178

FOREIGJV‘.

In a previous column. the Atlas of the 4th says, we give the substance of the pro- tocol, No. 70, agreed to by the conference of London, on the first of October, 1832, which has just been made public, and which throws a new light upon the affairs of Bel- gium. By this document it appears that France and England have determined to make war upon Holland, in the event of her continued occupation of Antwerp, and that for every week from the 15th Oct, that the citadel shall be retained, the debt of Holland shall be reduced by 1,000,000 fiorins, and the debt in common of both shall no longer be deemed obligatory on the former. Austria, Russia, and Prussia, are represented as protesting against this arrangement, although their plenipotenti- aries have severally signed it ; but even in the face of this protest, France and Eng- land are stated to declare their determina- tion to carry their resolutions into effect. There have been so many conflicting proto- cols on this vexatious topic,that it is difficult to know how far we may placefaith in the pledges of any of them ; but if this last be definitive, then it is clear we go to war with Holland, and, probably, disturb the peace of Europe. The union of France and England would he formidable under any circumstances ; but the sacrifice of our own consistency, independent of the perils with which it is likely to be attended in o- ther respects, renders its policy at this juncture very doubtful.

It is curious that within a month or six weeks, the national assemblies of those countries that at this moment engross al- most the undivided attention of the conti- nent will have been convened. so that we may fairly anticipate the speedy settle- ment of some questions that agitate the whole of Europe. The States-General of Holland Opened on the 18th October. The Belgian Senate commences its session on the 9th of November. The French Cham- bers are convoked for the 19th of the same month ; and in December the general elec- tion will commence, preparatory to the meeting of the English Parliament.

France is busy with preparation. She prepares her armies and her fleets, her Parliament and her diplomatic corps ; her all is preparation, but every thing stands still in the meanwhile.

The Herald of this morning has a letter from its correspondent at Portsmouth, da— ted Thursday, from which we learn that that day ‘ at half past eleven o’clock, a French corvette arrived at Spithead from Cherbourg, under a salute from the ships in the harbour,and took up a position close behind the Donegal. The two English and two French frigates which were to have sailed yesterday evening, still remain at Spithead, waiting further orders from the Admiralty, and in the meantime Sir Pulte- ney Malcolm proceeded to London last

ITHE BRITISH AMERICAN

night at nine o’clock.’ Admiral Villenuve is not to act under the orders of Sir Malcolm. that'point is given up, and the fleets are to act independently of each 0— ther. The anticipated consequence is, that though there is a junction between them, there can neither be unity nor concert in their operations—1b.

The New Conference. -The Ministers of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, no longer attend the Conference ; they hold a Cabi- net of their own at each others houses. On two occasions they have occupied hours in discussion. Immediately after each break- ing up, messengers are despatched by ex- press to their respective governments.

We are assured that Prussia is firm in her determination to afford no assistance to the King of Holland, in case he should pro- voke hostilities by his refusal to give up the citadel of Antwerp: and, as a proof of the sincerity of her professions, we are inform- ed that no Prussian forces are assembled on the frontier. We have reason to be- lieve, on the other hand, that it is the firm resolution of France, in which the Belgians will naturally concur, not to be induced by any provocation from his Dutch Majesty to invade any of the positions secured to him by the treaty of November.—-Globe

A private letter from Hague says,— “Despatches from London were received by the Dutch Government on Sunday and Tuesday. The British legation received the despatches brought over by the govern- ment steam-packet the Lightning. The British and French legrtions have address- ed to the Dutch government a peremptory summons to surrender the citadel of Ant- werp. A Cabinet Councilsat on Tuesday, and though very rarely any thing transpires of the deliberations of Cabinet Councils here held, and although the contents of the reply have not yetbeen formally resolved upon, I am assured that measures were taken into consideration at that Council, of a nature to prove still more effectually the determined resolution of perseverance.”

From Rotterdam, we learn that “among the measures for putting our second line of defence in a proper condition, preparations are making to inundate the country, if ne- cessary. The works are already so far ad- vanced that in very short time a great part of the Province of North Barbant, may be laid under water.”

The Southampton, Vernon, and Castor, have this moment got under weigh, as have also the two French frigates, Medea and Resolu. The wind is quite favorable, and the several vessels are now in full sail for the Downs. The English ships are in front, followed at a short distance by the French frigates.

Combined Fleets of England and France. —-—The corps to compose the French army for the assistance of Belgium have been already advanced to the northern frontier

P. general-in-chief has been appointed; and

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of France ; the field marshal who is to be

the expedition by a telegraphic order,might in four or five days, be before Antwerp, or within sight of the Dutch lines.— Times.

The Albion of Friday gives the answer of the Plenipotentiaries of Russia, to the official communication of the convention between England and France :—The Plen. ipotentiaries of Russia, act in conformity with the express directions of the Emperor their master, in making the following de- claration. The adoption of measures of coercion, which France and Great Britain have resolved to take against Holland, brings the circumstances of the case to that position in which the Plenipotentiaries of Russia, in virtue of the instructions with which they are furnished, and with the ten- or of which the Plenipotentiaries of the al- lied Cabinets are not unacquainted, find themselves under the necessity of retiring from the Conference. They will transmit immediately to their Court a statement of the important circumstances, which, in al- tering the character of the pacific mediati- on in which they were invited to take part, permit them no longer to associate them- selves in the labors of their colleagues. In suspending their participation in the confer- ence, the Plenipotentaries of Russia await the ulterior determination of their court, founded en the important circumstances which have made this declaration impera- tive upon them.”

Mr. Ferrier, the English Consul at Rot- terdam, has given official warning to Cap- tains of English vessels in the waters of Holland, to accelerate their departure. The Batavier steam-vessel, whose owners are Dutch, has been detained at Rotter- dam, by order of the Government; but whether for the purpose of conveying hith- er the King’s answer to the requisition to evacuate Antwerp, or to aid in an attempt at resisting it, is not known.

Sir Pulteney Malcolm had a long confer- ence on Friday night with Prince Talley— rand, at which the difficulties that existed relative to the mode in which the fleets of France and England are to he commanded, were satisfactorily removed.

The following remarks, from the Age, will assist our readers to understand the present state of the Belgian affair.»

Whether the war is to be a farce or tra- gedy, it has advanced another act in the course of the week. \Villiam of Nassau has shewn a spirit worthy of his ancient and honorable house, by answering deti- ance with defianCe. He has broken of communication with England, and, as Sir Walter Srott would say, has “bound him for the fight.”

There are two ways of accounting for what he has hitherto done, each of whit: has its partizans. All agree, however,m the main fact, that the Batavier has been