state which afforded little matter for historical record. No longer the seat of destructive wars, it was gradually recovering from its wounds, and returning to the exercise of peaceful industry; and although speculation on the forms of government under which they were hereafter to subsist must have been active among the enHightened classes of society, its effects were in general confined to literary discussion. Some examples, however, were given of contests of a more important kind; and the kingdom of Wurtemberg, in particular, was the theatre of political events, which will be regarded with interest, as elucidating the spirit now prevailing in the mixed constitutions of the Germanic system.

On January 12th the King of Wurtemberg having convoked his

ministers and council, announced his intention of introducing into his kingdom a constitution with states-general; and to this effect published a memorial addressed to all his "subjects, servants, and vassals," in which he notified that he had sketched out a constitution of this nature, which he meant to lay before the states-general to be assembled in March following.

The states accordingly met, consisting of representatives chosen by the people, joined with others who sat by right of birth as former states of the empire, and with members appointed by the king. The general expectation was, that the ancient free constitution of Wurtemberg, which circumstances had abrogated, would be restored, with modifications rendered necessary by the change of times; but the king's speech on opening the session expressed a different intention. No mention was made of the former constitution; and a new act, in the formation of which the states had no share, was laid before them, as the only organic law of the state sanctioned by his Majesty. The assembly, fondly attached

attached to their ancient government, which they considered as their right, refused to accept of that which was offered; and after various proceedings, a royal declaration was made that the decision should be deferred till the return of the Crown Prince from Vienna. In subsequent negociations between the royal commissioners and some deputies of the States, the former declared that they were merely authorised to hear proposals relative to the modifications of the new constitution to be drawn from the old one; but, of six points extracted from this as a basis, not one was acceded to by the king's commissioners; and in fine, nothing being effected, an adjournment of the assembly took place. Of these transactions an account was sent by the States to the ministers of the courts of Great Britain, Prussia, and Denmark, as guarantees of the constitution of Wurtemberg.

On August 5th a royal rescript was issued, informing the people that although the States had not accepted the new constitution, his Majesty had not abrogated it, as he had a right to do, but had suffered them to continue in its enjoyment, and had graciously received their petitions. The old constitution, it was said, was no longer practicable, as the recently added territories had no claim to it. The king had given up many points; and although the right of taxation properly belonged to him, he had conceded it to the States. For these favours they had made no adequate return, but had drawn up a list of grievances with the intention of embarrassing the royal

government. It concluded with announcing the king's resolution of opposing their designs, and enabling all his faithful subjects to enjoy the advantages which he hereby confirmed to them. It had however already appeared by many addresses to the king from towns and corporate bodies, that the people concurred with the States in desiring the restoration of their ancient constitution; and even in Stuttgard, the royal residence, the court had not influence enough to prevent the signature of a petition by 600 citizens.

About this time a list of taxes for 1815 and 1816 was issued by the minister of finance, to commence from April 23d, but the decree for the purpose was dated back on March 11th, four days before the assembling of the States. This occasioned many districtmeetings in the kingdom, at which resolutions were entered into not to pay the taxes without the assent of the States given to them, and also to petition for their reassembling. Deputies were nominated for the delivery of representations on these subjects to the king in person, which they were prevented from doing by the royal authority and a military force.The result of these measures was another royal rescript, dated September 7th, in which it was asserted that the taxes were such as had been annually levied on the different parts of the country since their union, for the purposes of taxation, in 1808 and 1810. It further mentioned, that orders had been given to the authorities of government to restrain future de putations for petitioning, and to preserve the public tranquillity;

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at the same time promising a full examination of the causes of complaint. This rescript was not calculated to afford satisfaction to a people who considered their rights to have been invaded, and were determined to assert them. The magistrates of Stuttgard on Sept. 19th made a representation to the king, of the general disappointment respecting the recognition of the ancient constitution, and of the illegality of the taxes imposed. "The people of Wurtemberg (they said) never can or will renounce the rights and liberties which it derives from its forefathers, in which it has felt itself happy for centuries, and the maintenance of which has been most solemnly sworn to by all the sovereigns of Wurtemberg, and by your Majesty yourself on your accession to the government.”—“ Even the removal of the chief grievances under which it groans, even an alleviation of the public burdens, enormous as they are, cannot be of any value in the eyes of the people, unless they result from the constitution, and not from the momentary favour of the sovereign." They concluded with a request for the re-assembling of the adjourned States.

The latter event took place on the 15th of October, and on the following day the session was opened by the reading of a royal rescript. Its tenor was chiefly to prove that the constitutional claims of Old and New Wurtemberg could not be established upon the same basis, or be made to coincide in one common government. The king, however, without admitting, under the present circumstances, the obligation of former conven

tions, even with respect to the old states, professed his willingness to retain from the ancient constitution every thing that could be adapted to the existing state of things, and which was not contrary to the principles of enlightened government. The States returned an address of great length, in the German manner, in which the rescript was analysed and commented upon in a train of argumentation. One of the most important observations is, that convinced as they are that there can be only one Wurtemberg, they do not admit the inference that the rights of the old country are at an end, and that a new constitution must be framed for the whole kingdom. The new acquisitions were made by the king, not as a private person, but as the head of the old statę, which furnished the means, and which may therefore demand their incorporation with itself; and that when they were deprived of their peculiar rights, and subjected to the burdens and obligations of the mother country, they necessarily became entitled to a participation in the rights of that country. On the whole, the States adhered steadily to their purpose, and requested the king to declare that he acknowledged the old constitution as valid for the whole country, with the reserve of such modifications as both parties should agree upon.

Another rescript of the King on November 13th was answered by a second address of the States, in which they express great satisfaction with his Majesty's acknowledgment of the intrinsic validity of the ancient constitution, and that his objections affected only