The regulations respecting the meetings of provincial states, and the government of cities, and of country places, have undergone an investigation. The dispositions in those regulations, which concern the right of voting, and the qualifications to take part in the provincial and local government, were, by the end of the tenth year, after the notice of our fundamental law, to be a part thereof; it was therefore of importance to introduce those improvements which experience has shown to be desirable as early as possible.

Our foreign possessions are the subject of my peculiar attention; and my endeavours have been particularly directed to the furthering of their internal prosperity, in order to render them of the utmost advantage to the Netherlands and its industry. The expenditure in several of those possessions has, in consequence of wars and expensive measures in their government, been augmented to too great an amount, which has produced unfavourable consequences in the condition of the finances. I have adopted measures to moderate them, and have further considered it prudent to send a special commissioner thither, in order that the orders already given for economy in the expenditure should be most strictly observed. There is ground to hope that the injurious consequences already mentioned will soon be remedied. It will, nevertheless, be necessary that the mother country should, by means of its credit, come to its support, and I hope that I may reckon on the co-operation of your high mighti

nesses.

The various branches of the revenue have, taking them in general, been completely competent to

our wants.

The late alterations in the indirect taxes have answered to all expectations in the increase of their produce, independent of the real relief which has thereby been secured to commerce and agricul ture. All difficulties in the collecting of the personal taxes and excise have, as is seen from expe rience, almost completely vanished. They were, at the introduction of the new plan, unavoidable; the doing away with them has, nevertheless, been the subject of my most anxious cares; it is with that intention that, after having consulted the states of the provinces, and having made use of the power given me by law, I have more generally introduced the farming of the excise on the grinding of corn; the manner in which this arrangement has been received, gives ground for supposing, that it will, in all respects, fully answer the objects I have in view.

It is most satisfactory to me that I am not obliged to lay before your high mightinesses a more unfavourable statement of the finances of the kingdom, notwithstanding the extraordinary expenditures which are the necessary consequence of the disasters which befel us at the beginning of the year. The accounts of the revenue which will, ere long, be laid before your assembly, are such as will justify me in giving a further relief to my beloved subjects by reducing the taxes.

The operations of the sinking fund will, without doubt, in a short time further the possibility of completely liquidating the national debt.

The Netherlands mint supply is regular.

The calling in, and the putting out of circulation of the French

coins, are brought to a close by the last regulations, without on any point having given real cause for complaint.

The issuing of new coins goes on steadily; and, for the greater convenience of common use, and much wishing it, I propose to lay before you a plan for increasing our series of gold coins, by adding one additional kind.

The industrious application of the states' commission to the framing of the National code of law, will afford me an opportunity of again laying before your assembly an important measure of legislation.

Several other subjects will require the attention of your high mightinesses during your present sitting. I open it with the persuasion that it will not in any degree tend less to the good of the country than former sessions. I experience the most heartfelt satisfaction at the manner in which our countrymen confide with true love in us, and support the throne of the Netherlands; and thus supported, high and mighty Sirs, our united efforts, under the support of God, and the continued blessing of peace, cannot fail to promote the glory of our beloved country.

With the greatest joy I hail the long-wished for moment when I could assemble the people of my much-beloved kingdom of Hungary about my throne, to consult with you on the best means of promoting the welfare of the country, and by the solemn coronation of the queen, my most beloved consort, to unite a faithful people, as it were by a new bond, still closer to my heart.

Important events have taken place since we last met here. The most sanguinary wars had to be waged in order to obtain for Europe the enjoyment of the peace which it had so long desired in vain. During the whole continuance of this struggle, I, for my own person, have thought no fatigue too great-have shunned no cares no exertions which I thought calculated to protect the rights of my kingdom, and to leave the honour of the monarchy, in

herited from my ancestors, and the dignity of the crown which I wear, unimpaired to my successors.

And my honest exertions were not fruitless-they were crowned by happy victories, and the wishedfor termination of the evils of war. I openly declare, that this must be ascribed first of all to God, the arbiter of all fates, and then to the love and fidelity of my peoplethe unshaken perseverance of the allied monarchs-the valour of my armies-and, lastly, the sacrifices which my subjects have made with so much perseverance, and to their eternal honour.

What share Hungary took, with what zeal it has proved its fidelity, its attachment, and that innate elevation of mind which has always been distinguished as the support of the throne, and the inheritance of your fathers, is proved by deeds which gratitude has engraven on my heart in imperishable characters.

But while by the happy success of my arms the monarchy was preserved and the possibility obtained of re-uniting with the kingdom of Hungary the countries that had been torn from it, the people subject to my sceptre have, in the most recent times, obtained a glorious victory of another kind -a victory which will produce for them and their posterity the most salutary fruits. All of them, and among them my Hungarians, have repelled from them that dangerous spirit which has plunged several countries in Europe into the greatest distresses; justly considering that hope built on the wisdom of the Almighty, and inviolable fidelity to the sovereign, confirmed by reciprocal confidence, and the scrupulous observance of the ancient institutions, which are consecrated by age and the experience of many centuries, constitute their true fidelity and an immoveable barrier under all circumstances.

It is evident to every body that the finances of the state must have made many and great sacrifices in the vicissitudes of the late years. But a system matured by long discussion introduced with firmness, and prosecuted with unwearied zeal, has in a manner now created and confirmed public credit, and already healed many wounds. It remains for a prudent legislation to heal the remainder, and to consolidate the permanent welfare of Hungary.

I ask from you nothing but zeal for your own good; but I expect from your wisdom, fathers of the country, that you will propose the means best adapted to obtain it, which will not fail either of producing their desired effect, or of gaining the entire approbation of me, your king. If, animated solely by zeal for the general good, you will join your efforts with mine to promote the lasting prosperity of the kingdom, and thus to merit the grateful remembrance of posterity. The certain hope of continued peace greatly favours those salutary deliberations: there is besides another reason for engaging in them without delay. My age advances, and the days of mortals are in the hand of the Almighty. But I ardently wish to live long enough to enjoy the happy confidence that I leave to my successors, and to the Hungarians themselves, my dearly beloved children, your prosperity increased by civil laws and ordinances, which shall at the same time strengthen the constitution of the kingdom.

Lastly, the faithful estates will perceive, from the propositions which I herewith present to them, that my paternal views are solely directed to the good of the state, and to the interest of all the inhabitants of my kingdom of Hungary; and I assure you of my imperial and royal favour and affection.

events had produced a general agitation in Europe, which threatened the welfare of all nations. I have

desired to have time for opinions to become fixed, and for the passions to become more cool. Your third meeting has been deferred; but this delay I am certain will have the good result of more effectually preparing your labours, and it is with real pleasure and with feelings of that regard of which I have already given you so many proofs that I am now again among you. In the period that has elapsed since the last diet, faithful to my duties, and to the resolutions which I announced to you, as soon as I perceived the germ of destruction, I have opposed its developement. In order to consolidate my work, to ensure its duration, and to afford you the peaceable enjoyment of the fruits expected from it, I have added an article to the constitution of the kingdom. This measure, which prevents every necessity of exercising an influence in the elections of the deputies, or in your deliberations, proves the interest I feel in the consolidation of your constitution. This is the only object that I aim at attaining by the measure I have adopted; and the Poles, I am convinced, will duly appreciate this object and the measures employed to attain it.

spects, great results have been attained. The national debt is near to being wholly paid. Two conventions determine the share of this debt which is to be borne by Austria and Prussia. A new law on the finances will soon determine all revenues and expenditure of the state. A ruinous deficiency had endangered your dearest interests: it has vanished. The excess of the revenue shall be spontaneously employed in paying off the national debt.

Negotiations with the court of Berlin to regulate the commercial relations between Poland and Prussia have been crowned with the happiest success by a series of friendly regulations, which serve as the basis of my relations with my ally. The convention ratified by me opens new channels to your foreign commerce. Your trade with Russia daily becomes more active and extensive. The facilities afforded to trade are doubly salutary, by the mutual prosperity which it promotes, and the new bonds which it creates to unite the two nations.

My special attention has been directed to the debts with which private estates are burthened. A plan will be laid before you for an association of the land-owners. It is the result of many discussions, and of the opinion of your Waiwodes.

Religion, the source of all virtues, the indispensable basis of all human institutions, seems to require the revisal of a part of your civil code. A committee chosen from among yourselves has undertaken this important task, and the project of the first book which it has discussed will be communicat

My thoughts will accompany

you in the performance of your functions, and you will find me ready to accept the improvements proposed to me, but resolved to refuse every concession that can be injurious to your prosperity.

Representatives of the kingdom of Poland! Free from all influence, may you proceed calmly to

your labours. The future fate of your country is in your hands. Consider only its welfare, its real advantage; render it all the services that it expects from your assembly, and second me in the accomplishment of the wishes which I have never ceased to cherish for it.

Representatives of the kingdom of Poland,-Your third session offers results on which I cannot sufficiently congratulate you. You have deliberated with calmness and prudence, fulfilled the expectations of your country, and justified my confidence.

Religion has received from you a legitimate and judicious homage. Its rights have been reconciled with the institutions and forms, the maintenance of which was required by the public interest; and the first book of your new civil code has laid down the bases of a system of legislation appropriated to the state, the wants, and the manners of the society which it is to govern. Your future meetings will finish this important work.

In the laws on mortgages, and in several parts of your penal code, experience had pointed out some inconveniences: you have removed them.

Your long misfortunes had burthened landed property with debts: this property, the real support of the state, required an indispensable relief. You have felt the necessity of assisting it. The obstacles which might check the developement of the law on the territorial association will be remov

ed; and by means of its influence, of the active solicitude which will direct its execution, of the particular assistance which the government has guaranteed for cases in which even the benefits of the law would be insufficient, you will, as I love to believe, see the last traces of your misfortunes effaced.

I have readily adopted all the amendments which you have proposed to me. On your side you have adopted all the projects of law which I had laid before you, This exchange of wishes and information-this mutual agreement, the only means of confirming the institutions which you enjoy-are at once the chief object, and the essential advantage of them.

To cement so happy an union-... to keep up the communications of which it is the fruit, in the interval which will elapse till the next diet a committee, taken from your own body, will continue to take part in drawing up the projects of law.

You have presented several wishes to me: I will take them all into consideration, and you will learn the motives, the decisions which I shall make respecting them: they shall be complied with, as far as circumstances will allow.