A tour through Holland

The authority described in the last chapter, so princely and powerful, in all human probability would have continued in the family of the prince upon whom it was conferred to this hour, and descended to their posterity, had the last stadtholder possessed the virtue, spirit, and wisdom of his ancestors: but the imbecility of his character, more than those wonderful events which were agitating other portions of Europe, was the principal cause of the overthrow of his house. Without any portion of ability, William the Fifth was alive only to his own aggrandizement and depraved pleasures. The attachment which he had been taught to cherish for the politics of England, had long marked him out as an object of hatred with the Dutch: under his auspices they saw their own trade deteriorated, and the ocean covered with the commercial vessels of the British empire, wafting wealth into her ports from every quarter of the globe, the resources and energies of the republic consuming without any attempt to resuscitate them, until at length his weak and culpable conduct closed in the conquest of the country, and the precipitate retreat of himself and family. The conduct of the Princess of Orange also contributed not a little to augment the displeasure of the people. She had that influence over him which strong minds always have over weak ones, but in no instance were her counsels advantageous to the state, and she had no one quality to conciliate the lower classes of the people.

During the troubles of 1787, she created uncommon disgust by answering in her own name an address of the States General to the prince her husband, when she had no recognised character in the republic, and consequently no right whatever to interfere in its affairs. Amongst other acts of presumption in the same year, so memorable in the Dutch annals, when the Orange party, supported by Prussia, and Great Britain, acquired the ascendency, she managed the negotiations between the Duke of Brunswick, who commanded the Prussian army, and the city of Amsterdam, in the course of which she declared in a tone of angry insolence, that the generosity of her disposition induced her to spare the lives of the guilty, but that they should be held incapable of discharging the duties of any public trust in future. Among the persons whom she caused to be dismissed were several distinguished and popular citizens, the survivors of whom were, upon the overthrow of the house of Orange, called to participate in the government of the country with the most flattering marks of congratulation.

This princess I know has had her admirers, she has been extolled for her spirit, and capaciousness of mind; but upon almost every occasion her talents were misapplied, and only served to augment the storm that burst over and laid the glory of her house prostrate. What was to close a reign (if such it may be called), so characterized by weakness and disaster, required not the spirit of a prophet to foretel. The French revolution found an unembarrassed introduction into Holland, and the feeble resistance which the Dutch troops opposed to the French armies, pretty clearly demonstrates the estimation in which the country held its unworthy ruler, and the desire they had of delivering themselves from him and the influence of England upon their councils. It is well known, that in the last war, the Dutch refused the sick and wounded of their allies, the British army, admission into Delft, and a body of burghers was formed at Amsterdam, to prevent the entrance of foreign troops; in other words, the English, into that city. In his last struggles the Stadtholder obtained a plenary power, resembling that of a dictator, a short time before the French army crossed the Waal, an event that decided the fate of Holland. Aukwardly clothed with this vast authority, he issued a proclamation, invoking the people to rise en masse to oppose their invaders: in obedience to the invocation, the Dutch army was strengthened by the accession of about fifty recruits. An order then followed, that throughout the United Provinces three houses should furnish one man for the defence of the state, the order experienced a worse fate than the proclamation.

The public antipathy to the Stadtholder and his government was now raised to its highest elevation: the French entered the country in triumph, and the flight of the Prince of Orange was received with enthusiastic expressions of exultation. On the 16th of February, 1795, a solemn assembly of the deputies from all the provinces was held at the Hague, at which meeting the stadtholderate was formally declared to be abolished for ever, and in the evening of that day a grand republican festival was celebrated, at which the Dutch legislators, the French representatives, and the chiefs of the army assisted. When the British troops afterwards landed at the Helder, they found the sense of the people still the same. It was not the dread of the revenge of the French army, that induced them to observe such marked and unequivocal disinclination to co-operate with a force which professed to have in view the achievement of salutary objects for their benefit, but the unextinguishable abhorrence in which they held the house of Orange, in whose name the English army endeavoured to wrest the country from the arms of France; and, I believe, since the death of the son of the Stadtholder, a young prince of great promise, that throughout the kingdom scarcely one partizan for the house of Orange is to be found.

The fate of Holland is a memorable lesson to other nations. We wonder that the power of France rolls on with overwhelming fury: the military observer traces her resistless march to her brilliant improvements in modern warfare; the politician to the magnitude, energy, and endless reinforcements of her troops; the superstitious to her good fortune, and the moralist to the divine interposition to rebuke the vices of her enemies. They forget, or will not see, that the victories of France have hitherto been the triumph of genius, promptitude, and energy, over ignorance, procrastination, and supineness: of vigorous over weak councils; of able, experienced, and faithful, over hereditary, senseless, and perfidious commanders. These are the causes that made Austria bow her neck to the chief of the French empire, and in ten days offered up Prussia to the manes of Poland, in memorable expiation of the horrors perpetrated in that devoted country in 1771. In the glorious triumphs of the British flag upon the ocean, we saw great yielding to greater skill: in Egypt and Media we beheld indisputable heroism yielding to superior intrepidity, directed by great military skill, and united to high national honour.

The moderation and mildness which characterized the conduct of the French, rendered them popular by a comparison with the rigorous folly of the Stadtholder in the last convulsions of his expiring power. The French checked and kept in complete awe some of the most illiterate and most depraved of the Dutch republicans who were preparing to avenge the long and galling triumph of their adversaries, with sharp and sanguinary resentment; not a drop of blood was judicially shed upon the overthrow of the ancient government of the United Provinces, although it had endured for two centuries; and the pensioners of the house of Orange, whose stipends were the rewards of meritorious services, received, and continue to receive, their salaries with generous punctuality, without being obliged to take an oath of hatred to the Stadtholder, as other persons who lived by the bounty of the republic were obliged to do. After Bonaparte had assumed the imperial purple of France, and determined upon creating a dynasty of sovereigns in his own family, he prepared the Dutch for the conversion of their republic into a kingdom, and the reception of a king.

On the 9th of June, 1806, Messrs. Verhuel and Van Styrum returned from Paris. His Excellency M. Verhuel, after paying a visit to the acting pensionary, held conferences with the secretaries of state, and opened the special mission entrusted to him by his Imperial Highness Prince Louis Napoleon, as King of Holland, as the result of several resolutions for the organization of the government and communicating, that his majesty the king had appointed M. Verhuel minister of the marine, and M. Gogel, minister of finance; the other secretaries of state being charged to continue in their posts till the king’s arrival.

The same gentleman repaired in person to the assembly of their High Mightinesses, where also, in pursuance of his commission, he expressed his majesty’s desire, and made the necessary communications; he also proceeded to the council of state; after which his excellency assumed the executive power, in the name, and by the authority of his majesty, whilst the pensionary, who had acted ad interim, resigned that post, and resumed that of president of their High Mightinesses. The following is the new constitution which has been digested and promulgated for the Dutch nation. I have given it rather at length, that the reader may be in possession of the principal branches of so important and interesting a document.

Louis Napoleon, by the grace of God and the constitutional laws of the state, to all whom these presents shall come, sends greeting. Be it known to all, that we have accepted, and do accept, with the approbation of his majesty the Emperor Napoleon, our august brother, the dignity of King of Holland, conformably to the wishes of the country, the constitutional laws, and to the treaty which, being protected by reciprocal ratifications, has been this day presented to us by the deputies of the Dutch nation. Upon our accession to the throne, our dearest care shall be to watch over the interests of our people. We will always study to give them constant and multiplied proofs of our love and solicitude (supporting for those ends) the liberty of all our subjects, as well as their rights, and in employing ourselves incessantly for their welfare. The independence of the kingdom is guaranteed by his majesty the emperor and king. The constitutional laws, and our firm and resolute good will, equally secure to every one his credit with the state, his personal liberty, and the liberty of conscience. It is after this declaration that we have decreed, and do decree, by these presents, as follows:

Art. 1. Our ministers of marine and of finance, nominated by our decree of this day, shall enter immediately upon their office: the other ministers shall continue in theirs till further orders.

2. All the constituted authorities, either civil or military, shall continue their functions until further, or other, orders.

3. The constitutional laws of the state, and the treaty concluded at Paris the 24th of May, in the present year, between his majesty the emperor and king, and the Batavian Republic, the purport of which is here-in-aftermentioned, shall be published immediately, as well as the present decree, in the most authentic manner.

We therefore order, that these presents be published and posted up in all places where it is usual so to do; and enjoin all those whom it may concern, to provide for the exact performance of every thing contained in these presents.

Given at Paris, the 5th of June, 1806, in the first year of our reign.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS.

First Section. General Dispositions.

Art. 1. The constitutional laws actually in force, particularly the constitution of 1805, as well as the civil, political, and religious laws now exercised in the Batavian republic, the operation of which is conformable to the dispositions of the treaty concluded the 24th of May, in the present year, between his majesty the emperor of the French and king of Italy, and the Batavian republic, shall be wholly preserved, excepting only those which shall be abolished by the present constitutional laws.

2. The administration of the Dutch colonies is regulated by particular laws. The revenues and the expenses of the colonies shall be considered as making part of the revenues and expenses of the state.

3. The public debt of the state is guaranteed by the present articles.

4. The Dutch language shall continue to be employed exclusively for the laws, publications, ordinances, judgments, and all other public acts, without distinction.

5. There shall be no change made in the name or weight of the current coin, but by virtue of a particular law.

6. The ancient flag of the state shall be preserved.

7. The council of state shall be composed of thirteen members. The ministers shall have rank, a seat, and a vote in the council of state.

Section II. Of Religion.

Art. 1. The king and the law grant an equal protection to all religions professed in the state. By their authority is to be determined all that is judged necessary in the organization, the protection, and exercise of all worships. Every exercise of religion is confined to the interior of the temples of all the different communions.

2. The king is to enjoy in his palace, as well as in every place where he shall reside, the free and public exercise of his religion.

Section III. Of the King.

Art. 1. The King has exclusively, and without restriction, the entire exercise of the government, and of every necessary power to insure the execution of the laws, and to make them respected. He appoints to all the offices, and to all the civil and military employments, which, according to the preceding laws, were at the nomination of the grand pensionary. He has the entire enjoyment of the pre-eminences and prerogatives hitherto attached to that dignity. The coins of the state shall be stamped with his head. Justice is to be administered in his name. He is to have the right of granting pardon, abolition or remission of penalties inflicted by sentence of law: nevertheless, he cannot exercise this right without having heard in private council the members of the national court.

2. At the death of the king the guardianship of the minor king shall be always confided to the queen mother; and in case there shall be no queen mother, to such person as shall be appointed by the emperor of the French.

3. The regent shall be assisted by a national council, whose composition and privileges shall be determined by a particular law. The regent shall not be personally responsible for the acts of his government.

4. The government of the colonies, and all that relates to their internal administration, belongs exclusively to the king.

5. The general administration of the kingdom is confided to the immediate direction of four ministers of state, named by the king, viz. a minister for foreign affairs, a minister of war and of marine, a minister of finance, and a minister for the home department.

Section IV. Of the Law.

Art. 1. The laws of Holland being made by the concurrence of the legislative body, formed of the assembly of their high mightinesses and of the king; the legislative body shall be composed of thirty-nine members, elected for five years, and named in the following proportions, viz. for the department of Holland, seventeen members, for that of Guelderland, four; for that of Brabant, four; for that of Friesland, four; for that of Overyssel, three; for that of Zealand, two; for that of Groningen, two; for that of Utrecht, two; for the country of Drenthe, one. The number of the members of their high mightinesses may be augmented by the law, in case of the aggrandizement of territory.

2. For this time, in order to proceed to the nomination of the nineteen members of their high mightinesses, by whom the number determined in the preceding article will be completed, the assembly of their high mightinesses shall present to the king a list of two candidates to fill each of the places. The departmental assembly of each department shall equally propose a double list of candidates. The king will make the election among the proposed candidates.

3. The grand pensionary for the time being shall take the title of president of their high mightinesses, and shall remain in office in this character during his life. The choice of his successors shall take place in the manner determined by the constitution of 1805.

4. The legislative body shall elect from itself a notary by a majority of votes.

5. The legislative body shall reassemble as usual twice a year, viz. from the 15th of April to the 1st of June, and from the 15th of November to the 15th of January. An extraordinary convocation may be made by the king on the 15th of November in every year; the oldest fifth of the members forming the legislative body shall retire from the same. The first going out shall take place the 15th of November 1807; and for this time the persons going out shall be determined by lot. The members who go out shall be always re-eligible.

Section V. Of the Judiciary Power.

Art. 1. The judiciary institutions shall be preserved as they were established by the constitution of the year 1805.

2. The king shall exercise (relative to the judiciary power) all the rights and all the authority which have been attributed to the grand pensionary by the articles 49, 51, 56, 79, 82, and 87, of the constitution of the year 1805.

3. All that relates to the military criminal justice shall be separately regulated by a further law.

Treaty concluded between his Majesty the Emperor of the French and King of Italy, and the Assembly of their High Mightinesses representing the Batavian Republic.

His imperial and royal Majesty Napoleon, emperor of the French and king of Italy, and the assembly of their high mightinesses representing the Batavian republic, president, his excellency the grand pensionary, accompanied by the council of state and the ministers and secretary of state.

In consideration, 1. That, seeing the general disposition of minds, and the actual organization of Europe, a government without consistency, and without a certain duration, cannot fulfil the end of its institution.

2. That the periodical renewal of the chief of the state will always in Holland be a source of dissensions, and out of it, a constant subject of agitation and discord between the powers either friends or enemies of Holland.

3. That an hereditary government alone can guarantee the quiet possession of all that is dear to the Dutch people, the free exercise of their religion, the preservation of their laws, their political independence, and their civil liberty.

4. That their greatest interest is to secure to themselves a powerful protection, under whose shelter they may freely exercise their industry, and maintain themselves in the possession of their territory, their commerce, and their colonies.

5. That France is essentially interested in the happiness of the Dutch people, in the prosperity of their state, and the stability of their institutions, as much in consideration of the northern frontiers of the empire, which are open and unprovided with fortified places, as of the principles and interests of general policy, have named for plenipotentiary ministers, viz. his majesty the Emperor of the French and King of Italy, M. C. M. Talleyrand, grand chamberlain, minister of foreign affairs, great cordon of the legion of honour, knight of the orders of the red and black eagle of Prussia, and of the order of St. Hubert, &c.; and the Grand Pensionary, M. M. C. H. Verhuel, vice admiral, minister of the marine of the Batavian republic, decorated with the great eagle of the legion of honour; J. J. A. Gogel, minister of finance; S. Van Styrum, member of the assembly of their high mightinesses; William Six, member of the council of state; and G. de Brantzen, plenipotentiary minister of the Batavian republic, by his imperial and royal majesty decorated with the grand eagle of the legion of honour, who, after having exchanged their full powers, have agreed upon as follows.

Art. 1. His majesty the emperor of the French and king of Italy, as well for himself, his heirs and successors for ever, guarantees to Holland the maintenance of its constitutional rights, its independence, the entirety of its possessions in the two hemispheres, its political, civil, and religious liberty, as it is consecrated by the actual established laws, and the abolition of all privileges in matters of taxes.

2. Upon the formal demand of their high mightinesses, representing the Batavian republic, that the Prince Louis Napoleon be named and crowned hereditary and constitutional king of Holland, his majesty, with deference to this desire, authorises the Prince Louis Napoleon to accept the crown of Holland to be possessed by him and his natural and legitimate male descendants, according to priority of birth, to the perpetual exclusion of females and their descendants. In consequence of this authority, Prince Louis Napoleon shall possess this crown under the title of King, and with all the power and all the authority, which shall be determined by the constitutional laws that the Emperor Napoleon has provided in the preceding article; nevertheless, it is enacted that the crowns of France and Holland can never be re-united on the same head.

3. The domain of the crown comprehends, 1. a palace at the Hague, which is to be destined for the residence of the royal household; 2. the palace of the Wood; 3. the domain of Soestdyk; 4. a revenue in landed property of 500,000 florins. The law of the state further assures to the king an annual sum of 1,500,000 florins of Dutch money, payable by twelve monthly instalments.

4. In case of a minority, the regency shall belong of right to the queen; and in case there shall be no queen, the French emperor, in his capacity of perpetual chief of the imperial family, is to name the regent of the kingdom. He is to choose among the princes of the royal family, and in default of them, among the nation. The minority of the king is to end at the age of eighteen.

5. The jointure of the queen shall be determined by her marriage contract; for this time it is settled that the jointure is fixed at the annual sum of 250,000 florins, which shall be taken from the domain of the crown. This sum deducted, the half of the remainder of the revenues of the crown will serve for the expenses of the maintenance of the house of the minor king, the other half shall be appropriated to the expenses of the regency.

6. The king of Holland shall be for ever grand dignitary of the empire, under the title of constable; the functions of this grand dignitary may, nevertheless, be filled at the will of the emperor of the French, by a prince vice-constable, when he shall judge proper to create this dignity.

7. The members of the reigning house of Holland shall remain personally subject to the dispositions of the 30th of last March, forming the law of the imperial family of France.

8. The offices and employments of the state, exclusive of those appertaining to the house of the king, can only be conferred on natives.

9. The arms of the king shall be the ancient arms of Holland quartered, with the imperial eagle of France, and surmounted with the royal crown.

10. There shall be forthwith concluded between the contracting powers, a treaty of commerce, by virtue of which the subjects of Holland will be treated at all times in the ports, and on the territory of the French empire, as the nation especially favored. His majesty the emperor and king, further engages to intercede with the powers of Barbary, that the Dutch flag may be respected by them, as well as that of his majesty the emperor of the French. The ratifications of the present treaty shall be exchanged at Paris in the space of ten days.

The 20th of June, 1806, his majesty the king of Holland made a proposal to their high mightinesses, concerning the oaths to be pronounced by the king and by the public officers, as also of the publication of the laws: their high mightinesses approved the same day the law, which is to the following purport:

Of Oaths.

Art. 1. Immediately after the proclamation, the king will receive the oath of their high mightinesses, of the ministers the counsellors of the state, of the high court of justice, of the great and other officers of the palace, of the national chamber of accounts, of the presidents, of the attorney general, of the courts of justice, of officers of the land and sea; to the rank of lieutenant-colonel and captain; lieutenant inclusively.

2. In the course of this year, the king, accompanied by his ministers, the great officers, and the officers of the palace, will take the oath to the Dutch nation, in the presence of their high mightinesses, the council of the state, of the high court of justice, of the national chamber of accounts, of the high military court, of the council of taxes and prizes by sea and land, of the presidents of the departmental administrations, and of the presidents of the tribunals. The secretary of state to commit to writing the verbal process of taking the oath. The oath of the king is conceived in these terms:

“I swear to maintain the constitutional laws of the kingdom, to defend the integrity of the territory of the kingdom, to respect the liberty of worships, to respect and to cause to be respected the equality of rights, as well as the civil, and political liberty: not to raise any taxes, and to order no impositions but by virtue of the law: to have no other end in my reign than the sole interests, the prosperity, and the glory of the Dutch nation.”

3. The oath that is made to the king is conceived in these terms:

“I swear obedience to the constitutional laws of the kingdom, and fidelity to the king.”

Of the Publication.

Art. 1. The king will seal and publish all the laws.

2. Two copies are to be made of each law, both to be signed by the king, countersigned by the secretary of state and one of the ministers, and sealed with the great seal.

3. One of the copies is to be deposited among the archives of the secretary of state, and the other among the archives of their high mightinesses.

4. The publication shall be conceived in these terms, &c.

The minister of the home department has the care of the publication.

5. Judgments shall be pronounced, and the execution of them follows immediately.

The court shall execute its judgments in the name of the king. All civil and military authorities, legally required for the purpose, are bound to render their assistance.

Royal Decree of the 25th of June, 1806, creating general directors for the different departments of the public administration.

Louis Napoleon, &c. considering, that the affairs of the colonies are administered by two councils, who have neither strength nor unity sufficient to act to the advantage of the interests of the kingdom; and that nevertheless this important branch of the administration of the affairs of the kingdom merits all our solicitude: considering, that the ministry of marine is of too high a nature, and that the objects which relate to it are too multiplied and too abstract to be united with that of the war department: considering, that the minister for the home department is sufficiently occupied by the inspection of administration, and the inspection of the waters; by the cares of promoting the advancement of agriculture; of the public safety and instruction; and, indeed, of the arts and sciences, we have decreed as follows:

Art. 1. There shall be three general directors, who shall follow immediately in rank the ministers, and shall be employed directly with us, viz. The director general of the war department; the director general of the affairs of India and of commerce; the director general of affairs relative to public worship and justice, and at the same time charged with the care of all that regards the safety of the kingdom.

2. They shall enjoy the honours, rank, and treatment of ministers.

3. Our ministers are respectively charged, as far as they are concerned, with the execution of the present decree.

Royal Decree of the 1st of July, 1806, containing the Organization and the Attributes of the Council of State.

Louis Napoleon, &c. considering, that the council of state is charged with high and important functions; that all the laws, and almost all the acts of administration, ought to be prepared and discussed there: considering, that amongst these acts there are many of great importance for the interests and security of the different departments, and which require the local knowledge of each country, its situation and particular customs: considering, that there are laws and acts of government of such importance, that they require the united talents and zeal of all the citizens who have experience thereon, have decreed, and do decree as follows:

Art. 1. That the council of state shall be composed of thirteen members residing near us.

2. That it shall be formed in a general assembly, and divided into sections.

3. That the general assembly shall be convoked, and presided over by the king.

4. That the ministers shall have rank, a seat, and a deliberative voice in the council of state.

5. That there shall be five divisions of the council of state, each of which shall have its president.

6. These divisions shall be as follows: the division of legislation and of general affairs, comprehending the affairs of administration, and all that has not a reference to the other divisions; the division of marine; of finances; of commerce and the colonies; the division of war. The president and the members of the divisions or sections shall be appointed by us every three months. Each section shall have a superior clerk attached to it.

7. The title, rank, and honours of the counsellors of state shall be granted either to the public officers or to the members of the different authorities, or to the citizens most distinguished by their talents and probity. They shall not be annexed to the divisions of the council of state until they have been called by us to the council.

8. There shall always be a counsellor of state of each of the eight great departments for the legislation and general affairs, another for financial affairs, and another for the affairs relative to commerce and the colonies; and this in order that we may be well assured that the laws, or very important acts of government, shall not be prepared and discussed without having taken into consideration the situation and interests of each of the eight grand departments.

9. These counsellors of state shall have no other provision than for such duty as they shall be otherwise called upon to exercise. They shall have no right to come to the council unless called thither by us. The counsellors extraordinary of state, who might be nominated members of the assembly of their high mightinesses, shall not be assembled at the council of state so long as they shall exercise that dignity.

10. On the first of January every year we will determine the list of the thirteen resident counsellors of state, and of the presidents, in order to call to a residence near us those who might be in the departments.

11. The resident counsellors who shall be preserved on the list will occupy in the departments the places to which they shall be or might have been called.

12. There shall be a secretary general of the council of state, having under him the offices necessary for the dispatch of business.

13. There shall be near our council of state, Auditors, of whom we shall determine the number and the distribution. They shall be chosen from amongst those young men who are destined for the administration, who have finished their studies, and who have distinguished themselves therein. There shall be two classes, the first composed of young people who shall have shewn in the exercise of their functions more capacity, discretion, and attachment to their duty: they shall take the name of auditors of the king, and the others merely the name of auditors. They shall be employed to prepare business, according to the orders they shall receive from the presidents of the sections of the council of state: they shall have no communication with the ministers unless by a formal order from us. The auditors of the king shall assist at the general sittings of the state when they are called there by us. In that case they shall rank behind the counsellors of state, and shall have no voice in council, unless we, from a wish to assure ourselves whether they improve in the transaction of affairs, in qualifying themselves for the administration, shall ask their advice: the other auditors shall only be employed in the interior of the divisions.

14. As the institution of auditors is intended to initiate young men in business, and to facilitate the means of succeeding in it, they will receive no provision.

Royal Decree of the 9th July, 1806, relative to the Presentation of the projected Laws of their High Mightinesses.

Art. 1. When the plan of a law, (the council of state having been heard) shall have been adopted by us, the secretary of state shall summon, by a letter, the president of the legislative body, at least two days beforehand, to assemble the orators of the government at such a day and such an hour, at the assembly of their high mightinesses, to present to them one or several projects of law; if there are many, the number shall be indicated.

2. The secretary of state shall inform the same day the secretary general of the council of state that such project of law has been adopted by his majesty; he will transmit to him at the same time a decree, signifying: 1st, the nomination of auditors; 2d, the day of presentation.

3. On the day appointed for the presentation at the latest, the general secretary of the council of state shall transmit to the person first named in the decree, and who is to be the speaker, 1st, a copy of the same decree by which their powers are constituted; 2d, two copies of the law.

6th. The orators of the government shall repair to the assembly of their high mightinesses, in the carriages of government, preceded by two tipstaffs and accompanied by two of the royal horse guards. The guards before whom they pass will draw up, and present their arms: at the palace, where the sittings of the assembly of their high mightinesses are held, they are to be received in a private room by the committee of that assembly, then at the door of the chamber of sittings by the notary, who shall introduce them to the place of the sittings of the assembly, and accompany them to the place destined for them, and which is similiar to that of the members of the assembly. The orator of the government first named in the decree, shall ask the president for leave to speak, and read, first, the royal decree and the project of the law, and secondly the exposition of the motives. This address finished, the president shall return the act to the orators, and a copy signed, which they are to report, and the orators will retire with the same ceremony with which they arrived.

As the 7th article of the treaty signed at Paris the 24th of May, 1806, ordains that the members of the reigning house of Holland shall remain personally subject to the dispositions of the 30th of last March, forming the law of the imperial family of France, it cannot but be agreeable to find here the most important articles to which his majesty the King of Holland is subjected, and which are most adapted to him: they are as follows:

Title 1st. Of the Princes and Princesses of the Imperial House.

Art. 1. The emperor is the chief and common father of his family; under these titles he exercises paternal authority over those who compose it, during their minority; and preserves always, in respect to them, a power of inspection, of police, and of discipline, the principal objects of which will be determined hereafter.

3. The imperial house is composed, first, of the princes comprised in the hereditary order established by the act of the constitutions of the 28th May, 12th year, concerning their marriage, and their descendants in legitimate marriage: 2d. of the princesses our sisters, of their husbands, and of their descendants in legitimate marriage, to the fifth degree inclusively: 3dly. of our children by adoption, and of their legitimate descendants.

Title III. Of the Education of the Princes and Princesses of the Imperial House.

26. The emperor regulates all that concerns the issue of the princes and princesses of this house: he nominates and revokes at will those who are commissioned with it, and determines the place where it is to be effected.

27. All the princes born in hereditary order will be brought up together, and by the same tutors and officers, either in the palace inhabited by the emperor, or in another palace within the distance of ten myriamètres^[2] from his usual residence.

26. Their course of education will begin at the age of seven, and will finish at the attainment of the age of sixteen. The children of those who have distinguished themselves by their services may be admitted to participate of the advantages.

27. Should it happen that a prince in the hereditary order should ascend a foreign throne, he will be bound, when his male issue should be seven years old, to send them to the above-mentioned houses to receive their education.

Of the Presentation of Petitions and Audiences.

Those who wish to present petitions, or addresses, &c. to the king, will put at the head, “To the King.” They all begin with the title of Sire, and in the body of the addresses, &c. the words “Your Majesty” must be used. His majesty has provisionally charged the counsellor of state, M. Golberg, in order to receive in his name all the requests, supplications, and remonstrances which may be presented, and to give a circumstantial account of them to the King. This counsellor attends for this purpose in the apartments of the old court, every Tuesday and Friday, from nine in the morning till two in the afternoon. But all petitions, supplications, or remonstrances, must be presented in writing, on stamped paper: and there ought besides to be indorsed on the petitions, &c. the name of the supplicant, the nature of the demand, and in concise terms, the motives of the same. It must be observed besides, that all demands, addresses, or remonstrances to the courts, or tribunals of justice, departmental administrations, or other constituted authorities, ought to be sent to the minister or directors general, that the deed which relates to the object, be made by them, and presented to the king. Those who desire to be admitted to the audience of his majesty the king, are obliged to address themselves for this purpose to the chamberlain of the day, the motive for which this audience is requested, must be signified by writing, and the place where the answer may be sent exactly mentioned. The king has decreed, that in order to facilitate and assure as much as possible the relation between him and his subjects, all the ministers, or directors general, have to give once or twice a week a public audience; for this purpose they have fixed the following days, &c. &c.

The leading features in this constitution, are the guarantee of the payment of the national debt; the free and unqualified exercise of religion; the predominant authority vested in the king; the establishment of the salique law, for ever excluding females from the throne; the declaration that the minority of any future king shall expire upon his attaining his eighteenth year; that only natives shall be eligible to any offices under the state, exclusive of those immediately appertaining to the king’s household; that the yearly revenue of the king shall be two millions of florins, and that the royal residences shall be the palaces of the Hague, in the Wood, and at Soestdyke.

As a few months have only rolled away since the promulgation of this constitution, it would be somewhat hasty to offer any objections to it: it must be left to time to ascertain how far it is adapted to the genius and resources, and propitious to the prosperity of the people.