Countries, and the house of Orange from the greatest dangers." The governors of the provinces were instructed to prepare the militia for active service, with all possible despatch, and to make such other preparations, as were necessary to meet the present crisis in the national affairs. Van Maanen, the man who had been the principal cause of all the disturbances, was re-instated in office, and publicly told that all his services had redounded to the honor and prosperity of the nation. In every movement, in every act, the king evinced a determination to reject every proposal for an accommodation, which would derogate from the dignity of his crown, or change the past administration of his gov

ernment.

Under such circumstances, it was politic in the people of Belgium to persist in the establishment of their independence. In no other way could they be assured of a redress of their manifold grievances and in no other way could they so readily produce the conviction that they had been in earnest in their solicitations. At first, they would have been satisfied with a reform of manifest abuses; afterwards, with a separation of the government into two administrations ;-but now they were determined on achieving their independence.

CHAPTER V.

Progress of the revolution-Prince of Orange retires from Antwerp-Proclamation -Revolt of the citizens of Antwerp-Battle of the 26th, and 27th of October-Rctreat of the Dutch to the citadel-Bombardment of the town-Letter of the govern. or to the Dutch general-Convention for the suspension of hostilities-Meeting of the Belgiau congress--Preliminary proceedings-Important provisions of the new constitution-Majority of the congress in favor of monarchy-Union of the priests and nobles-Candidates for the throne-Exclusion of the prince of Orange-Duke of Leuchtenberg-French king opposes his election-Duke of Nemours chosen king-Popular rejoicings--Proclamatton of the magistrates of Brussels-The king of France refuses to allow his son to become king-Belgian congress elect a regent to administer the government-Interference of the allied powers-Protocol requiring an armistice-Protocol defining limits-Objection cf the congress and of the regent- Settlement of difficulties-Definitive arrangements-Leopold of Saxe-Coburg elected king-General remarks.

NOTWITHSTANDING the attempts of the prince of Orange to reconcile the inhabitants to his government, the popular cause gained ground daily. In almost every village and town, the people rose up against the constituted authorities, and drove them from their places of profit and power. The soldiery were compelled to lay down their arms, and submit to the influence of numbers. In several instances, they united with the people, and fought under the national banner.

By the 25th of October, the spirit of disaffection had reached the gates of Antwerp, and threatened the safety of the person of the prince. In view of his critical situation, he deemed it advisable to retire from the scene of commotion. In a proclamation, published at the time, he stated, as a reason for his departure, that he did not wish to be present while the political proceedings of the people were in issue. 66 Belgians, said he, I have endeavoured to render you every service in my power, without being able to attain the great object of my sincere efforts-the pacification of your fine provinces. You are about to deliberate

on the general interests of the country in the national congress, which is on the point of meeting. I feel, that I have in every thing dependent on me, up to the present moment, fulfilled all my duties towards you, and am now about to perform another and most painful duty. I am going to retire to a distance, and wait the issue of the political proceedings of Belgium. But, whether far off, or near, my thoughts remain with you, and I shall ever endeavour to contribute to your real welfare. Inhabitants of Antwerp ! you have during my stay among you, given me so many proofs of your attachment, that I hope to return in better times, to concur with you in promoting the prosperity of your admirable city."

At the time this proclamation was issued, the popular forces were within a short distance of Antwerp. On the day before, general Mellinet had expected a juncture of his troops, with those under lieutenant colonel mellon, near the small village of Berchem. The whole of the 25th of October was passed in skirmishing with the outposts of the Dutch army, to the great loss of men on both sides.

On the morning of the 26th, the population of Antwerp rose in a mass, and began an attack upon their enemies. About two o'clock in the afternoon, fifty armed citizens proceeded to the grand square, where they found three hundred Dutchmen with a detachment of the communal guards. They immediately attacked the soldiers, and, in a half hour, compelled them to retire from the place. They then proceeded to the different posts of the town, and continued fighting with the utmost determination till night, but with no other result than the loss of a great many men, in killed and wounded.

Before day break of the morning of the 27th, the battle re-commenced with increased fury. By seven o'clock, the citizens were masters of the gates Rouge, and Bogerhout. At this time the volunteers from the country, entered the

town, and were received with the greatest enthusiasm. The citizens hastened to the gate St. George, whither the Dutch troops had retired, and, after an obstinate engagement, compelled them to retire from their position. The Dutch forces retreated to the citadel, hotly pursued by the citizens, who remained in sole possession of the town.

Negociations were now entered into; and a suspension of arms took place until two o'clock in the afternoon, when a company of the volunteers very imprudently fired a few musket shots at the ships, stationed opposite the porte. This was the signal for the bombardment. The black flag was immediately hoisted on the citadel, and a horrible cannonading was commenced, which continued without interruption till eleven o'clock at night. Red hot balls, and shells flew in every direction, setting fire to the houses, shops and public buildings. During the whole time the citizens were obliged to remain inactive spectators of the scene, or, at most, employ themselves in rendering their assistance to extinguish the flames. The destruction of property was immense, and fell heavily upon all classes of the community.

At ten o'clock in the evening, a deputation of the principal citizens proceeded to the citadel, and proposed to general Chasse, the commander, a suspension of hostilities, They were the bearers of the following letter of T. de Robiano, governor of the province of Antwerp.

"The continued firing from the citadel on the town, without injuring in any degree the Belgian army, is a direct outrage of the laws of humanity, by the destruction of so great a number of innocent victims; and is so entirely at variance with all modern ideas of civilazation, and the usages of European nations, that we have willingly authorized the inhabitants of the town, which was so flourishing in the morning, to demand of the commandant of the citadel a suspension of the firing, till to-morrow, when the ne

gociations may be resumed, which were broken off this afternoon, only in consequence of the misconduct of some intoxicated individuals."

General Chasse consented to discontinue the firing on condition that his troops were not fired upon; but at the same time declared, that if this were renewed, he would re-commence the bombardment of the town. He, moreover requested that a commission, named by the provisional government, might be sent to the citadel for the purpose of resuming the negociation. This request was complied with; and, on the following day, a convention was entered into for the cessation of all further hostilities.

The battle of Antwerp, was fought at a great sacrifice of blood and treasure; and reflected little honor upon the character of the Dutch soldiers. The bombardment of the town was a wanton exercise of power, and may be justly ranked among the inhuman acts of a barbarous age. Humanity weeps over such scenes of desolation as were enacted on that occasion, and heaps upon their actors an eternal load of infamy. Fortunately, however, for the Belgians, this was the last bloody act in the short drama of their revolution. Although hostilities did not entirely cease, until Belgium was proclaimed an independent power by the governments of Europe, they were always limited to slight skirmishes, productive of little injury to either of the belligerent parties.

The elections having been completed, the national congress assembled in the former hall of the states-general, at the time designated by the members of the provisional government. Their first sitting was marked by great form and ceremony. A salute of twelve guns announced the opening of the session; the military were ranged in front of the palace and on the streets leading to it; a band of music played various marches, including the Marseilles hymn; an immense crowd filled all the avenues. There