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displayed at the installation of the universities, from which he expects the happiest results for the whole kingdom.

His Majesty concludes his speech in the following terms.

"Thus the number of objects is considerable on which we can look with satisfaction; and we can with the more tranquillity attend to the means of extricating ourselves from temporary difficulties which were independent of the human will. But the surest pledge of this is sought by the nation in the cordial operation of the King and the States General. Neither I nor your High Mightinesses, whose sentiments and example have so powerful an influence, will disappoint its confidence; and the further confirmation of a social system, founded on principles of liberty and order, will be, with the blessing of God, the reward as well as the fruit, of our indefatigable efforts."

The following royal declaration respecting the tea-trade in Holland will probably be regarded as a curious document, and may be viewed as a dangerous inroad upon the price of that article in a neighbouring country.

DUTCH TEA-TRADE.

We, William, by the grace of God, &c. having taken into our consideration the existing differences in the laws respecting the tea-trade, as they apply to the two principal divisions of the kingdom, judge it expedient that the same ought to be uniform; and seeing that the law of the 23d of March, 1815, for the establishment in our northern provinces of

an exclusive company for the trade to China, has not been attended with the results which were expected; but that, so far from our mercantile or trading subjects having subscribed for shares in the said company, in the books which have now been fully two years open for that purpose, they have expressed a general wish that the trade in the article of tea should be thrown open :

So we having heard our Council of State, and with the common consent of the States-General, have thought proper and resolved, and by these presents do think proper and resolve,

1st. That all the laws now in being relative to the tea-trade shall be, and the same are hereby, withdrawn and abolished.

2d. That the holders of shares in the aforesaid exclusive company shall be immediately reimbursed the amount paid on their respective subscriptions, together with the interest, at the rate of five per cent. per annum, from the day on which they were received until that of payment.

3d. That under the following regulations the general law of the 3d of October, 1816, for the levying of duties on imports and exports, shall from henceforward apply to tea, and that every individual shall be permitted to import tea into this kingdom, and have the uncontrolled possession thereof, immediately after the payment of the duties thereon; that is to say,

On Bohea and low Congou tea, florins 8 per 100lb.

On all other kinds of tea florins 16 per 100lb.

4th. That all teas of which proof

proof shall be given that they are imported direct and in entire cargoes from China, or the Dutch possessions in the East Indies, for the account of resident subjects, in ships built in this kingdom, the duty shall be only,

On Bohea and low Congou, florins 2 10 per 100lb.

On all other kinds 5 0 per 100lb. 5th. That Bohea and low Congou tea shall only be denominated such as are imported unmixed and in whole chests, and in which smaller chests or packages are not included.

6th. That low Congou tea, even in whole chests, shall be denominated such, if its current value here at the time of its entry shall be, or exceed one guilder per pound; and that all tea for which entry is made at the low duties, may be taken over by any officer of the revenue at 1 florin per pound, adding 12 per cent. and the duty of the tea thereto, in conformity to the 223d and 224th articles of the law of the 3d of October 1816, as far as these are applicable to the case.

7th. That with reference to direct importations of tea from China, or from the Dutch settlements in the East Indies, his Majesty shall have the faculty of extending the privileges of Dutchbuilt ships to foreign bottoms, which, after strict investigation, shall appear to be Dutch property, at the time of the promulgation of this law, and have since continued to be so.

8th. That in case ships of the above two descriptions should not offer in sufficient number, his Majesty may license for one voyage only to China, or the Dutch set

tlements in the East Indies, for the importation of a cargo of tea, but within the period of four years from the promulgation of this law, any foreign-built ships, which, at the time of commencement of such voyage, shall fully appear to be the property of Dutch subjects.

9th. That the holders of licenses granted in consequence of the resolutions of the 12th of April 1815, on the importation of tea for the periodical public sales, which were intended to have taken place before the close of the present, or during the course of the next year, the tea so already imported, or which may be imported on or before the 15th of October 1818, shall be delivered into the uncontrolled possession of the consignees or importers, upon payment only of the same duties, which, by the present law, are to be levied on tea imported direct from China, or from the Dutch settlements in the East Indies, in Dutch-built ships, for account of resident subjects.

On the payment of the same duties all teas already imported, and remaining unsold in the warehouses of the department of trade and colonies, shall be delivered to the importers.

10th. That tea exported shall be subject to the duty (called Tabelle Regt.) of one-fifth per cent. on the value, or 3 stivers per 100lb. at the option of the exporter.

11th. That transit of tea through the kingdom shall not be allowed.

12th. That in computing the duty upon tea, the tares to be allowed, provided the packages are of the usual description, shall be,

Upon

Upon chests, weighing 110lb. and upwards, 18 per cent.

Upon chests, weighing under 110lb. 25 per cent. With reservation, however, of the same remedy as is prescribed in the sixth article of the law of the 3d of October 1816, in the case of inadequate tares.

We enjoin and command, &c. Passed the Second Chamber of the States-General, on the 16th of December 1817, with a majority of 85 against 7.

SARDINIA.

(From the Piedmontese Gazette.) The King of Sardinia, by a decree of the 9th of Dec. has abolished—

1. The prohibition against the erection of primogenitures and feudal rights, enacted by the 9th section of the edict of the 29th of July 1797, or by any other law; restricting, however, to those primogenitures and majorats only which shall be erected in favour of persons to come in terms of our lavs, the capacity of establishing similar limitations, and in favour of their descendants in the male linc, leaving in force the laws enacted before the 29th of July 1797, in such matters.

2. When the person who erects such majorats, however, shall leave four children or upwards, he shall not have the power of entailing more than a third part of his patrimony; and where he shall have less than four, he shall not be able to tie up more than the half of it.

3. It shall always be allowed to the person who erects such primogenitures and majorats, to transmit through them the title of no

bility which may be conferred upon them.

4. It reserves to the sovereign the right of enacting, with regard to the Duchy of Genoa, such provisions as he may judge convenient.

This decree is introduced by a preamble, of which the following is the most important passage:

"Desirous to maintain in the class which, by their peculiar institution, stands nearest the throne, and whose especial duty it is to watch over its defence, that lustre and inheritance of glory which forms its noblest prerogative, we have determined to return to the laws that existed with regard to primogeniture before 1797. But for the same end, other and more important provisions still are required, for the abuse of titles must be restrained (which must emanate from us alone); and therefore the rules of their concession, transmission, and extinction, shall be fixed with relation to their dotation and prerogatives."

CONSTANTINOPLE.

(Letter from Constantinople, 20th June. Printed in the Hamburgh Mail.)

The representations of the Russian minister, Count Von Strogonoff, which were founded on the most reasonable and just demands of Russia, seem not to have led to any thing decisive in the Divan. The influence of the Grand Vizier over the Reis-Effendi and the Tefterdar had hindered it. The Sultan, who, on the other hand, earnestly desired a good understanding with Russia, addressed on the 3d of March to the Grand Vizier the following energetic and remarkable rescript:

66 HALTI

HALTI-SHERIF.

"There have been many and long deliberations already held upon the note which the Russian Ambassador has delivered; yet no journal of your sittings has yet been laid before us. It is now above 40 days since this business was laid before you for discussion. Why have you not come to any resolution upon it? From this delay we must believe that you employ yourselves in your sittings only in things of no consequence. Will you then wait till the Russian Ambassador is angry, and proceeds to threats? If you believe that war is unavoidable, think on the means of defence show us minutely the necessary causes of war, and the extent of the resources which you will employ. But on the other hand, if time and circumstance do not allow us to undertake a war, prevent the discontent of the Russian Ambassador as soon as possible by a suitable answer."

The impression which this rescript made on the Divan was easily to be foreseen. It gave oc

casion to a second, which was in the following terms:

"As my Ministers, after mature consideration of all the circumstances, have considered it necessary to give up all thoughts of war, and to embrace the wise part of reconciliation, it is absolutely necessary that the conferences should be immediately opened, and that the note in question should be delivered without delay by the Reis Effendi to the Russian Ambassador; but the greatest care must be taken that this note be well and clearly drawn up; and not like the first, in which there was no sense at all, in order to give Russia to understand that it is our intention to arrange matters amicably."

The inclination of the Grand Seignor to peace, and this decisive language, were sufficient to cause the fall of the opposite party. The Grand Vizier received a severe reprimand; but his instrument, the Reis Effendi, was disgraced, and his office given to the Djanil Effendi, a man who has already frequently filled that place.

CHAP

CHAPTER XIV.

America, North and South.—Message to the Senate and House of Representatives from President Madison.—Votes taken for President and VicePresident.-Monroe chosen for the former Office, and his Speech.— Second Speech, on December the 2d.—State of Spanish Affairs.

N the 3d of February the fol

by the Senate and House of Representatives, from the President of the United States :

"The Government of Great Britain, induced by the posture of the relations with the United States which succeeded the conclusion of the recent commercial convention, issued an order on the 17th day of August, 1815, discontinuing the discriminating duties payable in British ports on American vessels and their cargoes. It was not until the 22d of December following that a correspondent discontinuance of discriminating duties on British vessels and their cargoes in American ports, took effect, under the authority vested in the executive by the act of March 1816. During the period between these two dates there was consequently a failure of reciprocity or equality in the existing regulations of the two countries. I recommend to the consideration of Congress the expedience of paying to the British Government the amount of the duties remitted, during the period in question, to the citizens of the United States; subject to a deduction of the amount of whatever discriminating duties may have commenced in

British ports after the signature

lected previous to the 17th of August 1815.

Feb. 3, 1817. JAMES MADISON." This message was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, and ordered to be printed.

PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT.

On the 4th of February votes were taken for the choice of persons to fill the offices of President and Vice-President; when James. Monroe was declared President, and Daniel D. Tomkins, VicePresident, by a large majority.

On the same day the President was solemnly inaugurated, after which he delivered the following speech:

"I should be destitute of feeling if I was not deeply affected by the strong proof which my fellowcitizens have given me of their confidence, in calling me to the high office whose functions I am about to assume. As the expression of their good opinion of my conduct in the public service, I derive from it a gratification, which those who are conscious of having done all they could to merit it, can alone feel. My sensibility is increased by a just estimate of the importance of the trust, and of the nature and extent of its duties:

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