Note 30 — Chapter VI

The Belgian manufacturers themselves were, as I have before stated, perfectly alive to the mischief which the separation from Holland was certain to entail upon them; and it is curious, as well as interesting, to remark the circumstantial fidelity with which these protectors warned the movement party of the consequences which they were provoking, and which have since been accomplished to the letter. The following reasons against separation from Holland were published at the time in one of the journals of Antwerp, when the prospect of Repealing the Union was most unpalatable:

“Ever since some parts of our southern provinces have unfurled the banner of insurrection, all business has ceased. Circulation has been interrupted, and several establishments, which required the employment of great capital and afforded the means of subsistance to numerous families, have been destroyed and burned. Public tranquillity disturbed in every manner; men, the most peaceable, and a short time ago happy in the bosom of their families, prospering under the protection of order and the laws, now forcibly torn from their homes to perform military service of which they are ignorant, and which they dislike; their property every day exposed and ready to become the prey of an unbridled populace—a state of anarchy which will end by creating parties who will shortly lacerate each other; and lastly, a most forbidding future preparing for them. Such is a faint picture of the evils which a rebellious and unconstitutional rising has already produced. But all that has hitherto been witnessed is in no wise to be compared to the consequences which must result from an unseasonable separation, which has been demanded with a levity which no man of sense can comprehend.

It is true, that among the men who figure as the authors and supporters of a separation, there are to be observed no manufacturers: and, indeed, what manufacturer, what merchant, what agriculturist even, could fall into such an error?

You cry out for a separation, and would fain persuade yourselves that it would be all in your favour. With similar levity you take upon yourselves to dictate the conditions of a separation. This shows but little foresight.

The northern part of the kingdom has taken up the gauntlet, which you so imprudently threw down. Hear one of their organs, and consider the consequences which must, and ought to ensue to Belgium when once isolated and abandoned to itself.”

The following is the reply of the Dutch to your challenge:—

“‘We are glad,’ say they, ‘that the proposal for a divorce has been made by you. Let it take place, and the cloud which has darkened the horizon of our country will be dissipated. A glorious sun will then soon shine upon it. Soon will the decadence of Amsterdam and its causes cease, and the separation will give it the life and activity which it lost by the union.

But let us examine what will be the result of this divorce to the northern provinces?

Relieved from an odious manufacturing system, we shall be able to establish our customs on a perfectly commercial system: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dort, Middleburgh, will become so many free ports, into which moderate duties, exempt from vexatious modes of collection, will bring back our old commerce in all its force. The duties at present imposed upon sugar, coffee, and other articles of trade, will be revoked.

The inhabitants will purchase fuel, clothing, stuffs, and all the commodities which trade, manufacture, and the necessities of a people require, in England, and wherever they can produce them upon better terms than in the southern provinces, where all these articles will be loaded with duties and restrictions, and will be therefore dearer.

Our country will again become the centre and mart of all the productions and riches of the world which are destined for and consumed in Germany and the provinces of France bordering on the Rhine, as well as in many other places which now escape us.

The products of our colonies will be no longer carried except to our own ports, to the exclusion of all others, and they will be freed from all the duties and charges with which they are at present burdened, and which our Sovereign has established for the advantage of the Belgians alone. Thus not only the mother country, but the colonies, also, will enjoy the advantage of the separation. The duty of 25 per cent. established at Java in favour of the Belgians will be abolished, and it is thus that, wherever the standard of Holland shall be displayed, liberty, prosperity, and public happiness will prevail; and let no one present to you as a burdensome set-off the debt which will remain to our charge.’”