solemn recognition of the king and of his successors to the throne, according to the order of succession of the 26th of September. We are, therefore, ready to enter at once into the discussion of the plan of constitution, with the committee whom you have designated for that purpose; and we feel persuaded, that on your side, as on our's, not a moment will be lost in putting the last seal to the union of the two kingdoms. The king will then deposit in the midst of you the oath, which shall be to you a pledge of the principles of his government, and of his private sentiments. You will then receive the prince, who, destined to inherit one day the solicitude of his father for the kingdoms of Scandinavia, already sees his glory united to that of old Norway, and his own happiness depend upon that which he shall be able to make you enjoy. You will learn from his mouth how well he knows how to appreciate a people who feel their own value, and love their liberty."

The election of the King of Sweden by the diet took place with entire unanimity on the 4th of November, and seven of its members were deputed to convey the intelligence of this event to the Crown-prince of Sweden. When the deputies had their audience of the crown-prince, at Frederickshall, one of them, Count Wedel Jarlsberg made a speech, in which he said, that the Norwegian diet had proclaimed Charles XIII. and his heirs, according to the order of succession of the 26th of September, 1810; that thus two ancient kingdoms, which the Creator had united together, would be bound in common ties; that the happy hour was arrived in which Norwegians and Swedes could embrace as brothers who had one common father; that it had been reserved for Charles XIII. and his worthy son to accomplish the glorious work of the union; that the Norwegians greatly regretted that his majesty's weak state of health would not allow of his visiting them in this rigorous season; that they wished, therefore, that his royal highness, and his promising son, would repair to the capital of Norway, and receive the assurances of the love and allegiance of the people of Norway to their new king, and at the same time give them an opportunity of beholding a prince of such rare qualifications and distinguished virtues, who was destined one day to wear the united crowns of Norway and of Sweden.

On the 8th of November, his royal highness, accompanied by his son, Prince Oscar, set out from Frederickshall, and on the 10th repaired in state to the hall of the diet. On this occasion he delivered the following address, which is certainly remarkable for the mildness and candour of its sentiments.

"Gentlemen,-The king has seen the wishes accomplished which he has not ceased to form for

CHAP. III.

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the happiness and independence of the Scandi- BOOK XIII, navian peninsula: its two nations have abjured their long and unfortunate animosities, and in future will know no other rivalry but in their love for their common country. In concurring towards this great object, gentlemen, you have acquired sacred claims to the regard of his majesty, and to the gratitude of your fellow-citizens.

"The double glory has been reserved to the king, of seeing two free nations present to him the crown by their spontaneous and unanimous wishes. Towards the Swedes he never set up the rights of his birth; and in like manner he preferred to those claims which the most solemn treaties had given him, the titles more pleasing and dear to his heart which he might derive from your affections. The king has always wished, that the Norwegians and Swedes, as being equal in rights, should enjoy the same constitutional benefits; and the new fundamental law which you have adopted in concert with the king, will serve at once as a guarantee of your liberty, and as a proof to Europe of the liberal views and the moderation of your sovereign.

"You will reply, gentlemen, to the just confidence which he has placed in you. You will guide this faithful people, and after zealously fulfilling your functions as legislators, you will contribute by your intelligence and efforts to make that government loved which you have given yourselves.

"In order to prepare the means of doing this, it is essentially important to enlighten the nation as to its situation and prospects. It is necessary, that they should not ascribe to the new authority evils of which it was not the cause: it is necessary that the people should know in what state the king found your finances and your administration, in order that they may be able to judge impartially of the ameliorations which must be the natural fruit of his government. You will receive, gentlemen, a proposition as to the preparatory measure which will be necessary for this purpose.

"The union between Sweden and Norway is founded on our geographical position, on the national character of both states, on their mutual interest, and on the wisdom which presides over their deliberations: I add also, on the attachment which they both feel to personal liberty, to the rights of property, and to a representative government. Accordingly, may we ever remain two nations united and independent. Satisfied with the limits which nature has prescribed to us, impressed with the great truth, that beyond them there can exist no real good for us, our policy will always be that of never provoking war, but of religiously maintaining the harmony which exists with all powers. Since Providence has placed our happiness and our duties within the same cir

"Gentlemen, the duties of the extraordinary assembly of Sterthing being concluded, I announce to you, in the name of the king, and by virtue of the power which gives to his majesty the constitutional compact, that the session is terminated; in returning to your peaceful babitations, each of you, strong in the testimony of his conscience, and happy in having insured the independence of your country, and the liberty of your fellow-citizens, will always remember that union and order constitute the force of a state, and that its existence and prosperity require the submission of all individuals to the sacred commands of the law. The first duty of a prince is, to cause this sovereign of kings and of people to be religiously respected. The ancient inhabitants of the North have never conferred the title of good on mildness destitute of energy. Shew yourselves the worthy descendants of those respectable ancestors! Like them, make the good of your country the object of your lives; like them, teach your children that the most sure guarantee of their rights is the scrupulous discharge of their duties. Resume the functions which you have quitted, to answer to the call of public confidence. The fear of God is the only one that free men ought to acknowledge. May it be the companion of your labours and the rule of your actions! Goodness will dwell in the midst of you, and the liberty of Scandinavia will be as imperishable as its mountains.

"May God watch over the king, and protect his two kingdoms, and retain you, gentlemen, in his holy and worthy keeping."

In reply to this speech, the president of the diet said, "The important transactions, ever-memorable in the annals of the North, for which this extraordinary diet was assembled, are terminated, and in consequence the diet is closed, by order of the king.

"It was with circumspection, and not without anxiety, that the representatives of the Norwegian people proceeded in their deliberations; and that they decreed the union which has been so happily concluded between Norway and Sweden. They knew not, they could not know, the intentions of the king; and the business before them was a resolution which decided the fate of the present generation, and of generations to come. The king transmitted to them propositions founded on an acknowledgment of the rights of the nation; they were presented by respectable men, whose appearance inspired confidence, whose mode of acting gained the complete esteem and approbation of the deputies. A mutual solicitude for the glory and prosperity of the two kingdoms has produced the union; concord and reciprocal cares will consolidate it; such are our wishes, such are our hopes.

"Your royal highness, during your residence

1814.

amongst us, has given us unequivocal proofs of BOOK XIII. your regard for the rights of the nation, of your solicitude for its glory and felicity. You have been CHAP. III. able to judge for yourself that rectitude, moderation, and firmness, are the principal traits of the national character. Important occupations now recal your royal highness to the country of our brethren. May you and your son, the hereditary prince, who excites such high hopes, condescend to be the interpreter to our king and common father, of the sentiments, the wishes, and the hopes of the nation, and be pleased to assist him in maintaining its rights. Convinced of this truth, that whosoever forms his resolution with wisdom and prudence, afterwards persists in it with unalterable firmness, be pleased, sir, to assure the king, that he has acquired a people whose attachment and fidelity it will depend upon himself to render immovable.

"Be pleased, also, sir, to inform the faithful Swedish nation, that the northern and western frontiers of Sweden are inhabited by a nation of brothers, who in future will only labour for the happiness, the security, and the glory of the two countries.

"Colleagues and fellow-citizens! We return to our homes to devote ourselves to our peaceful employments. Guided by the love of our country, we have decreed the union of Norway with Sweden. As good patriots, we will co-operate with unalterable constancy towards its confirmation. We will explain to our fellow-citizens the equitable intentions of government, and will not omit to point out to them that they have with the king a friend and intercessor, who will watch over their liberty and independence—a hero who is their best safeguard.

"Sir, when you shall return to Norway, which we hope will be seen, and that our hopes will be confirmed, the happy Norwegians, full of joy, will press in crowds around your steps, and will present to you the most sincere testimonies of their affection and attention."

The diet afterwards broke up; and the crownprince returned to Sweden. The following is the substance of the alterations which were made in the Norwegian constitution:

Art. 1. Norway is an hereditary kingdom, free, independent, and indivisible, united with Sweden under the authority of a king. The form of government is a moderate monarchy. 5. Jews continue excluded.

6. The inheritance of the crown is regulated by the laws of succession established in Sweden, on the 25th of September, 1810.

7. When there is no prince in the line of suc cession, the king may propose his successor at the same time to the states of Norway and Sweden. If the proposal is accepted, the representa

9. The king arrives at years of majority in Norway at the same time as in Sweden.

11. The coronation takes place at Christiania or at Trondheim.

12. The king every year passes some time in Norway, unless prevented by great obstacles.

13. The council of state, which the king nominates, is composed of a viceroy or governorgeneral, a minister of state, and at least seven members.

14. In the king's absence the internal government is directed by the viceroy and five counsellors of state. The viceroy has two voices. During the king's presence, the functions of the viceroy cease, and he is only first counsellor of state. None but the crown-prince or his son can be viceroys. The powers attached to that office, can only be exercised during a fixed period. The governor-general may be either Norwegian or Swede; but the counsellors of state must be Norwegians.

15. The king has constantly with him the Norwegian minister of state and two counsellors, who are to be changed every year. They are

present at the resolves of the king respecting Norway.

25. The king has the supreme command of the forces by sea and land; yet he cannot, without the consent of the diet, send troops to the service of foreign powers, or introduce foreign troops into the kingdom, except as auxiliaries in case of in

vasion.

34. The Norwegian minister of state, and the two counsellors of state, have seats in the Swedish council of state, and may deliver their opinions on questions interesting to both kingdoms.

58. The diet meets every five years, in the be ginning of February, in the capital, or any other city of the kingdom.

63. The king appoints the speakers of the two chambers.

69. A resolution adopted by three legal diets shall have the force of law, even should the king not assent thereto, provided it be not contrary to the letter or the spirit of the constitution..

70. The diet does not remain assembled more than three months, without permission of the king.

82. The king will propose to the representatives of the two nations a law, to the effect that Norwegians and Swedes may reciprocally obtain the rights of citizenship in Sweden and Norway. 99. All subjects are alike liable to military ser vice until the age of twenty-five years.

Or all the states on the continent of Europe, which had been delivered from the military despotism of France, none excited such a deep and universal interest as the transactions which took place in Spain this year. Although the return of Ferdinand VII. to his kingdom was hailed by the general voice of Spain, yet it was early remarked that the unanimity was only external, and that factions were brooding which would shortly in

volve the country in all the evils of civil discord. "We cannot conceal it;" said the Spanish paper, entitled The Conciso, " two parties exist in Spain. The one consists of those who love and support the political reforms which have taken place; the other, of those who either oppose, or bypocritically pretend to cherish them." The writer then goes on to say, that for more than twenty months, the enemies of reform.endeavoured, under the pre

text of religion, to stigmatize its promoters with the appellation of heretics, atheists, and deists; and finding that this did not answer their purpose they added the titles of jacobins and republicans, and propagated the belief, that those who had planned a constitutional monarchy wished to leave a king out of the scheme. He further observes, that the persons disaffected to the new constitution had formed a junction with the Frenchified party; and that they would doubtless attempt to instil into the minds of Ferdinand notions which had brought ruin upon Charles IV. and Maria Louisa. If the Conciso, as being, under the influence of the Cortes, bore somewhat of the stamp of a party paper, it is certain that events too well verified the statement and prediction here made.

The arrival of Ferdinand at Valencia in April has been already observed in our last book. His long.continuance at that place gave great uneasiness to the cortes, and the inhabitants of Madrid, where it was a general question, When will his majesty swear to the constitution? and rumours of the most opposite kinds were propagated on this point. The French papers, at this time under the control of the Bourbons, were continually publishing paragraphs in favor of the royal party against the popular. One of these stated, under the head of Barcelona, "The cortes preserve a menacing attitude, and wish to impose upon the sovereign conditions which the dignity of the crown cannot admit. The new constitution is really republican: the executive power is so limited and checked, that it is impossible the machine can support itself." The Duke del Infantado had now joined the king at Valencia, and was followed by most of the grandees, and many prelates also repaired to his court.

The cortes becoming more and more suspicious and anxious, dispatched two letters to the king, expressing their earnest desire that he would assume the reins of government, according to the constitution, and representing the mischievous consequences that would result from a longer de lay, to which it does not appear that they received any answer. At length, all suspense and doubt was terminated by a declaration, which Ferdinand issued at Valencia on the 4th of May. As this paper was the forerunner of all the disorders which afterwards took place in this country, we think it our duty to lay the whole of it before our readers.

"Since the period when Divine Providence, in consequence of the spontaneous and solemn resignation of my august father, placed me on the throne of my ancestors, of which the kingdom took the oaths to me as heir by its procurators assembled in cortes, according to the law and custom of the Spanish nation, practised from the most remote periods; and since that happy day on which

The

CHAP. IV.

1814.

monstrations of affection and loyalty with which BOOK XIII. the people of Madrid came out to receive me, this display of love towards my royal person making a deep impression on the French hosts, who, under the cloak of friendship, had advanced as far as that city, being a presage of what that heroic population would one day perform for their king and for their honor, and giving that example which the other parts of the kingdom have nobly followed: since that day, I determined in my royal mind to reply to sentiments so loyal, and to satisfy the great obligations which a king is under towards his subjects, to dedicate my whole time to the discharge of such august functions, and to repair the evils which the pernicious influence of a favourite had caused in the preceding reign. My first labours were directed to the restoration of various magistrates and other persons, who had been arbitrarily removed from their functions; but the difficult state of affairs, and the perfidy of Bonaparte, from the cruel effects of which I wished, by proceeding to Bayonne, to preserve my people, scarcely allowed time for more. royal family being assembled there, an atrocious attack was perpetrated on the whole of it, and particularly on my person, unequalled in the bistory of civilized nations, both in its circumstances and in the series of events which took place there; and the sacred law of nations being there violated in the highest degree, I was deprived of my liberty, stripped of the government of my kingdoms, and conveyed to a palace with my very dear brother and uncle, which served as a sort of honorable prison for about the space of six years. Amidst this affliction, I had always present to my mind the love and loyalty of my people, and the consideration of the endless calamities to which they were exposed formed a great part of my griefs; inundated as they were with enemies, nearly des titute of all means of resistance, without a king, and without a government previously established, which might put in motion and unite at its voice the force of the nation, direct its impulse, and avail itself of the resources of the state, to combat the forces which simultaneously invaded the Peninsula, and bad treacherously got possession of its principal fortresses. In this lamentable situation, as the only remedy that remained, I issued, as well as I could while surrounded by force, the decree of the 5th of May, 1808, addressed to the council of Castile, and in defect of it to any other board or audience that might be at liberty, in order that the cortes might be convoked, who had only to employ themselves on the spur of the moment, in raising the taxes and supplies necessary for the defence of the kingdom, remaining permanent for other events which might occur: but this my royal decree unfortunately was not known then; and, although it was afterwards known, the provinces