displayed at the installation of the an exclusive company for the universities, from which he ex- trade to China, has not been atpects the happiest results for the tended with the results which whole kingdom.

were expected; but that, so far His Majesty concludes his speech from our mercantile or trading in the following terms.

subjects having subscribed for “ Thus the number of objects shares in the said company, in the is considerable on which we can books which have now been fully look with satisfaction; and we two years open for that purpose, can with the more tranquillity at they have expressed a general tend to the means of extricating wish that the trade in the article ourselves from temporary difficul- of tea should be thrown open : ties which were independent of So we having heard our Counthe human will. But the surest cil of State, and with the common pledge of this is sought by the consent of the States-General, nation in the cordial operation of have thought proper and resolved, the King and the States General. and by these presents do think Neither 1 nor your High Mighti- proper and resolve, nesses, whose sentiments and ex- Ist. That all the laws now in ample have so powerful an in- being relative to the tea-trade fluence, will disappoint its con- shall be, and the same are hereby, fidence; and the further confir- withdrawn and abolished. mation of a social system, founded 20. That the holders of shares on principles of liberty and order, in the aforesaid exclusive company will be, with the blessing of God, shall be immediately reimbursed the reward as well as the fruit, of the amount paid on their respecvur indefatigable efforts."

tive subscriptions, together with The following royal declaration the interest, at the rate of five per respecting the tea-trade in Holland cent. per annum, from the day on will probably be regarded as a which they were received until curious document, and may be that of payment. viewed as a dangerous inroad upon 3d. That under the following the price of that article in a neigh- regulations the general law of the bouring country.

proof shall be given that they are tlements in the East Indies, for imported direct and in entire car- the importation of a cargo of tea, goes from China, or the Dutch but within the period of four years possessions in the East Indies, for from the promulgation of this law, the account of resident subjects, any foreign-built ships, which, at in ships built in this kingdom, the the time of commencement of duty shall be only,

such voyage, shall fully appear to On Bohea and low Congou, be the property of Dutch subflorins 2 10 per 100lb.

jects. On all other kinds 5 0 per 100lb. 9th. That the holders of li

5th. That Bohea and low Con- censes granted in consequence of gou tea shall only be denominated the resolutions of the 12th of April such as are iinported unmixed and 1815, on the importation of tea in whole chests, and in which for the periodical public sales, smaller chests or packages are not which were intended to have taken included.

place before the close of the pre6th That low Congou tea, even sent, or during the course of the in whole chests, shall be denomi- next year, the tea so already imnated such, if its current value ported, or which may be imported here at the time of its entry shall on or before the 15th of October be, or exceed one guilder per 1818, shall be delivered into the pound; and that all tea for which uncontrolled possession of the entry is made at the low duties, consignees or importers, upon

' may be taken over by any officer payment only of the same duties, of the revenue at i florin per which, by the present law, are to pound, adding 12 per cent, and be levied on tea imported direct the duty of the tea thereto, in con- from China, or from the Dutch formity to the 2!3d and 224th settlements in the East Indies, in articles of the law of the 3d of Dutch-built ships, for account of October 1816, as far as these are resident subjects. applicable to the case.

On the payment of the same 7th. That with reference to duties all teas already imported, direct importations of tea from and remaining unsold in the wareChina, or from the Dutch settle- houses of the department of trade ments in the East Indies, his Ma- and colonies, shall be delivered to jesty shall have the faculty of ex- the importers. tending the privileges of Dutch- 10th. That tea exported shall built ships to foreign bottoms, be subject to the duty (called Tawhich, after strict investigation, belle Regt.) of one-fifth per cent. shall appear to be Dutch property, on the value, or 3} stivers per at the time of the promulgation of 100lb. at the option of the exthis law, and have since continued porter. to be so.

11th. That transit of tea through 8th. That in case ships of the the kingdom shall not be allowed. above two descriptions should not 12th. That in computing the offer in sufficient number, his Ma- duty upon tea, the tares to be aljesty may license for one voyage "lowed, provided the packages are only to China, or the Dutch set- of the usual description, shall be,

Upon

Upon chests, weighing 110lb. bility which may be conferred upand upwards, 18 per cent.

on them. Upon chests, weighing under 4. It reserres to the sorereign 110lb. 25 per cent. With reser- the right of enacting, with regard vation, however, of the same to the Duchy of Genoa, such proremedy as is prescribed in the visions as he may judge convenient. sixth article of the law of the 3d This decree is introduced by a of October 1816, in the case of preamble, of which the following inadequate tares.

is the most important passage:We enjoin and command, &c. “ Desirous to maintain in the Passed the Second Chamber of class which, by their peculiar inthe States - General, on the 16th of stitution, stands nearest the throne, December 1817, with a majority and whose especial duty it is to of 85 against 7.

watch over its defence, that lustre

and inheritance of glory which SARDINIA.

forms its noblest prerogative, we

have determined to return to the (From the Piedmontese Gazette.)

laws that existed with regard to The King of Sardinia, by a primogeniture before 1797. But decree of the 9th of Dec. 'has for the same end, other and more abolished

important provisions still are re1. The prohibition against the quired, for the abuse of titles must erection of primogenituresand feu- be restrained (which must emadal rights, enacted by the 9th sec- nate from us alone); and theretion of the edict of the 29th of fore the rules of their concession, July 1797, or by any other law; transmission, and extinction, shall restricting, however, to those pri- be fixed with relation to their domogenitures and majorats only tation and prerogatives." which shall be erected in favour of persons to come in terms of our

CONSTANTINOPLE. lavys, the capacity of establishing similar limitations, and in favour

(Letter from Constantinople, 20th June. of their descendants in the male

Printed in the Hamburgh Mail.) line, leaving in force the laws

The representations of the Rusenacted before the 29th of Julysian minister, Count Von Strogo1797, in such matters.

noff, which were founded on the 2. When the person who erects most reasonable and just demands such majorats, however, shall leave of Russia, seem not to have led to four children or upwards, he shall any thing decisive in the Divan. not have the power of entailing The influence of the Grand Vizier more than a third part of his pa- over the Reis-Effendi and the trimony; and where he shall have Tefterdar had hindered it. The less than four, he shall not be able Sultan, who, on the other hand, to tie up more than the half of it. earnestly desired a good under

3. It shall always be allowed to standing with Russia, addressed the person who erects such primo- on the 3d of March to the Grand genitu res and majorats, to trans- Vizier the following energetic and mit though them the title of no- remarkable rescript:

a

casion to a second, which was in HALTI-SHERIF.

the following terms: “ There have been

many

and “ As my Ministers, after mature long deliberations already held consideration of all the circumupon the note which the Russian stances, have considered it necesAmbassador has delivered ; yet no sary to give up all thoughts of war, journal of your sittings has yet and to embrace the wise part of been laid before us. It is now reconciliation, it is absolutely neabove 40 days since this business cessary that the conferences should was laid before you for discussion. be immediately opened, and that Why have you not come to any the note in question should be deresolution upon it? From this de- livered without delay 'by the Reis lay we must believe that you em- Effendi to the Russian Ambassaployyourselves in your sittings only dor ; but the greatest care must in things of no consequence. Will be taken that this note be well and you then wait till the Russian Am- clearly drawn up; and not like bassador is angry, and proceeds to the first, in which there was no threats? If you believe that war sense at all, in order to give is unavoidable, think on the means Russia to understand that it is of defence : show us 'minụtely 'the our intention to arrange matters necessary causes of war, and the amicably.” extent of the resources which you The inclination of the Grand will employ. But on the other Seignor to peace, and this decisive hand, if time and circumstance do language, were sufficient to cause not allow us to undertake a'war, the fall of the opposite party. The prevent the discontent of the Rus- Grand Vizier received a severe sian Anibassador as soon as possi- reprimand; but his instrument, ble by a suitable answer." thie Reis Effendi, was disgraced,

The impression which this re- and his office given to the Djanil script made on the Divan was Effendi, a man who has already easily to be foreseen. It gave oc- frequently filled that place.

CHAP

CHAPTER XIV. . America, North and South.—Message to the Senate and House of Repre

sentatives 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- British ports after the signature

,

by the Senate and House of Re- lected previous to the 17th of presentatives, from the President August 1815. of the United States :

Feb. 3, 1917. James Madison." “ The Government of Great This message was referred to Britain, induced by the posture of the Committee of Ways and Means, the relations with the United States and ordered to be printed. which succeeded the conclusion of

PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT. the recent commercial convention, issued an order on the 17th day On the 4th of February votes of August, 1815, discontinuing were taken for the choice of perthe discriminating duties payable sons to fill the offices of President in British ports on American ves- and Vice-President; when James sels and their cargoes. It was not Monroe was declared President, until the 22d of December follow- and Daniel D. Tomkins, Viceing that a correspondent discon- President, by a large majority. tinuance of discriminating duties On the same day the President was on British vessels and their car- solemnly inaugurated, after which goes in American ports, took effect, he delivered the following speech: : under the authority vested in the “ I should be destitute of feelexecutive by the act of March ing if I was not deeply affected by 1816. During the period between the strong proof which my fellowthese two dates there was con- citizens have given me of their sequently a failure of reciprocity confidence, in calling me to the or equality in the existing regu- high office whose functions I am lations of the two countries. I re- about to assume. commend to the consideration of sion of their good opinion of my Congress the expedience of paying conduct in the public service, I to the British Government the derive from it a gratification, which amount of the duties remitted, those who are conscious of having during the period in question, to done all they could to merit it, can the citizens of the United States; alone feel. My sensibility is insubject to a deduction of the creased by a just estimate of the amountof whatever discriminating importance of the trust, and of the duties may have commenced in nature and extent of its duties :

As the expres